Date of Award

Spring 2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biological Sciences

Program/Concentration

Biology

Committee Director

Robert K. Rose

Committee Member

A. Scott Bellows

Committee Member

Deborah Waller

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.B46 B45 2010

Abstract

From Dec 2002-Feb 2008, a capture-mark-release study was conducted on 2 Chesapeake, Virginia populations of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). The study sites were effectively 1 ha grids in old fields. Two modified live Fitch-type traps were placed at 12.5 m intervals on grids that were trapped for 3 days each month. In northern North America, voles have distinct breeding cohorts (spring and autumn), experience autumn and winter weight loss, demonstrate both delayed growth and sexual maturation in autumn-born young, have lifespans less than 15 weeks, and average about 35-50 g as adults. Chesapeake voles bred year-round, experienced no seasonal weight loss, autumn-born young exhibited no delayed growth or sexual maturation, lived over 20 weeks, and nearly 20% weighed over 70 g. The longest-lived vole was an 80-week-old male. The heaviest voles were over 90 g and present in late autumn and winter at both sites. Body growth dynamics were different between grids, with voles from 1 grid having lower mean masses (≈52 g) and growth rates (≈1.5g/month), but longer lifespans (≈26 weeks). Voles from the other grid had higher mean masses (≈54 g) and growth rates (≈3g/month), but shorter lifespans (≈21 weeks).

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DOI

10.25777/mpj7-7m92

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