ECOLOGY OF SMALL MAMMALS OF THE BIOLOGICA L RESERVE CARPANTA IN THE EASTERN COLOMBIAN CORDILLERA

Demographic studies on small mammals were carried out in the Biologica l Reserve Carpanta, in the eastern cordillera of the Colombian Andes, at 3000 m of altitude. The capture-recapture method Was used in a 1.2 ha grid with high Andean forest and paramo vegetation, between Februar y and March of 1989. Eleven species of rodents, insectivores, marsupia ls and carnivores were captured and other three species were reported for the zone. It seems that demographic parameters are influenced by t he season of highest precipitation. Diets, preference of habitats and home range are also discussed.