A SIMPLER STRATEGY FOR LIVE-TRAPPING POCKET GOPHERS (RODENTIA: GEOMYIDAE)

Abstract A 2 yr study on the Rogue River and Mt. Hood National Forests in Oregon evaluated physical barriers for protection of Pinus ponderosa seedlings against damage by Thomomys talpoides. Seedlings protected with one of three weights of: (1) plastic mesh tubing (Vexar®) or (2) sandpapertubing (Durite®) were evaluated against control seedlings. On the Rogue River sites, Vexar® seedlings had the highest survival (62.6%), followed by the controls (59.1%), then Durite® seedlings (17.9%). Gophers were the primary cause of death for the Vexar® seedlings, versus desiccation for the Durite® seedlings. On the Mt. Hood sites, heavyweight Vexar® seedlings had the highest survival (35.4%), medium-weight Durite® seedlings the lowest (2.7%). Seedling mortality caused by gophers was highest for controls (70.2%), followed by light-weight (62.2%) and heavy-weight (53.9%) Vexar® treatments. Overall survival was low (Rogue River = 42%, Mt. Hood = 19.8%). Growth was greatest for the control seedlings but only significantly greater than growth of Durite® seedlings on the Rogue River sites. Growth of seedlings was not compromised by the Vexar® tubing. Although neither type of tubing was highly protective, Vexar® tubes performed better than Durite® tubes. West. J. Appl. For. 14(3):164-168.

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Comparison of Vole Movements Assessed by Live Trapping and Radiotracking

Journal of Mammalogy ◽

10.2307/1381444 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 70 (3) ◽

pp. 652-656 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

E. A. Desy ◽

G. O. Batzli ◽

L. Jike

Keyword(s):

Live Trapping

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Survey and control of small mammal populations on two hardwood plantations in southern Ontario

The Forestry Chronicle ◽

10.5558/tfc50181-5 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 50 (5) ◽

pp. 181-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Andrew Radvanyi

Keyword(s):

Small Mammal ◽

Late Summer ◽

Control Measures ◽

Effective Control ◽

Southern Ontario ◽

Live Trapping ◽

Surrounding Areas ◽

And Control ◽

Rodent Populations ◽

Ingredient Cost

Live trapping and tagging methods were employed to assess small mammal populations within two hardwood plantations in southern Ontario. Excessive girdling damage in past years to young planted trees necessitated an evaluation of rodent populations and development of effective control measures. The application of an anticoagulant rodenticide to oat groats bait broadcast over the study area at an ingredient cost of approximately three dollars per acre virtually wiped out the small mammals. Reinvasion from surrounding areas was, however, fairly rapid, particularly during late summer. Further research on longer term control measures using poisoned bait feeder stations is recommended.

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The effects of capital on an income breeder: evidence from female Columbian ground squirrels

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z05-044 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 83 (4) ◽

pp. 546-552 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

David R Broussard ◽

F Stephen Dobson ◽

J O Murie

Keyword(s):

Path Analysis ◽

Observational Data ◽

Life Histories ◽

Reproductive Investment ◽

Ground Squirrels ◽

Initial Capital ◽

Spermophilus Columbianus ◽

Live Trapping ◽

Investment In Reproduction ◽

Columbian Ground Squirrels

To maximize fitness, organisms must optimally allocate resources to reproduction, daily metabolic maintenance, and survival. We examined multiple years of live-trapping and observational data from a known-aged population of female Columbian ground squirrels, Spermophilus columbianus (Ord, 1815), to determine the influences of stored resources and daily resource income on the reproductive investments of females. We predicted that because yearling females were not fully grown structurally while producing their first litter, they would rely exclusively on income for reproduction, while reproductive investment in older females (≥2 years of age) would be influenced by both stored resources (capital) and daily income. Results from path analysis indicated that both yearlings and older females were income breeders. However, initial capital indirectly influenced investment in reproduction of yearling and older females. Females with the greatest initial capital maintained high body masses while investing relatively more income in reproduction. By considering influences of both capital and income, important relationships can be revealed between these resources and their influence on life histories.

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