Ll. Getz et B. Mcguire, COMMUNAL NESTING IN PRAIRIE VOLES (MICROTUS-OCHROGASTER) - FORMATION,COMPOSITION, AND PERSISTENCE OF COMMUNAL GROUPS, Canadian journal of zoology, 75(4), 1997, pp. 525-534
We describe factors related to the formation, composition, and persist
ence of communal groups in the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). Co
mmunal groups formed by the addition of philopatric offspring and unre
lated adults to male-female pair and single-female breeding units. Alt
hough unrelated adults did not join a group until at least two philopa
tric offspring 30 days of age were present, there was no relationship
between the presence of reproductively active philopatric offspring of
the opposite sex and joining of unrelated adults. Most adults that jo
ined a group were reproductive when they joined. Reproductive activati
on of philopatric offspring was not related to the joining of unrelate
d adults. During the breeding period all communal groups included 1 or
more reproductive adults of each sex; in at least 75% of the groups,
2 or more adults of each sex were reproductive. There was no relations
hip between low temperature, snow cover, or population density and for
mation of communal groups. Dissolution of communal groups was not rela
ted to reproductive activation of residents.