Male influence on maternal behavior and offspring of captive volcano mice (Neotomodon alstoni) from Mexico

Abstract

Captive male Neotomodon alstoni exhibit paternal care. We tested whether presence of the male in the nest during the postpartum and weaning periods affect maternal care and promoted survival and growth of the offspring. For captive N. alstoni pairs (n = 10) both parents were maintained in the nest until weaning of the young, and in another 10 pairs the male was removed shortly after birth of young. The presence of the male had a negative impact on the time spent by females in huddling with nursing young. In the presence of the male, females groomed and sniffed young less frequently than did females rearing young in the absence of the male. Survival of offspring (84%) and their growth (20.6 +/- 4.7 g) was significantly higher when both parents reared their young. Males provide additional care of young, allowing a higher quality of care by the female during rearing.