SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND SOCIAL-STRUCTUR E IN MERIONES GERBILS (GERBILLINAE, RODENTIA)

Comparative analysis of spatial relations of 4 gerbil species (M. tama riscinus, M. meridianus, M. libycus, M. unguiculatus) shows difference s in the system of space use between species and within a species - be tween individuals of different sex. During reproduction period females are inclined to isolation, small overlap of home ranges and high degr ee of individualisation, Males occupy large home ranges overlapping wi th territories of several reproductive females. The territories occupi ed by the males of midday and tamarisk gerbils do not have clear bound aries and the level of their individualisation is quite low. The males of Mongolian gerbil (M. unguiculatus) occupy well defined territories with high level of individualisation, Spatial relations of M. libycus males are intermediate, The relationships of the males of three inves tigated species (M. meridianus, M. libycus, M. tamariscinus) being cha racterised by the high degree of asymmetry of pair connections, are or ganised according to the principle of agonistic dominance. Relationshi ps between individuals of different family groups of Mongolian gerbils are based on the locus-dependent dominance, while within one family g roup - on principle of hierarchical subordination, The meaning of spec ific pecularities in use of space and dominance relations are discusse d in terms of reproductive strategies.