Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Small Mammals of the Atlantic Forest, Brazil: Use of Vegetation Structures, Density, Movement Patterns and Parasite Load of Selected Species

Habitat fragmentation is a major threat to biodiversity all over the world and especially in tropical rainforests. The coastal Atlantic forest, Brazil (Mata Atlântica), is one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots of the world and at the same time one of the world's most threatened environments. Small mammal species respond in different ways to the fragmentation of the forest habitat. Habitat generalists are - in contrast to specialist species - less impaired by fragmentation of the forest habitat. In my investigations I aimed to emphasize knowledge about the ecology of Atlantic forest small mammal species and explore the reasons for different responses to habitat fragmentation. I investigated the effects of fragmentation on movement patterns, population density, use of vegetation structures and on parasite load of selected small mammal species in the vicinity of the city of São Paulo, Brazil.