Relocation of nest sites by female deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus borealis

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 2364-2367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean T. Sharpe ◽  
J. S. Millar
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Predator Avoidance ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Breeding Condition ◽  
Young Of The Year

Nest-sites of female Peromyscus maniculatus borealis were monitored during 1985 and 1986 in the Kananaskis Valley, Alberta, Canada. Nest-site relocation by breeding overwintered adults and young of the year was common. There was no significant difference in the distance moved between years and sites or among reproductive-status groups. Nest relocations were most common in 1985, when population density was approximately half that in 1986. There were no differences in the numbers of relocations per season due to site or age. Females in breeding condition moved 3 times more frequently than did nonbreeders, which were young of the year. Relocations were most frequent at parturition and during early lactation, and thus may serve as a predator-avoidance mechanism. Some relocations by females may have served to leave former nest sites to offspring from previous litters.

Winter survival in northern Peromyscus maniculatus

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Millar ◽  
Taye Teferi
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Resource Competition ◽  
Winter Survival ◽  
Winter Mortality ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Residency Status ◽  
Young Of The Year ◽  
Old Mice

Winter survival of Peromyscus maniculatus in the Kananaskis Valley, Alberta, was examined in relation to sex, age, population density, size of family groups, body size, and residency status to determine the factors responsible for low winter mortality in northern populations. Young-of-the-year mice survived much better (≈ 50%) than old (> 1 year old) mice (≈ 25%) but no other factor had a significant effect on survival. We conclude that low resource competition may enhance winter survival in northern populations.

Agricultural land use alters trophic status and population density of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) on the North American Great Plains

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (7) ◽  
pp. 868-874 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. White ◽  
R.G. Poulin ◽  
B. Wissel ◽  
J.L. Doucette ◽  
C.M. Somers
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Trophic Level ◽  
Trophic Status ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
Native Prairie

Habitat conversion is among the most important causes of environmental change worldwide, yet relatively little is known about its potential influence on trophic interactions. We investigated the effects of agricultural land use on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values, trophic status, population density, and body condition of deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)) in a grassland ecosystem. Muscle δ15N (cropland = 7.6‰ ± 1.3‰; hay fields = 7.9‰ ± 1.3‰; native prairie = 7.2‰ ± 2.1‰) from deer mice did not vary with land use despite baseline soil and vegetation δ15N differences. Enrichment of deer mice over vegetation (Δδ15N) was, on average, a full trophic level (~2.5‰) higher on native prairie (6.4‰ ± 1.6‰) than on cropland (3.9‰ ± 2.3‰), and intermediate in hay fields (5.9‰ ± 2.0‰). Relative density of deer mice was more than twofold higher in crop and hay fields compared with native prairie, but body condition did not vary with land use. Our results suggest that agricultural activity caused a shift in the trophic level and relative abundance of a generalist grassland omnivore. Soil and vegetation δ15N reflected anthropogenic N inputs to agricultural fields but were not useful as general markers of habitat use in this study.

scholarly journals Nest-site fidelity and breeding dispersal by Common Tailorbirds in a tropical forest

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Changzhang Feng ◽  
Canchao Yang ◽  
Wei Liang
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Breeding Dispersal ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Nest Site Fidelity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Breeding Attempt ◽  
Dispersal Distances

Abstract Background Information pertaining to nest-site fidelity and breeding dispersal over successive years can help to better our understanding of how birds respond to nest predation. Methods By using mist nets and tracking the color banded individuals, we investigated nest-site fidelity and breeding dispersal by Common Tailorbirds (Orthotomus sutorius) throughout a year and between successive years in 2017–2018. Results The present study showed that Common Tailorbirds could produce up to four clutches per breeding season. When multiple broods were produced within a year, breeding pairs remained together, and the nest rebuilding rate was up to 92.2%, with only four cases (7.8%) in which birds reused their old nests. The dispersal distance between the nests during multiple breeding was found to be 10.0 ± 10.5 m, and nest-site fidelity within the same year was 90.0%. By the second year of breeding, 76.2% of individuals remained in the original breeding pairs, while for those that did switch partners, the females remained in the nest from the previous year and paired with new males. The dispersal distance between years was 26.5 ± 41.9 m, and nest-site fidelity between different years was 80.1%. There was no significant difference between within-year and between-year dispersal distances. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the dispersal distance of rebuilt nests between birds that had experienced nest predation and those that had not. Conclusions Our findings suggest that Common Tailorbirds maintain a high degree of fidelity to mates and nest-sites, and nest predation had no significant effect on territorial changes or breeding dispersal distance between each breeding attempt.

An experimental study of habitat selection by the deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus, on Mandarte Island, B.C.

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan R. Merkt
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Intraspecific Interaction ◽  
Preferred Habitat ◽  
Absolute Density ◽  
Grassland Habitats

Mandarte Island, British Columbia, Canada, consists of a mosaic of shrubbery and grassland habitats. In a 6-month study, deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus, were found to live at high absolute density and at higher relative densities in shrubbery habitat. A removal experiment was conducted to investigate how the habitat preference and density of mice affect their distribution on Mandarte Island. All resident mice were removed from an area containing both shrubbery and grassland. This gave mice dispersing from other areas the opportunity to colonize these two vacant habitats. Mice settled first in the shrubbery. As population density increased, some later colonists occupied the less favoured grasslands. I suggest that intraspecific interaction, associated with high density, was sufficient to prevent settlement of some individuals in the preferred habitat.

Distribution, abundance, size, and genetic variation of Peromyscus maniculatus on the Gulf Islands of British Columbia

1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Redfield
Keyword(s):  
Allele Frequency ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Average Frequency ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Small Islands ◽  
Common Allele ◽  
Breeding Condition ◽  
Gulf Islands ◽  
Average Body ◽  
Average Body Weight

On the Gulf Islands, Peromyscus maniculatus is found only on islands larger than 25 hectares (ha). Mandarte (5 ha) was an exception to this pattern but 15 other islands less than 25 ha had no deer mice. Tumbo (121 ha) was the only island larger than 25 ha without deer mice. Deer mice were abundant on the occupied islands and nearly all mice were adults in breeding condition. The average body weight of island mice was higher than for mainland deer mice.Genetic variation at the transferrin locus in P. maniculatus has also been examined. TfJ, the most common allele, had an average frequency of 0.74 on the islands, the same as the frequency of TfJ on the mainland. The variance of allele frequency was the same in mice on large and small islands. Physical proximity of islands was not related to allele frequency. Indeed, islands connected at low tide by sand beaches had widely different allele frequencies, and in one case a different set of alleles. These data quite clearly suggest a lack of genetic exchange between islands, even islands so close as to be connected at low tide. Little contemporary colonisation by P. maniculatus is evident. Extinction without subsequent colonisation appears to be the rule on these islands. The deer mice on these islands are not in a state of dynamic equilibrium.Dans les îles du Golfe, en Colombie Britannique, on rencontre des Peromyscus maniculatus seulement dans les îles pi us grandes que 25 hectares (ha), Mandarte (5 ha) constitue l'exception. mais 15 autres îles plus petites que 25 ha sont dépourvues de campagnols, Tumbo (121 ha) est la seule île plus grande que 25 ha à être dépourvue de campagnols. Dans les îles occupées, les campagnols sont présents en abondance et presque tous sont des adultes en état de reproductïon. Le poids moyen des campagnols insulaires est pins grand que celui des campagnols habitant le continent.

Comparative arboreal behaviors of wild-caught and captive-born deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus Wagner, from Isle Haute and mainland Nova Scotia

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 789-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Pulsifer ◽  
T. B. Herman
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Laboratory Observation ◽  
Climbing Behavior ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Males And Females

Locomotor, climbing, and nesting behaviors of wild-caught and captive-born deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus Wagner) from mainland Nova Scotia and from an isolated predator- and competitor-free island were compared in a laboratory observation room. Locomotor activity did not differ consistently between populations, but wall-seeking was significantly greater in mainland mice. When exposed to an artificial tree, insular mice made more climbs than mainland mice, but mainland mice climbed for longer periods. Climbing behavior differed little between males and females in any group. In a choice experiment, mainland mice selected elevated nest sites significantly more often than ground-level nest sites, while insular mice exhibited no preference.

scholarly journals Dehydrogenase-dependent Ethanol Metabolism in Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) Lacking Cytosolic Alcohol Dehydrogenase

1989 ◽  
Vol 264 (10) ◽  
pp. 5593-5597
Author(s):  
C Norsten ◽  
T Cronholm ◽  
G Ekström ◽  
J A Handler ◽  
R G Thurman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Dehydrogenase ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Ethanol Metabolism ◽  
Deer Mice

The importance of grasstrees (Xanthorrhoea preissii) as habitat for mardo (Antechinus flavipes leucogaster) during post-fire recovery

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marnie L. Swinburn ◽  
Patricia A. Fleming ◽  
Michael D. Craig ◽  
Andrew H. Grigg ◽  
Mark J. Garkaklis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fire Management ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Important Resource ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Single Feature ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
Nesting Resources ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The One

Grasstrees (Xanthorrhoea) are an important structural component of many Australian ecosystems and also an important resource for many fauna species. Grasstrees have distinctive morphologies, with a crown of long thin leaves and skirts, the latter of which are accumulated dead leaves; both are incinerated by fire. This study determined the morphological features of Xanthorrhoea preissii, which change in response to fire from 6 months to 21 years post-burn. In addition, using radio-telemetry and spool-tracking, we determined that grasstrees are utilised as foraging and nesting resources for mardos (Antechinus flavipes leucogaster (Gray, 1841), Marsupialia: Dasyuridae). Recently burnt grasstrees (6 months post-burn) appeared not to be used by mardos at all. We found few mardos in these recently burnt sites, and the one individual we managed to track for 126 m utilised only a single grasstree: a 2-m-tall multiple-crowned grasstree that had escaped the fire was used as a nest site. For sites 5 years post-burn, mardos selectively utilised grasstrees with larger crown areas and those with a greater number of crowns compared with a random sample of available trees. At the 14-year post-burn sites, mardos still demonstrated some selection for grasstrees, although no specific single feature could be determined as most significant. We recorded humidity and temperature buffering effects in association with post-burn accumulation of grasstree skirt material and found that even dead grasstree ‘logs’ were an important resource for nests. We conclude that mardos utilise both live and dead grasstrees for foraging and nest sites, possibly owing to the availability of dense cover, a buffered microclimate, and potentially also food resources. Fire-management policies that promote habitat heterogeneity and retain several intact-skirted grasstrees within the landscape are likely to benefit mardos.

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