Monogamy in a New Species of Wild Guinea Pigs (Galea sp.)
Hohoff C, Solmsdorff K, Lottker P, Kemme K, Epplen JT, Cooper TG, Sachser N
Research article (journal) | Peer reviewedAbstract
A new species of wild guinea pigs from Bolivia was recently discovered: Galea sp. So far no data are available concerning its social and mating systems. We therefore investigated behavioural compatibility, sexual dimorphism, paternity in a male-competing situation, testicular and epididymal size, and sperm morphology and motility. The results showed a complete intrasexual and moderate intersexual behavioural incompatibility between unfamiliar animals, a reversed sexual dimorphism with females larger than males, and litters always fathered by single males. Furthermore, both the reproductive organ weights and the percentage of motile sperm and sperm with intact acrosomes were significantly lower compared with the promiscuous congeneric Galea musteloides. In summary, these data strongly suggest a monogamous social and mating system for the recently discovered Galea sp.
Details about the publication
Authors from the University of Münster
| Cooper, Trevor | |
| Hohoff, Christa | |
| Sachser, Norbert |
Doctorates the publication originates from
| Female choice in three species of wild guinea pigs Candidate: Hohoff, Christa | Supervisors: Sachser, Norbert Period of time: 01/09/1998 - 30/07/2002 Doctoral examination procedure finished at: Doctoral examination procedure at University of Münster |