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Author Topál, J.; Csányi, V.
Title Interactive learning in the paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis): an ethological interpretation of the second-order conditioning paradigm Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal (up) Anim. Cogn.
Volume 2 Issue 4 Pages 197-206
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Abstract This study was aimed at the examination of 'mental construction' in paradise fish by interactive learning, which is suggested as an alternative hypothesis for backward or second-order conditioning. Avoidance of goldfish was established in paradise fish by presenting a harmless goldfish (a novel stimulus) after an aversive event (mild electric shocks) in the dark compartment of a shuttle tank. It was found that this avoidance depended on context pre-exposure. Experiment 1 was designed to study the effect of mild shocks on shuttling activity in a familiar context. Experiment 2 aimed at establishing fear-conditioning to the goldfish in a higher-order conditioning paradigm. In the course of training, unpaired stimuli were presented in the dark compartment of the shuttle tank in such a manner that the presentation of mild shocks (20 mA) preceded the encounter with a harmless fish (goldfish). Experiment 3 demonstrated the role of context pre-exposure in interactive learning. Results indicate that (1) while 60 mA shocks resulted in avoidance of the dark compartment, the 20 mA mild shocks affected exploratory behaviour; (2) after pre-exposure to the training environment, paradise fish avoided the dark compartment containing goldfish provided that subjects had previously encountered mild, explorative shocks there; (3) this conditioned fear, a 'mental construction' of a potential danger, was proved to be transferable to another context and was consequently aimed specifically at the goldfish, a living being, rather than the training context; (4) the pre-exposure to the shuttle tank was an important part of this training procedure, that is, only subjects habituated to the shuttle tank avoided the goldfish. Results are discussed in the framework of the Interactive Learning Hypothesis, which has been developed as an ethological approach to a higher-order conditioning paradigm.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3302
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Author Wauters, A. M.; Richard-Yris, M.-A.; Richard, J. P.; Foraste M.
Title Internal and external factors modulate food-calling in domestic hens Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal (up) Anim. Cogn.
Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 1-10
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Abstract Two series of experiments investigated factors affecting utterance of food calls in the domestic hen, Gallus domesticus. The first series of experiments tested the effect of food preference and the hen’s internal state on the utterance of food calls. Different food types were presented first singly and then in a choice test to 20 hens, first when hens were laying, and then when they were maternal. The second series of experiments tested the effect of hunger level on the utterance of food calls in laying hens, and maternal hens with or without chicks. These two series of experiments showed that laying hens and maternal hens showed a similar marked preference for certain types of food, but laying hens very rarely emitted food calls, in contrast to maternal hens. This shows the effect of the bird’s psychophysiological state on her tendency to emit food calls. The more a maternal hen preferred a food type, the more food calls she emitted. This was observed from the beginning of a test in single-food tests as well as in choice tests. Hunger level positively affected food-call production under certain feeding conditions in maternal hens, but not in laying hens. When maternal hens were tested in the absence of their chicks, utterance of food calls was more sustained than in the presence of chicks.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3306
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Author Westergaard, G.C.
Title Structural analysis of tool-use by tufted capuchins (Cebus apella) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal (up) Anim. Cogn.
Volume 2 Issue 3 Pages 141-145
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Abstract Using Matsuzawa's hierarchical system of classification, I compared tool-use patterns of tufted capuchins (Cebus apella) to those of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). The results indicated that wild C. apella exhibit fewer and less complex tool-use patterns than do captive C. apella and wild and captive P. troglodytes. Although most patterns of tool-use observed among P. troglodytes occur in captive C. apella, there are some notable exceptions, including tool-use in communicative contexts and the use ¶of three-tool combinations. I conclude that C. apella are unique among monkeys in their demonstrated propensities for higher-order combinatorial behavior and are likely capable of using symbolic combinations, although not at the level of complexity that has been demonstrated in ¶P. troglodytes.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3324
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Author Wiltschko, W.; Balda, R.P.; Jahnel, M.; Wiltschko, R.
Title Sun compass orientation in seed-caching corvids: its role in spatial memory Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal (up) Anim. Cogn.
Volume 2 Issue 4 Pages 215-221
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Abstract The role of sun compass orientation in spatial memory of Clark's nutcrackers, Nucifraga columbiana, and pinyon jays, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus, was studied in a series of cache recovery experiments. Birds were tested in an octagonal outdoor aviary with sand-filled cups inserted in the floor. For caching, only 12 such cups in a 90° sector were available, while for recovery 4-7 days later all 48 cups in the entire aviary were open. In control tests, the birds concentrated their search activity in the sector where they had cached. When their internal clock was shifted 6 h between caching and recovery, pinyon jays shifted their search activity to the 90° adjacent sector, as predicted if the sun compass was used. Clark's nutcrackers did not respond to the first clock-shift; however, they, too, shifted their search activity after a second clock-shift back to normal. This suggests that the sun compass is a component of spatial memory in both species. Clark's nutcrackers, however, seem to rely on their sun compass to a lesser degree than pinyon jays or the previously studied scrub jays. A comparison of the findings indicates that the role of the sun in spatial memory might reflect differences in habitat and ecology of the three corvid species.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3335
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Author Theall, L.A.; Povinelli, D.J.
Title Do chimpanzees tailor their gestural signals to fit the attentional states of others? Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal (up) Anim. Cogn.
Volume 2 Issue 4 Pages 207-214
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Abstract The use of vocalizations and tactile gestures by seven juvenile chimpanzees was experimentally investigated. The subjects interacted with an experimenter who typically handed them food rewards. In some trials, however, the experimenter waited 20 s before doing so. In these trials the experimenter's eyes were either open or closed, or the experimenter was either looking away from the subject or looking directly at him/her inquisitively with head movements. Although the chimpanzees produced at least one of the non-visual gestures mentioned (touching/tapping the experimenter or vocalizing) in 72% of all experimental trials, these actions and vocalizations were deployed without regard to the attentional state of their potential recipient, despite evidence that the subjects noticed the postures that defined the experimenter's attentional state. The results are discussed in the context of the distinction between the evolution of an understanding of seeing/attention as an internal mental state versus an understanding of behavioral postures alone.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3353
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Author Spinozzi, G.; Natale, F.; Langer, J.; Brakke, K.E.
Title Spontaneous class grouping behavior by bonobos (Pan paniscus) and common chimpanzees (P. troglodytes) Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal (up) Anim. Cogn.
Volume 2 Issue 3 Pages 157-170
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Abstract Two experiments investigated spontaneous class grouping behavior by human-enculturated and language-reared bonobos (Pan paniscus) and common chimpanzees (P. troglodytes). In experiment 1, three chimpanzees ranging in age from 6 to 18 years were presented with six objects. The objects embodied three conditions: additive, multiplicative and disjoint classes. All chimpanzees spontaneously produced single- and two-category classifying. In experiment 2, six chimpanzees ranging in age from 6 to 21 years were presented with 12 objects in the same class conditions. Chimpanzees mainly produced single-category classifying. Their two-category classifying was more rudimentary than that found in experiment 1. Chimpanzees did not produce any three-category classifying which would be necessary to construct the hierarchies that humans begin to construct during early childhood.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3356
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Author Werner, C. W.; Rehkämper, G.
Title Discrimination of multidimensional geometrical figures by chickens: categorization and pattern-learning Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal (up) Anim. Cogn.
Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 27-40
Keywords Domestic chicken – Integral compound – figures – Multidimensional stimulus discrimination
Abstract Japanese bantam hens were trained to discriminate between geometrical figures varying along four integral dimensions. Only one dimension predicted food: selections of sharp-cornered figures were reinforced, while selections of rounded figures were not. In experiment 1, hens were subsequently trained to discriminate between nine figure pairs in a simultaneous discrimination task. Because single pairs contained multiple redundant cues, whereas the relevant dimension was obvious only across stimulus pairs, the results revealed effects of both generalization and reversal learning. Accordingly, learning speed was enhanced for later discriminations. Experiment 2 tested the hens“ transfer performance to unknown pairs, following experience of 9 or 18 figure pairs. Four of seven hens showed reliable transfer after experience with 9 figures, but only three showed transfer after experience with 18 figures, indicating lower transfer with higher number of stimulus pairs learned. In experiment 3, hens were trained to discriminate 27 figure pairs. Discrimination ratios further decreased and the groups of pairs differed significantly in their ratios of discrimination. Individual hens” pecking behaviour was analysed in relation to each dimension of single figures and in relation to relative differences in the levels of dimensions between paired figures. Hens were shown to be oriented towards irrelevant information and more towards relational and configurational than elemental and dimensional aspects. The results are discussed in the biological context of individual recognition in chickens" dominance hierarchies, in which we suppose that chickens identify individual flock mates by representation of their visual pattern rather than by single characteristics.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3359
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Author Langen, T.A.
Title How western scrub-jays (Aphelocoma californica) select a nut: effects of the number of options, variation in nut size, and social competition among foragers Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal (up) Anim. Cogn.
Volume 2 Issue 4 Pages 223-233
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Abstract Western scrub-jays (Aphelocoma californica) often visually assess and handle several whole (unshelled) peanuts before selecting one to transport and cache; this behavior is a search for a preferred heavy nut. I repeatedly video-taped individually identifiable jays as they landed on a feeding platform and chose from presentations of peanuts that varied in the number of items or in the distribution of sizes. I examined how differences among these presentations and a bird's social status affected the amount of assessment and the economic consequences of choice. I also examined the specific patterns of handling peanuts, called sampling, to quantify the degree to which sampling sequences were typified by repeated comparisons among sampled peanuts (retrospective sampling), or sequential assessment and rejection of peanuts (prospective sampling). Peanut assessment was more extensive and prospective when there were many options from which to choose than when there were few. Peanut assessment was more extensive and retrospective when options were similar in size than when they varied. Scrub-jays were more likely to make repeated comparisons immediately before selecting a peanut than elsewhere in a sampling sequence. Subordinate scrub-jays, who were at the greatest risk of pre-emption by competitors, assessed peanuts less extensively and were more prospective in their sampling than dominants. Unless peanuts were very similar in size, jays were more accurate at selecting a high-quality peanut and achieved a higher rate of food storage than if they had not assessed. These results show that scrub-jays can adaptively modify how they search to improve their rate of food storage, and also suggest some of the specific search tactics used by jays when assessing peanuts.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3387
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Author Price, E.O.
Title Behavioral development in animals undergoing domestication Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal (up) App Anim Behav Sci
Volume 65 Issue 3 Pages 245-271
Keywords Domestication; Domestic animals; Captivity; Behavioral development; Feral; Reintroduction
Abstract The process of domestication involves adaptation, usually to a captive environment. Domestication is attained by some combination of genetic changes occurring over generations and developmental mechanisms (e.g., physical maturation, learning) triggered by recurring environmental events or management practices in captivity that influence specific biological traits. The transition from free-living to captive status is often accompanied by changes in availability and/or accessibility of shelter, space, food and water, and by changes in predation and the social environment. These changes set the stage for the development of the domestic phenotype. Behavioral development in animals undergoing domestication is characterized by changes in the quantitative rather than qualitative nature of responses. The hypothesized loss of certain behavior patterns under domestication can usually be explained by the heightening of response thresholds. Increases in response frequency accompanying domestication can often be explained by atypical rates of exposure to certain forms of perceptual and locomotor stimulation. Genetic changes influencing the development of the domestic phenotype result from inbreeding, genetic drift, artificial selection, natural selection in captivity, and relaxed selection. Experiential contributions to the domestic phenotype include the presence or absence of key stimuli, changes in intraspecific aggressive interactions and interactions with humans. Man's role as a buffer between the animal and its environment is also believed to have an important effect on the development of the domestic phenotype. The domestication process has frequently reduced the sensitivity of animals to changes in their environment, perhaps the single-most important change accompanying domestication. It has also resulted in modified rates of behavioral and physical development. Interest in breeding animals in captivity for release in nature has flourished in recent decades. The capacity of domestic animals to survive and reproduce in nature may depend on the extent to which the gene pool of the population has been altered during the domestication process and flexibility in behavioral development. “Natural” gene pools should be protected when breeding wild animals in captivity for the purpose of reestablishing free-living natural populations. In some cases, captive-reared animals must be conditioned to live in nature prior to their release.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5663
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Author Mendl, M.
Title Performing under pressure: stress and cognitive function Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal (up) Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 65 Issue 3 Pages 221-244
Keywords Stress; Cognition; Attention; Learning; Memory; Welfare
Abstract The way in which cognitive functioning is affected by stressors is an important area of research for applied ethologists because stress caused by captive conditions may disrupt cognitive processes and lead to welfare and husbandry problems. Such problems may be minimised through an understanding of the links between stress and cognition. The effects of stress on cognitive function have been studied in disciplines ranging from human perceptual psychology to animal neuroscience. The aim of this paper is to provide an introduction to this research, focusing on the effects of stressors on attention, memory formation and memory recall. Findings from such a diverse literature with little apparent inter-disciplinary communication are inevitably complex and often contradictory. Nevertheless, some generalities do emerge. The idea that an inverted U-shaped relationship exists between an individual's state of stress or arousal and its ability to perform a cognitive task effectively, the so-called Yerkes-Dodson law, is commonly encountered. The law has limited explanatory value because it is unlikely that different stressors act on cognitive function via the same intervening, non-specific state. Furthermore, the law only provides a very general description of the relationship between stress and cognitive function. Empirical research on attention and memory processes reveals more specific findings. Stressors appear to cause shifts, lapses and narrowing of attention, and can also influence decision speed. These processes may be viewed as serving an adaptive role helping the animal to search for and scrutinise a source of danger. There is conflicting evidence as to whether hormones involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress response play a part in these processes. These hormones and those involved in the sympathetic-adrenomedullary stress response do appear to play an important role in memory formation. Low or moderate concentrations of circulating glucocorticoids and catecholamines can enhance memory formation, while excessively high or prolonged elevations of these hormones can lead to memory disruption. The effects of stressors on memory recall are less clear. There is evidence for disruptive effects, and for facilitatory effects indicating state-dependent memory recall; events experienced under conditions of high arousal may be best recalled under similar conditions. Applied ethologists have the opportunity to extend work in this area, which often involves studies of single stressors/stress hormones acting in isolation and limited measures of cognitive function, by focusing on real-life husbandry stressors encountered by captive animals. This will yield fundamental information which also has direct relevance to animal welfare and management issues.
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Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 393
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