Population regulation in the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) in old-growth coniferous forests of southern British Columbia: insights from a long-term study

Sullivan, Thomas P.; Sullivan, Druscilla S.; Boonstra, Rudy; Vyse, Alan

doi:10.1007/s13364-022-00659-x

Cited by 3 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…This pattern of low annual variation in population density was similar to those of long-term (17-year) studies in the Yukon (10-15/ha) and southern Alberta (5-15/ha), Canada [20,21]. These generally low densities and occasional short-term extirpations reported for forest populations of P. maniculatus were caused by breeding season declines leading to poorer survival in summer than winter [19]. In addition, very few (5% to 12%) of young-of-the-year mice bred and 69% of adult females were lactating with 51% having just one litter.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…The consistent annual abundance patterns of P. maniculatus suggest that multiannual population changes are rare. However, some Peromyscus populations do seem to have multiannual or irregular fluctuations in abundance associated with large crops of coniferous seed or deciduous mast in forested ecosystems [19,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. Increased survival in the winter after a substantial seed or mast crop and enhanced reproduction in the following summer seem to be the variables driving population increases in these Peromyscus populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In general, Peromyscus populations show a seasonal change in abundance with low breeding densities in spring and moderate densities through the fall and winter with similar patterns of abundance from year to year [13][14][15][16][17][18]. A long-term (26-year) trapping program of P. maniculatus in coniferous forest of southern BC showed dramatic declines in numbers overwinter with moderate density ranges of mice per ha as high as 8 to 13 in autumn and as low as 2 to 3 in the following spring [19]. This pattern of low annual variation in population density was similar to those of long-term (17-year) studies in the Yukon (10-15/ha) and southern Alberta (5-15/ha), Canada [20,21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population Fluctuations of the Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) in Old-Field and Bunchgrass–Sagebrush Habitats: The Role of Agricultural Setting and Optimum Habitat

Sullivan

Sullivan²

2023

Ecologies

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In semiarid regions, the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is a major small mammal species occupying perennial grassland habitats that include old-fields, native bunchgrass–sagebrush, and some agricultural settings. We investigated population changes in deer mouse populations in perennial grasslands, both natural and old-field, from 1982 to 2003 in southern British Columbia, Canada. Hypotheses (H) predicted that P. maniculatus populations will have (H1) multiannual fluctuations in abundance driven by population increases from extended breeding in summer and winter; (H2) relaxed spring reorganization events in some years leading to higher overall recruitment and survival; and (H3) interspecific competition with montane voles that causes deer mice to be lower in density when voles are higher. P. maniculatus populations in old-field and grass–sagebrush sites had clearly defined periods of high “peak” mean numbers (32–52/ha) and other times of low mean numbers (20–22/ha). Based on mean annual peak density in autumn, deer mouse populations exhibited fluctuations of 3–4 years in both habitats, but this pattern was not always present. The greater numbers of P. maniculatus in high than low years was directly related to population increases from extended breeding seasons and an increased number of lactating females, thereby supporting H1. Spring breeding season declines occurred but were similar or less in high than low years of mean abundance and were relaxed in comparison to forest populations of deer mice in other studies. Thus, H2 was supported for recruitment with high numbers of young-of-the-year breeding and total number of juvenile recruits but for survival was equivocal. Total summer survival was consistently higher in high than low population years but juvenile productivity in all years was poor. Mean abundance of P. maniculatus and M. montanus in old-field sites were highly correlated, and hence H3 was not supported. This latter result is the first, to our knowledge, of P. maniculatus coexisting in a similar pattern of population fluctuations with a Microtus species in a mainland grassland habitat. Higher than average precipitation in the year preceding a peak population of deer mice may have enhanced herbaceous vegetation and contributed to population increases in both habitats. We conclude that the old-field habitat associated with this agricultural setting provides optimum habitat for P. maniculatus and facilitates multiannual population fluctuations in this species.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population Fluctuations of the Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) in Old-Field and Bunchgrass–Sagebrush Habitats: The Role of Agricultural Setting and Optimum Habitat

Sullivan

Sullivan²

2023

Ecologies

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“…Changes in climatic conditions, such as precipitation, snow, or vegetation, may also impact the movements and poleward range expansions of mammal hosts, altering the abundance and distribution of I. scapularis (Diuk‐Wasser et al., 2021 ; Ogden & Lindsay, 2016 ). Small mammal hosts may disperse short distances searching for food resources, such as acorns or seed crops, in nearby forested areas, which may result in fluctuations of local tick populations (Borgmann‐Winter et al., 2021 ; Marrotte et al., 2017 ; Sullivan et al., 2023 ). The summer following high abundances of acorns or other seed crops have been associated with higher abundances and greater overwintering survival in Peromyscus mice, resulting in a lagged increase in I. scapularis abundance (Falls et al., 2007 ; Ostfeld et al., 2018 ; Sullivan et al., 2023 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Small mammal hosts may disperse short distances searching for food resources, such as acorns or seed crops, in nearby forested areas, which may result in fluctuations of local tick populations (Borgmann‐Winter et al., 2021 ; Marrotte et al., 2017 ; Sullivan et al., 2023 ). The summer following high abundances of acorns or other seed crops have been associated with higher abundances and greater overwintering survival in Peromyscus mice, resulting in a lagged increase in I. scapularis abundance (Falls et al., 2007 ; Ostfeld et al., 2018 ; Sullivan et al., 2023 ). In addition, decreased winter severity may lead to greater movements and habitat use of mammal hosts, especially for white‐tailed deer (Dawe & Boutin, 2016 ; Fisher et al., 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High‐resolution environmental and host‐related factors impacting questing Ixodes scapularis at their northern range edge

Crandall,

Millien,

Kerr

2024

Ecology and Evolution

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The geographic range of tick populations has expanded in Canada due to climate warming and the associated poleward range shifts of their vertebrate hosts. Abiotic factors, such as temperature, precipitation, and snow, are known to directly affect tick abundance. Yet, biotic factors, such as the abundance and diversity of mammal hosts, may also alter tick abundance and consequent tick‐borne disease risk. Here, we incorporated host surveillance data with high‐resolution environmental data to evaluate the combined impact of abiotic and biotic factors on questing Ixodes scapularis abundance in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. High‐resolution abiotic factors were derived from remote sensing satellites and meteorological towers, while biotic factors related to mammal hosts were derived from active surveillance data that we collected in the field. Generalized additive models were used to determine the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors on questing I. scapularis abundance. Combinations of abiotic and biotic factors were identified as important drivers of abundances of questing I. scapularis. Positive and negative linear relationships were found for questing I. scapularis abundance with monthly mean precipitation and accumulated snow, but no effect was found for the relative abundance of white‐footed mice. Positive relationships were also identified between questing I. scapularis abundance with monthly mean precipitation and mammal species richness. Therefore, future studies that assess I. scapularis should incorporate host surveillance data with high‐resolution environmental factors to determine the key drivers impacting the abundance and geographic spread of tick populations and tick‐borne pathogens.

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Rodent-mediated seed limitation affects woody seedling establishment more than invasive shrubs and downed woody debris

Connolly,

Zirbel,

Orrock

2024

Can. J. For. Res.

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Seedling establishment is crucial for the development of self-regenerating tree populations. Determinants of tree establishment vary widely and may compound in their effects. Using a factorial experiment, we manipulated invasive shrubs, downed woody debris (DWD), and rodent access to evaluate factors limiting the establishment of six woody species (five native trees, one invasive shrub). Our results suggest these factors independently contribute to tree seedling establishment. Exclusion of rodents increased establishment three-fold. Invasive shrub removal (Elaeagnus umbellate; Lonicera maackii) and the presence of DWD promoted establishment of two native trees (Pinus strobus; Sassafras albidum). Notably, the presence of DWD halved L. maackii establishment. In identifying rodents as drivers of seed limitation, our results support findings that seed additions will likely promote woody seedling establishment when rodents are not abundant (e.g., low populations) or when seeds are physically or chemically protected (e.g., via taste deterrents). Management plans vary in DWD retention; results from our experimental cohort indicate retaining or introducing DWD promotes native tree recruitment and limits invasive shrub establishment. Future studies exploring the species-specific effects of invasive shrub removal and DWD amendments across multiple cohorts will help determine which woody species benefit most from these management practices.

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Population regulation in the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) in old-growth coniferous forests of southern British Columbia: insights from a long-term study

Cited by 3 publications

References 58 publications

Population Fluctuations of the Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) in Old-Field and Bunchgrass–Sagebrush Habitats: The Role of Agricultural Setting and Optimum Habitat

Population Fluctuations of the Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) in Old-Field and Bunchgrass–Sagebrush Habitats: The Role of Agricultural Setting and Optimum Habitat

High‐resolution environmental and host‐related factors impacting questing Ixodes scapularis at their northern range edge

Rodent-mediated seed limitation affects woody seedling establishment more than invasive shrubs and downed woody debris

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