Experimental Ecology of Selected Vertebrate Species. Final Report. [Effects of Sub-Lethal. Gamma. Radiation on Survival of Chipmunks and Pocket Gophers]

• Main Authors: Hartman, R. T., Graybill, D. L.
• Other Authors: United States. Energy Research and Development Administration.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: University of Pittsburgh 1976
• Subjects: Mammals; Radiation Effects; Radiation Sources; Rocky Mountain Region; 54 Environmental Sciences; Ecosystems; Survival Time; Pennsylvania; Animals; Vermont; North Atlantic Region; Terrestrial Ecosystems; Wild Animals; Vertebrates 560152* > Radiation Effects On Animals > Animals; Biological Effects; Irradiation; Usa; Biological Radiation Effects; 63 Radiation; Thermal; And Other Environ. Pollutant Effects On Living Orgs. And Biol. Mat; 510100 > Environment; Terrestrial > Basic Studies > (-1989); Central Region; Population Dynamics; Wyoming; North America; Rodents; Gamma Sources; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/7330203; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1451059/

This report summarizes the results of a long term (1960 to 1973) study designed to determine the suitability of various vertebrate species for experimental radioecology, to determine their individual and population characteristics under natural conditions, and to utilize these characteristics to gauge the effects of sub-lethal doses of gamma radiation. The study focused on free ranging populations of Tamias striatus in northwestern Pennsylvania and Thomomys talpoides in northwestern Wyoming. Results of the study were collated with those of a concurrent and cooperative study of populations of Tamias striatus in southern Vermont. Major achievements of the study included: the discovery that single insults of 200 R and 400 R of gamma radiation decreased the rate of disappearance of individuals from populations of Tamias striatus and Thomomys talpoides so treated, and resulted in a reduction in home range size in a population of Tamias striatus in which the average range of males was quite large; the construction and analysis of life tables which were based on more than 80,000 captures of Tamias striatus and Thomomys talpoides; and the construction and analysis of correlation coefficients relating annual mast production and Tamias striatus population parameters for 26 annual cycle/population combinations.