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Holmes KG, Krützen M, Ridley AR, Allen SJ, Connor RC, Gerber L, Flaherty Stamm C, King SL. Juvenile social play predicts adult reproductive success in male bottlenose dolphins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2305948121. [PMID: 38857400 PMCID: PMC11194510 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305948121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
For over a century, the evolution of animal play has sparked scientific curiosity. The prevalence of social play in juvenile mammals suggests that play is a beneficial behavior, potentially contributing to individual fitness. Yet evidence from wild animals supporting the long-hypothesized link between juvenile social play, adult behavior, and fitness remains limited. In Western Australia, adult male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) form multilevel alliances that are crucial for their reproductive success. A key adult mating behavior involves allied males using joint action to herd individual females. Juveniles of both sexes invest significant time in play that resembles adult herding-taking turns in mature male (actor) and female (receiver) roles. Using a 32-y dataset of individual-level association patterns, paternity success, and behavioral observations, we show that juvenile males with stronger social bonds are significantly more likely to engage in joint action when play-herding in actor roles. Juvenile males also monopolized the actor role and produced an adult male herding vocalization ("pops") when playing with females. Notably, males who spent more time playing in the actor role as juveniles achieved more paternities as adults. These findings not only reveal that play behavior provides male dolphins with mating skill practice years before they sexually mature but also demonstrate in a wild animal population that juvenile social play predicts adult reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn G. Holmes
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA6009, Australia
| | - Michael Krützen
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA6009, Australia
- Evolutionary Genetics Group, Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich8057, Switzerland
| | - Amanda R. Ridley
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA6009, Australia
| | - Simon J. Allen
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA6009, Australia
- Evolutionary Genetics Group, Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich8057, Switzerland
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Richard C. Connor
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA6009, Australia
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, MA02747
- Department of Biological Sciences and Institute of Environment, Florida International University, North Miami, FL33181
| | - Livia Gerber
- Evolutionary Genetics Group, Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich8057, Switzerland
- Australian National Wildlife Collection, National Research Collections Australia, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT2601, Australia
| | | | - Stephanie L. King
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA6009, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
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2
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Lewis A. A non-adaptationist hypothesis of play behaviour. J Physiol 2024; 602:2433-2453. [PMID: 37656171 DOI: 10.1113/jp284413] [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: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Play is a suite of apparently non-functional, pleasurable behaviours observed in human and non-human animals. Although the phenomenon has been studied extensively, no adaptationist behavioural theory of how play evolved can be supported by the available evidence. However, the advancement of the extended evolutionary synthesis and developments in systems biology offer alternative avenues for non-adaptationist physiological hypotheses. I therefore propose a hypothesis of play, based upon a complex ACh activity that is under agential control of the organism, whereby play initiates ACh-mediated feedforward and feedback processes which act to: (i) regulate metabolic processes; (ii) form new ACh receptors via ACh mRNA activity; (iii) mediate attention, memory consolidation and learning; and (iv) mediate social behaviours, reproduction and embryonic development. However, play occurs across taxa, but does not occur across all taxonomic groups or within all species of a taxonomic group. Thus, to support the validity of the proposed hypothesis, I further propose potential explanations for this anomaly, which include sampling and observer biases, altricial versus precocial juvenile development, and the influence of habitat niche and environmental conditions on behaviour. The proposed hypothesis thus offers new avenues for study in both the biological and social sciences, in addition to having potential applications in applied sciences, such as animal welfare and biomedical research. Crucially, it is hoped that this hypothesis will promote further study of a valid and behaviourally significant, yet currently enigmatic, biological phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Lewis
- Independent Researcher, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK
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3
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Bijlsma A, Birza EE, Pimentel TC, Maranus JPM, van Gaans MJJM, Lozeman-van T Klooster JG, Baars AJM, Achterberg EJM, Lesscher HMB, Wierenga CJ, Vanderschuren LJMJ. Opportunities for risk-taking during play alters cognitive performance and prefrontal inhibitory signalling in rats of both sexes. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2748-2765. [PMID: 38511534 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Social play behaviour is a rewarding activity that can entail risks, thus allowing young individuals to test the limits of their capacities and to train their cognitive and emotional adaptability to challenges. Here, we tested in rats how opportunities for risk-taking during play affect the development of cognitive and emotional capacities and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) function, a brain structure important for risk-based decision making. Male and female rats were housed socially or social play-deprived (SPD) between postnatal day (P)21 and P42. During this period, half of both groups were daily exposed to a high-risk play environment. Around P85, all rats were tested for cognitive performance and emotional behaviour after which inhibitory currents were recorded in layer 5 pyramidal neurons in mPFC slices. We show that playing in a high-risk environment altered cognitive flexibility in both sexes and improved behavioural inhibition in males. High-risk play altered anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze in males and in the open field in females, respectively. SPD affected cognitive flexibility in both sexes and decreased anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze in females. We found that synaptic inhibitory currents in the mPFC were increased in male, but not female, rats after high-risk play, while SPD lowered prefrontal cortex (PFC) synaptic inhibition in both sexes. Together, our data show that exposure to risks during play affects the development of cognition, emotional behaviour and inhibition in the mPFC. Furthermore, our study suggests that the opportunity to take risks during play cannot substitute for social play behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ate Bijlsma
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Evelien E Birza
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tara C Pimentel
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Janneke P M Maranus
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke J J M van Gaans
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - José G Lozeman-van T Klooster
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie J M Baars
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - E J Marijke Achterberg
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi M B Lesscher
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Corette J Wierenga
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Louk J M J Vanderschuren
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Burghardt GM, Pellis SM, Schank JC, Smaldino PE, Vanderschuren LJMJ, Palagi E. Animal play and evolution: Seven timely research issues about enigmatic phenomena. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 160:105617. [PMID: 38458553 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105617] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The nature of play in animals has been long debated, but progress is being made in characterizing play and its variants, documenting its distribution across vertebrate and invertebrate taxa, describing its mechanisms and development, and proposing testable theories about its origins, evolution, and adaptive functions. To achieve a deeper understanding of the functions and evolution of play, integrative and conceptual advances are needed in neuroscience, computer modeling, phylogenetics, experimental techniques, behavior development, and inter- and intra-specific variation. The special issue contains papers documenting many of these advances. Here, we describe seven timely areas where further research is needed to understand this still enigmatic class of phenomena more fully. Growing empirical and theoretical evidence reveals that play has been crucial in the evolution of behavior and psychology but has been underestimated, if not ignored, in both empirical and theoretical areas of evolutionary biology and neuroscience. Play research has important ramifications for understanding the evolution of cognition, emotion, and culture, and research on animals can be both informative and transformative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon M Burghardt
- Departments of Psychology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
| | - Sergio M Pellis
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jeffrey C Schank
- Department of Psychology and Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Paul E Smaldino
- Department of Cognitive and Information Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA, USA, and Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, USA
| | - Louk J M J Vanderschuren
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabetta Palagi
- Unit of Ethology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa and Natural History Museum, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Kung KTF, Louie K, Spencer D, Hines M. Prenatal androgen exposure and sex-typical play behaviour: A meta-analysis of classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 159:105616. [PMID: 38447820 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105616] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Thousands of non-human mammal experiments have demonstrated that early androgen exposure exerts long-lasting effects on neurobehavioural sexual differentiation. In humans, females with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are exposed to unusually high concentrations of androgens prenatally, whereas prenatal concentrations of androgens in males with CAH are largely normal. The current meta-analysis included 20 independent samples and employed multi-level meta-analytic models. Consistently across all 7 male-typical and female-typical play outcomes, in the expected directions, the present study found significant and large average differences between control males and control females (gs = 0.83-2.78) as well as between females with CAH and control females (gs = 0.95-1.08), but differences between males with CAH and control males were mostly negligible and were non-significant for 6 of the 7 outcomes (gs = 0.04-0.27). These meta-analytic findings suggest that prenatal androgen exposure masculinises and defeminises play behaviour in humans. Broader implications in relation to sex chromosomes, brain development, oestrogens, socio-cognitive influences, other aspects of sex-related behavioural development, and gender nonconformity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karson T F Kung
- Department of Psychology, Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Krisya Louie
- Department of Psychology, Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Debra Spencer
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa Hines
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RQ, United Kingdom
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Achterberg EJM, Biemans B, Vanderschuren LJMJ. Neurexin1α knockout in rats causes aberrant social behaviour: relevance for autism and schizophrenia. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06559-z. [PMID: 38418646 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06559-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Genetic and environmental factors cause neuropsychiatric disorders through complex interactions that are far from understood. Loss-of-function mutations in synaptic proteins like neurexin1α have been linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ), both characterised by problems in social behaviour. Childhood social play behaviour is thought to facilitate social development, and lack of social play may precipitate or exacerbate ASD and SCZ. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that an environmental insult acts on top of genetic vulnerability to precipitate psychiatric-like phenotypes. To that aim, social behaviour in neurexin1α knockout rats was assessed, with or without deprivation of juvenile social play. We also tested drugs prescribed in ASD or SCZ to assess the relevance of this dual-hit model for these disorders. RESULTS Neurexin1α knockout rats showed an aberrant social phenotype, with high amounts of social play, increased motivation to play, age-inappropriate sexual mounting, and an increase in general activity. Play deprivation subtly altered later social behaviour, but did not affect the phenotype of neurexin1α knockout rats. Risperidone and methylphenidate decreased play behaviour in both wild-type and knockout rats. Amphetamine-induced hyperactivity was exaggerated in neurexin1α knockout rats. CONCLUSION Deletion of the neurexin1α gene in rats causes exaggerated social play, which is not modified by social play deprivation. This phenotype therefore resembles disinhibited behaviour rather than the social withdrawal seen in ASD and SCZ. The neurexin1α knockout rat could be a model for inappropriate or disinhibited social behaviour seen in childhood mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Marijke Achterberg
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Barbara Biemans
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Louk J M J Vanderschuren
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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7
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Kunz JA, Falkner SS, Aprilinayati F, Duvot GJ, Fröhlich M, Willems EP, Atmoko SSU, van Schaik CP, Schuppli C, van Noordwijk MA. Play Behavior Varies with Age, Sex, and Socioecological Context in Wild, Immature Orangutans ( Pongo spp.). INT J PRIMATOL 2024; 45:739-773. [PMID: 39184232 PMCID: PMC11339113 DOI: 10.1007/s10764-023-00414-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Play is thought to serve different purposes at different times during ontogeny. The nature and frequency of play are expected to change accordingly over the developmental trajectory and with socio-ecological context. Orangutans offer the opportunity to disentangle the ontogenetic trajectories of solitary and social play with their extended immature phase, and socio-ecological variation among populations and species. We evaluated the frequency of play in 39 immature individuals across two populations (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii, at Tuanan, Borneo, and P. abelii at Suaq, Sumatra), age (0-11 years), sex, and social context, using more than 11 500 h of full-day focal observation data. We found independent age trajectories of different play types, with solitary object and solitary locomotor peaking before social play. Social play partners changed during ontogeny, and male immatures were more likely to engage in non-mother social play than females. Overall, social play was more frequent at Suaq than Tuanan, linked to the more frequent availability of partners. Furthermore, per time in association with conspecifics, Tuanan immatures were as likely to engage in social play as their peers at Suaq, suggesting similar intrinsic motivation. Increasing fruit availability correlated with both longer associations and increased social play frequency in the less sociable population of Tuanan, but not at Suaq. Our findings on orangutans support evidence from other species that different play types follow different developmental trajectories, vary with sex, social opportunities, and ecological context. Although drawing functional inferences is challenging, the distinct developmental trajectories reflecting adult sociability and behavioral repertoires may indicate that play serves several, non-mutually exclusive functions during ontogeny. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10764-023-00414-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A. Kunz
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Evolutionary Science of Montpellier (ISEM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Sonja S. Falkner
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fikty Aprilinayati
- Department of Biology and Primate Research Center, Universitas Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Guilhem J. Duvot
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marlen Fröhlich
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Palaeoanthropology, Institute for Archaeological Sciences, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Erik P. Willems
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sri Suci Utami Atmoko
- Department of Biology and Primate Research Center, Universitas Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Carel P. van Schaik
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Comparative Socioecology Group, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Constance, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Schuppli
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Development and Evolution of Cognition Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Constance, Germany
| | - Maria A. van Noordwijk
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Comparative Socioecology Group, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Constance, Germany
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8
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Schank JC, Lutz MC, Wood SY. Information and the Umwelt: A theoretical framework for the evolution of play. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105349. [PMID: 37543176 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105349] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Play is phylogenetically widespread, and there are many proposed theories and fitness benefits of play. However, we still need a theoretical framework that unifies our understanding of the benefits that facilitated the evolution of play in so many diverse species. Starting with von Uexküll's theory of the Umwelt (i.e., the sensory-motor worlds of animals), together with the behavior systems approach, we propose that the Umwelt is an information processing system that serves basic biological functions. During development, the Umwelt undergoes a rapid expansion in the sensory and motor stimuli it processes. We argue that play is a process that converts surplus resources into information. By increasing the information content of the developing Umwelt, play confers fitness benefits. To demonstrate that play could evolve based on its information benefits, we present a model and simulation results of the evolution of a social play learning process that provides fitness-enhancing information in adult cooperative and competitive situations. Finally, we discuss this information-theoretic framework in relation to proposed hypotheses and fitness benefits of play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C Schank
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Meredith C Lutz
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sydney Y Wood
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Achterberg EJM, Vanderschuren LJMJ. The neurobiology of social play behaviour: Past, present and future. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105319. [PMID: 37454882 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Social play behaviour is a highly energetic and rewarding activity that is of great importance for the development of brain and behaviour. Social play is abundant during the juvenile and early adolescent phases of life, and it occurs in most mammalian species, as well as in certain birds and reptiles. To date, the majority of research into the neural mechanisms of social play behaviour has been performed in male rats. In the present review we summarize studies on the neurobiology of social play behaviour in rats, including work on pharmacological and genetic models for autism spectrum disorders, early life manipulations and environmental factors that influence play in rats. We describe several recent developments that expand the field, and highlight outstanding questions that may guide future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Marijke Achterberg
- Dept. of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Louk J M J Vanderschuren
- Dept. of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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10
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Leca JB. Towards a three-level neo-Tinbergenian approach to object play: Structure, causes and consequences of a behavioral puzzle. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105290. [PMID: 37348665 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105290] [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: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
My main goal in this paper is to propose a reformulation of foundational models in behavioral research, including Tinbergen's (1963) well-known four levels of analysis (namely, ontogenetic, mechanistic, functional, and evolutionary questions) and Mayr's (1961) dichotomy between proximate and ultimate causations. After critically evaluating these influential but problematic models, I present a three-level neo-Tinbergenian approach to behavior that considers the triadic integration of behavioral causes, structure, and consequences along a single temporal continuum. I then argue that object-directed play is a good candidate behavior to apply this new paradigm by presenting significant examples of the combined analysis of at least two of these three levels. Finally, I show how stone handling, a form of culturally-transmitted object play in macaques, is perfectly amenable to this unified three-level explanatory framework. My proposed approach fits recent theoretical and empirical advances in behavioral biology, has a heuristic value, and may provide numerous benefits to a range of behavioral scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste Leca
- Department of Psychology, University of Lethbridge, AB, Canada; School of Natural and Engineering Sciences National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India.
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11
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Brooks HJB, Burghardt GM. A review of interspecific social play among nonhuman animals. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 151:105232. [PMID: 37182799 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105232] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BROOKS, H.J.B. & G.M. Burghardt. A comparative review of interspecific social play among nonhuman animals. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV XX(X) XXX-XXX, XXXX.- Few species play socially with another species, hereafter called interspecific social play (ISP). ISP involves reading and responding appropriately to social cues of other species, often taxonomically remote, and has implications for perception, communication, and cognition. We reviewed information on non-human ISP from both print media and videos from YouTube and Reddit. We found over 200 instances of ISP. The literature predominantly featured wild primates, carnivores, and marine mammals. Carnivores and terrestrial ungulates were common in videos. ISP in avian and reptile species were found in both sources, including instances of playing with mammals. Animals may engage in ISP because it is risky and stimulating, they lack age-appropriate conspecifics, the play motivation is high, or to maintain social bonds in mixed-species groups. Cataloguing ISP uncovers which species are interacting and how. Systematic studies of ISP are difficult and many reports are brief and anecdotal. Minimally, future research should record information about each observation, including the age, sex, and history of participants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gordon M Burghardt
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
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12
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Palagi E. Adult play and the evolution of tolerant and cooperative societies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 148:105124. [PMID: 36931414 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105124] [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: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Play is generally considered an immature affair. However, adult play is present in several mammal species living in complex social systems. Here, I hypothesize that adult social play is favored by natural selection in those species characterized by high level of social tolerance and/or by the need of others' cooperation to reach a goal (i.e., leverage). The integration and comparison of bio-behavioral data on non-human primates and wild social carnivores allows drawing a comprehensive picture on the importance of adult play in facing unpredictable, novel social situations and in overcoming stressful experiences. The ability to cope with potentially competitive interactions through play can favor the emergence of egalitarian societies. A further interesting and beneficial aspect of adult play is its role in synchronizing group activities and favoring collective decision making by renovating the motivation to cooperate in groupmates. As a last step, some considerations about the presence of adult play in the most egalitarian and cooperative human groups (e.g., hunter-gatherer societies) allows discussing the apparent dichotomy between cultural and biological evolution of certain behavioral traits, including social play in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Palagi
- Department of Biology - Unit of Ethology - University of Pisa, Via Alessandro Volta 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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13
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Müller H, Rehn-Groenendijk J, Wasmer A. Small-scale urban design interventions: A framework for deploying cities as resource for mental health and mental health literacy. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1112209. [PMID: 37020920 PMCID: PMC10067578 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1112209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
With roughly half of the global population living in cities, urban environments become central to public health often perceived as health risk factors. Indeed, mental disorders show higher incidences in urban contexts compared to rural areas. However, shared urban environments also provide a rich potential to act as a resource for mental health and as a platform to increase mental health literacy. Based on the concepts of salutogenesis and restorative environments, we propose a framework for urban design interventions. It outlines (a) an output level, i.e., preventive and discursive potentials of such interventions to act as biopsychosocial resources, and (b) a process level, i.e., mechanisms of inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration of researchers and citizens in the design process. This approach aims at combining evidence-based, salutogenic, psychosocially-supportive design with a focus on mental health. Implementing low-threshold, resource-efficient options in the existing urban context brings this topic to the public space. Implications for the implementation of such interventions for citizens, researchers, and municipality stakeholders are discussed. This illustrates new directions of research for urban person-environment interactions, public health, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Müller
- Department of Social and Cultural Sciences and Social Work, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, Darmstadt, Germany
- *Correspondence: Helena Müller,
| | | | - Anna Wasmer
- Department of Civil Engineering, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, Darmstadt, Germany
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14
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Henning J, Nielsen T, Fernandez E, Hazel S. Cats just want to have fun: Associations between play and welfare in domestic cats. Anim Welf 2023; 32:e9. [PMID: 38487456 PMCID: PMC10936385 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.2] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Play is often considered an indicator and promotor of animal welfare and may facilitate closer cat-human relationships. However, few studies have empirically investigated these associations. The current study aimed to investigate play-related factors associated with four welfare outcome measures in cats (Felis catus) including: cat quality of life; cat-guardian relationship quality; problem behaviour prevalence; and behavioural changes. An online survey was developed using demographic information, questions related to play and resources, free text sections and the following validated measures: cat quality of life (QOL), the cat owner relationship scale, and the adult playfulness trait scale. Responses were completed by 1,591 cat guardians from 55 countries. Higher cat playfulness scores and a greater number of games played were significantly associated with higher cat QOL scores while longer amounts of daily play, greater number of games, both cat and guardian initiating play and higher guardian playfulness scores were all significantly associated with higher cat-guardian relationship scores. Exclusively indoor housing was significantly associated with both higher cat QOL and higher cat-guardian relationships scores compared to cats with outdoor access. Behavioural changes associated with distress in cats were reported when play was absent. Play may be an important factor in assessing and maintaining cat welfare. Further research into the mechanisms of how play impacts welfare and cat-guardian relationships is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Henning
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Mudla Wirra Rd, RoseworthySA5371, Australia
| | - Torben Nielsen
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Mudla Wirra Rd, RoseworthySA5371, Australia
| | - Eduardo Fernandez
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Mudla Wirra Rd, RoseworthySA5371, Australia
| | - Susan Hazel
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Mudla Wirra Rd, RoseworthySA5371, Australia
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15
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Bissonnette PB, Waterman JM, Petersen SD. The use of infrared thermography to noninvasively measure the surface temperature of polar bears during bouts of social play. Zoo Biol 2023; 42:38-44. [PMID: 35872605 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21722] [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: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Infrared thermography or thermal imagery is a noninvasive tool that can be used to measure the temperature of surfaces. Typically, thermal imagery is used for construction or military purposes but is increasingly used as a noninvasive tool in wildlife studies. We investigated the use of thermal imagery to measure surface temperature changes as a proxy for energetic expenditure. We measured the surface temperature of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) eyes, while immobilized, to determine whether the eye is a thermal window that can accurately indicate internal temperature. We found a significant difference (2.68 ± 0.41°C) between the surface temperature of the eye measured with thermal imagery and the internal rectal temperature. Additionally, we measured surface temperature changes in polar bears after bouts of social play as a proxy for energy expenditure. Mean temperature of the eye increased by 1.34 ± 0.43°C after social play, indicating that this activity increased energy expenditure. During the fasting season, polar bears rely on fat stores, and any energy expenditure beyond what is required to travel may be costly to their survival, particularly in years of low resource availability. We conclude that thermal imagery is a useful tool to noninvasively investigate the energetics of social play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige B Bissonnette
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jane M Waterman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Stephen D Petersen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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16
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Halemani K, Issac A, Mishra P, Dhiraaj S, Mandelia A, Mathias E. Effectiveness of Preoperative Therapeutic Play on Anxiety Among Children Undergoing Invasive Procedure: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Indian J Surg Oncol 2022; 13:858-867. [PMID: 36687245 PMCID: PMC9845488 DOI: 10.1007/s13193-022-01571-1] [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: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Play is an indispensable part of growing up and by using play to distract children while undergoing invasive procedures can have a positive impact. Play can help children to cope with painful procedures and long-term treatment. The aim of the review was to evaluate the evidence concerning the effect of play on anxiety among children undergoing invasive procedures. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: PubMed, The MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Clinical Key, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched between 2012 and 2020. Review methods: randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of play on anxiety among children undergoing invasive procedures were included. Meta-analysis was done using Revman v5.3 software. A total of 451 participants from 5 trials were involved in the systemic review and meta-analysis. Self-reported anxiety, parents reported anxiety, and self-reported pain were found significant in intervention [χ2 = 7.57, df = 2 at P < 0.02]. When compared with control group, the review result revealed that experimental group reduced the anxiety and pain (P < 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurvatteppa Halemani
- College of Nursing, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Alwin Issac
- College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha India
| | - Prabhaker Mishra
- Dept. of Biostatistics & Health Informatics, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Sanjay Dhiraaj
- Dept. of Anaesthesiology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Ankur Mandelia
- Dept.of Pediatric Surgery, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Edline Mathias
- Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka India
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17
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Acolin J, Hajat A, Nurius PS, Lengua LJ. Playgrounds are for children: Investigating developmentally-specific "Green Space" and child mental health. SSM - MENTAL HEALTH 2022; 2:100087. [PMID: 38292754 PMCID: PMC10826856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2022.100087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
"Green space" effects on health have been amply demonstrated, but whether specific features of green space exert differential effects remains unknown. Driven by developmental psychology theory highlighting the importance of play for young children, we investigated the association between parks with playgrounds, as a subtype of "green space", and young child mental health. After adjusting for individual race, sex, income, and cumulative risk as well as neighborhood disadvantage, we find that children (N=95) living near parks with playgrounds have better mental health than those near parks without playgrounds (β ˆ = - 1.22 (95% CI: -3.82 - 1.38, p=0.36) Child Behavior Checklist scale). While not statistically significant, the observed difference, which is equivalent to 11% of the baseline mean score, is meaningful. Our results, while only suggestive, indicate that moving beyond "green space" to investigate developmentally-specific features may be worthwhile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Acolin
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, 3980 15 Ave NE, Seattle WA USA
| | - Anjum Hajat
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, 3980 15 Ave NE, Seattle WA USA
| | - Paula S. Nurius
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, 4101 15 Ave NE, Seattle WA USA
| | - Liliana J. Lengua
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, 3751 W. Stevens Way NE, Seattle WA USA
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18
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A systematic review of sex differences in rough and tumble play across non-human mammals. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03260-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
It is widely believed that juvenile male mammals typically engage in higher rates of rough and tumble play (RTP) than do females, in preparation for adult roles involving intense physical competition between males. The consistency of this sex difference across diverse mammalian species has, however, not yet been systematically investigated, limiting our current understanding of its possible adaptive function. This review uses narrative synthesis to (i) evaluate the ubiquity of male-biased RTP across non-human mammals, (ii) identify patterns of variation within and between taxonomic groups, and (iii) propose possible predictors of variation in these differences, including methodological and socio-ecological factors, for investigation by future studies. We find that most species studied do exhibit higher rates or RTP in males than females, while female-biased RTP is rare. Sex differences are smaller and less consistent than expected, with many studies finding similar rates of RTP in males and females. We identify multiple potential socio-ecological predictors of variation in sex differences in RTP, such as intrasexual competition and dietary niche. However, variation is not strongly phylogenetically patterned, suggesting that methodological and environmental factors, such as sample size and play partner availability, are important to consider in future comparative analyses.
Significance statement
Rough and tumble play (RTP) is thought to be vital for developing physical skills necessary for aggressive competition in adulthood, explaining an apparently widespread sex difference in RTP in mammals whereby immature males are more likely to engage in this behaviour than females. However, no prior study has systematically investigated the extent to which a male bias in RTP is consistent across diverse mammalian species. We find that although RTP is commonly male biased, findings were highly variable both within- and between-species, and equal participation in RTP by males and females is more common than widely assumed. Our review suggests several potential predictors of variation in sex differences in RTP, particularly levels of intrasexual competition in both males and females. However, our findings also suggest the importance of considering methodological in addition to socio-ecological factors for future research.
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19
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The Case for Octopus Consciousness: Valence. NEUROSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci3040047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Octopuses may demonstrate perceptual richness, neural unity, temporality, and finally, valence or affective evaluation, as the neural basis for consciousness. Octopuses attach a positive valence to food as ‘specializing generalists’ with long-term learning and flexible choices. They value shelter, yet modify, adapt and even transport it where necessary. They attach a negative valence to what may be described as pain, monitoring and protecting the damaged area and learning to associate locations with pain relief. Finally and surprisingly, octopuses attach a negative value to uncertainty so that they explore their environment before exploiting certain aspects of it and even exhibit motor play. This series of four papers, culminating in the present one, demonstrates in detail why the Cambridge Declaration of Consciousness has suggested octopuses might have the substrate for consciousness, although it is likely not similar to or as complex as that shown by ‘higher’ vertebrate lineages.
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20
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Play Fighting Versus Real Fighting In Piglets (Sus scrofa): Similar Patterns, Different Structure. Behav Processes 2022; 203:104778. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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21
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Tang T, J. J. Gerrits W, Reimert I, M. C. van der Peet-Schwering C, Soede N. Variation in piglet body weight gain and feed intake during a 9-week lactation in a multi-suckling system. Animal 2022; 16:100651. [DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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22
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Solomon-Lane TK, Butler RM, Hofmann HA. Vasopressin mediates nonapeptide and glucocorticoid signaling and social dynamics in juvenile dominance hierarchies of a highly social cichlid fish. Horm Behav 2022; 145:105238. [PMID: 35932752 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Early-life social experience can strongly affect adult behavior, yet the behavioral mechanisms underlying developmental trajectories are poorly understood. Here, we use the highly social cichlid, Burton's Mouthbrooder (Astatotilapia burtoni) to investigate juvenile social status and behavior, as well as the underlying neuroendocrine mechanisms. We placed juveniles in pairs or triads and found that they readily establish social status hierarchies, with some group structural variation depending on group size, as well as the relative body size of the group members. Next, we used intracerebroventricular injections to test the hypothesis that arginine vasopressin (AVP) regulates juvenile social behavior and status, similar to adult A. burtoni. While we found no direct behavioral effects of experimentally increasing (via vasotocin) or decreasing (via antagonist Manning Compound) AVP signaling, social interactions directed at the treated individual were significantly altered. This group-level effect of central AVP manipulation was also reflected in a significant shift in whole brain expression of genes involved in nonapeptide signaling (AVP, oxytocin, and oxytocin receptor) and the neuroendocrine stress axis (corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), glucocorticoid receptors (GR) 1a and 1b). Further, social status was associated with the expression of genes involved in glucocorticoid signaling (GR1a, GR1b, GR2, mineralocorticoid receptor), social interactions with the dominant fish, and nonapeptide signaling activity (AVP, AVP receptor V1aR2, OTR). Together, our results considerably expand our understanding of the context-specific emergence of social dominance hierarchies in juveniles and demonstrate a role for nonapeptide and stress axis signaling in the regulation of social status and social group dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa K Solomon-Lane
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America; Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America.
| | - Rebecca M Butler
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
| | - Hans A Hofmann
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America; Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America; Institute for Cell & Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
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23
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Lament C. What COVID-19 Laid Bare About What Children Need to Live and Grow. THE PSYCHOANALYTIC QUARTERLY 2022; 91:273-291. [PMID: 36036943 DOI: 10.1080/00332828.2022.2078637] [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: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
The author explores the unconscious meanings of the physical absence of the three-dimensional world of people and how these play a critical role in children's reactions to restrictions in human contact during the COVID-19 pandemic. When children are deprived of the corporeality of loved ones, the children's continuously emerging and unstable self-and-other arrangements may trap normative feelings of envy, jealousy, hatred, rivalry, love, and idealization. During lockdowns, there is no place where these raw emotions can be tested, so they remain untempered by the real presence of others and by interactivity with them, feeding aggression that is turned back against the child with frightening ferocity. How do children who must reside in such abstinence during a pandemic pull themselves up the ladder of growth when others whom they rely upon to help them discover who they are, are not there? A description of an observation of a young child attending a Zoom classroom is included, with accompanying commentary.
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24
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KIANI AYSHAKARIM, PHEBY DEREK, HENEHAN GARY, BROWN RICHARD, SIEVING PAUL, SYKORA PETER, MARKS ROBERT, FALSINI BENEDETTO, CAPODICASA NATALE, MIERTUS STANISLAV, LORUSSO LORENZO, DONDOSSOLA DANIELE, TARTAGLIA GIANLUCAMARTINO, ERGOREN MAHMUTCERKEZ, DUNDAR MUNIS, MICHELINI SANDRO, MALACARNE DANIELE, BONETTI GABRIELE, DAUTAJ ASTRIT, DONATO KEVIN, MEDORI MARIACHIARA, BECCARI TOMMASO, SAMAJA MICHELE, CONNELLY STEPHENTHADDEUS, MARTIN DONALD, MORRESI ASSUNTA, BACU ARIOLA, HERBST KARENL, KAPUSTIN MYKHAYLO, STUPPIA LIBORIO, LUMER LUDOVICA, FARRONATO GIAMPIETRO, BERTELLI MATTEO. Ethical considerations regarding animal experimentation. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2022; 63:E255-E266. [PMID: 36479489 PMCID: PMC9710398 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2s3.2768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Animal experimentation is widely used around the world for the identification of the root causes of various diseases in humans and animals and for exploring treatment options. Among the several animal species, rats, mice and purpose-bred birds comprise almost 90% of the animals that are used for research purpose. However, growing awareness of the sentience of animals and their experience of pain and suffering has led to strong opposition to animal research among many scientists and the general public. In addition, the usefulness of extrapolating animal data to humans has been questioned. This has led to Ethical Committees' adoption of the 'four Rs' principles (Reduction, Refinement, Replacement and Responsibility) as a guide when making decisions regarding animal experimentation. Some of the essential considerations for humane animal experimentation are presented in this review along with the requirement for investigator training. Due to the ethical issues surrounding the use of animals in experimentation, their use is declining in those research areas where alternative in vitro or in silico methods are available. However, so far it has not been possible to dispense with experimental animals completely and further research is needed to provide a road map to robust alternatives before their use can be fully discontinued.
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Affiliation(s)
- AYSHA KARIM KIANI
- Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- MAGI EUREGIO, Bolzano, Italy
| | - DEREK PHEBY
- Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, High Wycombe, UK
| | - GARY HENEHAN
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - RICHARD BROWN
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - PAUL SIEVING
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Ocular Regenerative Therapy, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - PETER SYKORA
- Department of Philosophy and Applied Philosophy, University of St. Cyril and Methodius, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - ROBERT MARKS
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - BENEDETTO FALSINI
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - STANISLAV MIERTUS
- Department of Biotechnology, University of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Trnava, Slovakia
- International Centre for Applied Research and Sustainable Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - DANIELE DONDOSSOLA
- Center for Preclincal Research and General and Liver Transplant Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca‘ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - GIANLUCA MARTINO TARTAGLIA
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - MAHMUT CERKEZ ERGOREN
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - MUNIS DUNDAR
- Department of Medical Genetics, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - SANDRO MICHELINI
- Vascular Diagnostics and Rehabilitation Service, Marino Hospital, ASL Roma 6, Marino, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - TOMMASO BECCARI
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | | | - DONALD MARTIN
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, TIMC-IMAG, SyNaBi, Grenoble, France
| | - ASSUNTA MORRESI
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - ARIOLA BACU
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - KAREN L. HERBST
- Total Lipedema Care, Beverly Hills California and Tucson Arizona, USA
| | | | - LIBORIO STUPPIA
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - LUDOVICA LUMER
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - GIAMPIETRO FARRONATO
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - MATTEO BERTELLI
- MAGI EUREGIO, Bolzano, Italy
- MAGI’S LAB, Rovereto (TN), Italy
- MAGISNAT, Peachtree Corners (GA), USA
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25
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Asensio N, Zandonà E, Dunn JC, Cristóbal-Azkarate J. Socioecological correlates of social play in adult mantled howler monkeys. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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26
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Montgomery TM, Greenberg JR, Gunson JL, John K, Laubach ZM, Nonnamaker E, Person ES, Rogers H, Ronis EM, Smale L, Steinfield KR, Strong R, Holekamp KE, Beehner JC. Measuring salivary cortisol in wild carnivores. Horm Behav 2022; 137:105082. [PMID: 34798449 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Salivary hormone analyses provide a useful alternative to fecal and urinary hormone analyses in non-invasive studies of behavioral endocrinology. Here, we use saliva to assess cortisol levels in a wild population of spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), a gregarious carnivore living in complex social groups. We first describe a novel, non-invasive method of collecting saliva from juvenile hyenas and validate a salivary cortisol assay for use in this species. We then analyze over 260 saliva samples collected from nearly 70 juveniles to investigate the relationships between cortisol and temporal and social variables in these animals. We obtain some evidence of a bimodal daily rhythm with salivary cortisol concentrations dropping around dawn and dusk, times at which cub activity levels are changing substantially. We also find that dominant littermates have lower cortisol than singleton juveniles, but that cortisol does not vary with age, sex, or maternal social rank. Finally, we examine how social behaviors such as aggression or play affect salivary cortisol concentrations. We find that inflicting aggression on others was associated with lower cortisol concentrations. We hope that the detailed description of our methods provides wildlife researchers with the tools to measure salivary cortisol in other wild carnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy M Montgomery
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; Mara Hyena Project, Kenya; Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior, Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Bücklestraße 5a, 78467 Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Julia R Greenberg
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; Mara Hyena Project, Kenya; University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, 1202 West Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jessica L Gunson
- Mara Hyena Project, Kenya; New York University, Department of Anthropology, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | | | - Zachary M Laubach
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; Mara Hyena Project, Kenya; University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 1900 Pleasant Street, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Emily Nonnamaker
- Mara Hyena Project, Kenya; University of Notre Dame, Department of Biological Sciences, 175 Galvin Life Sciences Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Erin S Person
- Mara Hyena Project, Kenya; University of California Berkeley, Department of Integrative Biology, 3040 Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Heidi Rogers
- Mara Hyena Project, Kenya; University of California Santa Cruz, Department of Statistical Science, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | | | - Laura Smale
- Michigan State University, Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, 316 Physics Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Katherine R Steinfield
- Mara Hyena Project, Kenya; University College London, Division of Biosciences, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | - Kay E Holekamp
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; Mara Hyena Project, Kenya
| | - Jacinta C Beehner
- University of Michigan, Department of Psychology, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; University of Michigan, Department of Anthropology, 1085 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Young children's cooperation and conflict with other children. ADVANCES IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 63:225-248. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.acdb.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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After the smoke has cleared: Extended low fruit productivity following forest fires decreased gregariousness and social tolerance among wild female Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii). INT J PRIMATOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-021-00263-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
AbstractAs climate change continues to fundamentally alter resource landscapes, the ability to flexibly respond to spatio-temporal changes in the distribution of preferred food sources is increasingly important for the overall health and fitness of animals living in seasonal, variable, and/or changing environments. Here, we investigate the effects of an uncharacteristically long period of fruit scarcity, following widespread thick haze caused by peat and forest fires in 2015, on the behaviour and sociality of female Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii). We collected data from 2010 to 2018 at Tuanan, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, and compared the activity, diet, and association patterns of adult females during low-fruit periods before the fires, i.e., regular, seasonal periods of low fruit availability (“pre-fire”), and after the fires, i.e., during the extended period of low fruit availability (“post-fire”). First, we found that, post-fire, female orangutans adopted a more extreme energy-saving activity pattern and diet — resting more, travelling less, and diet-switching to less-preferred foods — compared to pre-fire. Second, we found that the probabilities of association between females and their weaned immature offspring, and between related and unrelated adult females were lower, and the probability of agonism between unrelated females was higher, post-fire than pre-fire. This change in energetic strategy, and the general reduction in gregariousness and social tolerance, demonstrates how forest fires can have lasting consequences for orangutans. Fission–fusion species such as orangutans can mitigate the effects of changes in resource landscapes by altering their (sub)grouping patterns; however, this may have long-term indirect consequences on their fitness.
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Raja Vora J, Helmi A, Zhan C, Olivares E, Vu T, Wilkey M, Noregaard S, Fitter NT, Logan SW. Influence of a Socially Assistive Robot on Physical Activity, Social Play Behavior, and Toy-Use Behaviors of Children in a Free Play Environment: A Within-Subjects Study. Front Robot AI 2021; 8:768642. [PMID: 34881295 PMCID: PMC8645936 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2021.768642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Play is critical for children's physical, cognitive, and social development. Technology-based toys like robots are especially of interest to children. This pilot study explores the affordances of the play area provided by developmentally appropriate toys and a mobile socially assistive robot (SAR). The objective of this study is to assess the role of the SAR on physical activity, play behavior, and toy-use behavior of children during free play. Methods: Six children (5 females, Mage = 3.6 ± 1.9 years) participated in the majority of our pilot study's seven 30-minute-long weekly play sessions (4 baseline and 3 intervention). During baseline sessions, the SAR was powered off. During intervention sessions, the SAR was teleoperated to move in the play area and offered rewards of lights, sounds, and bubbles to children. Thirty-minute videos of the play sessions were annotated using a momentary time sampling observation system. Mean percentage of time spent in behaviors of interest in baseline and intervention sessions were calculated. Paired-Wilcoxon signed rank tests were conducted to assess differences between baseline and intervention sessions. Results: There was a significant increase in children's standing (∼15%; Z = -2.09; p = 0.037) and a tendency for less time sitting (∼19%; Z = -1.89; p = 0.059) in the intervention phase as compared to the baseline phase. There was also a significant decrease (∼4.5%, Z = -2.70; p = 0.007) in peer interaction play and a tendency for greater (∼4.5%, Z = -1.89; p = 0.059) interaction with adults in the intervention phase as compared to the baseline phase. There was a significant increase in children's interaction with the robot (∼11.5%, Z = -2.52; p = 0.012) in the intervention phase as compared to the baseline phase. Conclusion: These results may indicate that a mobile SAR provides affordances through rewards that elicit children's interaction with the SAR and more time standing in free play. This pilot study lays a foundation for exploring the role of SARs in inclusive play environments for children with and without mobility disabilities in real-world settings like day-care centers and preschools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseline Raja Vora
- Social Mobility Lab, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Ameer Helmi
- Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CoRIS) Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Christine Zhan
- Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CoRIS) Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Eliora Olivares
- Social Mobility Lab, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Tina Vu
- Social Mobility Lab, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Marie Wilkey
- Social Mobility Lab, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Samantha Noregaard
- Social Mobility Lab, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Naomi T. Fitter
- Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CoRIS) Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Samuel W. Logan
- Social Mobility Lab, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
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Arellano CMM, Canelón NV, Delgado S, Berg KS. Allo-preening is linked to vocal signature development in a wild parrot. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Allo-grooming networks in primate social groups are thought to have favored the evolution of vocal recognition systems, including vocal imitation in humans, as a more effective means of maintaining social bonds in large groups. Select avian taxa converged on vocal learning, but it is not clear what role analogues of allo-grooming might have played. Unlike allo-grooming in most primates, allo-preening in birds is usually limited to pair-bonds. One exception to this is during nestling development when siblings preen each other, but it is unknown how allo-preening influences vocal learning. We addressed this question in wild Green-rumped Parrotlets (Forpus passerinus) in Venezuela. Nestlings learn signature contact calls from adult templates. Large broods, age hierarchies and protracted development in this species create the potential for complex allo-preening networks and a unique opportunity to test how early sociality makes the development of vocal learning labile. From audio-video recordings inside nest cavities and a balanced design of different brood sizes, we quantified allo-preening interactions between marked nestlings, to compare to signature contact calls. Controlling for brood size and age hierarchy, the propensity to preen a larger number of individuals (i.e., out-strength) correlated positively with the age at first contact call. Allo-preening and acoustic similarity matrices did not reveal clear correlations within broods, instead larger broods produced greater contact call diversity. Results indicate that allo-preening elongates the period during which contact calls develop, which might allow individuals time to form a unique signature under the computationally challenging social conditions inherent to large groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb M M Arellano
- Department of Biology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
| | | | - Soraya Delgado
- Department of Biology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
| | - Karl S Berg
- Department of Biology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
- School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
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Mehl‐Madrona L, Mainguy B. Neuroscience and Narrative. ANTHROPOLOGY OF CONSCIOUSNESS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/anoc.12144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lewis Mehl‐Madrona
- Coyote Institute
- Northern Light Family Medicine Residency
- University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
- University of Maine
- Wabanaki Health and Wellness
| | - Barbara Mainguy
- Coyote Institute
- Wabanaki Health and Wellness
- University of Maine at Augusta
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Nolfo AP, Casetta G, Palagi E. Play fighting in wild spotted hyaenas: like a bridge over the troubled water of a hierarchical society. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Music, groove, and play. Behav Brain Sci 2021; 44:e61. [PMID: 34588053 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x20001727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Savage et al. include groove and dance among musical features which enhance social bonds and group coherence. I discuss groove as grounded in structure and performance, and relate musical performance to play in nonhuman animals and humans. The interplay of individuals' contributions with group action is proposed as the common link between music and play as contributors to social bonding.
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Franceschini S, Bertoni S, Lulli M, Pievani T, Facoetti A. Short-Term Effects of Video-Games on Cognitive Enhancement: the Role of Positive Emotions. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s41465-021-00220-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAccording to established background knowledge, playing is essential in human development and a power remediation tool in clinical populations. In clinical interventions, the beneficial roles of playing have often been sought and investigated in the specific features of the game, rather than in the positive emotions generated by playing. However, regardless of game specifications, cognitive enhancement could be driven by the emotions linked to play. Establishing the causal connections between play and cognitive enhancement should allow us to determine how to involve play in therapy, prevention and educational programmes. Today, video-gaming is one of the most diffused forms of play. In the first crossover randomized controlled trial, we compared the short-term effects induced by shooting and puzzle video-games in visual perception, sensorimotor and reading skills in children with developmental coordination disorder and dyslexia. The funnier and more activating game enhanced breadth of visual perception and reduced sensorimotor and reading disorders. Visual perception, sensorimotor and reading improvements correlated with fun. In the second crossover randomized controlled trial, comparing the effects of the same shooting with a fighting video-game in healthy young adults, we show that regardless of game characteristics, changes in positive emotions correlated with contextual reading enhancement, while play-driven biochemical activation boosted single word and pseudoword reading. The short-term effects induced by play could be a useful clinical tool for the prevention and treatment of multiple cognitive disorders.
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Mohan M, Bajaj G, Deshpande A, Anakkathil Anil M, Bhat JS. Child, Parent, and Play - An Insight into These Dimensions Among Children with and without Receptive Expressive Language Disorder Using Video-Based Analysis. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2021; 14:971-985. [PMID: 34262367 PMCID: PMC8274541 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s306733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Language development in children aged 3–6 years is shaped by their pre-linguistic abilities, communication patterns and play behaviors along with parental communicative roles. Little is known about how these aspects are distributed among children with receptive expressive language disorder (CWRELD) in comparison to typically developing children (CWTDL). The present research explores these differences between the two groups using a video-based analysis with a belief that an understanding of these aspects may facilitate age-appropriate speech and language acquisition in children with language delay. Methods A video-based analysis of parent–child interactions was carried out for 10 children each with receptive expressive language disorder and typical language development, respectively. The two groups were compared for the child’s turn-taking skills, eye contact span, autonomous instances, communication patterns, play behaviors and parental communication roles. Results Children with receptive expressive language disorder exhibited significantly fewer proportion of turns and autonomous instances along with a greater proportion of eye contact to objects than the parent. Majority of the children with language delay were at the “Requester” or “Early communicators” stage and demonstrated either “Exploratory” or “Functional play” behaviors. Most of the typically developing children were at the “Partner stage” of communication and exhibited “Functional”, “Constructive” or “Symbolic Play”. Parents of children with language delay mostly exhibited “Helper” type communicative roles while parents from typically developing groups showed “Partner” type communicative profile. Conclusion A quantitative planning and monitoring of pre-linguistic skills, determination of communicative patterns and play behaviors is important for clinicians working with children having a language delay. Assessing and modifying parental communicative roles are also crucial. Understanding the distribution of these research variables among CWRELD in comparison to CWTDL may help clinicians in planning precise treatment goals, monitoring specific linguistic progress, ensuring better parental participation and delivering better outcomes during language therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha Mohan
- Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Gagan Bajaj
- Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Malavika Anakkathil Anil
- Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Jayashree S Bhat
- Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
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Wolcott MD, McLaughlin JE, Hubbard DK, Rider TR, Umstead K. Twelve tips to stimulate creative problem-solving with design thinking. MEDICAL TEACHER 2021; 43:501-508. [PMID: 32847450 DOI: 10.1080/0142159x.2020.1807483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Design thinking is increasingly applied in healthcare and health professions education to generate innovative solutions to difficult problems. The design thinking framework helps individuals approach problems with a user-centered focus; the emphasis is on understanding the user experience, their challenges, and possible design solutions that are aligned with their needs. In this twelve tips paper, we describe strategies that health professions educators can use to prepare for, conduct, and support design thinking. These strategies may also be useful to learners, practitioners, and organizations to address complex problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Wolcott
- University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jacqueline E McLaughlin
- University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Devin K Hubbard
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Traci R Rider
- North Carolina State University College of Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Kelly Umstead
- North Carolina State University College of Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Barrett M, Campera M, Morcatty TQ, Weldon AV, Hedger K, Maynard KQ, Imron MA, Nekaris KAI. Risky Business: The Function of Play in a Venomous Mammal-The Javan Slow Loris ( Nycticebus javanicus). Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:318. [PMID: 33925251 PMCID: PMC8145416 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Immature mammals require opportunities to develop skills that will affect their competitive abilities and reproductive success as adults. One way these benefits may be achieved is through play behavior. While skills in developing use of tusks, antlers, and other weapons mammals have been linked to play, play in venomous animals has rarely been studied. Javan slow lorises (Nycticebus javanicus) use venom to aid in intraspecific competition, yet whether individuals use any behavioral mechanisms to develop the ability to use venom remains unclear. From April 2012 to December 2020, we recorded 663 play events and studied the factors influencing the frequency of play and the postures used during play in wild Javan slow lorises. Regardless of the presence of siblings, two thirds of play partners of young slow lorises were older and more experienced adults. Young lorises engaged in riskier behaviors during play, including using more strenuous postures and playing more in riskier conditions with increased rain and moonlight. We found that play patterns in immature lorises bear resemblance to venom postures used by adults. We suggest that play functions to train immature lorises to deal with future unexpected events, such as random attacks, as seen in other mammalian taxa with weapons. Given the importance of venom use for highly territorial slow lorises throughout their adult lives and the similarities between venom and play postures, we cannot rule out the possibility that play also prepares animals for future venomous fights. We provide here a baseline for the further exploration of the development of this unique behavior in one of the few venomous mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meg Barrett
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; (M.B.); (M.C.); (T.Q.M.); (A.V.W.); (K.H.); (K.Q.M.)
| | - Marco Campera
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; (M.B.); (M.C.); (T.Q.M.); (A.V.W.); (K.H.); (K.Q.M.)
| | - Thais Q. Morcatty
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; (M.B.); (M.C.); (T.Q.M.); (A.V.W.); (K.H.); (K.Q.M.)
| | - Ariana V. Weldon
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; (M.B.); (M.C.); (T.Q.M.); (A.V.W.); (K.H.); (K.Q.M.)
| | - Katherine Hedger
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; (M.B.); (M.C.); (T.Q.M.); (A.V.W.); (K.H.); (K.Q.M.)
| | - Keely Q. Maynard
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; (M.B.); (M.C.); (T.Q.M.); (A.V.W.); (K.H.); (K.Q.M.)
| | - Muhammad Ali Imron
- Department of Forest Resources Conservation, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia;
| | - K. A. I. Nekaris
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; (M.B.); (M.C.); (T.Q.M.); (A.V.W.); (K.H.); (K.Q.M.)
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Geary DC. Now you see them, and now you don't: An evolutionarily informed model of environmental influences on human sex differences. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:26-32. [PMID: 33609571 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The contributions of evolutionary processes to human sex differences are vigorously debated. One counterargument is that the magnitude of many sex differences fluctuates from one context to the next, implying an environment origin. Sexual selection provides a framework for integrating evolutionary processes and environmental influences on the origin and magnitude of sex differences. The dynamics of sexual selection involve competition for mates and discriminative mate choices. The associated traits are typically exaggerated and condition-dependent, that is, their development and expression are very sensitive to social and ecological conditions. The magnitude of sex differences in sexually selected traits should then be largest under optimal social and ecological conditions and shrink as conditions deteriorate. The basics of this framework are described, and its utility is illustrated with discussion of fluctuations in the magnitude of human physical, behavioral, and cognitive sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Geary
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211-2500, United States.
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Gallo A, Caselli M, Norscia I, Palagi E. Let's unite in play! Play modality and group membership in wild geladas. Behav Processes 2021; 184:104338. [PMID: 33513433 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Two of the main hypotheses put forth to explain the function of immature social play are the Social Skill Hypothesis and the Motor Training Hypothesis focussing on whether play can improve social competence to develop cooperative social networks or physical abilities to outcompete others, respectively. Here, we tested these hypotheses on a monkey species, the wild gelada (Theropithecus gelada) from the Kundi plateau, Ethiopia. This species is organized in bands divided in One-Male Units (OMUs), united only via social play. Immatures form 'play units' in which individuals from the same and different OMUs interact. We analysed the potential differences between inter- and intra-OMU play to verify which of the two hypotheses (Social Skill or Motor Training Hypothesis) best explains the function of play in geladas. We analysed 527 video-recorded social play sessions and found mixed support for both hypotheses. In agreement with the Social Skill Hypothesis, we found that play in geladas shows scarce social canalization being similarly distributed across age, sex and group membership. In line with the Motor Training Hypothesis, we detected higher levels of competition (shorter and more unbalanced sessions) in inter-OMU compared to intra-OMU play. Hence, in geladas play can be a tool for both the development of social relationships and the improvement of the physical skills necessary to cope with either future mates or competitors. In conclusion, neither hypothesis can be discarded and both hypotheses concur in explaining why immature geladas peculiarly form 'play units' embracing both ingroup and outgroup members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Gallo
- University of Turin, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Marta Caselli
- University of Turin, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Ivan Norscia
- University of Turin, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy; Natural History Museum, University of Pisa, Via Roma 79, 56011, Calci, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Palagi
- Natural History Museum, University of Pisa, Via Roma 79, 56011, Calci, Pisa, Italy; Unit of Ethology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Alessandro Volta 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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Giacolini T, Conversi D, Alcaro A. The Brain Emotional Systems in Addictions: From Attachment to Dominance/Submission Systems. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 14:609467. [PMID: 33519403 PMCID: PMC7843379 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.609467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Human development has become particularly complex during the evolution. In this complexity, adolescence is an extremely important developmental stage. Adolescence is characterized by biological and social changes that create the prerequisites to psychopathological problems, including both substance and non-substance addictive behaviors. Central to the dynamics of the biological changes during adolescence are the synergy between sexual and neurophysiological development, which activates the motivational/emotional systems of Dominance/Submission. The latter are characterized by the interaction between the sexual hormones, the dopaminergic system and the stress axis (HPA). The maturation of these motivational/emotional systems requires the integration with the phylogenetically more recent Attachment/CARE Systems, which primarily have governed the subject's relationships until puberty. The integration of these systems is particularly complex in the human species, due to the evolution of the process of competition related to sexual selection: from a simple fight between two individuals (of the same genus and species) to a struggle for the acquisition of a position in rank and the competition between groups. The latter is an important evolutionary acquisition and believed to be the variable that has most contributed to enhancing the capacity for cooperation in the human species. The interaction between competition and cooperation, and between competition and attachment, characterizes the entire human relational and emotional structure and the unending work of integration to which the BrainMind is involved. The beginning of the integration of the aforementioned motivational/emotional systems is currently identified in the prepubertal period, during the juvenile stage, with the development of the Adrenarche-the so-called Adrenal Puberty. This latter stage is characterized by a low rate of release of androgens, the hormones released by the adrenal cortex, which activate the same behaviors as those observed in the PLAY system. The Adrenarche and the PLAY system are biological and functional prerequisites of adolescence, a period devoted to learning the difficult task of integrating the phylogenetically ancient Dominance/Submission Systems with the newer Attachment/CARE Systems. These systems accompany very different adaptive goals which can easily give rise to mutual conflict and can in turn make the balance of the BrainMind precarious and vulnerable to mental suffering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodosio Giacolini
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - David Conversi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Alcaro
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Individual differences in social play behaviour predict alcohol intake and control over alcohol seeking in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:3119-3130. [PMID: 34338827 PMCID: PMC8605978 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05929-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Social play behaviour is a rewarding social activity displayed by young mammals, thought to be important for the development of brain and behaviour. Indeed, disruptions of social play behaviour in rodents have been associated with cognitive deficits and augmented sensitivity to self-administration of substances of abuse, including alcohol, later in life. However, the relation between social development and loss of control over substance use, a key characteristic of substance use disorders including alcohol use disorder (AUD), has not been investigated. Moreover, it remains unknown how inherent differences in playfulness relate to differences in the sensitivity to substance use and AUD. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to determine how individual differences in juvenile social play behaviour predict alcohol intake and loss of control over alcohol seeking. METHODS Juvenile male Lister hooded rats were characterized for their tendency to engage in social play behaviour. Subsequently, alcohol consumption and conditioned suppression of alcohol seeking were assessed in the tertiles of rats that showed the most and least social play. RESULTS The rats that engaged most in social play behaviour consumed more alcohol than their less playful counterparts. However, whereas the most playful rats showed intact conditioned suppression of alcohol seeking, the least playful rats showed no such suppression. CONCLUSION Individual levels of playfulness predict the sensitivity to alcohol-directed behaviour. Highly playful rats are more prone to alcohol intake, yet show greater control over alcohol seeking. These findings increase our understanding of the relationship between social development and vulnerability to AUD.
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Brasini M, Tanzilli A, Pistella J, Gentile D, Di Marco I, Mancini F, Lingiardi V, Baiocco R. The Social Mentalities Scale: A new measure for assessing the interpersonal motivations underlying social relationships. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.110236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Kaplan G. Play behaviour, not tool using, relates to brain mass in a sample of birds. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20437. [PMID: 33235248 PMCID: PMC7687885 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76572-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Play behaviour and tool using in birds, two well-delineated and amply researched behaviours, have generally been associated with cognitive abilities. In this study, these behaviours were related to relative brain mass in a sample of Australian native birds. Despite suggestive research results so far between cognition and tool using, this study found no significant difference in relative brain mass or in lifespan between tool-using birds and non-tool users. By contrast, in play behaviour, subdivided into social players and non-social players, the results showed statistically very clear differences in relative brain mass between social, non-social and non-players. Social play was associated with both the largest brain mass to body mass ratios and with the longest lifespans. The results show that play behaviour is a crucial variable associated with brain enlargement, not tool using. Since many of the tool using species tested so far also play, this study suggests that false conclusions can be drawn about the connection between tool using and cognitive ability when the silent variable (play behaviour) is not taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Kaplan
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
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Behavioural Patterns and Postnatal Development in Pups of the Asian Parti-Coloured Bat, Vespertilio sinensis. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10081325. [PMID: 32751927 PMCID: PMC7460466 DOI: 10.3390/ani10081325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary During the development of animals from juvenile to adult, their behaviour, morphology, and physiology can be altered to accommodate specific developmental periods. Early development in young animals directly affects the acquisition and maturation of behavioural skills and neurological functions in adults. Studying the behavioural development of young animals can help reveal the formation and evolution of animal behaviour. As the only mammalian group that flies, studying the behavioural development of young bats can help improve our understanding of bat flight behaviour. From our observations in the laboratory, we found that wing flapping and wing spreading behaviours in young bats promote earlier flight attempts. Abstract Behavioural development is an important aspect of research on animal behaviour. In bats, many studies have been conducted on the development of flight behaviour, but the postnatal behavioural development of bats remains largely unexplored. We studied the behaviours and postnatal development of infant bats by conducting controlled video recorded experiments. Our results showed that before weaning, Asian parti-coloured bats (Vespertilio sinensis) were able to exhibit four types of behaviours, namely, crawling, head moving, wing flapping, and wing spreading, and these behaviours are different from those observed in experiments with adult bats. The number of occurrences of these behaviours was correlated with age and scaled mass index. Furthermore, the number of occurrences of these behaviours in young bats could also reflect their physical developmental status. In young bats, wing flapping and spreading might be a type of play behaviour. These behaviours were negatively correlated with the time of the first flight, indicating that they might help to promote individual physical development. Our results provide fundamental data for revealing the ontogenetic and neurophysiological mechanisms of behavioural development in bats.
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Allison ML, Reed R, Michels E, Boogert NJ. The drivers and functions of rock juggling in otters. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200141. [PMID: 32537219 PMCID: PMC7277247 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Object play refers to the seemingly non-functional manipulation of inanimate items when in a relaxed state. In juveniles, object play may help develop skills to aid survival. However, why adults show object play remains poorly understood. We studied potential drivers and functions of the well-known object play behaviour of rock juggling in Asian small-clawed (Aonyx cinereus) and smooth-coated (Lutrogale perspicillata) otters. These are closely related species, but Asian small-clawed otters perform extractive foraging movements to exploit crabs and shellfish while smooth-coated otters forage on fish. We thus predicted that frequent rock jugglers might be better at solving extractive foraging puzzles in the first species, but not the latter. We also assessed whether species, age, sex and hunger correlated with rock juggling frequency. We found that juvenile and senior otters juggled more than adults. However, rock juggling frequency did not differ between species or sexes. Otters juggled more when 'hungry', but frequent jugglers did not solve food puzzles faster. Our results suggest that rock juggling may be a misdirected behaviour when hungry and may facilitate juveniles' motor development, but it appears unrelated to foraging skills. We suggest future studies to reveal the ontogeny, evolution and welfare implications of this object play behaviour.
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Webber CE, Lee PC. Play in Elephants: Wellbeing, Welfare or Distraction? Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10020305. [PMID: 32075034 PMCID: PMC7071055 DOI: 10.3390/ani10020305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Animal play is a subject of great interest and some enduring controversy. Why do animals play, when do they play and if they do not play much, does this indicate that they may be physically or emotionally stressed? We explore these questions for elephant calves ranging in age from birth to five years old, and we compare play in captivity with that observed in the wild for two species. Against our general expectation that calves might play less play in captivity, we found that wild elephants spent the least time in play, probably because wild calves have to solve other social problems and be on the move constantly in order to find enough food, escape from predators, and keep up with their mothers and other relatives. Play is a diverse and subtle potential indicator of wellbeing for young animals, and we suggest that its presence needs to be interpreted with caution as it could represent either a distraction from a constant or unchallenging environment or provide arousal. Play appears to act as a behavioural mechanism for creating physical and social challenges for elephants of all ages, irrespective of their environment. Abstract We explore elephant play behaviour since (a) play has been proposed to represent a potential welfare indicator; and (b) play has been associated with long-term survival in the wild. We categorised play into four types, and investigate both social (gentle, escalated-contact) and non-social (lone-locomotor, exploratory-object) play from observations made on wild (Asian N = 101; African N = 130) and captive (Asian N = 8; African N = 7) elephant calves ranging in age from birth to five years. Social play was the most frequent type of play among immature elephants, accounting for an average of 3%–9% of active time. Non-social play accounted for an additional 1%–11% of time. The most time spent in play was seen in captive Asian calves, particularly at the ages of 1–6 months, while wild African calves spent the least time in play overall, even though they had the greatest number and most diverse range of play partners available. We assessed calf energetics using time spent suckling, resting, moving and independent feeding. Time spent playing was unrelated to time spent suckling but negatively associated with time spent independently feeding. There were no associations with time spent moving or resting. Maternal energy via lactation was unrelated to play early in life, but energy acquired independently may constrain or enable play. Play, while a potential indicator of compromised welfare for many species when absent, can act as a highly stimulating activity for captive elephants in the absence of other forms of arousal.
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Weller JE, Turner SP, Farish M, Camerlink I, Arnott G. The Association Between Play Fighting and Information Gathering during Subsequent Contests. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1133. [PMID: 31980694 PMCID: PMC6981131 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58063-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Many hypotheses regarding the evolution of social play have been suggested, including the development of later-life assessment skills. However, the link between play fighting experience and information gathering during contests has yet to be examined. This paper explores the association between play fighting and contest assessment strategy in the domestic pig (Sus scrofa). Using an established framework, we provide evidence suggesting play fighting frequency may affect the extent to which individuals incorporate information regarding their own and their competitors' resource holding potential (RHP) in escalation decisions. Pigs were allocated as 'high play' or 'low play' based upon their relative play fighting frequency. To maximise variation in play, 12 litters underwent a socialisation treatment while the remaining 12 litters were kept isolated within their home pen (i.e. control treatment). At eight weeks of age contests were staged between pairs of unfamiliar pigs, using 19 'high play' dyads and 19 'low play' dyads. While 'high play' dyads were observed to rely on a pure self-assessment strategy, 'low play dyads' did not meet the predictions of either self- or mutual assessment, suggesting their contest behaviour may have been motivated by alternative factors. We suggest that early life play fighting may therefore allow individuals to develop an accurate estimate of their RHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Weller
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
| | - Simon P Turner
- Animal Behaviour & Welfare, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marianne Farish
- Animal Behaviour & Welfare, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, UK
| | - Irene Camerlink
- Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni), Vienna, Austria
| | - Gareth Arnott
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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Hammond T, Bombail V, Nielsen BL, Meddle SL, Lawrence AB, Brown SM. Relationships between play and responses to tickling in male juvenile rats. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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49
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Weller JE, Camerlink I, Turner SP, Farish M, Arnott G. Playful pigs: early life play-fighting experience influences later life contest dynamics. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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50
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Madrid JE, Mandalaywala TM, Coyne SP, Ahloy-Dallaire J, Garner JP, Barr CS, Maestripieri D, Parker KJ. Adaptive developmental plasticity in rhesus macaques: the serotonin transporter gene interacts with maternal care to affect juvenile social behaviour. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 285:rspb.2018.0541. [PMID: 29925616 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Research has increasingly highlighted the role that developmental plasticity-the ability of a particular genotype to produce variable phenotypes in response to different early environments-plays as an adaptive mechanism. One of the most widely studied genetic contributors to developmental plasticity in humans and rhesus macaques is a serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR), which determines transcriptional efficiency of the serotonin transporter gene in vitro and modifies the availability of synaptic serotonin in these species. A majority of studies to date have shown that carriers of a loss-of-function variant of the 5-HTTLPR, the short (s) allele, develop a stress-reactive phenotype in response to adverse early environments compared with long (l) allele homozygotes, leading to the prevalent conceptualization of the s-allele as a vulnerability allele. However, this framework fails to address the independent evolution of these loss-of-function mutations in both humans and macaques as well as the high population prevalence of s-alleles in both species. Here we show in free-ranging rhesus macaques that s-allele carriers benefit more from supportive early social environments than l-allele homozygotes, such that s-allele carriers which receive higher levels of maternal protection during infancy demonstrate greater social competence later in life. These findings provide, to our knowledge, the first empirical support for the assertion that the s-allele grants high undirected biological sensitivity to context in primates and suggest a mechanism through which the 5-HTTLPR s-allele is maintained in primate populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus E Madrid
- Neurosciences Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA .,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Tara M Mandalaywala
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Sean P Coyne
- Department of Psychology, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Baltimore, MD 21210, USA
| | - Jamie Ahloy-Dallaire
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Joseph P Garner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Christina S Barr
- National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Dario Maestripieri
- Department of Comparative Human Development, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.,Institute for Mind and Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Karen J Parker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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