@article {KNZ002032, title = {Communities of small mammals, tallgrass prairie, and prescribed fire: a fire-reversal experiment}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {123}, year = {2020}, pages = {31 - 49}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, url = {https://bioone.org/journals/Transactions-of-the-Kansas-Academy-of-Science/volume-123/issue-1-2/062.123.0103/Communities-of-Small-Mammals-Tallgrass-Prairie-and-Prescribed-Fire/10.1660/062.123.0103.short}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A. and Kaufman, D.M. and Reed, A.W. and Rehmeier, R.L.} } @article {KNZ001991, title = {Small mammals in the northern Flint Hills prairie: Overwinter changes in abundance}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {121}, year = {2018}, pages = {297 - 315}, abstract = {

It is assumed that abundance of individual species of rodents and shrews in temperate regions decrease overwinter owing to winter mortality and cessation of reproduction. We wanted to examine this autumn versus spring pattern by using a 32-year long-term dataset from seven treatment sites on Konza Prairie Biological Station near Manhattan, Kansas, although we could not examine mortality or reproduction directly. We specifically wanted to determine first whether long-term patterns for species of small mammals showed that abundance decreased from autumn to spring and secondarily whether these patterns held among years and different habitat types. The decrease from autumn to spring was supported but, for individual species, varied from a 4\% decrease to a 99\–100\% decrease. For the ten species that had at least one capture in either autumn or spring, the years in which autumn abundance was greater than that in spring varied among species; the range was from 44\% of years for thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) to 100\% for Elliot\&$\#$39;s short-tailed shrew (Blarina hylophaga). Likewise, patterns of decrease varied considerably among habitat types when spring abundance was compared as a percent of autumn abundance in the six most common species in seven research treatments. For example, spring abundance of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), the most common small mammal, was only 52\–54\% of that in autumn for ungrazed sites that were burned annually, burned every 4 years or burned infrequently, whereas it was 105\–130\% of autumn abundance in bison-grazed sites that were burned annually or burned infrequently. Among the seven research treatments, the two least variable species decreasing in abundance from autumn to spring were Elliot\&$\#$39;s short-tailed shrews (spring populations were only 0\–2\% of those in autumn) and hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus; spring populations only 0\–15\% of those in autumn). Given the length of the study period, the high proportion of years that numbers of the common rodents increased from autumn to spring within the highly diverse mosaic of prairie studied suggests that a significant level of reproduction can occur between autumn and spring in many years, a life history trait that requires more study, especially in light of global climate change.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Annual variation, deer mice, Konza Prairie, Long-term ecological research, native tallgrass prairie, overwinter decline, relative abundance, rodents, Seasonal variation, shrews, site variation}, doi = {10.1660/062.121.0413}, url = {http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.1660/062.121.0413}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ002023, title = {Low biodiversity of small mammals in soybean fields in the northern Flint Hills, Kansas}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {120}, year = {2017}, pages = {175 - 182}, abstract = {

We studied small mammals in lowland soybean fields along Kings Creek on Konza Prairie during autumn 1981 and spring 1982 to assess the composition of the small mammal community in this particular cropland habitat. We also compared species composition and other community characteristics in these crop fields to those observed in native prairie, planted brome grasslands and riparian woodlands. The small mammal community in the soybean fields was dominated by seed-eating rodents as we recorded 100\% deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) during autumn and primarily deer mice (92\%) with a low proportion (8\%) of white-footed mice (P. leucopus) during spring. In upland tallgrass prairie comprised primarily of warm-season grasses, the small mammal community was dominated by deer mice (32\%), western harvest mice (30\%; Reithrodontomys megalotis) and by white-footed mice (8\%) in autumn and then by deer mice (35\%), white-footed mice (22\%) and harvest mice (21\%) in spring. The community of small mammals in soybean fields was not only different from that in native upland prairie but also from nearby brome fields. In this cool-season grass habitat, herbivorous rodents dominated as \>80\% of the small mammals were hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) during autumn and then prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and cotton rats combined in spring. The small mammal community in nearby lowland and slope prairie collected over many seasons during different years also supports the expectation that the community in soybean fields was drastically different from what would have occurred in lowland prairie habitat (most likely dominated by prairie voles, deer mice and western harvest mice) before European settlement and agricultural impacts.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Agricultural impacts, brome fields, deer mouse, Konza Prairie, native tallgrass prairie, prairie vole, rodents, shrews, western harvest mice, white-footed mouse}, doi = {10.1660/062.120.0404}, url = {http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.1660/062.120.0404}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ002024, title = {Small mammals in anthropogenic brome fields as compared to native tallgrass prairie in the northern flint hills of kansas}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {120}, year = {2017}, pages = {157 - 169}, abstract = {

We studied small mammals in planted smooth brome (Bromus inermis) fields on Konza Prairie to assess the small mammal community associated with these frequently occurring anthropogenic grasslands in eastern Kansas. Also, we wanted to understand the impacts of land use changes resulting from this type of anthropogenic change as compared to native habitats. Relative to this latter interest, we compared the small mammal community in brome fields to that found in native tallgrass prairie, also on Konza Prairie, for the same years and seasons during the early to mid-1980s. Small mammals were trapped in brome (n = 2 study sites) and native tallgrass prairie (n = 14) in autumn (6 years), spring (5) and summer (4) during 1981\–1986. Overall, 173 and 1893 individuals of rodents and shrews were captured in brome and native prairie, respectively. Across all seasons, community abundance in brome was greater in autumn than in spring and summer. Patterns of community abundance among seasons in brome were not proportionally similar to those found in tallgrass prairie. Although proportions in autumn were similar, the patterns in spring and summer were in contrasting directions; spring was higher in brome and summer was higher in prairie. When all seasons were combined, no effect on community abundance was observed from burning the brome fields. Community abundance in brome was similar on burned and unburned traplines in autumn and spring but not in summer. In summer, greater abundance of small mammals occurred on burned than on unburned research sites. The proportion of small mammals in burned brome fields in the three seasons mirrored the proportions observed on burned sites in native prairie. In contrast, these proportions were not similar for spring and summer in brome and prairie for unburned study sites. Species composition and the numerical dominance of species varied greatly between brome fields and native prairie overall as well as among seasons. Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) were numerically dominant in brome fields, whereas deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were in native prairie. Furthermore, herbivorous rodents were numerically dominant in brome fields, whereas seed-eating omnivores were the predominant species in native prairie. Finally, our study indicates that agricultural land use change can result in temporally and spatially variable small mammal communities that do not mirror those found in native tallgrass prairie.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, community abundance, deer mouse, fire, prairie vole, relative abundance, rodents, shrews, Species composition, Species richness}, doi = {10.1660/062.120.0402}, url = {http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.1660/062.120.0402}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ001673, title = {Plains harvest mice in tallgrass prairie: abundance, habitat association and individual attributes}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {117}, year = {2014}, pages = {167 -180}, abstract = {

The plains harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys montanus) inhabits grasslands in the Great Plains, but little is known about its ecology and natural history in native tallgrass prairie. We sampled native tallgrass prairie in spring and autumn by standard traplines on the Konza Prairie Biological Station during autumn 1981-spring 2013 and for shorter time periods in woodlands and brome fields. In addition to our long-term research, we studied small mammals on a large Prairie Grid (\∼13 ha) that was trapped intensively (about every 2 weeks except in winter) during 1984\–1987. Plains harvest mice (n = 39) were captured in native prairie but not in brome fields or wooded habitats. In all prairie sites, they were found to be rare (1.1 individuals/10,000 trap nights [TN]); in 14 Core Sites sampled for 32 years, abundance was higher in autumn (1.95/10,000 TN) than in spring (0.70/10,000 TN). It was not apparent that these low abundances were related to precipitation or another weather feature. On the Prairie Grid, plains harvest mice were associated with uplands and secondarily with slopes, whereas they avoided lowlands. Furthermore, they showed a positive response to conditions that are created during the first growing season following spring prescribed fires. Overall, 44\% of individuals were males and this value did not differ from a 1:1 sex ratio. Non-reproductive females (8.7 g) were slightly larger than males (8.3 g); only females occupied the largest body size class (11.0\–11.5 g). The smallest pregnant female weighed 9.0 g, whereas the smallest female that was lactating as evidenced by conspicuous mammae weighed 7.0 g. Pregnancies were recorded in spring, summer and autumn but not in winter; about one-third of females captured were pregnant. A juvenile (5.5 g) was captured in summer. We conclude that to understand this rare species (ca. 0.1\% of the small mammal community on Konza Prairie) even studies with small sample sizes are important to elucidate the natural history and ecology of the plains harvest mouse.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, abundance, body size, fire effects, Konza Prairie, native tallgrass prairie, Reithrodontomys montanus, reproduction, sex ratio, topography}, doi = {10.1660/062.117.0302}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1660/062.117.0302}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ001641, title = {Woodland voles captured among sparse shrubs in native tallgrass prairie on Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas}, journal = {Transactions of Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {117}, year = {2014}, pages = {76 -78}, abstract = {

From autumn 1981 through spring 2009, woodland voles (Microtus pinetorum) were captured rarely and only in woodland habitats (four in ca. 15,000 trap nights) and never in grassland habitats (ca. 300,000 trap nights) on the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. Konza Prairie is located in the Flint Hills region of eastern Kansas in Geary and Riley counties (see Knapp and Seastedt 1998 or http://keep.konza.ksu.edu/visit/map.htm for maps and location). We summarized characteristics of these voles (all four voles captured in moist gallery forest; Kaufman and Kaufman 2009) as well as their locations and habitat features because small mammals only were to be sampled in grassland sites away from gallery forest habitats as we completed our long-term studies of small mammals during autumn 2009 through spring 2013 (nearly 30,000 more trap nights during this time period). Unexpectedly, two woodland voles were captured in a prairie site during March 2013, which was the last sampling period of our 32 year study. Herein, we describe the characteristics of the two voles captured along a prairie trapline plus features of the habitat surrounding capture locations.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1660/062.117.0110}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1660/062.117.0110}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ001476, title = {Hispid pocket mice in tallgrass prairie: abundance, seasonal activity, habitat association, and individual attributes}, journal = {Western North American Naturalist}, volume = {72}, year = {2012}, pages = {377 -392}, abstract = {

Hispid pocket mice (Chaetodipus hispidus) are found from the grasslands of the Great Plains to the deserts of the southwestern United States, but the natural history and ecology of this species have not been described in native tallgrass prairie at the eastern edge of its range. We initiated an ongoing long-term study of small mammals on Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas (a Long-Term Ecological Research [LTER] site), in autumn 1981. Our sampling scheme for 14 LTER sites was a 20-station trapline; small mammals were sampled in autumn and spring for 30 years and in summer for a shorter period. We combined data for these sites with those from shorter studies on Konza Prairie that used traplines and trapping grids. We recorded only 96 hispid pocket mice over the 30 years of study (\>300,000 trap-nights overall). Pocket mice were more likely to be captured in autumn and summer than in spring. The earliest annual capture was on 20 March and the latest on 7 December; males emerged from torpor in spring before females, whereas females entered torpor later in autumn. Precipitation (January\—September) had a tight limiting effect on maximal number of individuals that were present in autumn. Pocket mice were more common on slope prairie than on upland or lowland prairie, but burning and grazing had no effect. Their spatiotemporal distribution showed a slightly \“anti-nested\” pattern with only weakly preferred sites and no focal years that might indicate favorable conditions. Collectively, our data suggested the presence of 3 age classes when individual body masses (no differences between males and females) were plotted against capture date. Finally, our study illustrates the importance of long-term data sets, especially in the study of uncommon to rare species.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.3398/064.072.0312}, url = {https://bioone.org/journals/Western-North-American-Naturalist/volume-72/issue-3/064.072.0312/Hispid-Pocket-Mice-in-Tallgrass-Prairie--Abundance-Seasonal-Activity/10.3398/064.072.0312.short}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and Kaufman, D.M.} } @article {KNZ001465, title = {Multiple factors limit use of local sites by Elliot{\textquoteright}s short-tailed shrews (Blarina hylophaga) in tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology}, volume = {90}, year = {2012}, pages = {210 -221}, abstract = {

Spatial variation in abundance has been attributed to habitat heterogeneity and patchiness. Our goal in this research was to understand what factors were associated with spatial patterns of habitat use by Elliot\’s short-tailed shrews (Blarina hylophaga Elliot, 1899) in tallgrass prairie. Our modeling efforts were based on 20 years (1981\–2000) of presence\–absence data for shrews at each of 20 stations (local site) along 14 permanent traplines on Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas, USA. A logistic model accurately predicted the presence of short-tailed shrews at a local site. Probability of shrew occurrence decreased as amount of precipitation decreased, slope steepness increased, grazing increased, or burned area within 500 m of a local site increased. However, when amount of precipitation was low, area burned was high, or grazing occurred, shrews were uncommon and responded little to the other variables. Numbers of shrews were negatively related only to numbers of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)), a mouse that selects burned and grazed habitats that shrews avoid. Our observations suggest that multiple environmental factors limit use of local sites, whereas competition with other species does not. Our results can inform decisions related to conservation of biodiversity given management practices in this endangered ecosystem.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1139/z11-128}, url = {http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/z11-128}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and Matlack, R.S. and D.W. Kaufman and Higgins, J.J.} } @article {KNZ001447, title = {Abundance and spatiotemporal distribution of the non-native house mouse in native tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {114}, year = {2011}, pages = {217 -230}, abstract = {

We have sampled small mammals on the Konza Prairie Biological Station, in eastern Kansas, from autumn 1981 through the present. One part of this effort has involved sampling rodents and shrews on 14 permanent traplines (20 stations, 15-m interstation intervals and 4 consecutive nights) situated in native tallgrass prairie during each of 29 autumns and 29 springs as well as 6 summers. In these permanent sites, house mice (Mus musculus) were extremely uncommon as illustrated by average abundances of 0.023 mice/100 trap nights (TN) in autumn, 0.022 mice/100 TN in summer and 0.000 mice/100 TN in spring. Precipitation in summer influenced autumn use of tallgrass prairie by house mice; captures only occurred in autumn when precipitation was \≥300 mm in the previous summer. House mice were slightly more likely (though not significantly) to be captured in lowland than upland or hill slope prairie. The distribution of occurrence was not influenced by fire (burned or unburned) or grazing history (grazed or ungrazed). Over our total trapping efforts on Konza Prairie (sampling on the permanent traplines plus other traplines and grids), we captured only 36 house mice or about 0.01 individual/100 TN. Overall, more males (64\%) than females were captured; males, on average, were larger (14.0 g) than females (10.5 g) in body size; females typically were non-reproductive (only one of 13 was pregnant) and individuals typically were trapped only once. Captures were distributed broadly in both space and time and lacked predictability (i.e., exhibited an \“anti-nested\” distribution of captures). These and other patterns suggest that most house mice were transients in the tallgrass prairie. Distribution and abundance of house mice also imply that this introduced species is extremely uncommon and likely will never be invasive in native tallgrass prairie.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, abundance, anti-nested distribution, body size, introduced species, Konza Prairie, limestone outcrops, Mus musculus, planted brome fields, reproduction, woodland habitats}, doi = {10.1660/062.114.0303}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1660/062.114.0303}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, D.M. and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ001390, title = {The least shrew on Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {114}, year = {2011}, pages = {47 -58}, abstract = {

We report specific locations and attributes of least shrews (Cryptotis parva) captured over a 29-year period on the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. We used large, nonfolding Sherman live traps to survey small mammals in native tallgrass prairie habitats (by traplines and grids), woodland habitats (by traplines and grids) and planted brome fields (traplines only). Eighty-seven least shrews were captured over the 29 years of surveys (ca. 350,000 trap nights). Almost all captures (98\%) occurred in prairie habitat; 80\% of all captures occurred on a prairie grid during a 5-year period. Least shrews on prairie traplines were captured in a variety of topographic positions (upland, hillside slope and lowland) and in burned and unburned prairie, but not in prairie grazed by bison. We captured individuals that ranged in body size from 2.5\–8.0 g. The mean body mass of all captured least shrews was 4.7 g (excluding pregnant females) and, when only adults were included (excluding pregnant females), it was 5.1g. We noted 13 pregnancies among 12 females; the earliest pregnancy was recorded in mid-April and latest in mid-October. Most pregnancies (ca. 70\%) were recorded in two months, July and September. Lactating females that were not pregnant were larger in size (5.5 g) than non-reproductive females (4.4 g). Response of least shrews to live traps was not neophobic; and, in fact, about 30\% of the shrews were captured on day 1 of a 4-day trapping period on prairie sites. Our data add information about attributes of least shrews living in natural habitats, such as the tallgrass prairie, and support two previous studies, which suggested that least shrews are rare on Konza Prairie.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, abundance, body size, Cryptotis parva, fire, Grazing, planted brome fields, reproduction, tallgrass prairie, trap response, woodland habitat}, doi = {10.1660/062.114.0104}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1660/062.114.0104}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ001391, title = {Observation of porcupine in Geary County, Kansas}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {114}, year = {2011}, pages = {142 -143}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1660/062.114.0115}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1660/062.114.0115}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ001341, title = {Treated versus new traps: does chronic application of disinfectant to live traps reduce trappability of rodents?}, journal = {Southwestern Naturalist}, volume = {56}, year = {2011}, pages = {224 -230}, abstract = {

We examined whether chronic exposure of traps to disinfectant reduced trappability of rodents as compared to new traps. We tested whether rodents initially chose between treated (disinfected) and new traps and if total number of captures differed between these treatments. Disinfectant did not reduce catchability of traps; rodents actually preferred treated traps. In initial pair-wise choice tests, rodents overall and the predominant North American deermouse, Peromyscus maniculatus, chose significantly more treated than new traps, although this difference disappeared as time of exposure of new traps in the environment increased. Total captures of small mammals and North American deermice did not differ between treated and new traps. Therefore, treated traps were never avoided; this has important implications in general, but especially for long-term studies where censuses are conducted using pre-disinfectant and post-disinfectant protocols.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1894/F12-RTS-12.1}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1894/F12-RTS-12.1}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and Kaufman, D.M. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ001349, title = {The least weasel on Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {113}, year = {2010}, pages = {206 -208}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1660/062.113.0307}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ001339, title = {The meadow jumping mouse on Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {113}, year = {2010}, pages = {209 -216}, abstract = {We report specific locations, habitat associations and attributes of meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius) captured over a 28-year period on the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. We used large Sherman live traps to survey small mammals in native tallgrass prairie habitats (by traplines and grids), woodland habitats (by traplines and grids) and planted brome fields (traplines only). Fifteen meadow jumping mice were captured over the 28 years of surveys (a total of >300,000 trap nights). Nine males and six females were captured between late June and October; only a single male was scrotal and no females were visibly reproductively active. Furthermore, meadow jumping mice were from young adult-to-adult body size (13.5{\textendash}21.0 g), except for a 9.5 g male trapped in mid-October. In terms of habitat association, more meadow jumping mice were captured in woodland habitats than in native prairie (standardized to trapping efforts in each habitat). No jumping mice were captured in brome fields. We conclude that overall the meadow jumping mouse is rare, but might be locally common in some years, on Konza Prairie, which lies near the southwestern edge of its current range distribution.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, abundance, limestone outcrops, planted brome fields, tallgrass prairie, woodland habitats, Zapus hudsonius}, doi = {10.1660/062.113.0308}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ001340, title = {Small mammals as winter prey of long-eared owls in Kansas}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {113}, year = {2010}, pages = {217 -222}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, url = {https://www.jstor.org/stable/41309612}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A. and Brillhart, D.} } @article {KNZ001292, title = {The woodland vole on Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {112}, year = {2009}, pages = {229 -230}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1660/062.112.0413}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1660/062.112.0413}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ001165, title = {Influence of woody vegetation on small mammals in tallgrass prairie}, journal = {American Midland Naturalist}, volume = {160}, year = {2008}, pages = {7 -19}, abstract = {

We examined response of small mammals to woody invasion of tallgrass prairie in northeastern Kansas by sampling sites that ranged from 0 to 100\% in woody cover (i.e., frequently burned prairie to unburned closed-canopy gallery forest; woody coverage mapped from satellite imagery). Abundance and biomass of small mammals initially increased with increasing woody vegetation, but then decreased to their lowest level at 100\% woody cover. Richness was greatest (an average of seven species) where woody cover was \≤17\% and decreased to one species where woody cover was 100\%. Abundance of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) increased as woody cover increased from 0 to 62\% cover, but decreased in forested sites (100\% cover). Abundance of western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis) decreased as woody cover increased; they were not recorded in forested sites. Deer mice (P. maniculatus) were present in sites with no to low levels of woody vegetation, but were absent in sites with moderate to high levels of woody cover. The 11 species captured were recorded in sites that had little woody vegetation (\≤17\% cover), whereas only seven species were captured at sites where considerable woody vegetation (\≥28\% cover) occurred. Even white-footed mice and eastern woodrats, which are considered woodland forms, decreased in abundance or were absent from forested sites. Overall, the results demonstrate that even relatively small amounts of woody vegetation in prairie landscapes can alter abundance, biomass and species richness and composition of small mammal communities.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1674/0003-0031(2008)160[7:IOWVOS]2.0.CO;2}, url = {https://bioone.org/journals/the-american-midland-naturalist/volume-160/issue-1/0003-0031(2008)160\%5b7\%3aIOWVOS\%5d2.0.CO\%3b2/Influence-of-Woody-Vegetation-on-Small-Mammals-in-Tallgrass-Prairie/10.1674/0003-0031(2008)160[7:IOWVOS]2.0.CO;2.short}, author = {Matlack, R.S. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ001076, title = {Demographic response of a grassland rodent to environmental variability}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {88}, year = {2007}, pages = {982 -988}, abstract = {We used stage-structured matrix population models, derived from 3 years with disparate levels of precipitation, to assess the potential effects of climate change on annual population growth (λ) of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). Populations of deer mice increased during a year of normal precipitation (λ = 1.69 {\textpm} 0.02 SE) and a wet year (λ = 1.03 {\textpm} 0.02), but declined in a dry year (λ = 0.34 {\textpm} 0.02). Life-table response experiment analyses indicated that reduced survival of adults in the dry year, and reduced survival of pups and juveniles in the wet year, exerted the greatest influence on variation in population growth. Stochastic models that projected populations of deer mice for a 50-year period predicted that populations would not be able to persist if mean annual precipitation was reduced >=11\% by increasing the frequency of dry years. Furthermore, the stochastic population growth rate declined more quickly when the probability of a normal year was reduced, simulating increased variability in rainfall, relative to other scenarios examined. Our stochastic models indicate that a relatively small reduction in mean precipitation could result in substantial population declines of P. maniculatus in the mixed-grass prairie of central North America.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Climate change, deer mouse, life-table response experiment, matrix model, Peromyscus maniculatus, prairie, stochastic model}, doi = {10.1644/06-MAMM-A-109R.1}, author = {Reed, A.W. and Kaufman, G.A. and Sandercock, B.K.} } @article {KNZ001141, title = {Diurnal activity and habitat associations of white-tailed deer in tallgrass prairie of eastern Kansas}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {110}, year = {2007}, pages = {145 -154}, abstract = {Diurnal and seasonal patterns of activity and habitat associations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were assessed in a mosaic of grassland and woodland habitats on the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. We recorded deer seen during daylight hours in summer, autumn and winter periods from June 1997 through February 1998. Overall, diurnal activity increased from summer to winter and was largely crepuscular (i.e., early morning and late evening). Deer were observed primarily in lower uplands during summer and winter, and in lowlands during autumn. At a coarse scale (6.25 ha), white-tailed deer selected areas that had woody vegetation and avoided those that were dominated by grassy vegetation. In contrast, at a fine scale, groups of deer most often were observed foraging in the immediate vicinity of grassland vegetation, rather than in or by woody vegetation.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Flint Hills, grassland, Konza Prairie, Odocoileus virginianus, seasonal activity, topography, woodland, woody invasion}, doi = {10.1660/0022-8443(2007)110[145:DAAHAO]2.0.CO;2}, author = {Volk, M.D. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ001105, title = {Effects of prairie vole runways on tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {110}, year = {2007}, pages = {100 -106}, abstract = {Disturbances by large mammals influence plant populations and ecosystem processes. In contrast, impacts on ecosystem processes at local scales by small herbivorous rodents are relatively unknown. To examine effects of the runways of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) on soil nitrogen, we collected soil cores from under runways, along the runway edges and at 0.25 and 2 m away from runways. Plant samples (both current and previous year{\textquoteright}s growth) were clipped from microsites at edges of runways and at 0.25 and 2 m away from runways. Concentrations of soil nitrate were highest along runway edges and lowest 2 m away, whereas those of ammonium were highest 0.25 m away from runways and lowest under runways and along runway edges. Biomass of plants from previous growth (litter) was higher along edges of runways than at 0.25 and 2 m from runway edges. In contrast to differences in soil nitrate and ammonium concentrations and in litter biomass among microsites, carbon: nitrogen (C:N) ratios of big bluestem and live plant biomass were similar among the three microsites. Our data suggest that prairie voles do affect nutrient dynamics and plant litter at a local scale in tallgrass prairie.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, C:N ratios, Herbivory, Microtus ochrogaster, nitrogen dynamics, plant biomass, plant-animal interaction, prairie vole, runways}, doi = {10.1660/0022-8443(2007)110[100:EOPVRO]2.0.CO;2}, author = {Ross, B.E. and Reed, A.W. and Rehmeier, R.L. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ001038, title = {An automatic activity-monitoring system for small mammals under natural conditions}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {87}, year = {2006}, pages = {628 -634}, abstract = {Small mammals spend a majority of their lives in shelter sites such as belowground burrows. Understanding temporal patterns of burrow use would provide valuable information about the influence of physiological and environmental factors on activity patterns. To examine patterns of burrow use, we developed a system that automatically monitors activity of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) at artificial burrows in tallgrass prairie. The automatic activity-monitoring system is composed of a passive integrated transponder (PIT){\textendash}tag transceiver that reads the identification tags of individuals and an infrared trail monitor that confirms movements in and out of artificial burrows. We PIT-tagged and monitored nightly activity of <90 deer mice on Konza Prairie Biological Station in northeastern Kansas from July 2003 to December 2004. The monitoring system allowed us to examine individual variation in activity relative to sex, parental attendance, and early exploration by young. We also discuss advantages and disadvantages of the system compared to other activity-monitoring techniques, so that researchers might develop similar systems for other study species.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, deer mouse, kansas, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag, Peromyscus maniculatus, tallgrass prairie, time of activity}, doi = {10.1644/05-MAMM-A-220R2.1~}, author = {Rehmeier, R.L. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ00972, title = {Effect of litter accumulation on seed predation in three prairie types}, journal = {American Midland Naturalist}, volume = {155}, year = {2006}, pages = {278 -285}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, author = {Reed, A.W. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ001039, title = {Species richness- productivity relationship for small mammals along a desert-grassland continuum: differential responses of functional groups}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {87}, year = {2006}, pages = {777 -783}, abstract = {We used published data to calculate small-mammal species richness at 43 sites in North America to examine the response of species richness to increasing primary productivity. We estimated species richness for the entire community and for each of 4 functional groups (insectivore, granivore, herbivore, and omnivore). Total richness exhibited a significant unimodal relationship to increasing amounts of annual precipitation and was driven by granivores; this functional group exhibited the most pronounced decline in richness with high precipitation. We suggest that the decline in granivore richness is due to increased litter associated with increased productivity.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, desert, functional group, Grasslands, Primary productivity, Resource heterogeneity, small mammals, Species richness}, doi = {10.1644/05-MAMM-A-253R2.1}, author = {Reed, A.W. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ001086, title = {Unusual disturbance of small mammal live traps by American crows}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {109}, year = {2006}, pages = {242 -244}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1660/0022-8443(2006)109[242:UDOSLT]2.0.CO;2}, author = {Matlack, R.S. and Rehmeier, R.L. and McMillan, B.R. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00969, title = {Distribution of carnivore burrows in a prairie landscape}, journal = {Great Plains Research}, volume = {15}, year = {2005}, pages = {15 -29}, abstract = {Mammals impact prairie ecosystems through burrowing activities. Burrows used by carnivores were studied in four habitat types at the Konza Prairie Biological Station, a native tallgrass prairie near Manhattan, KS. We surveyed nearly 40 km of 10-m-wide transects and counted burrows in upland, slope, and lowland prairie and along ravines. Burrows were placed selectively along slopes (7.3 per km) and to a lesser extent along edges of ravines (4.2), but only infrequently in upland (0.6) and never in lowlands (0.0). We also recorded features (e.g., location, aspect, and slope steepness) along slope transects at a 30 m intervals to estimate availability of these features. Points of hills (18.7 burrows per km) were used more than sides of hills (2.0) or upper ends of ravines (1.5). Burrows on points were placed selectively on steep rather than shallow slopes and on south- and west-facing slopes rather than north- and east-facing slopes.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, burrows, carnivores, kansas, tallgrass prairie, topography}, url = {http://www.jstor.org/stable/23779836}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and Kocher, S.D. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ001003, title = {Factors influencing persistence of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus)}, journal = {The Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {37}, year = {2005}, pages = {29 -40}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.2307/2937372}, author = {McMillan, B.R. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ00970, title = {Habitat of origin and changes in water chemistry influence development of western chorus frogs}, journal = {Journal of Herpetology}, volume = {39}, year = {2005}, pages = {254 -265}, abstract = {A variety of biotic and abiotic variables have been shown to affect length of larval period and size of juveniles at metamorphosis in amphibians. However, influence of water quality on phenotypic plasticity of growth and development of tadpoles generally has received less attention. We examined how abiotic factors in the larval environment change over time and how these changes affect the growth and development of larval amphibians. Western Chorus Frogs, Pseudacris triseriata, in tallgrass prairie breed in ephemeral aquatic habitats including intermittent streams and bison wallows. Our objectives were to determine whether abiotic factors in the larval environment of P. triseriata changed predictably as pools dried and to determine whether these changes affected growth and development of tadpoles when the environment was simulated in the laboratory. In our field studies, pH increased gradually in wallows, whereas ammonium increased in streams, as each habitat dried. In the laboratory, we examined the effects of increased levels of pH and ammonium on growth and development of tadpoles collected from both wallows and streams. Tadpoles collected from streams metamorphosed significantly faster in the high ammonium treatment than tadpoles from wallows. In contrast, tadpoles from wallows metamorphosed faster in the high pH treatment than tadpoles collected from streams. Growth rates of tadpoles from streams were not significantly affected by high pH, whereas those from wallows were not significantly affected by high ammonium treatments. We suggest that changes in abiotic factors over the course of the larval period may influence developmental rate and that natal habitat may determine how tadpoles respond to changes in abiotic factors.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1670/171-03A}, author = {N.M. Gerlanc and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00971, title = {Long-term study of abundance of the hispid cotton rat in native tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {86}, year = {2005}, pages = {670 -676}, abstract = {We studied patterns of and factors influencing abundance of hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) in tallgrass prairie habitats from autumn 1981 to spring 2001 at the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. Abundance of cotton rats was low during autumn (X̄ = 0.57 individuals/trapline) and extremely low in spring (X̄ = 0.04 individuals/trapline). Autumn abundance varied widely in 20 years (range: 0.00{\textendash}2.50 individuals/trapline) and among 14 sites (0.05{\textendash}1.35 individuals/trapline). Spring prairie fires had a positive influence on cotton rats during the 1st (X̄ = 0.8 individuals/trapline) and 2nd autumns (X̄ = 1.0 individuals/trapline), but not during the 3rd or later autumns (X̄ = 0.2 individuals/trapline). Cotton rats were associated strongly with lowland prairie relative to breaks and upland prairie. Autumn abundance was correlated positively with previous winter (December{\textendash}February) average maximum temperature, but was not correlated with previous winter precipitation, summer (June{\textendash}August) average maximum temperature, summer precipitation, or aboveground net primary productivity. Although previous winter maximum temperature accounted for only 32\% of interautumn variation in abundance, winter harshness appears to be the major factor driving temporal variation in autumn abundance of hispid cotton rats.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, fire, hispid cotton rat, kansas, Sigmodon hispidus, spatial variation, tallgrass prairie, temporal variation, topography}, doi = {10.1644/1545-1542(2005)086[0670:LSOAOT]2.0.CO;2}, author = {Rehmeier, R.L. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman and McMillan, B.R.} } @article {KNZ001037, title = {Rodent seed predation and GUDs: effect of burning and topography}, journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology}, volume = {83}, year = {2005}, pages = {1279 -1285}, abstract = {We examined the relationships between seed predation and the habitat into which a seed falls, abundance of rodents within that habitat, and foraging pattern of rodents within that habitat. Using seed plots, we assessed seed predation in burned and unburned tallgrass prairies at biweekly intervals between May and September in 2001 and 2002. Significantly more seed was removed from plots in burned than unburned prairies. Rodent abundance did not differ between burned prairie and unburned prairie, although the abundance of omnivorous{\textendash}granivorous rodents (herbivores excluded) was greater in burned than unburned prairie. Proportion of seed removed in burned and unburned prairies was independent of both total rodent abundance and abundance of omnivorous{\textendash}granivorous rodents. We also measured giving-up density (GUD) of rodents in burned and unburned prairies during the spring and summer of 2002. GUDs did not differ significantly in burned and unburned prairies. However, rodents had a higher GUD in uplands than in limestone breaks or lowland habitats. Our results suggest that rodent foraging in tallgrass prairie is affected by microhabitat and that rodent abundance is not sufficient to predict seed predation.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1139/z05-124}, author = {Reed, A.W. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ00931, title = {Influence of fire, topography, and consumer abundance on seed predation in tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology}, volume = {82}, year = {2004}, pages = {1459 -1467}, abstract = {We assessed seed predation by vertebrates and invertebrates in three fire-frequency treatments (<1 year, 1{\textendash}4 years, and >4 years since fire) and in three topographic positions (upland, limestone breaks, and lowland) in tallgrass prairie. Two types of seed trays, one for vertebrates and one for invertebrates, were placed in each treatment during each nocturnal and diurnal period. Vertebrates removed significantly more seeds than did invertebrates. Fire frequency and topographic position affected seed removal by both vertebrates and invertebrates. Seed removal by invertebrates was influenced negatively by fire; the greatest seed removal occurred in uplands and lowlands in unburned prairie. Vertebrates removed the most seeds in burned prairie and in lowlands and limestone breaks. Time of day also influenced seed removal by vertebrates, as nocturnal vertebrates (assumed to be rodents) removed more seeds than diurnal vertebrates. Abundance of rodents, however, did not predict accurately seed removal in fire treatments or topographic positions, as rodents removed fewer seeds than expected in prairie that had not been burned in >4 years and in lowlands. This pattern likely was due to the presence of a well-developed plant litter layer in both unburned and lowland habitats, which reduces the likelihood of a rodent locating seeds.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1139/z04-126}, author = {Reed, A.W. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ00968, title = {Influence of prey abundance on raptors in tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {36}, year = {2004}, pages = {23 -32}, abstract = {

We examined relationships between winter abundance of diurnal raptors (red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis; rough-legged hawk, B. lagopus; ferruginous hawk, B. regalis; and northern harrier, Circus cyaneus) and both the abundance of microtine rodents (prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster; and southern bog lemming, Synaptomys cooperi) and aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) in tallgrass prairie. We used Christmas Bird Count data for each year during 1975 through 1999 from Manhattan, Kansas to index winter raptor abundance (number of hawks per party hour). Microtine rodent abundance (average number of microtine rodents per trapline in burned and unburned prairie) was estimated by using long-term data gathered from autumn and spring surveys along 14 permanent traplines from autumn 1981 to spring 2000 in tallgrass prairie on the Konza Prairie Biological Station. An estimate of ANPP for each year during 1975 through 1999 was provided by the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research Program. Winter raptor abundance was related positively to ANPP during the preceding growing season (P = 0.01) and to microtine abundance in the previous spring (P = 0.03). Based on a stepwise regression, 39\% of the annual variation in winter raptor counts was explained by ANPP and the log of spring microtine abundance. Overall, our analyses suggested that winter raptor abundance was higher in years with higher than lower prey availability, but that other factors also influenced winter raptor abundance.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, ANPP, microtine rodents, predator-prey, raptor, tallgrass prairie}, author = {Reed, A.W. and Kaufman, G.A. and Rintoul, D.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ00880, title = {Long-distance movements of the deer mouse in tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {85}, year = {2004}, pages = {562 -568}, abstract = {Long-distance movements may play an important role in regulating populations of small mammals. To examine such movements, we livetrapped 1,712 deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) on 14{\textendash}28 permanent traplines from autumn 1981 to spring 1990 on the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. These data were collected under a variety of climatic and biotic conditions that resulted in detection of > 100 long-distance movements by deer mice between traplines (moves of 50{\textendash}1,320 m). Males made more moves than females, but distance moved did not differ by sex. Age did not affect the number or distance of movements. On average, more long-distance moves occurred in spring and summer than in autumn, but distance did not differ by season. Proportion of the population making intertrapline movements was inversely related to abundance of deer mice. Deer mice did not exhibit a fire-positive response in long-distance movement. Our results indicate that deer mice may be more mobile than originally thought. Researchers should incorporate improved methods for detecting longer movements to better understand causes and consequences of these movements.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, fire, kansas, Movement, Peromyscus maniculatus, prairie deer mouse, relative abundance, season, tallgrass prairie}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1644/1383956 }, url = {http://jmammal.oxfordjournals.org/content/85/3/562.abstract}, author = {Rehmeier, R.L. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ00848, title = {Use of bison wallows by anurans on Konza Prairie}, journal = {American Midland Naturalist}, volume = {150}, year = {2003}, pages = {158 -168}, abstract = {Historically, bison were of great importance to the grassland ecosystem, affecting plants and other organisms directly through grazing and indirectly by creating soil disturbances, such as wallows. When bison were reintroduced to the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas, they reactivated relic wallows as well as created new ones. Wallows, like other ephemeral pools, may be used by organisms as aquatic habitat and as breeding sites. The objective of our study was to systematically monitor bison wallows after they filled and to ascertain their use by amphibians. We also examined long-term climatic records from the Konza Prairie area to assess the past viability of bison wallows as breeding habitats for anurans, which must complete metamorphosis before wallows dry. The amount of precipitation and cool temperatures required to prolong the hydroperiod necessary for completion of metamorphosis occurred in only about 20\% of the years examined. Bison may have been important in the life histories of prairie anurans by creating {\textquotedblleft}pools{\textquotedblright} in the form of wallows that could be used as breeding sites. However, more information about the life history of individual species of anurans is needed before viability of bison wallows as a breeding habitat can be determined.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1674/0003-0031(2003)150[0158:UOBWBA]2.0.CO;2}, author = {N.M. Gerlanc and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00815, title = {Distribution of eastern woodrats in a grassland-woodland mosaic: influence of vegetation and fire}, journal = {Great Plains Research}, volume = {12}, year = {2002}, pages = {157 -166}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, eastern woodrat, Konza Prairie, prairie fires, tallgrass prairie}, url = {http://www.jstor.org/stable/23780013}, author = {Beckmann, J.P. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ0013, title = {Long-term variation in abundance of Elliot{\textquoteright}s short-tailed shrew (Blarina hylophaga) in tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {83}, year = {2002}, pages = {280 -289}, abstract = {Elliot{\textquoteright}s short-tailed shrews (Blarina hylophaga) were studied in tallgrass prairie at Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. Based on sampling of 14 permanent traplines from autumn 1981 to spring 1999, relative abundance was high in autumn (X̄ = 2.5 {\textpm} 0.4 SE shrews/trapline) but very low in spring (<0.1 shrews/trapline). Interannual variability in abundance in autumn was large with a range 0.1{\textendash}7.0 shrews/trapline. Relative abundance of shrews in autumn was correlated positively with precipitation, soil moisture, and depth of plant litter and correlated negatively with proportion of area burned and maximum temperature. Two variables, precipitation, and amount of litter, accounted for 87\% of variation in abundance of shrews in autumn. Ambient moisture and a well-developed litter layer that ameliorates microclimatic extremes appear to be the most important factors influencing abundance of shrews in tallgrass prairie.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, abiotic factors, Blarina hylophaga, Elliot{\textquoteright}s short-tailed shrew, kansas, long-term study, population dynamics, tallgrass prairie}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1644/1545-1542(2002)083<0280:LTVIAO>2.0.CO;2 2}, author = {Matlack, R.S. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00778, title = {Influence of grazing by bison and cattle on deer mice in burned tallgrass prairie}, journal = {American Midland Naturalist}, volume = {146}, year = {2001}, pages = {361 -368}, abstract = {We studied the influence of grazing by bison (Bos bison) and by cattle (B. taurus) on deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in tallgrass prairie at the Konza Prairie Biological Station in 1997 and 1998. Small mammals were sampled by one 10-station trapline in each of four bison-grazed enclosures, four cattle-grazed enclosures and four ungrazed sites. Enclosures were 4.9 ha and the biomass of grazers in each was similar. All sites were burned annually. We sampled small mammals for 4 consecutive nights in spring before fire, in spring after fire and in autumn. Deer mice were the most abundant species (n = 285; 83\% of all small mammals) captured in all treatments and in each trapping period. Deer mice were significantly more abundant in bison-grazed and cattle-grazed sites than in ungrazed sites in spring before fire (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively), but were similar in abundance in grazed and ungrazed sites following fire. Abundance of deer mice was significantly higher in bison-grazed sites than in cattle-grazed and ungrazed sites in autumn (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Bison and cattle differ in grazing and nongrazing behaviors (e.g., wallowing by bison) that result in differences in vegetation structure. It is likely that differences in deer mouse abundance between bison-grazed and cattle-grazed treatments were due to differences in vegetation structure caused by the two types of grazers.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1674/0003-0031(2001)146[0361:IOGBBA]2.0.CO;2}, author = {Matlack, R.S. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00813, title = {Seed use by vertebrates and invertebrates in the tallgrass prairie}, journal = {The Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {33}, year = {2001}, pages = {153 -161}, abstract = {Use of seeds by vertebrates and invertebrates was assessed during July through August 1994 in tallgrass prairie in eastern Kansas. Two seed trays were placed at each of 40 stations with one tray available only to vertebrates and one tray available only to invertebrates during day or night. Two seed types, proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne), were used because of their different sizes :llld shapes. The greatest amount of seed removed was by diurnal vertebrates followed nocturnal vertebrates and then invertebrates. The large seed type (proso millet) was preferred by both diurnal and nocturnal vertebrates. whereas invertebrates showed no prefrence for seed size. The impact of vertebrates on seeds appeared to be greater than the impact of invertebrates in tallgrass prairie in summer. }, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, ants, diurnal and nocturnal seed use, invertebrates, rodents, tallgrass prairie, vertebrates.}, url = {https://www.sdstate.edu/nrm/organizations/gpnss/tpn/upload/33-3_Reed_et_al.pdf}, author = {Reed, A.W. and Kaufman, G.A. and Boyer, J.E. and D.W. Kaufman} } @inbook {KNZ00738, title = {Faunal structure of small mammals in tallgrass prairie: an evaluation of richness and spatiotemporal nestedness}, booktitle = {Reflections of a Naturalist: Papers Honoring Professor Eugene D. Fleharty}, year = {2000}, pages = {47 -70}, publisher = {Fort Hays State University}, organization = {Fort Hays State University}, address = {Hays, KS}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {Kaufman, D.M. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman}, editor = {Choate, J.R.} } @inbook {KNZ00739, title = {Temporal and spatial variability in a small mammal community: an example from mixed-grass prairie}, booktitle = {Reflections of a Naturalist: Papers Honoring Professor Eugene D. Fleharty}, year = {2000}, pages = {147 -163}, publisher = {Fort Hays State University}, organization = {Fort Hays State University}, address = {Hays, KS}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman}, editor = {Choate, J.R.} } @proceedings {KNZ00699, title = {Rare species of small mammals in northeastern Kansas tallgrass prairie}, year = {1999}, pages = {120 -126}, publisher = {University of Nebraska at Kearney}, address = {Kearney, NE}, abstract = {We sampled small mammals in native tallgrass prairie habitat from autumn 1981 to spring 1998 on Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas. In 130,560 trap-nights, we captured 14 species of small mammals. In decreasing order of abundance, the relatively common species were the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis), Elliot{\textquoteright}s short-tailed shrew (Blarina hylophaga), white-footed mouse (P. leucopus), prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus), and hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus). Likewise, rare species were the southern bog lemming (Synaptomys cooperi), hispid pocket mouse (Chaetodipus hispidus), eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana), house mouse (Mus musculus), plains harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys montanus), least shrew (Cryptotis parva), and meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius). Relative abundances of the rare species ranged from 0.002 (individuals/trapline/sampling period) for the meadow jumping mouse to 0.112 for the southern bog lemming. All rare species combined comprised approximately 2\% of the small mammal community in grasslands on Konza Prairie. Southern bog lemmings selectively used sites that were left unburned for 2-3 years in contrast to those burned annually and those unburned for s 4 years. Time since fire had no detectable effect on numbers of individuals for the other 6 rare species. In addition, southern bog lemmings, eastern woodrats, and hispid pocket mice were distributed nonrandomly with respect to topography. }, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Chaetodipus hispidus, Cryptotis parva, eastern woodrat, fire, hispid pocket mouse, house mouse, Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, least shrew, meadow jumping mouse, Mus musculus, Neotoma floridana, plains harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys montanus, southern bog lemming, Synaptomys cooperi, topography, Zapus hudsonius}, url = {http://images.library.wisc.edu/EcoNatRes/EFacs/NAPC/NAPC16/reference/econatres.napc16.bmcmillan.pdf}, author = {McMillan, B.R. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.}, editor = {Springer, J.T.} } @inbook {KNZ00649, title = {Animal populations and communities}, booktitle = {Grassland Dynamics: Long-Term Ecological Research in Tallgrass Prairie}, year = {1998}, pages = {113 -139}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, organization = {Oxford University Press}, address = {New York}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A. and Fay, P.A. and Zimmerman, J.L. and Evans, E.W.}, editor = {Alan K. Knapp and J. M. Briggs and D.C. Hartnett and Scott. L. Collins} } @inbook {KNZ00648, title = {Diversity of terrestrial macrofauna}, booktitle = {Grassland Dynamics: Long-Term Ecological Research in Tallgrass Prairie}, year = {1998}, pages = {101 -112}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, organization = {Oxford University Press}, address = {New York}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Fay, P.A. and Kaufman, G.A. and Zimmerman, J.L.}, editor = {Alan K. Knapp and J. M. Briggs and D.C. Hartnett and Scott. L. Collins} } @article {KNZ00602, title = {A case of senescence for the white-footed mouse?}, journal = {The Southwestern Naturalist}, volume = {42}, year = {1997}, pages = {236 -237}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, author = {McMillan, B.R. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @inbook {KNZ00596, title = {Ecology of small mammals in prairie landscapes}, booktitle = {Ecology and Conservation of Great Plains Vertebrates}, year = {1997}, pages = {207 -243}, publisher = {Springer-Verlag}, organization = {Springer-Verlag}, address = {New York}, abstract = {When one crosses the prairie landscapes of central North America, one becomes aware of the impacts that humans have had on the region. Recent anthropogenic modifications of the presettlement prairie not only have changed vegetation but also altered distributional ranges, spatial use within ranges, and total numbers of many species of animals. Although human activities often reduce ranges and abundances of animals and these reductions usually are the foci of issues of conservation, human impacts do not always lead to such reductions. Anthropogenic changes can and do lead to increases in numbers, distributional ranges, or both for some species. Some of these increases result from altered landscapes that provide conditions more suitable for some species than the conditions available in native environments. Other increases are due to intentional introductions of both domestic and wild species and to accidental introductions of wild species.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1007/978-1-4757-2703-6_9}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman}, editor = {Knopf, F.L. and Samson, F.B.} } @article {KNZ00603, title = {Mammals of the Konza Prairie: new observations and an updated species list}, journal = {The Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {29}, year = {1997}, pages = {263 -271}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, author = {McMillan, B.R. and Kaufman, G.A. and Matlack, R.S.} } @proceedings {KNZ00480, title = {Population ecology of Elliot{\textquoteright}s short-tail shrew and least shrew in ungrazed tallgrass prairie}, year = {1995}, pages = {87 -92}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {Clark, B.K. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A. and Gurtz, S.K.}, editor = {D.C. Hartnett} } @article {KNZ00510, title = {Short-term responses of small mammals to autumn fire in tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {27}, year = {1995}, pages = {158 -166}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {McMillan, B.R. and Brillhart, D.E. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @proceedings {KNZ00479, title = {Small-mammal use of experimental patches of tallgrass prairie: influence of topographic position and fire history}, year = {1995}, pages = {59 -65}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {Brillhart, D.E. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman}, editor = {D.C. Hartnett} } @article {KNZ00504, title = {Temporal variation in abundance of Peromyscus leucopus in wooded habitats of eastern Kansas}, journal = {The American Midland Naturalist}, volume = {133}, year = {1995}, pages = {7 -17}, abstract = {White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were sampled during spring, summer and autumn on the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas, from autumn 1981 to spring 1988. Abundance was greater in gallery forest than in wooded outcrop habitat, although temporal patterns of abundance were similar with highs in 1981-1982 and 1985-1986. Standard deviations (SD) of the common logarithm of abundance were <= 0.32 for each of four sites in spring, summer and autumn, except for one forest site in spring. Our SD values were similar to those reported for other populations of P. leucopus. Abundance of P. leucopus was related to its abundance in the previous season (spring abundance vs. that in previous autumn, summer abundance vs. that in previous spring and autumn abundance vs. that in previous summer), seed production by woody vegetation and precipitation, but the factors that had a major influence on abundance of P. leucopus varied among spring, summer and autumn populations. Ambient temperature was unrelated to abundance of P. leucopus during each of the 3 seasons studied.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.2307/2426343}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A. and Finck, E.J.} } @article {KNZ00453, title = {Prevalence of hantavirus antibodies in natural populations of deer mice in north central Kansas}, journal = {Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {26}, year = {1994}, pages = {209 -216}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258031384_Prevalence_of_Hantavirus_antibodies_in_natural_populations_of_deer_mice_in_north-central_Kansas}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman and McMillan, B.R. and Brillhart, D.E.} } @article {KNZ00411, title = {Small mammals of wooded habitats of the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas}, journal = {The Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {25}, year = {1993}, pages = {27 -32}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A. and Finck, E.J.} } @proceedings {KNZ00350, title = {Population ecology of thirteen-lined ground squirrels in ungrazed tallgrass prairie manipulated by fire}, year = {1992}, pages = {51 -54}, address = {University of Northern Iowa}, abstract = {

From March 1983 to October 1987, thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus Mitchill) were studied in ungrazed tallgrass prairie manipulated by fire on the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas. Overall abundance varied among years (2.6 animals/ha in 1985; 5.6 animals/ha in 1986); however, no significant variation in sex ratio was observed (overall average=52\% males for adults, 48\% males for juveniles). Fire had a positive effect on ground squirrels; abundance was significantly higher in burned than unburned prairie during the year of a fire and in more recently than less recently burned prairie during years following a fire. Ground squirrels also selected hillsides with exposed rocks (breaks) over upland and lowland prairie sites. Although females and males selected similar habitats, home ranges were significantly larger for adult males (average=0.56 ha) than for adult females (0.36 ha). Both adult females and males caught on the study area typically were residents rather than transients. Further, overwinter survival did not differ between adult females and males. Overwinter survival of juvenile females was similar to adults; however, no juvenile males overwintered on the study area

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {Clark, B.K. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A. and Gurtz, S.K. and Bixler, S.H.}, editor = {Smith, D.A. and Jacobs, C.A.} } @proceedings {KNZ00325, title = {Grassland mammal communities and fire}, year = {1991}, publisher = {Region 6, Mountain-Prairie Region, United States Fish and Wildlife Service}, address = {Denver, CO}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, fire}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00286, title = {House mice (Mus musculus) in natural and disturbed habitats in Kansas}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {71}, year = {1990}, pages = {428 -432}, abstract = {

The relative density of house mice (Mus musculus was less than 0.05 individuals/trapline (20 stations with 15 m between stations) in mixed-grass prairie, planted grasslands, woodlands, and crop fields in north-central Kansas and in tallgrass prairie and woodlands in eastern Kansas. The only exception was in crop-field fencerows in north-central Kansas (0.29 individuals/trapline). Percent abundance of Mus in the rodent assemblage also was low (less than 0.5\% of all rodents) in grasslands, woodlands, mowed hayfields, and roadside ditches, but not in crop fields (2.6\% for a mixture of types of crop fields) or crop-field fencerows (4.1\%). Percent abundance varied significantly (P less than 0.05) among different types of crop fields with the highest values in alfalfa fields and lowest values in wheat fields. Our observations suggest that Mus is seldom, if ever, common in grasslands and woodlands, and only infrequently common in crop fields such as sorghum fields with bales containing grain during winter

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, doi = {10.2307/1381956}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00285, title = {Influence of plant litter on patch use by foraging Peromyscus maniculatus and Reithrodontomys megalotis}, journal = {The American Midland Naturalist}, volume = {124}, year = {1990}, pages = {195 -198}, abstract = {

The effect of plant litter on foraging patch choice by prairie deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) and western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis) was examined in laboratory trials. In each trial, equal amounts of millet seeds were simultaneously offered overnight in three patches with different amounts of litter. Both deer mice and harvest mice removed significantly more seeds from the patch with the least litter as compared to the other two patches. The mean proportion of seeds taken from the patch with the the least litter by harvest mice (56.9\%) was significantly smaller than that taken by deer mice (84.5\%), as expected from patterns of habitat selection in tallgrass prairie. During the 2nd night, seeds were offered only under one depth of litter (15-420 g per patch for deer mice and 30-420 g for harvest mice). The amount of seeds taken was not influenced by increased litter depth for either species, although foraging success was expected to decrease as litter depth increased

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, doi = {10.2307/2426095}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @phdthesis {KNZ00288, title = {Population ecology, social organization, and mating systems in the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) in mixed-grass prairie in Kansas}, volume = {PhD Dissertation}, year = {1990}, pages = {1 -187}, school = {Kansas State University}, type = {Ph.D. Thesis}, address = {Manhattan, KS}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, author = {Kaufman, G.A.} } @inbook {KNZ00287, title = {Small mammals and grassland fires}, booktitle = {Fire in North American Tallgrass Prairies}, year = {1990}, pages = {46 -80}, publisher = {University of Okalahoma Press}, organization = {University of Okalahoma Press}, address = {Norman, OK}, abstract = {

For study of fire effects, the general null hypothesis is that fire will have no impact on the population density of individual animal species. Any species that fails to change numerically due to fire would be classified as a fire-neutral species. Alternatively, a population that could exhibit either a positive or negative numerical response to fire. Such species we classify as fire-positive or fire-negative species, respectively. Most early work on animals and fire was aimed at describing these general population responses. However, understanding the structure and function of grasslands demands that we know patterns of population changes from prefire through a multiyear, post-fire period, rather than simply ascertaining whether species are fire- positve, fire-negative, or fire-neutral over a short postfire period

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, fire}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Finck, E.J. and Kaufman, G.A.}, editor = {Scott. L. Collins and Wallace, L.L.} } @inbook {KNZ00239, title = {Population biology}, booktitle = {Advances in the Study of Peromyscus (Rodentia)}, year = {1989}, pages = {233 -270}, publisher = {Texas Tech University Press}, organization = {Texas Tech University Press}, address = {Lubbock,TX}, abstract = {

Recent literature on Peromyscus encompasses both descriptive and experimental studies that have led to new insights in population ecology, behavioral ecology, and community ecology. Genetic variation has been assessed in over 20 species of Peromyscus, with several studies focused on understanding patterns of macrogeographic differntiation, including island effects. Detailed analyses of the dynamics of microgeographic genetic structure are needed to better understand the organization and dynamics of populations. Additionally, little is known about the adaptive significance of biochemical variation. Social interactions in populations of Peromyscus are being examined in greater detail than before and are potentially important to the study of population regulation. Advances in understanding microhabitat selection and distribution, mostly involving P. leucopus and P. maniculatus, have been accomplished through use of multivariate statistical techniques and to lesser degree experimental manipulations. A major part of the increased effort in microhabitat analysis of Peromyscus species has been the result of studies of interspecific microhabitat partitioning. However, integrated studies of habitat selection, foraging, interspecific competition, and differential risk of predation are needed to better assess and describe interspecific resource partitioning within assemblages and the influence of age and sex on intraspecific resource partitioning. Ecological limits to population size, organization of populations, sex ratios, foraging behavior, and predation risk are less studied in Peromyscus, although some interesting observations have been made

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.}, editor = {Kirkland, G.L. and Layne, J.N.} } @proceedings {KNZ00240, title = {Rodents and shrews in ungrazed tallgrass prairie manipulated by fire}, year = {1989}, pages = {173 -177}, publisher = {University of Nebraska Press}, address = {Lincoln, NE}, abstract = {

Natural Prairie was a mosaic of patches of depths of plant litter due to topoedaphic conditions and to spatial-temporal variation in fire and grazing. Such variation in litter depth undoubtedly influenced the distribution and abundance of small mammals. To examine this issue, small mammals were censused and plant litter depth was measured during autumn from 1981 to 1984 on the Konza Prairie Natural Research Area near Manhattan, Kansas. Five to 11 sites subjected to fire at different times from 1967 to 1984 were sampled during each of the four years of the study. Relative densities of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were negatively correlated to litter depth, wheras relative densities of Elliot\&$\#$39;s short-tailed shrews (Blarina hylophaga) and western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis) were positively correlated to the depth of plant litter. White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), typically found in wooded and brushy habitats, were captured in prairie sites, but no significant association with plant litter was evident. Although prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) were expected to be positively associated with litter, no significant relationship was found for 1982 (the only year with sufficiently high densities to test for a possible pattern). Key words: small mammals, plant litter, tallgrass prairie, fire, rodents, shrews, Kansas

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A. and Finck, E.J.}, editor = {Bragg, T.B. and Stubbendieck, J.} } @article {KNZ00219, title = {Small mammals in tallgrass prairie: patterns associated with grazing and burning}, journal = {The Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {21}, year = {1989}, pages = {177 -184}, abstract = {

Impacts of cattle grazing and prescribed spring burning on small mammals were assessed in (1) ungrazed and unburned, (2) ungrazed and burned, and (3) grazed and burned grassland habitats in the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas. Twelve species of small mammals were represented by the 287 individuals captured. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus; 41\% of all individuals), Elliot\&$\#$39;s short-tailed shrews (Blarina hylophaga; 22\%), white-footed mice (P. leucopus; 14\%), and prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster; 11\%) were the four most common species. Deer mice avoided ungrazed, unburned sites, whereas Elliot\&$\#$39;s short-tailed shrews and prairie voles were most abundant in ungrazed, unburned habitats. Habitat use by these species was probably influenced by differences in amount of litter and vegetation cover resulting from grazing and burning. White-footed mice were most common in grazed, burned sites, probably due to the numerous shrub patches in this habitat. Assemblage diversity and total numbers of small mammals captured were not significantly influenced by either grazing or burning

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {Clark, B.K. and D.W. Kaufman and Finck, E.J. and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00241, title = {Use of fluorescent pigments to study social interactions in a small nocturnal rodent, Peromyscus maniculatus}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {70}, year = {1989}, pages = {171 -174}, abstract = {

Social interactions within free-living populations of small mammals are poorly known wityh exception of some diuranal rodents such as the ground- dwelling sciurids. The ease of observing diurnal species in contrast to nocturnal ones accounts for differences in availability of data. Many investigators have inferred social interactions in nocturnal rodents from captures of conspecifics in single-catch live traps. However, it is difficult to know whether these data represent social interactions (social traveling where two individuals enter the trap simultaneously); or trapping bias (intensive traps that require the weight of two individuals to activate the trigger mechanism. Even if multiple captures reflect social interactions among individuals, rareness of records makes it desirable to find other methods for studying social behavior in nocturnal rodents. Herein, I describe a technique for assessing social interactions in nocturnal rodents under field conditions. The technique, which uses transfer of flourescent pigments to ascertain which individuals have interacted during the night, was tested with the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.2307/1381682}, author = {Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00211, title = {Differential use of experimental habitat patches by foraging Peromyscus maniculatus on dark and bright nights}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {69}, year = {1988}, pages = {869 -872}, abstract = {

To assess the influence of illumination on choice of microhabitat by foraging rodents, we tested the use of exposed and protected patches by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) when seeds were equally available in two or more patch types in large laboratory arenas. Based on field observations, we expected that, under higher levels of illumination, the ratio of foraging activity in exposed microhabitats to that in protected ones would be lower. We present data from three experiments that uphold this expectation

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.2307/1381652}, author = {Travers, S.E. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00191, title = {Influence of fire and topography on habitat selection by Peromyscus maniculatus and Reithrodontomys megalotis in ungrazed tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {69}, year = {1988}, pages = {342 -352}, abstract = {

Twelve species of small mammals were captured in 10 treatment areas manipulated by fire on the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas. The four fire classes studied were annual fire, first year after fire with previous fire greater than or equal to 4 years earlier (year 1), 2-4 years since fire (years 2-4), and greater than or equal to five years since fire (year 5+). Of the two common rodents, Peromyscus maniculatus selected year 1 sites in all seasons, whereas Reithrodontomys megalotis selected annual fire sites in spring and years 2-4 site in summer with no differences in autumn. Based on 12 fire- topography categories (fire categories the same as above; topography categories: upland, breaks [area of the limestone outcrop at the edge of the hills] and lowland), habitat selection by P. maniculatus and R. megalotis differed significantly between autumn and summer, but could not be tested for spring. Analysis of structural features demonstrated that habitat use by P. maniculatus was related negatively to amount of litter and positively to amount of exposed soil and grass. These three features were related to time since fire; however, the lack of litter likely was the most important features in the positive response by P. maniculatus to conditions following a fire. In contrast, no significant relationships were found between habitat features and use by R. megalotis

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, doi = {10.2307/1381384}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman and Finck, E.J.} } @article {KNZ00171, title = {Long-distance movements by Reithrodontomys megalotis in tallgrass prairie}, journal = {The American Midland Naturalist}, volume = {120}, year = {1988}, pages = {276 -281}, abstract = {

During 6 years of small mammal trapping on Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas, we documented long-distance movements (defined as movements \> 300 m) for 17 western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis). Linear distance moved ranged from 375 to 3200 m (median=600 m; mean=1049m) for all individuals. Males moved significantly farther, but not more often than females. Sixteen of the 17 animals that moved were adults and included reproductively active individuals. Although \< 2\% of the more than 1400 R. megalotis we captured moved \> 300 m, the actual percentage should be much higher since our trapping efforts were limited in space and time. Since long-distance movements of individuals may have a marked effect on the genetic, social and demographic characteristics of populations, future studies of small mammals should be designed to better assess the influence of these movements on local populations

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, doi = {http://www.jstor.org/stable/2425999}, author = {Clark, B.K. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A. and Finck, E.J. and Hand, S.S.} } @article {KNZ00190, title = {Movements of the deer mouse in response to prairie fire}, journal = {The Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {20}, year = {1988}, pages = {225 -229}, abstract = {

Movements of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in response to spring fire were studied using a 13-ha study site on the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas. Approximately one-half of the grid was burned on 19 April 1984 following two weeks of intensive sampling of small mammals; periodic censuses were then made during the first five weeks after the fire. Density on the grid more than doubled (20 to 43 individuals) from the two weeks immediately before to 3-5 weeks after the fire. This change resulted from the classic response of deer mice to conditions created by fire with an increase in the number of individuals using the burned portion (BURN) of the grid exclusively (prefire: 5, postfire: 22) as well as individuals using both the burned and unburned portions (UNBURN) of the grid (prefire: 1, postfire: 6), but not from individuals using the unburned portion of the grid exclusively (prefire: 14, postfire: 15). Due to the known ecological requirements and the rapidity of density response observed in earlier studies, we predicted that the increase in density of deer mice in burned relative to unburned prairie shortly after a spring fire was due to the net movement of individuals from unburned to burned prairie. Postfire movements of deer mice present before our experimental fire were consistent with our predictions; however, the number of individuals present was too small to demonstrate a significant pattern of differential movements. For deer mice originally caught during the first two weeks after fire and then recaptured 3-5 weeks after fire, the proportion of mice captured in UNBURN that shifted to partial or complete use of BURN (7 individuals shifted: 4 stayed) was significantly greater than the proportion of mice captured in BURN that shifted to partial or complete use of UNBURN (1 shifted: 8 stayed). These observations supported our general prediction that in response to fire the net movement of deer mice into burned prairie is greater than net movement of deer mice into unburned tall-grass prairie

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Gurtz, S.K. and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00136, title = {Use of tallgrass prairie by Peromyscus leucopus}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {68}, year = {1987}, pages = {158 -160}, abstract = {

The white-footed mouse (Peromuscus leucopus) is a common resident of forests and woodlands but not grasslands in Kansas. Studies of P. leucopus on Konza Prairie Research Natural Area (KONZA) indicated that wooded microhabitats with a complex verticle structure of trees and shrubs were selected over wooded microhabitats that lacked a shrub layer. Even more striking was the near lack of use of grassland habitat contiguous with the wooded sites. In other regions, Geluso (1971) and Adler et al. (1984) have documented occasional use of grasslands by P. leucopus, especially when high densities were reached in adjacent wooded habitat. The purpose of this paper is to 1) document use of ungrazed tallgrass prairie by P. leucopus, 2) compare relative densities of P. leucopusacross three major habitats on KONZA (ungrazed tallgrass prairie, limestone ledges with shrubs and trees, and gallery forest), and 3)provide information on the distribution of P. leucopus within ungrazed grassland of KONZA

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, doi = {http://www.jstor.org/stable/1381065}, author = {Clark, B.K. and D.W. Kaufman and Finck, E.J. and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00111, title = {Mammals of the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas}, journal = {The Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {18}, year = {1986}, pages = {153 -166}, abstract = {

An annotated list of the mammals was compiled from trapping records and observation for the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area (KONZA), a tall-grass prairie in the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas. Thirty-one species, 1 opossum, 2 shrews, 1 mole, 1 rabbit, 17 rodents, 7 carnivores, and 2 ungulates, were recorded. Habitat use and range for each species were included relative to our experience with the animals on KONZA. Percent composition of small mammals was presented by habitat type for 15 species captured on 26 permanent live traplines from autumn 1981 to spring 1984. The likelihood of occurrence on KONZA was disscused for 15 species (8 bats, 1 hare, 2 rodents, and 4 carnivores) not presently recorded for the site

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {Finck, E.J. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A. and Gurtz, S.K. and Clark, B.K. and McLellan, L.J. and Clark, B.S.} } @article {KNZ0096, title = {Habitat selection by small mammals of the tallgrass prairie: experimental patch choice}, journal = {The Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {17}, year = {1985}, pages = {65 -70}, abstract = {

Small mammals were sampled in 44 experimental burn plots on Konza Prairie Research Natural Area (NPRNA). These plots included burned and unburned upland and burned and unburned lowland tall-grass prairie. Peromyscus maniculatus was most common in burned upland, Reithrodontomys megalotis in unburned lowland, and Sigmodon hispidus in lowland with no response to fire treatment. Experimental patch choice was similar to habitat selection documented by earlier work on large watershed units on KPRNA

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie}, author = {Peterson, S.K. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ0086, title = {Peromyscus leucopus in riparian woodlands: use of trees and shrubs}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {66}, year = {1985}, pages = {139 -143}, abstract = {

Our objective was to describe the use of shrubs and trees by P. leucopus. More specifically, two predictions related to use of verticle habitat structure were examined. The firsst was that use of trees by P. leucopus is directly related to tree size. The second was that use of shrub canopy is directly related to density of branches

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.2307/1380968}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Peak, M.E. and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ0046, title = {Effect of microhabitat features on habitat use by Peromyscus leucopus}, journal = {The American Midland Naturalist}, volume = {110}, year = {1983}, pages = {177 -185}, abstract = {

Habitat use and selection by the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) were examined in riparian woods and associated grassy, shrubbby and limestone outcrop habitats on the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area near Manhattan, Kansas. Analysis of captures on a large, irregular grid (843 stations) demonstrated significant differential use of habitat types by P. leucopus. Selection of habitat types was related to the verticle structure of the vegetation with areas of complex verticle structure (trees with large shrubs, large shrubs without trees or trees with small shrubs) selected over those with less well-developed verticle structure (trees without shrubs, small shrubs without trees or grass). The same basic pattern persisted when microhabitat features in the immediate area of traps were examined. Use of microhabitats associated with rocks, logs, stumps, and fallen trees in the riparian woods revealed greater use of areas with dense cover. The use of microhabitats associated with limestone outcrops confirmed a pattern of greater use of protected than of open areas. Patterns of habitat and microhabitat use were generally consistent with the use of habitat features to avoid predators; however, food distribution was not examined and availability of food in different sites may explain part of the use patterns. Limited observations on habitat selection by Neotoma floridana suggested that competitive interactions between P. leucopus and N. floridana were relatively unimportant in the macro- and microhabitats use patterns of P. leucopus

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, habitat}, doi = {10.2307/2425223}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Peterson, S.K. and Fristik, R. and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ0045, title = {Effects of fire on rodents in tallgrass prairie of the Flint Hills region of eastern Kansas}, journal = {The Prairie Naturalist}, volume = {15}, year = {1983}, pages = {49 -56}, abstract = {

Fire in tallgrass prairie reduces the amount of litter on the soil surface and enhances primary productivity in the first year following a fire. If the site is left unburned and ungrazed, a gradual increase in litter depth and a decrease in primary productivity occurs during the first few years following a fire. Based on these habitat changes and the habitat selection and food habits of prairie rodents, e.g., Peromyscus maniculatus, Reithrodontomys megalotis and Microtus ochrogaster, major shifts in rodent density should occur the first few years following a fire. We trapped four sites, each representing a different year of a 4-year cycle of burning, to analyze the effect of periodic fires on rodent populations in the tallgrass prairie. We also trapped a study site that is burned annually for comparison of the effect of annual fires to the 4-year cycle. Data are also presented to examine the effects of time since fire and fire frequency on rodent population

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, rodent, tallgrass prairie}, author = {D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A. and Finck, E.J.} }