Consummatory behavior in meadow voles ( Microtus pennsylvanicus) and Mongolian gerbils ( Meriones unguiculatus)

Abstract

Consumption of water and adulterated fluids was measured under choice and no choice situations in voles and gerbils. Voles consumed more water throughout, and were clearly less able to tolerate challenges presented by adulteration of available solutions in the no choice situation. Intake of both species under choice conditions was more affected (although differentially) by fluid adulteration than it had been when no choice was available. Male and female differences were noted but typically these differences were in magnitude rather than direction of the consummatory response. The data were taken to illustrate the need for comparative studies and careful specification of stimulus conditions surrounding testing so that general principles of physiological and behavioral regulation can be separated from species specific differences.