Social modulation of the daily activity rhythm in a solitary subterranean rodent, the tuco-tuco (Ctenomyssp).
South American subterranean rodents are mainly described as solitary and mutual synchronization was never observed among individuals maintained together in laboratory. We report that a single birth event was capable of disrupting the robust nocturnal activity rhythm of singly housed tuco-tucos from north-west Argentina. "Around-the-clock activity" was displayed by 8 out of 13 animals whose cages were closer to the newborn pups. However, experimental exposure to a pup vocalization did not produce a similar effect on the rhythms of adult animals. Our results indicate an effect of social interaction in the expression of biological rhythms even in solitary animals.
Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo , São Paulo, Brazil.
Barbara Mizumo
BM
Tomotani
Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja, CRILAR-CONICET, Entre Rios y Mendoza s/n, 5301 Anillaco, La Rioja, Argentina.
Juan Pablo
JP
Amaya
Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo , São Paulo, Brazil.
Gisele Akemi
GA
Oda
Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja, CRILAR-CONICET, Entre Rios y Mendoza s/n, 5301 Anillaco, La Rioja, Argentina.
Veronica Sandra
VS
Valentinuzzi
Around-the-clock activity; Circadian rhythm; Ctenomyidae; Social synchronization; Tuco-tuco