Population Dynamics and Microhabitat Use of the Spinous Country Rat (Niviventer coxinga) at Tahanshan and Nanjeanshan Areas

• Main Author: 蔡執仲
• Other Authors: 楊遠波
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 1997
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/9jzjcn

碩士 === 國立中山大學 === 生命科學研究所 === 85 === Spinous Country Rats (Niviverter coxinga), a species with a low to mid-altitude distribution, were trapped 3-4 days monthly from August 1995 through March 1997 in Southern Taiwan to investigate population dynamics, microhabitat use, and their interactions. Five study areas were in the broad-leaf primary forests of the Tahanshan and Nanjeanshan areas. Four study areas (the leeward, windward, lake and stream sites) were at Nanjeanshan, and one was at Tahanshan. All five study areas had a different habitat structure, with the Nanjeanshan sites varying in exposure. Principle component analysis was used to investigate 14 population factors and 28 habitat factors. Four population factors and 8 habitat factors were found to be important. Population dynamics varied with season, not with study area. Population size peaked in the dry season (September through April) and gradually declined throughout the wet season (May through August) . While habitat use varied with individual rat, there were no study area effects, suggesting that microhabitat type does not affect the population and distribution of this rat. Simple linear regression and canonical correlation analysis of the interaction between microhabitat structure and population dynamics suggests that the distribution of this rat is affected by herb and shrub gradients. The herb layer is probably important in providing food with the shrub layer providing cover and access to the canopy. These data suggest that the Spinous County Rat is a habitat generalist within the deciduous forests of Southern Taiwan.