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Social interactions, mating behavior, hierarchical structures.
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Comparative social organization
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In Peru, ''Galea'' sometimes associates ''[[Ctenomys]]''; the common name for rodents of this genus is ''[[:tuco-tuco]]''. According to Sanborn and Pearson, ''Galea'' use ''tuco-tuco'' burrows and seeks in response to tuco-tuco alarm calls. <ref name = Eisenberg1999>Eisenberg, J. F., & Redford, K. H. (1999). [http://books.google.com/books?id=p2MDAzCeQQoC&pg=PA458 Mammals of the Neotropics: The Central Neotropics (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil)]. Chicago: University of Chicago press.</ref> ''Galea'' uses their burrows and as they seek cover they respond to the alarm calls of ''Ctenomys''. ''G. musteloides'' is mostly found in moist areas such as stream edges and croplands.<ref>DUNNUM, J. L., & SALAZAR-BRAVO, J. (2010). Phylogeny, evolution, and systematics of the Galea musteloides complex (Rodentia: Caviidae).Journal Of Mammalogy, 91(1), 243-259. doi:10.1644/08-MAMM-A-214R1.1</ref>
In Peru, ''Galea'' sometimes associates ''[[Ctenomys]]''; the common name for rodents of this genus is ''[[:tuco-tuco]]''. According to Sanborn and Pearson, ''Galea'' use ''tuco-tuco'' burrows and seeks in response to tuco-tuco alarm calls. <ref name = Eisenberg1999>Eisenberg, J. F., & Redford, K. H. (1999). [http://books.google.com/books?id=p2MDAzCeQQoC&pg=PA458 Mammals of the Neotropics: The Central Neotropics (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil)]. Chicago: University of Chicago press.</ref> ''Galea'' uses their burrows and as they seek cover they respond to the alarm calls of ''Ctenomys''. ''G. musteloides'' is mostly found in moist areas such as stream edges and croplands.<ref>DUNNUM, J. L., & SALAZAR-BRAVO, J. (2010). Phylogeny, evolution, and systematics of the Galea musteloides complex (Rodentia: Caviidae).Journal Of Mammalogy, 91(1), 243-259. doi:10.1644/08-MAMM-A-214R1.1</ref>


In captive groups "G. musteloides" establish a male and a female hierarchical order. The alpha males regularly guards receptive females, however to little effect. Usually other males also mate with the same female and in more than 80% the resulting littermates have more than one father. In the wild "G. musteloids" is clearly territorial and it remains unclear if a similar hierarchical social order exists, or if they live territorial solitary. Aggression between adult males happens regularly. Adult male ''G. musteloides'' never engage in parental activities and are aggressive to subadult males even if they are their own offspring and very young. However, males are not aggressive to females. Female adult lactate and nurse the offspring of other females during their first week of life. Nearly all offspring receive some milk from females other than their mother. However, own offspring is cared for preferentially and for longer than one week. <ref>ADRIAN, O., & SACHSER, N. (2011). Diversity of social and mating systems in cavies: a review.Journal Of Mammalogy, 92(1), 39-53. doi:10.1644/09-MAMM-S-405.1</ref>
In captive groups "G. musteloides" establish a male and a female hierarchical order. The alpha males regularly guards receptive females, however to little effect. Usually other males also mate with the same female and in more than 80% the resulting littermates have more than one father. At least in captivity the females are clearly promiscuous, always mating with several males in the group. In the wild "G. musteloids" is clearly territorial and it remains unclear if a similar hierarchical social order exists, or if they live territorial solitary. Aggression between adult males happens regularly. Adult male ''G. musteloides'' never engage in parental activities and are aggressive to subadult males even if they are their own offspring and very young. However, males are not aggressive to females. Female adult lactate and nurse the offspring of other females during their first week of life. Nearly all offspring receive some milk from females other than their mother. However, own offspring is cared for preferentially and for longer than one week. <ref>ADRIAN, O., & SACHSER, N. (2011). Diversity of social and mating systems in cavies: a review.Journal Of Mammalogy, 92(1), 39-53. doi:10.1644/09-MAMM-S-405.1</ref> <ref>Sachser, N., Schwarz-Weig, E., Keil, A., & Epplen, J. T. (1999). BEHAVIOURAL STRATEGIES, TESTIS SIZE, AND REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN TWO CAVIOMORPH RODENTS WITH DIFFERENT MATING SYSTEMS. Behaviour, 136(9), 1203-1217.</ref>


As closely related Galea species show a range of mating systems from monogamy to promiscuous, comparative studies are possible in these groups. As general trends have been identified: a) testis size increases relative to body size in promiscuous species and b) higher social tolerance in captive held groups is associated with greater promiscuity and higher testosterone levels in males. Testosterone levels and aggression levels in males are not correlated. In fact females avoid above average aggressive males. b<ref>HAYES, L. D., BURGER, J., SOTO-GAMBOA, M., SOBRERO, R., & AEBENSPERGER, L. (2011). Towards an integrative model of sociality in caviomorph rodents. Journal Of Mammalogy,92(1), 65-77. doi:10.1644/10-MAMM-S-039.1</ref>
''Galea musteloides'' is a major species within ''Galea'' group and it is interesting to see how this species socially associated to each other. ''G. musteloides'' interacts intimately with other males and females in large groups. The mating mechanism is very interesting observed in the laboratory. ''G. musteloides'' established obviously linear dominance hierarchies. Aggressive behavior is almost every time detected between the individuals of the same sex and the opposite. Their mating method is very promiscuous because females have intercourse with various males as their estrus is more than 17 times (in 7 different groups, in 13 individual females). Because the dominant males in the hierarchies failed guarding subordinates, while estrus, a number of males can approach to any females. Hence, a female starts to run around without notice, stops unexpectedly, and restarts again; then, she can attract the attention of many males.<ref>Sachser, N., Schwarz-Weig, E., Keil, A., & Epplen, J. T. (1999). BEHAVIOURAL STRATEGIES, TESTIS SIZE, AND REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN TWO CAVIOMORPH RODENTS WITH DIFFERENT MATING SYSTEMS. Behaviour, 136(9), 1203-1217.</ref>

As ''G. musteloides'' is promiscuous, while studying of diversity of mating systems, it allows people to compare it to other species abundantly. If a male has larger testis size than other organs or body size, it is more likely to be sexually active and to be more promiscuous.<ref>HAYES, L. D., BURGER, J., SOTO-GAMBOA, M., SOBRERO, R., & AEBENSPERGER, L. (2011). Towards an integrative model of sociality in caviomorph rodents. Journal Of Mammalogy,92(1), 65-77. doi:10.1644/10-MAMM-S-039.1</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 18:27, 18 December 2013

Common yellow-toothed cavy
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Caviidae
Genus: Galea
Species:
G. musteloides
Binomial name
Galea musteloides
Meyen, 1832

The common yellow-toothed cavy (Galea musteloides) is a species of rodent in the family Caviidae, closely related to the domesticated guinea pig.[2] It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. It's karyotype has 2n = 68 and FN = 136.[2] G. musteloides is the most common and widely found member of Galea, and is present at elevations ranging from 20 to 5000 m above sea level.[1] It has yellow teeth.

A recent study reveals there are five subspecies of G. musteloides: boliviensis, demissa, leucoblephara, littoralis and musteloides. These are recognized on the basis of pelage coloration, size and shape of skull, auditory bullae size and tooth shape. The species is found within a range from southern Peru to central Argentina.[3] Evidence is mounting that the lowland form of G. musteloides is an independent species and should be called G. leucoblephara". [4]It is a “diurnal herbivore of squirrel size that lives in groups and occupies open habitat” [5]

Female and male common yellow-toothed cavies average 37.6 g and 36.4 g at birth, respectively. G. musteloides reproduces for the first time at one to three months of age; the minimum age needed to reproduce is twenty-eight days. Gestation lasts fifty-three days and lactation for three weeks. Litter size averages 2.7.[6]

In Peru, Galea sometimes associates Ctenomys; the common name for rodents of this genus is tuco-tuco. According to Sanborn and Pearson, Galea use tuco-tuco burrows and seeks in response to tuco-tuco alarm calls. [6] Galea uses their burrows and as they seek cover they respond to the alarm calls of Ctenomys. G. musteloides is mostly found in moist areas such as stream edges and croplands.[7]

In captive groups "G. musteloides" establish a male and a female hierarchical order. The alpha males regularly guards receptive females, however to little effect. Usually other males also mate with the same female and in more than 80% the resulting littermates have more than one father. At least in captivity the females are clearly promiscuous, always mating with several males in the group. In the wild "G. musteloids" is clearly territorial and it remains unclear if a similar hierarchical social order exists, or if they live territorial solitary. Aggression between adult males happens regularly. Adult male G. musteloides never engage in parental activities and are aggressive to subadult males even if they are their own offspring and very young. However, males are not aggressive to females. Female adult lactate and nurse the offspring of other females during their first week of life. Nearly all offspring receive some milk from females other than their mother. However, own offspring is cared for preferentially and for longer than one week. [8] [9]

As closely related Galea species show a range of mating systems from monogamy to promiscuous, comparative studies are possible in these groups. As general trends have been identified: a) testis size increases relative to body size in promiscuous species and b) higher social tolerance in captive held groups is associated with greater promiscuity and higher testosterone levels in males. Testosterone levels and aggression levels in males are not correlated. In fact females avoid above average aggressive males. b[10]

References

  1. ^ a b Template:IUCN2008
  2. ^ a b Musser, G. G.; Carleton, M. D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 1554. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. ^ Dunnum, Jonathan, L. (2010). "Phylogeny, evolution, and systematics of the Galea musteloides complex (Rodentia: Caviidae)". Journal of Mammalogy. 91 (1): 243–259. doi:10.1644/08-MAMM-A-214R1.1. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ ADRIAN, O., & SACHSER, N. (2011). Diversity of social and mating systems in cavies: a review.Journal Of Mammalogy, 92(1), 39-53. doi:10.1644/09-MAMM-S-405.1
  5. ^ Kunkele. J., & Hoeck H.H. (1995). Communal suckling in the Cavy Galea musteloides. Springer Link. Doi:10.1007/BF00170585. Retrieved from: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF00170585
  6. ^ a b Eisenberg, J. F., & Redford, K. H. (1999). Mammals of the Neotropics: The Central Neotropics (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil). Chicago: University of Chicago press.
  7. ^ DUNNUM, J. L., & SALAZAR-BRAVO, J. (2010). Phylogeny, evolution, and systematics of the Galea musteloides complex (Rodentia: Caviidae).Journal Of Mammalogy, 91(1), 243-259. doi:10.1644/08-MAMM-A-214R1.1
  8. ^ ADRIAN, O., & SACHSER, N. (2011). Diversity of social and mating systems in cavies: a review.Journal Of Mammalogy, 92(1), 39-53. doi:10.1644/09-MAMM-S-405.1
  9. ^ Sachser, N., Schwarz-Weig, E., Keil, A., & Epplen, J. T. (1999). BEHAVIOURAL STRATEGIES, TESTIS SIZE, AND REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN TWO CAVIOMORPH RODENTS WITH DIFFERENT MATING SYSTEMS. Behaviour, 136(9), 1203-1217.
  10. ^ HAYES, L. D., BURGER, J., SOTO-GAMBOA, M., SOBRERO, R., & AEBENSPERGER, L. (2011). Towards an integrative model of sociality in caviomorph rodents. Journal Of Mammalogy,92(1), 65-77. doi:10.1644/10-MAMM-S-039.1
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