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Food, reproduction and survival in mice on sub-Antarctic Marion Island

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Abstract

The house mouse Mus musculus is the most widespread introduced mammal on sub-Antarctic islands, where it may alter ecosystem function. Ambient temperature and food availability affect reproduction and survival for mice. It is unclear how these factors influence mouse demography in the sub-Antarctic, and we tested the influence of food experimentally on Marion Island. Using food supplementation trials, we did not alter reproduction or overwinter survival. Alternatively, we argue ongoing climatic change on Marion could increase mouse densities through summer, while increased winter survival may reduce population growth rates the following summer through density dependence. The overall influence of these apposing forces depends on their relative strengths but may limit changes in mouse numbers with ongoing changes in climate in the sub-Antarctic.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the logistic and financial support provided by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the technical support provided by members of the 2000/2001 expeditions to Marion Island, particularly C. Louw.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa

    Rudi J. van Aarde & Tim P. Jackson

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  1. Rudi J. van Aarde
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  2. Tim P. Jackson
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Correspondence to Rudi J. van Aarde.

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Aarde, R.J.v., Jackson, T.P. Food, reproduction and survival in mice on sub-Antarctic Marion Island. Polar Biol 30, 503–511 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-006-0209-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-006-0209-3

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