Records |
Author |
Dreier, S.; van Zweden, J.S.; D'Ettorre, P. |
Title |
Long-term memory of individual identity in ant queens |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
2007 |
Publication |
Biology Letters |
Abbreviated Journal |
Biol Lett |
Volume |
3 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
459-462 |
Keywords |
Aggression; Animals; Ants/*physiology; Conditioning, Operant; Evolution; Female; *Memory; *Recognition (Psychology); Social Dominance |
Abstract |
Remembering individual identities is part of our own everyday social life. Surprisingly, this ability has recently been shown in two social insects. While paper wasps recognize each other individually through their facial markings, the ant, Pachycondyla villosa, uses chemical cues. In both species, individual recognition is adaptive since it facilitates the maintenance of stable dominance hierarchies among individuals, and thus reduces the cost of conflict within these small societies. Here, we investigated individual recognition in Pachycondyla ants by quantifying the level of aggression between pairs of familiar or unfamiliar queens over time. We show that unrelated founding queens of P. villosa and Pachycondyla inversa store information on the individual identity of other queens and can retrieve it from memory after 24h of separation. Thus, we have documented for the first time that long-term memory of individual identity is present and functional in ants. This novel finding represents an advance in our understanding of the mechanism determining the evolution of cooperation among unrelated individuals. |
Address |
Institute of Biology, Department of Population Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. sdreier@bi.ku.dk |
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1744-9561 |
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PMID:17594958 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4649 |
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Author |
Baragli,P.; Cozzi,A; Rugani, R.; Sighieria, C.; Regolin, L. |
Title |
Delayed search for non-social goals by Equids (Equus caballus and Equus asinus) |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
2008 |
Publication |
IESM 2008 |
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Pages |
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Keywords |
cognitive abilities, delayed-response, Equids, working memory. |
Abstract |
Delayed-responses have been traditionally employed to investigate the temporal characteristics of animals“ ability to represent and recall objects that have disappeared. In the typical condition, the animal, usually a mammal, observes the experimenter hiding an interesting goal (e.g. some food) in a certain location. A delayed-response task (DRT) was administered to 4 female Esperia pony (2 years old) coming from a free-range breed (Frosinone, Italy) and to 7 female Amiata donkeys (4.2±2 years old) coming from a conservation stock (University of Pisa, Italy). The DRT's apparatus was located in a square fence. A single ”U-shaped“ screen (330x160x140 cm) made by wood shavings blocks was positioned in the centre of the fence. A gap (40x50 cm) on the ground was in the middle of the central side of the U-shaped-screen and served to make the food-attractor disappear. The food-attractor consisted in cereal flakes and fresh grass for ponies and cereal flakes for donkeys. A bucket full of food was placed on a dolly tied on a rope which could be pulled by an experimenter. In a preliminary training each animal was allowed to eat food from the bucket and, while the animal was eating, the dolly was gently pulled away from the animal, and beyond the screen through the gap. The subjects needed to move around of the screen in order to retrieve the food. As a reinforcement, they were allowed to eat some food from the bucket once behind the screen. From trial to trial, the bucket was presented farther and farther (starting with a distance of 1 m in front of the screen to reach 7 m). Therefore subjects were tested in the DRT requiring them to rejoin the bucket with the goal-food disappearing behind the screen as in the preliminary training but following a 10 s delay. For the DRT, the bucket was placed 7 m in front of the screen, 3 m away from the animal's starting area. Then the dolly was pulled away from the animal. Ten seconds after the disappearance of the dolly behind the screen the animal was released from the starting area. The DRT ended when the subject had reached the attractor behind the screen on 3 consecutive trials. Results showed that all animals were able to rejoin the food behind the screen after 10 s delay. The mean time of the delayed-response (mean±sd, in s) in the ponies (1st: 19.8±8; 2nd: 10.8±2.2; 3rd: 12.8±2.8) and in the donkeys (1st: 28.4±10; 2nd: 26.9±13; 3rd: 24.3±16.6) showed a trend to decrease from first trial to third. These preliminary results suggest that like other mammals our ponies and donkeys can maintain a working memory trace of the location where biologically attractive objects have been seen to disappear. In conclusion, this study paves the way to set up a viable model system for the investigation of the more sophisticated aspects of Equids” cognitive abilities such as working memory. |
Address |
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2 – 56124, Pisa, Italy |
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Cozzi, A |
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IESM 2008 |
Notes |
Talk 15 min IESM 2008 |
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yes |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4475 |
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Author |
Brooks, C.J.; Harris, S. |
Title |
Directed movement and orientation across a large natural landscape by zebras, Equus burchelli antiquorum |
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Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
2008 |
Publication |
Animal Behaviour |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim. Behav. |
Volume |
76 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
277-285 |
Keywords |
correlated random walk; directed movement; Equus burchelli antiquorum; Gps; movement path; orientation; spatial memory; spatial scale; zebra |
Abstract |
We investigated how plains zebras moved across a large natural landscape by analysing the movement paths of nine zebra mares foraging out from spatially confined waterholes during the dry season in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana. Since it was essential to investigate directed movement over a range of spatial scales to determine the correct movement behaviour and strategy, we used Nams's scaling test for oriented movement. Zebras followed directed movement paths in the lower to medium spatial scales (10 m–3.7 km) and above their visual, and possibly olfactory, range. The spatial scale of directed movement suggests that zebras had a well-defined spatial awareness and cognitive ability. Seven zebras used directed movement paths, but the remaining two followed paths not significantly different to a correlated random walk (CRW). At large spatial scales (>3 km) no distinct movement pattern could be identified and paths could not be distinguished from a CRW. Foraging strategy affected the extent of directed movement: zebras with a confined dispersion of grazing patches around the central place directed their movements over a longer distance. Zebras may extend the distance at which they can direct their movement after improving their knowledge of the local environment. |
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0003-3472 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
6148 |
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Author |
Hanggi, E.B.; Ingersoll, J.F. |
Title |
Long-term memory for categories and concepts in horses (Equus caballus) |
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Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
2009 |
Publication |
Animal Cognition |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim. Cogn. |
Volume |
13 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
451-462 |
Keywords |
Horse – Long-term memory – Concept – Categorization – Discrimination – LCD display – Equine |
Abstract |
Three horses (Equus caballus) with a history of performing cognitive tasks including discrimination learning, categorization, and concept use were tested to evaluate their long-term memory (LTM) in three experiments. In addition, use of LCD multi-displays for stimulus presentation was incorporated into cognition testing protocol for the first time with horses. Experiment 1 tested LTM for discrimination learning that originally occurred 6 years earlier. Five sets of stimuli were used and the two horses tested showed no decrement in performance on four of the sets; however, both horses did score below chance on one set. Experiment 2 examined long-term categorization recall 10 years after horses had demonstrated the ability to make stimulus selections based on shared characteristics within a given category. The horse tested for LTM after the decade-long interval immediately and consistently applied the previously learned categorization rule to not only familiar but also novel sets of stimuli. Experiment 3 tested another horse for LTM for a relative size concept. This horse had originally demonstrated concept rule use in order to select stimuli based on their relative size to one another. More than 7 years later and without further training, this horse reliably applied the previously established size concept to both familiar and novel sets of stimuli. These findings are the first reports of long-term categorical and conceptual memory in horses and are consistent with observations of domestic and wild horses, which indicate that behavioral and ecological events may be remembered for long periods of time. These studies also demonstrate the adaptive nature of horses with regard to their ability to generalize over several different testing conditions. |
Address |
Equine Research Foundation, P.O. Box 1900, Aptos, CA, 95001, USA, EquiResF@aol.com |
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1435-9456 |
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PMID:19148689 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4760 |
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Author |
Whishaw, I.Q.; Sacrey, L.-A.R.; Gorny, B. |
Title |
Hind limb stepping over obstacles in the horse guided by place-object memory |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
2009 |
Publication |
Behavioural Brain Research |
Abbreviated Journal |
Behav. Brain. Res. |
Volume |
198 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
372-379 |
Keywords |
Horse place memory; Memory and hind limb stepping; Obstacle memory in horse; Obstacle stepping in horse; Place memory for stepping; Stepping in the horse; Working memory for stepping |
Abstract |
An animal that has stepped over an obstacle with its forelimbs uses a memory of the obstacle to guide the hind limbs so that they also clear the obstacle, even in situations in which long pauses are introduced between forelimb and hind limb stepping. To further clarify the features of hind limb obstacle clearance memory, the present study examined hind limb obstacle clearance in the horse. A rider guided horses over obstacles and paused the horse over obstacles in tests that examined the relationship between forelimb and hind limb stepping, with the following results. First, the horses displayed memory for an obstacle as measured by hind limb lifting over the obstacle for durations lasting as long as 15Â min. The response was not dependent upon ongoing visualization of the obstacle, as limb lifting was unaffected by visual occlusion with blinders, a blindfold, or by removing the obstacle during the pause. Second, previous experience of stepping over an obstacle led to pause-related hind limb lifting at the object's previous location even on trials for which there was no obstacle and so no preceding forelimb lifting. Third, whereas a horse would lift its hind limbs to clear two successively presented obstacles, replacing an obstacle before the horse after the forelimbs had cleared the obstacle prevented subsequent hind limb lifting at the obstacle's previous location. Taken together the results show that hind limb obstacle clearance is guided by a place-object memory. The results are discussed in relation to the differential sensory and memonic control of forelimb and hind limb stepping with the suggestion that place-object memory can guide hind stepping as well as overshadow working memory from front leg stepping. |
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0166-4328 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4754 |
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Author |
Sankey, C.; Richard-Yris, M.-A.; Leroy, H.; Henry, S.; Hausberger, M. |
Title |
Positive interactions lead to lasting positive memories in horses, Equus caballus |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
2010 |
Publication |
Animal Behaviour |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim. Behav. |
Volume |
79 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
869-875 |
Keywords |
Equus caballus; horse; human–animal relationship; learning; memory; positive interaction; social cognition |
Abstract |
Social relationships are important in social species. These relationships, based on repeated interactions, define each partner's expectations during the following encounters. The creation of a relationship implies high social cognitive abilities which require that each partner is able to associate the positive or negative content of an interaction with a specific partner and to recall this association. In this study, we tested the effects of repeated interactions on the memory kept by 23 young horses about humans, after 6 and 8 months of separation. The association of a reward with a learning task in an interactional context induced positive reactions towards humans during training. It also increased contact and interest, not only just after training, but also several months later, despite no further interaction with humans. In addition, this ‘positive memory’ of humans extended to novel persons. Overall, positive reinforcement enhanced learning and memorization of the task itself. These findings suggest remarkable social cognitive abilities that can be transposed from intraspecific to interspecific social contexts. |
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0003-3472 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5418 |
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Author |
Péron, F.; Ward, R.; Burman, O. |
Title |
Horses (Equus caballus) discriminate body odour cues from conspecifics |
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Journal Article |
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2013 |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Animal Cognition |
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1-5 |
Keywords |
Body odour; Discrimination; Equus caballus; Habituation; Social memory |
Abstract |
Knowledge about social recognition and memory in animals can help us to determine appropriate management and husbandry techniques. In this study, we used a habituation–discrimination procedure to investigate the ability of horses (Equus caballus) to distinguish between the body odour samples of unfamiliar conspecifics. To pick up body odour, we rubbed material on the coat of horses and presented these unknown body odours to 16 different conspecifics of the same sex and similar age. The test consisted of two successive two-min presentations of a sample from one individual (e.g. individual ‘A’) and a simultaneous presentation of samples from individual ‘A’ and a novel individual (e.g. individual ‘B’) during a final third presentation. The results showed that horses, regardless of sex, decreased the time they spent investigating conspecific body odour across the initial two presentations—demonstrating habituation. In the final presentation, the results demonstrated successful discrimination of the previously experienced odour because horses investigated the novel olfactory sample (‘B’) significantly more than the pre-exposed sample (‘A’). Taken together, these findings suggest, for the first time, that horses are able to discriminate two stimuli derived from body odours of unfamiliar conspecifics over short period of time. |
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Springer Berlin Heidelberg |
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English |
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1435-9448 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
5742 |
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Author |
Proops, L.; Grounds, K.; Smith, A.V.; McComb, K. |
Title |
Animals Remember Previous Facial Expressions that Specific Humans Have Exhibited |
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Journal Article |
Year ![sorted by Year field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
2018 |
Publication |
Current Biology |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
28 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
1428-1432.e4 |
Keywords |
affective processing; face processing; ; animal-human interaction; interspecific communication; animal memory |
Abstract |
Summary For humans, facial expressions are important social signals, and how we perceive specific individuals may be influenced by subtle emotional cues that they have given us in past encounters. A wide range of animal species are also capable of discriminating the emotions of others through facial expressions [1, 2, 3, 4, 5], and it is clear that remembering emotional experiences with specific individuals could have clear benefits for social bonding and aggression avoidance when these individuals are encountered again. Although there is evidence that non-human animals are capable of remembering the identity of individuals who have directly harmed them [6, 7], it is not known whether animals can form lasting memories of specific individuals simply by observing subtle emotional expressions that they exhibit on their faces. Here we conducted controlled experiments in which domestic horses were presented with a photograph of an angry or happy human face and several hours later saw the person who had given the expression in a neutral state. Short-term exposure to the facial expression was enough to generate clear differences in subsequent responses to that individual (but not to a different mismatched person), consistent with the past angry expression having been perceived negatively and the happy expression positively. Both humans were blind to the photograph that the horses had seen. Our results provide clear evidence that some non-human animals can effectively eavesdrop on the emotional state cues that humans reveal on a moment-to-moment basis, using their memory of these to guide future interactions with particular individuals. |
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0960-9822 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
6394 |
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