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Author Miklósi, Á.; Soproni, K.
Title A comparative analysis of animals' understanding of the human pointing gesture Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Animal cognition Abbreviated Journal Anim. Cogn.
Volume 9 Issue 2 Pages 81-93
Keywords *Animal Communication; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Child; Child, Preschool; Dogs; Fixation, Ocular; *Gestures; Hand; Humans; *Nonverbal Communication; Pinnipedia; Primates; Problem Solving; *Recognition (Psychology); Species Specificity
Abstract We review studies demonstrating the ability of some animals to understand the human pointing gesture. We present a 3-step analysis of the topic. (1) We compare and evaluate current experimental methods (2) We compare available experimental results on performance of different species and investigate the interaction of species differences and other independent variables (3) We evaluate how our present understanding of pointing comprehension answers questions about function, evolution and mechanisms. Recently, a number of different hypotheses have been put forward to account for the presence of this ability in some species and for the lack of such comprehension in others. In our view, there is no convincing evidence for the assumption that the competitive lifestyles of apes would inhibit the utilization of this human gesture. Similarly, domestication as a special evolutionary factor in the case of some species falls short in explaining high levels of pointing comprehension in some non-domestic species. We also disagree with the simplistic view of describing the phenomenon as a simple form of conditioning. We suggest that a more systematic comparative research is needed to understand the emerging communicative representational abilities in animals that provide the background for comprehending the human pointing gesture.
Address (up) Department of Ethology, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Pazmany P 1/c, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary. miklosa@ludens.elte.hu
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 1435-9448 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16235075 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 463
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Author Waite, T.A.
Title Interruptions improve choice performance in gray jays: prolonged information processing versus minimization of costly errors Type Journal Article
Year 2002 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal Anim. Cogn.
Volume 5 Issue 4 Pages 209-214
Keywords Animals; *Behavior, Animal; *Choice Behavior; Female; Learning; Male; Models, Biological; Motivation; Reinforcement Schedule; Songbirds/*physiology; Time Factors
Abstract Under the assumption that selection favors minimization of costly errors, erroneous choice may be common when its fitness cost is low. According to an adaptive-choice model, this cost depends on the rate at which an animal encounters the choice: the higher this rate, the smaller the cost of choosing a less valuable option. Errors should thus be more common when interruptions to foraging are shorter. A previous experiment supported this prediction: gray jays, Perisoreus canadensis, were more error prone when subjected to shorter delays to access to food rewards. This pattern, though, is also predicted by an attentional-constraints model. Because the subjects were able to inspect the rewards during delays, their improved performance when subjected to longer delays could have been a byproduct of the experimentally prolonged opportunity for information processing. To evaluate this possibility, a follow-up experiment manipulated both delay to access and whether rewards could be inspected during delays. Depriving jays of the opportunity to inspect rewards (using opaque lids) induced only a small, nonsignificant increase in error rate. This effect was independent of length of delay and so the jays' improved performance when subjected to longer delays was not simply a byproduct of prolonged information processing. More definitively, even when the jays were prevented from inspecting rewards during delays, their performance improved when subjected to longer delays. The findings are thus consistent with the adaptive-choice model.
Address (up) Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, 1735 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1293, USA. waite.1@osu.edu
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 1435-9448 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:12461598 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2592
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Author Mouritsen, K.N.
Title Hitch-hiking parasite: a dark horse may be the real rider Type Journal Article
Year 2001 Publication International Journal for Parasitology Abbreviated Journal Int J Parasitol
Volume 31 Issue 13 Pages 1417-1420
Keywords Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Ecology; Host-Parasite Relations; Snails/*parasitology; Trematoda/growth & development/*physiology; Trematode Infections/transmission
Abstract Many parasites engaged in complex life cycles manipulate their hosts in a way that facilitates transmission between hosts. Recently, a new category of parasites (hitch-hikers) has been identified that seem to exploit the manipulating effort of other parasites with similar life cycle by preferentially infecting hosts already manipulated. Thomas et al. (Evolution 51 (1997) 1316) showed that the digenean trematodes Microphallus papillorobustus (the manipulator) and Maritrema subdolum (the hitch-hiker) were positively associated in field samples of gammarid amphipods (the intermediate host), and that the behaviour of Maritrema subdolum rendered it more likely to infect manipulated amphipods than those uninfected by M. papillorobustus. Here I provide experimental evidence demonstrating that M. subdolum is unlikely to be a hitch-hiker in the mentioned system, whereas the lucky candidate rather is the closely related but little known species, Microphallidae sp. no. 15 (Parassitologia 22 (1980) 1). As opposed to the latter species, Maritrema subdolum does not express the appropriate cercarial behaviour for hitch-hiking.
Address (up) Department of Marine Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Aarhus, Finlandsgade 14, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. kim.mouritsen@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
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 0020-7519 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:11595227 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2645
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Author Madigan, J.E.; Bell, S.A.
Title Owner survey of headshaking in horses Type Journal Article
Year 2001 Publication Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Abbreviated Journal J Am Vet Med Assoc
Volume 219 Issue 3 Pages 334-337
Keywords Animals; Anti-Allergic Agents/*therapeutic use; *Behavior, Animal/drug effects; Cyproheptadine/*therapeutic use; Data Collection; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Horse Diseases/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology; Horses; Humans; Male; Questionnaires; Seasons
Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine signalment, history, clinical signs, duration, seasonality, and response to various treatments reported by owners for headshaking in horses. DESIGN: Owner survey. ANIMALS: 109 horses with headshaking. PROCEDURE: Owners of affected horses completed a survey questionnaire. RESULTS: 78 affected horses were geldings, 29 were mares, and 2 were stallions. Mean age of onset was 9 years. Headshaking in 64 horses had a seasonal component, and for most horses, headshaking began in spring and ceased in late summer or fall. The most common clinical signs were shaking the head in a vertical plane, acting like an insect was flying up the nostril, snorting excessively, rubbing the muzzle on objects, having an anxious expression while headshaking, worsening of clinical signs with exposure to sunlight, and improvement of clinical signs at night. Treatment with antihistamines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, antimicrobials, fly control, chiropractic, and acupuncture had limited success. Sixty-one horses had been treated with cyproheptadine; 43 had moderate to substantial improvement. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Headshaking may have many causes. A large subset of horses have similar clinical signs including shaking the head in a vertical plane, acting as if an insect were flying up the nostrils, and rubbing the muzzle on objects. Seasonality and worsening of clinical signs with exposure to light are also common features of this syndrome. Geldings and Thoroughbreds appear to be overrepresented. Cyproheptadine treatment was beneficial in more than two thirds of treated horses.
Address (up) Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA
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 0003-1488 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:11497047 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 1916
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Author Madigan, J.E.; Kortz, G.; Murphy, C.; Rodger, L.
Title Photic headshaking in the horse: 7 cases Type Journal Article
Year 1995 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 27 Issue 4 Pages 306-311
Keywords Animals; Anti-Allergic Agents/therapeutic use; *Behavior, Animal; Cyproheptadine/therapeutic use; Female; *Head; Horse Diseases/drug therapy/*etiology; Horses; Light/*adverse effects; Male; Movement Disorders/drug therapy/etiology/*veterinary
Abstract Seven horses with headshaking are described. No physical abnormalities were detected in any of the cases. Six of these horses had onset of clinical signs in the spring. The role of light was assessed by application of a blindfold or dark grey lens to the eyes, covering the eyes with a face mask and observing the horse in total darkness outdoors. Cessation of headshaking was observed with blindfolding (5/5 horses), night darkness outdoors (4/4 horses) and use of grey lenses (2/3 horses). Outdoor behaviour suggested efforts to avoid light in 4/4 cases. The photic sneeze in man is suggested as a putative mechanism for equine headshaking. Five of 7 horses had improvement with cyproheptadine treatment (0.3 mg/kg bwt b.i.d.). Headshaking developed within 2 calendar weeks of the same date for 3 consecutive years in one horse. Neuropharmacological alterations associated with photoperiod mechanisms leading to optic trigeminal summation are suggested as possible reasons for spring onset of headshaking.
Address (up) Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis 95616-8737, USA
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 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:8536668 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 1940
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Author Hoy, R.
Title Animal awareness: The (un)binding of multisensory cues in decision making by animals Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Abbreviated Journal Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
Volume 102 Issue 7 Pages 2267-2268
Keywords Animals; Anura/physiology; *Awareness; *Behavior, Animal; Decision Making; Female; Male; Perception; Sensation
Abstract
Address (up) Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, 215 Mudd Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA. rrh3@cornell.edu
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 0027-8424 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15703288 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2821
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Author Houpt, K.A.; Eggleston, A.; Kunkle, K.; Houpt, T.R.
Title Effect of water restriction on equine behaviour and physiology Type Journal Article
Year 2000 Publication Equine veterinary journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 32 Issue 4 Pages 341-344
Keywords Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Blood Proteins/analysis; Energy Intake; Female; Horse Diseases/physiopathology; Horses/*physiology; Osmolar Concentration; Pregnancy; Stress/veterinary; Video Recording; Water Deprivation/*physiology
Abstract Six pregnant mares were used to determine what level of water restriction causes physiological and/or behavioural changes indicative of stress. Nonlegume hay was fed ad libitum. During the first week of restriction, 5 l water/100 kg bwt was available, during the second week 4 l/100 kg bwt and, during the third week, 3 l/100 kg bwt. Ad libitum water intake was 6.9 l/100 kg bwt; at 3 l/100 kg bwt water intake was 42% of this. Daily hay intake fell significantly with increasing water restriction from 12.9 +/- 0.75 kg to 8.3 +/- 0.54 kg; bodyweight fell significantly for a total loss of 48.5 +/- 8.3 kg in 3 weeks. Daily blood samples were analysed; osmolality rose significantly with increasing water restriction from 282 +/- 0.7 mosmols/kg to 293.3 +/- 0.8 mosmols/kg bwt, but plasma protein and PCV did not change significantly. Cortisol concentrations fell from 8.1 ng/ml to 6.4 ng/ml over the 3 week period. Aldosterone fell from 211.3 +/- 74.2 pg/ml to 92.5 +/- 27.5 pg/ml at the end of the first week. The behaviour of 4 of the 6 mares was recorded 24 h/day for the duration of the study. The only significant difference was in time spent eating, which decreased with increasing water restriction from 46 +/- 3% to 30 +/- 3%. It is concluded that water restriction to 4 l/100 kg bwt dehydrates pregnant mares and may diminish their welfare, but is not life- or pregnancy-threatening.
Address (up) Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-6401, USA
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 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:10952384 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 32
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Author Houpt, K.A.; Feldman, J.
Title Animal behavior case of the month. Aggression toward a neonatal foal by its dam Type Journal Article
Year 1993 Publication Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Abbreviated Journal J Am Vet Med Assoc
Volume 203 Issue 9 Pages 1279-1280
Keywords Animals; Animals, Newborn; *Behavior, Animal; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Horses/*psychology; *Maternal Behavior; Rejection (Psychology); Restraint, Physical/veterinary
Abstract
Address (up) Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401
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 0003-1488 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:8253618 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 36
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Houpt, K.A.; Smith, R.
Title Animal behavior case of the month Type Journal Article
Year 1993 Publication Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Abbreviated Journal J Am Vet Med Assoc
Volume 203 Issue 3 Pages 377-378
Keywords Aggression; Animals; Animals, Zoo/*psychology; *Behavior, Animal; *Feeding Behavior; Female; Horses/*psychology; *Weaning
Abstract
Address (up) Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401
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 0003-1488 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:8226214 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 37
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Shaw, E.B.; Houpt, K.A.; Holmes, D.F.
Title Body temperature and behaviour of mares during the last two weeks of pregnancy Type Journal Article
Year 1988 Publication Equine veterinary journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 20 Issue 3 Pages 199-202
Keywords Animals; *Behavior, Animal; *Body Temperature; Circadian Rhythm; Eating; Female; Horses/*physiology; Labor, Obstetric/*physiology; Motor Activity; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal/*physiology
Abstract Average daily core body temperature and behavioural patterns of pregnant mares were studied, in search of definitive signs of parturition within 24 h of the event. Nineteen pony mares were sampled twice daily for core body temperature. A significant temperature drop, averaging 0.1 degrees C (0.2 degrees F) was observed during the day prior to parturition. Between 18.00 h and 06.00 h, during the two weeks before parturition, Thoroughbred and Standardbred mares (n = 52) spent an average 66.8 per cent of their time standing, 27.0 per cent eating, 4.9 per cent lying in sternal recumbency, 1.0 per cent lying in lateral recumbency, and 0.3 per cent walking. On the night before parturition, mares spent significantly less time lying in sternal recumbency than on previous nights and on the night of parturition all behaviour patterns except eating were significantly different from the nights of the two weeks before parturition. There was an increase in walking (5.3 per cent), lying in sternal recumbency (8 per cent) and lying in lateral recumbency (5.3 per cent) whereas standing (53.3 per cent) was decreased. In 58 observed pregnancies, 54 mares (97 per cent) foaled in a recumbent position and 50 mares (86 per cent) foaled between 18.00 h and 06.00 h.
Address (up) Department of Physiology, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853
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 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:3402416 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 46
Permanent link to this record