title: [Density-dependent regulation in populations of red-backed voles (Myodes rutilus) in optimal and suboptimal habitats of south-west Siberia].
abstract: In a population of red-backed voles (Myodes rutilus) that live in optimal habitats (mountain taiga of North-Eastern Altai) in the years of peak density we have observed total suppression of sexual maturation of young animals which is known to be the main mechanism of density regulation. Increase of voles' local density is accompanied by the increase of glucocorticoids in blood of mature and immature individuals of both sexes that argues for the important role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in density dependent regulation. Another population of red-backed voles from south-west Siberia that live in suboptimal habitats (Novosibirsk city vicinity), had significantly lower density. Here, the dynamics of demographic traits and endocrine status of the individuals did not correlate with interannual fluctuations of abundance and density. Even though, the possibility that in suboptimal conditions local density occasionally reaches the values sufficient for the induction of self-regulation cannot be excluded.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Novikov
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Panov
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Moshkin
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology*; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012621:Seasons; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology*; D012800:Siberia
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids