INDIVIDUAL RECOGNITION AND INCEST AVOIDANCE IN EUSOCIAL COMMON MOLE-RATS RATHER THAN REPRODUCTIVE SUPPRESSION BY PARENTS

Non-reproductive females in families of eusociaI common mole-rats (Cry ptomys sp., Rodentia) are not suppressed by their mother. (either beha viourally or pheromonally) as is generally assumed. They do not mate w ith their father and brothers simply because they are not sexually att ractive for them (and vice versa). The incest avoidance is based on th e capability to recognize (and keep in memory for up to three weeks) e ach family member individually. A 'sterile' daughter may conceive and deliver young in her parental family if given the opportunity to mate with an unfamiliar mate in a separate cage. In this way, two females m ay breed side by side in one family.