Suppression of Growth and Reproduction of Microtine Rodents by Social Factors

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Abstract
Experiments with two species of microtine rodents, the California vole (Microtus californicus) and the prairie vole (M. ochrogaster), showed that littermates usually suppress growth and reproductive maturation of one another when kept in the same cage. Suppression appeared to be a response to a pheromone because it also occurred when voles were isolated except for air supply. Completely isolated voles were not suppressed. Normal growth and reproduction resumed when suppressed animals were caged with strangers of the opposite sex. Release from suppression required a physical stimulus. Suppressed voles did not resume growth when separated from strangers by hardware cloth nor when exposed to soiled bedding and urine of strangers. Suppression of maturation did not usually occur in the meadow vole M. pennsylvanicus. The occurrence of suppression in some species but not others may be related to habitat utilization. Microtines which live in extensive habitats may be more successful if young leave the parents' home range before breeding; suppression of sibling matings would enforce this. Evolutionary advantages include conservation of resources for future offspring and reduced susceptibility to predation. Species, such as the meadow vole, whose habitat exists in small patches, must continually invade new patches in order to be successful. Under these circumstances breeding among siblings would be favored.

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