The Development of Anxiety and Exploration in Two Species of the African Striped Mouse Rhabdomys.

Genes and the environment interact to produce complex, environmentally relevant behaviors. We tested whether the behavior of two sister species of striped mice originating from different habitats (semi-arid Rhabdomys pumilio and grassland R. bechuanae) are modulated by the early social rearing environment.

Environmental correlates of exploratory behavior and anxiety in three African striped mouse (Rhabdomys) taxa occurring in different habitats and contexts.

Species or populations are locally adapted to the environments they occupy because of different selection pressures. Our study considers behavioral differences in rodents originating from environments with different levels of overhead cover. We investigated exploratory behavior and anxiety in 4 populations of the African striped mouse in South Africa, from different environments: from a semi-desert; and , which were sympatric in the central grasslands; and another allopatric occurred in the northern grasslands.

New Zealand National Audit of Outpatient Inflammatory Bowel Disease Standards of Care.

Aim: This study audits the delivery and standards of New Zealand (NZ) inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care against international standards, with emphasis on the IBD nursing role.

Methods: Utilising international standards in IBD care, a 3 phase national multicentre survey study was performed between 2015 and 2019. We 1) evaluated the current role and practices of IBD nurses, 2) evaluated IBD service provision and identified areas for improvement, and 3) audited key aspects of IBD patient care, directly comparing nurse-led and doctor-led outpatient clinics.

Anxiety and exploratory behavior in the African striped mouse, Rhabdomys, taxa are partially modified by the physical rearing environment.

The environment may modulate genetic influences on behavioral expression. We investigated whether the physical rearing environment modulates anxiety and exploratory behavior in four populations, representing three species, of the striped mouse Rhabdomys. One population originated from an arid, open habitat and the others from grassy, covered habitats, and two species occurred in sympatry.

Separation at weaning from the family is stressful for naturally group-living, but not solitary-living, male African striped mice Rhabdomys.

Early separation from a family is stressful for young mammals, but might be more stressful for group-living than solitary species. Using juvenile males of three African striped mice Rhabdomys taxa that are either group (R. pumilio) or solitary (R.