scholarly journals Alternative conifer release treatments affect small mammals in northwestern Ontario

1997 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Lautenschlager ◽  
F. Wayne Bell ◽  
Robert G. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Common Shrew ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Species Specific

Density changes of small mammals responding to different conifer release treatments (motor-manual [brush saw] cutting; mechanical [Silvana Selective] cutting; helicopter-applied herbicides [Release® (a.i. triclopyr), Vision® (a.i. glyphosate)]; controls [no treatment] were quantified. A total of 4,851 small mammals were captured and released during the three-year study. The most commonly captured (81% of total) species were: shrews (masked [Sorex cinereus Kerr], pygmy [S. hoyi Baird], arctic S. arcticus Kerr]), southern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi Vigors), and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus Wagner). Northern short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda Say), eastern (Tamias striants L.) and least (T. minimus Bachman) chipmunks, meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus Ord), ermine (Mustela erminea L.), and meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius Zimm.) were common. Shrew (masked, pygmy, arctic, short-tailed) densities were statistically unaffected by these treatments. Red-backed vole densities were highest on control plots during the first post-treatment growing season, and highest on control and Vision® plots during the second post-treatment growing season. During the first two growing seasons after treatment, deer mouse densities were highest on Silvana Selective plots; eastern chipmunk densities were highest on control, Vision® and Silvana Selective plots; least chipmunk densities were highest on Vision® and Release® plots; and meadow vole densities were highest on Release® plots. Small mammal responses to the alternative conifer release treatments examined were species specific one and two-growing seasons post-treatment, but similar to responses common to the standard (Vision® herbicide) conifer release treatment. Key words: conifer release, Fallingsnow Ecosystem Project, glyphosate, herbicides, Release®, small mammals, spruce plantation, triclopyr, vegetation management alternatives, Vision®, wildlife habitat

Response of wildlife to forest herbicide applications in northern coniferous ecosystems

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 2286-2299 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A. Lautenschlager
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammal ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Disturbed Areas ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Small Mammal Species ◽  
Coniferous Ecosystems

Reviewed studies of the effects of forest herbicide applications on wildlife often lacked replication, pretreatment information, and (or) were conducted for only one or two growing seasons after treatment. Because of these problems, as well as the use of dissimilar sampling techniques, study conclusions have sometimes been contradictory. A review of eight studies of the effects of herbicide treatments on northern songbird populations in regenerating clearcuts indicates that total songbird populations are seldom reduced during the growing season after treatment. Densities of species that use early successional brushy, deciduous cover are sometimes reduced, while densities of species which commonly use more open areas, sometimes increase. A review of 14 studies of the effects of herbicide treatments on small mammals indicates that like songbirds, small mammal responses are species specific. Some species are unaffected, while some select and others avoid herbicide-treated areas. Only studies that use kill or removal trapping to study small mammal responses show density reductions associated with herbicide treatment. It seems that some small mammal species may be reluctant to venture into disturbed areas, although residents in those areas are apparently not affected by the disturbance. Fourteen relevant studies examined the effects of conifer release treatments on moose and deer foods and habitat use. Conifer release treatments reduce the availability of moose browse for as long as four growing seasons after treatment. The degree of reduction during the growing season after treatment varies with the herbicide and rate used. Deer use of treated areas remains unchanged or increases during the first growing season after treatment. Eight years after treating a naturally regenerated spruce–fir stand browse was three to seven times more abundant on treated than on control plots (depending on the chemical and rate used). Forage quality (nitrogen, ash, and moisture) of crop trees increased one growing season after the soil-active herbicide simazine was applied to control competition around outplanted 3-year-old balsam fir seedlings.

A STUDY OF THE WINTER FEEDING HABITS OF THE SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio flammeus) IN THE TORONTO REGION

1947 ◽  
Vol 25d (2) ◽  
pp. 45-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. F. Banfield
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Appreciable Effect ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Avian Predators ◽  
Asio Flammeus ◽  
Minimum Estimate ◽  
Winter Feeding

The winter feeding habits of the short-eared owl (Asio flammeus Pontoppidan) were studied during the period of 1936 to 1942 in the vicinity of Toronto, Ont. The owls used restricted roosts in several groups of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga taxifolia) on a golf course. By means of frequent owl population censuses and collection of pellets, food requirements and correlations were calculated.The winter incursions of the owls were found to be cyclic and to coincide with the local meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) cycle and to be independent of meteorological factors. Roosting behaviour was found to vary with snow cover.From an analysis of 3000 pellets it was found that the meadow vole formed 82% of the food taken. The next animal most commonly preyed upon was the deer mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), which comprised 17% of the food, while birds formed 1%. No significant seasonal change in diet was noted over a period of five months.It was calculated that a short-eared owl eats between 700 and 1600 mice per year. The average figure is thought to be nearer the minimum estimate. Translated to weight of mice this is equivalent to between 55.5 and 127 lb.It was demonstrated that the amount of snow on the ground affected the relative availability of meadow voles and deer mice. This fact was reflected in changes in pressure on the populations of the two mice species due to owl predation.The data presented pointed to the possibility that concentrations of avian predators could have an appreciable effect on local meadow vole populations. In the case under study it was estimated that winter short-eared owl predation might account for 10% of the vole population.The data also suggested that during periods of deep snow, because of decreased availability of meadow voles, less food is taken and during open periods increased availability of these mice is reflected by increased food consumption.

The effects of habitat fragmentation by forestry and agriculture on the abundance of small mammals in the southern boreal mixedwood forest

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin M Bayne ◽  
Keith A Hobson
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Boreal Mixedwood Forest

To determine the effects of forest fragmentation on the abundance of small mammals, we livetrapped at edges and in the interior of forest patches in contiguous, logged, and agricultural landscapes in the southern boreal mixedwood forest of Saskatchewan. From 1994 to 1996, we captured 1548 small mammals (11 species) during 8172 trap-nights. The abundance of all small mammals combined was lower in forest patches isolated by logging than in contiguous forest or farm woodlots surrounded by agricultural land. This pattern was consistent in all years, despite significant annual fluctuations in numbers of the boreal red-backed vole (Clethrionomys gapperi), one of the most abundant species in our study area. Red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) were more abundant in farm woodlots. The abundance of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) was significantly lower in forest patches surrounded by clearcuts, and we speculate that they may have used clearcuts more than forest patches. In contrast, the numbers of boreal red-backed voles were similar among landscapes. The only species showing a response to edge was the deer mouse, which was significantly more abundant at edges of farm woodlots than in interiors. We also found no significant difference in abundance of any species between small (10 ha) and large (>>20 ha) farm woodlots. For most species, within-landscape attributes such as edge and patch size seemed to have little effect on their abundance. However, for a variety of reasons, small-mammal numbers seem to vary considerably among forest patches in different landscapes.

scholarly journals Limited evidence for parallel evolution among desert adapted Peromyscus deer mice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jocelyn P. Colella ◽  
Anna Tigano ◽  
Olga Dudchenko ◽  
Arina D. Omer ◽  
Ruqayya Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Regulation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Parallel Evolution ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Selective Sweeps ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Candidate Loci

ABSTRACTPhenotypic plasticity enables an immediate response to changing conditions, but for most species, evolutionary change through adaptation will be more important for long-term survival. Warming climate and increasing desertification urges the identification of genes involved in heat-and dehydration-tolerance to better inform and target biodiversity conservation efforts. Comparisons among extant desert adapted species can highlight parallel or convergent patterns of genome evolution through the identification of shared signatures of selection. We generate chromosome-level genome assembly for the canyon mouse (Peromyscus crinitus) and test for signature of parallel evolution by comparing signatures of selective sweeps across population-level genomic resequencing data from another desert specialist deer mouse (P. eremicus) and a widely-distributed habitat generalist (P. maniculatus), that may locally adapted to arid conditions. We identify few shared candidate loci involved in desert adaptation and do not find support for a shared pattern of parallel evolution. Instead, we hypothesize divergent molecular mechanisms of desert adaptation among deer mice, potentially tied to species-specific historical demography, which may limit or enhance adaptation. We identify a number of candidate loci experiencing selective sweeps in the P. crinitus genome that are implicated in osmoregulation (Trypsin, Prostasin) and metabolic regulation (Kallikrein, eIF2-alpha kinase GCN2, APPL1/2), which may be important to accommodating hot and dry environmental conditions.

Deer mouse trappability in relation to bait preference

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 2282-2284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Druscilla S. Sullivan ◽  
Thomas P. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Peanut Butter ◽  
Deer Mice

When given the choice between traps with or without a mixture of peanut butter and oats (peanut butter balls), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) preferred the former. However, trappability of deer mice was not affected by the presence of peanut butter balls. Acceptable food in live traps is essential to successful trapping of small mammals as these animals will systematically return to traps for food. The peanut butter and oatmeal mixture would increase the nutritional and possibly water content of food in the trap and is thus recommended for deer mouse trapping.

Conifer-seed preferences of small mammals

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (9) ◽  
pp. 773-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Lobo ◽  
M. Duong ◽  
J. S. Millar
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Seed Selection ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Phenacomys Intermedius

The preferences of the deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)), southern red-backed vole ( Myodes gapperi (Vigors, 1830)), heather vole ( Phenacomys intermedius Merriam, 1889), long-tailed vole ( Microtus longicaudus (Merriam, 1888)), and meadow vole ( Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord, 1851)) for lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench.) Voss), and subalpine fir ( Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) seeds were investigated using cafeteria-style feeding experiments. Seed selection by P. maniculatus and M. gapperi in the field was also studied. Peromyscus maniculatus, M. gapperi, M. longicaudus, and M. pennsylvanicus showed a distinct preference for lodgepole pine seeds and avoidance of subalpine fir seeds, and consumed the different species of seeds in similar relative proportions. Phenacomys intermedius behaved very differently from the other rodent species in that it did not show a preference among seed species, and consumed very few seeds in total. Findings from the field seed selection trials were consistent with laboratory results. We suggest that postdispersal seed predation by small mammals could limit the recruitment success of lodgepole pine and white spruce, but would not be a major problem in the regeneration of subalpine fir stands. This could provide an advantage for subalpine fir over neighbouring competitive species.

scholarly journals Response of small mammals and birds to partial cutting and clearcutting in northwest British Columbia

1998 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 703-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Steventon ◽  
K. L. MacKenzie ◽  
T. E. Mahon
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Significant Difference

A challenge facing forest managers is providing habitats for wildlife associated with mature or old-growth forests. One approach is to use partial cutting which maintains forest cover while still allowing timber harvest. We compared small mammal (voles, mice and shrews) and bird abundance after two intensities of partial cutting (30% and 60% volume removal) to clearcuts and uncut natural stands in coast-interior transitional forests of British Columbia. The 30% removal resulted in no significant difference in the bird community compared to the uncut stands, while southern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi) increased in abundance. Bird and small mammal communities in the 60% removal treatment were closer to the uncut forest than to clearcuts, but also included species typical of clearcuts. At least one bird species, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata), was most abundant in the 60% removal treatment. Several species such as the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) were most abundant in clearcuts, and Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) and Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) were almost exclusively found in clearcuts. Scattered aspen and birch trees left in two of the clearcuts were used as cavity nest trees by Red-breasted Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus ruber), Hairy Woodpeckers (Picoides villosus), and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). We concluded that both of the partial cutting treatments provided habitat for small mammals and birds typical of mature forest, although the heavy removal began to show a shift towards species typical of clearcuts. Because no single treatment was optimal for all species, we recommend that partial cutting be part of a landscape strategy to provide a range of habitat conditions similar to those occurring under natural disturbance regimes. Key words: Partial cutting, clearcutting, silvicultural systems, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, ecosystem management, birds, small mammals

Stump height effects on sprouting of mountain maple, paper birch and pin cherry — 10 year results

1997 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 590-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Jobidon
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Management ◽  
Vegetative Reproduction ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Stump Sprouting ◽  
Paper Birch ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Plot Design

Stump sprouting of mountain maple, paper birch and pin cherry was studied in relation to residual stump height. The three-year-old stems were cut at stump heights of 0, 15, 45 and 75 cm in a completely randomized plot design. Two growing seasons after cutting, the percent of stumps with live sprouts was lower for the low stump heights. Two years after cutting, the mean number of sprouts per stump of the three species significantly increased with stump height but the effect was no more significant after 10 years. Initially, total height of the sprouts was significantly greater for the higher stump heights of the three species, which is explained by the point of origin of the sprouts along the stump. After 10 years, this effect was no more significant. Except for pin cherry after the first growing season, the three species produced sprouts of similar vigor during the first 10 years, expressed in terms of both diameter and height growth, among the four stump heights. In view of the increasing stump mortality of these three species after manual or mechanical release treatments of a conifer regeneration, a cut height of 15 cm is recommended. Conversely, increasing stump height will likely favor sprout production, which could be advantageous in wildlife habitat management for browse consumption. Key words: stump height, vegetation management, sprout production, vegetative reproduction, wildlife habitat

Seeds of doubt: feeding preferences of white-footed deer mice (Peromyscus leucopus noveboracensis) and woodland deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis) on maple (genus Acer) seeds

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (9) ◽  
pp. 771-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. Cramer
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Specific Difference ◽  
Species Specific

This study explores foraging choices made by seed predators (white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus noveboracensis (Fischer, 1829), and woodland deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis (LeConte, 1855)) presented with seeds of two dominant tree species (sugar maple, Acer saccharum Marsh., and red maple, Acer rubrum L.). I hypothesized that both species would prefer A. saccharum seeds, as they are larger and ostensibly contain more energy. Although P. l. noveboracensis consumed more seed than P. m. gracilis, there was also a species-specific difference in preference. Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis clearly preferred A. rubrum over A. saccharum, whereas preferences of P. l. noveboracensis were less specific. Peromyscus leucopus noveboracensis, being a habitat generalist, may demonstrate higher plasticity in response to different food types. Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis may prefer A. rubrum because of differences in nutrition, handling costs, or germination schedules, although this was not explicitly tested. This species-specific difference in preference indicates the common assumption that Peromyscus species are ecologically similar should be made with caution.

A new method to discriminate the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) from the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) using species-specific primers in multiplex PCR

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 1832-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Tessier ◽  
Sarah Noël ◽  
François-Joseph Lapointe
Keyword(s):  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Mitochondrial Region ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
White Footed Mouse

Morphometric measurements or biochemical methods are often required to differentiate deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845), from white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818), particularly when they are found in sympatry. However, these approaches cannot easily be applied to juveniles, or to degraded or ancient museum specimens. In this paper, we propose a rapid and non-invasive molecular approach to discriminate these cryptic species from one another. This technique relies on species-specific primers designed in the COIII mitochondrial region to amplify fragments of different lengths in each species. The method developed proved useful for the identification of ethanol-preserved, frozen, degraded, or dry museum specimens.

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