A MATERNAL CHEMOSIGNAL MAINTAINS PATERNAL BEHAVIOR IN THE BIPARENTAL CALIFORNIA MOUSE, PEROMYSCUS-CALIFORNICUS

Relatively little is known about the proximate mechanisms underlying paternal behaviour in mammals. Paternal behaviour in the biparental California mouse, Peromyscus californicus, is maintained during the first 3 days postpartum by the male's mate and by maternal excreta. Here, it is reported that (1) maintenance of paternal responsiveness is specific to the male's mate. Fathers exposed to excreta from their mates were significantly more likely to exhibit parental behaviour than fathers exposed to virgin or lactating female excreta, or no excreta. (2) Mere familiarity with a female was not sufficient to maintain paternal behaviour. (3) Maternal urine was sufficient to maintain paternal solicitude. Fathers given 100 μl of maternal urine on their nares twice a day were parental compared to fathers similarly exposed to distilled water. (4) The maternal urinary chemosignal(s) was contained in the volatile fraction of maternal urine. © 1990 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.