Records |
Author |
Puppe, B.; Langbein, J.; Bauer, J.; Hoy, S. |
Title |
A comparative view on social hierarchy formation at different stages of pig production using sociometric measures |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2008 |
Publication |
Livestock Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
Volume |
113 |
Issue |
2-3 |
Pages |
155-162 |
Keywords |
Pig; Dominance; Sociometric measures; Social hierarchy; Ontogeny |
Abstract |
A standardised and comprehensive approach to describe dominance relationships in gregarious farm animals quantitatively was recently developed, incorporating a combination of appropriate sociometric measures. The present study applied this approach to a comparative analysis of the social hierarchies within 57 groups of domestic pigs at different age/production stages with a total of 496 animals. Unacquainted pigs were grouped to three age categories which correspond to the typical production stages: weaned pigs (PIG28, 12 groups), growing pigs (PIG80, 16 groups), and reproductive sows (SOW, 29 groups). Based on observed agonistic interactions, sociometric values were calculated both at the dyadic and at the group level and may be considered as preliminary reference values for further studies. As indicated by the respective values of the Kendall index (PIG28: 0.66, tested as significant in 69.0% of the observed groups; PIG80: 0.71, 87.5%; SOW: 0.61, 69.0%), and the improved Landau index (PIG28: 0.70, 75.0%; PIG80: 0.72, 93.7%; SOW: 0.71, 72.4%), a social organisation towards a quasi-linear social hierarchy was predominantly developed throughout all age/production categories. However, compared to weaned and growing pigs, sows were characterised by significant differences concerning establishment (fewer agonistic interactions) and kind (more unknown dyads, fewer two-way and significant dyads, higher directional consistency index) of their social hierarchy. It seems that sows have effectively adapted their agonistic behaviour towards pen-mates to regulate social dominance relationships, whereas younger pigs frequently display agonistic interactions also to gain additional experience on social cues (e.g. the fighting ability of an opponent). Hence, it is concluded that the effective experience of socialisation during sensitive periods may increase the social skills of pigs which in turn can improve their welfare and health, e.g. by adjusted aggressive behaviour. The consideration of comparable and standardised sociometric measures in livestock breeding may help to improve husbandry conditions. |
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 |
|
Serial |
2139 |
Permanent link to this record |
|
|
|
Author |
Langbein, J.; Puppe, B. |
Title |
Analysing dominance relationships by sociometric methods--a plea for a more standardised and precise approach in farm animals |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
Volume |
87 |
Issue |
3-4 |
Pages |
293-315 |
Keywords |
Dominance; Dyads; Social hierarchy; Sociometric measures; Pig; Dwarf goat |
Abstract |
Social dominance is a multidimensional phenomenon occurring in all gregarious farm animals and finds its reflection in a dominance hierarchy. Hence, numerous studies have tried to analyse dominance relationships as well as to correlate outcoming results (mostly individual ranks) with other behavioural and/or physiological features of the animals. Although the concept of dominance, once established, has been developed continuously and several sociometric measures were cumulatively introduced, a consistent analysing approach has not been achieved, especially in farm animals. Thus, considerable inconsistencies in the used methodology may impair obtained results and interpretations. The present paper is a plea for a more standardised and complex approach when analysing dominance relationships, not only in farm animals. First, derived from a structural definition of dominance, we suggest in detail the preferably consistent use of appropriate sociometric measures at all social levels of analysis: the dyad as the starting level, the group as the highest level, and the individual as the basic level. Second, we applied this procedures in a case study to analyse social dominance in a group of dwarf goats (n=12) and pigs (n=10), respectively, to comparatively demonstrate benefits and problems of such an approach in two different farm animal species. It is concluded that the use of individual ranks is actually only reasonable when fundamental sociometric measures both at the dyadic level (e.g. percentage of dyads which have a significant asymmetric outcome) and at the group level (e.g. the strength of hierarchy) are successfully tested by statistical methods as also presented in this paper. The calculated sociometric measures deliver not only a more comprehensive “picture” of the social relationships within a group as simple ranks do, but also indicate possible reasons of differences in the behavioural development. For instance, whereas the dwarf goats maintained a quasi-linear dominance hierarchy over time with a high rate of overt agonistic behaviour, pigs after the establishment of their hierarchy showed a reduced agonistic behaviour which makes it questionable to calculate reliable sociometric measures. These species-dependent variations may be primarily caused by different kinds of the fighting behaviour in goats (i.e. ritualised, low costs) and pigs (i.e. more seriously, high costs). Overall, a more consistent and standardised approach of analysing social dominance in (farm) animals may improve the scientific value of single studies and makes it easier to compare various studies within a species and between species. |
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 |
|
Serial |
2141 |
Permanent link to this record |
|
|
|
Author |
Palmer, M.E.; Calve, M.R.; Adamo, S.A. |
Title |
Response of female cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (Cephalopoda) to mirrors and conspecifics: evidence for signaling in female cuttlefish |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Animal cognition |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim. Cogn. |
Volume |
9 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
151-155 |
Keywords |
Analysis of Variance; *Animal Communication; Animals; Bias (Epidemiology); Female; Male; Pigmentation/*physiology; Recognition (Psychology)/*physiology; Sepia/*physiology; Visual Perception/*physiology |
Abstract |
Cuttlefish have a large repertoire of body patterns that are used for camouflage and interspecific signaling. Intraspecific signaling by male cuttlefish has been well documented but studies on signaling by females are lacking. We found that females displayed a newly described body pattern termed Splotch toward their mirror image and female conspecifics, but not to males, prey or inanimate objects. Female cuttlefish may use the Splotch body pattern as an intraspecific signal, possibly to reduce agonistic interactions. The ability of females to produce a consistent body pattern in response to conspecifics and mirrors suggests that they can recognize same-sex conspecifics using visual cues, despite the lack of sexual dimorphism visible to human observers. |
Address |
Dorset Environmental Science Centre, Dorset, ON, Canada, P0A 1E0 |
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:16408230 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Admin @ knut @ |
Serial |
16 |
Permanent link to this record |
|
|
|
Author |
Vieuille, C.; Berger, F.; Le Pape, G.; Bellanger, D. |
Title |
Sow behaviour involved in the crushing of piglets in outdoor farrowing huts--a brief report |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
Volume |
80 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
109-115 |
Keywords |
Pig-maternal behaviour; Crushing; Free-ranging; Welfare |
Abstract |
This study focuses on maternal activities involved in the trapping of piglets by the sow's body in outdoor farrowing systems and examine the mother-piglet context leading either to the death of piglets or to their survival. The behaviour of six Large-WhitexLandrace sows and their litters was continuously video recorded at their first and second parity, during the 40 h following parturition. Crushing mainly occurred at evening and night, during the first 12 h of farrowing and involved changes between lying, sitting and standing positions, as well as between udder and side lying. No piglet died from savaging. Nevertheless, aggressive behaviours of sows were observed, particularly in their first maternal experience. The immediate context of trapping was related to the labour of the sow and to the feeding and resting of piglets. The immediate crushing context was related to active avoidance of restless piglets while lying down, as well as sitting and standing behaviours. These results are discussed in terms of differential reactions of the sow to suckling attempts of piglets. |
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 |
2235 |
Permanent link to this record |
|
|
|
Author |
Shoshani, J.; Kupsky, W.J.; Marchant, G.H. |
Title |
Elephant brain. Part I: gross morphology, functions, comparative anatomy, and evolution |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Brain Research Bulletin |
Abbreviated Journal |
Brain Res Bull |
Volume |
70 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
124-157 |
Keywords |
Animals; Brain/*anatomy & histology/blood supply/*physiology; Cats; Chinchilla; Elephants/*anatomy & histology/*physiology; Equidae; *Evolution; Female; Guinea Pigs; Haplorhini; Humans; Hyraxes; Male; Pan troglodytes; Sheep; Wolves |
Abstract |
We report morphological data on brains of four African, Loxodonta africana, and three Asian elephants, Elephas maximus, and compare findings to literature. Brains exhibit a gyral pattern more complex and with more numerous gyri than in primates, humans included, and in carnivores, but less complex than in cetaceans. Cerebral frontal, parietal, temporal, limbic, and insular lobes are well developed, whereas the occipital lobe is relatively small. The insula is not as opercularized as in man. The temporal lobe is disproportionately large and expands laterally. Humans and elephants have three parallel temporal gyri: superior, middle, and inferior. Hippocampal sizes in elephants and humans are comparable, but proportionally smaller in elephant. A possible carotid rete was observed at the base of the brain. Brain size appears to be related to body size, ecology, sociality, and longevity. Elephant adult brain averages 4783 g, the largest among living and extinct terrestrial mammals; elephant neonate brain averages 50% of its adult brain weight (25% in humans). Cerebellar weight averages 18.6% of brain (1.8 times larger than in humans). During evolution, encephalization quotient has increased by 10-fold (0.2 for extinct Moeritherium, approximately 2.0 for extant elephants). We present 20 figures of the elephant brain, 16 of which contain new material. Similarities between human and elephant brains could be due to convergent evolution; both display mosaic characters and are highly derived mammals. Humans and elephants use and make tools and show a range of complex learning skills and behaviors. In elephants, the large amount of cerebral cortex, especially in the temporal lobe, and the well-developed olfactory system, structures associated with complex learning and behavioral functions in humans, may provide the substrate for such complex skills and behavior. |
Address |
Department of Biology, University of Asmara, P.O. Box 1220, Asmara, Eritrea (Horn of Africa). hezy@bio.uoa.edu.er |
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 |
0361-9230 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
Notes |
PMID:16782503 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2623 |
Permanent link to this record |
|
|
|
Author |
Kiltie, R.A.; Fan, J.; Laine, A.F. |
Title |
A wavelet-based metric for visual texture discrimination with applications in evolutionary ecology |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1995 |
Publication |
Mathematical Biosciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
Math Biosci |
Volume |
126 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
21-39 |
Keywords |
Animals; Carnivora; *Ecology; Equidae; *Evolution; Humans; Mathematics; Models, Biological; Moths; *Pattern Recognition, Visual; Pigmentation |
Abstract |
Much work on natural and sexual selection is concerned with the conspicuousness of visual patterns (textures) on animal and plant surfaces. Previous attempts by evolutionary biologists to quantify apparency of such textures have involved subjective estimates of conspicuousness or statistical analyses based on transect samples. We present a method based on wavelet analysis that avoids subjectivity and that uses more of the information in image textures than transects do. Like the human visual system for texture discrimination, and probably like that of other vertebrates, this method is based on localized analysis of orientation and frequency components of the patterns composing visual textures. As examples of the metric's utility, we present analyses of crypsis for tigers, zebras, and peppered moth morphs. |
Address |
Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville |
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 |
0025-5564 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
Notes |
PMID:7696817 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2660 |
Permanent link to this record |
|
|
|
Author |
Mirzaeva, A.G. |
Title |
[Age makeup of female Culicoides sinanoensis Tok. in the coniferous-broad-leaved forest zone of the southern Maritime Territory] |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1974 |
Publication |
Parazitologiia |
Abbreviated Journal |
Parazitologiia |
Volume |
8 |
Issue |
6 |
Pages |
524-530 |
Keywords |
Age Factors; Animals; *Ceratopogonidae/physiology; Corpus Luteum/physiology; Ecology; Female; Horses/parasitology; Humans; Ovulation; Pigments, Biological/physiology; Seasons; Siberia; Trees |
Abstract |
|
Address |
|
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
Language |
Russian |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
Vozrastnoi sostav samok Culicoides sinanoensis Tok. v zone khvoino-shirokolistvennykh lesov Iuzhnogo Primor'ia |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
ISSN |
0031-1847 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
Notes |
PMID:4449654 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2707 |
Permanent link to this record |
|
|
|
Author |
Rumiantsev, S.N. |
Title |
[Biological function of Clostridium tetani toxin (ecological and evolutionary aspects)] |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1973 |
Publication |
Zhurnal Evoliutsionnoi Biokhimii i Fiziologii |
Abbreviated Journal |
Zh Evol Biokhim Fiziol |
Volume |
9 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
474-480 |
Keywords |
Animals; Cats; Chickens; Dogs; Ecology; Evolution; Goats; Guinea Pigs; Haplorhini; Horses; Insectivora; Mice; Perissodactyla; Rabbits; Rats; Sheep; *Tetanus Toxin |
Abstract |
|
Address |
|
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
Language |
Russian |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
K voprosu biologicheskoi funktsii toksina Clostridium tetani (ekologicheskie i evolutsionnye aspekty |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
ISSN |
0044-4529 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
Notes |
PMID:4203684 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2713 |
Permanent link to this record |
|
|
|
Author |
Boray, J.C. |
Title |
Experimental fascioliasis in Australia |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1969 |
Publication |
Advances in Parasitology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Adv Parasitol |
Volume |
7 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
95-210 |
Keywords |
Adaptation, Biological; Adaptation, Physiological; Animal Nutrition Physiology; Animals; Animals, Laboratory; Australia; Cattle; *Cattle Diseases/pathology; Climate; *Disease Vectors; Ecology; Electron Transport; Estivation; Fasciola hepatica/enzymology/*growth & development/metabolism/physiology; Fascioliasis/epidemiology/immunology/*prevention & control/veterinary; Glycolysis; Guinea Pigs; Horses; Humans; Larva/growth & development/physiology; Marsupialia; Metamorphosis, Biological; Mice; New Guinea; New Zealand; Parasite Egg Count; Rats; Seasons; Sheep; *Sheep Diseases/pathology |
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 |
0065-308X |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
Notes |
PMID:4935272 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2744 |
Permanent link to this record |
|
|
|
Author |
Gifford, A.K.; Cloutier, S.; Newberry, R.C. |
Title |
Objects as enrichment: Effects of object exposure time and delay interval on object recognition memory of the domestic pig |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2007 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
Volume |
107 |
Issue |
3-4 |
Pages |
206-217 |
Keywords |
Pig; Cognition; Exploratory behaviour; Animal welfare; Environmental enrichment |
Abstract |
A modified spontaneous object recognition test was used to examine object recognition memory in the domestic pig. This test uses preference for a novel object over a previously encountered sample object as indicating recognition of the sample object, and no preference as indicating no recognition. Two factors hypothesized to affect object recognition are duration of exposure to the sample stimulus and delay interval before re-exposure. Both of these factors could be manipulated in a rotational object enrichment program for pigs. Reducing exposure time and increasing the delay interval before re-exposure should decrease object recognition and prolong novelty-induced object exploration. We exposed 5-week-old pigs to different sample objects in their home pens for 10 min and 2 days, respectively. We tested for object recognition memory at various delay intervals after initial exposure by placing littermate pairs in a test pen for 10 min and recording snout contact with a sample object and a completely novel object. At a 1-h delay, half the pairs were tested with the 2-day sample object; the other half received the 10-min sample object. At a 3-h delay, pairs were tested with the opposite sample object. Pairs were also tested with the 2-day sample at a 5-day delay and the 10-min sample at a 6-day delay. We predicted that pigs would show a preference for the novel versus the 2-day sample object at all three delays, but would only prefer the novel object over the 10-min sample object at the 1-h and 3-h delays. Pigs did not show novelty preference in the presence of the 10-min sample object at any delay. Novelty preference in the presence of the 2-day sample object occurred at the 3-h (P < 0.05) and 5-day delays (P < 0.001), but not the 1-h delay. The lack of novelty preference when pigs were tested with the 10-min sample object may have been due to failure to habituate to the sample object. Testing in a different location from the initial sample object exposure and retroactive interference from exposure to the 10-min sample object may have contributed to a temporary lack of novelty preference when pigs were tested with the 2-day sample object at the 1-h delay. The finding that pigs retained a memory for the 2-day sample object for at least 5 days suggests that restricting object exposure to less than 2 days may help to preserve the exploratory value of objects rotated among pens. |
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 |
2892 |
Permanent link to this record |