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Scientific Literature on Gerbil Behaviour

French, J. A. (1994). Alloparents in the Mongolian gerbil: impact on long-term reproductive performance of breeders and opportunities for independent reproduction. Behavioral Ecology, 5, 273-279

*The presence of alloparents in cooperatively breeding groups may enhance the reproductive performance of the breeding pair, but tests of this hypothesis in mammalian cooperative breeders have typically examined short periods in the reproductive lifespan of breeders. The present experiment was designed to evaluate the long-term effects of the presence of alloparents on reproductive performance under laboratory conditions in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), and to evaluate the possibility that alloparents may attempt independent reproduction during their tenure as alloparents. Pairs were established with either 0 or 4 alloparents, and breeding performance was monitored over a 13.5 month period. The presence of alloparents did not enhance reproductive rates in breeding pairs, and neither enhanced nor delayed developmental rates in offspring. Variation in litter size, offspring survival, pup growth, and interbirth interval did not vary significantly as a function of the breeding females' reproductive tenure. Seven female alloparents produced offspring, out of a total of 49 female alloparents of breeding age in family groups. Alloparent breeding was associated with long interbirth intervals in the breeding adult female. Neonatal survival in litters born to alloparents was higher in litters that were temporally synchronized with litters produced by the older breeding female than in asynchronously produced litters. Under the conditions in this experiment, then, few indirect benefits accrue to helpers as a consequence of their alloparental effort, and immediate (the opportunity for independent reproductive attempts) and delayed (parental skills acquisition) direct benefits may account for helping behavior in this species.

Schneider, J. R., Veltri, A. M., deGraw, W. A., & French, J.A. (1995). Telemetered temperature monitoring in preweanling Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Physiology and Behavior, 57, 199-203

* Like most small mammals, Mongolian gerbils [Meriones unguiculatus] are born without the ability to maintain core body temperature [Tb]. Breeding adults, juvenile alloparents, nest materials and other litter mates probably contribute to the maintenance of core body temperature in neonates, but the relative role of each factor is unknown. We developed a procedure allowing biotransmitters to be implanted into 9-day old pups for use with a radiotelemetry system. Experiment I demonstrated the development of thermoregulatory capacity over postpartum days 11, 15, and 19. Pups at 11 days of age lacked thermoregulatory capacity, and maintained Tb only slightly above the ambient temperature (15°C) of the testing environment. The transition from poikilothermy to homeothermy was clearly accomplished by day 19, with pups maintaining Tb of 35.8° ± 0.2 C for at least 100 min. Experiment II measured Tb in 11- and 12-day-old pups during a thermal challenge [15°C] in the presence of nest materials, litter mates or both. Pups provided with either nest materials, litter mates or both maintained higher Tb during a 40 min test than those without these resources. Our methodology minimizes disruptions and the thermal consequences associated with other invasive (rectal probe thermistors) and noninvasive (e.g., infrared thermography) procedures.

G. Agren, Zhou Q & Zhong W. 1989. Ecology and social behaviour of Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus, at Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia, China. Animal Behaviour, 37, 11-27.

* Observations were made of social and territorial behaviour in a wild high-density population of Mongolian gerbils. The social units were multi-male, multi-female age-structured groups, judged to be families. The operational sex ratio was male biased. Group size varied from two to about 17 animals. Non- overlapping territories were defined by a clustered distribution of burrows, by common areas of activity of group members, and by chases across border zones between the areas used by each group. Territory size was correlated with group size, and ranged from 325 to 1550 m². Within groups, differential social status was indicated by behaviour patterns of dominant as well as subordinate character. Larger individuals dominated smaller ones, and males usually dominated females. Males ranged more widely and they were generally more active than females. The rate of sexual maturation in subadults varied according to group composition. Mainly the largest reproductively active males defended the territories by chasing, and also by marking along borders. An increased marking rate was observed in reproductively active males and females during oestrus. Three females were observed to copulate, two with more than one male. One female preferentially copulated with a neighbouring male. The functions of territorial defence, marking behaviour and promiscuous mating are discussed, and some cross-species comparisons are made. The present observations are to a large extent compatible with the results of relevant laboratory and seminatural studies.

If anyone encounters other scientific papers on behaviour in Mongolian or other species of gerbils and jirds, .

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