Description
Lateralization, or the preferential use of one side of the body over the other, is widespread in various animal species. This phenomenon can impact learning and decision-making processes critical for survival. Naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber) are cooperatively breeding subterranean rodents with remarkable spatial orientation, living in underground tunnel-and-chamber systems spanning several kilometres. Here, our aims were to investigate i) whether naked mole-rats display laterality and ii) if laterality is affected by their age, sex, or group membership. We tested 69 captive individuals from 5 families in 24 trials, using a T-maze apparatus that was systematically rotated (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) to mitigate potential environmental effects. Trials started with the initial turn at the starting chamber and ended when individuals chose and entered one of the two side chambers of the T-maze. We calculated Z-scores, Laterality and Absolute Laterality Index, and constructed linear regression models. We expected a left laterality bias and a stronger laterality bias in older individuals, but no sex or group effects. While most individuals displayed a right-turn preference in their initial turn, we found that most individuals were ambilateral when choosing between the two side chambers. Furthermore, there were no age, sex or group effects on direction or strength of laterality in the initial turn, nor on the direction of laterality in choosing a chamber. However, there were significant effects of age and family group on the strength of laterality in the latter. Further investigation is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms and ecological implications of laterality and turning bias in this species.
| If my abstract will not be selected for oral presentation... | If my abstract is not selected as talk, I would like to present a poster |
|---|
