Mediation of rank-related maternal effects on males throughout the lifespan

许多哺乳动物的社会是由统治等级构成的，其中个人的社会等级决定了获得资源的优先权。虽然人们知道高的社会地位会影响雌性哺乳动物的生存和繁殖，但它对雄性的影响却知之甚少，因为雄性通常在繁殖前改变社会群体，所以很难在整个生命周期中跟踪它们。这项研究跟踪雄性食肉动物的整个生命周期，以验证以下假设：它们的母亲在其出生社会群体中的地位可能会影响它们的行为、身体状况和/或形态的发展，而这些反过来又可能影响它们在自然栖息地的生存和繁殖。这项研究使用斑点鬣狗作为哺乳动物的模型，因为它们的社会是由统治关系严格构建的。专门设计的无线电项圈将应用于分散在肯尼亚多个研究小组中的雄性鬣狗。方法将包括对戴项圈的雄性进行无线电跟踪，对它们的应激激素进行非侵入性监测，并收集它们在标准化测试环境中的表现以及它们与其他个体的行为互动的观察数据，使用丛林车辆作为移动百叶窗。这些技术将允许确定出生群体中的社会地位是否会影响雄性在离开出生群体后很长一段时间内的生存和繁殖成功，如果是这样，这种影响是如何在生理上调解的。这个实地项目为美国在东非的研究生和本科生提供了独特、罕见和非常宝贵的培训机会。此外，本研究还将通过网络传播、公开讲座、博物馆展览和电视传播来教育和娱乐外行观众。最后，这项工作有望加强对非洲和全球大型哺乳动物食肉动物保护的努力。

The societies of many mammals are structured by dominance hierarchies in which individual social rank determines priority of access to resources. Although high social rank is known to affect survival and reproduction among female mammals, its effects upon males are poorly understood because males usually change social groups before breeding, so it is difficult to follow them throughout the lifespan. This research follows male carnivores throughout the lifespan to test hypotheses suggesting that their maternal rank in their natal social group might affect the development of their behavior, their body condition and/or their morphology, and that each of these in turn might affect their survival and reproduction in the natural habitat. This research uses spotted hyenas as model mammals because their societies are rigidly structured by dominance relationships. Specially designed radio collars will be applied to male hyenas dispersing among multiple study groups in Kenya. Methods will include radio tracking of collared males, noninvasive monitoring of their stress hormones, and collection of observational data on their performance in standardized test situations as well as their behavioral interactions with other individuals, using bush vehicles as mobile blinds. These techniques will permit determination of whether or not social rank in the natal group affects male survival and reproductive success long after they leave their natal groups, and if so, how such effects are mediated physiologically. This field project offers unique, rare and highly valuable training opportunities for American graduate and undergraduate students in eastern Africa. In addition, this research will educate and entertain lay audiences via internet coverage, public lectures, museum exhibits and television coverage. Finally this work is expected to enhance efforts focused on the conservation of large mammalian carnivores, both in Africa and around the globe.