[The morphological variability coordinated with the population cycle of the widely distributed (the water vole Arvicola terrestris L.) and mountain (the big-eared vole Alticola macrotis Radde) vole species].
This paper presents an analysis of variation of skull size and shape in the course of population cycles of two ecologically different vole species: water vole and high-mountain vole. We have found consistent changes of the direction, rate, and balance of morphogenesis during population cycles. We discuss the role of intra-populational factors and inter-populational variation during the territorial expansion of the species.
Faleev
V I
VI
Institute of Animal Systematics and Ecology, Siberian Division of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Epifantseva
L Iu
LIu
D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013045:Species Specificity