Underground environment increases the differentiation of personality traits between male and female plateau zokors (Eospalax baileyi)

Abstract

Animal personality is defined as behavior that is consistent across time and context. Ecological and evolutionary pressures might exert sexually dimorphic effects on personality traits. In this study, variations in docility and exploratory behaviors of male and female plateau zokor (Eospalax baileyi) in two populations from different geographical sites were quantified during their breeding season, using bag and open field test. We observed significant repeatability of behaviors in the bag and open field test, except for sniffing behavior in zokors from TZ site. We found that sex influences the personality traits of plateau zokors more than geographical variation in both the bag and open field test. Females had a higher docility than males in the bag test. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of considering plateau zokors’ sex and personality traits when assessing their fitness, behavior, or suitability for behavioral future research work.