Social dynamics, kinship, and population dynamics of Marmots [Dynamique sociale, parenté, et dynamique des populations chez les marmottes].

Résumé

Probably the social systems of all marmot species, except M. monax are based on kinship and most species have a family with a dominant breeding pair and non-breeding subordinates. Social behavior of closely-related animals is primarily amicable whereas agonistic behavior characterizes the social interactions of more distantly-related or unrelated individuals. All social groups are characterized by reproductive suppression of younger/subordinate animals by older/dominant individuals. Only the solitary M. monax lacks reproductive suppression among adults. Population growth occurs when offspring are retained in their natal group. Recruitment of offspring occurs when they are treated cohesively dispersal is associated with either a lack of cohesive behaviors or the presence of agonistic behaviors. Population saturation probably occurs in all species and the lack of nutritious food is proposed as the limiting factor. Major population decline usually is associated with unusual weather e.g., drought or prolonged winter. The availability of wide-spread habitat provided ecological release that permitted M. monax and M. flaviventris to evolve different social systems as a mechanism for escaping reproductive suppression.