THE RODENT COMMUNITY AND ASSOCIATED VEGETATION IN A TALLGRASS BLACKLAND-PRAIRIE IN TEXAS

This study reports the first systematically collected data on the small mammal community in both undisturbed and disturbed tracts of a remnant Blackland Prairie in Hunt County, Texas. During three years of seasonal study, the two principal habitats (grassland and wooded draw) were sampled using mark-release-recapture methods. Peromyscus leucopus, Peromyscus maniculatus and Sigmodon hispidus occurred in both habitats. Reithrodontomys fulvescens and Reithrodontomys humulis occurred only in the grassland, whereas Neotoma floridana was trapped only in the wooded draw. Mus musculus was found in disturbed areas away from the trapping grids. Estimates of population densities and longevity are provided for several of these species of rodents. Quantitative data on vegetative cover characterizing grassland and wooded-draw habitats is also provided. The composition of the rodent fauna is considered biogeographically.