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Physiol Behav

Title:		Responses to conspecifics' urine by the degu (Octodon degus)
Author(s):		Fischer RB; Meunier GF;
Address:
Journal Title:		Physiol Behav
Year:		1985
Volume:		34
Issue:		6
Page Number:		999 - 1001
DOI:		10.1016/0031-9384(85)90027-7
ISSN/ISBN:		0031-9384 (Print) 0031-9384 (Linking)
Abstract:		"In nature the degu has been observed to deposit and to investigate scents. This study employed a captive group of these animals to investigate their responses to conspecific urinary marks in a neutral arena. Both sex classes served as subjects. They were presented with urine obtained from males, from females and a saline control. The females were found to be more active in responding. On the basis of sniffing frequency, they exhibited greater discriminative abilities than did the males. The urine from female donors was sniffed more frequently by all subjects. The frequency of approaching a mark and the time spent in the vicinity of a stimulus are interpreted as being investigatory responses. It seems that the marks deposited by females have a greater salience and that females are more sensitive to olfactory stimuli"
Keywords:		"Animals Eliminative Behavior, Animal Female Male *Odorants Pheromones/physiology Rodentia/*physiology Sex Factors Smell/*physiology *Social Behavior *Urine;"
Notes:		"MedlineFischer, R B Meunier, G F eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 1985/06/01 Physiol Behav. 1985 Jun; 34(6):999-1001. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(85)90027-7"