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Reproduction supression as a result of social interactions in rodents of the family Muridae
Berčíková, Marie ; Štolhoferová, Iveta (advisor) ; Mazoch, Vladimír (referee)
The thesis deals with suppression of reproduction in rodents of the family Muridae. Specifically, it focuses on reproductive suppression caused by social interactions between individuals of the same species and within a social group. The aim of the literature review is to summarize mechanisms of reproductive suppression found in the family Muridae, using examples from the genera Calomys, Microtus, Mus, and Meriones. In the discussion, the influence of ecology, social system, and sex is considered. As mechanisms of reproductive suppression, I found the delayed sexual maturation of juveniles, regulation of the number of breeding females, incest taboo, infanticide, or Bruce effect to be frequently reported. Concerning sex, females are more often suppressed in their reproduction and at the same time, they also more often suppress other individuals of either sex. Although the family Muridae represents a very diversified group in terms of ecology and social systems, the thesis demonstrates universality of reproductive suppression mechanisms across species. I suggest this could be attributed to widespread adaptations with the common goal to prevent inbreeding. Nonetheless, species can still differ in the number and complexity of reproductive suppression mechanisms. I further discuss whether reproductive...
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