Abstract

Experiments were performed to compare homospecific and heterospecific mate selection in two closely related species, Peromyscus californicus and Peromyscus eremicus. Comparisons were made between allopatric and sympatric populations and between males and females for mate selection performance. Both species made significant choice for the homospecific chambers. Significant homospecific choice was made by mice from sympatric populations, whereas allopatric populations did not demonstrate significant choice. No significant difference in choice performance was demonstrated between males and females even when the estrus stages of the females were controlled.

A comparison of different testing lengths and temporal regimes of data collection was performed with the result being a recommendation for data collection during the first ninety minutes of the testing period, or during longer periods, with analysis based on an average for the entire test. The dependent variable, "initial choice", was correlated with results throughout the experiment.

Reciprocal cross-fostering between the two species resulted in significant choice for the heterospecific cross-foster species type by P. eremicus, but the species choice exhibited by cross-fostered P. californicus was not significantly different from random. Lab-reared controls chose significantly for the homospecific chamber. Behavioral and ecological differences between species were discussed in an attempt to explain possible reasons for the differential species response to cross-fostering.

LLU Discipline

Biology

Department

Biology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Leonard R. Brand

Second Advisor

Kenneth A. Arendt

Third Advisor

Raymond E. Rychman

Fourth Advisor

Dalton D. Baldwin

Fifth Advisor

Arthur V. Chadwick

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

1977

Date (Title Page)

6-1977

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Peromyscus

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

vii: 67

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

Download

Included in

Biology Commons

Share

COinS