Rodent Populations on Four Habitats in Central Kansas

The occurrence and relative abundance of eight species of rodents were found to be variable among the study plots representing four habitats, a relict prairie, shelterbelt, streambank association, and a moderately grazed pasture. It was found that the highest population levels and greatest diversity were associated with the relict area (native habitat), and the lowest in a shelterbelt. Ability to overwinter successfully was high in the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus aridulus), prairie deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus luteus), prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) and thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Citellus tridecemlineatus); it was low in the harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis), feral house mouse (Mus musculus) and hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus). An increase in the prairie voles following the disappearance of the cotton rat suggests interspecific interactions. This fluctuation was attributed to climatic conditions, food utilization, and interspecific competition.