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.Phels SUMMARY这项研究将研究荷尔蒙加压素受体表达的个体和地理差异，这会影响雄性草原田鼠(Microtus Ochrogaster)的单配偶交配。加压素受体影响男性的从属行为和父性行为；这种双重作用可能会让女性选择好父亲作为配偶。初步证据表明，一夫一妻制的特征，如从属关系和父系照顾，在伊利诺伊州的田鼠群体中更常见，而在田纳西州的田纳西州田鼠群体中较少见。在这两个地点的田鼠身上将进行一系列的野外和实验室实验，以确定加压素受体如何影响雄性忠诚度、从属关系和父亲照顾方面的个体差异。实验还将确定女性是否可以评估男性从属行为的差异，并根据父亲的特征选择配偶。除了检查个体的配偶喜好外，还将进行实地实验，以确定这种特征最终是否会影响幼虫的存活率和种群增长率。这将是第一次将基因表达、个体行为、交配系统、田间人口统计学和种群变异水平的数据结合起来的研究。

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.