EFFECTS OF FOOD SUPPLEMENTATION ON RODENTS IN WINTER

We evaluated the role of food availability on population parameters of rodents in agroecosystems in the Pampas of Argentina by mark-recaptur e studies in six crop-field borders; three controls and three areas wi th supplemental food. Akodon azarae, the pampean grassland mouse, in s upplemented borders exhibited increased density, more immigration, gre ater persistence, greater proportion of pregnant females, and increase in mean mass and length. We conclude that food availability is a fact or contributing to winter reduction and slow springtime increase in de nsity of A. azarae.