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Individual differences in exploratory behavior shape how animals interact with their environment and conspecifics. To characterize such differences in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), we assessed boldness and exploration using a series of standardized tests. With adapted versions of the open field, novel object, elevated plus maze, and dark-light box tests, we measured their overall locomotion, neophobia, and risk-taking. Using a principal component analysis, we thereby identified a range of bold and shy, as well as more or less explorative individuals.
In parallel, we are investigating whether these individual differences correlate with the individual’s acoustic behavior. Previous studies on Mongolian gerbils’ drumming behavior (stomping their hindlegs) have shown high variability between individuals, which is suggested to be related to their individual arousal levels. Therefore, differences in individuals’ acoustic signaling may reflect underlying personality traits. To assess each individual’s acoustic profile, we performed three tests which are known to reliably lead to vocalizations: the presentation of familiar olfactory cues triggers contact calls, opposite-sex encounters may elicit mating calls and drumming, and in a predator simulation gerbils may produce alarm calls and drumming.
Finally, an ongoing study aims to correlate the insights into the gerbils’ individual traits with their performance as well as learning curve in a touchscreen-based judgement bias task, thereby bridging personality research, affective neuroscience, and vocal communication.
