Behavioral and physiological responses of striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius) to predator odor

Predation risk is one of the most important selective forces in nature and has significant effects on the behavior and physiology of prey individuals. Prey species have evolved several different traits to reduce and avoid this predation pressure. This research aimed to determine the behavioral and physiological responses of striped field mice to predator risk. In the present study, we compared the agonistic behavior in male and female striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1771) of the same sexes under the odor derived from a male Himalayan weasel (Mustela sibirica). Dyads were subjected to 5 min staged encounters in neutral arenas once a week for 3 weeks during which agonistic and social behaviors were recorded and fecal hormone concentrations were determined using pre-column derivatization and high performance liquid chromatography methods. Furthermore, we also tested the effects of weasel odor on the adrenal glands. The results showed that: (i) male striped field mice did not exhibit any change in body weight and physiological characteristics but their aggressive behavior changed over time, and (ii) females responded to predation risk by significantly decreasing body mass and through increases in fecal cortisol levels and adrenal gland indices. These data show significant sex differences in the body weight, adrenal gland indices and fecal cortisol levels of striped field mouse under predation risk.