Chen Yi, Guo Cheng, Zhou Shuailing, Xiang Zuofu
Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 Shaoshan Nanlu, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China.
College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 Shaoshan Nanlu, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China.
Curr Zool. 2022 Oct 26;69(6):654-657. doi: 10.1093/cz/zoac079. eCollection 2023 Dec.
The Himalayan marmot is widely distributed across the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and lives in social groups, yet the mating system of this highly social marmot species is unknown. In this study, the genetic mating system of Himalayan marmots was investigated using microsatellite markers to determine which mating strategies individuals employ. Results revealed that both monogamous and polygamous mating relationships occur in our study population, indicating that the genetic mating system of this marmot species is promiscuity. This study presents the first genetic evidence on the mating system for Himalayan marmots, yet indicates that further studies employing both a genetic and behavioral framework are needed to better understand the social structure and reproductive biology of this marmot species.
喜马拉雅旱獭广泛分布于青藏高原，以群居生活，但这种高度社会化的旱獭物种的交配系统尚不清楚。在本研究中，利用微卫星标记对喜马拉雅旱獭的遗传交配系统进行了调查，以确定个体采用哪种交配策略。结果显示，在我们的研究群体中同时存在一夫一妻制和多配偶制的交配关系，这表明该旱獭物种的遗传交配系统是混交制。本研究首次提供了喜马拉雅旱獭交配系统的遗传证据，但也表明需要采用遗传和行为框架进行进一步研究，以更好地了解该旱獭物种的社会结构和生殖生物学。
