Small mammals and microhabitat selection in forest fragments in the transition zone between Atlantic Forest and Pampa biome

Natural resources are depleted in fragmented landscapes that have their vegetation also altered. As a result, the microhabitat diversity and composition distribution of local species affected. In this study, we evaluated small mammals' community diversity, selection two Atlantic Forest fragments, an ecotone area with Pampa biome, southern Brazil. We recorded five rodents (Akodon montensis, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Sooretamys angouya, Juliomys pictipes exotic Rattus rattus) one marsupial (Didelphis albiventris). Both fragments were dominated by generalist rodent A. montensis. Akodon montensis O. nigripes showed similar habitat preferences: ground covered rocks higher values obstruction. angouya preferred places abundance trees. Fruit availability was important for D. albiventris, highlighting importance food resource wildlife, potential role these as seed predators dispersers. Small richness, presence high dominance level suggest study is highly degraded.