THE FORMATION OF SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AMON G THE MATURE MALES OF BANK VOLE CLETHRIONOMYS-GLAREOLUS (MICROTINAE, RODENTIA) - THE ETHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

The formation of social interactions between adult males of vole was s tudied. Observations were carried out in groups of 6 animals (2 female s and 4 males) maintained in 36 sq. m. - enclosures throughout 3 weeks . In most cases, the interactions were formed by aggressive contacts. 4 variants of the formation of hierachical structure were described ac cording to the dynamics of the frequency of these contacts. The active avoidance of each other was typical for animals in some groups. It ca n be one of the factors determining the social structure of the popula tions of bank vole. The duration of the phase of the formation of hier archical structure varied from 3 to 14 bays. The existence of several ways of the formation of social structure in the groups of bank vole c an have adaptive significance, because it gives an opportunity to form social systems of different types for animals having different psycho - physiological characteristics.