Effects of previous exposure on olfactory discrimination in Acomys cahirinus

Porter, Richard H.; Treadway, Jerry T.

doi:10.1038/249157a0

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Greenberg (1986) reported that Acomys has good depth perception and that they rely more heavily on visual cues than do gerbil species. Several studies exarnining social behavior in Acomys have indicated that the olfactory system plays a dominant role in the species (see the section on prenatal behavior; Matochik, 1988;Porter & Doane, 1979;Porter & Ruttle, 1975;Porter, Sentell, & Makin, 1987;Porter & Treadway, 1974).…”

Section: Other Studies Of Acomysmentioning

confidence: 99%

The precocial mouse, Acomys cahirinus

Brunjes

1990

Psychobiology

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Acomys cahirinus (the "spiny mouse") is a member ofthe same rodent subfamily as the laboratory rat and mouse. Acomys differs from the laboratory species in several ways, including the fact that it is adapted to a semiarid lifestyle and is born after a long gestation with functional sensory and motor systems. The existing, and quite dispersed, literature on the anatomy, physiology, and behavior of Acomys is briefly reviewed.Acomys cahirinus (calIed the "spiny mouse" because of the bristly fur covering the rump area) has been used increasingly in psychobiological studies. Acomys, the laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus), and mouse (Mus musculus) are all members ofthe same rodent subfamily (Murinae). However, the species have quite different adaptations, physiologies, and behaviors. Perhaps the most striking differences are in their early life histories. Acomys, a precocial mammal, is born after a relatively long gestation (39 days using the day after conception as Embryonie Day I, or EI) with open ears and eyes and quite sophisticated sensory and motor capabilities. The rat and mouse are altricial species: they have shorter gestations (22 and 20 days, respectively), larger litter sizes, and are born considerably less mature (Figure 1). The result is an almost unique opportunity to compare developmental processes in phylogenetically related yet ontogenetically divergent species (see Dieterlen, 1963, for a discussion of uniforrnity in developmental patterns within the mammalian group). Comparative studies of the species might lead to a better understanding of the ways in which developmental patterns can be modified, and how the functional abilities of species change as a result. The following review briefly examines what is known about Acomys on evolutionary, ethological, neurological, and behaviorallevels (Dieterlen, 1961;D'Udine & Alleva, 1988). PHYLOGENY SystematicsLittle agreement exists on the exact number of species contained in the genus Acomys. While Dieterlen (1963) suggested there may be as many as 27 species, Corbet and Hili (1986) listed 9

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