Infanticide and Pregnancy Failure: Reproductive Strategies in the Female Collared Lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus)

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Abstract
Inseminated female collared lemmings were exposed to strange males, stud males and changes in the physical environment during gestation. In addition, strange, nonpregnant females were introduced into the cages of maternal females and neonates on Days 1 and 3 postpartum. Strange males significantly reduced the incidence of pregnancy when introduced into the female’s cage on Day 4 postcoitum, whereas stud males did not. Handling 3 times during gestation also significantly limited the success of pregnancy. The incidence of infanticide was significantly greater (77%) on Day 1 postpartum compared with Day 3 postpartum (49%) when strange females were introduced into the home cage of maternal females. Body weight of maternal females appears to be a significant factor influencing pup survival on Day 1, but not on Day 3 postpartum. The data are discussed as they apply to current population theories.
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