Records |
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 |
de Waal, F.B. |
Title |
Macaque social culture: development and perpetuation of affiliative networks |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1996 |
Publication |
Journal of comparative psychology (Washington, D.C. : 1983) |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Comp Psychol |
Volume |
110 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
147-154 |
Keywords |
Animals; Dominance-Subordination; Female; Macaca mulatta/*psychology; Male; Maternal Behavior; *Peer Group; Sexual Behavior, Animal; *Social Behavior; Social Distance; *Social Environment |
Abstract |
Maternal affiliative relations may be transmitted to offspring, similar to the way in which maternal rank determines offspring rank. The development of 23 captive female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) was followed from the day of birth until adulthood. A multivariate analysis compared relations among age peers with affiliative relations, kinship, and rank distance among mothers. Maternal relations were an excellent predictor of affiliative relations among daughters, explaining up to 64% of the variance. Much of this predictability was due to the effect of kinship. However, after this variable had been controlled, significant predictability persisted. For relations of female subjects with male peers, on the other hand, maternal relations had no significant predictive value beyond the effect of kinship. One possible explanation of these results is that young rhesus females copy maternal social preferences through a process of cultural learning. |
Address |
Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. dewaal@rmy.emory.edu |
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ISSN |
0735-7036 |
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Notes |
PMID:8681528 |
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no |
Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
204 |
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Author |
Parr, L.A.; Hopkins, W.D.; de Waal, F.B. |
Title |
Haptic discrimination in capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella): evidence of manual specialization |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1997 |
Publication |
Neuropsychologia |
Abbreviated Journal |
Neuropsychologia |
Volume |
35 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
143-152 |
Keywords |
Aging/psychology; Animals; Cebus; Cues; Discrimination (Psychology)/*physiology; Female; Functional Laterality/*physiology; Male; Psychomotor Performance/physiology; Sex Characteristics; Touch/physiology |
Abstract |
Two experiments investigated the effects of haptic and visual discrimination on hand preference in 22 brown capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). The percentage of left-handed subjects in Experiment 1 were 63.6%, 45.5%, and 18.2% for haptic, bipedal, and quadrupedal reaching, respectively. In Experiment 2, the haptic demands of the task were manipulated by using additional food types and another tactile medium. Left-hand preferences were further strengthened when reaching into water compared to pineshavings in Experiment 1. Reaching with no tactile interference resulted in equal numbers of lateralized and nonlateralized subjects. These results show that when reaching demands the use of haptic cues, as opposed to visual ones, monkeys shift towards greater left hand use. This is consistent with what is known about right hemisphere superiority for haptic discrimination in humans. |
Address |
Division of Psychobiology, Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. parr@rmy.-emory.edu |
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0028-3932 |
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PMID:9025118 |
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no |
Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
201 |
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Author |
Christie, J.L.; Hewson, C.J.; Riley, C.B.; McNiven, M.A.; Dohoo, I.R.; Bate, L.A. |
Title |
Management factors affecting stereotypies and body condition score in nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2006 |
Publication |
The Canadian Veterinary Journal. La Revue Veterinaire Canadienne |
Abbreviated Journal |
Can Vet J |
Volume |
47 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
136-143 |
Keywords |
*Animal Husbandry/standards/statistics & numerical data; *Animal Welfare; Animals; Behavior, Animal/*physiology; Body Constitution/*physiology; Female; Horses/*physiology; Male; Prince Edward Island; Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Sex Factors |
Abstract |
In North America, there are few representative data about the effects of management practices on equine welfare. In a randomized survey of 312 nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island (response rate 68.4%), owners completed a pretested questionnaire and a veterinarian examined each horse. Regression analyses identified factors affecting 2 welfare markers: body condition score (BCS) and stereotypic behavior. Horses' BCSs were high (mean 5.7, on a 9-point scale) and were associated with sex (males had lower BCSs than females; P < 0.001) and examination date (P = 0.052). Prevalences of crib biting, wind sucking, and weaving were 3.8%, 3.8%, and 4.8%, respectively. Age (OR = 1.07, P = 0.08) and hours worked weekly (OR = 1.12, P = 0.03) were risk factors for weaving. Straw bedding (OR = 0.3, P = 0.03), daily hours at pasture (OR = 0.94, P = 0.02), and horse type (drafts and miniatures had a lower risk than light horses; P = 0.12) reduced the risk of horses showing oral stereotypies. Some of these results contradict those of other studies perhaps because of populations concerned. |
Address |
Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island |
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0008-5286 |
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PMID:16579039 |
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no |
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Serial |
1875 |
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Author |
Hauber, M.E.; Pearson, H.E.; Reh, A.; Merges, A. |
Title |
Discrimination between host songs by brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds ( Molothrus ater) |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2002 |
Publication |
Animal Cognition |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim. Cogn. |
Volume |
5 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
129-137 |
Keywords |
Animals; *Auditory Perception; *Discrimination Learning; Female; Male; Sexual Behavior; *Songbirds; *Vocalization, Animal |
Abstract |
Songbirds can learn both to produce and to discriminate between different classes of acoustic stimuli. Varying levels of auditory discrimination may improve the fitness of individuals in certain ecological and social contexts and, thus, selection is expected to mold the cognitive abilities of different species according to the potential benefits of acoustic processing. Although fine-scale auditory discrimination of conspecific songs and calls has been frequently reported for brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds ( Molothrus ater), it remains unclear why and how they perceive differently the songs of their many host species. Using habituation-dishabituation paradigms and measuring behavioral and physiological (heart-rate) responses, we found that captive female cowbirds consistently discriminated between songs of two host species, the song sparrow ( Melospiza melodia) and the red-winged blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus). Playback experiments with stimuli composed of con-specific followed by heterospecific vocalizations in the field also demonstrated discrimination between these heterospecific songs even though cowbirds were not attracted to playbacks of either host species' songs alone. Our results do not directly support a nest-searching function of heterospecific song discrimination by cowbirds and are most consistent with a function of the parasites' avoidance of attacks by their aggressive hosts. These data demonstrate discrimination between heterospecific vocalizations by brown-headed cowbirds and add a novel dimension to the already expansive auditory perceptual abilities of brood parasitic species and other songbirds. |
Address |
Field Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell, University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. hauberm@socrates.berkeley.edu |
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1435-9448 |
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PMID:12357285 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2600 |
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Author |
Hemelrijk, C.K.; Wantia, J. |
Title |
Individual variation by self-organisation |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews |
Abbreviated Journal |
Neurosci Biobehav Rev |
Volume |
29 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
125-136 |
Keywords |
Aggression; Animals; Behavior, Animal/*physiology; Competitive Behavior/*physiology; Female; Humans; *Individuality; Male; Models, Psychological; Sex Characteristics; *Social Dominance; Time Factors |
Abstract |
In this paper, we show that differences in dominance and spatial centrality of individuals in a group may arise through self-organisation. Our instrument is a model, called DomWorld, that represents two traits that are often found in animals, namely grouping and competing. In this model individual differences grow under the following conditions: (1) when the intensity of aggression increases and grouping becomes denser, (2) when the degree of sexual dimorphism in fighting power increases. In this case the differences among females compared to males grow too, (3) when, upon encountering another individual, the tendency to attack is 'obligate' and not conditional, namely 'sensitive to risks'. Results resemble phenomena described for societies of primates, mice, birds and pigs. |
Address |
Theoretical Biology, University of Groningen, NN Haren, The Netherlands. hemelrij@ifi.unizh.ch |
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0149-7634 |
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PMID:15652260 |
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no |
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refbase @ user @ |
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443 |
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Author |
Murphy, J.; Waldmann, T.; Arkins, S. |
Title |
Sex differences in equine learning skills and visuo-spatial ability |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
Volume |
87 |
Issue |
1-2 |
Pages |
119-130 |
Keywords |
Horses; Sex differences; Visuo-spatial ability; Learning |
Abstract |
There is evidence of superior visuo-spatial ability in males compared to females in most species investigated to-date. However, no known studies have addressed this issue in the equine. Equine visuo-spatial ability was investigated using a novel test apparatus with a sample of 62 horses (males=34 and females=28) during a series of six tests, where the horses were required to access a food source. The test apparatus consisted of a series of four adjacent stalls, each of which had a feed bin and a moveable barrier. The test apparatus was designed such that the breastplate barriers controlled and limited access by the horses to feed bins in all but one stall during each test. Male horses performed such that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the ability of the subjects to complete all six tests in a mean time of 30 s or less per test. There were significant differences in mean completion times for male subjects between test 1 and test 2 (P<0.05), test 1 and test 3 (P<0.001), test 1 and test 4 (P<0.05) and test 1 and test 5 (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in mean completion times between any of the six tests for female subjects. Males had a lower mean total number of errors during all tests. Male horses also successfully completed significantly more tests than females (P<0.05). These results provide the first behavioural demonstration of superior visuo-spatial ability in male horses, similar to that reported in other species. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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3560 |
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Author |
Jacobs, A.; Maumy, M.; Petit, O. |
Title |
The influence of social organisation on leadership in brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus fulvus) in a controlled environment |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2008 |
Publication |
Behavioural Processes |
Abbreviated Journal |
Behav. Process. |
Volume |
79 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
111-113 |
Keywords |
Animals; *Decision Making; Dominance-Subordination; *Exploratory Behavior; Female; Group Structure; *Leadership; Lemur/*psychology; Male; Sex Factors; *Social Environment |
Abstract |
Studies on leadership during group movements in several lemur species showed that females were responsible for the travelling choices concerning time and direction. Interestingly, in these species females are dominant over males. We investigated the influence of social organisation upon leadership processes by studying a lemur species in which social organisation is characterized by the absence of female dominance: the brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus fulvus). The study was conducted on a semi-free ranging group of 11 individuals and the analysis performed on 69 group movements showed that all the individuals could initiate a group movement. In 34 cases, the whole group moved. There was no significant difference in the number of start attempts or in the number of group members involved from one initiator to another. Moreover, there was no effect of sex or age of the initiator on the number of individuals following it or on the speed of the joining process. Therefore, the leadership observed is widely distributed to all group members. These results support the hypothesis of an influence of social organisation upon the decision-making processes but still remain to be studied in a more relevant ecological context. |
Address |
IPHC-DEPE, Equipe d'ethologie des primates, UMR 7178, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Universite Louis Pasteur and Centre de Primatologie, Strasbourg, France |
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0376-6357 |
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PMID:18586413 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
5127 |
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Author |
Range, F.; Bugnyar, T.; Schlogl, C.; Kotrschal, K. |
Title |
Individual and sex differences in learning abilities of ravens |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Behavioural Processes |
Abbreviated Journal |
Behav. Process. |
Volume |
73 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
100-106 |
Keywords |
Animals; Behavior, Animal/*physiology; *Crows; Discrimination Learning/*physiology; Exploratory Behavior/physiology; Female; *Individuality; Male; Sex Factors; Spatial Behavior |
Abstract |
Behavioral and physiological characteristics of individuals within the same species have been found to be stable across time and contexts. In this study, we investigated individual differences in learning abilities and object and social manipulation to test for consistency within individuals across different tasks. Individual ravens (Corvus corax) were tested in simple color and position discrimination tasks to establish their learning abilities. We found that males were significantly better in the acquisition of the first discrimination task and the object manipulation task, but not in any of the other tasks. Furthermore, faster learners engaged less often in manipulations of conspecifics and exploration of objects to get access to food. No relationship between object and social manipulation and reversal training were found. Our results suggest that individual differences in regard to the acquisition of new tasks may be related to personalities or at least object manipulation in ravens. |
Address |
Konrad Lorenz Research Station, A-4645 Gruenau 11, Austria. friederike.range@univie.ac.at |
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0376-6357 |
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PMID:16675158 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4146 |
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Author |
Kirkpatrick, J.F.; Vail, R.; Devous, S.; Schwend, S.; Baker, C.B.; Wiesner, L. |
Title |
Diurnal variation of plasma testosterone in wild stallions |
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Journal Article |
Year |
1976 |
Publication |
Biology of reproduction |
Abbreviated Journal |
Biol Reprod |
Volume |
15 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
98-101 |
Keywords |
Animals; *Circadian Rhythm; Horses/*blood; Male; Montana; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Species Specificity; Testosterone/*blood |
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0006-3363 |
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PMID:986195 |
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refbase @ user @ |
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149 |
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