Effects of repeated exposure to fox odor on locomotor activity levels and spatial movement patterns in breeding male and female meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

Following five days of baseline activity recording, voles were exposed to f ox odor for 3 min each day for five days. Immediately following each daily exposure, locomotor activity levels and spatial movement patterns were asse ssed using an automated activity monitoring system (Digiscan system). Males displayed a significant reduction in levels of various measures of locomot or activity following exposure to fox odor on each exposure day relative to baseline levels. Males preferred the corner of the testing box significant ly more on the second day of fox odor exposure relative to baseline. Althou gh females showed only a brief reduction in the number of movements made on the first day of odor exposure, this response lasted significantly longer on each of the subsequent odor exposure days. The reliability of the reduct ions in activity levels displayed across days by breeding male votes suppor ts the hypothesis that this response is adaptive. Furthermore, the results suggest that, although female voles do not generally display this behaviora l response, it can be elicited in females when the predation threat is repe ated in consistent context.