From garden to forest: small rodents and plant succession in Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

The distribution of three species of Rattus, three of Melomys and one of Leptomys among habitats classed according to successional phase (i.e. garden to forest) was studied by trapping. Species were added progressively to the succession and, in broad outline, those that produced more young preceded those that produced less young. Melomys lutilIus and R . leucopus were restricted to areas of grassy regrowth and of low secondary growth (ca 10-12.5 yr) respectively. Other species remained in the assemblage from the successional phase at which they entered. All species had appeared within 20 yrs of the start of succession.