RECRUITMENT IN WHITE-FOOTED MICE (PEROMYSCUS-LEUCOPUS) AS A FUNCTION OF LITTER SIZE, RARITY, AND SEASON

We explored the relationship between reproductive success and parity i n white-footed mice. Because these small mammals are short-lived and h ave low residual reproductive value in the field, we predicted, contra ry to laboratory results, that litter size, weaning rates, and recruit ment would not increase as a function of female age or parity. We used data from 3 years of mark-and-recapture trapping data and from nest b oxes to estimate weaning and recruitment rates in a 2-ha woodlot in no rthwest Ohio. Of 401 mice from 82 litters born in nest boxes, 87 were recruited into the population as adults. We observed no increase in li tter size, weaning rates, or recruitment with maternal age or parity. Season interacted with parity such that recruitment from spring-born l itters produced by females having their first or second Litters was fo ur times higher than from all other litters. Litter size did not influ ence weaning rates and only affected recruitment when season and parit y also were considered.