The development of mice and voles in an oak forest with a surplus of acorns

Abstract

130 kg of acorns of Common Oak (Quercus robur L.) were distributed on an area of 1.44 ha in an oak forest near Zagreb (Croatia), where acorns were lacking. The influence of this surplus of food on the development of mice and voles was observed from September 1999 till February 2000 on the experimental plot and on an untreated control area before and after offering the acorns. The Redbacked Vole Clethrionomys glareolus was the most abundant and dominant species in both observed areas. After distribution of the acorns, all species of mice, e. g. the Yellownecked Fieldmouse Apodemus flavicollis, the Longtailed Fieldmouse A. sylvaticus, and the Striped Field Mouse A. agrarius, increased up to 4 times in number on the area treated with a surplus of acorns. On the same area, however, all species of voles, e. g. the Redbacked Vole C. glareolus, the Field Vole Microtus agrestis, and the Common Vole M. arvalis, decreased. The numbers of captured and recaptured rodents before and after offering acorns on the treated and the untreated control area were compared by statistical analysis (Chi 2 -test). The results show how food can influence the competitive relations between mice and voles.

Strong “bottom‐up” influences on small mammal populations: State‐space model analyses from long‐term studies

“…In addition, early (September–December) fruit‐fall had a marginally significant positive effect on wood mouse summer growth (Figure c). This agrees with many UK and European wood mouse studies that show an immediate effect of masting on winter numbers (and spring reproduction), but contradicts many others where there is also a significant effect of masting on overwinter population growth (Flowerdew, ; Jensen, ; Mallorie & Flowerdew, ; Margaletic, Glavaš, & Bäumler, ; Watts, ). However, in our model, the effect of ash fruit on winter growth was only just insignificant (Figure b).…”

Empirical evaluation of the strength of interspecific competition in shaping small mammal communities in fragmented landscapes

“…A. flavicollis and A. sylvaticus also both preferred sites with a high biomass of acorns. This finding is consistent with their granivorous habits and confirms the fact that this genus strictly relies on acorn production in oakdominated forests (Margaletic and Glavas 2002). On the contrary M. glareolus responded negatively to acorns, and its positive response to shrubs (such as hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, or blackthorn, Prunus spinosa) is probably related to the availability of leaves, flowers and fruits, which are an important component of its diet (Abt and Bock 1998).…”

A new Puumala hantavirus subtype in rodents associated with an outbreak of Nephropathia epidemica in South-East Germany in 2004

“…Usually, captures effectively depend on exogenous variables such as habitat, weather, water and food availability, behaviour of target species, etc. [42,43].…”