EFFECTS OF NOVEL ODORS ON INTERMALE ATTACK BEHAVIOR IN MICE

Offensive, defensive, and nonagonistic social behaviors of resident ma le mice toward unfamiliar intruders were examined during exposure to t he novel odors of chocolate or sheep's wool. Both novel odors reduced lateral attacks and boxing when compared to familiar sawdust odor. Cho colate, but not sheep's wool, also reliably increased flight behavior by residents. Neither social behaviors nor self-grooming were affected by these odors. The novel odors had no effect upon, or actually decre ased, the defensive responses of intruders towards residents. The equi valent effectiveness of both predator and nonpredator odors in elevati ng risk assessment and suppressing attack during first time exposure, and the decreased potency of cat odors following repeated exposure, su ggests that novelty contributes to the enhanced defensiveness seen amo ng subjects during initial exposure to predator odors. (C) 1995 Wiley- Liss, Inc.