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Author Westlin-van Aarde, L.M.; van Aarde, R. J.; Skinner, J. D. doi  openurl
  Title Reproduction in female Hartmann's zebra Type Journal Article
  Year 1988 Publication Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Abbreviated Journal J Reprod Fert  
  Volume 84 Issue Pages 505-511  
  Keywords zebra; reproduction; ovaries; seasonality; progesterone  
  Abstract Ovaries, fetuses and plasma were collected from zebra mares shot in the Etosha National Park in Namibia between 15 and 25 August 1983. Ovarian weight was affected by reproductive status and most of the non-pregnant mares were anoestrous. The number of follicles varied between individuals and only pro-oestrous/oestrous mares had follicles larger than 20 mm in diameter. The largest follicle in pregnant mares was only 9 mm in diameter. Corpora lutea and corpora albicantia were found in non-pregnant as well as pregnant mares: 4 pregnant mares had only corpora albicantia. The presence of secondary corpora lutea could not be confirmed in any of the pregnant mares. Implantation was estimated to occur at around 73 days of gestation, and most mares (84%) had conceived between November and April. Peripheral concentrations of plasma progesterone during pregnancy varied from 0·5 to 2·4 ng/ml.  
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  Notes from Professor Hans Klingels Equine Reference List Approved yes  
  Call Number Serial 1705  
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Author Ben-Shahar, R doi  openurl
  Title Selectivity in large generalist herbivores: feeding patterns of African ungulates in a semi-arid habitat Type Journal Article
  Year 1991 Publication African Journal of Ecology Abbreviated Journal Afr. J. Ecol.  
  Volume 29 Issue 4 Pages 302-315  
  Keywords diet; forage production; grazing; wildebeest; zebra  
  Abstract Feeding habits of free-ranging wildebeest and zebra were monitored in a semi-arid nature reserve, bordering the southwestern part of Kruger National Park, South Africa. The purpose of study was to distinguish and define the feeding niches of two roughage grazers that occur in similar habitat types. The monthly compositions of diets were evaluated by direct observations of feeding bouts over a period of two years when rainfall patterns were average and animal populations were stable. Other analyses evaluated the standing biomass of grass species in the reserve during the wet summer and dry winter seasons.

A considerable overlap of grass species composition was found in the diets of wildebeest and zebra. Ordination of bi-monthly records of the diet composition showed greater variations in scores of grasses in zebra diet in comparison to wildebeest. Seasonal patterns were more apparent in the wildebeest diet. Preference ranking of grass species indicated that zebra diet remained constant in winter and summer. Wildebeest diet however, alternated with seasons, showing high preferences during the winter months for grass species which were rejected during summer.

The combined assessment of results from three separate statistical methods analysing temporal patterns and preferences in diet composition revealed contradictory trends. The solution, however, relied on the initial assumptions posed. Hence, wildebeest and zebra are essentially generalist feeders which show a limited amount of preference in their choice of diet.
 
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2226  
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Author Kaseda, Y.; Khalil, A.M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Harem size and reproductive success of stallions in Misaki feral horses Type Journal Article
  Year 1996 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 47 Issue 3-4 Pages 163-173  
  Keywords Harem size; Horse social organization; Reproduction; Blood types; Misaki feral horse  
  Abstract Over a 16-year period (1979-1994), long-term investigations were carried out on 14 Misaki feral stallions to analyze changes in harem size and the reproductive success. Harem size changed with the age of the stallions. Most stallions formed harem groups with four to five mares at the age of 4-6 and then the number of mares increased rapidly to the maximum at the age of 6-9 years. Thereafter, harem size decreased gradually to a minimum with advancing age. The harem size of 60 stable harem groups ranged from 1 to 9, and the average varied from a minimum mean of 1.8 in 1988 to a maximum mean of 5.3 in 1982. Mean harem size increased as adult sex ratio increased and a significant and positive correlation was found between them. One hundred and ninety-eight sire-foal pairs were determined by a paternity test with blood types and consort relations between stallions and mares during the study period. Out of 99 foals which were born in the stable harem groups, the true sires of 84 foals (85%) were the harem stallions in which the foals were born but the remaining 15 foals (15%) were sired by other harem stallions. Two out of three stallions which were studied throughout their lifetime produced 24 and 25 foals in 10 and 11 years of their reproductive lifespan, respectively. Another one produced only five foals in 6 years. The number of foals sired by the harem stallions was less than two over harem size 7 and some of the foals born in the harem were sired by other harem stallions. These results suggest that if a particular stallion monopolizes too many mares, he could not sire so many offspring because he could not always prevent his rival stallions from mating with his mares in wild or feral circumstances.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2308  
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Author Chenoweth, P.J.; Chase, C.C.; Larsen, R.E.; Thatcher, M.-J.D.; Bivens, J.F.; Wilcox, C.J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title The assessment of sexual performance in young Bos taurus and Bos indicus beef bulls Type Journal Article
  Year 1996 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 48 Issue 3-4 Pages 225-235  
  Keywords Bos indicus; Sex behavior; Cattle reproduction; Mating behavior; Tests  
  Abstract Yearling beef bulls, representing different Bos indicus and Bos taurus breeds, were given two sexual performance assessments (libido score, number of services, time to first mount and time of sexual inactivity) at four test periods (January, April, July and October) in 1991 (Trial 1) and 1992 (Trial 2) at the Subtropical Agricultural Research Station, Brooksville, Florida. Breed and test period, as well as their interactions, influenced most results. Sexual performance assessments generally improved with age in Bos taurus breeds, but not in Bos indicus. The temperate Bos taurus breeds (Angus and Hereford) were most sexually active, the tropically adapted Bos taurus breeds (Senepol and Romosinuano) intermediate and the two Bos indicus breeds (Brahman and Nellore x Brahman) were least active. Service rates were generally low. Seasonal patterns in sexual performance were not apparent, with breed and year differences occurring. Although breeds showed consistent test results, the failure of Bos indicus bulls to service in any test, indicates either sexual immaturity, or inadequate procedures for assessment of sexual performance in this breed group.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 2865  
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Author Wilson, R.T. doi  openurl
  Title Biodiversity of Domestic Livestock in the Republic of Yemen Type Journal Article
  Year 2003 Publication Tropical Animal Health and Production Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 35 Issue 1 Pages 27-46  
  Keywords Abstract This paper describes the domestic livestock of the Republic of Yemen and aspires to complement earlier sources listing or partially describing `breeds'. It attempts to cover all species and provide indications of production parameters through a literature review and via field observations made by the author in 1999. Information is provided on livestock numbers and the economic importance of animal production. Most animals are kept in sedentary mixed crop-livestock production systems; transhumant systems have the next greatest number of stock; with nomadic systems being of least and declining importance. Yemen's livestock appear to comprise at least 11 breeds of sheep, 5 breeds of goat, 2 breeds of cattle, 4 breeds of camel, 2 breeds of donkey and 1 breed of horse. There are no data on breeds of poultry but domestic fowl (where clearly considerable diversity exists) and pigeons are kept. There is little formal information on the history and relationships of most breeds. Some appear to be of ancient local origin, whereas others show affinities with those of neighbouring and other countries. None of the identified types is considered endangered, so conservation would be premature. A more formal and detailed genetic characterization, to add to the largely morphological and traditional classification, may, however, reveal such a need.  
  Abstract Abstract This paper describes the domestic livestock of the Republic of Yemen and aspires to complement earlier sources listing or partially describing `breeds'. It attempts to cover all species and provide indications of production parameters through a literature review and via field observations made by the author in 1999. Information is provided on livestock numbers and the economic importance of animal production. Most animals are kept in sedentary mixed crop-livestock production systems; transhumant systems have the next greatest number of stock; with nomadic systems being of least and declining importance. Yemen's livestock appear to comprise at least 11 breeds of sheep, 5 breeds of goat, 2 breeds of cattle, 4 breeds of camel, 2 breeds of donkey and 1 breed of horse. There are no data on breeds of poultry but domestic fowl (where clearly considerable diversity exists) and pigeons are kept. There is little formal information on the history and relationships of most breeds. Some appear to be of ancient local origin, whereas others show affinities with those of neighbouring and other countries. None of the identified types is considered endangered, so conservation would be premature. A more formal and detailed genetic characterization, to add to the largely morphological and traditional classification, may, however, reveal such a need.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4389  
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Author Mech L.D. url  openurl
  Title Leadership in Wolf, Canis lupus, Packs. Type Journal Article
  Year 2000 Publication Canadian Field-Naturalist Abbreviated Journal Can Field Nat  
  Volume 114 Issue 2 Pages 259-263  
  Keywords Wolf, Canis lupus, leadership, behavior, foraging, movements, pup care, provisioning, sociality, reproduction, breeding, Northwest Territories.  
  Abstract I examine leadership in Wolf (Canis lupus) packs based on published observations and data gathered during summers from 1986 to 1998 studying a free-ranging pack of Wolves on Ellesmere Island that were habituated to my presence. The breeding male tended to initiate activities associated with foraging and travel, and the breeding female to initiate, and predominate in, pup care and protection. However, there was considerable overlap and interaction during these activities such that leadership could be considered a joint function. In packs with multiple breeders, quantitative information about leadership is needed.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4688  
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Author Breuer, K.; Hemsworth, P.H.; Coleman, G.J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title The effect of positive or negative handling on the behavioural and physiological responses of nonlactating heifers Type Journal Article
  Year 2003 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 84 Issue 1 Pages 3-22  
  Keywords Dairy heifer; Fear; Handling; Stress response; Milk production; Stimulus generalisation  
  Abstract This experiment investigated the effects of positive and negative tactile handling on the stress physiology and behaviour of dairy heifers. Forty-eight 5-14-month-old nonlactating Holstein-Friesian heifers were allocated to one of two handling treatments, either positive or negative tactile handling, over four time replicates. Handling was imposed twice daily, 2-5 min per session and involved moving animals individually along a 64 m outdoor route. The negatively handled heifers took longer to approach within 1 and 2 m of a stimulus person in a standard test, than their positively handled counterparts (P<0.001) and had a greater flight distance to an approaching stimulus (P<0.001). The time taken by the heifers to approach within 1 and 2 m of a familiar person was similar to that taken to approach within 1 and 2 m of an unfamiliar person in the standard test (P<0.05). There was a tendency for heifers to have a greater flight distance from the approaching unfamiliar person than from the approaching familiar person (P=0.06). The negatively handled heifers had greater (P<0.05) increases in total cortisol concentrations 5, 10 and 15 min after exposure to a human and had higher (P<0.05) free cortisol concentrations in the afternoon than the positively handled heifers. It is concluded that the nature of the human contact affects the subsequent behavioural response of heifers to humans. This behavioural response may extend to other humans through the process of stimulus generalisation, although there was some evidence of moderate discrimination. Negative handling results in an acute stress response in the presence of humans and also leads to a chronic stress response. Further research into the effect of these stress responses on milk production and welfare in fearful cows in a commercial situation is suggested.  
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  ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4980  
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Author Rizhova, L.Y.; Kokorina, E.P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Behavioural asymmetry is involved in regulation of autonomic processes: Left side presentation of food improves reproduction and lactation in cows Type Journal Article
  Year 2005 Publication Behavioural Brain Research Abbreviated Journal Behav. Brain. Res.  
  Volume 161 Issue 1 Pages 75-81  
  Keywords Behavioural asymmetry; Somatic functions; Reproduction; Lactation  
  Abstract It is known that the right and left brain hemispheres differ in their ability to regulate autonomic processes in the organism. Direct unilateral stimulation of the brain provokes side-dependent endocrine, immune and other visceral reactions. Since brain hemispheres are mainly involved in the regulation of muscles and sensory organs on the contra lateral side of the body the activation of behavioural asymmetry stimulates the contra lateral half of the brain. The important theoretical and practical question of whether autonomic processes can be regulated via the behavioural asymmetry route remains unexplored. In this study, we report that the chronic presentation of an emotionally important stimulus--food--from the left side, improves reproductive performance in animals in a broad range of feeding conditions. The unilateral presentation of food can also influence lactation, but in this case the side-dependent effects are different under varying feeding conditions. This finding opens a simple practical approach to influence basic somatic functions in the organism.  
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  ISSN 0166-4328 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5348  
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Author Kampmann, S.; Hampson, B.A.; Pollitt, C.C. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Population dynamics of feral horses (Equus caballus) following above-average rainfall in a semi-arid environment of Australia Type Journal Article
  Year 2013 Publication Australian Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Aust Vet J  
  Volume 91 Issue 11 Pages 482-487  
  Keywords animal welfare; ecology; horses; reproduction; wildlife  
  Abstract Background Recent record rainfall in much of semi-arid Central Australia is the most likely reason for a feral horse population increase in excess of normal. Uncontrolled numbers of feral horses have habitat degradation and animal welfare implications. Objectives The aims of this study were to investigate the social structure of feral horses and assess their population growth rate following unseasonably high rainfall. Methods The study area was 4000 km2 of unmanaged, semi-arid country in Central Australia (latitude 24.50°S, longitude 132.10°E). Horses were identified by descriptive features from ground searches, movement-activated cameras and ‘hides’ positioned at key water holes. Wherever possible, sex and age categories were documented. Population growth rate was estimated by the number of foals divided by the number of horses older than 1 year in the observed population. Results A total of 1424 horses were identified and categorised, of which 335 were foals born within the current year. Only 123 juveniles were identified. Of the adult horses, 53.4% were male and 46.6% were female and this differed from parity (P = 0.04). Of the mares, 71.9% had a foal at foot and the population growth rate was 29.5%. Conclusions With a sustained population growth rate of 29.5%, this population of feral horses will more than double within 3 years. The high population increase will likely have a detrimental effect on native fauna and flora and the fragile, semi-arid ecosystems of Central Australia. After a period of high rainfall and plentiful resources, ‘normal’ drought conditions will return and many feral horses will starve and die as they compete for limited resources.  
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  ISSN 1751-0813 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5747  
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Author Aurich, J.; Wulf, M.; Ille, N.; Erber, R.; von Lewinski, M.; Palme, R.; Aurich, C. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Effects of season, age, sex and housing on salivary cortisol concentrations in horses Type Journal Article
  Year 2015 Publication Domestic Animal Endocrinology Abbreviated Journal Domest. Anim. Endocrinol.  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords horse; cortisol; diurnal rhythm; reproduction; housing  
  Abstract Abstract Analysis of salivary cortisol is increasingly used to assess stress responses in horses. Since spontaneous or experimentally induced increases in cortisol concentrations are often relatively small for stress studies proper controls are needed. This requires an understanding of factors affecting salivary cortisol over longer times. In this study, we have analysed salivary cortisol concentration over 6 mo in horses (n = 94) differing in age, sex, reproductive state and housing. Salivary cortisol followed a diurnal rhythm with highest concentrations in the morning and a decrease throughout the day (P < 0.001). This rhythm was disrupted in individual groups on individual days; however, alterations remained within the range of diurnal changes. Comparison between months showed highest cortisol concentrations in December (P < 0.001). Cortisol concentrations increased in breeding stallions during the breeding season (P < 0.001). No differences in salivary cortisol concentrations between non-pregnant mares with and without a corpus luteum existed. In stallions, mean daily salivary cortisol and plasma testosterone concentration were weakly correlated (r = 0.251, P < 0.01). No differences in salivary cortisol between female and male young horses and no consistent differences between horses of different age existed. Group housing and individual stabling did not affect salivary cortisol. In conclusion, salivary cortisol concentrations in horses follow a diurnal rhythm and are increased in active breeding sires. Time of the day and reproductive state of the horses are thus important for experiments that include analysis of cortisol in saliva.  
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  ISSN 0739-7240 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5847  
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