On Wood Mice (Voles) in Yamagata Prefecture

OTSU Shoei

doi:10.1303/jjaez.17.25

This investigation was carried out in forests situated at altitudes ranging from 500 to 520m on the eastern side of Mt. Shirataka (in Yamagata Prefecture). The forests were composed of young broad deciduous trees, young Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora SIEB. et ZUCC.), or young Japanese ceder (Cryptomeria japonica D. DON.). Wood mice were captured by means of mouse live traps with sweet potato and corn as baits. The investigation was carried out during the period from June 1969 to May 1971. The tendency of Microtus montebelli fixing its habitat was very strong: the percentage of the migration number covered only 11.1% of the total animals. The migration occurred from April to August, being most active from February to October. The migration percentage of Clethrionomys andersoni was 22.2% of the total, and the migration area was very small. The migration time was from February to November. Apodemus speciosus showed very strong migratory habits and the percentage of the migration number was 36.7% of the total. The migrating area was wide. This species seems to migrate from one location to another according to the abundance of foods and the migration time extended from April to November (nonsnow season). The migration percentage of Apodemus geisha was 20.5% of the total number, and the area covered was very wide. The migration of this species was seen all the year round but the migrating one was only the male. The periods of the catch of each species in the year were as follows; 11 months for Apodemus geisha, 10 months for Apodemus speciosus, 8 months for Microtus montebelli, and 4 months for Clithrionomys andersoni.

On Wood Mice (Voles) in Yamagata Prefecture

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