Abstract
Small groups of Mongolian gerbils were released into an empty room so as to simulate free-ranging conditions and to study social patterns. While there was no tendency to maintain identifiable subgroups, the adult males positioned themselves into what appeared to be a dominance hierarchy. Dominant males initiated most of the fighting and were the only ones ever observed to mark objects in the room. In terms of sexual behavior, competition among males was completely absent, and multiple males were observed to copulate in sequence with any receptive female. Dominant males, however, were never observed to participate in sexual activities or to aggress against copulating subordinates. In general, males showed a much higher incidence of aggressive behavior and more footstomping than females. Footstomping episodes were most frequent during sexual activity and seemed to alert other members of the group.
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Gallup, G.G., Waite, M.S. Some preliminary observations on the behavior of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) under seminatural conditions. Psychon Sci 20, 25–26 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335581
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335581