Genetic and environmental parameters for behavioural responses towards humans in farmed ostriches
This study investigated the effect of human-ostrich interactions at an early age on behavioural responses towards humans later in life, as well as computed genetic parameters for behavioural responses towards humans. Responses recorded were a willingness to approach a human handler, allowing touch interactions with the handler, keeping a distance from the handler, wing flapping […]
Genetic, environmental, and neighbor effects on the severity of stereotypies and feather picking in Orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica): An epidemiological study
Stereotypies and psychogenic feather picking represent two distinct forms of abnormal behavior in parrots, with implications for welfare and owner relinquishment. While both behaviors are common in captive parrots, relatively little is known about the factors that may predispose a parrot to their development. To assess the effects of potential social, environmental, and genetic factors, […]
A behaviour test on German Shepherd dogs-Heritability of seven different traits
In this study, genetic and non-genetic effects on behavioural traits were estimated, based on records of the field behaviour test of the Swiss German Shepherd Dog breeding club. This standardized test has been applied since 1949 and comprised the following seven traits: self-confidence, nerve stability, temperament, hardness, sharpness, defence drive and fighting drive. The analyses […]
Individualities in a flock of free-roaming greylag geese: Behavioral and physiological consistency over time and across situations
The concept of personality implies individual differences in behavior and physiology that show some degree of repeatability/consistency over time and across contexts. Most studies of animal personality, particularly studies of individuals’ variation in physiological mechanisms, have been conducted on selected individuals in controlled conditions. We attempted to detect consistent behaviors as well as physiological patterns […]
Selection against aggressiveness in pigs at re-grouping: practical application and implications for long-term behavioural patterns
The routine mixing of pigs causes aggression that cannot be greatly reduced by low-cost environmental changes. The variability and heritability of aggressiveness are discussed and both appear adequate to make selection against aggressiveness worthwhile in growerstage pigs. Selection would require rapid phenotyping of many animals for which a validated indicator genetically correlated to aggressive behaviour […]
Heritable variation underlies behavioural types in the mating context in male bluefin killifish
In many species, consistent behavioural differences among individuals are linked to fitness variation. Determining the environmental and genetic factors that mould these behavioural types is crucial to understanding how behaviours might respond to selection. Male bluefin killifish, Lucania goodei, show extensive consistent behavioural variation in their levels of courtship, male-directed aggression and female-directed aggression, resulting […]
Genetic analysis of the individual pig behaviour in backtests and human approach tests
The most recent development in pig production has focused increasingly on the well-being of the individual pig and animal-friendly housing conditions, i.e. the launch of the group housing of sows in the EU. In this regard, however, standard procedures which may be stressful to the animals and thus have an impact on their health and […]
Genetic study of stress assessed with infrared thermography during dressage competitions in the Pura Raza Español horse
Despite the fact that physiological parameters in dressage are important because of their close connection to human–horse accidents, performance and welfare, these parameters are only rarely included in horse breeding programs. In Spain, the Pura Raza Español horse (PRE) Breeding Program focuses mainly on the selection of horses for satisfactory dressage ability. Studying the genetic […]
What role does heritability play in transgenerational phenotypic responses to captivity? Implications for managing captive populations
Animals maintained in captivity exhibit rapid changes in phenotypic traits, which may be maladaptive for natural environments. The phenotype can shift away from the wild phenotype via transgenerational effects, with the environment experienced by parents influencing the phenotype and fitness of offspring. There is emerging evidence that controlling transgenerational effects could help mitigate the effects […]