Project Director

Gaudin, T.J.

Department

Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

A survey of small mammal diversity in grassy habitats of the Tennessee River Gorge was conducted from February 20, 1995 to July 27, 1995. The purpose of the study was to provide new information on the biogeographical distribution of small mammals in southeastern Tennessee and to aid the Tennessee River Gorge Trust in its effort to have the gorge designated as a Biosphere Reserve. A total of 122 mammals representing ten species were collected from four different sites in the gorge. As a result of this study, new information was obtained that requires a range extension for the southern short-tailed shrew, Blarina carolinensis. The Tennessee River appeared to serve as an effective biogeographic barrier between this species and its larger relative, the northern short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda. Overall small mammal diversity was highest during the spring at undisturbed sites and lowest during the summer at disturbed sites. Specimens were prepared, identified, and deposited in the Natural History Museum of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. To supplement the educational mission of the UTC Natural History Museum, three skeletons were prepared for demonstration purposes. Skeletons were cleaned by dermestid beetles and mounted for exhibition.

Degree

B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Date

3-1996

Subject

Mammals--Tennessee River Valley; Animal diversity conservation; Mammal communities--Tennessee; Southern short-tailed shrew--Geographical distribution; Blarina--Tennessee River Valley

Discipline

Biodiversity

Document Type

Theses

Extent

i, 24 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Call Number

LB2369.5 .M667 1996

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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