Fine-scale microhabitat selection for dense vegetation in a heathland rodent, Rattus lutreolus: Insights from intraspecific and temporal patterns

Abstract

Vegetation is a dynamic habitat component and successional changes in vegetation structure can lead to concomitant changes in the communities of animals living in a particular area. Heathland rodents are a classic example, with vegetation at different ages post fire being dominated by different species. While broad associations are often demonstrated between the distribution and abundance of species and vegetation structure, the causal relationships are poorly understood. Studies of temporal and sex- or age-specific patterns can provide strong insights into the processes underling patterns of habitat selection. In an attempt to better understand the mechanistic links between rodent successio..