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Lowell L. Getz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a comparison of living singly and in male female pairs in the prairie vole Microtus Ochrogaster
Ethology, 2010Co-Authors: Lowell L. Getz, Betty McguireAbstract:We measured potential advantages of living singly as contrasted to in male-female pairs in a free-living population of the prairie vole (Microtus Ochrogaster) in a high food habitat. Whereas adult females survived longer when living in a pair than when living singly, adult males survived longer when single and wandering throughout the study site than when paired. Estimated total number of offspring produced that survived to adulthood and became reproductive was similar for paired females (0.32 female and 0.36 male offspring/female) and females living singly (0.34 female and 0.25 male offspring/female). There was no correlation between the proportion of unpaired adult males in the population and either adult population density, adult sex ratio, or proportion of females that were living singly. These results support the hypothesis that living in pairs evolved in the original low food habitat of the prairie vole and represents a basic behavioral trait that is retained regardless of food resources in the habitats now occupied.
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A Comparison of Living Singly and in Male‐female Pairs in the Prairie Vole, Microtus Ochrogaster
Ethology, 2010Co-Authors: Lowell L. Getz, Betty McguireAbstract:We measured potential advantages of living singly as contrasted to in male-female pairs in a free-living population of the prairie vole (Microtus Ochrogaster) in a high food habitat. Whereas adult females survived longer when living in a pair than when living singly, adult males survived longer when single and wandering throughout the study site than when paired. Estimated total number of offspring produced that survived to adulthood and became reproductive was similar for paired females (0.32 female and 0.36 male offspring/female) and females living singly (0.34 female and 0.25 male offspring/female). There was no correlation between the proportion of unpaired adult males in the population and either adult population density, adult sex ratio, or proportion of females that were living singly. These results support the hypothesis that living in pairs evolved in the original low food habitat of the prairie vole and represents a basic behavioral trait that is retained regardless of food resources in the habitats now occupied.
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Circadian Activity Rhythm and Potential Predation Risk of the Prairie Vole, Microtus Ochrogaster
The Southwestern Naturalist, 2009Co-Authors: Lowell L. GetzAbstract:Abstract I tested the circadian activity rhythm of field-captured prairie voles, Microtus Ochrogaster, in experimental laboratory chambers. Microtus Ochrogaster displayed a circadian rhythm with major activity during the dark period, whether in a normal or reversed photoperiod. When in constant dark and constant light, there was no distinct circadian rhythm; activity was greater when in constant dark than when in constant light. An activity rhythm with little activity during the daylight hours presumably would reduce risk of predation from diurnal avian predators. I propose such an activity pattern contributes to the ability of M. Ochrogaster to achieve high population densities in habitats with sparse vegetative cover.
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Nestling Survival and Population Fluctuations of the Prairie Vole Microtus Ochrogaster
The American Midland Naturalist, 2008Co-Authors: Lowell L. Getz, Betty McguireAbstract:ABSTRACT Nestling survival may be an important factor driving population fluctuations of arvicoline rodents, yet few data exist owing to the difficulties of monitoring survival at the nest. We examined survival of nestling prairie voles Microtus Ochrogaster in alfalfa and bluegrass habitats over a 25-y period using the proportion of young estimated to have been born to pregnant females and to have survived to first capture at ≤13 g. Nestling survival did not differ between habitats, but was greater during spring-early autumn than during late autumn–winter and greater during late autumn than winter. Survival of nestlings was also greater during the increase phase than during the decline or trough phases irrespective of season. During most increase phases greater nestling survival may have resulted from hibernation of snakes. Predation from snakes did not appear to be involved in decreased survival during the decline phase, at least for declines occurring during late autumn-winter. We suggest extreme weathe...
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vole population dynamics factors affecting peak densities and amplitudes of annual Microtus Ochrogaster population fluctuations
Basic and Applied Ecology, 2006Co-Authors: Lowell L. Getz, Joyce E. Hofmann, Madan K. Oli, Betty McguireAbstract:Abstract We studied factors affecting highest densities achieved (peak densities) and amplitudes of fluctuation during 39 annual population fluctuations of Microtus Ochrogaster in alfalfa, bluegrass, and tallgrass habitats over a 25-year period. Thirty-two of the 39 population fluctuations reached a peak in autumn or winter. Length of the increase period and initial population density appeared to have the greatest correlation with peak densities and amplitudes of fluctuation. Cessation of growth of population fluctuations reaching peak densities in autumn–winter resulted from a reduction in survival, perhaps enhanced by winter reduction in reproduction. Cessation of growth of population fluctuations with peak densities during spring–summer appeared to result mainly from reduction in survival. We conclude that increased mortality is the primary factor stopping population growth during population fluctuations of M. Ochrogaster. We suggest summation of independent mortality effects from multiple predators may be responsible for high population fluctuations some years and not others.
Geert J. De Vries - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Role of pregnancy and parturition in induction of maternal behavior in prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster).
Hormones and behavior, 2006Co-Authors: Unja L. Hayes, Geert J. De VriesAbstract:In prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster), most virgin females are infanticidal. To determine the onset of maternal responsiveness, female prairie voles were tested for maternal behavior as virgins and at different times throughout pregnancy. Female voles that were infanticidal as virgins by and large remained infanticidal throughout pregnancy. In contrast, about 30% of voles that were maternal as virgins became infanticidal during pregnancy. To test whether events associated with parturition facilitate the onset of maternal behavior, females had their litters delivered by Caesarean section within a day of expected delivery or were allowed to give birth naturally with sham surgery occurring shortly before or after birth. Females that gave birth naturally were fully maternal and did not attack unrelated pups, but females subjected to artificial delivery remained infanticidal. This suggests that events closely related to parturition are crucial for full development of maternal behavior in female prairie voles.
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social influences on parental and nonparental responses toward pups in virgin female prairie voles Microtus Ochrogaster
Journal of Comparative Psychology, 2001Co-Authors: Joseph S Lonstein, Geert J. De VriesAbstract:Pair-bonded prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster) are biparental after the birth of pups. However, whereas most adult virgin males are parental, most virgin females are not. In 6 experiments, influences on the parental behavior of virgin female prairie voles were examined. It was found that (a) young virgin females were more maternal than older females, (b) the postweaning sex ratio of cage-mates did not affect females' responses to pups, (c) females raised to adulthood with their parents and younger siblings present were highly parental, (d) 48-hr exposure to pups beginning at weaning increased some aspects of later maternal responding, (e) rearing to adulthood with the parents even in the absence of younger siblings also increased females' maternal responding, and (f) the increase was seen only if both parents were present. Continued parental presence promotes alloparental behavior, possibly important if daughters do not disperse from the natal nest.
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Testosterone effects on paternal behavior and vasopressin immunoreactive projections in prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster)
Brain research, 1993Co-Authors: Zuoxin Wang, Geert J. De VriesAbstract:Castration reduced paternal responsiveness of male prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster). Castration also reduced the number of vasopressin immunoreactive (AVP-ir) cells in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) and medial amygdaloid nucleus (MA), as well as the density of AVP-ir fibers in the lateral septum. Testosterone treatment of castrated voles prevented these changes. The similarities in the effects of the hormonal manipulations on paternal responsiveness and AVP immunoreactivity provide further support for the hypothesis that AVP-ir projections of the BST and MA are implicated in paternal behavior.
C. Sue Carter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Acoustic features of prairie vole (Microtus Ochrogaster) ultrasonic vocalizations covary with heart rate.
Physiology & behavior, 2014Co-Authors: Adam Michael Stewart, C. Sue Carter, Gregory F. Lewis, Jason R. Yee, William M. Kenkel, Maria I. Davila, Stephen W. PorgesAbstract:Vocalizations serve as a conspecific social communication system among mammals. Modulation of acoustic features embedded within vocalizations is used by several mammalian species to signal whether it is safe or dangerous to approach conspecific and heterospecific mammals. As described by the Polyvagal Theory, the phylogenetic shift in the evolution of mammals involved an adaptive neuroanatomical link between the neural circuits regulating heart rate and the muscles involved in modulating the acoustic features of vocalizations. However, few studies have investigated the covariation between heart rate and the acoustic features of vocalizations. In the current study, we document that specific features of vocalizations covary with heart rate in a highly social and vocal mammal, the prairie vole (Microtus Ochrogaster). Findings with the prairie vole illustrate that higher pitch (i.e., fundamental frequency) and less variability in acoustic features of vocalizations (i.e., less vocal prosody) are associated with elevated heart rate. The study provides the first documentation that the acoustic features of prairie vole vocalizations may function as a surrogate index of heart rate.
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BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS Developmental Exposure to Oxytocin Facilitates Partner Preferences in Male Prairie Voles (Microtus Ochrogaster)
2003Co-Authors: Karen L. Bales, C. Sue CarterAbstract:The authors investigated the effects of postnatal manipulations of oxytocin (OT) on the subsequent tendency to form a partner preference in male prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster). Neonatally, males received either an injection of OT, an oxytocin antagonist (OTA), 0.9% saline vehicle, or handling without injection. As adults, males were tested for partner preference following 1 hr of cohabitation with a nonestrous female. In a 3-hr preference test, males neonatally exposed to exogenous OT exhibited a significant partner preference, not seen in males receiving OTA or saline. Both OT and OTA voles had significantly higher levels of social contact than saline controls. A single neonatal injection of OT increased both total and selective social behaviors in male prairie voles. Monogamy in mammals is rare (3% of species; Kleiman, 1977) and especially uncommon in rodents. A primary characteristic of mammalian monogamy is the emergence of a selective and longlasting social preference for a familiar partner of the opposite sex. Prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster) are small arvicoline rodents
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Developmental exposure to oxytocin facilitates partner preferences in male prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster).
Behavioral neuroscience, 2003Co-Authors: Karen L. Bales, C. Sue CarterAbstract:The authors investigated the effects of postnatal manipulations of oxytocin (OT) on the subsequent tendency to form a partner preference in male prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster). Neonatally, males received either an injection of OT, an oxytocin antagonist (OTA), 0.9% saline vehicle, or handling without injection. As adults, males were tested for partner preference following 1 hr of cohabitation with a nonestrous female. In a 3-hr preference test, males neonatally exposed to exogenous OT exhibited a significant partner preference, not seen in males receiving OTA or saline. Both OT and OTA voles had significantly higher levels of social contact than saline controls. A single neonatal injection of OT increased both total and selective social behaviors in male prairie voles.
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Sex differences in temporal parameters of partner preference in prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster )
Canadian Journal of Zoology, 1999Co-Authors: A. Courtney Devries, C. Sue CarterAbstract:Prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster) are monogamous rodents in which both sexes form social preferences for a familiar partner. This species exhibits many of the characteristics of monogamy, including long-term social bonds, mate guarding, and biparental care. Although the behaviors associated with the development of partner preferences are superficially similar in males and females, the present study documents sex differences in the temporal parameters of partner preferences in prairie voles. Following nonsexual cohabitation, female prairie voles formed partner preferences more quickly and these preferences lasted longer than in males. These data indicate that sex differences exist in the development and maintenance of social preferences and may reflect differences in the reproductive strategies of male and female prairie voles.
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The effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on partner preferences in male and female prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster).
Behavioral neuroscience, 1999Co-Authors: Mary M. Cho, A. Courtney Devries, Jessie R. Williams, C. Sue CarterAbstract:This study compared the effects of centrally administered oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) on partner preference formation and social contact in male and female prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster). After 1 hr of cohabitation and pretreatment with either AVP or OT, both males and females exhibited increased social contact and significant preference for the familiar partner. After pretreatment with either an OT receptor antagonist (OTA) or an AVP (Via) receptor antagonist (AVPA), neither OT nor AVP induced a partner preference. In addition, treatment with OT+OTA or AVP+AVPA was associated with low levels of social contact in both sexes. Either AVP or OT is sufficient to facilitate social contact if either the OT or AVP receptor is available. However, the formation of partner preferences may require access to both AVP and OT receptors. Monogamous social systems are rare among mammals, occurring in less than 3% of mammalian species (Kleiman, 1977). Prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster) exhibit several traits associated with monogamy, including high levels of social contact and the capacity to form pair bonds (Carter, DeVries, & Getz, 1995; Dewsbury, 1987; Dewsbury, Baumgardner, Evans, & Webster, 1980). In the laboratory, the selection of a familiar partner in preference to a stranger has been used as an index of pair bonding. Partner preferences can form during nonsexual cohabitation, and the onset of partner preferences is facilitated by mating (Williams, Catania, & Carter, 1992; Winslow, Hastings, Carter, Harbaugh, & Insel, 1993).
Betty Mcguire - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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A Comparison of Living Singly and in Male‐female Pairs in the Prairie Vole, Microtus Ochrogaster
Ethology, 2010Co-Authors: Lowell L. Getz, Betty McguireAbstract:We measured potential advantages of living singly as contrasted to in male-female pairs in a free-living population of the prairie vole (Microtus Ochrogaster) in a high food habitat. Whereas adult females survived longer when living in a pair than when living singly, adult males survived longer when single and wandering throughout the study site than when paired. Estimated total number of offspring produced that survived to adulthood and became reproductive was similar for paired females (0.32 female and 0.36 male offspring/female) and females living singly (0.34 female and 0.25 male offspring/female). There was no correlation between the proportion of unpaired adult males in the population and either adult population density, adult sex ratio, or proportion of females that were living singly. These results support the hypothesis that living in pairs evolved in the original low food habitat of the prairie vole and represents a basic behavioral trait that is retained regardless of food resources in the habitats now occupied.
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a comparison of living singly and in male female pairs in the prairie vole Microtus Ochrogaster
Ethology, 2010Co-Authors: Lowell L. Getz, Betty McguireAbstract:We measured potential advantages of living singly as contrasted to in male-female pairs in a free-living population of the prairie vole (Microtus Ochrogaster) in a high food habitat. Whereas adult females survived longer when living in a pair than when living singly, adult males survived longer when single and wandering throughout the study site than when paired. Estimated total number of offspring produced that survived to adulthood and became reproductive was similar for paired females (0.32 female and 0.36 male offspring/female) and females living singly (0.34 female and 0.25 male offspring/female). There was no correlation between the proportion of unpaired adult males in the population and either adult population density, adult sex ratio, or proportion of females that were living singly. These results support the hypothesis that living in pairs evolved in the original low food habitat of the prairie vole and represents a basic behavioral trait that is retained regardless of food resources in the habitats now occupied.
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Nestling Survival and Population Fluctuations of the Prairie Vole Microtus Ochrogaster
The American Midland Naturalist, 2008Co-Authors: Lowell L. Getz, Betty McguireAbstract:ABSTRACT Nestling survival may be an important factor driving population fluctuations of arvicoline rodents, yet few data exist owing to the difficulties of monitoring survival at the nest. We examined survival of nestling prairie voles Microtus Ochrogaster in alfalfa and bluegrass habitats over a 25-y period using the proportion of young estimated to have been born to pregnant females and to have survived to first capture at ≤13 g. Nestling survival did not differ between habitats, but was greater during spring-early autumn than during late autumn–winter and greater during late autumn than winter. Survival of nestlings was also greater during the increase phase than during the decline or trough phases irrespective of season. During most increase phases greater nestling survival may have resulted from hibernation of snakes. Predation from snakes did not appear to be involved in decreased survival during the decline phase, at least for declines occurring during late autumn-winter. We suggest extreme weathe...
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vole population dynamics factors affecting peak densities and amplitudes of annual Microtus Ochrogaster population fluctuations
Basic and Applied Ecology, 2006Co-Authors: Lowell L. Getz, Joyce E. Hofmann, Madan K. Oli, Betty McguireAbstract:Abstract We studied factors affecting highest densities achieved (peak densities) and amplitudes of fluctuation during 39 annual population fluctuations of Microtus Ochrogaster in alfalfa, bluegrass, and tallgrass habitats over a 25-year period. Thirty-two of the 39 population fluctuations reached a peak in autumn or winter. Length of the increase period and initial population density appeared to have the greatest correlation with peak densities and amplitudes of fluctuation. Cessation of growth of population fluctuations reaching peak densities in autumn–winter resulted from a reduction in survival, perhaps enhanced by winter reduction in reproduction. Cessation of growth of population fluctuations with peak densities during spring–summer appeared to result mainly from reduction in survival. We conclude that increased mortality is the primary factor stopping population growth during population fluctuations of M. Ochrogaster. We suggest summation of independent mortality effects from multiple predators may be responsible for high population fluctuations some years and not others.
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VOLE POPULATION FLUCTUATIONS: FACTORS THAT INITIATE AND DETERMINE INTERVALS BETWEEN THEM IN Microtus Ochrogaster
Journal of Mammalogy, 2006Co-Authors: Lowell L. Getz, Joyce E. Hofmann, Madan K. Oli, Betty McguireAbstract:We studied factors associated with occurrence of high-amplitude population fluctuations of the prairie vole (Microtus Ochrogaster) in alfalfa, bluegrass, and tallgrass habitats in east-central Illinois for 25 years. Increased survival was the most important factor associated with initiation of a population fluctuation during a given year. The proportion of reproductively active adult females was not associated with initiation of population fluctuations. The interval between fluctuations was not correlated with the previous peak density. We propose that population fluctuations in M. Ochrogaster were initiated by the net effects of relaxation of predation pressure of multiple generalist predators, which occurred erratically across years.
Zuoxin Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Metagenome-Assembled Genome Sequences of Five Strains from the Microtus Ochrogaster (Prairie Vole) Fecal Microbiome.
Microbiology resource announcements, 2020Co-Authors: Meghan Donovan, Zuoxin Wang, Michael D. Lynch, Calvin S. Mackey, Grayson N. Platt, Brian K. Washburn, Daniel L. Vera, Darryl J. Trickey, Trevor C. Charles, Kathryn M. JonesAbstract:The prairie vole (Microtus Ochrogaster) is an important model for the study of social monogamy and dual parental care of offspring. Characterization of specific host species-microbe strain interactions is critical for understanding the effects of the microbiota on mood and behavior. The five metagenome-assembled genome sequences reported here represent an important step in defining the prairie vole microbiome.
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The prairie vole (Microtus Ochrogaster): an animal model for behavioral neuroendocrine research on pair bonding.
ILAR journal, 2004Co-Authors: Brandon J. Aragona, Zuoxin WangAbstract:Pair bond formation has been investigated much less than many other social behaviors, perhaps in part because traditional laboratory mice and rats do not exhibit this behavior. However, pair bonding is common among monogamous animals such as the prairie vole (Microtus Ochrogaster) .I n this review, we discuss how the prairie vole has been used as a model system to investigate the neurobiology of pair bonding. Descriptions include neuroanatomical differences between monogamous and non-monogamous voles, as well as how manipulations of vasopressin, oxytocin, dopamine, and corticosterone systems affect pair bond formation. Also summarized are potential interactions among these systems that regulate pair bonding, and the extent of sexual dimorphism in underlying mechanisms. Pair bonding in prairie voles is an excellent model system for studying central processing of social information. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this behavior may provide important insights into human disorders associated with impaired social functioning.
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vasopressin in the lateral septum regulates pair bond formation in male prairie voles Microtus Ochrogaster
Behavioral Neuroscience, 2001Co-Authors: Yan Liu, Thomas J Curtis, Zuoxin WangAbstract:Male prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster) form a pair bond with a female partner after mating, and this behavior is regulated by the neuropeptide vasopressin (AVP). The authors report that AVP in the lateral septum is important for pair bond formation. Administration of an AVP V1a receptor antagonist in the lateral septum blocked mating-induced pair bonding, whereas administration of AVP induced this behavior in the absence of mating. In addition, administration of an oxytocin (OT) receptor antagonist in the lateral septum also blocked pair bond formation induced by either mating or AVP administration, suggesting that the OT receptor blockade may have interfered with the AVP regulation of behavior. Together, these data provide evidence suggesting that AVP in the lateral septum regulates pair bond formation in male prairie voles and that this process requires access to both AVP and OT receptors.
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Dopamine D2 receptor-mediated regulation of partner preferences in female prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster): a mechanism for pair bonding?
Behavioral Neuroscience, 1999Co-Authors: Zuoxin Wang, Carissa J. Cascio, Yan Liu, Brenden Gingrich, Thomas R. InselAbstract:This study examined the role of dopamine (DA) in partner preference (PP) formation in female prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster). The nonspecific DA antagonist haloperidol blocked mating-induced PP, whereas the nonspecific DA agonist apomorphine induced PP without mating. The D2 antagonist eticlopride, but not the D1 antagonist SCH23390, blocked PP, whereas the D2 agonist quinpirole, but not the D1 agonist SKF38393, induced PP without mating. Injections of eticlopride before or immediately after mating, but not 24 hr after mating, impaired PP, indicating that DA's effects were not due to an interference with mating or sensory recognition. Finally, intracerebroventricular injections of eticlopride diminished PP. Together, these data suggest that mating-induced PP requires activation of D2 receptors and that social experience may activate dopaminergic pathways, with enduring effects on behavior.
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Parental care and litter development in primiparous and multiparous prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster)
Journal of Mammalogy, 1994Co-Authors: Zuoxin Wang, Melinda A. NovakAbstract:Parity effects on parental behavior and litter development were studied by comparing primiparous and multiparous parents in prairie voles ( Microtus Ochrogaster ). Multiparous mothers spent less time engaged in activities outside the nest and spent more time in parental care. This increased parental investment resulted in young that developed more rapidly, had a higher survival rate, and were larger at weaning than primiparous young. Parity had no effect on the behavior of fathers. Previous rearing experience as well as sex-dependent neuroendocrine-hormonal changes associated with parity may be responsible for increased parental care in mothers.