Date of Award
12-17-1995
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Northern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys rutilus) undergo a pronounced annual cycle in body mass: highest in summer, lowest in winter. I trapped voles throughout 1994 to determine how body composition and relative size of body components contributed to this cycle. Seasonal changes in body mass were primarily due to changes in body water and lean dry matter. Total body fat was low throughout the year, peaking in spring and early summer. Relative ash content was lowest in early summer. Most body components declined in dry mass and percent water during autumn, with skeletomuscular components contributing most to loss of body mass. Most body components declined in proportion to declines in body mass, but a few components declined proportionally greater than or less than body mass. Total Body Electrical Conductivity (TOBEC) of live voles explained 94% of the variation in lean mass and body water, but accuracy of fat estimates was poor.
Recommended Citation
Zuercher, Gerald Lawrence, "Seasonal changes in body mass and composition of northern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys rutilus) in interior Alaska" (1995). Biological Sciences. 483.
https://ualaska.researchcommons.org/uaf_grad_bio_sciences/483
Handle
http://hdl.handle.net/11122/14818