The nature and frequency of social interactions among free-living prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) |
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Authors: | Betty McGuire Lowell L Getz |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Ecology, Ethology and Evolution, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA, US |
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Abstract: | Hypotheses relating the behavior of voles to their population cycles often assume that the rate of social interaction increases
with population density. To test this assumption, we examined the frequency of social interactions in a population of prairie
voles (Microtus ochrogaster) over a 7-year period. In addition, we characterized space use by resident animals, patterns of visitation by nonresidents
to nests, and participants in social interactions. Social groups within the population typically displayed little overlap
in their use of space, even at high population densities. Nevertheless, nonresidents, particularly wandering males, were captured
as visitors at nests. The number of visits per social group did not increase in a simple linear manner with population density
and was particularly variable when there were fewer than 100 animals/ha. At such times, more single females and fewer pairs
received visits from males than expected based on the frequency of occurrence of these groups in the population; a similar
pattern was noted during periods of high population density (≥100 animals/ha) but the comparisons failed to reach statistical
significance. Furthermore, at high population density, more communal groups received visits from females than expected. Patterns
of visitation to communal groups were influenced by the number of adult male residents (winter only), but not by the number
of adult female residents or presence of philopatric female offspring. These data indicate that the frequency of social contact
in prairie voles does not increase linearly with population density and is influenced by the spacing and possible mate-guarding
behavior of resident animals.
Received: 7 January 1998 / Accepted after revision: 16 May 1998 |
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Keywords: | Social interaction Population regulation Prairie voles |
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