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Functional response of the least weasel, Mustela nivalis nivalis
Author(s) -
Sundell Janne,
Norrdahl Kai,
Korpimäki Erkki,
Hanski Ilkka
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
oikos
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.672
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1600-0706
pISSN - 0030-1299
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0706.2000.900308.x
Subject(s) - weasel , vole , predation , functional response , biology , microtus , zoology , enclosure , ecology , predator , population , demography , telecommunications , sociology , computer science
We investigated the functional response of the least weasel ( Mustela nivalis nivalis ) in a series of experiments conducted in large outdoor enclosures (0.5 ha). Radiocollared Microtus voles were released in the enclosures at different densities (4, 8, 16 and 100/ha) three days before the release of a radiocollared weasel. During the three‐day experiment every vole killed was replaced with another one as soon as possible to retain constant prey density. The results demonstrated type II functional response with the predation rate reaching 50% of the asymptotic rate at a vole density of 15 individuals per ha. More voles were killed at the highest densities than would be expected from the known energy demands of weasels. Female and male voles were killed in proportion to their abundances in the enclosures, and no difference in predation risk was detected between voles released in the enclosure before the weasel (residents) and during the experiment (transients).