Winter coexistence of voles in spruce forest: relevance of seasonal changes in aggression

1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 1004-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian N. Turner ◽  
Michael R. Perrin ◽  
Stuart L. Iverson
Keyword(s):  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Spruce Forest ◽  
Vole Population ◽  
Reproductive Condition ◽  
Interspecific Aggression ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Nonbreeding Season ◽  
Short Period

Beginning in November 1973, numerous meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) moved onto a spruce forest grid occupied by red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi). A resident meadow vole population resulted, the two species coexisting until April 1974, when most meadow voles disappeared from the grid during a relatively short period. Interspecific aggression levels, as determined from voles temporarily removed from the populations and tested in paired encounters in a laboratory arena, were low during the winter, but increased when males of both species entered reproductive condition in the spring. Microtus was generally dominant in early breeding period encounters, but this dominance declined concurrently with the meadow voles' disappearance from the forest. It is argued that meadow voles did not leave the forest to breed, or because the snow cover melted, since this species will live and reproduce in forest in the absence of Clethrionomys. The results are interpreted as support for an earlier hypothesis that competitive habitat exclusion varies seasonally with reproduction-related aggression. Thus, these species apparently may coexist in either of their preferred habitats when interspecific aggression is low (the nonbreeding season), but this relationship terminates when interspecific aggression levels increase with the resumption of breeding in the spring.

Réponse numérique de l'hermine aux fluctuations d'abondance de Microtus pennsylvanicus

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 542-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Raymond ◽  
Jean-Marie Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Local Population ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Density Fluctuations ◽  
Numerical Response ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Vole Population ◽  
Rodent Population ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Different Response

The numerical response of two ermine populations (Mustela erminea) to the density fluctuations of the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), the dominant mammal in southern Quebec agrosystems, was studied from 1978 to 1980. There is a strong correlation between the densities of the two species, whether or not the fluctuations of Microtus are cyclical. Males and females show a different response, the numerical adjustment of males being strongly correlated to the fluctuations of the vole population while the females do not seem to make particular adjustments. The numerical response of the ermine takes place only a few months after the changes in the rodent population. It is suggested that in areas where preys are small and of similar size the survival of the females is less dependent than that of the males on the density of the dominant prey. As most female ermines seem to participate in reproduction whatever the density of the vole population, the continuity of any local population is insured from year to year by the presence of at least minimal numbers. Survival of the young during the year following their birth seems to depend on the immediate availability of prey, thus determining the characteristics of the numerical response.[Journal translation]

Control of Small Mammals on a Hardwood Plantation by Poison-Bait Feeders

1977 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-99
Author(s):  
Arthur M. Martell ◽  
Andrew Radvanyi
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Southern Ontario

Poison-bait feeder stations were placed on a hardwood plantation in southern Ontario in 1973 to attempt long-term control of a meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) population by continuous dispensing of poisoned grain. Baiting by means of feeders successfully reduced the numbers of meadow voles and maintained them at a low density, about 3-6/ha (1.2-2.4/acre), through April 1976. During the same period, the density of meadow voles on surrounding unpoisoned areas declined from a 1973 peak to about the same as that found on the poisoned plot by fall and winter 1975-76. Despite that low density, less than 4/ha (1.6/acre), severe gnawing and girdling of young hardwoods occurred during winter. Poison-bait feeders are efficient at reducing meadow vole populations from high to low density, but it cannot be assumed that even those low-density populations will not damage hardwood plantations.

Eléments minéraux du régime alimentaire du campagnol des champs, Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord.)

1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1565-1570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Marie Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Régime Alimentaire ◽  
Reproductive Condition ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Calcium Phosphorus ◽  
Males And Females

One hundred and ninety-five meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord.) were captured by means of 485 traps installed each month during the summer of 1974 in four types of culture. The analysis of minerals in their diet indicates low variation in potassium levels, whereas nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels appear to be much more environment-dependent. There are a few differences between the diets of males and females. Stomach contents of captured voles do not vary significantly from one type of culture to another, but the physiological reproductive condition of the animals accounts for significant differences in stomach contents.[Journal translation]

Meadow vole cycles within fences

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 1796-1804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Tamarin ◽  
Lawrence M. Reich ◽  
Carol A. Moyer
Keyword(s):  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Control Population ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Demographic Parameters ◽  
Vole Population ◽  
Demographic Trends ◽  
Vole Cycles ◽  
Vole Cycle

To test the idea that dispersal is necessary for cycling and to develop an enclosure that would permit vole population cycling, we partially and fully fenced grids that included woodland areas (dispersal sinks) that were continually trapped out. We studied three populations of the meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus, in Massachusetts from 1978 to 1982. The control population and both fenced populations exhibited virtually identical demographic trends, which encompassed a vole cycle. Analysis of demographic parameters suggested that the major effect of the fence was to increase survival within. We attributed this increased survival to reduced dispersal because a dispersal sink attracted only 98 dispersers throughout the study, We suggest that there is a continuum of individual thresholds to disperse with only a very few animals motivated enough to enter a woodland dispersal sink.

Seasonal variations in the mass and composition of brown adipose tissue in the meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus

1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Didow ◽  
J. S. Hayward
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Relative Mass ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Percentage Composition ◽  
Brown Adipose

Wild meadow voles were collected each month of the year and analyzed for the mass and composition of their brown adipose tissue. The relative mass of brown adipose tissue decreased with increasing body weight in both summer and winter.Seasonal changes in the relative mass of brown adipose tissue were inversely related to seasonal changes in ambient temperature. In mature voles, the relative mass of brown adipose tissue was lowest during summer (0.5%) and increased rapidly to a level of 1.7% in early winter. Similarly, immature voles had their lowest relative mass in summer (1.0%) and increased this to 2.3% in winter. Both groups showed some decrease in the winter amount of the tissue when the subnivean environment became established. The percentage composition of brown adipose tissue with respect to water, lipid, and protein did not change significantly through the year.The results provide corroboration for laboratory studies which show that the mass and composition of brown adipose tissue are related to the requirement for cold thermogenesis. In voles, this requirement was present throughout the year and varied only in degree.

Similarities between female meadow voles mating during post-partum oestrus and raising two concurrent litters and females raising only one litter

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier delBarco-Trillo ◽  
Michael H. Ferkin
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Maternal Care ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Males And Females

In many species of small mammals, females undergo post-partum oestrus soon after delivering a litter, becoming pregnant while suckling the previous litter. Females raising two concurrent litters need to allocate many more resources to reproduction than females raising only one litter. Consequently, there may be differences between litters raised concurrently or singly. We investigated this issue in the meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus, a species in which most females in the wild reproduce during post-partum oestrus. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that the development of pups in two concurrent litters differs from that of pups in a single litter. To test this hypothesis, we measured the following variables for concurrent and singly reared litters: gestation length; litter size; sex ratio; bodyweight of males and females at different ages; total litter weight at weaning; growth rates; and intra-litter variation in body mass. Except for bodyweight of males at 60 days of age, which was higher in the first of the concurrent litters, none of the variables differed among the litters. These results indicate that females are able to adjust to differing loads of maternal care to provide equivalent resources to concurrent litters and singly reared litters.

Macrogeographic variation in mitochondrial DNA of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Plante ◽  
Peter T. Boag ◽  
Bradley N. White
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Fragment Length Polymorphism ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Population Fluctuations ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Mtdna Sequence ◽  
Nucleotide Divergence ◽  
Phenotype Diversity ◽  
Single Locality

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 99 meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) collected in 13 localities and from 2 Townsend's voles (M. townsendii) from a single locality was assayed for restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with 13 restriction endonucleases. There was evidence of extensive mtDNA sequence heterogeneity within and among meadow vole populations. Thirty-eight different mtDNA composite phenotypes were found. Two common mtDNA composite phenotypes were shared among five populations, the other mtDNA composite phenotypes being characteristic of individual populations. Estimates of nucleon diversity (ĥ) were high (0.303–0.893), as were measures of intrapopulational nucleotide divergence (px values ranged from 0.0 to 0.038). Population fluctuations and periodic dispersal are the likely mechanisms maintaining high mtDNA composite phenotype diversity in meadow vole populations. Overall interpopulational nucleotide divergence (pxy) was also high (values ranged from 0.007 to 0.045). Cluster analysis clearly separates M. pennsylvanicus and M. townsendii and suggests the separation of the meadow vole populations into eastern and central groups, but there is little evidence of structure within the regional groups. Based on the zoogeography of the populations sampled, the mtDNA RFLP data support the differentiation of Microtus pennsylvanicus into at least two previously described subspecies.

A method of estimating diet digestibility in wild meadow voles

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1020-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra L. MacPherson ◽  
Frederick A. Servello ◽  
Roy L. Kirkpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Chemical Analyses ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Digestible Energy ◽  
Microtus Pinetorum

Regression equations for estimating diet digestibility in meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were developed using laboratory digestion trials and chemical analyses of diets and stomach contents. These equations were used to obtain estimates of the apparent digestible dry matter (DDM) and apparent digestible energy (DE) in the diets of wild meadow voles. The estimated DDM and DE in the diets of two wild meadow vole populations varied between 62.9 and 75.2% and 62.0 and 74.2%, respectively, and were similar to those reported previously for pine voles (Microtus pinetorum).

scholarly journals Demography of Microtus pennsylvanicus in Southern Ontario: enumeration versus Jolly–Seber estimation compared

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1174-1180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudy Boonstra
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Vole Population ◽  
Maternal Condition ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Almost All

A meadow vole population near Toronto went through a cycle in numbers from July 1978 to May 1982. The population never reached a density less than 96 voles/ha or greater than 630 voles/ha. Jolly–Seber estimates differed from total enumeration counts by an average of 10.6% in population size and by less than 0.03 per 2 weeks in survival rates for almost all periods. Sharp spring declines occurred in both sexes in both the increase and the peak years, but only among females in the decline year. Dispersal occurred more frequently during the spring of the increase and peak than of the decline, was associated with maturation, and was biased towards males. The breeding season lasted 9 months in the increase and decline but only 5 months in the peak. Survival of adults during the decline summer was no different from that in other years. Survival of young during the increase and peak was moderately high, but was extremely poor during the decline. Since most young failed to be captured in either pitfalls or live-traps, I conclude that they died shortly before or after weaning and suggest that maternal condition was impaired by prior events in the peak and that this may apply to other cyclic microtine populations.

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