Small mammals in the human-dominated landscape in the northern Western Ghats of India

The Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot is under huge anthropogenic pressure, with unique flora and fauna facing severe threats from habitat fragmentation, loss, degradation. northern has been poorly studied for its small mammal fauna, hence we examined mammals near Pune 2014 to 2017. Live trapping was carried out in irrigated rainfed agriculture fields, forests, grasslands at low, mid, high elevations. A total of 538 individuals were trapped, representing 17 species rodents one shrew. Most abundantly captured Millardia kondana (23%), Mus saxicola (19%), Suncus murinus (17%), booduga (13%). Species richness abundance varied across the habitats. High elevation species-rich relative low forests. Our observations indicate that human disturbances play a role determining area, where populations are threat urbanization, tourism, agriculture, grazing, fire. Habitat specific conservation measures need be taken, coupled in-depth species–habitat relationship studies, diversity Ghats.