Physiological and Biochemical Parameters of the Grey Red-backed Vole (Craseomys rufocanus) Population in the Northern Priokhotye at Different Population Levels

Abstract

In order to clarify the manifestations of stress in the grey red-backed vole population under conditions of a relatively low number, the variability of several physiological and biochemical indicators was studied for 13 years. The study revealed that in most years of observation, with a low and average level of animal numbers, there were no signs of stress. The level of physiological parameters corresponding to the stress state of voles was detected only once, in the year of "peak," i.e. the maximum population size. The identified stress, apparently, was the main reason for the lowest subsequent survival of animals in this period for all years studied.

Keywords

• northern priokhotye
• grey red-backed vole
• population density
• physiological and biochemical indexes (parameters)
• stress