Observations on a Cyclic Decline of Lemmings (<i>Lemmus</i>) on the Arctic Coast of Alaska During the Spring of 1949

Abstract

Results of observations carried out at the Arctic Research Laboratory, Point Barrow region (1) "during the peak density" preceding the cyclic decline occurring in the spring of 1949, (2) during the decline, and (3) for more than a year subsequent to it. The conclusions (a) relate the four-year cycle of lemming abundance with snowy owl, pomarine jaeger, and arctic fox abundance, also (according to evidence of Eskimos) with good sea hunting; (b) show lack of evidence of bacterial or parasitic cause for the decline; (c)call for more and sustained research into "factors involved in the high mortality which often follows high population densities of lemmings." Bibliography (15 items).