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Lemming-Food Plant Interactions, Density Effects, and Cyclic Dynamics on the Siberian Tundra

Erlinge, Sam LU ; Hasselquist, Dennis LU ; Hogstedt, Goran ; Seldal, Tarald ; Frodin, Peter LU and Svensson, Mikael (2011) In Arctic 64(4). p.421-428
Abstract
Theory predicts that trophic interactions can produce cyclic dynamics of microtine rodents, but that in addition, social interactions are necessary to create the cyclicity. We tested the induced defence hypothesis as a component driving multiannual cycles by analyzing data on Siberian lemming (Lemmus sibiricus Kerr) populations and the levels of trypsin inhibitors (TI) and free proteins (SPP) in their food plants. We collected data at 12 sites along the Palaearctic tundra coast in 1994 and correlated these measures with lemming density and cycle phase. A negative correlation between lemming density and TI/SPP in Carex was found at the 12 sites. Cycle phase tended to correlate significantly with TI/SPP, and plants being grazed by lemmings... (More)
Theory predicts that trophic interactions can produce cyclic dynamics of microtine rodents, but that in addition, social interactions are necessary to create the cyclicity. We tested the induced defence hypothesis as a component driving multiannual cycles by analyzing data on Siberian lemming (Lemmus sibiricus Kerr) populations and the levels of trypsin inhibitors (TI) and free proteins (SPP) in their food plants. We collected data at 12 sites along the Palaearctic tundra coast in 1994 and correlated these measures with lemming density and cycle phase. A negative correlation between lemming density and TI/SPP in Carex was found at the 12 sites. Cycle phase tended to correlate significantly with TI/SPP, and plants being grazed by lemmings respond with some delay. Mass of pancreas, the organ producing proteolytic enzymes, co-varied negatively with TI/SPP. These findings are in accord with predictions from the induced defence hypothesis. En contrast, reproductive effort did not conform to the predictions but co-varied strongly with density. Data are in accord with theory predicting that, in addition to trophic interactions, some self-regulation is necessary to create cyclic dynamics. Our data show that the plant defence hypothesis alone is not a sufficient explanation for the cyclicity. Several factors interact, including predation, food quality (including induced defence chemicals), and intra-specific competition. (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
lemming, cyclic dynamics, lemming-food plant interactions, density, effect, Siberian tundra
in
Arctic
volume
64
issue
4
pages
421 - 428
publisher
The Arctic Institute of North America
external identifiers
  • wos:000298208600003
  • scopus:82855172420
ISSN
0004-0843
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
9683562b-2b2b-4be5-9a46-593fe21afbb6 (old id 2295943)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 14:01:56
date last changed
2022-01-27 22:28:04
@article{9683562b-2b2b-4be5-9a46-593fe21afbb6,
  abstract     = {{Theory predicts that trophic interactions can produce cyclic dynamics of microtine rodents, but that in addition, social interactions are necessary to create the cyclicity. We tested the induced defence hypothesis as a component driving multiannual cycles by analyzing data on Siberian lemming (Lemmus sibiricus Kerr) populations and the levels of trypsin inhibitors (TI) and free proteins (SPP) in their food plants. We collected data at 12 sites along the Palaearctic tundra coast in 1994 and correlated these measures with lemming density and cycle phase. A negative correlation between lemming density and TI/SPP in Carex was found at the 12 sites. Cycle phase tended to correlate significantly with TI/SPP, and plants being grazed by lemmings respond with some delay. Mass of pancreas, the organ producing proteolytic enzymes, co-varied negatively with TI/SPP. These findings are in accord with predictions from the induced defence hypothesis. En contrast, reproductive effort did not conform to the predictions but co-varied strongly with density. Data are in accord with theory predicting that, in addition to trophic interactions, some self-regulation is necessary to create cyclic dynamics. Our data show that the plant defence hypothesis alone is not a sufficient explanation for the cyclicity. Several factors interact, including predation, food quality (including induced defence chemicals), and intra-specific competition.}},
  author       = {{Erlinge, Sam and Hasselquist, Dennis and Hogstedt, Goran and Seldal, Tarald and Frodin, Peter and Svensson, Mikael}},
  issn         = {{0004-0843}},
  keywords     = {{lemming; cyclic dynamics; lemming-food plant interactions; density; effect; Siberian tundra}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{421--428}},
  publisher    = {{The Arctic Institute of North America}},
  series       = {{Arctic}},
  title        = {{Lemming-Food Plant Interactions, Density Effects, and Cyclic Dynamics on the Siberian Tundra}},
  volume       = {{64}},
  year         = {{2011}},
}