TY - JOUR
T1 - Track plates detect the endangered New Mexico jumping mouse
AU - Harrow, Rachel L.
AU - Horncastle, Valerie J.
AU - Chambers, Carol L.
N1 - Funding Information:
We thank R. Benford, G. Davis, J. M. Gladden, M. Hart, H. E. Hicks, S. M. Houlette, D. A. Kopp, P. Langle, S. Langle, L. K. LeSueur, K. L. Licence, R. A. Marroquin-Flores, J. G. Martínez-Fonseca, N. Meneses, A. Nemecek, W. O. Noble, M. C. Parker, J. E. Peiffer, C. A. Rozanski, and D. R. Smith for their assistance on this project. We thank P. Neuhaus and 2 anonymous reviewers for their comments that improved the quality of this manuscript. We received funding and support from the U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund, and Northern Arizona University Hooper Undergraduate Research Award.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Wildlife Society, 2018
PY - 2018/12
Y1 - 2018/12
N2 - The New Mexico jumping mouse (Zapus luteus luteus, formerly Z. hudsonius luteus), an endangered subspecies found in the southwestern United States, inhabits riparian areas with tall, dense herbaceous vegetation as habitat. To detect presence of this species for use in defining life history and habitat use, we developed and tested 4 noninvasive track-plate methods, and selected the best for field use. New Mexico jumping mice have unique feet and toes that are readily distinguishable from other small mammals within their geographic range. We created reference photos of rodent tracks that confirmed the unique footprints of the jumping mouse and tested this method against detection with live traps in the Apache–Sitgreaves, Arizona, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, National Forests, 2016 and 2017. When comparing the 2 detection methods, in only 1 of 16 comparisons did results differ, where we captured jumping mice in live traps, but did not detect them with track plates. Based on our success with this approach, we developed a 14-minute instructional video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2x0Ydc1XVM) on assembly, deployment, and interpretation of track plates. Although trapping provided specific information about individuals, the noninvasive nature of our track-plate design minimized risk of injury or mortality to animals and lowered study costs.
AB - The New Mexico jumping mouse (Zapus luteus luteus, formerly Z. hudsonius luteus), an endangered subspecies found in the southwestern United States, inhabits riparian areas with tall, dense herbaceous vegetation as habitat. To detect presence of this species for use in defining life history and habitat use, we developed and tested 4 noninvasive track-plate methods, and selected the best for field use. New Mexico jumping mice have unique feet and toes that are readily distinguishable from other small mammals within their geographic range. We created reference photos of rodent tracks that confirmed the unique footprints of the jumping mouse and tested this method against detection with live traps in the Apache–Sitgreaves, Arizona, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, National Forests, 2016 and 2017. When comparing the 2 detection methods, in only 1 of 16 comparisons did results differ, where we captured jumping mice in live traps, but did not detect them with track plates. Based on our success with this approach, we developed a 14-minute instructional video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2x0Ydc1XVM) on assembly, deployment, and interpretation of track plates. Although trapping provided specific information about individuals, the noninvasive nature of our track-plate design minimized risk of injury or mortality to animals and lowered study costs.
KW - Arizona
KW - New Mexico
KW - Zapus hudsonius luteus
KW - Zapus luteus luteus
KW - detection
KW - endangered species
KW - noninvasive methods
KW - survey methodology
KW - track plate
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U2 - 10.1002/wsb.927
DO - 10.1002/wsb.927
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85058051533
SN - 0091-7648
VL - 42
SP - 693
EP - 700
JO - Wildlife Society Bulletin
JF - Wildlife Society Bulletin
IS - 4
ER -