Early-life trade-offs in golden-mantled ground squirrel sociality and growth rate

Authors: Hart, R.

Mentor: Caitlin Wells

Year: 2022

Publisher: UNKNOWN

Abstract

The golden-mantled ground squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis) was first classified as an asocial sciurid in 1983, and little follow-up research has effectively challenged this notion since the early literature. The only recognized social behavior in the species has been documented between young littermates, between a mother and her litter, and occasionally across unrelated or partially related litters of overlapping home ranges. However, little research has been conducted on the potential impacts of pup sociality on early life fitness. In this study, the early-life behaviors of golden-mantled ground squirrels were observed in eight litters in the Gothic Townsite of the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory during the first two weeks after pup emergence when sociality is at a peak. A multiple linear regression model was used to compare the relationship between time spent socializing and pup growth rate. This model also accounted for the additive effect of pup age on growth rate and the potential interaction between sociality and litter size (i.e., having more littermates may impact sociality). While the final study model was just shy of significant (p= 0.0565), the estimate value of -2.127 showed a consistent, meaningful negative effect (-2.127 ± std. =1.030 = -1.097 or -3.157). Unfortunately, due to high predation rates, roadkill events, and natural loss of litters, the low sample size limits conclusions we can draw from these results. Patterns of early-life sociality in an asocial species such as the golden-mantled ground squirrel are important to understand as they may play an important role in juvenile fitness or later life success. Key words: Golden-mantled ground squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis), social behavior, growth rates, juvenile fitness, early life trade-offs

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