Stress Effect of High Population Density on Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Large-Toothed Redback Voles (Clethrionomys Rufocanus) in the Upper Kolyma River

Abstract

The purpose of this work was study of the physiological state of the large-toothed redback vole population at different phases of the population cycle. The study revealed that each population level of animals corresponded to a specific morphophysiological type. Significant differences were revealed between the values of several energy and immune parameters at high and low population levels. In the phase of "peak" number the level of most physiological indicators were consistent with stressful. The participation of stress is assumed in the suppression of reproduction and increased mortality of voles observed in the phases of high numbers.

Keywords

• upper reaches of the Kolyma
• large-toothed redback vole
• population density
• physiological and biochemical indexes (parameters)
• stress