We studied the distribution of arboreal small mammals by a camera trapping method combined with nest box installed in tree trunk. Study sites were three forest stands at low elevations (40-140m above sea
level) around Mt. Ryuhou, Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.
We confirmed that the Japanese dormice and the Japanese great flying squirrels inhabited the study area by photos. Although we could not obtain any photos of the Japanese flying squirrels, we found some possible traces of the species. The vegetation where the Japanese dormice inhabited was a young broad-leaved evergreen forest.
Results suggest that the Japanese dormice can survive in young secondary growth at low elevation after human disturbances. We hypothesized that the distribution of Japanese dormice strongly relates with the history of land use rather than the altitude or vegetation.
The method we used in this study was effective to conform the presence/absence of arboreal small mammals. We will continue the study using the same method in various places in Kumamoto Prefecture.
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