ABUNDANCE AND REPRODUCTION OF OLIGORYZOMYS NIGRIPES IN TWO FOREST FRAGMENTS, SOUTHERN OF ATLANTIC FOREST, CERRO LARGO, RS

Abstract

Oligoryzomys nigripes is a generalist rodent widely distributed in South America. The present study aims to present information on abundance, reproduction, and litter size for O. nigripes in the south of Atlantic Forest biome. This study was conducted at two forest fragments in Cerro Largo, RS, between April 2015 and October 2016, with 5,320 trap-nights. We captured most of the individuals captured during winter and spring, corroborating previous researches that indicated higher abundance during the coldest months on the southern portion of O. nigripes distribution. Reproductive animals were found during all seasons, however, males had greater chances to be reproductive during spring. During autumn of 2015, through handling and identification, one reproductive female had three young; this was a rare record of litter size for a Neotropical rodent.