 |
|
When it comes to female red squirrels, it seems any male will do
June 23, 2008Researchers have found that female red squirrels showed high levels of multimale mating and would even mate with males that had similar genetic relatedness, basically mating with their relatives.
Researchers from the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and the University of Sheffield in Sheffield, England, United Kingdom studied a population of red squirrels over a period of three years near Kluane National Park in southwest Yukon.
While males mating with multiple females is quite common in the animal kingdom, females that multi-mate is much harder to explain.
Through their observations, it was noted that when female red squirrels chose a mate to copulate with, genetic relatedness did not play a factor.
"In males, the benefits of multi-female mating are well established, but in females the benefits of having many offspring is limited, making the reasoning for multimale mating more puzzling," said Jeffrey Lane, who conducted the study while obtaining his PhD at the University of Alberta.
The researchers also found that the relatedness of parents had no effect on the neonatal mass and growth rate of their offspring. As well, whether or not an offspring survived to one year of age wasn't affected by having related parents either.
"Detailed investigations into the social and genetic context of multimale mating in red squirrels and other mammalian species should help to provide insight into the evolution and maintenance of this behavior," said Lane.
University of Alberta
Through their observations, it was noted that when female red squirrels chose a mate to copulate with, genetic relatedness did not play a factor.
"In males, the benefits of multi-female mating are well established, but in females the benefits of having many offspring is limited, making the reasoning for multimale mating more puzzling," said Jeffrey Lane, who conducted the study while obtaining his PhD at the University of Alberta.
The researchers also found that the relatedness of parents had no effect on the neonatal mass and growth rate of their offspring. As well, whether or not an offspring survived to one year of age wasn't affected by having related parents either.
"Detailed investigations into the social and genetic context of multimale mating in red squirrels and other mammalian species should help to provide insight into the evolution and maintenance of this behavior," said Lane.
University of Alberta
Lucky squirrels born with 'silver spoon' effect
As the saying goes, some people are born with silver spoons in their mouths. The same goes for at least one species of the animal world, according to research done in part by the University of Alberta.
Recent, rapid climate change is driving evolution of animal species
Rapid climate changes over the past several decades have led to heritable, genetic changes in animals as diverse as squirrels, birds and mosquitoes, according to University of Oregon evolutionary geneticists.
Warning To Preserve 'Unique' Red Squirrel From Extinction
A unique type of squirrel could become extinct within the next 20 years unless extra conservation measures are taken, say the authors of a new study. Scientists from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne's School of Biology have found that small number of red squirrels found in Cumbria, North West England, have a unique genetic make-up which sets them aside from those found in other areas of Britain and Europe. But probably less than a thousand of these animals still survive and are dwindling in number due to an invasion by the American grey squirrel, which out-competes reds for food and passes on a deadly pox virus which can kill reds within two weeks. Although Cumbria is benefiting from
More Red Squirrels News Articles
 | Tea at the Treedome (Spongebob Squarepants Chapter Books) by Terry Collins SpongeBob is invited to have tea with a new karate-chopping lady friend, Sandy Cheeks. But when he finds out that Sandy lives in a dome filled with air, SpongeBob's plan for a new friend might "run... |
 | The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel (Dover Children's Thrift Classics) by Thornton W. Burgess Delightfully told tale chronicles escapades of a bushy-tailed little mischief-maker who decides to leave the Green Forest for a new home, only to find that curiosity, carelessness, and mistrust can lead to a heap of troubles. Entertaining adventures among "the lesser folk in fur and feathers," created by beloved storyteller and... |
 | Mr. George and the Red Hat by stephen Heigh Mr. George and the Red Hat is a wonderful children's story featuring the stunning artwork of award-winning artist and author Stephen Heigh. The book is ideal for children 2-8 years old, teaching through a story of giving while also introducing the young reader to some of the finest artwork seen in a children's book. Mr. George is a friendly neighborhood squirrel that discovers a red felt hat. He... |
 | Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo -- and Still-Mo: Lessons in Living from Five Frisky Red Squirrels Lessons in Living from five frisky red squirels. Red squirrels are by nature inquisitive and rambunctious, reason enough to think twice before adopting one--not to mention five! But that is just what happens to Sam and Giny Campbell at their wilderness island home. Eeny, Meeny Miney, Mo... and still - Mo will win your heart with their irresistible antics and crazy capers. All have their own... |
| The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel: The Bedtime Story-Books by Thornton W. Burgess | |
 | The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel (Burgess Quaddies) (The Bedtime Story-Books) by Thornton W Burgess Frontis plus five additional b&w plates by Harrison Cady. About 7 inches tall, 120 pages. This is from a uniformly bound series of the Burgess Quaddies... |
| The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel (The Famous Bedtime Story Books, Volume 9) by Thornton W. Burgess Excellent stories of Thorton W. Burgess adventures, moral stories, and fun friends! Well illustrated by... | |
 | Life in the UK Test Study Guide + CD ROM by Henry Dillon |
 | RED STAR UNDER THE BALTIC: A Firsthand Account of Life on board a Soviet Submarine in World War 2 by Viktor Korzh Red Star Under The Baltic is the graphic memoir of a Soviet submariner during his years at sea in the Baltic during the Second World War. Not only is this a superb record of the appalling conditions endured on these basic craft, but a very human account detailing the comradeship and tensions among the crew as they operated in the most life-threatening conditions. Written in the first person, the... |
 | Red China Blues by Jan Wong |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |