Mechanisms and Time Course for Induction of Paternal Behavior in Prairie Voles (Microtus Ochrogaster)
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2004
Abstract
Prairie voles are a monogamous species and males show paternal behavior. After mating, paternal responsiveness increases gradually during the gestation period, peaking before young are born. We examined the importance of cohabitation with a female and the time course for a gradual intensification of paternal care. Males housed with their brothers since weaning were separated. Each male was housed alone, with a strange female, or with a brother. A male housed with a female remained with her either until mating occurred or throughout gestation. Males in each group were tested for paternal behavior 3 times, in early, mid and late gestation periods. Males that were housed alone attacked the young more than those housed with another vole. A male exposed to a female, whether he had mated or not, engaged in more parenting than a male exposed to a brother. A male that remained with his mate during the gestation period was more parental than an isolated male that was housed alone. Contact with another vole reduces infanticidal tendencies; brief physical contact with a female, with or without mating, intensifies paternal responsiveness; and further cohabitation is not essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1644/BNS-108.1
Recommended Citation
Terleph, T.A., Jean-Baptiste, N., & Bamshad, M. (2004). Mechanisms and Time Course for Induction of Paternal Behavior in Prairie Voles (Microtus Ochrogaster). Journal of Mammalogy, 85(6), 1124-1129.
Comments
This paper was published during postdoctoral Fellow/Associate work at Rutgers University, 2003-2006.
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