The forked tongue and edge detection in snakes (Crotalus oreganus): An experimental test
Many stimulus-detection systems are lateralized to allow for simultaneous comparison of paired stimuli. It has been hypothesized that the deeply forked tongue of snakes and some derived lizards functions as a chemical edge detector where cues gathered by each tine are kept separate to provide two points of lateral odor assessment by the central nervous […]
Activity of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) in limited spaces: Hand movement characteristics
The increasing popularity of marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) in anatomical, behavioral, and electrophysiological studies has called for a detailed analysis of their natural behavior within limited spaces. In the present study, the authors analyzed hand movements during horizontal and vertical progressions in a cylinder. The trajectory of each hand covered the entire cylinder floor during […]
The emergence of emotional lateralization: Evidence in non-human vertebrates and implications for farm animals
The study and protection of animal welfare are based on the assumption that animals are sentient beings, capable of experiencing emotions. Still, our understanding of animal emotions is limited. In this review we focus on the potential of cerebral-lateralization research to provide new insights into animal emotional processing. Thereby, our aims were, first, to find […]
Aggression and sex differences in lateralization in the zebrafish
Aggression plays an important role in survival and reproduction. It can be measured using mirror and dyadic tests, but there is some debate about whether interactions with a mirror image and with a real opponent measure the same aspects of aggressiveness. Variation in aggressiveness among individuals has been linked to behavioural lateralization. Lateralization, the preference […]
Natural incubation patterns and the effects of exposing eggs to light at various times during incubation on post-hatch fear and stress responses in broiler (meat) chickens
Although environmental conditions during incubation can affect poultry welfare, one factor often overlooked in the commercial incubation of eggs is light. Light stimulation during embryonic development is now known to affect the physiology and behavior of broiler (meat) chickens post-hatch, but little is known about the pattern of exposure needed to produce these effects. We […]
Exposing avian embryos to light affects post-hatch anti-predator fear responses
Environmental stimuli present during incubation can impact the behavior of birds post-hatch. To determine the effect of exposing broiler chicken embryos to light on fear-related behavior post-hatch, we conducted two experiments in which we incubated eggs under various light schedules, and then measured fear responses when the chickens (N = 720) were 3–6 wk of […]