Male house mice do not adjust sperm allocation in response to odours from related or unrelated rivals
Sperm competition theory predicts that males should adjust the number of sperm they ejaculate adaptively, according to sociosexual cues of sperm competition at the time of mating. Specifically, it is predicted that (1) males will respond to an increased risk of sperm competition from rivals by increasing sperm allocation, and (2) the increase in allocation […]
From house mouse to mouse house: the behavioural biology of free-living Mus musculus and its implications in the laboratory
Understanding a species’ behaviour in natural conditions can give insights into its development, responses and welfare in captivity. Here, we review research and pest control literatures on the free-living house mouse (Mus musculus), analysing its sensory world, developmental processes and behaviour to suggest how laboratory environments might affect mouse welfare, normalcy, test design, and behaviour. […]
Agonistic Onset Marks Emotional Changes and Dispersal Propensity in Wild House Mouse Males (Mus domesticus)
The authors investigated implications of agonistic onset for anxiety and dispersive motivation in maturing wild house mouse males (Mus domesticus). Laboratory-kept fraternal pairs either developed agonistic dominance or stayed amicable during their first 2 months of life, when the authors assessed open-field behavior and dispersal propensity. State anxiety was lower in amicable than agonistic males […]
Scent marking increases male reproductive success in wild house mice
Scent marking is often assumed to be a secondary sexual trait that increases males’ mating and reproductive success, although direct evidence for this hypothesis is lacking. We conducted a study with wild-derived house mice, Mus musculus musculus, to test whether scent marking increases males’ reproductive success when females can freely choose between two territorial males. […]