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Woodrum Setser MM, Neave HW, Costa JHC. Individuality of calves: Linking personality traits to feeding and activity daily patterns measured by precision livestock technology. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:3235-3251. [PMID: 38135049 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24257] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Animal personality has established connections with animal performance, resilience, and welfare which are related to stable behavioral patterns. Precision livestock technologies introduce the opportunity to measure these behavior patterns automatically and noninvasively. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to determine if personality traits in dairy calves measured via standardized personality assessments were associated with activity measured via a commercially available accelerometer. Secondary aims of this study were to investigate if personality traits were associated with feeding behaviors measured via an automatic feeding system (AFS) and with average daily gain (ADG). We characterized personality traits of Holstein calves (n = 49) utilizing standardized personality (novel environment, novel person, novel object, and startle) tests. Behaviors from these tests were summarized and 3 factors were extracted from a principal component analysis to represent calf personality traits: fearful, active, and explorative. Factor scores were regressed against behaviors from the accelerometer and AFS and with ADG. We found that calves that were more active were associated with taking more steps in the home environment, consuming more calf starter, and with reaching the benchmark of 1 kg of starter consumed in a day at a younger age. The trait active was also associated with greater ADG throughout the study. In addition, calves that were more explorative in the personality tests were associated with less starter consumed and lower ADG specifically during the weaning period. The findings of this research contribute to the existing literature by further establishing the links between personality traits and the daily behavioral patterns and performance of young calves. This study suggests the potential for using precision technology to assess and characterize personality traits, thereby enhancing their practical applicability on farms. Future research should focus on evaluating how personality traits, as measured through standardized assessments and precision technologies, correlate with deviations in behavior observed in dairy calves during stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Woodrum Setser
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546
| | - H W Neave
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - J H C Costa
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546; Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405.
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Schwanke AJ, Neave HW, Penner GB, Bergeron R, DeVries TJ. Flexible feeding: Dairy cow personality affects changes in feeding behavior and milk production under feed competition conditions. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:2465-2482. [PMID: 37949406 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24063] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of individual cow personality traits on feeding behavior and production under low levels of feeding competition, and to determine whether personality traits influence how feeding behavior changes in response to greater feeding competition. Forty-two Holstein cows were assigned to 1 automated feed bin per cow (low competition condition) from 15 to 28 d in milk (DIM; period 1, P1), and 2 feed bins per 3 cows (higher competition condition) from 63 to 76 DIM (period 2, P2). A total mixed ration (TMR) was fed into the automated feed bins which recorded each feed bin visit time, duration, and intake. Cow personality traits were assessed at 21 DIM during P1 and at 70 DIM during P2 using a combined arena test, measuring behavioral responses to a novel environment, novel object, and novel human. Principal components analysis of behaviors observed during the P1 combined arena test revealed 1 factor (interpreted as active-explorative) from the novel environment test explaining 51% of the variance, and 3 factors (interpreted as fearfulness, active-explorative, and sociability toward conspecifics) from each of the novel object (76% cumulative variance) and human (75% cumulative variance) tests. The principal components analysis of behaviors observed during the P2 combined arena test revealed 2 factors jointly from the environment, object, and human tests (interpreted as fearfulness and active-explorative) that together explained 68% of the variance. Fearfulness and active-explorative trait scores were correlated across P1 and P2, indicating stability of personality over a challenging period and advancing DIM. In P2 when competition for feed was increased at greater stage of lactation, the more active-explorative cows appeared to make few alterations to their feeding behavior, yet still maintained their milk yield, compared with lower competition in P1. In contrast, cows who were more fearful increased their feed bin visits from P1 to P2, and less fearful cows increased their eating rate, without increased milk production, despite advanced lactation. Overall, the results indicate that cows of different personalities adopt different feeding strategies in response to a change in their environment, and may benefit from tailored management during challenging periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Schwanke
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - H W Neave
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - G B Penner
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - R Bergeron
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - T J DeVries
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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Gingerich K, Lindner E, Kalman S, Miller-Cushon E. Social contact from birth influences personality traits of group-housed dairy calves. JDS COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 4:484-488. [PMID: 38045902 PMCID: PMC10692323 DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2023-0383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess effects of prior social contact on the expression of personality traits in group-housed calves. Holstein heifer and bull calves were housed in either individual pens (n = 16), or in pairs (n = 8 pairs) at birth before they were mingled between treatments and moved to group pens at approximately 2 wk of life (8 calves/pen). During wk 4 of life, calves were tested in a series of standardized behavioral tests: an open field test, a novel object test, an unfamiliar calf test, and an unfamiliar human test. Responses in the open field test and novel object test were analyzed using principal component analysis, yielding 2 factors interpreted as bold and inactive/grooming. Calves housed in pairs before grouping had greater scores for bold and tended to have lower scores for inactive/grooming. Responses in the unfamiliar calf and human tests were similarly analyzed, yielding 3 factors interpreted as calf-directed, active, and human-directed. Calves housed in pairs before grouping had lower scores for calf-directed, tended to have lower scores for active, and scores for human-directed did not differ. Following grouping, average daily gain, milk replacer intake, and meal frequency did not differ between previous housing treatments. Our results suggest that behavioral traits reflective of personality in group-housed calves may be influenced by social contact from birth even following adaptation to group-housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.N. Gingerich
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - E.E. Lindner
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - S. Kalman
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - E.K. Miller-Cushon
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
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Occhiuto F, Vázquez-Diosdado JA, King AJ, Kaler J. Evidence of personality-dependent plasticity in dairy calf movement behaviours derived from automated data collection. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18243. [PMID: 37880268 PMCID: PMC10600154 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44957-z] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Individual consistency in behaviour, known as animal personality, and behavioural plasticity in response to environmental changes are important factors shaping individual behaviour. Correlations between them, called personality-dependent plasticity, indicate that personality can affect individual reactions to the environment. In farm animals this could impact the response to management changes or stressors but has not yet been investigated. Here we use ultra-wideband location sensors to measure personality and plasticity in the movement of 90 dairy calves for up to 56 days starting in small pair-housing enclosures, and subsequently moved to larger social housings. For the first time calves were shown to differ in personality and plasticity of movement when changing housing. There were significant correlations between personality and plasticity for distance travelled (0.57), meaning that individuals that travelled the furthest in the pair housing increased their movement more in the social groups, and for residence time (- 0.65) as those that stayed in the same area more decreased more with the change in housing, demonstrating personality-dependent plasticity. Additionally, calves conformed to their pen-mate's behaviour in pairs, but this did not continue in the groups. Therefore, personality, plasticity and social effects impact how farm animals respond to changes and can inform management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Occhiuto
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Jorge A Vázquez-Diosdado
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Andrew J King
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Singleton Park Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Jasmeet Kaler
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
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Brasier JE, Schwanke AJ, DeVries TJ. Effects of dairy cows' personality traits on their adaptation to an automated milking system following parturition. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:7191-7202. [PMID: 37210355 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-23176] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determine how dairy cow personality traits affect their adaptation to an automated milking system (AMS) upon parturition, as well as whether these personality traits are consistent across the transition from gestation to lactation. Sixty Holstein dairy cows (19 primiparous and 41 multiparous) were assessed for personality traits using a combined arena test conducted at 24 d before parturition and 24 d after first introduction to an AMS, which occurred ∼3 d after parturition. The combined arena test comprised 3 parts: a novel arena test, a novel object test, and a novel human test. Principal component analysis of the behaviors recorded during the personality assessment revealed 3 factors interpreted as personality traits (75% cumulative variance) in the pre-calving test, interpreted as explore, active, and bold. The post-calving test revealed 2 factors (78% cumulative variance), interpreted as active and explore. Data from d 1 to 7 after introduction to the AMS were summarized by cow and associated with the pre-calving factors, and data from d 21 to 27 after introduction to the AMS were summarized by cow and associated with the post-calving factors. The active trait had a moderate positive correlation between the pre- and post-calving tests, whereas exploration had a weak positive correlation between tests. Cows that scored high for activeness in the pre-calving test tended to have fewer fetching events and a higher coefficient of variation of milk yield in the first 7 d after introduction to the AMS, whereas bolder cows tended to have higher milk yield during that period. In the post-calving test, more active cows tended to have more frequent milkings and voluntary visits per day, as well as a lower cumulative milk yield from d 21 to 27 after introduction to the AMS. Overall, these results indicate that personality traits of dairy cows are associated with adaptation and performance in an AMS, and that personality traits are consistent across the transition period. Specifically, cows that scored high for boldness and activeness adapted better to the AMS immediately after calving, whereas cows that scored low for activeness and high for boldness performed better in terms of milk yield and milking activity in early lactation. This study demonstrates that personality traits affect milking activity and milk yield of dairy cows milked with an AMS and, therefore, may be useful for selection of cows who might best adapt to and use an AMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Brasier
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - A J Schwanke
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - T J DeVries
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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Czachor S, Schwanke A, Brasier J, Van Soest B, DeVries T. Association between personality traits of dairy cows and their peripubertal heifer offspring. JDS COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 4:373-378. [PMID: 37727245 PMCID: PMC10505765 DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2022-0365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine if personality traits identified in dairy cows during the transition phase are correlated with those of their peripubertal heifer calves. At ~24 d before calving and ~24 d after being first introduced to the automated milking system, the personality traits of 23 Holstein cows were assessed using a combined arena test [consisting of exposure to consecutive novel environment (NE), novel object (NO), and novel human (NH) tests]. Personality traits were established by principal component analysis (PCA) of behaviors expressed in these tests. The PCA of cow behaviors during the precalving test revealed 3 factors, or personality traits, interpreted as exploratory, active, and bold. The PCA of cow behaviors during the postcalving test revealed 2 factors, interpreted as active and exploratory. From these cows, 23 female Holstein heifers were produced and enrolled in this study at 7 mo of age. Heifers were personality tested once through a similar combined arena test. The PCA of heifer behaviors during the NO test revealed 3 factors, interpreted as bold, exploratory-active, and social. The PCA of heifer behaviors during the NH test revealed 2 factors, interpreted as exploratory-active and social. All factor scores from each cow and heifer pair were tested for association. An association between cows with higher scores on the factor interpreted as exploratory and heifers with lower scores on the factor interpreted as bold was detected. There were tendencies for cows with higher scores on the factor interpreted as active to be associated with heifers that scored highly on the factors interpreted as exploratory-active and bold. The data suggests that there are some limited associations between personality traits of cows and their heifer offspring; further exploration of these associations may lead to the prediction of heifer personality based on cow personality.
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Affiliation(s)
- S.C. Czachor
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - A.J. Schwanke
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J.E. Brasier
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - B.J. Van Soest
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - T.J. DeVries
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
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Nielsen B, Horndrup LV, Turner SP, Christensen OF, Nielsen HM, Ask B. Selection for social genetic effects in purebred pigs improves behaviour and handling of their crossbred progeny. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:54. [PMID: 37491205 PMCID: PMC10367277 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00828-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In commercial pig production, reduction of harmful social behavioural traits, such as ear manipulation and tail biting, is of major interest. Moreover, farmers prefer animals that are easy to handle. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether selection on social breeding values (SBV) for growth rate in purebred pigs affects behaviour in a weighing crate, lesions from ear manipulation, and tail biting of their crossbred progeny. Data were collected on crossbred F1 pigs allocated to 274 pens, which were progeny of purebred Landrace sows and Yorkshire boars from a DanBred nucleus herd. RESULTS Behaviour in the weighing crate scored on a three-level scale showed that groups of pigs with high SBV for growth rate were significantly calmer than groups of pigs with low SBV (P < 0.027). When the mean SBV in the group increased by 1 unit, the proportion of pigs that obtained a calmer score level was increased by 14%. A significant (p = 0.04), favourable effect of SBV was found on both the number of pigs with ear lesions in the group and the mean number of ear lesions per pig. For a 1 unit increase in mean SBV, the mean number of lesions per pig decreased by 0.06 from a mean of 0.98. Individual severity of ear lesions conditional upon the number of ear lesions was also significantly affected (p = 0.05) by the mean SBV in the group. In groups for which the mean SBV increased by 1 unit, the proportion of pigs that were observed with a lower severity score was increased by 20% on a three-level scale. Most pigs received no tail biting injuries and no effect of SBV was observed on the tail injury score. CONCLUSIONS After 7 weeks in the finisher unit, crossbred progeny with high SBV were calmer in the weighing crate and had fewer ear lesions. These results indicate that selection of purebred parents for SBV for growth rate will increase welfare in their crossbred progeny by decreasing the number of ear lesions and making them easier to handle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjarne Nielsen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
- Breeding and Genetics, Pig, Danish Agriculture and Food Council F.M.B.A., Axelborg, Axeltorv 3, 1609, Copenhagen V, Denmark.
| | - Lizette Vestergaard Horndrup
- Breeding and Genetics, Pig, Danish Agriculture and Food Council F.M.B.A., Axelborg, Axeltorv 3, 1609, Copenhagen V, Denmark
| | - Simon P Turner
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, SRUC, Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Ole Fredslund Christensen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Hanne Marie Nielsen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Breeding and Genetics, Pig, Danish Agriculture and Food Council F.M.B.A., Axelborg, Axeltorv 3, 1609, Copenhagen V, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Ask
- Breeding and Genetics, Pig, Danish Agriculture and Food Council F.M.B.A., Axelborg, Axeltorv 3, 1609, Copenhagen V, Denmark
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Downey BC, Tucker CB. Early life access to hay does not affect later life oral behavior in feed-restricted heifers. J Dairy Sci 2023:S0022-0302(23)00354-5. [PMID: 37331875 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-23041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Dairy cattle are often raised in environments that lack natural feeding opportunities, and they perform abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs) as a result. Early life restriction can affect later life behavior. We evaluated whether access to hay in the milk-fed period would affect later life behavior in heifers experiencing short-term feed restriction and whether individuals were consistent in behavioral expression over time. We had 2 competing ideas about how this would unfold. First, being raised with hay, which reduced early life ARBs, could lead to fewer ARBs later in life. Alternatively, heifers that were raised without hay and performed more ARBs in early life might be more prepared for a later feed-restricted environment and thus engage in fewer ARBs than those raised with hay. We studied 24 pair-housed Holstein heifers. As calves, they were fed milk and grain from 0 to 7 wk of age (control) or given additional forage (hay). Tongue rolling, tongue flicking, nonnutritive oral manipulation (NNOM) of pen fixtures, self-grooming, and water drinking were recorded for 12 h (0800-2000 h) during wk 4 and 6 of life using 1-0 sampling at 5-s intervals. At the start of weaning at d 50, all calves were fed a total mixed ration. All calves were fully weaned at d 60 and socially housed by d 65 to 70. After this point, all individuals were raised the same way, according to farm protocol, in groups that included both treatments. At 12.4 ± 0.6 mo of age (mean ± standard deviation), heifers were restricted to 50% of their ad libitum total mixed ration intake for 2 d as part of a short-term feed challenge. Using continuous video recording from 0800 to 2000 h on d 2 of feed restriction, we scored time spent performing oral behaviors: the 5 previously scored while they were calves, along with intersucking, allogrooming, drinking urine, NNOM of rice hull bedding, and NNOM of feed bins. We found that early life access to hay did not affect behavior performed by heifers experiencing short-term feed restriction 1 yr later. Most heifers performed a wide variety of behaviors that appeared abnormal. All heifers performed tongue rolling and NNOM, and at higher levels than when they were calves, while tongue flicks and self-grooming were performed less by heifers. Individual performance of NNOM and tongue rolling were not related across age classes [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.17 and 0.11, respectively], but tongue flicks tended to be correlated (r = 0.37). Intersucking was recorded in 67% of heifers, despite their not being able to suckle a conspecific or dam in early life. Oral behaviors were highly variable across heifers, particularly tongue rolling and intersucking. Outliers, or extreme performance of oral behaviors relative to the rest of the population, were present for many behaviors. Most outliers were expressed by unique heifers that were not extreme in other behaviors. Overall, feeding individually housed, milk-limited calves hay for their first 7 wk did not affect later life performance of oral behaviors. The considerable variability, inconsistency across ages, and excessive performance of some behaviors raises additional questions about how these develop in cattle across life stages and about what we label "abnormal."
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Affiliation(s)
- Blair C Downey
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616; Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis 95616
| | - Cassandra B Tucker
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616.
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Jaśkowski JM, Jaśkowski BM, Herudzińska M, Tul O, Ciorga M. Contemporary Knowledge on the Assessment of Temperament in Cattle and Its Impact on Production and Reproduction Including Some Immunological, Genetic and Metabolic Parameters. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1944. [PMID: 37370453 DOI: 10.3390/ani13121944] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Temperament is associated with the well-being, health, production and reproduction of cattle. In order to increase the population of individuals with the desired temperament, its evaluation should be standardized and be made one of the obligatory elements of breeding and veterinary examination. A number of different tests are used for temperament assessment. In this article, the importance of temperament correlation with some metabolic, genetic, immunological, production and reproductive parameters have been shown, pointing at its influence on the economy and cattle handling. The most common methods for assessing the temperament of cattle are presented, including long-time scales of temperament assessment. At the same time, the relationship of the temperament of cattle with production efficiency, immunity and reproductive indicators has been shown, indicating that its correct assessment is an important aspect of the proper development of the herd and the associated economic growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jędrzej M Jaśkowski
- Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej M Jaśkowski
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-366 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Herudzińska
- Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Oleksandra Tul
- Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Poltava State Agrarian University, 36003 Poltava, Ukraine
| | - Marcin Ciorga
- Department of Public Health Protection and Animal Welfare, Institute for Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
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10
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Santos N, Picolo V, Domingues I, Perillo V, Villacis RAR, Grisolia CK, Oliveira M. Effects of environmental concentrations of caffeine on adult zebrafish behaviour: a short-term exposure scenario. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:63776-63787. [PMID: 37058238 PMCID: PMC10172215 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26799-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Caffeine (CAF) has been considered an emerging environmental contaminant and its presence indicator of anthropogenic contamination. This study evaluated the effects of environmental concentrations of CAF (0, 0.5, 1.5, and 300 μg. L-1) on the behaviour of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) after 7 days of exposure. The components of feeding, locomotion, boldness (new tank test), sociability (schooling test), and aggression (mirror test) were analysed. Growth rate and weight were investigated as complementary measures. CAF (0.5, 1.5, and 300 μg. L-1) reduced exploratory behaviour in zebrafish, increased feeding latency time (1.5, and 300 μg. L-1), and decreased growth rate and fish weight (300 μg. L-1). CAF also induced aggressive behaviour (0.5, 1.5, and 300 μg. L-1) and decreased appetence to the shoal (sociability) (0.5, and 1.5 μg. L-1). This study showed that low doses of CAF can induce behavioural effects in zebrafish that may have significant long-term impacts on vital ecological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niedja Santos
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Victor Picolo
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, University Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, University Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Inês Domingues
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Vitória Perillo
- Laboratory of Toxicological Genetics, Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Rolando A R Villacis
- Laboratory of Toxicological Genetics, Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Cesar Koppe Grisolia
- Laboratory of Toxicological Genetics, Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Miguel Oliveira
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Mialon MM, Nowak R, Falourd P, Marcon D, Lardy R, Boivin X. Are early-life lambs’ characteristics and behavioural reactivity related to later survival and growth performance during artificial feeding? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2023.105918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
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12
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Vitorino A, Stilwell G, Pais J, Carolino N. Evaluation of Chute Exit, Novelty and Human Approach Tests in Mertolenga Beef Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13061087. [PMID: 36978628 PMCID: PMC10044351 DOI: 10.3390/ani13061087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Livestock behavior and welfare are increasingly recognized to be related, not only to the animals' handling, but also with productivity. The present work was carried out at the Mertolenga Breed Testing Center and its objective was to evaluate the behavior of Mertolenga breed young bulls when exiting the chute, the reaction to novelty and human approach tests, as well as to understand if the responses between these tests are related. Twenty-nine Mertolenga-bred young bulls from 16 different farms, aged between 8 and 13 months, entered the study farm from the end of May to the beginning of June 2021. Data was collected on six different days and analyzed with the SAS® 9.4 software. Older animals showed a tendency to leave the chute more calmly, take longer to touch the novelty ball and to touch the ball less often, with a consequent reduction in the likelihood of playing with it. In the human approach test, animals that came out of the chute more calmly allowed the human to come closer. These behavior tests should be further studied on potential sires, so as to increase docility and manageability of autochthonous beef breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Vitorino
- INIAV-Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, I.P., Fonte Boa, 2005-048 Vale de Santarém, Portugal
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - George Stilwell
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José Pais
- ACBM-Associação de Criadores de Bovinos Mertolengos, Rua Diana de Liz Horta do Bispo, Apartado 466, 7006-806 Évora, Portugal
| | - Nuno Carolino
- INIAV-Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, I.P., Fonte Boa, 2005-048 Vale de Santarém, Portugal
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama, Av. José R. Sousa Fernandes 197, Lordemão, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal
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13
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Ehlman SM, Scherer U, Bierbach D, Francisco FA, Laskowski KL, Krause J, Wolf M. Leveraging big data to uncover the eco-evolutionary factors shaping behavioural development. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222115. [PMID: 36722081 PMCID: PMC9890127 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mapping the eco-evolutionary factors shaping the development of animals' behavioural phenotypes remains a great challenge. Recent advances in 'big behavioural data' research-the high-resolution tracking of individuals and the harnessing of that data with powerful analytical tools-have vastly improved our ability to measure and model developing behavioural phenotypes. Applied to the study of behavioural ontogeny, the unfolding of whole behavioural repertoires can be mapped in unprecedented detail with relative ease. This overcomes long-standing experimental bottlenecks and heralds a surge of studies that more finely define and explore behavioural-experiential trajectories across development. In this review, we first provide a brief guide to state-of-the-art approaches that allow the collection and analysis of high-resolution behavioural data across development. We then outline how such approaches can be used to address key issues regarding the ecological and evolutionary factors shaping behavioural development: developmental feedbacks between behaviour and underlying states, early life effects and behavioural transitions, and information integration across development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M. Ehlman
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, 10587 Berlin, Germany,Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, 10117 Berlin, Germany,Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Scherer
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, 10587 Berlin, Germany,Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, 10117 Berlin, Germany,Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - David Bierbach
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, 10587 Berlin, Germany,Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, 10117 Berlin, Germany,Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fritz A. Francisco
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, 10587 Berlin, Germany,Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kate L. Laskowski
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California – Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jens Krause
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, 10587 Berlin, Germany,Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, 10117 Berlin, Germany,Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Wolf
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, 10587 Berlin, Germany,Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
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Michalski E, Woodrum Setser MM, Mazon G, Neave HW, Costa JHC. Personality of individually housed dairy-beef crossbred calves is related to performance and behavior. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.1097503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in behavioral responses of individually housed dairy-beef crossbred calves to standardized personality tests (novel person, novel object, and startle test) and investigate associations of personality traits with performance and home pen behavior. Dairy-beef crossbred (Holstein x Angus) calves (n=29) were individually housed with ad libitum access to water and calf starter. Body weight was measured weekly and calf starter intake was recorded daily from day of arrival (8.5 ± 2.1; experimental day 1) for 76 days. Behavior within the home pen (eating, drinking, non-nutritive oral manipulation) and activity were recorded on experimental days 13, 32, 53, and 67 using a camera and a pedometer. The calves were subjected to standardized personality tests in their home pen at the end of the experimental period (80.7 ± 2.0 d of age), including a novel person test (stationary person in the corner of their home pen) and combined novel object/startle test (remote-controlled car in the pen, that suddenly moved when touched). A principal component analysis on the behaviors recorded from the tests (latency to approach person or object, time spent attentive and touching the person or object, and time spent inactive, playing and grooming) yielded 3 factors that explained 76.1% of the variance, and were interpreted as personality traits labeled “fearful”, “inactive”, and “bold”. These factors were examined in regression analyses for their associations with home pen behavior and performance. The factor “fearful” had negative associations with total average daily gain and average grain intake. In contrast, the factor “inactive” had positive associations with non-nutritive oral manipulation of buckets or walls. The factor “bold” had no significant association with any of the performance or home pen behavior measures. In conclusion, personality traits identified from standardized tests were related to performance and home pen behavior measures in individually housed, crossbred calves. These results complement work in group housed calves suggesting personality testing may be useful selective tools to identify high and low performing calves from an early age.
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15
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Indication of a personality trait in dairy calves and its link to weight gain through automatically collected feeding behaviours. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19425. [PMID: 36371532 PMCID: PMC9653382 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24076-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Farm animal personality traits are of interest since they can help predict individual variation in behaviour and productivity. However, personality traits are currently inferred using behavioural tests which are impractical outside of research settings. To meet the definition of a personality trait, between-individual differences in related behaviours must be temporally as well as contextually stable. In this study, we used data collected by computerised milk feeders from 76 calves over two contexts, pair housing and group housing, to test if between-individual differences in feeding rate and meal frequency meet the definition for a personality trait. Results show that between-individual differences in feeding rate and meal frequency were related, and, for each behaviour, between-individual differences were positively and significantly correlated across contexts. In addition, feeding rate and meal frequency were positively and significantly associated with weight gain. Together, these results indicate the existence of a personality trait which positions high meal frequency, fast drinking, fast growing calves at one end and low meal frequency, slow drinking, and slow growing calves at the other. Our results suggest that data already available on commercial farms could be harnessed to establish a personality trait.
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16
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Moreno García CA, Zhou H, Altimira D, Dynes R, Gregorini P, Jayathunga S, Maxwell TMR, Hickford J. The glutamate metabotropic receptor 5 (GRM5) gene is associated with beef cattle home range and movement tortuosity. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2022; 13:111. [PMID: 36104821 PMCID: PMC9476267 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-022-00755-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The grazing behaviour of herbivores and their grazing personalities might in part be determined genetically, but there are few studies in beef cattle illustrating this. In this study, we investigated for first time the genetic variation within a candidate ‘grazing gene’, the glutamate metabotropic receptor 5 gene (GRM5), and tested associations between variation in that gene and variation in grazing personality behaviours (GP-behaviours) displayed by free-ranging cows during winter grazing in the steep and rugged rangelands of New Zealand. Mature beef cows (n = 303, from 3 to 10 years of age) were tracked with global positioning system (GPS) and, with 5-minutes (min) relocation frequency, various GP-behaviours were calculated. These included horizontal and vertical distances travelled, mean elevation, elevation range, elevation gain, slope, home range and movement tortuosity, variously calculated using daily relocation trajectories with repeated measurements (i.e., 7 to 24 days (d)) and satellite-derived digital elevation models (DEM). The different GP-behaviours were fitted into mixed models to ascertain their associations with variant sequences and genotypes of GRM5. Results We discovered three GRM5 variants (A, B and C) and identified the six possible genotypes in the cattle studied. The mixed models revealed that A was significantly associated with elevation range, home range and movement tortuosity. Similarly, GRM5 genotypes were associated (P < 0.05) to home range and movement tortuosity, while trends suggesting association (P < 0.1) were also revealed for elevation range and horizontal distance travelled. Most GP-behaviour models were improved by correcting for cow age-class as a fixed factor. The analysis of GP-behaviours averaged per cow age-class suggests that grazing personality is fully established as beef cows reached 4 years of age. Home range and movement tortuosity were not only associated with GRM5 variation, but also negatively correlated with each other (r = − 0.27, P < 0.001). Conclusions There seems to be a genetically determined trade-off between home range and movement tortuosity that may be useful in beef cattle breeding programmes aiming to improve the grazing distribution and utilisation of steep and rugged rangelands. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40104-022-00755-7.
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Amin B, Jennings DJ, Norman A, Ryan A, Ioannidis V, Magee A, Haughey HA, Haigh A, Ciuti S. Neonate personality affects early-life resource acquisition in a large social mammal. Behav Ecol 2022; 33:1025-1035. [PMID: 36382227 PMCID: PMC9664924 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it is widely acknowledged that animal personality plays a key role in ecology, current debate focuses on the exact role of personality in mediating life-history trade-offs. Crucial for our understanding is the relationship between personality and resource acquisition, which is poorly understood, especially during early stages of development. Here we studied how among-individual differences in behavior develop over the first 6 months of life, and their potential association with resource acquisition in a free-ranging population of fallow deer (Dama dama). We related neonate physiological (heart rate) and behavioral (latency to leave at release) anti-predator responses to human handling to the proportion of time fawns spent scanning during their first summer and autumn of life. We then investigated whether there was a trade-off between scanning time and foraging time in these juveniles, and how it developed over their first 6 months of life. We found that neonates with longer latencies at capture (i.e., risk-takers) spent less time scanning their environment, but that this relationship was only present when fawns were 3-6 months old during autumn, and not when fawns were only 1-2 months old during summer. We also found that time spent scanning was negatively related to time spent foraging and that this relationship became stronger over time, as fawns gradually switch from a nutrition rich (milk) to a nutrition poor (grass) diet. Our results highlight a potential mechanistic pathway in which neonate personality may drive differences in early-life resource acquisition of a large social mammal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bawan Amin
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Alison Norman
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Andrew Ryan
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Vasiliki Ioannidis
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alice Magee
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hayley-Anne Haughey
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Amy Haigh
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simone Ciuti
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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18
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Personality assessment of headstart Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) in human care prior to release. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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19
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Occhiuto F, Vázquez-Diosdado JA, Carslake C, Kaler J. Personality and predictability in farmed calves using movement and space-use behaviours quantified by ultra-wideband sensors. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:212019. [PMID: 35706665 PMCID: PMC9174733 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.212019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Individuals within a population often show consistent between individual differences in their average behavioural expression (personality), and consistent differences in their within individual variability of behaviour around the mean (predictability). Where correlations between different personality traits and/or the predictability of traits exist, these represent behavioural or predictability syndromes. In wild populations, behavioural syndromes have consequences for individuals' survival and reproduction and affect the structure and functioning of groups and populations. The consequences of behavioural syndromes for farm animals are less well explored, partly due to the challenges in quantifying behaviour of many individuals across time and context in a farm setting. Here, we use ultra-wideband location sensors to provide precise measures of movement and space use for 60 calves over 40-48 days. We are the first livestock study to demonstrate consistent within and between individual variation in movement and space use with repeatability values of up to 0.80 and CVp values up to 0.49. Our results show correlations in personality and predictability, indicating the existence of 'exploratory' and 'active' personality traits in farmed calves. We consider the consequences of such individual variability for cattle behaviour and welfare and how such data may be used to inform management decisions in farm animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Occhiuto
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jorge A. Vázquez-Diosdado
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Charles Carslake
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jasmeet Kaler
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
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20
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Barrett LP, Marsh JL, Boogert NJ, Templeton CN, Benson-Amram S. Links between personality traits and problem-solving performance in zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:212001. [PMID: 35706654 PMCID: PMC9156932 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.212001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Consistent individual differences in behaviour across time or contexts (i.e. personality types) have been found in many species and have implications for fitness. Likewise, individual variation in cognitive abilities has been shown to impact fitness. Cognition and personality are complex, multidimensional traits. However, previous work has generally examined the connection between a single personality trait and a single cognitive ability, yielding equivocal results. Links between personality and cognitive ability suggest that behavioural traits coevolved and highlight their nuanced connections. Here we examined individuals' performance on multiple personality tests and repeated problem-solving tests (each measuring innovative performance). We assessed behavioural traits (dominance, boldness, activity, risk-taking, aggressiveness and obstinacy) in 41 captive zebra finches. Birds' scores for boldness and obstinacy were consistent over two years. We also examined whether personality correlated with problem-solving performance on repeated tests. Our results indicate that neophobia, dominance and obstinacy were related to successful solving, and less dominant, more obstinate birds solved the tasks quicker on average. Our results indicate the importance of examining multiple measures over a long period. Future work that identifies links between personality and innovation in non-model organisms may elucidate the coevolution of these two forms of individual differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa P. Barrett
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Dept. 3166, 1000 E. University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
- Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Jessica L. Marsh
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Dept. 3166, 1000 E. University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Neeltje J. Boogert
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | | | - Sarah Benson-Amram
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Dept. 3166, 1000 E. University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
- Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 3041-2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 4200-6270 University Blvd, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
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21
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Sadoul B, Alfonso S, Goold C, Pratlong M, Rialle S, Geffroy B, Bégout ML. Transcriptomic profiles of consistent risk-taking behaviour across time and contexts in European sea bass. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220399. [PMID: 35582798 PMCID: PMC9114976 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bolder individuals have greater access to food sources and reproductive partners but are also at increased risk of predation. Boldness is believed to be consistent across time and contexts, but few studies have investigated the stability of this trait across variable environments, such as varying stress loads or long periods of time. Moreover, the underlying molecular components of boldness are poorly studied. Here, we report that boldness of 1154 European sea bass, evaluated using group risk-taking tests, is consistent over seven months and for individuals subjected to multiple environments, including a chronically stressful environment. Differences in risk-taking behaviour were further supported by differences observed in the responses to a novel environment test: shy individuals displayed more group dispersion, more thigmotaxic behaviour and lower activity levels. Transcriptomic analyses performed on extreme phenotypes revealed that bold individuals display greater expression for genes involved in social and exploration behaviours, and memory in the pituitary, and genes involved in immunity and responses to stimuli in the head kidney. This study demonstrates that personality traits come with an underpinning molecular signature, especially in organs involved in the endocrine and immune systems. As such, our results help to depict state-behaviour feedback mechanisms, previously proposed as key in shaping animal personality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastien Sadoul
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Palavas-Les-Flots, France,DECOD, Ecosystem Dynamics and Sustainability, Institut Agro, Ifremer, INRAE, Rennes, France
| | - Sébastien Alfonso
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Palavas-Les-Flots, France,COISPA Technology and Research, Experimental Station for the Study of Sea Resources, Bari, Italy
| | - Conor Goold
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Marine Pratlong
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Stéphanie Rialle
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Benjamin Geffroy
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Palavas-Les-Flots, France
| | - Marie-Laure Bégout
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Palavas-Les-Flots, France
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22
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Urrutia A, Bánszegi O, Szenczi P, Hudson R. Emergence of personality in weaning‐age kittens of the domestic cat? Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22281. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.22281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Urrutia
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas Unidad de Posgrado, Edificio A, 1er Piso, Circuito de Posgrados, Ciudad Universitaria Mexico City Mexico
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Mexico City Mexico
| | - Oxána Bánszegi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Mexico City Mexico
| | - Péter Szenczi
- CONACYT ‐ Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz Unidad Psicopatología y Desarrollo Mexico City Mexico
| | - Robyn Hudson
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Mexico City Mexico
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Schwanke A, Dancy K, Neave H, Penner G, Bergeron R, DeVries T. Effects of concentrate allowance and individual dairy cow personality traits on behavior and production of dairy cows milked in a free-traffic automated milking system. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:6290-6306. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Neave HW, Zobel G, Thoday H, Saunders K, Edwards JP, Webster J. Toward on-farm measurement of personality traits and their relationships to behavior and productivity of grazing dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:6055-6069. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Woodrum Setser MM, Neave HW, Vanzant E, Costa JHC. Development and Utilization of an Isolation Box Test to Characterize Personality Traits of Dairy Calves. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.770755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of an isolation box test (IBT) to characterize personality traits has been used in non-bovine species with success. We aimed to develop an IBT for dairy calves and determine if the behavioral responses to an IBT were associated with personality traits found from traditional tests (novel person, novel object, and a startle tests) and average daily gain (ADG; Kg/d) through weaning. Calf movement while in the IBT was measured via accelerometers attached to 5 locations on the exterior of the box. A total movement index (TMI) was calculated based on accelerometer readings during the IBT. We performed a principal component analysis on the traditional tests and identified 3 influential factors that we labeled as “fearful,” “bold,” and “active.” Calves were weighed biweekly to track liveweight ADG. Factor scores and ADG were regressed against TMI. A significant negative association was found between the TMI and the factor “active,” indicating the validity of IBT as a tool for assessing some personality traits of dairy calves. Furthermore, TMI had a positive association with ADG through the entire experimental period and thus has potential to help predict performance through weaning. IBT has potential to be used as a personality test in research scenarios. Further development is needed to produce an IBT that would be appropriate to measure animals' responses reliably in production settings. An automated test that can accommodate a wide range of ages and developing a computer learning model to interpret output from the IBT would be a possible option to do so.
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26
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Wu J. Impact of Personality Traits on Knowledge Hiding: A Comparative Study on Technology-Based Online and Physical Education. Front Psychol 2022; 12:791202. [PMID: 34992568 PMCID: PMC8725663 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.791202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge hiding has been a variable of interest that has led to major intangible losses to organizations, especially in this pandemic era when everything has shifted to online platforms and social media. Knowledge hiding has taken a new turn into the field of knowledge management. Moreover, the major players in knowledge hiding are the personality characteristics of individuals that have now found a way of expression without coming into the spotlight. This study is a necessary one in this time of online working environments where the role of personality traits and psychological ownership has been explored to understand their impact on the knowledge hiding within the organizations of China, and furthermore, to understand what role social status plays in moderating these relationships. The sampling design used is convenient random sampling with a sample size of 298 managers. This study has used the software Smart-PLS 3.3.3 for analyzing the data. The data relied on and was validated using preliminary tests of reliability and discriminant and convergent validities using the measurement model algorithm. Further, the partial least square technique was used to find the equation modeling for the variables, with the help of a structural model algorithm using 500 iterations for bootstrapping. The findings of the current study show that the personality traits of the "BIG FIVE" model positively predict knowledge hiding, except for openness to experience. At the same time, psychological ownership plays a partial mediating role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wu
- Public Department of PE and Arts, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Kremer L, Bus JD, Webb LE, Bokkers EAM, Engel B, van der Werf JTN, Schnabel SK, van Reenen CG. Housing and personality effects on judgement and attention biases in dairy cows. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22984. [PMID: 34836990 PMCID: PMC8626508 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01843-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Affective states can be inferred from responses to ambiguous and threatening stimuli, using Judgement Bias Tasks (JBTs) and Attention Bias Tasks (ABTs). We investigated the separate and interactive effects of personality and housing conditions on dairy cattle affective states. We assessed personality in 48 heifers using Open-Field, Novel-Object and Runway tests. Personality effects on responses to the JBT and to the ABT were examined when heifers were housed under reference conditions. Heifers were subsequently housed under positive or negative conditions, and housing effects on animal responses in both tasks were investigated while controlling for personality. A Principal Component Analysis revealed three personality traits labelled Activity, Fearfulness and Sociability. Under reference conditions, personality influenced heifers' responses to the JBT and to the ABT, therefore questioning the tasks' generalizability across individuals. Against expectations, housing did not influence responses to the JBT and heifers in the negative conditions looked at the threat later than heifers in the positive or reference conditions. More research is warranted to confirm the validity and the repeatability of the JBT and of the ABT as appropriate measures of affective states in dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Kremer
- Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands. .,Livestock Research, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jacinta D. Bus
- grid.4818.50000 0001 0791 5666Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Laura E. Webb
- grid.4818.50000 0001 0791 5666Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eddie A. M. Bokkers
- grid.4818.50000 0001 0791 5666Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bas Engel
- grid.4818.50000 0001 0791 5666Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jozef T. N. van der Werf
- grid.4818.50000 0001 0791 5666Livestock Research, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine K. Schnabel
- grid.4818.50000 0001 0791 5666Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis G. van Reenen
- grid.4818.50000 0001 0791 5666Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands ,grid.4818.50000 0001 0791 5666Livestock Research, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Keeling LJ, Winckler C, Hintze S, Forkman B. Towards a Positive Welfare Protocol for Cattle: A Critical Review of Indicators and Suggestion of How We Might Proceed. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2021.753080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Current animal welfare protocols focus on demonstrating the absence (or at least low levels) of indicators of poor welfare, potentially creating a mismatch between what is expected by society (an assurance of good animal welfare) and what is actually being delivered (an assurance of the absence of welfare problems). This paper explores how far we have come, and what work still needs to be done, if we are to develop a protocol for use on commercial dairy farms where the aim is to demonstrate the presence of positive welfare. Following conceptual considerations around a perceived “ideal” protocol, we propose that a future protocol should be constructed (i) of animal-based measures, (ii) of indicators of affective state, and (iii) be structured according to indicators of short-term emotion, medium-term moods and long-term cumulative assessment of negative and positive experiences of an animal's life until now (in contrast to the current focus on indicators that represent different domains/criteria of welfare). These three conditions imposed the overall structure within which we selected our indicators. The paper includes a critical review of the literature on potential indicators of positive affective states in cattle. Based on evidence about the validity and reliability of the different indicators, we select ear position, play, allogrooming, brush use and QBA as candidate indicators that we suggest could form a prototype positive welfare protocol. We emphasise that this prototype protocol has not been tested in practice and so it is perhaps not the protocol itself that is the main outcome of this paper, but the process of trying to develop it. In a final section of this paper, we reflect on some of the lessons learnt from this exercise and speculate on future perspectives. For example, while we consider we have moved towards a prototype positive welfare protocol for short-term affective states, future research energy should be directed towards valid indicators for the medium and long-term.
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Kulke K, Kemper N, Stracke J. Boys (toms) don’t try. Behaviour of turkeys in a Novel Object test – Influence of age and sex. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Do Walking Distance and Time Away from the Paddock Influence Daily Behaviour Patterns and Milk Yield of Grazing Dairy Cows? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102903. [PMID: 34679924 PMCID: PMC8532695 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Dairy cows managed on pasture may need to walk several kilometres to reach the milking parlour to be milked and, thus, may spend an extended time away from the paddock without access to pasture. While cows have a diverse behavioural repertoire, at a minimum they must graze, ruminate and lie down; therefore, time spent away from the paddock will affect how these behavioural needs are met. We investigated how walking distance to the milking parlour and total time spent away from the paddock affected daily grazing, ruminating and lying behaviours of dairy cattle managed in three groups. The devices automatically monitored cow behaviour and the time spent walking and waiting outside the paddock. We showed that cows spent more time grazing and less time ruminating on days with longer walking distances, which may, in part, be due to greater energy expenditure resultant of walking. When cows spent more time away from the paddock, they had a reduced lying time, and the cows in one of the groups produced less milk. Thus, limiting the walking distance and time spent away from the paddock are two factors that could provide greater opportunities for cows to engage in daily behavioural patterns that meet individual needs. Abstract In pasture-based systems, cows may spend several hours away from the paddock and may also walk several kilometres to meet daily milking requirements; this could lead cows to experience time constraints for grazing, ruminating and lying time in the paddock. This study investigated how walking distance and time spent away from the paddock affected daily behavioural patterns (i.e., grazing, ruminating and lying time) and milk yield. Dairy cows were managed in three rotationally grazed groups (n = 29 cows each) on the same farm and milked twice daily. A triaxial ear tag accelerometer on each cow recorded daily duration of grazing and ruminating, and a leg-based accelerometer recorded the daily lying time, for 13 days. GPS collars on four cows per group recorded the daily walking distance and total time away from the paddock for the group. A mixed repeated measures model tested how time off-paddock and walking distance affected the daily behavioural patterns; age, breed, milk yield and maximum ambient temperature were used as covariates with group as the observational unit. A second similar model tested how these factors affected milk yield. Walking distance and time spent away from the paddock were not correlated. When daily walking distance increased (to a maximum of 4 km/d), cows spent more time grazing and less time ruminating, but lying time was not affected. This result may, in part, be related to the greater energy expenditure demands for walking longer distances and milk production. When time away from the paddock increased (to a maximum of 4 h/d), cows spent less time lying, but grazing and ruminating times were not affected. Milk yield was not affected by walking distance, but one of the groups experienced a lower milk yield when time away from the paddock was increased. This result suggests that, for some cows, lying times may be shorter when experiencing a longer time away from the paddock, which may also affect milk yield. Overall, this study indicates that paddock behaviours are associated with walking distance to the milking parlour and time spent away from the paddock. Efforts to reduce walking distance and time spent away from the paddock are likely to provide cows with greater opportunity to engage in daily behaviours in the paddock that meet their needs and maintain their milk yield.
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Hubbard AJ, Foster MJ, Daigle CL. Impact of social mixing on beef and dairy cattle—A scoping review. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Forkosh O. Animal behavior and animal personality from a non-human perspective: Getting help from the machine. PATTERNS 2021; 2:100194. [PMID: 33748791 PMCID: PMC7961179 DOI: 10.1016/j.patter.2020.100194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We can now track the position of every fly's leg or immerse a tiny fish inside a virtual world by monitoring its gaze in real time. Yet capturing animals' posture or gaze is not like understanding their behavior. Instead, behaviors are still often interpreted by human observers in an anthropomorphic manner. Even newer tools that automatically classify behaviors rely on human observers for the choice of behaviors. In this perspective, we suggest a roadmap toward a "human-free" interpretation of behavior. We present several recent advances, including our recent work on animal personalities. Personality both underlies behavioral differences among individuals and is consistent over time. A mathematical formulation of this idea has allowed us to measure mouse traits objectively, map behaviors across species (humans included), and explore the biological basis of behavior. Our goal is to enable "machine translation" of raw movement data into intelligible human concepts en route to improving our understanding of animals and people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oren Forkosh
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 761001, Israel
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Christensen JW, Ahrendt LP, Malmkvist J, Nicol C. Exploratory behaviour towards novel objects is associated with enhanced learning in young horses. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1428. [PMID: 33446827 PMCID: PMC7809405 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80833-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying individual variation in learning are key to understanding the development of cognitive abilities. In humans and primates, curiosity has been suggested as an important intrinsic factor that enhances learning, whereas in domesticated species research has primarily identified factors with a negative effect on cognitive abilities, such as stress and fearfulness. This study presents the first evidence of a link between object-directed curiosity and learning performance in young horses in two very different learning tasks (visual discrimination and pressure-release). We exposed young horses (n = 44) to standardised novel object tests at 5 months and 1 year of age and found consistency in responses. Standard indicators of fearfulness (e.g. heart rate and alertness) were unrelated to learning performance, whereas exploratory behaviour towards the novel objects correlated to performance in both learning tasks. Exploratory behaviour was unreinforced in the novel object tests and likely reflects the animal’s intrinsic motivation (i.e. curiosity), suggesting that this trait is favourable for learning performance. In addition to the insights that these results provide into cognition in a domesticated species, they also raise questions in relation to fostering of curiosity in animals and the impact that such manipulation may have on cognitive abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jens Malmkvist
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Christine Nicol
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Ln, Brookmans Park, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK
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Revisiting Cattle Temperament in Beef Cow-Calf Systems: Insights from Farmers' Perceptions about an Autochthonous Breed. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010082. [PMID: 33466326 PMCID: PMC7824783 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding temperament is an important part of cattle production since undesirable temperament may cause serious problems associated with aggression, maternal care, and human safety. However, little is known about how farmers define or assess temperament, especially in autochthonous cattle breeds. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of farmers about the temperament of the Pyrenean cattle breed with special attention to beef cow-calf systems in Spain. The methodology used to obtain the information was focus group discussions (FGD). Farmers defined temperament as a behavioural response to challenging situations imposed by human handling. Specific terms used were related to active or passive reactions to fear (e.g., "strong", "aggressive", "nervous", "fearful"). The speed of response to stimuli was also important. Female temperament was thought to become more docile with age while bull temperament was more variable. Maternal aggressiveness was highlighted as a potential human safety problem, but also desirable in an extensively bred animal who may need to defend calves against predators. Anatomical characteristics were seen as unreliable predictors of temperament, while behavioural indicators were more widely used, such as "alertness", which was a general trait of the breed, and "gaze", which, when associated with an alert expression, suggests a potential threat. Sensory acuity, such as sight and smell, were thought to be related with temperament in some FGDs but there was no overall agreement as to whether different behavioural responses were due to differences in sensory acuity. The results from the study could be useful during training programs or in the development of new genetic selection schemes and evaluation protocols involving cattle temperament.
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Verdon M, Rawnsley R. The Effects of Dairy Heifer Age at Training on Rate of Learning and Retention of Learning in a Virtual Fencing Feed Attractant Trial. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2020.618070] [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
A better understanding of factors that influence learning of cattle with respect to new virtual fencing technology is required to inform the development of best practice training protocols and guide the introduction of the technology to naïve dairy cattle. This experiment examined the effect of age on (1) the efficiency of associative pairing of audio and electrical stimuli in dairy heifers and (2) the retention of this associative pairing over a long period of time without use. Fifty-nine Holstein dairy heifers were used in feed attractant trials where audio cues and electrical stimuli were delivered through manually controlled training collars. Heifers were allocated to four treatments that differed in the age at which naïve animals underwent training; these were 6-months (“6M”; n = 15), 9-months (“9M”; n = 15), 12-months (“12M”; n = 15), or 22-months of age (“22M”; n = 14). Animals in the 6, 9, and 12M treatments underwent a second round of training at 22-months of age (i.e., at the same time as naïve 22M heifers). Heifers received an audio stimulus (2 s; 84 dB) when they breached a virtual fence after which a short electrical stimulus (0.5 s; 3 V, 120 mW) was administered if they continued to move forward. If the animal stopped moving forward no further stimuli were applied. There were no effects of age treatment on the total number of interactions with the virtual fence (P > 0.05). During initial training, 22M heifers received a lower proportion of electrical stimuli (i.e., responded to audio without requiring the electrical stimulus; P < 0.001) and more frequently stopped walking (P = 0.01) and turned back (P = 0.008) following administration of the audio cue compared to younger heifers. Previous training at an early age did not improve the responsiveness of heifers to virtual fencing when re-trained at 22-months of age (P > 0.05). We conclude that dairy heifers should be trained to virtual fencing technology close to calving age rather than earlier in their ontogeny and that stock be re-trained following an extended period without virtual fencing technology.
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Chopra K, Hodges HR, Barker ZE, Vázquez Diosdado JA, Amory JR, Cameron TC, Croft DP, Bell NJ, Codling EA. Proximity Interactions in a Permanently Housed Dairy Herd: Network Structure, Consistency, and Individual Differences. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:583715. [PMID: 33365334 PMCID: PMC7750390 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.583715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the herd structure of housed dairy cows has the potential to reveal preferential interactions, detect changes in behavior indicative of illness, and optimize farm management regimes. This study investigated the structure and consistency of the proximity interaction network of a permanently housed commercial dairy herd throughout October 2014, using data collected from a wireless local positioning system. Herd-level networks were determined from sustained proximity interactions (pairs of cows continuously within three meters for 60 s or longer), and assessed for social differentiation, temporal stability, and the influence of individual-level characteristics such as lameness, parity, and days in milk. We determined the level of inter-individual variation in proximity interactions across the full barn housing, and for specific functional zones within it (feeding, non-feeding). The observed networks were highly connected and temporally varied, with significant preferential assortment, and inter-individual variation in daily interactions in the non-feeding zone. We found no clear social assortment by lameness, parity, or days in milk. Our study demonstrates the potential benefits of automated tracking technology to monitor the proximity interactions of individual animals within large, commercially relevant groups of livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kareemah Chopra
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Zoe E Barker
- Writtle University College, Chelmsford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Tom C Cameron
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Darren P Croft
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Nick J Bell
- Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Edward A Codling
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
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37
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Cozzi B, Bonfanti L, Canali E, Minero M. Brain Waste: The Neglect of Animal Brains. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:573934. [PMID: 33304245 PMCID: PMC7693423 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.573934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Cozzi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Bonfanti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Canali
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Minero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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39
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Chen SY, Oliveira HR, Schenkel FS, Pedrosa VB, Melka MG, Brito LF. Using imputed whole-genome sequence variants to uncover candidate mutations and genes affecting milking speed and temperament in Holstein cattle. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:10383-10398. [PMID: 32952011 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Milking speed (MS) and temperament (MT) are 2 workability traits of great importance in dairy cattle production and breeding. This is mainly due to an increased intensification of the worldwide production systems and greater adoption of precision technologies with less human-cattle interaction. Both MS and MT are heritable traits and thus, genomic selection is a promising tool to expedite their genetic progress. However, the genetic architecture and biological mechanisms underlying the phenotypic expression of these traits remain underexplored. In this study, we investigated the association of >5.7 million imputed whole-genome sequence variants with MT and MS in 4,381 and 4,219 North American Holstein cattle, respectively. The statistical analyses were performed using a mixed linear model fitting a polygenic effect. We detected 40 and 35 significant SNPs independently associated with MT and MS, respectively, which were distributed across 26 chromosomes. Eight candidate genes (GRIN3A, KCNJ3, BOSTAUV1R417, BOSTAUV1R419, MAP2K5, KCTD3, GAP43, and LSAMP) were suggested to play an important role in MT as they are involved in biologically relevant pathways, such as glutamatergic synapse, vomeronasal receptor and oxytocin signaling. Within their coding and upstream sequences, we used an independent data set to further detect or validate significantly differentiated SNP between cattle breeds with known differences in MT. There were fewer candidate genes potentially implicated in MS, but immunity-related genes (e.g., BOLA-NC1 and LOC512672), also identified in other populations, were validated in this study. The significant SNP and novel candidate genes identified contribute to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying both traits in dairy cattle. This information will also be useful for the optimization of prediction of genomic breeding values by giving greater weights to SNP located in the genomic regions identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Yi Chen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Hinayah R Oliveira
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907; Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Flavio S Schenkel
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Victor B Pedrosa
- Department of Animal Sciences, State University of Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, PR, 84030-900, Brazil
| | - Melkaye G Melka
- Department of Animal and Food Science, University of Wisconsin River Falls, 54022
| | - Luiz F Brito
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907.
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