Distance of Movements of Voles after Removal in Clethrionomys rufocanus bedfordiae (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Abstract

Movements of individual voles were monitored in a homogenous habitat in relation to reduction of high-density populations of the gray red-backed vole, Clethrionomys rufocanus bedfordiae. By two weeks after more than 80% of residents were removed in late autumn, over 90% of the voles intially located within 30 m of the edge of removal grid were making single-direction movements toward (or to) the removal grid. Fifty percent or more of the voles located at greater distances from the removal site did not make similar movements. Mean distances of movements toward (or to) the removal grid ranged from 30.6 m to 52.4 m in both sexes; sex-related difference was insignificant. After more than two weeks, few voles moved into the removal grid from the adjacent grid, though the vole numbers were still lower in the former. © 1994, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.