Efficiency of small mammal trapping in an Atlantic Forest fragmented landscape: the effects of trap type and position, seasonality and habitat/Eficiência da captura de pequenos mamíferos em uma paisagem fragmentada de Mata Atlântica: efeitos do tipo e posição das armadilhas, estação do ano e habitat

Abstract

This study compared the efficiency of the capture of small mammals in Sherman traps in two positions and pitfall traps in a fragmented landscape. A total effort of 4622 trap-nights resulted in 155 captures of 137 individuals from six species. Pitfalls had greater success (4.03%), followed by Shermans on the ground (2.98%) and on trees (2.37%; χ^sup 2^ = 6.50, p = 0.04). Five species were caught in Sherman ground traps, four in pitfalls and just two on trees. There was no difference among trap types for marsupials (χ^sup 2^ = 4.75; p = 0.09), while for rodents, pitfalls were more efficient than Shermans on the ground (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.02). As a result, the efficiency of each trap type differed among habitats, due to differences in their species composition. Pitfalls were more efficient in the rainy season (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.0001) while Shermans on trees were more efficient in the dry season (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.009).