Small mammals in a semi-arid community, with particular reference to Ningaui yvonneae

Abstract

Small mammal community structure was investigated at a semi-arid mallee site in the Middleback Ranges of South Australia during 14 field trips conducted over four years. During this time, 291 small mammals were caught from 6579 trap nights (trap success 4.4%). Ningaui yvonneae was the most abundant and frequently recorded species (199 captures), followed by Cercartetus concinnus (75 captures). Other species caught infrequently were Sminthopsis dolichura (2 captures), Notomys mitchellii (3 captures), Pseudomys bolami (2 captures) and Mus domesticus (10 captures). Ningaui yvonneae was the only species caught during all sampling periods. Males were trapped more frequently than females (117 : 43). Recapture rates were low, with only eight of 160 individuals caught during more than one sampling period. This may reflect the mobility of the species. Distances moved between successive recaptures within a sampling period averaged less than 100 m, while between sampling periods distances averaged more than 450 m. This is the first published study to capture N. yvonneae regularly and in reasonable numbers.