Abstract
Individuals in a wild population of California voles ( Microtus californicus ) were presented with a choice between clean and odor-baited traps to determine patterns of investigation or avoidance of conspecific odors by various sex and age groups in the field in both breeding and non-breeding seasons. Adult California voles captured during the breeding season showed strong patterns of attraction to live-traps containing conspecific odors. Voles captured during the non-breeding season and juveniles captured during the breeding season did not show a preference for odor-baited traps. During the breeding season, large males and all adult females were attracted to both male and female odors. Smaller males were attracted to female odors only. These results indicate that intrasexual interactions may be stronger among male than among female M. californicus . However, territorial behavior among females is probably more well-developed than previously suggested for this species. Results of the present study and other studies utilizing odor-baited traps indicate that using soiled traps may violate the assumption of equal trappability of all individuals that is inherent in most density estimation techniques. While a greater number of animals might be attracted to soiled traps, a more accurate demographic cross section might be obtained if all traps were kept clean.
Published Version
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