Dear enemy effect in the Mexican volcano mouse Neotomodon alstoni: Implications of sex in the agonistic behaviour among neighbours (original) (raw)
Related papers
Journal of Ethology, 2013
Based on the hypothesis that, in Akodon azarae, polygyny operates through female defence, we studied inter-male aggression in order to test the following predictions: during the breeding period (1) resident males are more aggressive than intruder males in the presence of females (FP), and (2) aggressive behaviour is independent of male condition (resident or intruder) in the absence of females (FA). To test our predictions, we used the resident male behavioural response towards an intruder male in relation to FP or FA. We conducted 30 encounters in FP and 27 in FA in 0.79-m 2 round enclosures placed in the Espinal Reservation. Our results support the prediction that, in FP, the intensity of aggressive behaviour exhibited by males varied in relation to resident or intruder condition. Resident males showed high levels of aggression towards intruders, and intruders exhibited the greatest values of submissive behaviours with residents. In FA, the intensity of aggressive behaviour did not vary in relation to resident or intruder condition. Both resident and intruder males exhibited low aggressive behaviour and inter-male encounters resulted mainly in non interactive behaviours. Our results support the hypothesis that, in A. azarae, the polygynous mating system operates through female defence.
Aggression and commensalism in house mouse: a comparative study across Europe and the near east
Aggressive Behavior, 2005
Species specific differences of house mouse social behavior compared to its closest relatives (aboriginal species Mus macedonicus, Mus spicilegus, and Mus spretus) have recently been suggested. However, substantial variation of behavioral traits between mouse populations has been also evidenced. Agonistic behavior of laboratory-born house mice from five commensal populations (Mus musculus musculus: central Czech Republic, Mus musculus domesticus: Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and natural Mus m. musculus/domesticus hybrids from the Czech part of the hybrid zone) and five non-commensal populations of M. m. domesticus (C. Syria, E. Syria, Jordan, Iran, Libya) was studied. Dyadic interactions in a neutral cage were performed and the effects of sex and population on time spent by agonistic behavior evaluated. In all studied populations, the male-male interactions were more agonistic than the female-female ones. Male-male behavior gradually increased from the least agonistic population of M. m. musculus from Central Europe to the Near East populations of M. m. domesticus exhibiting the highest scores of agonistic behavior. Between-population differences were even stronger when female-female encounters were considered. While females of commensal populations belonging to both M. m. musculus and M. m. domesticus were tolerant of each other, those coming from non-commensal populations of M. m. domesticus were highly agonistic, reaching even the level of aggression between the females of some aboriginal mouse species. This phenomenon may be attributed to increased competition for food in non-commensal populations when compared to commensal ones supplied by superabundant resources. Social behavior of house mice, therefore, appears to be pliable rather than rigid and species specific. It can be changed rapidly according to ecological needs and such adaptability allows house mice to colonize various habitats.
Journal of Ethology, 2009
We studied territorial behaviour of Calomys musculinus, a promiscuous-polygynous species, in order to test the predictions that during the breeding period, homerange-owner females are more aggressive than home-range intruders and that males do not display territorial behaviour. At the core of the breeding season, we conducted 136 intrasexual and 66 intersexual encounters. The study was carried out in four 0.25-ha enclosures, each containing one independent population. We studied territorial behaviour utilising focal animal sampling to record behaviour. Encounters were conducted in a circular opaque arena (COA) near the home-range's activity mathematical centre (AMC). Amicable behaviour was not observed in any of the 78 trials among females. The rates of aggressive and submissive behaviour per female-female encounters varied in relation to whether they were home-range owners or intruders, the former being aggressive, the latter submissive. So we could link these drives to the territorial behaviour of C. musculinus. This result fits well with the already known territoriality of C. musculinus during the breeding season. In contrast, the 58 intrasexual male encounters did not show direct aggressive interactions between them. The rates of the different behaviours between males did not vary in relation to whether they were home-range owners or intruders. In our study, which took place during the breeding period, C. musculinus males were nonterritorial, and they never exhibited aggressiveness towards females.
Acta Theriologica, 2011
We conducted an experimental study to test the hypothesis that, at low female availability, males show intrasexual aggressive behaviour and home range owners are more aggressive than home range intruders. Using field dyadic arena test, we carried out 35 male-male trials in four 0.25 ha enclosures, two male-biased (experimental enclosures) and two unbiased (control enclosures). Dyadic encounters were conducted between unrelated and sexually mature males of similar weight and age which established home ranges in the same enclosure at the same trapping session. Each inter-male encounter was performed in the home range of one of the opponents between the home range owner and a home range intruder. When sex ratios were male-biased, intermale amicable behaviour was absent and we found significant rates of inter-male aggressiveness, being home range owners much more aggressive than intruders. In the unbiased enclosures, inter-male encounters resulted mainly in noninteractive or amicable interactions. We found that inter-male aggression varied in relation to female availability being more evident in home range owners.
Development of the Social Behavior of Two Mice Species With Contrasting Social Systems
Aggressive Behavior, 2012
The house mouse (Mus musculus) and the mound-building mouse (M. spicilegus) differ in their mating and social systems. The M. musculus is polygynous and females tend to breed cooperatively while M. spicilegus is known to be monogamous and famous for its unique cooperative behavior; the communal overwintering. Mus spicilegus is considered as a highly aggressive species in the genus Mus. In the present study, we attempted to analyze the development of aggressive and sociable behavior in these species and to discover how familiarity with the target moderates the development of sociable and aggressive behaviors and moderates the differences between the species. Dyadic social interaction tests in neutral cages were performed on 21-, 60-, and 120-day-old mice of both genders and both species. Each individual was tested against a sibling and an unfamiliar individual at all three ages. Our results showed that the development of aggressive and sociable behavior with age differed between the species and sexes; however, familiarity with the other mouse moderated the effect of species on aggression. At 21 days, both genders of M. spicilegus were more aggressive against strangers than siblings. This became true of both species at 60 days. When facing a stranger, both sexes of M. spicilegus were more aggressive than M. musculus at 120 days. However, when facing a sibling, neither gender of M. spicilegus was more agonistic than M. musculus, indicating that either kinship or early social experiences elicit tolerance.
Journal of Mammalogy, 2004
Captive male Neotomodon alstoni exhibit paternal care. We tested whether presence of the male in the nest during the postpartum and weaning periods affect maternal care and promoted survival and growth of the offspring. For captive N. alstoni pairs (n ΒΌ 10) both parents were maintained in the nest until weaning of the young, and in another 10 pairs the male was removed shortly after birth of young. The presence of the male had a negative impact on the time spent by females in huddling with nursing young. In the presence of the male, females groomed and sniffed young less frequently than did females rearing young in the absence of the male. Survival of offspring (84%) and their growth (20.6 6 4.7 g) was significantly higher when both parents reared their young. Males provide additional care of young, allowing a higher quality of care by the female during rearing.
The nasty neighbour in the striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) steals paternity and elicits aggression
Frontiers in Zoology, 2010
Background: Territoriality functions to monopolize access to resources including mates, but is costly in terms of energy and time investment. Some species reduce these costs by being less aggressive towards their neighbours than towards unfamiliar strangers, the so called dear enemy phenomenon. However, in other species individuals are more, not less aggressive towards their neighbours. It has been hypothesised that this is due to the fact that neighbours can impose a greater threat than strangers, but this has not been tested previously.
Animal Behaviour, 1996
Because rodents behave cryptically and often have large home ranges, the role of social defence in determining their spatial dispersion in grassland remains an enigma. Individual dispersion and access to resources could be determined mainly by the aggressive exclusion of intruders from large territories by residents, or by the scattered distribution of resources and avoidance of dominant competitors occupying preferred sites. The ways in which predictions from these two hypotheses correspond to intra-sexual competitive behaviour within unfamiliar dyads of the mouse Mus spretus, recently captured from two grassland populations, were examined. A series of tests in enclosures examined (1) exploration by intruders given a choice between a resident's soiled sites versus clean sites, or between resident-soiled sites versus sites bearing their own odour, in the absence of the resident; (2) the response of an intruder on meeting either the resident or another mouse, in an adjacent clean tunnel; and (3) the response of a resident to an intruder compared with mice meeting in a clean enclosure. In both sexes, dyads quickly established dominance relationships through brief attacks and chases, and static defensive postures, rather than persistent pursuit and flight. Intruders were strongly attracted to a resident's nest and subsequently were more aggressive towards the resident than towards an opponent from an unfamiliar enclosure. There was less differentiation in competitive behaviour and more mutual fighting between residents and intruders than between mice in clean enclosures, with relative body weight being the most important factor determining competitive behaviour. The results were thus more consistent with competition for dominance over suitable sites than investment in fierce aggression to drive competitors away.