Food Preferences of the Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) in Relation to Habitat Affinities

1965 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Q. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Food Preferences ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Habitat Affinities

A comparison of faecal and stomach contents analysis in the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

1973 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 715-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. R. Neal ◽  
D. A. Pulkinen ◽  
B. D. Owen
Keyword(s):  
Correction Factor ◽  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Paired Comparisons ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Stomach Contents Analysis

The food preferences of 14 specimens of Microtus pennsylvanicus were studied by the quantitative assessment of plant cuticular fragments in the stomachs and faeces. Paired comparisons of stomach with faecal observations indicated that sedges and dicotyledons were considerably underrated, grasses were generally slightly overrated, and unidentifiable fragments were considerably more abundant in the faecal samples. About half of the sedge and dicotyledon cuticular fragments appeared to be lost between the stomach and colon sampling sites. It was concluded that most of these fragments were rendered unidentifiable, but some were probably completely digested. Stomach and faecal samples provided similar estimates of food preferences when few sedges and dicotyledons were observed, but were markedly different when sedges and dicotyledons formed a substantial proportion of the diet. A simple correction factor was used to compensate for differences in the digestibility of the different food items. The corrected faecal observations were very similar to the stomach observations.

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.

Effect of Orthene® on an unconfined population of the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Jett ◽  
James D. Nichols ◽  
James E. Hines
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Insecticide Treatment

The possible impact on Microtus pennsylvanicus of ground applications of Orthene® insecticide was investigated in old-field habitats in northern Maryland during 1982 and 1983. The treatment grids in 1982 and 1983 were sprayed at 0.62 and 0.82 kg active ingredient/ha, respectively. A capture–recapture design robust to unequal capture probabilities was utilized to estimate population size, survival, and recruitment. Data on reproductive activity and relative weight change were also collected to investigate the effect of the insecticide treatment. There were no significant differences in population size or recruitment between control and treatment grids which could be directly related to the treatment. Survival rate was significantly lower on the treatment grid than on the control grid after spraying in 1983; however, survival rate was higher on the treatment grid after spraying in 1982. Significantly fewer pregnant adults were found on the treatment grid after spraying in 1982, whereas the proportions of voles lactating or with perforate vaginas or open pubic symphyses were slightly higher or remained unchanged during this period. Relative weight change was not affected by the treatment. Results do not indicate any pattern of inhibitory effects from the insecticide treatment. Field application of Orthene® did not have an adverse effect on this Microtus population.

Iodine-131 in Thyroids of the Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) in the Vicinity of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Plant

1981 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
William R. Field ◽  
Elizabeth H. Field ◽  
David A. Zegers ◽  
Guy L. Steucek
Keyword(s):  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Iodine 131

scholarly journals PREGNANCY-BLOCK IN THE MEADOW VOLE, MICROTUS PENNSYLVANICUS

Reproduction ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. V. CLULOW ◽  
P. E. LANGFORD
Keyword(s):  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole

Paleoecological implications of Late Pleistocene and Holocene microtine rodents from the Bluefish Caves, northern Yukon Territory

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard E. Morlan
Keyword(s):  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Yukon Territory ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Tooth Size ◽  
Microtine Rodents ◽  
Clethrionomys Rutilus ◽  
Tundra Vole ◽  
Dicrostonyx Torquatus

Bluefish Caves 1, 2, and 3 have produced tens of thousands of vertebrate remains among which at least nine species of microtine rodents are represented: red-backed vole, Clethrionomys rutilus; collared lemming, Dicrostonyx torquatus; brown lemming, Lemmus sibiricus; singing vole, Microtus miurus; tundra vole, Microtus oeconomus; meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus; yellow-cheeked or taiga vole, Microtus xanthognathus; muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus; and northern bog lemming, Synaptomys borealis. Late Pleistocene and Holocene components are clearly distinguishable from one another in each of the three caves, and each component can be subdivided within cave 1. This paper discusses (i) variations in taxonomic abundance through time and between site areas, (ii) contrasts in microhabitat between north-facing cave 1 and south-facing cave 2, and (iii) decreases in tooth size that may reflect a reduction in the length of the growing season. A general decrease in diversity is shown to involve increased dominance and decreased species richness and evenness. These changes are attributed to postglacial zonation of habitat.

Can alkaloids and tannins in plants influence food choice of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)?

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Bélanger ◽  
Jean-Marie Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Food Choice ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Voles

The aim of the present study was to relate food choice of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) living in a variety of habitats to the presence or absence of two families of chemical compounds (alkaloids, tannins) that are widespread in plants. Voles seemed to prefer resources that possessed one or both of the compounds and to reject others even if they had no alkaloids or tannins. Several abundant species were not used by voles whether or not they possessed alkaloids or tannins. Our results show no pattern of association between the presence or absence of alkaloids and tannins and vole food preferences.

SCHISTOSOMATIUM DOUTHITTI (CORT, 1914) PRICE, 1931 IN MANITOBA

1962 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Farley
Keyword(s):  
Adult Female ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Southern Region ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
First Report

Cercariae of Schistosomatium douthitti Price, 1931 have been found in two lakes of Manitoba, in which cases of schistosome dermatitis occurred. One adult female Schistosomatium douthitti was recovered from a naturally infected meadow-vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus. This is the first report of the parasite in Manitoba. Cercaria elvae Miller, 1923 was also widespread throughout the southern region of the province.

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]

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