Rodents, especially rats and mice, are often associated with disease transmission, although despite their abundance worldwide, only 12% of species are known sources of pathogens that also infect humans.
Science magazine devoted a special issue to rodents, especially mice, and their complex and close relationships with humans, from causing disease to being valuable laboratory animals.
Rats have been shown to be intelligent, specifically as a study subject, laughing if tickled and can show empathy.
Humans are responsible for house mice, and brown and black rats are just a few species that can be found almost everywhere and often cause significant damage to food stores, crops, wildlife and ecosystems, the journal's editors wrote in the introduction.
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Among the various articles, one was devoted to rodents and their role as reservoirs of diseases that can be transmitted to humans, led by Felicia Keesing of Bart's College.
All rodent species that live in close association with humans are known to be reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, while species not in close association with humans are rarely so, the authors wrote.
Despite their presence and abundance worldwide, only 12% of rodent species are known to be zoonotic hosts, sharing predictable traits associated with pathogen transmission to humans.
Of these, 10% are reservoirs, carrying between one and three pathogens, and 2% are hyperreservoirs (more than three pathogens), according to the study, which reviews their contribution to the spread of three major infectious diseases: plague, Lassa fever and Lyme disease.
Currently, more than 150 species of rodents are considered commensal (living with humans in urban or semi-urban environments), of which six are hypercommunal (living almost exclusively where people are present).
Of these six, the trio of black rat, Norway rat, and house mouse constitute a reservoir for an average of 26 zoonotic pathogens each.
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Mice and their complex cognitive abilities are the subject of another article, in which Tel Aviv University researcher Inbal Ben-Ami Bartal notes that for decades research into the emotions of these animals has been limited to fear, anxiety and pain.
However, they are intelligent and capable of showing empathy and positive social behaviors, such as helping others in distress by opening doors or pulling a chain to free them.
This cognitive and emotional complexity, Bartal writes, raises ethical issues about their treatment in research, where their well-being is often overlooked.
Although mice have played a crucial role in the development of scientific discoveries, including neuroscience and medicine, there is a growing need to improve their living conditions to better reflect their natural behaviors and needs.
The researcher considers the mouse to be “the forgotten hero of scientific discovery,” who “does so much for humanity,” and wonders whether “we are doing enough for them.”
With information from EFE
