Home | [1–10] << 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 >> |
![]() |
Records | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Author | Macphail, E.M.; Boldhuis, J.J | ||||
Title | The evolution of intelligence: adaptive specializations versusgeneral process | Type | Journal Article | ||
Year | 2001 | Publication | Biological Reviews | Abbreviated Journal | |
Volume | 76 | Issue | 3 | Pages | 341-364 |
Keywords ![]() |
biological constraints, corvids, ecology, food-storing birds, hippocampal size, parids, spatial learning, spatial memory, spatial module. | ||||
Abstract | Darwin argued that between-species differences in intelligence were differences of degree, not of kind. The contemporary ecological approach to animal cognition argues that animals have evolved species-specific and problem-specific processes to solve problems associated with their particular ecological niches: thus different species use different processes, and within a species, different processes are used to tackle problems involving different inputs. This approach contrasts both with Darwin's view and with the general process view, according to which the same central processes of learning and memory are used across an extensive range of problems involving very different inputs. We review evidence relevant to the claim that the learning and memory performance of non-human animals varies according to the nature of the stimuli involved. We first discuss the resource distribution hypothesis, olfactory learning-set formation, and the 'biological constraints' literature, but find no convincing support from these topics for the ecological account of cognition. We then discuss the claim that the performance of birds in spatial tasks of learning and memory is superior in species that depend heavily upon stored food compared to species that either show less dependence upon stored food or do not store food. If it could be shown that storing species enjoy a superiority specifically in spatial (and not non-spatial) tasks, this would argue that spatial tasks are indeed solved using different processes from those used in non-spatial tasks. Our review of this literature does not find a consistent superiority of storing over non-storing birds in spatial tasks, and, in particular, no evidence of enhanced superiority of storing species when the task demands are increased, by, for example, increasing the number of items to be recalled or the duration of the retention period. We discuss also the observation that the hippocampus of storing birds is larger than that of non-storing birds, and find evidence contrary to the view that hippocampal enlargement is associated with enhanced spatial memory; we are, however, unable to suggest a convincing alternative explanation for hippocampal enlargement. The failure to find solid support for the ecological view supports the view that there are no qualitative differences in cognition between animal species in the processes of learning and memory. We also argue that our review supports our contention that speculation about the phylogenetic development and function of behavioural processes does not provide a solid basis for gaining insight into the nature of those processes. We end by confessing to a belief in one major qualitative difference in cognition in animals: we believe that humans alone are capable of acquiring language, and that it is this capacity that divides our intelligence so sharply from non-human intelligence. | ||||
Address | |||||
Corporate Author | Thesis | ||||
Publisher | Place of Publication | Editor | |||
Language | Summary Language | Original Title | |||
Series Editor | Series Title | Abbreviated Series Title | |||
Series Volume | Series Issue | Edition | |||
ISSN | ISBN | Medium | |||
Area | Expedition | Conference | |||
Notes | Approved | no | |||
Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 4797 | ||
Permanent link to this record | |||||
Author | Gröschl, M.; Wagner, R.; Rauh, M.; Dörr, H.G. | ||||
Title | Stability of salivary steroids: the influences of storage, food and dental care | Type | Journal Article | ||
Year | 2001 | Publication | Steroids | Abbreviated Journal | |
Volume | 66 | Issue | 10 | Pages | 737-741 |
Keywords ![]() |
Cortisol; 17OH-Progesterone; Progesterone; Saliva; Stability | ||||
Abstract | We studied influences of dental care, food and storage on the reproducibility of salivary steroid levels. Cortisol (F), 17OH-progesterone (17OHP) and Progesterone (P) were measured using adapted commercial radioimmunoassays. Saliva samples of healthy adults (n = 15; m:8; f:7) were collected directly before and after dental care, and directly before and after breakfast with various foodstuffs. A second experiment investigated stability of steroids under different storage conditions. Four series of identical saliva portions (I: Native saliva; II: Centrifuged saliva; III: Saliva with trifluor acetate (TFA); IV: Saliva with 0.5% NaN3) were stored at room temperature and at 4°C for up to three weeks. To demonstrate influences of repeated thawing and re-freezing of saliva on steroid values, saliva samples (n = 15) were divided into identical portions. These portions were frozen and re-thawed up to 5 times before measurement. Neither dental care nor intake of bread or milk effected the reproducibility of F, 170HP, and P. Steroid levels decreased significantly in the course of three weeks under different storage conditions (P < 0.001). This decrease was clinically relevant from the second week onward, with exception of NaN3 treated samples. After repeated freezing and re-thawing 17OHP and P decreased slightly (about 5%). Only F decreased significantly after the third thawing (P < 0.001). The results show the usefulness of standardized handling of saliva samples for improving reproducibility and reliability of salivary steroid measurements. | ||||
Address | |||||
Corporate Author | Thesis | ||||
Publisher | Place of Publication | Editor | |||
Language | Summary Language | Original Title | |||
Series Editor | Series Title | Abbreviated Series Title | |||
Series Volume | Series Issue | Edition | |||
ISSN | 0039-128x | ISBN | Medium | ||
Area | Expedition | Conference | |||
Notes | Approved | no | |||
Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5561 | ||
Permanent link to this record | |||||
Author | Rybarczyk, P.; Koba, Y.; Rushen, J.; Tanida, H.; de Passille, A.M. | ||||
Title | Can cows discriminate people by their faces? | Type | Journal Article | ||
Year | 2001 | Publication | Applied Animal Behaviour Science | Abbreviated Journal | Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
Volume | 74 | Issue | 3 | Pages | 175-189 |
Keywords ![]() |
Dairy cows; Human-animal relationships; Discrimination; Learning; Facial recognition; Operant conditioning | ||||
Abstract | This experiment examines the cues used by cattle to discriminate between people, particularly the role played by facial cues. We trained and tested eight Holstein cows 5 days each week for 2 months. For each cow, we used two people, a rewarder and a non-rewarder, of different size and dressed in overalls of the same colour. The operant chamber was a large box within which stood the two people. The cow could see, smell and touch each person. A lever was placed in front of each person. When the cow pushed the lever in front of the rewarder, it received 75 g of concentrate and nothing when it pushed on the other one. For each test session, the cows made 10 choices. The placement of the people was determined randomly according to the Gellerman series. The success criterion was defined as at least eight correct choices out of 10 trials for two consecutive sessions (binomial law P<0.003). During the shaping, seven cows out of eight learned to press the lever to obtain the food. The cows were then tested in a series of 10 trials with only the rewarder present. Seven out of seven cows succeeded in reaching the success criterion. In experiment 1, both the rewarder and the non-rewarder were present and standing upright at normal height and in full view of the cow. Five out of seven cows achieved the success criterion. In experiment 2, the cows could see only the faces of the two people. None of the cows were able to reach the success criterion. In experiment 3, both people were present standing up and wearing identical masks that completely covered their heads. Five cows out of five achieved the success criterion. In experiment 4, we changed the relative height of the people. Five cows out of five succeeded when the two people stood so they were of equal height but with their faces visible. However, no cows succeeded when the people were both of equal height and had their faces covered. This study suggests that cows seem to use multiple cues to discriminate between people. Cows appear able to use either body height or the face to discriminate between people but use of the face alone is more difficult when the cows cannot see the rest of the body. | ||||
Address | |||||
Corporate Author | Thesis | ||||
Publisher | Place of Publication | Editor | |||
Language | Summary Language | Original Title | |||
Series Editor | Series Title | Abbreviated Series Title | |||
Series Volume | Series Issue | Edition | |||
ISSN | ISBN | Medium | |||
Area | Expedition | Conference | |||
Notes | Approved | no | |||
Call Number | refbase @ user @ | Serial | 849 | ||
Permanent link to this record | |||||
Author | Creel, S. | ||||
Title | Social dominance and stress hormones | Type | Journal Article | ||
Year | 2001 | Publication | Trends in Ecology & Evolution | Abbreviated Journal | Trends. Ecol. Evol |
Volume | 16 | Issue | 9 | Pages | 491-497 |
Keywords ![]() |
Dominance; rank; stress; glucocorticoids; cooperative breeding; sociality; behavioural endocrinology; mammals | ||||
Abstract | In most cooperatively breeding birds and mammals, reproductive rates are lower for social subordinates than for dominants, and it is common for reproduction in subordinates to be completely suppressed. Early research conducted in captivity showed that losing fights can increase glucocorticoid (GC) secretion, a general response to stress. Because GCs can suppress reproduction, it has been widely argued that chronic stress might underlie reproductive suppression of social subordinates in cooperative breeders. Contradicting this hypothesis, recent studies of cooperative breeders in the wild show that dominant individuals have elevated GCs more often than do subordinates. The findings that elevated GCs can be a consequence of subordination or a cost of dominance complicate the conventional view of social stress, with broad ramifications for the evolution of dominance and reproductive suppression. | ||||
Address | |||||
Corporate Author | Thesis | ||||
Publisher | Place of Publication | Editor | |||
Language | Summary Language | Original Title | |||
Series Editor | Series Title | Abbreviated Series Title | |||
Series Volume | Series Issue | Edition | |||
ISSN | ISBN | Medium | |||
Area | Expedition | Conference | |||
Notes | Approved | no | |||
Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 4072 | ||
Permanent link to this record | |||||
Author | Griffiths, D.P.; Clayton, N.S. | ||||
Title | Testing episodic memory in animals: A new approach | Type | Journal Article | ||
Year | 2001 | Publication | Physiology & Behavior | Abbreviated Journal | Physiol. Behav. |
Volume | 73 | Issue | 5 | Pages | 755-762 |
Keywords ![]() |
Episodic memory; Food-caching; Animal models | ||||
Abstract | Episodic memory involves the encoding and storage of memories concerned with unique personal experiences and their subsequent recall, and it has long been the subject of intensive investigation in humans. According to Tulving's classical definition, episodic memory “receives and stores information about temporally dated episodes or events and temporal-spatial relations among these events.” Thus, episodic memory provides information about the `what' and `when' of events (`temporally dated experiences') and about `where' they happened (`temporal-spatial relations'). The storage and subsequent recall of this episodic information was thought to be beyond the memory capabilities of nonhuman animals. Although there are many laboratory procedures for investigating memory for discrete past episodes, until recently there were no previous studies that fully satisfied the criteria of Tulving's definition: they can all be explained in much simpler terms than episodic memory. However, current studies of memory for cache sites in food-storing jays provide an ethologically valid model for testing episodic-like memory in animals, thereby bridging the gap between human and animal studies memory. There is now a pressing need to adapt these experimental tests of episodic memory for other animals. Given the potential power of transgenic and knock-out procedures for investigating the genetic and molecular bases of learning and memory in laboratory rodents, not to mention the wealth of knowledge about the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the rodent hippocampus (a brain area heavily implicated in episodic memory), an obvious next step is to develop a rodent model of episodic-like memory based on the food-storing bird paradigm. The development of a rodent model system could make an important contribution to our understanding of the neural, molecular, and behavioral mechanisms of mammalian episodic memory. | ||||
Address | |||||
Corporate Author | Thesis | ||||
Publisher | Place of Publication | Editor | |||
Language | Summary Language | Original Title | |||
Series Editor | Series Title | Abbreviated Series Title | |||
Series Volume | Series Issue | Edition | |||
ISSN | ISBN | Medium | |||
Area | Expedition | Conference | |||
Notes | Approved | no | |||
Call Number | refbase @ user @ | Serial | 401 | ||
Permanent link to this record | |||||
Author | Gibbs, P.G.; Cohen, N.D. | ||||
Title | Early management of race-bred weanlings and yearlings on farms | Type | Journal Article | ||
Year | 2001 | Publication | Journal of Equine Veterinary Science | Abbreviated Journal | J. Equine Vet. Sci. |
Volume | 21 | Issue | 6 | Pages | 279-283 |
Keywords ![]() |
Equine, management, growth, nutrition, marketing | ||||
Abstract | A total of 58 Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse farms that managed 1,987 weanlings and yearlings responded to a survey designed to better characterize early management of racing prospects. Average age at weaning was 5.5 months and over half of all farms kept almost three-fourths of all weanlings to be placed in pre-race training. Variation in feeding practices was evident and while well over half of all farms provided balanced nutrient supply to young horses, 20% to 40% likely fed unbalanced diets. An obvious preference existed for semi-confinement in young horses with plenty of free exercise. The majority of farms reported that young prospects were fed and managed for a moderate rate of growth. Forced exercise occurred to a much larger extent with yearlings than weanlings and 40% of farms described the footing as soft, but not deep. Response to the prevalence of developmental orthopedic diseases appeared somewhat guarded, and average injury rate was low on farms that attributed much of injury to horses playing too hard. Technological advancements such as photoperiod manipulation in broodmares were widely used, while valuable tools such as body condition scoring were utilized to a lesser extent. |
||||
Address | |||||
Corporate Author | Thesis | ||||
Publisher | Place of Publication | Editor | |||
Language | Summary Language | Original Title | |||
Series Editor | Series Title | Abbreviated Series Title | |||
Series Volume | Series Issue | Edition | |||
ISSN | ISBN | Medium | |||
Area | Expedition | Conference | |||
Notes | Approved | no | |||
Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5758 | ||
Permanent link to this record | |||||
Author | Feh, C.; Munkhtuya, B.; Enkhbold, S.; Sukhbaatar, T. | ||||
Title | Ecology and social structure of the Gobi khulan Equus hemionus subsp. in the Gobi B National Park, Mongolia | Type | Journal Article | ||
Year | 2001 | Publication | Biological Conservation | Abbreviated Journal | Biol. Conserva. |
Volume | 101 | Issue | 1 | Pages | 51-61 |
Keywords ![]() |
Equus hemionus; Ecology and social structure; Gobi National Park; Mongolia | ||||
Abstract | The status of the Gobi khulan Equus hemionus subsp. is recorded as “insufficiently known” in the Species Survival Commission's Equid Action Plan. Recent counts confirm that Mongolia holds the most important population of the whole species. Since 1953, the animals have benefited from a protected status, but this is now challenged. A 5-year study in the B part of the Gobi National Park on one subpopulation showed that it has remained stable over the past 15 years with an adequate mean reproductive rate of 15% and a 50% survival rate over the first year. Age/sex related mortality and prey analysis indicate that wolf predation probably has some impact on the population, in particular for 4-6-year-olds of both sexes at the start of reproduction. Desert and mountain steppes are the khulan's year-round preferred habitat, but `oases', play an important role at the beginning of lactation. Anthropogenic factors affect both home range and habitat use through direct intervention or permanent occupation of the scarce water sources. Khulans of this subpopulation, unlike other Asian and African wild asses, form year-round stable, non-territorial families. These families and all-male groups join together into “bands” in winter, and herds of several hundred animals, where reproductive rate is highest, form throughout the year. The existence of such herds may thus be critical for the breeding success of the population. Our study provides the first detailed quantitative data for this subspecies, which will help to monitor changes in the future. | ||||
Address | |||||
Corporate Author | Thesis | ||||
Publisher | Place of Publication | Editor | |||
Language | Summary Language | Original Title | |||
Series Editor | Series Title | Abbreviated Series Title | |||
Series Volume | Series Issue | Edition | |||
ISSN | ISBN | Medium | |||
Area | Expedition | Conference | |||
Notes | Approved | no | |||
Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 2289 | ||
Permanent link to this record | |||||
Author | Fleurance,Géraldine; Duncan ,Patrick; Mallevaud, Bruno | ||||
Title | Daily intake and the selection of feeding sites by horses in heterogeneous wet grasslands | Type | Journal Article | ||
Year | 2001 | Publication | Abbreviated Journal | Anim. Res. | |
Volume | 50 | Issue | Pages | 149-156 | |
Keywords ![]() |
horse / intake / grassland / heterogeneity / wetland cheval / ingestion / prairie / hétérogénéité / zone humide | ||||
Abstract | In spite of the importance of grazed forage in horse nutrition, little information is available on their daily intake at pasture. We determined the intake of 4 non-breeding mares of a heavy breed (average body weight = 674 kg), grazing during the summer in heterogeneous natural grasslands of the Marais Poitevin (France), an internationally important wetland where grazing is an essential process which maintains biodiversity. The mares ate large quantities of forage (21.9 $pm$ 2.4 kg of organic matter per day, i.e. 166.2 $pm$ 20.8 g of organic matter per kg LW0.75 per day) in comparison with previous published values and with the estimated requirements of these horses. The use of the vegetation was very selective, the mares spent about 70% of their feeding time on short grass lawns (sward surface $leq$ 4 cm, biomass < 100 g$cdot$m-2), that represented only 10% of the area. This behaviour maintained the plants at young growing stages which are of better quality than ungrazed plants. These results are discussed in relation to the dynamics of the plant communities. | ||||
Address | |||||
Corporate Author | horse / intake / grassland / heterogeneity / wetland | Thesis | |||
Publisher | Place of Publication | Editor | |||
Language | Summary Language | Original Title | |||
Series Editor | Series Title | Abbreviated Series Title | |||
Series Volume | Series Issue | Edition | |||
ISSN | ISBN | Medium | |||
Area | Expedition | Conference | |||
Notes | Approved | no | |||
Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 4238 | ||
Permanent link to this record | |||||
Author | Malmgren, L.; Andresen, Ø.; Dalin, A.-M. | ||||
Title | Effect of GnRH immunisation on hormonal levels, sexual behaviour, semen quality and testicular morphology in mature stallions | Type | Journal Article | ||
Year | 2001 | Publication | Equine Veterinary Journal | Abbreviated Journal | Equine vet. J. |
Volume | 33 | Issue | 1 | Pages | 75-83 |
Keywords ![]() |
horse; GnRH; immunisation; stallion; testosterone; oestrone sulphate; sexual behaviour; semen quality | ||||
Abstract | Summary The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunisation on mature stallions that had been used for breeding. Four Standardbred stallions were used in the study: 3 experimental animals and 1 control animal. Semen was collected regularly, i.e. twice/week, during the 4 months prior to the experimental period. The stallions were immunised against GnRH with a GnRH-BSA conjugate. Equimune was used as the adjuvant. The stallions were immunised on 5 occasions, 4 at 2 week intervals, and the fifth 4 weeks after the fourth. Blood samples were taken once a week for analysis of GnRH antibody titre and every third week for testosterone and oestrone sulphate analyses. Semen was collected once a week, and libido and sexual behaviour were observed. Ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total number of sperm in the ejaculate, sperm motility and sperm morphology were evaluated. Testicular size was measured once a week. At the end of the study, the stallions were castrated, and a histological examination of the testes performed. All immunised stallions produced antibodies against GnRH, and plasma testosterone concentration decreased. However, the effect of immunisation varied between stallions. In 2 of the stallions, high levels of antibodies were found, while in the third, the level was moderate. Four weeks after the first immunisation, a decrease in libido was observed. Two months after the first immunisation, marked changes in semen quality were observed in the 2 stallions with high antibody titres. Fourteen weeks after the first immunisation, the total number of sperm/ejaculate had decreased from >8.6×109 to<2.7×109, sperm motility from >59 to<10% and the frequency of morphological normal spermatozoa had decreased from >60 to<14%. The dominating abnormalities were abnormal head shapes, proximal cytoplasmic droplets and detached heads. In the third stallion, only slight changes in semen quality were found. No changes were observed in the control stallion. Decreases in testicular size were noted in all of the experimental stallions. Pronounced histological alterations in the testes were observed in 2 of the stallions. It is concluded that the vaccine was effective in stimulating production of GnRH antibodies and in suppressing testicular function and androgen secretion. However, there was an individual variation in the responses among the stallions and, further, libido was not totally suppressed. | ||||
Address | |||||
Corporate Author | Thesis | ||||
Publisher | Blackwell Publishing Ltd | Place of Publication | Editor | ||
Language | Summary Language | Original Title | |||
Series Editor | Series Title | Abbreviated Series Title | |||
Series Volume | Series Issue | Edition | |||
ISSN | 2042-3306 | ISBN | Medium | ||
Area | Expedition | Conference | |||
Notes | Approved | no | |||
Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5312 | ||
Permanent link to this record | |||||
Author | Wallin, L.; Strandberg, E.; Philipsson, J. | ||||
Title | Phenotypic relationship between test results of Swedish Warmblood horses as 4-year-olds and longevity | Type | Journal Article | ||
Year | 2001 | Publication | Livestock Production Science | Abbreviated Journal | |
Volume | 68 | Issue | 2-3 | Pages | 97-105 |
Keywords ![]() |
Horse; Longevity; Survival analysis; Test traits | ||||
Abstract | The relationship between longevity and different traits scored in the Swedish Riding Horse Quality Test (RHQT) was studied to evaluate their use as predictors of survival. Data comprised 1815 Warmblood horses born between 1969 and 1982 that had participated in the RHQT as 4-year-olds. Survival information was obtained via a questionnaire sent to owners of horses that had participated in the RHQT between 1973 and 1986. All phenotypic values of traits scored at 4 years of age were adjusted for the effect of place/year (event). Survival analysis was performed taking into account censoring. Traits having significant effects on longevity were: conformation, legs (included in conformation), orthopaedic status, jumping ability, and the horses' combined classification score for dressage and jumping talents, respectively. Orthopaedic health had the greatest influence on longevity, and demonstrated the importance of judging health traits in young sports horses. The results of this study confirmed that there is a significant phenotypic relationship between many of the RHQT traits and longevity, and thus the possibility of using them as predictors of survival. | ||||
Address | |||||
Corporate Author | Thesis | ||||
Publisher | Place of Publication | Editor | |||
Language | Summary Language | Original Title | |||
Series Editor | Series Title | Abbreviated Series Title | |||
Series Volume | Series Issue | Edition | |||
ISSN | ISBN | Medium | |||
Area | Expedition | Conference | |||
Notes | Approved | no | |||
Call Number | refbase @ user @ | Serial | 3958 | ||
Permanent link to this record |