Abstract
Seven sexually inexperienced adult female spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) were observed during heterosexual pairings with either sexually inexperienced or experienced male companions. The behaviors recorded included self-grooming, companion-body grooming, companion-anogenital contact, locomotion, immobility, and pursuit of the male. Each observation session lasted 15 min and was separated into three 5-min periods for analysis. The type of companion, sexually inexperienced or experienced, and the session number (Day 1, Day 2) were additional within-subjects variables. Results indicated that individual behavior (locomotion and self-grooming) was inhibited by the presence of the inexperienced male companion. Social behavior (anogenital contact, pursuit) was facilitated by the presence of the inexperienced male companion, but only for the first 5-min period of exposure per session. These findings were discussed as evidence that female spiny mice discriminate the behavior of male companions and may regard inexperienced males more as intruders than they regard sexually experienced males.
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We thank Richard H. Porter, Comparative Development Laboratory, George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, for help in establishing our breeding colony of Acomys cahirinus.
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Andres, S.L., Deni, R. Social and individual behavior of female spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) paired with sexually experienced and inexperienced males. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 19, 311–314 (1982). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330267
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330267