The evolution of polyandry in the white-tailed prairie dog, cynomys leucurus.

John L. Hoogland白尾草原土拨鼠（cynomys leucurus）一妻多夫制的进化。IOS-0717097一妻多夫制，或雌性多次交配，在动物中很常见，但对这种行为的功能知之甚少。 由于交配涉及诸如增加疾病和寄生虫的暴露等成本，一妻多夫制的进化和维持令人困惑。 在科罗拉多的阿拉帕霍国家野生动物保护区的六个白尾草原土拨鼠群中的一妻多夫制将被研究。 明年的具体目标将是开发和优化生物化学技术，为那些与一个以上男性交配的女性分配亲子关系。 准确的亲子鉴定是调查关于一妻多夫制如何演变的几个假设的关键。 许多本科生参与了这项研究。 该项目向新媒体和公众提供有关土拨鼠的信息。 研究结果将有助于国家和联邦机构制定有关保护这一物种的政策。

John L. HooglandThe evolution of polyandry in the white-tailed prairie dog, cynomys leucurus.IOS-0717097Polyandry, or multiple mating by females, is common in animals but the function of this behavior is poorly understood. Because mating involves costs such as increased exposure to diseases and parasites, the evolution and maintenance of polyandry are puzzling. Polyandry within six colonies of white-tailed prairie dogs at the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado will be studied. The specific goal over the next year will be to develop and optimize biochemical techniques for the assignment of paternity for those females that mate with more than one male. Accurate assignment of paternity is pivotal for investigating several hypotheses about how polyandry might evolve. Many undergraduate students are involved in this research. The project provides information about prairie dogs to new media and to the public. The research results will be useful to the State and Federal agencies that set policies concerning the preservation of this species.