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Freeman SM, Catrow JL, Cox JE, Turano A, Rich MA, Ihrig HP, Poudyal N, Chang CWT, Gese EM, Young JK, Olsen AL. Binding Affinity, Selectivity, and Pharmacokinetics of the Oxytocin Receptor Antagonist L-368,899 in the Coyote ( Canis latrans). Comp Med 2024; 74:3-11. [PMID: 38532262 PMCID: PMC10938559 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-23-000044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
L-368,899 is a selective small-molecule oxytocin receptor (OXTR) antagonist originally developed in the 1990s to prevent preterm labor. Although its utility for that purpose was limited, L-368,899 is now one of the most commonly used drugs in animal research for the selective blockade of neural OXTR after peripheral delivery. A growing number of rodent and primate studies have used L-368,899 to evaluate whether certain behaviors are oxytocin dependent. These studies have improved our understanding of oxytocin's function in the brains of rodents and monkeys, but very little work has been done in other mammals, and only a single paper in macaques has provided any evidence that L-368,899 can be detected in the CNS after peripheral delivery. The current study sought to extend those findings in a novel species: coyotes ( Canis latrans ). Coyotes are ubiquitous North American canids that form long-term monogamous pair-bonds. Although monogamy is rare in rodents and primates, all wild canid species studied to date exhibit social monogamy. Coyotes are therefore an excellent model organism for the study of oxytocin and social bonds. Our goal was to determine whether L-368,899 is a viable candidate for future use in behavioral studies in coyotes. We used captive coyotes at the USDA National Wildlife Research Center's Predator Research Facility to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of L-368,899 in blood and CSF during a 90-min time course after intramuscular injection. We then characterized the binding affinity and selectivity of L-368,899 to coyote OXTR and the structurally similar vasopressin 1a receptor. We found that L-368,899 peaked in CSF at 15 to 30 min after intramuscular injection and slowly accumulated in blood. L-368,899 was 40 times more selective for OXTR than vasopressin 1a receptors and bound to the coyote OXTR with an affinity of 12 nM. These features of L-368,899 support its utility in future studies to probe the oxytocin system of coyotes.
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Key Words
- avp, arginine vasopressin
- avpr1a, vasopressin 1a receptor
- lva, linearized vasopressin antagonist
- mrm, multiple reaction monitoring
- nwrc, national wildlife research center
- obd, optical binding values
- ovta, ornithine vasotocin analog
- oxt, oxytocin
- oxtr, oxytocin receptor
- ptfe, polytetrafluoroethylene
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Freeman
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
| | - J Leon Catrow
- Metabolomics, Proteomics, and Mass Spectrometry Cores, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - James Eric Cox
- Metabolomics, Proteomics, and Mass Spectrometry Cores, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | | | - McKenna A Rich
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
| | | | - Naveena Poudyal
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
| | | | - Eric M Gese
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
- Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
- US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Predator Research Facility, Millville, Utah; and
| | - Julie K Young
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
- Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
- US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Predator Research Facility, Millville, Utah; and
| | - Aaron L Olsen
- Animal Dairy and Veterinary Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
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Howell-Stephens J, Potratz EJ, Brown JS, Bernier D, Santymire RM. Integrating Measures of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites and Giving-Up Densities to Assess Adrenocortical Activity and Well-Being in Zoo-Housed Three-Banded Armadillos ( Tolypeutes matacus). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1975. [PMID: 37370485 DOI: 10.3390/ani13121975] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
To monitor adrenocortical activity in zoo-housed species, we propose using physiological and behavioral indicators that are non-invasive and practical to implement. We explore this model in the southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus; armadillo), which is a near-threatened species commonly found in zoos. We aimed to (1) deploy food patches to quantify foraging behavior (via giving-up densities, GUDs); (2) determine the effects of food patch and environmental modifications on individuals' GUDs and adrenocortical activity (via fecal glucocorticoid metabolites, FGMs); and (3) examine the relationship between GUDs and FGMs. Three males and four females received food patches under varying experimental conditions at the Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago, IL, USA). Fecal samples were collected before, during, and after foraging experiments to examine FGMs. Armadillos did not respond to patch modifications but did forage more when given increased cover. Individual mean FGMs and GUDs were highly variable, and individuals had consistent FGM and GUD ranks across experiments. FGMs and GUDs did not vary across the experiments nor did they relate to each other. Armadillos and species with a limited behavioral repertoire (i.e., constant movement) can benefit from this multi-trait model to determine the effect of environmental modifications on individuals and provide meaningful information about adrenocortical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily J Potratz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Joel S Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Dave Bernier
- Animal Care Department, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
| | - Rachel M Santymire
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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Breck SW, Schultz JT, Prause D, Krebs C, Giordano AJ, Boots B. Integrating robotics into wildlife conservation: testing improvements to predator deterrents through movement. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15491. [PMID: 37283902 PMCID: PMC10239614 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15491] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Agricultural and pastoral landscapes can provide important habitat for wildlife conservation, but sharing these landscapes with wildlife can create conflict that is costly and requires managing. Livestock predation is a good example of the challenges involving coexistence with wildlife across shared landscapes. Integrating new technology into agricultural practices could help minimize human-wildlife conflict. In this study, we used concepts from the fields of robotics (i.e., automated movement and adaptiveness) and agricultural practices (i.e., managing livestock risk to predation) to explore how integration of these concepts could aid the development of more effective predator deterrents. Methods We used a colony of captive coyotes as a model system, and simulated predation events with meat baits inside and outside of protected zones. Inside the protected zones we used a remote-controlled vehicle with a state-of-the art, commercially available predator deterrent (i.e., Foxlight) mounted on the top and used this to test three treatments: (1) light only (i.e., without movement or adaptiveness), (2) predetermined movement (i.e., with movement and without adaptiveness), and (3) adaptive movement (i.e., with both movement and adaptiveness). We measured the time it took for coyotes to eat the baits and analyzed the data with a time-to-event survival strategy. Results Survival of baits was consistently higher inside the protected zone, and the three movement treatments incrementally increased survival time over baseline except for the light only treatment in the nonprotected zone. Incorporating predetermined movement essentially doubled the efficacy of the light only treatment both inside and outside the protected zone. Incorporating adaptive movement exponentially increased survival time both inside and outside the protected zone. Our findings provide compelling evidence that incorporating existing robotics capabilities (predetermined and adaptive movement) could greatly enhance protection of agricultural resources and aid in the development of nonlethal tools for managing wildlife. Our findings also demonstrate the importance of marrying agricultural practices (e.g., spatial management of livestock at night) with new technology to improve the efficacy of wildlife deterrents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart W. Breck
- USDA-WS-National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
| | - Jeffrey T. Schultz
- USDA-WS-National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
| | - David Prause
- Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
| | | | - Anthony J. Giordano
- Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
- S.P.E.C.I.E.S.—The Society for the Preservation of Endangered Carnivores and Their International Ecological Study, Ventura, California, United States
| | - Byron Boots
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
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Turano A, Brummer SP, Young JK, Freeman SM. Can a traditional partner preference test quantify monogamous behavior in captive coyotes? Behav Processes 2023; 206:104832. [PMID: 36693577 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2023.104832] [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: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Social monogamy is a unique social system exhibited by only 3-5% of mammalian taxa; however, all wild canid species exhibit this social system. Despite the high prevalence of social monogamy among canids, little is known about how they form selective social attachment relationships among non-kin. Thus, we aimed to quantify monogamous behavior in a highly ubiquitous canid, the coyote (Canis latrans). We adapted the three-chambered partner preference test, which was originally developed for prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), to assess social preference in mated pairs of captive coyotes at the USDA Predator Research Facility. We quantified monogamy-related behaviors, such as time spent in spatial proximity to a pair-mate versus a stranger. Our behavioral ethogram also included visual seeking, olfactory investigations, ears down, scent marking, and affiliative behavior. Test subjects showed significantly greater affiliative behavior toward their partner than toward a stranger. However, there was extremely high variability both within and between coyote pairs across behavioral measures. These data suggest the need for larger sample sizes when working with species with high individual variability, as well as the need for species- and facility-specific modifications to this testing paradigm and/or ethogram to better adapt it from its laboratory and rodent-based origins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stacey P Brummer
- National Wildlife Research Center - Predator Research Facility, USDA, Logan, UT, USA.
| | - Julie K Young
- Utah State University, Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center, Logan, UT, USA.
| | - Sara M Freeman
- Utah State University, Biology Department, Logan, UT, USA.
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5
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Effects of early-life experience on innovation and problem-solving in captive coyotes. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03251-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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6
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Parsons MA, Garcia A, Young JK. Scavenging vs hunting affects behavioral traits of an opportunistic carnivore. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13366. [PMID: 35529483 PMCID: PMC9070321 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human-induced changes to ecosystems transform the availability of resources to predators, including altering prey populations and increasing access to anthropogenic foods. Opportunistic predators are likely to respond to altered food resources by changing the proportion of food they hunt versus scavenge. These shifts in foraging behavior will affect species interactions through multiple pathways, including by changing other aspects of predator behavior such as boldness, innovation, and social structure. Methods To understand how foraging behavior impacts predator behavior, we conducted a controlled experiment to simulate hunting by introducing a prey model to captive coyotes (Canis latrans) and compared their behavior to coyotes that continued to scavenge over one year. We used focal observations to construct behavioral budgets, and conducted novel object, puzzle box, and conspecific tests to evaluate boldness, innovation, and response to conspecifics. Results We documented increased time spent resting by hunting coyotes paired with decreased time spent active. Hunting coyotes increased boldness and persistence but there were no changes in innovation. Our results illustrate how foraging behavior can impact other aspects of behavior, with potential ecological consequences to predator ecology, predator-prey dynamics, and human-wildlife conflict; however, the captive nature of our study limits specific conclusions related to wild predators. We conclude that human-induced behavioral changes could have cascading ecological implications that are not fully understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell A. Parsons
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States of America,National Wildlife Research Center - Predator Research Facility, USDA, Millville, UT, USA
| | - Andrew Garcia
- National Wildlife Research Center - Predator Research Facility, USDA, Millville, UT, USA
| | - Julie K. Young
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States of America,National Wildlife Research Center - Predator Research Facility, USDA, Millville, UT, USA
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7
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Figel T, Coyne SP, Martin K. Sex and Age Differences in Activity Budgets in a Population of Captive African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus). J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2021:1-9. [PMID: 34579615 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2021.1984916] [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: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is an endangered species that continues to experience population decline. Understanding the behavior of this species is a critical step in the conservation efforts to prevent their extinction. A comprehensive activity budget of this species has yet to be conducted in any captive population, which are critical for the Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding programs. We performed scan sampling observations on a group of 19 penguins to construct an activity budget. We also investigated the behavioral differences between males and females, as well as between adults and juveniles. Results indicate there are minimal sex differences in time budget allocations, but there are some notable age related differences. Creating and comparing activity budgets between populations are critical for understanding animal welfare in captive settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trystin Figel
- Biology Department, University of Saint Joseph Connecticut, West Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Sean P Coyne
- Department of Psychology, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kirsten Martin
- Biology Department, University of Saint Joseph Connecticut, West Hartford, CT, USA
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9
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Is livestock husbandry more stressing than other anthropic activities to wild carnivores? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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10
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Floyd N, Young JK. Testing coyotes in an object choice task following a human gesture. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2020.1837966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Floyd
- USDA-National Wildlife Research Center-Predator Research Facility, Millville, UT 84326, USA
| | - Julie K. Young
- USDA-National Wildlife Research Center-Predator Research Facility, Millville, UT 84326, USA
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11
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Boff S, Raizer J, Lupi D. Environmental Display Can Buffer the Effect of Pesticides on Solitary Bees. INSECTS 2020; 11:E417. [PMID: 32635667 PMCID: PMC7412123 DOI: 10.3390/insects11070417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental quality (e.g., diversity of resource availability, nesting sites, environmental display) plays an important role in an animal's life. While homogeneous environments can restrict organisms from developing activities such as food seeking (behavioral impairment), more complex environments allow animals to perform activities with learning and behavioral perfecting outcomes. Pesticides are known to affect the learning and foraging behaviors of bees; however, little is known about the counterbalance displayed by the environment. Herein, we conducted two experiments that simulated distinct environmental displays, in which the effects of a fungicide (IndarTM 5EW-febunconazole) on solitary bee foraging activities were tested. We found that the fungicide only impaired the activities of bees in one of the studied environments. The difference in visitation rates and flower exploitation of bees between the two different environmental displays led to changes in metrics of bee-flower networks across environments. Linkage density, a metric associated with pollination efficiency that is known to be impacted by different environments, differed across environments. Our results showed that ecological interaction network metrics can differ regarding the different environmental displays. This study indicates that environmental complexity helps balance the negative effects of pesticides on solitary bees and highlights the potential use of solitary bees as model organisms for experimental simulations of environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Boff
- University of Milan, Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Josué Raizer
- Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais, Dourados 79840-970, Brazil;
| | - Daniela Lupi
- University of Milan, Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, 20133 Milan, Italy;
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12
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Abstract
Medium and large carnivores coexist with people in urban areas globally, occasionally resulting in negative interactions that prompt questions about how to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Hazing, i.e., scaring wildlife, is frequently promoted as an important non-lethal means for urbanites to reduce conflict but there is limited scientific evidence for its efficacy. We used a population of captive coyotes (Canis latrans) to simulate urban human-coyote interactions and subsequent effects of hazing on coyote behavior. Past experiences with humans significantly affected the number of times a coyote approached a human to necessitate hazing. Coyotes that had been hand fed by adults had to be more frequently hazed than coyotes with other or no past experiences with adults. Past experience with children had no impact on the number of hazing events. The number of times a coyote approached an adult or child was reduced across days based on the accumulative number of times hazed, suggesting coyotes learn to avoid behaviors warranting hazing and that this could be used as a non-lethal management tool. However, prior experience and whether the interaction is with an adult or child can alter the outcomes of hazing and must be considered in determining the efficacy of hazing programs.
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13
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Young JK, Touzot L, Brummer SP. Persistence and conspecific observations improve problem-solving abilities of coyotes. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218778. [PMID: 31291268 PMCID: PMC6619663 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Social learning has important ecological and evolutionary consequences but the role of certain factors, such as social rank, neophobia (i.e., avoidance of novel stimuli), persistence, and task-reward association, remain less understood. We examined the role of these factors in social learning by captive coyotes (Canis latrans) via three studies. Study 1 involved individual animals and eliminated object neophobia by familiarizing the subjects to the testing apparatus prior to testing. Studies 2 and 3 used mated pairs to assess social rank, and included object neophobia, but differed in that study 3 decoupled the food reward from the testing apparatus (i.e., altered task-reward association). For all three studies, we compared performance between coyotes that received a demonstration from a conspecific to control animals with no demonstration prior to testing. Coyotes displayed social learning during study 1; coyotes with a demonstrator were faster and more successful at solving the puzzle box but did not necessarily use the same modality as that observed to be successful. In study 2, there was no difference in success between treatment groups but this is likely because only one coyote within each pair was successful so successful coyote results were masked by their unsuccessful mate. In study 3, there was no difference in success between treatment groups; only two coyotes, both dominant, hand-reared males with demonstrators were able to perform the task. However, coyotes with a demonstrator were less neophobic, measured as latency to approach the object, and more persistent, measured as time spent working on the apparatus. Social rank was the best predictor of neophobia and persistence and was also retained in the best model for time to eat inside the apparatus, a post-trial measurement of object neophobia. These results suggest coyotes are capable of social learning for novel tasks but social rank, neophobia, and persistence influence their social-learning capabilities. This study contributes to understanding the mechanisms underlying how animals gain information about their environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie K. Young
- USDA-National Wildlife Research Center-Predator Research Facility, Millville, Utah, United States of America
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Laura Touzot
- Department of Biology, University of Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Stacey P. Brummer
- USDA-National Wildlife Research Center-Predator Research Facility, Millville, Utah, United States of America
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Young JK, Draper J, Breck S. Mind the gap: Experimental tests to improve efficacy of fladry for nonlethal management of coyotes. WILDLIFE SOC B 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julie K. Young
- U.S. Department of AgricultureNational Wildlife Research Center, Predator Research FacilityMillville UT 84326 USA
- Department of Wildland ResourcesUtah State UniversityLogan UT 84322 USA
| | - John Draper
- Ecology CenterUtah State UniversityLogan UT 84322 USA
| | - Stewart Breck
- U.S. Department of AgricultureNational Wildlife Research Center, Predator Research FacilityFort Collins CO 80521 USA
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15
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Schultz JT, Young JK. Behavioral and spatial responses of captive coyotes to human activity. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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16
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Howell CP, Cheyne SM. Complexities of Using Wild versus Captive Activity Budget Comparisons for Assessing Captive Primate Welfare. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2018; 22:78-96. [PMID: 30058408 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2018.1500286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Activity budget comparisons between groups or individuals in the wild and those in captivity are commonly used to determine the range of wild-type behaviors that nonhuman animals in captivity perform. These comparisons are conducted with the view that individuals displaying a greater range of wild-type behaviors have enhanced welfare. Such comparisons have a greater appeal when it comes to primates because increased levels of anthropomorphism toward primates lead to welfare concerns. However, the validity of such comparisons has not been assessed. From the reviewed literature, some of the main complexities identified when defining "good welfare" using activity budgets were the ideas of behavioral motivation and adaptation, obstacles when using the wild as a benchmark for good welfare, study methods causing possible variances in behavior, and social and environmental factors. It is proposed that such influencing factors would be controlled for adequately in future studies with the use of multiple indices to measure welfare and methods that infer positive emotional states. It is hoped we can then build evidence of an animal's emotional state and allow welfare to be inferred to a higher degree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian P Howell
- a Department of Social Sciences , Oxford Brookes University , Oxford , United Kingdom.,b Research Department , Blackpool Zoo , Blackpool , United Kingdom
| | - Susan M Cheyne
- a Department of Social Sciences , Oxford Brookes University , Oxford , United Kingdom.,c Borneo Nature Foundation , Palangka Raya , Kalimantan Tengah , Indonesia
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17
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DePasquale C, Neuberger T, Hirrlinger AM, Braithwaite VA. The influence of complex and threatening environments in early life on brain size and behaviour. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 283:rspb.2015.2564. [PMID: 26817780 PMCID: PMC4795028 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.2564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The ways in which challenging environments during development shape the brain and behaviour are increasingly being addressed. To date, studies typically consider only single variables, but the real world is more complex. Many factors simultaneously affect the brain and behaviour, and whether these work independently or interact remains untested. To address this, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were reared in a two-by-two design in housing that varied in structural complexity and/or exposure to a stressor. Fish experiencing both complexity (enrichment objects changed over time) and mild stress (daily net chasing) exhibited enhanced learning and were less anxious when tested as juveniles (between 77 and 90 days). Adults tested (aged 1 year) were also less anxious even though fish were kept in standard housing after three months of age (i.e. no chasing or enrichment). Volumetric measures of the brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that complexity alone generated fish with a larger brain, but this increase in size was not seen in fish that experienced both complexity and chasing, or chasing alone. The results highlight the importance of looking at multiple variables simultaneously, and reveal differential effects of complexity and stressful experiences during development of the brain and behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- C DePasquale
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University-Altoona, Altoona, PA, USA Center for Brain, Behavior, and Cognition, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - T Neuberger
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA Department of Bioengineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - A M Hirrlinger
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - V A Braithwaite
- Center for Brain, Behavior, and Cognition, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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18
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Smith B, Flavel M, Simpson B. Quantification of salivary cortisol from captive dingoes (Canis dingo) in relation to age, sex, and breeding season: implications for captive management. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/am15017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Captive-breeding programs can play a key role in the conservation of threatened species such as the Australian dingo (Canis dingo). It is important to determine whether holding and rearing practices impose stressors that impact negatively on program outcomes and the health and wellbeing of the captive population. Despite evidence that chronic stress has significant welfare implications, our understanding of ‘stress’ in either wild or captive dingoes remains limited. In a first attempt to rectify this, we report salivary cortisol concentrations in juvenile and adult dingoes held in a captive colony. Dingo puppies (n = 8, M = 0.484 ± 0.09 μg dL–1) were found to have higher concentrations than adults (n = 12, M = 0.106 ± 0.031 μg dL–1) (P < 0.0001). Concentrations in adult females (n = 6, M = 0.113 ± 0.030 μg dL–1) and males (n = 6, M = 0.099 ± 0.033 μg dL–1) did not significantly differ (P = 0.4740). Our preliminary findings also suggest that during the annual breeding season, males (but not females) have elevated levels of corticosteroids. Establishing a reference range for cortisol concentrations is vital for researchers and wildlife carers attempting to measure stressors in both captive and wild dingo populations. This study provides useful insight into the influence of time of day, development, and seasonality on cortisol concentrations. Suggestions for future research and implications of routine cortisol evaluation to aid better management practices are also discussed.
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Kozuch AE, McPhee ME. Effects of environmental complexity and temporary captivity on foraging behavior of wild-caught meadow voles. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2014; 17:157-71. [PMID: 24559285 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.881256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Increased housing of wild nonhuman animals in captivity for conservation, research, and rehabilitation has revealed the importance of systematically analyzing effects of the captive environment on behavior. This study focused on the effects of complexity and time held in captivity on foraging behaviors of wild-caught, adult meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Forty-six individuals captured from a meadow outside Oshkosh, WI, were assigned to 1 of 4 captive treatment groups: simple/<50 days (SS), simple/>50 days, complex/<50 days, and complex/>50 days. Number of dish visits, proportion foraging, and frequency of nonforaging behaviors recorded during a 15-min foraging trial were measured for all subjects. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U Tests were conducted to analyze 4 different comparisons within this behavioral data. Overall, neither time in captivity or environmental complexity affected nonforaging behaviors. In contrast, foraging behaviors did change with treatment: Voles were less active at food dishes and visited control dishes more in treatment group SS than in the other treatment groups. In addition, sex-related differences in foraging behaviors were maintained when voles were exposed to environmental complexity. This article includes options for wildlife managers to adapt captive environments to meet the welfare and behavioral needs of translocated wild nonhuman mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaranta E Kozuch
- a Department of Biology and Microbiology , University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
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Gilbert-Norton LB, Wilson RR, Shivik JA. The Effect of Social Hierarchy on Captive Coyote ( Canis latrans) Foraging Behavior. Ethology 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John A. Shivik
- USDA Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Research Center; Utah State University; Logan; UT; USA
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Shivik JA, Wilson RR, Gilbert-Norton L. Will an artificial scent boundary prevent coyote intrusion? WILDLIFE SOC B 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Tracking of food quantity by coyotes (Canis latrans). Behav Processes 2011; 88:72-5. [PMID: 21856389 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2011.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2010] [Revised: 06/25/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that Weber's Law mediates quantitative discrimination abilities across various species. Here, we tested coyotes' (Canis latrans) ability to discriminate between various quantities of food and investigated whether this ability conforms to predictions of Weber's Law. We demonstrate herein that coyotes are capable of reliably discriminating large versus small quantities of discrete food items. As predicted by Weber's Law, coyotes' quantitative discrimination abilities are mediated by the ratio between the large and small quantities of food and exhibit scalar variability. Furthermore, in this task coyotes were not discriminating large versus small quantities based on olfactory cues alone.
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Brummer SP, Gese EM, Shivik JA. The effect of enclosure type on the behavior and heart rate of captive coyotes. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2010.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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The effect of randomly altering the time and location of feeding on the behaviour of captive coyotes (Canis latrans). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2009.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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