The dynamics of health in wild field vole populations: a haematological perspective.

摘要: 1. Pathogens have been proposed as potentially important drivers of population dynamics, but while a few studies investigated the impact specific pathogens, wealth information provided by general indices health has hardly exploited. By evaluating haematological parameters in wild populations, our knowledge dynamics and infection may be better understood. 2. Here, natural populations field voles are to determine environmental host factors associated with indicators inflammatory response (counts monocytes neutrophils) condition: measures immunological investment (lymphocyte counts) aerobic capacity (red blood cell counts). 3. Individuals from three vole were sampled monthly for 2 years. Comparisons individuals kept under controlled conditions facilitated interpretation data. Mixed effects models developed each type evaluate separately various on post-juvenile mature breeding females. 4. There well-characterized 'physiological' seasons. The appeared lowest winter (lowest lymphocyte counts), red cells at their highest levels lowest. Spring was characterized fall counts peaks response. During course summer-autumn, recovered, increased decreased. 5. Poor body condition affect (lower neutrophil monocyte peaks) providing evidence that fight is dependent upon condition. 6. Breeding early year most likely females (high 7. All affected adversely high densities.