Characterization of social behavior in the spiny mouse, Acomys cahirinus

Abstract

Examining the evolution of social behavior using a comparative approach across species provides valuable insight into important selection pressures as well as mechanistic commonalities and differences underlying behavior across organisms. However, to utilize comparative strategies, it is necessary to have several species in multiple mammalian families available that exhibit a particular behavioral phenotype of interest. Obtaining a variety of species can be a challenge when searching for species amenable to experimental manipulation in a laboratory setting, especially when the behavioral phenotype of interest is mammalian grouping behavior.Importantly, social behavior is a broad term that encompasses many distinct types of behavior that may not have evolved in a linked manner (Goodson, 2013). For example, a species that is excellent for studying the behavior between bonded mates may not be the

Species-typical group size differentially influences social reward neural circuitry during nonreproductive social interactions

“…In the present study, we observed no effects of sex on gregariousness or nonreproductive affiliation. This is similar to our previous findings that showed that spiny mice are highly affiliative in both reproductive and nonreproductive contexts, regardless of whether the conspecific stimuli are novel or familiar ( Fricker et al., 2021 ). To our knowledge, this is the first study to conduct a group size preference test with gerbils.…”

“…For the group size preference test, subjects were given a choice to affiliate with either a large (8) or small (2) group of novel, same-sex conspecifics; we previously validated this test in our lab ( Fricker et al., 2021 ). This test is used to assess the degree of gregariousness (a preference to affiliate with large groups) of an individual or species ( Fricker et al., 2021 ; Kelly and Goodson, 2013 ). Subjects were tested in a large Plexiglas arena (60.96 cm × 45.72 cm X 38.1cm) with a large stimulus group on one end and a small stimulus group on the opposite end.…”

“…Spiny mice are communally breeding rodents that live in interactive large groups of mixed-relation individuals ( Haughton et al., 2016 ). They are highly prosocial and exhibit little to no aggression in both reproductive and nonreproductive social contexts ( Fricker et al., 2021 ). In addition, spiny mouse males and females indiscriminately alloparent pups and lactating females nurse pups regardless of genetic relation ( Tuckova et al., 2016 ).…”

“…In addition, spiny mouse males and females indiscriminately alloparent pups and lactating females nurse pups regardless of genetic relation ( Tuckova et al., 2016 ). Further, spiny mice are gregarious (defined ecologically as a preference to affiliate in large groups ( Goodson et al., 2012 ; Treisman, 1975 )) and established breeding groups will welcome an unrelated newcomer with little aggression ( Cizkova et al., 2011 ; Fricker et al., 2021 ). In contrast, Mongolian gerbils are territorial rodents that live in small family groups that consist of a breeding pair and a few litters of offspring ( Agren, 1976 ; Deng et al., 2017 ).…”

Naked Mole-Rat Social Phenotypes Vary in Investigative and Aggressive Behavior in a Laboratory Partner Preference Paradigm

“…In contrast, degus-which form flexible, non-kin based social groups-spend more time in social chambers vs. alone, but do not show a preference for familiar or novel conspecifics (Insel et al, 2020). Gregarious species such as rats, mice, and spiny mice show a lack of familiarity preferences and sometimes even show novelty preferences (Moy et al, 2004;Smith et al, 2015;Beery and Shambaugh, 2021;Fricker et al, 2022). By comparing soldier, disperser, and worker naked mole-rats in this paradigm, we tested the hypothesis that the PPT can be used to interrogate social decision-making in this species, revealing individual differences in behavior that are consistent with discrete social phenotypes.…”