Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2019
Publication Title
Banisteria: A Journal Devoted to the Natural History of Virginia
Volume
53
Pages
3-10
Abstract
The Eastern Harvest Mouse, Reithrodontomys humulis, has been studied extensively in southeastern Virginia since 1979, using a combination of live and pitfall trapping methods. This smallest rodent of eastern North America also is one of most versatile, occupying a range of habitats in southeastern Virginia from old fields in different stages of succession, brushy edges, and forests of different types. As with other species of Reithrodontomys, R. humulis often is associated with the Hispid Cotton Rat, Sigmodon hispidus, with both reaching modest densities in old fields. Two capture-mark-release studies of small mammal communities in southern Chesapeake lasting eight and nine years revealed that the Eastern Harvest Mouse was third in total abundance, behind Hispid Cotton Rat and Meadow Vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus, as old fields transitioned into forests. Multiple field studies using pitfall traps in a range of habitats in southeastern Virginia also indicated that harvest mice often arrive early in succession and stay later than other rodents.
Rights
© 2019 Virginia Natural History Society
Original Publication Citation
Rose, R. K. (2019). Natural history of the eastern harvest mouse in southeastern Virginia. Banisteria: A Journal Devoted to the Natural History of Virginia, 53, 3-10. http://virginianaturalhistorysociety.com/banisteria/banisteria.htm#ban53
Repository Citation
Rose, Robert K., "Natural History of the Eastern Harvest Mouse in Southeastern Virginia" (2019). Biological Sciences Faculty Publications. 432.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/biology_fac_pubs/432
ORCID
0000-0001-9341-1615 (Rose)
Included in
Biodiversity Commons, Biology Commons, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Zoology Commons