C. Perrin et al., SOCIAL-BEHAVIOR OF ALPINE MARMOTS (MARMOTA-MARMOTA) - SEASONAL, GROUP, AND INDIVIDUAL VARIABILITY, Canadian journal of zoology, 71(10), 1993, pp. 1945-1953
The composition and social interactions of three family groups of Marm
ota marmota were observed during a study in the Vanoise National Park
(French Alps) from mid-June to late September. Interactions between me
mbers of the same group were mainly cohesive, which confirms the socia
l nature of this species. Social interactions between marmots from dif
ferent family groups were rare and agonistic. The rate of social inter
actions decreased as the season progressed, probably in relation to a
shift in allocation of energy to preparation for hibernation. Some coh
esive interactions increased just before immergence, when marmots rest
ricted their activity to the main burrow system. Rates of social inter
actions differed between groups and between individuals. Fewer agonist
ic acts, more play-fighting, and persistence of play-fighting late in
the active season among immatures suggest the influence of an ontogene
tic component. The most agonistic of the studied groups included an ad
ult male that had recently immigrated. He focused most of his agonisti
c acts on three 2-year-old males, of which two dispersed during the se
ason. Social events characteristic of each group, individual variabili
ty, and level of familiarity between group members influence the quali
ty of social interactions and the dispersal of immatures. Social relat
ionships between familiar individuals are amicable and can facilitate
the retention of immatures in their natal group as well as their recru
itment by emigrant adults.