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The Relation of Population Density and Adrenal Gland Weight in Cycling and Noncycling Voles (Microtus)
Author(s) -
To Leleng P.,
Tamarin Robert H.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1936230
Subject(s) - microtus , vole , population , biology , population cycle , zoology , ecology , demography , sociology , predation
Changes in adrenal weight in individuals of the beach vole, Microtus breweri, and its close mainland relative, the meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus, were investigated over a 4—yr period. Covariance analyses indicated no significant increase in adrenal weight concomitant with increase in population density of M. pennsylvanicus, while significant increases in adrenal were correlated to increase in populations size in M. breweri. Since a 3— to 4—yr population cycle is not observed in M. breweri but is evident in M. pennsylvanicus on the mainland, it seems that Christian's behavioral—endocrine mechanism is not limiting the population growth of these voles.