Population Parameters of Peromyscus leucopus (White-Footed Deermice) Inhabiting a Heavy Metal Contaminated Superfund Site

We used standard mark-recapture techniques to investigate ecological characteristics of populations of Peromyscus leucopus (white-footed deermice) inhabiting two locations within a site contaminated by heavy metals, Tar Creek Superfund Site, and reference sites, Lake Carl Blackwell and Oologah Wildlife Management Area, in northeastern Oklahoma. Basic demographic parameters such as size of population, rate of survival, rate of recapture, mean minimum longevity, number of reproductively active females, reproductive success, and incidence of infestation by botflies (Cuterebra fontinella) were not significantly different between contaminated and reference sites. However, adult, non-reproductive P. leucopus inhabiting contaminated sites had, on average, a larger body mass than those from reference sites. Other indicators of overall individual health, dental condition and prevalence of botfly infestations were significantly different among populations. Instances of extensive mottling of the upper and lower incisors, a reliable indicator of exposure to contamination by heavy metals, were only noted in individuals inhabiting contaminated sites. Unfortunately, no direct link between contamination and alterations to some population parameters could be established. RESUMEN—Usamos tecnicas estandares de marcaje-recaptura para investigar las caractero ´sticas ecologicas de Peromyscus leucopus (raton de patas blancas) en poblaciones que residen en dos localidades de un sitio contaminado por metales pesados, Tar Creek Superfund Site, y los sitios de referencia, Lake Carl Blackwell y Oologah Wildlife Management Area, en el noreste de Oklahoma. Los parametros basicos de demografo ´a como tamano poblacional, tasa de sobrevivencia, tasa de recaptura, media minima de longevidad, numero de hembras reproductivamente activas, e reproductivo, e infestacion por torsalo de roedores (Cuterebra fontinella) no fueron significantemente diferentes entre los sitios contaminados y los de referencia. Sin embargo, los adultos P. leucopus no reproductivos que habitan en los sitios contaminados tuvieron, en promedio, una masa corporal mayor comparada con los sitios de referencia. Otros indicadores totales de salud individual, condicion dental y prevalencia de infestaciones por torsalo de roedores fueron significantemente diferentes entre las poblaciones. Casos en que se observoun extenso moteado en los incisivos superiores e inferiores, un indicador confiable por exposicion a metales pesados, fueron observados solamente en individuos que habitan en los sitios contaminados. Desafortunadamente, no se pudo establecer una relacion directa entre los sitios contaminados y las alteraciones a algunos parametros poblacionales.