A Reanalysis of the Occurrence, Size and Composition of Communal Groups of Prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

Abstract

In our previous analyses of occurrence, size, and composition of communal groups of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), we treated population density as a categorical variable (< 100/ha and > 100/h) and used spring through early autumn and late autumn through winter as seasonal categories. To determine if these broad groupings biased our results, we reanalyzed the data treating density as a continuous variable and using a finer seasonal scale. We also conducted new analyses regarding composition of communal groups (specifically, proportion of adult male residents in relation to season and population density) and compared sex ratios of residents of communal groups, residents of all social groups and non-residents.