Limiting Resources and Territoriality in Microtine Rodents

Abstract

Theories concerning microtine population dynamics have relied increasingly on assumptions about social structure, but there has been no underlying theory for social biology itself. Among microtine species, patterns of sex-specifc territoriality, the best-studied aspect of their social organization, are diverse, setting the scence for the fragmented nature of the contemporary approaches to this issue. A set of hypotheses are proposed to predict under what conditions females and males should defend territories. Several correlative and experimental approaches are suggested as tests of the predictions. A better understanding of the factors affecting microtine territoriality, and spacing behavior in general, should help in evaluating the suppositions of the many theories of how these populations are regulated.