Personality profiles of the Namaqua rock mouse (Micaelamys namaquensis), the Mozambique thicket rat (Grammomys cometes) and the woodland dormouse (Graphiurus murinus)

Date
2023-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Personality is the variation in behaviour amongst individuals, which arises as a result of genetic differences and exposure to different environments. Although the term is usually associated with humans, multiple studies have found evidence for personality in other non-human taxa such as rodents, fish, reptiles, and primates, which ultimately showed that personality is ubiquitous. Personality determines how individuals react in different situations throughout their life, such as when they encounter stressors, interact with their conspecifics, prey and predators, how they select seeds and the distance to which they disperse, when displaying aggression, and when facing novel objects, their propensity to take risks, among other behaviours. Personality traits are most described using terms such as bold and shy, aggressive, docile, and avoidant. These terms relate to individual coping style, temperament, and correlated traits. Given the importance of personality, this study was aimed at studying personality in the woodland dormouse, Mozambique thicket rat and Namaqua rock mouse, in order to understand personality and how it varies among species and within species, i.e., between sexes. In consideration of the importance of genetic factors in the development of personality, it was expected that there would be differences among the three rodent species despite being exposed to similar environmental conditions. It was also expected that there would be differences between males and females within each species due to the influence of sex hormones on personality. Two standardised personality tests were conducted, namely the open-field and the novel object test to measure boldness, shyness, exploration, and avoidance when facing novelty by observing the frequency and duration of the behavioural responses exhibited during these tests. The study showed that rodents react to novelty by showing both shy and bold behavioural responses. However, the three species differ from each other in boldness and shyness. Males and females also showed differences in their behavioural responses to novelty. Overall, this study highlighted two strategies used for survival in nature. In consideration of this, it would be beneficial to preserve pristine forests to protect keystone structures that are crucial for preserving diversity in species and personality types. However, more studies on long-term trapping and correlation with personality tests could reveal more information on the personality profiles and their subsequent consequences.
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Dissertation) to the Faculty of Science, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023.
Keywords
Personality, Humans, Non-human taxa, Personality traits, Mozambique thicket rat, Namaqua rock mouse, UCTD
Citation
Mampa, Nthabiseng. (2023). Personality profiles of the Namaqua rock mouse (Micaelamys namaquensis), the Mozambique thicket rat (Grammomys cometes) and the woodland dormouse (Graphiurus murinus). [Master's dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/41825