SREL Reprint #3566

Small mammal prey base for American marten (Martes americana) within the Manistee National Forest of Michigan

David L. Haskins1,2,3, Mary Feely4, Joseph J. Jacquot5, Paul W. Keenlance5,
Robert L. Sanders6, Jacob A. Daly1,2, and David E. Unger7

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802
2D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602
3Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602
4Department of Environmental Science, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, 37403
5Department of Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan 49401
6Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Natural Resources Department, Manistee, Michigan 49660
7Division of Natural Sciences, Maryville College, Maryville, Tennesee 37804

Abstract: American martens (Martes americana) are typically found in late-successional forests with closed canopy cover and high structural diversity. Reintroduced populations of martens in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan inhabit areas that are devoid of many of these features, which may impact their prey base. The goal of our study was to evaluate the small mammal prey base available to martens in the Northern Lower Peninsula. To assess prey availability, diversity, and composition, as well as effects of trap type and habitat features on trapping success, we sampled 24 study plots within the Manistee National Forest for small mammals in 2013 (n¼24) and 2014 (n¼20). Study plots were situated in four habitat types: conifer, deciduous, mixed conifer-deciduous, and mixed oak. Total capture rates were significantly and positively associated with relative deciduous tree cover. This result highlights how managing tracts of land for small mammal prey base may overlap with goals set forth by researchers for marten habitat needs (e.g., resting site preferences). We found large Sherman traps had significantly higher total capture rates than other trap types (medium Sherman and pitfall traps), and we recommend researchers use a variety of trap types to maximize detectability of small mammal species diversity and richness.

SREL Reprint #3566

Haskins, D. L., M. Feely, J. J. Jacquot, P. W. Keenlance, R. L. Sanders, J. A. Daly, and D. E. Unger. 2020. Small mammal prey base for American marten (Martes americana) within the Manistee National Forest of Michigan. American Midland Naturalist 183(1): 38-51.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).