Spatial Structure of a Population of the Field Vole ( L.) in the Taiga of Northwestern Russia

Special studies were carried out in the territory of the Priladozhsky Theriological Research Centre (Karkku village, Pitkyaranta District, Karelia) in 1986–1997, supplemented by periodic visits between 1998–2015. By using tagging and live trapping we traced territorial relationships of 193 field voles. The number of recaptured voles amounted to 833. Adult animals of this species were found to often form microcolonies during their life, living in small family groups. Each group included 2–3 broods obtained from one pair of animals and settled in closely located habitats 10–20 m in area. At the northern periphery of the distribution range, characteristic differences in spatial groupings of certain age and sex groups were established. Adult (overwintering) females adhered mainly to certain individual territories with an average area of 880 m, with fluctuations from 300 to 2200 m. Males were considerably more mobile compared to females and occupied areas that overlapped with other males’ territories. The territorial behavior of juvenile individuals of was heterogeneous and depended on their participation in reproduction. Breeding young individuals occupied relatively smaller areas. Non-breeding individuals were mush more mobile and did not adhere to any certain territory.