Genetic relationships within colonies suggest genetic monogamy in the Eurasian beaver (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Castor fiber</Emphasis>) |
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Authors: | Alena?Syr??ková Alexander?P?Saveljev Christiane?Frosch Walter?Durka Andrei?A?Savelyev Email author" target="_blank">Pavel?MunclingerEmail author |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science,Charles University in Prague,Prague,Czech Republic;2.Department of Animal Ecology, Russian Research Institute of Game Management and Fur Farming,Federal Agency of the Scientific Organizations,Kirov,Russia;3.Conservation Genetics Group,Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt,Gelnhausen,Germany;4.Department of Community Ecology,UFZ–Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research,Halle/Saale,Germany;5.Department of Conservation and Use of Wildlife of the Kirov Region,Kirov,Russia |
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Abstract: | Social monogamy, considered rare in mammals, has been described in two species of beaver, the Eurasion beaver (Castor fiber), and the North American beaver (Castor Canadensis). Social monogamy, however, does not necessarily imply genetic monogamy. For example, in group living mammals, females may engage in extra-pair copulations as a result of increased female mate choice opportunities. Recently, following genetic analysis, a wide range of genetic relationships among colony members have been documented in the North American beaver, including extra-pair paternity. Here, we used microsatellite loci to provide parentage estimates from colonies of the Eurasian beaver in the Kirov region, Russia. No evidence for the presence of any extra-pair young was detected. However, in two cases, we found a pair of unrelated males inhabiting a single colony. Our results suggest that while colonies may comprise both related and unrelated individuals, the genetic mating system appears to match that of the previously inferred social monogamy. |
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