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Shaikh N, Asif PY, Saltzman W. Inhibition of alloparental behavior by acute stress in virgin male California mice (Peromyscus californicus). Behav Processes 2024; 220:105060. [PMID: 38909665 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105060] [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: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
In many biparental mammals, such as California mice (Peromyscus californicus), fathers display affiliative behavior toward unfamiliar infants whereas reproductively naïve adult males show highly variable responses. Sources of this variability are not well understood, but evidence suggests that stress can either enhance or inhibit alloparental care. We evaluated immediate and delayed effects of acute stress on pup-directed behavior in adult virgin male California mice. Mice underwent three 10-minute tests with unfamiliar pups at 48-hour intervals. Stressed mice (N=22) received a subcutaneous oil injection immediately before tests 1 and 2, whereas controls (N=22) were left undisturbed. In controls, but not stressed mice, latency to approach the pup decreased and duration of alloparental behavior increased across the three tests. At each time point, stressed males were less likely than controls to perform alloparental behavior. Controls spent significantly more time performing alloparental behavior than stressed mice in tests 1 and 2 but not in test 3. Pup-directed aggression did not differ between the groups at any time point. These findings suggest that acute stress can both inhibit alloparental behavior in the short term and prevent the increase in alloparental behavior that typically occurs with repeated exposure to pups in virgin male California mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabeel Shaikh
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Parihan Y Asif
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Wendy Saltzman
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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2
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Namiki M, Fukayama T, Suzuki T, Masaiwa A. Relationship between Ear Temperature, Behaviour and Stress Hormones in Guinea Pigs ( Cavia porcellus) during Different Interactive Activities in Zoos. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1111. [PMID: 38612351 PMCID: PMC11011222 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are used for interactive activities in zoos; therefore, it is important to investigate their welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of measuring the guinea pigs' body temperature of guinea pigs through the ear canal and investigate the relationship among changes in the expression of negative behavior, changes in body temperature, and changes in salivary cortisol concentration, and examine the effects of different interactive activities. In the normal interactive activities performed at the site, the decreased body temperature of pigs was observed over time. In contrast, increased body temperature was observed in excessive interactive activities, which are not recommended. Among the negative behaviors, "Head turning" and "Locomotion" increased significantly in excessive interactions compared to normal interactions, but "Head tossing" decreased significantly over time in both types of interactions. "Freezing" was observed only in excessive interactions. Salivary cortisol concentration increased significantly for all activities. Investigating the relationship between the individual expression of negative behavior and changes in body temperature and changes cortisol level made it possible to uncover the potential for inferring an animal's physiological state. Combining ear temperature monitoring and behavioral observation during zoo interaction activities is recommended as an ethical and scientifically supported practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misako Namiki
- Department of Animal Sciences, Teikyo University of Science, Tokyo West Campus, 2525 Yatsusawa, Uenohara City 409-0193, Japan
| | - Toshiharu Fukayama
- Department of Animal Sciences, Teikyo University of Science, Senju Campus, 2-2-1 Senju Sakuragi, Adachi-ku, Tokyo 120-0045, Japan;
| | - Takane Suzuki
- Adachi Park of Living Thing, 2-17-1 Hokima, Adachi-ku, Tokyo 121-0064, Japan
| | - Ayumi Masaiwa
- Adachi Park of Living Thing, 2-17-1 Hokima, Adachi-ku, Tokyo 121-0064, Japan
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Graham LH, Leishman EM, Demers K, Whiteside DP, McAdie M. Factors Associated with Reproductive Success in Captive Vancouver Island Marmots ( Marmota vancouverensis). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:387. [PMID: 38338030 PMCID: PMC10854754 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030387] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is Canada's most endangered endemic mammal. In 1997, a conservation breeding-for-release program was established to supplement wild marmot populations. Retrospective analyses of captive breeding studbook records since 2000 indicate the age of the sire and the dam significantly impacted the odds of successfully weaning a litter. Dams and sires between 5 and 7 years of age had more than double the odds of reproductive success compared to older animals. Successful reproduction by the dam in the previous year also doubled the odds of successfully weaning a litter in subsequent years. Assessment of adrenal function via fecal glucocorticoid analyses indicated established breeding pairs had decreased stress compared to new pairs (5.74 ± 0.28 ng/g vs. 7.60 ± 0.34 ng/g; p < 0.0001). Pairs that were ultimately successful at weaning pups in a breeding season had decreased stress compared to unsuccessful pairs (6.05 ± 0.34 ng/g vs. 7.22 ± 0.28 ng/g; p = 0.0006). These endocrine results suggest social buffering via familiarity and breeding/pair bond formation may be decreasing stress in established and successful pairs, respectively. The results of this study will be used to assist in the captive breeding management of this species to optimise numbers of animals produced to supplement the wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura H. Graham
- WRG Conservation Foundation, West Montrose, ON N0B 2V0, Canada
- College of New Caledonia, Prince George, BC V2N 1P8, Canada
| | - Emily M. Leishman
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Kahlee Demers
- Independent Researcher, Maple Ridge, BC V2W 0A9, Canada
| | | | - Malcolm McAdie
- Marmot Recovery Foundation, Nanaimo, BC V9R 6X6, Canada;
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MacLeod KJ, English S, Ruuskanen SK, Taborsky B. Stress in the social context: a behavioural and eco-evolutionary perspective. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245829. [PMID: 37529973 PMCID: PMC10445731 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
The social environment is one of the primary sources of challenging stimuli that can induce a stress response in animals. It comprises both short-term and stable interactions among conspecifics (including unrelated individuals, mates, potential mates and kin). Social stress is of unique interest in the field of stress research because (1) the social domain is arguably the most complex and fluctuating component of an animal's environment; (2) stress is socially transmissible; and (3) stress can be buffered by social partners. Thus, social interactions can be both the cause and cure of stress. Here, we review the history of social stress research, and discuss social stressors and their effects on organisms across early life and adulthood. We also consider cross-generational effects. We discuss the physiological mechanisms underpinning social stressors and stress responses, as well as the potential adaptive value of responses to social stressors. Finally, we identify outstanding challenges in social stress research, and propose a framework for addressing these in future work.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sinead English
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Suvi K. Ruuskanen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Survontie 9 C, FI-40014, Finland
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, FI-20014, Finland
| | - Barbara Taborsky
- Division of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Institute for Advanced Study, 14193 Berlin, Germany
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Keshavarzi H, Lee C, Dyall TR, Johnson M, Campbell DLM. Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20220396. [PMID: 36750179 PMCID: PMC9904948 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0396] [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: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
While it is well established that humans develop stronger relationship bonds when they share stressful experiences, there is little known on how shared stressful experiences may influence relationship bonding in animals. Here, we present a study looking at social proximity between individuals in small groups of Merino ewes following a shared stressful experience compared with control sheep that were not exposed to stress. Some sheep were familiar to each other. Analyses of social proximity using real-time-kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) on-animal devices showed sheep preferred to be closest to familiar individuals, but across the study duration they also developed a preference for the individuals they shared the stressful experience with, relative to their proximity to control individuals. These results contribute to limited research on what factors may instigate the development of bonds between unfamiliar sheep. Between-individual bonds may develop as a means of socially mediated stress buffering. Social bonding following a shared stressful experience aligns with human social relationships and increases our understanding of how animals perceive their conspecifics in relation to stressful environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamideh Keshavarzi
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, New South Wales 2350, Australia
| | - Caroline Lee
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, New South Wales 2350, Australia
| | - Tim R Dyall
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, New South Wales 2350, Australia
| | - Mark Johnson
- Data61, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Marsfield, New South Wales 2122, Australia
| | - Dana L M Campbell
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, New South Wales 2350, Australia
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Costa RFP, Romano V, Pereira AS, Hart JDA, MacIntosh A, Hayashi M. Mountain gorillas benefit from social distancing too: Close proximity from tourists affects gorillas' sociality. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel F. P. Costa
- Research Department Japan Monkey Center Inuyama Aichi Japan
- Primate Cognition Research Group, Centre for Philosophy of Science of the University of Lisbon Lisbon Portugal
| | - Valéria Romano
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178 Strasbourg France
- IMBE, Aix Marseille Univ., Avignon Univ., CNRS, IRD Marseille France
| | - André S. Pereira
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter Exeter UK
- Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, Department of Life Sciences University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | - Jordan D. A. Hart
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter Exeter UK
| | - Andrew MacIntosh
- Inuyama Campus, Kyoto University Wildlife Research Center Inuyama Japan
- Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences, Kyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | - Misato Hayashi
- Research Department Japan Monkey Center Inuyama Aichi Japan
- Chubu Gakuin University Kakamigahara Japan
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Parker JM, Wittemyer G. Orphaning stunts growth in wild African elephants. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 10:coac053. [PMID: 35919453 PMCID: PMC9341231 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Orphans of several species suffer social and physiological consequences such as receiving more aggression from conspecifics and lower survival. One physiological consequence of orphaning, stunted growth, has been identified in both humans and chimpanzees, but has not been assessed in a non-primate species. Here, we tested whether wild African elephant orphans show evidence of stunted growth. We measured individually known female elephants in the Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves of Kenya, with a rangefinder capable of calculating height, to estimate a von Bertalanffy growth curve for female elephants of the study population. We then compared measurements of known orphans and non-orphans of various ages, using a Bayesian analysis to assess variation around the derived growth curve. We found that orphans are shorter for their age than non-orphans. However, results suggest orphans may partially compensate for stunting through later growth, as orphans who had spent a longer time without their mother had heights more similar to non-orphans. More age mates in an individual's family were associated with taller height, suggesting social support from peers may contribute to increased growth. Conversely, more adult females in an individual's family were associated with shorter height, suggesting within-group competition for resources with older individuals may reduce juvenile growth. Finally, we found a counterintuitive result that less rainfall in the first 6 years of life was correlated with taller height, potentially reflecting the unavoidable bias of measuring individuals who were fit enough to survive conditions of low rainfall as young calves. Reduced growth of individuals has been shown to reduce survival and reproduction in other species. As such, stunting in wildlife orphans may negatively affect fitness and represents an indirect effect of ivory poaching on African elephants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna M Parker
- Corresponding author: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027, USA.
| | - George Wittemyer
- Save the Elephants, Marula Manor, Marula Lane, Karen, Nairobi 00200, Kenya
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, 102 Johnson Hall, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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Parker JM, Brown JL, Hobbs NT, Boisseau NP, Letitiya D, Douglas-Hamilton I, Wittemyer G. Social support correlates with glucocorticoid concentrations in wild African elephant orphans. Commun Biol 2022; 5:630. [PMID: 35835816 PMCID: PMC9283395 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03574-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Social relationships have physiological impacts. Here, we investigate whether loss of the mother/offspring relationship has lasting effects on fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations in wild African elephant orphans several years following their mothers’ deaths. We find no difference in fGCM concentrations between orphans and nonorphans, but find lower fGCM concentrations in elephants with more age mates in their family. We also unexpectedly identify lower concentrations in orphans without their natal family versus nonorphans and natal orphans, which we speculate may be due to the development of hypocortisolism following a prolonged period without familial support. An index of plant productivity (i.e. food) shows the largest correlation with fGCM concentrations. Our findings indicate no lasting differences in glucocorticoid concentrations of surviving orphan elephants who are with their family, suggest the presence of age mates may reduce glucocorticoid concentrations in elephants, and emphasize that basic survival needs are the primary regulators of the stress response. Remaining with the family group may reduce long-term stress effects in orphaned African elephants.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Parker
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, 102 Johnson Hall, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA. .,Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA. .,Save the Elephants, Marula Manor, Marula Lane, Karen, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.
| | - J L Brown
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - N T Hobbs
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, 102 Johnson Hall, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.,Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - N P Boisseau
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - D Letitiya
- Save the Elephants, Marula Manor, Marula Lane, Karen, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - I Douglas-Hamilton
- Save the Elephants, Marula Manor, Marula Lane, Karen, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.,Department of Zoology, Oxford University, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - G Wittemyer
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, 102 Johnson Hall, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.,Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.,Save the Elephants, Marula Manor, Marula Lane, Karen, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
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Foris B, Lecorps B, Krahn J, Weary DM, von Keyserlingk MAG. The effects of cow dominance on the use of a mechanical brush. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22987. [PMID: 34837005 PMCID: PMC8626463 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02283-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
An animal's social position within a group can influence its ability to perform important behaviours like eating and resting, but little is known about how social position affects the ability to express what are arguably less important but still rewarding behaviors, such as grooming. We set out to assess if dominance measured at the feeder is associated with increased use of a mechanical brush. Over a 2-year period, 161 dry cows were enrolled in a dynamically changing group of 20 individuals with access to a mechanical brush. We determined dominance using agonistic behaviors at the feeder and retrospectively analyzed brush use for the 12 most, and 12 least dominant individuals during the week before calving. Cows that were more dominant at the feeder used the brush more, especially during peak feeding times. Agonistic interactions at the brush did not differ between dominants and subordinates and were not related to brushing duration. These findings indicate that social position, calculated using competition for feed, affects mechanical brush access such that subordinates use the brush less than dominant cows independent of competition or time of day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borbala Foris
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Benjamin Lecorps
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Joseph Krahn
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Daniel M Weary
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Marina A G von Keyserlingk
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z6, Canada.
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