SMALL MAMMAL MICROHABITAT USE IN LOWLAND RAIN-FOREST OF NORTHEAST MADAGASCAR

This study describes a systematic small mammal trapping programme in t he lowland rain forest of Anandrivola, north-east Madagascar, Trapping in both primary and secondary forest revealed the presence of nine sm all mammal species. Twenty-six habitat variables measured around each trap site were used to determine microhabitat preferences in the three most common small mammal species. The tenrec Microgale talazaci Major , 1896 was widespread but favoured microhabitats with relatively dense herbaceous growth. The endemic rodent Eliurus webbi Ellerman, 1949 wa s most often found deep within primary forest, in microhabitats charac terized by low herb densities and abundant lianes. The introduced rat Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) was trapped only in secondary forest, i n microhabitats close to the forest edge with dense herbaceous growth. The effects of microhabitat availability on small mammal species dist ributions and the consequences for conservation are discussed.