alarm calling, multiple mating, and infanticide in three spe-
cies of prairie dogs (Hoogland, chap. 37). In many of these
chapters, authors have produced conceptual models that
predict how environmental factors interact with social pres-
sures to form rodent societies. It is these conceptual models
that we anticipate will in many ways shape the directions of
future research in animal socioecology.
Issues in Conservation and Management
Rodents typically are regarded as pests. While some popu-
lations of a few species do cause economic damage, we hope
this volume, along with Feldhammer et al.’s recent (2003)
anthology, will help change the general perception that ro-
dents are vermin unworthy of interest — much less preser-
vation. Indeed, rodents are fascinating creatures, and they
have added substantially to our understanding of ecologi-
cal, evolutionary, and behavioral biology.
The final section of Rodent Societiesprovides several
chapters that demonstrate problems and emerging issues in
rodent conservation and management. Lidicker (chap. 38)
starts off with a theoretical and empirical analysis of how
ecology and behavior can be applied to conservation issues
to preserve threatened and endangered populations. Van
Horne (chap. 39) and Hoogland (chap. 40) provide com-
pelling evidence for the demise of ground squirrels and
prairie dogs, respectively, throughout western North Amer-
ica. Van Horne describes factors that govern the distribution
and abundance of ground squirrels. She takes a bottom-up
view of the role of ground squirrels in ecosystems and de-
scribes how range management and habitat change affect
population numbers and distribution. Van Horne concludes
with a summary of threats to ground squirrels and actions
that can be taken to ameliorate these threats. Hoogland
similarly points out that whereas historically several billion
prairie dogs (in 5 species of the genus Cynomys) once lived
in the western grasslands of North America, today, they oc-
cupy less than 1% of their former range; four of the five spe-
cies are on, or under consideration for, the Federal list of
threatened and endangered species. Hoogland proposes a
strategy for developing sanctuaries to conserve and man-
age the remaining populations. Lastly, Ostfeld and Mills
(chap. 41) provide an unnerving treatise of the role of social
behavior and demography in the transmission of rodent-
borne diseases. Although rodent-borne diseases are well
controlled in North America, they do pose a threat in many
parts of the world. Knowledge of social behavior and fac-
tors affecting movements and demography are essential to
develop models to predict transmission rates of various dis-
eases and the potential for outbreaks.
This section reminds us that although most research on
rodents has been basic, it has increased understanding and
raised concern about the declines and threats of extinction
of many species of rodents. Application of rodent social
biology to conservation and management is in its infancy,
but this volume illustrates that knowledge of behavior may
prove useful in protecting rodents and the integrity of ro-
dent-dominated ecosystems.We Do Not Have All of the AnswersThe 42 chapters in Rodent Societiescover many species and
varied aspects of social and reproductive behavior. Authors
draw some conclusions based on the progress made in re-
search over the past five decades. However, many intriguing
and important questions remain, some of which are sum-
marized in chapter 42. We hope that this volume will draw
greater attention to the fascinating social lives of rodents
and that it will help stimulate further inquiries into the ex-
trinsic (environmental) and intrinsic (genetic) factors that
mold their societies.Rodent Societies as Model Systems 7