Microhabitats of two Peromyscus (Deer and White-footed mice) species in old fields and prairies of Wisconsin

Abstract

Peromyscus spp. were live-trapped in old fields and prairie remnants of southern Wisconsin. Microhabitat data were collected at each capture site and at random sites. The Prairie Deer Mouse, P. maniculatus bairdi, was the more abundant species, but the Northern White-footed Mouse, P. leucopus noveboracesis, also maintained resident, though smaller, populations in these open field habitats. Compared to random trap stations, trap stations capturing Peromyscus spp. had more bare substrate, less dead vegetation, taller vegetation, lower forb diversity, and were closer to cultivated fields. Compared to P. maniculatus, P. leucopos selected microhabitats which had more small-scale three-dimensional structure and which were closer to isolated trees.