Ecological notes on Manitoba Napaeozapus insignis

Twenty-six woodland jumping mice (Napaeozapus insignis frutectanus) were captured in deciduous forest bordering the Winnipeg River and its tributary creeks.Only two specimens of this mammal have been previously reported from Manitoba, and both were from coniferous forest.Our specimens were captured where the dominant vegetation included hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), ash (Fraxinus nigra and F. pennsylvanica), oak (Quercus maciocarpa) and strawberry (Fragaria virginiana).All were captured on or near slopes and within 100 m of permanent flowing water.Males apparently emerge from hibernation in late May and are in reproductive condition, whereas females do not emerge until early June.There was no evidence of more than one litter per year, and young did not reproduce in their year of birth.Adults stored fat in August, entering hibernation in late August or early September.The species has a restricted distribution in this area, and apparently occurs in isolated groups.