Spacing behavior and key resources: An experiment on seasonal preference of male bank voles, Clethrionomys glareolus, for food and females

Abstract

We studied experimentally male distribution in relation to key resources, food and females, during winter and at the onset of breeding in eight enclosure populations of the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus. In the experiment we manipulated the social environment of individuals under thick snow cover. After we had determined the male movements in a mixed population of both sexes all females of each enclosure were captured and kept in a cage at one end of the enclosure while food was offered in the opposite end. Male movements between these two patches were monitored by life-trapping under the snow. We found a seasonal pattern in the distribution of males in relation to key resources. 1) During the non-breeding season the manipulation of female and food distribution did not affect the male movements significantly, but 2) as expected, at the onset of breeding females were the preferred resource for the males. The results are discussed in the light of survival and mating strategies of males.