The ecology of small mammals in the semiarid Brazilian Caatinga. IV. Habitat selection

Abstract

Distributional patterns in the small mammal fauna of the Caatinga were examined. Most of the caviomorph rodent and marsupial species preferentially utilize granitic outcroppings. Pronounced affinity for the stable, mesic granitic habitats evolved as an avoidance response to the unpredictable occurrence of extreme climatic conditions characteristic of the Caatinga. None of the murids exhibited this behavior.