Social organisation of the male field vole (Microtus agrestis): a case of transient territoriality?
نویسنده
چکیده
The social organisation of a population of Microtus agrestis was studied by trapping and radiotracking in southern England. There was no significant variation in male home-range size during the breeding season or between years but there was significant variation in core areas between years but not during the breeding season. There was no significant relationship with male density and core area size but there was a significant increase in home range size as density decreased. There were no significant correlations between home-range size and body mass. In both 1995 and 1996, there was an increase in mean exclusivity of core areas that coincided with an increase in nearest neighbour distances as the breeding season progressed suggesting a territorial social system. Male residency was transient and recruitment of female offspring influenced residency.
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