Laserfiche WebLink
as it influences other factors, and distance to major bodies of water is of <br /> little importance (Whitaker 1972). However, another author concluded <br /> that there is a defutite relationship between Z. hudsonius and moisture, <br /> but that the species avoids sparse vegetation (Whitaker 1972)., One <br /> author found that the activity of zapodids increases with rainfall <br /> (Whitaker 1972). <br /> 2. Other physical features of environment and habitat- Z. hudsonius <br /> requires dense ground cover. The species does not move across roads, <br /> heavily grazed areas, or cultivated fields (Quimby 1951). No other <br /> physical feature of the environment has been specified as influencing <br /> populations of Zapus. <br /> C. Biological characteristics <br /> 1. Vegetation physiognomy and community structure- As noted above, <br /> Z. hudsonius prefers moist, lowland habitats consisting of low <br /> undergrowth. Reports from several authors, concerning widely different <br /> parts of North America, indicate that Z. hudsonius selects habitats in <br /> vegetation of like form, even though different assemblages of plant <br /> species may be involved (Krutzsch 1954). Adequate herbaceous ground <br /> cover is necessary for maintenance of populations of Zapus (Whitaker <br /> 1972). Populations of Zapus favor grassy vegetation, but the species of <br /> plant present (including food plants) are of little importance (Whitaker <br /> 1972). <br /> 2. Associated species- Quimby (1951) reported other mammals caught in <br /> the area of his Minnesota study. The species included three shrew <br /> species (Sorex cinereus cinereus, Sorex arcticus laricorum, and Blarina <br /> brevicaada brevicauda), Short-tailed weasel (Muste/a erminea bangs!), <br /> Striped Ground Squirrel (Citellus tridecemlineatus tridecemlineatus),Gray <br /> Chipmunk (Tamias striates griseus), Mississippi Valley Pocket Gopher <br /> (Geomys bursaries bursarias), Prairie White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus <br /> • maniculatus bairdii), Wood Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus <br /> noreboracensis), Pennsylvania Meadow Mouse(Microtus pennrylvanicus <br /> pennsylvanicus), and House Mouse (Mus musculus). The Raccoon <br /> (Procyon lover hirtus) and Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) also <br /> occurred in the area. Live-trapping conducted by Pioneer Environmental <br /> Consulting Services, Inc. at the VanV1eet parcel, City of Boulder Open <br /> Space Department, revealed that Peromyscus maniculatus, Microtus <br /> pennsylvanicus, and Mus musculus were present in the study area where <br /> Z. h. preblei was captured. The meadow jumping mouse and meadow <br /> vole have nearly identical distributions over North America, and both live <br /> in moist meadow habitats (Boortstm and Hoyle 1986). <br /> 3. Dominance and frequency- Armstrong (1972) states that Z. hudsonius <br /> (preblet) is poorly known in Colorado, and apparently is nowhere <br /> abundant. Records in the state are marginal for the species and <br /> apparently the population there is relict. Long (1965) states that Z. h. <br /> preblei is rare, and is known only from southeastern Wyoming and <br /> mountains of south-central Wyoming. <br /> Fmd Saou S y <br /> pfo WS,IK <br /> Mw.h 24,1993 4 <br />