Effect of additional food and water on house mice in a semi‐arid agricultural environment in Australia

摘要: We tested the hypothesis that providing high-quality food and water would increase reproduction, survival population size in house mice living a semi-arid cropping environment mallee region of western Victoria, Australia, where outbreaks (Mus domesticus) occur irregularly. employed factorial design applied treatments along internal fencelines (16 sites), adjacent to areas, from November 2003 July 2004. Population abundance was low during experiment (0–26 per site), summer rainfall below average. confirmed used supplementary through reduction weight containers over time for presence Rhodamine B blood samples positive bands whiskers. Abundant also available grain spilt on ground after harvest wheat barley crops. There some evidence increased breeding sites added, but no effect or combination. Sites free had marginally higher populations (∼2 more average; P = 0.07). This difference well any biologically meaningful effect. Mice were 0.9 g heavier added (P = 0.04), better condition 0.03). The addition did not affect mouse dynamics, resulted only marginal responses demographic characteristics. conclude other factors appear be important limiting growth autumn.