Comparisons of nipple attachment and incisor growth among four species of voles (Microtus).
Patterns of nipple attachment and incisor growth were compared between four species of voles (Microtus). Offspring of two highly social species, prairie voles (M. ochrogaster) and pine voles (M. pinetorum), were shown to cling tightly to the nipples of their dams on Days 2, 6, and 10. This pattern contrasted to weak nipple attachment displayed by two less-social species, meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus) and montane voles (M. montanus). Lengths of the upper (maxillary) and lower (mandibular) incisors of the four species were recorded throughout the first 10 days of age and in adults. Incisors of the pine and prairie voles typically erupted earlier and grew longer than those of the meadow or montane voles during the first few days of development. Incisors grew at a substantial rate in the latter two species, such that they equalled or surpassed the incisor lengths of the former two species as Day 10 and weaning approached. Patterns of incisor growth, in part, reflected those for nipple attachment, but do not appear to account substantially for differences in nipple attachment.
Salo
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Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Shapiro
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Dewsbury
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D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000254:growth & development; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007180:Incisor / Q000254:growth & development*; D008098:Litter Size; D008297:Male; D013045:Species Specificity; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*