FEMALE PRAIRIE VOLES (MICROTUS-OCHROGASTER) FAIL TO FORM A NEW PAIR AFTER LOSS OF MATE

We tested experimentally the hypothesis that failure to acquire a new mate by monogamously paired female Microtus ochrogaster that lose thei r mate represents pair-bonding behavior, not a lack of available males . Males were removed from reproductive male-female pairs and the femal es provided an opportunity to pair with unfamiliar sexually inexperien ced or experienced males in a semi-natural arena. Only three of 22 (13 .6%) females formed a new pair, two with inexperienced males and one w ith an experienced male. Three other females spent more time with an e xperienced male than with the inexperienced male, but did not form a p air or co-nest with that male. The results confirm field observations that availability of males is not a factor in the failure of female pr airie voles to form a new pair following loss of their mate. This stud y concludes failure to form a new pair is associated with pair-bonding behavior. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.