bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre‐implantation Pregnancy Disruption in Female Meadow Voles Microtus pennsylvanicus (Rodentia: Muridae): Male Competition or Female Mate Choice?
Authors: Storey Anne E. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractI investigated alternative hypotheses concerning the functions of pre‐implantation male‐induced pregnancy disruption in meadow voles. Disruptions may be viewed as: 1. Postcopulatory male competition; 2. A mechanism for postcopulatory mate choice by females; and 3. A means of benefitting females by terminating investment in litters that may be harmed by new males. Female voles were paired with a second male 3 d after mating with their first mate. Behavioural interactions between the female and each male were compared for females that disrupted or retained the pregnancy sired by the first male. Whether they were the females' first or second mates, males siring litters showed similar high levels of approach and moderately high aggression, behaviour that differed from the females' other mates. Disrupted females huddled sooner with their second mates than females that retained their original pregnancies, and females tended to approach males that approached them. These results suggest that females influence whether a disruption occurs by the amount of contact they initiate with the second male, and thus pregnancy disruption may facilitate postcopulatory mate choice by females. This pre‐implantation disruption did not enhance female reproductive success: pup survival was the same whether or not a disruption occurred, and males living with pups they had sired (after a disruption) spent as much time with them as males with unrelated pups (females did not disrupt).
Spatial Orientation in Blattella germanica L. Larvae
Authors: Dabouineau Laurent , Rivault Colette 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe aim of these experiments was to investigate the type of cues used in homing processes by young Blattella germanica L. larvae. Several types of stimuli were tested: path integration with kinesthetic cues and visual orientation with landmark cues. Tests measured the escape direction of larvae from the food box after disturbance. Either type of cue alone, path integration or visual landmarks, was sufficient to allow larvae to orient towards their shelters, but they oriented more precisély when both types of cue were used. When several landmark cues (proximal and distal) were present, their relative angular position seemed important in the orientation process. Macroscopic shapes in the environment appeared to be used as a global image, memorized to reach the shelter.
Social Behaviour on the Wing in the False Vampire, Megaderma lyra
Authors: Leippert Dieter 
Published: May 2010

AbstractSocial interaction occurs in bats. In a group of 10 Megaderma lyra (seven female and two male adults, as well as one female juvenile) held in captivity, two stereotyped flying behaviour patterns —the ‘grumbling flight’ and the ‘song flight’ — were observed and studied. The ‘grumbling flight’ is a social interaction in flight between at least two Megaderma lyra in which ‘grumble sequences’ are emitted. This behaviour is triggered by stress or arising aggression, and presumably attempts to avoid agonistic interactions with dangerous physical contact. The song flight was exclusively displayed by the dominant male bat and only directed at the non‐lactating female members of the group, with a preference to alien females. This behaviour is composed of three behavioural stages, each accompanied by a specific ‘song strophe’. The song flight presumably aims at bonding the females to the male. During the grumbling flight and the song flight, M. lyra emits communication sounds in the ultrasonic range. The sounds consist of simple elements (FMdown, FMup, CF), and are similar to types of sounds emitted for echolocation by various bat species.
Shoal Choice in the Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus, Teleostei, Cyprinodontidae): Effects of Predation Risk, Fish Size, Species Composition and Size of Shoals
Authors: Krause Jens , Godin Jean‐Guy J. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBanded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) were presented individually with a choice of shoaling with either of two stimulus shoals which differed in shoal size, species composition, and fish body size, before and after a simulated avian predator attack. When threatened, test fish preferred to shoal with the larger of two conspecific shoals, but only if members of both stimulus shoals were of the same size class as the test fish. Otherwise, they preferred to shoal with similarly sized fish irrespective of shoal size; threat of predation increased the magnitude of this preference. Furthermore, test fish preferred a shoal of similarly sized shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas) over larger killifish, when shoal sizes were identical. This indicates that body size plays a key role in shoal choice, overriding the effects of shoal size and species preference. Notwithstanding the above, shoal choice was affected by predator threat only when differences between shoal size or body size of stimulus fish were large.
Mimicking a Honeybee Queen?Vespa affinis indosinensis Pérez 1910 Hunts Drones of Apis cerana F. 1793
Authors: Koeniger Nikolaus , Koeniger Gudrun , Mardan Makhdzir 
Published: May 2010

AbstractHornets (Vespa affinis) flying in a drone congregation area attracted drones of Apis cerana. The drones followed the hornet and were ‘manoeuvred’ towards a leaf or a tree. The hornet then rushed at one of the drones. Many attempts by the hornet to catch a drone were unsuccessful and all drones fled. After failing, the hornet returned to centre of the drone congregation area and repeated the behaviour. Only after successfully seizing of a drone did the hornet leave the drone congregation area carrying its prey. In a two‐choice test in the centre of the drone congregation area, free‐flying A. cerana drones preferred a hornet model to a live A. cerana queen. V. affinis apparently ‘exploits’ the intraspecific communication between queen and drones of A. cerana. Hunting of drones in the drone congregation area by V. affinis may be an example of predatory mimicry.
The Role of Midventral Gland Secretion in Individual Discrimination by Djungarian Hamster (Phodopus camphelli Thomas, 1905) Females
Authors: Vasilieva Nina Yu. , Sokolov Vladimir E. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to investigate discrimination of individual male Djungarian hamsters by conspecific females. In the first experiment, it was shown that females reacted differently to two anaesthetized males ‐ their mate and an unfamiliar male ‐ by showing more aggressive behaviour toward the unfamiliar male. In the second experiment, females were more aggressive toward an unfamiliar, awake male than a familiar partner. Furthermore, aggression toward the mate was increased by scenting him with midventral gland secretion from an unfamiliar male. Aggression toward an unfamiliar male was reduced by scenting him with the mate's ventral gland secretion. Thus, the midventral gland scent is an important signal for individual recognition in Djungarian hamsters.
A Linear Dominance Hierarchy in Female Nubian Ibex
Authors: Greenberg‐Cohen Dalia , Alkon Philip U. , Yom‐Tov Yoram 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe monitored agonistic interactions amongst a group of individually marked, free‐ranging female Nubian ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) in the Negev Desert highlands of southern Israel. Seven agonistic behaviours were defined, and the frequency and outcomes of dyadic interactions were analysed to estimate social structure and to compare rank with age and morphological variables. Most agonistic behaviours took place during the early morning and late afternoon when the animals were actively moving and feeding. The outcomes of agonistic bouts revealed a significant linear dominance hierarchy among a core group of 13 adult females, and among an expanded group that included ≤ additional females that had temporary affiliations with the core group. Dominance relationships remained stable for at least 1 yr. Social rank correlated positively with an index of absolute aggression, and with age, horn size, and other morphological traits. There was no clear relationship between rank and type of agonistic interaction.
Ethological Study of Yawning in Primates. I. Quantitative Analysis and Study of Causation in Two Species of Old World Monkeys (Cercocebus albigena and Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Deputte Bertrand L. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractYawning is a common, species‐typical behaviour in vertebrates, generally associated with transitions from sleep to wakefulness. In primates, yawning occurs within a group in a variety of social contexts, suggesting that it has a communicative role, a hypothesis examined in this study. Yawning has rarely been studied. Quantitative studies have been concerned only with age, sex and social‐status differences in yawning frequency.The causation and function of yawning were examined in a quantitative, 796‐h ethological analysis of observations of two groups of Cercocebus albigena and one group of Macaca fascicularis. In both species, yawns occurred in two main contexts: during transitions from rest to activity (the ‘rest yawn’) and following social interactions (the ‘emotion yawn’). The rest yawn represents 90 % of yawns and is common to every age‐sex group. By contrast, the emotion yawn (10 %) is more frequent in adult males. Regardless of context, yawning was more frequent in males than females. Within males yawning frequency increased with age. Thus, sex hormones may modulate the physiological processes involved. Yawns were usually performed by individuals in seated, lying or standing positions. Yawns were frequently followed by short periods of rest, so that, when triggered by a social interaction, they occurred at its end. The morphology of the yawning act did not vary in regard to context age and/or sex of the yawner.
Species Recognition in Anolis grahami (Sauria, Iguanidae): Evidence from Responses to Video Playbacks of Conspecific and Heterospecific Displays
Authors: Macedonia Joseph M. , Stamps Judy A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe visual displays of male anoles (Anolis sp.) are usually viewed as characters that facilitate species recognition. This presumption stems largely from the extensive variation in the head bobbing movements and dewlap colouration in males of this genus. However, few experimental data exist that illuminate the importance of these visual signals for species recognition. We presented adult male Anolis grahami with colour‐videotaped sequences of displays from conspecifics and from three heterospecific species of anoles. The congenerics (A. carolinensis, A. conspersus, and A. sagrei) were chosen on the basis of their phylogenetic and geographical relationships with A. grahami. Stimulus males were filmed at a constant distance and orientation from the video camera, and edited sequences of their displays were presented at a standard distance from subjects. Video playbacks allowed us to equalize the quantity of display performed by each stimulus species, and to eliminate stimulus/subject interactions as well as inter‐trial variation in stimulus behaviour. Results revealed that the subjects responded more strongly to conspecific than to heterospecific displays on all behavioural variables examined, but there was no indication of discrimination among the displays of the three congeneric species.
Species Recognition in Heterospecific Groups of Ants: Relative Contribution of Allospecific Workers and Queen
Authors: Errard Christine , Vienne Catherine 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to test the relative contribution of allospecific workers and the queen on species recognition in ants by means of both behavioural and chemical analyses. Workers of two ant species, Manica rubida (Myrmicinae) and Formica selysi (Formicinae), were reared in homospecific groups (without queen) or in artificial heterospecific groups (mixed worker groups and mixed queen/worker groups), created 5 h after emergence. In mixed worker groups, individuals of both species recognize conspecific and allospecific workers even if unfamiliar. When reared with an allospecific queen, individuals retained their ability for conspecific recognition, but it appeared that F. selysi individuals performed better than M. rubida in recognizing unfamiliar conspecifics reared in control groups. However, this rearing scheme did not permit the tolerance of unfamiliar allospecifics. The chemical results indicate that when individuals are reared in mixed worker groups they acquire larger amounts of allospecific cuticular hydrocarbons than when reared in mixed queen/worker groups. While the former recognize unfamiliar allospecific workers, the latter did not recognize unfamiliar allospecific workers in spite of the acquisition of small amounts of allospecific cues. In addition, reared with allospecific workers, queens acquire allospecific hydrocarbons, but less amounts than workers. These experiments therefore show that the individuals recognize the allospecific cues borne on each individual's body surface.
Diurnal Patterns of Behaviour and Group Membership of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) Wintering in Hawaiian Waters
Authors: Helweg David A. , Herman Louis M. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe examined the behaviour of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Hawaiian waters in relation to time of day using visual observations from shore platforms and acoustic observations using hydrophones. As humpbacks are not observed to feed in Hawaiian waters, we assumed that the data were free from the influence of diel cycles of prey availability. The majority of mothers with calves were likely to be escorted by one or more male consorts only after 0700 h. The percentage of pods with three or more adults increased across the day and the rates of male‐male agonistic behaviour typical of multiple‐adult pods also increased. Noon observations were characterized by high rates of behaviour such as breaching that may serve as visual and/or acoustic signals. No diel variation in the number of singers was observed, suggesting that the number of singers was independent of the late afternoon peak in male‐male competition within surface‐active groups. The results suggest that the whales were resting in the dawn hours, behaviour related to mating begins shortly after sunrise, and that male‐male competition peaked in the afternoon.
Influence of Mate‐guarding Duration on Male Reproductive Success: An Experiment with Irradiated Water Strider (Gerris lacustris) Males
Authors: Jabłonski Piotr , Kaczanowski Szymon 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis study explores the importance that guarding duration has on the reproductive success of a male competing with other males for females. In the experiments, single irradiated males were tested in groups of four fertile males and five females, or single fertile males were tested in groups of four irradiated males and five females. Percentages of non‐developing and developing eggs, respectively, laid by the females over 2 days was used to determine the relative reproductive success of the focal male. The males were tested in three situations: 1. Guarding duration interrupted by experimenter; 2. Guarding of natural duration; 3. Prolonged guarding (male glued to the female after copulation). The reproductive success of irradiated focal males increased as the guarding duration increased. No such analysis could be done for fertile focal males because they differed among treatments in both guarding duration (manipulated) and interval between consecutive matings. In treatments with prolonged guarding, male reproductive success tended to be higher, but not significantly so. Prolonged guarding decreased variability in reproductive success of fertile focal males. The results showed that guarding is a paternity assurance strategy and suggested that there is a conflict between sexes over guarding duration.
Situational Specificity in Alpine‐marmot Alarm Communication
Authors: Blumstein Daniel T. , Arnold Walter 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe studied the degree to which alpine marmot(Marmota marmotaL.) alarm calls function as communication about specific external stimuli. Alpine marmots emit variable alarm calls when they encounter humans, dogs, and several species of aerial predators. The first part of the study involved observations and manipulations designed to document contextual variation in alarm calls. Alarm calls varied along several acoustic parameters, but only along one that we examined, the number of notes per call, was significantly correlated with the type of external stimulus. Marmots were more likely to emit single‐note alarm calls as their first or only call in response to an aerial stimulus, and multiple‐note alarm calls when first calling to a terrestrial stimulus. This relationship was not without exceptions; there was considerable variation in the number of notes they emitted to both aerial and terrestrial stimuli, and a single stimulus type — humans — elicited a wide range of acoustic responses. The second part of the study involved playing back three types of alarm calls to marmots and observing their responses. Marmots did not have overtly different responses to the three types of played‐back alarm calls. Our results are consistent with the hypotheses that: 1. Alarm calls do not refer to specific external stimuli; 2. Alarm calls function to communicate the degree of risk a caller experiences; and 3. Alarm calls require additional contextual cues to be properly interpreted by conspecifics.
The Weaning Process of Free‐ranging Domestic Pigs: Within‐ and Between‐litter Variations
Authors: Jensen Per 
Published: May 2010

AbstractTo determine variations within and between litters in the weaning process and behavioural development, the behaviour of four focal piglets from each of nine litters was recorded at the ages of 4, 6, 8 and 10 wk in a 12.5‐ha semi‐natural environment. The piglets were weighed at birth, at 7–11 d and at 7 wk. Activities and nearest‐neighbour distances were recorded instantaneously and social interactions continuously during 4 times 11 min/piglet at all ages. Within‐litter comparisons were obtained by transforming raw data to standard scores within litters. There were significant age effects on all behavioural variables except aggression, which, however, was very rare. There were also significant effects of sow and boar on several behavioural variables, as well as interactions between sow/boar and age, indicating a possible genetic influence on the behavioural development. Within‐litter variations did not relate to sex or weight. Within litters, some individuals tended to be more associated with their families and to rely more on milk for nutrients whereas others tended to affiliate with other families and spend more time feeding on solids. The latter group could be conceived of as piglets starting the weaning process earlier.
Scent‐deposition Behaviour in Alpine Marmots (Marmota marmota L.): its Role in Territorial Defence and Social Communication
Authors: Boero Daniela Lenti 
Published: May 2010

AbstractScent‐deposition was investigated in Marmota marmota L. at Gran Paradiso National Park. 448 h of focal and scan sampling were performed on 22 marmots in four subsequent years. Results show that: (1) 97.4 % of the scent‐deposition is done within 25 m of the edge of the territories or of the main burrows (X2 = 100.4, df 9, p < 0.001); (2) being a reproducing adult is the most prominent factor in scent‐deposition (X2 = 32.4, df = 18, p < 0.002). The role of factors affecting scent‐deposition in territorial defence and social communication is discussed.
Role of Nest‐paper Hydrocarbons in Nestmate Recognition of Dolichovespula maculata (L.) Workers (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
Authors: Butts Douglas P. , Espelie Karl E. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe role of nest‐paper hydrocarbons in nestmate recognition was examined in the social wasp Dolichovespula maculata. Pupae were excised from nine colonies of D. maculata and placed in separate gel capsules in the laboratory. When workers emerged, they were isolated in the absence of other wasps in one of four conditions: 1. With an untreated fragment of their natal nest; 2. With a fragment of their nest that had been extracted with hexane to remove surface hydrocarbons; 3. With a fragment of their nest that had been extracted with hexane, and had then had the extract containing the surface hydrocarbons reapplied; or 4. In the absence of any nest fragment. After 4 d, the newly emerged workers were tested for nestmate recognition with an experienced nestmate and an experienced non‐nestmate in blind triplet tests. Prior exposure to nest‐paper hydrocarbons had no significant effect upon the ability of newly emerged or experienced wasps to recognize their nestmates. Moreover, nestmate recognition did not occur in any treatment group.
Influences on Vigilance in Nine‐banded Armadillos
Authors: McDonough Colleen M. , Loughry W. J. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractFunctional aspects of vigilance in nine‐banded armadillos (Edentata: Dasypus novemcinctus) were investigated. Data on solitary individuals revealed few age or sex differences in time spent vigilant. However, vigilance increased in most social contexts and was highest during intraspecific agonistic encounters. These results suggest social functions for armadillo vigilance. Armadillos with higher vigilance levels had longer flight distances, suggesting that vigilance may also have antipredator benefits. Further examination of flight distances revealed that they varied with age, weather conditions, and time of year (breeding versus non‐breeding season), and were negatively correlated with body size. In total, the results indicate the complexity of vigilance in a solitary species and suggest that armadillo vigilance is multifunctional.
Seasonal Changes in Scents and Responses to them in Meadow Voles: Evidence for the Co‐evolution of Signals and Response Mechanisms
Authors: Ferkin Michael H. , Sorokin Evan S. , Johnston Robert E. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractRelatively little is known about the mechanisms of communication during the non‐breeding season in species that are seasonal breeders. Previous work with meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, housed under long photoperiods, has shown that they prefer the odors of opposite‐sex conspecifics. In this paper, we investigated the effects of short photoperiod on preferences for sex‐specific odors and the production of such odors. Short‐photoperiod females preferred anogenital and fecal scents of other short‐photoperiod females over those of males, but did not show sexual preferences for three other scents. Short‐photoperiod males did not exhibit sexual preferences for any of the odors. Furthermore, scents from short‐photoperiod voles did not elicit sex‐specific preferences in long‐photoperiod voles, and scents from long‐photoperiod voles did not elicit preferences from short‐photoperiod voles. These and previous results indicate that both the odors and responses to odors change seasonally and that long‐photoperiod voles respond selectively to scents from long‐photoperiod voles and short‐photoperiod voles respond selectively to scents from short‐photoperiod voles. Taken together, these results suggest the co‐evolution of seasonal changes in scents and in perceptual or other response mechanisms.
Extra‐pair Copulations in a Monogamous Gibbon (Hylobates lar)
Authors: Reichard Ulrich 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis study, conducted in a rainforest in Thailand, presents the first evidence for extra‐pair copulations in white‐handed gibbons ‐ Asian apes that live in monogamous groups. The ratio of in‐pair copulations versus extra‐pair copulations as observed among three free‐ranging, well‐habituated groups was 88 versus 12 % and involved one adult paired female and three adult paired males. Extra‐pair copulations may be explained as an effort to breed with a partner of superior quality to the current mate and/or may be part of a strategy to forestall infanticide.