The role of neighborhood relations in maintenance of the spatial–ethological structure of local settlements as exemplified by the water vole (Arvicola amphibius)

Abstract

Adult males of the water vole have been found experimentally to recognize their neighbors and react to them differently depending on the degree of spatial proximity in nature. Most tensions (estimated by the number of aggressive acts in the encounters) were observed between distant neighbors (from neighboring settlements), which did not belong to the same groups with established hierarchy and a relatively reduced aggression. These are probably perceived as the most likely competitors (because of their spatial proximity). At the same time, male voles kept away from the obviously unfamiliar ones, though they do not express any apparent aggression.

Water vole (Arvicola amphibius) as an object of long-term biomonitoring in a floodplain area (Western Siberia, Russia)

“…Nevertheless, we found that a clear 12-year cycle is manifested in the Tomsk Region, whereas in our studies, surges in water vole numbers were observed between the intervals of 35 years. Some studies show that in conditions of anthropogenic transformation, in particular, under the influence of agriculture, the natural rhythm of population dynamics and the nature of its peaks are disrupted (Nazarova & Evsikov, 2012;Litvinov et al, 2013;Erdakov & Litvinov, 2014;Evsikov et al, 2016;Meulemans, 2020).…”

“…According to the research in the Barabinskaya forest-steppe, water voles form local reproductive settlements, including potential competitors for food and reproductive resources. Therefore, a decrease or increase in aggression towards neighboring individuals is a condition for the relative stability of settlements and their effective preservation over time (Nazarova et al, 2012;Evsikov et al, 2016).…”