Microhabitat Use by Golden Mice (Ochrotomys Nuttalli) and White-footed Mice (Peromyscus Leucopus) in Southern Illinois

Microhabitat Use by Golden Mice (Ochrotomys Nuttalli) and White-footed Mice (Peromyscus Leucopus) in Southern Illinois
Author: Amy S. Cross
Publisher:
Total Pages: 101
Release: 2013
Genre:
ISBN:

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Similarities between golden mice (Ochrotomys nuttalli ) and white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus ) have been well-studied in both field and laboratory settings. Often sympatric, these species share similar habitat, as well as other resources, yet previous researchers have found little evidence for interspecific competition. Niche partitioning may reduce direct competition through specialization of resource use. Although the golden mouse is considered a resource specialist, it is likely that the degree of habitat specialization differs by locality, and thus, the degree of interspecific competition with similar species is variable. To determine the extent to which microhabitat use differs between golden mice and white-footed mice, I measured 16 and 15 microhabitat variables during the leaf-on and leaf-off seasons, respectively, in Jackson County, Illinois. Trapping took place on 3 grids from March 2010 to September 2011. The ratio of individual golden mice (n = 74) to white-footed mice (n = 85) was unusually high during this study. Microhabitat use models were constructed for both species during both seasons using logistic regression by comparing microhabitat at trapping stations where each species was captured vs. stations without captures. Few variables described habitat occupied by golden mice. Overall, dense vegetation up to 2.0 m was most important for golden mice and ground-level structures such as logs were most important for white-footed mice. Captures and noncaptures were predicted with a high degree of accuracy by logistic regression (81.5-90.3%). Discriminant function analysis was used to identify which microhabitat variables optimally discriminated between habitat used by golden mice, white-footed mice, and neither species. More variables discriminated between species during the leaf-on season than the leaf-off season although discriminating variables during leaf-off were more important overall. Habitat where either species was captured was combined and compared against habitat where no mice were captured; microhabitat used by mice was statistically distinct within the study area. Captures and noncaptures were classified correctly more than would be expected by chance by discriminant function analysis but moderate classification success values indicated microhabitat differences between species were subtle. Microhabitat and elevated trap use varied between seasons for both species, but neither species used ground or elevated traps more than expected during the leaf-on season. Spatial segregation was more apparent during the leaf-off season when golden mice used elevated traps more than expected and white-footed mice used ground traps more than expected. Overall results suggest that golden mice exhibited a great deal of plasticity in microhabitat use seasonally, and are more habitat generalists than previous literature would suggest. Although some spatial segregation was apparent between golden mice and white-footed mice, there was no evidence for avoidance between species, which implies a lack of interference competition. It is likely that other life-history factors (such as metabolic rate, nest building, or sociality) in combination with microhabitat and vertical partitioning allow coexistence between these species rather than microhabitat segregation alone.

Habitat Use by Golden Mice (Ochrotomys Nuttalli) and White-footed Mice (Peromyscus Leucopus) in Southern Illinois

Habitat Use by Golden Mice (Ochrotomys Nuttalli) and White-footed Mice (Peromyscus Leucopus) in Southern Illinois
Author: Amy S. Cross
Publisher:
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2013
Genre:
ISBN:

Download Habitat Use by Golden Mice (Ochrotomys Nuttalli) and White-footed Mice (Peromyscus Leucopus) in Southern Illinois Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Similarities between golden mice (Ochrotomys nuttalli ) and white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus ) have been well-studied in both field and laboratory settings. Often sympatric, these species share similar habitat, as well as other resources, yet previous researchers have found little evidence for interspecific competition. Niche partitioning may reduce direct competition through specialization of resource use. Although the golden mouse is considered a resource specialist, it is likely that the degree of habitat specialization differs by locality, and thus, the degree of interspecific competition with similar species is variable. Overall results suggest that golden mice exhibited a great deal of plasticity in microhabitat use seasonally, and are more habitat generalists than previous literature would suggest. Although some spatial segregation was apparent between golden mice and white-footed mice, there was no evidence for avoidance between species, which implies a lack of interference competition. It is likely that other life-history factors (such as metabolic rate, nest building, or sociality) in combination with microhabitat and vertical partitioning allow coexistence between these species rather than microhabitat segregation alone.

Interspecific Competition and Microhabitat Selection in the Golden Mouse (Ochrotomys Nuttalli)

Interspecific Competition and Microhabitat Selection in the Golden Mouse (Ochrotomys Nuttalli)
Author: Jay Bradley Hubert
Publisher:
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2011
Genre:
ISBN:

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The golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli ), a state-threatened species in Illinois, is sympatric throughout most of its geographic range with the ubiquitous white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus ). The degree of interspecific competitive interaction between these species has been investigated by previous researchers, with often conflicting results. The author live trapped and marked both species on two grids from 21 May 2008 through 8 May 2009. One grid was the control area; from the second grid the author removed white-footed mice. Habitat on the grids was very similar for six measured habitat variables. The objectives were to document the extent of competition between the two species as indicated by a population density or behavioral response of golden mice to removal of white-footed mice on the experimental grid, and to determine if white-footed mouse presence or habitat variables affected the capture of golden mice. The results illustrate a spatially segregated habitat with competitively superior white-footed mice dominating the ground level microhabitat and golden mice staying predominantly in elevated microhabitat. The author's study, and others, demonstrate that golden mice in southern Illinois are likely habitat generalists (Morzillo et al., 2003), competitively inferior to Peromyscus (Feldhamer and Maycroft, 1992), and excluded from certain microhabitat; although it may be they actually prefer different microhabitats.

The Golden Mouse

The Golden Mouse
Author: Gary W. Barrett
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2008-01-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0387336664

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If you’re thinking of Jason and the Argonauts, think again. In this book, the golden mouse is used as a model to explore conceptual issues in ecology across all levels of organization from organism to landscape, integrating reductionist and holistic ecological science. Through intensive study of a single species, the authors demonstrate biological and ecological information applicable to many fields, including conservation and resource management.

Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science

Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science
Author: Illinois State Academy of Science
Publisher:
Total Pages: 398
Release: 2001
Genre: Science
ISBN:

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Vol. 1 covers the organizational meeting, Springfield, Dec. 7, 1907, and the first regular meeting, Decatur, Feb. 22, 1908.

Transactions

Transactions
Author: Illinois State Academy of Science
Publisher:
Total Pages: 598
Release: 1992
Genre: Science
ISBN:

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