scholarly journals On the Behavioural Biology of the Mainland Serow: A Comparative Study

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1669
Author(s):  
Sandro Lovari ◽  
Emiliano Mori ◽  
Eva Luna Procaccio

Comparative behavioural studies help reconstruct the phylogeny of closely related species. In that respect, the serows Capricornis spp. occupy an important position as they have been assumed to be the closest forms to the ancestors of Caprinae. In spite of that, information on the behavioural repertoire of the mainland serow Capricornis sumatraensis is exceedingly poor. In this paper, we report data on the activity rhythms and social behaviour of rutting mainland serows in captivity (Central Thailand, January 1986; January–February 1987). Activity was bimodal with peaks in mid-afternoon and late night. Resting and ruminating peaked at noon and twilight. Four patterns of marking behaviour were observed out of a total of 1900 events. Males and females were found to use different marking sites and frequencies. A total of 33 social behaviour patterns were observed: 18 patterns concerned agonistic behaviour, whereas 15 patterns were relevant to courtship behaviour. A comparison across Caprinae species with unritualised piercing weapons (i.e., Capricornis, Naemorhedus, Rupicapra, Budorcas, and Hemitragus) has shown that inter-sexual direct forms of aggressive behaviour are used significantly more often than indirect ones, but for chamois, confirming Rupicapra spp. as the most advanced genus among them in terms of an early ritualisation of weapons. Conversely, horns of the goral Nemorhaedus spp. and the serow lie on the same plane of the frontal bones, thus making possible the usage of a dominance display through frontal pushing.

1977 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 939-941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary L. MacIsaac

The behaviour of hip glands, as gauged by gland length, in Microtus townsendii is shown to be highly correlated with reproductive condition in both males and females. Breeding voles of both sexes are shown to have larger hip glands than nonbreeding voles. It was shown that the hip glands of male Microtus townsendii are under androgen control. The first known observations of marking behaviour in M. townsendii are described.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 63-67
Author(s):  
N. N. Shumilina ◽  
◽  
E. E. Larina ◽  

The pride of Russia has always been sable. Sable is unique not only in the quality of its fur, but also in the fact that almost the entire range of its habitat is located on the territory of our country. It was in our country that this animal was first bred in captivity. In this regard, Russia has long had a monopoly on the production of sable skins. In 1969, the black sable breed was approved, and in 1998, the «Saltykov» type of sable was approved. JSC «Saltykovsky Breeding farm» has created a unique herd of dark Sables with evenly spaced gray hair, the skins of which are valued at auctions by 10–30% more expensive [2]. The article presents the results of a comparative assessment of the productive qualities of Sables without gray hair and with different degrees of gray created in JSC «Plemzverosovkhoz » Saltykovsky» livestock. As a result of the analysis, it was found that Sables with gray hair have higher bonitirovki scores (more than 50%). Analyzing the indicators of bonitirovki in males and females with different degrees of gray hair, it was found that the quality of pubescence and color of males with bright gray hair is significantly superior to individuals without gray hair, the same trend is observed in females. In addition, a positive correlation was found (0,79) between the weight of skins in grams, their length and area both in Sables without gray hair, and in individuals with different degrees of gray hair. The most common defect on skins without gray hair is soaking.


Koedoe ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Stutterheim ◽  
J.D. Skinner

A captive colony of Gerbillurus p. paeba was studied inan outdoor enclosure and observation cages. The general behaviour is discussed and notes on the reproduction andreproductive behaviour given. Increasing the number of lighthours and increasing the temperature seem to induce fertilityin both males and females. The external parasites found on Gerbillurus are listed.


1982 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Dabek

AbstractOllarianus balli (Van D.), a leafhopper vector of disease-associated mycoplasma-like organisms, was found to be rare in Jamaica. Its distribution and frequency were governed primarily by the distribution and density of its specific field host, the wild legume Rhynchosia minima on which it completes its life-cycle. Under suitable temperature conditions, O. balli was easily reared in captivity on R. minima and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), although the latter is not a natural host. It oviposited into the hypodermal tissues covering veins of sterns, petioles and the abaxial surfaces of older leaves. Eggs hatched 10–15 days after oviposition and there were five nymphal instars. Instar 1 was distinct from instars 2–5 which, except for size, were similar in appearance. The first adults matured some three weeks after the final moult. There appeared to be little difference in the average life-span of males and females of O. balli.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 925-941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin H -C Wei ◽  
Sarah E Lower ◽  
Ian V Caldas ◽  
Trevor J S Sless ◽  
Daniel A Barbash ◽  
...  

Abstract Simple satellites are tandemly repeating short DNA motifs that can span megabases in eukaryotic genomes. Because they can cause genomic instability through nonallelic homologous exchange, they are primarily found in the repressive heterochromatin near centromeres and telomeres where recombination is minimal, and on the Y chromosome, where they accumulate as the chromosome degenerates. Interestingly, the types and abundances of simple satellites often vary dramatically between closely related species, suggesting that they turn over rapidly. However, limited sampling has prevented detailed understanding of their evolutionary dynamics. Here, we characterize simple satellites from whole-genome sequences generated from males and females of nine Drosophila species, spanning 40 Ma of evolution. We show that PCR-free library preparation and postsequencing GC-correction better capture satellite quantities than conventional methods. We find that over half of the 207 simple satellites identified are species-specific, consistent with previous descriptions of their rapid evolution. Based on a maximum parsimony framework, we determined that most interspecific differences are due to lineage-specific gains. Simple satellites gained within a species are typically a single mutation away from abundant existing satellites, suggesting that they likely emerge from existing satellites, especially in the genomes of satellite-rich species. Interestingly, unlike most of the other lineages which experience various degrees of gains, the lineage leading up to the satellite-poor D. pseudoobscura and D. persimilis appears to be recalcitrant to gains, providing a counterpoint to the notion that simple satellites are universally rapidly evolving.


Author(s):  
Danillo Barroso ◽  
Douglas Fernandes Rodrigues Alves ◽  
Gustavo L. Hirose

The aim of the present study is to test the resource economic monopolization hypothesis and the hypothesis of monogamy using the shrimpAlpheus estuariensisas a model. The shrimps were collected in two areas in the Vaza-Barriz estuary, north-east Brazil, from August to November 2016. The average abundance of refuges was obtained through 30 random replicates. The shrimp presented a random distribution in both areas. Males and females found together showed a weak relation between their sizes, with males being larger than females. In addition, the cheliped of males grows proportionally more than that of females. The great abundance of refuges present in the environment, added to the aforementioned results, do not support the idea of refuge-guarding behaviour or monogamy. These results, which are in disagreement with those already found for some shrimps of the same family, genus, and even species, reinforce the idea that Alpheidae can be used as a model in the study of how environmental conditions are capable of shaping the social behaviour of a species.


1984 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Merchant ◽  
K Newgrain ◽  
B Green

The growth and development, from 10 to 270 days old, of eastern quolls in a captive colony was recorded. Young were able to detach from the teat by 65 days of age and their eyes were open by 80 days. Statistically significant differences in some measurements from males and females were found as early as 85 days of age. The weaning period commenced at 102 days ofage, and coincided with eruption ofthe first molar teeth. Total independence, determined by the cessation of lactation in the mother, was as early as 142 days in litters of one or as late as 200 days in larger litters. There was a high correlation between litter size and age at independence. Lactation was maintained in all previously suckled mammary glands of adult females after the death of young aged 65 days or over if some siblings remained. This was due to the ability of young of this age to detach and reattach to the teats at will. The implication of this observation is that the commonly held view that the numbers of surviving young in marsupial litters corresponds to the number of lactating teats in the adult female may not always be correct.


1979 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Smith

1. Feeding behaviour of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) was observed at a sanctuary near Brisbane, Australia. They fed sporadically throughout the day, for a total of at least 19 h daily, on leaves; they ingested soil and gravel, and drank water when it was provided, but infrequently. Young were seen to leave the pouch at 220 days old and to eat leaves at 217 days old. None under 10 months old was seen to pull leaves forward before biting them.


2016 ◽  
Vol 182 ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kairi Kiik ◽  
Tiit Maran ◽  
Nadja Kneidinger ◽  
Toomas Tammaru

Behaviour ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 138 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1319-1336 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.G. Mech ◽  
M.H. Ferkin ◽  

AbstractMost terrestrial mammals deposit scent marks to communicate with conspecifics. We examined the scent marking behaviour of meadow voles and prairie voles, species with different mating systems and social organizations, to determine whether voles scent mark according to the 'targeting' response, the 'avoidance' response, or the 'shotgun' response. The targeting response occurs when the second scent donor deposits more of its scent marks in an area marked by the first scent donor than in an unscented area. The avoidance response occurs when the second scent donor deposits more of its scent marks in an unscented area than in an area marked by the first scent donor. The shotgun response occurs when the second scent donor deposits a similar number of its scent marks in an area containing scent marks of a conspecific and in an area containing no conspecific scent marks. We allowed voles simultaneous access to an arena containing two arms: one of the arms was scented by a conspecific and the other arm was unscented. We recorded the number of marks deposited by the voles in each arm and the amount of time they spent investigating marks deposited previously in the scented arm. Our data provide no support for the avoidance response, but provide support for the shotgun response and the target response. Species and sex differences in the scent marking behaviours of voles when they encounter the scent marks of conspecifics are discussed within the framework that scent marking responses depend on the voles' social organization and mating system, and that these responses may reflect the tactics males and females use to attract mates and compete with same-sex conspecifics.


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