The Response of Individuals to Over-Marks of Conspecifics Differs Between Two Species of Microtine Rodents

Ferkin, Michael H.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-0671-3_46

Cited by 8 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…For example, prairie voles are monogamous and live in family units, whereas meadow voles are polygynous, with females defending small territories against other females and males having large home ranges that overlap ranges of other males and territories of several females. There are indications that overmarking behavior and responses to overmarks differ between these 2 species (Ferkin 2001;Ferkin et al 2001), but at present, these results are not easily interpreted. Studies with house mice suggest that they saturate their environment with urine marks (Hurst 1987).…”

Section: Scent Overmarkingmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…Both male and female meadow voles, after being exposed to glass plates containing overmarks deposited by 2 individuals of the opposite sex (e.g., a female subject exposed to overmarks from 2 males) later preferred to approach and investigate the individual that provided the top scent or the wholebody odors of that individual (Ferkin 2001;Ferkin et al 2001;Johnston et al 1997aJohnston et al , 1997b. If the choice is between a novel individual and the individual with the top scent in the overmark, opposite-sexed meadow voles chose the individual providing the top scent.…”

Section: Scent Overmarkingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chemical Communication in Rodents: From Pheromones to Individual Recognition

Johnston

2003

Journal of Mammalogy

218

149

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In many species of rodents, sense of smell is the most important source of information about the social and nonsocial world. I selectively review the literature on chemical communication in this group, primarily as studied in the laboratory. I start with a discussion of the term ''pheromone,'' the types of chemical signals, and the mechanisms underlying responses to chemical signals. I discuss the chemical complexity of odors in rodents and the significance of multiple sources of odors. Efforts to chemically identify signals are reviewed briefly; some progress, especially with domestic house mice (Mus musculus domesticus), has been made, but new collaborations between chemists and biologists are needed. Three areas of current research are reviewed in detail: the role of the major histocompatibility complex in the production of body odors and the role of these odors in mate choice, the use of odors in kin recognition, and the functions of scent overmarking. both theory and specific hypotheses tested in experiments. Then I review some exciting areas of current research concerning chemical communication in rodents. I also refer to studies of chemical communication in other taxa because I think it is important to integrate ideas, terminology, and concepts across a wide range of species. As in any branch of biology, this kind of comparative approach will, one hopes, result in theories that have broad applicability.

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Section: Scent Overmarkingmentioning

confidence: 55%

Section: Scent Overmarkingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Communication in Rodents: From Pheromones to Individual Recognition

Johnston

2003

Journal of Mammalogy

218

149

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“…Over-marking may be akin to a snap-shot of an interaction between two conspecifics, in this case the top-and bottom-scent donor (Ferkin 2001). Thus, a question that needs to be addressed is whether overmarking has some biological significance for individuals that do so.…”

Section: Is It Better To Be On Top Than On the Bottom Of An Over-mark?mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Johnston et al (1994Johnston et al ( , 1995 and Ferkin et al (1999) discovered that golden hamsters and meadow voles exposed to an over-mark later behaved as if they had a selective memory and preference for the odor of the top-scent mark relative to that of the bottom-scent donor. That is, they treated the top-scent mark as if it was somehow distinct, and of somewhat greater intrinsic value relative to the bottom-scent mark (Ferkin 2001;Johnston 2001Johnston , 2003.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is surrounded by scent marks; some are its own scent marks and some are the scent marks of conspecifics (Thiessen and Rice 1976;Brown and Macdonald 1985;Gosling and Roberts 2001;McClintock 2002). A number of these scent marks are placed down at some distance away from the scent marks of conspecifics, whereas other scent marks are placed on top of or very close to the scent marks that were deposited previously by conspecifics (Ferkin 2001;Johnston 2001Johnston , 2003. We refer to the latter phenomenon as over-marking, which has a broader and more inclusive definition than has been suggested by others (Macdonald 1980;Hurst et al 1990a;Johnston et al 1994).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Perspectives on over-marking: is it good to be on top?

Ferkin

Pierce

2006

J Ethol

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What we refer to as over-marking occurs when one individual places its scent mark on top of, touching, or adjacent to the scent mark of another individual, usually a conspecific. Over-marking frequently occurs among mammals that share common paths, trails, and runways. Despite its ubiquity among terrestrial mammals, we know little about how individuals respond to over-marks and the function(s) of over-marking. Studies on voles and golden hamsters indicate that after exploring an over-mark, individuals respond selectively to the mark of the top-scent donor relative to that of the bottom-scent donor. Thus, individuals may be able to focus their attention on a particular scent mark relevant at a particular time and in a particular context, neglecting other scent marks that are present. The function(s) of over-marking are examined within the framework of ten hypotheses. Several hypotheses are plausible. However, the bulk of the literature is consistent with hypotheses stating that over-marking serving a role in olfactory communication between opposite and same-sex conspecifics. Lastly, we postulate the costs and benefits that may be garnered by the top-scent donor of an over-mark.

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Meadow voles and prairie voles differ in the percentage of conspecific marks they over-mark

Ferkin

Leonard

2004

acta ethol

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Many terrestrial mammals scent mark in areas containing the scent marks of conspecifics, and thus, may deposit their own scent marks on top of those that were deposited previously by conspecifics. This phenomenon, known as over-marking appears to play a role in same-sex competition or mate attraction. The present study determines whether meadow and prairie voles avoid over-marking the scent marks of conspecifics, target the scent marks of conspecifics and over-mark them, or randomly over-mark the scent marks of conspecifics. The data show that meadow and prairie voles adjust the number and location of scent marks that they deposit in areas marked previously by particular conspecifics. Male and female meadow and prairie voles target the scent marks of opposite-sex conspecifics and over-mark them. Female meadow and prairie voles also target the scent marks of female conspecifics. In contrast, male meadow and prairie voles over-mark the scent marks of male conspecifics in a random manner. By differentially overmarking the scent marks of conspecifics, voles may be able to communicate particular information to a variety of conspecifics.

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The Response of Individuals to Over-Marks of Conspecifics Differs Between Two Species of Microtine Rodents

Cited by 8 publications

References 17 publications

Chemical Communication in Rodents: From Pheromones to Individual Recognition

Chemical Communication in Rodents: From Pheromones to Individual Recognition

Perspectives on over-marking: is it good to be on top?

Meadow voles and prairie voles differ in the percentage of conspecific marks they over-mark

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