Spiny mice live in arid environments in Africa, the Middle East and southern Asia.
Scientists zeroed in on brain circuitry powering the desire of spiny mice to live in large groups, opening the door to a new model for the study of complex social behaviors in mammals.
Current Biology published the work led by researchers at Emory University. It shows that neural signaling from the brain’s anterior cingulate cortex to the lateral septum drives the preference for spiny mice (Acomys) to affiliate with large peer groups.
“To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify neural circuitry that promotes group-size preferences in a mammal,” says Aubrey Kelly, senior author of the study and associate professor of psychology at Emory. “We hope that our work paves the way for new insights into complex social behaviors in a range of mammals, including humans.”
The Kelly lab made the breakthrough by developing methods to use spiny mice as a laboratory model for social neuroscience.
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