TY - JOUR
T1 - Small size and monogamy
T2 - spatial organization of Blanford's foxes, Vulpes cana
AU - Geffen, Eli
AU - MacDonald, David W.
N1 - Funding Information:
We thank Drs M. Artois, C. P. Doncaster, J. L. Gittleman, P. H. Harvey, E. Lindstr6m, M. Sandell, T. E. Tew and R. Woodroffe for helpful comments on an earlier draft. Professor Y. Yom-Tov provided the traps and other accessories. J. Bakker, R. Hefner, A. Nini, A. Rotem, O. Shani, Y. Sinai and M. Ucko assisted with the field work at various stages, Dr C. P. Doncaster assisted with the data analysis and U. Marder provided bait. The project was supported and funded by the Nature Reserves Authority of Israel, the Society for Protection of Nature in Israel, the Fauna and Flora Preservation Society, the People's Trust for Endangered Species and the Ian Karten Foundation.
PY - 1992/12
Y1 - 1992/12
N2 - Interspecific comparisons between canids suggest allometries in the characteristics of neonates, such that species with lower body weights tend to produce relatively heavy neonates, in relatively small litters whose combined weight is relatively low. Canids weighing less than 6 kg have generally been reported as monogamous with occasional polygyny; on the basis of a parental investment hypothesis, the interspecific allometries suggest that the smallest canids have the greatest tendency to be polygynous. This prediction was explored by studying Blanford's foxes, which at ca 1 kg are lighter than any previously studied. Data from 11 radio-tracked foxes studied over 2 years indicated that they were organized as strictly monogamous pairs in territories of about 1·6 km2 which overlapped minimally. Three out of five territories contained a single non-breeding yearling female during the mating season, but there was no evidence of polygyny. It is suggested that the departure of Blanford's fox from the allometric trends can best be explained in terms of adaptations to its habitat rather than as a direct consequence of small size.
AB - Interspecific comparisons between canids suggest allometries in the characteristics of neonates, such that species with lower body weights tend to produce relatively heavy neonates, in relatively small litters whose combined weight is relatively low. Canids weighing less than 6 kg have generally been reported as monogamous with occasional polygyny; on the basis of a parental investment hypothesis, the interspecific allometries suggest that the smallest canids have the greatest tendency to be polygynous. This prediction was explored by studying Blanford's foxes, which at ca 1 kg are lighter than any previously studied. Data from 11 radio-tracked foxes studied over 2 years indicated that they were organized as strictly monogamous pairs in territories of about 1·6 km2 which overlapped minimally. Three out of five territories contained a single non-breeding yearling female during the mating season, but there was no evidence of polygyny. It is suggested that the departure of Blanford's fox from the allometric trends can best be explained in terms of adaptations to its habitat rather than as a direct consequence of small size.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0027101517&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0003-3472(05)80324-0
DO - 10.1016/S0003-3472(05)80324-0
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AN - SCOPUS:0027101517
SN - 0003-3472
VL - 44
SP - 1123
EP - 1130
JO - Animal Behaviour
JF - Animal Behaviour
IS - 6
ER -