Records |
Author |
Kampmann, S.; Hampson, B.A.; Pollitt, C.C. |
Title |
Population dynamics of feral horses (Equus caballus) following above-average rainfall in a semi-arid environment of Australia |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2013 |
Publication |
Australian Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Aust Vet J |
Volume |
91 |
Issue |
11 |
Pages |
482-487 |
Keywords |
animal welfare; ecology; horses; reproduction; wildlife |
Abstract |
Background Recent record rainfall in much of semi-arid Central Australia is the most likely reason for a feral horse population increase in excess of normal. Uncontrolled numbers of feral horses have habitat degradation and animal welfare implications. Objectives The aims of this study were to investigate the social structure of feral horses and assess their population growth rate following unseasonably high rainfall. Methods The study area was 4000 km2 of unmanaged, semi-arid country in Central Australia (latitude 24.50°S, longitude 132.10°E). Horses were identified by descriptive features from ground searches, movement-activated cameras and ‘hides’ positioned at key water holes. Wherever possible, sex and age categories were documented. Population growth rate was estimated by the number of foals divided by the number of horses older than 1 year in the observed population. Results A total of 1424 horses were identified and categorised, of which 335 were foals born within the current year. Only 123 juveniles were identified. Of the adult horses, 53.4% were male and 46.6% were female and this differed from parity (P = 0.04). Of the mares, 71.9% had a foal at foot and the population growth rate was 29.5%. Conclusions With a sustained population growth rate of 29.5%, this population of feral horses will more than double within 3 years. The high population increase will likely have a detrimental effect on native fauna and flora and the fragile, semi-arid ecosystems of Central Australia. After a period of high rainfall and plentiful resources, ‘normal’ drought conditions will return and many feral horses will starve and die as they compete for limited resources. |
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1751-0813 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
5747 |
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Author |
Swanson, J.C. |
Title |
Farm animal well-being and intensive production systems |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1995 |
Publication |
Journal of Animal Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
J. Anim Sci. |
Volume |
73 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
2744-2751 |
Keywords |
Animal Husbandry/legislation & jurisprudence/*standards; Animal Rights/legislation & jurisprudence/standards; Animal Welfare/legislation & jurisprudence/*standards; Animals; Animals, Domestic/*growth & development/*physiology; Breeding/legislation & jurisprudence/*standards; Cattle; Chickens; Environment; Reproduction/physiology; Sheep; Swine |
Abstract |
Animal welfare, or well-being, is a social issue with ethical, scientific, political, and aesthetic properties. Answering questions about the welfare of animals requires scientific definition, assessment, solutions, and public acceptance. With respect to the actual well-being of the animal, most issues are centered on how the animal “feels” when managed within a specific level of confinement, during special agricultural practices (e.g., tail docking, beak trimming, etc.) and handling. Questions of this nature may require exploration of animal cognition, motivation, perception, and emotional states in addition to more commonly recognized indicators of well-being. Several general approaches have emerged for solving problems concerning animal well-being in intensive production systems: environmental, genetic, and therapeutic. Environmental approaches involve modifying existing systems to accommodate specific welfare concerns or development of alternative systems. Genetic approaches involve changing the behavioral and (or) physiological nature of the animal to reduce or eliminate behaviors that are undesirable within intensive system. Therapeutic approaches of a physical (tail docking, beak trimming) and physiological (drug and nutritional therapy) nature bring both concern and promise with regard to the reduction of confinement stress. Finally, the recent focus on commodity quality assurance programs may indirectly provide benefits for animal well-being. Although research in the area of animal well-being will provide important information for better animal management, handling, care, and the physical design of intensive production systems there is still some uncertainty regarding public acceptance. The aesthetics of modern intensive production systems may have as much to do with public acceptance as with science. |
Address |
Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506, USA |
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English |
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0021-8812 |
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PMID:8582867 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2752 |
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Author |
Ganswindt, A.; Palme, R.; Heistermann, M.; Borragan, S.; Hodges, J.K. |
Title |
Non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical function in the male African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and its relation to musth |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
General and Comparative Endocrinology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Gen Comp Endocrinol |
Volume |
134 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
156-166 |
Keywords |
Adrenal Cortex/*metabolism/secretion; Adrenal Cortex Function Tests/methods/*veterinary; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/physiology; Animals; Carbon Isotopes/diagnostic use; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/veterinary; Elephants/*metabolism/urine; Feces/*chemistry; Glucocorticoids/analysis/urine; Hydrocortisone/*analysis/diagnostic use/urine; Immunoenzyme Techniques/methods/veterinary; Male; Reproduction/physiology; Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology; Stress, Psychological/diagnosis/*physiopathology; Testosterone/*analysis/diagnostic use/urine |
Abstract |
Adult male elephants periodically show the phenomenon of musth, a condition associated with increased aggressiveness, restlessness, significant weight reduction and markedly elevated androgen levels. It has been suggested that musth-related behaviours are costly and that therefore musth may represent a form of physiological stress. In order to provide data on this largely unanswered question, the first aim of this study was to evaluate different assays for non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical function in the male African elephant by (i) characterizing the metabolism and excretion of [3H]cortisol (3H-C) and [14C]testosterone (14C-T) and (ii) using this information to evaluate the specificity of four antibodies for determination of excreted cortisol metabolites, particularly with respect to possible cross-reactions with androgen metabolites, and to assess their biological validity using an ACTH challenge test. Based on the methodology established, the second objective was to provide data on fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations in bulls during the musth and non-musth condition. 3H-C (1 mCi) and 14C-T (100 microCi) were injected simultaneously into a 16 year old male and all urine and feces collected for 30 and 86 h, respectively. The majority (82%) of cortisol metabolites was excreted into the urine, whereas testosterone metabolites were mainly (57%) excreted into the feces. Almost all radioactive metabolites recovered from urine were conjugated (86% 3H-C and 97% 14C-T). In contrast, 86% and >99% of the 3H-C and 14C-T metabolites recovered from feces consisted of unconjugated forms. HPLC separations indicated the presence of various metabolites of cortisol in both urine and feces, with cortisol being abundant in hydrolysed urine, but virtually absent in feces. Although all antibodies measured substantial amounts of immunoreactivity after HPLC separation of peak radioactive samples and detected an increase in glucocorticoid output following the ACTH challenge, only two (in feces against 3alpha,11-oxo-cortisol metabolites, measured by an 11-oxo-etiocholanolone-EIA and in urine against cortisol, measured by a cortisol-EIA) did not show substantial cross-reactivity with excreted 14C-T metabolites and could provide an acceptable degree of specificity for reliable assessment of glucocorticoid output from urine and feces. Based on these findings, concentrations of immunoreactive 3alpha,11-oxo-cortisol metabolites were determined in weekly fecal samples collected from four adult bulls over periods of 11-20 months to examine whether musth is associated with increased adrenal activity. Results showed that in each male levels of these cortisol metabolites were not elevated during periods of musth, suggesting that in the African elephant musth is generally not associated with marked elevations in glucocorticoid output. Given the complex nature of musth and the variety of factors that are likely to influence its manifestation, it is clear, however, that further studies, particularly on free-ranging animals, are needed before a possible relationship between musth and adrenal function can be resolved. This study also clearly illustrates the potential problems associated with cross-reacting metabolites of gonadal steroids in EIAs measuring glucocorticoid metabolites. This has to be taken into account when selecting assays and interpreting results of glucocorticoid metabolite analysis, not only for studies in the elephant but also in other species. |
Address |
German Primate Centre, Department of Reproductive Biology, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Gottingen, Germany. ganswindt@www.dpz.gdwg.de |
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0016-6480 |
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PMID:14511986 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4085 |
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Author |
Doligez, B.; Danchin, E.; Clobert, J. |
Title |
Public information and breeding habitat selection in a wild bird population |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2002 |
Publication |
Science (New York, N.Y.) |
Abbreviated Journal |
Science |
Volume |
297 |
Issue |
5584 |
Pages |
1168-1170 |
Keywords |
*Animal Migration; Animals; Animals, Wild/physiology; *Behavior, Animal; Cognition; Cues; *Environment; Female; Male; *Nesting Behavior; Probability; *Reproduction; Songbirds/*physiology; Sweden |
Abstract |
According to the “public information” hypothesis, some animal species may monitor the current reproductive success of conspecifics to assess local habitat quality and to choose their own subsequent breeding site. To test this hypothesis experimentally, we manipulated two components of public information, the mean number of offspring raised locally (“quantity”) and their condition (“quality”), in the collared flycatcher Ficedula albicollis. Immigration rate decreased with local offspring quantity but did not depend on local offspring quality, suggesting that immigrants are deprived of information regarding local quality. Conversely, emigration rate increased both when local offspring quantity or quality decreased, suggesting that residents can use both components of public information. |
Address |
Laboratoire d'Ecologie CNRS-UMR 7625, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, 7 quai Saint Bernard, Batiment A 7eme etage, Case 237, F-75252 Paris Cedex 05, France. blandine.doligez@esh.unibe.ch |
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1095-9203 |
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PMID:12183627 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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2841 |
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Author |
Aurich, J.; Wulf, M.; Ille, N.; Erber, R.; von Lewinski, M.; Palme, R.; Aurich, C. |
Title |
Effects of season, age, sex and housing on salivary cortisol concentrations in horses |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2015 |
Publication |
Domestic Animal Endocrinology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. |
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Keywords |
horse; cortisol; diurnal rhythm; reproduction; housing |
Abstract |
Abstract Analysis of salivary cortisol is increasingly used to assess stress responses in horses. Since spontaneous or experimentally induced increases in cortisol concentrations are often relatively small for stress studies proper controls are needed. This requires an understanding of factors affecting salivary cortisol over longer times. In this study, we have analysed salivary cortisol concentration over 6 mo in horses (n = 94) differing in age, sex, reproductive state and housing. Salivary cortisol followed a diurnal rhythm with highest concentrations in the morning and a decrease throughout the day (P < 0.001). This rhythm was disrupted in individual groups on individual days; however, alterations remained within the range of diurnal changes. Comparison between months showed highest cortisol concentrations in December (P < 0.001). Cortisol concentrations increased in breeding stallions during the breeding season (P < 0.001). No differences in salivary cortisol concentrations between non-pregnant mares with and without a corpus luteum existed. In stallions, mean daily salivary cortisol and plasma testosterone concentration were weakly correlated (r = 0.251, P < 0.01). No differences in salivary cortisol between female and male young horses and no consistent differences between horses of different age existed. Group housing and individual stabling did not affect salivary cortisol. In conclusion, salivary cortisol concentrations in horses follow a diurnal rhythm and are increased in active breeding sires. Time of the day and reproductive state of the horses are thus important for experiments that include analysis of cortisol in saliva. |
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0739-7240 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5847 |
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Author |
Amdam, G.V.; Csondes, A.; Fondrk, M.K.; Page, R.E.J. |
Title |
Complex social behaviour derived from maternal reproductive traits |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Nature |
Abbreviated Journal |
Nature |
Volume |
439 |
Issue |
7072 |
Pages |
76-78 |
Keywords |
Aging/physiology; Animals; Bees/*physiology; *Evolution; Feeding Behavior/*physiology; Female; Infertility, Female; Maternal Behavior/*physiology; Ovary/physiology; Pollen/metabolism; Reproduction/*physiology; *Social Behavior |
Abstract |
A fundamental goal of sociobiology is to explain how complex social behaviour evolves, especially in social insects, the exemplars of social living. Although still the subject of much controversy, recent theoretical explanations have focused on the evolutionary origins of worker behaviour (assistance from daughters that remain in the nest and help their mother to reproduce) through expression of maternal care behaviour towards siblings. A key prediction of this evolutionary model is that traits involved in maternal care have been co-opted through heterochronous expression of maternal genes to result in sib-care, the hallmark of highly evolved social life in insects. A coupling of maternal behaviour to reproductive status evolved in solitary insects, and was a ready substrate for the evolution of worker-containing societies. Here we show that division of foraging labour among worker honey bees (Apis mellifera) is linked to the reproductive status of facultatively sterile females. We thereby identify the evolutionary origin of a widely expressed social-insect behavioural syndrome, and provide a direct demonstration of how variation in maternal reproductive traits gives rise to complex social behaviour in non-reproductive helpers. |
Address |
Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA. Gro.Amdam@asu.edu |
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1476-4687 |
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PMID:16397498 |
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no |
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refbase @ user @ |
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531 |
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Author |
Feist, J.D.; McCullough, D.R. |
Title |
Reproduction in feral horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1975 |
Publication |
Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. Supplement |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Reprod Fertil Suppl |
Volume |
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Issue |
23 |
Pages |
13-18 |
Keywords |
Age Factors; Animals; Female; Horses/*physiology; Leadership; Male; Maternal Behavior; Population; Reproduction; *Sexual Behavior, Animal; Social Dominance; Sucking Behavior |
Abstract |
A behavioural study of feral horses was conducted on the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range in the western United States. All 270 horses on the Range were identified individually. The sex ratio was nearly balanced. Foal to adult female ratio was 43-2:100. Morality was concentrated among foals and old horses. Horses were organized as forty-four harem groups each with a dominant stallion, one to two immature stallions, one to three immature mares, one to three adult mares and their yearling and foal offspring, and 23 bachelor groups of one to eight stallions. Harem groups were quite stable year-round because of dominance and leadership by the stallions and group fidelity by mares and their offsring. Most changes occurred during the breeding season and involved immature females. Defeat of dominant stallions was infrequent. Immature males were tolerated because of their submissive behaviour. Bachelor stallion groups were inherently unstable. Mares came into heat after foaling in May/June, and were mated by harem stallions only. |
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0449-3087 |
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PMID:1060766 |
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no |
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refbase @ user @ |
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1964 |
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Author |
Dunbar, R. |
Title |
Evolution of the social brain |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Science |
Volume |
302 |
Issue |
5648 |
Pages |
1160-1161 |
Keywords |
Animals; Animals, Wild; *Cognition; Endorphins/physiology; *Evolution; Female; Grooming; Hierarchy, Social; Language; Neocortex/anatomy & histology/physiology; Papio/physiology/*psychology; *Reproduction; *Social Behavior; Social Dominance; Social Support; Vocalization, Animal |
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Address |
School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK. rimd@liv.ac.uk |
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1095-9203 |
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PMID:14615522 |
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refbase @ user @ |
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548 |
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Author |
Moehlman, P.D. |
Title |
Endangered wild equids |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Scientific American |
Abbreviated Journal |
Sci Am |
Volume |
292 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
74-81 |
Keywords |
Africa; Americas; Animals; *Animals, Wild/physiology; Asia; *Conservation of Energy Resources; Environment; *Equidae/physiology; Food Chain; Humans; Male; Reproduction |
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Address |
IUCN-The World Conservation Union/Species Survival Commission Equid Specialist Group |
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0036-8733 |
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PMID:15859216 |
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refbase @ user @ |
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551 |
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Author |
Henneke, D.R.; Potter, G.D.; Kreider, J.L.; Yeates, B.F. |
Title |
Relationship between condition score, physical measurements and body fat percentage in mares |
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Journal Article |
Year |
1983 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
Volume |
15 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
371-372 |
Keywords |
*Adipose Tissue; Animals; Biometry; Body Weight; Female; Heart/anatomy & histology; Horses/anatomy & histology/*physiology; *Reproduction |
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0425-1644 |
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PMID:6641685 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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2299 |
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