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Author  |
Hogan, J. |
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Title |
Causation: the study of behavioural mechanisms |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2005 |
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Animal Biology (formerly Netherlands Journal of Zoology) |
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55 |
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4 |
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323-341 |
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This paper describes current work on the causal analysis of behaviour systems. It is noted that while causal work investigating the neural, hormonal, and genetic bases of behaviour is flourishing, work being conducted at a strictly behavioural level of analysis has declined greatly over the past 40 years. Nonetheless, most recent research on animal cognition and applied ethology is still being carried out at a behavioural level of analysis and examples of both types of research are presented: memory mechanisms of food-storing birds and decisions of spider-eating jumping spiders, as well as feather pecking in fowl and animal welfare issues, are all briefly discussed. Finally, I discuss the similarities between neural network modelling and early ethological models of motivation, and then show how a modern version of Lorenz's model of motivation can account for current research findings on dustbathing in chickens and sleep in humans. I conclude that valuable information can still be obtained by research at a behavioural level of analysis. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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3134 |
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Geisbauer, G.; Griebel, U.; Schmid, A.; Timney, B |
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Title |
Brightness discrimination and neutral point |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2004 |
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Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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Can. J. Zool |
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82 |
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4 |
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660-670 |
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Abstract: Equine brightness discrimination ability and color discrimination were measured using a two-choice discrimination
task. Two Haflinger horses (Equus caballus L., 1758) were trained to discriminate 30 different shades of grey
varying from low to high relative brightness. Their ability to distinguish shades of grey was poor, with calculated
Weber fractions of 0.42 and 0.45. In addition, a “neutral point” test to determine the dimensionality of color vision
was carried out. Three hues of blue-green were tested versus a range of grey targets with brightnesses similar to those
of the blue-green targets. A neutral point was found at about 480 nm. Thus, we can conclude that horses possess
dichromatic color vision. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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3649 |
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Author |
de Villiers, M.S.; Richardson, P.R.K.; van Jaarsveld, A.S. |
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Title |
Patterns of coalition formation and spatial association in a social carnivore, the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) |
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Journal Article |
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2003 |
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Journal of Zoology |
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J Zool |
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260 |
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4 |
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377-389 |
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coalitions; social systems; Carnivora; Lycaon pictus |
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In many social species, relationships within groups seem to be non-random but related to variables such as rank, kinship or sexual attractiveness. The endangered African wild dog Lycaon pictus is a social carnivore that lives in large, stable packs, and intra-pack associations might be expected to display similar patterns. We investigated patterns of coalition formation (support during dominance interactions, and partnership interactions) and resting associations between members of a captive pack of 19 wild dogs. The social organization of the captive pack was similar to that of free-ranging packs in many respects. Polyadic (group) incidents of coalition support were also observed in a free-ranging pack. Patterns of coalition formation in the captive pack were related to rank. Most aggressive interactions involved high-ranking individuals (particularly the alpha, beta and third-ranking males) and coalitionary support tended to reinforce the existing hierarchy. However, there was at least one example of support influencing a successful rank challenge. Support was affected by potential risks and benefits, the latter including dominance through association and revolutionary alliances. An even stronger pattern overlaid associations between pack members: coalitions and resting associations were strongest between members of the same age–sex cohort, and may have enabled the eventual dominance of younger pack members over adults. Among adults, coalitionary associations were sometimes overridden by intersexual relationships. The results from this captive pack suggest that wild dogs are sensitive to differences in competitive ability. This information, in conjunction with strong affiliative bonds between littermates, is used to manoeuvre for position in the social hierarchy. It may also be important during dispersal, in encounters with other dispersing groups of the same sex. Although most features of the social structure of the captive pack were comparable to those of free-ranging packs, aspects such as the influence of relatedness on coalition formation still need to be explored. |
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Blackwell Publishing Ltd |
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1469-7998 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5249 |
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Author |
Clutton-Brock, T.H.; Harvey, P.H. |
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Title |
Primates, brains and ecology |
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1980 |
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Journal of Zoology |
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J. Zool. Lond. |
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190 |
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3 |
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309-323 |
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The paper examines systematic relationships among primates between brain size (relative to body size) and differences in ecology and social system. Marked differences in relative brain size exist between families. These are correlated with inter-family differences in body size and home range size. Variation in comparative brain size within families is related to diet (folivores have comparatively smaller brains than frugivores), home range size and possibly also to breeding system. The adaptive significance of these relationships is discussed. |
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Blackwell Publishing Ltd |
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1469-7998 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5451 |
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Author |
Bolhuis, J. |
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Title |
Function and mechanism in neuroecology: looking for clues |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Animal Biology (formerly Netherlands Journal of Zoology) |
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55 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
457-490 |
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The four questions that Niko Tinbergen identified for behavioural biology ? evolution, function, development and causation ? are all important and should be studied in their own right. Recently, there has been a debate as to whether these four questions should be investigated separately or whether they should be integrated. Integration of the four questions has been attempted in novel research disciplines such as cognitive ecology, evolutionary psychology and neuroecology. Euan Macphail and I have criticised these integrative approaches, suggesting that they are fundamentally flawed as they confound function and mechanism. Investigating the function or evolutionary history of a behaviour or cognitive system is important and entirely legitimate. However, such investigations cannot provide us with answers to questions about the mechanisms underlying behaviour or cognition. At most, functional or evolutionary considerations can provide clues that may be useful for a causal analysis of the underlying mechanisms. However, these clues can be misleading and are often wrong, as is illustrated with examples from song learning and food storing in birds. After summarising the main issues in the neuroecology debate, I discuss some misunderstandings that were apparent in the responses to our critique, as well as some recent relevant data. Recent results do not support the neuroecological approach. Finally, I suggest that the way forward is a cautious and critical use of functional and evolutionary clues in the study of the mechanisms of behaviour. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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3396 |
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Author |
Alexander, R, MCN et al |
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Title |
Fast locomotion of some african ungulates |
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Year |
1977 |
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Journal of Zoology |
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J Zool |
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183 |
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3 |
Pages |
291-300 |
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ABSTRACT
Ten species of ungulate were filmed, galloping in their natural habitat. They ranged in size from Thomson's gazelle (about 20 kg) to giraffe (about 1000 kg). They were pursued to make them run as fast as possible. The films have been analysed to determine speed, stride frequency, stride and step lengths, and duty factors. The dependence of these quantities on body size is discussed.
Summary:
Fast locomotion of zebra, giraffe, warthog and seven species of Bovidae has been studied. The animals were filmed from a pursuing vehicle while galloping in their natural habitat.
Stride frequency was more closely correlated with limb length (represented by hip height) than with body mass. Mean stride frequency was proportional to (hip height)-0·51 and maximum stride frequency to (hip height) -0·63.
Maximum speed was between 10 and 14 m s -1 for all species except buffalo (7 m s -1). It was not significantly correlated with body mass.
Since the small species ran at least as fast as the large ones they attained higher Froude numbers. Relative stride length was approximately 1·8 (Froude number)0·39 for all species, irrespective of size. Relative step length was approximately 0·65 (Froude number)0·2, both for the fore feet and for the hind ones. The vertical forces exerted by the feet are proportional to (body weight)×(Froude number)0·2 so the forces at maximum speed are larger multiples of body weight for small species than for large ones. |
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from Prof. Hans Klingels Equine Reference List |
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refbase @ user @ |
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130 |
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