Abstract
The behavior of three common shrew species was compared in a test of pairwise placement in a neutral territory (10 min) for various population densities in natural habitats and for animals kept isolated or in groups in open-air cages. The behavior of the animals captured in nature was regarded as the norm. We analyzed the total number of social contacts (as an index of social activity), as well as the frequencies of direct and ritualized aggressive interactions, rejection of contacts, and friendly interactions (as parameters characterizing the structure of interactions). Isolation of the shrews proved to decrease their social activity. The highest frequency of interactions was observed in the animals kept in groups in open-air cages. The level of “sociality” and changes in behavior related to differences in population density in the three shrew species can be more significant than the species-specific differences in their behavior.
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Kalinin, A.A., Shchipanov, N.A. Density-Dependent Behavior of Shrews (Sorex araneus, S. caecutiens, and S. minutus) under Natural and Experimental Conditions. Biology Bulletin 30, 576–583 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BIBU.0000007714.30461.3e
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BIBU.0000007714.30461.3e