NEON Biorepository Mammal Collection (Fecal Samples)

Small mammal fecal samples collected during NEON live-trapping events. Sampling 3-8 mammal trapping grids per site 3 are designated pathogen grids (3 nights per bout) Rest are designated diversity grids (1 night per bout) Number of bouts/year dependant on site type Core sites: ~6 bouts/year Gradient sites: ~4 bouts/year Sampling aligned with lunar cycle (within ±10 days of new moon) Ear, fecal, hair and whisker samples only collected 3 bouts/year Methods Live capture using Sherman box traps (10 × 10 grids, 10 m spacing) Traps opened over night and closed during the day Individuals vouchered if found deceased or require euthanasia, otherwise processed and released Fresh, uncontaminated feces collected Preservation Stored at −80 °C in the NEON Biorepository