Bioacoustics of Marmota (Marmota) marmota

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Burrow systems are extensive and complex—a reflection likely of the large communal social groups. Burrows can be 3-10 m in length, with multiple entrances that lead to terminal nest chamber 1-2 m belowground. Due to frequency of use by group members, network of conspicuous trails connects burrow entrances. Short simple escape burrows for cover from predators are also common within the territory. The Alpine Marmot lives in family groups that consist of adult male, adult female, and young less than three years of age that share a territory and burrows. Juveniles overwinter in natal areas, and older male offspring serve as helpers to assist younger siblings with social thermoregulation, which has been suggested to explain male-biased sex ratio in some populations. Females born into male-biased litters are more likely to be of high dominance because of increased in utero testosterone exposure. Males and many females disperse in their third year; however, inbreeding of sons with their mothers is known to occur if dispersal is delayed. Amicable behaviors such as greeting, allogrooming, and other physical contact are common among social-group members, and non-group members are aggressively chased. Immigrant adult males that assume control of a social group kill juveniles. Communication is primarily by vocalization and chemical and visual cues. Scent marking on structures and burrows is used to mark territories. Individuals practice vigilance while standing on their haunches and produce two alarm calls (common whistle and descending whistle) thatelicit awareness and vigilance by group members. Common whistle becomes more frequent as perceived risk increases.