Chronic exposure to gamma radiation of wild populations of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

2004 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Mihok
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Chronic Exposure ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Meadow Voles

Genetic changes in an irradiated population of wild meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 698-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard A. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
And Control

Changes observed in the genetic structure of a wild population of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) exposed to chronic gamma radiation are compared with those observed in a nearby unirradiated population. An average exposure of 14.6 ± 0.8 mGy/d of gamma radiation was administered from a 137Cs field irradiator to an otherwise unmanipulated population over 47 weeks. The demographic and genetic characteristics of the populations were estimated by livetrapping and by electrophoresis of the polymorphic plasma proteins encoded by transferrin and leucine aminopeptidase, respectively. Both the irradiated and control populations showed highly synchronous demographic changes: an autumn decline, very low density throughout the winter, a late spring increase, and late summer peak. Allele frequencies and F-statistics fluctuated dramatically throughout the low-density phase. Coincident with the acceleration of population growth, the genetic variables began to converge in the two populations. At the termination of the experiment, when population growth was slowing, the irradiated and control populations were genetically very similar. Sexual activity, longevity, and recruitment were each homogeneous among genotypes in both populations. The radiation treatment had no apparent effect on the genetic structure of the vole population. Gene flow at the beginning of an increase phase is suggested as a possible cause for convergence of the genetic attributes of the irradiated and unirradiated populations.

Winter coexistence of voles in spruce forest: relevance of seasonal changes in aggression

1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 1004-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian N. Turner ◽  
Michael R. Perrin ◽  
Stuart L. Iverson
Keyword(s):  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Spruce Forest ◽  
Vole Population ◽  
Reproductive Condition ◽  
Interspecific Aggression ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Nonbreeding Season ◽  
Short Period

Beginning in November 1973, numerous meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) moved onto a spruce forest grid occupied by red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi). A resident meadow vole population resulted, the two species coexisting until April 1974, when most meadow voles disappeared from the grid during a relatively short period. Interspecific aggression levels, as determined from voles temporarily removed from the populations and tested in paired encounters in a laboratory arena, were low during the winter, but increased when males of both species entered reproductive condition in the spring. Microtus was generally dominant in early breeding period encounters, but this dominance declined concurrently with the meadow voles' disappearance from the forest. It is argued that meadow voles did not leave the forest to breed, or because the snow cover melted, since this species will live and reproduce in forest in the absence of Clethrionomys. The results are interpreted as support for an earlier hypothesis that competitive habitat exclusion varies seasonally with reproduction-related aggression. Thus, these species apparently may coexist in either of their preferred habitats when interspecific aggression is low (the nonbreeding season), but this relationship terminates when interspecific aggression levels increase with the resumption of breeding in the spring.

scholarly journals The duration of sociosexual behaviors in male meadow voles Microtus pennsylvanicus varies before, during, and after copulation

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashlee A. Vaughn ◽  
Daniel A. Ferkin ◽  
Javier Delbarco-Trillo ◽  
Michael H. Ferkin
Keyword(s):  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Voles

Abstract The behaviors that surround copulation are characterized as sociosexual behaviors. These behaviors displayed by males that are directed at females may include allogrooming, wrestling, chasing, approach, and time spent together. The data supported the hypothesis that the duration of sociosexual behaviors differs during the pre-copulatory, peri-copulatory, and post-copulatory phases of the mating bout in meadow voles. Voles spent more time approaching conspecifics during the pre- and peri-copulatory phases than during the post-copulatory phase. Voles spent more time allogrooming, wrestling, and chasing during the pre-copulatory phase than during the peri- and post-copulatory phases. Voles spent similar amounts of time together during the pre-, peri-, and post-copulatory phases. The data suggest that sociosexual behaviors displayed by males may be involved in setting the pace and temporal components of the mating bout. During the pre-copulatory phase particular behaviors by male voles may attract females, during the peri-copulatory phase some of these behaviors may stimulate or motivate the female to mate, and during the post-copulatory phase certain behaviors may prepare the male to mate again.

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