Genetic evidence for variability in the social mating system of the Midday Gerbil (Meriones meridianus).

This article investigates the genetic mating system of the midday gerbil (Meriones meridianus) population in the Minqin Desert, China, using highly polymorphic microsatellite markers to analyze genetic structure and parentage. The study of 141 wild-caught gerbils over two breeding seasons identified three genetic mating systems—monogamy, polyandry, and polygyny—with monogamy being predominant but accompanied by extrapair copulations that create incongruence between social and genetic mating systems. The findings suggest that environmental factors, such as resource availability and predation pressure, may influence the variability and coexistence of these mating strategies, contributing to the species' genetic diversity. This research enhances understanding of the complex relationship between social behavior and genetic mating patterns in rodents.