HABITAT USE BY SMALL MAMMALS IN THE ARID ANDEAN FOOTHILLS OF THE MONTE DESERT OF MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

Use of vegetation patches by small mammals in the arid Andean foothill s of Argentina was studied. The species showed relatively high habitat specialization. Microhabitat use differed between the dominant specie s, the rodents Calomys musculinus and Graomys griseoflavus. Patterns o f habitat occupancy accord with their distribution at the plot or the geographical scales. Species affinities for vegetation variables sugge st that habitat structure is an important factor in structuring the sm all mammal communities of the Andean foothills. (C) 1998 Academic Pres s Limited.