A reexamination of litter size in some North American microtines

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Abstract
Data from the literature on litter sizes of several species of Microtus and Clethrionomys were examined in relation to latitude and elevation by single and multiple correlation. Litter size in these genera was significantly correlated with latitude, as it was with latitude and elevation together. In Microtus, litter size within species was not significantly correlated with either of the independent variables. Litter size in Clethrionomys gapperi was significantly correlated with latitude and with latitude and elevation together. Multiple range tests revealed that some species which occur at the same latitudes and elevations have significantly different litter sizes from each other. Litter size may be species specific and not primarily determined by latitude and elevation.