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Science 29 November 1985:
Vol. 230. no. 4729, pp. 1037 - 1040
DOI: 10.1126/science.230.4729.1037
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Articles

Infanticide in Prairie Dogs: Lactating Females Kill Offspring of Close Kin

JOHN L. HOOGLAND 1

1 Department of Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544

Infanticide, although common in a wide range of species including humans and other primates, is poorly understood. A 7-year study under natural conditions reveals that infanticide within colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) is striking for three reasons. It is the major source of juvenile mortality, accounting for the total or partial demise of 51 percent of all litters born. The most common killers are resident lactating females. The most common victims are the offspring of close kin.

Submitted on October 10, 1984
Accepted on March 25, 1985


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