Temporal dynamics of social hierarchy formation and maintenance in male mice

Different rat and mouse models are used in studies of social interactions. Simple behavioral measures, which are commonly used in the laboratory, allow to perform relatively short experiments and to use multiple brain manipulation techniques. However, too much focus on the simplest behavioral models generates a serious risk of reducing ecological validity or even studying phenomena which would never happen outside of the laboratory. In this review, we discuss the suitability of mice and rats as model organisms for studying social behaviors, with focus on social transmission of fear paradigms. First, we briefly introduce the concept of domestication and what impact it had on laboratory rodents. Then, we present two aspects of social behaviors, sociability and dominance, which are crucial for social organization in these species. Finally, we present experimental models used for studying how animals transmit information about danger between each other, and how these models may reflect what happens in the natural environment. We discuss the difficulties that arise from our limited knowledge of rat and mouse ecology, especially their social life. We also explore the subject of balancing ecological validity and controllability in rodent models of social behaviors, the latter being particularly important for studying brain activity. Although it is very challenging, an efficient program for social neuroscience research should, in our opinion, aim at bridging the gap between laboratory and field studies.

Section: Social Dominancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is true both for laboratory mice and wild ones . Typically, after a short time, a dominant male emerges in every group . At first his position is established through fighting.…”

Section: Social Dominancementioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological validity of social interaction tests in rats and mice

Kondrakiewicz

Kostecki

Szadzinska

et al. 2018

“…Dominance hierarchies can be effectively studied in laboratory animals, and in social paradigms that have assessed for dominance status, subordinates display more pronounced fear responses after a social transmission of information session with a dominant “demonstrator” conspecific . Somewhat counter to these findings, research examining the role of demonstrator dominance in the transmission of STFPs indicate that, in rats, demonstrators subordinate to the observer may be more effective than demonstrators dominant to the observer . It should be noted that these latter studies failed to control for multiple confounding variables, making it impossible to fully attribute the differences in consumption seen between observers that interacted with subordinates and observers that interacted with dominants to demonstrator dominance level alone.…”

Section: Proximate Factors That Modulate the Social Transmission Of Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights from social transmission of information in rodents

Monfils

Agee

2018

Direct exposure to stimuli in their environment is not the only way that animals learn about important information. Individuals can infer fear from a social context through observation. Like humans, rats are very social animals, and may learn to infer information about their environment through their interactions with conspecifics. Here, we first review different models for social transmission of information in rodents. Second, we examine different modes of communication that are important to social learning. Then, we cover the different proximate factors that are thought to modulate the social transmission of information. Next, we identify social and environmental conditions that impact social learning, and finally, we conclude by revisiting social transmission through the lens of the Tinbergen framework.

“…The linear hierarchy structure is observed after some time passes in hierarchy formed groups, whereas both the linear hierarchy structure and non‐linear hierarchy structure are observed during hierarchy formation . Therefore, the non‐linear hierarchy structure is considered to be a transitory form that is destined to the final linear hierarchy structure over time …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…28 Therefore, the non-linear hierarchy structure is considered to be a transitory form that is destined to the final linear hierarchy structure over time. 29 Barbered mice are characterized by loss of their whiskers and facial hair. 30 It has been reported that barbered mice are frequently observed when mice are group-housed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atp1a3‐deficient heterozygous mice show lower rank in the hierarchy and altered social behavior

Sugimoto

Ikeda

Kawakami

2017

Atp1a3 is the Na-pump alpha3 subunit gene expressed mainly in neurons of the brain. Atp1a3-deficient heterozygous mice (Atp1a3 ) show altered neurotransmission and deficits of motor function after stress loading. To understand the function of Atp1a3 in a social hierarchy, we evaluated social behaviors (social interaction, aggression, social approach and social dominance) of Atp1a3 and compared the rank and hierarchy structure between Atp1a3 and wild-type mice within a housing cage using the round-robin tube test and barbering observations. Formation of a hierarchy decreases social conflict and promote social stability within the group. The hierarchical rank is a reflection of social dominance within a cage, which is heritable and can be regulated by specific genes in mice. Here we report: (1) The degree of social interaction but not aggression was lower in Atp1a3 than wild-type mice, and Atp1a3 approached Atp1a3 mice more frequently than wild type. (2) The frequency of barbering was lower in the Atp1a3 group than in the wild-type group, while no difference was observed in the mixed-genotype housing condition. (3) Hierarchy formation was not different between Atp1a3 and wild type. (4) Atp1a3 showed a lower rank in the mixed-genotype housing condition than that in the wild type, indicating that Atp1a3 regulates social dominance. In sum, Atp1a3 showed unique social behavior characteristics of lower social interaction and preference to approach the same genotype mice and a lower ranking in the hierarchy.