Abstract: In the last two decades, the study of language parallels in nonhuman animals has generated considerable controversy and excitement. Many have perceived demonstrations of linguistic skills in nonhuman animals as a threat to human uniqueness, whereas others have been uncritical of claims for complex cognitive skills in animals. Two different paradigms for studying linguistic parallels have appeared. One approach teaches great apes linguistic analogues of human language using signs or arbitrary symbol systems; the other seeks to decode communicative complexity in the natural languages of nonhuman animals. This paper reviews the language analogue studies with great apes and cetaceans, examining the utility of the different methods and reviewing the animals' accomplishments. Studies of ontogeny, syntax, referential communication, audience effects, and perception of vocalizations in the natural communication of birds, squirrels, and primates are evaluated. Finally, the brain mechanisms underlying human speech and language are compared with those involved in vocal communication in nonhuman primates. Although chimpanzees and bonobos have accomplished much, they do not threaten human uniqueness with respect to speech and language. Many of the claims for language paralleles in natural communication systems of nonhuman animals are weak, and many can be interpreted without recourse to cognitive constructs. Whereas there exist many similarities between subcortical controls of language and of animal vocalizations, there are no parallels to Broca's and Wernicke's areas in monkeys. However, the critical studies have not been done.

Abstract: A functional corpus luteum was found in the ovary contralateral to the ovary with a granulosa cell tumor in a 24-year-old Standardbred mare. The mare was ovariectomized because she was to be used as a jump mare for collection of semen from stallions. The blood concentration of progesterone was 2.2 ng/ml, and the luteal tissue progesterone concentration was 6.3 micrograms/mg. Atrophy of the contralateral ovary is one of the major signs used in diagnosis of granulosa cell tumor; however, our findings indicate that the ovary contralateral to a granulosa cell tumor is not invariably nonfunctional.

Abstract: The Swedish riding horse population includes about 6000 broodmares and 150 breeding stallions. The overall breeding goal is to produce riding horses competitive in several disciplines, i.e. dressage as well as showjumping and eventing. The effectiveness of this multi-purpose objective was studied in alternative strategies for selecting stallions and mares as candidate dams for them. The alternative selection strategies for stallions included 1-stage (conformation), 2-stage (conformation and performance test) and 3-stage (conformation, performance test and competition results at advanced levels) selection schemes. The mare selection schemes included the corresponding 1- and 2-stage selection schemes. The results clearly showed the 2-stage selection procedure to be most efficient, especially for stallions. It is important that the intensity in selection after the performance test is kept high. Differences in defining the breeding objective are less important, provided the selection is based on a performance test including both dressage and jumping. According to the results, the development of the Swedish performance testing scheme, in which now only 30% of the tested stallions are selected for breeding, seems justified. In mare selection schemes, performance tests also seem to be justified, especially if jumping ability is to be improved. Differences between field and station tests are only minor and since the volume of testing can be much higher in the field this would allow a much stronger selection and should thus be preferred.

Abstract: The effect of social rank on the feeding behaviour of female red deer, Cervus elaphus L., on the Isle of Rhum, Scotland, was investigated. Hinds were less likely to approach and more likely to leave the vicinity of other individuals if these hinds were dominant to them. Movements away by subordinates were more likely to involve a break from feeding. Feeding rate, as measured by bite rate, increased with distance from dominant neighbours, but was unaffected by the distance to subordinates. It appears that aggressive interactions had little direct effect on access to food. Instead, it is suggested that feeding competition in red deer hinds is largely a passive process, operating through the avoidance of conflict by subordinates.