Muskrat life history: a comparison of a northern and southern population

• Published in: Ecography
• Main Authors: Simpson, Mark R., Boutin, Stan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1993
• Subjects: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Old Crow Flats; Yukon; Old Crow
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.1993.tb00052.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1600-0587.1993.tb00052.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1600-0587.1993.tb00052.x

Muskrats Ondatra zibethicus were studied at Old Crow flats Yukon Territory (68°05′N, 140°05W) and Tiny Marsh, Ontario (44°35′N, 79°52′W) during the summers of 1985 and 1986 Life–history traits of these two populations were compared Litter size was not significantly different between the two sites However average annual productivity was significantly greater at Tiny Marsh where individuals produced more litters per season Growth rates of juvenile and adult muskrats were significantly greater at Tiny Marsh, as was juvenile and adult weight However overwinter survival of juvenile muskrats was significantly greater at Old Crow than at Tiny Marsh We suggest that the shorter growing season and proximate energetic limitations on growth and reproduction favour a conservative reproductive strategy by the northern muskrat population For the southern muskrat population a long growing season and high quality food resources allow for a more productive reproductive strategy