Distinct isotopic signatures reveal effect of ecoregion on small mammals of Ghana.

ABSTRACT: Species reside in dynamic environments, simultaneously experiencing variations in climatic conditions, habitat availability and quality, interspecific interactions, and anthropogenic pressures. We investigated variation in foraging ecology of the small mammal community between land-use classifications (i.e., protected national parks and unprotected lands abutting them) in Mole National Park (MNP) and Digya National Park (DNP), representing distinct ecoregions of Ghana. In 5,064 trap nights, we sampled 153 individuals of 23 species within the 2 national parks and adjacent lands outside protected boundaries to describe variation in community composition. We also used δ¹³ C and δ¹⁵ N isotopic ratios from fresh feces to determine main effects and interactions between land

SUBMITTER: Harris NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5901091 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature