Holarctic Marmots as a factor of Biodiversity.
Rumiantsev V.Yu;, Nikol'skii A.A. & Brandler O.V. eds.,
Abstracts, 3d Conference on Marmots (Cheboksary, Russia, 25-30 August 1997),
Moscow ABF 1997, 216p., 86 (Russian), 186 (English).


POSSIBILITY OF POLYANDRY IN STEPPE MARMOTS FAMILY GROUPS


I.V. Rymalov

Sevrtsov' IPEE RAS, Moscow, Russia


Polyandry family groups of Marmota bobac were often registered in populations, where density of animals was high. Sometimes the proportion between males and females distinguishes 6/1 and more. Observations for steppe marmots in captivity showed, that usually there were no aggression between males during breeding period. We registered development of testicles in all males in polyandry family groups. The litters were registered in some polyandry families (one female and two males). At the same time the aggression between females during breeding period was very high.

Probably the polyandry type of realization of marmots reproductive potential takes place in polyandry families. We suppose, that this type may be one of mechanisms of population number limitation. In this situation the most part of females are banished from families and can not breed. At the same time the reproductive potential of several males limited, because they can contact with only one female during breeding period. It is possible, that polyandry type of realization of reproductive potential is in marmots population of other species, because the polyandrous families structure take place in them (Surki..., 1978; Barash, 1989; Arnold, 1990)


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