Updated distribution of the Texas kangaroo rat (Dipodomys elator) and patterns of rodent species associations from county road surveys in Texas

The Texas kangaroo rat (Dipodomys elator) is a rare species of conservation interest at both the state and federal level. Therefore, an updated understanding distribution abundance D. elator critical for initiating informed decisions about its status subsequent management strategies. We surveyed more than 850 locations along unpaved county roads across historical range this in north-central to identify sites presence examine patterns rodent associations. determined that presently occurs five counties within was eighth most abundant 14 we captured. Moreover, found majority pairwise associations, including those involving elator, were random there no strong evidence pairs rodents aggregating or segregating with respect each other. did observe negative associations between Dipodomys ordii (Ord’s rat) Sigmodon hispidus (hispid cotton rat). Nonetheless, these indicate interspecific interactions do not play role influencing elator. However, restricted temporally dynamic suggests metapopulation perspective should be considered when making future considerations.