|
|
Hopper, L. M., Price, S. A., Freeman, H. D., Lambeth, S. P., Schapiro, S. J., & Kendal, R. L. (2013). Influence of personality, age, sex, and estrous state on chimpanzee problem-solving success. Anim. Cogn., 17(4), 835–847.
Abstract: Despite the importance of individual problem solvers for group- and individual-level fitness, the correlates of individual problem-solving success are still an open topic of investigation. In addition to demographic factors, such as age or sex, certain personality dimensions have also been revealed as reliable correlates of problem-solving by animals. Such correlates, however, have been little-studied in chimpanzees. To empirically test the influence of age, sex, estrous state, and different personality factors on chimpanzee problem-solving, we individually tested 36 captive chimpanzees with two novel foraging puzzles. We included both female (N = 24) and male (N = 12) adult chimpanzees (aged 14–47 years) in our sample. We also controlled for the females’ estrous state—a potential influence on cognitive reasoning—by testing cycling females both when their sexual swelling was maximally tumescent (associated with the luteinizing hormone surge of a female’s estrous cycle) and again when it was detumescent. Although we found no correlation between the chimpanzees’ success with either puzzle and their age or sex, the chimpanzees’ personality ratings did correlate with responses to the novel foraging puzzles. Specifically, male chimpanzees that were rated highly on the factors Methodical, Openness (to experience), and Dominance spent longer interacting with the puzzles. There was also a positive relationship between the latency of females to begin interacting with the two tasks and their rating on the factor Reactivity/Undependability. No other significant correlations were found, but we report tentative evidence for increased problem-solving success by the females when they had detumescent estrous swellings.
|
|
|
|
Waldern, N. M., Wiestner, T., Ramseier, L. C., Amport, C., & Weishaupt, M. A. (2013). Effects of shoeing on limb movement and ground reaction forces in Icelandic horses at walk, tölt and trot. Vet. J., 198, Supplement 1, e103–e108.
Abstract: Abstract Tölt is a symmetric four-beat gait with a speed range extending into that of trot and canter. Specific shoeing methods, such as unnaturally high and long hooves, are used to enforce individual gait predisposition. The aim of this study was to assess the consequences of this shoeing style on loading and movement of the limbs at walk, tölt and trot, and at different velocities. Simultaneous kinetic and kinematic gait analysis was carried out at walk (1.4 m/s) and at two tölting and trotting speeds (3.3 m/s and 3.9 m/s) on an instrumented treadmill. Thirteen sound Icelandic horses were first measured with high, long front hooves (SH) and, 1 week later, after trimming the hooves according to standard shoeing principles (SN). Comparing SH with SN, front hooves had 21 ± 5 mm longer dorsal hoof walls, and the shoeing material per hoof was 273 ± 50 g heavier. In all three gaits, gait quality, as it is currently judged, was improved with SH due to a lower stride rate, a longer stride length and a higher, but not wider, forelimb protraction arc, which were also positively associated with speed. Forelimb–hind limb balance remained unchanged, but limb impulses were higher. Apart from an increase of ⩽2.2% in the forelimbs at the faster speed of both tölt and trot, SH had little influence on vertical peak forces.
|
|
|
|
Graf, P., Schneider, T., KönigvonBorstel, U., & Gauly M. (2013). Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse einer objektivierten Temperamentbeurteilung bei Pferden [Economic evaluation of an objective temperament assessment in horses]. Züchtungskunde, 85(2), 129–142.
Abstract: Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Ermittlung der Kosten eines Verhaltenstests zur
objektiven Temperamentbeurteilung. Sie wurde an 1028 Pferden auf 55 Zuchtveranstaltungen
und Privatbetrieben ermittelt.
Weiterhin wurde eine Befragung zur allgemeinen Akzeptanz einer solchen Beurteilung
bei Reitpferden durchgeführt. Zusätzlich wurde mit Hilfe einer Online-Umfrage die
Meinung zu den Kosten und dem Aufwand einer solchen Beurteilung ermittelt. Die
Kosten der Einführung einer objektiven Temperamentbeurteilung entsprechen nach Einbeziehung
aller Faktoren ca. 18 Euro je Pferd. Den Kosten steht die Zahlungsbereitschaft
für eine verbesserte, da objektivierte Temperamentbeurteilung gegenüber. Insgesamt
56,7% der Befragten wären bereit, mehr als 11 Euro für eine objektive Interieurbeurteilung
auf Leistungsprüfungen im Feld zu investieren. Im Rahmen von Stationsprüfungen
wären sie sogar bereit mehr als 30 Euro aufzuwenden. Die Wertsteigerung eines im
Rahmen des Verfahrens positiv bewerteten Pferdes um 5%, die von den Teilnehmern der
Umfrage durchschnittlich angenommen wird, würde zusätzlich den Gewinn beim Pferdeverkauf
steigern. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Kosten einer objektiven Temperamentbeurteilung
durch eine erhöhte Zahlungsbereitschaft der Käufer scheinbar kompensiert
werden können, so dass die Einführung eines Temperamenttests zur objektiven Interieurbeurteilung
in Form der vorgestellten Untersuchungen grundsätzlich finanzierbar ist.
[The aim of the present study was to assess costs as well as riders’ acceptance of an
objective temperament evaluation in riding horses. Costs were determined based on a
novel object test conducted in 1028 horses tested on 65 occasions during performance
tests or in private stables. In addition, an online survey was used to identify riders’
opinion about the costs and benefits of such an assessment. Based on the conditions
assumed in the present study the costs for temperament testing have amount 18 Euro per
horse. More than 50% of the respondents were willing to pay more than 11 Euro for an
objective temperament assessment in their horses during performance tests in field.
Within performance tests on station they would spend more than 30 Euro for an objective temperament assessment. Participants further assumed a rise in value of favourably
assessed horses by 5%, leading to increased profits when selling the horse. In conclusion,
riders appear to be willing to cover the additional costs accrued from the temperament
test. Therefore, the introduction of an objective temperament assessment is likely to pay
off.]
|
|
|
|
Graf, P., König von Borstel, U., & Gauly, M. (2013). Importance of personality traits in horses to breeders and riders. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 8(5), 316–325.
Abstract: Abstract Especially in horses, personality traits play an important role because horses' behavior influences their quality as a riding partner. In contrast to that, no objective assessment of horses' personality traits is available at present. Although initial efforts are made in this field, a successful implementation of behavior tests into horse performance tests depends on the acceptance of the riders and breeders. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the importance of personality traits to breeders and riders as well as the degree of riders' acceptance of a temperament test as a more objective means of assessing equine personality traits. Using a web-based survey consisting of a 41-item questionnaire, a total of 1087 competition riders (49.3%), breeders (39.0%), leisure riders (37.9%), and professional riders (8.6%) of 13 countries were recruited to participate in the survey. When asked to split 1000 Euro among the different traits listed in the breeding goal, respondents clearly assigned more weight to the personality-related character and temperament traits (least squares mean ± standard error; P < 0.005: €228.7 ± 17.6) and willingness to work (€123.0 ± 9.6) compared with performance traits, such as the quality of trot (€77.7 ± 6.9) or show jumping (€68.0 ± 12.3). Nevertheless, expected differences in relative weighting of traits between the different groups of riders were confirmed (e.g., character and temperament: €209.3 ± 6.1 [leisure riders] vs. €149.7 ± 5.4 [competition riders], P < 0.0001). When asking why personality traits are so important, the simplification of daily work with the horses (47.9%) and relationship between horse and human (44.9%) as well as a more comfortable and safer handling (31.5%) were most commonly listed. As much as 45.6% of all participants see quality problems with the current assessment and suggested the evaluation of all breeding animals (30.1%), followed by a better standardization of assessment procedures (25.5%) and a move to more objective criteria such as the introduction of a temperament test (20.3%) for solving the problems. The present survey revealed that behavior traits are very important to all groups of riders and breeders, although there are diverse opinions about it. According to the participants, there is a need for and a high potential in the move toward more objective assessment methods of horses' personality traits, and participants would support a restructuring of the current assessment.
|
|
|
|
Siniscalchi, M., McFarlane, J. R., Kauter, K. G., Quaranta, A., & Rogers, L. J. (2013). Cortisol levels in hair reflect behavioural reactivity of dogs to acoustic stimuli. Research in Veterinary Science, 94(1), 49–54.
Abstract: Cortisol levels in hair samples were examined in fourteen domestic dogs and related to the dogs’ responses to different acoustic stimuli. Stimuli were playbacks of species-typical vocalizations recorded during three different situations (“disturbance”, “isolation” and “play” barks) and the sounds of a thunderstorm. Hair samples were collected at 9:00 h and 17:00 h two weeks after the behavioural tests. Results showed that behavioural reactivity to playback of the various stimuli correlates with cortisol levels in hair samples collected at 9:00 h, and the same was the case for the separate measures of behaviour (i.e. hiding, running away, seeking attention from the tester, panting and lowering of the body posture). Hence, levels of cortisol in hair appear to reflect the dog’s chronic state of emotional reactivity, or temperament.
|
|
|
|
Siniscalchi, M., Cirone, F., Guaricci, A. C., & Quaranta, A. (2013). Catecholamine plasma levels, IFN-γ serum levels and antibodies production induced by rabies vaccine in dogs selected for their paw preference. Laterality: Asymmetries of Body, Brain and Cognition, 19(5), 522–532.
Abstract: To explore the possible role of the sympathetic nervous activity in the asymmetrical crosstalk between the brain and immune system, catecholamine (E, NE) plasma levels, Interferon-? (IFN-?) serum levels and production of antibodies induced by rabies vaccine in dogs selected for their paw preference were measured. The results showed that the direction of behavioural lateralization influenced both epinephrine levels and immune response in dogs. A different kinetic of epinephrine levels after immunization was observed in left-pawed dogs compared to both right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs. The titers of antirabies antibodies were lower in left-pawed dogs than in right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs. Similarly, the IFN-? serum levels were lower in left-pawed dogs than in the other two groups. Taken together, these findings showed that the left-pawed group appeared to be consistently the different group stressing the fundamental role played by the sympathetic nervous system as a mechanistic basis for the crosstalk between the brain and the immune system.
|
|
|
|
Leblanc, M. - A. (2013). The mind of the horse, An Introduction to Equine Cognition. Harvard, MA: Harvard University Press.
Abstract: Horses were first domesticated about 6,000 years ago on the vast Eurasian steppe extending from Mongolia to the Carpathian Mountains. Yet only in the last two decades have scientists begun to explore the specific mental capacities of these animals. Responding to a surge of interest in fields from ethology to comparative psychology and evolutionary biology, Michel-Antoine Leblanc presents an encyclopedic synthesis of scientific knowledge about equine behavior and cognition. The Mind of the Horse provides experts and enthusiasts alike with an up-to-date understanding of how horses perceive, think about, and adapt to their physical and social worlds.
Much of what we know—or think we know—about “the intelligence of the horse” derives from fragmentary reports and anecdotal evidence. Putting this accumulated wisdom to the test, Leblanc introduces readers to rigorous experimental investigations into how horses make sense of their world under varying conditions. He describes the anatomical and neurophysiological characteristics of the horse’s brain, and offers an evolutionary perspective by comparing these features with those of other species. A horseman himself, Leblanc also considers the opinions of renowned riding masters, as well as controversies surrounding the extraordinary powers of the horse’s mind that have stirred in equestrian and scientific circles.
Although scientists understand more today about how horses think than at any time in our species’ long acquaintance with these animals, much remains in the dark. The Mind of the Horse brings together the current state of equine research and will likely stimulate surprising new discoveries.
|
|
|
|
Freidin, E., Putrino, N., D’Orazio, M., & Bentosela, M. (2013). Dogs’ Eavesdropping from People’s Reactions in Third Party Interactions. PLoS ONE, 8(11), e79198 EP -.
Abstract: <p>Eavesdropping involves the acquisition of information from third-party interactions, and can serve to indirectly attribute reputation to individuals. There is evidence on eavesdropping in dogs, indicating that they can develop a preference for people based on their cooperativeness towards others. In this study, we tested dogs’ eavesdropping abilities one step further. In a first experiment, dogs could choose between cooperative demonstrators (the donors) who always gave food to an approaching third person (the beggar); here, the only difference between donors was whether they received positive or negative reactions from the beggar (through verbal and gestural means). Results showed that dogs preferentially approached the donor who had received positive reactions from the beggar. By contrast, two different conditions showed that neither the beggar’s body gestures nor the verbal component of the interaction on their own were sufficient to affect the dogs’ preferences. We also ran two further experiments to test for the possibility of dogs’ choices being driven by local enhancement. When the donors switched places before the choice, dogs chose at random. Similarly, in a nonsocial condition in which donors were replaced by platforms, subjects chose at chance levels. We conclude that dogs’ nonrandom choices in the present protocol relied on the simultaneous presence of multiple cues, such as the place where donors stood and several features of the beggar’s behavior (gestural and verbal reactions, and eating behavior). Nonetheless, we did not find conclusive evidence that dogs discriminated the donors by their physical features, which is a prerequisite of reputation attribution.</p>
|
|
|
|
Pedersen, E. J., Kurzban, R., & McCullough, M. E. (2013). Do humans really punish altruistically? A closer look. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B, 280(1758).
Abstract: Some researchers have proposed that natural selection has given rise in humans to one or more adaptations for altruistically punishing on behalf of other individuals who have been treated unfairly, even when the punisher has no chance of benefiting via reciprocity or benefits to kin. However, empirical support for the altruistic punishment hypothesis depends on results from experiments that are vulnerable to potentially important experimental artefacts. Here, we searched for evidence of altruistic punishment in an experiment that precluded these artefacts. In so doing, we found that victims of unfairness punished transgressors, whereas witnesses of unfairness did not. Furthermore, witnesses’ emotional reactions to unfairness were characterized by envy of the unfair individual's selfish gains rather than by moralistic anger towards the unfair behaviour. In a second experiment run independently in two separate samples, we found that previous evidence for altruistic punishment plausibly resulted from affective forecasting error—that is, limitations on humans’ abilities to accurately simulate how they would feel in hypothetical situations. Together, these findings suggest that the case for altruistic punishment in humans—a view that has gained increasing attention in the biological and social sciences—has been overstated.
|
|
|
|
Fürst, A. (2013). Haltungsbedingte Erkrankungen und Verletzungen des Pferdes: Vor- und Nachteile der verschiedenen Haltungssystemen aus medizinischer Sicht.
|
|
