Density-dependent changes of mating system and family structure in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

A mating system is an important life history for animals dealing with changing environments. Population density affects the plasticity of a mating system and subsequently the family structure of animals, but its impacts on mating systems and social structures are rarely investigated by using molecular markers in field conditions. In this study, using microsatellite genetic markers, we examined the changes in the social and genetic mating system and family structure of Brandt’s voles in the grassland of Inner Mongolia, China, under low-, medium-, and high-density enclosures (each enclosure 0.48-ha with 4 replicates.) We found, that with the increase in population density of the founder voles introduced into the enclosure in early spring, both sexes increased their number of genetic mating partners, while males increased their social partners, resulting in a more promiscuous mating system. The number of genetic fathers and mothers per family, the number of social offspring per founder mal..., The study site had pre-constructed twenty-four 0.48-ha enclosures (80 × 60 m) with galvanized iron sheets extending 1 m below the ground’s surface and 1.4 m above the surface to prevent escaping, intrusion and movement of burrowing rodents into, out of, and between enclosures (Li et al., 2016). A raptor‐proof nylon netting (10 cm mesh size) covered the top of each enclosure to obstruct avian predators. The integrity of each enclosure’s construction was regularly checked and maintained.
Twelve enclosures were randomly assigned to one of three treatments that differed in founder population size: Low Density (6 ♂:6 ♀), Medium Density (12 ♂:12 ♀) and High Density (18 ♂:18 ♀). Each treatment had four replicates. The density level was based on a previous test in which 13-15 pairs of male and female voles were released into each enclosure in April (Li et al., 2016). The highest population density of an enclosure was recorded in one of the high-density enclosures at 138 individuals by the end o..., Data can be opened using Microsoft Excel and other similar software such as LibreOffice Calc. , # Density-dependent changes of mating system and family structure in Brandt's voles (*Lasiopodomys brandtii*)

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.qv9s4mwhx](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.qv9s4mwhx)

## DATA & FILE OVERVIEW

### Dataset.xlxs

This dataset consists of 6 sheets named:

* Population size
* Per capita reproductivity
* Mating system
* Parent structure
* Offspring structure
* Family link

Variables:

LD - low density treatment

MD - medium density treatment

HD - high density treatment

## Code/Software

R software (v. 3.6.1)