Ferkin, M. H. 2000: Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and prairie voles (M. ochrogaster) dier in their responses to over-marks from opposite-and same-sex con-speci®cs. Ethology 106, 979Ð992.
AbstractOver-marking occurs when one individual deposits its scent mark on the scent mark of a conspeci®c. Previous studies have shown that meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and prairie voles (M. ochrogaster) that were exposed to an overmark of two same-sex conspeci®cs, later responded similarly to the top-scent mark but diered in their response to the bottom-scent mark. In the present study, we examined the responses of meadow voles and prairie voles to same-sex and mixedsex over-marks to ascertain whether their responses re¯ect the dierent tactics which males and females in promiscuous (meadow voles) and monogamous (prairie voles) species use to attract opposite-sex conspeci®cs and to compete with same-sex conspeci®cs. Males and females of both species spent more time investigating the mark of the top-scent donor than that of the bottom-scent donor of an over-mark. Meadow voles exposed to a mixed-sex over-mark spent more time investigating the mark of the opposite-sex conspeci®c independently of whether it was from the top-or bottom-scent donor. In contrast, prairie voles spent more time investigating the mark of the opposite-sex donor if it was from the top-scent donor. These results suggest that: (i) over-marking serves a competitive function; (ii) the scent marks of individuals attract multiple mates in promiscuous species such as the meadow vole; and (iii) the scent marks of individuals establish and maintain pair bonds between familiar opposite-sex conspeci®cs in monogamous species such as the prairie vole.
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