Matochik J A
John F. Kennedy Research Center, Nashville, TN.
Physiol Behav. 1988;42(3):217-22. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(88)90073-x.
Recognition between spiny mice requires a period of exposure to learn the olfactory cues of individual conspecifics that can serve as recognition signatures in subsequent discrimination. Animals received nasal irrigations of zinc sulfate to disrupt sensory input to the main olfactory system (MOS) either prior to the 9-day exposure period (Experiment 1) or immediately after the exposure period (Experiment 2). Animals rendered anosmic by zinc sulfate did not show evidence of recognition as defined by huddling preferences. In contrast, animals who received irrigations of saline were able to preferentially huddle with their cagemate who they had been housed with during the exposure period. The results suggest that the MOS is necessary in mediating behavioral discrimination between conspecifics.
刺毛鼠之间的识别需要一段时间的接触来学习个体同种动物的嗅觉线索，这些线索可作为后续辨别中的识别特征。在9天的接触期之前（实验1）或接触期之后立即（实验2），给动物进行硫酸锌滴鼻冲洗，以破坏对主嗅觉系统（MOS）的感觉输入。因硫酸锌而嗅觉缺失的动物没有表现出以蜷缩偏好定义的识别证据。相比之下，接受生理盐水冲洗的动物能够优先与在接触期与其同笼饲养的同伴蜷缩在一起。结果表明，主嗅觉系统在介导同种动物之间的行为辨别中是必要的。
