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Carboni S, Dezeure J, Cowlishaw G, Huchard E, Marshall HH. Stable isotopes reveal the effects of maternal rank and infant age on weaning dynamics in wild chacma baboons. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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2
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Mendonça RS, Pinto P, Maeda T, Inoue S, Ringhofer M, Yamamoto S, Hirata S. Population Characteristics of Feral Horses Impacted by Anthropogenic Factors and Their Management Implications. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.848741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Feral horses form relatively stable harems over time that are characterized by long-lasting bonds among their members, a characteristic that makes them an exceptional case of a social system among terrestrial ungulates. Their social system has been described as uniform despite the wide differences in their environment and demography. Horse populations subjected to human interference often show higher levels of population instability that can ultimately compromise their reproductive success. In this article, we describe demographic and dynamic changes of a Portuguese population of Garranos in Serra d’Arga (SA), which is impacted by human and predation pressures, over six breeding seasons. Furthermore, we tested several hypotheses related to the impact of anthropogenic disturbance on the structure and dynamics of this population. Our results revealed that the SA population had relatively little human interference at the start of the project in 2016. This was supported by the natural composition of the herd (total number of individuals, 206), which consisted of several single- and multi-male harems (n = 17 and 7, respectively) and bachelor males (n = 9). However, from 2017 to 2021, SA’s Garrano population suffered a drastic decline. Approximately two-thirds of the individuals and all bachelor males disappeared, and 76% of adult female transfers occurred after the death or disappearance of the harem male. Predatory pressures and poor management of the population, which allowed illegal human interference, contributed to this population crisis. A low population growth rate, reduced birth and foal survival rates, in addition to a delayed primiparous age were observed in this population and exacerbated after its drastic decline; suggesting the viability and survival of this Garrano population were compromised. Investigating the population demographic changes and their causes and consequences can provide guidelines for managing populations and help fight the extinction of horse breeds.
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Huricha, Kawai M, Ninomiya S. Relationship between foal daily gain, suckling behavior, and the distance between foals and their mares in the first 40 days of life of Hokkaido native horses kept outdoors year-round. Anim Sci J 2022; 93:e13692. [PMID: 35146842 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated suckling behavior and the distance between a foal and its mare as indicators of foal growth in Hokkaido native horses (HKD) during the first 40 days of life. Direct observations were made of 22 mare and foal pairs from two consecutive days 1 and 2, 5 and 6, 10 and 11, 20 and 21, 30 and 31, and 40 and 41 after birth by focal animal sampling for 3 h per day. Suckling behavior was continuously recorded, along with the terminator. The distance between the foal and its mare was determined using the instantaneous sampling method (1 min), and the percentage was calculated within 4 m while the foal was recumbent (DPW4FR). In the first week after birth, the duration and frequency of suckling terminated by the foal were negatively correlated with foal daily gains (duration, -0.49, p = 0.028; frequency, -0.53, p = 0.017). The DPW4FR and daily gain during 10-40 days after birth showed significant negative correlation (-0.47, p = 0.031). It is suggested that in HKD reproduction systems, suckling behavior termination by the foal and the distance between the foal and mare may be indicators of early foal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huricha
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Masahito Kawai
- Shizunai Livestock Farm, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Shinhidaka, Japan
| | - Shigeru Ninomiya
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
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Levá M, Pluháček J. Does social facilitation affect suckling behaviour in zebras? Behav Processes 2021; 185:104347. [PMID: 33556479 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Many recent studies show that synchronisation of various behaviours are advantageous for group-living mammals. However, studies on synchronisation of suckling behaviour inmonotocous species are nearly absent. We observed 49 individual foals of three zebra species in Dvůr Králové Zoo, and recorded a total of 5 890 suckling bouts, almost one fifth (1 036) of which were synchronised (defined as at least two bouts overlapping at the same time). We found that synchronised suckling bouts lasted longer and were less likely to be terminated by the mother than non-synchronised ones. This is in line with social facilitation theory. In addition the occurrence of synchronised suckling bout differed interspecifically. In plains (Equus quagga) and mountain zebra (E. zebra) the probability of synchronised bouts increased with increasing numbers of foals, whereas the opposite result was found in Grevy's zebra (E. grevyi). We suggest that the interspecific differences may reflect differences in social organisation of respective species as suckling synchronisation rate was higher in species that form nurseries in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Levá
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká, 1176, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Pluháček
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Praha - Uhříněves, Czech Republic; Ostrava Zoo and Botanical Park, Michálkovická 197/2081, 710 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic; Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Chittussiho 10, 710 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic
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Ninomiya S, Mita T, Nagamune S, Shimizu C, Fukano Y, Sato F. Negative correlation of suckling behaviour and foal weight gain during the first week after birth. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Henry S, Sigurjónsdóttir H, Klapper A, Joubert J, Montier G, Hausberger M. Domestic Foal Weaning: Need for Re-Thinking Breeding Practices? Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10020361. [PMID: 32102206 PMCID: PMC7070483 DOI: 10.3390/ani10020361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial weaning is a standard practice known to be one of the most stressful events in a domestic foal's life. Research has mainly focused on ways to alleviate weaning stress. However, there is still a need for more detailed research on what should constitute best practices with respect to animal welfare. The aim of this review is to address this issue by examining the natural weaning process. We first provide an overview of the scientific literature on the natural temporal dynamics of the dam-offspring bond in horses: it is to be noted that the natural process of weaning is little documented, individual variations have been poorly investigated and immediate effects of weaning on the mare-foal relationship remain unexplored. To partly address these gaps, we performed a study around the weaning period on 16 mare-foal pairs kept with minimal human interference. Most foals were weaned spontaneously when 9-10 months old, with individual variations mainly due to the conception rate of mares. Natural weaning induced no stress response in either partner and was performed without clear signs of rejection by the dams either just before or after. We lastly open up the discussion on the need for rethinking weaning practices under domestic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Henry
- Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie Animale et Humaine)—UMR 6552, F-35000 Rennes, France; (A.K.); (J.J.); (G.M.); (M.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Hrefna Sigurjónsdóttir
- Faculty of Subject Teacher Education, School of Education, University of Iceland, Stakkahlíð, R105 Reykjavík, Iceland;
| | - Aziliz Klapper
- Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie Animale et Humaine)—UMR 6552, F-35000 Rennes, France; (A.K.); (J.J.); (G.M.); (M.H.)
| | - Julie Joubert
- Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie Animale et Humaine)—UMR 6552, F-35000 Rennes, France; (A.K.); (J.J.); (G.M.); (M.H.)
| | - Gabrielle Montier
- Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie Animale et Humaine)—UMR 6552, F-35000 Rennes, France; (A.K.); (J.J.); (G.M.); (M.H.)
| | - Martine Hausberger
- Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie Animale et Humaine)—UMR 6552, F-35000 Rennes, France; (A.K.); (J.J.); (G.M.); (M.H.)
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Saito M, Takagi N, Tanaka M, Yamanashi Y. Nighttime Suckling Behavior in Captive Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata). Zoolog Sci 2020; 37:1-6. [DOI: 10.2108/zs190094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miho Saito
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, 2-24, Tanaka-Sekiden-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8203, Japan
| | - Naoko Takagi
- Center for Research and Education of Wildlife, Kyoto City Zoo, Okazaki Koen, Okazakihoshojicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8333, Japan
| | - Masayuki Tanaka
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, 2-24, Tanaka-Sekiden-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8203, Japan
| | - Yumi Yamanashi
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, 2-24, Tanaka-Sekiden-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8203, Japan
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Gloneková M, Brandlová K, Pluháček J. Giraffe males have longer suckling bouts than females. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
In polygynous mammals, females are expected to bias maternal investment in favor of male calves. The mother should invest more in males to enhance their reproductive success in adulthood, or the males require greater investment as they are bigger and stronger than females. In this study, we used nursing duration to compare the difference in the amount of maternal investment provided by females. We compared differences according to sex of the offspring and the influence of calves’ identification by sniffing, using captive giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) as a model. Since a high intensity of allonursing (nursing of a nonfilial calf) was reported in giraffes, we also focused on the difference between filial and nonfilial calves. We observed 22 nursing females and 47 suckling calves in four zoological gardens in the Czech Republic from 2007 to 2011. Nursing duration was longer for male calves than for female calves and for calves sniffed by the nursing female regardless whether the calves were filial or nonfilial. We conclude that male calves are more demanding for the amount of investment received and they are more successful in this effort than female calves. Since females provided investment in the same way to filial and nonfilial calves, selection for higher demand for investment by male than by female offspring should be important for their future development. Our results also demonstrate the importance of sniffing for the identification of the suckling calf by the female.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markéta Gloneková
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing in Tropics and Subtropics, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Brandlová
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing in Tropics and Subtropics, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Pluháček
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství, Praha-Uhříněves, Czech Republic
- Ostrava Zoo, Michálkovická, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Chittussiho, Ostrava, Czech Republic
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Seeber PA, Franz M, Greenwood AD, East ML. Life history stage and extrinsic factors affect behavioural time allocation in plains zebras (Equus quagga) in the Serengeti ecosystem. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-019-2738-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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10
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Hooper AW, Berger RW, Rubin LS, McDonald BI, Crocker DE. Maternal age influences offspring behaviour and growth efficiency during provisioning in northern elephant seals. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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11
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Scornavacca D, Cotza A, Lovari S, Ferretti F. Suckling behaviour and allonursing in the Apennine chamois. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2017.1423115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Scornavacca
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management (Department of Life Sciences), University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Antonella Cotza
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management (Department of Life Sciences), University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sandro Lovari
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management (Department of Life Sciences), University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Maremma Natural History Museum, Strada Corsini, 58100 Grosseto, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferretti
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management (Department of Life Sciences), University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
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12
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Dubost G. Sexual dimorphism across 3 stages of development in polygynous Artiodactyls is not affected by maternal care. Curr Zool 2016; 62:513-520. [PMID: 29491941 PMCID: PMC5804254 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In polygynous mammals, mature males are usually much heavier than females. Competition for females is intense, and few males reproduce. Given the importance of the male’s body size for the reproduction and social life of these species, levels of sexual dimorphism were studied in 27 species of polygynous terrestrial cetartiodactyls at the 3 most significant stages of development: birth, 6 months of age, and adulthood. Overall, there were 3 different types of changes in male-to-female (M/F) mass ratios between birth and adulthood, corresponding to the 3 categories of adult dimorphism. The change in mass ratio between birth and 6 months of age was inversely correlated to the degree of dimorphism at birth. Most adult dimorphism was acquired after weaning. On the whole, postnatal maternal care seems to have no or even an inverse effect on the evolution of dimorphism, which is apparently not consistent with the assumption of greater maternal investment in male than in female offspring among polygynous mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gérard Dubost
- Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, EGB-UMR 7204, Ménagerie Du Jardin Des Plantes, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cédex 05, France
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13
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Scornavacca D, Lovari S, Cotza A, Bernardini S, Brunetti C, Pietrocini V, Ferretti F. Pasture Quality Affects Juvenile Survival through Reduced Maternal Care in a Mountain-Dwelling Ungulate. Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Scornavacca
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology; Ethology and Wildlife Management; Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena Italy
| | - Sandro Lovari
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology; Ethology and Wildlife Management; Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena Italy
| | - Antonella Cotza
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology; Ethology and Wildlife Management; Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena Italy
| | - Sara Bernardini
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology; Ethology and Wildlife Management; Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena Italy
| | - Claudia Brunetti
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology; Ethology and Wildlife Management; Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena Italy
| | - Venusta Pietrocini
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology; Ethology and Wildlife Management; Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena Italy
| | - Francesco Ferretti
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology; Ethology and Wildlife Management; Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena Italy
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14
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The development of suckling frequency in pigs from birth to weaning of their piglets: a sociobiological approach. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1017/s1357729800055119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe suckling frequency in 34 first-lactation sows and their litters in conventional farrowing pens was observed during a 35-day lactation period from birth to weaning. In order to quantify the ontogenetic development of this behaviour a non-linear regression function was used as a model. The maximum (MAX) of the curve was determined at day 8×5 (31×4 sucklings per 24-h period) and was considered as the biological beginning of the weaning process. The occurrence of MAX was shifted towards an earlier time by about 6 days earlier from small (4 to 7 piglets per litter) to large litters (11 to 14 piglets per litter). However, no significant influence of the litter size on the development of the daily suckling frequency and the average individual piglet weight was found. Nevertheless, there was a tendency for an inverse relationship between the litter size and the piglet weight during lactation and, further, for an increased daily suckling frequency during early lactation and a lower frequency during late lactation in larger litters. As a compensation for the decreasing suckling frequency piglets markedly increased their creep food consumption in the last week of the suckling period (day 28 to 35). The results indicate that the suckling behaviour in domestic pigs reflects sow-piglet relationships which are consistent with a theoretically predicted model of weaning conflict. Hence, it is suggested that modelling the suckling behaviour using well defined and comparable measures may be a suitable approach for the evaluation of the weaning process both in terms of sociobiology (e.g. weaning conflict, parent-offspring conflict) and of farm animal science (e.g. performance, housing conditions).
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15
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Van Welie L, Clews S, Beausoleil N, Hickson R, Kongara K, Kenyon P, Morris S. The sucking behaviour and milk intake of one- to three-week-old triplet lambs during natural and competitive suckling situations. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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16
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Kulik L, Langos D, Widdig A. Mothers Make a Difference: Mothers Develop Weaker Bonds with Immature Sons than Daughters. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154845. [PMID: 27191403 PMCID: PMC4871456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Among mammals, individuals form strong social bonds preferentially with their kin. Differences in these relationships are linked to differential kin availability due to sex-specific dispersal patterns, but there is some indication that differential bonding among sexes already occurs prior to maturation. However, little is known about how these patterns arise during individual development. Here we investigated sex differences in the development of mother-offspring bonds in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Our results revealed that mothers showed sex-biased bonding toward their offspring. Sons had a distinctly higher probability of receiving aggression from their mothers than did daughters in the first year of life, while no differences were found with respect to affiliative interactions. After the first year, probabilities of all affiliative and aggressive behaviours investigated were higher for daughters than for sons, although generally declining. Furthermore, sons spending less time with their mother and receiving more maternal aggression tended to disperse earlier. The results of our study suggest that mothers influence their bonding strength with offspring by interacting less affiliative with sons than daughters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Kulik
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Bioscience, Pharmacy and Psychology, University of Leipzig, Talstrasse 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Doreen Langos
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Bioscience, Pharmacy and Psychology, University of Leipzig, Talstrasse 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Widdig
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Bioscience, Pharmacy and Psychology, University of Leipzig, Talstrasse 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Blank D, Yang W. Suckling behavior in goitered gazelle: do females invest more in twins or singletons? ZOOLOGY 2015; 118:348-56. [PMID: 26150400 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2014] [Revised: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The mother-offspring social unit is a universal feature in the social life of all mammals and nursing is the most direct and vital component of maternal investment in young. Living in diverse environments, various ungulate species have different strategies for rearing offspring, from bearing a single, relatively large newborn and supplying only limited amounts of milk, to bearing several relatively small newborns with intensive post-partum lactation. In this paper, we consider the rearing strategy of goitered gazelle with a focus on suckling behavior, which, until now, has never been a subject of special investigation. Adult females of this species in their reproductive prime typically bear twins when environmental conditions are favorable, but the proportion of singletons increases when conditions are unfavorable. We expected that in goitered gazelles suckling intensity would be maximal during the first weeks after birth, and then decrease with the growth of the young; we also expected that twins would demand more energy, but receive significantly less maternal investment per young than singletons. We found that, indeed, suckling behavior had similar dynamics as typical of all bovid species, but our expectation for less maternal investment in twins vs. singletons was wrong. In reality, female goitered gazelles suckled twins significantly more intensively and terminated suckling less often compared to singletons. We concluded that in favorable situations females of high quality have the ability to show significantly more maternal investment in each twin, while singletons are typically born to weaker females. This ability of females to produce mostly twins allows goitered gazelles to take advantage of any favorable opportunity to quickly increase their population in an environment with unpredictable and abrupt yearly changes typical of the arid regions of Central Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Blank
- Key Laboratory of Biogeography and Bioresource in Arid Land, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China; Institute of Zoology, Kazakh Academy of Sciences, Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan.
| | - Weikang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Biogeography and Bioresource in Arid Land, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
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Komárková M, Bartošová J, Dubcová J. Age and group residence but not maternal dominance affect dominance rank in young domestic horses. J Anim Sci 2014; 92:5285-92. [PMID: 25253810 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2014-7674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a study focused on those factors influencing dominance position in young horses, with emphasis on the role of the mother. Horses, as other group-living polygynous mammals, form stable linear dominance hierarchies based on agonistic interactions. Higher dominance positions are believed to be connected, in both sexes, to better condition and higher reproductive success. Many variables play a role in forming the dominant-submissive relationships between horses; however, the maternal effect on the dominance position of the offspring still remains unclear, as do the possible mechanisms of transference ("inheritance"). We hypothesized that the maternal dominance position, plus differences in suckling parameters or maternal style, may be responsible for later outcome of the offspring's dominance position, characterized by 2 variables: index of fighting success (CB); and rate of winning encounters (RW). Our study animals were 8 groups of Kladruby horses, loose-housed lactating mares with foals (n = 66 mare-foal pairs); and subsequently 4 groups of the same foals at 3 yr of age. Our results revealed the impact of age on the dominance position of the young horses (P < 0.001 for CB, and P < 0.01 for RW), and residence in the group (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, respectively); not the maternal dominance position. Older foals reached higher dominance positions, independent of the dominance position, age, or experience of the mother; therefore, we did not find support for direct inheritance of maternal rank. Nevertheless, the foals born to the same mare in 2 consecutive seasons (n = 16 mares) revealed fair repeatability in the dominance position they obtained at 3 yr of age (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.46). This suggests an important constant effect of the mother on the social success of her progeny; however, we did not find a significant effect of any of the tested variables describing maternal characteristics or maternal care. Dominance position depended significantly on the foal's age at observation, and the residence in the herd formed via sequential introducing of later-weaned groups of foals. The most dominant horses were mainly recruited from the first-weaned group of the season, and thus were also the oldest individuals in the herd. Further research is needed to discover the role of foal personality and mare style, and their links to possible dominance behaviors in a herd.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Komárková
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic 104 00
| | - J Bartošová
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic 104 00
| | - J Dubcová
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic 104 00
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Borries C, Lu A, Ossi-Lupo K, Larney E, Koenig A. The meaning of weaning in wild Phayre's leaf monkeys: Last nipple contact, survival, and independence. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2014; 154:291-301. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carola Borries
- Department of Anthropology; Stony Brook University; Stony Brook NY
- Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences; Stony Brook University; Stony Brook NY
| | - Amy Lu
- Department of Anthropology; University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Urbana IL
| | - Kerry Ossi-Lupo
- Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences; Stony Brook University; Stony Brook NY
| | - Eileen Larney
- Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences; Stony Brook University; Stony Brook NY
| | - Andreas Koenig
- Department of Anthropology; Stony Brook University; Stony Brook NY
- Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences; Stony Brook University; Stony Brook NY
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21
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Hinde K, Carpenter AJ, Clay JS, Bradford BJ. Holsteins favor heifers, not bulls: biased milk production programmed during pregnancy as a function of fetal sex. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86169. [PMID: 24498270 PMCID: PMC3911898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian females pay high energetic costs for reproduction, the greatest of which is imposed by lactation. The synthesis of milk requires, in part, the mobilization of bodily reserves to nourish developing young. Numerous hypotheses have been advanced to predict how mothers will differentially invest in sons and daughters, however few studies have addressed sex-biased milk synthesis. Here we leverage the dairy cow model to investigate such phenomena. Using 2.39 million lactation records from 1.49 million dairy cows, we demonstrate that the sex of the fetus influences the capacity of the mammary gland to synthesize milk during lactation. Cows favor daughters, producing significantly more milk for daughters than for sons across lactation. Using a sub-sample of this dataset (N = 113,750 subjects) we further demonstrate that the effects of fetal sex interact dynamically across parities, whereby the sex of the fetus being gestated can enhance or diminish the production of milk during an established lactation. Moreover the sex of the fetus gestated on the first parity has persistent consequences for milk synthesis on the subsequent parity. Specifically, gestation of a daughter on the first parity increases milk production by ∼ 445 kg over the first two lactations. Our results identify a dramatic and sustained programming of mammary function by offspring in utero. Nutritional and endocrine conditions in utero are known to have pronounced and long-term effects on progeny, but the ways in which the progeny has sustained physiological effects on the dam have received little attention to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Hinde
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Nutrition Laboratory, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
- Brain, Mind, and Behavior Unit, California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Abigail J. Carpenter
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - John S. Clay
- Dairy Records Management Systems, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Barry J. Bradford
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
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22
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Paul M, Sen Majumder S, Bhadra A. Selfish mothers? An empirical test of parent-offspring conflict over extended parental care. Behav Processes 2013; 103:17-22. [PMID: 24216083 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2013.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Parent-offspring conflict (POC) theory is an interesting conceptual framework for understanding the dynamics of parental care. However, this theory is not easy to test empirically, as exact measures of parental investment in an experimental set-up are difficult to obtain. We have used free-ranging dogs Canis familiaris in India, to study POC in the context of extended parental care. We observed females and their pups in their natural habitat for the mother's tendency to share food given by humans with her pups in the weaning and post-weaning stages. Since these dogs are scavengers, and depend largely on human provided food for their sustenance, voluntary sharing of food by the mother with her pups is a good surrogate for extended parental care. Our behavioural observations convincingly demonstrate an increase of conflict and decrease of cooperation by the mother with her offspring over given food within a span of 4-6 weeks. We also demonstrate that the competition among the pups in a litter scales with litter size, an indicator of sib-sib competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabi Paul
- Behaviour and Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research - Kolkata, India
| | - Sreejani Sen Majumder
- Behaviour and Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research - Kolkata, India
| | - Anindita Bhadra
- Behaviour and Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research - Kolkata, India.
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23
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The relation of maternal fluid balance to offspring passive immunity. Physiol Behav 2013; 122:155-8. [PMID: 24044968 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Revised: 08/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The objectives were to measure changes in fluid balance of mares at parturition and relate those changes to the foals' acquisition of passive immunity. Twelve Thoroughbred mares and their foals were observed for suckling behavior for the first 12h post-partum. The mare's water intake, packed cell volume, plasma protein concentration, and plasma osmolality were measured pre- and post-partum. The foals' immunoglobulin concentrations were measured at birth and 24h later. The median increase from pre- to post-foaling in mares' packed cell volume was 4.0% (interquartile range=0.3-6.8). The median increases in plasma protein and plasma osmolality after foaling were 0.9 (0.5-1.4)g/dL and 2.5 (0.8-6.0) milliosm/kg, respectively. Median daily water intake was 13.8 (7.6-20.8)L before and 42.1 (26.2-61.4)L 24h after foaling. The foals' IgG at 24h was significantly correlated with their dam's water intake in the 12h following parturition (r=0.66, P=0.039). The median duration of suckling during the first 4h of the foals' lives was 20 (5-85)min and 85 (42-220)min during the first 12h. The median number of suckling bouts was 34 (11-71) during the first 12h after birth.
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Pluháček J, Olléová M, Bartoš L, Bartošová J. Time spent suckling is affected by different social organization in three zebra species. J Zool (1987) 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Pluháček
- Department of Ethology; Institute of Animal Science; Praha - Uhříněves Czech Republic
- Ostrava Zoo; Ostrava Czech Republic
| | - M. Olléová
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences; Czech University of Life Sciences; Prague Czech Republic
| | - L. Bartoš
- Department of Ethology; Institute of Animal Science; Praha - Uhříněves Czech Republic
| | - J. Bartošová
- Department of Ethology; Institute of Animal Science; Praha - Uhříněves Czech Republic
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25
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Li T, Ren B, Li D, Zhu P, Li M. Mothering Style and Infant Behavioral Development in Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) in China. INT J PRIMATOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-013-9687-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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26
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Pluháček J, Olléová M, Bartošová J, Pluháčková J, Bartoš L. Laterality of suckling behaviour in three zebra species. Laterality 2013; 18:349-64. [DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2012.687002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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27
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Maternal behaviour in beef cows is individually consistent and sensitive to cow body condition, calf sex and weight. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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28
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Komárková M, Bartošová J. Lateralized suckling in domestic horses (Equus caballus). Anim Cogn 2012; 16:343-9. [PMID: 23117229 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-012-0575-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Revised: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 10/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Brain lateralization enables preferential processing of certain stimuli and more effective utilization of these stimuli in either the left or the right cerebral hemisphere. Horses show both motor and sensory lateralization patterns. Our aim was to determine whether a lateralized response could be detected in foals during the naturally side-biased behaviour, suckling. The foals' preferred suckling side could be the effect of either visual or motor lateralization. In the case of a visual lateralized response, foals are expected to suck more often from the mother's right side, so potential danger can be detected by the better adapted right hemisphere (i.e. left eye). Motor lateralization can be identified when a foal will suck predominantly from one side, either left or right. We found no population trend in the preferred suckling side, but we detected significant differences amongst individual foals. One-third (35.4 %) of 79 foals showed a strong, either right or left side preference which increased with age. The mothers did not influence the foals' suckling side preferences either by side-biased rejection or termination of suckling. According to our findings, a general pattern of sucking with the left eye open for better danger detection and recognition is unlikely in foals up to 7 months old. Foals of this age are probably young or fully focused on suckling and rely on their mothers' vigilance. Individual side preferences amongst foals are suggested to be based on motor lateralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Komárková
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00, Praha-Uhříněves, Czech Republic.
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29
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Bartošová J, Ceacero F, Bartoš L. Pre-orbital gland opening: Part of sucking behavior in red deer (Cervus elaphus) calves1. J Anim Sci 2012; 90:3207-12. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2011-4393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J. Bartošová
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, POB 1, CZ-104 01 Praha 10-Uhříněves, Czech Republic
| | - F. Ceacero
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, POB 1, CZ-104 01 Praha 10-Uhříněves, Czech Republic
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain
- Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, IREC Sec. Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain
| | - L. Bartoš
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, POB 1, CZ-104 01 Praha 10-Uhříněves, Czech Republic
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30
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Olléová
- Institute of Tropics and Subtropics; Czech University of Life Sciences; Praha; Czech Republic
| | | | - S. R. B. King
- CU Museum of Natural History and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; University of Colorado; Boulder; CO; USA
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31
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Teke B, Akdag F. The effects of age of lamb and parity of dam and sex and birth type of lamb on suckling behaviours of Karayaka lambs. Small Rumin Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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32
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Shultz S, Stanley CR. Mummy’s boys: sex differential maternal-offspring bonds in semi-feral horses. BEHAVIOUR 2012. [DOI: 10.1163/156853912x636717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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33
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Bartošová J, Komárková M, Dubcová J, Bartoš L, Pluháček J. Concurrent lactation and pregnancy: pregnant domestic horse mares do not increase mother-offspring conflict during intensive lactation. PLoS One 2011; 6:e22068. [PMID: 21853024 PMCID: PMC3154196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2010] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactation is the most energy demanding part of parental care in mammals, so parent-offspring conflict arises over milk provided by the mother. In some species females commonly become pregnant shortly after parturition of previous young. This further intensifies mother-offspring conflict due to concurrent pregnancy and lactation. In equids it has been well established that pregnant females wean their foals earlier than non-pregnant ones. Intensified mother-offspring conflict was presumed to associate with pregnancy also during the period of intensive lactation, i.e., before the weaning process starts. We investigated the effect of pregnancy on suckling behaviour characteristics as indicators of mother-offspring conflict in domestic horses. Contrary to expectation, here we provide evidence of a decreased mother-offspring conflict related to pregnancy in lactating females during first two trimesters of pregnancy. Pregnant mares provided longer suckling bouts and did not reject or terminate suckling of their foals more often than non-pregnant mares. Our results suggest that pregnant mares cope with parallel investment into a nursed foal and a foetus through enhancing nursing behaviour in early stages of pregnancy before the initially low requirements of the foetus increase. They compensate their suckling foal with the perspective of its early weaning due to ongoing pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Bartošová
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Praha-Uhříněves, Czech Republic.
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34
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Komárková M, Bartošová J, Dubcová J. Effect of mares’ dominance rank on suckling behaviour in the loose housed domestic horses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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35
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Pluháček J, Bartošová J, Bartoš L. Further evidence for sex differences in suckling behaviour of captive plains zebra foals. Acta Ethol 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10211-011-0091-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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36
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Coenen M, Kienzle E, Vervuert I, Zeyner A. Recent German Developments in the Formulation of Energy and Nutrient Requirements in Horses and the Resulting Feeding Recommendations. J Equine Vet Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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37
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Pluháček J, Bartoš L, Bartošová J, Kotrba R. Feeding behaviour affects nursing behaviour in captive plains zebra (Equus burchellii). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2010.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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38
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Ross AC, Porter LM, Power ML, Sodaro V. Maternal care and infant development in Callimico goeldii and Callithrix jacchus. Primates 2010; 51:315-25. [DOI: 10.1007/s10329-010-0196-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2009] [Accepted: 03/02/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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39
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Pluháček J, Bartoš L, Bartošová J. Mother–offspring conflict in captive plains zebra (Equus burchellii): Suckling bout duration. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2009.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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40
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Pluháček J, Bartošová J, Bartoš L. Suckling behavior in captive plains zebra (Equus burchellii): Sex differences in foal behavior1. J Anim Sci 2010; 88:131-6. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2009-1982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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41
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Hinde K. Richer milk for sons but more milk for daughters: Sex-biased investment during lactation varies with maternal life history in rhesus macaques. Am J Hum Biol 2009; 21:512-9. [PMID: 19384860 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.20917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactation represents the greatest postnatal energetic expenditure for human and non-human primate females, and the ability to sustain the costs of lactation is influenced by a mother's physical condition. This is especially true for young mothers that initiate reproduction shortly after adolescence. These mothers have fewer bodily reserves available for lactation and face tradeoffs between reproduction and their own growth. Milk synthesis among captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) was investigated at the California National Primate Research Center from 2005 to 2007 (N = 114). Rhesus macaques produced low energy density milk typical of the primate order, but there was substantial individual variation among mothers in both milk energy density and yield. As a consequence, the available milk energy (AME), the product of milk energy density and milk yield, to support infant growth, development, and activity, varied tenfold among mothers. Primiparous mothers (N = 40) had fewer bodily resources, as measured by mass and body mass index, available for lactation than did multiparous mothers (N = 74) and showed poorer lactational performance. Mothers of sons produced milk of higher energy density, especially primiparous mothers, but lower milk yield, such that AME was the same for sons and daughters. Although AME from the mother was the same for sons and daughters, there was significant sexual dimorphism in infant mass. These data indicate that selection has likely favored sex-specific regulation of growth and development that is not necessarily contingent on greater maternal investment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Hinde
- Department of Anthropology, UC Santa Barbara, California 93106-3210, USA.
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42
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Buffin A, Denis D, Van Simaeys G, Goldman S, Deneubourg JL. Feeding and stocking up: radio-labelled food reveals exchange patterns in ants. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5919. [PMID: 19536275 PMCID: PMC2691603 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2008] [Accepted: 02/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Food sharing is vital for a large number of species, either solitary or social, and is of particular importance within highly integrated societies, such as in colonial organisms and in social insects. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that govern the distribution of food inside a complex organizational system remain unknown. Using scintigraphy, a method developed for medical imaging, we were able to describe the dynamics of food-flow inside an ant colony. We monitored the sharing process of a radio-labelled sucrose solution inside a nest of Formica fusca. Our results show that, from the very first load that enters the nest, food present within the colony acts as negative feedback to entering food. After one hour of the experiments, 70% of the final harvest has already entered the nest. The total foraged quantity is almost four times smaller than the expected storage capacity. A finer study of the spatial distribution of food shows that although all ants have been fed rapidly (within 30 minutes), a small area representing on average 8% of the radioactive surface holds more than 25% of the stored food. Even in rather homogeneous nests, we observed a strong concentration of food in few workers. Examining the position of these workers inside the nest, we found heavily loaded ants in the centre of the aggregate. The position of the centre of this high-intensity radioactive surface remained stable for the three consecutive hours of the experiments. We demonstrate that the colony simultaneously managed to rapidly feed all workers (200 ants fed within 30 minutes) and build up food stocks to prevent food shortage, something that occurs rather often in changing environments. Though we expected the colony to forage to its maximum capacity, the flow of food entering the colony is finely tuned to the colony's needs. Indeed the food-flow decreases proportionally to the food that has already been harvested, liberating the work-force for other tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Buffin
- Unit of Social Ecology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
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43
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Gero S, Engelhaupt D, Rendell L, Whitehead H. Who Cares? Between-group variation in alloparental caregiving in sperm whales. Behav Ecol 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arp068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
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44
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45
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Hinde K, Power ML, Oftedal OT. Rhesus macaque milk: magnitude, sources, and consequences of individual variation over lactation. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2009; 138:148-57. [PMID: 18711734 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.20911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Lactation represents the greatest postnatal energetic expenditure for mammalian mothers, and a mother's ability to sustain the costs of lactation is influenced by her physical condition. Mothers in good condition may produce infants who weigh more, grow faster, and are more likely to survive than the infants of mothers in poor condition. These effects may be partially mediated through the quantity and quality of milk that mothers produce during lactation. However, we know relatively little about the relationships between maternal condition, milk composition, milk yield, and infant outcomes. Here, we present the first systematic investigation of the magnitude, sources, and consequences of individual variation in milk for an Old World monkey. Rhesus macaques produce dilute milk typical of the primate order, but there was substantial variation among mothers in the composition and amount of milk they produced and thus in the milk energy available to infants. Relative milk yield value (MYV), the grams of milk obtained by mammary evacuation after 3.5-4 h of maternal-infant separation, increased with maternal parity and was positively associated with infant weight. Both milk gross energy (GE) and MYV increased during lactation as infants aged. There was, however, a trade-off; those mothers with greater increases in GE had smaller increases in MYV, and their infants grew more slowly. These results from a well-fed captive population demonstrate that differences between mothers can have important implications for milk synthesis and infant outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Hinde
- Department of Anthropology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1553, USA.
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46
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Mas-Rivera A, Bercovitch FB. Postpartum recuperation in primiparous rhesus macaques and development of their infants. Am J Primatol 2008; 70:1047-54. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.20596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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47
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Cameron EZ, Linklater WL, Stafford KJ, Minot EO. Maternal investment results in better foal condition through increased play behaviour in horses. Anim Behav 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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48
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Heitor F, Vicente L. Maternal care and foal social relationships in a herd of Sorraia horses: Influence of maternal rank and experience. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2007.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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49
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Riek A. Relationship between milk energy intake and growth rate in suckling mammalian young at peak lactation: an updated meta-analysis. J Zool (1987) 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00369.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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50
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Therrien JF, Côté SD, Festa-Bianchet M, Ouellet JP. Maternal care in white-tailed deer: trade-off between maintenance and reproduction under food restriction. Anim Behav 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2007.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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