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

Table 1

Results of the best-fit spatial multiple linear regressions relating small mammal captures to three macrohabitat types and 3 other small mammal species (pigmy mice (BATA), white-footed mice (PERO), fulvous harvest mice (REFU), and hispid cotton rats (SIHI)). We report AIC weight and % difference in AIC weights between the best-fit model (reported) and its most likely alternative model, and asterisks indicate significant explanatory variable in the best fitting model.

Species	Season	Variables in the best-fit model	AIC weight (% difference)	R ^2
PIGMY MOUSE; (Baiomys taylori)	fall 1991	(−) brushland/forest*	61% (39%)	0.24
	spring 1992	(−) grassland drainage	57% (34%)	0.06
	fall 1992	(+) upland grassland*	35% (14%)	0.29
WHITE-FOOTED MOUSE; (Peromyscus leucopus)	fall 1991	(+) brushland/forest*, (+) REFU*	59% (37%)	0.49
	spring 1992	(+) brushland/forest*, (+) REFU	41% (16%)	0.39
	fall 1992	(+) brushland/forest*	59% (35%)	0.14
FULVOUS HARVEST MOUSE; (Reithrodontomys fulvescens)	fall 1991	(+) PERO*	40% (67%)	0.26
	spring 1992	(−) brushland/forest*, (+) PERO	42% (14%)	0.12
	fall 1992	(+) BATA	60% (36%)	0.03
HISPID COTTON RAT; (Sigmodon hispidus)	fall 1991	(+) brushland/forest	60% (36%)	0.10
	spring 1992	(+) upland grassland	36% (18%)	0.03
	fall 1992	(+) upland grassland*, (−) BATA	41% (11%)	0.12