A field experiment to examine the effects of food quality and population density on reproduction of wild house mice.

摘要: A field experiment, with a 22 factorial design, was conducted on sixteen trapping grids to test the effects of food quality (protein content) and reduced population density breeding performance house mice (Mus musculus L.). The experiment in rice New South Wales, Australia, autumn (March-June) 1983, when there an abundant supply grain, so energy not limiting factor for breeding. Protein supplemented by ad libitum provision oats sunflower seeds. An increase protein content diet from 8% 11% associated significant proportion females There no response culling head-body length ' 75 mm plus males < 82 mm, nor interaction x food-quality. absence effect is discussed relation seasonal conditions previously postulated food-quality, spacing-behaviour hypothesis mouse-plague formation.