It's a trap: Optimizing detection of rare small mammals.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Wildlife Biology
• Conservation Science

Background:

• Accurate detection of rare species is crucial for ecological assessments and conservation.
• Standard trapping methods may not effectively detect elusive small mammals, impacting study results.
• Understanding factors influencing detection probability is key to improving wildlife monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel small mammal trapping protocol to increase detection probabilities for rare species.
• To assess the impact of trap type, bait, and grid size on small mammal detection.
• To investigate the influence of non-target species captures on the detection of rare species, specifically the olive-backed pocket mouse (Perognathus fasciatus).

Main Methods:

• Employed three distinct trap and bait types across an expanded trapping area (4.4 times larger than standard grids).
• Systematically recorded trap success rates and species captured.
• Analyzed the influence of trap/bait selection, grid size, and non-target species interference on detection probability.

Main Results:

• Havahart traps demonstrated higher overall trap success across all species.
• Species-specific trap and bait preferences were significant; pocket mice favored Havahart traps with bird seed.
• Increased grid size enhanced detection probability, though optimal grid size could be reduced by approximately 25% while maintaining similar results.
• A combination of diverse traps and baits mitigated the negative effect of non-target species (e.g., deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus) on pocket mouse detection.

Conclusions:

• Simple modifications to standard small mammal trapping protocols can substantially improve the detectability of rare and elusive species.
• Enhanced detection probabilities for rare species lead to more robust ecological study outcomes and improved community assessments.
• This refined protocol offers a valuable tool for wildlife researchers and conservationists aiming to accurately survey diverse small mammal communities.