Nonvolant small mammals from a southwestern area of Brazilian Cerrado: diversity, habitat use, seasonality, and biogeography

A study of nonvolant small mammals in Emas National Park, a critical but understudied region of the Cerrado biome, revealed 23 species, with the grass mouse Necromys lasiurus being the most abundant. Contrary to prior findings, the rainy season showed higher richness and abundance, likely due to reproductive activity and resource availability. The research found that habitat selectivity is strongly influenced by canopy structure and humidity, with gallery forests and dense savannas being the richest habitats. The faunal composition of this southwestern Cerrado region shows greater similarity to the Amazon biome than previously thought, highlighting endemic and restricted-range species. This study underscores the ecological importance of Emas National Park in preserving unique biodiversity within the Cerrado.

Carmignotto, A. P., Bezerra, A. M. R., & Rodrigues, F. H. G. (2014). Nonvolant small mammals from a southwestern area of Brazilian Cerrado: diversity, habitat use, seasonality, and biogeography. Therya, 5(2), 535–558. https://doi.org/10.12933/therya-14-197