An Analysis of Species Recognition in Sympatric, Allopatric and Reciprocally Cross-fostered PEROMYSCUS CALIFORNICUS and PEROMYSCUS EREMICUS (Rodentia, Cricetidae)

<p>Experiments were performed to compare homospecific and heterospecific mate selection in two closely related species, Peromyscus californicus and Peromyscus eremicus. Comparisons were made between allopatric and sympatric populations and between males and females for mate selection performance. Both species made significant choice for the homospecific chambers. Significant homospecific choice was made by mice from sympatric populations, whereas allopatric populations did not demonstrate significant choice. No significant difference in choice performance was demonstrated between males and females even when the estrus stages of the females were controlled.</p> <p>A comparison of different testing lengths and temporal regimes of data collection was performed with the result being a recommendation for data collection during the first ninety minutes of the testing period, or during longer periods, with analysis based on an average for the entire test. The dependent variable, "initial choice", was correlated with results throughout the experiment.</p> <p>Reciprocal cross-fostering between the two species resulted in significant choice for the heterospecific cross-foster species type by P. eremicus, but the species choice exhibited by cross-fostered P. californicus was not significantly different from random. Lab-reared controls chose significantly for the homospecific chamber. Behavioral and ecological differences between species were discussed in an attempt to explain possible reasons for the differential species response to cross-fostering.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

1977

Author dc:creator

• Carter, Ronald L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Leonard R. Brand
• Kenneth A. Arendt
• Raymond E. Rychman
• Dalton D. Baldwin
• Arthur V. Chadwick

• Biology
• Peromyscus

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/592

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1697