bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Male‐male Competition and Female Mate Choice through Courtship Display in the Territorial Damselfish Stegastes nigricans
Authors: Karino Kenji 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBoth sexes of the herbivorous damselfish Stegastes nigricans maintain individual feeding territories. These territories are distributed contiguously, forming distinct colonies. Females visit male territories to spawn, and eggs are guarded by males until hatching. Male‐male competition and female mate choice were studied in two colonies of different size compositions. Only larger individuals bred in both colonies. Some males in the large colony, that were larger than the breeding males in the small colony, did not succeed in reproducing probably because of severe attacks by the larger males while courting. However, females did not choose large size among breeding males. The most important male characteristic in female choice was the frequency of courtship displays in both colonies. Females in the large colony chose males mainly on the basis of the frequency of displays conducted in the females' territories, whereas females in the small colony chose males on the basis of the frequency of displays conducted in the males' territories. This difference may be a result of the difference in colony size. The distances between females' and males' territories were much greater in the large colony, and, because females cannot see courtship displays conducted in distant male territories, males in the large colony may have had to visit female territories frequently in order to conduct courtship near the females.
Quantitative Comparison of Whistle Repertoires from Captive Adult Bottlenose Dolphins (Delphinidae, Tursiops truncatus): a Re‐evaluation of the Signature Whistle Hypothesis
Authors: McCowan Brenda , Reiss Diana 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe prevailing view among researchers of dolphin communication is that bottlenose dolphins possess an individualized whistle contour; known as the ‘signature whistle’, it accounts for 74–95 % of a dolphin's whistle repertoire and functions to signal the individual identity of the whistler. This study used a new quantitative technique, termed the contour similarity technique (CS technique), and reports on the quantitative comparison of whistles from the individuals of three different social groups of bottlenose dolphins in socially interactive contexts. Results suggest that captive adult dolphins share several different whistle types including one predominant whistle type shared by all individuals across three different social groups. These analyses suggest a different interpretation of the dolphin whistle repertoire than has previously been proposed by proponents of the signature whistle hypothesis. In addition, results from our study support the results of early studies, published before the advent of the signature whistle hypothesis, in which investigators reported a large whistle repertoire within socially interactive captive and free‐ranging groups and a predominant whistle type similar to that found in our study. Our results, combined with the results from earlier studies of dolphin vocal behaviour, suggest that the signature whistle hypothesis is incomplete and that dolphin whistle repertoires need to be analysed with respect to behavioural context and social relationships. In addition, these results suggest that contour discrimination and other acoustic features of whistles need to be tested in perception and categorization experiments.
Tent Construction by the Short‐nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus sphinx (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in Southern India
Authors: Balasingh J. , Koilraj John , Kunz Thomas H. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe short‐nosed fruit bat Cynopterus sphinx (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) constructs shelters by severing stems of the curtain creeper, Vernonia scandens, and stems and leaves of the mast tree, Polyalthia longifolia, creating partially enclosed cavities (stem tents) in which to roost. Our observations indicate that the construction and maintenance of stem tents are primarily, if not exclusively, the behaviour of single males. A stem tent is formed in V. scandens when a single male C. sphinx severs up to 300 small‐ to medium‐sized stems creating a partially flattened, bell‐shaped cavity, and in P. longifolia when a male severs a few medium‐ to small‐sized branches and many leaf petioles, creating an entry/exit portal and space in which to roost. A tent constructed in V. scandens is completed in approximately 30 d, whereas one in P. longifolia is completed in about 50 d. Stem‐tent construction takes place mostly at night, but some stem chewing occurs in late afternoon. At night a stem tent is occupied by a single male, whereas females are usually absent. During the day the number of bats occupying completed tents is highly variable, ranging from two to 19 females (and their pups) and a single adult male. Tent construction is annually bimodal, which corresponds to a biannual breeding season. A dominant male sometimes deposits saliva on branches inside his tent cavity and actively defends this space from intrusions by other males. Both behaviours suggest forms of scent marking and territorial display. Our observations indicate that dominant males construct tents, recruit females and then defend the tents (and their female occupants) for the purpose of gaining reproductive access. The variance in harem group size indicates that some tent‐making males are more successful than others in recruiting females.
Female Choice Predicts the Best Father in a Biparental Fish, the Midas Cichlid (Cichlasoma citrinellum)
Authors: Rogers William 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe Midas cichlid is a monogamous, biparental species. It breeds in a highly competitive system where pairs have a low probability of raising fry to independence. Both parents must cooperate to retain the territory and protect the fry from predation. Previous experiments showed that females prefer large, aggressive and sexually experienced males as mates but males do not display any consistent preferences. Here I present the results of two experiments designed to see whether qualities preferred by females correlate with increased success in retaining territories and in providing parental care. Pairs with either large or aggressive males had an advantage in appropriating and holding a breeding territory; reproductive experience conferred no advantage in usurping a territory. Aggressive and reproductively experienced males had an advantage in defending the brood from predators of fry, but size had no effect. Thus, the qualities preferred by females confer advantages both in holding territories and in protecting fry. In contrast, males need not be selective because females, once in possession of a brood, defend it equally well regardless of size, aggressiveness, or reproductive experience. The system is one of mutually enforced monogamy based on female choice; females drive the system because they provide more investment than do males (combining gametes and time) and because this investment is a reliable resource to the male.
Spatial Memory of Homing Pigeons, Columba livia, Tested in an Outdoor Aviary
Authors: Balda Russel P. , Wiltschko Wolfgang 
Published: May 2010

AbstractFive homing pigeons were trained to dig up hidden seeds buried in one of eight sand‐filled cups in an octagonal aviary. All birds located the correct cup with an accuracy well above chance, irrespective of whether the retention time was between 15 min and 2 1/2 h, or whether it was between 1 d and 4 d. Even after 10 mo, the birds remembered the correct cup with great accuracy. This indicates well‐developed spatial memory capacities of long duration. The method used in this study, based on training pigeons to dig for hidden seeds in combination with an arbitrary standard task, seems highly suitable to test pigeons for their spatial abilities.
Male Distribution and Mate Searching in the Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria: Comparison between Paired and Unpaired Males
Authors: Otronen Merja 
Published: May 2010

AbstractMovements by individual males were examined in the yellow dung fly, Scathophaga stercoraria. Males were observed from their arrival until they found a female (paired males) or departed (unpaired males). The focal variables were the male mating status, body size and the number of males and females at the site. Paired males, independent of size, spent more time in the best mate‐searching area (pat and the first up‐wind zone) than unpaired males. Paired males in all size classes moved around and attacked other males more often than unpaired males. Among paired males, males that caught a single female and those that took over a female from another male were very similar in their mate‐searching behaviour. The total time spent searching at the pat was positively related to its resource value as indicated by the number of pairs. Time spent in the best mate‐searching area was negatively related with male numbers. The causes of differences in movements and aggression between paired and unpaired males are discussed. The male distribution around cow pats can be understood only if the differences in movement patterns by paired and unpaired males are taken into account.
Parasitism and Heterozygosity Influence the Secondary Sexual Characters of the European Minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus (L.) (Cyprinidae)
Authors: Müller Gabi , Ward Paul I. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe Hamilton & Zuk hypothesis (Hamilton & Zuk 1982) was tested in the European minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus (L.), where the male breeding characters include tubercles, which are horny growths on the skin of the head, and a bright red abdomen. Two trematode parasite species, neither directly transmitted, were present: Diplostomum phoxini in the brains of 100% of the fish and Macrolecithus papilliger in the guts of 44%. The heterozygosity of the fish at 11 loci was determined. The number of M. papilliger was negatively related to redness and positively related to the size of tubercles. The number of D. phoxini was not related to redness but was also positively related to the size of tubercles. Heterozygosity was positively related to redness and negatively related to the size of tubercles. This is the first report of such inverse relationships with heterozygosity. The number of tubercles was positively related to the size and condition of a fish. We suggest that males unable to develop exaggerated characters to display to females, e.g. a bright red abdomen, have the alternative strategy of emphasizing weapons for use in male‐male competition. This effect could explain other reported positive correlations between parasite burden and sexual display.
Influence of the Observer on the Frequency of the ‘Morning‐Dance’ in the Arabian Babbler
Authors: Osztreiher Roni 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe Arabian babbler, Turdoides squamiceps, displays an unusual behaviour, the ‘morning‐dance’. This article examines the influence of the presence and behaviour of an observer on the dance frequency. The results are the summary of more than 3 yr of study by 12 observers, who performed 1335 observations and witnessed 286 dances that took place among 15 groups of babblers. Different experiments were carried out on 148 additional mornings.Different observers witnessed different dance frequencies. Dance frequency witnessed by an observer decreased with observer's experience. Observers watching groups of babblers on single days witnessed more dances than those who watched the same groups for several consecutive days. Dance frequency was higher on the first day of a series of observations than on the following days in the same series. If a group of babblers remained unobserved for one day, the frequency of dancing increased. An evening observation considerably decreased the frequency of dancing the following morning. Feeding experiments did not elevate dance frequency. Experimental disturbance at the roost before dawn increased dance frequency while permanent disturbance and frightening experiments did not. Change in the observer's presence and behaviour caused the babblers to react by dancing. The hypothesis that the observer's presence and behaviour influences different group members differently, and therefore alters the relationships among them, is offered to explain the results that observers can affect the dance frequency.
Patterns of Vocalization Use by Female Red‐winged Blackbirds (Aves: Emberizidae, Icterinae): Variation and Context
Authors: Armstrong Timothy A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractVariation within communication systems can be examined at several levels: variation among individual notes, variation in the arrangement of notes, and variation in delivery. Here, variation in the arrangement and delivery of notes used in female red‐winged‐blackbird vocalizations is described, and this variation is examined for correlations with the context in which the vocalizations were given. Within a vocalization, notes were normally arranged in a series of similar notes. Of the 75 different note arrangements recorded from the population, 12 arrangements accounted for 84 % of vocalizations. Provisional results indicate that the arrangement of notes was influence by the following contexts: 1. The stage of the breeding season; 2. The individual female; 3. The breeding status of the female; 4. Certain female behaviour patterns; 5. Other red‐winged‐blackbird vocalizations; and 6. The presence or absence of a female's mate in the territory. Variation in delivery was measured by the number of notes within a vocalization; delivery was influenced by the stage of the breeding season, the individual female, and the breeding status of a female. Most note arrangements were used in a wide variety of contexts and did not appear to be functionally distinct.
Homing in Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus): the Importance of Going Straight
Authors: Bovet Jacques 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis paper examines the orientation of red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) released at a distance from their home range, after having been displaced along a standardized detour with full view of the landscape. Their initial choice of homing directions was totally random, in contrast to the good homeward orientation of squirrels in a previous study that were displaced in identical conditions except that the displacement routes were straight. No other aspect of homing behavior was affected by the difference in treatment. This finding suggests that the relative straightness of outward journeys in spontaneous excursions by squirrels and a variety of other mammals is important for correct return orientation.
Hiding Behaviour of Longtailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis). I. Theoretical Background and Data on Mating
Authors: Gygax Lorenz 
Published: May 2010

AbstractDuring an observational study of captive longtailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), the ability to hide was analysed within the social context of mating. Low‐ and middle‐ranking males and their female partners chose places for mating where they were partly or entirely concealed more often than easily visible places. These places were not the preferred places of either sex in general, although it was also observed that lower‐ranking animals of both sexes lead a more inconspicuous life than high‐ranking animals. The probable mechanisms of this phenomenon are discussed: trial‐and‐error learning or a simple rule of thumb seem to be the appropriate explanations since the choice between different structures of hiding places is not as sharply defined as would be expected if ‘perspective taking’ were the mechanism.
Bumblebees Do Not Respond to Variance in Nectar Concentration
Authors: Waddington Keith D. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWorker bumblebees (Bombus fervidus) were given repeated binary choices between two colors of artificial flowers with the same associated mean nectar concentration (X̄ = 20%), but with different variances in nectar concentration. Flowers of one color, yellow or blue, rewarded a bee with 1 μl of 20% sucrose solution (low‐variance flower type) on each visit (p = 1) and flowers of the other color rewarded a bee on each visit with 1 μl of either 10% or 30% sucrose (p = 0.5; high‐variance flower type). Of the 10 bees tested, nine showed no preference for either the high‐ or low‐variance flowers (indifferent or risk‐insensitive). This result is similar to honeybee responses to variation in nectar concentration, despite differences in foraging ecology between bumblebees and honeybees. Flower‐choice behaviour in the presence of variance in nectar concentration is a response to the expected concentration of the alternative flower types. Possible mechanisms of risk‐sensitive foraging behaviour in bees are discussed.
Trade‐off between Visual Detectability and Nutrient Content in the Patch Choice of the Pyrenean Salamander Euproctus asper
Authors: Uiblein Franz , Engelke Silke , Parzefall Jakob 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAccording to predictions based on recent foraging theory, animals encountering two or more patches that contain the same prey type at different densities should choose the higher density patch. If detectability varies among patches, foragers should trade off search costs with nutritional benefits to be gained from either patch type. To test this latter prediction, young Pyrenean salamanders (Euproctus asper) were confronted with both a conspicuous and a concealed patch consisting of living chironomid larvae enclosed in two glass micro‐aquaria. During four experimental treatments, the prey density in the two patches was altered. The salamanders showed a clear preference for the conspicuous patch in three treatments, but switched to an increased choice of the concealed patch in the fourth treatment when only a single chironomid was presented in the conspicuous patch compared to 19 chironomids in the concealed patch. However, during treatments with high prey densities in the concealed patch, E. asper choice performance was probably influenced by a dominance of visual over extra‐optical perception. During choice of the concealed patch, E. asper snapped at lower frequencies than during choice of the conspicuous patch, indicating a change in the foraging style related to prey encountered in darkness. These results provide novel insights into the behavioural tradeoffs met by foragers during diet choice and provide a basis for future modelling of choice scenarios among alternative habitat types.
Graded Aggressive Calls in the African Painted Reed Frog Hyperolius marmoratus (Hyperoliidae)
Authors: Grafe T. Ulmar 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe African painted reed frog, Hyperolius marmoratus, has a potentially complex communication system. Advertisement calls and aggressive calls, although distinct from each other, are in fact two ends of a continuum of graded calls. Playback experiments using standard advertisement calls showed that males increased the proportion of aggressive calls as the stimulus intensity was increased. In addition, three characteristics of the aggressive calls changed in response to higher playback levels. Males increased the number of pulses/call, increased call duration, and decreased dominant frequency. Aggressive calling occurred primarily during the early hours of the night, with considerable overlap with times when females were searching for mates in the chorus. Females tested in two‐choice arena trials discriminated against aggressive calls in favor of advertisement calls. It is suggested that aggressive calls reduce a male's ability to attract a female and that a graded signalling system may enable males to escalate agonistic encounters with other males without rendering calls completely unattractive to females.
Components of Visual Prey Recognition by the Mexican Aquatic Garter Snake Thamnophis melanogaster
Authors: Garcia Constantino Macias , Drummond Hugh 
Published: May 2010

AbstractGarter snakes (genus Thamnophis) rely mainly on chemical cues to recognize prey, but in some of the more aquatic species visual stimuli may suffice to elicit predatory attacks. However, the only visual components known to be involved in the visual release of attacks are movement and contrast with background. We explored other visual components by presenting visual models varying only in size, shape, or path of movement to an aquatically specialized species, Thamnophis melanogaster. Snakes responded preferentially to models consistent in size with natural prey, to models having non‐elongate shapes regardless of type of contour (rounded or angular), and to those following paths with vertical, rather than only horizontal, components.
Mate Choice in Captive American Kestrels,Falco sparverius, Parasitized by a Nematode,Trichinella pseudospiralis
Authors: Henderson Derin , Bird David M. , Rau Manfred E. , Negro Juan J. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe American kestrel(Falco sparverius) — Trichinella pseudospiralishost‐parasite association was used as a laboratory model to study the effect of a nematode infection on (1) mate choice of female kestrels and (2) competitive abilities of male kestrels during the breeding season. Females were given the opportunity to choose between infected and uninfected males. There was no significant difference in the proportion of females that chose uninfected (n = 18) over infected (n = 16) males. Eight of 11 competitions between infected and uninfected males exposed to a caged female and a nest box were dominated by uninfected males. Female kestrels seemed to base their choices on the intensity of display effort by the males; the experimental level of infection did not affect male courtship behaviour. AlthoughT. pseudospiralisis known to debilitate American kestrels, parasitized males in mate‐choice tests may have diverted energy from less important functions to court the females.
Territory Defence in Black Redstarts, Phoenicurus ochruros: Effects of Intruder and Owner Age?
Authors: Landmann Armin , Kollinsky Christian 
Published: May 2010

AbstractEuropean black redstarts, Phoenicurus ochruros, vigorously defend all‐purpose territories and exhibit delayed plumage maturation, most subadult males looking exactly female‐like in their first breeding season. We tested the hypotheses that such dull subadult male plumages are beneficial in order to reduce aggression of adult males either by deception or by honest signalling of subordinance status, and that, in turn, conspicuous (adult) plumage colorations are able to intimidate contenders because they act as a signal of fighting ability and aggressive motivation. Adult and dull yearling black redstart territory owners were confronted with intruders mimicked by stuffed mounts of either a conspicuous adult or a dull subadult male. Our results do not support the hypotheses tested: dull plumages of young intruders did not reduce aggression from adult territory owners and aggressiveness towards intruders was significantly higher in yearling territory owners as compared with adult owners. Conspicuous intruders did not deter dull territory owners and we found no indications that conspicuous male coloration is a signal of fighting ability or aggressive motivation in this species. Instead, the amount of aggressive response to intruders showed considerable individual variance within age classes regardless of the plumage of the intruder and the status of the owner.