The Mating System of Crocidura shantungensis (Soricomorpha: Soricidae) in Guandu Salt Marsh
Date Issued
2008
Date
2008
Author(s)
Lin, Ting-Ting
Abstract
The knowledge on the mating systems of shrews is insufficient, especially for species living in the sub-tropic or tropic regions. Previous studies have hypothesized that the mating systems of Crocidurae should be monogamous in sub-tropical/tropical regions with seasonal climate and resource availability. I tested the hypothesis by investigating the spatial organization and genetic relatedness of Crocidura shantungensis in GuanDu salt marsh during the reproductive season. The population dynamic and spatial organizations of shrews were monitored with the capture-mark-recapture method in 2006. Eight microsatellite primers cross-species amplified from C. russula and C. suaveolens were used to perform parentage analyses of population and examine multiple paternity within litters. The results showed that the home range sizes of males were generally larger than those of females. Males also tended to overlap with multiple females, while females were territorial. The spatial organizations of 40 resident shrews suggested that the social mating system of C. shantungensis was likely facultative monogamy or effective polygyny. On the other hand, parentage analyses of population members and multiple paternity within litters showed both females and males mated multiply. Our results rejected the hypothesized model. Population characteristics, such as population density and sex ratio may have contributed to the mating system of C. shantungensis in GuanDu.
Subjects
Crocidura shantungensis
mating system
microsatellite
parentage analysis
spatial organization
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