EFFECT OF ECTOPARASITE REMOVAL PROCEDURES ON RECAPTURE OF MICROTUS-CALIFORNICUS

We tested the null hypothesis that anesthetizing meadow voles (Microtu s californicus) and brushing them vigorously for ectoparasites would h ave no effect on the later recapture of these voles. Voles were trappe d from 6 December 1993 to 10 January 1994 at Faye Slough Wildlife Area near Eureka, Humboldt County, California (USA). Alternate trapped vol es were anesthetized with ethyl ether and brushed vigorously for ectop arasites. There was no significant difference in the frequency of reca pture nor in the time to first recapture between those voles anestheti zed and brushed, compared to control animals.