1
|
Kimball MG, Lattin CR. The "Seven Deadly Sins" of Neophobia Experimental Design. Integr Comp Biol 2024; 64:38-54. [PMID: 37996398 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Neophobia, an aversive response to novelty, is a behavior with critical ecological and evolutionary relevance for wild populations because it directly influences animals' ability to adapt to new environments and exploit novel resources. Neophobia has been described in a wide variety of different animal species from arachnids to zebra finches. Because of this widespread prevalence and ecological importance, the number of neophobia studies has continued to increase over time. However, many neophobia studies (as well as many animal behavior studies more generally) suffer from one or more of what we have deemed the "seven deadly sins" of neophobia experimental design. These "sins" include: (1) animals that are not habituated to the testing environment, (2) problems with novel stimulus selection, (3) non-standardized motivation, (4) pseudoreplication, (5) lack of sufficient controls, (6) fixed treatment order, and (7) using arbitrary thresholds for data analysis. We discuss each of these potential issues in turn and make recommendations for how to avoid them in future behavior research. More consistency in how neophobia studies are designed would facilitate comparisons across different populations and species and allow researchers to better understand whether neophobia can help explain animals' responses to human-altered landscapes and the ability to survive in the Anthropocene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie G Kimball
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Christine R Lattin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nagasawa M, Tomori S, Mogi K, Kikusui T. Attachment-like behavioral expressions to humans in puppies are related to oxytocin and cortisol: A comparative study of Akitas and Labrador Retrievers. Peptides 2024; 177:171224. [PMID: 38636810 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2024.171224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between urinary hormone concentrations and attachment-related behaviors in two dog breeds, the Akitas and Labrador Retrievers, to elucidate the hormonal and behavioral mechanisms underlying domestication and interspecies attachment to humans. By measuring cortisol and oxytocin concentrations, and conducting the Strange Situation Test (SST), we aimed to investigate breed differences in endocrine secretions associated with domestication and how these differences influence dog behavior toward humans. Our results showed significant breed differences in urinary cortisol concentrations, with Akitas exhibiting higher levels than Labrador Retrievers. This suggests a breed-specific stress response related to genetic proximity to wolves. However, oxytocin concentrations did not differ significantly, which suggests a complex interplay between factors influencing the domestication process and the formation of attachment behaviors. Behavioral observations during the SST revealed breed-specific patterns, with Labrador Retrievers showing more playful and attachment-like behaviors and Akitas showing more exploratory and passive behaviors. The study found correlations between hormones and behaviors within breeds, particularly in Labrador Retrievers, where oxytocin concentrations were associated with attachment-like behaviors, and cortisol concentrations reflected individual differences in physical activity rather than stress responses to social situations. These findings contribute to the understanding of the evolutionary and adaptive processes underlying the ability of domestic dogs to form close relationships with humans while highlighting the role of hormonal mechanisms in mediating attachment behaviors and the influence of breed-specific genetic backgrounds on these processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miho Nagasawa
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Japan
| | - Sakiko Tomori
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Mogi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Forss S, Ciria A, Clark F, Galusca CL, Harrison D, Lee S. A transdisciplinary view on curiosity beyond linguistic humans: animals, infants, and artificial intelligence. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:979-998. [PMID: 38287201 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13054] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Curiosity is a core driver for life-long learning, problem-solving and decision-making. In a broad sense, curiosity is defined as the intrinsically motivated acquisition of novel information. Despite a decades-long history of curiosity research and the earliest human theories arising from studies of laboratory rodents, curiosity has mainly been considered in two camps: 'linguistic human' and 'other'. This is despite psychology being heritable, and there are many continuities in cognitive capacities across the animal kingdom. Boundary-pushing cross-disciplinary debates on curiosity are lacking, and the relative exclusion of pre-linguistic infants and non-human animals has led to a scientific impasse which more broadly impedes the development of artificially intelligent systems modelled on curiosity in natural agents. In this review, we synthesize literature across multiple disciplines that have studied curiosity in non-verbal systems. By highlighting how similar findings have been produced across the separate disciplines of animal behaviour, developmental psychology, neuroscience, and computational cognition, we discuss how this can be used to advance our understanding of curiosity. We propose, for the first time, how features of curiosity could be quantified and therefore studied more operationally across systems: across different species, developmental stages, and natural or artificial agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Forss
- Collegium Helveticum, Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and Zurich University of the Arts, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alejandra Ciria
- School of Psychology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fay Clark
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Cristina-Loana Galusca
- Laboratoire de Psychologie et NeuroCognition, CNRS Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - David Harrison
- Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Saein Lee
- Interdisciplinary Program of EcoCreative, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ellington L, Mercier S, Motes-Rodrigo A, van de Waal E, Forss S. Urbanization does not increase "object curiosity" in vervet monkeys, but semi-urban individuals selectively explore food-related anthropogenic items. Curr Zool 2024; 70:383-393. [PMID: 39035753 PMCID: PMC11255996 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoae022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Urban environments expose animals to abundant anthropogenic materials and foods that facilitate foraging innovations in species with opportunistic diets and high behavioral flexibility. Neophilia and exploration tendency are believed to be important behavioral traits for animals thriving in urban environments. Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) are one of few primate species that have successfully adapted to urban environments, thus making them an ideal species to study these traits. Using a within-species cross-habitat approach, we compared neophilia and exploration of novel objects (jointly referred to as "object curiosity") between semi-urban, wild, and captive monkeys to shed light on the cognitive traits facilitating urban living. To measure "object curiosity," we exposed monkeys to various types of novel stimuli and compared their approaches and explorative behavior. Our results revealed differences in the number of approaches and explorative behavior toward novel stimuli between the habitat types considered. Captive vervet monkeys were significantly more explorative than both semi- urban and wild troops, suggesting that positive experiences with humans and lack of predation, rather than exposure to human materials per se, influence object curiosity. Across habitats, juvenile males were the most explorative age-sex class. This is likely due to males being the dispersing sex and juveniles being more motivated to learn about their environment. Additionally, we found that items potentially associated with human food, elicited stronger explorative responses in semi-urban monkeys than non-food related objects, suggesting that their motivation to explore might be driven by "anthrophilia", that is, their experience of rewarding foraging on similar anthropogenic food sources. We conclude that varying levels of exposure to humans, predation and pre-exposure to human food packaging explain variation in "object curiosity" in our sample of vervet monkeys.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Ellington
- Behavioural & Physiological Ecology, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Stephanie Mercier
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore - CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH- 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
| | - Alba Motes-Rodrigo
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore - CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Erica van de Waal
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore - CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
| | - Sofia Forss
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH- 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gustafsson E, Ibáñez de Aldecoa P, Burdett ERR. A shared "optimal-level of arousal": Seeking basis for creativity and curiosity. Behav Brain Sci 2024; 47:e100. [PMID: 38770878 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x23003552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
We argue that the phases identified in the novelty-seeking model can be clarified by considering an updated version of the optimal-level of arousal model, which incorporates the "arousal" and "mood changing" potentials of stimuli and contexts. Such a model provides valuable insights into what determines one's state of mind, inter-individual differences, and the rewarding effects of curiosity and creativity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik Gustafsson
- Institut National Supérieur du Professorat et de l'Education, Maison des Science de l'Homme et de l'Environnement (UAR 3124), University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UKhttps://www.nottingham.ac.uk/psychology/people/emily.burdett
| | - Paula Ibáñez de Aldecoa
- Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse, University of Toulouse 1 Capitole, Toulouse, France ://www.iast.fr/people/paula-ibanez-de-aldecoa
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bhattacharjee D, Sau S, Das J, Bhadra A. Does novelty influence the foraging decisions of a scavenger? PeerJ 2024; 12:e17121. [PMID: 38525274 PMCID: PMC10961059 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Acquiring knowledge about the environment is crucial for survival. Animals, often driven by their exploratory tendencies, gather valuable information regarding food resources, shelter, mating partners, etc. However, neophobia, or avoiding novel environmental stimuli, can constrain their exploratory behaviour. While neophobia can reduce potential predation risks, decreased exploratory behaviour resulting from it may limit the ability to discover highly rewarding resources. Dogs (Canis familiaris) living in semi-urban and urban environments as free-ranging populations, although subject to various selection forces, typically have negligible predation pressure. These dogs are scavengers in human-dominated environments; thus, selection against object-neophobia can provide benefits when searching for novel food resources. Although captive pack-living dogs are known to be less neophobic than their closest living ancestors, wolves (Canis lupus), little is known about free-ranging dogs' behavioural responses to novel objects, particularly in foraging contexts. Using an object choice experiment, we tested 259 free-ranging dogs from two age classes, adult and juvenile, to investigate their object-neophobia in a scavenging context. We employed a between-subject study design, providing dogs with a familiar and a potentially novel object, both baited with equal, hidden food items. Adult and juvenile dogs significantly inspected the novel object first compared to the familiar one, even when the hidden food item was partially visible. To validate these findings, we compared novel objects with different strengths of olfactory cues (baited vs. false-baited) and found that they were inspected comparably by adults and juveniles. No significant differences were found in the latencies to inspect the objects, suggesting that free-ranging dogs may still be cautious when exploring their environments. These results indicate that free-ranging dogs, evidently from an early ontogenetic phase, do not show object-neophobia, as demonstrated by their preference for novel over familiar food sources. We conclude that little to no constraint of neophobia on exploratory behaviour in semi-urban and urban-dwelling animals can guide foraging decision-making processes, providing adaptive benefits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debottam Bhattacharjee
- Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, Hong Kong
- The Dog Lab, Behaviour and Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, Hong Kong
| | - Shubhra Sau
- The Dog Lab, Behaviour and Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jayjit Das
- The Dog Lab, Behaviour and Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India
- Department of Endangered Species Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Anindita Bhadra
- The Dog Lab, Behaviour and Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Capitain S, Cimarelli G, Blenkuš U, Range F, Marshall-Pescini S. Street-wise dog testing: Feasibility and reliability of a behavioural test battery for free-ranging dogs in their natural habitat. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296509. [PMID: 38483862 PMCID: PMC10939227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Behavioural scientists are increasingly recognizing the need to conduct experiments in the wild to achieve a comprehensive understanding of their species' behaviour. For domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), such progress has been slow. While the life in human households is often regarded as dogs' natural habitat, this classification disregards most of the global dog population. The value of experimentally testing free-ranging dogs' cognition and behaviour is increasingly being recognized, but no comprehensive test batteries have been conducted on those populations so far, leaving the feasibility and reliability of such endeavours unknown. This study is the starting point to fill this gap by pioneering and validating an elaborate behavioural test battery on street-living dogs. Therein, six common temperament tests (human-/conspecific-directed sociability, neophobia, tractability) and dog-human communication paradigms (pointing, inaccessible object) were adapted to the street conditions. We evaluated the feasibility of the test battery, the coding reliability of the measures, and investigated their temporal consistency in a retest of the same individuals six weeks later (test-retest reliability). The test battery proved feasible with most dogs participating in all subtests, and it showed satisfactory inter- and intra-rater reliability (0.84 and 0.93 respectively), providing evidence that complex behavioural tests can be conducted even in highly variable street conditions. Retesting revealed that some behaviours could be captured reliably across time, especially when the subtest was particularly engaging (e.g., human approach, point following). In contrast, the low retest reliability for subtests relying on sustained novelty and behaviours that were highly susceptible to disturbances (e.g., gazing) reflects the difficulties of street dog testing, including standardisation in disturbance-prone environments, ecology-dependent adaptation of methods, and intrinsic differences between pet and free-ranging dogs. With some adaptations, this test battery can be valuable in investigating cognition and behavioural profiles in such an understudied population as free-ranging dogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Capitain
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Giulia Cimarelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urša Blenkuš
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Friederike Range
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Marshall-Pescini
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Amici F, Meacci S, Caray E, Oña L, Liebal K, Ciucci P. A first exploratory comparison of the behaviour of wolves (Canis lupus) and wolf-dog hybrids in captivity. Anim Cogn 2024; 27:9. [PMID: 38429445 PMCID: PMC10907477 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-024-01849-7] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Extensive introgression of genes from domesticated taxa may be a serious threat for the genomic integrity and adaptability of wild populations. Grey wolves (Canis lupus) are especially vulnerable to this phenomenon, but there are no studies yet assessing the potential behavioural effects of dog-introgression in wolves. In this study, we conducted a first systematic comparison of admixed (N = 11) and non-admixed (N = 14) wolves in captivity, focusing on their reaction to unfamiliar humans and novel objects, and the cohesiveness of their social groups. When exposed to unfamiliar humans in the experimental task, wolves were more vigilant, fearful and aggressive than admixed wolves, and less likely to approach humans, but also more likely to spend time in human proximity. When exposed to novel objects, wolves were more aggressive than admixed wolves, less likely to spend time in object proximity, and more likely to interact with objects, but also less vigilant and as fearful as admixed wolves. Finally, social networks were more cohesive in wolves than in admixed wolves. Although caution is needed when comparing groups of captive individuals with different life experiences, our study suggests that dog admixture may lead to important behavioural changes in wolves, with possible implications for conservation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Amici
- Life Sciences, Institute for Biology, Human Biology and Primate Cognition, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
- Department of Comparative Cultural Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Simone Meacci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emmeline Caray
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Linda Oña
- Life Sciences, Institute for Biology, Human Biology and Primate Cognition, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katja Liebal
- Life Sciences, Institute for Biology, Human Biology and Primate Cognition, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Comparative Cultural Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paolo Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Foltin S, Glenk LM. Going to the office - What's in it for the dog? J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37830294 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2023.2268540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Benefits and challenges of dogs being present at the office were analyzed from three perspectives: the company view, the dog owner (employee) and the dog view. For companies, office dogs may serve as a branding symbol, leading to higher employee satisfaction and productivity, increased stress resilience and fewer turnover intentions. Yet, companies need to apply pet policies, risk management strategies and mitigate nuisance such as barking, loose fur or excrement. Additional breaks to walk the dogs are required and other employees or customers may be irritated. Employees take advantage of stress reduction, social support, higher job satisfaction, not having to leave their animal at home. Still, an office dog is an added responsibility in terms well-being, safety, distraction from work and emotional involvement. Although the animal perspective has not yet been scientifically addressed, we propose potential benefits such as less separation distress by having the owner nearby, higher social engagement and additional walks during breaks. Challenges for dogs may involve unwanted attention, aversive environmental stimulation, being restrained via leash or crate, irritation caused by conspecifics, emotional contagion or individual requirements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Foltin
- Department of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - L M Glenk
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Karl Landsteiner Research Institute for Neurochemistry, Neuropharmacology, Neurorehabilitation and Pain Treatment Mauer-Amstetten, Mauer-Amstetten, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Michel A, Johnson JR, Szeligowski R, Ritchie EG, Sih A. Integrating sensory ecology and predator-prey theory to understand animal responses to fire. Ecol Lett 2023; 26:1050-1070. [PMID: 37349260 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14231] [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: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Fire regimes are changing dramatically worldwide due to climate change, habitat conversion, and the suppression of Indigenous landscape management. Although there has been extensive work on plant responses to fire, including their adaptations to withstand fire and long-term effects of fire on plant communities, less is known about animal responses to fire. Ecologists lack a conceptual framework for understanding behavioural responses to fire, which can hinder wildlife conservation and management. Here, we integrate cue-response sensory ecology and predator-prey theory to predict and explain variation in if, when and how animals react to approaching fire. Inspired by the literature on prey responses to predation risk, this framework considers both fire-naïve and fire-adapted animals and follows three key steps: vigilance, cue detection and response. We draw from theory on vigilance tradeoffs, signal detection, speed-accuracy tradeoffs, fear generalization, neophobia and adaptive dispersal. We discuss how evolutionary history with fire, but also other selective pressures, such as predation risk, should influence animal behavioural responses to fire. We conclude by providing guidance for empiricists and outlining potential conservation applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Michel
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Jacob R Johnson
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Richard Szeligowski
- Department of Environmental Science & Policy, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Euan G Ritchie
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Sih
- Department of Environmental Science & Policy, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gjøen J, Jean-Joseph H, Kotrschal K, Jensen P. Domestication and social environment modulate fear responses in young chickens. Behav Processes 2023:104906. [PMID: 37311492 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2023.104906] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Domesticated species differ from their wild ancestors in a mosaic of traits. Classical domestication theories agree that reactivity to fear and stress is one of the main traits affected. Domesticated species are expected to be less fear and stress prone to than their wild counterparts. To test this hypothesis, we compared the behavioural responses of White Leghorn (WL) chicks to their wild counterparts, Red Junglefowl (RJF) chicks in risk-taking situations. In order to obtain food, the chicks faced an unknown and potentially harmful object at the presence or absence of a social partner. We found that according to our predictions, RJF were more stressed and fearful of the object than the WL. Still, RJF were more explorative than WL. Additionally, the presence of a social partner reduced the fear response in both, but had a stronger effect on RJF. Finally, WL were more food orientated than the RJF. Our results confirmed classical domestication hypotheses of downregulation of the stress system and importance of the social partner in domesticated farm chicken.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Gjøen
- AVIAN Behavior Genetics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Hillary Jean-Joseph
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Austria; Wolf Science Center, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Austria; Domestication Lab, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Austria.
| | - Kurt Kotrschal
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Per Jensen
- AVIAN Behavior Genetics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Novack LI, Schnell-Peskin L, Feuerbacher E, Fernandez EJ. The Science and Social Validity of Companion Animal Welfare: Functionally Defined Parameters in a Multidisciplinary Field. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1850. [PMID: 37889767 PMCID: PMC10251938 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111850] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Social validity refers to the social significance and acceptability of intervention goals, procedures, and outcomes. Animal practitioners, who are often guided by the principles of ABA, lack the benefit of verbal participants (at least with respect to target animals) with which to assess a client's needs and preferences. The study of a learner's welfare is useful for determining areas where intervention is needed or how the learner feels about an intervention that is underway. Three tenets of animal welfare measurement include physiological function, naturalistic behavior, and affect, where affect refers to private events, including emotions, which are a function of the same variables and contingencies responsible for controlling public behavior. The development of new technologies allows us to look "under the skin" and account for subjective experiences that can now be observed objectively. We introduce the reader to tools available from the animal welfare sciences for the objective measurement of social validity from the learner's perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren I. Novack
- Department of Special Education, Hunter College, New York, NY 10022, USA;
| | | | - Erica Feuerbacher
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA;
| | - Eduardo J. Fernandez
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Dunn JC, Miller R, Balasubramaniam K, Akçay Ç, Wascher CAF. Conceptualization, context, and comparison are key to understanding the evolution of fear. Behav Brain Sci 2023; 46:e61. [PMID: 37154351 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x22001789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The fearful ape hypothesis proposes that heightened fearfulness in humans is adaptive. However, despite its attractive anthropocentric narrative, the evidence presented for greater fearfulness in humans versus other apes is not sufficient to support this claim. Conceptualization, context, and comparison are strongly lacking in Grossmann's proposal, but are key to understanding variation in the fear response among individuals and species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob C Dunn
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK ; ; ; ; ://www.thepeergroup.org.uk; https://aru.ac.uk/people/caglar-akcay; https://aru.ac.uk/people/krishna-n-balasubramaniam; https://aru.ac.uk/people/rachael-miller-harrison; https://aru.ac.uk/people/claudia-wascher
- Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QH, UK
| | - Rachael Miller
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK ; ; ; ; ://www.thepeergroup.org.uk; https://aru.ac.uk/people/caglar-akcay; https://aru.ac.uk/people/krishna-n-balasubramaniam; https://aru.ac.uk/people/rachael-miller-harrison; https://aru.ac.uk/people/claudia-wascher
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Krishna Balasubramaniam
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK ; ; ; ; ://www.thepeergroup.org.uk; https://aru.ac.uk/people/caglar-akcay; https://aru.ac.uk/people/krishna-n-balasubramaniam; https://aru.ac.uk/people/rachael-miller-harrison; https://aru.ac.uk/people/claudia-wascher
| | - Çağlar Akçay
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK ; ; ; ; ://www.thepeergroup.org.uk; https://aru.ac.uk/people/caglar-akcay; https://aru.ac.uk/people/krishna-n-balasubramaniam; https://aru.ac.uk/people/rachael-miller-harrison; https://aru.ac.uk/people/claudia-wascher
| | - Claudia A F Wascher
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK ; ; ; ; ://www.thepeergroup.org.uk; https://aru.ac.uk/people/caglar-akcay; https://aru.ac.uk/people/krishna-n-balasubramaniam; https://aru.ac.uk/people/rachael-miller-harrison; https://aru.ac.uk/people/claudia-wascher
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Tancredi D, Cardinali I. Being a Dog: A Review of the Domestication Process. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14050992. [PMID: 37239352 DOI: 10.3390/genes14050992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The process of canine domestication represents certainly one of the most interesting questions that evolutionary biology aims to address. A "multiphase" view of this process is now accepted, with a first phase during which different groups of wolves were attracted by the anthropogenic niche and a second phase characterized by the gradual establishment of mutual relationships between wolves and humans. Here, we provide a review of dog (Canis familiaris) domestication, highlighting the ecological differences between dogs and wolves, analyzing the molecular mechanisms which seem to have influenced the affiliative behaviors first observed in Belyaev's foxes, and describing the genetics of ancient European dogs. Then, we focus on three Mediterranean peninsulas (Balkan, Iberian and Italian), which together represent the main geographic area for studying canine domestication dynamics, as it has shaped the current genetic variability of dog populations, and where a well-defined European genetic structure was pinpointed through the analysis of uniparental genetic markers and their phylogeny.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Tancredi
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Irene Cardinali
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Caicoya AL, Schaffer A, Holland R, von Fersen L, Colell M, Amici F. Innovation across 13 ungulate species: problem solvers are less integrated in the social group and less neophobic. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222384. [PMID: 37015274 PMCID: PMC10072937 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2384] [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: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Innovation is the ability to solve new problems or find novel solutions to familiar problems, and it is known to provide animals with crucial fitness benefits. Although this ability has been extensively studied in some taxa, the factors that predict innovation within and across species are still largely unclear. In this study, we used a novel foraging task to test 111 individuals belonging to 13 ungulate species-a still understudied taxon. To solve the task, individuals had to open transparent and opaque cups with food rewards, by removing their cover. We assessed whether individual factors (neophobia, social integration, sex, age, rank) and socio-ecological factors (dietary breadth, fission-fusion dynamics, domestication, group size) predicted participation and performance in the task. Using a phylogenetic approach, we showed that success was higher for less neophobic and socially less integrated individuals. Moreover, less neophobic individuals, individuals of domesticated species and having higher fission-fusion dynamics were more likely to participate in the task. These results are in line with recent literature suggesting a central role of sociality and personality traits to successfully deal with novel challenges, and confirm ungulates as a promising taxon to test evolutionary theories with a comparative approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro L. Caicoya
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08021 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alina Schaffer
- Behavioral Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Zoo Leipzig, 04015 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ruben Holland
- Research Group Human Biology and Primate Cognition, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lorenzo von Fersen
- Department of Comparative Cultural Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Montserrat Colell
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08021 Barcelona, Spain
- Behavioral Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Federica Amici
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Nuremberg Zoo, 90480 Nuremberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Völter CJ, Starić D, Huber L. Using machine learning to track dogs' exploratory behaviour in the presence and absence of their caregiver. Anim Behav 2023; 197:97-111. [PMID: 39045214 PMCID: PMC7616271 DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Machine-learning-based behavioural tracking is a rapidly growing method in the behavioural sciences providing data with high spatial and temporal resolution while reducing the risk of observer bias. Nevertheless, only a few canine behaviour studies have applied this method. In the current study, we used three-dimensional (3D) tracking of the dogs' bodies to study how separation from the caregiver affected the dogs' behaviour in a novel environment. During the study, the dogs could move freely in a room equipped with trial-unique objects. We manipulated across trials whether the owner and/or a stranger was present in the room to evaluate the secure base effect, the tendency to explore and play more in the presence of the caregiver compared to another person. This secure base effect is considered a key characteristic of human attachment bonds and has also been described for the dog-caregiver relationship. The tracking data were internally consistent and highly correlated with human scorings and measurements. The results show that both the owner and stranger significantly increased the dogs' exploration; the dogs also spent more time in the proximity of the owner and stranger location when they were present. Even though the presence of both owner and stranger had a significant effect on the dogs' behaviour, the effect of the owner was more pronounced. Moreover, in the presence of the stranger the dogs spent more time close to their owner and showed a reduced tail-wagging asymmetry to the right side further supporting the distinct effect of owner and stranger on the dogs' behaviour. We conclude that machine-driven 3D tracking provides an efficient and reliable access for detailed behavioural analyses of dogs' exploration and attachment-related behaviours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph J. Völter
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dario Starić
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ludwig Huber
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Spontaneous action matching in dog puppies, kittens and wolf pups. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2094. [PMID: 36797322 PMCID: PMC9935877 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28959-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the spontaneous tendency of dog puppies, kittens and wolf pups to match their behaviour to actions demonstrated by a human, in the absence of food reward. Based on dogs' inherent sociality and domestication history, we predicted that the tendency to match human actions is more pronounced in this species than in the other two. To test this, we exposed N = 42 dog puppies, N = 39 kittens and N = 8 wolf pups to ostensive human demonstrations of an object-related action. We found that dog puppies paid more attention to the demonstration than kittens and wolf pups. Dog puppies and wolf pups matched the demonstrated actions in more trials than kittens. Dog puppies also tended to reproduce the human demonstration that differed from the action they typically preformed in the absence of demonstration. These results support that dog puppies show a tendency to attend to humans and conform their behaviour to human demonstrations in the absence of extrinsic food rewards. This spontaneous tendency is also relevant for practical applications, by providing the basis to devise puppy-training methods that rely less on food rewards, and instead exploit puppies' natural predisposition for social learning.
Collapse
|
18
|
Morrow CR, Downey BC, Tucker CB. Response to novel feed in dairy calves is affected by prior hay provision and presentation method. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284889. [PMID: 37134106 PMCID: PMC10155978 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals raised in environments that prevent natural foraging opportunities may have difficulty adapting to novelty, such as feeding and management changes. Our objective was to evaluate how early provision and presentation of forage in dairy calves affected response to novel TMR (total mixed ration; grain and alfalfa) at weaning. Holstein heifer calves were housed individually in a covered outdoor hutch with an attached uncovered wire-fenced pen on sand bedding. Calves were fed a diet of starter grain and milk replacer (5.7-8.4L/d step-up) via a bottle (Control, n = 9) or given additional access to mountaingrass hay presented either in a bucket (Bucket, n = 9), or PVC pipe feeder (Pipe, n = 9). Treatments were applied from birth through 50 d of age, when step-down weaning began. All calves had 3 buckets and a pipe feeder provided in their uncovered pen area. On d 50, each calf was briefly blocked inside their hutch. TMR was put in the 3rd bucket that previously contained hay (Bucket) or was empty (Control, Pipe). The calf was released from the hutch and video-recorded for 30 min. Neophobia towards TMR was affected by prior experience with presentation: Bucket calves began eating TMR faster than Pipe and Control (P≤0.012) and showed the fewest number of startle responses (P = 0.004). Intake was similar across groups (P = 0.978), suggesting this apparent neophobia was transient, but Control calves took longer to eat than Bucket (P<0.001) and Pipe (P = 0.070) calves and were less likely to give up on eating to lie down instead. These results suggest that previous experience with hay improves processing ability when presented with novel TMR. Overall, response to a novel feed is affected by both early life experience, such as opportunities to process forage, and the presentation of the feed itself. Calves also appear motivated to access forage, evidenced by transient neophobia, high intake, and persistence in feeding by naïve calves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea R Morrow
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Blair C Downey
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Cassandra B Tucker
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ibáñez de Aldecoa P, Burdett E, Gustafsson E. Riding the elephant in the room: Towards a revival of the optimal level of stimulation model. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2022.101051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
20
|
Stanton LA, Bridge ES, Huizinga J, Benson-Amram S. Environmental, individual and social traits of free-ranging raccoons influence performance in cognitive testing. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:276535. [PMID: 36137301 PMCID: PMC9637273 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive abilities, such as learning and flexibility, are hypothesized to aid behavioral adaptation to urbanization. Although growing evidence suggests that cognition may indeed facilitate persistence in urban environments, we currently lack knowledge of the cognitive abilities of many urban taxa. Recent methodological advances, including radio frequency identification (RFID), have extended automated cognitive testing into the field but have yet to be applied to a diversity of taxa. Here, we used an RFID-enabled operant conditioning device to assess the habituation, learning and cognitive flexibility of a wild population of raccoons (Procyon lotor). We examined how several biological and behavioral traits influenced participation and performance in testing. We then compared the cognitive performance of wild raccoons tested in natural conditions with that of wild-caught raccoons tested in captivity from a previous study. In natural conditions, juvenile raccoons were more likely to habituate to the testing device, but performed worse in serial reversal learning, compared with adults. We also found that docile raccoons were more likely to learn how to operate the device in natural conditions, which suggests a relationship between emotional reactivity and cognitive ability in raccoons. Although raccoons in both captive and natural conditions demonstrated rapid associative learning and flexibility, raccoons in captive conditions generally performed better, likely owing to the heightened vigilance and social interference experienced by raccoons in natural conditions. Our results have important implications for future research on urban carnivores and cognition in field settings, as well as our understanding of behavioral adaptation to urbanization and coexistence with urban wildlife.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Stanton
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.,Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Eli S Bridge
- Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | | | - Sarah Benson-Amram
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.,Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Jim HL, Plohovich M, Marshall-Pescini S, Range F. Wolves and dogs fail to form reputations of humans after indirect and direct experience in a food-giving situation. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271590. [PMID: 35976865 PMCID: PMC9385025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Reputation is a key component in social interactions of group-living animals and appears to play a role in the establishment of cooperation. Animals can form reputations of individuals by directly interacting with them or by observing them interact with a third party, i.e., eavesdropping. Previous research has focused on whether dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) can eavesdrop on humans because of their ability to cooperate with humans, however the results are mixed and if they can eavesdrop, it is unknown whether this ability evolved during the domestication process or whether it was inherited from their ancestor, wolves (Canis lupus). Our study investigated whether equally hand-raised, pack-living dogs and wolves can form reputations of humans in a food-giving situation through indirect and/or direct experience. The experimental procedure comprised three parts: baseline (to test whether the subject preferred a person prior to the experiment), observation and testing. In the observation phase, the subject observed two humans interact with a dog demonstrator-one acted generously and fed the dog, and the other acted selfishly and refused to feed the dog. The subject could then choose which person to approach in the test phase. In the following experience phase, the animals interacted directly with the same two humans who behaved either in a generous or selfish manner. Then, they were again given a choice whom to approach. We found that dogs and wolves, at the group level, did not differentiate between a generous or selfish partner after indirect or direct experience, but wolves were more attentive towards the generous person during the observation phase and some dogs and wolves did prefer the generous partner, at least after indirect and direct experience was combined. Our study suggests that reputation formation may be more difficult than expected for animals and we emphasise the importance of context when studying reputation formation in animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hoi-Lam Jim
- Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marina Plohovich
- Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Marshall-Pescini
- Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Friederike Range
- Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Miller R, Garcia-Pelegrin E, Danby E. Neophobia and innovation in Critically Endangered Bali myna, Leucopsar rothschildi. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:211781. [PMID: 35875473 PMCID: PMC9297014 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Behavioural flexibility can impact on adaptability and survival, particularly in today's changing world, and encompasses associated components like neophobia, e.g. responses to novelty, and innovation, e.g. problem-solving. Bali myna (Leucopsar rothschildi) are a Critically Endangered endemic species, which are a focus of active conservation efforts, including reintroductions. Gathering behavioural data can aid in improving and developing conservation strategies, like pre-release training and individual selection for release. In 22 captive Bali myna, we tested neophobia (novel object, novel food, control conditions), innovation (bark, cup, lid conditions) and individual repeatability of latency responses in both experiments. We found effects of condition and presence of heterospecifics, including longer latencies to touch familiar food in presence than absence of novel items, and between problem-solving tasks, as well as in the presence of non-competing heterospecifics than competing heterospecifics. Age influenced neophobia, with adults showing longer latencies than juveniles. Individuals were repeatable in latency responses: (1) temporally in both experiments; (2) contextually within the innovation experiment and between experiments, as well as being consistent in approach order across experiments, suggesting stable behaviour traits. These findings are an important starting point for developing conservation behaviour related strategies in Bali myna and other similarly threatened species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Miller
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Elias Garcia-Pelegrin
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Emily Danby
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Forss S, Willems E. The curious case of great ape curiosity and how it is shaped by sociality. Ethology 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Forss
- Collegium Helveticum, The joint Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS) of the ETH Zurich The University of Zurich, and The Zurich University of the Arts Zurich Switzerland
| | - Erik Willems
- Department of Anthropology University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Morrill K, Hekman J, Li X, McClure J, Logan B, Goodman L, Gao M, Dong Y, Alonso M, Carmichael E, Snyder-Mackler N, Alonso J, Noh HJ, Johnson J, Koltookian M, Lieu C, Megquier K, Swofford R, Turner-Maier J, White ME, Weng Z, Colubri A, Genereux DP, Lord KA, Karlsson EK. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 2022; 376:eabk0639. [PMID: 35482869 DOI: 10.1126/science.abk0639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral genetics in dogs has focused on modern breeds, which are isolated subgroups with distinctive physical and, purportedly, behavioral characteristics. We interrogated breed stereotypes by surveying owners of 18,385 purebred and mixed-breed dogs and genotyping 2155 dogs. Most behavioral traits are heritable [heritability (h2) > 25%], and admixture patterns in mixed-breed dogs reveal breed propensities. Breed explains just 9% of behavioral variation in individuals. Genome-wide association analyses identify 11 loci that are significantly associated with behavior, and characteristic breed behaviors exhibit genetic complexity. Behavioral loci are not unusually differentiated in breeds, but breed propensities align, albeit weakly, with ancestral function. We propose that behaviors perceived as characteristic of modern breeds derive from thousands of years of polygenic adaptation that predates breed formation, with modern breeds distinguished primarily by aesthetic traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Morrill
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jessica Hekman
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Xue Li
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jesse McClure
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Brittney Logan
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Linda Goodman
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Fauna Bio Inc., Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Mingshi Gao
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Yinan Dong
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Marjie Alonso
- The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, USA.,IAABC Foundation, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, USA
| | - Elena Carmichael
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Noah Snyder-Mackler
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85251, USA.,School for Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85251, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85251, USA
| | - Jacob Alonso
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Hyun Ji Noh
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jeremy Johnson
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Charlie Lieu
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Darwin's Ark Foundation, Seattle, WA 98026, USA
| | - Kate Megquier
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ross Swofford
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Michelle E White
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Zhiping Weng
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Andrés Colubri
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Kathryn A Lord
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Elinor K Karlsson
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Darwin's Ark Foundation, Seattle, WA 98026, USA.,Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
O'Connor VL, Thomas P, Chodorow M, Borrego N. Exploring innovative problem-solving in African lions (Panthera leo) and snow leopards (Panthera uncia). Behav Processes 2022; 199:104648. [PMID: 35491002 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive ability is likely linked to adaptive ability; animals use cognition to innovate and problem-solve in their physical and social environments. We investigated innovative problem-solving in two species of high conservation importance: African lions (Panthera leo; n = 6) and snow leopards (Panthera uncia; n = 9). We designed a custom multi-access puzzle box (MAB) to present a simple and effective behavioral test for the cats to explore. We measured Repeated Innovation, Persistence, Success, Contact Latency, and the Exploration Diversity of individuals interacting with the MAB. Of the six African lions, three (50%) solved one door to the box, one solved two doors (16.67%), and one solved three doors (16.67%). Of the nine snow leopards, one solved one door (11.11%), three solved two doors (33.33%), and none solved all three doors (0%). Persistence was a significant predictor of Success in African lions and snow leopards; more Persistent individuals were more likely to open a door. We also observed significant individual variation in Persistence for both species, but only snow leopards also exhibited differences in Contact Latency and Exploration Diversity. These results suggest individuals vary in their problem-solving approaches. Our findings support both species as successful, repeated innovators. Carnivores face ecological and social challenges and, presumably, benefit from cognitive abilities facilitating the successful navigation of these challenges in captivity and the wild.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L O'Connor
- Animal Behavior and Conservation Program, Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester Hills, MI, USA.
| | - Patrick Thomas
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Martin Chodorow
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Natalia Borrego
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz and Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany; Lion Research Center, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ventricelli M, Gratton P, Sabbatini G, Addessi E, Sgaraglia G, Rufo F, Sirianni G. Individual Variation in Response to Novel Food in Captive Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajus spp.). Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.820323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
How animals respond to novelty may have important outcomes in terms of fitness. On the one hand, aversion to novel stimuli may reduce the risks of consuming potentially toxic food or encountering predators. On the other hand, the propensity to approach novel stimuli may allow individuals to explore novel food sources and more flexibly adapt to novel challenges. Different species and individuals may find different ways to balance the costs and benefits that novelty posits. To date, however, little is known on how response to novel food varies across individuals of the same species depending on their previous experience with novelty, risk attitude and presence of higher-ranking conspecifics. In this study, we assessed individual variation in response to novel food by testing captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.) in an unconstrained social context, where all individuals in a group were able to access the testing area on a voluntary basis. We provided familiar and novel food to 23 study subjects belonging to four social groups differing in (i) previous experience with novel food, (ii) risk attitude (as assessed by a previous risky decision-making task), and (iii) dominance rank. We predicted that, as individuals may generalize their previous experience to novel contexts, those with more previous experience with novel food would be less neophobic than those with less experience. Moreover, if neophobia is a facet of the individual’s risk attitude, we predicted that more risk-prone individuals would be less neophobic than less risk-prone ones. Finally, individuals might flexibly modify their food choices according to the presence of conspecifics; in this respect, we predicted that, in response to monopolization of preferred resources by higher-ranking individuals, lower-ranking individuals would prefer familiar over novel food in the absence of higher-ranking individuals, but would modify their preference in favor of novel food in the presence of higher-ranking individuals. None of these predictions were supported by our results. We observed, however, that neophobia, measured as the latency to retrieve a food item, was more pronounced in lower-ranking than higher-ranking individuals, and that males showed a generally stronger bias than females toward a quicker retrieval of familiar food.
Collapse
|
27
|
Shinoda K, Kosaki Y, Nagasawa M, Kikusui T. Measurement of the exploration-exploitation response of dogs through a concurrent visual discrimination task. Behav Processes 2022; 199:104644. [PMID: 35472629 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104644] [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: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In many species, the allocation of exploration and exploitation responses to environmental stimuli is important for survival. In this exploratory study, we determined whether dogs (Canis familiaris) explored novel stimuli in a visual discrimination task using food reinforcers. Initially, the dogs were trained with two pairs of simultaneous visual discrimination tasks. Having achieved the learning criterion, the dogs were presented with a pair of stimuli including a novel stimulus and a previously reinforced stimulus in the probe trials (familiar stimulus). Dogs were reinforced by 50% for novel stimuli and 100% for familiar stimuli. The proportions of responses to novel and familiar stimuli in the probe trials were considered to reflect the propensity for exploration and exploitation, respectively. The five dogs tested selected the novel stimulus more frequently (in 22 of the 30 probe trials; binomial test, P = 0.016). Therefore, dogs prefer novel stimuli over familiar ones, suggesting that this species, which is less neophobic than wolves (Canis lupus), would likely allocate more responses to exploration. Comparisons among breeds or with wolves are warranted in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kumi Shinoda
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Yutaka Kosaki
- Department of Psychology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Miho Nagasawa
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sommer-Trembo C, Oliver C, Wolf L, Garcia C, Salzburger W. Does the presence of conspecifics facilitate exploratory behaviour in a cichlid fish (Etroplus suratensis)? BEHAVIOUR 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-bja10156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Animals confronted with any kind of novelty show behavioural responses driven by avoidance and exploration. The expression of both tendencies is modulated by anxiety. Especially in group-living animals, the presence of conspecifics can reduce anxiety in novel situations and hence increase exploratory tendency. Such intensified behavioural responses triggered by the social environment of an individual are called social facilitation. Here, we tested for social facilitation on the exploratory tendency of group-living juvenile Green chromide cichlid fish (Etroplus suratensis) by assessing each individual twice in an open field test: once alone and once together with a conspecific. Contrary to our expectations, we found no difference in exploratory behaviour between the groups. However, our results suggest that changes in exploratory tendency across the two treatments were highly individual, both in extent and direction, and are likely driven by the presence of the conspecific and the focal individual’s own behavioural type.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C. Sommer-Trembo
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - C. Oliver
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - L. Wolf
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - C. Garcia
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - W. Salzburger
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kimball MG, Gautreaux EB, Couvillion KE, Kelly TR, Stansberry KR, Lattin CR. Novel objects alter immediate early gene expression globally for ZENK and regionally for c-Fos in neophobic and non-neophobic house sparrows. Behav Brain Res 2022; 428:113863. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
|
30
|
Comparing wolves and dogs: current status and implications for human ‘self-domestication’. Trends Cogn Sci 2022; 26:337-349. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
|
31
|
Miller R, Lambert ML, Frohnwieser A, Brecht KF, Bugnyar T, Crampton I, Garcia-Pelegrin E, Gould K, Greggor AL, Izawa EI, Kelly DM, Li Z, Luo Y, Luong LB, Massen JJM, Nieder A, Reber SA, Schiestl M, Seguchi A, Sepehri P, Stevens JR, Taylor AH, Wang L, Wolff LM, Zhang Y, Clayton NS. Socio-ecological correlates of neophobia in corvids. Curr Biol 2022; 32:74-85.e4. [PMID: 34793696 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral responses to novelty, including fear and subsequent avoidance of novel stimuli, i.e., neophobia, determine how animals interact with their environment. Neophobia aids in navigating risk and impacts on adaptability and survival. There is variation within and between individuals and species; however, lack of large-scale, comparative studies critically limits investigation of the socio-ecological drivers of neophobia. In this study, we tested responses to novel objects and food (alongside familiar food) versus a baseline (familiar food alone) in 10 corvid species (241 subjects) across 10 labs worldwide. There were species differences in the latency to touch familiar food in the novel object and novel food conditions relative to the baseline. Four of seven socio-ecological factors influenced object neophobia: (1) use of urban habitat (versus not), (2) territorial pair versus family group sociality, (3) large versus small maximum flock size, and (4) moderate versus specialized caching (whereas range, hunting live animals, and genus did not), while only maximum flock size influenced food neophobia. We found that, overall, individuals were temporally and contextually repeatable (i.e., consistent) in their novelty responses in all conditions, indicating neophobia is a stable behavioral trait. With this study, we have established a network of corvid researchers, demonstrating potential for further collaboration to explore the evolution of cognition in corvids and other bird species. These novel findings enable us, for the first time in corvids, to identify the socio-ecological correlates of neophobia and grant insight into specific elements that drive higher neophobic responses in this avian family group. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Miller
- University of Cambridge, Department of Psychology, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK.
| | - Megan L Lambert
- University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Messerli Research Institute, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Frohnwieser
- University of Cambridge, Department of Psychology, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Katharina F Brecht
- Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Institute for Neurobiology, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Bugnyar
- University of Vienna, Department of Behavioral & Cognitive Biology, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria; University of Vienna and University of Veterinary Medicine, Haidlhof Research Station, Bad Vöslau, Austria
| | - Isabelle Crampton
- University of Cambridge, Department of Psychology, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Elias Garcia-Pelegrin
- University of Cambridge, Department of Psychology, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Kristy Gould
- Luther College, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, 700 College Drive, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
| | - Alison L Greggor
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Recovery Ecology, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
| | - Ei-Ichi Izawa
- Keio University, Department of Psychology, 2-15-45, Mita, Minato-ku, 108-8345 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Debbie M Kelly
- University of Manitoba, Department of Psychology, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2 MB, Canada
| | - Zhongqiu Li
- Nanjing University, Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, 163 Xianlin Avenue, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - Yunchao Luo
- Nanjing University, Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, 163 Xianlin Avenue, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - Linh B Luong
- Luther College, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, 700 College Drive, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
| | - Jorg J M Massen
- Utrecht University, Animal Behaviour & Cognition, Institute of Environmental Biology, Padualaan 8, De Uithof, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas Nieder
- Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Institute for Neurobiology, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephan A Reber
- Lund University, Department of Cognitive Science, Helgonavagen 3, Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | - Martina Schiestl
- Auckland University, School of Psychology, 23 Symonds Street, 1010 Auckland, New Zealand; Max Planck Society, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Kahlaische Strasse 10, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Akiko Seguchi
- Keio University, Department of Psychology, 2-15-45, Mita, Minato-ku, 108-8345 Tokyo, Japan; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
| | - Parisa Sepehri
- University of Manitoba, Department of Psychology, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2 MB, Canada
| | - Jeffrey R Stevens
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Psychology, Centre for Brain, Biology & Behavior, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Alexander H Taylor
- Auckland University, School of Psychology, 23 Symonds Street, 1010 Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lin Wang
- Nanjing University, Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, 163 Xianlin Avenue, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - London M Wolff
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Psychology, Centre for Brain, Biology & Behavior, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Yigui Zhang
- Nanjing University, Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, 163 Xianlin Avenue, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - Nicola S Clayton
- University of Cambridge, Department of Psychology, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Captivity and habituation to humans raise curiosity in vervet monkeys. Anim Cogn 2021; 25:671-682. [PMID: 34855018 PMCID: PMC9107434 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-021-01589-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The cognitive mechanisms causing intraspecific behavioural differences between wild and captive animals remain poorly understood. Although diminished neophobia, resulting from a safer environment and more “free” time, has been proposed to underlie these differences among settings, less is known about how captivity influences exploration tendency. Here, we refer to the combination of reduced neophobia and increased interest in exploring novelty as “curiosity”, which we systematically compared across seven groups of captive and wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) by exposing them to a test battery of eight novel stimuli. In the wild sample, we included both monkeys habituated to human presence and unhabituated individuals filmed using motion-triggered cameras. Results revealed clear differences in number of approaches to novel stimuli among captive, wild-habituated and wild-unhabituated monkeys. As foraging pressure and predation risks are assumed to be equal for all wild monkeys, our results do not support a relationship between curiosity and safety or free time. Instead, we propose “the habituation hypothesis” as an explanation of why well-habituated and captive monkeys both approached and explored novelty more than unhabituated individuals. We conclude that varying levels of human and/or human artefact habituation, rather than the risks present in natural environments, better explain variation in curiosity in our sample of vervet monkeys.
Collapse
|
33
|
Glenk LM, Foltin S. Therapy Dog Welfare Revisited: A Review of the Literature. Vet Sci 2021; 8:226. [PMID: 34679056 PMCID: PMC8538106 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8100226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past decade, the field of human-animal interaction(s) research has been characterized by a significant increase in scientific findings. These data have contributed to our current understanding of how humans may benefit from contact with animals. However, the animal experience of these interactions is still an under-researched area. This paper addresses the welfare of dogs who participate in animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) to improve health in human recipients. This paper builds on previous work by Glenk (2017) and provides an updated review of the literature on therapy dog welfare published from 2017-2021. New advances in scientific methodology, such as the determination of salivary oxytocin, breath rate and tympanic membrane temperature, are analyzed regarding their value and limitations for research in AAIs. Moreover, welfare-related social and environmental factors (e.g., freedom of choice, exploration of novel environments, inequity aversion, individual development, working experience, relationship with handler and handler skills) that profoundly influence dog perception and well-being are reviewed and discussed. Accounting for the globally increasing interest and the number of dogs utilized in AAIs, safeguarding therapy dog well-being, and identifying situations, circumstances and protocols that may challenge animal welfare remains an emerging and crucial area of scientific effort.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Maria Glenk
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Foltin
- Department of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany;
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Suzuki K, Ikebuchi M, Kagawa H, Koike T, Okanoya K. Effects of domestication on neophobia: A comparison between the domesticated Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica) and its wild ancestor, the white-rumped munia (Lonchura striata). Behav Processes 2021; 193:104502. [PMID: 34530107 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Bengalese finches (Lonchura striata var. domestica) have more complex song traits than their wild ancestors, white-rumped munias (Lonchura striata). Domesticated finches are likely able to allocate more resources to reproduction (e.g. singing) rather than to mechanisms intended for coping with predation, which are no longer needed under domesticated conditions. Here, we aimed to examine the effects of changes in selection pressure due to domestication on the behaviour of Bengalese finches and to contemplate the possible evolutionary mechanisms underlying these changes. To do so, we compared neophobic responses to novel-object conditions as an assessment of reactions to potential predators. We studied groups of Bengalese finches and white-rumped munias and found that Bengalese finches were more likely to eat the food provided to them under novel-object conditions. Bengalese finches had a shorter latency time to eat, and this latency time was less affected by the novel object in the case of Bengalese finches compared to white-rumped munias. Therefore, Bengalese finches have reduced neophobic responses due to domestication. The behavioural strategies of white-rumped munias appear to be more suitable for natural environments, which include unpredictable risks, whereas Bengalese finches have likely adapted their behaviour to the conditions of artificial selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Suzuki
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Nihon Institute of Medical Science, Moroyama-machi 350-0435, Japan; Laboratory for Biolinguistics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Okanoya Emotional Information Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Cognition and Behavior Joint Research Laboratory, RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Maki Ikebuchi
- Laboratory for Biolinguistics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Okanoya Emotional Information Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Cognition and Behavior Joint Research Laboratory, RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroko Kagawa
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; Laboratory for Biolinguistics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Okanoya Emotional Information Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Cognition and Behavior Joint Research Laboratory, RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Taku Koike
- Laboratory for Biolinguistics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Kazuo Okanoya
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; Laboratory for Biolinguistics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Okanoya Emotional Information Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Cognition and Behavior Joint Research Laboratory, RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Novel object test in farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) – The impact on appearance, diurnal rhythm and behaviour in the foraging area. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
36
|
Cimarelli G, Marshall-Pescini S, Range F, Berghänel A, Virányi Z. Relationship quality affects social stress buffering in dogs and wolves. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
37
|
Salomons H, Smith KCM, Callahan-Beckel M, Callahan M, Levy K, Kennedy BS, Bray EE, Gnanadesikan GE, Horschler DJ, Gruen M, Tan J, White P, vonHoldt BM, MacLean EL, Hare B. Cooperative Communication with Humans Evolved to Emerge Early in Domestic Dogs. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3137-3144.e11. [PMID: 34256018 PMCID: PMC8610089 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Although we know that dogs evolved from wolves, it remains unclear how domestication affected dog cognition. One hypothesis suggests dog domestication altered social maturation by a process of selecting for an attraction to humans.1-3 Under this account, dogs became more flexible in using inherited skills to cooperatively communicate with a new social partner that was previously feared and expressed these unusual social skills early in development.4-6 Here, we comparedog (n = 44) and wolf (n = 37) puppies, 5-18 weeks old, on a battery of temperament and cognition tasks. We find that dog puppies are more attracted to humans, read human gestures more skillfully, and make more eye contact with humans than wolf puppies. The two species are similarly attracted to familiar objects and perform similarly on non-social measures of memory and inhibitory control. These results are consistent with the idea that domestication enhanced the cooperative-communicative abilities of dogs as selection for attraction to humans altered social maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Salomons
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
| | - Kyle C M Smith
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16801, USA
| | | | | | - Kerinne Levy
- Canine Companions for Independence, Santa Rosa, CA 95407, USA
| | | | - Emily E Bray
- Canine Companions for Independence, Santa Rosa, CA 95407, USA; School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Gitanjali E Gnanadesikan
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Cognitive Science Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Daniel J Horschler
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Cognitive Science Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Margaret Gruen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Jingzhi Tan
- Department of Psychology, Leiden University, 2311 EZ Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Philip White
- Department of Statistics, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Bridgett M vonHoldt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Evan L MacLean
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Brian Hare
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Neophobia in 10 ungulate species-a comparative approach. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021; 75:102. [PMID: 34177046 PMCID: PMC8219784 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03041-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neophobia (the fearful reaction to novel stimuli or situations) has a crucial effect on individual fitness and can vary within and across species. However, the factors predicting this variation are still unclear. In this study, we assessed whether individual characteristics (rank, social integration, sex) and species socio-ecological characteristics (dietary breadth, group size, domestication) predicted variation in neophobia. For this purpose, we conducted behavioral observations and experimental tests on 78 captive individuals belonging to 10 different ungulate species-an ideal taxon to study inter-specific variation in neophobia given their variety in socio-ecological characteristics. Individuals were tested in their social groups by providing them with familiar food, half of which had been positioned close to a novel object. We monitored the individual latency to approach and eat food and the proportion of time spent in its proximity. Using a phylogenetic approach and social network analyses, we showed that across ungulate species neophobia was higher in socially more integrated individuals, as compared to less integrated ones. In contrast, rank and sex did not predict inter-individual differences in neophobia. Moreover, species differed in their levels of neophobia, with Barbary sheep being on average less neophobic than all the other study species. As group size in Barbary sheep was larger than in all the other study species, these results support the hypothesis that larger group size predicts lower levels of neophobia, and confirm ungulates as a highly promising taxon to study animal behavior and cognition with a comparative perspective. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In several species, individuals may respond fearfully to novel stimuli, therefore reducing the risks they may face. However, it is yet unclear if certain individuals or species respond more fearfully to novelty. Here, we provided food to 78 individual ungulates with different characteristics (e.g., sex, rank, social integration, group size, domestication, dietary breadth) in different controlled conditions (e.g., when food was close to novel or to familiar objects). Across species, we found that socially integrated individuals responded more fearfully in all species. Moreover, being in larger groups decreased the probability of fearfully responding to novelty. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00265-021-03041-0.
Collapse
|
39
|
Padovani R, Shi Z, Harris S. Are British urban foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) "bold"? The importance of understanding human-wildlife interactions in urban areas. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:835-851. [PMID: 33520170 PMCID: PMC7820170 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-wildlife interactions are believed to be increasing in urban areas. In Britain, numerous media reports have stated that urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are becoming "bolder," thereby posing a risk to public safety. However, such claims overlook how an individual's personality might influence urban fox behavior. Personality determines multiple aspects of an animal's interactions with both conspecifics and its environment, and can have a significant impact on how people perceive wildlife. Furthermore, describing urban foxes as "bold" confounds two different but inter-related behaviors, both of which influence an animal's propensity to take risks. Neophobia affects an animal's reaction to novelty, wariness its reaction to potential threats. Since urban wildlife frequently encounters both novel and threatening stimuli, a highly adaptable species such as the red fox might be predicted to exhibit reduced neophobia and wariness. We investigated how social status influenced both behaviors in Bristol's fox population. Dominant foxes were significantly more neophobic and warier than subordinates, which adopt a more exploratory and risk-taking lifestyle to meet their energetic and other needs. We found no seasonal effect on neophobia and wariness, although this may be due to sample size. The presence of conspecifics decreased neophobia for dominants, and wariness for both dominants and subordinates. We highlight the importance of considering animal social status and personality when planning management protocols, since interventions that destabilize fox social groups are likely to increase the number of subordinate foxes in the population, thereby increasing rather than decreasing the number of interactions between humans and urban foxes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhuoyu Shi
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Stephen Harris
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Adult, intensively socialized wolves show features of attachment behaviour to their handler. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17296. [PMID: 33057050 PMCID: PMC7560749 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74325-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs' attachment towards humans might be the core of their social skillset, yet the origins of their ability to build such a bond are still unclear. Here we show that adult, hand-reared wolves, similarly to dogs, form individualized relationship with their handler. During separation from their handler, wolves, much like family dogs, showed signs of higher-level stress and contact seeking behaviour, compared to when an unfamiliar person left them. They also used their handler as a secure base, suggesting that the ability to form interspecific social bonds could have been present already in the common ancestor of dogs and wolves. We propose that their capacity to form at least some features of attachment with humans may stem from the ability to form social bond with pack members. This might have been then re-directed to humans during early domestication, providing the basis for the evolution of other socio-cognitive abilities in dogs.
Collapse
|
41
|
Kelly TR, Kimball MG, Stansberry KR, Lattin CR. No, you go first: phenotype and social context affect house sparrow neophobia. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20200286. [PMID: 32871090 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel object trials are commonly used to assess aversion to novelty (neophobia), and previous work has shown neophobia can be influenced by the social environment, but whether the altered behaviour persists afterwards (social learning) is largely unknown in wild animals. We assessed house sparrow (Passer domesticus) novel object responses before, during and after being paired with a conspecific of either similar or different behavioural phenotype. During paired trials, animals housed with a similar or more neophobic partner demonstrated an increased aversion to novel objects. This change did not persist a week after unpairing, but neophobia decreased after unpairing in birds previously housed with a less neophobic partner. We also compared novel object responses to non-object control trials to validate our experimental procedure. Our results provide evidence of social learning in a highly successful invasive species, and an interesting asymmetry in the effects of social environment on neophobia behaviour depending on the animal's initial behavioural phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T R Kelly
- Biological Sciences Department, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - M G Kimball
- Biological Sciences Department, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - K R Stansberry
- Biological Sciences Department, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - C R Lattin
- Biological Sciences Department, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
A defining feature of human culture is that knowledge and technology continually improve over time. Such cumulative cultural evolution (CCE) probably depends far more heavily on how reliably information is preserved than on how efficiently it is refined. Therefore, one possible reason that CCE appears diminished or absent in other species is that it requires accurate but specialized forms of social learning at which humans are uniquely adept. Here, we develop a Bayesian model to contrast the evolution of high-fidelity social learning, which supports CCE, against low-fidelity social learning, which does not. We find that high-fidelity transmission evolves when (1) social and (2) individual learning are inexpensive, (3) traits are complex, (4) individual learning is abundant, (5) adaptive problems are difficult and (6) behaviour is flexible. Low-fidelity transmission differs in many respects. It not only evolves when (2) individual learning is costly and (4) infrequent but also proves more robust when (3) traits are simple and (5) adaptive problems are easy. If conditions favouring the evolution of high-fidelity transmission are stricter (3 and 5) or harder to meet (2 and 4), this could explain why social learning is common, but CCE is rare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Montrey
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Thomas R Shultz
- School of Computer Science, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Lazzaroni M, Range F, Backes J, Portele K, Scheck K, Marshall-Pescini S. The Effect of Domestication and Experience on the Social Interaction of Dogs and Wolves With a Human Companion. Front Psychol 2020; 11:785. [PMID: 32395114 PMCID: PMC7197371 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The results of current wolf-dog studies on human-directed behaviors seem to suggest that domestication has acted on dogs' general attitudes and not on specific socio-cognitive skills. A recent hypothesis suggests that domestication may have increased dogs' overall sociability (hypersociability hypothesis). The aim of the present study was to test one aspect of the hypersociability hypothesis, whereby dogs should be more interested in social human contact compared to wolves, and to investigate the relative roles of both domestication and experience on the value that dogs attribute to human social contact. We compared equally raised wolves and dogs kept at the Wolf Science Center (WSCw, WSCd) but also dogs with different human socialization experiences i.e., pet dogs and free-ranging dogs. We presented subjects with a simple test, divided in two phases: in the Pre-test phase animals were exposed to two people in succession. One person invited the animal for a social/cuddle session (contact provider) and the other fed the animal (food provider). In the Test phase, animals could choose which of the two persons to approach, when both stood in a neutral posture. We directly compared WSCd with WSCw and free-ranging dogs with pet dogs. We found that in the Pre-test, WSCd and free-ranging dogs spent more time with the contact provider than WSCw and pet dogs, respectively. The results regarding the free-ranging dog and pet dog comparison were surprising, hence we conducted a follow-up testing pet dogs in a familiar, distraction-free area. Free-ranging dogs and this group of pet dogs did not differ in the time spent cuddling. In the test phase, WSCd were more likely than WSCw to approach the two experimenters. However, neither for the WSCd-WSCw comparison nor for the free-ranging dogs-pet dogs comparison, we could find a clear preference for one person over the other. Our findings support the idea that domestication has affected dogs' behavior in terms of their overall interest in being in proximity with a human partner also in case of dogs with a relatively sparse socialization experience (free-ranging dogs). However, it remains unclear what the driving motivation to interact with the human may be.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Lazzaroni
- Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Friederike Range
- Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jessica Backes
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katrin Portele
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Scheck
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Marshall-Pescini
- Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
|
45
|
Crane AL, Brown GE, Chivers DP, Ferrari MCO. An ecological framework of neophobia: from cells to organisms to populations. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:218-231. [PMID: 31599483 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Neophobia is the fear of novel stimuli or situations. This phenotype has recently received much ecological attention, primarily in the context of decision making. Here, we explore neophobia across biological levels of organisation, first describing types of neophobia among animals and the underlying causes of neophobia, highlighting high levels of risk and uncertainty as key drivers. We place neophobia in the framework of Error Management Theory and Signal Detection Theory, showing how increases in overall risk and uncertainty can lead to costly non-responses towards novel threats unless individuals lower their response threshold and become neophobic. We then discuss how neophobic behaviour translates into population and evolutionary consequences before introducing neophobia-like processes at the cellular level, where some phenomena such as allergy and autoimmunity can parallel neophobic behaviour. Finally, we discuss neophobia attenuation, considering how a sudden change in the environment from dangerous to safe can lead to problematic over-responses (i.e. the 'maladaptive defensive carry-over' hypothesis), and discuss treatment methods for such over-responses. We anticipate that bridging the concept of neophobia with a process-centered perspective can facilitate a transfer of insight across organisational levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Crane
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada.,Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Pl., Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Grant E Brown
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Douglas P Chivers
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Pl., Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Maud C O Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, WCVM, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Hansen Wheat C, van der Bijl W, Temrin H. Dogs, but Not Wolves, Lose Their Sensitivity Toward Novelty With Age. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2001. [PMID: 31555182 PMCID: PMC6742907 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Selection of behavioral traits holds a prominent role in the domestication of animals, and domesticated species are generally assumed to express reduced fear and reactivity toward novel stimuli compared to their ancestral species. However, very few studies have explicitly tested this proposed link between domestication and reduced fear responses. Of the limited number of studies experimentally addressing the alterations of fear during domestication, the majority has been done on canids. These studies on foxes, wolves, and dogs suggest that decreased expression of fear in domesticated animals is linked to a domestication-driven delay in the first onset of fearful behavior during early ontogeny. Thus, wolves are expected to express exaggerated fearfulness earlier during ontogeny compared to dogs. However, while adult dogs are less fearful toward novelty than adult wolves and wolf-dog hybrids, consensus is lacking on when differences in fear expression arise in wolves and dogs. Here we present the first extended examination of fear development in hand-raised dogs and European gray wolves, using repeated novel object tests from 6 to 26 weeks of age. Contrary to expectations, we found no evidence in support of an increase in fearfulness in wolves with age or a delayed onset of fear response in dogs compared to wolves. Instead, we found that dogs strongly reduced their fear response in the period between 6 and 26 weeks of age, resulting in a significant species difference in fear expression toward novelty from the age of 18 weeks. Critically, as wolves did not differ in their fear response toward novelty over time, the detected species difference was caused solely by a progressive reduced fear response in dogs. Our results thereby suggest that species differences in fear of novelty between wolves and dogs are not caused by a domestication-driven shift in the first onset of fear response. Instead, we suggest that a loss of sensitivity toward novelty with age in dogs causes the difference in fear expression toward novelty in wolves and dogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wouter van der Bijl
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hans Temrin
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Kortekaas K, Kotrschal K. Does socio-ecology drive differences in alertness between wolves and dogs when resting? Behav Processes 2019; 166:103877. [PMID: 31153928 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Variation in resting behaviour across animals may be driven by adaptations towards their environment. Wolves and dogs seem promising models to examine this idea as they share a common ancestor, but occupy different socio-ecological niches. While wolves generally avoid humans, hunt, defend their territory, and raise offspring cooperatively, most dogs live in human-shaped environments. Hence, we hypothesized wolves to be more alert towards their environment than dogs, i.e. the degree of activation along the sleep-wake continuum (alertness) should be greater in wolves than in dogs. We estimated alertness via cardiac output. We tested similarly raised and kept pack-living wolves and dogs in two different behavioural conditions: (1) inactive wakefulness: animal is lying, head in an upward position with eyes opened, (2) resting: animal is lying, head in downward position with eyes mainly closed. In contrast to our expectations, we found that in both conditions wolves had a lower heart rate and higher heart rate variability than dogs, i.e. wolves might be less alert/more relaxed than dogs. Although our results are preliminary, we suggest that the higher alertness of dogs compared to wolves is potentially driven by differences in their socio-ecology (i.e. domestication) causing greater attention of dogs to human behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kim Kortekaas
- Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Wolf Science Center, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Kurt Kotrschal
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Wolf Science Center, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria; Konrad Lorenz Research Station, Core Facility University of Vienna, Fischerau 11, 4645, Grünau im Almtal, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Lazzaroni M, Range F, Bernasconi L, Darc L, Holtsch M, Massimei R, Rao A, Marshall-Pescini S. The role of life experience in affecting persistence: A comparative study between free-ranging dogs, pet dogs and captive pack dogs. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214806. [PMID: 30995264 PMCID: PMC6469757 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistence in object manipulation has been consistently associated with problem-solving success and it is known to be affected, at the individual level, by life experience. Differences in life experiences are particularly poorly studied in the problem-solving context and mainly refer to the comparison between wild and captive animals. Dogs represent interesting study subjects, since dog populations differ widely in their life experiences. In this comparative study we investigated subjects' persistence when presenting a novel object containing food that could not be accessed (impossible task) to three dog populations with very diverse life experiences: free-ranging village dogs (in Morocco), pet dogs (in Vienna) and captive pack living dogs (Wolf Science Center-WSC). We found that pet dogs and captive dogs (WSC) were more manipulative and persistent than free-ranging dogs. The low persistence of free ranging-dogs is unlikely the effect of a lack of exposure to objects, since they are confronted with many human’ artefacts in their environment daily. Instead, we suggest that the higher persistence of captive dogs and pet dogs in comparison to free-ranging dogs might be due to their increased experience of human-mediated object interaction. This provides subjects with a socially guided experience in manipulating and interacting with objects increasing their motivation to engage in such tasks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Lazzaroni
- Wolf Science Center, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | - Friederike Range
- Wolf Science Center, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lara Bernasconi
- Wolf Science Center, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Larissa Darc
- Wolf Science Center, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Holtsch
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Roberta Massimei
- Wolf Science Center, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Akshay Rao
- Wolf Science Center, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Marshall-Pescini
- Wolf Science Center, Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Lenkei R, Pogány Á, Fugazza C. Social behavior in dog puppies: Breed differences and the effect of rearing conditions. Biol Futur 2019; 70:134-142. [PMID: 34554417 DOI: 10.1556/019.70.2019.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Most of the studies investigating the effect of early rearing environment in dogs used laboratory dogs and reported that early experiences markedly affect the puppies' behavior. However, the subjects of these experiments cannot be considered as representatives of family dogs. METHODS In this study, we investigated whether different raising conditions shape social behavior toward humans in 8-week-old family dog puppies of two breeds, Labrador and Czechoslovakian wolf dog. The puppies were tested in a series of tests that represented typical situations of family dogs. RESULTS We found that Czechoslovakian wolf dog puppies were more active than Labrador puppies in general, as they were more likely to explore the environment and the objects and spent more time doing so. Tendency to gaze at humans also varied between breeds, but in a context-specific way. Additionally, puppies housed separately from their mother interacted more with toys, puppies housed in a kennel tended to stay closer to the experimenter than puppies raised in the house, and puppies housed in a kennel tended to stay in the proximity of the experimenter more than puppies raised in the house. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide evidence for early keeping conditions influencing social behavior and also highlight breed differences in puppies' behavior. Whether these differences are due to different developmental patterns and/or behavioral predispositions remains to be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Lenkei
- Department of Ethology, Biological Institute, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ákos Pogány
- Department of Ethology, Biological Institute, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Claudia Fugazza
- Department of Ethology, Biological Institute, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kalan AK, Hohmann G, Arandjelovic M, Boesch C, McCarthy MS, Agbor A, Angedakin S, Bailey E, Balongelwa CW, Bessone M, Bocksberger G, Coxe SJ, Deschner T, Després-Einspenner ML, Dieguez P, Fruth B, Herbinger I, Granjon AC, Head J, Kablan YA, Langergraber KE, Lokasola AL, Maretti G, Marrocoli S, Mbende M, Moustgaard J, N'Goran PK, Robbins MM, van Schijndel J, Sommer V, Surbeck M, Tagg N, Willie J, Wittig RM, Kühl HS. Novelty Response of Wild African Apes to Camera Traps. Curr Biol 2019; 29:1211-1217.e3. [PMID: 30880013 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Temperament and personality research in humans and nonhuman animals measures behavioral variation in individual, population, or species-specific traits with implications for survival and fitness, such as social status, foraging, and mating success [1-5]. Curiosity and risk-taking tendencies have been studied extensively across taxa by measuring boldness and exploration responses to experimental novelty exposure [3, 4, 6-15]. Here, we conduct a natural field experiment using wildlife monitoring technology to test variation in the reaction of wild great apes (43 groups of naive chimpanzees, bonobos, and western gorillas across 14 field sites in Africa) to a novel object, the camera trap. Bonobo and gorilla groups demonstrated a stronger looking impulse toward the camera trap device compared to chimpanzees, suggesting higher visual attention and curiosity. Bonobos were also more likely to show alarm and other fearful behaviors, although such neophobic (and conversely, neophilic) responses were generally rare. Among all three species, individuals looked at cameras longer when they were young, were associating with fewer individuals, and did not live near a long-term research site. Overall, these findings partially validate results from great ape novelty paradigms in captivity [7, 8]. We further suggest that species-typical leadership styles [16] and social and environmental effects, including familiarity with humans, best explain novelty responses of wild great apes. In sum, this study illustrates the feasibility of large-scale field experiments and the importance of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors in shaping animal curiosity. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ammie K Kalan
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Gottfried Hohmann
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mimi Arandjelovic
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christophe Boesch
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maureen S McCarthy
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anthony Agbor
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Samuel Angedakin
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Emma Bailey
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cosma Wilungula Balongelwa
- Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), 13 Avenue des Cliniques, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Mattia Bessone
- Faculty of Biology/Department of Neurobiology, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Großaderner Straße 2,D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Gaëlle Bocksberger
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sally Jewel Coxe
- Bonobo Conservation Initiative, 2701 Connecticut Ave. NW #702, Washington, DC 20008, USA
| | - Tobias Deschner
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marie-Lyne Després-Einspenner
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paula Dieguez
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Barbara Fruth
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, B-2018 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ilka Herbinger
- Department of Africa and South America, WWF Germany, Reinhardtstr. 18, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne-Céline Granjon
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Josephine Head
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yves Aka Kablan
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kevin E Langergraber
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change & Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University, 900 Cady Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Albert Lotana Lokasola
- Bonobo Conservation Initiative, 2701 Connecticut Ave. NW #702, Washington, DC 20008, USA
| | - Giovanna Maretti
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sergio Marrocoli
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Menard Mbende
- WWF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 14, Avenue Sergent Moke, Commune de Ngaliema, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Jennifer Moustgaard
- Bonobo Conservation Initiative, 2701 Connecticut Ave. NW #702, Washington, DC 20008, USA
| | | | - Martha M Robbins
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Joost van Schijndel
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Volker Sommer
- Gashaka Primate Project, Nigeria c/o Department of Anthropology, University College London, London WC1H 0BW, UK
| | - Martin Surbeck
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Bonobo Conservation Initiative, 2701 Connecticut Ave. NW #702, Washington, DC 20008, USA
| | - Nikki Tagg
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, B-2018 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jacob Willie
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, B-2018 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Roman M Wittig
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, BP 1301, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Hjalmar S Kühl
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Leipzig-Jena, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|