[Feeding rate of sibling vole Microtus rossiaemeridionalis and Mandarin vole Lasiopodomys mandarinus].

Consumption of food of different nutritive value by sibling vole Microtus rossiaemeridionalis and Mandarin vole Lasiopodomys mandarinus as a function of housing conditions--in cages or enclosures--was comparatively studied. Experimental groups included 8-14 adult non-reproducing animals of both sexes kept one per cage or enclosure. The rate of food consumption and digestibility were studied by standard methods and the obtained data were statistically analyzed using Statistica 6.0. Significant differences in the rate of food consumption by mandarin voles housed under different conditions as well as in the consumption and digestibility of food of different biochemical composition in both vole species have been revealed.