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Size and growth characteristics of dispersing voles, Microtus townsendii

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Summary

In a peak population of Microtus townsendii, adults and subadults dispersed during the spring decline, and subadults and juveniles dispersed during the summer and fall. Voles born in the spring dispersed before the start of the next year's breeding season, whereas fall-born voles dispersed during the next year's breeding season. Voles under 50 g, when they dispersed, had faster growth rates than similar-sized residents, but voles over 59 g, when they dispersed, had slower growth rates than similar-sized residents. Dispersing and resident voles 50–59 g had no consistent trend in growth rates.

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Author notes

  1. Terry D. Beacham

    Present address: Marine Fish Division, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, P.O. Box 1006, B2Y 4A2, Dartmouth, N.S., Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Animal Resource Ecology, University of British Columbia, 2075 Wesbrook Place, V6T 1W5, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Terry D. Beacham

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  1. Terry D. Beacham
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Beacham, T.D. Size and growth characteristics of dispersing voles, Microtus townsendii . Oecologia 42, 1–10 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347613

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347613

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