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Author Kralj-Fiser, S.; Scheiber, I.B.R.; Blejec, A.; Moestl, E.; Kotrschal, K.
Title Individualities in a flock of free-roaming greylag geese: behavioral and physiological consistency over time and across situations Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Hormones and Behavior Abbreviated Journal Horm Behav
Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 239-248
Keywords Animals; Behavior, Animal/*physiology; Corticosterone/metabolism; Feces; Female; Geese/*physiology; Individuality; Male; Personality/*physiology; Population Density; Reproducibility of Results; Seasons; *Social Behavior; Social Environment; Testosterone/*metabolism
Abstract The concept of personality implies individual differences in behavior and physiology that show some degree of repeatability/consistency over time and across contexts. Most studies of animal personality, particularly studies of individuals' variation in physiological mechanisms, have been conducted on selected individuals in controlled conditions. We attempted to detect consistent behaviors as well as physiological patterns in greylag ganders (Anser anser) from a free-roaming flock living in semi-natural conditions. We tested 10 individuals repeatedly, in a handling trial, resembling tests for characterization of “temperaments” in captive animals. We recorded the behavior of the same 10 individuals during four situations in the socially intact flock: (1) a “low density feeding condition”, (2) a “high density feeding condition”, (3) a “low density post-feeding situation” and (4) while the geese rested. We collected fecal samples for determination of excreted immuno-reactive corticosterone (BM) and testosterone metabolites (TM) after handling trials, as well as the “low density feeding” and the “high density feeding” conditions. BM levels were very highly consistent over the repeats of handling trials, and the “low density feeding condition” and tended to be consistent over the first two repeats of the “high density feeding condition”. Also, BM responses tended to be consistent across contexts. Despite seasonal variation, there tended to be inter-test consistency of TM, which pointed to some individual differences in TM as well. Aggressiveness turned out to be a highly repeatable trait, which was consistent across social situations, and tended to correlate with an individual's resistance during handling trials. Also, “proximity to the female partner” and “sociability” – the average number of neighboring geese in a close distance while resting – were consistent. We conclude that aggressiveness, “affiliative tendencies” and levels of excreted corticosterone and testosterone metabolites may be crucial factors of personality in geese.
Address University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical faculty, Slovenia. simona.kralj@guest.arnes.si
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language (up) English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0018-506X ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:17196200 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4189
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Author Baum, M.J.
Title Mammalian animal models of psychosexual differentiation: when is 'translation' to the human situation possible? Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Hormones and Behavior Abbreviated Journal Horm Behav
Volume 50 Issue 4 Pages 579-588
Keywords Animals; Estradiol/*physiology; Female; *Gender Identity; Humans; Hypothalamus/anatomy & histology/physiology; Male; Models, Animal; Sexual Behavior/physiology/psychology; Sexual Behavior, Animal/*physiology; Testosterone/*physiology
Abstract Clinical investigators have been forced primarily to use experiments of nature (e.g., cloacal exstrophy; androgen insensitivity, congenital adrenal hyperplasia) to assess the contribution of fetal sex hormone exposure to the development of male- and female-typical profiles of gender identity and role behavior as well as sexual orientation. In this review, I summarize the results of numerous correlative as well as mechanistic animal experiments that shed significant light on general neuroendocrine mechanisms controlling the differentiation of neural circuits controlling sexual partner preference (sexual orientation) in mammalian species including man. I also argue, however, that results of animal studies can, at best, provide only indirect insights into the neuroendocrine determinants of human gender identity and role behaviors.
Address Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Sreet, Boston, MA 02215, USA. baum@bu.edu
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language (up) English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0018-506X ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16876166 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4190
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Author Andrew, R.J.
Title Changes in visual responsiveness following intercollicular lesions and their effects on avoidance and attack Type Journal Article
Year 1974 Publication Brain, Behavior and Evolution Abbreviated Journal Brain Behav Evol
Volume 10 Issue 4-5 Pages 400-424
Keywords Animals; Chickens; Humans; Male; Mutism; Superior Colliculi/*physiology; Tectum Mesencephali; Testosterone; Visual Fields; Vocalization, Animal
Abstract In the normal chick, conspicuous visual stimuli induce targetting and pecking together, with vocalization. All three are abolished by lesion of the intercollicular area (ICo) or of connections passing through its medial margin. After such lesions, chicks also cease to treat significant visual stimuli as if they were startling and exciting, and may delay response as a result. However, they are still able to recognise, orient accurately to, and respond appropriately to, a variety of complex visual stimuli (e.g. food grains, copulation object). In addition, they are little affected by strange surroundings. Lesion evidence suggests the mammalian subcollicular area to have similar functions to the ICo and to be homologous with it. A route (present in bird), which is well-known in mammals for its association with threat, defense and escape evoked by strange and frightening objects (amygdala-diencephalic periventricular system-central mesencephalic grey, A-DPS-CMG) is stimuli via the 2 ICo (subcollicular area). Two different mechanisms may be involved caudal to the ICo. One consists of tectal afferents which might modulate the evocation of targetting, pecking and other responses via the tectum. The other is the predorsal system of tectal efferents which may mediate such responses. Classical syndromes of tameness and unresponsiveness produced by various interruptions of the A-DPS-CMG route may depend on interruption of connections to these midbrain mechanisms. Attack is depressed by ICo lesions as one aspect of reduced responsiveness to conspicuous and startling visual stimuli. Avoidance, which is apparently mediated by a separate system, much as in Anura, is facilitated.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language (up) English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0006-8977 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:1169102 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4626
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