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Social organization of the voleClethrionomys rufocanus and its demographic and genetic consequences: A review

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Researches on Population Ecology

Abstract

Recent findings on the relationship between social interaction and demographic process in the gray-sided voleClethrionomys rufocanus are reviewed with reference to the findings in other microtine rodents. Social behavior was particularly focused on spacing and dispersal, and their effects on population dynamics are discussed. Female territoriality can limit a population abundance as a density-dependent factor, although its regulatory effect is controversial. Female philopatry and male-biased dispersal should bring about the clumped distribution of female relatives and genetically random distribution of males during the breeding season. The sexual difference in dispersal patterns can contribute to the mating behavior of the vole; promiscuous mating and low frequency of incestuous mating. However, effects of social structure, including kinship, on reproduction and survival of individuals still remains to be clarified. Molecular markers may help to solve these issues and provide new field of population ecology in microtine rodents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chromosome Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, North 10, West 8, Kitaku, 060-0810, Sapporo, Japan

    Yasuyuki Ishibashi

  2. Hokkaido Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 062-8516, Sapporo, Japan

    Takashi Saitoh

  3. Biological Institute, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba, 980-8578, Sendai, Japan

    Masakado Kawata

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  1. Yasuyuki Ishibashi
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  2. Takashi Saitoh
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  3. Masakado Kawata
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Correspondence to Yasuyuki Ishibashi.

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Ishibashi, Y., Saitoh, T. & Kawata, M. Social organization of the voleClethrionomys rufocanus and its demographic and genetic consequences: A review. Res Popul Ecol 40, 39–50 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02765220

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