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Using a Comparative Species Approach to Investigate the Neurobiology of Paternal Responses
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Published on: September 19, 2011

Nonselective maternal bonding but pup recognition in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys pearsoni

Mariana Pereira1

  • 1Seccion Fisiologia y Nutricion, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay. mpereira@fcien.edu.ny

Journal of Comparative Psychology (Washington, D.C. : 1983)
|November 23, 2006
PubMed

This study characterizes the maternal behavior in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys pearsoni and determines whether lactating females develop a selective bonding to their own pups in addition to maternal responsiveness. Mother-litter interactions were observed daily for 2 months; during the 1st postpartum week, selectivity and preference tests for own or alien pups were performed. Lactating females exhibited all patterns of maternal behavior observed in other rodent species and equally responded with care-taking behaviors to their own and alien pups, although they were able to discriminate between them, showing preference for their own pups. Results are discussed, taking into account the possible role of this behavior in shaping different aspects of life underground in ctenomyid species.

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