Do Invasive Fire Ants Affect Habitat Selection within a Small Mammal Community?

Table 2

Results of the best-fit spatial multiple linear regressions relating small mammal captures to average red imported fire ant (RIFA) foraging activity and five microscale habitat characteristics. Asterisks indicate significant explanatory variable in the best fitting model. We report AIC weight and % difference in AIC weights between the best-fit model (reported) and its most likely alternative model.

Species	Season	Variables in the best-fit model	AIC weight (% difference)	R ^2
PIGMY MOUSE; (Baiomys taylori)	fall 1991	(−) % ground*, (+) litter depth	24% (10%)	0.14
	spring 1992	(−) % litter, (+) % woody, (−) woody ht*	32% (6%)	0.22
	fall 1992	(+) % grass*	53% (24%)	0.12
WHITE-FOOTED MOUSE; (Peromyscus leucopus)	fall 1991	(+) woody ht*	48% (16%)	0.43
	spring 1992	(+) % woody*	56% (33%)	0.27
	fall 1992	(−) % litter, (−) litter depth*	44% (17%)	0.19
FULVOUS HARVEST MOUSE; (Reithrodontomys fulvescens)	fall 1991	(−) % litter*, (+) % woody ht*	43% (20%)	0.19
	spring 1992	(+) % litter	45% (18%)	0.05
	fall 1992	(+) % litter	57% (31%)	0.07
HISPID COTTON RAT; (Sigmodon hispidus)	fall 1991	(−) RIFA, (+) % woody	42% (14%)	0.11
	spring 1992	(+) % woody	56% (31%)	0.06
	fall 1992	(+) woody ht	53% (27%)	0.01