Food selection in Microtus arvalis: the role of plant functional traits

Mgr. Petra LANTOVÁ

Advanced ('rigorózní') thesis

Abstract:

Foraging by captive common voles (Microtus arvalis) was evaluated by measuring the biomass of plant species consumed in a vivaria experiment and by re-analysing of already published data on plant selection. The experiment showed that foraging was strongly plant species-specific, while data re-analysis indicated the traits plant guild and life span as the best predictors for dietary selection, i.e., voles would eat more grasses and/or legumes than forbs. The study suggests that the voles usually consume grasses in the field because grasses are abundant and readily available, but prefer protein-rich forbs when possible.

Abstract:

Foraging by captive common voles (Microtus arvalis) was evaluated by measuring the biomass of plant species consumed in a vivaria experiment and by re-analysing of already published data on plant selection. The experiment showed that foraging was strongly plant species-specific, while data re-analysis indicated the traits plant guild and life span as the best predictors for dietary selection, i.e., voles would eat more grasses and/or legumes than forbs. The study suggests that the voles usually consume grasses in the field because grasses are abundant and readily available, but prefer protein-rich forbs when possible.

Keywords

Common vole, Electivity index, Selective feeding, Plant functional groups, Plant traits

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 15. 1. 2011

Identifier: 22536

Thesis defence

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH BOHEMIA IN ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE

Faculty of Science

Advanced ('rigorózní řízení') programme / field:
Zoologie / Zoologie