Movement Indicators of Reproductive Events among Female Meadow Voles as Revealed by Radiotelemetry

Abstract

Live-trapping and radiotelemetry were used to monitor weight changes and movements of free-ranging female meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) through the reproductive cycle. Body weight increased markedly from day 8 of gestation. Seven measures of space use and movement were quantified weekly from 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after parturition. These included total, maximum, and secondary clustering, home area size, average radius, average movement per hour, and the change in center of activity between observation periods. All measures showed a significant decrease associated with parturition, except total and maximum clustering, which showed a significant increase. The findings are discussed in relation to maternal care of altricial young in mammals, and relative to a possible role in population regulation.