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Mace, G. M., Harvey, P. H., & Clutton-Brock, T. H. (1981). Brain size and ecology in small mammals. J Zool, 193(3), 333–354.
Abstract: Relative brain size (measured as gross brain size after body size effects are removed) differs systematically between families of rodents, insectivores and lagomorphs. The Sciuridae have the largest relative brain size, the Soricidae and Bathyergidae the smallest. These results are discussed and compared with previous analyses of relative brain sizes among primates and bats. These differences complicate comparisons between relative brain size across phylogenetically diverse species and attempts to relate differences in relative brain size to ecological variables. To overcome these problems, best fit relationships were estimated for each family, and values for each genus were expressed as deviations from the lines of best fit. We refer to these values as Comparative Brain Size (CBS). Differences in CBS are related to differences in habitat type (forest-dwelling genera have larger CBS' than grassland forms), in diet (folivores have smaller CBS' than generalists or insectivores, frugivores and granivores), in zonation (arboreal genera have larger CBS' than terrestrial ones) and in activity timing (nocturnal genera have larger CBS' than dirurnal ones). However, these ecological categories are interrelated and, when the effects of other ecological differences are taken into account using analyses of variance, only the differences associated with diet, and possibly habitat remain.
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Bruns, E. (1981). Estimation of the breeding value of stallions from the tournament performance of their offspring. Livestock Production Science, 8(5), 465–473.
Abstract: Data from horse-riding competitions recorded in Germany in 1976 and 1977 have been analysed to estimate genetic parameters for performance traits of riding horses measured in dressage, jumping competitions and trials. The performance traits analysed were logarithmic earnings per start, relative place number, and place value. The results are the following. 1. (1) Heritability and repeatability estimates for performance in dressage shows are 0.2 and 0.4 respectively. Corresponding estimates for performance in jumping competitions are 20% less. No genetic differences are found between stallions for performance in trials.2. (2) A selection index for estimating the breeding value of stallions was constructed by using the repeated performances of their offspring in dressage and jumping shows. For this purpose, performance data for at least ten progeny should be available. The correlation between the breeding values estimated from the dressage and jumping performances of the same stallions was approximately zero.3. (3) Reliable progeny-testing requires that the assumptions of mating stallions at random, selecting progeny randomly, and distributing them equally across environmental effects be fulfilled.4. (4) The genetic use of breeding values of stallions estimated from the performance of their progeny is opposed by the prolongation of the generation interval. This can be partly overcome by sampling young stallions and making use of the test results for young progeny only.
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Axelrod, R., & Hamilton, W. D. (1981). The evolution of cooperation. Science, 211(4489), 1390–1396.
Abstract: Cooperation in organisms, whether bacteria or primates, has been a difficulty for evolutionary theory since Darwin. On the assumption that interactions between pairs of individuals occur on a probabilistic basis, a model is developed based on the concept of an evolutionarily stable strategy in the context of the Prisoner's Dilemma game. Deductions from the model, and the results of a computer tournament show how cooperation based on reciprocity can get started in an asocial world, can thrive while interacting with a wide range of other strategies, and can resist invasion once fully established. Potential applications include specific aspects of territoriality, mating, and disease.
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Henning, J. M., & Zentall, T. R. (1981). Imitation, social facilitation, and the effects of ACTH 4-10 on rats' bar-pressing behavior. Am J Psychol, 94(1), 125–134.
Abstract: The effects of ACTH 4-10 on rats' imitation learning was examined during the acquisition and extinction of a bar-press response for water reinforcement. Rats were exposed to either a bar-pressing conspecific (OB), an experimentally naive conspecific (ON), or an empty box (OE) during bar-press acquisition. In a factorial design, each rat was then exposed to one of the same three conditions during extinction. An 80 mcg dose of ACTH 4-10 was administered to half of the rats in each group prior to observation. Performance differences during acquisition were generally small, but significant performance differences during extinction were found. Social facilitation was indicated by the finding that rats extinguished in the presence of a conspecific exhibited significantly greater resistance to extinction than rats extinguished in the presence of an empty box. An imitation effect was also found. Rats that observed a bar-pressing conspecific during both acquisition and extinction (group OB-OB) showed significantly greater resistance top extinction than did groups OB-ON, CB-OE, or OE-OE. There were no significant effects of the hormone, however, relative to saline controls.
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R. A. J. Taylor. (1981). The Behavioural Basis of Redistribution I. The Delta -Model Concept. T. J. Anim. Ecol., 50(2), 573–586.
Abstract: (1) A conceptual model is developed in which spatial behaviour is density-dependent. The behaviour is classified as congregatory or migratory according to whether it results in movement towards or away from population concentrations. (2) Spatial behaviour is shown to result from both individual and population interactions. (3) The stability properties of the model are explored and it is shown how, under particular conditions, populations obeying the model have a population density regulating mechanism. (4) The similarity between the model and the potential energy curve of physics is noted, but it is emphasized that this is a behavioural not a physical model.
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Beaver, B. V. (1981). Problems & values associated with dominance. Vet Med Small Anim Clin, 76(8), 1129–1131.
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Miller, R. (1981). Male aggression, dominance and breeding behaviour in Red Desert feral horses. Z. Tierpsychol., 57, 340–201.
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