Habitat Loss Shapes Isotopic Niche Responses of a Didelphid Opossum to Fragmentation in Neotropical Semideciduous Dry Forests of Central Brazil.

Key Points

• The study investigates how habitat loss influences the isotopic niche and ecological roles of opossums in fragmented landscapes.
• Analyzed isotopic niches of didelphid opossums in different forest fragments
• Assessed the relationship between habitat degradation and trophic plasticity
• Monitored opossum populations and their reliance on forest resources
• Opossums exhibited significant changes in their isotopic niche in fragmented areas
• Smaller forest patches were crucial for their survival and ecological functions
• Habitat loss restricted their ability to adapt through trophic plasticity