Effects of multiple ecological factors on the body mass of small rodents in a forest ecosystem

The body mass of animals is directly or indirectly affected by multiple ecological factors. However, the effects factors on are controversial, and a comprehensive study dealing diverse rare. This was performed to determine small rodents in natural deciduous forest located Mt Gariwang, Pyeongchang Jeongseon, South Korea from May 2019 October 2020. We classified into topographic, climatic, cover demographic Three forest-dwelling rodent species, striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius, Korean A. peninsulae red-backed vole Myodes regulus, were captured using capture–mark–recapture method. findings showed that three species not regulated topographic In addition, high ambient temperature resulted heavy for agrarius peninsulae, negatively extreme rainfall. each had specific response factors: ground vegetation, understory vegetation downed trees. sexual dimorphism two competed other. reveals affecting differ among species. Our contribute enhancing understanding variation animals, particularly rodents,