I examined patterns of microhabitat use by two species of endemic forest rodents (Apodemus semotus and Niviventer culturatus) in the mountains of central Taiwan. I established transects in five forested sites above 1800 m and sampled each site by live-trapping for four consecutive days and three nights. A series of 14 microhabitat variables was measured at each trap station in each study site. Probability of occurrence at a trap station for both A. semotus and N. culturatus was related to the microhabitat variables using multiple logistic regression analysis. Probability of occurrence of both species was strongly related to the microhabitat variables. Occurrence of A. semotus was related positively to grass, forb, and bamboo variables and negatively to understory and log variables. Occurrence of N. culturatus was related positively to large logs. I also searched for patterns that might indicate interactions between these two species. Occurrence of A. semotus was related negatively to that of N. culturatus after controlling for habitat associations of A. semotus. There was no reciprocal relationship (i.e., no indicated effect of A. semotus on N. culturatus after controlling for habitat associations of N. culturatus). Results suggest (but do not confirm) that the larger N. culturatus negatively impacts microhabitat use by A. semotus.
Apodemus semotus, Habitat associations, Niviventer culturatus, Rodents, Taiwan
