Small mammal community structure and vertical space use preferences in nonfragmented Atlantic Forest.

Here we describe a small mammal community in nonfragmented Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil. A total of 146 individuals were live captured on the ground and in trees (total effort: 5600 trap-nights). Twelve species were identified by morphology, and identification of seven species was confirmed by DNA barcoding. Most species were terrestrial, with Euryoryzomys russatus being the most frequently captured, while the rodent Juliomys pictipes was semiarboreal and the marsupial Marmosa paraguayana was arboreal. With the capture of Trinomys iheringi, we extend the species distribution to the south. Species favored in disturbed environments as Oligoryzomys spp. and Akodon spp. were uncommon, and this small mammal community is typical of a well-conserved forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]