Does exploratory behavior or activity in a wild mouse explain susceptibility to virus infection?

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Ecology
• Wildlife Virology
• Animal Personality

Background:

• Exploration and activity are linked to fitness trade-offs, potentially increasing exposure to parasites.
• Previous research has rarely examined the link between these behaviors and virus infections in wild populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between individual exploratory behavior, activity, and Morogoro virus (MORV) infection in wild multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis).

Main Methods:

• Characterized individual exploratory behavior using open field and novel object tests.
• Assessed activity levels through trap diversity.
• Quantified the relationship between behavior, activity, and MORV infection status using linear regression.

Main Results:

• Mastomys natalensis exhibits consistent individual differences in exploratory behavior (personality).
• Juveniles showed higher exploration but lower activity than adults; no behavioral syndrome was observed.
• No correlation was found between MORV infection status and exploratory behavior or activity levels.

Conclusions:

• Exploratory behavior and activity in M. natalensis do not appear to increase the probability of MORV infection.
• Individual variation in exploration and activity does not significantly affect variation in viral infection status.