Effects of population density on corticosterone levels of prairie voles in the field

General and Comparative Endocrinology
Dimitri V BlondelSteven M Phelps

Abstract

High population density is often associated with increased levels of stress-related hormones, such as corticosterone (CORT). Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) are a socially monogamous species known for their large population density fluctuations in the wild. Although CORT influences the social behavior of prairie voles in the lab, the effect of population density on CORT has not previously been quantified in this species in the field. We validated a non-invasive hormone assay for measuring CORT metabolites in prairie vole feces. We then used semi-natural enclosures to experimentally manipulate population density, and measured density effects on male space use and fecal CORT levels. Our enclosures generated patterns of space use and social interaction that were consistent with previous prairie vole field studies. Contrary to the positive relationship between CORT and density typical of other taxa, we found that lower population densities (80 animals/ha) produced higher fecal CORT than higher densities (240/ha). Combined with prior work in the lab and field, the data suggest that high prairie vole population densities indicate favorable environments, perhaps through reduced predation risk. Lastly, we found that field animals ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 5, 2017·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·A Catherine Markham, Laurence R Gesquiere
Dec 29, 2018·Conservation Physiology·Kirsten PriceElizabeth A Addis
Apr 20, 2021·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Angela R Freeman
Jun 26, 2021·Current Protocols·William M KenkelAnnaliese K Beery

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