Personality and behavioural syndromes in wild-caught Namaqua rock mice (Micaelamys namaquensis)

Abstract

Rodents from the southern hemisphere are underrepresented in studies of animal personality. In the current study, we assessed personality in 22 wild-caught Namaqua rock mice (Micaelamys namaquensis), a species that is widespread throughout southern Africa. We assessed exploration, aggression and boldness scores and evaluated the effects of intrinsic (i.e., sex) and extrinsic (i.e., captive environment) factors on personality. Rock mice showed personality and behavioural plasticity. While sex alone was not an important factor in the personality of this species, the initial trial differed significantly from subsequent ones, indicative of capture stress and/or subsequent habituation. We found a behavioural syndrome between aggressiveness and exploration, as well as between aggressiveness and boldness scores. Thus, our study extends our knowledge of personality and behavioural syndrome in wild rodents and suggests a role of sex on habituation. The fitness implications of these findings for the study species merit further study in the future.