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Author Henderson, J.; Hurly, T.A.; Healy, S.D.
Title Spatial relational learning in rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal Anim. Cogn.
Volume 9 Issue 3 Pages (down) 201-205
Keywords Animals; *Association Learning; *Birds; *Concept Formation; Flowers; Form Perception; Male; *Orientation; Reward; Size Perception; *Space Perception; Spatial Behavior
Abstract There is increasing evidence that animals can learn abstract spatial relationships, and successfully transfer this knowledge to novel situations. In this study, rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) were trained to feed from either the lower or the higher of two flowers. When presented with a test pair of flowers, one of which was at a novel height, they chose the flower in the appropriate spatial position rather than the flower at the correct height. This response may also have been influenced by a preference for taller flowers as acquisition of the task during experimental training occurred more readily when the reward flower was the taller of the pair. Thus, it appears that although learning abstract relationships may be a general phenomenon across contexts, and perhaps across species, the ease with which they are learned and the context in which they are subsequently used may not be the same.
Address Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, UK
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:16767469 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2465
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Author George, I.; Cousillas, H.; Richard, J.-P.; Hausberger, M.
Title Song perception in the European starling: hemispheric specialisation and individual variations Type Journal Article
Year 2002 Publication Comptes Rendus Biologies Abbreviated Journal Compt. Rend. Biol.
Volume 325 Issue 3 Pages (down) 197-204
Keywords lateralisation; perception; birdsong; starling; electrophysiology; individual variations; latéralisation; perception; chant; étourneaux; électrophysiologie; variations individuelles
Abstract Hemispheric specialisation for speech in humans has been well documented. The lateralisation for song production observed in songbirds is reminiscent of this hemispheric dominance. In order to investigate whether song perception is also lateralised, we made multiunit recordings of the neuronal activity in the field L of starlings during the presentation of species-specific and artificial non-specific sounds. We observed a systematic stronger activation in one hemisphere than in the other one during the playback of species-specific sounds, with inter-subject variability in the predominant hemisphere for song perception. Such an asymmetry was not observed for artificial non-specific sounds. Thus, our results suggest that, at least at the individual level, the two hemispheres of the starlings' brain perceive and process conspecific signals differently.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4636
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Author Dowdle, W.R.; Schild, G.C.
Title Influenza: its antigenic variation and ecology Type Journal Article
Year 1976 Publication Bulletin of the Pan American Health Organization Abbreviated Journal Bull Pan Am Health Organ
Volume 10 Issue 3 Pages (down) 193-195
Keywords Animals; *Antigens, Viral; Bird Diseases/microbiology; Birds; Hemagglutinins, Viral; Horse Diseases/microbiology; Horses; Humans; Influenza A virus/immunology/isolation & purification; Influenza, Human/epidemiology; Mutation; Neuraminidase/immunology; Orthomyxoviridae/enzymology/*immunology; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/microbiology/veterinary; Recombination, Genetic; Swine; Swine Diseases/microbiology
Abstract Influenza viruses have two surface antigens, the glycoprotein structures hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Antibodies to each of these are associated with immunity, but the structures themselves are antigenically variable. When an antigenic change is gradual over time it is referred to as a drift, while a sudden complete or major change in either or both antigens is termed a shift. The mechanism of antigenic drift is usually attributed to selection of preexisting mutants by pressure from increasing immunity in the human population. The mechanism of antigenic shift is less clear, but one tentative hypothesis is that shifts arise from mammalian or avian reservoirs, or through genetic recombination of human and animal influenza strains.
Address
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 0085-4638 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:187273 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2700
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Author Komar, N.
Title West Nile virus: epidemiology and ecology in North America Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Advances in Virus Research Abbreviated Journal Adv Virus Res
Volume 61 Issue Pages (down) 185-234
Keywords Animals; Bird Diseases/virology; Birds/virology; Culex/virology; Disease Reservoirs; Ecosystem; Epidemiology, Molecular; Horse Diseases/virology; Horses/virology; Humans; Insect Vectors; North America/epidemiology; Risk Factors; West Nile Fever/*epidemiology/transmission/veterinary; West Nile virus/genetics
Abstract
Address Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522, 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 0065-3527 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:14714433 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2638
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Author Valero, N.
Title West Nile virus: a new challenge? Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Investigacion Clinica Abbreviated Journal Invest Clin
Volume 44 Issue 3 Pages (down) 175-177
Keywords Animal Migration; Animals; Bird Diseases/virology; Birds; Caribbean Region; Central America; Culex/virology; Horse Diseases/virology; Horses; Humans; Insect Vectors/virology; North America/epidemiology; South America; West Nile Fever/*epidemiology/transmission/veterinary; West Nile virus/*physiology
Abstract West Nile Virus (WNV), a member of the family Flaviviridae, was first isolated in 1937. Since the original isolation of the WNV outbreaks have occurred with increase in frequency of cases in humans and horses, apparent increase in severe human disease and high avian death rates. In 1999, 2000 and 2002 outbreaks of the WNV encephalitis were reported in horses, birds and humans from New York and Canada. Ornithophilic mosquitoes are the principal vectors of the WNV and birds of several species chiefly migrants appear to be the major introductory or amplifying host. The pattern of outbreaks in the old and new world suggests that viremic migratory birds may also contribute to movement of the virus. If so, Central America, Caribbean Islands and countries of South America including Venezuela, are in potential risk for suffering a severe outbreak for WNV, since several species of birds have populations that pass trough New York and cross the western north Atlantic or Caribbean Sea. It is important the knowledge of the ecology of WNV as well of the efficacy of control efforts in order to minimize the public health impact in these countries, where all population is susceptible to this infection.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Spanish Summary Language Original Title Virus del Nilo Occidental: Un nuevo reto?
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0535-5133 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:14552056 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2640
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Author Chilton, N.B.
Title The use of nuclear ribosomal DNA markers for the identification of bursate nematodes (order Strongylida) and for the diagnosis of infections Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Animal Health Research Reviews / Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases Abbreviated Journal Anim Health Res Rev
Volume 5 Issue 2 Pages (down) 173-187
Keywords Animals; Birds; Cats; DNA Primers; DNA, Helminth/*analysis; DNA, Ribosomal/*analysis; Dogs; Horses; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/veterinary; Ruminants; Strongylida/*genetics; Strongylida Infections/diagnosis/*veterinary
Abstract Many bursate nematodes are of major importance to animal health. Animals are often parasitized by multiple species that differ in their prevalence, relative abundance and/or pathogenicity. Implementation of effective management strategies for these parasites requires reliable methods for their detection in hosts, identification to the species level and measurement of intensity of infection. One major problem is the difficulty of accurately identifying and distinguishing many species of bursate nematode because of the remarkable morphological similarity of their eggs and larvae. The inability to identify, with confidence, individual nematodes (irrespective of their life-cycle stage) to the species level by morphological methods has often led to a search for species-specific genetic markers. Studies over the past 15 years have shown that sequences of the internal transcribed spacers of ribosomal DNA provide useful genetic markers, providing the basis for the development of PCR-based diagnostic tools. Such molecular methods represent powerful tools for studying the systematics, epidemiology and ecology of bursate nematodes and, importantly, for the specific diagnosis of infections in animals and humans, thus contributing to improved control and prevention strategies for these parasites.
Address Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E2, Canada. neil.chilton@usask.ca
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 1466-2523 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15984323 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2628
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Author Schmidt, R.; Amrhein, V.; Kunc, H.P.; Naguib, M.
Title The day after: effects of vocal interactions on territory defence in nightingales Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication The Journal of Animal Ecology Abbreviated Journal T. J. Anim. Ecol.
Volume 76 Issue 1 Pages (down) 168-173
Keywords Aggression; Animals; Male; Songbirds/*physiology; *Territoriality; Time Factors; Vocalization, Animal/*physiology
Abstract 1. Models on territory acquisition and tenure predict that territorial animals benefit by adjusting territorial defence behaviour to previous challenges they had experienced within the socially complex environment of communication networks. 2. Here, we addressed such issues of social cognition by investigating persisting effects of vocal contests on territory defence behaviour in nightingales Luscinia megarhynchos (Brehm). 3. Using interactive playback during nocturnal song of subjects, a rival was simulated to countersing either aggressively (by song overlapping) or moderately (by song alternating) from outside the subjects' territory. Thereby, the time-specific singing strategy provided an experimentally controlled source of information on the motivation of an unfamiliar rival. 4. Expecting that nightingales integrate information with time, the same rival was simulated to return as a moderately singing intruder on the following morning. 5. The results show that the vigour with which male nightingales responded to the simulated intrusion of an opponent during the day depended on the nature of the nocturnal vocal interaction experienced several hours before. 6. Males that had received the song overlapping playback the preceding night approached the simulated intruder more quickly and closer and sang more songs near the loudspeaker than did males that had received a song alternating playback. 7. This adjustment of territory defence strategies depending on information from prior signalling experience suggests that integrating information with time plays an important part in territory defence by affecting a male's decision making in a communication network.
Address Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, PO Box 100 131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany. rouven.schmidt@uni-bielefeld.de
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 0021-8790 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:17184365 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2749
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Author Palme, R.; Rettenbacher, S.; Touma, C.; El-Bahr, S.M.; Mostl, E.
Title Stress hormones in mammals and birds: comparative aspects regarding metabolism, excretion, and noninvasive measurement in fecal samples Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Abbreviated Journal Ann N Y Acad Sci
Volume 1040 Issue Pages (down) 162-171
Keywords Adrenal Glands/chemistry/metabolism; Animals; Birds; Catecholamines/analysis/chemistry/*metabolism; Feces/*chemistry; Glucocorticoids/analysis/chemistry/*metabolism; Hormones/analysis/metabolism; Mammals; Species Specificity; Stress/*metabolism
Abstract A multitude of endocrine mechanisms are involved in coping with challenges. Front-line hormones to overcome stressful situations are glucocorticoids (GCs) and catecholamines (CAs). These hormones are usually determined in plasma samples as parameters of adrenal activity and thus of disturbance. GCs (and CAs) are extensively metabolized and excreted afterwards. Therefore, the concentration of GCs (or their metabolites) can be measured in various body fluids or excreta. Above all, fecal samples offer the advantages of easy collection and a feedback-free sampling procedure. However, large differences exist among species regarding the route and time course of excretion, as well as the types of metabolites formed. Based on information gained from radiometabolism studies (reviewed in this paper), we recently developed and successfully validated different enzyme immunoassays that enable the noninvasive measurement of groups of cortisol or corticosterone metabolites in animal feces. The determination of these metabolites in fecal samples can be used as a powerful tool to monitor GC production in various species of domestic, wildlife, and laboratory animals.
Address Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria. rupert.palme@vu-wien.ac.at
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 0077-8923 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15891021 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4083
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Author Gauvin, S.; Giraldeau, L.-A.
Title Nutmeg mannikins ( Lonchura punctulata) reduce their feeding rates in response to simulated competition Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Oecologia Abbreviated Journal Oecologia
Volume 139 Issue 1 Pages (down) 150-156
Keywords Animals; *Feeding Behavior; Population Density; *Social Behavior; *Songbirds
Abstract Group feeding animals experience a number of competitive foraging costs that may result in a lowered feeding rate. It is important to distinguish between reductions in feeding rates that are caused by reduced food availability and physical interactions among foragers from those caused by the mere presence of foraging companions that may be self-imposed in order to obtain some benefit of group membership. Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris) reduce their feeding rates when in the company of simulated competitors located in an adjacent cage that cannot affect the food availability or interact with the forager. In the present study, we investigate whether the presence of simulated competitors in another species of passerine, nutmeg mannikins ( Lonchura punctulata), can result in self-imposed reductions in feeding rates. When feeding in the company of simulated competitors, mannikins spent more non-foraging time near them, fed more slowly, reduced travel times between patches, reduced their scanning time and pecked more slowly. These results provide evidence that simulated competitors induce a reduction in pecking rate: behavioural interference. These self-imposed responses to competitors may have resulted from attempts to remain close to the non-feeding companions. Such self-imposed reductions in feeding rates may be a widespread yet generally unrecognised foraging cost to group feeding individuals.
Address Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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 0029-8549 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:14722748 Approved no
Call Number Serial 2133
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Author Nelson, W.A.; Keirans, J.E.; Bell, J.F.; Clifford, C.M.
Title Host-ectoparasite relationships Type Journal Article
Year 1975 Publication Journal of Medical Entomology Abbreviated Journal J Med Entomol
Volume 12 Issue 2 Pages (down) 143-166
Keywords Animal Nutrition Physiology; Animals; Anoplura/physiology; *Arthropods; Birds/parasitology; Chickens/parasitology; Dermacentor/parasitology; Diptera; Ecology; Feeding Behavior; Female; Horses/parasitology; Humans; Male; Mallophaga/physiology; Mice/parasitology; Mites/physiology; Reproduction; Sarcoptes scabiei/physiology; Sheep/parasitology; Skin/parasitology; Ticks/physiology; Toxins, Biological/toxicity; Trombiculidae/physiology
Abstract
Address
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 0022-2585 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:808617 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2704
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