Food selection in Microtus arvalis: the role of plant functional traits

Abstract

Foraging by captive common voles (Microtus arvalis) was evaluated by measuring the biomass of plant species consumed in a vivaria experiment and by re-analysing of already published data on plant selection. The experiment showed that foraging was strongly plant species-specific, while data re-analysis indicated the traits plant guild and life span as the best predictors for dietary selection, i.e., voles would eat more grasses and/or legumes than forbs. The study suggests that the voles usually consume grasses in the field because grasses are abundant and readily available, but prefer protein-rich forbs when possible.