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Neighbor Recognition in a Solitary Desert Rodent ( Dipodomys merriami )
Author(s) -
Randall Jan A.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
ethology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0179-1613
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1989.tb00761.x
Subject(s) - mating , rodent , aggression , mutual recognition , biology , zoology , psychology , communication , developmental psychology , ecology , international trade , business
Neighbor recognition in the Merriam's kangaroo rat ( Dipodomys merriami ) was tested in neighbor and nonneighbor pairs of the same and opposite sex in a large enclosure in the field. Mutual tolerance, rather than aggression, occurred in the encounters, and neighbor recognition was more apparent in females than in males. Females tolerated and engaged in nonagonistic contact with familiar males and females; males approached and attempted to contact neighbors and nonneighbors alike. Neighbor recognition is important to both spacing and mating in females. Males' persistent attempts to interact with any conspecific may be important to their mating success.