Interspecific agonistic behaviour in small mammals in a Mexican high-elevational grassland |
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| Authors: | J E Fa V Sanchez-Cordero A Mendez |
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| Institution: | Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, Les Augrès, Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BF, Channel Islands;Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 70-153, México 04510 D.F. |
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| Abstract: | Field trials were conducted throughout an annual cycle to study the role of agonistic behaviour in explaining the relative abundance of the volcano mouse ( Neotomodon alstoni ) in a small mammal community in high-altitude grasslands of central Mexico. Intrasexual contests between N. alstoni and three other sympatric rodents ( Peromyscus melanotis, Microtus mexicanus, and Reithrodontomys megalotis ) were performed. Male and female P. melanotis (100 and 67% of contests, respectively) and M. mexicanus (82 and 100%) were aggressively dominant over N. alstoni , whereas R. megalotis (80 and 100%) were not aggressive. Agonistic behaviour in this species did not explain its greater abundance in the community. |
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