Protein deficiency magnifies social influence on the food choices of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus).
The food choices of protein-deprived juvenile rats were more profoundly affected by interaction with conspecifics than were the food choices of protein-replete juvenile rats. When choosing among four different-flavored, protein-deficient diets, protein-deprived rats ate significantly more of the diet eaten by a conspecific demonstrator than did protein-replete rats. These data suggest that the food choices of the relatively less successful members of a population are most affected by social interaction. Consequently, the mean effect of social interaction on diet selection in a population of Norway rats is likely to be positive.
Galef
B G
BG
Department of Psychology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Beck
M
M
Whiskin
E E
EE
D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention; D005508:Food Deprivation; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008297:Male; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000523:psychology*; D051381:Rats; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment