Collaborative Research: Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Variation in Mammalian Mating Systems

哺乳动物交配系统中的行为和神经内分泌变化jerry O. Wolff和Steven M. phelps摘要：本研究将研究影响雄性草原田鼠（Microtus ochrogaster）一夫一妻制交配的抗利尿激素受体表达的个体和地理差异。抗利尿激素受体影响雄性亲和行为和父系行为；这种双重角色可以让雌性选择好的父亲作为配偶。初步证据表明，在伊利诺斯州的田鼠种群中，诸如亲缘关系和父权照顾等一夫一妻制特征更为常见，而在田纳西州的田鼠种群中则不太常见。研究人员将对这两个地区的田鼠进行一系列野外和实验室实验，以确定抗利尿激素受体如何影响雄性忠诚、隶属关系和父权照顾的个体差异。实验还将确定女性是否能够评估男性亲密行为的差异，并根据父亲的特征选择配偶。除了检查个体的择偶偏好外，还将进行实地实验，以确定这种特征是否最终影响幼鱼的生存和种群增长率。这将是第一个结合基因表达、个体行为、交配系统、野外人口学和种群变异等层面数据的研究。

Behavioral and neuroendocrine variation in mammalian mating systemsJerry O. Wolff and Steven M. PhelpsSUMMARYThis research will examine individual and geographic variation in the expression of receptors for the hormone vasopressin, which affects monogamous mating in male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Vasopressin receptors affect affiliative and paternal behavior in males; this dual role may allow females to choose good fathers as mates. Preliminary evidence suggests that monogamous traits such as affiliation and paternal care are more common in a population of voles from Illinois and less common in voles from Tennessee. A series of field and laboratory experiments will be conducted on voles from these two locations to determine how vasopressin receptors affect individual differences in male fidelity, affiliation and paternal care. Experiments will also determine if females can assess differences in male affiliative behavior and select mates based on paternal characteristics. In addition to examining individual mate preferences, field experiments will be conducted to determine if this trait ultimately affects juvenile survival and population growth rates. This will be the first study to combine data at the level of gene expression, individual behaviors, mating system, field demography and population variation.