High-valued seeds are remembered better: evidence for item-based spatial memory of scatter-hoarding rodents

High-tannin food enhances spatial memory and scatter-hoarding in rodents via the microbiota-gut-brain axis

BACKGROUND

The mutually beneficial coevolutionary relationships between rodents and plant seeds have been a theme of research in plant-animal relationships. Seed tannins are important secondary metabolites of plants that regulate the food-hoarding behavior of rodents; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet clear. In this study, we investigated whether and how seed tannins improve spatial memory and regulate the hoarding behavior of Tamias sibiricus by altering their gut microbiota.

RESULTS

We showed that acorn tannins not only improved spatial memory but also enhanced scatter-hoarding in T. sibiricus. Changes in the composition and function of the gut microbiota in response to tannins from acorns are closely related to these improvements. Metabonomic analyses revealed the role of gut isovaleric acid and isobutyric acid as well as serum L-tryptophan in mediating the spatial memory of T. sibiricus via the gut microbiota. The hippocampal proteome provides further evidence that the microbiota-gut-brain axis regulates spatial memory and scatter-hoarding in animals. Our study is likely the first to report that plant secondary metabolites improve hippocampal function and spatial memory and ultimately modulate food-hoarding behavior via the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

CONCLUSION

Our findings may have resolved the long-standing puzzle about the hidden role of plant secondary metabolites in manipulating food-hoarding behavior in rodents via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Our study is important for better understanding the mutualistic coevolution between plants and animals. Video Abstract.

Effects of subtle variation in forest canopy openness on cache pilferage and its implications for forest regeneration

Scatter-hoarding rodents play important roles in plant regeneration and species coexistence in many forest ecosystems. Cache pilferage, the behavior of rodents seeking or relocating seeds cached by other individuals, is ubiquitous during the scatter-hoarding process. The effects of canopy openness on cache pilferage have received considerable attention, most of which have focused on the comparison between full canopy cover and completely open areas, such as forest gaps. However, little attention has been given to whether the subtle variation in forest canopy openness affects cache pilferage, although subtle variation in light environments exists in many forests, especially tropical and subtropical forests, where the overall canopy is large and the forest window is relatively small. Here, we directly tested these questions by simulating 400 artificial caches, each containing one seed from four selected tree species, in a subtropical forest in southwestern China. The overall canopy openness of the forest was relatively small (with a mean value of 11.1%), but subtle spatial variation still existed (ranging from 5.7% to 19.5%). Overall, caches with lower canopy openness were more likely to be pilfered and removed faster, although not all species showed the same pattern. Our study highlights that subtle variation in forest canopy openness, even in a closed primary forest, has significant effects on cache pilferage by rodents, which may influence the following seed germination and forest regeneration processes. Additionally, seedling species composition may further be altered because the canopy effects on cache pilferage are species-specific.

Gut microbiota is associated with spatial memory and seed-hoarding behavior of South China field mice (Apodemus draco)

Background

Scatter-hoarding animals store food in multiple locations within their home range and rely on spatial memory for subsequent localization and retrieval. The relationship between memory and scatter-hoarding behavior has been widely demonstrated, but the association of gut microbiota with spatial memory and seed-hoarding behavior of animals remains unclear.

Methods

In this study, by using enclosure behavior tests, memory tests including an object location test (OLT) and a novel object recognition test (NORT), and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment, we evaluated the role of gut microbiota in affecting the memory and seed-hoarding behavior of rodents. According to their scatter-hoarding intensity, South China field mice (Apodemus draco) were divided into scatter-hoarding group (SG) and non-scatter-hoarding group (NG).

Results

We found that the SG performed better than the NG in the NORT. FMT from SG donor mice altered the NG recipient mice's gut microbiota structure. Further tests demonstrated FMT from SG donor mice increased memory of NG recipient mice in laboratory tests and seed larder hoarding intensity of NG recipient mice in enclosures.

Conclusion

Our results suggest gut microbiota could modulate the memory and seed-hoarding behavior of animals.

The effects of seed detectability and seed traits on hoarding preference of two rodent species

Seed traits play an important role in affecting seed preference and hoarding behaviors of small rodents. Despite greatly affected by seed traits, seed detectability of competitors represents pilfering risks and may also modify seed hoarding preference of animals. However, whether seed traits and seed detectability show consistent effects on seed hoarding preference of animals remain largely unknown. Here, we explored how seed traits and seed detectability correlate with seed hoarding preference of Leopoldamys edwardsi and Apodemus chevrieri in a subtropical forest. Despite the effects of seed coat thickness and caloric value on hoarding preference of L. edwardsi, we detected no significant effects of other seed traits on hording preference of the 2 rodent species. There was no correlation between larder-hoarding preference and inter- or intra-specific seed detectability of L. edwardsi; however, seed detectability of L. edwardsi was negatively correlated with its own scatter-hoarding preference. Although scatter-hoarding preference of A. chevrieri was not correlated with inter- and intra-specific seed detectability, larder-hoarding preference of A. chevrieri was positively correlated with intra-specific seed detectability. Our study may provide evidence that intra-specific seed detectability rather than seed traits and inter-specific pilfering risks play an important role in modifying seed hoarding preference of rodents.

Alone, in the dark: The extraordinary neuroethology of the solitary blind mole rat

On the social scale, the blind mole rat (BMR; Spalax ehrenbergi) is an extreme. It is exceedingly solitary, territorial, and aggressive. BMRs reside underground, in self-excavated tunnels that they rarely leave. They possess specialized sensory systems for social communication and navigation, which allow them to cope with the harsh environmental conditions underground. This review aims to present the blind mole rat as an ideal, novel neuroethological model for studying aggressive and solitary behaviors. We discuss the BMR's unique behavioral phenotype, particularly in the context of 'anti-social' behaviors, and review the available literature regarding its specialized sensory adaptations to the social and physical habitat. To date, the neurobiology of the blind mole rat remains mostly unknown and holds a promising avenue for scientific discovery. Unraveling the neural basis of the BMR's behavior, in comparison to that of social rodents, can shed important light on the underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders in humans, in which similar behaviors are displayed.