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Behavioural discrimination among chromosomal races of the house mouse ( Mus musculus domesticus )
Author(s) -
Ganem G.,
Searle J. B.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.289
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1420-9101
pISSN - 1010-061X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1420-9101.1996.9060817.x
Subject(s) - biology , house mice , house mouse , population , race (biology) , chromosome , genetics , y chromosome , karyotype , zoology , evolutionary biology , demography , gene , botany , sociology
This work is concerned with the extent of behavioural discrimination between three chromosomal races of the house mouse (the standard 40‐chromosome race and a 32‐ and 36‐chromosome races) found in the vicinity of a hybrid zone in northern Scotland. Mice were investigated for several elements of their social behaviour. Within‐population dyadic encounters did not show consistent behavioural differences attributable to karyotype among five populations (two standard race, two 36‐chromosome race, one 32‐chromosome race). Between‐population dyadic encounters revealed significant differences between three populations. The standard population examined appeared to be the most “open” to foreigners, the 32‐chromosome population the most “closed” while the 36‐chromosome mice displayed an intermediate response. Differences in behaviour displayed during between‐population as compared to within‐population dyadic encounters revealed the occurrence of behavioural discrimination between populations. The implication of these results on the dynamics of the hybrid zone are discussed.