Gray-tailed Vole
Encyclopedia
The Gray-tailed vole is a common small mammal
that inhabits grasslands in the Willamette Valley
of western Oregon
(Vert and Carraway, 1987). Gray tailed voles are polygamous: females are territorial
, males have large home ranges that overlap those of several females, and juvenile emigration
is male biased (Wolff et al., 1994).
conditions, familiar gray-tailed voles produced fewer litters than unfamiliar individuals (Boyd and Balustein, 1985) and pairings of relatives show lower pup survivorship than pairings of unrelated individuals (J. Peterson, personal communication with author).
loss and fragmentation on the gray-tailed vole's behavior
and demographics
, see Wolff et al. (1997).
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
that inhabits grasslands in the Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is the most populated region in the state of Oregon of the United States. Located in the state's northwest, the region is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and the valley's floor is broad, flat and fertile because of Ice Age conditions...
of western Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
(Vert and Carraway, 1987). Gray tailed voles are polygamous: females are territorial
Territory (animal)
In ethology the term territory refers to any sociographical area that an animal of a particular species consistently defends against conspecifics...
, males have large home ranges that overlap those of several females, and juvenile emigration
Emigration
Emigration is the act of leaving one's country or region to settle in another. It is the same as immigration but from the perspective of the country of origin. Human movement before the establishment of political boundaries or within one state is termed migration. There are many reasons why people...
is male biased (Wolff et al., 1994).
Reproduction
Gray-tailed voles recognize relatives based on familiarity (Boyd and Balustein, 1985). Under laboratoryLaboratory
A laboratory is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. The title of laboratory is also used for certain other facilities where the processes or equipment used are similar to those in scientific laboratories...
conditions, familiar gray-tailed voles produced fewer litters than unfamiliar individuals (Boyd and Balustein, 1985) and pairings of relatives show lower pup survivorship than pairings of unrelated individuals (J. Peterson, personal communication with author).
Related Studies on this Species
For more information on the impact of habitatHabitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
loss and fragmentation on the gray-tailed vole's behavior
Ethology
Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior, and a sub-topic of zoology....
and demographics
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
, see Wolff et al. (1997).