RESPONSES OF FEMALE GRAY-SIDED VOLES CLETHRIONOMYS-RUFOCANUS TO MALNUTRITION - A COMBINED LABORATORY AND FIELD EXPERIMENT

Eight lactating females together with their litters, 4 that had received a low protein diet and 4 controls were introduced onto a 2ha island. Experimental offspring were lighter at weaning, but attained control body mass at the time of sexual maturation. Malnutrition delayed female sexual maturation. All experimental females (mothers and daughters) had home ranges that were more exclusive of other females than those of control females. In field arena tests visiting females were more defensive than the home range owner. Experimental females had a higher frequency of typical territory-owner behaviours, suggesting that they were more territorial. -from Authors