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A Laboratory Method to Measure Contagious Yawning in Rats
Published on: June 14, 2019
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Yawning: a cue and a signal.
A Moyaho1, A Flores Urbina1, E Monjaraz Guzmán1
1Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Avenida 14 Sur 6301, Colonia San Manuel, Puebla Pue., 72570, México.
Heliyon
|December 22, 2017
Summary
Rats use yawning differently based on social context. Non-directed yawning acts as a physiological cue between familiar rats, while directed yawning signals status to strangers.
Area of Science:
- Ethology
- Animal Behaviour
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Yawning is a complex behavior linked to physiological and social events.
- Differentiating between non-directed (self-directed) and directed (display) yawning is challenging in social contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-analyze data to distinguish functions of non-directed and directed yawning in rats.
- To identify specific sensory cues associated with each yawning type.
Main Methods:
- Pairs of rats (cage mates or strangers) were exposed to four combinations of sensory cues.
- Olfactory cues were used by all rats for recognition.
- Auditory cues were specifically used by stranger rats to detect and respond to yawning.
Main Results:
- All rat pairs used olfactory cues to identify companions.
- Stranger rats utilized auditory cues to detect and respond to yawning.
- Increased defecation rates (emotional reactivity) inhibited yawning in cage mates, linking yawning frequency to physiological state.
Conclusions:
- Non-directed yawning serves as a physiological cue in familiar rats.
- Directed yawning functions as a social signal between unfamiliar rats.
- Hypothesized that cue yawning regulates physiological state, while signal yawning indicates capacity in social conflicts.
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