bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Competition and Energetic Constraints in the Courting Great Crested Newt, Triturus cristatus (Amphibia: Salamandridae)
Authors: Green Andy J. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe sexual behaviour of Triturus cristatus cristatus consists of a prolonged period of static display, with bouts containing the two different tail movements Lash and Fan, followed by spermatophore transfer. There is evidence that Fanning fatigues males and that its rate and duration are under energetic constraints. The frequency of Fanning (Hz) drops gradually during a bout, and bouts get shorter as time goes on while the intervals between bouts get longer. Males who use more bouts have longer intervals between them. As a male undergoes repeated sessions of static display, the maximum lengths of Fan bouts conducted in each session decrease over time. Hence there are trade‐offs between the rate and duration of display activities. These results are consistent with a role of viability‐indicator models of intersexual selection in the evolution of the courtship display. When males are courting in the presence of a rival male, they significantly increase the number of Fan beats in each bout and the number of bouts conducted before attempting a mating. They also decrease the duration of intervals between bouts. A solitary male is probably selected to give a shorter, less intense display to a female in order to save time and to prevent the fatigue that would reduce his capacity to display to the next female.
An Experimental Study of the Bases of Male Philopatry in the Cooperatively Breeding Superb Fairy‐Wren Malurus cyaneus
Authors: Ligon J. David , Ligon Sandra H. , Ford Hugh A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractSocial units of the cooperatively breeding superb fairy‐wren Malurus cyaneus consist of either a simple male‐female pair or a pair plus one or more additional birds, usually males. Early work on this species led to the conclusion that females were less numerous than males in the population and that this sex ratio imbalance prevented some males from dispersing and breeding. Such males then obtained indirect fitness benefits by helping to rear close relatives. Recent studies have cast doubt on these interpretations. An alternative perspective of cooperative breeding suggests that natal philopatry does not necessarily reflect a response to a constraint on independent breeding; rather, under certain ecological conditions it is an optimal strategy. This paper describes the results of experimental manipulations designed to test between the constraints and benefits views of natal philopatry in M. cyaneus. (1) Females were removed from territories containing two or more males. All were soon replaced, indicating that females available for breeding were present in the vicinity of multimale territories. (2) Suitable critical habitat (piles of thorny brush) were placed near territories containing both male and female nonbreeding helpers. None was occupied. This, together with several lines of observational evidence, suggests that adequate breeding habitat was available. (3) All helpers (1—4) were removed from 14 experimental territories and reproductive success, persistence and survival on these territories were compared with 20 control territories originally holding only a simple pair. Significantly more young were produced on the experimental territories and significantly more control territories were vacated during the breeding season. The greater production of young and persistence of breeders on the experimental territories could not be attributed to helpers, because they had been removed, and probably was due to greater predation in control territories. These data support the idea that presence of helpers, which indicates breeding success in previous years, and current production of young both reflect territory quality. Specifically, our results suggest that in the population of M. cyaneus that we studied, some territories provide more security than others, and that this may in large part account for the natal philopatry of males.
The Role of Drive Conflicts as a Mechanism for Nest‐protection Behaviour in the Shorebird Pluvialis dominica
Authors: Byrkjedal Ingvar 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe hypothesis that conflicts between escape, aggressive, and brooding drives proximately govern distraction displays (e.g. “injury feigning”) in nesting shorebirds, is examined. The hypothesis predicts that a bird's direction of departure from the nest while displaying should be along the line predator‐nest, if the predator's search path is directed straight towards the nest at the moment the bird starts to act. Upon intrusions by the observer at 22 nests of American golden plovers Pluvialis dominica the birds departed from the nest, and displayed, more or less perpendicularly to the intruder's direction. As the intruder remained stationary near nests, some of the birds approached, and then departed in distraction display which increased in intensity in spite of increased distance from the stimulus. The study does not support the proximate motivational conflict hypothesis.
Signals for Parent‐Offspring Recognition: Strong Sib‐Sib Call Similarity in Cliff Swallows but not Barn Swallows
Authors: Medvin Mandy B. , Stoddard Philip K. , Beecher Michael D. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe tested the prediction that the calls of sibling cliff swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota) chicks are more similar than those of sibling barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) chicks. This prediction was derived from the hypothesis that the call of the colonial cliff swallow, but not the call of the noncolonial barn swallow, has been selected for signature function (i.e., for individual distinctiveness). In Study 1 we examined the calls of 22 cliff swallow sibling pairs and 23 barn swallow sibling pairs. The intraclass correlations for 4 of the 5 cliff swallow variables were significantly different from zero, and each of the 4 was approximately 0.5. Only one of the 4 barn swallow call variables was significantly different from zero. In a discriminant‐function analysis of these data, cliff swallow chick calls were correctly identified as to sibship in 82 % of the cases, barn swallow chick calls in only 46 % of the cases. In Study 2 we cross‐fostered eggs between cliff swallow nests to create foster sibships (all chicks in a nest were unrelated). We found no similarities among foster sib calls, and thus no evidence for call imitation of the calls of sibs or parents, suggesting that genetic differences are the main source of variance in cliff swallow chick calls.
Different Duration of Memory for Conspecific and Heterospecific Fish in the Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis L.)
Authors: Miklósi Á. , Haller J. , Csányi V. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractDuring an encounter with a conspecific male paradise fish memorize some features of their opponent. This is revealed by the shorter contest and significant changes in their behaviour at a second encounter with the same opponent. Memory of an opponent lasts for one day but is undetectable after a week. In contrast memorization of other species could easily be preserved for several months. A possible explanation of these different durations is discussed in relation to their functions in the life of the fish.
Reciprocal Allogrooming in Dam‐reared and Hand‐reared Impala Fawns
Authors: Mooring Michael S. , Hart Benjamin L. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAmong adult females and males of African antelope impala are unique in their performance of reciprocal allogrooming. The occurrence of this behaviour in neonatal impala fawns was explored in a free‐ranging impala herd at the San Diego Wild Animal Park where 5 dam‐reared fawns were observed from birth through 10 weeks of age. One‐way maternal grooming and reciprocal allogrooming with the dam and non dam partners emerged as distinct behavioural systems. Maternal grooming, directed mostly to the anogenital area, was typical of that seen in other ungulates, and sharply declined over the first two weeks. Reciprocal allogrooming, characterized by alternate exchanges of grooming bouts with a partner in the same manner as in adults, was seen as early as 3–8 d after birth. All fawns were grooming with unrelated adult females by the end of the second week. By week 2 virtually every measure of reciprocal allogrooming by fawns (grooming delivered per hour, reciprocity, and percent of encounters initiated) was as high as for adults. The appearance of this reciprocal allogrooming pattern, especially at such an early age, appears to be unique among ungulates, and possibly mammals in general. Three hand‐reared impala fawns, deprived of the opportunity to interact with older herdmates, but having access to impala fawns and heterospecific fawns, were observed from 1–3 mo of age. The hand‐reared impala showed no alteration in the occurrence of reciprocal allogrooming behaviour compared with the dam‐reared control fawns, indicating that allogrooming experience with older animals was not required for the appearance of reciprocal allogrooming at an early age. Interestingly, hand‐reared fawns persisted in grooming heterospecific fawns despite the fact that heterospecifics rarely reciprocated grooming. We postulate that the strong predisposition for impala young to groom others may be related to the threat of tick infestation in the impala's ecotone habitat.
Sleeping Site Selection by Captive Tamarins (Saguinus labiatus)
Authors: Caine Nancy G. , Potter Margaret P. , Mayer K. Elizabeth 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe investigated the sleeping site preferences of three captive groups of red‐bellied tamarins (Saguinus labiatus), especially as those preferences might relate to protection and safety. The tamarins chose sleeping boxes that offered the most concealment, the greatest distance from the floor, and the greatest cover overhead. They did not, however, avoid sleeping boxes that were attached to the floor via vines. When the tamarins had no choice but to sleep in a box that offered little in the way of concealment, they increased their rates of vigilant scanning. Whereas a number of considerations other than those related to predation pressures must also affect sleeping site choices, we have demonstrated that, under controlled circumstances, these primates choose to sleep in locations in which they are hidden and inaccessible.
Effects of Prior Residence and Previous Cohabitation on the Polistes dominulus Christ Dominance Hierarchy
Authors: Pratte Michel , Gervet Jacques 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe investigated the effects of prior residence and previous cohabitation on the hierarchical relationships established between two wasps which were placed together in hitherto unknown surroundings. When two wasps which were both previously of alpha rank are brought together on the nest already occupied by one of them, the prior resident is likely to become the alpha individual in the newly established hierarchy. Prior residence is not a decisive factor however when two beta‐ranked wasps come together. When two wasps which previously belonged to the same social hierarchy were separated for one week, during which time they both became alpha individuals before being reunited, they tended to revert to their original status. The low intensity level of their reactions suggests here that a persistent mnesic trace may have led them to adopt their previous respective attitudes.
A Novel Context for Bird Song: Predator Calls Prompt Male Singing in the Kleptogamous Superb Fairy‐wren, Malurus cyaneus
Authors: Langmore Naomi E. , Mulder Raoul A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe cooperatively breeding superb fairy‐wren, Malurus cyaneus, sings two types of song; a variable, complex song sung by both sexes, and a relatively invariant, stereotyped song sung only by males. Field observations and playback experiments revealed that the male song could be triggered by a variety of loud avian and non‐avian vocalizations, but was triggered most frequently by the calls of predators or potential predators. The male song is sung both within the territory and in winter feeding flocks outside the territory. Acoustic properties of the song suggest that it is a long‐range signal. A possible explanation for this unusual phenomenon is that the male song has evolved through sexual selection as an honest signal to females of male quality, for the purpose of obtaining extra‐pair copulations.
Stability and Dynamics of Group Composition in a Herd of Captive Plains Zebras
Authors: Schilder Matthijs B. H. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAlthough the social structure in a safari park population of plains zebras is similar to that observed in the wild, a number of behavioural differences between the two situations were found. Unlike in the wild situation, stallions expelled their own offspring, generally directly after the birth of a sibling. Other individuals frequently joined the stallion in expulsion behaviour. Harems remained intact in spite of the absence of the stallion. Stallions did not abduct young females, as in the wild, but they did abduct adult females when these were in estrus. Stallions further expelled adult mares which hindered them. The prominent role of the stallion in regulating group size could mean that the competition experienced in the safari park is harder for stallions than it is for mares. Young females not expelled from their natal harem go through a “wandering phase”, visiting other groups. After that they exert female choice when they eventually join a group or an individual.
The Courtship Behavior of the Santeetlah Dusky Salamander, Desmognathus santeetlah Tilley (Amphibia: Caudata: Plethodontidae)
Authors: Maksymovitch Esther , Verrell Paul 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe provide the first description of courtship behavior in the North American salamander Desmognathus santeetlah Tilley from the Great Smoky Mountains. As appears typical for the genus, the courtship of D. santeetlah is comprised of three phases: orientation of the male to the female, persuasion of the female by the male (especially through tactile and olfactory stimulation) and indirect sperm transfer by means of a spermatophore. The female is more likely to remain with the male during the last phase (tail‐straddle walk resulting in spermatophore deposition) if the preceding persuasion phase is long in duration. Behavioral elements in the courtship of D. santeetlah are broadly similar to those described in other congeneric species of medium body size.
Reproductive Competition in Colonies of the Ant Leptothorax gredleri
Authors: Heinze Jürgen , Lipski Norbert , Hölldobler Bert 
Published: May 2010

AbstractColonies of the ant, Leptothorax (s. str.) gredleri may contain several inseminated female reproductives of which typically only one is laying eggs. Observations suggest that “functional monogyny” is caused by aggressive interactions among nestmate queens. Only the most dominant queen reproduces. Subordinate queens either leave the colony to found their own nests solitarily or by budding, or stay in the nest without reproducing, but may eventually replace the dominant queen. The interrelations of life history of L. gredleri, population structure and habitat characteristics are examined.
Trained Weakly‐electric Fishes Pollimyrus isidori and Gnathonemus petersii (Mormyridae, Teleostei) Discriminate between Waveforms of Electric Pulse Discharges
Authors: Graff Christian , Kramer Bernd 
Published: May 2010

AbstractFish of the family Mormyridae emit weak, pulse‐like electric organ discharges (EODs). The discharge rhythm is variable, but the waveform of the EOD is constant for each fish, with species‐ and individual characteristics. The ability of Pollimyrus isidori and Gnathonemus petersii (Mormyridae) to discriminate between different EOD waveforms was tested using a differential conditioning procedure.Fish were first trained to respond to a reference signal in swimming to a dish to receive a bloodworm (food reward). The reference signal consisted of a 10‐Hz train of the digitally recorded EOD of a conspecific. Second, an alternative signal (10‐Hz train of a different EOD, either from another species, or from a conspecific of the other sex) was associated with air bubbles as punishment. The two signals were played at successive trials in random order. On each trial the latency was measured between the onset of the signal and the response.7 out of the 8 P. isidori tested and both of the two G. petersii tested associated the reference EOD with food. Among these, five P. isidori and two G. petersii responded differentially (p < 0.01) to EODs of different species. P. isidori similarly discriminated between conspecific EODs of different sexes. The quantity of different alternative EODs which could be tested was limited when fish eventually habituated to the punishment.Even when the amplitude of the EODs was randomly changed at each trial, two out of two G. petersii differentiated between EODs of the two species, and three out of three P. isidori tested differentiated between EODs within their own species.Response latencies to the rewarded signal during the basic training and during discrimination (when it had to be distinguished from the S‐) were similar. G. petersii showed differential responses for S+ and S‐ also in the rhythm of discharge exhibited during playback, after five EOD pulses for one fish, and after a single pulse for the other.Mormyrids may therefore distinguish between conspecifics and members of other species, and even between individual conspecifics, by their EOD waveform.
Male Competition in a Wandering Spider (Cupiennius getazi, Ctenidae)
Authors: Schmitt Alain , Schuster Martin , Barth Friedrich G. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe describe male‐male competition in a wandering spider living on plants (Cupiennius getazi, Ctenidae) and discuss it within the general context of the mating system.1. Males produce vibratory courtship signals (duration about 20 s) and competition signals (2 s). Upon exposure to female silk, males produce almost exclusively courtship signals (98%) if alone or in the presence of a female. In the presence of a rival alone, an average of 25% of a male's vibratory signals are courtship signals and 75% competition signals. In the presence of both a rival and a female, an average of 50% are courtship and 50% competition signals. Females respond to both male courtship and/or competition signals with vibratory courtship whereas males react by vibratory competition. The intensity of the reaction of both males and females is independent of the signal type.2. Males displaying vibratory signals move slowly over the plant and repel attacks from rivals and females with extended front legs. Pairs of males interact in three ways. (i) Both males produce vibratory signals; one of them leaves the plant (53% of 90 trials). (ii) Both males vibrate, approach and touch (20%) or pounce on each other (20%). (iii) A male approaches the signalling opponent without producing vibrations and attacks him (7%). This is a conditional vibrocryptic tactic. The presence of a female incites male competition. Males do not interact with the female but approach each other (in 24% of the 26 trials “vibrocryptically”) and escalate more often (88%) and more quickly to overt fight than in the absence of a female. The male remaining on the plant approaches the female.3. Male‐male fights are ritualized. During 64 bodily contacts no male was injured. Males exposed to female silk and males using the vibrocryptic tactic were more often the winners of an interaction than males not exposed to female silk and than males vibrating while approaching their rival. The outcome of fights is not correlated with age, leg length, body weight and rate of signalling when no female is present. In contrast, body weight and leg length determine the outcome when a responding female is present, the larger male being the winner.4. Intrasexual and intersexual interactions suggest that both male competition and female choice mechanisms may regulate sexual selection in this species.
Significance of Agonistic Vocalization in the Croaking Gourami (Trichopsis vittatus, Teleostei)
Authors: Ladich Friedrich , Brittinger Waltraud , Kratochvil Helmut 
Published: May 2010

AbstractTrichopsis vittatus emits high amplitude sounds during agonistic encounters with conspecifics. The sound producing organ is derived from the structural components of the pectoral fins.The study involved muting a sample of subjects by removing two pectoral fin tendons without any further restriction in movements and behaviour. Mute and unaltered males were then placed together in pairs and the following agonistic behavioural elements were determined: attacks, lateral displays, sound production and frontal displays.Soniferous males had a higher probability of winning contests when size differences were small. In pairs with big size ratios, the larger males were more often successful. Besides visual and acoustical signals, lateral line stimuli seem to play no role in threatening displays.These results demonstrate that vocalization during agonistic encounters is important for becoming dominant in specific circumstances. Because of correlation between main frequencies and size, sound emission might be a very effective method of assessing the physical strength of an opponent.
Colony Integration in Honey Bees: Mechanisms of Behavioral Reversion
Authors: Robinson Gene E. , Page Robert E. , Strambi Colette , Strambi Alain 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAfter confirming that worker honey bees (Apis mellifera) can revert from foraging to brood care, we determined whether juvenile hormone (JH) mediates this form of plasticity in behavioral development and whether worker age and genotype influence the probability of its expression. Measurements of JH titers support the hypothesis that plasticity in honey bee behavioral development is a consequence of modulation of JH by extrinsic factors. Observations of individually marked bees in a colony composed of two phenotypically distinguishable subfamilies revealed that the likelihood of undergoing behavioral reversion was influenced by worker age but not by worker genotype. The effect of worker age on reversion is consistent with a previously formulated model for the regulation of age polyethism in honey bees that predicts that workers of different ages have different response thresholds for task‐associated stimuli. The lack of a genotypic effect on reversion is in contrast to results for other forms of behavioral plasticity.