scholarly journals Effects of Vegetative Cover on the Population Dynamics of Meadow Voles

1996 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 857 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Peles ◽  
Gary W. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Meadow Voles

Population Dynamics of Agouti and Albino Meadow Voles in High-Quality, Grassland Habitats

1995 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 1013-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Peles ◽  
M. F. Lucas ◽  
G. W. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Grassland Habitats

scholarly journals The effect of interspecific competition on habitat selection by voles: an experimental approach

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-teh K Lin ◽  
George O Batzli
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Habitat Segregation ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Competition Hypothesis ◽  
Central Illinois

Both meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) prefer habitats with high vegetative cover, but in east-central Illinois, meadow voles tend to be associated with higher cover and prairie voles with lower cover. The competition hypothesis proposes that this pattern of habitat segregation reflects the effects of interspecific competition on habitat selection. To test this hypothesis we conducted field experiments that allowed the two species to select from among several habitats when alone and when together. We expected to find a lower proportion of each species in the habitat most associated with the other species, and a negative correlation between the demography and density of each species and the density of the competing species, but this was not the case. Inter specific competition did affect movement patterns of prairie voles. In the presence of meadow voles, net movement (immigration minus emigration) of prairie voles in high-cover habitats decreased and net dispersal of individuals from high- to low-cover habitats increased. Thus, our results indicated only a weak effect of competition on habitat selection. We suggest that other mechanisms, such as differences in habitat preference (or tolerance), differences in dispersal ability, and the advantage of first residency, need to be considered in conjunction with interspecific competition to explain the habitat segregation observed in these species.

Effects of Habitat Patch Shape on Population Dynamics of Meadow Voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

1993 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 1045-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Harper ◽  
E. K. Bollinger ◽  
G. W. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Habitat Patch ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Patch Shape

Population dynamics of the southern short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis dimidiata) in the Pampas of Argentina

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro V. Baladrón ◽  
Ana I. Malizia ◽  
María S. Bó ◽  
María S. Liébana ◽  
Marc J. Bechard
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Average Density ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Reproductive Seasonality ◽  
Pampean Region ◽  
Live Trapping ◽  
Native Grassland ◽  
Polygynous Mating System ◽  
Stable Populations

The genus Monodelphis is one of the most species rich among Neotropical marsupials. Despite this, little is known about most of the species. One of the most enigmatic species is M. dimidiata, a small terrestrial opossum that inhabits the Pampean region of Argentina, which is suspected to be a semelparous breeder. From 2005 to 2008, we conducted seasonal live trapping in near-pristine marshy grasslands and agroecosystems of the Pampean region in order to evaluate the population trends of this species and the occurrence of semelparity. M. dimidiata was characterised by a low abundance in the study area. The average density was higher in grasslands than in agroecosystems, and it appeared to be influenced by vegetative cover. The onset of the breeding season occurred during spring when the opossums showed a sudden increase in body size. Given that mature individuals were not found beyond autumn, the findings suggest an annual cycle for this species. In addition, this abrupt maturation resulted in a pronounced sexual dimorphism that, together with the strong reproductive seasonality and a likely polygynous mating system, supported previous claims that the species is semelparous. Our results also emphasise the importance of native grassland habitat for the maintenance of stable populations of M. dimidiata.

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