DOCSLIB.ORG

For Peer Review Journal: Zoo Biology

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Zoo Biology The Flehmen Response and Pseudosuckling in a Captive, Juvenile Southern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) For Peer Review Journal: Zoo Biology Manuscript ID Draft Wiley - Manuscript type: Research Article Date Submitted by the Author: n/a Complete List of Authors: Island, Heide; Pacific University, PsycholoGy WenGeler, Julia; Pacific University, PsycholoGy Claussenius-Kalman, Hannah ; Pacific University, PsycholoGy Keywords: flehmen, pheromone, sea otter, olfaction, stereotypy John Wiley & Sons Page 1 of 37 Zoo Biology Island, 1 Sea Otter Flehmen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 The Flehmen Response and Pseudosuckling in a Captive, Juvenile Southern Sea Otter 18 For Peer Review 19 20 (Enhydra lutris nereis) 21 22 Heide D. Island* 23 24 Julia Wengeler 25 26 Hannah Claussenius-Kalman 27 28 Department of Psychology, Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon 29 30 Manuscript Word Count: 4,589 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 *Correspondence to: Heide Island, Department of Psychology, Pacific University, 2043 College 55 56 57 Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116; Email: [email protected]; Phone: 503-352-1538 58 59 60 John Wiley & Sons Zoo Biology Page 2 of 37 Island, 2 Sea Otter Flehmen 1 2 3 4 Abstract 5 6 7 A juvenile, female sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) was observed in 43 instances of the flehmen 8 9 response over 19 days from May through July of 2015 at the Oregon Zoo. In all flehmen grimace 10 11 observations, the juvenile sea otter engaged in nibbling, nosing, or licking the peri-mammary or 12 13 anogenital areas of a non-lactating, geriatric female sea otter. The stereotypic flehmen behavior 14 15 observed was consisted with the sequences of behavior documented in other mammals, lifting the 16 17 head, elevating the nose to the air, retracting the upper lip slightly, and manipulating her mystacial 18 For Peer Review 19 20 vibrissae back and forth while rapidly inspiring air through her mouth in quick succession, tongue 21 22 extruded. The occurrence of this behavior was not specific to visitor density, visitor impact rating, 23 24 day of the month, time of day, or exhibit zone. However, it did occur more frequently in one area 25 26 of the enclosure. Among the three sea otters (two females, one male) currently housed at the Oregon 27 28 Zoo, the juvenile female’s flehmen response only occurred following interactions with the older 29 30 female and was always preceded by the pseudosuckling or anogenital nosing, licking or nibbling 31 32 33 behavior. 34 35 36 37 Key words: flehmen, pheromone, sea otter, olfaction, stereotypy 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 John Wiley & Sons Page 3 of 37 Zoo Biology Island, 3 Sea Otter Flehmen 1 2 3 4 INTRODUCTION 5 6 7 The flehmen is a behavioral sequence that involves the elevation of the head, retraction of 8 9 the upper lip, and the inhalation of air through the mouth (Estes, 1972). Depending upon the 10 11 species, the tongue may be extended beyond the lips and curled (Poddar-Sarkar and Lal 12 13 Brahmachary, 2014), or pushed against the hard palate (Hart, 1982). Further, the flehmen may be 14 15 accompanied by an oral aspiration (Charpentier, et al 2013), wrinkling of the nose (Weeks, et al. 16 17 2002), or partial closing of the nares (Bailey, 1978). The apparent function of the flehmen grimace 18 For Peer Review 19 20 is to sip the air for semiochemicals, heavy molecules that communicate reproductive status (Estes, 21 22 1972; Sankar and Archunan, 2004), reproductive synchrony (Thompson, 1995), social dominance 23 24 (Thompson, 1991), territory (Begg, et al 2003), maternal behavior (Aron, 1979; Wysocki, 1972) or 25 26 conspecific identification (Swaisgood, et al 1999). The putative pheromones sampled through the 27 28 flehmen are often suspended in biological secretions from anal or sternal glands, vaginal discharge, 29 30 urine, feces, milk, saliva, or other biological fluid (For a thorough review of mammalian 31 32 33 semiochemicals, see Ferrero and Liberles, 2009). Through the flehmen response, air is pulled 34 35 across the tongue into the back of the throat and along the orifices of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) 36 37 (Pageat and Gaultier, 2003). 38 39 The VNO is the chemoreceptive, peripheral sensory organ of the accessory olfactory 40 41 system, thought to be anatomically and physiologically distinct from the main olfactory system 42 43 44 (MOS). Most tetrapod vertebrates possess a vomeronasal organ regardless of their reliance on 45 46 chemosensensory communication, with the exception of cetaceans, sirenians, old world primates, 47 48 and bats (Mackay-Sim, et al. 1985). The VNO consists of two mucus-filled tubes on either side of 49 50 the inferior nasal septum, where olfactory receptor neurons (ORN) line the medial region of the 51 52 VNO epithelium (Hart 1982). Even though the main olfaction system appears to have some 53 54 pheromone receptivity (Kelliher, 2007; Yoon, et al. 2005; Zufall and Munger, 2001) current 55 56 57 wisdom of mammalian pheromone reception posits that the vomeronasal system (VNS) is the most 58 59 60 John Wiley & Sons Zoo Biology Page 4 of 37 Island, 4 Sea Otter Flehmen 1 2 3 4 specialized for semiochemical detection (Buck, 2000; Yu, et al. 2010). During the flehmen 5 6 7 response, semiochemicals are inhaled through the mouth and mix with mucous, passing into the 8 9 VNO triggering chemosensory impulses from VNO olfactory receptor neurons to the accessory 10 11 olfactory bulb (Ladewig and Hart, 1982). Thus the flehmen grimace heightens chemosensation 12 13 among those vertebrates that utilize intraspecific pheromone communication. 14 15 First documented among ungulates and felids (Schneider, 1930 as cited in Bailey, 1978), 16 17 the flehmen response has been observed across broad taxonomic genera. Among ungulates, goats 18 For Peer Review 19 20 (Ladewig and Hart, 1980; Melese-D’Hospital and Hart, 1985), antelope (e.g., Frey, et al. 2007; 21 22 Thompson, 1991; 1995), bovines (Houpt, et al. 1988; Sankar and Archunan, 2004), horses (e.g., 23 24 Christensen, et al 2005; Weeks, et al 2002), tapirs (Tortato, et al 2007), rhinoceroses (Zahari, et al. 25 26 2005), hippopotamuses (Zapico, 1999), and giraffes (Bercovitch, et al 2006) utilize the flehmen 27 28 during social communication. Similarly, the flehmen is widely used within the felid family for 29 30 intraspecific chemoreception of social state, examples include: the domestic cat (Hart and Leedy, 31 32 33 1987), tigers (Poddar-Sarkar and Brahmachary, 2014), panthers (McBride and McBride, 2010), 34 35 leopards (Freeman, 1982), and lions (Powell, 1995). The flehmen response was documented among 36 37 several other terrestrial mammals including pandas (Swaisgood et al 2002), elephants (Rasmussen 38 39 and Greenwood, 2003; Rasmussen et al 2002), lemurs (Bailey, 1977; Evans,1980), and mandrills 40 41 (Charpentier et al 2013). Although domestic dogs (Canidae) and ferrets (Mustelidae) are not 42 43 44 thought to engage in a true flehmen response, other members within their families, like the maned 45 46 wolf (Canidae) (Coelho et al 2012) and the honey badger (Mustelidae) do (Begg, et al 2003). 47 48 In spite of our understanding of olfactory and chemosensory perception among terrestrial mammals, 49 50 the use of olfaction and chemosensation by semiaquatic marine mammals is poorly understood. 51 52 While fully aquatic mammals, like the cetaceans and the sirenians have either reduced olfactory 53 54 tracts or absent olfactory bulbs (Berta, et al, 2006; Mackay-Sim et al, 1985; Yu, et al, 2010) relying 55 56 57 primarily on the sensory modalities of audition and vision; there is evidence for the use of olfaction 58 59 60 John Wiley & Sons Page 5 of 37 Zoo Biology Island, 5 Sea Otter Flehmen 1 2 3 4 in social interaction among the seals, sea lions, and walruses (Dobson and Jouventin, 2003; Miller, 5 6 7 2002). In fact, given the existence of a vomeronasal system, the large size of the ethmoturbinal 8 9 bones, and their ability to modulate the diameter and the opening of their nares, (Sergeant, 1991), 10 11 pinnipeds are thought to have a sharp sense of smell (Schusterman, 1981; Sergeant, 1991; Yu et al, 12 13 2010). 14 15 Harp seal mother and pups have been observed in face-to-face “nosing” behavior, which 16 17 may be a form of scent marking since the sebaceous glands below the eye secrete an oil that retains 18 For Peer Review 19 20 a unique odor (Sergeant, 1991). The acceptance of pups by their mothers using the mutual naso- 21 22 nasal contact has also been observed in fur seals (Phillips, 2003; Dobson and Jouventin, 2003). 23 24 Further, sniffing the facial regions between mother and pup may aid in detecting secretions from the 25 26 sweat glands, located between the mystacial vibrissae, thereby reinforcing the maternal bond (King, 27 28 1991; Mackay-Sim et al. 1985). In the event the mother and pup separate, Wyatt (2014) observed 29 30 cow harp seals facing the wind to use airborne scent trails of the pup to recover their young. During 31 32 33 mating season, sea lions as well as some species of seals (e.g., harp seals and ringed seals) emit a 34 35 strong odor during rut, likely serving to identify territory during male-male competition (Sergeant, 36 37 1991). Moreover, both male and female pinnipeds nose anogenital and perineal regions during 38 39 breeding and pupping season (Sergeant, 1991).
Recommended publications
  • UNDERSTANDING HORSE BEHAVIOR Prepared By: Warren Gill, Professor Doyle G

    UNDERSTANDING HORSE BEHAVIOR Prepared By: Warren Gill, Professor Doyle G

    4-H MEMBER GUIDE Agricultural Extension Service Institute of Agriculture HORSE PROJECT PB1654 UNIT 8 GRADE 12 UUNDERSTANDINGNDERSTANDING HHORSEORSE BBEHAVIOREHAVIOR 1 CONTENTS Introduction 3 Planning Your Project 3 The Basics of Horse Behavior 3 Types of Behavior 4 Horse Senses 4 Horse Communication 10 Domestication & Behavior 11 Mating Behavior 11 Behavior at Foaling Time 13 Feeding Behavior 15 Abnormal Behavior / Vices 18 Questions and Answers about Horses 19 References 19 Exercises 20 Glossary 23 SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO BE ACQUIRED • Improved understanding of why horses behave like horses • Applying basic behavioral knowledge to improve training skills • Learning to prevent and correct behavioral problems • Better ways to manage horses through better understanding of horse motivation OBJECTIVES To help you: • Be more competent in horse-related skills and knowledge • Feel more confident around horses • Understand the applications of basic knowledge to practical problems REQUIREMENTS 1. Make a project plan 2. Complete this manual 3. Work on this project with others, including other 4-H members, 4-H leaders, your 4-H agent and other youth and adults who can assist you in your project. 4. Evaluate your accomplishments cover photo by2 Lindsay German UNDERSTANDING HORSE BEHAVIOR Prepared by: Warren Gill, Professor Doyle G. Meadows, Professor James B. Neel, Professor Animal Science Department The University of Tennessee INTRODUCTION he 4-H Horse Project offers 4-H’ers opportunities for growing and developing interest in horses. This manual should help expand your knowledge about horse behavior, which will help you better under T stand why a horse does what it does. The manual contains information about the basics of horse behavior, horse senses, domestication, mating behavior, ingestive (eating) behavior, foaling-time behavior and how horses learn.
  • Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-ORWA-B050-2018-0016-EA

    Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-ORWA-B050-2018-0016-EA

    United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Burns District Office 28910 Highway 20 West Hines, Oregon 97738 541-589-4400 Phone 541-573-4411 Fax Spay Feasibility and On-Range Behavioral Outcomes Assessment and Warm Springs HMA Population Management Plan Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-ORWA-B050-2018-0016-EA June 29, 2018 This Page is Intentionally Left Blank Spay Feasibility and On-Range Behavioral Outcomes Assessment and Warm Springs HMA Population Management Plan Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-ORWA-B050-2018-0016-EA Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 A. Background................................................................................................................ 1 B. Purpose and Need for Proposed Action..................................................................... 4 C. Decision to be Made .................................................................................................. 5 D. Conformance with BLM Resource Management Plan(s) .......................................... 6 E. Consistency with Laws, Regulations and Policies..................................................... 7 F. Scoping and Identification of Issues ........................................................................ 12 1. Issues for Analysis .......................................................................................... 13 2. Issues Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis ............................
  • Rhesus Macaques (Macaca Mulatta) Recognize Group Membership Via Olfactory Cues Alone

    Rhesus Macaques (Macaca Mulatta) Recognize Group Membership Via Olfactory Cues Alone

    Behav Ecol Sociobiol (2015) 69:2019–2034 DOI 10.1007/s00265-015-2013-y ORIGINAL ARTICLE Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) recognize group membership via olfactory cues alone Stefanie Henkel 1,2 & Angelina Ruiz Lambides1,3,4 & Anne Berger5 & Ruth Thomsen1,6,7 & Anja Widdig1,3 Received: 9 April 2015 /Revised: 18 September 2015 /Accepted: 21 September 2015 /Published online: 31 October 2015 # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015 Abstract The ability to distinguish group members from con- paradigm to investigate whether rhesus macaques (Macaca specifics living in other groups is crucial for gregarious spe- mulatta) can discriminate between body odors of female cies. Olfaction is known to play a major role in group recog- group members and females from different social groups. nition and territorial defense in a wide range of mammalian We conducted the study on the research island Cayo Santiago, taxa. Although primates have been typically regarded as Puerto Rico, in the non-mating season and controlled for kin- microsmatic (having a poor sense of smell), increasing evi- ship and familiarity using extensive pedigree and demograph- dence suggests that olfaction may play a greater role in pri- ic data. Our results indicate that both males and females in- mates’ social life than previously assumed. In this study, we spect out-group odors significantly longer than in-group carried out behavioral bioassays using a signaler-receiver odors. Males licked odors more often than females, and older animals licked more often than younger ones. Furthermore, individuals tended to place their nose longer towards odors Communicated by E. Huchard when the odor donor’s group rank was higher than the rank of Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article their own group.
  • Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife And

    Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife And

    Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals Production and Wildlife of Adaptation Assessing Environmental the Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and • Edward Narayan Edward • Production Animals Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools Edited by Edward Narayan Printed Edition of the Special Issue Published in Animals www.mdpi.com/journal/animals Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools Editor Edward Narayan MDPI • Basel • Beijing • Wuhan • Barcelona • Belgrade • Manchester • Tokyo • Cluj • Tianjin Editor Edward Narayan The University of Queensland Australia Editorial Office MDPI St. Alban-Anlage 66 4052 Basel, Switzerland This is a reprint of articles from the Special Issue published online in the open access journal Animals (ISSN 2076-2615) (available at: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals/special issues/ environmental adaptation). For citation purposes, cite each article independently as indicated on the article page online and as indicated below: LastName, A.A.; LastName, B.B.; LastName, C.C. Article Title. Journal Name Year, Volume Number, Page Range. ISBN 978-3-0365-0142-0 (Hbk) ISBN 978-3-0365-0143-7 (PDF) © 2021 by the authors. Articles in this book are Open Access and distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, which allows users to download, copy and build upon published articles, as long as the author and publisher areproperly credited, which ensures maximum dissemination and a wider impact of our publications. The book as a whole is distributed by MDPI under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND.
  • Behavior and Ecology 0 the Asiatic Elephant in Southeastern Ceylon A

    Behavior and Ecology 0 the Asiatic Elephant in Southeastern Ceylon A

    GEORGE M. McKA Behavior and Ecology 0 the Asiatic Elephant in Southeastern Ceylon A SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY NUMBER 125 SERIAL PUBLICATIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION The emphasis upon publications as a means of diffusing knowledge was expressed by the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. In his formal plan for the Insti- tution, Joseph Henry articulated a program that included the following statement: "It is proposed to publish a series of reports, giving an account of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all branches of knowledge.'* This keynote of basic research has been adhered to over the years in the issuance of thousands of titles in serial publications under the Smithsonian imprint, com- mencing with Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge in 1848 and continuing with the following active series: Smithsonian Annals of Flight Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology Smithsonian Contributions to Astrophysics Smithsonian Contributions to Botany Smithsonian Contributions to the Earth Sciences Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology Smithsonian Contributiotis to Zoology Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology In these series, the Institution publishes original articles and monographs dealing with the research and collections of its several museums and offices and of profes- sional colleagues at other institutions of learning. These papers report newly acquired facts, synoptic interpretations of data, or original theory in specialized fields. These publications are distributed by subscription to libraries, laboratories, and other in- terested institutions and specialists throughout the world. Individual copies may be obtained from the Smithsonian Institution Press as long as stocks are available. S. DILLON RIPLEY Secretary Smithsonian Institution SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY NUMBER 125 George M.
  • Olfactory Communication in Mammals 4034

    Olfactory Communication in Mammals 4034

    Copyright 1972. All rights reserved OLFACTORY COMMUNICATION IN MAMMALS 4034 JOHN F. EISENBERG AND DEVRA G. KLEIMAN National Zoological Park Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC INTRODUCTION In the broad perspective chemical communication has been the subject of several recent reviews (Wilson 138; Johnston, Moulton & Turk 59; Wilson 137). The present review will be more restrictive; we will deal with one as- pect of chemical communication in one class of vertebrates, i.e., olfaction in the Mammalia. For the purposes of this review, olfactory communication is defined as the process whereby a chemical signal is generated by a presumptive sender and transmitted (generally through the air) to a presumptive receiver who by means of adequate receptors can identify, integrate, and respond (either be- haviorally or physiologically) to the signal. It is assumed that the sender-re- ceiver relationship is in some way the result of natural selection so that signal production by the sender leads to an increased likelihood that the sender or the species will benefit from the transmission of the message; the whole pro- cess of communication is subject to the pressures of natural selection. A chemical signal which serves to trigger a response in a conspecific re- ceiver is generally referred to as a pheromone (Wilson 137)•in contrast to an allomone, which is a signal used to communicate with a member of an- other species (Brown 16). By thus defining olfactory communication, we have eliminated from consideration in this review problems of food selection, habitat selection, etc, which do involve the chemical senses but which result from different sorts of interactions of the organism with the environment.
  • Evaluating the Responses of a Territorial Solitary Carnivore to Potential Mates and Competitors Received: 22 February 2016 Maximilian L

    Evaluating the Responses of a Territorial Solitary Carnivore to Potential Mates and Competitors Received: 22 February 2016 Maximilian L

    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Evaluating the responses of a territorial solitary carnivore to potential mates and competitors Received: 22 February 2016 Maximilian L. Allen1,2, Veronica Yovovich1 & Christopher C. Wilmers1 Accepted: 17 May 2016 Successful communication is critical to the fitness of individuals and maintenance of populations, Published: 02 June 2016 but less is known regarding the social contexts and reactions to scent marking by other individuals in solitary carnivores, including pumas. We evaluated the responses of resident male pumas to visitation and scent marking by potential competitors (other male pumas) and potential mates (female pumas) by capturing and marking 46 pumas (Puma concolor), and documenting scent marking behaviours using motion-triggered video cameras. By comparing resident male puma visitation rates and communication behaviours in response to either male or female visitors, we found that their visitation and communication behaviours were best explained by the combination of visitation by both competitors and potential mates. Resident males returned to scent marking sites more quickly and increased their rate of flehmen response after visitation by a females, while they increased their rate of visitation and duration of visits in response to other males. Male pumas also visited less frequently in summer and autumn when female visitation rates were lower, but males created nearly twice as many scrapes during these visits. This study suggests that advertising for mates when scent marking may sometimes overshadow the importance of deterring competitors and claiming territory. Communication is an integral element of animal behaviour, and scent marking is one of the most frequent forms of communication for many mammal species.
  • Elephant Behaviour Paper

    Elephant Behaviour Paper

    African elephant social structure: Visual, tactile, and acoustic communication that underlies social behaviour. Anna Ree April 18, 2012 ENSC 455 Social Structure: There are few species in the animal kingdom that live together in permanent social groups. The development of close and enduring social relationships between members is seen in many non-human primates, some marine mammals, social carnivores, and Asian and African elephants (Sukumar, 2003). Elephants are similar to other social species in that they form close social bonds preferentially with kin, however, they are different because the relationships they form are unusually fluid and rival chimpanzees and humans in their complexity (Archie et al, 2011). These social relationships are thought to have evolved through the benefits of protection afforded an individual, better attainment of resources, reduced parasite loads, mate selection, and rearing offspring (Stacey and Ligon, 1991). There are also costs to social living such as intensified competition. To balance these costs and benefits, elephants have developed a “fission- fusion” society that enables them to react to changing environmental conditions (such as drought). This “fission and fusion” of social relationships in elephants is seen in short-term grouping dynamics and long-term permanent associations (Moss and Lee, 2011). Female elephants live in matrilineal groups led by the oldest female or matriarch, which change in size and composition over time, with some family units joining temporarily and other families occasionally associating with males. Males have an equally large network of relationships as females within and beyond the population; however, males live an almost completely separate social life from females once independent after they leave the family between 8 and 16 years old (Poole, 1982; Lee and Moss, 1999).
  • Wild Tigers in Captivity: a Study of the Effects of the Captive Environment on Tiger Behavior

    Wild Tigers in Captivity: a Study of the Effects of the Captive Environment on Tiger Behavior

    Wild Tigers in Captivity: A Study of the Effects of the Captive Environment on Tiger Behavior Leigh Elizabeth Pitsko Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN GEOGRAPHY Lisa M. Kennedy, Chair Lawrence S. Grossman Marcella J. Kelly Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA 25 April 2003 Keywords: Panthera tigris, environmental enrichment, stereotypies, conservation, exhibit design Copyright 2003, Leigh Elizabeth Pitsko ABSTRACT Wild Tigers in Captivity: A Study of the Effects of the Captive Environment on Tiger Behavior Leigh Elizabeth Pitsko Humans maintain wild animals in zoological parks for the purposes of education, conservation, research, and recreation. However, abnormal behaviors may develop in animals housed in human-made environments, if those environments do not allow them to carry out their natural behaviors (such as swimming, climbing, stalking, and predation). Captive environments in zoological parks often do not provide for natural behaviors due to spatial constraints and negative public reaction. Tigers (Panthera tigris) present a difficult case; they have large home ranges in the wild and natural predatory hunting behaviors that are difficult to provide for in captivity. As the numbers of wild tigers decline, captive breeding programs have become a major focus of the zoo community, which magnifies the importance of research on tiger husbandry. A body of research exists on small felids, but little, if any, has focused on tigers. This thesis presents an analysis of the effects of the captive environment on the behaviors of 18 captive Bengal and Siberian tigers in four zoological parks in Virginia and Pennsylvania.
  • LO2 Resource: Lions, Donkey and Humans Overall Learning Objectives: 1

    LO2 Resource: Lions, Donkey and Humans Overall Learning Objectives: 1

    #lionopera LO2 Resource: Lions, donkey and humans Overall learning objectives: 1. To be able to compare and contrast lions, donkeys and humans in a variety of ways. 2. To be able to identify similarities and also what sets the three species apart from each other. 3. To build connections with and empathy for lions and donkeys. Slide Focus and learning Sequence of activities and content Resources, links and ideas objectives 2 Learning objectives of the 1. To be able to compare and contrast lions, donkeys and humans unit: in a variety of ways. 2. To be able to identify similarities and also what sets the three species apart from each other. 3. To build connections with and empathy for lions and donkeys. 3 What do we need to stay What do humans need? What would happen if our basic needs alive and be happy? Brainstorm ideas of what we need to stay alive and also to be were not met? happy. • No food or water • No shelter We have some basic needs, just to stay alive; • No air to breath • food, water • shelter What would happen if our “higher” needs • air were not met? But there are other things that help us have a better life and add to • If we were ill all the time, or had a the quality of our lives; serious disease • Healthy; being ill does not make us feel good • If we had no other people to talk to and • Friends, love; we are social animals and like other people no friends around us • If we did not exercise or just focussed • Play, exercise; to keep our bodies and minds fit on school work / work all the time.
  • The Functional Anatomy of the Olfactory System

    The Functional Anatomy of the Olfactory System

    Animal Research International (2009) 6(3): 1093 – 1101 1093 THE ROLE OF MAIN OLFACTORY AND VOMERONASAL SYSTEMS IN ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND REPRODUCTION IGBOKWE, Casmir Onwuaso Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Email: [email protected] Phone: +234 8034930393 ABSTRACT In many terrestrial tetrapod, olfactory sensory communication is mediated by two anatomically and functionally distinct sensory systems; the main olfactory system and vomeronasal system (accessory olfactory system). Recent anatomical studies of the central pathways of the olfactory and vomeronasal systems showed that these two systems converge on neurons in the telencephalon providing an evidence for functional interaction. The combined anatomical, molecular, physiological and behavioural studies have provided new insights into the involvement of these systems in pheromonal perception and their influence on the neuroendocrine pathways. The olfactory and vomeronasal systems have overlapping functions and both are involved in responses to both pheromones and chemical odorants. Several studies in insects, amphibians, rodents and ungulates have established the importance of pheromones in the astonishing influence exerted by the male on the reproductive activity of the female. The great diversity of signals used in chemical communication indicates that this communication is not mediated exclusively by pheromones. A number of pheromonal responses are not dependent on the vomeronasal system, but on the main olfactory system. The dual olfactory systems also have overlapping functions. The importance of this organ in reproductive and social behaviours was the aim of carrying out the review on its basic morphology and functional correlations in order to encourage more future studies of this important organ of our local species and breeds of mammals.
  • Equid Play Ethogram Sue M

    Equid Play Ethogram Sue M

    Applied Animal Behaviour Science 78 (2002) 263±290 Equid play ethogram Sue M. McDonnell*, Amy Poulin Equine Behavior Laboratory, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA Abstract An ethogram of play behavior among equids was developed. Several key English-language studies on equids were reviewed to derive a preliminary inventory of speci®c behaviors to be included in the ethogram. Our primary observations were based on a herd of semi-feral Shetland-type ponies kept at New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA. Greater than 100 h of direct observation and photo-documentation focused speci®cally on play in order to identify play behaviors to be added to the preliminary inventory and to obtain detailed descriptions of each behavior. Additionally, these observations were supplemented with photographs obtained during several years of observational study of this herd for other purposes, and with the cumulative equid observational experience and study notes of the principal investigator with other equid species. An initial draft was sent out to 18 equine behavior colleagues for review. A total of 38 individual behaviors classi®ed into four distinct categories were included in the ethogram. These included object play (14 entries), play sexual behavior (3 entries), locomotor play (14 entries) and play ®ghting (7 entries). All of the behaviors catalogued from direct observation of the herd were also found in the equid literature. The resulting ethogram offers a practical tool as a ®eld guide or reference for quantitative research and other studies of equid play behavior as well as for teaching of equid behavior.