Effects of p-chlorophenylalanine on the predatory behavior of Onychomys torridus.
Adult male and female grasshopper mice, Onychomys torridus, were treated over a 5 day period with p-chlorophenylalanine (50 mg/kg daily), a depletor of brain 5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE (5-HT). These mice exhibited a significant decrease over the 5 day test interval in predation time and predation score in encounters with cricket prey, However, the basic pattern and frequency of attacks for drug-treated mice remained similar to saline controls. The relation between the various brain amine systems and predatory behavior is discussed and the utility of the grasshopper mouse as a laboratory model for the study of predatory behavior is emphasized.
D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012737:Sex Factors
D012701:Serotonin; D010134:Fenclonine