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Mortality of lemmings, Lemmus lemmus , at peak density in a mountainous area of Norway
Author(s) -
Steen H.,
Holst J. C.,
Solhøy T.,
Bjerga M.,
Klaussen E.,
Prestegard I.,
Sundt R. C.,
Johannesen ø.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1997.tb01980.x
Subject(s) - biology , population density , skull , population , predator , zoology , predation , ecology , anatomy , demography , sociology
We estimated carcass density and determined cause of death in a peak‐density lemming, Lemmus lemmus , population at Finse, Norway. Of 74 recovered carcasses, 80% had subcutaneous haematoma (blood underneath the skin) in the head region, though the skin on the skull most often appeared unharmed. Thirty percent were apparently killed by a mustelid predator, while 51% were probably killed by corvids. Carcass density was 26.6 and 9.4ha ‐1 in good and poor lemming habitats, respectively.