scholarly journals Individual Variability in Response to Social Stress in Dairy Heifers

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1440
Author(s):  
Emeline Nogues ◽  
Benjamin Lecorps ◽  
Daniel M. Weary ◽  
Marina A. G. von Keyserlingk
Keyword(s):  
Social Stress ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Agonistic Interactions ◽  
Linear Mixed Effects ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Social Coping ◽  
Different Levels

Regrouping is associated with increased aggression, and disruption of time-budgets. Individuals vary in how well they cope with social stress. Our objective was to describe individual differences in agonistic behavior in dairy heifers after regrouping, and determine how time-budget and behavioral synchronization were affected by these coping strategies. A total of 30 heifers were individually regrouped at 5-months of age into stable groups of 12 unfamiliar animals. For 24 h, agonistic behaviors initiated and received by the regrouped heifer were continuously recorded, and standing, resting and feeding time and synchronization were sampled every 5 min. Scores of engagement in agonistic interactions and avoidance of interactions were calculated for each regrouped heifer. Linear mixed effects models were used to assess whether these two response types were related, and how variation in these responses related to activity and synchronization. Engaged heifers displayed lower avoidance and spent more time feeding. Avoidant heifers spent less time feeding and resting, and were less synchronized while feeding. We conclude that dairy heifers differ in social coping strategy when regrouped through different levels of engagement and avoidance, and that these differences affected their time-budget and behavioral synchronization.

scholarly journals Time budget patterns and complementary use of a Mediterranean wetland (Tonga, North-east Algeria) by migrant and resident waterbirds

2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elafri Ali ◽  
Halassi Ismahan ◽  
Houhamdi Moussa
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Quantitative Description ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
North East ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Open Water Body

We carried out a quantitative description of the use of a Mediterranean wetland (Tonga, North-east Algeria) by 22 waterbirds species (11 residents and 11 Palaearctic migrants) during late summer-wintering period, also analyzing their species-specific diurnal time budgets and the main related features of the landscape. The analyses of similarity in time budgets across birds (Hierarchal Cluster Analysis) showed four clusters of species associated with four major activities: day time mostly feeding (11 species), sleeping (6), swimming (3) and resting (2). Residents (Herons and Rails) showed a higher feeding time when compared to migrants (diving ducks, Gulls and Cormorants). From late summer to winter the time budget activity change in migrants; in contrast residents behave uniformly among daytime and at the course of the season. The use of this natural wetland in a complementary way by a high number of waterbirds (residents and migrants), is principally promoted by the existing of numerous habitat types. We found that 3 main ecological units, open water body, mudflats, and flooded meadows were the most utilized as foraging habitats among grebes, rails, ducks, gulls, and herons. In contrast, floating-leafed vegetation, and tall emergent vegetation were the commonest habitat categories used in resting activities especially by cormorants and herons. Data on behaviour requirements of these waterbirds can be used for conservation and correct management of this and other Mediterranean coastal wetlands.

scholarly journals Rut-induced changes in the activity budgets of male tropical ungulates: Eld’s deer on Hainan Island

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 536-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhua Ding ◽  
Zhitao Liu ◽  
Yanling Song ◽  
Zhigao Zeng ◽  
Qiong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Hainan Island ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Activity Budgets ◽  
Proximate Mechanisms ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Cervus Eldi Hainanus

Abstract Aspects of time budgets, activity patterns and rut-related changes in behavior are well documented in temperate ungulates; however, the application of this understanding to tropical and sub-tropical ungulate species has attracted less attention and remains an area that may re-shape our knowledge of ungulate behavior. Eld’s deer Cervus eldi hainanus has a tropical and sub-tropical distribution on Hainan Island, China, and males have an extended rut exceeding five months during which they do not maintain harems or defend resources. We studied males from the only remaining population on Hainan Island, and describe rut-related changes in behavior by collecting data on time budgets and activity patterns. We show that male Eld’s deer do not follow a strict crepuscular activity pattern, do not spend the majority of their time foraging and do not increase foraging nor display rut-induced hypophagia during rut, in obvious contrast to temperate ungulates. These results are discussed in light of current hypotheses explaining the proximate mechanisms governing feeding time in ungulates, while appreciating the need for further research.

Seasonal Habitat Use by Nubian Ibex (Capra Nubiana) Evaluated with Behavioral Indicators

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon A. Tadesse ◽  
Burt P. Kotler
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Time Allocation ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Behavioral Models ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Focal Observation

Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) prefer steep terrain in their landscape to reduce risks of predation and human nuisance disturbances. They also use vigilance and time allocation to manage risk of predation. We studied time budgets and habitat selection of Nubian ibex to: (1) identify the habitat variables to which Nubian ibex were behaviorally responsive; (2) investigate how time budget responses of Nubian ibex were related to season, slope condition, group size, and sex-age structure; and (3) develop behavioral-based models that account for the variations in the behaviors of Nubian ibex across the landscape and seasons.To quantify time budgets, we took regular field observations on focal individuals of Nubian ibex classified according to their habitat, group size, sex, and age. For each focal observation, we quantified environmental variables that were thought to influence the behavioral responses of ibex. Then, we developed behavioral models by correlating the proportion of behaviors measured in focal animal observations to the influential environmental variables. The behaviors of Nubian ibex significantly varied with sex and age structure, season, habitat type, and slope conditions. Adult females are more vigilant than adult male ibex, especially in the spring. This correlates with breeding and nursing activities. Based on the characteristics of the habitat, ibex behave to minimize risks of predation and human nuisance disturbances while maximizing their food intake.

Effects of Supplemental Food on the Behaviour and Paternity Status of Male Indigo Buntings (Passerina CyaNea)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-73
Author(s):  
Brad T. McLeod ◽  
Gary Ritchison
Keyword(s):  
Time Budget ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Supplemental Food ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity ◽  
Passerina Cyanea ◽  
And Control

Breeding is energetically costly and, if energy-limited, birds may alter their time budgets, spending less time engaged in some activities and more time in others. Investigators who have provided breeding birds with supplemental food have noted changes in time budgets, but the extent and types of changes have been found to vary among species. Our objective was to determine how food supplementation might influence the time budgets and paternity status of male Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea). We studied Indigo Buntings from 8 May to 15 August 2009 in Madison County, Kentucky. Territories of male Indigo Buntings (n=30) were randomly assigned as either food supplemented (n=8) or controls (n=22). During time-budget observations, all behaviours were noted. To determine paternity status, blood samples were collected from adults and nestlings at 16 nests. Males with feeders in their territories spent significantly less time foraging and more time vocalising (chip notes) than males without feeders. Time spent singing and mate guarding by treatment and control males did not differ. Differences in the proportion of extra-pair young did not differ between nests in territories with and without supplemental food. Our results suggest that, when provided with supplemental food, male Indigo Buntings spend less time foraging and more time engaged in other activities. However, neither the presence of supplemental food nor differences in the behaviour of males in food-supplemented versus non-supplemented territories affected rates of extra-pair paternity.

DIFFERENT LEVELS OF VARIABILITY IN THE FEMALE SONG OF WILD SILVERY GIBBONS (HYLOBATES MOLOCH)

Behaviour ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
pp. 629-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Dallmann ◽  
Thomas Geissmann
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Individual Recognition ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Introductory Note ◽  
Hylobates Moloch ◽  
Broad Variety ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Two Populations ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Great Call

AbstractGibbon songs are known to include species- and sex-specific characteristics. It has been suggested frequently that these songs also exhibit a high degree of individuality, but quantifying individuality has rarely been attempted. Because the statistical methods used in earlier studies were highly dependent on sample size (Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks), it was not possible to compare results among studies directly. We introduce a mean pairwise difference (MPD) of scaled variables in order to quantify great-call variability and individuality. Because of its construction as simple normalised difference, the MPD is largely independent of sample size. This makes it possible to compare results directly with those of other studies on other populations or species. Even various levels of variability (intra- vs. inter-individual, intra- vs. inter-population variability) can be determined and compared with this method. In addition, the MPD can be calculated independently for any acoustic variable. This opens up a broad variety of research options in the area of comparative analysis of acoustic communication. For instance, variability in various parts of a phrase, in various parts of a song bout, in various contexts or in various seasons can be compared, and this is possible even if the variables under comparison are not the same. As an example we analysed female great-call phrases of wild silvery gibbons in Java (Indonesia). We found that inter-individual variability is significantly higher than intra-individual variability. This implies that females can be distinguished by their great-calls, although this was not examined during the present study. Additionally, variability of female songs was found to be significantly lower within one population than among any two populations. The various sections of the great-call differ in their variability. The first half of the great-call (excluding the introductory note) shows the highest potential for individual recognition.

A survey to investigate the level of commercial human-animal interaction during rearing and fear of humans in commercial dairy heifers

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. PC8-PC8
Author(s):  
C. Bertenshaw ◽  
P. Rowlinson ◽  
M. Ness
Keyword(s):  
Companion Paper ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Financial Pressure ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Different Levels

Recent increases in mechanisation, larger dairy units and financial pressure on dairy farmers result in a reduction in labour and time available to spend with stock. Cattle are innately fearful of humans and this fear has been found to have a substantial impact on their productivity. This survey compliments experimental work conducted at Newcastle University on approach behaviour (see companion paper). The objective was to gather information from dairy farmers on commercial heifer rearing systems; establish the different levels of human interaction and familiarity with stockpersons, explore on-farm indicators of fear and solicit farmers’ views on the subject.

Environmental complexity during early life shapes average behavior in adulthood

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjiu Xu ◽  
Qi Yao ◽  
Wenwen Zhang ◽  
Feng Zhang ◽  
Haifeng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Complex Environments ◽  
Environmental Complexity ◽  
Linear Mixed Effects ◽  
Average Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Traits ◽  
Population Average ◽  
Robust Evidence ◽  
Different Levels

Abstract Personality has been identified in a range of animal taxa during the last few decades, with important ecological and evolutionary implications. Investigating the effects of environmental factors during early life can provide important insights into the ontogeny of animal personality. We reared newborn mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, in tanks of different structural complexities, and measured their behavioral traits (i.e., shyness, exploration, and sociability) when they reached sexual maturity. Univariate linear mixed-effects models were fitted to test the effects of environmental complexity and sex on population-average behavior, whereas multivariate models were fitted to quantify behavioral repeatability (i.e., personality) and among-individual correlations (i.e., behavioral syndromes). On average, females were shyer and more social than males, and the fish reared in complex environments were shyer, less explorative, and more social than those reared in open environments. Among-individual differences were consistently large across trials for all behaviors, indicating that personality variation was present in mosquitofish of both sexes reared in different environments. Repeatability did not differ among behaviors, and there were no differences in repeatability in any behavior between sexes or among environments. A negative correlation between shyness and exploration was found in mosquitofish from all treatments at both phenotypic and among-individual levels, with the latter indicating a strong shyness–exploration behavioral syndrome. Our study provides robust evidence that average levels of personality might vary when mosquitofish are raised in different levels of structural complexity during early life.

The short term feeding behaviour of pigs given access to foods differing in bulk content

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 27-27
Author(s):  
E. C. Whittemore ◽  
I. Kyriazakis ◽  
G.C. Emmans ◽  
B.J. Tolkamp ◽  
C. A. Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Control Food ◽  
Bulk Content ◽  
High Bulk ◽  
Different Levels

We need to improve our understanding of the factors that are important for the control of food intake on high bulk foods. The study of short term feeding behaviour (STFB) may help to do this. The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of giving foods differing in bulk content on the STFB of growing pigs. It was expected that the foods would result in different levels of daily intake and that this would be reflected as differences in STFB between the foods. Two hypotheses were developed based on ideas about the way in which a physical constraint to intake could arise. H1; there would be less diurnal variation in feeding on high bulk foods that limit intake. H2; feeding patterns on bulky foods would be less flexible than those on a control food when feeding time is limited by reducing time of access to the feeder.

Time budgets and synchrony of activities in muskoxen: the influence of sex, age, and season

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 1628-1635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steeve D. Côté ◽  
James A. Schaefer ◽  
François Messier
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus ◽  
Group Type ◽  
June July ◽  
Victoria Island

Synchrony of activities and time budgets of age–sex classes of muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) was studied on Victoria Island in the Canadian High Arctic during late winter (April – late May), spring (late May – early June) and summer (mid-June – July). As revealed by the kappa (κ) coefficient of agreement, herd members exhibited significant synchrony in 79 of 82 groups. The degree of synchrony was not related to group size in mixed herds but decreased with group size in bachelor herds. Diversity in age–sex classes, group type (mixed versus bachelor), and season did not affect synchrony. However, synchrony was less among adult males than among other age–sex classes. Muskoxen were more synchronised at the start of activity bouts than at the end. As revealed by principal components analysis, calves tended to spend more time lying and standing and less time feeding than other age–sex classes. In addition, males in bachelor groups tended to feed more and rest less than males in mixed herds. Duration of active and lying bouts was not affected by age–sex class. Length of active bouts did not change with season, but lying bouts decreased in length significantly from late winter to spring and from spring to summer. We suggest that synchrony of activities maintains group cohesion but constrains the time budget of some group members, especially adult males.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document