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THE GOLDEN MOUSE (OCHROTOMYS NUTTALLI) AS A MODEL FOR MANAGEMENT OF "RARE" SPECIES
Citation:
MORZILLO, A. T. AND G. A. FELDHAMER. THE GOLDEN MOUSE (OCHROTOMYS NUTTALLI) AS A MODEL FOR MANAGEMENT OF "RARE" SPECIES. Presented at American Society of Mammalogists, Albuquerque, NM, June 06 - 10, 2007.
Description:
Most mammalian species in North America are neither widespread nor abundant. Nonetheless, the term "rare"- although often used to describe species¿ is difficult to quantify, despite the fact that rarity is a fundamental concept in management and conservation. This results in ecological and methodological uncertainties related to population assessment, habitat planning, and identification of a particular species as threatened or endangered. The golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli) is considered a "rare" small mammal species despite its relatively wide geographical distribution within the southeastern United States. Despite enjoying a large range, local populations of golden mice are rarely abundant relative to white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) or other sympatric rodents. We completed a hierarchical analysis of known golden mouse distribution from the global to local level. Results suggested that conservation status of this species is related to two main factors: 1) the level of assessment, and 2) specific location within the species¿ geographic range. Arkansas is the only state within the range that has recorded golden mice within every county. Other states, such as North Carolina, have few field records of golden mice, but rely heavily on habitat analyses (such as the Gap Analysis Program) to assess perceived population status. Other southeastern states lack consistent information related to distribution of golden mice (e.g., Oklahoma), or have no information at all (e.g., Mississippi). Nevertheless, the greatest variability in conservation status of the golden mouse is along the periphery of its range, where at the state level populations range from no ranking (e.g., Florida) to "threatened" (e.g., Illinois). This disconnect between individual state-level conservation assessments results in management challenges in which, as with other "rare" species, prescription of a broad-spectrum management formula is exceptionally difficult, if possible at all.