We studied the socio-spatial organization of the woodland dormouse, Graphiurus murinus, by means of a monthly live-trapping and nest-box monitoring programme. Adult male (N = 5) home ranges were almost twice as large as those of females (N = 8), and both intra and intersexual home-range overlap was significantly larger in males than in females. However, the dispersion pattern of females was rather clumped, even during the breeding period, suggesting that females are not territorial. Sexual receptivity in females was asynchronous. In such circumstances, the Female in Space and Time hypothesis predicts that males will be non-territorial, a scenario which is matched by our data. Therefore, it is likely that the woodland dormouse has a promiscuous mating system.

Female in space, or female in space and time? First data on the socio-spatial organization and mating system of the woodland dormouse (Graphiurus murinus)

BERTOLINO, Sandro;
2011-01-01

Abstract

We studied the socio-spatial organization of the woodland dormouse, Graphiurus murinus, by means of a monthly live-trapping and nest-box monitoring programme. Adult male (N = 5) home ranges were almost twice as large as those of females (N = 8), and both intra and intersexual home-range overlap was significantly larger in males than in females. However, the dispersion pattern of females was rather clumped, even during the breeding period, suggesting that females are not territorial. Sexual receptivity in females was asynchronous. In such circumstances, the Female in Space and Time hypothesis predicts that males will be non-territorial, a scenario which is matched by our data. Therefore, it is likely that the woodland dormouse has a promiscuous mating system.
2011
29
2
375
380
Breeding asynchrony; Home range overlap; Mating system; Promiscuity; Social organization; Woodland dormouse; Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Madikiza, Zimkitha Josephine Kimberly; Bertolino, Sandro; Do Linh San, Emmanuel
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1614692
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