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Author Bolhuis, J.
Title (up) Function and mechanism in neuroecology: looking for clues Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Animal Biology (formerly Netherlands Journal of Zoology) Abbreviated Journal
Volume 55 Issue 4 Pages 457-490
Keywords
Abstract The four questions that Niko Tinbergen identified for behavioural biology ? evolution, function, development and causation ? are all important and should be studied in their own right. Recently, there has been a debate as to whether these four questions should be investigated separately or whether they should be integrated. Integration of the four questions has been attempted in novel research disciplines such as cognitive ecology, evolutionary psychology and neuroecology. Euan Macphail and I have criticised these integrative approaches, suggesting that they are fundamentally flawed as they confound function and mechanism. Investigating the function or evolutionary history of a behaviour or cognitive system is important and entirely legitimate. However, such investigations cannot provide us with answers to questions about the mechanisms underlying behaviour or cognition. At most, functional or evolutionary considerations can provide clues that may be useful for a causal analysis of the underlying mechanisms. However, these clues can be misleading and are often wrong, as is illustrated with examples from song learning and food storing in birds. After summarising the main issues in the neuroecology debate, I discuss some misunderstandings that were apparent in the responses to our critique, as well as some recent relevant data. Recent results do not support the neuroecological approach. Finally, I suggest that the way forward is a cautious and critical use of functional and evolutionary clues in the study of the mechanisms of behaviour.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3396
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Author Briefer, E.F.; Haque, S.; Baciadonna, L.; McElligott, A.G.
Title (up) Goats excel at learning and remembering a highly novel cognitive task Type Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication Frontiers in Zoology Abbreviated Journal Front. Zool.
Volume 11 Issue 1 Pages 20
Keywords
Abstract The computational demands of sociality (maintaining group cohesion, reducing conflict) and ecological problems (extractive foraging, memorizing resource locations) are the main drivers proposed to explain the evolution cognition. Different predictions follow, about whether animals would preferentially learn new tasks socially or not, but the prevalent view today is that intelligent species should excel at social learning. However, the predictions were originally used to explain primate cognition, and studies of species with relatively smaller brains are rare. By contrast, domestication has often led to a decrease in brain size, which could affect cognition. In domestic animals, the relaxed selection pressures compared to a wild environment could have led to reduced social and physical cognition. Goats possess several features commonly associated with advanced cognition, such as successful colonization of new environments and complex fission-fusion societies. Here, we assessed goat social and physical cognition as well as long-term memory of a complex two-step foraging task (food box cognitive challenge), in order to investigate some of the main selection pressures thought to affect the evolution of ungulate cognition.
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ISSN 1742-9994 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Briefer2014 Serial 6376
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Author Reader, S.M.
Title (up) Innovation and social learning: individual variation and brain evolution Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Animal Biology (formerly Netherlands Journal of Zoology) Abbreviated Journal Anim. Biol. Leiden.
Volume 53 Issue 2 Pages 147-158
Keywords
Abstract This paper reviews behavioural, neurological and cognitive correlates of innovation at the individual, population and species level, focusing on birds and primates. Innovation, new or modified learned behaviour not previously found in the population, is the first stage in many instances of cultural transmission and may play an important role in the lives of animals with generalist or opportunistic lifestyles. Within-species, innovation is associated with low neophobia, high neophilia, and with high social learning propensities. Indices of innovatory propensities can be calculated for taxonomic groups by counting the frequency of reports of innovation in published literature. These innovation rate data provide a useful comparative measure for studies of behavioural flexibility and cognition. Innovation rate is positively correlated with the relative size of association areas in the brain, namely the hyperstriatum ventrale and neostriatum in birds, and the neocortex and striatum in primates. Innovation rate is also positively correlated with the reported variety of tool use, as well as interspecific differences in learning. Current evidence thus suggests similar patterns of cognitive evolution in primates and birds.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3395
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Author Peterson R.O.; Jacobs A.K.; Drummer T.D.; Mech L.D.; Smith D.W.
Title (up) Leadership behavior in relation to dominance and reproductive status in gray wolves, Canis lupus Type Journal Article
Year 2002 Publication Canadian Journal of Zoology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 80 Issue Pages 1405-1412
Keywords
Abstract We analyzed the leadership behavior of breeding and nonbreeding gray wolves (Canis lupus) in three packs during winter in 1997-1999. Scent-marking, frontal leadership (time and frequency in the lead while traveling), initiation of activity, and nonfrontal leadership were recorded during 499 h of ground-based observations in Yellowstone National Park. All observed scent-marking (N = 158) was done by breeding wolves, primarily dominant individuals. Dominant breeding pairs provided most leadership, consistent with a trend in social mammals for leadership to correlate with dominance. Dominant breeding wolves led traveling packs during 64% of recorded behavior bouts (N = 591) and 71% of observed travel time (N = 64 h). During travel, breeding males and females led packs approximately equally, which probably reflects high parental investment by both breeding male and female wolves. Newly initiated behaviors (N = 104) were prompted almost 3 times more often by dominant breeders (70%) than by nonbreeders (25%). Dominant breeding females initiated pack activities almost 4 times more often than subordinate breeding females (30 vs. 8 times). Although one subordinate breeding female led more often than individual nonbreeders in one pack in one season, more commonly this was not the case. In 12 cases breeding wolves exhibited nonfrontal leadership. Among subordinate wolves, leadership behavior was observed in subordinate breeding females and other individuals just prior to their dispersal from natal packs. Subordinate wolves were more often found leading packs that were large and contained many subordinate adults.

Nous avons analysé le comportement de commandement chez des loups gris (Canis lupus) reproducteurs et non reproducteurs appartenant à  trois meutes durant les hivers de 1997-1999. Le marquage d'odeurs, la position en tête de meute (la durée et la fréquence au cours des déplacements), l'initiation des activités et la prise de décisions ailleurs qu'en tête du groupe ont été notés pendant 499 h d'observations au sol dans le Parc national de Yellowstone. Tous les marquages (N = 158) ont été faits par des loups reproducteurs, surtout des individus dominants. Ce sont surtout les couples dominants qui assurent le commandement, en accord avec une tendance chez les mammifères sociaux chez lesquels la fonction de chef est en corrélation avec la dominance. Les loups reproducteurs dominants ont conduit les meutes en déplacement pendant 64 % (N = 591) des épisodes de comportement et pendant 71 % des épisodes de déplacement (N = 64 h). Les mâles et les femelles reproducteurs ont dirigé les meutes en déplacement à peu près également, ce qui reflète probablement l'investissement parental important aussi bien de la part des reproducteurs mâles que des femelles. Les comportements nouveaux (N = 104) ont été adoptés presque trois fois plus souvent par des reproducteurs dominants (70 %) que par des individus non reproducteurs (25 %). Des femelles reproductrices dominantes ont été instigatrices des activités de leur meute environ quatre fois plus souvent que les femelles reproductrices subordonnées (30 vs. 8 fois). Bien qu'une femelle reproductrice subordonnée ait pris la direction de sa meute plus souvent que les individus non reproducteurs au cours d'une saison, cela n'est pas habituel. Dans 12 cas, des loups reproducteurs ont pris la direction de leur meute sans être en tête. Chez les individus subordonnés, le comportement de commandement a été observé chez des femelles reproductrices et chez d'autres individus juste avant qu'ils ne quittent leur meute d'origine au moment de la dispersion. Les loups subordonnés mènent surtout de grands troupeaux qui comptent beaucoup d'individus subordonnés.[Traduit par la Rédaction]
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4700
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Author Chase, I.D.
Title (up) Music notation: a new method for visualizing social interaction in animals and humans Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Frontiers in zoology Abbreviated Journal Front Zool
Volume 3 Issue Pages 18
Keywords
Abstract ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Researchers have developed a variety of techniques for the visual presentation of quantitative data. These techniques can help to reveal trends and regularities that would be difficult to see if the data were left in raw form. Such techniques can be of great help in exploratory data analysis, making apparent the organization of data sets, developing new hypotheses, and in selecting effects to be tested by statistical analysis. Researchers studying social interaction in groups of animals and humans, however, have few tools to present their raw data visually, and it can be especially difficult to perceive patterns in these data. In this paper I introduce a new graphical method for the visual display of interaction records in human and animal groups, and I illustrate this method using data taken on chickens forming dominance hierarchies. RESULTS: This new method presents data in a way that can help researchers immediately to see patterns and connections in long, detailed records of interaction. I show a variety of ways in which this new technique can be used: (1) to explore trends in the formation of both group social structures and individual relationships; (2) to compare interaction records across groups of real animals and between real animals and computer-simulated animal interactions; (3) to search for and discover new types of small-scale interaction sequences; and (4) to examine how interaction patterns in larger groups might emerge from those in component subgroups. In addition, I discuss how this method can be modified and extended for visualizing a variety of different kinds of social interaction in both humans and animals. CONCLUSION: This method can help researchers develop new insights into the structure and organization of social interaction. Such insights can make it easier for researchers to explain behavioural processes, to select aspects of data for statistical analysis, to design further studies, and to formulate appropriate mathematical models and computer simulations.
Address Department of Sociology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-4345, USA. ichase@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
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ISSN 1742-9994 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:17112384 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 751
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Author GONÇALVES DA SILVA, A.; CAMPOS-ARCEIZ, A.; ZAVADA, M.S.
Title (up) On tapir ecology, evolution and conservation: what we know and future perspectives–part II Type Journal Article
Year 2013 Publication Integrative Zoology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 1-3
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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 1749-4877 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6141
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Author de Villiers, M.S.; Richardson, P.R.K.; van Jaarsveld, A.S.
Title (up) Patterns of coalition formation and spatial association in a social carnivore, the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Journal of Zoology Abbreviated Journal J Zool
Volume 260 Issue 4 Pages 377-389
Keywords coalitions; social systems; Carnivora; Lycaon pictus
Abstract In many social species, relationships within groups seem to be non-random but related to variables such as rank, kinship or sexual attractiveness. The endangered African wild dog Lycaon pictus is a social carnivore that lives in large, stable packs, and intra-pack associations might be expected to display similar patterns. We investigated patterns of coalition formation (support during dominance interactions, and partnership interactions) and resting associations between members of a captive pack of 19 wild dogs. The social organization of the captive pack was similar to that of free-ranging packs in many respects. Polyadic (group) incidents of coalition support were also observed in a free-ranging pack. Patterns of coalition formation in the captive pack were related to rank. Most aggressive interactions involved high-ranking individuals (particularly the alpha, beta and third-ranking males) and coalitionary support tended to reinforce the existing hierarchy. However, there was at least one example of support influencing a successful rank challenge. Support was affected by potential risks and benefits, the latter including dominance through association and revolutionary alliances. An even stronger pattern overlaid associations between pack members: coalitions and resting associations were strongest between members of the same age–sex cohort, and may have enabled the eventual dominance of younger pack members over adults. Among adults, coalitionary associations were sometimes overridden by intersexual relationships. The results from this captive pack suggest that wild dogs are sensitive to differences in competitive ability. This information, in conjunction with strong affiliative bonds between littermates, is used to manoeuvre for position in the social hierarchy. It may also be important during dispersal, in encounters with other dispersing groups of the same sex. Although most features of the social structure of the captive pack were comparable to those of free-ranging packs, aspects such as the influence of relatedness on coalition formation still need to be explored.
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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 1469-7998 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5249
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Author Briefer, E.F.; Mandel, R.; Maigrot, A.-L.; Briefer Freymond, S.; Bachmann, I.; Hillmann, E.
Title (up) Perception of emotional valence in horse whinnies Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Frontiers in Zoology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 14 Issue 1 Pages 8
Keywords
Abstract Non-human animals often produce different types of vocalisations in negative and positive contexts (i.e. different valence), similar to humans, in which crying is associated with negative emotions and laughter is associated with positive ones. However, some types of vocalisations (e.g. contact calls, human speech) can be produced in both negative and positive contexts, and changes in valence are only accompanied by slight structural differences. Although such acoustically graded signals associated with opposite valence have been highlighted in some species, it is not known if conspecifics discriminate them, and if contagion of emotional valence occurs as a result. We tested whether domestic horses perceive, and are affected by, the emotional valence of whinnies produced by both familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics. We measured physiological and behavioural reactions to whinnies recorded during emotionally negative (social separation) and positive (social reunion) situations.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Briefer2017 Serial 6049
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Author Clutton-Brock, T.H.; Harvey, P.H.
Title (up) Primates, brains and ecology Type Journal Article
Year 1980 Publication Journal of Zoology Abbreviated Journal J. Zool. Lond.
Volume 190 Issue 3 Pages 309-323
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Abstract The paper examines systematic relationships among primates between brain size (relative to body size) and differences in ecology and social system. Marked differences in relative brain size exist between families. These are correlated with inter-family differences in body size and home range size. Variation in comparative brain size within families is related to diet (folivores have comparatively smaller brains than frugivores), home range size and possibly also to breeding system. The adaptive significance of these relationships is discussed.
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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 1469-7998 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5451
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Author King, S.R.B.; Gurnell, J.
Title (up) Scent-marking behaviour by stallions: an assessment of function in a reintroduced population of Przewalski horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Journal of Zoology Abbreviated Journal J Zool
Volume 272 Issue 1 Pages 30-36
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Abstract Abstract Scent marking is a common form of intraspecific communication in mammal species, and using faeces or urine is a cost-effective way of signalling competitive ability and resource holding power. Marking is ritually performed by male equids, and here we assess the function of male scent-marking behaviour in a recently introduced population of Przewalski horses Equus ferus przewalskii in Mongolia. Two forms of scent marking were observed: defecation on stud piles formed from repeated dunging in the same place, and overmarking of faeces and urine of mares. Stud piles were marked with dung by the harem holder and sniffed before and after dung was deposited. They were not found specifically at the periphery of harem ranges but occurred for the most part along routes used by the horses, and were more common in the core parts of harem ranges or where harem ranges overlapped. Thus, rather than being used to defend range boundaries, stud piles were placed predominantly where they would be encountered by male intruders. Mare excreta were covered with urine by the stallion, but were only sniffed before they were marked, not after. These marks appear to advertise to the mare and other, intruding stallions that the harem holder was the mare's consort and that the interloper should not risk trying to steal the mare or sneak a mating. Thus, the two forms of marking by harem holders appear to combine as first and second lines of defence of paternity rights in male intrasexual competition.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ King2007 Serial 2315
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