Natal dispersal and philopatry in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) in relation to population density, season, and natal social environment

1993 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty McGuire ◽  
LowellL. Getz ◽  
JoyceE. Hofmann ◽  
Theresa Pizzuto ◽  
Barbara Frase
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Natal Dispersal ◽  
Prairie Voles

scholarly journals Wheel access has opposing effects on stress physiology depending on social environment in female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

Stress ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Jarcho ◽  
Neal McNeal ◽  
William Colburn ◽  
Marigny C. Normann ◽  
W. Tang Watanasriyakul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Environment ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Stress Physiology ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Opposing Effects

The winter immunoenhancement hypothesis: associations among immunity, density, and survival in prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) populations

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Sinclair ◽  
R L Lochmiller
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
T Cell Proliferation ◽  
Immune Responsiveness ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Prairie Voles

Seasonal variations in photoperiod, temperature, and population density have been shown to modulate immune responsiveness of animals in laboratory studies. To examine these associations under natural conditions, we monitored 3 populations of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) for temporal variations in selected immunological parameters, population density, and survival rate from winter 1996 to spring 1997. Spontaneous and cytokine-stimulated T-cell proliferative responsiveness of prairie voles peaked in winter and declined in spring. Relative organ mass, hemolytic-complement activity, and in vivo hypersensitivity responses varied temporally but showed no clear seasonal trend. The population density and survival rate of all 3 prairie vole populations varied temporally and correlated with measures of immunity. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the model containing relative spleen mass, cytokine-stimulated T-cell proliferation, and in vivo hypersensitivity explained a significant amount of variability in population density, while cytokine-stimulated T-cell proliferation and relative thymus mass explained a significant amount of variability in survival rate. The results suggest that seasonal environmental changes can enhance immune responsiveness of a host and may counteract the immunoenhancing effects of photoperiod in wild populations of prairie voles. Our results also suggest that there is an association between immune function and demography in wild populations.

Potential for social interaction in a natural population of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty McGuire ◽  
Theresa Pizzuto ◽  
Lowell L. Getz
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Resident Group

Many hypotheses on the role of social behavior in population regulation of microtine rodents assume that social interactions are more frequent at high density than at low density. We evaluated this assumption by measuring potential for social contact in a population of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Our livetrapping regime monitored presence of resident and nonresident animals at the periphery of home ranges of social groups. Resident adults and young of both sexes were captured at home range boundaries. Potential for social interaction with nonresidents was greater at the periphery of home ranges than at nests. Intruders tended to be male adults from neighboring social groups. Presence of adult males in the resident group played an important role in deterring visits by nonresident males. During the spring, summer, and autumn reproductive period, number of captures of nonresident males, but not females, showed a strong positive relationship with population density. Despite relatively high densities during the winter nonreproductive period, there were few captures of residents and nonresidents at the periphery of home ranges. We conclude that the relationship between potential for social interaction and population density varied as a function of sex and season.

Communal nesting in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster): formation, composition, and persistence of communal groups

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lowell L. Getz ◽  
Betty McGuire
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Snow Cover ◽  
Prairie Vole ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Single Female ◽  
Opposite Sex ◽  
Female Pair

We describe factors related to the formation, composition, and persistence of communal groups in the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). Communal groups formed by the addition of philopatric offspring and unrelated adults to male – female pair and single-female breeding units. Although unrelated adults did not join a group until at least two philopatric offspring 30 days of age were present, there was no relationship between the presence of reproductively active philopatric offspring of the opposite sex and joining of unrelated adults. Most adults that joined a group were reproductive when they joined. Reproductive activation of philopatric offspring was not related to the joining of unrelated adults. During the breeding period all communal groups included 1 or more reproductive adults of each sex; in at least 75% of the groups, 2 or more adults of each sex were reproductive. There was no relationship between low temperature, snow cover, or population density and formation of communal groups. Dissolution of communal groups was not related to reproductive activation of residents.

scholarly journals Chronic Intranasal Oxytocin has Dose-dependent Effects on Central Oxytocin and Vasopressin Systems in Prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

Neuroscience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 369 ◽  
pp. 292-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.D. Guoynes ◽  
T.C. Simmons ◽  
G.M. Downing ◽  
S. Jacob ◽  
M. Solomon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Dose Dependent

Do prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) change their activity and space use in response to domestic cat (Felis catus) excreta?

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Keane ◽  
Phillip J. Long ◽  
Yasmeen Fleifil ◽  
Nancy G. Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Space Use ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Odor Cues ◽  
Risk Of Predation

AbstractBehavioral changes that reduce the risk of predation in response to predator-derived odor cues are widespread among mammalian taxa and have received a great deal of attention. Although voles of the genus Microtus are staples in the diet of many mammalian predators, including domestic cats (Felis catus), there are no previous studies on vole space utilization and activity levels in response to odor cues from domestic cats. Therefore, the objective of our study was to investigate responses of adult prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) living in semi-natural habitats to odor cues from domestic cat excreta. Contrary to expectations, neither adult males or females showed significant changes in space use or willingness to enter traps in response to cat odors. One hypothesis to explain our results are that prairie voles have not co-evolved with domestic cats long enough to respond to their odors. Other possible explanations include whether levels of odors in the environment were sufficient to trigger a response or that the perceived risk of predation from odor cues alone did not outweigh relative costs of changing space use and activity levels. Future studies should consider multiple factors when determining what cues are sufficient to elicit antipredatory behavior.

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