Aspects of Reproduction and Development in the Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster)

The prairie vole, one of the most common mammals across the Kansas grasslands, plays a crucial role in shaping vegetation and serving as prey for many predators. Over four years, researchers set systematic live‑trap grids covering several acres, capturing and recapturing thousands of individuals to track their movements and life stages. This extensive fieldwork provides a rare, detailed picture of how vole numbers change month to month and year to year.

The study zeroes in on the vole’s reproductive cycle and juvenile growth, supplementing traditional weight records with precise length measurements taken directly from live animals. By comparing repeated measurements, the author establishes the reliability of size as an indicator of development, revealing subtle patterns in birth timing, litter size, and growth rates. These findings help clarify the ecological forces that drive the vole’s population dynamics on the reservation. The data also highlight how environmental factors like moisture and food availability can cause rapid fluctuations in individual size.