Sexual Size Dimorphism in Chipmunks

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Sexual size dimorphism among chipmunks is widespread, with females being larger in the taxa exhibiting such dimorphism. The degree of sexual size dimorphism is not correlated with body size. Females generally are larger in severe environments relative to moderate environments, whereas the opposite usually is true for males. The ratio of female size to male size is greater for populations inhabiting severe environments than for those inhabiting moderate environments in 19 of 27 consubspecific comparisons. Factors implicated in larger female size in chipmunks include hibernation and the timing of resource accumulation.