Learning and context-specific exploration behaviour in hatchery and wild brown trout
In this study we investigate whether rearing environment (wild vs. hatchery) affects the ability of brown trout parr (Salmo trutta) to learn two foraging tasks. Hatchery- and wild-reared brown trout were trained in two different foraging tasks: locating food hidden in a maze and finding a cryptic prey, and their performance within and across tasks […]
Variable stress-responsiveness in wild type and domesticated fighting fish
VERBEEK, P., T. IWAMOTO AND N. MURAKAMI. Variable stress-responsiveness in wild type and domesticated fighting fish. PHYSIOL BEHAV XX(X) 000-000, 2007. We combined behavioral and physiological measures to compare coping style in wild-type Betta splendens and a domesticated strain selectively bred for sports fighting. We showed previously that the fighter strain is more aggressive than […]
Personality Traits in Dumpling Squid (Euprymna tasmanica) : Context-Specific Traits and Their Correlation With Biological Characteristics
Personality traits are a major class of behavioral variation often observed within populations of animals. However, little is known of the integration between personality and an individual’s underlying biology. To address this, the authors measured personality traits in squid (Euprymna tasmanica) in 2 contexts while also describing trait correlates with biological parameters. Four traits (shy […]
Vocal repertoire of captive Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris): structure, context and function
In this work we describe the structure, behavioral context and functionality of the vocal repertoire of capybaras, a social Caviomorph rodent. Additionally, since territoriality is present in this species, we hypothesize the occurrence of vocal differences among social groups. We analyzed a total of 2069 calls emitted by 28 animals from three different social groups. […]
Age and context affect the stereotypies of caged mink
The effects of age and context on the stereotypies of caged mink were examined in order to assess the developmental changes undergone by the behaviour, and to find context-specificity that might suggest its motivational bases. Caged mink perform stereotypies consisting of a variety of movements, most commonly pacing and rearing, running in and out of […]
Temperament in Rhesus, Long-Tailed, and Pigtailed Macaques Varies by Species and Sex
Temperament differs among individuals both within and between species. Evidence suggests that differences in temperament of group members may parallel differences in social behavior among groups or between species. Here, we compared temperament between three closely related species of monkey—rhesus (Macaca mulatta), long-tailed (M. fascicularis), and pigtailed (M. nemestrina) macaques—using cage-front behavioral observations of individually […]
Sustainable animal welfare: does forcing farmers into transition help?
Dutch society is changing, and so is its attitude towards animal welfare. Meat retailers respond by laying down minimum-quality criteria for farmers who wish to supply to supermarkets-forcing them to either aim for higher quality or lose their market. Policy-wise this is a top-down measure that leads to a redistribution of markets. From farmer perspective, […]