Records |
Author |
Touma, C.; Palme, R. |
Title |
Measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in mammals and birds: the importance of validation |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ann N Y Acad Sci |
Volume |
1046 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
54-74 |
Keywords |
Animals; Birds/*metabolism; Circadian Rhythm; Feces/*chemistry; Glucocorticoids/*analysis; Mammals/*metabolism; Reproducibility of Results; Seasons; Sex Factors |
Abstract |
In recent years, the noninvasive monitoring of steroid hormone metabolites in feces of mammals and droppings of birds has become an increasingly popular technique. It offers several advantages and has been applied to a variety of species under various settings. However, using this technique to reliably assess an animal's adrenocortical activity is not that simple and straightforward to apply. Because clear differences regarding the metabolism and excretion of glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) exist, a careful validation for each species and sex investigated is obligatory. In this review, general analytical issues regarding sample storage, extraction procedures, and immunoassays are briefly discussed, but the main focus lies on experiments and recommendations addressing the validation of fecal GCM measurements in mammals and birds. The crucial importance of scrutinizing the physiological and biological validity of fecal GCM analyses in a given species is stressed. In particular, the relevance of the technique to detect biologically meaningful alterations in adrenocortical activity must be shown. Furthermore, significant effects of the animals' sex, the time of day, season, and different life history stages are discussed, bringing about the necessity to seriously consider possible sex differences as well as diurnal and seasonal variations. Thus, comprehensive information on the animals' biology and stress physiology should be carefully taken into account. Together with an extensive physiological and biological validation, this will ensure that the measurement of fecal GCMs can be used as a powerful tool to assess adrenocortical activity in diverse investigations on laboratory, companion, farm, zoo, and wild animals. |
Address |
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Kraepelinstrasse 2-10, D-80804 Munich, Germany. touma@mpipsykl.mpg.de |
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0077-8923 |
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PMID:16055843 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4073 |
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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 |
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 |
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0077-8923 |
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PMID:15891021 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4083 |
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Author |
Novacek, M.J. |
Title |
Mammalian phylogeny: shaking the tree |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1992 |
Publication |
Nature |
Abbreviated Journal |
Nature |
Volume |
356 |
Issue |
6365 |
Pages |
121-125 |
Keywords |
Animals; Evolution; Fossils; Mammals/classification/*genetics; *Phylogeny |
Abstract |
Recent palaeontological discoveries and the correspondence between molecular and morphological results provide fresh insight on the deep structure of mammalian phylogeny. This new wave of research, however, has yet to resolve some important issues. |
Address |
American Museum of Natural History, New York 10024 |
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ISSN |
0028-0836 |
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PMID:1545862 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
3546 |
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Author |
Cameron, E.Z. |
Title |
Facultative adjustment of mammalian sex ratios in support of the Trivers-Willard hypothesis: evidence for a mechanism |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc Biol Sci |
Volume |
271 |
Issue |
1549 |
Pages |
1723-1728 |
Keywords |
Age Factors; Animals; Body Constitution; *Evolution; Female; Glucose/metabolism/physiology; Litter Size; Male; Mammals/*physiology; *Models, Biological; Reproduction/physiology; Seasons; Sex Factors; *Sex Ratio; Time Factors |
Abstract |
Evolutionary theory predicts that mothers of different condition should adjust the birth sex ratio of their offspring in relation to future reproductive benefits. Published studies addressing variation in mammalian sex ratios have produced surprisingly contradictory results. Explaining the source of such variation has been a challenge for sex-ratio theory, not least because no mechanism for sex-ratio adjustment is known. I conducted a meta-analysis of previous mammalian sex-ratio studies to determine if there are any overall patterns in sex-ratio variation. The contradictory nature of previous results was confirmed. However, studies that investigated indices of condition around conception show almost unanimous support for the prediction that mothers in good condition bias their litters towards sons. Recent research on the role of glucose in reproductive functioning have shown that excess glucose favours the development of male blastocysts, providing a potential mechanism for sex-ratio variation in relation to maternal condition around conception. Furthermore, many of the conflicting results from studies on sex-ratio adjustment would be explained if glucose levels in utero during early cell division contributed to the determination of offspring sex ratios. |
Address |
Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa. ezcameron@zoology.up.ac.za |
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ISSN |
0962-8452 |
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PMID:15306293 |
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no |
Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
413 |
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Author |
Gallistel, C.R.; Cramer, A.E. |
Title |
Computations on metric maps in mammals: getting oriented and choosing a multi-destination route |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1996 |
Publication |
The Journal of Experimental Biology |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Exp Biol |
Volume |
199 |
Issue |
Pt 1 |
Pages |
211-217 |
Keywords |
Animals; Brain/physiology; Cercopithecus aethiops; Cognition/*physiology; Humans; Mammals/*physiology; Movement; Orientation/*physiology; Rats; Space Perception; Visual Pathways/*physiology |
Abstract |
The capacity to construct a cognitive map is hypothesized to rest on two foundations: (1) dead reckoning (path integration); (2) the perception of the direction and distance of terrain features relative to the animal. A map may be constructed by combining these two sources of positional information, with the result that the positions of all terrain features are represented in the coordinate framework used for dead reckoning. When animals need to become reoriented in a mapped space, results from rats and human toddlers indicate that they focus exclusively on the shape of the perceived environment, ignoring non-geometric features such as surface colors. As a result, in a rectangular space, they are misoriented half the time even when the two ends of the space differ strikingly in their appearance. In searching for a hidden object after becoming reoriented, both kinds of subjects search on the basis of the object's mapped position in the space rather than on the basis of its relationship to a goal sign (e.g. a distinctive container or nearby marker), even though they have demonstrably noted the relationship between the goal and the goal sign. When choosing a multidestination foraging route, vervet monkeys look at least three destinations ahead, even though they are only capable of keeping a maximum of six destinations in mind at once. |
Address |
Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, USA |
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English |
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0022-0949 |
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Notes |
PMID:8576692 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2757 |
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Author |
Etienne, A.S.; Maurer, R.; Seguinot, V. |
Title |
Path integration in mammals and its interaction with visual landmarks |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1996 |
Publication |
The Journal of Experimental Biology |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Exp Biol |
Volume |
199 |
Issue |
Pt 1 |
Pages |
201-209 |
Keywords |
Animals; Cognition/physiology; Cricetinae; Gerbillinae; Humans; Locomotion/*physiology; Mammals/*physiology; Mesocricetus; Mice; Proprioception/physiology; Rats; Visual Pathways/*physiology; Visual Perception/*physiology |
Abstract |
During locomotion, mammals update their position with respect to a fixed point of reference, such as their point of departure, by processing inertial cues, proprioceptive feedback and stored motor commands generated during locomotion. This so-called path integration system (dead reckoning) allows the animal to return to its home, or to a familiar feeding place, even when external cues are absent or novel. However, without the use of external cues, the path integration process leads to rapid accumulation of errors involving both the direction and distance of the goal. Therefore, even nocturnal species such as hamsters and mice rely more on previously learned visual references than on the path integration system when the two types of information are in conflict. Recent studies investigate the extent to which path integration and familiar visual cues cooperate to optimize the navigational performance. |
Address |
Laboratoire d'Ethologie, FPSE, Universite de Geneve, Carouge, Switzerland |
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English |
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0022-0949 |
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PMID:8576691 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2758 |
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Author |
Yokoyama, S.; Radlwimmer, F.B. |
Title |
The molecular genetics of red and green color vision in mammals |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1999 |
Publication |
Genetics |
Abbreviated Journal |
Genetics |
Volume |
153 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
919-932 |
Keywords |
Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; COS Cells; Cats; Color Perception/*genetics; DNA Primers; Deer; Dolphins; *Evolution, Molecular; Goats; Guinea Pigs; Horses; Humans; Mammals/*genetics/physiology; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Opsin/biosynthesis/chemistry/*genetics; *Phylogeny; Rabbits; Rats; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sciuridae; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Transfection |
Abstract |
To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of red-green color vision in mammals, we have cloned and sequenced the red and green opsin cDNAs of cat (Felis catus), horse (Equus caballus), gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). These opsins were expressed in COS1 cells and reconstituted with 11-cis-retinal. The purified visual pigments of the cat, horse, squirrel, deer, and guinea pig have lambdamax values at 553, 545, 532, 531, and 516 nm, respectively, which are precise to within +/-1 nm. We also regenerated the “true” red pigment of goldfish (Carassius auratus), which has a lambdamax value at 559 +/- 4 nm. Multiple linear regression analyses show that S180A, H197Y, Y277F, T285A, and A308S shift the lambdamax values of the red and green pigments in mammals toward blue by 7, 28, 7, 15, and 16 nm, respectively, and the reverse amino acid changes toward red by the same extents. The additive effects of these amino acid changes fully explain the red-green color vision in a wide range of mammalian species, goldfish, American chameleon (Anolis carolinensis), and pigeon (Columba livia). |
Address |
Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA. syokoyam@mailbox.syr.edu |
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0016-6731 |
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PMID:10511567 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4063 |
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Author |
Romero, T.; Aureli, F. |
Title |
Reciprocity of support in coatis (Nasua nasua) |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2008 |
Publication |
Journal of Comparative Psychology |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
122 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
19-25 |
Keywords |
*Animal Aggressive Behavior; *Animal Social Behavior; *Mammals; Reciprocity |
Abstract |
Primate sociality has received much attention and its complexity has been viewed as a driving force for the evolution of cognitive abilities. Improved analytic techniques have allowed primate researchers to reveal intricate social networks based on the exchange of cooperative acts and services. Although nonprimates are known to show similar behavior (e.g., cooperative hunting, food sharing, coalitions) there seems a consensus that social life is less complex than in primates. Here the authors present the first group-level analysis of reciprocity of social interactions in a social carnivore, the ring-tailed coati (<xh:i xmlns:search=“http://marklogic.com/appservices/search” xmlns=“http://apa.org/pimain” xmlns:xsi=“http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance” xmlns:xh=“http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”>Nasua nasua</xh:i>). The authors found that support in aggressive conflicts is a common feature in coatis and that this behavior is reciprocally exchanged in a manner seemingly as complex as in primates. Given that reciprocity correlations persisted after controlling for the effect of spatial association and subunit membership, some level of scorekeeping may be involved. Further studies will be needed to confirm our findings and understand the mechanisms underlying such reciprocity, but our results contribute to the body of work that has begun to challenge primate supremacy in social complexity and cognition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) |
Address |
Romero, Teresa: Living Links, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 N. Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, US, 30329, mromer2@emory.edu |
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American Psychological Association |
Place of Publication |
Us |
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1939-2087(Electronic);0735-7036(Print) |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ 2008-01944-003 |
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5812 |
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Author |
Barette, C.; Vandal, D. |
Title |
Social rank, dominance, antler size, and access to food in snow-bound wild woodland caribou |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1986 |
Publication |
Behaviour |
Abbreviated Journal |
Behaviour |
Volume |
97 |
Issue |
1-2 |
Pages |
118-146 |
Keywords |
Canada; Quebec; Artiodactyla; Social dominance; Feeding behavior; Morphology; Antler; Rangifer tarandus; North America; America; Ungulata; Mammalia; Vertebrata |
Abstract |
We spent two winters studying the social behaviour of wild woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) at a time when their main food (ground lichens; Cladina sp.) is available only at snow craters dug by the animals. The competition for access to such craters was severe, the animals constantly trying to take over the craters of others. During a two-month period when a group maintained a constant size (20) and composition (all age-sex classes represented), we could rank the animals in a rather linear dominance hierarchy (Landau's index = 0.87). Rank was correlated with access to resources, percent of time spent active, and percent of time feeding in craters. It was also correlated with age and antler size. However, rank is not an attribute of individuals, but of a relationship between individuals. As such it is only an intervening variable between physical attributes and access to resources, a variable whose value has meaning only within a given group. Among the three attributes studied (age, sex, antler size), the latter was by far the best predictor of the occurrence and outcome of interactions. Between two individuals within any of the three age-sex classes studied (adult and yearling males and adult females), the one with larger antlers initiated significantly more often, escalated its aggression (to the point of hitting the target) less often, and enjoyed a higher success rate in obtaining resources. When their antlers were larger than those of an adult male target (i.e. males that had shed their antlers), adult females won almost all their interactions with adult males even though they escalated only one fourth of them. This clarifies the long-standing speculation that female caribou have antlers and shed them later than males, in order to overcome their sexual handicap in competition for food in the winter. We conclude that the link between rank and dominance of an individual on one hand, and some of its attributes on the other (e.g. sex, age, weight, antler size) is fundamentally realized by the animal itself through its active preference for targets it is likely to beat, i.e. targets with smaller antlers. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4269 |
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Author |
Wolff, A.; Hausberger, M. |
Title |
Behaviour of foals before weaning may have some genetic basis |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1994 |
Publication |
Ethology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ethology |
Volume |
96 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
1-10 |
Keywords |
Locomotion; Suckling; Social behavior; Foraging behavior; Exploratory behavior; Interindividual comparison; Young animal; Genetic inheritance; Captivity; Social interaction; Feeding behavior; Perissodactyla; Ungulata; Mammalia; Vertebrata |
Abstract |
In this preliminary study on foal behaviour, 13 French saddlebred foals (2-3 mo old) and their dams were observed on pasture. The most important findings are the interindividual quantitative differences in foal behaviour patterns as well as in the amount of mainly foal-initiated time spent at given distances from their mares. Interindividual differences seem in part due to a sire effect |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5022 |
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