Opportunistic reproduction by white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) provided with supplemental food
The role of food supply in determining P. leucopus habitat suitability was investigated in xeric upland (oak-pine) forest habitat, which previously has been shown to be relatively unfavorable for white-footed mice in summer. Food (Purina 5001 lab chow) was available to mice that visited feeders placed at 40 m intervals on two of four one-ha trapping grids. Grids were censused by trapping for three consecutive days prior to and following the treatment period, which occurred for about 30 days in July 1981. Population density increased on food supplied relative to control grids following treatment, but not significantly so. Adult sex ratio was nearer to unity in food augmented areas compared with control areas, which tended to yield more males than females. Significantly greater proportions of adult males and females were reproductive in food supplied relative to control areas after the treatment period. The results suggest that upland habitat is relatively food deficient in summer, and that the habitat occurrence of breeding P. leucopus depends in part on food supply. The significance of these findings for population organization and regulation in this species is discussed. 26 references, 1 figure, 2 tables.
- Research Organization:
- State Univ. of New York, Stony Brook (USA). Dept. of Ecology and Evolution
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 5888411
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-51823; ON: DE85007561
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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