Field observations of social behaviour in a Saharan gerbil : Meriones libycus

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Abstract
A growing number of reports concern laboratory studies of the behavior of members of Gerbillinae. Behavioral studies of individually marked individuals in their natural habitat are scarce. Direct observations made in Beni-Abbes, Algeria, of 9 marked individuals in Jan. are reported. A defined study area was chosen (60 .times. 80 m). Two of the animals were resident females in this area and 7 were visiting males. Encounters between identified animals took place in 144 cases. The interactions observed mainly involved agonistic behavior patterns, of which chasing and fleeing were most frequent (54 cases). A clear relationship existed between the 2 females, based on chasing frequencies. One male was the highest ranking within the group. Marking (64 cases) and dig and kick back (48 cases) were observed in 2 social contexts: in animals singly and in social interaction. Both behavior patterns were shown by the resident females and by the visiting males. Marking was in 70% and dig and kick back in 17% of the cases observed in single animals. Copulation (7 cases) was observed in both females, in which one individual on 2 separate days showed a 4 day estrous cycle. A territorial organization in the females and a hierarchal system in the males is suggested.

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