Abstract
A large number of laboratory and field based studies are being carried out on mole-rats, both in our research group and others. Several studies have highlighted the development of adverse behaviours in laboratory animals and have emphasised the importance of enrichment for captive animals. Hence we were interested in evaluating how laboratory housing would affect behavioural performance in mole-rats. We investigated exploratory behaviour, the ability to discriminate between novel and familiar environments and reference memory in the solitary Cape mole-rat ( Georychus capensis ). Our data showed that both wild and captive animals readily explore open spaces and tunnels. Wild animals were however more active than their captive counterparts. In the Y maze two trial discrimination task, wild animals failed to discriminate between novel and familiar environments, while laboratory housed mole-rats showed preferential spatial discrimination in terms of the length of time spent in the novel arm. The performance of the laboratory and wild animals were similar when tested for reference memory in the Y maze, both groups showed a significant improvement compared to the first day, from the 3rd day onwards. Wild animals made more mistakes whereas laboratory animals were slower in completing the task. The difference in performance between wild and laboratory animals in the Y-maze may be as a result of the lower activity of the laboratory animals. Laboratory maintained Cape mole-rats show classic behaviours resulting from a lack of stimulation such as reduced activity and increased aggression. However, they do display an improved novelty discrimination compared to the wild animals. Slower locomotion rate of the laboratory animals may increase the integration time of stimuli, hence result in a more thorough inspection of the surroundings. Unlike the captive animals, wild animals show flexibility in their responses to unpredictable events, which is an important requirement under natural living conditions.
Highlights
Exploratory behaviour has important survival implications for wild animals
The primary method of gathering information about their spatial surroundings is by exploratory behaviour, creating a spatial representation of their environments [2]
Laboratory animals are habitually maintained in an environment that is far less complex compared to their natural habitat
Summary
Exploratory behaviour has important survival implications for wild animals. Once animals have entered a novel environment, they need to familiarize themselves with their environment in order to establish home ranges, efficiently utilize resources and effectively avoid predators [1]. The primary method of gathering information about their spatial surroundings is by exploratory behaviour, creating a spatial representation of their environments [2]. Stress can cause anxiety behaviour in mammals, which may be presented as escape or avoidance, aggression (that includes anger, clawing and biting), freezing or immobility (in order to assess risks and remain concealed) and submissive behaviour [7]. Stress can have complex effects on cognition and the specific effects vary depending on the nature of the stress as well as subject specific characteristics. Both recognition and spatial memory may be affected by stress, in both cases, acute stress prior to learning or retrieval impairs memory [8]. Brief periods of stress immediately prior to learning may enhance spatial memory [8]
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