GROUPING AND OVULATION IN MICROTUS PENNSYLVANICUS

Self discrimination in meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus.

Particular features of the signaling characteristics of the scent marks of temperate-zone, seasonally breeding mammals may reflect differences in their reproductive state and, hence, be variable. Consequently, an individual's perception of self may depend more on the condition independent than on the condition-dependent signaling characteristics of the scent marks. Yet, we do not know whether a...

Female meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) demonstrate same-sex partner preferences.

Female meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are territorial during warm months but demonstrate social tolerance under low temperatures. In spring, females nest together and some pairs participate in communal nursing and rearing of young. Because communal nursing involves significant cooperation, selective pair-bonds may develop between 2 nestmates. Using a choice apparatus, the authors determ...

Initial Results of Chemical Inhibitors and Photoperiodic Influences on Growth and Reproduction in Microtus pennsylvanicus

Day length and sociosexual cohabitation alter central oxytocin receptor binding in female meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus).

In voles (Microtus), central oxytocin (OT) receptor patterns are associated with interspecific social organization. Social, monogamous voles have more OT receptors in the extended amygdala than asocial, nonmonogamous voles. Nonmonogamous meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), which exhibit seasonal changes in social organization (long day [LD] females are territorial, short day [SD] females li...

Development of selective partner preferences in captive male and female meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus

Intraspecific social systems vary considerably as a function of environmental parameters (Lott 1984, Behaviour, 88, 266–325). For example, nonmonogamous species may engage in facultative partner preferences and parenting to offset the costs associated with harsher breeding conditions. Because no field or laboratory research has examined nonmonogamous meadow voles under suboptimal conditions (e....