A plant-derived cyclic carbamate, 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone (6-MBOA), is
known to initiate reproductive activity in Microtus montanus. We studied
overwintering populations of four other rodent species, and observed increased
reproduction in experimental populations of two herbivorous species, Microtus
pennsylvanicus and Sigmodon hispidus, but not in two omnivorous species,
Oryzomys palustris and Mus musculus. These results suggest that low
concentrations of 6-MBOA may trigger seasonal breeding primarily in
herbivorous small mammals
