Activity pattern of the neotropical marsupial Didelphis aurita in south-eastern Brazilian Atlantic Forest. (6th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferreira, Mariana Silva; Vieira, Marcus Vinícius
• Is Part Of: Journal of tropical ecology. Volume 30:Part 2(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 172
• Publication Date: 2014-02-06
• Subjects: Ecology -- Tropics -- Periodicals; 577.0913
• DOI: 10.1017/S0266467413000886
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-4674

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract:</title> <p>Nocturnal activity is generally presumed, but rarely evaluated in studies of tropical small mammals. When evaluated, activity is frequently presented as a fixed pattern, but actually it is the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on individuals. We investigated effects of age, sex, minimum temperature, reproductive and climatic seasons on activity of <italic>Didelphis aurita</italic> (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) in an Atlantic Forest area in south-eastern Brazil from June 2009 to December 2010. We captured 37 individuals, 51 times (28 females and 23 males). Activity of <italic>D. aurita</italic> was mostly nocturnal, but some individuals were active during the day (12%, N = 6). Nocturnal activity was bimodal, more prevalent in adults than juveniles, and different from most neotropical marsupials. Contrary to expectations, individuals of <italic>D. aurita</italic> were more active at colder temperatures, which indicates that low temperatures do not limit foraging behaviour.</p> </abstract>