Social Organization of the Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster)

摘要: In microtine rodents, formation of communal groups often is associated with environmental stresses winter or high population density. Social organization the prairie vole ( Microtus ochrogaster ) consisted formed by addition philopatric young and unrelated adults to an original male-female pair single-female breeding unit. Owing juvenile mortality during spring-early autumn, most social remained as pairs single females. Male-female displayed behavioral traits monogamy, including sharing a common nest home range, mate guarding, dissolution mortality, low incidence remating. rarely involved related animals. Single-female units were survivors that had not new pair; prevalence was availability unpaired males. When survival increased in late became predominant group. Formation temperatures contingent upon nonreproductive status members. Although present at density, type group densities. We conclude juveniles autumn leads increases