Small Mammal Sampling
NEON uses a mark-recapture approach to study small mammals and mammal-borne disease. Small mammals include any mammal that is (1) nonvolant; (2) nocturnally active; (3) forages predominantly aboveground; and (4) is greater than 5 grams but less than approximately 500 g. In North America, this includes cricetids, heteromyids, small sciurids, and introduced murids. It does not include shrews, large squirrels, rabbits, or weasels, despite the fact that individuals of these species may be incidentally captured.  Sampling occurs six times per year at 6-8 Small Mammal Plots located throughout SRER.  Plots contain 100 evenly spaced Sherman live traps baited with non-germinating bird seed.  The onset of any given trapping cycle begins within ± 10 days of the start of a new moon and lasts for a one-three day period at any given plot. Traps are set and baited at or near sunset and then checked each morning.  Capture data include species ID, reproductive condition, morphometric measurements, and body mass.  Additionally, a blood sample may be collected for laboratory disease testing, ear tissue sample for species ID verification, and hair and fecal samples for archiving. Individuals are promptly marked and released at the site of capture.   Traps are either closed for the remainder of the day and then reset the evening before sunset, or removed at the end of a trapping cycle.