Energy utilization and activity patterns of the vole arvicola terrestris amphibius (l)

TL;DRAbstract

The energy assimilated by a small population of Arvicola terrestris amphibius (L.) occupying a 380m stretch of stream in south Durham was calculated by quantifying the parameters of population respiration and tissue production and was subsequently related to the available food supply. The changes in population density, size and age structure were monitored by frequent live-trapping over the entire calendar year and an assessment was made of the population structure and tissue production over consecutive periods of twenty days. The temperature - and above-ground activity experience of representatives of the population were investigated implementing artificial burrow systems built into outdoor enclosures under simulated stream conditions. The pattern of day to day activity was monitored by recording thermo graphs which registered the temperature changes in vole nests caused by the intermittent presence of the animal's body heat. Nest chamber and soil surface temperatures were recorded co

Chat with Paper

AI Agents for this Paper