Sexual differences in responses of meadow voles to environmental cues in the presence of mink odor

Impact of food availability and predator cues on meadow vole response to social vs. non-social odorants

“…Vlautin et al (2010) demonstrated that females, but not male meadow voles, prefer the scent of opposite-sex conspecifics they previously encountered in an overmark with a mink (Vlautin et al, 2010). Another experiment, utilizing an identical experimental apparatus, found that female meadow voles prefer the scent of an opposite-sex conspecific and an opportunity to forage over a cover source when tested in the presence of a control odour, but preferred the scent of an opposite-sex conspecific over an opportunity for cover or food when tested in the presence of mink urine (Midlick et al, 2022). While these experiments do not address how the TIN hypothesis, they do further demonstrate that the mink urine does not reduce the mating behaviour of female meadow voles.…”

“…This is the first experiment that the authors are aware of that did not demonstrate a decrease in proceptive mating behaviour of food-deprived meadow voles. However, studies have shown an impact of the threat of predation on the proceptive mating behaviour of female meadow voles (Vlautin et al, 2010;Midlick et al, 2022). Vlautin et al (2010) demonstrated that females, but not male meadow voles, prefer the scent of opposite-sex conspecifics they previously encountered in an overmark with a mink (Vlautin et al, 2010).…”

“…However, the goal of this search may not be locating a mate, as the preference for an opposite-sex conspecific scent remained constant over all treatments, but for other environmental variables that impact fitness. Such variables may include an opportunity to escape (Lima & Dill, 1990;Stankowich & Coss, 2007;Hegab et al, 2014a, b;Midlick et al, 2022), hide (Lima & Dill, 1990;Dielenberg & McGregor, 2001;Yin et al, 2011;May et al, 2012;Hegab et al, 2014a, b;Midlick et al, 2022) or forage (Midlick et al, 2022). For example, Midlick et al (2022) found that female meadow voles differently prioritized environmental variables when exposed to olive oil and mink urine, while male voles exhibited a preference indicative of exploratory behaviour in all conditions.…”

“…Such variables may include an opportunity to escape (Lima & Dill, 1990;Stankowich & Coss, 2007;Hegab et al, 2014a, b;Midlick et al, 2022), hide (Lima & Dill, 1990;Dielenberg & McGregor, 2001;Yin et al, 2011;May et al, 2012;Hegab et al, 2014a, b;Midlick et al, 2022) or forage (Midlick et al, 2022). For example, Midlick et al (2022) found that female meadow voles differently prioritized environmental variables when exposed to olive oil and mink urine, while male voles exhibited a preference indicative of exploratory behaviour in all conditions. Additionally, food-deprived female meadow voles increased the amount of time they spent investigating food, while food deprived male meadow voles increased investigation of food and the experimental field (Pierson, 2018).…”