The Adaptation Process Between Small Naturally-Formed Populations of Mongolian Gerbils, Meriones Unguiculatus
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| Language: | English |
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Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK
1973
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250437015 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-bgsu15559312504370152021-08-03T07:10:49Z The Adaptation Process Between Small Naturally-Formed Populations of Mongolian Gerbils, Meriones Unguiculatus Compton, J. Michael Psychology The process of adaptation between small cohesive populations of adult Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus, encountering each other for the first time, was studied through a series of four experiments. Experiment I used four pairs of adult littermate populations. The reactions of each pair of populations upon first meeting were examined. The reliable consequence was serious agonistic behavior. Through a series of fights, one population rapidly became dominant over the other, controlling all areas and resources within the enclosure. Members of the subordinate population were greatly limited in their freedom of movement, generally restricted to less desirable areas and deprived of basic necessities such as food and water. Dominance was initially dependent upon the fighting abilities of individual members, but by the end of 48 hours, had become more a function of group membership than of individual fighting abilities. Experiment II replicated the group dominance phenomenon. In addition, a hypothesis that in an encounter between two populations the positioning of a novel uninhabited area between home environments might reduce agonistic behavior due to competing investigatory responses was tested and received little support. Experiment III was identical to Experiment II but used two populations which included adult and young gerbils of varying ages. The intolerance observed in Experiments I and II between unfamiliar adults was still present in the interactions between adults but was noticeably reduced among the younger animals. Subsequent to the elimination of adults in one of the populations the remaining animals merged indistinguishably into one population. Experiment IV replicated Experiment II, but used six populations composed only of younger animals, 12 to 16 weeks old. All pairs of populations merged into single indistinguishable populations without serious fighting. Fighting is a likely consequence of encounters between populations of gerbils unfamiliar with each other if the populations include some adult animals. The extent of the fighting probably depends on the age distribution within the populations. 1973 English text Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250437015 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250437015 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Psychology |
| spellingShingle |
Psychology Compton, J. Michael The Adaptation Process Between Small Naturally-Formed Populations of Mongolian Gerbils, Meriones Unguiculatus |
| author |
Compton, J. Michael |
| author_facet |
Compton, J. Michael |
| author_sort |
Compton, J. Michael |
| title |
The Adaptation Process Between Small Naturally-Formed Populations of Mongolian Gerbils, Meriones Unguiculatus |
| title_short |
The Adaptation Process Between Small Naturally-Formed Populations of Mongolian Gerbils, Meriones Unguiculatus |
| title_full |
The Adaptation Process Between Small Naturally-Formed Populations of Mongolian Gerbils, Meriones Unguiculatus |
| title_fullStr |
The Adaptation Process Between Small Naturally-Formed Populations of Mongolian Gerbils, Meriones Unguiculatus |
| title_full_unstemmed |
The Adaptation Process Between Small Naturally-Formed Populations of Mongolian Gerbils, Meriones Unguiculatus |
| title_sort |
adaptation process between small naturally-formed populations of mongolian gerbils, meriones unguiculatus |
| publisher |
Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
1973 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250437015 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT comptonjmichael theadaptationprocessbetweensmallnaturallyformedpopulationsofmongoliangerbilsmerionesunguiculatus AT comptonjmichael adaptationprocessbetweensmallnaturallyformedpopulationsofmongoliangerbilsmerionesunguiculatus |
| _version_ |
1719455450890502144 |