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Green A, Clark C, Favaro L, Lomax S, Reby D. Vocal individuality of Holstein-Friesian cattle is maintained across putatively positive and negative farming contexts. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18468. [PMID: 31804583 PMCID: PMC6895157 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54968-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle mother-offspring contact calls encode individual-identity information; however, it is unknown whether cattle are able to maintain individuality when vocalising to familiar conspecifics over other positively and negatively valenced farming contexts. Accordingly, we recorded 333 high-frequency vocalisations from 13 Holstein-Friesian heifers during oestrus and anticipation of feed (putatively positive), as well as denied feed access and upon both physical and physical & visual isolation from conspecifics (putatively negative). We measured 21 source-related and nonlinear vocal parameters and stepwise discriminant function analyses (DFA) were performed. Calls were divided into positive (n = 170) and negative valence (n = 163) with each valence acting as a 'training set' to classify calls in the oppositely valenced 'test set'. Furthermore, MANOVAs were conducted to determine which vocal parameters were implicated in individual distinctiveness. Within the putatively positive 'training set', the cross-validated DFA correctly classified 68.2% of the putatively positive calls and 52.1% of the putatively negative calls to the correct individual, respectively. Within the putatively negative 'training set', the cross-validated DFA correctly assigned 60.1% of putatively negative calls and 49.4% of putatively positive calls to the correct individual, respectively. All DFAs exceeded chance expectations indicating that vocal individuality of high-frequency calls is maintained across putatively positive and negative valence, with all vocal parameters except subharmonics responsible for this individual distinctiveness. This study shows that cattle vocal individuality of high-frequency calls is stable across different emotionally loaded farming contexts. Individual distinctiveness is likely to attract social support from conspecifics, and knowledge of these individuality cues could assist farmers in detecting individual cattle for welfare or production purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Green
- Livestock Production and Welfare Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camden, Australia. .,Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/CRNL, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM UMR_S 1028, University of Lyon/Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne, France.
| | - Cameron Clark
- Livestock Production and Welfare Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
| | - Livio Favaro
- Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/CRNL, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM UMR_S 1028, University of Lyon/Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne, France.,Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - Sabrina Lomax
- Livestock Production and Welfare Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
| | - David Reby
- Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/CRNL, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM UMR_S 1028, University of Lyon/Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne, France
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Devi I, Singh P, Lathwal SS, Dudi K, Singh Y, Ruhil AP, Kumar A, Dash S, Malhotra R. Threshold values of acoustic features to assess estrous cycle phases in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Friel M, Kunc HP, Griffin K, Asher L, Collins LM. Positive and negative contexts predict duration of pig vocalisations. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2062. [PMID: 30765788 PMCID: PMC6375976 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38514-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Emotions are mental states occurring in response to external and internal stimuli and thus form an integral part of an animal's behaviour. Emotions can be mapped in two dimensions based on their arousal and valence. Whilst good indicators of arousal exist, clear indicators of emotional valence, particularly positive valence, are still rare. However, positively valenced emotions may play a crucial role in social interactions in many species and thus, an understanding of how emotional valence is expressed is needed. Vocalisations are a potential indicator of emotional valence as they can reflect the internal state of the caller. We experimentally manipulated valence, using positive and negative cognitive bias trials, to quantify changes in pig vocalisations. We found that grunts were shorter in positive trials than in negative trials. Interestingly, we did not find differences in the other measured acoustic parameters between the positive and negative contexts as reported in previous studies. These differences in results suggest that acoustic parameters may differ in their sensitivity as indicators of emotial valence. However, it is important to understand how similar contexts are, in terms of their valence, to be able to fully understand how and when acoustic parameters reflect emotional states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Friel
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast, UK
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Hansjoerg P Kunc
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast, UK
| | - Kym Griffin
- School of Animal Rural & Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Lucy Asher
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Lisa M Collins
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK.
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Tallet C, Linhart P, Policht R, Hammerschmidt K, Šimeček P, Kratinova P, Špinka M. Encoding of situations in the vocal repertoire of piglets (Sus scrofa): a comparison of discrete and graded classifications. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71841. [PMID: 23967251 PMCID: PMC3742501 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Two important questions in bioacoustics are whether vocal repertoires of animals are graded or discrete and how the vocal expressions are linked to the context of emission. Here we address these questions in an ungulate species. The vocal repertoire of young domestic pigs, Sus scrofa, was quantitatively described based on 1513 calls recorded in 11 situations. We described the acoustic quality of calls with 8 acoustic parameters. Based on these parameters, the k-means clustering method showed a possibility to distinguish either two or five clusters although the call types are rather blurred than strictly discrete. The division of the vocal repertoire of piglets into two call types has previously been used in many experimental studies into pig acoustic communication and the five call types correspond well to previously published partial repertoires in specific situations. Clear links exist between the type of situation, its putative valence, and the vocal expression in that situation. These links can be described adequately both with a set of quantitative acoustic variables and through categorisation into call types. The information about the situation of emission of the calls is encoded through five call types almost as accurately as through the full quantitative description.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Tallet
- Institute of Animal Science, Ethology Department, Prague, Czechia.
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5
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Effective and accurate discrimination of individual dairy cattle through acoustic sensing. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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6
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Can sow pre-lying communication or good piglet condition prevent piglets from getting crushed? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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7
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Differences between vocalization evoked by social stimuli in feral cats and house cats. Behav Processes 2011; 87:183-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2011.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2010] [Revised: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Leliveld LMC, Scheumann M, Zimmermann E. Acoustic correlates of individuality in the vocal repertoire of a nocturnal primate (Microcebus murinus). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2011; 129:2278-2288. [PMID: 21476683 DOI: 10.1121/1.3559680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In mammals individual distinctiveness in vocalizations provides the basis for individual recognition and thus plays an important role in social behavior. In this study, first evidence is provided for a nocturnal primate that variation in individual distinctiveness across the vocal repertoire is to some extent determined by the context and the acoustic structure of the call types. Individual distinctiveness was investigated across call types in the gray mouse lemur, a nocturnal primate, living in a dispersed multi-male multi-female social system. To explore to what degree context and acoustic structure predict variations in individual distinctiveness, four major call types were examined (grunts, tsaks, short whistles, and trills). Call types differed in context and acoustic structure and were recorded under controlled experimental conditions. A discriminant function analysis revealed that all call types are individually distinct, but not to the same degree. The findings suggest that variations in individual distinctiveness can to some extent be explained by the context and the acoustic structure of the call types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisette M C Leliveld
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
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9
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The impact of chronic environmental stressors on growing pigs, Sus scrofa (Part 2): social behaviour. Animal 2010; 4:1910-21. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731110001084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Hwan Jeon J, Ik Song J, Hwan Kim D. A note on acoustic analysis of dairy calves’ vocalizations at 1 day after separation from dam. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2009. [DOI: 10.4081/ijas.2009.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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McLeman MA, Mendl MT, Jones RB, Wathes CM. Social discrimination of familiar conspecifics by juvenile pigs, Sus scrofa: Development of a non-invasive method to study the transmission of unimodal and bimodal cues between live stimuli. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Characteristics of Estrus-related Vocalizations of Sows after Artificial Insemination. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2008. [DOI: 10.5187/jast.2008.50.3.401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Placer J, Slobodchikoff CN, Burns J, Placer J, Middleton R. Using self-organizing maps to recognize acoustic units associated with information content in animal vocalizations. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2006; 119:3140-6. [PMID: 16708968 DOI: 10.1121/1.2184227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Kohonen self-organizing neural networks, also called self-organizing maps (SOMs), have been used successfully to recognize human phonemes and in this way to aid in human speech recognition. This paper describes how SOMS also can be used to associate specific information content with animal vocalizations. A SOM was used to identify acoustic units in Gunnison's prairie dog alarm calls that were vocalized in the presence of three different predator species. Some of these acoustic units and their combinations were found exclusively in the alarm calls associated with a particular predator species and were used to associate predator species information with individual alarm calls. This methodology allowed individual alarm calls to be classified by predator species with an average of 91% accuracy. Furthermore, the topological structure of the SOM used in these experiments provided additional insights about the acoustic units and their combinations that were used to classify the target alarm calls. An important benefit of the methodology developed in this paper is that it could be used to search for groups of sounds associated with information content for any animal whose vocalizations are composed of multiple simultaneous frequency components.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Placer
- Department of Computer Science, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011, USA
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Placer J, Slobodchikoff CN. A method for identifying sounds used in the classification of alarm calls. Behav Processes 2005; 67:87-98. [PMID: 15182929 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2004.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2003] [Revised: 02/26/2004] [Accepted: 03/01/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we present a methodology that identifies acoustic units in Gunnison's prairie dog alarm calls and then uses those units to classify the alarm calls and bouts according to the species of predator that was present when the calls were vocalized. While traditional methods measure specific acoustic parameters in order to describe a vocalization, our method uses the variation in the internal structure of a vocalization to define possible information structures. Using a simple representation similar to that used in human speech to identify vowel sounds, a software system was developed that uses this representation to recognize acoustic units in prairie dog alarm calls. These acoustic units are then used to classify alarm calls and their associated bouts according to the species of predator that was present when the alarm calls were vocalized. Identification of bouts with up to 100% accuracy was obtained. This work represents a first step toward revealing the details of how information is encoded in a complex nonhuman communication system. Furthermore, the techniques discussed in this paper are not restricted to a database of prairie dog alarm calls. They could be applied to any animal whose vocalizations include multiple simultaneous frequencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Placer
- Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, Northern Arizona University, Box 15600, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA.
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16
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Detection of Novel Mutations in the FABP3 Promoter Region and Association Analysis with Intramuscular Fat Content in Pigs. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2005. [DOI: 10.5187/jast.2005.47.1.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Comparative Analysis for General and Estrus-related Vocalizations in Sows. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2005. [DOI: 10.5187/jast.2005.47.1.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Jeon J, Yeon S, Chang H. Selecting an Effective Sound for Inducing Sows and Their Piglets to Nurse and Suckle. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2003. [DOI: 10.5187/jast.2003.45.4.627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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McCowan B, DiLorenzo AM, Abichandani S, Borelli C, Cullor JS. Bioacoustic tools for enhancing animal management and productivity: effects of recorded calf vocalizations on milk production in dairy cows. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2002. [DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1591(02)00022-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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PAGE BRAD, GOLDSWORTHY SIMOND, HINDELL MARKA. INDIVIDUAL VOCAL TRAITS OF MOTHER AND PUP FUR SEALS. BIOACOUSTICS 2002. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2002.9753491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Marchant JN, Whittaker X, Broom DM. Vocalisations of the adult female domestic pig during a standard human approach test and their relationships with behavioural and heart rate measures. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2001; 72:23-39. [PMID: 11259824 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1591(00)00190-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Vocal communication in the domestic pig is generally not well documented. The aim of this experiment was to categorise and ascribe the function of the vocalisations of 67 Large WhitexLandrace gilts during a standard human approach test. At testing, each group of 3-5 gilts was moved to a handling area where each individual in turn was fitted with a heart rate monitor and introduced individually to a 2.4mx2.4m test arena. After 2min familiarisation, an unfamiliar human entered the pen and stood for 3min against one wall. Behaviour and sound were recorded continuously with sound recordings transferred onto computer for analysis. Three categories of calls were initially identified: single grunts, single squeals and rapidly repeated grunts. Sixty-six gilts performed single grunts, whereas only 28 and 16 gilts performed the other two categories, respectively. Single grunts could be sub-divided into two types based on sound amplitude profile. These types differed significantly in duration. Gilts performed more short and long grunts per minute during the 3min test period than during the familiarisation period. Most short grunts observed in a subset of 15 gilts were performed with the snout close to a pen surface or the human. The rate of short grunts during the test period was negatively correlated with the time taken to make contact with the human and positively correlated with the amount of locomotor behaviour carried out, the total number of interactions with the human and the total time spent within 0.5m of the human. Most long grunts observed in a subset of 15 gilts were performed with the snout away from any surface. The rate of long grunts during the test period positively correlated with amount of locomotor behaviour and heart rate, after the effect of activity had been removed. Squeals could similarly be sub-divided into long and short types on the basis of amplitude profile. Gilts that squealed carried out more locomotor behaviour, interacted with the human more, had higher mean heart rates and lower heart rate rise when touched by the human, suggesting a higher degree of arousal. Rapidly-repeated grunts were associated with close human interaction. The results indicate that the domestic pig performs a number of distinct vocalisations during isolation. Short single grunts appear to be associated with investigatory behaviour. Long single grunts may be a form of contact call, the rate of which is related to physiological and behavioural activity. Squeals may have similar function but result from a higher level of arousal. Short, rapidly-repeated grunts appear to have either a greeting or threat function. With further research, certain pig vocalisations may be identified as providing useful additional information about an individual's welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N. Marchant
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, CB3 0ES, Cambridge, UK
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Watts JM, Stookey JM. Vocal behaviour in cattle: the animal's commentary on its biological processes and welfare. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2000; 67:15-33. [PMID: 10719186 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1591(99)00108-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The vocalizations of cattle provide conspecifics with meaningful information about the caller. If we can learn how to interpret this information correctly, it could be used to improve management and welfare assessment. Vocalization may be viewed as a subjective commentary, by an individual, on its own internal state. The vocal behaviour of cattle is potentially a useful indicator of their physiological and psychological functioning.In the first part of this article we ask what information is exchanged using auditory cues. Vocalizations provide information on the age, sex, dominance status and reproductive status of the caller. Calves can recognize their mothers using vocal cues but it is not clear whether cows recognize their offspring in this way. Vocal behaviour may play a role in estrus advertisement and competitive display by bulls. Under experimental conditions involving pain or social isolation, vocal response is useful as an indicator of welfare, if properly used. Unlike commonly used physiological measures, it can be recorded non-invasively and varies on a number of quantitative and qualitative dimensions.In the second part we review methodological approaches to the study of vocal behaviour and their application in cattle welfare research. Methods may focus on the actions of the vocalizing animal and the conditions which elicit vocal behaviour, the response of an animal to hearing another's vocalizations, or interactions between sender and receiver.We argue that vocal behaviour in cattle may be valuable in welfare studies if the endogenous, exogenous and developmental factors influencing its expression can be more thoroughly investigated and understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- JM Watts
- Department of Herd Medicine and Theriogenology, University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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SCHÖN PETERCHRISTIAN, PUPPE BIRGER, MANTEUFFEL GERHARD. A SOUND ANALYSIS SYSTEM BASED ON LABVIEW® APPLIED TO THE ANALYSIS OF SUCKLING GRUNTS OF DOMESTIC PIGSSUS SCROFA. BIOACOUSTICS 1998. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.1998.9753387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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