REPP. 1986. Laboratory and field evidence for the avoidance of California voles (Microtus californicus) by western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis). Can. J . Zool. 64: 1530-1534.The hypothesis that western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis) would avoid the scent of large, behaviorally dominant California voles (Microtus californicus) was investigated in both laboratory and field experiments. Reithrodontomys megalotis chose to build nests in boxes containing clean pine shavings rather than those bearing the odors of M. californicus when presented with a choice in the laboratory. Microtus californicus were indifferent to R. megalotis odors. Both species were strongly attracted to conspecific odors. When presented with pairs of clean live traps and traps bearing California vole scent in the field, R. megalotis were captured at significantly greater frequency in the clean traps. This response was strongest when harvest mice were in breeding condition. Results of this study support the hypothesis that interspecific avoidance of voles by harvest mice is a likely mechanism contributing to spatial separation between these species at high vole densities. HESKE, E. J., et J. M. REPP. 1986. Laboratory and field evidence for the avoidance of California voles (Microtus californicus) by western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis). Can. J. Zool. 64: 1530-1534. Des experiences en laboratoire et en nature ont permis de mettre a l'epreuve l'hypothese selon laquelle les souris des moissons (Reithrodontomys megalotis) ont tendance a Cviter les odeurs Cmanant d'une espece de grande taille a comportement dominant, le campagnol de Californie (Microtus californicus). Devant un choix de boites pour construire leurs nids, les souris ont prCferC utiliser les boites contenant des copeaux de pin propres plut6t que les boites contenant des copeaux impregnCs d'odeurs de M. californicus. En revanche, les campagnols sont restCs indiffkrents aux odeurs de R. megalotis. Les animaux des deux especes Ctaient fortement attires par les odeurs d'animaux de la meme espece. En nature, les R. megalotis ont Ct C captures significativement plus souvent dans des pikges propres que dans des pieges impr6gnCs de I'odeur des campagnols. Ce phCnomene s'est aver6 particulierement remarquable au cours de la pkriode de reproduction des souris. Les resultats de cette etude appuient I'hypothese selon laquelle le comportement de fuite des souris a 1'Cgard des campagnols est un mecanisme qui contribue a la segregation spatiale de ces deux especes lorsque la densit6 des campagnols est ClevCe. [Traduit par la revue]
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