Distribution Of Small Mammals In Mount Rainier National Park

Author : Melvin Schamberger
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 242 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (77 download)

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Download or read book Mammals of Mount Rainier National Park written by Melvin Schamberger and published by . This book was released on 1970 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: During 1966, 1967, and 1968 extensive field investigations were carried out in Mount Rainier National Park. These included continuous research during the summer months, and weekend activities during the winter months. Small mammals were trapped and observed, and the larger mammals were observed exclusively. The summer trapping consisted of two phases: the first phase involved random sampling in various sections of the park, where an area was sampled for 10 days with no further investigations being made at that site. This provided information related to habitat preferences, elevational and life zone distribution, interspecific associations, and relative numbers. The second phase involved the establishment of permanent trapping lines which were operated continuously for 10 days each year. This provided additional information on the above topics and served as a measure of population fluctuations during the course of the study. A total of 57,246 trap nights from 58 trap sites produced 3,717 animals. There are 50 known mammalian species in the park, and an additional 14 species which were either formerly present and now extinct, or which may expand their range into the Mount Rainier area. The small mammal species which contributed most to the population were Peromyscus maniculatus (38%), Clethrionomys gapperi (14%), Eutamias townsendii (10.3%), and Zapus trinotatus (10.1%). From the permanent trap lines a population cycle in Peromyscus was demonstrated, while other species did not seem to be effected. An account is given for each species present in Mount Rainier National Park and a similar account for those species which are potential inhabitants. There is also a discussion by life zone of the mammals and their distribution in the park.