THE MECHANISMS OF FORMATION OF GERBILS HIERARHICAL STRUCTURES

1
THE MECHANISMS OF FORMATION OF GERBILS
HIERARHICAL STRUCTURES
("Hierarchy and Power in the History of
Civilizations", Moscow, June 15-18,2000)

• Sergei V.Popov
• Moscow Zoo

2
The hierarchy is stable space independent system
of asymmetrical social bonds.
It may be realised only if

• there is a group of individuals, which occupy
  and use common territory

• the members of such group interact and their
  interactions may be asymmetrical

• the results of these interactions are
  remembered to produce stability of social bonds

3
(No Transcript)
4
(No Transcript)
5
The degree of behavioural asymmetry in gerbils
laboratory groups
The middle ?-female rate for four
groups 0,420?0,07
The middle ?-female rate for seven
groups 0,6800,07
The rate of mountings, aimed at different members
of the group ( - breeding females)
The rate of scent-marking
6
The dynamic of aggression during the first
pairing of unfamiliar males of Meriones
vinogradovi and Gerbillus perpallidus
7
The dynamic of aggression interactions during the
series of consequent pairings on neutral arena

• Probability of aggression slightly decreases
  rate of aggression doesn't significantly vary
  in time (aggression frequency decreases due to
  contact avoidance)
• Probability and rate of aggression decrease
  rapidly

From Popov,Tchabovsky,Voshchanova,1995
8
Regressions of aggression and threatening during
agonistic interactions of gerbils
aggression
threat
social
solitary
territorial
9
Proximate mechanisms of establishment of the
hierarchy in gerbils

• aspiration for contacts in social species

• the division of function and may be of
  motivational basis of agonistic behaviour
  aggression is aimed to drive away the partner and
  threat - to subordinate him

• long social memory - effect of interactions
  on partners behaviour