Ecological Separation of Sympatric Rodents (Peromyscus and Microtus)

Abstract

This paper quantifies the ecological separation of locally sympatric Peromyscus leucopus and Microtus pennsylvanicus. Major niche dimensions examined were food, arboreal habitat, and overall structural habitat. Diet overlap was low and arboreal activity of Peromyscus was independent of Microtus presence or absence. Significant structural habitat separation was identified by discriminant function analysis and was due to differences in foliage profile diversity, tree density, and depth of the mat of perennial grass.