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Indian Journal of Experimental Biology (IJEB) >
IJEB Vol.49 [2011] >
IJEB Vol.49(07) [July 2011] >
| Title: | Behavioural responses of desert gerbil, Meriones hurrianae after removal of scent marking gland |
| Authors: | Idris, Mohd.
Tripathi, R S |
| Keywords: | Desert gerbil
Meriones hurrianae
Scent marking behaviour |
| Issue Date: | Jul-2011 |
| Publisher: | NISCAIR-CSIR, India |
| Abstract: | The desert gerbil, M. hurrianae scent marks the general substratum in its territory
with the sebum exudation of mid abdominal gland and urine. Having assessed
number of functions, which scent marking plays in the social life of these
rodents, the scent marking behaviour was studied in animals, in which the gland
was surgically removed and was compared with that of intact rodents. After
recovery from the operation, the scent marking frequency of both male and
female M.hurrianae declined significantly and was maintained at a low
level. Surprisingly, scent marking with urine also declined considerable with
time. After 5 months of the operation, desert gerbils were given
a choice to respond to male and female sebum odours. The frequency of their
scent marking with either sebum or urine did not show any significant
enhancement as compared to their initial marking rate. However, the duration of
their stay and scent marking frequency near the source of the sebum odour was
more that in the clean side of the cage. The role of such altering behaviors of
M. hurrianae and their impact on social
organization are discussed. |
| Page(s): | 555-557 |
| CC License: |  CC Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India |
| ISSN: | 0975-1009 (Online); 0019-5189 (Print) |
| Source: | IJEB Vol.49(07) [July 2011]
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