Agonistic Behavior Research Articles

Sexual stimulation of captive Iberian ibex bucks (Capra pyrenaica): Effect of male social rank on the response to estrous females

The aims were to determine if the contact with estrous females stimulates testosterone and cortisol secretion in Iberian ibex bucks during or out of the breeding season and if their social rank affects this response. Nine Iberian ibex bucks (Capra pyrenaica), were challenged with estrous does during two periods: winter-spring and autumn (three tests at each season, separated 10 days). Individual success index (SI) was calculated in both season. Bucks were exposed to an estrous doe, their sexual and agonistic behavior was recorded, testosterone and cortisol concentrations were measured. There were no sexual interactions toward the estrous doe in any test. Testosterone concentration was unrelated to the SI in any season and was not modified with the tests. Cortisol concentration was greater in the first than in the second and third tests in both seasons (winter-spring: 99.7 ± 15.7 ng/mL, 65.9 ± 9.4 ng/mL and 62.3 ± 10.1 ng/mL P < 0.0001; autumn: 110.1 ± 15.8 ng/mL, 79.2 ± 13.4 ng/mL, and 87.6 ± 13.5 ng/mL; P < 0.01). Iberian ibex bucks allocated in captivity did not display sexual behaviors nor modify the testosterone secretion, which was not modified by social hierarchy, after estrous doe exposition, during or out of the pre-rutting period.

Wound inflammation post-orchiectomy affects the social dynamic of Nelore bulls

BackgroundConfinement of cattle imposes spatial restrictions and predisposes to aversive social encounters that can lead to contusions, wounds, pain, stress, fright, and reduced productivity. Although endogenous testosterone concentrations are linked to agonistic dominance behaviors in males, it is unknown whether decreased blood testosterone concentrations after castration alter social hierarchy rank in Nelore bulls. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the impact of the surgical would inflammation post-orchiectomy on social dynamics in a group of Nelore bulls (Bos indicus). Fourteen Nelore (Bos indicus) bulls were castrated and assessed pre- and post-surgically. Parameters evaluated were agonistic (mounting, headbutting, and fighting) and affiliative (head-play) behavior, plasma testosterone concentrations, average daily weight gain (ADG), and a score for severity of post-surgical infection. Exploratory statistics included social network analysis (SNA), hierarchy rank delta (Δ), and principal component analysis (PCA). Furthermore, statistical inferences included the Wilcoxon test, multiple logistic regression models, and Spearman's correlation.ResultsThe social dynamic of Nelore bulls was modified after castration based on the findings of the SNA and the PCA. The moderate correlation between the postoperative inflammation level with the Δ, and the significant effect of this level in the logistic model post-castration were partially attributed to effects of pain on social relations.ConclusionsOur findings suggest the severity of post-surgical inflammation, which has an association with pain intensity, was closely associated with changes in the social hierarchy.

Exploring the 1,3-benzoxazine chemotype for cannabinoid receptor 2 as a promising anti-cancer therapeutic

The discovery of selective agonists of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is strongly pursued to successfully tuning endocannabinoid signaling for therapeutic purposes. However, the design of selective CB2 agonists is still challenging because of the high homology with the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and for the yet unclear molecular basis of the agonist/antagonist switch. Here, the 1,3-benzoxazine scaffold is presented as a versatile chemotype for the design of CB2 agonists from which 25 derivatives were synthesized. Among these, compound 7b5 (CB2 EC50 = 110 nM, CB1 EC50 > 10 μM) demonstrated to impair proliferation of triple negative breast cancer BT549 cells and to attenuate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a CB2-dependent manner. Furthermore, 7b5 abrogated the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, a key pro-inflammatory and oncogenic enzyme. Finally, molecular dynamics studies suggested a new rationale for the in vitro measured selectivity and for the observed agonist behavior.

Sex differences in dominance relationships in Syrian hamsters

Dominance relationships are identified by changes in agonistic behavior toward specific individuals. While there are considerable individual and species differences in dominance relationships, sex differences are poorly understood in rodent models because aggression among female rodents is rare. The aim of this study was to characterize sex differences in the formation and maintenance of dominance relationships in same-sex pairs of male and female Syrian hamsters. We pooled data from multiple projects in our lab to evaluate dominance interactions in 68 male dyads and 88 female dyads. In each project, animals were matched with a partner similar in age, sex, and estrous cycle and we exposed animals to daily social encounters for two weeks in a resident-intruder format. We found that female hamsters were quicker to attack and attacked at higher rates compared to males regardless of dominance status. In addition, resident female hamsters were quicker to attack and attacked at higher rates than intruder females, but aggression in males did not depend on residency status. Female subordinates were quicker to submit and fled at higher rates from their dominant counterparts compared to male subordinates. Intruder subordinate females were quicker to submit and fled at higher rates than resident subordinate females. Females were also more resistant than males to becoming subordinate in that they fought back more consistently and were more likely to reverse their dominance status. These findings indicate that dominance relationships are less stable in females compared to males and that residency status has a larger impact on agonistic behavior in females than males. Overall, differences in how males and females display territorial aggression can lead to sex differences in the establishment and maintenance of dominance relationships.

Impact of Social Buffering and Restraint on Welfare Indicators during UK Commercial Horse Slaughter.

Current legislation in the United Kingdom stipulates that horses should not be slaughtered within sight of one another. However, abattoir personnel anecdotally report that, for semi-feral horses unused to restraint, co-slaughtering alongside a conspecific could reduce distress through social buffering and improve safety, but there is a lack of evidence to support this. CCTV footage from an English abattoir was assessed retrospectively with welfare indicators from when horses entered the kill pen until they were killed. Of 256 horses analysed, 12% (32/256) were co-slaughtered (alongside a conspecific) and 88% (224/256) individually. Co-slaughtered horses moved more in the pen, but individually slaughtered horses showed more agitated behaviour, required more encouragement to enter the kill pen, and experienced more slips or falls. Unrestrained horses (40%; 102/256) showed increased agitation, movement, and agonistic behaviour towards the operator and resisted entry to the kill pen compared to restrained horses (60%; 154/256). Positive interactions between conspecifics were seen in 94% (30/32) of co-slaughtered horses, and only 6% (1/16) showed a startled response to the first horse being shot, with a median time of 15 s between shots. This study highlights the impact that both conspecific and human interactions can have on equine welfare at slaughter. Semi-feral or unrestrained horses appear to experience increased distress compared to horses more familiar with human handling, and the presence of a conspecific at slaughter mitigated this.

Examining the effect of sociodemographic factors on feral horses' social networks

AbstractThe benefits of sociality are not equitably shared among members of a social group. The position individuals occupy in social networks is key to maximizing their fitness and contribution to group cohesion, as well as stability in the network structure. Individuals' position in a social network is highly influenced by intra‐group competition and affiliation; therefore, it should be assessed by examining various spatial‐social variables. In this study, we examined the relationship between proximity, grooming and agonistic networks, controlling for genetic relatedness, and the effects of sociodemographic factors on the strength centrality (SC) of these social networks. We combined drone technology and social network analysis to test several hypotheses on 16 feral horse (Equus ferus caballus) groups during three consecutive breeding seasons. Our results show a clear relationship between spatial and social behaviours, suggesting that proximity and grooming are intimately connected in promoting social bonding, and agonism may be a consequence of close proximity between conspecifics. Sociodemographic factors shaped the three network centralities differently. Females and higher‐ranking individuals are more central in spatial networks, whereas younger ones may benefit from higher centrality in affiliative networks. Newly integrated individuals tend to be peripheral on spatial networks and engage more in agonistic behaviours; corroborating that integration into a new group is a costly process for females, ultimately leading to a decreased foaling rate. Individuals in multi‐male groups showed higher SC in proximity, but not in agonistic networks, suggesting that a second male may play a role in decreasing overall intra‐group competition. Our results provide a step forward in understanding the costs and benefits of network centrality in non‐matrilineal societies and mechanisms leading to social cohesion, namely in populations under the constant threat of predation and human pressures.

Escape response of Guiana dolphins to bottlenose dolphin playback

An individual reaction to natural threats, such as the presence of predators or aggressors, can shape the social behaviour of an entire population. In southern Brazil, two coastal Delphinid species, Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) and Lahille's bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus gephyreus) co-occur on a regional scale. However, within Baía Norte, there is a clear spatial segregation between these dolphins at a fine-scale that, combined with records of bottlenose dolphins displaying agonistic behaviours towards Guiana dolphins, raised the hypothesis that such aggressive behaviours may contribute to shape this segregated distribution. Here, to investigate this hypothesis, we carried out a controlled exposure experiment in which surface behavioural responses of Guiana dolphins were evaluated before, during and after acoustic playbacks of bottlenose dolphins. Through aerial footages, collected with an unmanned aerial vehicle, we accessed significant behavioural responses of Guiana dolphins in terms of group organization and behavioural states. During playbacks, we observed a decrease in the cohesion index between individual Guiana dolphins and an increase in group synchrony, indicating that individuals coordinate their movements to aggregate when exposed to playback. In addition, time spent in foraging behaviours decreased significantly during playbacks, suggesting that foraging activities are interrupted, and individuals start to travel. These results demonstrate that Guiana dolphins perform a collective escape behaviour when facing bottlenose dolphins, a potential aggressor, reinforcing the hypothesis that such defensive behaviour is mediating the spatial segregation between these dolphins' populations.

Aggressive vocalizations during intergroup interactions in roost defense in the Spix's disk‐winged bat

AbstractAnimals engage in agonistic interactions to gain exclusive access to territories and resources. Understanding these interactions in bats, however, has proven difficult given their high mobility and nocturnal habits. For bats, roosts are a critical resource; thus, the study of agonistic behaviors associated with the use of these resources could provide valuable information to understand how and whether individuals monopolize them. Here, we used Thyroptera tricolor to study agonistic behaviors associated with access to a roosting resource. We experimentally studied the behavioral responses of focal groups when interacting with different intruders during the occupation of an ephemeral roosting resource. We found that T. tricolor responds more aggressively to intruders than to members of its own group, increasing the number of aggressive vocalizations. We also found differences in the rate of agonistic behaviors based on the identity of the intruders. Specifically, we observed that bats produced a large number of aggressive vocalizations when interacting with nearby intruders, supporting the “nasty neighbor” hypothesis. This study provided the first empirical evidence that aggressive vocalizations may serve as a mechanism to defend and maintain exclusive roosting sites in social groups of T. tricolor.

Gonadotropin inhibitory-hormone modulates neurosteroids-synthesizing enzymes expression and aggressive behavior in male sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax

Neurosteroids are involved in the regulation of multiple behavioral and physiological processes and metabolic activities in the vertebrate brain. However, central mechanisms of how neurosteroid synthesis is regulated is far to be understood. Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GNIH) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that negatively regulates gonadotropin secretion but also inhibits sexual and aggressive behaviors in birds and mammals by modulating aromatase enzyme and neuroestrogen synthesis. In a previous study performed in male sea bass, we reported that Gnih inhibited the reproductive axis by acting at the three levels of the brain-pituitary-gonad axis. Moreover, the presence of Gnih cells and fibers in the telencephalon, mesencephalon and rhombencephalon suggests a role of Gnih in regulating other important brain functions in sea bass, including behavior. In this study, we have analyzed the effects of the intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of sbGnih-2 on the brain and pituitary expression of the main neurosteroids-synthesizing enzymes (stAR, cyp17, 3β-hsd, 17β-hsd, cyp19b, cyp7b), as well as on estrogen and androgen receptors (erα, erβ1, erβ2, ar). A combination of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization was also used to identify putative interaction of Gnih- and aromatase-positive cells. We also performed a mirror test study as a proxy to measure aggression levels and agonistic behavior after icv injection of sbGnih-2. Central administration of sbGnih-2 at different doses reduced the transcript levels of 3β-hsd and 17β-hsd, and increased the expression of cyp19b (brain aromatase) in the sea bass brain. Neuroanatomical results suggest that paracrine and neuroendocrine actions could mediate Gnih effects on aromatase expression. Central administration of sbGnih-2 also decreased the pituitary expression of 17β-hsd and estrogen receptors (erβ2). The mirror test analysis showed that sbGnih-2 affected the agonistic/aggressive behavior of sea bass as revealed by the decreased interaction with the mirror, lower time spent in the mirror zone, increased latency to establish contact with the mirror and higher mean distance to the mirror zone. In contrast, locomotor activity parameters measured were not affected by sbGnih-2 injection. Taken together, our results showed for the first time in fish that Gnih inhibits social-aggressive behavior and affects the gene expression of neurosteroid-synthesizing enzymes giving rise to neuroandrogens and neuroestrogens in the sea bass brain.

Optimizing zebrafish rearing-Effects of fish density and environmental enrichment.

Despite its popularity in research, there is very little scientifically validated knowledge about the best practices on zebrafish (Danio rerio) husbandry, which has led to several facilities having their own husbandry protocols. This study was performed to expand knowledge on the effects of enrichment and fish density on the welfare of zebrafish, with hopes of providing a scientific basis for future recommendations and legislations. Zebrafish were reared at three different stocking densities, (1, 3 or 6 fish/L), in tanks with or without environmental enrichment. Agonistic behavior was observed twice a week for 9 weeks directly in the housing tanks. Aspects of welfare is known to be reflected in neuroendocrine stress responses. Thus, cortisol secretion in response to lowering the water level was analyzed for each group. In addition, we assessed cortisol secretion in response to confinement and risk-taking behavior (boldness) using the novel tank diving test for individual fish. At termination of the experiment fish were subjected to stress by transfer to a novel environment and brain tissue was sampled for analysis of brain monoaminergic activity. Fish kept at the lowest density (1 fish/L) showed a significantly higher level of aggression than fish kept at 3 or 6 fish/L. Moreover, fish kept at this low density showed significantly higher cortisol secretion on a group level than fish kept at the higher stocking densities, when subjected to lowering of the water level. Keeping fish at 1 fish/L also had effects on brain monoamines, these fish showing higher brain dopamine concentrations but lower dopamine turnover than fish kept at higher densities. Neither stocking density or enrichment had any clear effects on the behavior of individual fish in the novel tank diving test. However, fish kept at high densities showed lower and more variable growth rates than fish kept at 1 fish/L. Taken together these results suggest that zebrafish should not be kept at a density of 1 fish/L. The optimal stocking density is likely to be in the range of 3-6 fish/L.

Contact with Mature Cows and Access to Pasture during Early Life Shape Dairy Heifer Behaviour at Integration into the Milking Herd.

This study aimed to determine the effects of early-life physical and social enrichment on the ability of dairy heifers to integrate into a herd of mature cows. Fifty heifer calves were reared from the ages of 2-13 weeks in one of three treatments: (1) Hand-reared and group-housed in sheds (CC); (2) Hand-reared and group-housed at pasture (-S); or (3) Hand-reared and group-housed at pasture, with 3 non-familial dry cows per group (+S). At 23 months of age, these heifers were introduced in groups to small herds of cows (Cows) at pasture. Social interactions were recorded continuously for two 1-h periods. Feeding, ruminating and resting behaviours of all animals and walking, standing and lying behaviours of 36 heifers only (+S = 14, -S = 13, CC = 9) were recorded for 48 h after mixing. Heifers that were managed as calves according to the CC treatment delivered less agonistic behaviour to other heifers after mixing than those reared in the +S or -S treatments (p = 0.002 and p = 0.041, respectively). On Day 2, +S heifers and cows spent the lowest proportion of time feeding (p = 0.961), with -S heifers spending significantly more time feeding than cows (p = 0.046), while CC heifers spent more time feeding than both +S heifers and cows (p = 0.027 and p < 0.002, respectively). Increasing the complexity of the early-life environment, particularly socially, may aid heifers in integrating into groups of multiparous cows later in life and shape their lifelong social experiences with same-age conspecifics.

The motivation to flock correlates with vocal-social behaviors and dopamine-related gene expression in male European starlings

It is proposed that songbird flocks are partly reinforced by positive social interactions, however not all flock mate interactions are positive. The combination of both positive and negative social interactions with flock mates may play a role in the motivation for birds to flock. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), medial preoptic area (POM), and ventral tegmental area (VTA) are implicated in vocal-social behaviors in flocks, including singing. Dopamine (DA) within these regions modifies motivated, reward-directed behaviors. Here, we begin to test the hypothesis that individual social interactions and DA within these regions are involved in the motivation to flock. Vocal-social behaviors were recorded in eighteen male European starlings in mixed-sex flocks in fall, when starlings are highly social and form large flocks. Males were then singly removed from their flock and the motivation to flock was quantified as the amount of time spent attempting to join a flock following separation. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure expression of DA-related genes in the NAc, POM, and VTA. Birds producing high levels of vocal behaviors were more highly motivated to flock and had higher tyrosine hydroxylase (the rate-limiting enzyme in DA synthesis) expression in the NAc and VTA. Birds that received high levels of agonistic behaviors were less motivated to flock and had higher DA receptor subtype 1 expression in the POM. Overall, our findings suggest that interplay between social experience and DA activity in NAc, POM, and VTA plays a key role in social motivation in flocking songbirds.

Agonism does not covary with territoriality in a gregarious reptile

Natural selection for territoriality is theorised to occur under conditions favouring intra-sexual phenotypic variation in physiology, morphology, and behaviour. In this context, certain suites of behavioural traits associated with territoriality are expected to consistently covary among individuals (sometimes referred to as ‘behavioural syndromes’) within sexes. Agonism (conflict-associated behaviours that may or may not be associated with physical aggression) and movement—for example, ranging, or relocation within or across seasons—are two behavioural components that are associated with territoriality and may be expected to covary in this context. Territorial males are expected to employ agonistic behaviours to actively establish and defend areas and resources and show more stability in their location across the landscape. However, the interaction between agonism and movement especially for wild reptiles has rarely been tested. We investigated whether agonistic and movement behaviours correlate at the individual level both within one year and across multiple years, in a wild population of Australian eastern water dragons, Intellagama lesueurii. Although both types of behaviours exhibited among-individual repeatability over year and multi-year scales, we found no evidence of an agonistic-movement behavioural syndrome. These findings indicate that agonistic and movement behaviours are likely independent traits, and thus, territoriality may not drive shared selective pressures for both. It is possible that other social behaviours and strategies are in place to maintain social structure in this wild population.Significance statementMales of many animals establish and maintain or defend territories. Territory defence is expected to be associated with behaviours associated with conflict or expressions of dominance, to signal territory boundaries to encroaching individuals, or more aggressive approaches for active defence. We investigated whether such agonistic behaviours correlated with the distances individuals ranged or dispersed within and between years, as an indicator of territoriality. Through thousands of observations of a wild population of Australian eastern water dragons, Intellagama lesueurii, we found that although individuals showed repeatable patterns of both agonistic and movement behaviours, we found no evidence that these were correlated. It appears that territory establishment and defence may therefore not rely on agonistic signals in this species in direct contrast to other taxa, indicating that other systems are in place to maintain social structures.

Observation of an Interaction between an Allegheny Woodrat (Neotoma magister) and a Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in Pennsylvania

Neotoma magister (Allegheny Woodrat) is a threatened species in Pennsylvania and listed as Endangered in 4 of 5 bordering states. Declining food resources, genetic isolation, habitat fragmentation, disease, and increasing predator populations are considered the primary threats to Allegheny Woodrat populations. Herein, we share an observation captured on a wildlife camera of an adult woodrat displaying agonistic behavior toward a small Crotalus horridus (Timber Rattlesnake).

Can an Enrichment Programme with Novel Manipulative and Scent Stimuli Change the Behaviour of Zoo-Housed European Wildcats? A Case Study.

Objects and semiochemicals may be used as enrichment in zoos. Domestic cats release Fraction 3 of Facial Pheromone (F3) by rubbing the muzzle to convey relational and territorial information. We aimed to evaluate whether and how the introduction of novel objects and scent stimuli could change the behaviour of one group (N = 5 subjects) of adult European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) hosted at Parco Natura Viva-Garda Zoological Park, Italy. We assessed the behavioural changes following the introduction of novel objects (blocks and rags) and scent (synthetic F3) via observations over four experimental conditions (baseline, rags, F3 rags, blocks) using continuous focal animal sampling. Our results showed that no behavioural differences were found between the different conditions and the baseline, except for the condition with blocks when significantly less exploration was observed. Between conditions, wildcats performed significantly less individual explorative, affiliative, and agonistic behaviours, but more individual inactivity, when exposed to rags after F3 administration. Our findings suggest that the enrichment programme did not substantively affect the behaviour of the zoo-housed wildcats. However, the behavioural differences recorded between conditions suggest that, while novel objects introduced as visual stimuli (blocks) do not affect the wildcat behaviour, novel manipulative objects (rags) might impact their behaviour. Moreover, the changes in affiliative and agonistic behaviours displayed during the condition with exposure to rags sprayed with F3 suggest that such semiochemical could play an appeasement role within this study group.

Morphological Diversity of Different Male Morphotypes of Giant Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879)

The giant freshwater prawn (GFP), Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is one of the largest palaemonids in the world, found in tropical marine, estuarine, and freshwaters, and is among the most commercially cultured crustaceans. According to research, mature males usually develop differences in cheliped morphology, growth characteristics, and agonistic behavior. The identification of such morphotypes is critical for effectively managing and handling prawns. The present study aimed to describe the GFP male population structure in culture ponds (the Yangtze River delta, China). Sixteen morphometric traits and four weight data were measured for each four male morphotype. Principal component and clustering analyses were conducted to investigate the morphological variation among the four morphotypes. The study of relative growth was also employed to estimate the growth patterns of body structures (dependent variables) in relation to the carapace length (independent variable). A detailed description of the cheliped’s macroscopic characteristics that differed among morphotypes was provided, which corroborated with previous studies of the species. The four morphotypes were statistically different regarding the cheliped morphology, size, and morphometric relationships and equations, indicating a considerable variation in growth among the four male morphotypes. The present results contribute to a clear understanding of the population biology of GFP and support future management and broodstock selection activities.

Feeding, agonistic and cooperative behavioural responses of shallow-water benthic marine scavengers

ABSTRACT Baited remote underwater video station (BRUVS) investigations of benthic scavenging by fish and invertebrates were conducted in an Irish sea lough. Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) baits were deployed under natural light during the day and under dim red light at night. Ethograms for feeding mechanisms and agonistic behaviours were established for four abundant scavengers (two crabs: the harbour crab Liocarcinus depurator, and the European green crab Carcinus maenas; two fish: the shanny Lipophrys pholis, and the small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula). Crabs’ feeding mechanisms were similar, with differences reflecting their morphologies. Feeding bouts lasted minutes/tens of minutes. Intraspecific agonistic responses were mild and did not result in mutilation or mortality. Feeding mechanisms on macerated baits focussed on ‘chewing’ (combined use of chelipeds and mouthparts to feed continuously); agonistic behaviour was reduced, especially at night when balls of crabs showed ‘cooperative feeding’. Fish feeding bouts lasted for a few seconds in all cases. Shannies showed anticipatory agonistic behaviour (bait ‘guarding’ and ‘patrolling’ by large shannies) before bait maceration. Catsharks exhibited no intraspecific agonistic behaviour but removed large bait morsels by ‘biting’, ‘chewing’ and ‘spinning’. The common prawns Palaemon serratus only scavenged at night and were invisible to other scavengers; they showed no agonistic behaviours. Kleptoparasitism amongst the scavenger guild was common but intra-community predation was extremely rare. Phoretic feeding on bait scraps by red-speckled anemones (Anthopleura ballii) attached to the carapaces of the edible crab Cancer pagurus was observed.

Daily Behavior of Binturong (Arctictis binturong) in Ex-situ Conservation Taman Margasatwa Ragunan

Binturong (Arctictis binturong) is a mammal in the family of Viverridae, which includes animals such as civets. Binturong is a species with VU (Vulnerable) status, which means that it faces the risk of extinction in the wild in the future based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List and has Appendix III based on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This research aimed to determine the behavior at Taman Margasatwa Ragunan (Ragunan Wildlife Park) from July to September 2022. Taman Margasatwa Ragunan is an ex-situ conservation for flora and fauna, which is also helpful as a place for research, education, and recreation. This research determined the behavior, frequency, and duration of binturong’s daily activities at Taman Margasatwa Ragunan (Ragunan Wildlife Park). This study used a scan sampling method, and the objects were three individual binturongs, namely male Sumatran binturong (Martin), male Kalimantan binturong (Amoy), and female Kalimantan binturong (Gaza). The results obtained showed that the highest activity was found in resting behavior (6444 minutes; 82,64%) and the lowest was in agonistic behavior (3 minutes; 0,03%) carried out by Martin, then the highest activity was in resting behavior (6607 minutes; 84,75%) and the lowest was the behavior of defecation (5 minutes; 0,06%) carried out by Amoy, then the highest activity was in resting behavior (6833 minutes; 87,61%) and the lowest was the behavior of defecation (1 minute; 0,01%) carried out by Gaza.

Factors affecting captive female giraffe stress response: Male presence, small enclosure, and low temperature.

To improve animal welfare based on suitable social housing conditions, it is important to understand the factors that trigger high-stress responses. Wild giraffes live in a fission-fusion society and males and females are rarely in the same herd for a long period. The captive condition of belonging to a herd with the same individuals for months or years is uncommon in nature. To understand the effect of male presence on female stress levels, fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels and social interactions in two captive female giraffes were investigated. Additionally, the effect of enclosure size and temperature on fGCM level and social interactions were examined. The results showed no significant difference in the fGCM levels of females based on male presence. The frequency of agonistic behavior by the dominant female toward the subordinate female was significantly increased when a male was present. The subordinate female was significantly less likely to approach the dominant female and showed decreased affiliative and agonistic interactions toward the dominant female when a male was present. The frequencies of agonistic interactions between females were higher in the small enclosure regardless of male presence. Low temperature triggered higher fGCM levels and increased agonistic interaction in an aged female. The findings of this study suggest that these multiple factors should be considered individually to promote the welfare of captive giraffes.

Odor exploration behavior of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa) as indicator of enriching properties of odors.

Although the sense of smell in pigs is widely recognized as being highly developed, surprisingly little is known about their sensory ability. This study aimed to (a) identify which non-social odors pigs were able to detect and distinguish between, (b) investigate the types of behavior expressed when exploring odors and, (c) compare pigs' responses to the different odors to evaluate their interest in the odors. Growing pigs (N = 192) of crossbred commercial breeds were enrolled in the experiment (32-110 days of age, weighing 64.9 ± 10.1kg). Littermate pairs of opposite sex were tested in test pens with two odor insertion points in the pen wall, 55 cm apart. All pigs were habituated to the test pens and experimenters. Twelve odors were tested (eight essential oils and four synthetic perfumes) in groups of three odors, with each pig pair tested once with one set of three odors (all possible orders of the three odors were tested on 24 pairs in total), always against a non-odor control (demineralized water). In a test, each of the three odors were presented during three trials in a row (a total of 9 trials per test; trial duration: 1 min; inter-trial breaks: 2 min; total test duration: 25 min). Response variables included: duration of sniffing, feeding-related behavior (licking, biting and rooting), agonistic behavior (biting, displacement and pushing) and no approach of the odor or control, recorded throughout each 1-min odor presentation. All pigs sniffed an odor less when repeatedly presented (LMM: all odors P < 0.05), and significantly longer at the subsequent presentation of a new odor [LMM (3rd vs. 1st presentations): P < 0.001]. Specific odor and odor type (essential oil vs. synthetic perfume) had no significant effect on sniffing duration. Overall, feeding-related behavior and agonistic behavior were expressed significantly more when pigs explored the odor compared with the control insertion point (Paired t-tests: P < 0.001), and specific odor only affected the expression of feeding-related behavior. Collectively, pigs express sniffing, agonistic, and feeding-related behavior when exploring odors, which suggests that pigs perceive odors of non-social origin as a resource. Odors may thus constitute relevant enrichment material for pigs.