Future Challenges and Research Opportunities: What Do We Really Know?

As noted in Chapters 1 and 3, the golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli) is too seldom the focal species of small mammal studies. Instead, information on the biology and ecology of the golden mouse is often gained in conjunction with studies on much more common, widespread species such as white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) or cotton mice (P. gossypinus). Nonetheless, a moderate amount of information has been accumulated on the golden mouse, as described in the preceding chapters. However, just as important as defining what we know, each chapter points out the many areas in which we are clearly ignorant about interesting aspects of the life history of the golden mouse. Just as we have structured this volume on an ecological levels-of-organization approach, in this chapter we will use that same approach to summarize and address some of the future research challenges and opportunities regarding golden mice.