Abstract
In each of two experiments, C57BL (pigmented) mice were paired with members of the BALB/c (albino) strain under either high or low illumination and their agonistic behavior observed. In both experiments, under high illumination, C57BL Ss won approximately 90% of the bouts that resulted in submission. In contrast, under low illumination, C57BL mice won about 40% of the bouts, resulting in highly significant interactions between strain and level of test illumination. These results may explain the apparent inconsistency in the literature concerning the agonistic behavior of these two inbred strains.
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Supported in part by NIH Grant GM-14547. We thank Mr. Larrie G. Pickett for collecting the data of the initial experiment.
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Klein, T.W., Howard, J. & DeFries, J.C. Agonistic behavior in mice: Strain differences as a function of test illumination. Psychon Sci 19, 177–178 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335538
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335538