关键词: 布氏田鼠, 气味信号, 个体识别, 气味记忆

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