Peromyscus: effect of early pairing on reproduction |
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Authors: | J L Hill |
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Abstract: | Sibling mating in prairie deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi) results in poor reproductive performance. Siblings experimentally paired before puberty exhibit delayed reproduction when adult. A behavioral mechanism is involved in this reproductive delay, since prepubertal familiarity also delays reproduction in nonsibling pairs. Such a reproductive delay may act to reduce inbreeding depression and regulate population growth. |
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