Stereotypic behaviour is genetically transmitted in the African striped mouse Rhabdomys pumilio

The development of stereotypic behaviour was studied in captive striped mic e, Rhabdomys pumilio. Based on the findings of previous studies, it was hyp othesised that there is a genetic basis for stereotypy in striped mice. Bre eding and cross-fostering experiments were used to test this hypothesis. Tw o treatments were performed per experiment, involving pairings of: (i) ster eotypic females and non-stereotypic males; and (ii) non-stereotypic females and non-stereotypic males. In breeding experiments, the incidences of ster eotypy were approximately four times more common in the offspring of stereo typic females than in those of non-stereotypic females. Cross-fostering of young between treatments (stereotypic and non-stereotypic females) or withi n treatments (control experiments) did not influence the patterns of transm ission of stereotypy. The data indicate that the development of stereotypy in captive R. pumilio is strongly related to its occurrence in the biologic al mother. However, there was no congruence between the type of stereotypie s displayed by mothers and offspring, with almost all stereotypic offspring displaying one type of stereotypy (cage-lid climbing and back-flipping). T he results show that there is a strong genetic basis for the development of stereotypy in striped mice, while social influences appear to be minimal. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.