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Movement and spatial organization of small mammals following vertebrate predator exclusion

  • Behavioural Ecology
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Abstract

Predation directly changes the demographics of prey, generally through a numerical decrease. An indirect effect of predators is alteration of movements and spatial patterns of prey. The relationship between these direct and indirect effects can be tested by excluding predators. Home range size of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) decreased and home range overlaps increased in the absence of predators. Home range size and overlaps of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) did not change despite an increase in vole density. P. leucopus had significantly lower interspecific home range overlaps with M. pennsylvanicus than intraspecific overlaps. The changes in P. leucopus spatial behavior may be an indirect effect of predator exclusion resulting from the increase in M. pennsylvanicus densities.

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Acknowledgements

I am grateful to Dr. Peter Meserve who provided continuous and diverse support throughout this investigation. Special thanks goes to Lynda Randa for untiring assistance in the field and support with both research and making graduate school enjoyable. Peter Meserve, Ed Miller, and Lynda Randa offered valuable comments that helped improve the manuscript. Doug Cooper, Victor Lagos, and John Bell provided valuable field assistance. Bruce Patterson, Sam Scheiner, Paul Sörensen, and Carl von Ende provided support and advice during the design, implementation, and synthesis of the research. Fifteen undergraduate students, in particular Cara Joos, assisted with a variety of different field and laboratory aspects of the investigation. Rod Walton coordinated activity with Fermilab and helped obtain funding and establish a permanent field site. Funding for this project was provided by the Department of Energy (MO-RS023), Sigma Xi, the Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, the Graduate School, Northern Illinois University, and the Environmental Biology Program, Governors State University. All research was approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee; state permits were obtained for the trapping.

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  1. John A. Yunger

    Present address: Environmental Biology Program, Governors State University, University Park, IL 60466, USA

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  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA

    John A. Yunger

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Yunger, J.A. Movement and spatial organization of small mammals following vertebrate predator exclusion. Oecologia 139, 647–654 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-004-1534-2

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