Scientists have been studying meerkat behavior because ethology (i.e study of animal behavior) can provide multiple insights into behavior generally and it also gives cool experiments such as when ducklings bonded to Konrad Lorenz as their mother and followed him around in a single file. In this science, they demonstrate how bad behavior in female meerkats is explained. (Science Daily: 'Mean girl' meerkats can make twice as much testosterone as males)
Now a pair of Duke University studies has identified one group of animals, the meerkats of the southern tip of Africa, in which females can produce even more testosterone than males.
Female meerkats with naturally high levels of testosterone-related hormones are more likely to be leaders, but they also pay a price for being macho, the studies show.
Squirrel-sized members of the mongoose family, meerkats live in groups ruled by a single dominant female with as many as 50 lower-ranking male and female helpers.
Published Oct. 18 in the journal Biology Letters, the results of the second study showed that, regardless of social status, females with higher concentrations of testosterone and related hormones tend to carry more gut parasites than other females -- a sign of a potentially weakened immune system.
Next, the team plans to investigate whether the hormones are linked to other measures of immune function, such as antibodies in the blood. "It could be that the hormones dampen the immune system, making it harder to keep parasites in check," Smyth said.
Now a pair of Duke University studies has identified one group of animals, the meerkats of the southern tip of Africa, in which females can produce even more testosterone than males.
Female meerkats with naturally high levels of testosterone-related hormones are more likely to be leaders, but they also pay a price for being macho, the studies show.
Squirrel-sized members of the mongoose family, meerkats live in groups ruled by a single dominant female with as many as 50 lower-ranking male and female helpers.
- Science Daily
Already we're starting to laugh because mean girls often describe themselves as 'bitches because we get stuff done' but now we see a bit of background behind that and a laugh is inevitably building. We're seeing how you got so bitchy, darlin'.
As part of her Ph.D. research on the effects of hormones and social status on meerkat health, Smyth measured sex hormones in the droppings she collected. She also counted parasite eggs under the microscope to determine whether the animals were infected, and how badly.
Published Oct. 18 in the journal Biology Letters, the results of the second study showed that, regardless of social status, females with higher concentrations of testosterone and related hormones tend to carry more gut parasites than other females -- a sign of a potentially weakened immune system.
- Science Daily
Now they tell us, as if we did not know already, mean girls collect more parasites. We're dyin', here at the Rockhouse. Collect them, hell? They openly solicit them.
- Science Daily
To hear the apologists, it's impossible to keep the parasites in check so we conclude Goldman Sachs will be paying off meerkats too if meerkats ever learn English in addition to our other ways. When the punchline is angry feminists are not likely that much feminine at all, we have a full day's supply of biological and political science in a single helping.
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