Small and Medium Sized Mammal Inventory of Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve

Authors

Emily K, Pifer1, Jennifer L. Eells1, Jean Olbert1, Frank J. Mazzotti1, and Kenneth G. Rice2

Introduction

Effects of ecosystem restoration and exotic species on native populations are an increasing concern in south Florida. Small and medium sized mammals are ecologically critical as a food base, predators, vectors for disease and seed distribution, and providers of numerous other connections in the natural system. As restoration proceeds, data on these native populations should be accessible to managers and planners. Despite their importance, these taxa have not been systematically inventoried in South Florida since the mid 1950s. To fill this void, we inventoried upland, wetland, and coastal habitats in Everglades National Park (ENP) and Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP).

Map

Materials and Methods

  • A species habitat matrix for mammals within the two parks was constructed from existing literature sources.
  • Using this matrix, we conducted a systematic samling effort using a Proportion Area Occupied (PAO) approach to estimate the probabilities of detection of each species per habitat.
  • We then determined rare species of special interest for specialized sampling stragies at a later date.
Methods included:
  • live trapping
  • tracking
  • python gut content analysis
  • remote sensing cameras
  • visual encounters
  • owl pellet analysis
 Traveling in parks was accomplished by:
  • kayak
  • hiking
  • motor boat
  • ATV
  • truck
  • helicopter
Mammal Skulls

Mammal Skulls--found in dissection of owl pellets at ENP

Results

Of the 29 mammalian species cited as occuring in ENP and BCNP, confirmation of presence in the study area was only possible for 23 species. The Everglades mink (Mustela vison), Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans), Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), and Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) were only documented in one of the two parks, or in such low numbers that we are now focusing our sampling efforts on these target species.

Graph

Comparison of the number of individuals captured per park. Some of the more common species detected included the Opossum and the Black rat.

Spotted Skunk Round-tailed Muskrat
Spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) caught on an Olympus camera trap at BCNP. Example of a Round-tailed muskrat (Neofiber alieni) lodge found in BCNP.

Species data can be summarized by habitat, method of detection, and species detected. This allows us to predict the best methods for detection of a certain species in a given habitat type using the PAO method. According to the tables below, hammocks in both BCNP and ENP have the highest species richness. Camera traps have proven to be the most effective detection method.

BNCP Species Present Table

    Presence Habitat
Common Name   Confirmed Uncomfirmed Pine Hammock Cypress Cypress-Prairie Prairie Other
   
Raccoon Procyon lotor XLS, C, P, RK   LS, C LS, C. P LS, RK, C RK, C, LS LS, RK, C C
Opossum Didelphis virginiana XLS, C, RK   LS, C LS, RK, C RK, C, LS RK, C C C
Marsh Rabbit Sylvilagus palustris XC, P, RK, LS   C, P RK, C LS, C, RK C LS, C  
Bobcat Lynx rufus XLS, C, RK, P, S   LS, C, P LS, RK, S, C C P, RK, C C C
River otter Lutra canadensis XLS, RK, C     LS, RK LS, RK     C
Nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus XLS, C, RK   LS, C LS, RK, C   C LS C
Cotton mouse Peromyscus gossypinus XC, LT   C LT, C LT, C LT    
Rice rat Oryzomys palustris XLS, C, RK, LT   LS, C RK, LT, C LT, C LT, C    
Cotton rat Sigmodon hispidus XC, LT, LS, OP   C LT, LS, OP C LT LT, C    
Black (roof) rat Rattus rattus XRK, C     RK, C        
Round-tailed muskrat Neofiber alleni XLS, OP           LS OP
Least shrew Cryptotis parva   X            
Short-tailed shrew Blarina carolinensis XLT, OP     LT, OP        
Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus XLS           LS  
Gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus XLS, RK     LS, RK        
Coyote Canis latrans XC, LS     C   LS LS, C C
Gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis XLS, C   LS LS, C LS, C LS   C
House mouse Mus musculus XC, LT   C LT LT LT    
Everglades mink Mustela vison XLS     LS        
Fox squirrel Sciurus niger avecennia XLS, P   LS P LS LS    
Domestic cat Felis domesticus XC, RK, LS   C, RK RK, LS        
Domestic dog Canis familiaris XC, Rk, LS     C, RK, LS     LS  
Red fox Vulpes vulpes   X            
Norway rat Rattus norvegicus   X            
Striped skunk Mephitis mephitis   X            
Eastern spotted skunk Spilogale putorius XC, RK, LS   C RK, C LS      
Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata   X            
Southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans   X            
Eastern mole Scalopus aquaticus   X            

C = Camera       LS = Live Sighting       S = Scat       RK = Roadkill       LT = Live Trap       P = Print       OP = Owl Pellet


ENP Species Present Table

    Presence Habitat
Common Name   Confirmed Uncomfirmed Pine Hammock Slough Marl-Prairie Mangrove Other
   
Raccoon Procyon lotor XC, LS, P, S, RK   S C, S, RK C, P, RK, LS P, S C, LS, P, S  
Opossum Didelphis virginiana XC, LS, RK, S, P   C, LS C, LS, S S, P C   RK
Marsh Rabbit Sylvilagus palustris XC, LS, OS     C, LS   C C, LS OS
Bobcat Lynx rufus XC, P, S     C, S S P   S
River otter Lutra canadensis XLS, P, S     S, LS LS, P P    
Nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus XRK, LS     LS       RK
Cotton mouse Peromyscus gossypinus XC, LT   C LT        
Rice rat Oryzomys palustris XLT, C, OP, P   C LT C, P LT, C   OP
Cotton rat Sigmodon hispidus XLT, C, RK, LS, OP   LT, C, RK, LS LT, C, RK, LS C, LS C   OP
Black (roof) rat Rattus rattus XLT, C, OP, P, LS     LT, C, LS C, P, OP C LT, C, P OP
Round-tailed muskrat Neofiber alleni XOS       OS OS   OP
Least shrew Cryptotis parva XLT, OP, OS   LT     OS   OP
Short-tailed shrew Blarina carolinensis XLS, OP             LS, OP
Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus XRK, C         C   RK
Gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus XRK, P, LS   P   LS, P     RK
Coyote Canis latrans XLS, OS, S, P, C   S, P, LS LS, S, P OS, P, S OS, S, P, C    
Gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis XC, LS, RK   C, LS C, LS, RK        
House mouse Mus musculus XOS             OS
Everglades mink Mustela vison   XP     P      
Fox squirrel Sciurus niger avecennia XLS     LS LS      
Domestic cat Felis domesticus XRK, LS     RK, LS        
Domestic dog Canis familiaris XC, LS, P, S   P S S C   LS, S
Red fox Vulpes vulpes   X            
Norway rat Rattus norvegicus   X            
Striped skunk Mephitis mephitis   X            
Eastern spotted skunk Spilogale putorius   X            
Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata   X            
Southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans   X            
Eastern mole Scalopus aquaticus   X            

C = Camera   LS = Live Sighting   S = Scat   RK = Road Kill     LT = Live Trap     P = Print     OP = Owl Pellet   OS = Other

Future Directions

Specialized survey techniques are in use for six species that have not been found in either ENP or BCNP, or both. These include the Norway rat, Southern flying squirrel, Everglades mink, Eastern cottontail, Round-tailed muskrat, and the Eastern spotted skunk.

Raft Coyote
Floating raft designed to detect the Everglades mink (Mustela vison). Coyote (Canis latrans) caught on Olympus camera trap at BCNP.

In addition, a GIS layer for each mammal species is being developed for use in modeling, prescribed fire planning, and long term monitoring. By understanding the current status of these species, we can ensure that they will be considered as key components in future restoration efforts.


(1) Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, IFAS, University of Florida
(2) USGS, Florida Integrated Science Center

Citation

Pifer, E.K., J.L. Eells, J. Olbert, F.J. Mazzotti and K.G. Rice. (2009, July). Small and Medium Sized Mammal Inventory of Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. Poster presented at the 3rd National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration.