A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Younger bank voles are more vulnerable to avian predation
Authors: Meri T, Halonen M, Mappes T, Suhonen J
Publisher: NATL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA-N R C RESEARCH PRESS
Publication year: 2008
Journal:: Canadian Journal of Zoology
Journal name in source: CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY-REVUE CANADIENNE DE ZOOLOGIE
Journal acronym: CAN J ZOOL
Volume: 86
Issue: 9
First page : 1074
Last page: 1078
Number of pages: 5
ISSN: 0008-4301
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/Z08-087
Abstract
The importance of predation on prey populations is mainly determined by the number of eaten prey. However, the total impact of predation might also be determined by the selection of certain prey individuals, e. g., different sexes or age categories. Here we tested selective predation by an avian predator, the pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum (L., 1758)), on bank voles (Myodes (Clethrionomys) glareolus (Schreber, 1780)). We compared the sex, age, and mass of hoarded prey with the animals snap-trapped from the field. There were no differences in the sex ratio between hoarded bank voles and those available in the field. However, hoarded voles were significantly younger than ones in the field sample. There was no statistically significant difference in mass between animals from larders and from the field. We suggest that the greater vulnerability of younger animals to predation might be due to their higher activity, or alternatively, they might be forced to forage in less safe habitats.
The importance of predation on prey populations is mainly determined by the number of eaten prey. However, the total impact of predation might also be determined by the selection of certain prey individuals, e. g., different sexes or age categories. Here we tested selective predation by an avian predator, the pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum (L., 1758)), on bank voles (Myodes (Clethrionomys) glareolus (Schreber, 1780)). We compared the sex, age, and mass of hoarded prey with the animals snap-trapped from the field. There were no differences in the sex ratio between hoarded bank voles and those available in the field. However, hoarded voles were significantly younger than ones in the field sample. There was no statistically significant difference in mass between animals from larders and from the field. We suggest that the greater vulnerability of younger animals to predation might be due to their higher activity, or alternatively, they might be forced to forage in less safe habitats.
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