BEHAVIORAL COMPONENTS OF INDIVIDUAL RECOGNITION IN THE COLLARED LEMMING (DICROSTONYX-GROENLANDICUS)

1. The role of olfactory cues, social behavior, and duration of recall in the recognition of familiar conspecifics was investigated in collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus). 2. Familiarity was established by housing a male and female together for 30 days. After a separation of 1, 12, or 24 days, subjects were tested in an olfactometer or in dyadic encounters. 3. Males and females preferred the odor of their former partners to that of strangers after a 1-day separation. Only females demonstrated this preference after a 12-day separation and neither sex demonstrated a preference after 24 days. 4. After 1- and 12-day separation, scores for contact social behaviors were higher for both sexes when paired with their former partners than when paired with strangers. Agonistic behaviors were more frequent among unfamiliar animals. No differences were apparent after a 24-day separation. 5. Individual recognition by olfactory cues may help this solitary species maintain individual spacing and reduce aggression among potential mates. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.