Influence of predation risk on recruitment and litter intervals in common voles (Microtus arvalis)

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Jochym ◽  
S. Halle
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Microtus Arvalis ◽  
Female Population ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Vole Species ◽  
Common Voles ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
Breeding Suppression

Research on mammals and birds has shown that predation may have indirect effects on prey reproduction. Some of the indirect effects may give prey an adaptive advantage. Females of several vole species respond to the presence of predators from the genus Mustela L., 1758 with suppressed breeding; this response increases females’ chances of survival. However, breeding suppression is observed only in a certain part of the female population; it is unclear whether predation risk affects the remaining females. We investigated this in a capture–mark–recapture experiment on reproductive effort of female common voles (Microtus arvalis (Pallas, 1778)) facing simulated presence of mustelid predators. We measured two parameters: the number of recruits per litter and the litter interval. Compared with control populations, the number of recruits per litter was not affected, but the litter interval was longer in females facing mustelid risk of predation. This indicates that predation risk affects females in a more complex way than originally proposed: it induces breeding suppression in some, but also influences litter frequency in others. Our result suggests that predatory stress deregulates the estrous cycle. Decreased frequency of litters can be a viable antipredatory adaptation in iteroparous organisms.

scholarly journals Habitat use of coexisting Microtus vole species under competition and predation risk

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Koivisto ◽  
K.S. Hoset ◽  
O. Huitu ◽  
E. Korpimäki
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Predation Risk ◽  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Competing Species ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Vole Species ◽  
Coexisting Species

Competing species and predators can alter the habitat use of animals, but both factors are rarely simultaneously controlled. We studied in experimental enclosures how closely related species, the sibling vole (Microtus levis Miller, 1908) and the field vole (Microtus agrestis (Linnaeus, 1761)), adjust their habitat use when facing either the competing species or simultaneously competition and predation risk. The species responded differently in their proportional use of two habitat types, a low cover (productive but riskier) and a high cover (safer but poorer). When alone, field voles used the low-cover habitat according to availability at low densities, but decreased its use with increasing density. Sibling voles, however, avoided the low-cover habitat in single-species populations. Under interspecific competition, the habitat-use patterns switched between species: sibling voles used the low-cover habitat according to availability, with decreasing use as densities increased. Sibling voles responded to predation risk by showing a stronger density-dependent decrease in the use of low-cover habitat. Field voles, initially using mostly high cover, did not change behaviour under risk of predation. Our results highlight the importance of considering both predation risk and interspecific competition when interpreting patterns of habitat selection among coexisting species.

Do changes in reef habitats influence relative predation risk on the juvenile Australasian spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii (Hutton, 1875)?

Crustaceana ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 88 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 839-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hesse ◽  
J. A. Stanley ◽  
A. G. Jeffs
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Spiny Lobster ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Small Spatial Scale ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Early Juvenile ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Jasus Edwardsii ◽  
Commercially Important

Kelp habitats are in decline in many temperate coastal regions of the world due to climate change and expansion of populations of grazing urchins. The loss of kelp habitat may influence the vulnerability to predators of the juveniles of commercially important species. In this study relative predation rates for kelp versus barren reef habitat were measured for early juvenile Australasian spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii (Hutton, 1875), on the northeastern coast of New Zealand using tethering methods. Variation in assemblages of predators over small spatial scales appeared to be more important for determining the relative predation of lobsters, regardless of habitat type. Therefore, the assessment of relative predation risk to early juvenile lobsters between kelp and barren habitats will require more extensive sampling at a small spatial scale, as well as a specific focus on sampling during crepuscular and nocturnal periods when these lobsters are most at risk of predation.

Behavioural responses of voles to simulated risk of predation by a native and an alien mustelid: an odour manipulation experiment

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Fey ◽  
Peter B. Banks ◽  
Hannu Ylönen ◽  
Erkki Korpimäki
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Predation Risk ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Alien Predator ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
The Impact

Context. Potential mammalian prey commonly use the odours of their co-evolved predators to manage their risks of predation. But when the risk comes from an unknown source of predation, odours might not be perceived as dangerous, and anti-predator responses may fail, except possibly if the alien predator is of the same archetype as a native predator. Aims. In the present study we examined anti-predator behavioural responses of voles from the outer archipelagos of the Baltic Sea, south-western Finland, where they have had no resident mammalian predators in recent history. Methods. We investigated responses of field voles (Microtus agrestis) to odours of native least weasels (Mustela nivalis) and a recently invading alien predator, the American mink (Mustela vison), in laboratory. We also studied the short-term responses of free-ranging field voles and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) to simulated predation risk by alien mink on small islands in the outer archipelago of the Baltic Sea. Key results. In the laboratory, voles avoided odour cues of native weasel but not of alien mink. It is possible that the response to mink is a context dependent learned response which could not be induced in the laboratory, whereas the response to weasel is innate. In the field, however, voles reduced activity during their normal peak-activity times at night as a response to simulated alien-mink predation risk. No other shifts in space use or activity in safer microhabitats or denser vegetation were apparent. Conclusions. Voles appeared to recognise alien minks as predators from their odours in the wild. However, reduction in activity is likely to be only a short-term immediate response to mink presence, which is augmented by longer-term strategies of habitat shift. Because alien mink still strongly suppresses vole dynamics despite these anti-predator responses, we suggest that behavioural naiveté may be the primary factor in the impact of an alien predator on native prey. Implications. Prey naiveté has long been considered as the root cause of the devastating impacts of alien predators, whereby native prey simply fail to recognise and respond to the novel predation risk. Our results reveal a more complex form of naiveté whereby native prey appeared to recognise alien predators as a threat but their response is ultimately inadequate. Thus, recognition alone is unlikely to afford protection for native prey from alien-predator impacts. Thus, management strategies that, for example, train prey in recognition of novel threats must induce effective responses if they are expected to succeed.

scholarly journals Predation Risk by Gastronomic Boom - Case Peru

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-103
Author(s):  
Aldo Alvarez-Risco ◽  
Jaime Delgado-Zegarra ◽  
Jaime A. Yáñez ◽  
Santiago Diaz-Risco ◽  
Shyla Del-Aguila-Arcentales
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Predation Risk ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Significant Damage

Abstract The growth of tourism to Peru and the gastronomic boom with millions of people looking to taste Peruvian food is resulting in a risk of predation of natural sources necessary to make these dishes. The focus in only obtaining these ingredients can generate significant damage to the Peruvian biodiversity, so stakeholders need to develop strategies to avoid predation due to the gastronomic boom. Citizens and visitors need to play a role in protecting the natural resources and contributing to environmental sustainability.

scholarly journals Impact of Microtus arvalis and Lepus europaeus on apple trees by trunk bark gnawing

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 142-147
Author(s):  
Josef Suchomel ◽  
Jan Šipoš ◽  
Ladislav Čepelka ◽  
Marta Heroldová
Keyword(s):  
Apple Tree ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Microtus Arvalis ◽  
European Hare ◽  
Bark Damage ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Apple Cultivars ◽  
Common Voles

A unique evaluation of the apple tree trunk bark damage caused by common vole and European hare was presented. Damage was found in an apple orchard under organic farming, in Central Moravia (Czech Republic), at 700 m a.s.l. There were two cultivated apple cultivars Red Spring and Melodie/Angold. Damage occurred in winter with the snow cover lasting from December to February. In total 1 012 trees and 95.7% of trees were damaged. The cv. Red Spring was damaged more than cv. Melodie/Angold. Almost 90% of the dead trees were killed by common voles. While hares damaged both cultivars equally, voles damaged the cv. Red Spring to a significantly greater extent (P = 0.04). The study confirms the need of further research on the development of methodologies for orchard protection from damage caused by small mammals.

A complex scenario of glacial survival in Mediterranean and continental refugia of a temperate continental vole species ( Microtus arvalis ) in Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 459-474
Author(s):  
Jesús T. García ◽  
Julio Domínguez‐Villaseñor ◽  
Fernando Alda ◽  
María Calero‐Riestra ◽  
Pedro Pérez Olea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microtus Arvalis ◽  
Vole Species ◽  
Complex Scenario

Temporal niche switching and reduced nest attendance in response to heat dissipation limits in lactating common voles (Microtus arvalis)

2014 ◽  
Vol 128 ◽  
pp. 295-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent van der Vinne ◽  
Mirre J.P. Simons ◽  
Inonge Reimert ◽  
Menno P. Gerkema
Keyword(s):  
Heat Dissipation ◽  
Nest Attendance ◽  
Microtus Arvalis ◽  
Temporal Niche ◽  
Common Voles
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