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Population Structure and Dispersal in Richardson's Ground Squirrels

Population Structure and Dispersal in Richardson's Ground Squirrels Populations structure and dispersal were studied over a 4—yr period in a population of Richardson's group squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii) on a 135—ha tract of natural prairie in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Overall, fewer than 30% of juveniles and 50% of adults were recaptured in a subsequent year. More ♂ ♂ than ♀ ♀ disappeared from the population. The 1:1 juvenile sex ration was readjusted to °0.3 ♂ ♂ / ♀ in the adult population. Females generally remained within 100 m of their initial capture point, and fidelity to the original area lasted at least 3 yr. There was no substantive evidence to account for the loss of ♀ ♀ between successive years on the basis of dispersal. Males generally moved further than ♀ ♀. About 90% of the observed between—year movements made by ♂ ♂ could be explained on the basis of movements during the breeding season. Within their first year of life, ♂ ♂ moved further in the spring when mature than in the previous year as juveniles. Some dispersal by juvenile ♂ ♂ occurred, predominantly in July. In each year the population fit the Hardy—Weinberg equilibrium with respect to the transferrin locus, and there was no evidence of differential loss of genotypes between generations, between years between sexes, or between marked and unmarked adults. The potential effect of spring dispersal by yearling as opposed to fall dispersal by juveniles on population dynamics is considered. The roles of dispersal, predation, and overwinter mortality in accounting for losses of squirrels for losses of squirrels are examined. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Ecology Wiley

Population Structure and Dispersal in Richardson's Ground Squirrels

Michener, Gail R.; Michener, Daniel R.
Ecology , Volume 58 (2) – Mar 1, 1977
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References (22)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
© Society for Community Research and Action
ISSN
0012-9658
eISSN
1939-9170
DOI
10.2307/1935610
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Populations structure and dispersal were studied over a 4—yr period in a population of Richardson's group squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii) on a 135—ha tract of natural prairie in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Overall, fewer than 30% of juveniles and 50% of adults were recaptured in a subsequent year. More ♂ ♂ than ♀ ♀ disappeared from the population. The 1:1 juvenile sex ration was readjusted to °0.3 ♂ ♂ / ♀ in the adult population. Females generally remained within 100 m of their initial capture point, and fidelity to the original area lasted at least 3 yr. There was no substantive evidence to account for the loss of ♀ ♀ between successive years on the basis of dispersal. Males generally moved further than ♀ ♀. About 90% of the observed between—year movements made by ♂ ♂ could be explained on the basis of movements during the breeding season. Within their first year of life, ♂ ♂ moved further in the spring when mature than in the previous year as juveniles. Some dispersal by juvenile ♂ ♂ occurred, predominantly in July. In each year the population fit the Hardy—Weinberg equilibrium with respect to the transferrin locus, and there was no evidence of differential loss of genotypes between generations, between years between sexes, or between marked and unmarked adults. The potential effect of spring dispersal by yearling as opposed to fall dispersal by juveniles on population dynamics is considered. The roles of dispersal, predation, and overwinter mortality in accounting for losses of squirrels for losses of squirrels are examined.

Journal

Ecology – Wiley

Published: Mar 1, 1977

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