Avoidance behaviour in laboratory house mice (Musmusculus) and Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) towards predator odours

Abstract

Mus musculus and Rattus sp. are considered pest species because they reach high densities in urban areas, crop fields and food storage and productive systems such as breeding farms and orchards. Their control relies mainly on rodenticide application, but the effectiveness of this application is reduced due to behavioural responses and resistance. Novel methods are based on the use of chemical signals as odours that may be attractants, repellents or may reduce the reproductive success of pest species. The aim of this paper is to study the aversive effect of TMT, cat urine and cat body odour on predator-inexperienced Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus under laboratory conditions. The experimental apparatus comprised three boxes connected by PVC pipes in a linear arrangement. In lateral boxes, odour sources or distilled water were introduced, while animals were placed in the central box at the beginning of the experiment. Rats showed freezing behaviour, reduced visits in the presence of TMT and cat fur. Mice reduced their visits with cat body and cat urine. This study provides evidence of the usefulness of using fear responses as a way to control rodent pests, which must be adapted to the environment and species to be applied.

Serological survey of anti‐Leptospira spp. antibodies in individuals with animal hoarding disorder and their dogs in a major city of Southern Brazil

“…This association may be explained by the worst sanitary conditions associated with concomitant cat and dog hoarding in the same household, possibly increasing their exposure to reservoirs. However, cat body odours have a repelling action of rats (Adduci et al., 2021 ), contradicting the previous assumption. Further studies are needed to investigate this association.…”

Fear effects on bank voles (Rodentia: Arvicolinae): testing for repellent candidates from predator volatiles

“…Similarly, Burwash et al 68 observed inhibitory behavior trends for feeding by wild roof rats (Rattus rattus L., 1758) in the presence of TMT in a two-choice laboratory assay. Moreover, recent studies by Adduci et al 69 on the house mouse (Mus musculus L., 1758) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) indicate only avoidance behavior in rats. Further studies described different avoidance responses depending on the rat strain.…”

“…Moreover, recent studies by Adduci et al . 69 on the house mouse ( Mus musculus L., 1758) and the brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) indicate only avoidance behavior in rats. Further studies described different avoidance responses depending on the rat strain.…”

Global Cerebral Ischemia in Male Long Evans Rats Impairs Dopaminergic/ΔFosB Signalling in the Mesocorticolimbic Pathway Without Altering Delay Discounting Rates

“…Thus, such results further indicate the behavioural disinhibition witnessed in the EPM/OFT to be context specific. Future studies assessing differences related to odour specimen and/or rodent strains are required to further understand the impact of GCI on adaptive coping strategies when facing environmental threats ( Adduci et al, 2021 ).…”