Animal Behavior

Multiple dynamic representations in the motor cortex during sensorimotor learning

by Diego Gutnisky

Reproduction elevates the corticosterone stress response in common fruit bats

by K-lynn Smith

Changes in reproductive state or the environment may affect the sensitivity of the hypothalamicpituitary-andrenal (HPA)... more Changes in reproductive state or the environment may affect the sensitivity of the hypothalamicpituitary-andrenal (HPA) axis. However, little is
known about the dynamics of the resulting corticosteroid stress response, in particular in tropical mammals. In this study, we address the modulation of
corticosterone release in response to different reproductive conditions and seasonality in 326 free-living
common fruit-eating bats (Artibeus jamaicensis) on
Barro Colorado Island in Panama during dry and wet
seasons. We present strong evidence that stress sensitivity is primarily modulated by reproductive condition. In reproductively active females, corticosterone
increases were more rapid and reached higher levels,
but also decreased significantly faster than in inactive
females. The corticosterone response was weaker in
reproducing males than in females and delayed compared to non-reproductive males. Testes volume in
reproductively active males was negatively correlated
with corticosterone concentrations. Our findings suggest differentiated dynamics in the corticosterone stress
response between sexes, potentially reflecting conflicting ecological demands. In females, a strong acute
corticosterone response may represent high stress- and
risk-sensitivity that facilitates escape and thus helps to
protect reproduction. In males, suppression during
reproductive activity could reflect lowered stress sensitivity to avoid chronically elevated corticosterone
levels in times of frequent aggressive and therefore
costly inter-male encounters.

Food-associated vocalizations in mammals and birds: what do these calls really mean?

by K-lynn Smith

Aerial alarm calling by male fowl (Gallus gallus) reveals subtle new mechanisms of risk management

by K-lynn Smith

published in 'Animal Behaviour'

Alarm calling is a classic problem in evolutionary biology. Although a signaller may increase the likelihood of... more Alarm calling is a classic problem in evolutionary biology. Although a signaller may increase the likelihood of survival for group members, which typically include kin and mates, there are inherent risks associated with any behaviour that increases conspicuousness to predators. Callers can increase their indirect benefits by calling only in the presence of an appropriate audience and manage concomitant costs by judicious investment. Possible tactics for controlling costs include facultative variation in call structure and timing, as well as sensitivity to the environmental and social factors that predict personal vulnerability. We examined individual variation in the alarm-calling behaviour of male fowl in naturalistic social groups. Previous studies of cost management have focused on variation at the level of alarm call rate. We took advantage of recent advances in wireless sound recording and remote video monitoring to test for more subtle variation in signal structure and timing. These were then mapped onto individual mating success and moment-to-moment changes in environmental and social context. Results replicate the previous finding that alarm calling is sensitive to both social rank and recent mating success. In addition, we detected systematic variation in call structure as a function of personal vulnerability and proximity to a rival male. The frequency bandwidth of alarms was reliably influenced by degree of vigilance prior to calling, suggesting that this acoustic dimension reflects motivational state. Taken together, these results reveal several novel tactics for risk management, complementing those previously described at the level of gross variation in alarm-calling behaviour.

Silent tidbitting in male fowl, Gallus gallus: a referential visual signal with multiple functions

by K-lynn Smith

On the function of an enigmatic ornament: wattles increase the conspicuousness of visual displays in male fowl

by K-lynn Smith

Tactical multimodal signalling in birds: facultative variation in signal modality reveals sensitivity to social costs

by K-lynn Smith

Space allowance and the behaviour of captive southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

by Kris Descovich

Descovich, Kristin A., Lisle, Allan. T., Johnston, Stephen & Phillips, Clive J. IN PRESS. Space allowance and the behaviour of captive southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons). Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

Captive southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) often display indicators of sub-standard welfare,... more Captive southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) often display indicators of sub-standard welfare, including aggression and stereotypical pacing. To determine if space availability influences the welfare of wombats, the behaviour of three groups of L. latifrons (n = 3) was studied in three different sized enclosures: small (S) (75.5 m2; the minimum space requirement for three wombats in Queensland, Australia), medium (M) (151 m2, twice the minimum space) and large (L) (224 m2, three times the minimum space) in a Latin Square design. Compared to wombats in larger enclosures, those in the small enclosure were observed to display more biting (S: 1.96; M: 0.42; L: 0.28, SED ± 0.56 counts / day, P = 0.01), retreat from conspecifics (S: 15.0; M: 9.9; L: 7.1 SED ± 2.66 counts / day, P = 0.03), and visual scanning (S: 52.8; M: 33.9; L: 28.8, SED ± 4.62 counts / day, P < 0.001); they also spent more time fenceline digging, which may represent attempts to escape (S: 0.78; M: 0.16; L: 0.24, SED ± 0.07 min / m / day, P < 0.0001). Those in the largest enclosure showed less self-directed grooming behaviour than those in the two smaller enclosures (S: 23.80; M: 24.08; L: 14.42, SED ± 3.22 counts / day, P = 0.02). It is concluded that small enclosure size had a negative impact on the behaviour of wombat, and as a consequence, current minimum space requirements for wombats in captivity should be reassessed.

Activity and enrichment use in disabled Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) rescued from bile farms

by Jamie Ahloy Dallaire

Dallaire JA, Field N, and Mason GJ. 2012. Animal Welfare 22(2):167-176.

Physical disability has the potential to impede the use of environmental enrichments in rehabilitation programmes. We... more Physical disability has the potential to impede the use of environmental enrichments in rehabilitation programmes. We therefore compared the behaviour of 63 disabled and non-disabled socially housed adult Asiatic black bears rescued from bile farms for 103 observation hours. Amputees were less active than non-amputees, spent less time standing, travelled less between different areas of their outdoor enclosure, and showed less frequent stereotypic behaviour. Blind bears also showed low levels of activity and stereotypic behaviour. Blind bears and male amputees spent less time than non-disabled bears eating food dispersed throughout the enclosure as a foraging enrichment. It is unclear whether their infrequent eating is due to impaired foraging, or to lower energy demands arising from lower activity levels. Blind bears tended to manipulate feeders and other enrichment objects less than sighted bears. Disabled bears did not show any signs of impaired social interactions, and were not competitively displaced from resources by other bears more often than non-disabled bears. Thus, disabled bears rescued from bile farms show deficits in overall activity, with amputees also travelling less around their enclosures and blind bears potentially compromised in some forms of enrichment use. However, it is apparent that they adapt well to the presence of social companions. Several disabled bears also showed a degree of novel behaviour, seemingly compensating for disabilities, suggesting possible avenues for enrichments targeted specifically at these bears. The data also suggest specific hypotheses to test in longitudinal studies of rehabilitation.

RESISTANCE FROM RUINS: AN EXPLORATION OF INDIAN FEMALE GOTHIC NARRATIVES

by jyothsnaphanija bolla

From migration to nomadism: movement variability in a northern ungulate across its latitudinal range

by Luca Börger

Ecological Applications (in print) Co-authored with Navinder Singh (first author), Nils Bunnefeld, Holger Detki, and Goran Ericsson.

This is the first proper application of my net-squared displacement approach for modelling animal movements (Borger & Fryxell 2012).
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Understanding the causes and consequences of animal movements is of fundamental biological interest because any... more Understanding the causes and consequences of animal movements is of fundamental biological interest because any alteration in movement can have direct and indirect effects on ecosystem structure and function. It is also crucial for assisting spatial wildlife management under variable environmental change scenarios. Recent research has highlighted the need of quantifying individual variability in movement behavior and how it is generated by interactions between individual requirements and environmental conditions, to understand the emergence of population level patterns. Using a multi-annual movement dataset of 213 individual moose (Alces alces) across a latitudinal gradient (from 56° to 67° N) that spans over 1,100 km of varying environmental conditions, we analyze the differences in individual and population level movements. We tested the effect of climate, risk and human presence in the landscape on moose movements. The variation in these factors explained the existence of multiple movements (migration, nomadism, dispersal, sedentary) among individuals and seven populations. Hence, heterogeneity in the immediate environment can result in multiple movements within a species. Population differences were primarily related to latitudinal variation in snow depth and road density. Individuals showed both fixed and flexible behaviors across years, and were less likely to migrate with age in interaction with snow and roads. For the predominant movement strategy, migration, the distance, timing and duration at all latitudes varied between years. Males traveled longer distances and began migrating earlier in spring than females. Our study provides strong quantitative evidence for the dynamics of animal movements in response to changes in environmental conditions along with varying risk from human influence across the landscape. For moose, given its wide distributional range, changes in the distribution and migratory behavior are expected under future warming scenarios.

Viability of decision-making systems in human and animal groups

by Cedric Sueur

A Predictive Model to Differentiate the Fruit Bats Cynopterus brachyotis and C. cf. brachyotis Forest (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) from Malaysia Using Multivariate Analysis. 2012

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Read also Abdullah (2003)

Field discrimination of Cynopterus brachyotis and C. cf. brachyotis Forest (as designated by Francis 2008) in southern... more Field discrimination of Cynopterus brachyotis and C. cf. brachyotis Forest (as designated by Francis 2008) in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Borneo is problematic. These 2 forms are sympatric in this region but are confined to different habitat types: C. brachyotis inhabits open habitats, orchards, and agricultural areas, while C. cf. brachyotis Forest is confined to primary and old secondary forests. In this study, we attempted to develop prediction models to identify both C. brachyotis and C. cf. brachyotis Forest in this region based on multivariate statistics. Two predictive models were generated using a canonical discriminant function, and it was found that 5 characters can be used to accurately identify museum vouchers of C. brachyotis and C. cf. brachyotis Forest. Four characters are needed for field identification of these 2 forms of Cynopterus in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Borneo. A review of the current taxonomy and classification indicated that there is a need to describe the 6 existing forms of the C. brachyotis complex in the Indo-Malayan region. This will aid conservationists, field ecologists, and taxonomists in taxonomic- and conservation-related decisions about this species complex.

Husbandary and Veterinary care of Sumatran rhinoceros in Zoo Melaka. 1990

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Biogeography of fruit bats in Southeast Asia. Les S. Hall, Gordon G. Grigg, Craig Moritz, Besar Ketol, Isa Sait, Wahab Marni and M.T. Abdullah.

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Should read Abdullah (2003).

We studied on the biogeography and diversity of fruit bats in Southeast Asia, from Borneo to Asian Mainland.The... more We studied on the biogeography and diversity of fruit bats in Southeast Asia, from Borneo to Asian Mainland.The patterns of distribution of distribution, diversity and abundance are related to ecological and biogeographical factors and possible past Pleistocene events.

Les S. Hall, Gordon G. Grigg, Craig Moritz, Besar Ketol, Isa Sait, Wahab Marni and M.T. Abdullah. 2004. Sarawak Museum Journal 81: 191-284.

A morphological analysis of Malaysian Kerivoula (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae).

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Related study by Faisal Anwali Khan et al. 2010

Recent identification of new species within the genus Kerivoula from the Southeast Asian region has indicated that... more Recent identification of new species within the genus Kerivoula from the Southeast Asian region has indicated that this genus was understudied and currently underestimated in terms of its species diversity. Thus, this morphological study was carried out to record and analyse the morphological characters of available specimens of Malaysian Kerivoula from the Museum of Zoology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Thirty-one external, skull and dental characters were taken and analysed using the multivariate analysis, dicriminant function analysis. As the result, six groupings of Kerivoula was identified, namely K. intermedia, K. hardwickii, K. pellucida, K. lenis and K. papillosa which were divided into two distinctive groupings of K. papillosa type large (K.
papillosa type L, hereafter) and K. papillosa type small (K. papillosa type S, hereafter). Variable dentary length was identified as the best predictor to characterize each group of Kerivoula. The
separation of the K. papillosa specimens into two separate morphotypes were characterised by their different sizes whereby the former group was larger in size compared to the latter. It is suggested that each represents an independent species even though both morphotypes occur sympatrically. The homogenising effect of the previous environmental events might have been the primary factor of the sympatric occurrence of both morphotypes. Nevertheless, further study regarding ecology, morphology and genetics should be carried out to provide a better insight regarding the cryptic population of K. papillosa in Borneo and Malaysia.

Hasan, N.H., Abdullah, M.T. 2011. Mammal Study 36: 87-97.

Birth of Sumatran rhinoceros

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

First birth of Sumatran rhinoceros in captivity in Zoo Melaka First birth of Sumatran rhinoceros in captivity in Zoo Melaka

The fate of redundant cues during blocking and a simple discrimination

by Mark Haselgrove

In each of three experiments animals received blocking, A+ AX+, in which food was always presented after one stimulus,... more In each of three experiments animals received blocking, A+ AX+, in which food was always presented after one stimulus, A, that was occasionally accompanied by another stimulus, X. They also received a simple discrimination, AX+ BX-, in which the presence and absence of food was signaled by two compounds that contained one unique cue, A or B, and one common cue, X. In each of these designs, X can be said to be redundant relative to A as a signal for food. Test trials at the end of training revealed that responding during X was stronger after blocking than after the simple discrimination. These results contradict predictions from theories of learning that assume changes in associative strength of a stimulus are determined by a global error term based on the outcome predicted by all the stimuli that are present for a conditioning trial. The results are interpreted, instead, by assuming either that animals store a memory of every trial to which they have been exposed, or that learning is governed by an error term based on the significance of individual stimuli.

Adult butterfly feeding-nectar flower associations: constraints of taxonomic affiliation, butterfly, and nectar flower morphology

by Dr. Ashish Tiple

Male mate location behaviour and encounter sites in a community of tropical butterflies: taxonomic and site associations and distinctions

by Dr. Ashish Tiple