Small Mammals at the Urban Interface
Colby College, Maine
My research at Colby College centered on the distribution and abundance of small mammals in areas of urban development. Students and I sampled housing developments, golf courses, land trusts, airports, and nature preserves to assess whether there is a difference in abundance and distribution of small mammals in areas under anthropogenic influence. We noticed a more diverse assemblage of species in southern Maine (Topsham), whereas the Colby College campus abounds in mice (e.g., deer and white-footed). Students also pit-tagged species on campus to better understand the abundance of small mammals. Trapping at the Robert LaFleur airport in Waterville, ME suggests that this area is predominately inhabited by meadow voles. Colby undergraduates and I will be used genetic analysis (e.g., salivary amylase, PCR, restriction digest techniques) to verify field identification of Peromyscus spp. Future research may elucidate patterns in bot fly infestation in Peromyscus and Microtus in Maine.
My research at Colby College centered on the distribution and abundance of small mammals in areas of urban development. Students and I sampled housing developments, golf courses, land trusts, airports, and nature preserves to assess whether there is a difference in abundance and distribution of small mammals in areas under anthropogenic influence. We noticed a more diverse assemblage of species in southern Maine (Topsham), whereas the Colby College campus abounds in mice (e.g., deer and white-footed). Students also pit-tagged species on campus to better understand the abundance of small mammals. Trapping at the Robert LaFleur airport in Waterville, ME suggests that this area is predominately inhabited by meadow voles. Colby undergraduates and I will be used genetic analysis (e.g., salivary amylase, PCR, restriction digest techniques) to verify field identification of Peromyscus spp. Future research may elucidate patterns in bot fly infestation in Peromyscus and Microtus in Maine.
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