Tongass National Forest

Other Mammals Including Endemics

In the early development stages of the conservation strategy, and in particular, during the first round of scientific panel assessments, other mammals were evaluated. It was determined by the panel that only the flying squirrel was of serious concern as it was believed to be mostly dependent on productive old-growth forests. An update of studies conducted on the flying squirrels will be given.

Because of the numerous islands that make up much of Southeast Alaska, small mammals are considered to be species at risk for endemism. Endemism relates to the potential for a species to develop unique sub-species because they are not able to genetically mix with their counterparts on other islands. Studies and surveys have been ongoing on the smaller islands of Southeast Alaska and presentations will update results of those efforts. Recent publications on the small endemic mammals of Southeast Alaska include:

• Smith, W., and J. Nichols. 2003. Demography of the Prince of Wales flying squirrel, an endemic of southeastern Alaska temperate rain forest. J. Mammalogy 84(3):1044-1058.
• Smith, W., and J. Nichols. 2004. Demography of two endemic forest-floor mammals of southeastern Alaskan temperate rain forest. J. Mammalogy 85(3):540-551.
• Smith, W., S. Gende, and J. Nichols. 2005. Correlates of microhabitat use and density of Clethrionomys gapperi and Peromyscus keni in temperate rain forests of Southeast Alaska. Acta Zoologica Sinica 51(6): 973-988.
• Smith, W., S. Gende, and J. Nichols. 2005. Ecological correlates of flying squirrel microhabitat use and density of in temperate rain forests of southeastern Alaska. J. Mammalogy 85(4): 663-674.
• Smith, W., S. Gende, and J. Nichols. 2005. The northern flying squirrel as an indicator species of temperate rain forest: test of an hypothesis. Ecological Applications 15(2): 689-700.
• Smith, W. 2005. Evolutionary diversity and ecology of endemic small mammals of southeastern Alaska with implications for land management planning. Landscape and Urban Planning 72: 135-155.