Demography and Condition of Populations of White-Footed Mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in Late and Early Successional Habitats

Abstract

Populations of white-footed mice ( Peromyscus leucopus ) were monitored for 3 years (1986–1988) in late and early successional habitats. Late-successional habitats consisted of mature hardwood forests with little herbaceous vegetation. Early successional habitats were induced by treatment with either triclopyr or tebuthiuron herbicides, used with and without annual prescribed burning, and consisted of varying levels of shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. Abundance of white-footed mice was highest in 1986 and declined through 1987 and 1988, which corresponded to declines in biomass of forbs. Abundance was higher on both herbicide treatments than controls and higher on triclopyr than tebuthiuron treatments. Triclopyr-altered habitats provided a mixture of dense shrubs and forbs not found in te-buthiuron-altered sites. Litter size, but not reproductive activity, was higher on triclopyr compared to tebuthiuron treatments in spring 1986. Body condition of adult mice, but not body mass, was higher on herbicide and burned treatments than on controls and unburned treatments, respectively.