Monogamy in a new species of wild guinea pigs (Galea sp.).
A new species of wild guinea pigs from Bolivia was recently discovered: Galeasp. So far no data are available concerning its social and mating systems. We therefore investigated behavioural compatibility, sexual dimorphism, paternity in a male-competing situation, testicular and epididymal size, and sperm morphology and motility. The results showed a complete intrasexual and moderate intersexual behavioural incompatibility between unfamiliar animals, a reversed sexual dimorphism with females larger than males, and litters always fathered by single males. Furthermore, both the reproductive organ weights and the percentage of motile sperm and sperm with intact acrosomes were significantly lower compared with the promiscuous congeneric Galea musteloides. In summary, these data strongly suggest a monogamous social and mating system for the recently discovered Galea sp.
Hohoff
Christa
C
Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Badestrasse 9, 48149 Münster, Germany. hohoff@hotmail.com
Solmsdorff
Katrin
K
Löttker
Petra
P
Kemme
Kristina
K
Epplen
Jörg T
JT
Cooper
Trevor G
TG
Sachser
Norbert
N
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology