Reproductive correlates of the hip gland in voles (Microtus townsendii)

Abstract

The behaviour of hip glands, as gauged by gland length, in Microtus townsendii is shown to be highly correlated with reproductive condition in both males and females. Breeding voles of both sexes are shown to have larger hip glands than nonbreeding voles. It was shown that the hip glands of male Microtus townsendii are under androgen control. The first known observations of marking behaviour in M. townsendii are described.