bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Inquiry Into the Genesis of Aggression in Mice Induced By Isolation
Authors: Banerjee U.
Published: April 2008

An easily reproducible method was developed for isolating mice and evaluating isolation-induced aggression. A scoring schedule for rating aggressiveness and a formula to assess the dominance-subordination index (DI) were adopted. Sixty-eight white and black male mice, in 3 series, were socially isolated at 3-6 weeks of age. Increased excitability, hyperkinesia and other behavioural aberrations were observed during the first 6 weeks of isolation after which fighting sessions were started between conspecific pairs of mice. They were placed into 3 grades of aggressiveness on the basis of the scores and DI from 12 fighting sessions for each series. Aggressiveness increased till the 4th to 6th fighting session as the mice gained experience in fighting but decreased thereafter, probably, due to frequent contacts with and habituation to other mice that could be considered as 'socialization'. The respective roles of social isolation in engendering aggression and of socialization in suppressing it were discussed in relevance with the possible mechanisms.
Pheromone Trail-Following Studies of Typhlopid, Leptotyphlopid, and Colubrid Snakes
Authors: Gehlbach Frederick R. , Watkins Julian F. , Kroll James C.
Published: April 2008

The blind snakes, Leptotyphlops dulcis and Typhlops pusillus, readily follow pheromone trails of various ants and termites and their own trails plus those made by conspecific individuals. Conversely, the colubrid snakes, Sonora episcopa, Tantilla gracilis, and Virginia striatula, do not follow insect and snake trails as readily, although the latter two species follow army ant and earthworm trails, respectively. Army ant trails are followed much further by the blind snakes than trails of other ants. This behavior is selectively advantageous, since these trails can lead to both army ant and captured ant brood as food for the snakes. Blind snakes and colubrids follow the trails of individuals of the opposite sex further than their own trails or those of other members of the same sex. This behavior is selectively advantageous for reproduction. Also, snake trail-following may effect aggregations that conserve moisture and reduce temperature fluctuations. Pheromone trail-following in general is advantageous, as it reduces the energy spent foraging for food, shelter, and mates.
Luring Behavior in the Scorpionfish, Iracundus Signifer
Authors: Shallenberger Robert J. , Madden William D.
Published: April 2008

In October, 1970, laboratory observations were conducted on fishes collected from the hull of a 12 meter boat which had remained on the ocean bottom in 70 meters of water for over five months. Included in the collection were three live specimens of the scorpionfish, Iracundus signifer Jordan and Evermann. These specimens displayed a type of luring behavior unlike any pattern described previously. Prior to feeding, the camouflaged scorpionfish raised its spinous dorsal fin and began snapping it from side to side in a characteristic fashion. Colors on the fin intensified during the display. The image of a small fish, complete with eye, mouth and dorsal fin, became visible on the fin. Prey fish, attracted within range, or at least distracted by the luring, were attacked by the scorpionfish and rapidly swallowed. The most comparative patterns in vertebrates are seen in the highly diversified angler-fishes, although members of the fresh water mussel family, Lampsilidae, display a similar lure in the attraction of host fishes for their larvae. The behavioral and morphological components of luring in I. signifer are seen individually among other members of the family Scorpaenidae, although none appear to have evolved a coordinated luring pattern closely similar to I. signifer. Experimental and observational data indicate that erection and movement of the lure may elicit a simple behavioral response, not directly related to the fishlike qualities of the lure. The evolution of this pattern is considered.
Social Facilitation in the Bengalese Finch
Authors: Birke Lynda I.A.
Published: April 2008

Observations of paired male Bengalese finches showed that preening, feeding, beak-wiping, and drinking behaviour tended to be synchronised. There was also a strong tendency for one individual to sing whenever its companion began to feed. No synchrony of singing was found. Experiments were designed to induce specific behaviour patterns in one individual in order to record the subsequent behaviour of the companion. Locomotion was found to increase when the locomotion of the companion was raised. Manipulation of nest-material and singing were hoth increased when the companion was manipulating nest-material. When the companion was induced to feed, singing increased but not feeding. Preening, feather-shaking and beak-wiping were not affected by their performance by the companion. The relevance of these effects to the social life of the species is discussed, and it is suggested that the occurrence of song in response to the companion's feeding might serve a contact-promoting function. An explanation is proposed for the failure to induce social facilitation of feeding in the experimental situation.
An Apparatus for Recording Animal Motor Activity
Authors: Viaud P. , Le Cain Y.
Published: April 2008

An actograph for continuous recording of the animal's position on the floor of its cage is described. The sensitive devices are slightly flexible blades according to the position X, Y of the animal being tested, on the floor, are recorded by strain gauges cemented on. The main interesting features of this actograph are: - a non-disturbance of the tested animal's behaviour, - a complete space-time analysis of its motor-activity.
Analyse Experimentale Du Role De L'Ovitube Dans Le Comportement De Ponte De La Bruche Du Haricot (Acanthoscelides Obtectus Say- Coleoptera, Bruchidae)
Authors: Pouzat Jean
Published: April 2008

A resume is made of the major sequences of egg-laying behaviour, both in nature and on stored seeds, of the bean weevil. An experimental analysis of the role of the ovipositor in the act of egg-laying is then undertaken by simple techniques. It is observed that an important stimulus, with respect to this, is mechanical in nature: resulting from contact between the setae of the ovipositor on the one hand, and the seed and the "ground" on the other. Simply suspending the seed instead of leaving it lie on the cage bottom, suffices to reduce egg-laying and production significantly. Examination of egg-laying, when the substratum furnished is a trellis with suitable sized mesh, shows that an important aspect of the mechanical stimulus is in its concentrical character, i.e., the fact that it is applied to a greater number of setae all around the ovipositor. The result enables us to understand better the behaviour in nature, where there is a boring of the bean pod followed by egg-laying inside that pod through through the hole made. In the course of the paper some connected problems are evoked: - The relationship between egg-laying and production; - The more or less necessary character of the succession of the different sequences in egg-laying behaviour. Existence of intermediary cases, between individuals which can lay eggs only in the pod and those laying in the apparent absence of any stimulus, particularly stimuli connected with the bean; - Links between the phytophage and its host, remarks on the apparently unfavourable peculiarity of laying a great number of eggs in the same place, the possible consequences with respect to population dynamics.
The Evolution of Mating Systems in Temperate Zone Dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera) Ii: Libellula Luctuosa (Burmeister)
Authors: Campanella Paul J.
Published: April 2008

The behavioral ecology of Libellula luctuosa (Burmeister) (Odonata: Anisoptera) was studied at several ponds in northern New York State, U.S.A. The male Libellula maintained territories which were slightly overlapping on each pond. As many as six males utilized each territorial sector of the pond concurrently. Conspecifics showing submissive behavior were allowed on the mating site, and all males on the territory recognized and maintained the boundaries. These communal sites were primarily mating/ovipositing areas. Aggressive interactions among co-occurring males resulted in the establishment of a dominance hierarchy on each territory. The dominance hierarchy increased the reproductive efficiency of the dominant male probably by reducing interference with mating. Subordinate males occasionally mated. The relative advantage of dominance in mating attempts is quantified. The average number of males at the pond changed little during the day and males did not localize their behavior to specific parts of the pond. An individual male returned to the pond an average of 5 different days. While at the water, males either flew over a territory or perched adjacent to the pond. Individuals frequently left the pond and returned during the day. The amount of time spent in each activity depended on the time of day and number of conspecific competitors. Site attachment was low and males commonly flew to different territorial sectors. The dominance status of individual males often changed quite rapidly, especially when changing sectors or upon returning to the pond. Female Libellula occurred at low average daily density and showed no preference for specific areas of the pond or for certain times of day. Time budgets and analyses of mating behavior of Libellula luctuosa are considered with regard to the males' response to the availability and predictability of females and mating/ ovipositing sites. The behavioral patterns are analyzed with reference to a time-energymaturational-experiential hypothesis for the evolution of the behavior. Extensive comparisons are made between Libellula luctuosa (Burmeister) and Plathemis lydia (Drury).
Territoriality and Scent Marking By Centris Males (Hymenoptera, Anthophoridae) in Jamaica
Authors: Raw Anthony
Published: April 2008

1. The behaviour of males of the three Jamaican Centris (Centris) species searching for females showed a gradation. (a) C. fasciata hovered often around food plants, but did not deposit scent. (b) C. decolorata hovered less often and scented less often a little in territories near nests. (c) C. dirrhoda hovered little and scented often in territories away from nests and food plants. 2. The scent used was detected in the males' mandibular glands and the sizes of these glands were directly proportional to the frequency of scent deposition. 3. A dominance hierarchy existed among C. decolorata males. 4. Males of a fourth species, C. (Hemisiella) crassipes, marked their territories with a secretion, probably derived from the hind femoral glands.
Olfactory Mimicry Involving Garter Snakes and Artificial Models and Mimics
Authors: Czaplicki James A. , Porter Richard H. , Wilcoxon Hardy C.
Published: April 2008

In Experiment I, ten garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) accustomed to a diet of fish were injected with either lithium chloride or normal saline thirty minutes after their ingestion of worms (models). On extinction days, the subjects were offered both fish that had been dipped into an extract prepared from the surface substances of worms (mimics) and untreated fish. The lithium chloride injected subjects responded with significantly longer latencies to the mimics than did the saline injected subjects, while both groups responded with similar short latencies to the untreated fish. In Experiment II, six garter snakes were injected with either lithium chloride or saline following their ingestion of the model worms. On extinction days, the subjects were offered fish that had been dipped into guppy or cave salamander extract in addition to the mimics and untreated fish. The lithium chloride injected subjects responded with longer latencies to the mimics than did the saline injected subjects. Both lithium chloride and saline injected subjects responded with similar latencies to the other prey offered. The above experiments demonstrated the theoretical viability of the concept of olfactory mimicry. It appears that garter snakes will reject normally edible minnows that bear an olfactory resemblance to worms after they have experienced a delayed toxicosis subsequent to their ingestion of the worms (Experiment I). Furthermore, this aversion is specific to the mimics and not the result of a toxicosis-induced neophobia which would lead to the serpents' rejection of all novel prey (Experiment II) .
Behavioural Interaction Between Sexually Experienced Culicoides Melleus (Coquillett) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)
Authors: Linley J.R. , Mook M.S.
Published: April 2008

The sexual behaviour of sexually experienced Culicoides melleus males has been investigated. Immediately after completing a prior copulation, the male almost invariably makes only brief temporary union of the genitalia with a previously mated female before releasing his hold. Release is equally frequent whether the female be the male's original mate or the original mate of another male. In contrast, recently mated males frequently complete copulation at the first attempt with young virgin females, and virgin males almost invariably complete with recently mated females. The behaviour of sexually experienced individuals was found to depend on male sensitivity (acquired during copulation) to female defensive grooming before and after establishment of genital union. Defensive grooming provides the stimulus to which the sensitive male responds by releasing the female. Male sensitivity to the stimulus declines with passage of time since his last copulation.
Territoriality in the Laughing Gull (L. Atricilla)
Authors: Burger Joanna , Beer C.G.
Published: April 2008

Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla) were studied in a tidal salt marsh located in Brigantine, New Jersey and on an island in the Gulf of Mexico to determine how nesting gulls respond to conspecific intruders. Gulls were observed in Texas and at Brigantine during the pre-egg stage. In Texas, Laughing Gulls set up pairing territories in the sand beach area next to the colony, and defended these areas against conspecifics. In New Jersey, pairing territories were often located on Spartina mats within the colony area. Twelve pairs of gulls were marked, sexed, and observed for eight to fourteen hours per day during the incubation period. An intruder was defined as any gull other than the nesting pair which landed within three meters of the nest. The interactions between the nesting pair and intruders were recorded for 1145 sequences. Eighty-five percent of all intruders were responded to with the following patterns: Long Calls (18%), Intruder Displays (45%), and Chases (22%). Long Calls and Intruder Displays were given by an incubating bird, while Chasing was performed by the mate standing nearby. Gulls flying over the nest were usually reacted to with a Long Call although Intruder Displays were sometimes given. Intruders landing within one meter of the nest were always given an Intruder Display by the incubating bird and were frequently chased by its mate. Intruders landing from one to two meters from the nest were usually given the Intruder Display: those landing two to three meters from the nest were usually chased. Gulls landing over three meters from the nest were usually ignored. The probability that an intruder was responded to decreased as the distance from the nest increased. The behavior of intruders was as follows. Fifty-three percent of the intruders landing within a meter of the nests were rapists or potential rapists. These intruders remained on the nest longer than did other intruder, and sometimes evoked pecking and attack from the incubating bird. Nest-material stealers (18%) remained on the nest for less time. Neighbors (7%) infrequently landed on the wrong nest but quickly flew to their own nest. In 22 percent of the cases the activities of the intruders could not be determined, since they were quickly repelled.
Thermoregulatory Aspects of Behavior in the Blue Spiny Lizard Scelopor Us Cyanogenys (Sauria, Iguanidae)
Authors: Greenberg Neil
Published: April 2008

1. The thermal relations of blue spiny lizards, Sceloporus cyanogenys, were studied in laboratory habitats which were designed to allow the expression of a large repertoire of natural behavior patterns. Body temperatures obtained with fast-reading thermometers and by radio telemetry from implanted transmitters were correlated with postures and activities. 2. The morning emergence of lizards was found to be cued by light, often in the absence of immediate thermal reinforcement. 3. Two basking postures which altered a lizard's air and substrate thermal interfaces could be distinguished. The environmental and body temperature correlates of these postures were not appreciably different, and the change from one posture to another could not be interpreted as thermoregulatory. 4. When thermal conditions permitted, basking continued up to the attainment of the maximum voluntary body temperature (38.7 C), and was then followed by perching. 5. The body temperature correlates of perching had a range and mean much like the "normal activity range" of other species of Sceloporus (28.2-38.7 C, X= 35.2). 6. Defecation occurred mostly in the morning towards the end of the basking period, but had a broad thermal range (27.5 to 35.7 C). 7. The range of body temperatures during feeding was broad (25.3-38.5 C), but that of foraging was much narrower (34.3-38.7 C).
A Quantitative Study of Long-Term Courtship: I. Ethological Isolation Between Sympatric Populations of the Midas Cichlid, Cichlasoma Citrinellum, and the Arrow Cichlid, C. Zaliosum
Authors: Baylis Jeffrey R.
Published: April 2008

I. Cichlasoma citrinellum is a cichlid fish found in the Great Lakes and crater lakes of Nicaragua. It is sympatric with C. zaliosum in Lake Apoyo, a Nicaraguan crater lake. C. zaliosum is confined to that lake and is closely related to C. citrinellum; it probably arose from C. citrinellum in Lake Apoyo. C. labiatum is endemic to the Great Lakes and is also closely related to C. citrinellum. All three species have complex reproductive behavior involving a prolonged courtship with pair bondings, followed by a period of joint parental defense and care of the offspring. 2. Fish from sympatric populations of C. citrinellum and C. zaliosum interbred and produced viable F1 offspring in the laboratory, when given no choice except a mate of the opposite species. 3. Given a choice, C. citrinellum and C. zaliosum from both allopatric and sympatric populations formed only homospecific pairs, but the allopatric test was not conclusive. 4. C. labiatum was tested in a mate choice situation with an allopatric population of C. citrinellum and showed incomplete behavioral isolation. 5. Ethological isolating mechanisms are sufficient to explain the maintenance of species isolation between C. citrinellurn and C. zaliosum in a sympatric situation in Lake Apoyo.
Simulation of Nematode Attraction To a Point in a Flat Field
Authors: Green C.D.
Published: April 2008

Computation of the movements of a hypothetical animal in a circular gradient show that all the varied approaches of male cyst nematodes to their females could be a result of one response mechanism in which the animal 'walks' or stops in response to the presence or absence of stimulus. A stimulus occurs when the receptor observes a concentration of stimulant above a threshold level and the receptor adapts so that, in effect, its threshold concentration approached the ambient concentration. The mechanism is in principle a kinesis because locomotion stops or continues; turning and head waving may be continuous or occur only after stopping; no directed bias to movement is incorporated although the tracks approach the source of the gradient as though klinotaxis occurred.
Genotype Versus Experience Effects On Aggression in Wild and Domestic Norway Rats
Authors: Price Edward O.
Published: April 2008

The agonistic behavior of field-trapped and first-generation laboratory-reared wild male Norway rats was compared in a resident-intruder context in order to examine the hypothesis that aggressive behavior is significantly reduced by laboratory rearing. In addition isolate and group-reared wild and domestic rats were compared in order to determine the effect of early social deprivation on levels of aggression. Experimental subjects were housed in test chambers for at least one month prior to their exposure to anosmic hybrid (wild X domestic) intruders. Agonistic behaviors of both residents and intruders were recorded in two 30-minute trials. Field-trapped males were significantly more aggressive than any of the laboratory-reared groups. The behavior of isolate-reared subjects of both stocks did not differ significantly from their group-reared counterparts. Three hypotheses were advanced to account for the greater aggressiveness of the wild-caught rats. The evidence favors an interpretation based on the greater opportunity for social conditioning in the field environment and the blocking of habitual behavior patterns (i.e. escape) in captivity.
Errors in the Sex of Eggs Laid By the Solitary Bee Osmia r uFa (Megachilidae)
Authors: Raw Anthony , O'Toole Christopher
Published: April 2008

From calculations based on cell lengths and the locations of cells in nests it was estimated that failures in fertilization of eggs of the solitary bee Osmia rufa resulted in 6% more adult males in the population. After adjustment the sex ratio was almost exactly par.
The Comparative Ontogeny of Social Interactions in Two Species of Cockroach
Authors: Gorton Robert E. , Gerhardt Kristine M.
Published: April 2008

The ontogeny of social behaviour in two species of cockroach, Shawella couloniana and Eublaberus posticus, was investigated and compared. 1) All acts were recorded in each of 5 age classes per species and the frequencies of each act were calculated and compared. 2) Agonistic intensity increased in Shawella and decreased in Eublaberus with age. 3) Clumping was observed until the last instar in Eublaberus, but never in Shawella, at which time the spacing became regular. 4) Numbers of acts per encounter increased in Shawella and decreased in Eublaberus as a function of age. 5) Initiator-terminated encounters were more frequent in Shawella adults, while responder-terminated encounters were characteristic of all nymphal interactions. In Eublaberus adult males, responder-terminated encounters were most common, but no difference between initiator- and responder-terminated encounters was found in the nymphs. 6) These data were correlated with environmental and life-history parameters in the two species.
A Comparison of Effects of Simple Experimental Manipulations On Fighting Generated By Breeding Activity and Predatory Aggression in 'To' Strain Mice
Authors: Brain Paul F. , Al-Maliki Sami
Published: April 2008

A preliminary study was conducted to examine the influences of simple experimental manipulations on aggressiveness generated by breeding activity and locust-killing behaviour (a form of predatory aggression?) in 'TO' strain mice. In females, where response to a male intruder was the form of intraspecific aggression investigated, factors examined included: a) female's reproductive status (namely pregnant or lactating) ; b) time since parturition; c) gonadal steroid production; d) anosmia. In males, rank-related fighting and locust killing were contrasted in animals from the breeding situation, from individual housed mice and from unisexual groups of experimental animals. A comparison of these intra- and inter-specific forms of aggression confirm that they can be influenced in very different ways by situational and physiological variables. Both maternal aggression and rank-related fighting were suppressed by anosmia. The results reiterate the need to specify which form of 'aggression' is being used in a particular study.
The Function of Complexity in the Courtship of the Grasshopper Myrmeleotettix Maculatus
Authors: Bull C.M.
Published: April 2008

Males of the grasshopper Myrmeleotettix maculatus have a courtship which is more complex than that of many other grasshopper species in terms of the number of body parts and different movements involved. The courtship consists of four distinct phases which are described in detail. The female may respond by either ignoring the male, by rejecting him or by calling back. Only females which call back are mated. In laboratory cages where male and female grasshoppers were brought into contact for the first time, 1610 courtship initiations were observed. Only 32% of these proceeded beyond the first phase, and 10% actually reached the last phase of the courtship sequence. Males were often persistent courters with a trend for succeeding courtships to one female to reach the same or a later phase. Females may respond, by calling, at any phase of the male courtship. A male may attempt to mate with a female at any phase of his courtship, but his success is higher if the female has called first. A male will almost always attempt to mate with a female once he has reached the final courtship phase, but he rarely succeeds. These observations are used to examine hypotheses to account for the significance of complexity in the courtship of this species. It is unlikely to serve as a species specific signal, an indicator of male fitness, an advertisement for mates over distance, or a mechanism to prepare males for copulation. Complexity might serve to convert females from a semi-receptive to a fully receptive state. If females could be prepared in this way, it would allow them to continue eating when not being courted. This would be advantageous because it would allow the maximum accumulation of reproductive material in the female. The behaviour might have arisen through sexual selection and have been then given this alternative function.
Ongoing Behaviour and Startle Responses of Chicks
Authors: Forrester R.C. , Broom D.M.
Published: April 2008

The responsiveness of 6-day-old chicks varied in nature and degree according to their ongoing behaviour. Behaviour sequences were interrupted by a novel change, the illumination of a bulb, in the home pen. The behaviour of chicks following the novel change was compared with that of others whose ongoing behaviour was the same but which were undisturbed. The difference between these experimentals and controls, which we define as the response, involved fixation of the bulb and reduced feeding, general pecking and preening behaviour. Some birds showed much crouching and immobility whereas others showed more escape behaviour, for example jumping and peeping. A greater proportion of escape components and a smaller proportion of immobility components was included in the response if the chicks had been active, when the bulb was illuminated, than if they had been inactive. Specific differences in response according to ongoing behaviour included more crouching and less jumping by chicks which had been preening than by those which had been walking. These results and the fact that certain activities persisted briefly after bulb illumination are discussed in terms of the physical difficulties of change from one activity to another, attentional mechanisms, causal factors and the behavioural final common path. We propose that there is a 'locking on' mechanism which minimises inefficient vacillation between behaviours. Responsiveness can be very different according to ongoing behaviour, so this fact should be taken into account in any attempt to assess the responses of animals.
Grooming in Norway Rats: the Development and Adult Expression of a Complex Motor Pattern
Authors: Richmond Gail , Sachs Benjamin D.
Published: April 2008

In two experiments detailed observations and quantitative analyses were made of the development and adult expression of grooming in laboratory rats. In the first experiment, 5 litters of rat pups were observed each day from 0-28 days of age, and grooming movements were recorded on paper. Forepaw wipes of the nose appeared by Day 3, followed by eye wipes (Day 6) and ear wipes (Day 8). These movements were integrated into normal-appearing head grooming on Day 11. The mouth was used to groom posterior portions of the body beginning on Day 14 with the belly, and continuing subsequently with hip (Day 15), back (Day 18), and the anogenital region and tail (Day 20). Thus, these aspects of grooming followed a general cephalocaudal progression. In contrast, the development of scratching of the head and body, which began on Day 6, did not follow a systematic order. In the second experiment, 5 adult male rats were observed in glass aquaria, which also served as their living compartments, and bouts of grooming were recorded on videotape for later analysis. Sequential and spatial characteristics of movements were determined by replaying the videotapes in slow motion, while temporal characteristics were determined by a frame-by-frarne analysis of the tapes. This experiment revealed a cephalocaudal progression of acts within bouts of grooming: grooming usually began with the paw-lick- nose-wipe sequence and progressed from there to eye wipes and ear wipes. Mouthing of the torso followed, usually beginning with more anterior portions and terminating with more posterior portions. Scratching with the hindpaws was unpredictably interpolated into the grooming sequence. The experiment also revealed that transitions between grooming different parts of the body were predictable from the spatial and temporal characteristics of the grooming. That is, the last stroke in chains of nose, eye, or ear wipes was reliably slower than previous strokes in the chain, and also tended to be incomplete. Thus, the order in which grooming of specific body areas emerges during early development follows an anterior-posterior progression, and this progression closely parallels the sequence in which body areas are groomed by adult rats. Furthermore, in adults these movements obey specific temporal and spatial rules which can be used to predict transitions of grooming from one body area to the next. This parallel between the ontogenetic and adult expressions of grooming may reflect, respectively, the maturation and activation of genotypically determined, functional units in the central nervous system. In addition, theories now being applied to the problem of transitions between different motive systems (e.g., eating and drinking), may be extended to account for transitions within a motive system (e.g., from grooming of one part of the body to the next).
Video Analysis of Siamang (Hylobates Syndactylus) Songs
Authors: Haimoff Elliott H.
Published: April 2008

This paper reports a study of the bioacoustics and locomotor behaviours of siamang (Hylobates syndactylus) during calling. Ten call bouts were videotaped and analysed in detail. The results suggest that the calls are complex duets produced sequentially, and that they are interactively organized by means of co-ordinating cues. The relationship between vocal and non-vocal behaviours, and the spacing of the duetting animals, are also organized in a regular fashion. The advantages and importance of videotaping over other methods in the micro-analysis of these calls are stressed.
Female Sticklebacks Prefer To Spawn With Males Whose Nests Contain Eggs
Authors: Ridley Mark , Rechten Catherine
Published: April 2008

Does the presence of absence of eggs in a male stickleback's nest affect the chance that a female will spawn with him? Female threespined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were presented alternatively to males with or to males without eggs. Our results show that the chance that a female will follow a male to his nest is unaffected by whether he has eggs. Once a female has reached the nest, she can either enter it and spawn, or back out and refuse. There was a tendency for females to be more likely to spawn than to refuse if the nest contained eggs. In a sequential choice experiment females that had refused a male without eggs were then presented to a second male, either with eggs or, as a control, without eggs. Females were significantly more likely to spawn with the second male if he possessed eggs. The finding that females prefer to spawn with males with eggs suggests functional explanations for female refusal, male egg kidnapping, and male 'displacement fanning'.
The Acoustic Behaviour of Platycleis Albopunctata (Goeze) (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae)
Authors: Latimer William
Published: April 2008

Laboratory studies have been made of the duetting behaviour of the bush cricket Platycleis albopunctata and related to the natural behaviour of this species in the field. Sound transmission and attenuation in grassland habitats has been investigated briefly. Duets between caged males usually commence with a phase of chirp alternation in which each insect produces chirps at half the normal rate. Generally duets resolve into interactions in which one insect sings close to the normal solo rate while the other sings intermittently, interrupting chirps such that the species-specific temporal pattern of the songs of both insects is obscured. The lack of precise alternation and the development of this dominance-subordinance relationship is consistent with a 'territorial' dispersion pattern in the field where males are usually beyond the range of mutual acoustic interference.
Parental Care and the Development of Thermoregulation in Red Junglefowl
Authors: Sherry D.F.
Published: April 2008

Few newly hatched birds are capable of maintaining a stable elevated body temperature at air temperatures encountered in the wild. The brooding behaviour of young red junglefowl (Gallus gallus spadiceus) and the changes in brooding that occur with the development of homeothermy were examined to determine the importance of thermal factors in parent-young contact. A fall in cooling rate and a rise in body temperature occur in junglefowl chicks in the days following hatching, and the young spend less time in contact with the hen as these changes occur. The length of brooding bouts is jointly determined by air temperature and the age of the young. Additional brooding at low air temperatures did not affect feeding by the parent or young. The general features of chick brooding persist when the hen is replaced with a model with brood patches at a temperature normal for maternal junglefowl. Brooding and huddling with other young are alternative thermoregulatory strategies. Behavioural thermoregulation by the young accounted for most features of contact between parent and young. Termination of brooding by the parent and reduction of chick heat loss by changes in parental posture may also influence brooding. Reliance on behavioural thermoregulation may permit development in a wide range of thermal environments.
Variations and Multiple Functions of the Advertising Display of Western Grebes
Authors: Nuechterlein Gary L.
Published: April 2008

Spectrographic analysis of the Advertising call of Western grebes showed seasonal and geographic variation, individual differences, and variation between birds of different sex, color phase, and pairing status. In each of these cases, I determined: 1) how the calls dif fered structurally, and 2) whether birds responded to playbacks of these differences in the field. Advertising is used by unpaired males to attract females. Unpaired males distinguish and ignore the calls of other males and paired females, but respond to calls of unpaired females of the same color phase. Paired birds also continue to use the Advertising call in a variety of contexts involving contact between individuals in large breeding groups. This means that unpaired males must somehow avoid confusing such calls with those of potential mates. Playback experiments showed that Western grebes accomplish this by varying call bout-length and by calling alternately back and forth. After pairing, Western grebes shift to shorter bouts (1-2 calls/bout) and reply only to their mate's call. Seasonal variation in call-bout length is then just a by-product of pairing status changes. Advertising thus is a very flexible "open signal", whose meaning depends on both its fine-grained structure and its social contexts.
Endogene Zeitliche Programmierung Der Empfindlichkeitsabnahme Einer Brutpflege-Reaktion Von Pseudocrenilabrus Multicolor (Pisces, Cichlidae)
Authors: Owka Wolfgang
Published: April 2008

Das Weibchen des kleinen Maulbrüters Peudocrenilabrus multicolor nimmt während des Ablaichens die Eier in das Maul auf. Nach 10 Tagen (bei 27°C) werden die inzwischen schwimmfähigen Jungen aus dem Maul entlassen. Sie werden weiterhin von der Mutter betreut und bei Gefahr und in der Dämmerung wieder in das Maul aufgenommen. Diese Brutpflegereaktionen erlöschen im Verlauf von 6 bis 7 Tagen. Es wurde untersucht, ob diese Veränderungen von dem synchron verlaufenden Entwicklungsprozess der Jungen oder von einem endogenen Zeitprogramm der Mutter gesteuert werden. 6 Mütter mit Jungen wurden ab dem Entlasstag zu jeweils 3 Tageszeiten einer simulierten Dämmerung (von 300 auf 0,5 Lux) ausgesetzt. Es zeigte sich, daß die Aufnahmeschwelle (Lichtintensität, bei der die Aufnahme der Jungen in das Maul beginnt) von zwei zeitlichen Faktoren bestimmt wird, einer tagesperiodischen Komponente (erhöhte Empfindlichkeit abends) und einer längerfristigen Komponente (Empfindlichkeitsabnahme über mehrere Tage hinweg). Diese Veränderungen erfolgten unabhängig von der Erfahrung mit der Testsituation. Je niedriger die Aufnahmeschwelle war, desto länger wurden die Jungen anschließend im Maul behalten. In der Austauschexperimenten wurden der Mutter ältere oder jüngeren Jungfische untergeschoben als ihrem eigenen Stadium entsprach. Die Dämmerungstests zeigten, daß die Aufnahmeschwellen nicht dem Entwicklungsstadium der Jungen entsprechen, sondern eher dem Stadium der Mutter. Es wird daraus gefolgert, daß die Empfindlichkeitsabnahme über die Brutpflegephase hinweg in der Mutter endogen vorprogrammiert ist.
The Response of Swamp Sparrows To Acoustically Distinct Song Types
Authors: Searcy William A. , Searcy Margaret H. , Marler Peter
Published: April 2008

Male and femal swamp sparrows (Melospiza georgiana) were tested for differential reaction to four acoustically distinct swamp sparrow song types. We tested males by playing bouts of single song types from speakers placed on male territories. Males gave the same kinds of aggressive responses to each of the four song types, and there were no quantitative differences in the strengths of the responses to the different types. In the experiments with females, we played songs to captive female swamp sparrows previously treated with estradiol, and measured response in terms of copulation solicitation display. Females displayed in response to all four song types, and again there were no quantitative differences in the strength of response to the different types. We conclude that different swamp sparrow song types do not convey different messages to either male or female listeners. Although the identity of the particular song type presented was unimportant, the number of types presented was important, at least to females. Females responded more strongly overall to bouts of four song types than to bouts of single song types. This result occurred because females habituated to the repeated presentation of a single song type, and showed a recovery in response when song types were switched. We conclude that the ability to sing multiple song types may aid males in stimulating females to come into reproductive condition and then copulate.
Interspecific Communication Between Ants
Authors: Reznikova Joanna I.
Published: April 2008

With the help of field experiments, the nonantagonistic relations and exchange of information among ants of various species occupying similar ecological niches were studied. Formica pratensis and F. cunicularia glauca, respectively dominant and subdominant in their associations, were chosen as the model pair. The dominant has a defended territory with a clearly defined secondary division. The feeding territory of the subdominant is organized to the type of individual foraging. The use of labyrinths with bait hidden in them showed that the subdominants are more enterprising foragers; when interacting with the dominant they play the role of scouts. The amount of prey of F. pratensis is so dependent on the presence of F. cunicularia that when the nests of this species are isolated, the F. pratensis bring three times less prey. The basis for the interaction of the foragers of different species is interspecific kinopsis and distant training.
A Comparison of Cawing in the European Carrion Crow (Corvus Corone) and the American Common Crow (Corvus Brachyrhynchos)
Authors: Thompson Nicholas S.
Published: April 2008

The American common crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) has a complex communication system in which the meaning of its sound units ("caws") is determined in part by the temporal format in which they are uttered. Among the subsystems of the crow's communication is "ordinary" or "structured" cawing, in which the caws are uttered in sequences of similar caws, organized in discrete bursts. A comparable cawing format appears to exist in the European carrion crow (Corvus corone). 49 sequences of structured carrion crow cawing were recorded in Somerset, England, during the period from September 1976 to June, 1977. These are similar in organization to 20 sequences of American crow cawing which were re-analyzed for comparison, but the carrion crowbursts are significantly longer in the duration of their caws and in the duration of the pauses between caws within a burst and have significantly fewer caws in an average burst. Carrion crow structured cawing displays the same contextual ambiguities as have been reported for structured cawing in the American crow. Some evidence is developed which suggests that in carrion crow structured cawing as in American crow structured cawing, the variations in caw pattern are related to individuality, although the relationship is not a simple one. The distinction between structured cawing and unstructured cawing seems to be related in a loose way to the more general distinction made with oscine vocalizations between songs and calls. The situation is complicated by the fact that in corvids the term song is traditionally applied to a third class of vocalizations with properties quite distinct from structured and unstructured cawing.
A. the Mechanisms of Stimulus Selection
Authors: Baerends G.P.
Published: April 2008

In this second part of the monograph experiments have been described and discussed which were undertaken to investigate which visual characteristics of the herring gull's egg are effective, and to what extent, in evoking incubaton responses. Inspired by the LORENZian concept 'releasing mechanism', the present study - involving 12 seasons of field work - has grown into an attempt to analyse for a particular case the processing of information received from the environment.
Contests for Space in Breeding Cichlasoma Meeki: the Role of Resource Holding Potential
Authors: Neil Susan J.
Published: April 2008

1. The agonistic behaviour of Cichlasoma meeki, the firemouth cichlid, was studied to test five predictions concerning Resource Holding Potential (RHP). Game theoretic models predict that animals should settle contests on the basis of asymmetries in RHP, thereby decreasing contest costs. Breeding pairs of fish were observed to determine how they responded to intruders of different status which encroached into their territory. The defended resource was space, either for spawning or for defence of young. 2. Significant differences were found in the behavioural responses to different species, numbers and sizes of intruder. 3. The majority of contests were short, with extended contests only occurring between conspecific pairs. 4. Escalated (contact) behavioural acts were uncommon, occurring only during extended contests and mainly during contests with conspecific pairs. They were performed primarily at the ends of contests or in bouts within contests. 5. The most costly non-contact behavioural acts were usually performed towards pairs, or towards single fish of size equal to or larger than that of the focal animal. 6. In contests with conspecific pairs there were no differences in the responses towards pairs of different sizes except in the type of behavioural acts performed. In such contests relative size was apparently not a sufficient asymmetry, and factors such as resource asymmetry may have been of greater importance.
Is the Parental-Care Behaviour of Aequidens Paraguayensis (Cichlidae) Optimal?
Authors: Owka Wolfgang
Published: April 2008

Aequidens paraguayensis from South America is a biparental larvophilic mouthbrooder. Adhesive eggs are laid on a substrate and fanned until hatching (substratebrooding). The hatching larvae are taken into the mouth by the female. Subsequently the parents relieve each other in mouthbrooding their offspring (larvophilic mouthbrooding). In comparison with pure substratebrooders-which are thought to represent the ancestral state-the time lag between spawning and hatching is shortened. This is interpreted as due to a general selective advantage of the mouthbrooding technique over the substratebrooding technique. Why then didn't evolution favour the transition from mouthbrooding of larvae to mouthbrooding of eggs (ovophilic mouthbrooding) thus allowing the extension of mouthbrooding up to spawning like in other cichlid species? An hypothetical answer is that this is not due to the lack of the adequate selection pressure but may relate to the nonavailability of appropriate ovophilic variants. This would imply that the parental care behaviour in this species is not optimal. To support this hypothesis experimental evidence on how broodcaring is regulated is given: 1. The uptake of larvae at hatching is induced by stimuli from the hatching wrigglers. Mouthbrooding can be induced at any time of the substratebrooding phase by presenting larvae to the adults. 2. The readiness to take up larvae into the mouth is maintained by the simultaneous presence of larvae within the mouth and of egg-like structures outside of it. 3. Females with induced uptaking readiness are not able to retrieve adhesive eggs from the substrate. 4. Females without uptaking readiness fan adhesive eggs, but eat loose eggs. 5. Females with induced uptaking readiness take up loose eggs in their mouths and mouthbrood them successfully at least until hatching. They behave like ovophilic mouthbrooders. Experimentally created ovophilic variants can be used to test the non-optimality hypothesis in nature or under semi-natural conditions. It is concluded that at least two independent traits must change simultaneously within the same generation to produce an ovophilic variant out of a larvophilic ancestor: on the one hand induction of an egg eating inhibition together with mouthbrooding readiness, on the other hand loss of adhesiveness of eggs. In the neodarwinian view of evolutionary change this is only possible if there is pleiotropy of the traits under consideration. The unlikeliness of pleiotropy may explain why A. paraguayensis has not become an ovophilic mouthbrooder, i.e. is not optimally designed.