Effects of tillage practices and carbofuran exposure on small mammals

We compared population estimates, body mass, movement, and blood chemistry of small mammals between conventionally tilled and no-till cornfields in Maryland and Pennsylvania to evaluate the effects of tillage practices and carbofuran exposure on small mammals. Estimates suggest that populations of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were not significantly related (P > 0.05) to tillage practice or to the presence of winter rye cover crops. Late summer differences in animal mass and movement, and in the proportion of reproductively inactive animals imply that characteristics of individuals and reproductive activity can be affected by tillage practices and winter cover crops. The presence of granular carbofuran had no apparent effect on populations, body mass, or movement in conventionally tilled or no-till fields. Similarly, neither red blood cell acetylcholinesterase, hematocrit, nor liver function were affected by carbofuran use.