What are the potential drivers behind the population dynamics of Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis and Peromyscus leucopus

Studies have shown that with increasing climate changes, white footed deer mice Peromyscus leucopus has extended its range farther north, potentially displacing populations of woodland deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis. Species differentiation has been understudied for these species of Peromyscus, so this investigation determined how climatic trends affect population densities for both Peromyscus species and if habitat selection or reproductive behavior can explain significant population differences between the two species. All data studied and collected was conducted at the University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center (UNDERC) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. A five-year dataset using expert trapping data, National Ecological Observation Network data, and field data was used for population and habitat selection analysis. The results found that precipitation has a significant effect on population density of P. maniculatus, reproduction behavior is affected by both species and time distribution, and habitat type has no relationship to capture success between species.