View in EDS

Factors affecting life expectancy of the prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Title:	Factors affecting life expectancy of the prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster
Authors:	McGuire, B., Simms, L. E., Getz, L. L., Snarski, M. E.
Source:	Oikos. Nov1997, Vol. 80 Issue 2, p362-370. 9p.
Subjects:	Prairie vole, Animal ecology, Life expectancy
Abstract:	We determined life expectancy (to within approximately 3 d) of 1457 prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster, in a free-living population overa period of 6 yr. During this time the population underwent four cycles of abundance, with peak densities of 160, 250, 350, and 624 individuals per ha. Life expectancy was calculated based on the interactions of season, phase of the population cycle, population density, typeof natal social group, and weather conditions 21 and 30 days before and after birth. Life expectancy was greatest for animals born (1) inautumn, (2) during the increase phase of the population cycle, (3) at population densities >100/ha, and (4) into communal groups. The combination of these factors appears to result in a surge in population density in late autumn. The short life expectancy of animals born during the peak and decline phases of the population cycle may accelerate the rate of the decline phase. During periods of high temperatures before birth in summer, life expectancy increased with increased precipitation. There was no such interaction of precipitation and temperature after birth. In both summer and autumn, high precipitation afterbirth resulted in lower life expectancy, possibly reflecting increased mortality of young forced to leave flooded underground nests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of Oikos is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Engineering Source

Description
Abstract:	We determined life expectancy (to within approximately 3 d) of 1457 prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster, in a free-living population overa period of 6 yr. During this time the population underwent four cycles of abundance, with peak densities of 160, 250, 350, and 624 individuals per ha. Life expectancy was calculated based on the interactions of season, phase of the population cycle, population density, typeof natal social group, and weather conditions 21 and 30 days before and after birth. Life expectancy was greatest for animals born (1) inautumn, (2) during the increase phase of the population cycle, (3) at population densities >100/ha, and (4) into communal groups. The combination of these factors appears to result in a surge in population density in late autumn. The short life expectancy of animals born during the peak and decline phases of the population cycle may accelerate the rate of the decline phase. During periods of high temperatures before birth in summer, life expectancy increased with increased precipitation. There was no such interaction of precipitation and temperature after birth. In both summer and autumn, high precipitation afterbirth resulted in lower life expectancy, possibly reflecting increased mortality of young forced to leave flooded underground nests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	00301299