Social variety in the yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris) [Variabilité sociales chez la marmotte à ventre jaune].

Résumé

The social behaviour of high and medium elevation colonies of yeIlow-bellied marmots in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, were studied. The medium elevation animals were consistently larger, exhibiting greater physical spacing, lower frequencies of greeting and upright playfighting, and a higher agonistic component than did those of the more cIosely-integrated high-elevation colony. These results are interpreted as part of a complex series of adaptations within the genus Marmota to variations in ecology related to growing season.