关键词: 动物行为, 活动模式, 数值指标, 啮齿动物

Abstract: Some numerical indices , namely θ, λ,Φ and η, are proposed to evaluate the daily activity patterns of rodent. The value of θ is used to determine whether there is any discrepancy in the daily activity patterns of animal ; the value of λ is used to judge whether an animal is diurnal or nocturnal ; the index Φ is used to identify which activity patterns (single-peak or double-peak) the animal is ; andηindicates the absolute active rate of the animal. Such numerical indices may provide different features of activity patterns of animal and should be useful in activity patterns comparing analysis.

Key words: Animal behavior, Activity pattern, Numerical indices, Rodent