Munroe, K.E., and J.L. Koprowski. 2012. Presence of copulatory plugs in round-tailed ground squirrels (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus). Southwestern Naturalist. 57: 208-210.

thackerk1 — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 23:43:38 +0000

Authors

Karen E. Munroe

John L. Koprowski

Sperm competition, where sperm from more than one male competes to fertilize eggs within the reproductive tract of a female, is prevalent in mammals. In rodents, this competition often has led to copulatory plugs, a passive defense against further sperm competition. Copulatory plugs have been reported in many species of sciurids; however, not in round-tailed ground squirrels (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus). Here we report two observations of copulatory plugs in round-tailed ground squirrels and suggest they represent an indirect form of mate guarding in affording males a chance to seek additional mating opportunities as seen in other species of rodents.

Additional Information

COPULATORY PLUGS OF ROUND-TAILED GROUND SQUIRRELS (XEROSPERMOPHILUS TERETICAUDUS)

Date of publication:

2012

Topics

round-tailed ground squirrels

copulatory plugs

Koprowski, J. L. 1992. Removal of copulatory plugs by female tree squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 73(3): 572-576.

thackerk1 — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 00:00:51 +0000

Authors

John L. Koprowski

Copulatory plugs form in the vagina of females from the semen of male fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) and eastern gray squirrels (S. carolinensis). Plugs are opaque white with waxy to rubbery consistency resembling those of other rodents. Although copulatory plugs frequently are hypothesized to prevent the successful copulation of subsequent males, female tree squirrels often remove the plug within 30 s of copulating and either discard or consume it. The removal by the female of a copulatory plug suggests that conflict may exist between the reproductive strategies of the sexes.

Additional Information

Removal of Copulatory Plugs by Female Tree Squirrels

Date of publication:

1992

Topics

reproduction

fox squirrels

eastern gray squirrel

copulatory plugs

conservation.arizona.edu - copulatory plugs

Munroe, K.E., and J.L. Koprowski. 2012. Presence of copulatory plugs in round-tailed ground squirrels (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus). Southwestern Naturalist. 57: 208-210.

Authors

Additional Information

Topics

Koprowski, J. L. 1992. Removal of copulatory plugs by female tree squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 73(3): 572-576.

Authors

Additional Information

Topics