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The Role of Midventral Gland Secretion in Individual Discrimination by Djungarian Hamster ( Phodopus camphelli Thomas, 1905) Females
Author(s) -
Vasilieva Nina Yu.,
Sokolov Vladimir E.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
ethology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0179-1613
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1994.tb01070.x
Subject(s) - phodopus , hamster , aggression , medicine , endocrinology , secretion , psychology , developmental psychology , biology
Two experiments were conducted to investigate discrimination of individual male Djungarian hamsters by conspecific females. In the first experiment, it was shown that females reacted differently to two anaesthetized males ‐ their mate and an unfamiliar male ‐ by showing more aggressive behaviour toward the unfamiliar male. In the second experiment, females were more aggressive toward an unfamiliar, awake male than a familiar partner. Furthermore, aggression toward the mate was increased by scenting him with midventral gland secretion from an unfamiliar male. Aggression toward an unfamiliar male was reduced by scenting him with the mate's ventral gland secretion. Thus, the midventral gland scent is an important signal for individual recognition in Djungarian hamsters.