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Idris M, Sullivan M, Gaughan JB, Phillips CJC. Behavioural Responses of Beef Cattle to Hot Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2444. [PMID: 39199976 PMCID: PMC11350744 DOI: 10.3390/ani14162444] [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: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Cattle are increasingly exposed to hot temperatures as a result of climate change, and a better understanding of behavioural responses could be beneficial for the diagnosis of heat loads. The changes in the positioning of key body parts, feeding behaviour, body maintenance, and respiratory dynamics were assessed in 24 Black Angus steers individually exposed to hot conditions and fed a finisher diet based on cereal grain or a substituted diet (8% of the grain replaced by an isoenergetic amount of lucerne hay). Increased respiration rate during the heat load period, compared to the recovery period, was associated with increased stepping, especially by left limbs. Cattle also reduced eating, grooming, and scratching during the heat load period. The lowered head, backward ear, vertical or raised tail, and increased respiration rate and panting persisted in cattle during the heat load period. Cattle on the cereal grain diet stood for longer and were more likely to hold their ears backward and tail vertical than those on the substituted diet. We conclude that these behaviours could be used to detect animals that are most affected and that changing from a cereal-based diet to a substituted diet containing a higher amount of fibre, such as lucerne hay, can reduce hyperthermic behavioural responses to a heat load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musadiq Idris
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Megan Sullivan
- School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, Gatton Campus, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia; (M.S.); (J.B.G.)
| | - John B. Gaughan
- School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, Gatton Campus, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia; (M.S.); (J.B.G.)
| | - Clive J. C. Phillips
- Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Faculty of Humanities, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia;
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Estonia University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
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2
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Crump A, Jenkins K, Bethell EJ, Ferris CP, Arnott G. Pasture access and eye temperature in dairy cows. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2024; 27:234-242. [PMID: 35416093 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2022.2063020] [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] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Pasture access can benefit dairy cows' behavior, health, and welfare, but herds are increasingly housed indoors full-time. Recent infrared thermal-imaging (thermography) studies suggest that higher eye temperatures may be a physiological indicator of chronic stress. We, therefore, hypothesized that, compared to cows with pasture access, cows housed indoors full-time would have higher eye temperatures. In a two-phase crossover experiment, 29 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows experienced 18 days of overnight pasture access and 18 days of full-time indoor housing. We measured each animal's eye temperature 16 times (eight/phase). During Phase One, cows with pasture access had higher eye temperatures than cows housed indoors full-time (contrary to our hypothesis). However, during Phase Two, cows with pasture access had lower eye temperatures than cows housed indoors full-time. It is, therefore, unclear whether eye temperature reflected disparities in dairy cow welfare between different housing treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Crump
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Kirsty Jenkins
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Emily J Bethell
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Conrad P Ferris
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Hillsborough, UK
| | - Gareth Arnott
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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Rogers LJ. Knowledge of lateralized brain function can contribute to animal welfare. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1242906. [PMID: 37601762 PMCID: PMC10436595 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1242906] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The specialized functions of each hemisphere of the vertebrate brain are summarized together with the current evidence of lateralized behavior in farm and companion animals, as shown by the eye or ear used to attend and respond to stimuli. Forelimb preference is another manifestation of hemispheric lateralization, as shown by differences in behavior between left- and right-handed primates, left- and right-pawed dogs and cats, and left- and right-limb-preferring horses. Left-limb preference reflects right hemisphere use and is associated with negative cognitive bias. Positive cognitive bias is associated with right-limb and left-hemisphere preferences. The strength of lateralization is also associated with behavior. Animals with weak lateralization of the brain are unable to attend to more than one task at a time, and they are more easily stressed than animals with strong lateralization. This difference is also found in domesticated species with strong vs. weak limb preferences. Individuals with left-limb or ambilateral preference have a bias to express functions of the right hemisphere, heightened fear and aggression, and greater susceptibility to stress. Recognition of lateralized behavior can lead to improved welfare by detecting those animals most likely to suffer fear and distress and by indicating housing conditions and handling procedures that cause stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley J. Rogers
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
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4
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Show me your best side: Lateralization of social and resting behaviors in feral horses. Behav Processes 2023; 206:104839. [PMID: 36736386 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2023.104839] [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: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence shows a variety of sensorial and motor asymmetries in social and non-social interactions in various species, indicating a lateralized processing of information by the brain. Using digital video cameras on tripods and drones, this study investigated lateralization in frequency and duration of social behavior patterns, in affiliative, agonistic, and resting contexts, in a feral population of horses (Equus ferus caballus) in Northern Portugal, consisting of 37 individuals organized in eight harem groups. Affiliative interactions (including grooming) were more often performed, and lasted longer, when recipients were positioned to the right side. In recumbent resting (animals lying down) episodes on the left side lasted longer. Our results of an affiliative behavior having a right side tendency, provide partial support to the valence-specific hypothesis of Ahern and Schwartz (1979) - left hemisphere dominance for positive affect, affiliative behaviors. Longer recumbent resting episodes on the left side may be due to synchronization. However, in both instances it is discussed how lateralization may be context dependent. Investigating the position asymmetries of social behaviors in feral equids will contribute to a better understanding of differential lateralization and hemispheric specialization from the ecological and evolutionary perspectives.
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Uddin J, McNeill DM, Phillips CJC. Infrared thermography as a tool for the measurement of negative emotions in dairy cows. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2023; 67:219-231. [PMID: 36402916 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02410-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In commercial dairy cows, the conditions in which they are kept may lead to negative emotional states associated with the development of chronic physiological and behavioural abnormalities that may compromise their health, welfare and productivity. Such states include fear, stress or anxiety. Behavioural rather than physiological tests are more likely to be used to indicate these states but can be limited by their subjectivity, need for specialised infrastructure and training (of the operator and sometimes the animal) and the time-consuming nature of data collection. Popularly used physiological measures such as blood cortisol may be more appropriate for acute rather than chronic assessments but are easily confounded, for example by a response to the act of measurement per se. More sophisticated physiological measures such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) may be impractical due to cost and time and, like blood cortisol, have the confounding associated with the act of measurement. By contrast, infrared thermography of external body surfaces is remote, non-invasive, easily repeated and follows an objective methodology, allowing longitudinal data acquisition for the inference of changes in chronic emotional state over time. The objective of this review was to investigate the potential of infrared thermography to measure cow emotions. In lactating dairy cows, maximum IRT of the eyes and coronary band of the limbs seem to be most representative of thermoregulatory changes, which are repeatable and correlate with behavioural and physiological indicators of emotional state. IRT methodologies have the potential to become a fundamental tool for the objective assessment of welfare state in dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jashim Uddin
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, 4343, Australia.
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh.
| | - David M McNeill
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, 4343, Australia
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2350, Australia
| | - Clive J C Phillips
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Estonia University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
- Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Kent St., Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
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6
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Increasing mud levels in a feedlot influences beef cattle behaviours but not preference for feedlot or pasture environments. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105718] [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]
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Keeling LJ, Winckler C, Hintze S, Forkman B. Towards a Positive Welfare Protocol for Cattle: A Critical Review of Indicators and Suggestion of How We Might Proceed. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2021.753080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Current animal welfare protocols focus on demonstrating the absence (or at least low levels) of indicators of poor welfare, potentially creating a mismatch between what is expected by society (an assurance of good animal welfare) and what is actually being delivered (an assurance of the absence of welfare problems). This paper explores how far we have come, and what work still needs to be done, if we are to develop a protocol for use on commercial dairy farms where the aim is to demonstrate the presence of positive welfare. Following conceptual considerations around a perceived “ideal” protocol, we propose that a future protocol should be constructed (i) of animal-based measures, (ii) of indicators of affective state, and (iii) be structured according to indicators of short-term emotion, medium-term moods and long-term cumulative assessment of negative and positive experiences of an animal's life until now (in contrast to the current focus on indicators that represent different domains/criteria of welfare). These three conditions imposed the overall structure within which we selected our indicators. The paper includes a critical review of the literature on potential indicators of positive affective states in cattle. Based on evidence about the validity and reliability of the different indicators, we select ear position, play, allogrooming, brush use and QBA as candidate indicators that we suggest could form a prototype positive welfare protocol. We emphasise that this prototype protocol has not been tested in practice and so it is perhaps not the protocol itself that is the main outcome of this paper, but the process of trying to develop it. In a final section of this paper, we reflect on some of the lessons learnt from this exercise and speculate on future perspectives. For example, while we consider we have moved towards a prototype positive welfare protocol for short-term affective states, future research energy should be directed towards valid indicators for the medium and long-term.
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8
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Horses show individual level lateralisation when inspecting an unfamiliar and unexpected stimulus. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255688. [PMID: 34351986 PMCID: PMC8341651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals must attend to a diverse array of stimuli in their environments. The emotional valence and salience of a stimulus can affect how this information is processed in the brain. Many species preferentially attend to negatively valent stimuli using the sensory organs on the left side of their body and hence the right hemisphere of their brain. Here, we investigated the lateralisation of visual attention to the rapid appearance of a stimulus (an inflated balloon) designed to induce an avoidance reaction and a negatively valent emotional state in 77 Italian saddle horses. Horses’ eyes are laterally positioned on the head, and each eye projects primarily to the contralateral hemisphere, allowing eye use to be a proxy for preferential processing in one hemisphere of the brain. We predicted that horses would inspect the novel and unexpected stimulus with their left eye and hence right hemisphere. We found that horses primarily inspected the balloon with one eye, and most horses had a preferred eye to do so, however, we did not find a population level tendency for this to be the left or the right eye. The strength of this preference tended to decrease over time, with the horses using their non-preferred eye to inspect the balloon increasingly as the trial progressed. Our results confirm a lateralised eye use tendency when viewing negatively emotionally valent stimuli in horses, in agreement with previous findings. However, there was not any alignment of lateralisation at the group level in our sample, suggesting that the expression of lateralisation in horses depends on the sample population and testing context.
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9
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Siniscalchi M, d’Ingeo S, Quaranta A. Lateralized emotional functioning in domestic animals. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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10
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Fourie B, Berezina E, Giljov A, Karenina K. Visual lateralization in artiodactyls: A brief summary of research and new evidence on saiga antelope. Laterality 2021; 26:106-129. [PMID: 33593226 DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2020.1852245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The visual system and lifestyle characteristics make the even-toed ungulates an excellent model for the studies of behavioural lateralization. Recent research has focused on these mammals providing evidence of lateralization in a wide range of behaviours. This provides an opportunity for the collation of the current theoretical assumptions and the existing empirical evidence for visual lateralization in artiodactyls. In the present study, we aim first to gain a fuller picture of hemispheric specializations in saiga antelopes by investigating the lateralization of vigilance and novel object inspection in the wild. Second, we summarized the results of the research into visual lateralization in even-toed ungulates and attempted to assess the applicability of two popular hypotheses about the division of hemispheric roles. The results on saigas show a significant preference for head turns to the right visual field during vigilance which was more robust in individuals in larger groups. When an unfamiliar artificial object was placed in their natural setting, saigas preferentially viewed it predominantly with the right eye. These results, together with the cumulative evidence in artiodactyls, do not follow either the approach-withdrawal or positivity-negativity dichotomous patterns widely used to explain the division of functions between the hemispheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babette Fourie
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Ekaterina Berezina
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Andrey Giljov
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Karina Karenina
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Idris M, Uddin J, Sullivan M, McNeill DM, Phillips CJC. Non-Invasive Physiological Indicators of Heat Stress in Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:E71. [PMID: 33401687 PMCID: PMC7824675 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cattle are susceptible to heat stress, especially those kept on high levels of nutrition for the purpose of maximising growth rates, which leads to a significant heat increment in their bodies. Consequences include compromised health and productivity and mortalities during extreme events, as well as serious economic loss. Some measures of heat stress, such as plasma cortisol and temperature in the rectum, vagina, or rumen, are invasive and therefore unlikely to be used on farms. These may cause additional stress to the animal due to handling, and that stress in itself can confound the measure. Consequently, it is desirable to find non-invasive alternatives. Panting score (PS), cortisol metabolites in faeces, milk, or hair, and the infrared temperature of external body surfaces are all potentially useful. Respiratory indicators are difficult and time consuming to record accurately, and cortisol metabolites are expensive and technically difficult to analyse. Infrared temperature appears to offer the best solution but requires further research to determine the thresholds that define when corrective actions are required to ensure optimal health and productivity. Research in this area has the potential to ultimately improve the welfare and profitability of cattle farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musadiq Idris
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab 63100, Pakistan
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton Campus, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia; (J.U.); (D.M.M.)
| | - Jashim Uddin
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton Campus, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia; (J.U.); (D.M.M.)
| | - Megan Sullivan
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia;
| | - David M. McNeill
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton Campus, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia; (J.U.); (D.M.M.)
| | - Clive J. C. Phillips
- Curtin University Sustainable Policy Institute, Kent St., Bentley, Perth, WA 6102, Australia;
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12
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Asymmetry of turning behavior in rats is modulated by early life stress. Behav Brain Res 2020; 393:112807. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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13
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Do dietary and milking frequency changes during a gradual dry-off affect feed-related attention bias and visual lateralisation in dairy cows? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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14
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Uddin J, Phillips CJ, Goma AA, McNeill DM. Relationships between infrared temperature and laterality. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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15
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Sheep Quickstep while the Floor Rock and Rolls: Visuomotor Lateralization during Simulated Sea Travel. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9090700. [PMID: 31540547 PMCID: PMC6770936 DOI: 10.3390/ani9090700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Unpredictable floor motions during transport disturbs animals' balance, requiring stepping to move the centre of gravity in the direction of body movement. When repeated regularly, this may be stressful, requiring involvement of the right brain hemisphere, hence we investigated the existence of behavioral laterality in sheep during prolonged floor motions. Six sheep were restrained in pairs on a programmable rocking platform, in which they were unable to turn around. They were exposed to three continuous rocking motion treatments (roll, pitch or both) in a regular or irregular pattern for 1 h periods in a changeover design. Right forelimb and left hindlimb diagonal stepping was more frequent in response to the motion treatment of irregular roll and pitch, which previous research has suggested to be the most stressful from heart rate measurements. An overall strategy to maintain balance appeared to be the use of the right hindlimb as a stabilizer, which was repositioned least often of all limbs until towards the end of the hour of experimental treatment. Of each tested pair, sheep restrained on the left side of the rocking floor stepped significantly often than its partner restrained on the right side, and we postulate the existence of visuomotor lateralization as left restrained sheep were unable to view their partner within the field of view of their left eye. We also investigated which side sheep lie down on, which if left lateralized could explain our observed bipedal diagonal control of sheep balance under stress. From the observation of 412 web-based images of sheep, there was an overall left-sided laterality to their lying, as has been observed in cattle. We conclude that stepping activity in sheep in response to a motion stressor is lateralized, providing evidence that floor motion experienced in transport may induce stress responses.
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Abstract
In functional laterality research, most ungulate livestock species have until recently been mainly overlooked. However, there are many scientific and practical benefits of studying laterality in ungulate livestock. As social, precocial and domestic species, they may offer insight into the mechanisms involved in the ontogeny and phylogeny of functional laterality and help to better understand the role of laterality in animal welfare. Until now, most studies on ungulate livestock have focused on motor laterality, but interest in other lateralized functions, e.g., cognition and emotions, is growing. Increasingly more studies are also focused on associations with age, sex, personality, health, stress, production and performance. Although the full potential of research on laterality in ungulate livestock is not yet exploited, findings have already shed new light on central issues in cognitive and emotional processing and laid the basis for potentially useful applications in future practice, e.g., stress reduction during human-animal interactions and improved assessments of health, production and welfare. Future research would benefit from further integration of basic laterality methodology (e.g., testing for individual preferences) and applied ethological approaches (e.g., established emotionality tests), which would not only improve our understanding of functional laterality but also benefit the assessment of animal welfare.
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Giljov A, Karenina K. Differential roles of the right and left brain hemispheres in the social interactions of a free-ranging ungulate. Behav Processes 2019; 168:103959. [PMID: 31513830 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.103959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite the abundant empirical evidence on lateralized social behaviours, a clear understanding of the relative roles of two brain hemispheres in social processing is still lacking. This study investigated visual lateralization in social interactions of free-ranging European bison (Bison bonasus). The bison were more likely to display aggressive responses (such as fight and side hit), when they viewed the conspecific with the right visual field, implicating the left brain hemisphere. In contrast, the responses associated with positive social interactions (female-to-calf bonding, calf-to-female approach, suckling) or aggression inhibition (fight termination) occurred more likely when the left visual field was in use, indicating the right hemisphere advantage. The results do not support either assumptions of right-hemisphere dominance for control of various social functions or hypotheses about simple positive (approach) versus negative (withdrawal) distinction between the hemispheric roles. The discrepancy between the studies suggests that in animals, the relative roles of the hemispheres in social processing may be determined by a fine balance of emotions and motivations associated with the particular social reaction difficult to categorize for a human investigator. Our findings highlight the involvement of both brain hemispheres in the control of social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Giljov
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Karina Karenina
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
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18
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Robins A. The Alpha Hypothesis: Did Lateralized Cattle-Human Interactions Change the Script for Western Culture? Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E638. [PMID: 31480488 PMCID: PMC6769460 DOI: 10.3390/ani9090638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic cattle possess lateralized cognitive processing of human handlers. This has been recently demonstrated in the preference for large groups of cattle to view a human closely within the predominantly left visual field. By contrast, the same stimulus viewed predominantly within the right visual field promotes a significantly greater frequency of dispersal from a standing position, including flight responses. The respective sets of behaviours correspond with the traditional terms of "near side" for the left side of cattle and horses, and the "off" or "far side" for the right side. These traditional terms of over 300 years usage in the literature communicate functional practicalities for handling livestock and the recognition of lateralized cognitive processing. In this review, the possibility of even earlier recognition and the significance of laterality in cattle-human interaction was argued, from the earliest representations of the letter "A", originally illustrated from nearly 4000 years before the present time as the head of an ox as viewed not from the front or from the right, but from the left (near) side. By extension, this knowledge of lateralization in cattle may represent the earliest written example of applied ethology-the study of the behaviour of animals under human management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Robins
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia.
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19
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Amira AG, Gareth PP, Jashim U, Eloise R, Harriet D, Clive JP. A forced lateralisation test for dairy cows and its relation to their behaviour. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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20
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Raoult CMC, Gygax L. Valence and Intensity of Video Stimuli of Dogs and Conspecifics in Sheep: Approach-Avoidance, Operant Response, and Attention. Animals (Basel) 2018; 8:ani8070121. [PMID: 30018237 PMCID: PMC6070861 DOI: 10.3390/ani8070121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Animals’ judgement of stimuli’s negativity or positivity cannot always be assumed. To assess the valence and intensity of video stimuli (dogs as negative vs. conspecifics as positive stimuli) in sheep, we used three experimental approaches: (1) an approach-avoidance paradigm; (2) operant conditioning using the videos as reinforcers; and (3) an attention test. We measured sheep’s behavioral and physiological reactions. Sheep generally reacted to the videos presented. Nevertheless, we found no support with the approach–avoidance paradigm, and the attention test for dog videos were more negative than sheep videos. However, the operant conditioning indicated that sheep were more prone to avoid videos of moving dogs. Overall, we found that standard video images may not be ideal to represent valence characteristics of stimuli to sheep. Abstract Stimuli are often presumed to be either negative or positive. However, animals’ judgement of their negativity or positivity cannot generally be assumed. A possibility to assess emotional states in animals elicited by stimuli is to investigate animal preferences and their motivation to gain access to these stimuli. This study’s aim was to assess the valence of social stimuli in sheep. We used silent videos of varying intensity of dogs as negative versus conspecifics as positive stimuli in three approaches: (1) an approach–avoidance paradigm; (2) operant conditioning using the video stimuli as reinforcers; and (3) an attention test. In the latter, we assessed differential attention of sheep to simultaneous projections by automatically tracking sheep head and ear postures and recording brain activity. With these approaches, it was difficult to support that the sheep’s reactions varied according to the stimuli’s presumed valence and intensity. The approach–avoidance paradigm and attention test did not support the assumption that dog videos were more negative than sheep videos, though sheep reacted to the stimuli presented. Results from the operant conditioning indicated that sheep were more prone to avoid videos of moving dogs. Overall, we found that standard video images may not be ideal to represent valence characteristics of stimuli to sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille M C Raoult
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO, Agroscope, Tänikon 1, 8356 Ettenhausen, Switzerland.
- Animal Welfare Division, Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 120, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Lorenz Gygax
- Animal Husbandry, Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
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Robins A, Goma AA, Ouine L, Phillips CJC. The eyes have it: lateralized coping strategies in cattle herds responding to human approach. Anim Cogn 2018; 21:685-702. [DOI: 10.1007/s10071-018-1203-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Farmer K, Krüger K, Byrne RW, Marr I. Sensory laterality in affiliative interactions in domestic horses and ponies (Equus caballus). Anim Cogn 2018; 21:631-637. [PMID: 29948296 PMCID: PMC6097077 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-018-1196-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Many studies have been carried out into both motor and sensory laterality of horses in agonistic and stressful situations. Here we examine sensory laterality in affiliative interactions within four groups of domestic horses and ponies (N = 31), living in stable social groups, housed at a single complex close to Vienna, Austria, and demonstrate for the first time a significant population preference for the left side in affiliative approaches and interactions. No effects were observed for gender, rank, sociability, phenotype, group, or age. Our results suggest that right hemisphere specialization in horses is not limited to the processing of stressful or agonistic situations, but rather appears to be the norm for processing in all social interactions, as has been demonstrated in other species including chicks and a range of vertebrates. In domestic horses, hemispheric specialization for sensory input appears not to be based on a designation of positive versus negative, but more on the perceived need to respond quickly and appropriately in any given situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Farmer
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews, St. Mary's Quad, South Street, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9JP, UK.
| | - Konstanze Krüger
- University of Regensburg, Zoology/Evolutionary Biology, Universitaetsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.,Department Equine Economics, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622, Nürtingen, Germany
| | - Richard W Byrne
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews, St. Mary's Quad, South Street, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9JP, UK
| | - Isabell Marr
- Department Equine Economics, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622, Nürtingen, Germany
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Pellitteri-Rosa D, Gazzola A. Context-dependent behavioural lateralization in the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis (Testudines, Emydidae). J Exp Biol 2018; 221:jeb.186775. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.186775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Lateralization presents clear advantages in ecological contexts since dominance of one brain side prevents the simultaneous activation of contrasting responses in organisms with laterally located eyes. This is crucial in selecting a safe refuge during a predatory attack and may strongly affect predator–prey interactions. We explored the possible presence of lateralization in the antipredatory behaviour of European pond turtles, considering their escape facing a possible predatory attack. Thirty individuals (17 males, 13 females) were exposed to three different environmental situations of gradual increasing predatory threat: escape underwater from an unsafe shelter, diving into the water from a basking site, righting after being overturned. All turtles were tested 20 times for each of the three experiments (60 trials per individual and 1800 overall trials). We recorded multiple behavioural responses in the general context of predation risk. This was done in order to assess both the existence of lateralization and possible correlations among different behaviours as function of lateralization. The number of significant responses to the left side was always prevalent in each of the three simulated anti-predatory situations, suggesting the existence of a lateralized behaviour in this species. At the individual level, the differences we found in the three experiments could be related to different ecological contexts and consequent risk of predation. Our findings, among the few on Chelonians, support the possible involvement of the right hemisphere activity and, most importantly, reveal how the complexity of a general predatory context can affect the laterality of escape behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
- Laboratorio di Eco-Etologia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Gazzola
- Laboratorio di Eco-Etologia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Some like it varied: Individual differences in preference for feed variety in dairy heifers. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Kappel S, Mendl MT, Barrett DC, Murrell JC, Whay HR. Lateralized behaviour as indicator of affective state in dairy cows. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184933. [PMID: 28910416 PMCID: PMC5599055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, there is evidence that sensory processing of novel or threatening stimuli is right hemisphere dominated, especially in people experiencing negative affective states. There is also evidence for similar lateralization in a number of non-human animal species. Here we investigate whether this is also the case in domestic cattle that may experience long-term negative states due to commonly occurring conditions such as lameness. Health and welfare implications associated with pain in lame cows are a major concern in dairy farming. Behavioural tests combining animal behaviour and cognition could make a meaningful contribution to our understanding of disease-related changes in sensory processing in animals, and consequently enhance their welfare. We presented 216 lactating Holstein-Friesian cows with three different unfamiliar objects which were placed either bilaterally (e.g. two yellow party balloons, two black/white checkerboards) or hung centrally (a Kong™) within a familiar area. Cows were individually exposed to the objects on three consecutive days, and their viewing preference/eye use, exploration behaviour/nostril use, and stop position during approach was assessed. Mobility (lameness) was repeatedly scored during the testing period. Overall, a bias to view the right rather than the left object was found at initial presentation of the bilateral objects. More cows also explored the right object rather than the left object with their nose. There was a trend for cows appearing hesitant in approaching the objects by stopping at a distance to them, to then explore the left object rather than the right. In contrast, cows that approached the objects directly had a greater tendency to contact the right object. No significant preference in right or left eye/nostril use was found when cows explored the centrally-located object. We found no relationship between lameness and lateralized behaviour. Nevertheless, observed trends suggesting that lateralized behaviour in response to bilaterally located unfamiliar objects may reflect an immediate affective response are discussed. Further study is needed to understand the impact of long-term affective states on hemispheric dominance and lateralized behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kappel
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, North Somerset, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael T. Mendl
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, North Somerset, United Kingdom
| | - David C. Barrett
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, North Somerset, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna C. Murrell
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, North Somerset, United Kingdom
| | - Helen R. Whay
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, North Somerset, United Kingdom
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Navarro G, Santurtun E, Phillips CJ. Effects of simulated sea motion on stepping behaviour in sheep. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Meagher RK, von Keyserlingk MA, Atkinson D, Weary DM. Inconsistency in dairy calves’ responses to tests of fearfulness. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Found
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Malkemper EP, Painter MS, Landler L. Shifted magnetic alignment in vertebrates: Evidence for neural lateralization? J Theor Biol 2016; 399:141-7. [PMID: 27059891 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2016.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A wealth of evidence provides support for magnetic alignment (MA) behavior in a variety of disparate species within the animal kingdom, in which an animal, or a group of animals, show a tendency to align the body axis in a consistent orientation relative to the geomagnetic field lines. Interestingly, among vertebrates, MA typically coincides with the north-south magnetic axis, however, the mean directional preferences of an individual or group of organisms is often rotated clockwise from the north-south axis. We hypothesize that this shift is not a coincidence, and future studies of this subtle, yet consistent phenomenon may help to reveal some properties of the underlying sensory or processing mechanisms, that, to date, are not well understood. Furthermore, characterizing the fine structure exhibited in MA behaviors may provide key insights to the biophysical substrates mediating magnetoreception in vertebrates. Therefore, in order to determine if a consistent shift is exhibited in taxonomically diverse vertebrates, we performed a meta-analysis on published MA datasets from 23 vertebrate species that exhibited an axial north-south preference. This analysis revealed a significant clockwise shift from the north-south magnetic axis. We summarize and discuss possible competing hypotheses regarding the proximate mechanisms underlying the clockwise shifted MA and conclude that the most likely cause of such a shift would be a lateralization in central processing of magnetic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Pascal Malkemper
- Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse. 2, 45117 Essen, Germany; Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Michael S Painter
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Lukas Landler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America; Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria.
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Barnard S, Matthews L, Messori S, Podaliri-Vulpiani M, Ferri N. Laterality as an indicator of emotional stress in ewes and lambs during a separation test. Anim Cogn 2015; 19:207-14. [PMID: 26433604 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-015-0928-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We assessed motor laterality in sheep to explore species-specific brain hemi-field dominance and how this could be affected by genetic or developmental factors. Further, we investigated whether directionality and strength of laterality could be linked to emotional stress in ewes and their lambs during partial separation. Forty-three ewes and their singleton lambs were scored on the (left/right) direction of turn in a y-maze to rejoin a conspecific (laterality test). Further, their behavioural response (i.e. time spent near the fence, vocalisations, and activity level) during forced separation by an open-mesh fence was assessed (separation test). Individual laterality was recorded for 44.2% ewes (significant right bias) and 81.4% lambs (equally biased to the left and the right). There was no significant association in side bias between dams and offspring. The Chi-squared test revealed a significant population bias for both groups (p < 0.05). Evolutionary adaptive strategies or stimuli-related visual laterality may provide explanation for this decision-making process. Absolute strength of laterality (irrespective of side) was high (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, dams: D = 0.2; p < 0.001; lambs: D = 0.36, p < 0.0001). The Wilcoxon test showed that lateralised lambs and dams spent significantly more time near each other during separation than non-lateralised animals (p < 0.05), and that lateralised dams were also more active than non-lateralised ones. Arguably, the lateralised animals showed a greater attraction to their pair because they were more disturbed and thus required greater reassurance. The data show that measures of laterality offer a potential novel non-invasive indicator of separation stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanis Barnard
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
- School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, BT7 1NN, Belfast, UK.
| | - Lindsay Matthews
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
- Agriculture and Food Systems, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Stefano Messori
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Ferri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
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Polo-Cavia N, Vázquez Z, de Miguel FJ. Asymmetry in food handling behavior of a tree-dwelling rodent (Sciurus vulgaris). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118233. [PMID: 25714614 PMCID: PMC4340868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Asymmetry in motor patterns is present in a wide variety of animals. Many lateralized behaviors seem to depend on brain asymmetry, as it is the case of different tasks associated to food handling by several bird and mammal species. Here, we analyzed asymmetry in handling behavior of pine cones by red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). Red squirrels devote most of their daily activity to feeding, thus this species constitutes an appropriate model for studying asymmetry in food processing. We aimed to explore 1) the potential lateralization in handling of pine cones by squirrels, 2) the dominant pattern for this behavior (left- vs. right-handed), and 3) whether this pattern varies among populations and depending on the pine tree species available. Results revealed that red squirrels handle pine cones in an asymmetrical way, and that direction of asymmetry varies among populations and seems to be determined more by local influences rather than by the pine tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Polo-Cavia
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Spanish National Museum of Natural History (CSIC), 28006, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Zoraida Vázquez
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
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Phillips CJC, Oevermans H, Syrett KL, Jespersen AY, Pearce GP. Lateralization of behavior in dairy cows in response to conspecifics and novel persons. J Dairy Sci 2015; 98:2389-400. [PMID: 25648820 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-8648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The right brain hemisphere, connected to the left eye, coordinates fight and flight behaviors in a wide variety of vertebrate species. We investigated whether left eye vision predominates in dairy cows' interactions with other cows and humans, and whether dominance status affects the extent of visual lateralization. Although we found no overall lateralization of eye use to view other cows during interactions, cows that were submissive in an interaction were more likely to use their left eye to view a dominant animal. Both subordinate and older cows were more likely to use their left eye to view other cattle during interactions. Cows that predominantly used their left eye during aggressive interactions were more likely to use their left eye to view a person in unfamiliar clothing in the middle of a track by passing them on the right side. However, a person in familiar clothing was viewed predominantly with the right eye when they passed mainly on the left side. Cows predominantly using their left eyes in cow-to-cow interactions showed more overt responses to restraint in a crush compared with cows who predominantly used their right eyes during interactions (crush scores: left eye users 7.9, right eye users 6.4, standard error of the difference=0.72). Thus, interactions between 2 cows and between cows and people were visually lateralized, with losing and subordinate cows being more likely to use their left eyes to view winning and dominant cattle and unfamiliar humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J C Phillips
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, QLD, Australia.
| | - H Oevermans
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, QLD, Australia; University for Applied Science, 8251 Dronten, the Netherlands
| | - K L Syrett
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, QLD, Australia; Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, CB3 OES, United Kingdom
| | - A Y Jespersen
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, QLD, Australia; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544-2016
| | - G P Pearce
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, CB3 OES, United Kingdom
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Milking behaviour of buffalo cows: entrance order and side preference in the milking parlour. J DAIRY RES 2013; 81:24-9. [DOI: 10.1017/s0022029913000587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
On two farms, three milking groups of buffalo cows were used to assess the consistency of entrance order and the preference for one side of the milking parlour. On Farm 1 (F1) all animals were primiparous (n=57). On Farm 2, three primiparous, 16 secondiparous and 36 multiparous cows (range 1–8) constituted group F2G1; whereas group F2G2 had 12 primiparous, 10 secondiparous and 14 multiparous cows (range 1–10). Animals were milked in auto-tandem milking parlours (2×5 and 2×6 for Farms 1 and 2, respectively). For each cow, entrance order into milking parlour, side where she was milked, milk yield, time and duration of milking were recorded. These data were derived from the computerised identification of cows. The sequence in which the cows entered the milking parlour ranged from 1 to 57 for group F1, from 1 to 55 for group F2G1 and from 1 to 36 for group F2G2. The analysis of data was conducted on 130, 120 and 92 consecutive milkings for groups F1, F2G1 and F2G2, respectively. Kendall's coefficients of concordance showed a strong constancy of the entrance order into milking parlour for groups F1 (W=0·658; χ2=4792·81; P<0·001), F2G1 (W=0·779; χ2=5046·81; P<0·001) and F2G2 (W=0·624; χ2=2030·48; P<0·001). Spearman rank correlation coefficients indicated that the more productive cows in groups F1 and F2G1 tended to enter the milking parlour first (rs=−0·221 and rs=−0·215; P<0·10; respectively). In group F2G1, a negative correlation was found between duration of milking and order of entry in the milking parlour (rs=−0·265; P<0·05). Animals in group F2G2 (rs=0·334; P<0·05) with higher days in milk entered the milking parlour latterly. In all three groups, 68 cows (45·9%) preferred the right side of the milking parlour, 73 the left side (49·3%) and the remaining seven (4·8%) showed no preference. Finally, negative correlations were found between mean entrance order and parity for both groups of Farm 2 (rs=−0·319; P<0·05 and rs=−0·325; P<0·05 for F2G1 and F2G2, respectively). As buffaloes showed higher entrance order consistency and side preference than other domestic ruminants, it is concluded that management practices that disturb their choice should be avoided in order to minimise stress during farming routines.
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Leliveld LM, Langbein J, Puppe B. The emergence of emotional lateralization: Evidence in non-human vertebrates and implications for farm animals. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Komárková M, Bartošová J. Lateralized suckling in domestic horses (Equus caballus). Anim Cogn 2012; 16:343-9. [PMID: 23117229 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-012-0575-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Revised: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 10/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Brain lateralization enables preferential processing of certain stimuli and more effective utilization of these stimuli in either the left or the right cerebral hemisphere. Horses show both motor and sensory lateralization patterns. Our aim was to determine whether a lateralized response could be detected in foals during the naturally side-biased behaviour, suckling. The foals' preferred suckling side could be the effect of either visual or motor lateralization. In the case of a visual lateralized response, foals are expected to suck more often from the mother's right side, so potential danger can be detected by the better adapted right hemisphere (i.e. left eye). Motor lateralization can be identified when a foal will suck predominantly from one side, either left or right. We found no population trend in the preferred suckling side, but we detected significant differences amongst individual foals. One-third (35.4 %) of 79 foals showed a strong, either right or left side preference which increased with age. The mothers did not influence the foals' suckling side preferences either by side-biased rejection or termination of suckling. According to our findings, a general pattern of sucking with the left eye open for better danger detection and recognition is unlikely in foals up to 7 months old. Foals of this age are probably young or fully focused on suckling and rely on their mothers' vigilance. Individual side preferences amongst foals are suggested to be based on motor lateralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Komárková
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00, Praha-Uhříněves, Czech Republic.
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Langbein J. Investigations on training, recall and reversal learning of a Y-maze by dwarf goats (Capra hircus): The impact of lateralisation. Behav Processes 2012; 89:304-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2011.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Revised: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Descovich KA, Reints Bok TE, Lisle AT, Phillips CJC. Auditory laterality in a nocturnal, fossorial marsupial (Lasiorhinus latifrons) in response to bilateral stimuli. Laterality 2012; 18:32-43. [PMID: 23231543 DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2011.626562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Behavioural lateralisation is evident across most animal taxa, although few marsupial and no fossorial species have been studied. Twelve wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) were bilaterally presented with eight sounds from different contexts (threat, neutral, food) to test for auditory laterality. Head turns were recorded prior to and immediately following sound presentation. Behaviour was recorded for 150 seconds after presentation. Although sound differentiation was evident by the amount of exploration, vigilance, and grooming performed after different sound types, this did not result in different patterns of head turn direction. Similarly, left-right proportions of head turns, walking events, and food approaches in the post-sound period were comparable across sound types. A comparison of head turns performed before and after sound showed a significant change in turn direction (χ(2) (1)=10.65, p=.001) from a left preference during the pre-sound period (mean 58% left head turns, CI 49-66%) to a right preference in the post-sound (mean 43% left head turns, CI 40-45%). This provides evidence of a right auditory bias in response to the presentation of the sound. This study therefore demonstrates that laterality is evident in southern hairy-nosed wombats in response to a sound stimulus, although side biases were not altered by sounds of varying context.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Descovich
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia.
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Austin N, Rogers L. Limb preferences and lateralization of aggression, reactivity and vigilance in feral horses, Equus caballus. Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Tomkins LM, Thomson PC, McGreevy PD. Associations between motor, sensory and structural lateralisation and guide dog success. Vet J 2011; 192:359-67. [PMID: 22023850 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2010] [Revised: 09/04/2011] [Accepted: 09/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether objective measures of laterality could be used to identify dogs with a high probability of successfully completing a Guide Dog Training Programme. Three categories of laterality (motor, sensory, and structural), were assessed in 114 dogs entering guide dog training. Significant predictors of success were identified: the direction of laterality (P=0.028), paw preference category in the 'Kong' test (P=0.043), hindpaw clearance height (P=0.002), laterality indices for a number of measures in the Sensory Jump test, and chest hair whorl direction (P=0.050). This is the first study to report a structural marker of canine behaviour. All three categories of laterality may be used to predict the suitability of dogs for guiding work, and by identifying predictors of success, resources can be more efficiently utilised on dogs with greater potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Tomkins
- Faculty of Veterinary Science (B19), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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