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Author Dall, S.R.X.; Giraldeau, L.-A.; Olsson, O.; McNamara, J.M.; Stephens, D.W.
Title Information and its use by animals in evolutionary ecology Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Trends in Ecology & Evolution (Personal Edition) Abbreviated Journal Trends Ecol Evol
Volume (down) 20 Issue 4 Pages 187-193
Keywords
Abstract Information is a crucial currency for animals from both a behavioural and evolutionary perspective. Adaptive behaviour relies upon accurate estimation of relevant ecological parameters; the better informed an individual, the better it can develop and adjust its behaviour to meet the demands of a variable world. Here, we focus on the burgeoning interest in the impact of ecological uncertainty on adaptation, and the means by which it can be reduced by gathering information, from both 'passive' and 'responsive' sources. Our overview demonstrates the value of adopting an explicitly informational approach, and highlights the components that one needs to develop useful approaches to studying information use by animals. We propose a quantitative framework, based on statistical decision theory, for analysing animal information use in evolutionary ecology. Our purpose is to promote an integrative approach to studying information use by animals, which is itself integral to adaptive animal behaviour and organismal biology.
Address Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter in Cornwall, Tremough Campus, Penryn, UK, TR10 9EZ. sashadall@iname.com
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0169-5347 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16701367 Approved no
Call Number Serial 2128
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Author Conradt, L.; Roper, T.J.
Title Consensus decision making in animals Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Trends in Ecology & Evolution (Personal Edition) Abbreviated Journal Trends Ecol Evol
Volume (down) 20 Issue 8 Pages 449-456
Keywords
Abstract Individual animals routinely face decisions that are crucial to their fitness. In social species, however, many of these decisions need to be made jointly with other group members because the group will split apart unless a consensus is reached. Here, we review empirical and theoretical studies of consensus decision making, and place them in a coherent framework. In particular, we classify consensus decisions according to the degree to which they involve conflict of interest between group members, and whether they involve either local or global communication; we ask, for different categories of consensus decision, who makes the decision, what are the underlying mechanisms, and what are the functional consequences. We conclude that consensus decision making is common in non-human animals, and that cooperation between group members in the decision-making process is likely to be the norm, even when the decision involves significant conflict of interest.
Address Department of Biology and Environmental Science, John Maynard Smith Building, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK, BN1 9QG. L.Conradt@sussex.ac.uk
Corporate Author Thesis
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0169-5347 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16701416 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4802
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Author Traversa, D.; Otranto, D.; Iorio, R.; Giangaspero, A.
Title Molecular characterization of Thelazia lacrymalis (Nematoda, Spirurida) affecting equids: a tool for vector identification Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Molecular and Cellular Probes Abbreviated Journal Mol Cell Probes
Volume (down) 19 Issue 4 Pages 245-249
Keywords Animals; Horse Diseases/parasitology; Horses/*parasitology; Insect Vectors/*parasitology; Muscidae/*parasitology; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Spirurida Infections/parasitology/veterinary; Thelazioidea/chemistry/*genetics
Abstract Equine thelaziosis caused by the eyeworm Thelazia lacrymalis is a parasitic disease transmitted by muscid flies. Although equine thelaziosis is known to have worldwide distribution, information on the epidemiology and presence of the intermediate hosts of T. lacrymalis is lacking. In the present work, a PCR-RFLP based assay on the first and/or second internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) of ribosomal DNA was developed for the detection of T. lacrymalis DNA in its putative vector(s). The sensitivity of the technique was also assessed. The restriction patterns obtained readily differentiated T. lacrymalis from four species of Musca (Diptera, Muscidae) (i.e. Musca autumnalis, Musca domestica, Musca larvipara and Musca osiris), which are potential vectors of equine eyeworms. The molecular assay presented herein is a useful tool to identify the intermediate host(s) of T. lacrymalis in natural conditions and to study its/their ecology and epidemiology.
Address Department of Biomedical Comparative Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piazza Aldo Moro 45, 64100 Teramo, Italy. dtraversa@unite.it
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0890-8508 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16038792 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2626
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Author Bauer, G.B.
Title Research Training for Releasable Animals Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Conservation Biology Abbreviated Journal
Volume (down) 19 Issue Pages 1779-1789
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Address
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Notes Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 3507
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Author Nicol, C.J.; Adachi, M.; Akiyama, T.E.; Gonzalez, F.J.
Title PPARgamma in endothelial cells influences high fat diet-induced hypertension Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication American journal of hypertension : journal of the American Society of Hypertension Abbreviated Journal Am J Hypertens
Volume (down) 18 Issue 4 Pt 1 Pages 549-556
Keywords Administration, Oral; Animals; Antihypertensive Agents/pharmacology; Blood Pressure/drug effects; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/physiopathology; Dietary Fats/*administration & dosage/pharmacology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelial Cells/*metabolism; Female; Heart Rate/drug effects; Hypertension/*etiology; Ligands; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; PPAR gamma/*metabolism; Sodium Chloride/administration & dosage/pharmacology; Thiazolidinediones/pharmacology
Abstract BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ligands improve human hypertension. However, the mechanism and site of this effect remains unknown, confounded by PPARgamma expression in many cell types, including endothelial cells (ECs). METHODS: To evaluate the vascular role of PPARgamma we used a conditional null mouse model. Specific disruption of PPARgamma in ECs was created by crossing Tie2-Cre+ transgenic (T2T+) and PPARgamma-floxed (fl/fl) mice to generate PPARgamma (fl/fl)T2T+ (PPARgamma E-null) mice. Conscious 8- to 12-week-old congenic PPARgamma (fl/fl)Cre- (wild type) and PPARgamma E-null mice were examined for changes in systolic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), untreated, after 2 months of salt-loading (drinking water), and after treatment for 3 months with high fat (HF) diet alone or supplemented during the last 2 weeks with rosiglitazone (3 mg/kg/d). RESULTS: Untreated PPARgamma E-nulls were phenotypically indistinguishable from wild-type littermates. However, compared to similarly treated wild types, HF-treated PPARgamma E-nulls had significantly elevated systolic BP not seen after normal diet or salt-loading. Despite sex-dependent baseline differences, salt-loaded and HF-treated PPARgamma E-nulls of either sex had significantly elevated HR versus wild types. Interestingly, rosiglitazone improved serum insulin levels, but not HF diet-induced hypertension, in PPARgamma E-null mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PPARgamma in ECs not only is an important regulator of hypertension and HR under stressed conditions mimicking those arising in type 2 diabetics, but also mediates the antihypertensive effects of rosiglitazone. These data add evidence supporting a beneficial role for PPARgamma-specific ligands in the treatment of hypertension, and suggest therapeutic strategies targeting ECs may prove useful.
Address Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
Corporate Author Thesis
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0895-7061 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15831367 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 69
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Author Carruthers, P.
Title Why the question of animal consciousness might not matter very much Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Philosophical Psychology Abbreviated Journal
Volume (down) 18 Issue Pages 83-102
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Notes Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 3510
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Author Cant, M.A.; Field, J.
Title Helping effort in a dominance hierarchy Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Behavioral Ecology Abbreviated Journal Behav. Ecol.
Volume (down) 16 Issue 4 Pages 708-715
Keywords
Abstract In many cooperatively breeding species, group members form a dominance hierarchy or queue to inherit the position of breeder. Models aimed at understanding individual variation in helping behavior, however, rarely take into account the effect of dominance rank on expected future reproductive success and thus the potential direct fitness costs of helping. Here we develop a kin-selection model of helping behavior in multimember groups in which only the highest ranking individual breeds. Each group member can invest in the dominant's offspring at a cost to its own survivorship. The model predicts that lower ranked subordinates, who have a smaller probability of inheriting the group, should work harder than higher ranked subordinates. This prediction holds regardless of whether the intrinsic mortality rate of subordinates increases or decreases with rank. The prediction does not necessarily hold, however, where the costs of helping are higher for lower ranked individuals: a situation that may be common in vertebrates. The model makes two further testable predictions: that the helping effort of an individual of given rank should be lower in larger groups, and the reproductive success of dominants should be greater where group members are more closely related. Empirical evidence for these predictions is discussed. We argue that the effects of rank on stable helping effort may explain why attempts to correlate individual helping effort with relatedness in cooperatively breeding species have met with limited success.
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Notes 10.1093/beheco/ari051 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 760
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Author Vahl, W.K.; Lok, T.; van der Meer, J.; Piersma, T.; Weissing, F.J.
Title Spatial clumping of food and social dominance affect interference competition among ruddy turnstones Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Behavioral Ecology Abbreviated Journal Behav. Ecol.
Volume (down) 16 Issue 5 Pages 834-844
Keywords
Abstract In studying the success of foraging animals, studies of interference competition have put emphasis on effects of competitor density, whereas studies of resource defense have focused on the effects of the spatial distribution of food within patches. Very few studies have looked at both factors simultaneously, that is, determined whether the effects of competitor density on foraging success depend on the spatial distribution of food. We studied the behavior and the foraging success of ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres) using an experiment in which we varied both the presence of a competitor and the food distribution. Because turnstones may differ strongly in their relative dominance status, we also experimentally varied the foragers' relative dominance status. We found that the presence of a competitor only reduced the foraging success of subordinate birds foraging at the clumped food distribution. At this condition, dominant and subordinate birds differed markedly in their foraging success. Contrary to our expectations, we did not observe more agonistic behavior at the clumped food distribution. This indicates that the amount of agonistic behavior observed may be a bad indicator of interference effects. These findings have specific implications for models of interference competition. Most notably they show that the effects of competitor density on agonistic behavior and foraging success may well depend on the spatial distribution of food and the foragers' relative dominance status. Additionally, our results suggest that social dominance will not be fully understood without considering long-term processes such as the formation and maintenance of social dominance hierarchies.
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Notes 10.1093/beheco/ari067 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 761
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Author Papakostas, Y.G.; Daras, M.D.; Liappas, I.A.; Markianos, M.
Title Horse madness (hippomania) and hippophobia Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication History of Psychiatry Abbreviated Journal Hist Psychiatry
Volume (down) 16 Issue Pt 4 (no 64) Pages 467-471
Keywords Ancient Lands; Animals; Cattle; History, Ancient; Horse Diseases/*history; Horses; Humans; *Mythology
Abstract Anthropophagic horses have been described in classical mythology. From a current perspective, two such instances are worth mentioning and describing: Glaucus of Potniae, King of Efyra, and Diomedes, King of Thrace, who were both devoured by their horses. In both cases, the horses' extreme aggression and their subsequent anthropophagic behaviour were attributed to their madness (hippomania) induced by the custom of feeding them with flesh. The current problem of 'mad cow' disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) is apparently related to a similar feed pattern. Aggressive behaviour in horses can be triggered by both biological and psychological factors. In the cases cited here, it is rather unlikely that the former were the cause. On the other hand, the multiple abuses imposed on the horses, coupled with people's fantasies and largely unconscious fears (hippophobia), may possibly explain these mythological descriptions of 'horse-monsters'.
Address Athens University Medical School
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Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0957-154X ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16482685 Approved no
Call Number Serial 1876
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Author Krama, T. [1]; Krams, I. [2]
Title Cost of mobbing call to breeding pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Behavioral Ecology Abbreviated Journal Behav. Ecol.
Volume (down) 16 Issue Pages 37-40
Keywords ntipredator behavior, Ficedula hypoleuca, mobbing calls, mobbing costs, pied flycatcher.
Abstract Mobbing signals advertise the location of a stalking predator to all prey in an area and recruit them into the inspection aggregation. Such behavior usually causes the predator to move to another area. However, mobbing calls could be eavesdropped by other predators. Because the predation cost of mobbing calls is poorly known, we investigated whether the vocalizations of the mobbing pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca, a small hole nesting passerine, increase the risk of nest predation. We used mobbing calls of pied flycatchers to examine if they could lure predators such as the marten, Martes martes. This predator usually hunts by night and may locate its mobbing prey while resting nearby during the day. Within each of 56 experimental plots, from the top of one nest-box we played back mobbing sounds of pied flycatchers, whereas blank tapes were played from the top of another nest-box. The trials with mobbing calls were carried out before sunset. We put pieces of recently abandoned nests of pied flycatchers and a quail, Coturnix coturnix, egg into each of the nest-boxes. Nest-boxes with playbacks of mobbing calls were depredated by martens significantly more than were nest-boxes with blank tapes. The results of the present study indicate that repeated conspicuous mobbing calls may carry a significant cost for birds during the breeding season.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4092
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