Habitat Orientation and Interspecific interaction of Microtus pennsylvanicus and Peromyscus leucopus

1975 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie S. Bowker ◽  
Paul G. Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Interspecific Interaction

Experimental studies of competitive interaction in a two-species system. I. Microtus and Clethrionomys species in enclosures

1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1059-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Grant
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Interspecific Interaction ◽  
Clethrionomys Gapperi ◽  
Grid Pattern ◽  
Grassland Species ◽  
Live Trapping ◽  
Deciduous Woodland ◽  
Poor Recruitment ◽  
The Difference

A 17-week experiment was performed in 1966 to determine under what conditions Microtus pennsylvanicus and Clethrionomys gapperi leave their usual habitat and enter another, and the significance of interspecific interaction. Three 1-ac enclosures were used, each containing equisized blocks of deciduous woodland and grassland. Into one enclosure three pairs of the woodland species Clethrionomys gapperi only were introduced. Into another, four pairs of the grassland species Microtus pennsylvanicus only were introduced. Into the remaining enclosure three pairs of Clethrionomys gapperi and four pairs of Microtus Pennsylvanicus were introduced. All these were placed in the appropriate habitats. Subsequent movements of the animals were determined by live-trapping with Longworth traps arranged in a grid pattern and used on one to three consecutive nights and (or) days per week. Both species reproduced. Because of poor recruitment, the population densities of Clethrionomys gapperi changed very little. Microtus pennsylvanicus reproduced with greater success, and the final densities were about three times greater than the starting densities.But for one individual, Microtus pennsylvanicus stayed entirely within the grassland habitat. From the beginning, and throughout the experiment, Clethrionomys gapperi individuals moved into the grassland habitat. Recruits entered the grassland proportionately more frequently than did the adults, but the adults entered the grassland more frequently in the second half of the experiment than in the first half. One adult female and her presumed offspring were trapped only in the grassland. Several data implicate density effects as contributors to the movement of Clethrionomys gapperi into the grassland habitat. It is proposed that the carrying capacity of the woodland habitat was exceeded by the initial number of animals introduced, and that the stimulus or stimuli to move into the grassland arose from social interaction above a threshold level.Many more Clethrionomys gapperi were trapped in the grassland (I) without Microtus pennsylvanicus (except for occasional transgressors) than in the grassland (II) with Microtus pennsylvanicus. After a possible trapping bias is taken into account it is estimated that the difference is no less than 40% of the larger number. It is suggested that interactions with Microtus pennsylvanicus, possibly reinforced by the signs of that species, were responsible for the fewer movements of Clethrionomys gapperi into the grassland of enclosure II.

Variation of individual electromorphs in Microtus pennsylvanicus and Peromyscus leucopus

1984 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terrance Davin ◽  
Raymond P. Morgan ◽  
George A. Feldhamer
Keyword(s):  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus

Seasonal changes in gut capacity in the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry L. Derting ◽  
Edward B. Noakes III
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Surface Areas ◽  
Seasonal Environment ◽  
Different Types ◽  
White Footed Mouse

Changes in gut capacity may be important for a species adapting to increased energy requirements or decreased food quality in a seasonal environment. We conducted a comparative study of seasonal changes in gut capacity in two rodent species with diets of different types. Although the lengths and masses of gut organs differed between species within a season, the species did not differ in the types of gut changes that occurred from summer to winter. All organs except the colon had significantly heavier wet and dry masses in winter than in summer. No significant differences in organ lengths, volumes, or surface areas occurred with season. Increased mass of the small intestine was due to large increases in the mass of the mucosa and smaller increases in the mass of the serosa. In winter, Microtus pennsylvanicus had significantly lower body mass than in summer. Peromyscus leucopus had no change in body mass in winter but may have used torpor as an energy-conservation mechanism. Energy-conservation adaptations in each species may have minimized the need for large changes in the gut organs.

scholarly journals Effect of Blarina brevicauda on trap response of Microtus pennsylvanicus

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudy Boonstra ◽  
F. Helen Rodd ◽  
David J. Carleton
Keyword(s):  
Mus Musculus ◽  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Blarina Brevicauda

The response of Microtus pennsylvanicus to traps with or without various prior occupants is described. Microtus were most frequently captured in traps previously visited by Microtus, but they showed a significant avoidance of traps previously visited by Blarina brevicauda. However, the probability of entry into such traps was no lower than into traps previously visited by other rodent species (Mus musculus, Peromyscus leucopus, or Zapus hudsonicus). There was an even lower probability of entry into traps which were previously empty. Blarina had a significantly higher probability of entering traps previously capturing Blarina than traps previously capturing Microtus or no one. We conclude that this evidence gives no support for the hypothesis that Blarina is a significant predator of Microtus pennsylvanicus.

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