Document: MOS-3-65-16

The effect of edge on white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in eastern deciduous woodlands.

WOLF, M.* and G.BATZLI

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA ¹

Abstract:
The edge effect is important for determining effects of habitat fragmentation on resident populations of animals and has been studied extensively for woodland birds, but not for small mammals. The white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) is an important predator (seeds, eggs and arthropods) and an important prey item for avian and mammalian predators in eastern deciduous forests. Historically it has been considered an "edge species", i.e., positively affected by forest edges. Earlier studies of this species have shown higher densities in smaller woodlots, which was attributed to a relative increase in woodland edge where these mice were thought to have higher densities. We trapped this species along edge-to-interior gradients in forested areas of east-central Illinois. Our results revealed that densities were significantly higher in the interior (> 50 m into the woodland). Although these density patterns could be due to despotic behavior, additional results suggested that microhabitat quality might be lower at woodland edges. Weights of adult females and preliminary measurements of risk of predation pointed to reduced microhabitat quality at the edge, although estimates of reproductive success (juveniles trapped per reproductive female) suggested the opposite. Overall, our study indicated that proximity to habitat edge could have a strong influence on population performance and habitat quality for small mammals.

Keywords: density patterns, edge-effects, habita fragmentation, Peromyscus leucopus, white-footed mice

This abstract is being presented at: 10:45 AM in session:
Oral Session #21: Small Mammal Population Ecology.