Density-dependent recruitment in grassland small mammals

1. Density dependence has an important influence on the dynamics of many species of small mammals. To regulate population growth, density must affect negatively a vital rate (e.g. fecundity); however, little is known about which vital rates are most affected by density. 2. We used a long-term data set for five species of rodents from north-eastern Kansas, USA to test for relationships between density and the proportion of pregnant females, per capita fecundity and recruitment. We estimated proportion of pregnant females using data collected in the field and fecundity using data on survival, proportion of pregnant females and literature-based density-dependent litter size for each species. We used reverse capture histories to estimate per-capita recruitment. 3. The proportion of pregnant females was related positively to density in most species. Fecundity was related negatively to density in the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus Say & Ord, 1825) and not related to density in the four remaining species. Recruitment was related negatively to density in all five species, although not all relationships were statistically significant. 4. The signature of density-dependent recruitment was strongest in the prairie vole [Microtus ochrogaster (Wagner, 1842)] and cotton rat and less so in the remaining species. 5. Our analyses indicate that density affects recruitment negatively in grassland small mammals either through a reduction in immigration or reduced survival of nestlings. Models that seek to include empirical estimates of density dependence may need to include immigration in addition to survival and fecundity.