Small mammals and habitat structure along altitudinal gradients in the southern Cape mountains

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Abstract
Small mammals were sampled along altitudinal gradients in two mountain localities, the Swartberg and Baviaanskloof, in the southern Cape in summer 1977–1978. Species composition varied according to altitude and aspect with a total catch of six rodent and two shrew species. Correlations were found between abundance of rodent species and habitat variables, particularly vegetation structure and the cover of rock and bare soil. Rodent species diversity was negatively correlated with the proportion of total foliage at low to mid heights (40 - 80 cm). Factors controlling apparent habitat preferences are discussed together with modes of rodent niche separation. Extrapolation of the results is limited by the single season and restricted geographical coverage of the survey. Klein soogdiere is gedurende die somer van 1977–1978 langs 'n hoogtegradient in die Swart-en Baviaanskloofberge van die Suidkaap versamel. 'n Totaal van ses knaagdiere en twee skeerbekspesies is gevind. Hoogte en aspek het 'n beduidende invloed op die soortesamestelling gehaal. Korrelasies is tussen knaagdiergetalle en habitatveranderlikes gevind, veral met plantegroeistruktuur en die hoeveelheid bedekking van rotse en kaal grond. Daar was ook 'n verband tussen knaagdier—verskeidenheid en die persentasie van die totale blaarmassa op lae tot medium hoogtes (40 - 80 cm). Die faktore wat oënskynlike habitatvoorkeure beheer, sowel as wyses van nisskeiding, word bespreek. Omdat die opname net oor een seisoen strek en 'n beperkte geografiesegebied dek, is veral- gemening en die wyer toepassing van die resultate egter beperk.

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