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Lamontagne A, Gaunet F. Behavioural Synchronisation between Dogs and Humans: Unveiling Interspecific Motor Resonance? Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:548. [PMID: 38396516 PMCID: PMC10886274 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040548] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Dogs' behavioural synchronisation with humans is of growing scientific interest. However, studies lack a comprehensive exploration of the neurocognitive foundations of this social cognitive ability. Drawing parallels from the mechanisms underlying behavioural synchronisation in humans, specifically motor resonance and the recruitment of mirror neurons, we hypothesise that dogs' behavioural synchronisation with humans is underpinned by a similar mechanism, namely interspecific motor resonance. Based on a literature review, we argue that dogs possess the prerequisites for motor resonance, and we suggest that interspecific behavioural synchronisation relies on the activation of both human and canine mirror neurons. Furthermore, interspecific behavioural studies highlight certain characteristics of motor resonance, including motor contagion and its social modulators. While these findings strongly suggest the potential existence of interspecific motor resonance, direct proof remains to be established. Our analysis thus paves the way for future research to confirm the existence of interspecific motor resonance as the neurocognitive foundation for interspecific behavioural synchronisation. Unravelling the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying this behavioural adjustment holds profound implications for understanding the evolutionary dynamics of dogs alongside humans and improving the day-to-day management of dog-human interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélique Lamontagne
- Centre de Recherche en Psychologie et Neuroscience (UMR 7077), Aix-Marseille University, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 3 Place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille, Cedex 03, France
- Association Agir pour la Vie Animale (AVA), 76220 Cuy-Saint-Fiacre, France
| | - Florence Gaunet
- Centre de Recherche en Psychologie et Neuroscience (UMR 7077), Aix-Marseille University, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 3 Place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille, Cedex 03, France
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Gamble A, Olarte-Castillo XA, Whittaker GR. Backyard zoonoses: The roles of companion animals and peri-domestic wildlife. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadj0037. [PMID: 37851821 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adj0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The spillover of human infectious diseases from animal reservoirs is now well appreciated. However, societal and climate-related changes are affecting the dynamics of such interfaces. In addition to the disruption of traditional wildlife habitats, in part because of climate change and human demographics and behavior, there is an increasing zoonotic disease risk from companion animals. This includes such factors as the awareness of animals kept as domestic pets and increasing populations of free-ranging animals in peri-domestic environments. This review presents background and commentary focusing on companion and peri-domestic animals as disease risk for humans, taking into account the human-animal interface and population dynamics between the animals themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Gamble
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ximena A Olarte-Castillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Gary R Whittaker
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Dobos P, Pongrácz P. Would You Detour with Me? Association between Functional Breed Selection and Social Learning in Dogs Sheds Light on Elements of Dog-Human Cooperation. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2001. [PMID: 37370511 DOI: 10.3390/ani13122001] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Interspecific social learning is a main synchronizing mechanism that enables dogs to adapt to the anthropogenic niche. It is not known whether dogs in general possess the capacity of learning from humans or whether more recent selective events have affected their ability to learn from humans. We hypothesized that cooperative and independent working dog breeds may behave differently in a social learning task. Dogs (N = 78 from 16 cooperative and 18 independent breeds) had to detour a transparent, V-shaped wire mesh fence. The experiment consisted of three one-minute-long trials. The control condition did not include a demonstration. In the demonstration condition, the experimenter placed a reward in the inside corner by walking around the fence. Cooperative dogs reached the target significantly faster, while independent dogs did not detour faster in trials 2 and 3 after the human demonstration. Detour latencies were not associated with the keeping conditions and training level of the subjects. As we assembled both test groups from several genetically distantly related breeds, we can exclude the explanation that higher cooperativity emerged only in particular clades of dogs; instead, functional selection for particular working tasks could enhance capacities that affect a wide range of socio-cognitive traits in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Dobos
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Pongrácz
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
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Flores V, Viozzi G, Rauque C, Mujica G, Herrero E, Ballari SA, Ritossa L, Miori G, Garibotti G, Zacharias DG, Treuque J, Reissig EC, Vázquez G, Pierangeli N, Lazzarini L. A cross-sectional study of free-roaming dogs in a Patagonian city: Their distribution and intestinal helminths in relation to socioeconomic aspects of neighborhoods. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 33:100747. [PMID: 35820719 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100747] [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: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Human and dog health are inextricably linked, and although our relationship with dogs brings numerous benefits for our well-being, it is known that they can transmit disease. Bariloche is a Patagonian tourist city with heterogeneous social composition. This cross-sectional study evaluates the population of free-roaming dogs and their intestinal parasites in relation to the socioeconomic level of the city's human population. Census areas were used as survey units, stratified in three levels according to socioeconomic status. The free-roaming dog population was estimated by walking around each census area. Eight fresh feces per census count area were collected and analyzed using coproparasitological flotation tests, and CoproELISA was used to detect Echinococcus sp. A total of 858 free-roaming dogs were registered along 40.9 km, with significant differences between socioeconomic strata: the highest numbers were found in the lowest income strata. Of the feces collected, 39.2% tested positive for parasites, those associated with a lower socioeconomic level having higher percentages of positive feces and a greater number of species. Eight species of helminths were found, some of which were zoonotic, such as Echinococcus sp., Toxocara canis, and Dibothriocephalus latus. The presence of parasites can be explained by the number of free-roaming dogs per census count area. The free-roaming dogs generally have owners, and their parasitic infection is strongly associated with the socioeconomic level of the population. The main problem is irresponsible pet care, which generates healthy conditions for both dogs and humans. Thus, both dogs and humans deserve effective ethical public policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Flores
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.
| | - Gustavo Viozzi
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Carlos Rauque
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Mujica
- Unidad Regional de Epidemiología y Salud Ambiental, Zona Andina, Ministerio de Salud de la provincia de Río Negro, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Herrero
- Unidad Regional de Epidemiología y Salud Ambiental, Zona Andina, Ministerio de Salud de la provincia de Río Negro, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Sebastián A Ballari
- CONICET, Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi - CENAC (APN), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Luciano Ritossa
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Miori
- Instituto de Formación Docente Continua Bariloche, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Gilda Garibotti
- Departamento de Estadística, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Daniela G Zacharias
- Departamento de Estadística, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Judith Treuque
- Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Elizabeth Chang Reissig
- Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche (INTA-CONICET), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Vázquez
- Hospital Zonal Dr. Ramón Carrillo, Ministerio de Salud de la provincia de Río Negro, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Nora Pierangeli
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Neuquén, Argentina
| | - Lorena Lazzarini
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Neuquén, Argentina
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Sarkar R, Bhadra A. How do animals navigate the urban jungle? A review of cognition in urban-adapted animals. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Ganitskaya YV, Dinh The Dung, Coi TH, Khasanov BF, Feoktistova NY, Surov AV. Evaluation of the Behavior of Some Native Dogs in Vietnam to Determine Their Suitability as Detector Dogs. BIOL BULL+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s106235902202008x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In dogs of native breeds (“Hmong,” “Phu Quoc,” and “Zang Soi”), the features of behavior pre-adapted to interaction with humans and formed in the process of directional selection have been revealed. Behavioral characteristics (contactiveness, activity, playfulness, reaction to the unexpected appearance of an unfamiliar object, and abrupt sounds) were used to evaluate the dogs’ suitability for training for use as service detector dogs. It was shown that native dogs even without directional selection can show high indices of activity and contact with a human, similar to those found by the authors earlier for European breeds. Indicators of playfulness and reaction to unfamiliar objects and sharp sounds are formed only in the process of directional selection. The “Zang Soi” dog recommended for breeding and use as detection dogs turned out to be the closest to the European breeds in terms of activity and contactiveness indices.
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Analyses of Contact Networks of Community Dogs on a University Campus in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8120299. [PMID: 34941826 PMCID: PMC8704209 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8120299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-roaming dogs have been identified as an important reservoir of rabies in many countries including Thailand. There is a need for novel insights to improve current rabies control strategies in these countries. Network analysis is commonly used to study the interactions between individuals or organizations and has been applied in preventive veterinary medicine. However, contact networks of domestic free-roaming dogs are mostly unexplored. The objective of this study was to explore the contact network of free-roaming dogs residing on a university campus. Three one-mode networks were created using co-appearances of dogs as edges. A two-mode network was created by associating the dog with the pre-defined area it was seen in. The average number of contacts a dog had was 6.74. The normalized degree for the weekend network was significantly higher compared to the weekday network. All one-mode networks displayed small-world network characteristics. Most dogs were observed in only one area. The average number of dogs which shared an area was 8.67. In this study, we demonstrated the potential of observational methods to create networks of contacts. The network information acquired can be further used in network modeling and designing targeted disease control programs.
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Natoli E, Bonanni R, Cafazzo S, Mills DS, Pontier D, Pilot M. Genetic inference of the mating system of free-ranging domestic dogs. Behav Ecol 2021; 32:646-656. [PMID: 34539241 PMCID: PMC8444980 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestication has greatly changed the social and reproductive behavior of dogs relative to that of wild members of the genus Canis, which typically exhibit social monogamy and extended parental care. Unlike a typical gray wolf pack that consists of a single breeding pair and their offspring from multiple seasons, a group of free-ranging dogs (FRDs) can include multiple breeding individuals of both sexes. To understand the consequences of this shift in reproductive behavior, we reconstructed the genetic pedigree of an FRD population and assessed the kinship patterns in social groups, based on genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism genotypes. Consistent with behavioral observations, the mating system of the study population was characterized by polygynandry. Instead of the discreet family units observed in wolves, FRDs were linked by a network of kinship relationships that spread across packs. However, we also observed reproduction of the same male-female pairs in multiple seasons, retention of adult offspring in natal packs, and dispersal between neighboring packs-patterns in common with wolves. Although monogamy is the predominant mating system in wolves, polygyny and polyandry are occasionally observed in response to increased food availability. Thus, polygynandry of domestic dogs was likely influenced by the shift in ecological niche from an apex predator to a human commensal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Natoli
- Canile Sovrazonale, ASL Roma 3 (Local Health Unit Rome 3), Via della Magliana 856H, 00148 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Daniel S Mills
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Dominique Pontier
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive UMR 5558, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Małgorzata Pilot
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Nadwiślańska 108, 80-680 Gdańsk, Poland
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