How does the prairie vole differ from its cousin the montane vole?

Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) are monogamous and engage in extended biparental care, while montane voles (Microtus montanus) are promiscuous and do not form long-lasting pair bonds, nor do they engage in extended biparental care.

Why do prairie voles mate for life?

They mate for life, sharing nest-building duties and an equal role in raising their young. In the wild, prairie voles don’t have a long life expectancy — they’re kind of at the bottom of the food chain. But in the lab, that bond is strong enough to keep them together for a long time.

Do prairie voles have oxytocin?

Instead of bonding with a baby, the female bonds with her partner. Subsequent studies showed that unlike the bond-eschewing meadow voles, prairie voles have oxytocin and vasopressin receptors in areas of the brain associated with reward and addiction.

What role does the prairie vole play?

Prairie voles are important to the ecosystem. They provide food for predators, but are considered pests by some. Many ways to prevent voles from destroying gardens or other areas are available.

What kind of relationship does a prairie vole have?

Like many human relationships, prairie voles form monogamous commitments, called pair-bonds. Prairie vole couples mate and affiliate exclusively with each other, share nests, and even raise their offspring together! Male prairie voles often display intense aggression toward strangers for defense of territory, nest, and mate.

What kind of voles live in North America?

Most Common North American Species: 1 prairie vole ( Microtus ochrogaster) 2 meadow vole ( Microtus pennsylvanicus) 3 long-tailed vole ( Microtus longicaudus) 4 pine vole ( Microtus pinetorum) 5 montane vole ( Microtus montanus) 6 Oregon vole ( Microtus oregoni) 7 California vole ( Microtus californicus)

Can a prairie vole be injected with vasopressin?

However, male prairie voles injected with the vasopressin antagonist failed to exhibit aggression to defend the female partner, and did not spend as much time with the original mate as with new potential mates (they no longer pair-bonded).

How big does a vole live in an acre?

Voles are rodents of the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting North America, Europe and Asia. There are 124 species, 23 of which are native to the United States. One vole’s home range is usually no larger than 1/4 acre.