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Social Systems and Population Cycles in Voles pp 11–24Cite as

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Kin Recognition and Social Behavior in Microtine Rodents

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Part of the book series: Advances in Life Sciences ((ALS))

Summary

The mechanism and function of kin recognition were examined within the framework of the social systems of vole species. Association is a proximate mechanism that underlies kin recognition for vole species that have been examined. Yet association during preweaning may not be adequate for all species at certain times of year. Some vole species form communal groups during the breeding season, whereas other species nest communally during the nonbreeding season. Moreover, individuals of some species of voles nest together at high densities, whereas individuals of other species disperse at high densities. Familiarity based on association is the cue that voles use to discriminate between close relatives and unrelated individuals. Voles do not recognize unfamiliar close relatives. Consequently, the ability to recognize kin may be limited to individuals that are philopatric or have repeated contacts with close relatives. Therefore, the ability to recognize kin may be dependent on the mating system, social organization, and habitat of a particular species.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA

    Michael H. Ferkin

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  1. Michael H. Ferkin
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, Boston University, 02215, Boston, MA, USA

    Robert H. Tamarin  & Stephen R. Pugh  & 

  2. Institute of Ecosystem Studies, The New York Botanical Garden, 12545-0129, Millbrook, N.Y., USA

    Richard S. Ostfeld

  3. Institute of Ecology, PAS, 05-092, Dziekanow Lesny, Poland

    Gabriela Bujalska

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Ferkin, M.H. (1990). Kin Recognition and Social Behavior in Microtine Rodents. In: Tamarin, R.H., Ostfeld, R.S., Pugh, S.R., Bujalska, G. (eds) Social Systems and Population Cycles in Voles. Advances in Life Sciences. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-6416-9_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-6416-9_2

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Basel

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