Sex differences in play behavior, personality, and philopatry in golden-mantled ground squirrels (<i>Callospermophilus lateralis</i>)

Abstract

Natal dispersal is a primary force in shaping ecological processes and population dynamics. There are several costs to the disperser that may be outweighed by potential benefits, including increased resources or access to mates in a new population site. Personality types or behavioral syndromes appear to outfit some individuals with traits that are advantageous in inducing or surviving dispersal. Social interactions may also be indicators of whether an individual is likely to leave the natal site. This study examined the behavioral traits of boldness and aggression by evaluating trappability and interactions in juvenile golden-mantled ground squirrels, an asocial small mammal. This species contradicts the mammal male-biased dispersal trend. Many female juveniles also disperse, suggesting that dispersal may be mediated by personality in addition to sex differentiated life history strategies. In order to explain individual variation in dispersal for these squirrels, we used trappability, the frequency an individual entered a baited trap, as a measure of boldness. Interactions between and among litters were scored on a range of aggressive to socially cohesive. Non-behavioral biological traits were measured, as well, including weight at emergence, emergence delay, and growth rate. There was a correlation between trappability and aggressive interactions (both between and among litters) in both males and females, suggesting a behavioral syndrome of aggression-boldness in this species. Females who initiated more interactions were also more likely to be trapped. Socially aggressive and recognitive interactions between littermates drove this correlation, indicating that these females appear to engage more with their siblings, may be more active within the environment, and more willing to take risks. Growth rate also correlated with trappability and may be indicative of trappability being motivated by hunger, although emergence weight and order were not significant variables. This trend presents preliminary evidence for a pace-of-life syndrome in this species with correlations between boldness and an individual’s willingness to face risk for food. Finally, we suggest future directions for evaluating the effects of aggression in mating and territorial behavioral contexts.

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