Seasonal food habits of marten in south-central Alaska

Abstract

Studies of the diet of marten (Martes americana) and the abundance and habitat associations of small mammals were conducted in south-central Alaska for 2 years. Marten were found to eat primarily arvicolid (= microtine) rodents. Other important food items were sciurid rodents, fruits, and birds. Strong seasonal variation in the importance of arvicolid rodents was associated with changes in their density as indicated by trapline capture success. Northern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys rutilus) dominated the diet of marten when they and other arvicolids were generally scarce, whereas tundra voles (Microtus oeconomus) and meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus) were the primary prey when arvicolids were abundant. Arvicolid species exhibited strong differences in habitat associations and habitat niche breadth. Red-backed voles were found in a wide range of habitat types, but tundra voles and meadow voles were limited to herbaceous and low shrub meadow habitats, where they attained high local densities. Similarities in patterns of prey preference by marten among several North American sites are described. The effects of patterns of habitat use by arvicolid rodents on the food habits of marten are discussed.