Ecology of the Opossum on a Natural Area in Northeastern Kansas

Ecology of the Opossum on a Natural Area in Northeastern Kansas

On the 590-acre University of Kansas Natural History Reservation where our study was made, the opossum, Didelphis marsupialis virginiana Kerr, is the largest predatory animal having a permanently resident population. The coyote, racoon and red fox also occur on the area but each ranges widely, beyond the Reservation boundaries. With the passing nearly a century ago of the larger animals of the original fauna, the buffalo, elk, deer, antelope, wild turkey, gray wolf and others, lesser herbivores and carnivores including the opossum and animals of similar size fell heir to their key positions of predominance at the peak of the food pyramid. These smaller animals, however, exert less powerful effects in controlling the general aspect of the biotic community, and affect it in different directions. The over-all ecology is greatly altered. The flora and fauna both are undergoing successional changes which will continue for a long time and probably will culminate in a biotic community much different from the original climax. The opossum plays an important part in this process of change; being relatively large, numerous, and of omnivorous habits, it variously influences, directly and indirectly, the populations of its plant and animal associates, through a complex web of interrelationships. Several excellent field- and laboratory-studies of the opossum have been published (Hartman, 1928, 1952; Lay, 1942; Reynolds, 1945; Wiseman and Hendrickson, 1950) and the life history of this remarkable marsupial is already well known. The purpose of our study, therefore, was to gain a better understanding of the ecological relationships of the opossum in the particular region represented by the study area. To accomplish this, we gathered data concerning the animal's responses to climate and varying weather conditions; its annual cycle of breeding, growth and activity, movements, principal food sources, numbers, population turnover, and natural enemies. Although we did gain a somewhat better understanding of the opossum's ecology, results are remarkably meager in proportion to the large amount of time expended. The hours of work daily in setting and tending a line of live-traps ordinarily were rewarded with only a few records, sometimes none. Comparable time and effort [Pg 310] directed to the study of smaller and more abundant kinds of animals has been far more productive of data. Field work was carried on in parts of 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 37199
Author: Fitch, Henry S. (Henry Sheldon)
Release Date: Aug 24, 2011
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Contributor (Author): Sandidge, Lewis L.