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Population Dynamics of Cotton Rats (Sigmodon hispidus) Inhabiting Abandoned Petroleum Landfarms in Oklahoma, USA

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Abstract

Previous work by our group has shown bioaccumulation of contaminants and alterations in the immune system of hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) inhabiting petrochemical waste sites (landfarms). We studied populations of cotton rats inhabiting petrochemical landfarms or uncontaminated reference sites. Cotton rat populations inhabiting abandoned landfarms experienced reduced summer population densities and lower mean monthly survival, with maximum densities 65% that of populations inhabiting non-contaminated grassland (reference) sites. Survival was lower in populations from landfarms (0.62±0.04) compared to reference sites (0.75±0.04), with differences most notable during summer months. Cotton rat populations sampled from landfarms had even sex ratios and a lower proportion of juveniles compared to populations from reference sites. No differences were observed in the weight of epididymides, testes, uteri, or ovaries, and no differences in fecundity were detected among sites.

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Acknowledgments

The research in this manuscript was funded by USEPA, Office of Research and Development, grant R826242-01-0. However, it has not been subjected to the Agency’s required peer and policy review and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred. We thank Gary White, Dave Anderson, and Ken Burnham for their help in developing models for use in program MARK, and Dan Rafferty, Eric Webb, Terry Coffey, Karen Anderson, and Charlotte Deerenberg for their help in trapping.

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Author notes

  1. James A. Wilson

    Present address: Wildlife & Fish Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

  2. David M. Janz

    Present address: Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5B4, Saskatoon, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

    James A. Wilson, Robert L. Lochmiller & David M. Janz

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  1. James A. Wilson
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  2. Robert L. Lochmiller
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Correspondence to James A. Wilson.

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Wilson, J.A., Lochmiller, R.L. & Janz, D.M. Population Dynamics of Cotton Rats (Sigmodon hispidus) Inhabiting Abandoned Petroleum Landfarms in Oklahoma, USA. Ecotoxicology 15, 19–30 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-005-0053-1

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