Rodent-vegetation relationships in southeastern Montana

James G. MacCracken; Daniel Uresk; Hansen; Richard M.

Treesearch

Rodent-vegetation relationships in southeastern Montana

Informally Refereed

Authors:

James G. MacCracken, Daniel Uresk, Hansen, Richard M.

Year:

1985

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

Northwest science, 59(4): 272-278

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Abstract

Plant communities of southeastern Montana were surveyed for rodents over a two year period. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were the most abundant rodent species found on the study area. Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus), sagebrush voles (Lagurus curtatus), Wyoming pocket mice (Perognathus fasciatus), thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus), least chipmunks (Eutamias minimus), and eastern fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) also were captured. Grassland, riparian, and sagebrush communities showed the greatest rodent abundance and species diversity . There was a significant positive relationship between rodent abundance and the cover provided by some understory plant species and tree density on the study area.

Keywords

Peromyscus maniculatus, Microtus ochrogaster, Microtus pennsylvanicus, Lagurus curtatus, Perognathus fasciatus, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, Eutamias minimus, Sciurus niger, rodents, habitat, plant communities

Citation

MacCracken, James G.; Uresk, Daniel W.; Hansen; Richard M. 1985. Rodent-vegetation relationships in southeastern Montana. Northwest science, 59(4): 272-278