Sex Differences in Play-Wrestling in the Ferret (Mustela Putorius)
Mankovich, Nicholas Joseph
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/71891
Description
Title
Sex Differences in Play-Wrestling in the Ferret (Mustela Putorius)
Author(s)
Mankovich, Nicholas Joseph
Issue Date
1982
Department of Study
Zoology
Discipline
Zoology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Biology, Zoology
Abstract
This study examines play-wrestling in pre-dispersal litters of domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius) in an attempt to ascertain and understand behavioral sex differences. To this end, three litters were videotaped for five consecutive days early in the post-weaning period (days 56-60) and five days near the time of wild litter dispersal (days 91-95). Focal animal sampling of videotape records provided an exhaustive description of the behavior of the six kits in each litter. The methods associated with the extraction of these data are included in an appendix which details the process of computer assisted recording, transcription, and analysis of behavioral data using the SSR/PLEXYN/PLEXAN system. Videotape descernible markings allowed the assessment of the combined and individual effects of partner sex, weight, age, and position on the frequency and duration of wrestling. Multiple regression and analysis of variance techniques evaluated the relative contributions of these factors. The data failed to demonstrate any sex or weight-related patterns in the durations of four positionally defined wrestling behaviors. This supports the contention that wrestling provides wrestling experience and is not performed for the achievement of positional dominance. However, the total amount of time spent wrestling, when corrected for sex ratio discrepancies, indicates that male-male wrestling occurred up to four times more often than in any other sex pairing. The prevalence of male-male interactions, when combined with the structure of wild and feral populations, supports the hypothesis that wrestling serves as practice for adult social roles.
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