Coyote responses to visual and olfactory stimuli related to familiarity with an area

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 2248-2253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamar A. Windberg

Individual coyotes (Canis latrans) are infrequently captured within their familiar areas of activity. Current hypotheses are that the differential capture vulnerability may involve neophobia or inattentiveness. To assess the effect of familiarity, I measured coyote responsiveness to sensory cues encountered in familiar and novel settings. Seventy-four captive coyotes were presented with visual and olfactory stimuli in familiar and unfamiliar 1-ha enclosures. The visual stimuli were black or white wooden cubes of three sizes (4, 8, and 16 cm per side). The olfactory stimuli were fatty acid scent, W-U lure (trimethylammonium decanoate plus sulfide additives), and coyote urine and liquefied feces. Overall, coyotes were more responsive to stimuli during exploration in unfamiliar than in familiar enclosures. None of 38 coyotes that responded were neophobic toward the olfactory stimuli. The frequency of coyote response, and the resulting degrees of neophobia, did not differ between the black and white visual stimuli. Regardless of context, the largest visual stimuli were recognized at the greatest distance and evoked the strongest neophobic response. A greater proportion of coyotes were neophobic toward the small and medium-sized stimuli in familiar than in unfamiliar enclosures. This study demonstrated that when encountered in familiar environments, visual cues are more likely to elicit neophobic responses by coyotes than are olfactory stimuli.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin S. Mallory ◽  
Kiah Hardcastle ◽  
Malcolm G. Campbell ◽  
Alexander Attinger ◽  
Isabel I. C. Low ◽  
...  

AbstractNeural circuits generate representations of the external world from multiple information streams. The navigation system provides an exceptional lens through which we may gain insights about how such computations are implemented. Neural circuits in the medial temporal lobe construct a map-like representation of space that supports navigation. This computation integrates multiple sensory cues, and, in addition, is thought to require cues related to the individual’s movement through the environment. Here, we identify multiple self-motion signals, related to the position and velocity of the head and eyes, encoded by neurons in a key node of the navigation circuitry of mice, the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC). The representation of these signals is highly integrated with other cues in individual neurons. Such information could be used to compute the allocentric location of landmarks from visual cues and to generate internal representations of space.


Birds ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-146
Author(s):  
Eduardo J. Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
Juan J. Negro

The family Ciconiidae comprises 19 extant species which are highly social when nesting and foraging. All species share similar morphotypes, with long necks, a bill, and legs, and are mostly coloured in the achromatic spectrum (white, black, black, and white, or shades of grey). Storks may have, however, brightly coloured integumentary areas in, for instance, the bill, legs, or the eyes. These chromatic patches are small in surface compared with the whole body. We have analyzed the conservatism degree of colouration in 10 body areas along an all-species stork phylogeny derived from BirdTRee using Geiger models. We obtained low conservatism in frontal areas (head and neck), contrasting with a high conservatism in the rest of the body. The frontal areas tend to concentrate the chromatic spectrum whereas the rear areas, much larger in surface, are basically achromatic. These results lead us to suggest that the divergent evolution of the colouration of frontal areas is related to species recognition through visual cue assessment in the short-range, when storks form mixed-species flocks in foraging or resting areas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Rozzi ◽  
Marco Bimbi ◽  
Alfonso Gravante ◽  
Luciano Simone ◽  
Leonardo Fogassi

AbstractThe ventral part of lateral prefrontal cortex (VLPF) of the monkey receives strong visual input, mainly from inferotemporal cortex. It has been shown that VLPF neurons can show visual responses during paradigms requiring to associate arbitrary visual cues to behavioral reactions. Further studies showed that there are also VLPF neurons responding to the presentation of specific visual stimuli, such as objects and faces. However, it is largely unknown whether VLPF neurons respond and differentiate between stimuli belonging to different categories, also in absence of a specific requirement to actively categorize or to exploit these stimuli for choosing a given behavior. The first aim of the present study is to evaluate and map the responses of neurons of a large sector of VLPF to a wide set of visual stimuli when monkeys simply observe them. Recent studies showed that visual responses to objects are also present in VLPF neurons coding action execution, when they are the target of the action. Thus, the second aim of the present study is to compare the visual responses of VLPF neurons when the same objects are simply observed or when they become the target of a grasping action. Our results indicate that: (1) part of VLPF visually responsive neurons respond specifically to one stimulus or to a small set of stimuli, but there is no indication of a “passive” categorical coding; (2) VLPF neuronal visual responses to objects are often modulated by the task conditions in which the object is observed, with the strongest response when the object is target of an action. These data indicate that VLPF performs an early passive description of several types of visual stimuli, that can then be used for organizing and planning behavior. This could explain the modulation of visual response both in associative learning and in natural behavior.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith M. Varkevisser ◽  
Ralph Simon ◽  
Ezequiel Mendoza ◽  
Martin How ◽  
Idse van Hijlkema ◽  
...  

AbstractBird song and human speech are learned early in life and for both cases engagement with live social tutors generally leads to better learning outcomes than passive audio-only exposure. Real-world tutor–tutee relations are normally not uni- but multimodal and observations suggest that visual cues related to sound production might enhance vocal learning. We tested this hypothesis by pairing appropriate, colour-realistic, high frame-rate videos of a singing adult male zebra finch tutor with song playbacks and presenting these stimuli to juvenile zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Juveniles exposed to song playbacks combined with video presentation of a singing bird approached the stimulus more often and spent more time close to it than juveniles exposed to audio playback only or audio playback combined with pixelated and time-reversed videos. However, higher engagement with the realistic audio–visual stimuli was not predictive of better song learning. Thus, although multimodality increased stimulus engagement and biologically relevant video content was more salient than colour and movement equivalent videos, the higher engagement with the realistic audio–visual stimuli did not lead to enhanced vocal learning. Whether the lack of three-dimensionality of a video tutor and/or the lack of meaningful social interaction make them less suitable for facilitating song learning than audio–visual exposure to a live tutor remains to be tested.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 290-295
Author(s):  
N. L. Rieznykova

Introduction. Whiteheaded Ukrainian – native breed, animals of which are characterized with longevity, don’t require much care, have ability to compile rather high milk yield (particularly, record-yielding cow of the breed Оrbita during 300 days of the 7-th lactation – 12 339 kg) with rather high fat yield. However, now this breed is registered as endangered. Breed conservation should be done not only by way of state subsidizing, but as well and more effectively by way of breed commercialization. Like majority of local breeds, it can’t compete with commercial breeds on production quantity, but can do it on quality of it. Quality, namely colour, taste and aroma of fresh raw milk are caused by its content, particularly fat acid content and aroma compound (aldehydes, carbon acids, amino compounds and so on). So, it seemed actual to investigate aroma composition, particularly, availability and amount of aroma compounds, ω-3 and ω-6-acids and fatty acid content of Whiteheaded Ukrainian cows’ and analogous groups of other breeds or crossbreds’ milk. Besides it, milk value is determined as well by its «technology suitability», thus, suitability to processing, one of important indexes of which is milk homogeneity. Homogeneity is found as diameter of fat globules. Small fat globules diameter – important factor for fat storing in cheese curd, so, for avoiding its loss with whey. So, the aim of the work was the defining of aromatics, fatty acid content and the diameter of fat globules of milk of cows of Whiteheaded Ukrainian breed and its crossbreds with Holstein. Materials and methods. Sampling was done from animals of Whiteheaded Ukrainian (WhU) and its crossbred with Holstein (WhU+50%H), which were kept at the same conditions (one shed and the same ratio) of «Podolian host-2004» Ltd. of Khmelnitskiy region. Sampling was done at dinner time by hands from cows, which were at the same stage of lactation (3-4 month) and were not the half- or whole sibs. Taking into account the possibility of objective simultaneous estimation at the equipment only 2 contrast samples, the sampling was done from 4 animals. Two reiterations of the experiment were done. Fatty acid content was defined at chromatograph VARIAN 3900, equipped with column CP-Select CB for FAME, 100 mmx0.25mm, DF-0,25 (Varian firm) according to state standard ГОСТ Р 51483-99 «Fats and oils. The defining of individual fatty acids methyl ethers mass share to its sum by the method of gas chromatography». The preparation of experimental samples was done due to state standard ГОСТ Р 51486-99 «Fats and oils. Getting fatty acids methyl ethers». Results. The analysis of milk aromatic constituents of experimental samples doesn’t confirm the predominance of any breed, though it should be checked at bigger massive. The important characteristics of milk aromatic peculiarities is lactones availability and its concentration. It should be admitted, that the concentration of delta-dodecalactons is almost 3 times higher (4,25 mg/kg) in the milk of half-bred Holstein cow compared with Whiteheaded Ukrainian (1,66). Though, taking into account not-satisfying in number massive, this result should be checked. It’s a pity, but the effect of heterosis was not investigated, though the latter, as we know, is found on traits, which provide the viability of species (live weight, daily gain and so on). To investigate the influence of Holstein blood share on traits was not possible as well, as there were only half-bred animals in the herd. There were found ramified fatty acids with chain length 13-17 carbon atoms at all researched samples in the form of iso- and anteiso-, which have anti-tumour activity. It should be admitted, that healthy anti-sclerotic and anti-ischemic ω-6 fatty acids, particularly, arachic acid, is found not at all samples, though linolic (ω-3) and its conjugate have almost equal distribution at all researched samples. Comparison of milk fatty acid content of Whiteheaded Ukrainian, its crossbreds and Black-and-White breed of Sumy region (again, sooner, crossed with Holstein) showed predominance of milk of Whiteheaded cows and its crossbreds on certain fatty acids. Thus, animals of Black-and-White breed have considerably higher (in average 30,76 %, n=5) content of palmitic and stearic (13,96 %) acids (versus 23.8 on palmitic and 10.5 % on stearic of Whiteheaded Ukrainian and its crossbreds), which, as it is known, negatively influence human organism, creating cholesterol «clots» in vessels, though content of useful oleic acid proved to be higher at the milk of Black-and-White cows. It should be stressed, that the milk of as Whiteheaded Ukrainian, so its crossbreds is suit for cheese-making, as the most profitable cheese-making is done of milk with fat globules’ size 1.5-3.0 mkm. For best human organism assimilation, the milk with smaller fat globules is better as well. So, researched milk samples meet all above-mentioned demands, as the largest number of globules have diameter 1,0-3,0 mkm. Conclusions. 1. The speed of autochthonous breeds of Ukraine disappearing, particularly Whiteheaded Ukrainian, demands the finding out the other ways of its conservation, particularly, its production commercialization. 2. Milk as Whiteheaded Ukrainian, so its crossbreds with Holstein has rich fatty acid content. 3. The diameter of predominant number of fat globules of selected samples is at range 1,0-3,0 mkm, that is the most favourable for consuming and processing.


AAESPH Review ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey N. Switzky ◽  
Janet Woolsey-Hill ◽  
Therese Quoss

Twelve profoundly retarded nonverbal, nonambulatory children were repeatedly exposed to one of two visual stimuli-a 2 times 2 or a 12 times 12 black-and-white checkerboard target-until a set criterion of habituation was demonstrated, as measured by a decrement in visual fixation time. When the habituation criterion was reached, the children were shown alternative presentations of the same and a novel target. Results showed an increase in visual fixation to the novel target. A control condition was instituted also; so that when the habituation criterion was reached, the children were shown only presentations of the same target. Results showed no increase in visual fixation to the same targets. Together these results suggest that profoundly retarded children do show habituation and dishabituation to visual stimuli, and are actively storing and processing information about their perceptual world. The educational implications of the habituation paradigm for the special education teacher in the classroom are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas S Johnson ◽  
Scott M Miehls ◽  
Alex J Haro ◽  
C Michael Wagner

Abstract Visual and olfactory stimuli induce behavioural responses in fishes when applied independently, but little is known about how simultaneous exposure influences behaviour, especially in downstream migrating fishes. Here, downstream moving juvenile sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) were exposed to light and a conspecific chemosensory alarm cue in a flume and movement were monitored with overhead cameras and nets. When exposed to light, sea lamprey were more likely to be captured in a net closest to the light array. When exposed to the alarm cue, sea lamprey transit rate through the flume increased, but sea lamprey did not avoid the alarm cue plume by moving perpendicular to flow. When the alarm cue and light were applied simultaneously in a push and pull configuration, the alarm cue still triggered enhanced downstream movement (push downstream) and more sea lamprey was still captured in the net nearest the light (pull to the side), resulting in twice as many sea lamprey being captured in the lighted net relative to controls. To our knowledge, this is the first study using multiple sensory cues in a push-pull configuration to modulate fish outmigration. Push and pull of juvenile sea lamprey with sensory cues could be useful to reduce turbine entrainment where native and enhance trap catch where invasive.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 488-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riley R. Lawson ◽  
Dillon T. Fogarty ◽  
Scott R. Loss

Predator–prey interactions influence behaviors and life-history evolution for both predator and prey species and also have implications for biodiversity conservation. A fundamental goal of ecology is to clarify mechanisms underlying predator–prey interactions and dynamics. To investigate the role of predator sensory mechanisms in predator–prey interactions, specifically in predator detection of prey, we experimentally evaluated importance of visual and olfactory cues for an apex predator, the coyote (Canis latrans Say, 1823). Unlike similar studies, we examined use of sensory cues in a field setting. We used trail cameras and four replicated treatments — visual only, olfactory only, visual and olfactory combined, and a control — to quantify coyote visitation rates in North American deciduous forests during fall 2016. Coyote visitation was greatest for olfactory-only and visual-only cues, followed by the combined olfactory–visual cue; all cues attracted more coyotes than the control (i.e., olfactory = visual > olfactory–visual > control). Our results suggest this apex predator uses both olfactory and visual cues while foraging for prey. These findings from a field study of free-roaming coyotes increase understanding of predator foraging behavior, predator–prey interactions, and sensory ecology. Our study also suggests future directions for field evaluations of the role of different sensory mechanisms in predator foraging and prey concealment behaviors.


2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. 1896-1906 ◽  
Author(s):  
William K. Page ◽  
Nobuya Sato ◽  
Michael T. Froehler ◽  
William Vaughn ◽  
Charles J. Duffy

Navigation relies on the neural processing of sensory cues about observer self-movement and spatial location. Neurons in macaque dorsal medial superior temporal cortex (MSTd) respond to visual and vestibular self-movement cues, potentially contributing to navigation and orientation. We moved monkeys on circular paths around a room while recording the activity of MSTd neurons. MSTd neurons show a variety of sensitivities to the monkey's heading direction, circular path through the room, and place in the room. Changing visual cues alters the relative prevalence of those response properties. Disrupting the continuity of self-movement paths through the environment disrupts path selectivity in a manner linked to the time course of single neuron responses. We hypothesize that sensory cues interact with the spatial and temporal integrative properties of MSTd neurons to derive path selectivity for navigational path integration supporting spatial orientation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Qureshi ◽  
Rebecca Monk ◽  
Charlotte Rebecca Pennington ◽  
Jennifer Rose Oulton

Introduction: Representing a more immersive testing environment, the current study exposed individuals to both alcohol-related visual and auditory cues to assess their respective impact on alcohol-related inhibitory control. It examined further whether individual variation in alcohol consumption and trait effortful control may predict inhibitory control performance. Method: Twenty-five U.K. university students (Mage = 23.08, SD = 8.26) completed an anti-saccade eye-tracking task and were instructed to look towards (pro) or directly away (anti) from alcohol-related and neutral visual stimuli. Short alcohol-related sound cues (bar audio) were played on 50% of trials and were compared with responses where no sounds were played. Results: Findings indicate that participants launched more incorrect saccades towards alcohol-related visual stimuli on anti-saccade trials, and responded quicker to alcohol on pro-saccade trials. Alcohol-related audio cues reduced latencies for both pro- and anti-saccade trials and reduced anti-saccade error rates to alcohol-related visual stimuli. Controlling for trait effortful control and problem alcohol consumption removed these effects. Conclusion: These findings suggest that alcohol-related visual cues may be associated with reduced inhibitory control, evidenced by increased errors and faster response latencies. The presentation of alcohol-related auditory cues, however, appears to enhance performance accuracy. It is postulated that auditory cues may re-contextualise visual stimuli into a more familiar setting that reduces their saliency and lessens their attentional pull.


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