Microhabitat use by Dipodomys merriami was investigated using live-trapping and dyed seed collection methods at a site where direct observations of foraging behavior had been made earlier. D. merriami were more likely to collect dyed seeds scattered beneath shrubs than those placed as large clumps in open areas between shrubs; however, they were equally likely to enter traps in either microhabitat. Seed densities in the soil were highest under shrubs but more large seed clumps were found in open areas between shrubs. These results provide support for earlier suggestions that in this habitat D. merriami collect most of their seeds from beneath shrubs.
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Steve Thompson (1987) studied this question.