NEON Biorepository Mammal Collection (Blood Samples)

Small mammal blood samples collected during NEON live-trapping events. Sampling 3-8 mammal trapping grids per site 3 designated pathogen grids (3 nights per bout) Rest 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) Blood samples collected every bout 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 Blood collected once per individual per bout via mandibular (submandibular/facial vein/artery) technique Blood collection restricted to target species Preservation <10 μL samples discarded; 10-20 μL samples archived; ≥20 μL samples sent for pathogen analysis, unused amounts archived; Stored at −80 °C in the NEON Biorepository