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Zipple MN, Vogt CC, Sheehan MJ. Genetically identical mice express alternative reproductive tactics depending on social conditions in the field. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240099. [PMID: 38503332 PMCID: PMC10950460 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
In many species, establishing and maintaining a territory is critical to survival and reproduction, and an animal's ability to do so is strongly influenced by the presence and density of competitors. Here we manipulate social conditions to study the alternative reproductive tactics displayed by genetically identical, age-matched laboratory mice competing for territories under ecologically realistic social environmental conditions. We introduced adult males and females of the laboratory mouse strain C57BL/6J into a large, outdoor field enclosure containing defendable resource zones under one of two social conditions. We first created a low-density social environment, such that the number of available territories exceeded the number of males. After males established stable territories, we introduced a pulse of intruder males and observed the resulting defensive and invasive tactics employed. In response to this change in social environment, males with large territories invested more in patrolling but were less effective at excluding intruder males as compared with males with small territories. Intruding males failed to establish territories and displayed an alternative tactic featuring greater exploration as compared with genetically identical territorial males. Alternative tactics did not lead to equal reproductive success-males that acquired territories experienced greater survival and had greater access to females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew N. Zipple
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Caleb C. Vogt
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Michael J. Sheehan
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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2
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Caminero-Saldaña C, Correa-Cuadros JP, Baños-Herrero A, Riquelme C, Pallavicini Y, Fernández-Villán M, Plaza J, Pérez-Sánchez R, Sánchez N, Mougeot F, Luque-Larena JJ, Jaksic FM, García-Ariza MC. Exploring the influence of density-dependence and weather on the spatial and temporal variation in common vole (Microtus arvalis) abundance in Castilla y León, NW Spain. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023. [PMID: 38153883 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The common vole has invaded the agroecosystems of northwestern Spain, where outbreaks cause important crop damage and management costs. Little is yet known about the factors causing or modulating vole fluctuations. Here, we used 11 years of vole abundance monitoring data in 40 sites to study density-dependence and weather influence on vole dynamics. Our objective was to identify the population dynamics structure and determine whether there is direct or delayed density-dependence. An evaluation of climatic variables followed, to determine whether they influenced vole population peaks. RESULTS First- and second-order outbreak dynamics were detected at 7 and 33 study sites, respectively, together with second-order variability in periodicity (2-3 to 4-5-year cycles). Vole population growth was explained by previous year abundance (mainly numbers in summer and spring) at 21 of the sites (52.5%), by weather variables at 11 sites (27.5%; precipitation or temperature in six and five sites, respectively), and by a combination of previous abundance and weather variables in eight sites (20%). CONCLUSIONS We detected variability in vole spatiotemporal abundance dynamics, which differs in cyclicity and period. We also found regional variation in the relative importance of previous abundances and weather as factors modulating vole fluctuations. Most vole populations were cyclical, with variable periodicity across the region. Our study is a first step towards the development of predictive modeling, by disclosing relevant factors that might trigger vole outbreaks. It improves decision-making processes within integrated management dealing with mitigation of the agricultural impacts caused by voles. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantino Caminero-Saldaña
- Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACyL), Observatorio de Plagas y Enfermedades Agrícolas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Jennifer Paola Correa-Cuadros
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Santiago, Chile
| | - Ana Baños-Herrero
- Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACyL), Observatorio de Plagas y Enfermedades Agrícolas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Carlos Riquelme
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Santiago, Chile
| | - Yesica Pallavicini
- Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACyL), Observatorio de Plagas y Enfermedades Agrícolas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Fernández-Villán
- Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACyL), Observatorio de Plagas y Enfermedades Agrícolas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Javier Plaza
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Ambientales, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Pérez-Sánchez
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Ambientales, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Nilda Sánchez
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Ambientales, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - François Mougeot
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Juan José Luque-Larena
- Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales (Zoología), ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible (iuFOR), Palencia, Spain
| | - Fabián M Jaksic
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Santiago, Chile
| | - María Carmen García-Ariza
- Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACyL), Observatorio de Plagas y Enfermedades Agrícolas, Valladolid, Spain
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Cooke R, Whiteley P, Death C, Weston MA, Carter N, Scammell K, Yokochi K, Nguyen H, White JG. Silent killers? The widespread exposure of predatory nocturnal birds to anticoagulant rodenticides. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166293. [PMID: 37586529 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) influence predator populations and threaten the stability of ecosystems. Understanding the prevalence and impact of rodenticides in predators is crucial to inform conservation planning and policy. We collected dead birds of four nocturnal predatory species across differing landscapes: forests, agricultural, urban. Liver samples were analysed for eight ARs: three First Generation ARs (FGARs) and five SGARs (Second Generation ARs). We investigated interspecific differences in liver concentrations and whether landscape composition influenced this. FGARs were rarely detected, except pindone at low concentrations in powerful owls Ninox strenua. SGARs, however, were detected in every species and 92 % of birds analysed. Concentrations of SGARs were at levels where potential toxicological or lethal impacts would have occurred in 33 % of powerful owls, 68 % of tawny frogmouths Podargus strigoides, 42 % of southern boobooks N. bookbook and 80 % of barn owls Tyto javanica. When multiple SGARs were detected, the likelihood of potentially lethal concentrations of rodenticides increased. There was no association between landscape composition and SGAR exposure, or the presence of multiple SGARs, suggesting rodenticide poisoning is ubiquitous across all landscapes sampled. This widespread human-driven contamination in wildlife is a major threat to wildlife health. Given the high prevalence and concentrations of SGARs in these birds across all landscape types, we support the formal consideration of SGARs as a threatening process. Furthermore, given species that do not primarily eat rodents (tawny frogmouths, powerful owls) have comparable liver rodenticide concentrations to rodent predators (southern boobook, eastern barn owl), it appears there is broader contamination of the food-web than anticipated. We provide evidence that SGARs have the potential to pose a threat to the survival of avian predator populations. Given the functional importance of predators in ecosystems, combined with the animal welfare impacts of these chemicals, we propose governments should regulate the use of SGARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raylene Cooke
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia.
| | - Pam Whiteley
- Wildlife Health Victoria: Surveillance, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee 3030, Vic., Australia
| | - Clare Death
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Vic., Australia
| | - Michael A Weston
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - Nicholas Carter
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - Kieran Scammell
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - Kaori Yokochi
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - Hao Nguyen
- National Measurement Institute, 1/153 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne 3207, Vic., Australia
| | - John G White
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
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Ruscoe WA, Brown PR, Henry S, van de Weyer N, Robinson F, Hinds LA, Duncan RP. Effects of harvesting and stubble management on abundance of pest rodents (Mus musculus) in a conservation agriculture system. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:4757-4764. [PMID: 37454375 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The shift to more environmentally sensitive agricultural practices over the last several decades has changed farmland landscapes worldwide. Changes including no-till and retaining high biomass mulch has been coincident with an increase in rodent pests in South Africa, India, South America and Europe, indicating a possible conflict between conservation agriculture (CA) and rodent pest management. Research on effects of various crop management practices associated with CA on pest rodent population dynamics is needed to anticipate and develop CA-relevant management strategies. RESULTS During the Australian 2020-2021 mouse plague, farmers used postharvest stubble management practices, including flattening and/or cutting, to reduce stubble cover in paddocks to lessen habitat suitability for pest house mice. We used this opportunity to assess the effects of both harvest and stubble management on the movement and abundance of mice in paddocks using mouse trapping and radio tracking. We found that most tracked mice remained resident in paddocks throughout harvest, and that mouse population abundance was generally unaffected by stubble management. CONCLUSION Recent conversions to CA practices have changed how pest house mice use cropped land. Management practices that reduce postharvest habitat complexity do not appear to reduce the attractiveness of paddocks to mice, and further research into new management strategies in addition to toxic bait use is required as part of an integrated pest management approach. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy A Ruscoe
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australia
| | - Peter R Brown
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australia
| | - Steve Henry
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australia
| | - Nikki van de Weyer
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australia
| | - Freya Robinson
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australia
| | - Lyn A Hinds
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australia
| | - Richard P Duncan
- Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
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5
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Leirs H, Kirkpatrick L, Sluydts V, Sabuni C, Borremans B, Katakweba A, Massawe A, Makundi R, Mulungu L, Machang'u R, Mariën J. Twenty-nine years of continuous monthly capture-mark-recapture data of multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis) in Morogoro, Tanzania. Sci Data 2023; 10:798. [PMID: 37952006 PMCID: PMC10640561 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02700-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis) is the most-studied rodent species in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is an important pest species in agriculture and carrier of zoonotic diseases (e.g. Lassa virus). Here, we provide a unique dataset that consists of twenty-nine years of continuous monthly capture-mark-recapture entries on one 3 ha mosaic field (MOSA) in Morogoro, Tanzania. It is one of the most accurate and long-running capture-recapture time series on a small mammal species worldwide and unique to Africa. The database can be used by ecologists to test hypotheses on the population dynamics of small mammals (e.g. to test the effect of climate change), or to validate new algorithms on real long-term field data (e.g. new survival analyses techniques). It is also useful for both scientists and decision-makers who want to optimize rodent control strategies and predict outbreaks of multimammate mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lucinda Kirkpatrick
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vincent Sluydts
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Christopher Sabuni
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Benny Borremans
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Abdul Katakweba
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Apia Massawe
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Rhodes Makundi
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Loth Mulungu
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Robert Machang'u
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Joachim Mariën
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium.
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6
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Zipple MN, Vogt CC, Sheehan MJ. Genetically Identical Mice Express Alternative Reproductive Tactics Depending on Social Conditions in the Field. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.25.542282. [PMID: 37577669 PMCID: PMC10418070 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.25.542282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
In many species, establishing and maintaining a territory is critical to survival and reproduction, and an animal's ability to do so is strongly influenced by the presence and density of competitors. Here we manipulate social conditions to study the alternative reproductive tactics displayed by genetically identical, age-matched laboratory mice competing for territories under ecologically realistic social environmental conditions. We introduced adult males and females of the laboratory mouse strain (C57BL/6J) into a large, outdoor field enclosure containing defendable resource zones under one of two social conditions. We first created a low-density social environment, such that the number of available territories exceeded the number of males. After males established stable territories, we introduced a pulse of intruder males and observed the resulting defensive and invasive tactics employed. In response to this change in social environment, males with large territories invested more in patrolling but were less effective at excluding intruder males as compared to males with small territories. Intruding males failed to establish territories and displayed an alternative tactic featuring greater exploration as compared to genetically identical territorial males. Alternative tactics did not lead to equal reproductive success-males that acquired territories experienced greater survival and had greater access to females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew N. Zipple
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
| | - Caleb C. Vogt
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
| | - Michael J Sheehan
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
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7
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Revisiting the MMTV Zoonotic Hypothesis to Account for Geographic Variation in Breast Cancer Incidence. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030559. [PMID: 35336966 PMCID: PMC8955943 DOI: 10.3390/v14030559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human breast cancer incidence varies by geographic location. More than 20 years ago, we proposed that zoonotic transmission of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) from the western European house mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, might account for the regional differences in breast cancer incidence. In the intervening years, several developments provide additional support for this hypothesis, including the limited impact of genetic factors for breast cancer susceptibility revealed by genome-wide association studies and the strong effect of antiretroviral therapy to reduce breast cancer incidence. At the same time, economic globalization has further expanded the distribution of M. m. domesticus to Asia, leading to a significant increase in breast cancer incidence in this region. Here, we revisit this evidence and provide an update to the MMTV zoonotic hypothesis for human breast cancer at a time when the world is recovering from the global COVID-19 zoonotic pandemic. We present evidence that mouse population outbreaks are correlated with spikes in breast cancer incidence in Australia and New Zealand and that globalization has increased the range of M. m. domesticus and MMTV. Given the success of global vaccination campaigns for HPV to eradicate cervical cancer, a similar strategy for MMTV may be warranted. Until breast cancer incidence is reduced by such an approach, zoonotic transmission of MMTV from mice to humans as an etiologic factor for breast cancer will remain controversial.
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Brown PR, Henry S, Pech RP, Cruz J, Hinds LA, Van de Weyer N, Caley P, Ruscoe WA. It. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/wr21076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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9
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Andreassen HP, Sundell J, Ecke F, Halle S, Haapakoski M, Henttonen H, Huitu O, Jacob J, Johnsen K, Koskela E, Luque-Larena JJ, Lecomte N, Leirs H, Mariën J, Neby M, Rätti O, Sievert T, Singleton GR, van Cann J, Vanden Broecke B, Ylönen H. Population cycles and outbreaks of small rodents: ten essential questions we still need to solve. Oecologia 2021; 195:601-622. [PMID: 33369695 PMCID: PMC7940343 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04810-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Most small rodent populations in the world have fascinating population dynamics. In the northern hemisphere, voles and lemmings tend to show population cycles with regular fluctuations in numbers. In the southern hemisphere, small rodents tend to have large amplitude outbreaks with less regular intervals. In the light of vast research and debate over almost a century, we here discuss the driving forces of these different rodent population dynamics. We highlight ten questions directly related to the various characteristics of relevant populations and ecosystems that still need to be answered. This overview is not intended as a complete list of questions but rather focuses on the most important issues that are essential for understanding the generality of small rodent population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry P Andreassen
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2480, Koppang, Norway
| | - Janne Sundell
- Lammi Biological Station, University of Helsinki, Pääjärventie 320, 16900, Lammi, Finland
| | - Fraucke Ecke
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd, 90183, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Stefan Halle
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Str. 159, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Marko Haapakoski
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Konnevesi Research Station, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Heikki Henttonen
- Terrestrial Population Dynamics, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Otso Huitu
- Terrestrial Population Dynamics, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jens Jacob
- Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Vertebrate Research, Julius Kühn-Institut, Toppheideweg 88, 48161, Münster, Germany
| | - Kaja Johnsen
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2480, Koppang, Norway
| | - Esa Koskela
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Juan Jose Luque-Larena
- Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales, Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenierıas Agrarias, Universidad de Valladolid, Campus La Yutera, Avenida de Madrid 44, 34004, Palencia, Spain
| | - Nicolas Lecomte
- Canada Research Chair in Polar and Boreal Ecology and Centre D'Études Nordiques, Department of Biology, Université de Moncton, 18 Avenue Antonine-Maillet, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitslain 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Joachim Mariën
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitslain 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Magne Neby
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2480, Koppang, Norway
| | - Osmo Rätti
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, P.O. Box 122, 96101, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Thorbjörn Sievert
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Konnevesi Research Station, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Grant R Singleton
- International Rice Research Institute, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham Marine, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Joannes van Cann
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Bram Vanden Broecke
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitslain 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Hannu Ylönen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Konnevesi Research Station, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland.
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Serr ME, Valdez RX, Barnhill-Dilling KS, Godwin J, Kuiken T, Booker M. Scenario analysis on the use of rodenticides and sex-biasing gene drives for the removal of invasive house mice on islands. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-019-02192-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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11
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Brown PR, Arthur AD, Jones DA, Davies MJ, Grice D, Pech RP. Multiple ecological processes underpin the eruptive dynamics of small mammals: House mice in a semi-arid agricultural environment. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:3477-3490. [PMID: 32274003 PMCID: PMC7141066 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse plagues are a regular feature of grain-growing regions, particularly in southern and eastern Australia, yet it is not clear what role various ecological processes play in the eruptive dynamics generating these outbreaks.This research was designed to assess the impact of adding food, water, and cover in all combinations on breeding performance, abundance, and survival of mouse populations on a typical cereal growing farm in northwestern Victoria.Supplementary food, water, and cover were applied in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design to 240 m sections of internal fence lines between wheat or barley crops and stubble/pasture fields over an 11-month period to assess the impact on mouse populations.We confirmed that mice were eating the additional food and were accessing the water provided. We did not generate an outbreak of mice, but there were some significant effects from the experimental treatments. Additional food increased population size twofold and improved apparent survival. Both water and cover improved breeding performance. Food and cover increased apparent survival.Our findings confirm that access to food, water, and cover are necessary for outbreaks, but are not sufficient. There remain additional factors that are important in generating mouse plagues, particularly in a climatically variable agricultural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dean A. Jones
- CSIRO Land and WaterCanberraACTAustralia
- Present address:
Far North Environmental ConsultingAthertonQLDAustralia
| | | | - David Grice
- CSIRO Agriculture and FoodCanberraACTAustralia
- Present address:
Batemans BayNSW2536Australia
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12
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Hall JM, Mitchell TS, Thawley CJ, Stroud JT, Warner DA. Adaptive seasonal shift towards investment in fewer, larger offspring: Evidence from field and laboratory studies. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:1242-1253. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M. Hall
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
| | - Timothy S. Mitchell
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior University of Minnesota St. Paul MN USA
| | - Christopher J. Thawley
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Rhode Island Kingston RI USA
- Department of Biology Davidson College Davidson NC USA
| | - James T. Stroud
- Department of Biology Washington University St. Louis MO USA
| | - Daniel A. Warner
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
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Khalil H, Ecke F, Evander M, Bucht G, Hörnfeldt B. Population Dynamics of Bank Voles Predicts Human Puumala Hantavirus Risk. ECOHEALTH 2019; 16:545-557. [PMID: 31309365 PMCID: PMC6858908 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-019-01424-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Predicting risk of zoonotic diseases, i.e., diseases shared by humans and animals, is often complicated by the population ecology of wildlife host(s). We here demonstrate how ecological knowledge of a disease system can be used for early prediction of human risk using Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) in bank voles (Myodes glareolus), which causes Nephropathia epidemica (NE) in humans, as a model system. Bank vole populations at northern latitudes exhibit multiannual fluctuations in density and spatial distribution, a phenomenon that has been studied extensively. Nevertheless, existing studies predict NE incidence only a few months before an outbreak. We used a time series on cyclic bank vole population density (1972-2013), their PUUV infection rates (1979-1986; 2003-2013), and NE incidence in Sweden (1990-2013). Depending on the relationship between vole density and infection prevalence (proportion of infected animals), either overall density of bank voles or the density of infected bank voles may be used to predict seasonal NE incidence. The density and spatial distribution of voles at density minima of a population cycle contribute to the early warning of NE risk later at its cyclic peak. When bank voles remain relatively widespread in the landscape during cyclic minima, PUUV can spread from a high baseline during a cycle, culminating in high prevalence in bank voles and potentially high NE risk during peak densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Khalil
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Frauke Ecke
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7050, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magnus Evander
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, 901 85, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Göran Bucht
- Swedish Defense Research Agency, CBRN Defence and Security, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Birger Hörnfeldt
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
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Holland EP, Binny RN, James A. Optimal control of irrupting pest populations in a climate-driven ecosystem. PeerJ 2019; 6:e6146. [PMID: 30595990 PMCID: PMC6304269 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Irruptions of small consumer populations, driven by pulsed resources, can lead to adverse effects including the decline of indigenous species or increased disease spread. Broad-scale pest management to combat such effects benefits from forecasting of irruptions and an assessment of the optimal control conditions for minimising consumer abundance. We use a climate-based consumer-resource model to predict irruptions of a pest species (Mus musculus) population in response to masting (episodic synchronous seed production) and extend this model to account for broad-scale pest control of mice using toxic bait. The extended model is used to forecast the magnitude and frequency of pest irruptions under low, moderate and high control levels, and for different timings of control operations. In particular, we assess the optimal control timing required to minimise the frequency with which pests reach 'plague' levels, whilst avoiding excessive toxin use. Model predictions suggest the optimal timing for mouse control in beech forest, with respect to minimising plague time, is mid-September. Of the control regimes considered, a seedfall driven biannual-biennial regime gave the greatest reduction in plague time and plague years for low and moderate control levels. Although inspired by a model validated using house mouse populations in New Zealand forests, our modelling approach is easily adapted for application to other climate-driven systems where broad-scale control is conducted on irrupting pest populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alex James
- Biomathematics Research Centre, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,Te Pūnaha Matatini, New Zealand
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Muschetto E, Cueto GR, Cavia R, Padula PJ, Suárez OV. Long-Term Study of a Hantavirus Reservoir Population in an Urban Protected Area, Argentina. ECOHEALTH 2018; 15:804-814. [PMID: 30128613 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-018-1360-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Green spaces in urban areas can play a key role in protecting wildlife. However, the presence of wildlife in urban areas can lead to human health risks. Although the presence of the rodent species Oligoryzomys flavescens (hantavirus reservoir) has been recorded in cities of Argentina, its population dynamics in this type of habitat is still unknown. Here, we evaluated: (1) long-term spatial and temporal patterns of O. flavescens abundance and how these patterns were influenced by weather factors and (2) the seroprevalence of hantavirus and the identity of the viral lineage circulating in the population that inhabits the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, a protected area in the city of Buenos Aires. Genetic results confirmed that the pathogenic ANDES Central Lechiguanas virus is present in O. flavescens populations inhabiting this urban reserve. Abundance of O. flavescens showed interannual and seasonal fluctuations, with maximum values in winter and spring and minimum ones in summer and autumn. Summers with the highest abundances of O. flavescens were preceded by warmer winters, while winters with lower abundances were preceded by warmer summers. On the other hand, accumulated precipitations in the previous 6 months positively affected winter abundance. These results could help the authorities in charge of the green spaces of Buenos Aires to identify priority areas and times of the year for the implementation of preventive measures that minimize the contact of rodents with visitors. Such measures could be intensified when winters are warmer than normal, and summers are cooler and wetter than normal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Muschetto
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, (IEGEBA) UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160 (Ciudad Universitaria), PB II, 4to piso, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Gerardo Rubén Cueto
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, (IEGEBA) UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160 (Ciudad Universitaria), PB II, 4to piso, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Regino Cavia
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, (IEGEBA) UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160 (Ciudad Universitaria), PB II, 4to piso, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Julieta Padula
- CONICET, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Olga Virginia Suárez
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, (IEGEBA) UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160 (Ciudad Universitaria), PB II, 4to piso, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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16
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Seasonal activity of common vole (Microtus arvalis) in alfalfa fields in southern Hungary. Biologia (Bratisl) 2018. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-018-0149-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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17
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Hall JM, Buckelew A, Lovern M, Secor SM, Warner DA. Seasonal Shifts in Reproduction Depend on Prey Availability for an Income Breeder. Physiol Biochem Zool 2018; 91:1129-1147. [DOI: 10.1086/700341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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18
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Mitchell TS, Hall JM, Warner DA. Female investment in offspring size and number shifts seasonally in a lizard with single-egg clutches. Evol Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-018-9936-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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19
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Nazarova GG, Proskurnyak LP, Potapova OF. Sexual Dimorphism of the Protein Level in Urine of Muridae Rodents: Relation to Population Numbers. CONTEMP PROBL ECOL+ 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s1995425518020087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Moro D, Byrne M, Kennedy M, Campbell S, Tizard M. Identifying knowledge gaps for gene drive research to control invasive animal species: The next CRISPR step. Glob Ecol Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2017.e00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
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21
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McClelland GTW, Altwegg R, van Aarde RJ, Ferreira S, Burger AE, Chown SL. Climate change leads to increasing population density and impacts of a key island invader. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2018; 28:212-224. [PMID: 29055070 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The considerable threats of invasive rodents to island biodiversity are likely to be compounded by climate change. Forecasts for such interactions have been most pronounced for the Southern Ocean islands where ameliorating conditions are expected to decrease thermal and resource restrictions on rodents. Firm evidence for changing rodent populations in response to climate change, and demonstrations of associated impacts on the terrestrial environment, are nonetheless entirely absent for the region. Using data collected over three decades on sub-Antarctic Marion Island, we tested empirically whether mouse populations have changed through time and whether these changes can be associated significantly with changing abiotic conditions. Changes in invertebrate populations, which have previously been attributed to mouse predation, but with little explicit demographic analysis, were also examined to determine whether they can be associated with changing mouse populations. The total number of mice on the island at annual peak density increased by 430.0% between 1979-1980 and 2008-2011. This increase was due to an advanced breeding season, which was robustly related to the number of precipitation-free days during the non-breeding season. Mice directly reduced invertebrate densities, with biomass losses of up to two orders of magnitude in some habitats. Such invertebrate declines are expected to have significant consequences for ecosystem processes over the long term. Our results demonstrate that as climate change continues to create ameliorating conditions for invasive rodents on sub-Antarctic islands, the severity of their impacts will increase. They also emphasize the importance of rodent eradication for the restoration of invaded islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory T W McClelland
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Res Altwegg
- Department of Statistical Sciences, Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
- African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Rudi J van Aarde
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083, South Africa
| | - Sam Ferreira
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083, South Africa
- Scientific Services, SANParks, Kruger National Park, South Africa
| | - Alan E Burger
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3N5, Canada
| | - Steven L Chown
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, 3800, Australia
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22
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Secondary Exposure to Anticoagulant Rodenticides and Effects on Predators. EMERGING TOPICS IN ECOTOXICOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-64377-9_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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23
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Breed WG, Leigh CM, Breed MF. Changes in abundance and reproductive activity of small arid-zone murid rodents on an active cattle station in central Australia. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/wr16152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Boom and bust population cycles are characteristic of many arid-zone rodents, but it is unknown to what extent these dynamics might be influenced by the presence of invasive rodents, such as the house mouse (Mus musculus) in Australia.
Aim
To determine whether the presence of M. musculus can have negative consequences on the population abundance and reproduction of two old Australian endemic rodents (the spinifex hopping mouse, Notomys alexis, and sandy inland mouse, Pseudomys hermannsburgensis).
Methods
The study took place on the sand dunes of a cattle station in central Australia. Population abundance was estimated as the number of individuals caught in small mammal traps, and female reproductive condition by external examination and, in a few cases, euthanasia and inspection of the reproductive tract.
Key results
Two synchronous periods of high abundance of N. alexis and M. musculus occurred several months after significant rainfall events, whereas the abundance of P. hermannsburgensis was consistently low. No reproduction took place in N. alexis or M. musculus when populations had reached high abundance. During low-rainfall periods, M. musculus was not detected on the sand dunes, and the two endemic species were sparsely distributed, with reproduction occasionally being evident.
Conclusions
During dry periods, M. musculus contracted back to refuges around the homestead and, after significant rainfall, it expanded onto the sand dunes and became abundant at the same time as did N. alexis. In contrast, and unlike in areas where M. musculus was generally rare, P. hermannsburgensis always remained at a low abundance. These patterns suggest that in areas of the natural environment close to human-modified sites, populations of at least one species of an old endemic rodent are supressed by the presence of M. musculus. Reproduction did not occur in the old endemics at times of high M. musculus abundance, but did take place in spring/early summer, even in some dry years.
Implications
The spread of M. musculus into the Australian arid zone may have had negative impacts on the population dynamics of P. hermannsburgensis. These findings suggest that the presence of human settlements has resulted in refuges for house mice, which periodically spread out into the natural environment during ‘boom’ times and adversely affect the natural population cycle of ecologically similar species such as P. hermannsburgensis.
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Sutter A, Lindholm AK. No evidence for female discrimination against male house mice carrying a selfish genetic element. Curr Zool 2016; 62:675-685. [PMID: 29491955 PMCID: PMC5804255 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiotic drivers distort transmission to the next generation in their favor, with detrimental effects on the fitness of their homologues and the rest of the genome. Male carriers of meiotic drivers commonly inflict costs on their mates through genetic incompatibility, reduced fecundity, or biased brood sex ratios. Given these costs, evidence for female discrimination against male carriers is surprisingly rare. One of few examples is the t haplotype in house mice, a meiotic driver that shows strong transmission distortion in males and is typically homozygote lethal. As a consequence, mating between 2 t heterozygous (+/t) mice leads to high embryo mortality. Previous experiments showing that +/t females avoid this incompatibility cost by preferring +/+ versus +/t males have inferred preference based on olfactory cues or brief social interactions. Evidence from mating contexts in laboratory settings and semi-natural populations has been inconclusive. Here, we investigated female choice from a large number of no-choice mating trials. We found no evidence for discrimination against +/t males based on mating, remating, and copulatory behavior. Further, we found no evidence for avoidance of incompatibility through selective interactions between gametes. The likelihood of mating showed significant effects of female weight and genotype, suggesting that our test paradigm enabled females to exhibit mate choice. We discuss the strengths and limitations of our approach. By explicitly considering selection at both the individual and gene level, we argue why precopulatory female discrimination by +/t females may be less evolutionarily stable than discrimination by all females based on postcopulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Sutter
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Anna K Lindholm
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
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25
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van der Mescht L, le Roux PC, Matthee CA, Raath MJ, Matthee S. The influence of life history characteristics on flea (Siphonaptera) species distribution models. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:178. [PMID: 27026237 PMCID: PMC4812659 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1466-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ectoparasites exhibit pronounced variation in life history characteristics such as time spent on the host and host range. Since contemporary species distribution (SD) modelling does not account for differences in life history, the accuracy of predictions of current and future species' ranges could differ significantly between life history groups. RESULTS SD model performance was compared between 21 flea species that differ in microhabitat preferences and level of host specificity. Distribution models generally performed well, with no significant differences in model performance based on either microhabitat preferences or host specificity. However, the relative importance of predictor variables was significantly related to host specificity, with the distribution of host-opportunistic fleas strongly limited by thermal conditions and host-specific fleas more associated with conditions that restrict their hosts' distribution. The importance of temperature was even more pronounced when considering microhabitat preference, with the distribution of fur fleas being strongly limited by thermal conditions and nest fleas more associated with variables that affect microclimatic conditions in the host nest. CONCLUSIONS Contemporary SD modelling, that includes climate and landscape variables, is a valuable tool to study the biogeography and future distributions of fleas and other parasites taxa. However, consideration of life history characteristics is cautioned as species may be differentially sensitive to environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luther van der Mescht
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa.,Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Peter C le Roux
- Department of Plant Science, University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Conrad A Matthee
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Morgan J Raath
- Department of Plant Science, University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Sonja Matthee
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa.
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Jacob J, Ylönen H, Singleton GR. Spatial distribution of feral house mice during a population eruption. ECOSCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/11956860.2004.11682805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Vadell MV, Villafañe IEG, Cavia R. Are life-history strategies of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) and house mice (Mus musculus) dependent on environmental characteristics? WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2014. [DOI: 10.1071/wr14005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context Life-history theory attempts to explain the way in which an organism is adapted to its environment as well as explaining the differences in life-history strategies among and within species. Aims The aim of this paper was to compare life-history traits of the Norway rat and the house mouse living in different habitats and geographic regions so as to find patterns related to environmental characteristics on the basis of published ecological studies conducted before 2011. Methods The environments where rodent populations lived were characterised according to climate type, occurrence of freezing temperatures and frost, degree of anthropisation and trapping location. Four demographic characteristics were analysed. A canonical correspondence analysis was performed to explain the effects of environmental variables on the demographic characteristics of rodents. Information was gathered from 35 articles published between 1945 and 2010. Key results Most populations of both species showed differences in abundance throughout the year, but no defined pattern was common among populations. The pregnancy rate of Norway rat was highest during spring and autumn in urban environments, during spring and winter in rural environments and during summer in sylvan habitats. House mouse populations were most frequently reported to experience high pregnancy rates during summer. Contrary to urban and rural populations, in sylvan environments the occurrence of a reproductive break was the most commonly reported pattern for both species. Litter size of Norway rat depended on the degree of anthropisation and the occurrence of freezing temperatures and frost. Litter size was greater in rural environments and in areas without freezing temperatures and frost. House mouse did not show differences in litter size resulting from any of the environmental characteristics analysed. Conclusions Both species are able to modify their reproductive strategies according to environmental characteristics, especially according to the degree of anthropisation of the environment. In sylvan areas, where animals are more exposed to seasonal changes in weather conditions, changes in reproductive investment are more evident. Implications Regarding the implications for rodent control, the best time to apply control measures could be winter in sylvan and urban environments. In rural environments, the best time for conducting control efforts is less clear, although cold seasons seem also to be the best.
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Kelly LT, Dayman R, Nimmo DG, Clarke MF, Bennett AF. Spatial and temporal drivers of small mammal distributions in a semi-arid environment: The role of rainfall, vegetation and life-history. AUSTRAL ECOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luke T. Kelly
- Landscape Ecology Research Group; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood; Victoria; Australia
| | - Ray Dayman
- Office of Environment and Heritage; National Parks and Wildlife Service; Lower Darling Area; New South Wales; Australia
| | - Dale G. Nimmo
- Landscape Ecology Research Group; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood; Victoria; Australia
| | - Michael F. Clarke
- Department of Zoology; La Trobe University; Bundoora; Victoria; Australia
| | - Andrew F. Bennett
- Landscape Ecology Research Group; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood; Victoria; Australia
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30
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LEÓN VA, FRASCHINA J, GUIDOBONO JS, BUSCH M. Habitat use and demography ofMus musculusin a rural landscape of Argentina. Integr Zool 2012; 8 Suppl 1:18-29. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2012.00290.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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31
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Yan C, Xu L, Xu T, Cao X, Wang F, Wang S, Hao S, Yang H, Zhang Z. Agricultural irrigation mediates climatic effects and density dependence in population dynamics of Chinese striped hamster in North China Plain. J Anim Ecol 2012; 82:334-44. [PMID: 23030597 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2012.02037.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Several studies show that climatic (extrinsic) factors can interact with density-dependent (intrinsic) factors to alter long-term population dynamics, yet there is a surprising lack of investigations of how anthropogenic disturbance modifies such dynamics. Such interactions could be especially important in agricultural systems subject to climate change. We investigated the effects of density dependence, climate, recurrent disturbance from flood irrigation and their interactions on the population dynamics of an important rodent pest, the Chinese striped hamster (Cricetulus barabensis), over 27 years in the croplands of the North China Plain. Strong density-dependent feedbacks occurred at both annual and seasonal scales. While warmer weather increased population sizes in nonbreeding seasons, this effect was counteracted by the negative effect of flood irrigation in breeding seasons. Precipitation showed significant positive effects in nonbreeding seasons, but negative effects in breeding seasons. There were important interactions between intrinsic dynamics, extrinsic dynamics and disturbance. Low temperature significantly increased the strength of density dependence in nonbreeding seasons, whereas intensification of flood irrigation area significantly increased the strength of density dependence but reduced the effect of summer precipitation in breeding seasons. Overall climate change is expected to increase population levels, but anthropogenic disturbance from flood irrigation will help prevent long-term population increases. The interactions between anthropogenic disturbance and both intrinsic and extrinsic (weather-driven) population dynamics caution that we need to consider anthropogenic disturbance as an integral component of population responses to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management on Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Sundell J, Ylönen H. Specialist predator in a multi-species prey community: boreal voles and weasels. Integr Zool 2012; 3:51-63. [PMID: 21396051 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2008.00077.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Dissimilar vulnerabilities of different prey types and preferences of predators are factors likely to contribute to community dynamics. This may happen via differential individual properties of prey animals (e.g. vigilance, escape) or via habitat effects making hunting by a predator easier and more rewarding in some habitats, or both. Furthermore, community dynamics may be influenced by predator mediated apparent competition, in which an increase in one prey type has negative effects on another prey type indirectly via the shared predator. We summarize the current knowledge from the field in a model predator-prey system consisting of sympatric boreal vole species and their common specialist predator and review field studies using predator manipulation and studies on the responses of individuals in the laboratory and in outdoor enclosures. The vole species studied represent different prey types that are thought to have different vulnerabilities. Our observations on the main resident specialist predator, the least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis L.), show that it hunts according to prey availability and suitability of the hunting habitat. Prey voles respond to the presence of the predator behaviorally in various ways to avoid predation. We conclude that even if the least weasel is a specialized predator of small rodents it acts like a generalist predator within the small rodent guild and may facilitate the coexistence of prey species via predator switching. This may lead to interspecific synchrony between prey populations, which has often been observed. We suggest that the processes determining the community impact of predator-prey interactions are driven by the behavioral arms race between the predator and the prey, together with the habitat-dependent density of prey and net gain for the predator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne Sundell
- Metapopulation Research Group, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandKonnevesi Research Station, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Hannu Ylönen
- Metapopulation Research Group, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandKonnevesi Research Station, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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Ditchkoff SS, Jolley DB, Sparklin BD, Hanson LB, Mitchell MS, Grand JB. Reproduction in a population of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) subjected to lethal control. J Wildl Manage 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Zub K, Jędrzejewska B, Jędrzejewski W, Bartoń KA. Cyclic voles and shrews and non-cyclic mice in a marginal grassland within European temperate forest. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 57:205-216. [PMID: 22707756 PMCID: PMC3374125 DOI: 10.1007/s13364-012-0072-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic population dynamics of small mammals are not restricted to the boreal and arctic zones of Eurasia and North America, but long-term data series from lower latitudes are still less common. We demonstrated here the presence of periodic oscillations in small mammal populations in eastern Poland using 22-year (1986–2007) trapping data from marginal meadow and river valley grasslands located in the extensive temperate woodland of Białowieża Primeval Forest. The two most common species inhabiting meadows and river valleys, root vole Microtus oeconomus and common shrew Sorex araneus, exhibited synchronous periodic changes, characterised by a 3-year time lag as indicated by an autocorrelation function. Moreover, the cycles of these two species were synchronous within both habitats. Population dynamics of the striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius was not cyclic. However, this species regularly reached maximum density 1 year before the synchronized peak of root voles and common shrews, which may suggest the existence of interspecific competition. Dynamics of all three species was dominated by direct density-dependent process, whereas delayed density dependent feedback was significant only in the root vole and common shrew. Climatic factors acting in winter and spring (affecting mainly survival and initial reproduction rates) were more important than those acting in summer and autumn and affected significantly only the common shrew. High temperatures in winter and spring had positive effects on autumn-to-autumn changes in abundance of this species, whereas deep snow in combination with high rainfall in spring negatively affected population increase rates in common shrew.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Zub
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland
| | - B. Jędrzejewska
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland
| | - W. Jędrzejewski
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland
| | - K. A. Bartoń
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland
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Kaboodvandpour S, Leung LKP. Managing crop damage caused by house mice (Mus domesticus) in Australia. Integr Zool 2012; 5:2-14. [PMID: 21392317 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2010.00188.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A large-scale outbreak of the house mouse populations occurs in grain growing in Australia on average once every four years. High densities of mice cause major yield losses to cereal crops, and low to moderate densities of mice also cause some losses. Several predictive models based on rainfall patterns have been developed to forecast mouse density. These models carry some uncertainty and the economic value of basing management actions on these models is not clear. Baiting is the most commonly used method and zinc phosphide and other rodenticide bait are effective in reducing up to 90% of mouse populations. Ecologically-based best farming practice for controlling mice has recently been developed on the basis of long-term field studies of mouse populations. No effective biological control method has been developed for mice. However, grain growers still cannot make economically rational decisions to implement control because they do not know the pest threshold density (D(T)) above which the economic benefits of control exceed the economic costs of control. Applied predator-prey theory suggests that understanding the relationship between mouse density and damage is the basis for determining D(T). Understanding this relationship is the first research priority for managing mouse damage. The other research priority is to develop a reliable method to estimate unbiased mouse density.
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Simone I, Provensal C, Polop J. Habitat use by corn mice (Calomys musculinus) in cropfield borders of agricultural ecosystems in Argentina. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2012. [DOI: 10.1071/wr11065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Calomys musculinus (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) is a small rodent species widely distributed in Argentina and particularly abundant in agroecosystems of the Pampean region, where it is known to select border habitats over cropfields.
Aims
The aim of the present research was to assess habitat use by C. musculinus in cropfield borders. Assuming that the number of rodent captures in each border reflects the intensity of use, we intended to identify the habitat characteristics that would account for abundance differences among borders.
Methods
Seasonal trapping sessions were carried out in borders of the rural zone of Chucul, Córdoba. Environmental variables were registered from both field surveys and remote-sensing imagery. Generalised linear models were used to identify the habitat variables associated with C. musculinus habitat use.
Key results
General fit of the models was fairly good; spring, summer and autumn models explained more than 55% of the variation in C. musculinus abundance among borders. Individual plant species were significant predictors of C. musculinus abundance, but they varied with seasons, whereas tree cover and border width were significant predictors in most seasons studied. In general, rodent abundance was positively associated with peanut and maize crops or maize stubbles and negatively related to soybean or its stubbles. In the coldest seasons, rodent abundance increased with increasing land-surface temperature of the border.
Conclusions
Border use by C. musculinus appeared to respond to differences in border quality, which seems to be more affected by those environmental characteristics that entail a reduction of the predatory risk rather than by those that involve food supply. Crop-fields may partially afford C. musculinus food requirements.
Implications
Because C. musculinus is the natural reservoir of a zoonotic agent, the identification of the habitat characteristics affecting rodent population numbers in borders may be of crucial importance for the implementation of ecologically based rodent-management strategies aimed at reducing human–rodent contacts. We suggest that wide borders, particularly those contiguous to maize and peanut cropfields, should be understood as priority sites for the implementation of specific control actions.
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Eccard JA, Jokinen I, Ylönen H. Loss of density-dependence and incomplete control by dominant breeders in a territorial species with density outbreaks. BMC Ecol 2011; 11:16. [PMID: 21726437 PMCID: PMC3141362 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6785-11-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2011] [Accepted: 07/04/2011] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A territory as a prerequisite for breeding limits the maximum number of breeders in a given area, and thus lowers the proportion of breeders if population size increases. However, some territorially breeding animals can have dramatic density fluctuations and little is known about the change from density-dependent processes to density-independence of breeding during a population increase or an outbreak. We suggest that territoriality, breeding suppression and its break-down can be understood with an incomplete-control model, developed for social breeders and social suppression. Results We studied density dependence in an arvicoline species, the bank vole, known as a territorial breeder with cyclic and non-cyclic density fluctuations and periodically high densities in different parts of its range. Our long-term data base from 38 experimental populations in large enclosures in boreal grassland confirms that breeding rates are density-regulated at moderate densities, probably by social suppression of subordinate potential breeders. We conducted an experiment, were we doubled and tripled this moderate density under otherwise the same conditions and measured space use, mortality, reproduction and faecal stress hormone levels (FGM) of adult females. We found that mortality did not differ among the densities, but the regulation of the breeding rate broke down: at double and triple densities all females were breeding, while at the low density the breeding rate was regulated as observed before. Spatial overlap among females increased with density, while a minimum territory size was maintained. Mean stress hormone levels were higher in double and triple densities than at moderate density. Conclusions At low and moderate densities, breeding suppression by the dominant breeders, But above a density-threshold (similar to a competition point), the dominance of breeders could not be sustained (incomplete control). In our experiment, this point was reached after territories could not shrink any further, while the number of intruders continued to increase with increasing density. Probably suppression becomes too costly for the dominants, and increasing number of other breeders reduces the effectiveness of threats. In wild populations, crossing this threshold would allow for a rapid density increase or population outbreaks, enabling territorial species to escape density-dependency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana A Eccard
- Animal Ecology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 1, 14469 Potsdam, Germany.
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Cory F, Wilson A, Priddel D, Carlile N, Klomp N. Eradication of the House Mouse (Mus musculus) from Montague Island, New South Wales, Australia. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2011.00583.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Carthey AJR, Bytheway JP, Banks PB. Negotiating a noisy, information-rich environment in search of cryptic prey: olfactory predators need patchiness in prey cues. J Anim Ecol 2011; 80:742-52. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2011.01817.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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My Phung NT, Brown PR, Leung LKP. The diet of the female ricefield rat, Rattus argentiventer, influences their breeding performance in a mixed rice cropping ecosystem in An Giang province, the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2011. [DOI: 10.1071/wr10180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
The ricefield rat, Rattus argentiventer, is the main rodent pest of rice in Vietnam, causing annual pre-harvest rice losses of around 10%. Although its diet is reported to consist of mainly rice, other components might also be important, and it is not known whether its breeding performance is affected by the quality and/or quantity of food. Furthermore, if its breeding is synchronised with the growth of rice crops, the rats will be able to make full use of the food supply to produce offspring. This knowledge is necessary for developing improved strategies for managing this pest.
Aims
This study aimed to determine whether the breeding performance of female R. argentiventer is responding to food quality (increased percentage of rice in stomach) and/or quantity (increased weight of stomach content) or whether its breeding is synchronised with the growth of rice crops.
Methods
The stomach contents and breeding condition of 296 adult female rats were sampled by snap trapping once a month from October 2008 to December 2009 over three consecutive irrigated lowland rice crops fields to cover a range of rice growth stages in An Giang province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Key results
Overall, rice formed 70.5% ± 2.0 s.e. in the diet, followed by green material (25.9% ± 1.9 s.e.), insects (3.1% ± 0.6 s.e.) and mung bean (0.5% ± 0.3 s.e.). The probability of breeding increased with increasing mean percentage of rice in the diet: Pr(Breed) = 1/(1 + exp(0.6395–0.0090 × Rice)). However, this relationship was not consistent because breeding performance was high at the heading stage when the percentage of rice in the stomach was low and because breeding intensity was low at sowing when the percentage of rice in stomach was high. The rice growth stage is a better predictor for the breeding performance than the percentage of rice in the diet.
Conclusions
Breeding was driven by a functional response of rats to the abundant supply of food quality (rice grain), modified by some unknown mechanisms that modifies this response of rats so that rats can anticipate food supply. Understanding the nature of this mechanism may provide insights into population processes that can be exploited in controlling rats in rice crops.
Implications
Farmers could slow the reproductive rate of female R. argentiventer by reducing the food quantity through minimising the amount of spilt grain left in the field and through more synchronous cropping.
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Ergon T, Ergon R, Begon M, Telfer S, Lambin X. Delayed density-dependent onset of spring reproduction in a fluctuating population of field voles. OIKOS 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2010.18983.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Kelly LT, Nimmo DG, Spence-Bailey LM, Clarke MF, Bennett AF. The short-term responses of small mammals to wildfire in semiarid mallee shrubland, Australia. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2010. [DOI: 10.1071/wr10016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context. Wildfire is a major driver of the structure and function of mallee eucalypt- and spinifex-dominated landscapes. Understanding how fire influences the distribution of biota in these fire-prone environments is essential for effective ecological and conservation-based management.
Aims. We aimed to (1) determine the effects of an extensive wildfire (118 000 ha) on a small mammal community in the mallee shrublands of semiarid Australia and (2) assess the hypothesis that the fire-response patterns of small mammals can be predicted by their life-history characteristics.
Methods. Small-mammal surveys were undertaken concurrently at 26 sites: once before the fire and on four occasions following the fire (including 14 sites that remained unburnt). We documented changes in small-mammal occurrence before and after the fire, and compared burnt and unburnt sites. In addition, key components of vegetation structure were assessed at each site.
Key results. Wildfire had a strong influence on vegetation structure and on the occurrence of small mammals. The mallee ningaui, Ningaui yvonneae, a dasyurid marsupial, showed a marked decline in the immediate post-fire environment, corresponding with a reduction in hummock-grass cover in recently burnt vegetation. Species richness of native small mammals was positively associated with unburnt vegetation, although some species showed no clear response to wildfire.
Conclusions. Our results are consistent with the contention that mammal responses to fire are associated with their known life-history traits. The species most strongly affected by wildfire, N. yvonneae, has the most specific habitat requirements and restricted life history of the small mammals in the study area. The only species positively associated with recently burnt vegetation, the introduced house mouse, Mus domesticus, has a flexible life history and non-specialised resource requirements.
Implications. Maintaining sources for recolonisation after large-scale wildfires will be vital to the conservation of native small mammals in mallee ecosystems.
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Shibata F, Kawamichi T. Female-biased sex allocation of offspring by an Apodemus mouse in an unstable environment. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2009; 63:1307-1317. [PMID: 19554103 PMCID: PMC2699390 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-009-0772-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2008] [Revised: 03/18/2009] [Accepted: 05/03/2009] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of population fluctuation on the offspring's sex allocation by a weakly polygynous mouse, Apodemus argenteus, for 3 years. In acorn-poor seasons, heavier mothers invested more in sons, and lighter mothers invested more in daughters. In acorn-rich seasons, heavier mothers invested more in daughters, and lighter mothers invested more in sons. Maternal body condition and litter size affected the sex allocation. Furthermore, there was a maternal investment trade-off between a son's birth mass and the number of daughters. Based upon the effect of population fluctuation on the lifetime reproductive success of each sex, we proposed the new "safe bet hypothesis". This hypothesis predicts that frequent and unpredictable change in female distribution, which is often caused by abrupt fall in food condition, favors female-biased maternal investment to offspring by polygynous mammals and is applicable to many small mammals inhabiting in unstable environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihito Shibata
- Department of Biology, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, 558-8585 Japan
- Wakayama Shin’ai Women’s Junior College, Sozaka 702-2, Wakayama, 640-0341 Japan
| | - Takeo Kawamichi
- Department of Biology, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, 558-8585 Japan
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MUTZE GREGORYJ. Changes in body condition and body size affect breeding and recruitment in fluctuating house mouse populations in south-eastern Australia. AUSTRAL ECOL 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2008.01929.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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STOKES VICKIL, BANKS PETERB, PECH ROGERP, WILLIAMS RICHARDL. Invasion byRattus rattusinto native coastal forests of south-eastern Australia: are native small mammals at risk? AUSTRAL ECOL 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2009.01941.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Hughes NK, Kelley JL, Banks PB. Receiving behaviour is sensitive to risks from eavesdropping predators. Oecologia 2009; 160:609-17. [PMID: 19363623 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-009-1320-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2008] [Accepted: 02/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Conspicuous signals may attract both intended receivers as well as unintended receivers such as predators. However, signalling individuals are not the only ones at risk when communicating, as the intended receiver may encounter eavesdropping predators that are attracted to the same signals. Here, we show that the house mouse (Mus domesticus) behaviourally responds to social signals (scents) as though receiving carries a risk of predation. We presented mice with their own scents (low social benefit to receiving) and those from an unknown "intruder" (high social benefit to receiving) under high (cat urine added) and low (water added) perceived predation risk. Mice traded-off the potential social benefits of receiving a signal against the costs of potential predator encounter. Receiving rates of both social signals (own and intruder) were high under low predation risk. Mice reduced receiving of both social signals when predation risk was increased; however, the effect was greater for their own low value scent than for the high social value intruder scent. Notably, rates of signalling did not vary with the level of perceived predation risk. Our findings suggest that mice traded-off the potential social benefits of receiving a signal (scent mark) against the costs of potential predator encounter. We suggest that, for some species, the costs of communication are borne more by the receivers than the signallers, and that the influence of risks to receivers on the design of communication systems may have been underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelika K Hughes
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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ANDREO VERÓNICA, PROVENSAL CECILIA, SCAVUZZO MARCELO, LAMFRI MARIO, POLOP JAIME. Environmental factors and population fluctuations ofAkodon azarae(Muridae: Sigmodontinae) in central Argentina. AUSTRAL ECOL 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2008.01889.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Waudby HP. Population characteristics of house mice (Mus musculus) on southern Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2009. [DOI: 10.1071/am08021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Seasonal population characteristics of house mice (Mus musculus), including the effect of season on body mass, were studied at Innes National Park, southern Yorke Peninsula. Mice were caught with Elliott traps, ear-notched, and released. Over 1550 trap-nights (January to December 2006, excluding May), 202 mice were caught. The overall capture success rate was 13.03 mice per 100 trap-nights. The recapture rate was 42.57%. Body mass of adult house mice varied significantly among seasons (P = 0.009). In particular, mouse body mass varied between autumn and winter (P = 0.018), and spring and winter (P = 0.023). The body mass of mice captured in autumn and then recaptured in winter was also significantly different (P = 0.006). This study is the first published for M. musculus population characteristics on Yorke Peninsula and adds to the relatively limited information available on house mouse populations in non-agricultural habitats.
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