Summer nests of Preble's meadow jumping mouse.

摘要

Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus huclsonius preblei) is federally listed as threatened and has been the subject of intensive field surveys in eastern Colorado over the past 5 years (N. W. Clippinger, C. A. Meaney, A. Deans, C, A. Jones, L. A. Riggs, M. E. Bakeman, C. A. Pague, T. R. Ryon, in litt.). Several of these researchers noted Preble's meadow jumping mice inhabiting above-ground summer nests (T. Shenk, Colorado Division of Wildlife, pers. comm.; R. Schorr, Colorado Natural Heritage Program, pers. comm.). During summer trapping and radio telemetry studies at the Department of Energy's Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, I observed Preble's mice using above-ground and underground nests. This research note contributes to the body of knowledge concerning summer nesting habits of this subspecies, and is the first published record documenting this behavior in Preble's mice.