Abstract: To investigate odor recognition and memory among Brandt's voles ( Microtus brandti), We tested reactions to odors of their mates and to those of novel individuals of the opposite gender after the mating pair had been separated for 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days. Males showed significantly more interest in novel female odors than in familiar odors after being separated for 12 hours, 1 day and 2 days. Females showed no significant differences in odor choice preferences. There were no significant differences in odor preference among either males and females after separation of 2, 3, 5 and 7 days. These results suggested that males can retain odors in memory for about 2 days. Olfactory signals play an important role in individual communication and the social structure of Brandt's voles.

Key words: Brandt's vole (Microtus brandti), Olfactory signal, Individual discrimination, Olfactory memory

摘要： 将配对饲养的成年雌雄布氏田鼠分离, 通过分开单独饲养12 h , 1 d、2 d、3 d、5 d 和7 d 后雌、雄鼠对原配偶异性和陌生异性气味信号的选择实验, 探讨布氏田鼠对气味信号的识别和记忆。实验表明: 在分离12 h 和1 d 后, 雄鼠对陌生雌性气味的选择和探究行为显著多于对熟悉雌鼠气味, 而雌鼠对两种气味并未表现显著的探究差异; 布氏田鼠对气味信号的记忆维持的强度和时间随个体不同而产生差异, 雄鼠在分离后12 h、1d、2 d 中对陌生雌鼠气味均表现出差异明显的探究行为, 而后, 各项探究行为的差异均不明显。雌鼠探究行为变化比较缓慢。据此推测雄鼠对气味的记忆维持在2 d 左右。

关键词: 布氏田鼠, 气味信号, 个体识别, 气味记忆