Vole cycles and antipredatory behaviour

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Zoology
• Behavioral Ecology

Background:

• Predation is increasingly recognized as a key factor influencing population dynamics, particularly cyclical fluctuations in microtine rodents.
• Generalist predators often lead to non-cyclical population patterns, while specialist predators, like small mustelids, are linked to synchronous cyclic fluctuations in vole populations.
• Behavioral studies highlight that these specialist predators also elicit the strongest anti-predator responses in voles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize recent population ecological studies and modeling of cyclic microtine rodents and their predators.
• To integrate findings on anti-predator adaptations in voles with population dynamics research.
• To explore the link between predation risk, vole behavior, and population cyclicity.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of population ecology studies.
• Analysis of behavioral ecology research on predator-prey interactions.
• Integration of theoretical modeling with empirical field and laboratory data.

Main Results:

• Predation by resident specialist predators, such as mustelids, is a significant driver of cyclical population fluctuations in microtine rodents.
• Voles exhibit strong anti-predator behavioral responses to specialist predators, including breeding suppression under perceived risk.
• Recent studies confirm breeding suppression in cyclic microtines in both laboratory and field settings due to mustelid predation risk.

Conclusions:

• Specialist predator-prey dynamics are crucial for understanding cyclical population fluctuations in microtine rodents.
• Anti-predator adaptations, including behavioral changes and breeding suppression, play a vital role in mediating these population cycles.
• The interplay between predation, behavior, and population dynamics offers a comprehensive framework for microtine rodent ecology.