Influence of Elevation Gradient Change on Small Mammal Community in the Xiling Snow Mountain,Sichuan
Understanding the distribution patterns of biodiversity along elevational gradients is a fundamental question in macroecology.Although many relevant studies have been conducted in different regions and among different taxa,the uni-versality of biodiversity patterns remains inconclusive.From May to October 2022,the elevational variation of small mam-mal communities in the Xiling Snow Mountain(Sichuan Province,China)was investigated using snap traps and pitfall traps.A total of 102 quadrats were set up along an elevational gradient ranging from 1 000 m to 4 600 m,and 884 individu-als belonging to 32 species,22 genera,7 families and 3 orders were captured.The composition of small mammal commu-nity in the 400 m elevation band changed significantly along the elevational gradient.The most dominant species in the community changed from Niviventer confucianus(1 000-1 800 m asl)to Apodemus draco(1 800-3 400 m asl),and then to Neodon sp.(above 3 400 m asl)as the elevation increase.The elevational distribution pattern of the small mammal spe-cies richness exhibited a hump-shaped pattern and peaked at intermediate elevations between 1 800-3 400 m.The distribu-tion patterns of rodents,insectivores,endemic species,and non-endemic species were basically consistent with that of the total species.Moreover,a new species of the genus Neodon(undescribed species)was identified,and Uropsilus robustus Wan,2015 was confirmed to be a new species.This study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive sampling along en-tire elevational gradients and thus can provide a more objective reflection of the true elevational distribution pattern of biodi-versity.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
维普
