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Demographic responses of house mice to density and temperature on sub-Antarctic Marion Island

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Abstract

Recent changes in the climate of the sub-Antarctic may influence the number of house mouse (Mus musculus sensu lato) living on islands in the region. An increase in mouse numbers, as conditions became milder, could amplify the effects of climate change on native prey species. However, we have no direct evidence of the influence of climate on mouse numbers in the sub-Antarctic. We, therefore, assessed demographic trends in the mouse population on Marion Island between 1991 and 2001. Both the climate and mouse numbers were relatively stable during our study. Mice, however, increased their reproductive output in years when ambient temperatures were relatively high. Moreover, reduced reproductive output followed high densities at the onset of a breeding season, implying density-dependent limitation. We conclude that both temperature and density limited the increase in numbers during the summer breeding season. Major die-offs during winter probably limit population size and explain the relative stability in numbers across the 10 years of our study.

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Acknowledgments

The South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the University of Pretoria supported this project logistically and financially. We are grateful for field assistance provided by Jaco Delport, DG Erasmus, Jo Fourie, Rob Guldemond, Tim Jackson, Anina Koekemoer, Paddy Kuun, Charles Louw, Donald Matthewson, Lukas Niemandt, and Jaco van Wyk at various stages of the project. The comments of three anonymous referees added to the quality of the typescript.

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  1. S. M. Ferreira

    Present address: Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

  2. T. D. Wassenaar

    Present address: African Wilderness Restoration, PO Box 11997, Klein Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    S. M. Ferreira, R. J. van Aarde & T. D. Wassenaar

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  1. S. M. Ferreira
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  2. R. J. van Aarde
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  3. T. D. Wassenaar
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Correspondence to R. J. van Aarde.

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Ferreira, S.M., van Aarde, R.J. & Wassenaar, T.D. Demographic responses of house mice to density and temperature on sub-Antarctic Marion Island. Polar Biol 30, 83–94 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-006-0163-0

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