Effects of fragmented breeding habitat and resource distribution on behavior and survival of the bank vole (Myodes glareolus)

摘要: Habitat fragmentation causes negative population trends or even local extinction in many species. Understanding the role of on behavior and space use animals is an essential part revealing mechanism behind observed declines. We studied experimentally effects small-scale habitat distribution movement bank voles (Myodes glareolus) seminatural enclosures. predicted that besides structure, availability two resources, food for both sexes, receptive females males, determine individual distribution. manipulated female density (either 0, 4, 12 per enclosure) followed movements radio-collared males. also effect unequal between fragments vole The 0.25-ha enclosures was by forming either one large, medium-sized, four small patches surrounded inhospitable matrix. Female clearly affected male spacing behavior. Males had larger home ranges medium Furthermore, risky matrix area increased with fragmentation. Food supplementation improved condition measured as body mass but did not affect breeding success. Our experiments demonstrated resource individuals. Increased led to risk taking mating foraging This should have direct survival fitness consequences, therefore our results may be extrapolated population-level consequences