Sociobiology of Caviomorph Rodents: An Integrative Approach

Fully integrative approach to the socibiology of caviomorph rodents

• Brings together research on social systems with that on epigenetic, neurendocrine and developmental mechanisms of social behavior

• Describes the social systems of many previously understudied caviomorph species, identifying the fitness costs and benefits of social living in current day populations as well as quantified evolutionary patterns or trends

• Highlights potential parallels and differenceswith other animal models

Keywords: Social variation;Neuroendocrine mechanisms;Early developmental effects;Fitness effects;Communal rearing;Mating systems;Sociality;Communication complexity;Parent-offspring conflict;Parental care, Ecology & Organismal Biology, Ecology & Organismal Biology