Effects of the Entomopathogenic Fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii, on the Physiological and Behavioral Traits of the Northern Red-Backed Vole (Myodes rutilus, Rodentia, Cricetidae) under Stressful Conditions.

An experiment aimed at revealing the consequences of adding two species of entomopathogenic Ascomycetes, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii, to grain fodder showed that northern red-backed voles that received M. robertsii conidia in their food for 15 days had higher levels of triglycerides, glucose, and peroxidase in the blood; differed from other animals in social behavior patterns; and demonstrated significantly less emotionality in an open field test than control animals. The voles fed fungal conidia showed a trend towards reduced survival in captivity compared to controls. These data indicate the significant impact of entomopathogenic fungi on the metabolism, behavior, and lifespan of nontarget mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]