E. W. Jameson

“ Lice on the prairie vole are the same species as those found on other species of Microtus in other areas, but since Anoplura of the prairie vole do not parasitize the cotton rat, the white-footed mouse, and the deer mouse, this host specificity of lice makes it unlikely that lice would carry blood parasites from the prairie vole to any of the latter named rodents. ”

“ Voles were trapped in runways of the cotton rats, but no cotton rat was caught in a typical runway of a vole.
The burrows of the prairie vole are 40 to 50 mm. in diameter, and the shallowest part is usually 50 to 100 mm. below the surface of the ground. Burrows leading to nests or food chambers may descend deeper than the others. Some prairie voles were trapped in tunnels of the common mole (Scalopus aquaticus) . The voles make their own burrows, and are especially active at this task when a hard rain has loosened the previously hard, dry soil. ”

“ It was the most common flea on the deer mouse, the white-footed mouse, and the cotton rat. In certain areas it was common on the two voles (Pitymys nemoralis and Microtus ochrogaster) . Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes is the most abundant flea on the two kinds of voles and on the large shrew (Blarina brevicauda) , and was found sparingly on the cotton rat.
Several kinds of fleas do not belong in either of the above groups. Some fleas were accidental strays from mammals not included in table 6; and one flea (Rectofrontia fraterna) may prove to be a common nest parasite. ”

“ Since the only specimens in the University of Kansas Entomological Collections are from "mouse nests," this flea may be found to be a nest inhabiting parasite.
Some fleas are possible bridges by which a blood parasite could be transmitted from one kind of a mammal to another. If Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes acted as the intermediate host of a disease-causing organism, an epizootic from Microtus ochrogaster might be transmitted to Pitymys nemoralis or to Sigmodon hispidus or Blarina brevicauda. There are several other such potential bridges for blood parasites. ”

“ The cuttings that have accumulated at the base of the plant may be eaten, but frequently they remain as evidence of the vole's feeding activity.
On May 12, 1946, an analysis was made of the cuttings found in an area of alfalfa, grasses, and weeds. From table 1 it may be seen that quackgrass, alfalfa, wild lettuce, and cleavers were common. In three nights 70 traps caught 8 prairie voles and 3 deer mice; no pine mice or cotton rats were caught on the area. The stomachs of the voles and the deer mice were examined, and only the stomachs of the voles contained green material. ”

“ In October, November, and December, 85 per cent of the breeding females were adults. In October, 85 per cent of the adult females were fecund, and in November, this figure was 80 per cent. Reproduction at this season, in the females, it appears, was largely a function of the adults. The proportion of adults to the rest of the population was calculated for each month; and the monthly changes in relative numbers of adults is shown in figure 4. In November, December, and January there was a scarcity of adult voles in the population. ”

“ Some fleas have a habitat preference as well as a host specificity. As voles from different areas were examined, different kinds of fleas were encountered. A population of free-living voles under observation on the Campus at Lawrence was parasitized only by Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes. From 90 prairie voles collected in a field of clover 4 miles northwest of Lawrence, the only species of flea recovered was Orchopeas leucopus. ”

“ Poa pratensis is a common lawn and pasture grass, P. annua is a weed species. The bluegrasses begin to grow in late winter about Lawrence, Kansas, and they remain green until late in the fall. During this time, the voles eat the blades and heads of bluegrass, and make their runways under the culms. The prairie voles utilize several species of Bromus. ”

“ The activities of voles, especially those of the genus Microtus, attracted the attention of naturalists even in early times. Aristotle (translated by Thompson, 1910) wrote: "The rate of propagation of field mice in country places, and the destruction that they cause, are all beyond telling. In many places their number is so incalculable that but very little of the corn-crop is left to the farmer ”

“ Although the identity of a specimen of mite could not be determined until it was mounted, a person could tell whether or not it was one of the larger, very active Laelaptidae, one of the hair-clinging Listrophoridae, or one of the tiny, orange Trombiculidae. ”

“ In such a habitat, vole runways are poorly developed, and are difficult to find. Voles in grasslands feed in runways, as attested by the piles of cuttings found in the runways and the nibbled grass which borders them. Voles in clover or alfalfa feed at the bases of the plants wherever the plants may grow. ”