Pine Vole Reproduction in Relation to Food Habits and Body Fat

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Abstract
Pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) were trapped bimonthly for 1 yr in 2 apple orchards containing different ground vegetation. Voles of one orchard (abandoned) consumed primarily forbs and small woody plants, while those of the 2nd orchard (maintained in apple production) consumed primarily grasses. Body weight and lengths were greater in voles from the abandoned orchard (forb consumers). Body fat levels were greater in voles from the abandoned orchard, except during early autumn when a precipitous drop in body fat of these animals occurred. Cessation of reproduction in the abandoned orchard occurred earlier in the autumn than in the maintained orchard and coincided with this drop in body condition. Over the entire year reproductive success (as measured by percent of adult females pregnant, fetal counts, reproductive organ weights of both sexes and number of immatures captured) was considerably less in the abandoned orchard than in the maintained orchard. The differences in body condition and reproductive activity of voles in the 2 orchards were postulated to be related to differences in types and nutritive values of forages consumed.

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