The neural basis of species-specific defensive behaviour in Peromyscus mice.

ABSTRACT: Evading imminent threat from predators is critical for animal survival. Effective defensive strategies can vary, even between closely related species. However, the neural basis of such species-specific behaviours remains poorly understood^1-4. Here we find that two sister species of deer mice (genus Peromyscus)⁵ show different responses to the same looming stimulus: Peromyscus maniculatus, which occupies densely vegetated habitats, predominantly escapes, whereas the open field specialist, Peromyscus polionotus, briefly freezes. This difference arises from species-specific escape thresholds, is largely context-independent, and can be triggered by both visual and auditory threat stimuli. Using immunohistochemistry and electrophysiological recordings, we find that althoug

SUBMITTER: Baier F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12422964 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature