The effect of patch isolation on reproductive synchrony in the root vole

Both social and environmental cues can synchronise breeding, but are likely to operate at different spatial and temporal scales. Here we test if breed ing is synchronised at the patch or the population level in experimental pa tchy populations of root voles. We found no overall synchronisation neither at the patch nor at the population level. However, at the patch level, bre eding was synchronised within patches if the patches were isolated and thus had little exchange of animals with other patches. In accordance with what has been predicted for matrilineally structured populations, we conclude t hat breeding synchrony is facilitated when social cues are exchanged within stable female groups.