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Author Meyer, S.; Nürnberg, G.; Puppe, B.; Langbein, J.
Title The cognitive capabilities of farm animals: categorisation learning in dwarf goats (Capra hircus) Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal Anim. Cogn.
Volume (up) 15 Issue 4 Pages 567-576
Keywords Biomedizin & Life Sciences
Abstract The ability to establish categories enables organisms to classify stimuli, objects and events by assessing perceptual, associative or rational similarities and provides the basis for higher cognitive processing. The cognitive capabilities of farm animals are receiving increasing attention in applied ethology, a development driven primarily by scientifically based efforts to improve animal welfare. The present study investigated the learning of perceptual categories in Nigerian dwarf goats ( Capra hircus ) by using an automated learning device installed in the animals’ pen. Thirteen group-housed goats were trained in a closed-economy approach to discriminate artificial two-dimensional symbols presented in a four-choice design. The symbols belonged to two categories: category I, black symbols with an open centre (rewarded) and category II, the same symbols but filled black (unrewarded). One symbol from category I and three different symbols from category II were used to define a discrimination problem. After the training of eight problems, the animals were presented with a transfer series containing the training problems interspersed with completely new problems made from new symbols belonging to the same categories. The results clearly demonstrate that dwarf goats are able to form categories based on similarities in the visual appearance of artificial symbols and to generalise across new symbols. However, the goats had difficulties in discriminating specific symbols. It is probable that perceptual problems caused these difficulties. Nevertheless, the present study suggests that goats housed under farming conditions have well-developed cognitive abilities, including learning of open-ended categories. This result could prove beneficial by facilitating animals’ adaptation to housing environments that favour their cognitive capabilities.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer Berlin / Heidelberg Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1435-9448 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5615
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Author Ben-Shlomo, G.; Plummer, C.; Barrie, K.; Brooks, D.
Title Characterization of the normal dark adaptation curve of the horse Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Veterinary Ophthalmology Abbreviated Journal
Volume (up) 15 Issue 1 Pages 42-45
Keywords adaptation; curve; dark; electroretinography; equine; scotopic
Abstract Objective The goal of this work is to study the dark adaptation curve of the normal horse electroretinogram (ERG). Procedures The electroretinographic responses were recorded from six healthy female ponies using a contact lens electrode and a mini-Ganzfeld electroretinographic unit. The horses were sedated intravenously with detomidine, an auriculopalpebral nerve block was then performed, and the pupil was fully dilated. The ERG was recorded in response to a low intensity light stimulus (30 mcd.s/m2) that was given at times (T) T = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min of dark adaptation. Off-line analysis of the ERG was then performed. Results Mean b-wave amplitude of the full-field ERG increased continuously from 5 to 25 min of dark adaptation. The b-wave amplitude peaked at T = 25, however, there was no statistical significance between T = 20 and T = 25. The b-wave amplitude then remained elevated with no significant changes until the end of the study at T = 60 (P > 0.49). The b-wave implicit time increased continuously between T = 5 and T = 20, then gradually decreased until T = 60. No distinct a-wave was observed during the testing time. Conclusions Evaluation of horse rod function or combined rod/cone function by means of full-field ERG should be performed after a minimum 20 min of dark adaptation.
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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 1463-5224 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5626
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Author Lampe, J.F.; Andre, J.
Title Cross-modal recognition of human individuals in domestic horses (Equus caballus) Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Abbreviated Journal Animal Cognition
Volume (up) 15 Issue 4 Pages 623-630
Keywords Cross-modal; Recognition of humans; Horse; Equus caballus; Human–horse interaction; Animal cognition; Visual recognition; Auditory recognition; Voice discrimination; Interspecific
Abstract This study has shown that domestic horses are capable of cross-modal recognition of familiar humans. It was demonstrated that horses are able to discriminate between the voices of a familiar and an unfamiliar human without seeing or smelling them at the same moment. Conversely, they were able to discriminate the same persons when only exposed to their visual and olfactory cues, without being stimulated by their voices. A cross-modal expectancy violation setup was employed; subjects were exposed both to trials with incongruent auditory and visual/olfactory identity cues and trials with congruent cues. It was found that subjects responded more quickly, longer and more often in incongruent trials, exhibiting heightened interest in unmatched cues of identity. This suggests that the equine brain is able to integrate multisensory identity cues from a familiar human into a person representation that allows the brain, when deprived of one or two senses, to maintain recognition of this person.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer-Verlag Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1435-9448 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5698
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Author Range, F.; Möslinger, H.; Virányi, Z.
Title Domestication has not affected the understanding of means-end connections in dogs Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Anim Cogn Abbreviated Journal
Volume (up) 15 Issue Pages
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Range2012 Serial 6322
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Author Van Schaik, C.P.; Isler, K.; Burkart, J.M.
Title Explaining brain size variation: from social to cultural brain Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Trends Ecol Evol Abbreviated Journal
Volume (up) 16 Issue Pages
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Van Schaik2012 Serial 6304
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Author Palme, R.
Title Monitoring stress hormone metabolites as a useful, non-invasive tool for welfare assessment in farm animals Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Animal Welfare Abbreviated Journal
Volume (up) 21 Issue 3 Pages 331-337
Keywords animal welfare, corticosterone, cortisol, faeces, farm animals, stress
Abstract A multitude of endocrine mechanisms are involved in coping with challenges. Glucocorticoids, secreted by the adrenal glands, are in the front line of the battle to overcome stressful situations. They are usually measured in plasma samples as parameters of adrenal activity and thus of disturbance. Unfortunately, collecting blood samples itself can disturb an animal. Thus, non-invasive methods for the determination of glucocorticoids or their metabolites have become increasingly popular. The pros and cons of various non-invasive sample materials (saliva, excreta, milk, hair/feathers and eggs) for glucocorticoid determination are given. Above all, faecal samples offer the

advantage that they can be collected easily. In faecal samples, circulating hormone levels are integrated over a certain period of time and represent the cumulative secretion of hormones. Thus, the levels are less affected by short fluctuations or the pulse-like nature of hormone secretion. However, using this technique to assess an animal’s adrenocortical activity is not especially simple. Whether frequent sampling is necessary or single samples will suffice depends upon the study’s aim (whether one is examining the impact of acute or chronic stressors). Background knowledge of the metabolism and excretion of cortisol/corticosterone metabolites is required and a careful validation for each species and sex investigated is obligatory. The present review also addresses analytical issues regarding sample storage, extraction procedures and immunoassays and includes a comprehensive list of published studies (up to 2011) describing the use of such methods in farmed animals. Applied properly, non-invasive techniques to monitor glucocorticoid metabolites in faecal samples of various species are a useful tool for welfare assessment, especially as they are easily applied at farm or group level.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0962-7286 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5793
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Author Passilongo, D.; Dessi-Fulgheri, F.; Gazzola, A.; Zaccaroni, M.; Apollonio, M.
Title Wolf counting and individual acoustic discrimination by spectrographic analysis [Abstract] Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Bioacoustics Abbreviated Journal
Volume (up) 21 Issue Pages
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Passilongo2012 Serial 6467
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Author Blanco, J.C.; Yolanda, C.
Title Surveying wolves without snow: a critical review of the methods used in Spain. Hystrix Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Ital J Mammal Abbreviated Journal
Volume (up) 23 Issue Pages
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Blanco2012 Serial 6460
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Author Zaccaroni, M.; Passilongo, D.; Buccianti, A.; Dessi-Fulgheri, F.; Facchini, C.; Gazzola, A.
Title Group specific vocal signature in free- ranging wolf packs Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Ethol Ecol Evol Abbreviated Journal
Volume (up) 24 Issue Pages
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Zaccaroni2012 Serial 6470
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Author Selby, A.; Smith-Osborne, A.
Title A Systematic Review of Effectiveness of Complementary and Adjunct Therapies and Interventions Involving Equines Type Book Whole
Year 2012 Publication Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association Abbreviated Journal
Volume (up) 32 Issue Pages
Keywords
Abstract Objective: This systematic review examines the empirical literature in an emerging body of evidence for the effectiveness of biopsychosocial interventions involving equines across populations with chronic illness or health challenges. Method: Selected quantitative studies published in peer-reviewed journals were reviewed for inclusion; the gray literature and white papers were also explored. Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) criteria and Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) were applied to all studies. Fourteen full reports meeting a priori inclusion criteria were extracted from 103 studies accessed through 16 electronic databases and a hand search. Data were synthesized in relation to three research questions informing evidence-based practice. Results: No randomized clinical trials were located. Two studies provided a moderate level of evidence for effectiveness. Nine studies demonstrated statistically significant positive effects. Three studies did not find significant psychosocial effects for the target group, although one found significant positive effects for the comparison group. Conclusion: In the aggregate, the evidence is promising in support of the effectiveness of complementary and adjunct interventions employing equines in the treatment of health challenges. Future studies are needed that utilize rigorous and creative designs, especially longitudinal studies and comparisons with established effective treatments.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6186
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