This study describes a systematic small mammal trapping programme in the lowland rain forest of Anandrivola, north-east Madagascar. Trapping in both primary and secondary forest revealed the presence of nine small mammal species. Twenty-six habitat variables measured around each trap site were used to determine microhabitat preferences in the three most common small mammal species. The tenrec Microgale talazaci Major, 1896 was widespread but favoured microhabitats with relatively dense herbaceous growth. The endemic rodent Eliurus webbi Ellerman, 1949 was most often found deep within primary forest, in microhabitats characterized by low herb densities and abundant lianes. The introduced rat Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) was trapped only in secondary forest, in microhabitats close to the forest edge with dense herbaceous growth. The effects of microhabitat availability on small mammal species distributions and the consequences for conservation are discussed.
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