CAN ALKALOIDS AND TANNINS IN PLANTS INFLUENCE FOOD CHOICE OF MEADOW VOLES (MICROTUS-PENNSYLVANICUS)

The aim of the present study was to relate food choice of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) living in a variety of habitats to the presence or absence of two families of chemical compounds (alkaloids, tannins) that are widespread in plants. Voles seemed to prefer resources that possessed one or both of the compunds and to reject others even if they had no alkaloids or tannins. Several abundant species were not used by voles whether or not they possessed alkaloids or tannins. Our results show no pattern of association between the presence or absence of alkaloids and tannins and vole food preferences.