Effects of predation and habitat structure on the population dynamics of house mice in large outdoor enclosures

摘要: This paper examines the effect of different levels protection from predation on feral house mice. Mice were contained in eight 50 x m outdoor enclosures. Enclosures allowed access to a suite freeliving vertebrate predators surrounding area, including foxes, cats and Australian raptors. A 10-15% cover small, felled cypress pine trees was added strips low grassland increase habitat complexity. not protected when compared with pens possibly because able focus their hunting activity strips. However, covered wire netting, hence providing higher quality refuge, mouse populations achieved densities than pens. predator exclusion treatment used confirm refuge due reduction impact predation. Survival rates under treatments generally consistent population level responses, mice having lower survival high is first study mammals that confirms importance refuges for prey populations.