Seasonal variation in body composition and gut capacity of the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster)

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 1714-1719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Beth Voltura
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Distinct Pattern ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Lipid Mass

Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) were trapped during different seasons in order to examine simultaneous variation in body composition and gut capacity. Voles in reproductive condition were trapped in May, August, and November but not in February. Body masses of adult voles were lowest during February 1994. Adult males showed no seasonal variation in absolute lipid mass but did exhibit variation in relative fat content (percent body fat), with the highest values found in February 1994. Both absolute lipid mass and relative fat content of adult females varied with month of capture and were higher in February of both 1994 and 1995. Juvenile voles showed no variation in body composition between seasons and had fat levels similar to those of adult voles in the breeding months. Wet mass of the gastrointestinal tract varied with season of capture for both adult males and females, but no distinct pattern was evident. Mass of gut contents varied between trapping periods for adult males, but there were no seasonal differences in the gut contents of adult females or juveniles. The average mass of gut contents was higher than previously reported for field-caught prairie voles; this difference is likely due to the use of snap traps versus live traps.

Characteristics of resident and wandering prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 951-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy G Solomon ◽  
Joseph J Jacquot
Keyword(s):  
Adult Female ◽  
Physical Condition ◽  
Behavior Pattern ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Behavior Patterns ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Field Season

Many studies have documented intraspecific differences in the behavior of males or females. In some species, many adults are territorial while others have larger home ranges encompassing multiple territories. Although these two types of behavior have been documented, they are not well understood in mammals. Therefore, in the mono gamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) we characterized individuals that engage in these two behavior patterns as residents and wanderers. We monitored populations enclosed in 0.1-ha. enclosures at Miami University's Ecology Research Center. As many as 26% of animals were wanderers: animals captured frequently, but less than 75% of the time, at one nest. As expected, wanderers had larger home ranges than residents. Wanderers were primarily adult males (70%) but included some adult females. This behavior pattern was not fixed, since some wanderers previously had been residents and at least 31% of males and 57% of adult female wanderers became residents during the same field season. Wanderers were not in worse physical condition, as estimated by body mass, and survived for slightly longer than residents. Thus, it does not appear that wanderers are making the best of a bad situation, but analysis of parentage is critical to validate this conclusion.

Seasonal changes in body mass and body composition of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) on Svalbard

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 470-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Ryg ◽  
Thomas G. Smith ◽  
Nils Are Øritsland
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Body Fat Content ◽  
Body Mass Changes

Seasonal changes in body mass and body composition of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from the Svalbard Islands are described. The blubber content of adult females decreased from a high of about 50% at the beginning of the pupping season in March–April to a low of 31% during moulting in June. In adult males, the blubber content decreased from 41% in March to 29% in June. By estimating an individual seal's body mass by 1 April from its standard body length, we calculated an average daily loss of body mass of 160 g/day in adult females and 100 g/day in adult males from the start of lactation to the middle of moulting. The blubber content of sexually immature seals was less in June and July than in April, but the seasonal changes were smaller than in adult seals. We found no evidence of significant changes in core mass in adult seals, and suggest that the seasonal body mass changes are mostly due to changes in body fat content.

Potential for social interaction in a natural population of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty McGuire ◽  
Theresa Pizzuto ◽  
Lowell L. Getz
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Resident Group

Many hypotheses on the role of social behavior in population regulation of microtine rodents assume that social interactions are more frequent at high density than at low density. We evaluated this assumption by measuring potential for social contact in a population of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Our livetrapping regime monitored presence of resident and nonresident animals at the periphery of home ranges of social groups. Resident adults and young of both sexes were captured at home range boundaries. Potential for social interaction with nonresidents was greater at the periphery of home ranges than at nests. Intruders tended to be male adults from neighboring social groups. Presence of adult males in the resident group played an important role in deterring visits by nonresident males. During the spring, summer, and autumn reproductive period, number of captures of nonresident males, but not females, showed a strong positive relationship with population density. Despite relatively high densities during the winter nonreproductive period, there were few captures of residents and nonresidents at the periphery of home ranges. We conclude that the relationship between potential for social interaction and population density varied as a function of sex and season.

Home-range characteristics of an alpine lizard, Niveoscincus microlepidotus (Scincidae), on Mt Wellington, southern Tasmania

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Melville ◽  
Roy Swain
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Aggressive Behaviour ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Range Overlap

We studied the home ranges of the alpine skink, Niveoscincus microlepidotus, in an alpine transition zone on Mt Wellington, Tasmania, over a 5-month period to examine seasonal patterns in the home-range characteristics of four male, four female and two sub-adult juvenile lizards. Home-range sizes and activity patterns within these were quantified. Adult males had significantly larger home ranges with more activity centres than adult females; most activity centres were clearly synonymous with basking sites and were defended by overt aggressive behaviour. Home ranges of males showed little overlap and no seasonal variation while those of femals were unusual amongst reptiles in showing extensive overlap and seasonal change in size. Ranges were smallest in spring when all females were pregnant and were smallest in summer when only one female was pregnant. Range overlap ensured that all females studied had potential access to at least two males. Juveniles had no defined home ranges and appeared to be transients.

scholarly journals Chronic Intranasal Oxytocin has Dose-dependent Effects on Central Oxytocin and Vasopressin Systems in Prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

Neuroscience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 369 ◽  
pp. 292-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.D. Guoynes ◽  
T.C. Simmons ◽  
G.M. Downing ◽  
S. Jacob ◽  
M. Solomon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Dose Dependent

Do prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) change their activity and space use in response to domestic cat (Felis catus) excreta?

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Keane ◽  
Phillip J. Long ◽  
Yasmeen Fleifil ◽  
Nancy G. Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Space Use ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Odor Cues ◽  
Risk Of Predation

AbstractBehavioral changes that reduce the risk of predation in response to predator-derived odor cues are widespread among mammalian taxa and have received a great deal of attention. Although voles of the genus Microtus are staples in the diet of many mammalian predators, including domestic cats (Felis catus), there are no previous studies on vole space utilization and activity levels in response to odor cues from domestic cats. Therefore, the objective of our study was to investigate responses of adult prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) living in semi-natural habitats to odor cues from domestic cat excreta. Contrary to expectations, neither adult males or females showed significant changes in space use or willingness to enter traps in response to cat odors. One hypothesis to explain our results are that prairie voles have not co-evolved with domestic cats long enough to respond to their odors. Other possible explanations include whether levels of odors in the environment were sufficient to trigger a response or that the perceived risk of predation from odor cues alone did not outweigh relative costs of changing space use and activity levels. Future studies should consider multiple factors when determining what cues are sufficient to elicit antipredatory behavior.

scholarly journals Maximal muscle strength and body composition are associated with bone mineral density in chinese adult males

Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. e19050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Chen ◽  
Qi Su ◽  
Yulan Tu ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Xinji Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Mineral Density ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Bone Mineral ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Chinese Adult ◽  
Maximal Muscle Strength
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