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 = 15°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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Science

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year

2002

Author dc:creator

• Micone, Kerstan Dawn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Brett Riddle

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/rtds/1438

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oasis.library.unlv.edu:rtds-2437