We studied the behavioral and endocrine responses of the fossorial s ocial rodent, mole vole Ellobius talpinus Pall., to intrusions of strangers int o burrow systems that were occupied by intact families. Both in repr...We studied the behavioral and endocrine responses of the fossorial s ocial rodent, mole vole Ellobius talpinus Pall., to intrusions of strangers int o burrow systems that were occupied by intact families. Both in reproductive and non-reproductive seasons, all intruders disappeared from the burrow systems of residents within two days of introduction, whereas 4 of 7 individuals introduced into empty burrows remained there at least for two days. Introduction of strang ers led to the concentration of residents at the point of release and to an incr ease of plasma corticosterone in both residents and intruders. During the breedi ng season, introduction of strangers was also accompanied by an increase of plas ma testosterone of residents on the day of introduction. Thus, simulation of int rusion of strangers demonstrated the efficient social fence of resident mole vol es that seems to be an important mechanism of stabilization of size and structur e of mole vole families. Encounters of residents and intruders resulted in activ ation of physiological mechanisms of stress, especially during the breeding seas on .展开更多
文摘We studied the behavioral and endocrine responses of the fossorial s ocial rodent, mole vole Ellobius talpinus Pall., to intrusions of strangers int o burrow systems that were occupied by intact families. Both in reproductive and non-reproductive seasons, all intruders disappeared from the burrow systems of residents within two days of introduction, whereas 4 of 7 individuals introduced into empty burrows remained there at least for two days. Introduction of strang ers led to the concentration of residents at the point of release and to an incr ease of plasma corticosterone in both residents and intruders. During the breedi ng season, introduction of strangers was also accompanied by an increase of plas ma testosterone of residents on the day of introduction. Thus, simulation of int rusion of strangers demonstrated the efficient social fence of resident mole vol es that seems to be an important mechanism of stabilization of size and structur e of mole vole families. Encounters of residents and intruders resulted in activ ation of physiological mechanisms of stress, especially during the breeding seas on .
