Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2006

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Biology and Microbiology

Abstract

Custer State Park (CSP) encompasses 28,632 hectares in the southern portion of the Black Hills in western South Dakota. A small mammal survey has not been conducted in CSP since its establishment in 1919. The objectives of this research were to: (1) document the species of small mammals that occur in CSP; (2) associate small mammals with vegetation alliances found in CSP; and (3) identify areas of high species richness of small mammals in CSP. Trapping sites were selected by reviewing a vegetation alliance map of CSP. Sites were sampled using Sherman live traps (76mm X 89mm X 229mm) baited with peanut butter and rolled oats. Each site consisted of parallel transects 200m in length with 21 traps per transect placed 10m apart for a total of 42 traps per site. Weight (grams), length (millimeters) and station number was recorded for all mammals captured during 􀂄ach of the four trapping nights per site. On days two through four, all new captures were marked by successive toe clipping to identify individuals recaptured. Forty-two trapping sites were surveyed for a total of 5,950 trap-nights. I caught 871 small mammals belonging to 11 different species in 18 different vegetation alliances. Each site was plotted on a vegetation alliance map of CSP to determine associations. Of the 11 species caught, four comprised 92% of all individuals captured; meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvaicus), least chipmunk (Tamias minimus), white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), and deer mouse (P. maniculatus). Small mammal species richness ranged from two to seven and had a mean of five species per vegetation alliance.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Mammals -- South Dakota -- Custer State Park

Mammal populations -- South Dakota -- Custer State Park

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

100

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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