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Horváth G, Sos T, Bóné G, Lőrincz CE, Pap PL, Herczeg G. Integrating behavioural thermoregulatory strategy into the animal personality framework using the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara as a model. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14200. [PMID: 38902323 PMCID: PMC11189939 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64305-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of consistent between-individual behavioural variation in single (animal personality) and across two or more behavioural traits (behavioural syndrome) is a central topic of behavioural ecology. Besides behavioural type (individual mean behaviour), behavioural predictability (environment-independent within-individual behavioural variation) is now also seen as an important component of individual behavioural strategy. Research focus is still on the 'Big Five' traits (activity, exploration, risk-taking, sociability and aggression), but another prime candidate to integrate to the personality framework is behavioural thermoregulation in small-bodied poikilotherms. Here, we found animal personality in thermoregulatory strategy (selected body temperature, voluntary thermal maximum, setpoint range) and 'classic' behavioural traits (activity, sheltering, risk-taking) in common lizards (Zootoca vivipara). Individual state did not explain the between-individual variation. There was a positive behavioural type-behavioural predictability correlation in selected body temperature. Besides an activity-risk-taking syndrome, we also found a risk-taking-selected body temperature syndrome. Our results suggest that animal personality and behavioural syndrome are present in common lizards, both including thermoregulatory and 'classic' behavioural traits, and selecting high body temperature with high predictability is part of the risk-prone behavioural strategy. We propose that thermoregulatory behaviour should be considered with equal weight to the 'classic' traits in animal personality studies of poikilotherms employing active behavioural thermoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Horváth
- Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, 1117, Budapest, Hungary.
- HUN-REN-ELTE-MTM Integrative Ecology Research Group, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Tibor Sos
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor street 5-7, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- "Milvus Group" Bird and Nature Protection Association, B-dul 1 Decembrie 1918 121, 540445, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Gábor Bóné
- "Milvus Group" Bird and Nature Protection Association, B-dul 1 Decembrie 1918 121, 540445, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Csanád Endre Lőrincz
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter László Pap
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor street 5-7, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gábor Herczeg
- Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-ELTE-MTM Integrative Ecology Research Group, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
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Martín J, Rodríguez-Ruiz G, Navarro-Castilla Á, Barja I, López P. Blind date: female fossorial amphisbaenians prefer scent marks of large and healthy males. Integr Zool 2024. [PMID: 38247017 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Selecting a good mate is a decision with important fitness consequences. For this reason, mate choice has promoted the evolution of sexual ornaments signaling the quality of an individual. In fossorial animals, inhabiting visually restricted underground environments, chemical senses should be very important for mate choice. We examined whether sexual chemical signals (substrate scent marks) produced by males of the Iberian worm lizard, Blanus cinereus, a strictly fossorial blind amphisbaenian, provide information to females on morphological traits and health state. We administered corticosterone (CORT) to males simulating a continuous stressor affecting their health. Females preferred settling at sites scent-marked by males in comparison with similar sites with female scent or unmarked sites, but the attractiveness of males' scent differed between individuals. Females preferred scent marks of larger/older males and with a higher immune response, while their body condition and CORT treatment were unrelated to female preferences. Chemical analyses showed that proportions of some compounds in precloacal secretions of males (used to produce scent marks) were correlated with the morphological (body size) and health state (immune response and body condition, but not CORT treatment) of these males. These results suggest that females may make site-selection decisions based on assessing the chemical characteristics of males' scent marks, which were reliably related to some of the traits of the male that produced the scent. Therefore, females might use chemical senses to increase the opportunities to find and mate with males of high quality, coping with the restrictions of the subterranean environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Martín
- Departmento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Rodríguez-Ruiz
- Departmento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Navarro-Castilla
- Etho-Physiology Group, Unit of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Barja
- Etho-Physiology Group, Unit of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar López
- Departmento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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Fernández-Lázaro G, Latorre R, Fontanillas Pérez JC, Barja I. Reaction to Novel Objects and Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Levels in Two Species of Nocturnal Geckos. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3384. [PMID: 37958139 PMCID: PMC10649715 DOI: 10.3390/ani13213384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Many reptiles are maintained in captivity and heavily traded, although welfare measures for many species are not well established and are under-researched compared to other animals. In this study, we focused on two of these species: crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) and leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). To better interpret their behavior in captivity, the individual reaction to novel objects and the fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels were measured in an attempt to identify the potential correlation between them. Also, we explored if some characteristic of the objects (e.g., color, shape, or smell) resulted in being more attractive to some species and/or individuals. Equivalent responses to different objects were not obtained for all the geckos, the behavioral response being highly individual and context-dependent, although modulated by the species. Individuals which manipulated earlier and interacted longer with novel objects showed lower basal fecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) levels. Differences according to the species suggested that crested geckos have significantly greater and more variable FCM levels than leopard geckos. Our results can help to understand the reaction of geckos to novelty and have the potential to serve in their welfare assessment, although more studies are needed to proper establish welfare protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Fernández-Lázaro
- Departamento de Psicología Biológica y de la Salud, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales, Sociales y Matemáticas, Facultad de Educación, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Latorre
- Departamento de Ingeniería Informática, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Isabel Barja
- Eco- and Ethophysiology Lab, Departamento de Biología, Unidad de Zoología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C. Darwin 2, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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Winter G, Wirsching L, Schielzeth H. Condition dependence of (un)predictability in escape behavior of a grasshopper species. Behav Ecol 2023; 34:741-750. [PMID: 37744172 PMCID: PMC10516674 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arad047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
(Un)predictability has only recently been recognized as an important dimension of animal behavior. Currently, we neither know if (un)predictability encompasses one or multiple traits nor how (un)predictability is dependent on individual conditions. Knowledge about condition dependence, in particular, could inform us about whether predictability or unpredictability is costly in a specific context. Here, we study the condition dependence of (un)predictability in the escape behavior of the steppe grasshopper Chorthippus dorsatus. Predator-prey interactions represent a behavioral context in which we expect unpredictability to be particularly beneficial. By exposing grasshoppers to an immune challenge, we explore if individuals in poor condition become more or less predictable. We quantified three aspects of escape behavior (flight initiation distance, jump distance, and jump angle) in a standardized setup and analyzed the data using a multivariate double-hierarchical generalized linear model. The immune challenge did not affect (un)predictability in flight initiation distance and jump angle, but decreased unpredictability in jump distances, suggesting that unpredictability can be costly. Variance decomposition shows that 3-7% of the total phenotypic variance was explained by individual differences in (un)predictability. Covariation between traits was found both among averages and among unpredictabilities for one of the three trait pairs. The latter might suggest an (un)predictability syndrome, but the lack of (un)predictability correlation in the third trait suggests modularity. Our results indicated condition dependence of (un)predictability in grasshopper escape behavior in one of the traits, and illustrate the value of mean and residual variance decomposition for analyzing animal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabe Winter
- Population Ecology Group, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Luis Wirsching
- Population Ecology Group, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Holger Schielzeth
- Population Ecology Group, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
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Personality assessment of headstart Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) in human care prior to release. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Bouchebti S, Cortés-Fossati F, Vales Estepa Á, Plaza Lozano M, S. Calovi D, Arganda S. Sex-Specific Effect of the Dietary Protein to Carbohydrate Ratio on Personality in the Dubia Cockroach. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13020133. [PMID: 35206707 PMCID: PMC8879078 DOI: 10.3390/insects13020133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Animal personality is modulated by genetic and environmental factors. To explore the modulatory effect of nutrition on personality, we investigated whether diets varying in their relative content of proteins and carbohydrates might modulate the behavior of the Dubia cockroach. Over a period of eight weeks, we fed adult cockroaches, both males and females, five different diets, and we measured diet consumption, survival, and personality traits by recording their exploratory and mobility behaviors. After eight weeks, females gained more body mass and had higher survival than males. We found that females preferred carbohydrate-rich diets and avoided ingesting too many proteins by consuming less food on high-protein diets. The diet had no effect on their personality. However, males showed a bolder personality when fed with high-protein diets while consuming the same amount of food, regardless of the protein content in the diet. These sex differences could be beneficial for the species in stressful nutritional environments, allowing males to discover new food resources while ovoviviparous females could spend more time protected in shelters. Abstract Animal personality, defined by behavioral variations among individuals consistent over contexts or time, is shaped by genetic and environmental factors. Among these factors, nutrition can play an important role. The Geometric Framework of Nutrition has promoted a better understanding of the role of the macronutrient proportion in animal development, survival, reproduction, and behavior, and can help to disentangle its modulatory effect on animal personality. In this study, we investigated the effects of protein to carbohydrate (P:C) ratio in the personality of the cockroach Blaptica dubia. Newly emerged adults were fed over a period of eight weeks on five different diets varying in their P:C ratio and their diet consumption, mass variation, survival, exploratory behavior, and mobility were assessed. We found that females, unlike males, were able to regulate their nutrient intake and preferred carbohydrate-rich diets. Females also gained more body mass and lived longer compared to males. In addition, their behavior and mobility were not affected by the diet. In males, however, high-protein diets induced a bolder personality. We suggest that the sex-specific effects observed on both survival and behavior are related to the nutrient intake regulation capacity and might improve the species’ fitness in adverse nutritional conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Bouchebti
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Madrid, Spain; (F.C.-F.); (Á.V.E.); (M.P.L.); (S.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Fernando Cortés-Fossati
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Madrid, Spain; (F.C.-F.); (Á.V.E.); (M.P.L.); (S.A.)
| | - Ángela Vales Estepa
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Madrid, Spain; (F.C.-F.); (Á.V.E.); (M.P.L.); (S.A.)
| | - Maria Plaza Lozano
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Madrid, Spain; (F.C.-F.); (Á.V.E.); (M.P.L.); (S.A.)
| | - Daniel S. Calovi
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 78464 Konstanz, Germany;
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Sara Arganda
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Madrid, Spain; (F.C.-F.); (Á.V.E.); (M.P.L.); (S.A.)
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Santicchia F, Van Dongen S, Martinoli A, Preatoni D, Wauters LA. Measuring personality traits in Eurasian red squirrels: A critical comparison of different methods. Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Santicchia
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group Università degli Studi dell’Insubria Varese Italy
| | - Stefan Van Dongen
- Department of Biology Evolutionary Ecology Group University of Antwerp Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Adriano Martinoli
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group Università degli Studi dell’Insubria Varese Italy
| | - Damiano Preatoni
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group Università degli Studi dell’Insubria Varese Italy
| | - Lucas Armand Wauters
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group Università degli Studi dell’Insubria Varese Italy
- Department of Biology Evolutionary Ecology Group University of Antwerp Wilrijk Belgium
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Baxter-Gilbert J, Riley JL, Frère CH, Whiting MJ. Shrinking into the big city: influence of genetic and environmental factors on urban dragon lizard morphology and performance capacity. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01065-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Horváth G, Jiménez‐Robles O, Martín J, López P, De la Riva I, Herczeg G. Linking behavioral thermoregulation, boldness, and individual state in male Carpetan rock lizards. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:10230-10241. [PMID: 33005378 PMCID: PMC7520217 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms affecting consistent interindividual behavioral variation (i.e., animal personality) are of wide scientific interest. In poikilotherms, ambient temperature is one of the most important environmental factors with a direct link to a variety of fitness-related traits. Recent empirical evidence suggests that individual differences in boldness are linked to behavioral thermoregulation strategy in heliothermic species, as individuals are regularly exposed to predators during basking. Here, we tested for links between behavioral thermoregulation strategy, boldness, and individual state in adult males of the high-mountain Carpetan rock lizard (Iberolacerta cyreni). Principal component analysis revealed the following latent links in our data: (i) a positive relationship of activity with relative limb length and color brightness (PC1, 23% variation explained), (ii) a negative relationship of thermoregulatory precision with parasite load and risk-taking (PC2, 20.98% variation explained), and (iii) a negative relationship between preferred body temperature and relative limb length (PC3, 19.23% variation explained). We conclude that differences in boldness and behavioral thermoregulatory strategy could be explained by both stable and labile state variables. The moderate link between behavioral thermoregulatory strategy and risk-taking personality in our system is plausibly the result of differences in reproductive state of individuals or variation in ecological conditions during the breeding season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Horváth
- Behavioural Ecology GroupDepartment of Systematic Zoology and EcologyEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Octavio Jiménez‐Robles
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionResearch School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraAustralia
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary BiologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesCSICMadridSpain
| | - José Martín
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesCSICMadridSpain
| | - Pilar López
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesCSICMadridSpain
| | - Ignacio De la Riva
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary BiologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesCSICMadridSpain
| | - Gábor Herczeg
- Behavioural Ecology GroupDepartment of Systematic Zoology and EcologyEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
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Horváth G, Rodríguez‐Ruiz G, Martín J, López P, Herczeg G. Maternal diet affects juvenile Carpetan rock lizard performance and personality. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:14476-14488. [PMID: 31938534 PMCID: PMC6953655 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Differences in both stable and labile state variables are known to affect the emergence and maintenance of consistent interindividual behavioral variation (animal personality or behavioral syndrome), especially when experienced early in life. Variation in environmental conditions experienced by gestating mothers (viz. nongenetic maternal effects) is known to have significant impact on offspring condition and behavior; yet, their effect on behavioral consistency is not clear. Here, by applying an orthogonal experimental design, we aimed to study whether increased vitamin D3 content in maternal diet during gestation (vitamin-supplemented vs. vitamin control treatments) combined with corticosterone treatment (corticosterone-treated vs. corticosterone control treatments) applied on freshly hatched juveniles had an effect on individual state and behavioral consistency of juvenile Carpetan rock lizards (Iberolacerta cyreni). We tested the effect of our treatments on (a) climbing speed and the following levels of behavioral variation, (b) strength of animal personality (behavioral repeatability), (c) behavioral type (individual mean behavior), and (d) behavioral predictability (within-individual behavioral variation unrelated to environmental change). We found higher locomotor performance of juveniles from the vitamin-supplemented group (42.4% increase), irrespective of corticosterone treatment. While activity personality was present in all treatments, shelter use personality was present only in the vitamin-supplemented × corticosterone-treated treatment and risk-taking personality was present in corticosterone control treatments. Contrary to our expectations, behavioral type was not affected by our treatments, indicating that individual quality can affect behavioral strategies without affecting group-level mean behavior. Behavioral predictability decreased in individuals with low climbing speed, which could be interpreted as a form of antipredator strategy. Our results clearly demonstrate that maternal diet and corticosterone treatment have the potential to induce or hamper between-individual variation in different components of boldness, often in interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Horváth
- Behavioural Ecology GroupDepartment of Systematic Zoology and EcologyEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | | | - José Martín
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesCSICMadridSpain
| | - Pilar López
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesCSICMadridSpain
| | - Gábor Herczeg
- Behavioural Ecology GroupDepartment of Systematic Zoology and EcologyEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
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