OBSERVATIONS ON THE BEHAVIOR AND POPULATION-DYNAMICS OF SOME BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC FOREST RODENTS

During a 13-month capture-recapture study, 11 species of small rodents were present in a 0,5 ha trapping-grid in old second growth Atlantic forest in southern Sao Paulo. The commonest species regularly trapped was Delomys dorsalis, found throughout the year, followed by Akodon nigrita, with a more erratic capture pattern. Other species captured were Oryzomys capito, O. ratticeps, O. nigripes, Oxymycterus hispidus, Akodon cursor (two caryotypical forms), A. serrensis, Microxus iheringi and Nectomys squamipes. The capture pattern suggests a general decrease in numbers towards the end of the year, as already observed by Davis (1945). Although data are incomplete for some species, reproduction appears to occur outside the winter (May-August), except for A. nigrita. Most species are terrestrial and/or fossorial, except the semi-aquatic N. squamipes and the arboreal O. nigripes. O. ratticeps is also able to climb well and exploit the arboreal vegetation.o TEXTO COMPLETO DESTE ARTIGO, ESTARÁ DISPONÍVEL À PARTIR DE AGOSTO DE 2015.55455556