Abstract
An ecological study focusing on the spacing patterns and population dynamics of two sympatric rats, Maxomys rajah and M. whiteheadi, was conducted using wire-mesh live cage traps over eight years in a primary tropical rain forest in Sarawak, Malaysia. Home range size, observed range length, the distribution of home ranges, and fluctuations in abundance of the two species were quantified. No significant differences were found in home range size or observed range lengths between conspecific sexes or between species. Overlaps of home range were mostly detected between heterospecific individuals, but occasionally between conspecific individuals. Populations of both rats fluctuated widely throughout the study period. The similar-sized home ranges of sexes within species and the significantly broad, overlapping home ranges between species respectively suggest a monogamous mating system in Maxomys and a mechanism, facilitating interspecific coexistence. Natural disturbances such as severe drought or changes in food availability (like mass fruiting) may influence the population dynamics of these rats.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 381-387 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Raffles Bulletin of Zoology |
| Volume | 55 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 Aug 31 |
Keywords
- Disturbance
- General flowering
- Home range
- Mating system
- Observed range length
- Tropical forest
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics