Parental Care and Social Interactions of Captive Plateau Mice, Peromyscus melanophrys

Abstract

Parent-offspring interactions and staged dyadic encounters between weanlings and conspecifics of the plateau mouse, Peromyscus melanophrys , were observed in laboratory experiments. Mothers provided most of the parental care, spending nearly 90% of their time with the young in the nest over the 2 weeks following parturition. There was a lack of male involvement in paternal care which is in contrast to other studies that have shown male Peromyscus to take an active role in parental care. Strange females were more aggressive than strange males toward weanlings. Mothers were more aggressive than fathers toward weanlings, and this asymmetry may be a result of the brief encounter the father had with his young on day 1. Additionally, the father's temporary presence in the natal nest may be associated with the acquisition of offspring recognition. The evidence suggests Peromyscus melanophrys has a polygynous mating system.