Population Density Of Rodents Research Articles

Видовий склад і чисельність хом’якових у степових заповідниках південного сходу України

The article presents information about the family Cricetidae in the steppe reserves located in south-eastern Ukraine within Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, including data on the species composition and the population sizes. The study also sheds light on the limitations of individual species in their biotopes and identifies differences in rodent population density between areas subject to different economic regimes. The author suggests that periodic mowing and grazing may have a negative impact on the population sizes. It was established that cricetids make up the majority of all rodents in the diet of the short-eared owl.

The combined effect of bromadiolone and ivermectin (iBr) in controlling both rodents and their fleas.

Rodent pests not only cause severe agricultural loss but also spread zoonotic pathogens to human beings. Anticoagulant rodenticides are widely used to decrease the population densities of rodents but often lead to the spillover of ectoparasites because fleas and ticks may gather on surviving rodents. Therefore, it is necessary to kill fleas and ticks before culling rodents to minimize the risk of pathogen transmission. In this study, we used a mixture of ivermectin (an antiparasitic drug) and bromadiolone (an anticoagulant rodenticide) to control both rodent and flea/tick abundances. We found that in a laboratory test, 0.01% ivermectin bait was not lethal for greater long-tailed hamsters after 7 days of treatment, while 0.1% ivermectin bait was lethal for approximately 33% of treated rodents. In a field test, bait containing 0.001%, 0.005%, 0.01%, and 0.05% ivermectin decreased the number of fleas per vole of Brandt's voles to 0.42, 0.22, 0.12, and 0.2, respectively, compared with 0.77 in the control group, indicating that 0.01% ivermectin bait performed best in removing fleas. In another laboratory test, bait containing a 0.01% ivermectin and 0.005% bromadiolone mixture caused the death of all voles within 6-14 days after the intake of the bait. In the field test, the bait containing 0.01% ivermectin and 0.005% bromadiolone reduced the average number of fleas per vole to 0.35, which was significantly lower than the 0.77 of the control group. Our results indicate that a 0.01% ivermectin and 0.005% bromadiolone mixture could be used to control both rodents and fleas to minimize the spillover risk of disease transmission when using traditional rodenticides.

Incidence of Orthohantavirus infection in humans follows observed changes in rodent reservoirs, Hubei Province, China (1984-2010).

Orthohantaviruses (genus Orthohantavirus, family Hantaviridae of order Bunyavirales) are rodent-borne viruses causing 2 human diseases: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which are mainly prevalent in Eurasia and the Americas, respectively. We initiated this study to investigate and analyze the Orthohantaviruses infection in rodent reservoirs and humans in the Hubei Province of China from 1984 to 2010. The study included 10,314 mouse and 43,753 human serum samples. In this study, we analyzed the incidence of Orthohantavirus infection in humans and observed changes in rodent reservoirs in Hubei Province. The results indicated that although the incidence of HFRS declined from the 1990s, the human inapparent infection did not decrease dramatically. Although elements of the disease ecology have changed over the study period, Apodemus agrarius and Rattus norvegicus remain the major species and a constituent ratio of Rattus norvegicus increased. Rodent population density fluctuated between 16.65% and 2.14%, and decreased quinquennially, showing an obvious downward trend in recent years. The average orthohantaviruses-carrying rate was 6.36%, of which the lowest rate was 2.92% from 2006 to 2010. The analysis of rodent species composition showed that Rattus norvegicus and Apodemus agrarius were the dominant species over time (68.6% [1984 to 1987] and 90.4% [2000 to 2011]), while the composition and variety of other species decreased. The density of rodents was closely related to the incidence of HFRS (r = 0.910, P = .032). Our long-term investigation demonstrated that the occurrence of HFRS is closely related to rodent demographic patterns. Therefore, rodent monitoring and rodent control measures for prevention against HFRS in Hubei are warranted.

Synergistic effects of EP-1 and ivermectin mixture (iEP-1) to control rodents and their ectoparasites.

Ectoparasites of rodents play significant roles in disease transmission to humans. Conventional poisoning potentially reduces the population densities of rodents, however, they may increase the ectoparasite loads on the surviving hosts. EP-1 has been shown to have anti-fertility effects on many rodent species, while ivermectin is effective in controlling ectoparasites. In this study, we examined the combined effects of EP-1 and ivermectin mixture (iEP-1) baits on rodents and their corresponding flea/tick loads. In males, the weight of testis, epididymis, and seminiferous vesicle were reduced to less than 33%, 25%, and 17%, respectively, compared to the control group following administration of iEP-1 for 7 days. The weight of the uterus increased by approximately 75%. After 5 days of iEP-1 intake, all ticks were killed, whereas 94% of fleas on mice died after 3 days of bait intake. In the field test near Beijing, the flea index was reduced by more than 90% after 7 days of iEP-1 bait delivery. In a field test in Inner Mongolia, the weights of testis, epididymis, and seminiferous vesicle were significantly reduced by 27%, 32%, and 57%, respectively, 2 weeks after iEP-1 bait delivery. Approximately 36% rodents exhibited obvious uterine oedema accompanied by a weight increase of about 150%. The flea index was reduced by over 90%. Our results indicated that iEP-1 is a promising treatment for reducing the abundance of both small rodents and their ectoparasites; this will be effective for managing rodent damage and transmission of rodent-borne diseases associated with fleas and ticks. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparative characteristics of the population organization of <i>Myodes glareolus</i> Schreber and <i>Apodemus uralensis</i> Pallas on the territory of the State Nature Reserve «Kologrivsky Forest» named after M.G. Sinitsyn

The paper deals with a comparative analysis of the features of the population organization of the Myodes glareolus and the Apodemus uralensis on the territory of the State Nature Reserve Kologrivsky Forest named after M.G. Sinitsyn. This research is a part of a long-term monitoring of the state of populations of dominant species of small mammals on the site of the Kologrivsky Reserve. The paper presents factors of the dynamics of the density of rodent populations, considers trends in the number of individuals of the studied species, their sex and age structure, characteristics of interior and exterior features. The general tendencies and regularities of rodent adaptation to various external environmental factors are revealed. The authors have established a direct statistical dependence of the density of the studied populations on the average air temperature and an inverse dependence on the amount of precipitation. The dependence of exterior and interior features on the gender and age structure, population dynamics and weather conditions is traced. The role of autoregulation of integral population indicators as one of the mechanisms for maintaining its homeostatic state is considered. The revealed patterns allow us to make a forecast of the population dynamics of the Myodes glareolus and the Apodemus uralensis on the territory under consideration. It is possible to use the results of the study as a control example for comparison with other populations of cyclomorphic rodents in ecologically contrasting conditions of forest biocoenoses.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Inhibitory Effects of Plant-Derived Sterilants on Rodent Population Abundance.

Owing to their low minimal environmental risk and other ethical considerations, plant-derived sterilants are used to control rodent populations. However, the effects of plant-derived sterilants are not immediate, and their efficacy on rodent control is controversial, which negatively affects sterilant research and application. Here, a meta-analysis of the available literature was conducted to evaluate the effects of two plant-derived sterilants, triptolide and curcumol, on rodent populations. Using a random-effects and a fixed-effects model, we calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) and relative risk (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). After the application of plant-derived sterilants, the rodent population density tended to decrease. Three outcome-related measures in rodents, i.e., capture rate (RR = 0.31, 95% CI [0.20, 0.47]), pregnancy rate (RR = 0.49, 95% CI [0.40, 0.61]), and sperm survival rate (WMD = −17.53, 95% CI [−28.96, −6.06]), significantly decreased, as shown by a significant reduction of ovarian, uterine, and testicular organ coefficients. However, the number of effective rodent holes did not change significantly after the interventions, indicating that the studied sterilants did not directly eradicate the rodent populations. This study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the inhibitory mechanisms of plant-derived sterilants on rodent populations and for the rational use of these sterilants.

Population density, feeding and, reproductive ecology of rodents from Alemsaga Priority State Forest and adjacent farmlands

A study on population density, feeding, and reproductive ecology of rodents from Alemsaga Priority State Forest and the adjacent farmlands was conducted from July 2018-September 2020. Live and snap traps were used for capturing rodents from the study area. The Capture-Mark-Release method was employed to estimate the population size and respective density of rodents. Snap traps were used to capture rodents for body measurement and stomach content analysis. Embryo count was carried out from 64 pregnant females. Data were computed using descriptive statistics and compared with chi-square. Lophuromys simensis, Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Desmomys harringtoni, Mastomys natalensis, Stenocephalemys albipes, Rattus rattus, Arvicanthis dembeensis, Mus musculus, and Acomys cahrinus were recorded from the six habitats. The result indicated that a total of 1140 and 171 individuals were trapped in the study area with live and snap traps, respectively. The average population density of rodents was 47.4 h-1. The highest density was recorded in bushland habitat (75.1 h-l) while the least was in Carissa land (32.2h-l). In terms of species, L. simensis showed the highest density (111.65 h-l) whereas A. cahrinus was the lowest (1.7 ha-1). The overall densities of rodents were 224.82 ha-1 and 162.93 ha-1 during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The total rodent biomass in the study area was 160,495 g. The number of embryos counted ranged from 4-12 and 2-8 during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. However, there was no statistical significance between the two seasons (χ2 = 0.74, df=1, p> 0.05). Plant matters constituted a higher proportion of stomach contents (64.4%) compared to animal matters (13.2%). Generally, Alemsaga State Forest harbors rodent species with high density and biomass. Proper conservation of the area will contribute to the betterment of species density and biomass.

Effect of environmental variables on incidence of tick-borne encephalitis, leptospirosis and tularaemia.

Potential effect of three environmental variables (population density of rodents, global weather in the form of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, and acorn crop) on human morbidity rate of three zoonoses: tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), leptospirosis and tularaemia were analysed in the Czech Republic for the period 1970-1990. The Pearson's correlation analysis was used. The correlation analysis revealed that the significant factor for explaining annual morbidity rates of these zoonoses was the abundance of common voles (Microtus arvalis) in the current year (for leptospirosis) or in the previous calendar year (for TBE and tularaemia). The two other environmental variables tested (NAO index and acorn production) do not seem to play a significant role in these zoonoses in Central Europe.

Small Mammals in Forests of Romania: Habitat Type Use and Additive Diversity Partitioning

Small mammals are key components of forest ecosystems, playing vital roles for numerous groups of forest organisms: they exert bottom-up and top-down regulatory effects on vertebrate and invertebrate populations, respectively; they are fungus- and seed-dispersers and bioturbators. Therefore, preserving or restoring the diversity of small mammal communities may help maintain the functions of these ecosystems. In Romania, a country with low-intensity forest management and a high percentage of natural forests compared to other European countries, an overview of forest small mammal diversity and habitat type use is lacking, and our study aimed to fill this gap. We also aimed to partition the total small mammal diversity of Romanian forests into the alpha (plot-level), beta, and delta (among forest types) diversities, as well as further partition beta diversity into its spatial (among plots) and temporal (among years) components. We surveyed small mammals by live trapping in eight types of forest across Romania. We found that small mammal abundance was significantly higher in lowland than in mountain forests, but species richness was similar, being associated with the diversity of tree canopy, with the highest values in mixed forests. In contrast, small mammal heterogeneity was related to overall habitat heterogeneity. As predicted, community composition was most distinct in poplar plantations, where forest specialists coexist with open habitat species. Most of the diversity was represented by alpha diversity. Because of strong fluctuations in population density of dominant rodents, the temporal component of beta heterogeneity was larger than the spatial component, but species richness also presented an important temporal turnover. Our results show the importance of the time dimension in the design of the surveys aiming at estimating the diversity of small mammal communities, both at the local and regional scales.

Differential spatial responses of rodents to masting on forest sites with differing disturbance history.

Mast seeding, the synchronized interannual variation in seed production of trees, is a well‐known bottom‐up driver for population densities of granivorous forest rodents. Such demographic effects also affect habitat preferences of the animals: After large seed production events, reduced habitat selectivity can lead to spillover from forest patches into adjacent alpine meadows or clear‐cuts, as has been reported for human‐impacted forests. In unmanaged, primeval forests, however, gaps created by natural disturbances are typical elements, yet it is unclear whether the same spillover dynamics occur under natural conditions. To determine whether annual variation in seed production drives spillover effects in naturally formed gaps, we used 14 years of small mammal trapping data combined with seed trap data to estimate population densities of Apodemus spp. mice and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) on 5 forest sites with differing disturbance history. The study sites, located in a forest dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies), and silver fir (Abies alba), consisted of two primeval forest sites with small canopy gaps, two sites with larger gaps (after an avalanche event and a windthrow event), and a managed forest stand with closed canopy as a control. Hierarchical Bayesian N‐mixture models revealed a strong influence of seed rain on small rodent abundance, which were site‐specific for M. glareolus but not for Apodemus spp. Following years of moderate or low seed crop, M. glareolus avoided open habitat patches but colonized those habitats in large numbers after full mast events, suggesting that spillover events also occur in unmanaged forests, but not in all small rodents. The species‐ and site‐specific characteristics of local density responding to food availability have potentially long‐lasting effects on forest gap regeneration dynamics and should be addressed in future studies.

New technology to improve the thermal stability of botulinum toxin type D by biomimetic mineralization

The advanced biomimetic mineralization technology was applied to protect the Botulinum neurotoxin type D, and the processing of the mineralization granule of botulinum toxin type D was successfully screened. The loss of activity of the toxin protein at different temperatures and the destructive strength of the gastrointestinal tract against the toxin were determined biologically. The lethal toxicity of the mineralized toxin to wild rodents was determined by median lethal dose. Protective tests at different temperatures showed that the preservation period of botulinum toxin type D mineralized sample 2 was significantly higher than that of the control group at three different temperatures, and its toxicity loss was significantly reduced. The damage intensity of the mineralized toxin to the gastrointestinal contents of plateau zokor and plateau pika was significantly reduced. The minimum lethal doses of the mineralized toxin particles to plateau zokor, plateau pika, and mice were 5200, 8,600,000, and 25,000 MLD/kg. These results showed that biomimetic mineralization could greatly improve the thermal stability of botulinum toxin type D and reduce the damaging effect of the gastrointestinal contents of target animals to botulinum toxin type D. The mineralized toxin could be used to control the population density of urban rodents. This research provides new insights into the protection of toxin protein substances.

Density and distribution of the greater mole rat (Spalax microphthalmus) on the northern border of the area in a region of European Russia

There are few subterranean mammals in Russia. The aim of the paper is to study the distribution and abundance of greater mole rat in the local population. The characteristic of the local population of the greater mole rat ( Spalax microphthalmus ) on the northern border of the range with reference to geographical coordinates is given. Our research has been conducted in Republic of Mordovia (European Russia). The field studies were carried out in 2007-2019. The population density in Mordovia is from 2 to 6 individuals/ha. The number of greater mole rat is estimated at 190 individuals. There are 27 to 200 mounds per one hectare of registered area. The distance of the greater mole rat habitat in Mordovia is from 40 to 372 km from other populations of neighboring regions. It is revealed that animals in the region are confined to pastures and dacha areas. The population density of subterranean rodent populations, such as mole rats, is in equilibrium with the capacity of the environment in which they live. The results on the population density and the number of greater mole rats on the northern border of the species range indicate the oppression of the local population.

Density and distribution of the greater mole rat (Spalax microphthalmus) on the northern border of the area in a region of European Russia

There are few subterranean mammals in Russia. The aim of the paper is to study the distribution and abundance of greater mole rat in the local population. The characteristic of the local population of the greater mole rat (Spalax microphthalmus) on the northern border of the range with reference to geographical coordinates is given. Our research has been conducted in Republic of Mordovia (European Russia). The field studies were carried out in 2007-2019. The population density in Mordovia is from 2 to 6 individuals/ha. The number of greater mole rat is estimated at 190 individuals. There are 27 to 200 mounds per one hectare of registered area. The distance of the greater mole rat habitat in Mordovia is from 40 to 372 km from other populations of neighboring regions. It is revealed that animals in the region are confined to pastures and dacha areas. The population density of subterranean rodent populations, such as mole rats, is in equilibrium with the capacity of the environment in which they live. The results on the population density and the number of greater mole rats on the northern border of the species range indicate the oppression of the local population.

Spatial behaviour of yellow-necked wood mouse Apodemus flavicollis in two sub-Mediterranean oak coppice stands

Strong mutual relationships exist between rodents and ecosystems. By modifying the structure and functioning of ecosystems, human activity can affect rodent behaviour and ecology. The yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis is widespread in Europe, and its spatial ecology has been studied in various habitats, but studies are lacking for Mediterranean forests often altered by forest management practices. We investigated the spatial behaviour of A. flavicollis in a sub-Mediterranean deciduous oak forest of central Italy subject to forest management. We radio-tracked 27 individuals in two different coppice stands, i.e. a recently cut area and a high forest, differing in terms of species-specific habitat quality and rodent population density. We analysed the size of home ranges in relation to habitat type and sex. Our results revealed that home range and core area size did not differ between habitat types or sexes. The spatial behaviour of A. flavicollis thus did not appear to be influenced by population density and habitat quality. The lack of sex-related differences confirms the current knowledge on the species’ spatial ecology. Our findings provide the first useful information on the spatial behaviour of A. flavicollis in sub-Mediterranean deciduous oak forests, whose ecological processes may be markedly influenced by this key species at several trophic levels.

Информационно-аналитическая система «Экология агробиоценозов»

The study of mechanisms of formation and patterns of interaction of individual components of agrobiocenoses involves the processing of large arrays of heterogeneous geographically distributed data obtained at different times and in different soil and climatic conditions. In this regard, we have begun the development of an information-analytical system and related software that will allow us to accumulate, store and conduct a consolidated analysis of unrelated data regarding long-term monitoring of agrobiocenoses and surrounding ecosystems. The general scheme of the information-analytical system “Ecology of agrobiocenoses” and its interaction with the means of remote sensing of the Earth and the capabilities of GIS technologies has been formed. Based on free software, cloud computing systems, the elements of a web-oriented information system have been developed to create databases characterizing the leading abiotic, biotic, technological aspects of agrobiocenoses. A relational database model has been formed that allows the collection, storage and consolidation of entered information. Modules have been developed to collect the main characteristics of resource-saving technologies for crop cultivation, as well as the impact of winter wheat harvesting methods on combine harvester productivity and yield. The practical example shows that the analysis of a wide range of heterogeneous information in combination with GIS technologies which give a clear spatio-temporal localization of objects makes it possible to identify patterns of interaction between the components of agrobiocenoses, which at first glance are not related to each other. The data of technological field experiments and separately conducted observations of avifauna and mouse-like rodents were studied. It was established that the forage base of birds and the highest population density of rodents coincide geographically with cultivation using direct sowing technology, which caused a significant loss of winter wheat in the autumn-winter period in these areas.

Tibetan sheep grazing modifies rodent density and their interactions effect on GHG emissions of alpine meadow

Digging and mound-building by rodents lead to considerable disturbances in the topsoil and may affect plant composition, soil properties. However, little is known about the effects of these activities on GHG emissions, especially under different grazing management. This paper aimed to measure changes in CO2 and CH4 efflux with varying grazing management during the warm and cold seasons and to relate CO2 and CH4 efflux to pika burrow density and zokor mound density with different grazing management. Results of this study showed that CO2 efflux was significantly affected by the grazing season, whereas CH4 efflux was significantly affected by the grazing system. There were significant relationships between GHG efflux and rodent population density which were regulated by grazing management. CO2 efflux increased linearly with rodent density under seasonal continuous grazing in warm season. CO2 and CH4 efflux and rodent population density showed a significant quadratic convex relationship under rotational grazing at 24 SM/ha in warm and cold seasons and rotational grazing at 48 SM/ha in cold season. Under rotational grazing at light stocking rate (24 SM/ha), appropriate populations of rodents were beneficial for decreasing GHG emissions. This results also used to help drive a best-practices model for grazing practices of local herders.

Rodent population density and survival respond to disturbance induced by timber harvest

Abstract Many small mammal populations respond quickly to timber harvest aimed at oak (Quercus) regeneration, which alters microhabitat. We used mark-release–recapture data collected 6–8 years postharvest from the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment in southern Indiana, United States, to model density and apparent survival of eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) and white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) as a function of timber harvest treatments (shelterwood, clearcut, patch cut, and unharvested control). Density, estimated using spatial capture–recapture, increased for chipmunks in all types of harvest openings, but survival was unaffected by harvest. Chipmunk densities in unharvested forest matrix habitat averaged 58% and 71% lower relative to harvest openings and opening edges, respectively. White-footed mouse density was less responsive to timber harvest, but monthly survival rates were reduced by 13% in shelterwoods and 17% in patch cuts relative to control sites. Both rodent species tended to exhibit distance-dependent responses, with higher density of home-range centers near harvest boundaries relative to forest matrix. Structural complexity created at the edges of timber harvest openings can benefit rodents associated with edge habitat 6–8 years after harvest, presumably due to improved foraging efficiency and resource diversity. Cascading effects of rodent demographic responses are likely to affect predation and seed dispersal, which are critical trophic interactions in oak forest ecosystems.

Minimising trapping effort without affecting population density estimations for small mammals

Improving species community diversity studies needs population abundances to be calculated. Micromammal population densities are highly variable at small spatial scales. Mark-recapture methods based on grid trapping is the most reliable technique to study density in small rodents, albeit it is time-consuming because it necessitates increasing the number of spatial replicates. Here, we evaluated a live-trapping grid strategy to minimise field effort without decreasing the accuracy of small rodent population density estimations. We first computed spatially explicit estimates of population density using CMR histories from a large grid made by 100 traps set over 4 consecutive days and nights trapped twice per year between 2012 and 2015, and compared these estimates with those obtained from reduced session time and grid extent for two common rodent species: the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). We then compared density estimates to simpler catch-effort indexes of abundance for these rodents. Spatially explicit density estimates from capture-mark-recapture over 4 consecutive days from grids set with a single trap interspaced 5 m on a 10 × 10 square were highly correlated (R² = 0.945) with density estimates after 4 consecutive days on a 7 × 7 square arrangement. The best performance of catch-effort indexes relative to 4 days on 10 × 10 square grid spatial density estimates for these two rodents was found when using total trapping events recorded on 8 × 8 grids over 4 days or 9 × 9 over 3 days (R² = 0.947 and 0.945 respectively). Our results support the use of a reduced grid design over 4 days to obtain reliable spatially explicit density estimates. We also obtained a reduced duration of trapping at the expense of keeping larger grids when using catch-effort indexes.

Copper influence on bank vole\u2019s (Myodes glareolus) sexual behavior

The impact of human activity on the environment has led to a steady increase of the amounts of copper in the ecosystems. This element accumulates in plants and water, potentially exposing rodents to its harmful effects. In industrial districts, a decrease in the density of small rodent populations has been observed. This decline may be caused by many factors, including mortality, decreased fertility, or impaired sexual behavior. The decline in the reproductive abilities of small rodents after copper exposure was demonstrated in our previous work (Miska-Schramm A, Kruczek M, Kapusta J, Ecotoxicology 23:1546–1554, 2014). The aim of the presented research was to determine how copper administered at concentrations similar to those recorded in industrial districts (Cu I-150 mg/kg, Cu II-600 mg/kg, C-control) affects the sexual behavior of small rodents. The model species was the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). The behavior and vocalizations of male-female pairs were recorded during open-field tests: ♂C vs. ♀C; ♂Cu I vs. ♀C; ♂Cu II vs. ♀C while in preference tests, female behavior was assessed in the following combinations: ♀C vs. ♂C & ♂Cu I; ♀C vs. ♂C & ♂Cu II. In the presented work, we show that copper decreased the males’ sexual attractiveness. Females showed suppressed preference towards males treated with 600 mg/kg copper. The number of sniffs and a number of approaches towards Cu II males was significantly lower than towards control individuals. Also, in preference test with 150 mg/kg treated animals, total activity was lower towards copper treated animals. At the same time, copper did not influence intra-sexual interactions.

Different population responses of three sympatric rodent species to acorn masting—the role of tannin tolerance

AbstractRodent population dynamics are predicted to respond positively to the masting of acorns, but diverging results have been published. This study tested the hypothesis that population responses to acorn masting vary depending on differences in the tolerance to tannins of different rodent species. The effects of acorn abundance on the rodent population densities were analyzed using a dataset obtained in Hokkaido, Japan. Specifically, population fluctuations of three rodent species (Apodemus speciosus, A. argenteus, and Myodes rufocanus) and the abundance of Quercus crispula acorns have been monitored since 1992. Acorn production in previous years had a positive effect on the annual population growth rates of A. speciosus; however, this trend was not clear in the other two species. Tannin tolerance, assessed by body weight changes in an acorn feeding experiment, exhibited clear differences among the rodent species; namely, the body weight of A. speciosus increased, whereas that of the other two species decreased. The observed responses to acorn masting of populations of the three sympatric rodent species reflected tannin tolerance. It suggests that only populations of species with high tannin tolerance positively respond to acorn masting. Previous studies tend to overlook species‐specific abilities of coping with tannins in acorns. Our results emphasize the necessity of evaluating the tannin tolerance of rodents and the tannin content of acorns to understand how rodent population dynamics and acorn production are related.