Demographics and ecology of an isolated population of the desert pocket mouse, Chaetodipus penicillatus sobrinus, in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada
A two-year mark recapture study was conducted on the desert pocket mouse, Chaetodipus penicillatus sobrinus on a relic population within the city of Las Vegas, NV. Demographic information and movement patterns were documented and microhabitat selection analyzed. Chaetodipus. p. sobrinus activity correlated with ambient temperatures, during colder months (Ta = 15Ã‚Â°C) C. p. sobrinus became dormant. Sex ratio was 1:1 except during the early spring in which males were favored. Reproduction occurred between March and September each year. Male C. p. sobrinus has significantly larger home range estimates compared to females. The maximum dispersal distance was 133 meters and sex-biased dispersal was not observed. Home range overlap varied between sexes. Female intrasexual overlap was significantly greater when compared to intersexual and male intrasexual overlap. Plant physiognomy (canopy cover and height), soil particle size (>2.0 mm), soil bulk density and distance to the nearest food resource (mesquite and acacia) significantly contributed to microhabitat selection within this study population.
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