Is Mating Alone Enough to Inhibit Infanticide in Male Bank Voles

摘要: Infanticide, the killing of conspecific young, is commonly recognized as an adaptive behavioural strategy enhancing fitness perpetrator. Infanticide supposed to be inhibited in several male rodent species after mating with a time lag when perpetrators own offspring would born. This because males no parental care do not recognize their offspring. It has been suggested that copulation alone enough inhibit infanticidal behaviour rodents. Infanticidal occurs more than 50% bank voles (Myodes glareolus), and loss infanticide may have great effect on breeding success population recruitment. In laboratory experiment, we studied whether successful stop pups. were paired female until copulation. After young born, males’ was from expected birth pups post-weaning age. We predicted mated are committing especially during period less 10 d old. Against our prediction, 67% continued age 3 d. remained stable, half still at weaning Our results contradictory previous studies, observed inhibition early life nor increase again reached ‘safe’ size weaning. suggest sufficient infanticide. Thus, other cues whom or her territory needed for occur.