Forest Fragmentation and Developmental Stability of Wood Mice Apodemus sylvaticus: A Food-Mediated Effect?

Generalist mice are key species for the long-term dynamics of fragmented forests due to their dual role as seed dispersers or predators dominant trees. Wood mice, Apodemus sylvaticus, usually act a net predator in woodlots higher winter densities and earlier reproduction than forests. Here we analyze recruitment expectations young born relation food availability through an index developmental stability that combined values fluctuating asymmetry (FA) six traits lower mandibles. FA was measured adult caught at end control woodlots, food-supplemented nearby large forest. Despite low sample sizes (n = 9 n 74 adults), were significantly those from forest all adults. Food limitation thus associated with increased instability but it had no effect on Instability likely reduced survival prospects mortality, this should be compensated by yearly recolonization adults agricultural matrix autumn winter. Future work analyzing mechanisms suggested here using non-lethal methods will important clarify impacts population wood mice.