1
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Frynta D, Tomanová L, Holubová K, Vobrubová B, Štolhoferová I, Rudolfová V. Structural consistency of exploratory behaviour of sub-adult and adult spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) in seven different tests. Behav Processes 2024; 216:105003. [PMID: 38336236 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105003] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The genus Acomys is of growing importance to many research fields. Previous research has shown that individuals differ when exploring new environments and that these behavioural strategies are consistent in time. In this study, we subjected 60 commensal Acomys cahirinus (37 males, 23 females) to a series of seven tests (free exploration, forced exploration under bright illumination, forced exploration under low illumination, hole board test, vertical activity test, elevated plus maze, and voluntary wheel running) to acquire independent behavioural traits and investigate whether and how personality develops in spiny mice. The full series of experiments was performed twice during ontogeny: once in the sub-adult stage (tested at 62-72 days of age) and once in the adult stage (102-112 days of age). We found that behaviour of the animals was repeatable both within (range of R values from 0.155 to 0.726) and across the two life-stages (0.238 to 0.563). While the structure of behaviour in adults was rather clear, it had not been fully crystalized in sub-adults, suggesting personality changes during maturation, even though some individual traits might be repeatable across ontogeny. Notably, the most consistent behavioural traits across the different tests were jumping and rearing, which are not commonly reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Frynta
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 128 00, Czechia
| | - Lenka Tomanová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 128 00, Czechia
| | - Kristína Holubová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 128 00, Czechia; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany 250 67, Czechia
| | - Barbora Vobrubová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 128 00, Czechia
| | - Iveta Štolhoferová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 128 00, Czechia.
| | - Veronika Rudolfová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 128 00, Czechia; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany 250 67, Czechia
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2
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Urrutia A, Bánszegi O, Szenczi P, Hudson R. Development of "personality" in the domestic cat: A longitudinal study. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22427. [PMID: 37860897 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22427] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Although individual differences in the behavior of animals, sometimes referred to as personality, have recently received considerable attention, the development of such differences remains understudied. We previously found consistent individual differences in behavior in four tests simulating everyday contexts in 74 preweaning age kittens from 16 litters of the domestic cat. To study the development of consistent among-individual differences in four behavioral traits in cats, we followed a subset of these same individuals and repeated the same tests at 6 and 12 months of age. Some individual differences in behavior became increasingly repeatable with age due to a combination of decreased individual-level variance (canalization) and increased among-individual variance; these changes in variance and repeatability continued into adulthood (12 months). We did not observe behavioral syndromes at any age, in contrast to our previous reports in a different population of adult cats. The mechanisms that underlie increased repeatability with age and the possibility of personality structure differing between populations in this species remain to be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Urrutia
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Edificio A, 1er Piso, Circuito de Posgrados, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 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, Ciudad, de México, Mexico
| | - Robyn Hudson
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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3
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Fernández-Lázaro G, Latorre R, Fontanillas Pérez JC, Barja I. Reaction to Novel Objects and Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Levels in Two Species of Nocturnal Geckos. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3384. [PMID: 37958139 PMCID: PMC10649715 DOI: 10.3390/ani13213384] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Many reptiles are maintained in captivity and heavily traded, although welfare measures for many species are not well established and are under-researched compared to other animals. In this study, we focused on two of these species: crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) and leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). To better interpret their behavior in captivity, the individual reaction to novel objects and the fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels were measured in an attempt to identify the potential correlation between them. Also, we explored if some characteristic of the objects (e.g., color, shape, or smell) resulted in being more attractive to some species and/or individuals. Equivalent responses to different objects were not obtained for all the geckos, the behavioral response being highly individual and context-dependent, although modulated by the species. Individuals which manipulated earlier and interacted longer with novel objects showed lower basal fecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) levels. Differences according to the species suggested that crested geckos have significantly greater and more variable FCM levels than leopard geckos. Our results can help to understand the reaction of geckos to novelty and have the potential to serve in their welfare assessment, although more studies are needed to proper establish welfare protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Fernández-Lázaro
- Departamento de Psicología Biológica y de la Salud, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales, Sociales y Matemáticas, Facultad de Educación, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Latorre
- Departamento de Ingeniería Informática, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Isabel Barja
- Eco- and Ethophysiology Lab, Departamento de Biología, Unidad de Zoología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C. Darwin 2, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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Western Hognose Snakes ( Heterodon nasicus) Prefer Environmental Enrichment. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233347. [PMID: 36496867 PMCID: PMC9739432 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233347] [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: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The environmental enrichment needs of snakes are often disregarded. Using preference testing, we aimed to shed light on the enrichment preferences of a popular pet species, the western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus). Snakes' enclosures were divided into enriched and standard sides. The enriched half had substrate for burrowing, interactive stimuli, and a large water dish. The standard half had paper towel substrate and a small water dish. Each side also contained a single shelter. We provided belly heat to create a thermal gradient on one side of the cage. Snakes were observed for 6 days, four times daily. We predicted a preference for enriched conditions and, as snakes are ectothermic, a preference for the warmer side. Snakes were additionally given an exploration assay, to explore whether differences in preference for environmental enrichment interact with boldness levels. We found that hognose snakes preferred enrichment, and the strength of this preference increased over time. Preference for enrichment was stronger when the enriched side was cooler. This may be due to the burrowing tendencies of these snakes. We found no relationship between preference and boldness. These findings emphasise the importance of preference testing in establishing research-informed enrichment opportunities for reptiles.
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5
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Gibert RG, Maag DW, Sanders LN, Clark RW. Investigating personality in vipers: individual rattlesnakes exhibit consistent behavioral responses in defensive and exploratory contexts. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03239-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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6
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Skinner M, Brown S, Kumpan LT, Miller N. Snake personality: Differential effects of development and social experience. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03227-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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7
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Boback SM, Nafus MG, Yackel Adams AA, Reed RN. Invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) move short distances and have small activity areas in a high prey environment. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12705. [PMID: 35882893 PMCID: PMC9325984 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16660-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal movements reflect temporal and spatial availability of resources as well as when, where, and how individuals access such resources. To test these relationships for a predatory reptile, we quantified the effects of prey abundance on the spatial ecology of invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam. Five months after toxicant-mediated suppression of a brown treesnake population, we simultaneously used visual encounter surveys to generate relative rodent abundance and radiotelemetry of snakes to document movements of surviving snakes. After snake suppression, encounter rates for small mammals increased 22-fold and brown treesnakes had smaller mean daily movement distances (24 ± 13 m/day, [Formula: see text] ± SD) and activity areas (5.47 ± 5 ha) than all previous observations. Additionally, snakes frequenting forest edges, where our small mammal encounters were the highest, had smaller mean daily movement distances and three-dimensional activity volumes compared to those within the forest interior. Collectively, these results suggest that reduced movements by snakes were in part a response to increased prey availability. The impact of prey availability on snake movement may be a management consideration when attempting to control cryptic invasive species using tools that rely on movement of the target species to be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Boback
- Department of Biology, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, USA.
| | - Melia G Nafus
- Fort Collins Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Amy A Yackel Adams
- Fort Collins Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Robert N Reed
- Fort Collins Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, CO, USA.,Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaii National Park, HI, USA
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8
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Rudolfová V, Petrásek T, Antošová E, Frynta D, Landová E, Valeš K, Nekovářová T. Inter-individual differences in laboratory rats as revealed by three behavioural tasks. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9361. [PMID: 35672428 PMCID: PMC9174278 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13288-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable inter-individual differences in behaviour and personality have been studied for several decades now. The aim of this study was to test the repeatability of behaviour of the Long Evans strain of laboratory rats in order to assess their inter-individual differences. Male laboratory rats (n = 36) were tested in a series of tasks (Open field test, Elevated plus maze test, and modified T-maze test) repeated over time to assess their personality traits. To evaluate the temporal stability of the behaviour, we calculated repeatability estimates of the examined traits. We also checked for a link in behavioural traits across these experiments, which would suggest the existence of a behavioural syndrome. We found stable inter-individual differences in behaviour. Interestingly, no link emerged between the tasks we studied and therefore we did not find support for a behavioural syndrome. The lack of behavioural correlations between these experiments suggests that the results derived from these tasks should be interpreted carefully, as these experiments may measure various behavioural axes. Moreover, the animals habituate to the apparatus. Consequently, behaviour in the Open field test and Elevated plus maze test is not fully consistent and repeatable across subsequent trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Rudolfová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Petrásek
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Antošová
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Frynta
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Landová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Valeš
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Nekovářová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. .,Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic. .,National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic. .,Department of Ethology and Companion Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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9
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Thaler R, Ortega Z, Ferreira VL. Extrinsic traits consistently drive microhabitat decisions of an arboreal snake, independently of sex and personality. Behav Processes 2022; 199:104649. [PMID: 35525479 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
One pivotal topic on habitat selection is to understand the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the selection process. Although the effect of some extrinsic variables and sex has been extensively studied, almost nothing is known about the effect of personality, particularly on snakes. Here we addressed the relative importance of extrinsic (tree-related) and intrinsic (sex and personality) factors driving microhabitat selection decisions of a nocturnal tree snake (Leptodeira annulata). We implemented a protocol to quantify the influence of personality and sex on the role of extrinsic variables on microhabitat selection. First, we conducted three behavioral experiments to extract the shyness-boldness and avoidance-exploitation personality traits of male snakes. Then, we evaluated the role of sex and personality on the effect of tree-traits (thickness, canopy cover and shelter availability) on microhabitat selection, using two-step conditional logistic regression. Snakes consistently selected tree trunks, preferably thick and with high canopy cover and shelter availability, independently of their sex of personality. For this species, only extrinsic variables determined microhabitat decisions. Our protocol will aid to quantify the role of personality on microhabitat selection of other species and understand whether this is an important variable in habitat decision-making or not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Thaler
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, ZIP 79070-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Zaida Ortega
- Laboratory of Movement and Population Ecology, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação,Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, ZIP 79070-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Zoology Department, University of Granada, Granada, ZIP 18071, Granada, Spain (present address).
| | - Vanda L Ferreira
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Herpetologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, ZIP 79070-900, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul,.
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10
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Skinner M, Miller N. Stability and change in gartersnake social networks across ontogeny. Ethology 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Skinner
- Department of Psychology Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo Canada
| | - Noam Miller
- Department of Psychology Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo Canada
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11
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Gangloff EJ, Leos-Barajas V, Demuth G, Zhang H, Kelly CD, Bronikowski AM. Movement modeling and patterns of within- and among-individual behavioral variation across time scales in neonate garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03099-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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12
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Sreelatha LB, Carretero MA, Pérez I De Lanuza G, Klomp DA, Boratyński Z. Do colour morphs of wall lizards express different personalities? Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Colour morphs sometimes have different behavioural strategies which may be maintained by frequency or density dependence mechanisms. We investigated temporal changes in behavioural reaction to a novel environment among colour morphs (yellow, orange, white) of the European wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). Adult males were given two 15 min experimental trials, and their locomotion was highly consistent between the two trials. Boldness, freezing and escape behaviour were less repeatable. Colour morphs differed in their locomotion and freezing behaviour. Boldness was similar among the morphs, whereas escape behaviour was lowest in yellow morph. Consequently, yellow morph males tended to explore novel environments quickly and thus were more likely to move to potentially safe areas. Orange and white males showed more fear when exposed to a novel environment. Whether such alternative behavioural strategies can contribute to the maintenance of variable fitness optima among the morphs and ultimately to the maintenance of polymorphism remains open to further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekshmi B Sreelatha
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, 4485–661 Vairão, Portugal
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Miguel Angel Carretero
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, 4485–661 Vairão, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Guillem Pérez I De Lanuza
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, 4485–661 Vairão, Portugal
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, 46071 València, Spain
| | - Danielle A Klomp
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, 4485–661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Zbyszek Boratyński
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, 4485–661 Vairão, Portugal
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13
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Brashears JA, Fokidis HB, DeNardo DF. Fear-based aggression and its relationship to corticosterone responsiveness in three species of python. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 289:113374. [PMID: 31891687 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
It has long been known that even closely related species can vary in their antipredator behavior, and in the last two decades there has been mounting interest in how these differences might relate to the hormonal stress response. We tested the relationship between fear-based aggression, a form of antipredator behavior, and plasma corticosterone levels in three species of python [Children's Python (Antaresia childreni), Ball Python (Python regius), Bismarck Ring Python (Bothrochilus boa)]. We recorded the amount of striking in response to perturbation before and after a controlled, stressful confinement. We also measured plasma corticosterone levels prior to confinement, after confinement, and after confinement plus an adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) injection, the later to induce a maximal corticosterone response. We performed among species analyses using two mixed models, and we determined between individual variance within each species to estimate repeatability. Bismarck Ring Pythons struck more than either Ball Pythons or Children's Pythons, and Ball Pythons had a suppressed corticosterone response compared to Children's and Bismarck Ring Pythons. Thus, mean species fear-based aggression correlated with species level differences in corticosterone profile. We also found evidence suggesting behaviors are repeatable within individuals. Our results point to a need for further exploration of aggression, anti-predator behavior, and corticosterone profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Alex Brashears
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
| | - H Bobby Fokidis
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
| | - Dale F DeNardo
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
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14
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Frýdlová P, Sedláčková K, Žampachová B, Kurali A, Hýbl J, Škoda D, Kutílek P, Landová E, Černý R, Frynta D. A gyroscopic advantage: phylogenetic patterns of compensatory movements in frogs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.186544. [PMID: 30446541 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.186544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Head and eye compensatory movements known as vestibulo-ocular and vestibulo-cervical reflexes are essential to stay orientated in space while moving. We have used a previously developed methodology focused on the detailed mathematical description of head compensatory movements in frogs without the need for any surgical procedures on the examined specimens. Our comparative study comprising 35 species of frogs from different phylogenetic backgrounds revealed species-specific head compensatory abilities ensuring gaze stabilization. Moreover, we found a strong phylogenetic signal highlighting the great ability of compensatory head movements in families of Pyxicephalidae and Rhacophoridae from the Natatanura group. By contrast, families of Dendrobatidae and Microhylidae exhibited only poor or no head compensatory movements. Contrary to our expectation, the results did not corroborate an ecomorphological hypothesis anticipating a close relationship between ecological parameters and the head compensatory movements. We did not find any positive association between more complex (3D structured, arboreal or aquatic) habitats or more saltatory behavior and elevated abilities of head compensatory movements. Moreover, we found compensatory movements in most basal Archeobatrachia, giving an indication of common ancestry of these abilities in frogs that are variously pronounced in particular families. We hypothesize that the uncovered proper gaze stabilization during locomotion provided by the higher head compensatory abilities can improve or even enable visual perception of the prey. We interpret this completely novel finding as a possible gyroscopic advantage in a foraging context. We discuss putative consequences of such advanced neuromotor skills for diversification and ecological success of the Natatanura group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Frýdlová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Sedláčková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic.,Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, CZ-25067 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Žampachová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic.,Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, CZ-25067 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Anikó Kurali
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Hýbl
- Department of Natural Science, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Náměstí Sítná 3105, CZ-27201 Kladno, Czech Republic
| | - David Škoda
- Department of Natural Science, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Náměstí Sítná 3105, CZ-27201 Kladno, Czech Republic
| | - Patrik Kutílek
- Department of Natural Science, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Náměstí Sítná 3105, CZ-27201 Kladno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Landová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic .,Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, CZ-25067 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Rudolf Černý
- Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Úvalu 84, CZ-15000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Frynta
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic.,Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, CZ-25067 Klecany, Czech Republic
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15
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Unraveling behavioral and pace-of-life syndromes in a reduced parasite and predation pressure context: personality and survival of the Barbary ground squirrel. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2549-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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16
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Consistently bolder turtles maintain higher body temperatures in the field but may experience greater predation risk. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2428-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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17
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Gangloff EJ, Sparkman AM, Bronikowski AM. Among-individual heterogeneity in maternal behaviour and physiology affects reproductive allocation and offspring life-history traits in the garter snakeThamnophis elegans. OIKOS 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Gangloff
- Dept. of Ecology; Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State Univ.; Ames IA USA
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRS; FR-09200 Moulis France
| | | | - Anne M. Bronikowski
- Dept. of Ecology; Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State Univ.; Ames IA USA
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