Population Dynamics of Agouti and Albino Meadow Voles in High-Quality, Grassland Habitats

Peles, John D.; Lucas, Michael F.; Barrett, Gary W.

doi:10.2307/1382595

Cited by 27 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Mammalian hair and skin color provides concealment for the mammals (Deblase & Martin 1980), while it is expected that leucism and/or albinism imposes on the individuals a greater difficulty in camouflage, possibly subjecting them to a greater risk of predation (Parsons & Bonderup-Nielsen 1995). Peles et al (1995), however, in a rare study addressing this topic, it was shown that albinism in meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) proved not to be a disadvantageous trait in grassland habitats with high nutritional quality and heavy vegetative cover.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of leucism in Eira barbara (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in Brazil

et al. 2017

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The occurrence of anomalous coloration (albinism, leucism and melanism) in mammals is a rare phenomenon in nature, but this phenomenon has been reported for several species of mammals. In this study, we report on the occurrence of leucism in Eira barbara by examining three road-killed individuals and two sightings of live animals in Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Santuário do Caraça, southeastern Brazil. In addition, we examined tayra specimens housed in mammal collections from Brazil and USA. The animals found dead and those sighted had a whitish yellow fur on the body and head, resulting in lighter coloration than the coloring pattern commonly observed in tayras. Despite these lighter color pattern, the specimens showed parts of soft tissue, such as iris and the skin, with pigmentation very similar to that present in individuals with the typical color pattern. This set of factors indicates the specimens recorded were in fact leucistic and not albino. Among the specimens examined in the scientific collections, we found nine individuals from different localities that presented the whitish yellow color pattern. Some studies attribute the higher frequency of cases of leucism due to small populations and / or with some mechanism of reproductive isolation. Thus, analysis of the genetic variability of populations containing individuals with such characteristics should be considered. On the other hand, the occurrence of polymorphic color phenotype in tayras indicates that hypotheses related to the fixation of recessive characteristics, or on possible environmental adaptive advantages of these phenotypes can be tested.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of leucism in Eira barbara (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in Brazil

et al. 2017

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“…Peles et al (1995) showed that predators do not prey more conspicuously on colored small rodents than on mammals with normal coloration in grassland habitats of high quality nutritional and heavy vegetative cover. The geographical distribution of Thrichomys is associated with the belt of open vegetation in South America (Alho, 1982;Mares & Ojeda, 1982, Pessôa et al, in press).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First report of partial albinism in genus Thrichomys (Rodentia: Echimyidae)

Neves¹,

Coutinho²,

Oliveira³

et al. 2014

Pap. Avulsos Zool. (São Paulo)

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“…Laboratory breeding of small mammals is frequently used in field research (Jimènez et al, 1994;Peles et al, 1995;Schwartz and Mills, 2005), especially in conservation efforts for threatened and endangered species (Seal et al, 1989;Biggins et al, 1998;Amstislavsky et al, 2008). Inbreeding, commonly associated with laboratory-breeding investigations resulting in small population sizes, can lead to decreased reproductive success and survivorship of laboratory-bred organisms (Jimènez et al, 1994;Lacy, 1997;Leberg and Firmin, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survivorship and Reproductive Success of Released Laboratory-bred and Native Golden Mice within a Forest-edge Habitat

Barrett¹,

Barrett²,

Pratt³

2015

The American Midland Naturalist

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We investigated season-of-release effects on survivorship and reproductive success of laboratory-bred compared with a native population of golden mice [Ochrotomys nuttalli (Harlan)] within a deciduous forest habitat. We released two sets of 32 adult pairs of laboratorybred golden mice into eight experimental transects established in forest-edge habitat. Releases were conducted in early spring (7 Mar. 2009) and late autumn (2 Nov. 2009). Population abundance of laboratory-bred and native golden mice was severely reduced in late spring and summer following the spring release due to black rat snake [Elaphe obsoleta (Stejneger and Barbour)] predation. Laboratory-bred golden mice, however, maintained a stable population density of 15-18 individuals following the late autumn release as snake predation diminished during winter months. The native population of golden mice maintained an abundance of 25-28 individuals through mid-Mar. The laboratory-bred and native populations exhibited similar reproductive success following autumn release, even crossbreeding during winter.The season-of-release was the most important factor regarding survivorship and reproductive success of released laboratory-bred golden mice and the native population in identical forest-edge habitat.

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Population Dynamics of Agouti and Albino Meadow Voles in High-Quality, Grassland Habitats

Cited by 27 publications

References 23 publications

Occurrence of leucism in Eira barbara (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in Brazil

Occurrence of leucism in Eira barbara (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in Brazil

First report of partial albinism in genus Thrichomys (Rodentia: Echimyidae)

Survivorship and Reproductive Success of Released Laboratory-bred and Native Golden Mice within a Forest-edge Habitat

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