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Metabolic rate, body temperature, and thermal conductance were determined in the gray red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rufocanus), large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus) and striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) at a temperature range of 5–32.5°C. Oxygen consumption was measured by using a closed circuit respirometer. The thermal neutral zone of gray red-backed vole, large Japanese field mouse and striped field mouse were 22.5–27.5°C, 25–30°C and 25–27.5°C, respectively. The mean metabolic rates within thermal zone of these species were 3.62±0.18, 2.69±0.08, and 3.29±0.11 ml O2 g−1 h−1, respectively, which are relatively higher than the predicted values based on their body mass. Non-shivering thermogenesis of these animals were 6.76±0.12, 5.56±0.39 and 6.13±0.28 ml O2 g−1 h−1, respectively. Mean body temperature of the three species were 37.1±0.13°C, 36.9±0.2°C, and 37.5±0.2°C, respectively. Mean thermal conductance of the three species were 0.25±0.04, 0.23±0.00 and 0.25±0.00 ml O2 g−1 h−1°C−1, respectively. The ecophysiological properties of these species were: (1) the gray red-backed vole and large Japanese field mouse had high body temperatures and metabolic rates, median non-shivering thermogenesis, relatively wide thermal neutral zones and low lower critical temperatures, and relatively high thermal conductance. All these characteristics might constrain their distribution and extension to extreme desert, low latitudes and hot regions in China. (2) the striped field mouse had high metabolic rate, body temperature and thermal conductance, median non-shivering thermogenesis, a relatively narrow thermal neutral zone and low lower critical temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Forecasting mammal population dynamics can assist management to keep pest species at acceptable densities. We used 29-years of monthly monitoring Apodemus agrarius in cropland in Yuqing County, Guizhou Province, China to develop a Bayesian hierarchical model of trap catch data that was composed of observation (capture) and population sub-models. The aim was to empirically understand the effects of environmental variables (rain, temperature, and crop types) on the population dynamics, and then to use estimated parameters to predict population outbreaks at the site level before they occur. Our population models, which include variables of temperature and proportion cover of crop types, were able to forecast A. agrarius outbreaks 3 months in advance. The presence of trees had a negative impact on mouse density. The predictive strength of all models was better than using historical mean monthly trap catch data. The model that included the mean temperature for the 3-month period 4–6 months prior to the current month had the best predictive strength for A. agrarius density. The observation model revealed that the capture probability of mice in a given month increased with increasing rainfall. The forecasts can contribute to planning and deployment of control measures to avoid crop damage. The models indicate the population dynamics of this species could be affected by climate change, changes in the agricultural system, and combinations of both factors, which are consistent with global trends. This generic modelling approach can be adapted to predict likely trends in the density of other species, for which there are long-term monitoring data. • An iterative modelling approach involving statistical inference and forecasting data. • The models can predict the capture probability of rodent 3 months in advance. • The models can indicate the possible key factors affected rodent population dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]