Abstract - Nepotism in Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) Varies with Competion but not with Kinship
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Hoogland, John L. 1986. Nepotism in prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) varies with competition but not with kinship. Animal Behavior 34. pp 236-270. Abstract Behavioral interactions among black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) of the same sex show nepotism (the favoring of kin). Males and females consistently interact more amicably with kin than with non-kin. Nepotism in this context is striking for two reasons. First, individuals do not interact more amicably with close kin such as offspring and full-siblings than with more distant kin such as half-siblings, full-nieces, and half-nephews. Second, nepotism varies inversely and dramatically with changes in competition for either oestrous females (among males) or nesting burrows and breeding rights (among females). |
Did You Know?
The Field Milkvetch has a colorful flower which is often overlooked because it tends to grow hidden in the grass. Color can vary to reddish-purple. More...