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Negative effects of density on space use of small mammals differ with the phase of the masting‐induced population cycle
Author(s) -
Bogdziewicz Michał,
Zwolak Rafał,
Redosh Lauren,
Rychlik Leszek,
Crone Elizabeth E.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.2513
Subject(s) - population cycle , population density , population , phase (matter) , biology , space (punctuation) , ecology , physics , predation , computer science , demography , sociology , quantum mechanics , operating system
Home range size generally decreases with increasing population density, but testing how this relationship is influenced by other factors (e.g., food availability, kin structure) is a difficult task. We used spatially explicit capture–recapture models to examine how home range size varies with population density in the yellow‐necked mouse ( Apodemus flavicollis ). The relationship between population density and home range size was studied at two distinct phases of population fluctuations induced by beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) masting: post‐mast peak in abundance (first summer after mast, n  = 2) and subsequent crash (second summer after mast, n  = 2). We live‐trapped mice from June to September to avoid the confounding effects of autumn seedfall on home range size. In accordance with general predictions, we found that home range size was negatively associated with population density. However, after controlling for the effect of density, home ranges of mice were larger in post‐mast years than during the crash phase. This indicates a higher spatial overlap among neighbors in post‐mast years. We suggest that the increased spatial overlap is caused by negative density‐dependent dispersal that leads to high relatedness of individuals within population in the peak phase of the cycle.

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