Social organization of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus, Schreber 1780) and its demographic consequences: a model

. 1998. Spatial behaviour and population dynamics of woodland rodents. Acta Theriologica 43: 137-161.Population dynamics and spatial behaviour of the vole Clethrionomys glareolus (Schreber, 1780) and the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flauicollis (Melchior, 1834) were studied for 7 years in woodland of Kampinos National Park, Poland. Mice were more mobile and less site-tenacious than voles. Annual peaks ranged from 9 to 104 voles and from 4 to 62 mice per ha. The highest densities of both species were preceded by winter breeding. The greatest movement range and the longest distance moved were observed in the years of low density, whereas in the high density year both species were least mobile and most site-tenacious. Intensive movements in the low density years led to early maturation, high turnover rates, and probably increased mortality. Low mobility and high site tenacity in the high density year enhanced population growth and suppressed maturation. Increasing density and cessation of breeding accounted for declining juvenile recruitment. Differences in movement patterns between years of low and high density were coupled with differences in the autumn age structure and winter mortality of both species.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial behaviour and population dynamics of woodland rodents

Mazurkiewicz

Rajska-Jurgiel²

1998

“…Some o f them might have died but most o f them probably dispersed. Dispersers commonly are maturing young (Watts 1970, Mazurkiewicz and Rajska-Jurgiel 1975, Bujalska and Grum 1989, 1995, Gliwicz 1989, Rajska-Jurgiel 1992, Stenseth and Lidicker 1992, Viitalae/aZ. 1994, Plesner Jensen 1996.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

"Single-capture" rodents: vagrants or just newly weaned young?

Rajska-Jurgiel¹,

Mazurkiewicz²

2000

The reliability of the estimation of residency time of the bank vole Clethrionom ys glareolus (Schreber, 1780) and the yellow-necked mouse Apodem us flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) in open populations was assessed by halving the 6-w eek intervals between trapping sessions. The status of " single-capture" individuals was identified to estimate the probability that they are native young rather than adult invaders. W e found that the majority of " single-session" individuals constituted true transients that were present in the study plot for a short time only. They were young, immature rodents with a small body mass and a small number o f captures. The probability that the " single-session" individuals stay on the plot for a longer time was 0 .35 and 0.37 for voles and mice, respectively. These ostensible transients were trap-prone, fully-grown, mature adults, that revealed their presence on the plot already at the beginning of each trapping session. W e found that " single-capture" individuals were mainly young, immature rodents that were not retrapped. The probability that the single-capture rodents are mature individuals, with a longer residency tim e, was 0 .10 and 0 .18 for voles and mice, respectively.

“…The weight and growth differences were at least equally pronounced in nales as in females in this study. This is a further indication that they were not due to aggreisive behaviour as C. glareolus males are not territorial while C. glareolus females are (BujUska 1973, Bujalska andGrum 1989). Thus, other factors than pure density or social behaviour but covarying with dynamics, have to be considered to understand the growth differences.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regional and individual variation in body growth in winter of bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus

Kozakiewicz

Konopka

1991

Small rodent body growth usually stagnates or is negative during winter but large individuals in dense populations exhibit pronounced winter growth. Growth of first generation laboratory bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus (Schreber, 1780) from cyclic and noncyclic populations, bom in late summer -early autumn and bred under constant conditions, was examined up to 4 months of age. Weight increase between 2 and 4 months, corresponding to early winter growth, occurred only in one-fifth of the animals in most groups but in considerably more than half of the males from a cyclic population. Juvenile weights differed between populations in the same way as adult weights. Weights at 2 and 4 months as well as maximum weights were positively related to weaning weights. Winter growth correlated insignificantly or negatively with weaning weight in noncyclic animals and positively with weaning weights in cyclic animals. Individual differences were evidently genetically based as both parents and young were kept under identical conditions. Population differences appear to be adaptations to nutritional rather than social conditions.