Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Thermoenergetics of Communication and Social Interactions among Mongolian Gerbils

  • Chapter
Symbiosis in Parent-Offspring Interactions

Abstract

The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) (Figure 1) has provided us with a behavioral window through which general biological problems can be seen. What began as studies of ventral scent marking have provoked a broader interest in the bioenergetics of communication:

The bioenergetic needs of an organism must ultimately stipulate the structure and function of a message system. An organism runs on energy, is constructed to search out and acquire energy, judiciously guards an energy balance of debits and credits, and interestingly, uses energy to communicate needs about energy. With this in mind, it is apparent that the cellular metabolism which underlies all life processes is also the root of communication. (Thiessen, 1983)

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Alberts, J. R. Huddling by rat pups: Group behavioral mechanisms of temperature regulation and energy conservation. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978, 92,(2), 231–245.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alcock, J. Animal behavior: An evolutionary approach. Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer Associates, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ali, M. S. Sensory ecology. New York: Plenum Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, S. A. Modern ethology: The science of animal behavior. New York: Oxford University Press, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bittner, J. J., & Watson, C. J. The possible association between porphyrins and cancer in mice. Cancer Research, 1946, 6, 337–343.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blass, E. M., Hall, W. G., & Teicher, M. H. The ontogeny of suckling and ingestive behaviors. In J. M. Sprague & A. N. Epstein (Eds.), Progress in psychobiology and physiological psychology. New York: Academic Press, 1979, pp. 243–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Block, M. L., Volpe, L. C., & Hayes, M. J. Saliva as a chemical cue in the development of social behavior. Science, 1981, 211(4486), 1062–1064.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bolles, R. Grooming behavior in the rat. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1960, 53, 306–310.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Borchelt, P. L. Development of dustbathing components in Bobwhite and Japanese quail. Developmental Psychobiology, 1977, 10, 97–103.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Born, G. Die Nasenhöhlen and der Tränen-Nasengage der anmioten Wirbeltiere. Gergenbaur’s Morphologische, 1883, 8, 188–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooksbank, B. W. L., Wilson, D. A. A., & Clough, G. The in-vivo uptake of (3H) androsta-4, 16-dien-3-one in tissues of the adult male rat. Journal of Endocrinology, 1973, 57, i–ii.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bubenik, G. A., Brown, G. M., & Grota, L. J. Immunohistochemical localization of melatonin in the rat Harderian gland. Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, 1976, 24, 1173–1177.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bubenik, G. A., Purtill, R. A., Brown, G. M., & Grota, L. J. Melatonin in the retina and the Harderian gland: Ontogeny diurnal variations and melatonin treatment. Experimental Eye Research, 1978, 27, 323–333.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burtt, E. H., Jr. The behavioral significance of color. New York: Garland STMP Press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardinali, D. P., & Wurtman, R. J. Hydroxyindole-O-Methyltransferase in rat pineal, retina, and Harderian gland. Endocrinology, 1972, 91, 247–252.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohn, S. A. Histochemical observations on the Harderian gland of the albino mouse. Journal of Histochemistry, 1955, 3, 342–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, F. A. The anatomy and histology of the eye and orbit of the rabbit. Transcripts of the American Ophthamological Society, 1929, 27, 401–441.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeGhett, V. J. Developmental changes in the rate of ultrasonic vocalization in the Mongolian gerbil. Developmental Psychobiology, 1974, 7, 267–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Derrien, E., & Turchini, J. Sur acculumation d’une porphyrine dans la glande de Harder des rongeurs du genre Mus et sur son mode d’excretion. Compte Rendu des Séances de la Société de Biologie et de ses Filiales, 1924, 91, 637–639.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebling, F. J., Ebling, E., Randall, V., & Skinner, J. The effects of hypophysectomy and of bovine growth hormone on the responses to testosterone of prostate, preputial, Harderian and lachrymal glands and of brown adipose tissue in the rat. Journal of Endocrinology, 1975, 66, 401–406. (a)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elbing, F. J., Ebling, E., Randall, V., & Skinner, J. The synergistic action of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and testosterone on the sebaceous, prostate, preputial, Harderian and lachrymal glands, seminal vessicles and brown adipose tissue in the hypophysectomized-castrated rat. Journal of Endocrinology, 1975, 66, 407–412. (b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elder, W. H. The oil gland of birds. Wilson Bulletin, 1954, 66, 6–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellwood, R. W. Paternal and maternal behavior in the Mongolian gerbil. Animal Behaviour, 1975, 23, 766–772.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fentress, J. C. Development and patterning of movement sequences in inbred mice. In J. Kiger, (Ed.), The biology of behavior. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press, 1972, pp. 83–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fentress, J. G. Specific and nonspecific factors in the causation of behavior. In P. P. G. Bateson & P. H. Klopfer (Eds.), Perspectives in ethology. New York: Plenum Press, 1973, pp. 155–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fentress, J. C. Dynamic boundaries of patterned behavior: Interaction and self-organization. In P. P. G. Bateson, & R. A. Hinde (Eds.), Growing points in ethology. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1976, pp. 135–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Figge, F. H. J., Strong, L. C., Strong, L. C., Jr., & Shanbrom, A. Fluorescent porphyrins in Harderian glands and susceptibility to spontaneous mammary tumors. Cancer Research, 1942, 2, 335–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fourman, J., & Ballantyne, B. Cholinesterase activity in the Harderian gland of Anas domesticus. Anatomy Records, 1967, 159, 17–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gale, B. G., Jr. Social transmission of acquired behavior: A discussion of tradition and social learning in vertebrates. In J. S., Rosenblatt, R. A. Hinde, E. Shaw, & C. Beer (Eds.), Advances in the study of behavior. New York: Academic Press, 1976, pp. 77–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerling, S., & Yahr, P. Maternal and paternal pheromes in gerbils. Physiology and Behavior, 1982, 28, 667–673.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodwin, M., & Regnier, F. Unpublished research, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottlieb, G. Conception of prenatal development: Behavioral embryology. Psychological Review, 1976, 83, 215–234.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gould, S. J. Ontogeny and phylogeny. Cambridge, Mass.: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gulotta, E. F. Mammalian species (Meriones unguiculatus). The American Society of Mammalogists, 1971, No. 3, 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harder, J. J. Glandula Nova Lachrymalis. Acta Eruditorum, Leipzig, Germany: 1694, 49-52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart, J. S. Rodents. In G. C. Whittow (Ed.), Comparative physiology of thermoregulation, Vol. 2: Mammals. New York: Academic Press, 1971, pp. 1–1

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofer, M. A. The roots of human behavior. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humphrey, T. Postnatal repetition of human prenatal activity sequences with some suggestions of their neuroanatomical basis. In R. J. Robinson (Ed.), Brain and early behavior. New York: Academic Press, 1969, pp. 43–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacob, J., & Poltz, J. Composition of uropygial gland secretions of birds of prey. Lipids, 1975, 10, 1–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jost, U. 1-Alkyl-2, 3-diacyl-sn-glycerol, the major lipid in the Harderian gland of rabbits. Hoppe-Seyler’s Zeitschrift für Physiological Chemistry, 1974, 335, 422–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jost, U., Kühnel, W., & Schimassek, H. A morphological and biochemical analysis of the Harderian gland in the rabbit. Cytobiologie, 1974, 8(3), 440–456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanwar, K. C. Morphological and cytochemical studies on the Harderian glands of rats. Cellule, 1960, 61, 129–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, G. Y. Harderoporphyrin: A new porphyrin from the Harderian gland of the rat. Comparative Biochemical Physiology, 1910, 36, 21–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kittrell, E. M. W. The Harderian gland and thermoregulation. Dissertation, University of Texas at Austin, May 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kittrell, E. M. W., & Thiessen, D. D. Does removal of the Harderian gland affect the physiology of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Physiological Psychology, 1981, 9, 299–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kühnel, W. Structure and cytochemistry of the Harderian gland in rabbits. Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroscopische Anatomie, 1971, 119, 384–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuo, Z. The dynamics of behavior development. New York: Random House, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leon, M. Mother-young reunions. In J. M. Sprague & A. N. Epstein (Eds.), Progress in psychobiology and physiological psychology. New York: Academic Press, 1979, pp. 301–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leubbert, S. J., McGregor, L. E., & Roberts, J. C. Temperature acclimation in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculates): Changes in metabolic rate and the response to norepinephrine. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 1919, 63A, 169–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loewenthal, N. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Harderischen Drüssen bei den Säugetieren. Anatomischer Anzeiger, 1892, 7, 546–556.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKinney, F. Oiling preening (Einolen). Behaviour, 1965, 25, 120–220.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McManus, J. J., & Mele, J. A. Temperature regulation in the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculates. New Jersey Academy of Science, 1969, 14, 21–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mele, J. A. Temperature regulation and bioenergetics of the Mongolian gerbil Meriones unguiculatues. American Midlands Naturalist, 1972, 87, 272–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moltz, H., & Lee, T. M. The maternal pheromone of the rat: Identity and functional significance. Physiology and Behavior, 1981, 26,(2), 301–306.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, A. P., Sato, K., & Glick, B. The chicken lachrimal gland, gland of Harder, caecal tonsil, and accessory spleen as sources of antibody producing cells. Cell Immunology, 1971, 2, 140–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orten, J. M., & Keller, J. M. Dietary protein and protoporphyrin formation in the rat. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1946, 165, 163–167.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Payne, A. P. Pheromonal effects of Harderian gland homogenates on aggressive behavior in the hamster. Journal of Endocrinology, 1977, 73, 191–192.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Payne, A. P. Attractant properties of the Harderian gland and its products on male golden hamsters of differing sexual experience. Proceedings of the Society for Endocrinology, 1978, 8/30–39/2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne, A. P. The attractiveness of Harderian gland smears to sexually naive male golden hamsters. Animal Behavior, 1979, 27, 897–904.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Payne, A. P., McGadey, J., Moore, M. R., & Thompson, G. Cyclic and seasonal changes in Harderian gland activity in the female golden hamster. Proceedings of the Society for Endocrinology, 1976, 6/9–10/9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne, A. P., McGadey, J., Moore, M. R., & Thompson, G. Androgenic control of the Harderian gland in the male golden hamster. Journal of Endocrinology, 1977, 75, 73–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pendergrass, M. L., & Thiessen, D. D. Body temperature and autogrooming in the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus. Behavior and Neural Biology, 1981, 33, 524–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prosser, C. L., & Nelson, D. O. The role of nervous systems in temperature adaptation of poikilotherms. Annual Review of Physiology, 1981, 43, 281–300.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Randall, J. Unpublished research, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Randall, J. A., & Thiessen, D. D. Seasonal activity and thermoregulation in Meriones unguiculatus: A gerbil’s choice. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 1980, 7, 267–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Randall, W., Elbin, J., & Swenson, R. Biochemical changes involved in a lesion-induced behavior in the cat. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1974, 86, 747–750.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, R. J., & Klein, D. C. Observations on the pineal gland, the Harderian glands, the retina, and the productive organs of adult female rats exposed to continuous light. Journal of Endocrinology, 1971, 51, 117–125.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Richard, G. Ontogenesis and phylogenesis: Mutual constraints. Advances in the Study of Behavior, 1979, 9, 229–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richmond, G., & Sachs, B. D. Grooming in Norway rats: The development of adult expression of a complex motor pattern. Behaviour, 1981, 75, 82–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, W. W., Bergquist, E. H., & Robinson, T. C. L. Thermoregulatory grooming and sleep-like relaxation induced by local warming of preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus in opposum. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1969, 67,(2), 182–188.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenblatt, J. S. Stages in the early behavioural development of altricial young of selected species of non-primate mammals. In P. P. G., Bateson, & R. A. Hinde (Eds.), Growing points in ethology. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1976, pp. 345–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt-Nielsen, K. Animal physiology. London: Cambridge University Press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokes, D. Personal communication, July 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stricker, E. M., Everett, J. C., & Porter, E. A. The regulation of body temperature by rats and mice in the heat: Effects of desalivation and the presence of a water bath. Communications in Behavioral Biology, 1968, Part A, 2, 113–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teitelbaum, P., & Epstein, A. The lateral hypothalamic syndrome: Recovery of feeding and drinking after lateral hypothalamic lesions. Psychological Review, 1962, 69, 74–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thiessen, D. D. Thermoenergetics and the evolution of pheromone communication. In J. M. Sprague, & A. N. Epstein (Eds.), Progress in psychobiology and physiological psychology. (Vol. 7). New York: Academic Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiessen, D. Effects of water deprivation on the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus: Absence of Harderian gland involvement. Physiological Psychology, 1980, 8(3), 379–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiessen, D. Unpublished research, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiessen, D. D., & Clancy, A. Unpublished research, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiessen, D. D., & Kittrell, M. W. The Harderian gland and thermoregulation in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Physiology and Behavior, 1980, 24, 417–424.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thiessen, D. D., & Rice, M. Mammalian scent gland marking and social behavior. Psychological Bulletin, 1976, 83, 505–539.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thiessen, D. D., Clancy, A., & Goodwin, M. Harderian gland pheromone in the Mongolian gerbil Meriones unguiculatus. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 1976, 2(2), 231–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thiessen, D. D., Graham, M., Perkins, J., & Marcks, S. Temperature regulation and social grooming in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Behavioral Biology, 1977, 19, 279–288.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thiessen, D. D., Pendergrass, M., & Harriman, A. E. The thermoenergetics of coat color maintenance by the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus. Thermal Biology, 1982, 7, 51–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waring, A., & Perper, T. Parental behaviour in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): I. Retrieval. Animal Behaviour, 1979, 27, 1091–1097.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wetterberg, L., Geller, E., & Yuwiler, A. Harderian gland: An extraretinal photoreceptor influencing the pineal gland in neonatal rats? Science, 1970, 167, 884–885.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wetterberg, L., Yuwiler, A., Geller, E., & Shapiro, S. Harderian gland: Development and influence of early hormonal treatment on porphyrin content. Science, 1970, 168, 996–998.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wetterberg, L., Yuwiler, A., Ulrich, R., Geller, E., & Wallace, R. Harderian gland: Influence on pineal hydroxyindole-O-mehtyltransferase activity in neonatal rats. Science, 1970, 170, 194–196.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wight, P. A. L., Burns, R. B., Rothwell, B., & MacKenzie, G. M. The Harderian gland and the domestic fowl: I. Histology, with reference to the genesis of plasma cells and Russell bodies. Journal of Anatomy, 1971, 110, 307–315.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, N. E., & Stricker, E. M. Thermal homeostasis in pregnant rats during heat stress. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1979, 93(3), 585–594.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Woodhouse, M. A., & Rhodin, J. A. G. The ultrastructure of the Harderian gland of the mouse with particular reference to the formation of its secretory product. Journal of Ultrastructure Research, 1963, 9, 76–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wysocki, C. J. Neurobehavioral evidence for the involvement of the vomeronasal system in mammalian reproduction. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 1979, 3, 301–341.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA

    Del Thiessen

Authors
  1. Del Thiessen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA

    Leonard A. Rosenblum

  2. The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Howard Moltz

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Thiessen, D. (1983). The Thermoenergetics of Communication and Social Interactions among Mongolian Gerbils. In: Rosenblum, L.A., Moltz, H. (eds) Symbiosis in Parent-Offspring Interactions. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4565-7_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4565-7_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-4567-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-4565-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation