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Bonneau M, Godard X, Bambou JC. Assessing Goats' Fecal Avoidance Using Image Analysis-Based Monitoring. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.835516] [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
The recent advances in sensor technologies and data analysis could improve our capacity to acquire long-term and individual dataset on animal behavior. In livestock management, this is particularly interesting when behavioral data could be linked to production performances, physiological or genetical information, with the objective of improving animal health and welfare management. In this study, we proposed a framework, based on computer vision and deep learning, to automatically estimate animal location within pasture and discuss the relationship with the risk of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection. We illustrated our framework for the monitoring of goats allowed to graze an experimental plot, where feces containing GIN infective larvae were previously dropped in delimited areas. Four animals were monitored, during two grazing weeks on the same pasture (week 1 from April 12 to 19, 2021 and week 2, from June 28 to July 5, 2021). Using the monitoring framework, different components of animal behavior were analyzed, and the relationship with the risk of GIN infection was explored. First, in average, 87.95% of the goats were detected, the detected individuals were identified with an average sensitivity of 94.9%, and an average precision of 94.8%. Second, the monitoring of the ability of the animal to avoid infected feces on pasture showed an important temporal and individual variability. Interestingly, the avoidance behavior of 3 animals increased during the second grazing week (Wilcoxon rank sum, p-value < 0.05), and the level of increase was correlated with the level of infection during week 1 (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.9). The relationship between the time spent on GIN-infested areas and the level of infection was also studied, but no clear relationship was found. In conclusion, due to the low number of studied animals, biological results should be interpreted with caution; nevertheless, the framework provided here is a new relevant tool to explore the relationship between ruminant behavior and GIN parasitism in experimental studies.
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Lev-Yadun S. Avoiding rather than resisting herbivore attacks is often the first line of plant defence. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
A common idea is that resisting or blocking herbivore attacks by structural, chemical and molecular means after they have commenced is the first line of plant defence. However, these are all secondary defences, operating only when all the various methods of avoiding attack have failed. The real first line of plant defence from herbivory and herbivore-transmitted pathogens is avoiding such attacks altogether. Several visual, chemical and ‘statistical’ methods (and commonly their combined effects) have been proposed to allow avoidance of herbivore attacks. The visual types are camouflage, masquerade, aposematic coloration of toxic or physically defended plants (including Müllerian/Batesian mimicry), undermining herbivorous insect camouflage, delayed greening, dazzle and trickery coloration, heterophylly that undermines host identification, leaf movements, and signalling that colourful autumn leaves are soon to be shed. The mimicry types include: herbivore damage, insects and other animals, fungal infestation, dead/dry leaves or branches, animal droppings, and stones and soil. Olfactory-based tactics include odour aposematism by poisonous plants, various repelling volatiles, mimicry of faeces and carrion odours, and mimicry of aphid alarm pheromones. The ‘statistical’ methods are mast fruiting, flowering only once in many years and being rare. In addition to the theoretical aspects, understanding these mechanisms may have considerable potential for agricultural or forestry applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simcha Lev-Yadun
- Department of Biology & Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa – Oranim, Tivon 36006, Israel
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Philippon J, Serrano-Martínez E, Poirotte C. Environmental and individual determinants of fecal avoidance in semi-free ranging woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii). AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2021; 176:614-624. [PMID: 34169505 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Parasite selection pressures have driven the evolution of numerous behavioral defenses in host species, but recent studies revealed individual variation in their expression. As little is known about the factors causing heterogeneity among individuals in infection-avoidance behaviors, we investigated in woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii) the influence of several environmental and individual characteristics on the tendency to avoid food contaminated by soil and by their own and conspecifics' feces. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted feeding tests on 40 semi-free ranging individuals rescued from the pet trade. Using generalized linear mixed models, we investigated the effect of season, sex, age, dominance rank, and exposure to non-natural living conditions on feeding decisions. RESULTS Woolly monkeys did not avoid soil-contaminated food and equally avoided food contaminated by their own and conspecifics' feces. Individuals varied greatly in their level of fecal avoidance. Only females exhibited strong avoidance of fecally contaminated food, but adapted their behavior to food availability, highlighting the trade-off between nutritional intake and parasite avoidance. Additionally, low-ranking females, less competitive over food resources, exhibited lower avoidance than dominant ones. Juveniles were more cautious than adults, possibly to compensate for a higher parasite susceptibility. Finally, we reported an unknown effect of exposure to non-natural living conditions on behavioral defenses, as animals kept as household pets for an extended period apparently lost their ability to avoid fecally contaminated food. CONCLUSION We argue that striving to understand variation in infection-avoidance behaviors in natural populations is crucial to predict disease spread and inform conservation policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Philippon
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University, Lima, Peru
| | - Enrique Serrano-Martínez
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University, Lima, Peru
| | - Clémence Poirotte
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
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Walker MA, Uribasterra M, Asher V, Ponciano JM, Getz WM, Ryan SJ, Blackburn JK. Ungulate use of locally infectious zones in a re-emerging anthrax risk area. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200246. [PMID: 33204443 PMCID: PMC7657905 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Environmentally mediated indirect pathogen transmission is linked to host movement and foraging in areas where pathogens are maintained in the environment. In the case of anthrax, spores of the causative bacterium Bacillus anthracis are released into the environment following host death and create locally infectious zones (LIZs) around carcass sites; by grazing at LIZs, herbivores are potentially exposed to spores. Here, we used camera traps to assess how ungulate species use carcass sites in southwestern Montana and evaluated how these behaviours may promote indirect anthrax transmission, thus providing, to our knowledge, the first detailed documentation and study of the fine-scale mechanisms underlying foraging-based disease transmission in this ecosystem. We found that carcasses at LIZs significantly increased aboveground biomass of vegetation and concentrations of sodium and phosphorus, potentially making these sites more appealing to grazers. Host behavioural responses to LIZs varied depending on species, sex, season and carcass age; but, overall, our results demonstrated that carcasses or carcass sites serve as an attractant to herbivores in this system. Attraction to LIZs probably represents an increased risk of exposure to B. anthracis and, consequently, increased anthrax transmission rates. Accordingly, continued anthrax surveillance and control strategies are critical in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan A. Walker
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maria Uribasterra
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Valpa Asher
- Turner Enterprises Inc., 1123 Research Drive, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | | | - Wayne M. Getz
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA, USA
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sadie J. Ryan
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jason K. Blackburn
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Liddell C, Morgan ER, Bull K, Ioannou CC. Response to resources and parasites depends on health status in extensively grazed sheep. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20192905. [PMID: 32019442 PMCID: PMC7031671 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.2905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A fundamental question in animal ecology is how an individual's internal state and the external environment together shape species distributions across habitats. The increasing availability of biologgers is driving a revolution in answering this question in a wide range of species. In this study, the position of sheep (Ovis aries) from Global Positioning System collars was integrated with remote sensing data, field sampling of parasite distributions, and parasite load and health measures for each tagged individual. This allowed inter-individual variation in habitat use to be examined. Once controlling for a positive relationship between vegetation productivity and tick abundance, healthier individuals spent more of their time at sites with higher vegetation productivity, while less healthy individuals showed a stronger (negative) response to tick abundance. These trends are likely to represent a trade-off in foraging decisions that vary between individuals based on their health status. Given the rarity of studies that explore how animal distributions are affected by health and external factors, we demonstrate the value of integrating biologging technology with remote sensing data, traditional ecological sampling and individual measures of animal health. Our study, using extensively grazed sheep as a model system, opens new possibilities to study free-living grazing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Liddell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Eric R. Morgan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5BL, UK
| | - Katie Bull
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK
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Poirotte C, Kappeler PM. Hygienic personalities in wild grey mouse lemurs vary adaptively with sex. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20190863. [PMID: 31387505 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Detecting the risk of infection and minimizing parasite exposure represent the first lines of host defence against parasites. Individuals differ in the expression of these behavioural defences, but causes of such variation have received little empirical attention. We therefore experimentally investigated the effects of several individual and environmental factors on the expression level of faecal avoidance in the context of feeding, drinking, sleeping and defecating in a wild primate population. We found a strong sex bias in the expression level of anti-parasite behaviours of grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus), with only females strongly avoiding contaminated food, water and nests, and exhibiting selective defecation. Our results further suggest that individuals adapted their protective behaviours according to variation in intrinsic and ecological factors that may influence the cost-benefit balance of behavioural defences. Overall, individuals exhibited high consistency of investment in protective behaviours across behavioural contexts and time, suggesting that grey mouse lemurs exhibit different hygienic personalities. Finally, the global hygienic score was negatively correlated with faecal-orally transmitted parasite richness, suggesting that variation in behavioural defence has fitness consequences. We suggest that integrating inter-individual variation in behavioural defences in epidemiological studies should improve our ability to model disease spread within populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Poirotte
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter M Kappeler
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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Poirotte C, Sarabian C, Ngoubangoye B, MacIntosh AJ, Charpentier M. Faecal avoidance differs between the sexes but not with nematode infection risk in mandrills. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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8
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Pokharel BB, Boecker I, Kwon IY, Jeyachanthiran L, McBride P, Harlander-Matauschek A. How does the presence of excreta affect the behavior of laying hens on scratch pads? Poult Sci 2018; 97:743-748. [PMID: 29272459 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pex375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enriched cages for laying hens provide scratch pads for foraging on the wire mesh floors. Apart from foraging on scratch pads, hens also defecate on these pads, causing them to become soiled with excreta. This study was conducted to determine the relative preference of laying hens for foraging on clean (C) scratch pads or scratch pads soiled with excreta (E), and to study the behaviors performed by hens on such pads. A total of 288 laying hens was housed in 16 enriched cages (18 hens/cage), each divided into 2 compartments. On a daily basis, half of the scratch pads (one in each compartment) were removed and cleaned, while the other half were cleaned and then covered with 550 g (0.35 g/cm2) of conspecific excreta. The C and E scratch pads were then put back into the cages in a systematic order to avoid side bias. Feed was delivered automatically onto the scratch pads as a litter substrate. The frequency of visits and the total time spent performing different behaviors on C and E pads were video-recorded [the time of video recording was relative to litter (feed) delivery on the scratch pads] for a total of 10 min/d, 3 times/wk, over a period of 4 weeks. Overall, the allocation of the time budget for different behaviors was found to be-in order of greatest to least amount of time-resting, locomotor behaviors (walking and running), foraging, and dust bathing. Laying hens showed a relative preference for E scratch pads by visiting them more frequently (P = 0.001), and spent more time (P = 0.035) foraging on them, whereas they rested for more time (P < 0.001) on C scratch pads. The relative preference for E scratch pads during foraging signifies the innate importance of foraging substrates in enriched cages for laying hens. Similarly, the longer use of C scratch pads for resting indicates the need for an ideal and clean resting surface in enriched cages.
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Affiliation(s)
- B B Pokharel
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1
| | - I Boecker
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1
| | - I Y Kwon
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1
| | - L Jeyachanthiran
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1
| | - P McBride
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1
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Sarabian C, Belais R, MacIntosh AJJ. Feeding decisions under contamination risk in bonobos. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20170195. [PMID: 29866924 PMCID: PMC6000142 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Threats from parasites and pathogens are ubiquitous, and many use pathways that exploit host trophic interactions for their transmission. As such, host organisms have evolved a behavioural immune system to facilitate contamination-risk assessment and avoidance of potential contaminants in various contexts, including feeding. Detecting pathogen threats can rely on different sensory modalities allowing animals to screen for a wide array of contaminants. Here, we present a series of experiments in which bonobos showed clear avoidance of contaminated food items, and were sensitive to risk along a contamination probability gradient. Across experiments, bonobos appeared to use multisensorial cues to inform their feeding decisions. In addition, bonobos showed reduced tactile, gustatory and tool use activities when in the presence of contaminant versus control odours in a challenging foraging context. Our experiments build on previous work conducted in Japanese macaques and chimpanzees aiming at a better understanding of the ways in which the behavioural immune system operates in primates.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecile Sarabian
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, 41-2 Kanrin, Inuyama 484-8506, Japan
| | - Raphael Belais
- Amis des bonobos du Congo, Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary, Les petites chutes de la Lukaya, Kimwenza, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Andrew J J MacIntosh
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, 41-2 Kanrin, Inuyama 484-8506, Japan
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Coulson G, Cripps JK, Garnick S, Bristow V, Beveridge I. Parasite insight: assessing fitness costs, infection risks and foraging benefits relating to gastrointestinal nematodes in wild mammalian herbivores. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20170197. [PMID: 29866912 PMCID: PMC6000135 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian herbivores are typically infected by parasitic nematodes, which are acquired through direct, faecal-oral transmission. These parasites can cause significant production losses in domestic livestock, but much less is known about impacts on wild mammalian hosts. We review three elements of parasitism from the host's perspective: fitness costs of infection, risks of infection during foraging and benefits of nutritious pasture. The majority of wildlife studies have been observational, but experimental manipulation is increasing. Treatment with anthelmintics to manipulate parasite load has revealed varied impacts of parasites on fitness variables across host species, but has not produced consistent evidence for parasite-induced anorexia or impaired body condition. Some experimental studies of infection risk have manipulated faecal contamination and detected faecal avoidance by hosts. Only two field studies have explored the trade-off between infection risk and nutritional benefit generated by avoidance of contaminated patches. Overall, field studies of costs, risks and benefits of the host-parasite relationship are limited and few have examined more than one of these elements. Parasitism has much in common with predation, and future insights into anti-parasite responses by wild hosts could be gained from the conceptual and technical developments in research on anti-predator behaviour.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme Coulson
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jemma K Cripps
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Sarah Garnick
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Verity Bristow
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Ian Beveridge
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
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Weinstein SB, Moura CW, Mendez JF, Lafferty KD. Fear of feces? Tradeoffs between disease risk and foraging drive animal activity around raccoon latrines. OIKOS 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara B. Weinstein
- Dept of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology Univ. of California Santa Barbara CA 93106 USA
| | - Chad W. Moura
- Dept of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology Univ. of California Santa Barbara CA 93106 USA
| | - Jon Francis Mendez
- Dept of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology Univ. of California Santa Barbara CA 93106 USA
| | - Kevin D. Lafferty
- Dept of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology Univ. of California Santa Barbara CA 93106 USA
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Sutherland MA, Lowe GL, Watson TJ, Ross CM, Rapp D, Zobel GA. Dairy goats prefer to use different flooring types to perform different behaviours. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Sarabian C, Ngoubangoye B, MacIntosh AJJ. Avoidance of biological contaminants through sight, smell and touch in chimpanzees. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170968. [PMID: 29291090 PMCID: PMC5717664 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Avoiding biological contaminants is a well-known manifestation of the adaptive system of disgust. In theory, animals evolved with such a system to prevent pathogen and parasite infection. Bodily products are human-universal disgust elicitors, but whether they also elicit avoidance behaviour in non-human primates has yet to be tested. Here, we report experimental evidence that potential exposure to biological contaminants (faeces, blood, semen), as perceived via multiple sensory modalities (visual, olfactory, tactile), might influence feeding decisions in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes)-our closest phylogenetic relatives. Although somewhat mixed, our results do show increased latencies to feed, tendencies to maintain greater distances from contaminants and/or outright refusals to consume food in test versus control conditions. Overall, these findings are consistent with the parasite avoidance theory of disgust, although the presence of biological contaminants did not preclude feeding entirely. The avoidance behaviours observed hint at the origins of disgust in humans, and further comparative research is now needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecile Sarabian
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama 484-8506, Japan
| | - Barthelemy Ngoubangoye
- Centre de Primatologie, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, Gabon
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Fernandes NL, Pandeirada JN, Soares SC, Nairne JS. Adaptive memory: The mnemonic value of contamination. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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16
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Amoroso CR, Frink AG, Nunn CL. Water choice as a counterstrategy to faecally transmitted disease: an experimental study in captive lemurs. BEHAVIOUR 2017. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Many parasites and pathogens are transmitted via water, including through faecal contamination of water sources. Yet water is essential for survival, and some species gain nutritional and other benefits from coprophagy. We investigated how primates balance the risks of faecal pathogen transmission with potential benefits of faeces ingestion in their selection of water sources by conducting behavioural experiments with five species of lemurs (Family Lemuridae) in captivity. Subjects were given a choice between clean water and water ‘contaminated’ with disinfected faecal material, which contained cues associated with faecally transmitted parasites, but minimal risk. We found that lemurs exhibited strong preferences for the clean water. This pattern was supported even at low levels of faecal contamination and in species adapted to water-limited habitats, for which choosiness about water quality could present a dehydration risk. Our results strongly support the hypothesis that avoiding faecal contamination is important in water selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline R. Amoroso
- aDepartment of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, 130 Science Drive, Room 108, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Alexa G. Frink
- aDepartment of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, 130 Science Drive, Room 108, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- bSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Charles L. Nunn
- aDepartment of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, 130 Science Drive, Room 108, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- cDuke Global Health Institute, Duke University, 310 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Sarabian C, MacIntosh AJJ. Hygienic tendencies correlate with low geohelminth infection in free-ranging macaques. Biol Lett 2016; 11:rsbl.2015.0757. [PMID: 26538539 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites are ubiquitous in nature and can be costly to animal fitness, so hosts have evolved behavioural counter-strategies to mitigate infection risk. We investigated feeding-related infection-avoidance strategies in Japanese macaques via field-experimentation and observation. We first examined risk sensitivity during foraging tasks involving faecally contaminated or debris-covered food items, and then investigated individual tendencies to manipulate food items during natural foraging bouts. We concurrently monitored geohelminth infection in all subjects. We ran a principal component analysis on the observational/experimental data to generate a hygienic index across individuals and found that hygienic tendencies towards faeces avoidance and food manipulation correlated negatively with geohelminth infection. Females scored higher in hygienic tendencies than males, which might contribute to the common vertebrate pattern of male-biased infection. The behavioural tendencies observed may reflect a general form of hygiene, providing a mechanism of behavioural immunity against parasites with implications for the evolution and diversification of health maintenance strategies in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecile Sarabian
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi 484-8506, Japan
| | - Andrew J J MacIntosh
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi 484-8506, Japan Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8203, Japan
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18
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Hou CH, Shaner PJL, Hsiao CJ, Lin YTK. Environmental Parasitism Risk and Host Infection Status Affect Patch Use in Foraging Wild Mice. Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ho Hou
- Department of Life Science; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jen L. Shaner
- Department of Life Science; National Taiwan Normal University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jui Hsiao
- Department of Life Science; National Taiwan Normal University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Yu-Teh K. Lin
- Department of Life Science; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
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Effects of parasite pressure on parasite mortality and reproductive output in a rodent-flea system: inferring host defense trade-offs. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3337-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5093-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Cripps JK, Martin JK, Coulson G. Anthelmintic Treatment Does Not Change Foraging Strategies of Female Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Macropus giganteus. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147384. [PMID: 26784582 PMCID: PMC4718527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Large mammalian herbivores are commonly infected with gastrointestinal helminths. Heavily parasitised hosts are likely to have increased nutritional requirements and would be predicted to increase their food intake to compensate for costs of being parasitised, but experimental tests of the impacts of these parasites on the foraging efficiency of hosts are lacking, particularly in free-ranging wildlife. We conducted a field experiment on a population of free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) to test this prediction, removing nematodes from one group of adult females using an anthelmintic treatment. We then carried out observations before and following treatment to assess the influence of parasites on foraging behaviour. Contrary to our predictions, the manipulation of parasite burdens did not result in changes in any of the key foraging variables we measured. Our results suggest that despite carrying large burdens of gastrointestinal parasites, the foraging strategy of female kangaroos is likely be driven by factors unrelated to parasitism, and that kangaroos in high nutritional environments may be able acquire sufficient nutrients to offset the costs of parasitism. We conclude that the drivers of forage intake likely differ between domesticated and free-ranging herbivores, and that free-ranging hosts are likely more resilient to parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemma K. Cripps
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Jennifer K. Martin
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graeme Coulson
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Seó HLS, Pinheiro Machado Filho LC, Honorato LA, da Silva BF, do Amarante AFT, Bricarello PA. The effect of gastrointestinal nematode infection level on grazing distance from dung. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126340. [PMID: 26039729 PMCID: PMC4454583 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Avoiding grazing near feces is an efficient strategy to prevent parasitic infection and contamination; therefore, in the evolution of herbivorous species, this behavior may have developed as a mechanism to protect the host against infection by gastrointestinal nematodes. The aim of this study was to assess whether grazing distance from dung is related to the level of parasitic infection in cattle. Based on Fecal Egg Count (FEC) means, 18 castrated male steers, aged 18 months, were divided into three groups: High (FEC ≥ 315); Medium (FEC = 130–160); and Low (FEC = 40–70). To analyze the response to a new natural infection by gastrointestinal nematodes and to standardize infection levels, all animals received anthelmintic treatment at twenty days prior to field observation. Three observers simultaneously collected data on grazing behavior for 2.5 hours/week for 12 weeks. Observers recorded the distance when grazing occurred at less than one meter from dung. Every two weeks, fecal samples were collected for FEC, as well as serum samples to measure immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against larvae and adult antigens of the parasitic species Haemonchus placei. All groups grazed farther from the dung on days of greater insolation (r = 0.62; P = 0.03). Animals with high levels of parasitism grazed farther from the dung (P < 0.05) but had lower levels (P < 0.0001) of IgG serum levels compared to those with medium and low levels of infection. FEC values varied over the experiment, remaining below 200 for the low and medium group and reaching 1000 (P < 0.01) for the animals with the highest rates of parasitism. Our results indicate that cattle showing high levels of parasitism are more likely to avoid contaminated areas than animals with lower infection levels, and the immune system seems to be involved in such behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hizumi Lua Sarti Seó
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Pinheiro Machado Filho
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Luciana Aparecida Honorato
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | | | | | - Patrizia Ana Bricarello
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
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Sacco DF, Young SG, Hugenberg K. Balancing competing motives: adaptive trade-offs are necessary to satisfy disease avoidance and interpersonal affiliation goals. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2014; 40:1611-23. [PMID: 25278107 DOI: 10.1177/0146167214552790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The current research provides novel evidence for motivational trade-offs between the two fundamental human goals of pursuing social affiliation and avoiding disease. In Study 1, participants completed a writing prime that manipulated inclusionary status and found that socially excluded participants indicated lower feelings of current disease susceptibility compared with control and socially included participants. In Study 2, participants were included or excluded via Cyberball and then indicated their preferences for symmetrical versus asymmetrical faces. Socially excluded participants displayed lower preferences for symmetrical faces--a cue associated with greater disease resistance. Finally, in Study 3, participants were primed with either disease threat or a general negative affective state and then indicated their current affiliation interest. Activated disease concerns uniquely led participants to display less interest in social affiliation. Taken together, affiliation needs result in disease avoidance down-regulation to aid reaffiliation, whereas disease concerns result in affiliation down-regulation to facilitate pathogen avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald F Sacco
- The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, USA
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Lund EM, Boggero IA. Sick in the Head? Pathogen Concerns Bias Implicit Perceptions of Mental Illness. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1177/147470491401200403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Biases against the mentally ill are historically and cross-culturally pervasive, suggesting they may have an evolutionary basis. The prevailing view is that people seek to distance themselves from the mentally ill because they are perceived as dangerous, violent, and incompetent. However, because of similarities between sickness behaviors and symptoms of some mental disorders, it was hypothesized that mental illness stigma could be partially explained as a function of behavioral immune system biases designed to avoid potential sources of contagion. In two experiments, it was found that mental illness was implicitly associated more with disease than danger. In Experiment 1, this implicit association was exacerbated among people who have had their biological immune system activated by a recent illness. In Experiment 2, experimentally priming disease salience increased implicit association between mental illness and disease. Implications for the evolutionary origins of prejudice and the prevention of mental illness stigma are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik M. Lund
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Ian A. Boggero
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Villalba JJ, Miller J, Ungar ED, Landau SY, Glendinning J. Ruminant self-medication against gastrointestinal nematodes: evidence, mechanism, and origins. Parasite 2014; 21:31. [PMID: 24971486 PMCID: PMC4073621 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2014032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal helminths challenge ruminants in ways that reduce their fitness. In turn, ruminants have evolved physiological and behavioral adaptations that counteract this challenge. Ruminants display anorexia and avoidance behaviors, which tend to reduce the incidence of parasitism. In addition, ruminants appear to learn to self-medicate against gastrointestinal parasites by increasing consumption of plant secondary compounds with antiparasitic actions. This selective feeding improves health and fitness. Here, we review the evidence for self-medication in ruminants, propose a hypothesis to explain self-medicative behaviors (based on post-ingestive consequences), and discuss mechanisms (e.g., enhanced neophilia, social transmission) that may underlie the ontogeny and spread of self-medicative behaviors in social groups. A better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie and trigger self-medication in parasitized animals will help scientists devise innovative and more sustainable management strategies for improving ruminant health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J. Villalba
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Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University 5230 Old Main Hill Logan Utah
84322-5230 USA
| | - James Miller
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Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University 70803
Baton Rouge USA
| | - Eugene D. Ungar
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Department of Natural Resources, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center Bet Dagan
50250 Israel
| | - Serge Y. Landau
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Department of Natural Resources, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center Bet Dagan
50250 Israel
| | - John Glendinning
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Department of Biology, Barnard College, Columbia University 3009 Broadway New York NY USA
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Egea AV, Hall JO, Miller J, Spackman C, Villalba JJ. Reduced neophobia: a potential mechanism explaining the emergence of self-medicative behavior in sheep. Physiol Behav 2014; 135:189-97. [PMID: 24955494 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal helminths challenge ruminants in ways that reduce their fitness. In turn, ruminants have evolved physiological and behavioral adaptations that counteract this challenge. For instance, emerging behavioral evidence suggests that ruminants self-select medicinal compounds and foods that reduce parasitic burdens. However, the mechanism/s leading to self-medicative behaviors in sick animals is still unknown. We hypothesized that when homeostasis is disturbed by a parasitic infection, consumers should respond by increasing the acceptability of novel foods relative to healthy individuals. Three groups of lambs (N=10) were dosed with 0 (Control-C), 5000 (Medium-M) and 15000 (High-H) L3 stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus. When parasites had reached the adult stage, all animals were offered novel foods and flavors in pens and then novel forages at pasture. Ingestive responses by parasitized lambs were different from non-parasitized Control animals and they varied with the type of food and flavor on offer. Parasitized lambs consumed initially more novel beet pulp and less novel beet pulp mixed with tannins than Control lambs, but the pattern reversed after 9d of exposure to these foods. Parasitized lambs ingested more novel umami-flavored food and less novel bitter-flavored food than Control lambs. When offered choices of novel unflavored and bitter-flavored foods or different forage species to graze, parasitized lambs selected a more diverse array of foods than Control lambs. Reductions in food neophobia or selection of a more diverse diet may enhance the likelihood of sick herbivores encountering novel medicinal plants and nutritious forages that contribute to restore health.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vanina Egea
- Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (IADIZA), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Jeffery O Hall
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - James Miller
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Casey Spackman
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Juan J Villalba
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
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26
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Sward botanical composition and sward quality affect the foraging behaviour of free-range laying hens. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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27
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Fox NJ, Marion G, Davidson RS, White PCL, Hutchings MR. Modelling parasite transmission in a grazing system: the importance of host behaviour and immunity. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77996. [PMID: 24223133 PMCID: PMC3819330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic helminths present one of the most pervasive challenges to grazing herbivores. Many macro-parasite transmission models focus on host physiological defence strategies, omitting more complex interactions between hosts and their environments. This work represents the first model that integrates both the behavioural and physiological elements of gastro-intestinal nematode transmission dynamics in a managed grazing system. A spatially explicit, individual-based, stochastic model is developed, that incorporates both the hosts' immunological responses to parasitism, and key grazing behaviours including faecal avoidance. The results demonstrate that grazing behaviour affects both the timing and intensity of parasite outbreaks, through generating spatial heterogeneity in parasite risk and nutritional resources, and changing the timing of exposure to the parasites' free-living stages. The influence of grazing behaviour varies with the host-parasite combination, dependent on the development times of different parasite species and variations in host immune response. Our outputs include the counterintuitive finding that under certain conditions perceived parasite avoidance behaviours (faecal avoidance) can increase parasite risk, for certain host-parasite combinations. Through incorporating the two-way interaction between infection dynamics and grazing behaviour, the potential benefits of parasite-induced anorexia are also demonstrated. Hosts with phenotypic plasticity in grazing behaviour, that make grazing decisions dependent on current parasite burden, can reduce infection with minimal loss of intake over the grazing season. This paper explores how both host behaviours and immunity influence macro-parasite transmission in a spatially and temporally heterogeneous environment. The magnitude and timing of parasite outbreaks is influenced by host immunity and behaviour, and the interactions between them; the incorporation of both regulatory processes is required to fully understand transmission dynamics. Understanding of both physiological and behavioural defence strategies will aid the development of novel approaches for control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi J. Fox
- Disease Systems Team, SRUC, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Environment Department, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Glenn Marion
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Ross S. Davidson
- Disease Systems Team, SRUC, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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28
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Walsh PT, McCreless E, Pedersen AB. Faecal avoidance and selective foraging: do wild mice have the luxury to avoid faeces? Anim Behav 2013; 86:559-566. [PMID: 24027342 PMCID: PMC3763379 DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Revised: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 05/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Host–parasite interactions are a key determinant of the population dynamics of wild animals, and behaviours that reduce parasite transmission and infection may be important for improving host fitness. While antiparasite behaviours have been demonstrated in laboratory animals and domesticated ungulates, whether these behaviours operate in the wild is poorly understood. Therefore, examining antiparasite behaviours in natural populations is crucial for understanding their ecological significance. In this study, we examined whether two wild rodents (white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus, and deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus), selectively foraged away from conspecific faeces or avoided faeces altogether, and whether faecal gastrointestinal parasite status affected their behaviour. We also tested whether wild mice, when nesting, avoided using material that had previously been used by healthy or parasite-infected conspecifics. Our results, in contrast to laboratory mouse studies, suggest that wild mice do not demonstrate faecal avoidance, selective foraging or selective use of nesting material; they preferred being near faeces and did not differentiate between faeces from parasitized and uninfected conspecifics. Behavioural avoidance to reduce parasite infection may still represent an important strategy; however, mice in our study population appeared to favour the opportunity to feed and nest over the risks of coming into contact with faecal-transmitted parasites. Furthermore, the presence of conspecific faeces may actually provide a positive cue of a good foraging or nesting location. Ultimately, balancing the trade-off of performing antiparasite behaviours to reduce infection with missing an important feeding or nesting opportunity may be very different for animals in the wild facing complex and stochastic environments. Parasites can be important for the fitness and dynamics of wild animals. Transmission by faecal–oral contact is common for parasites of wild animals. We examine whether wild mice selectively avoid faeces to reduce infection risk. Surprisingly, wild mice did not avoid faeces during foraging, feeding or nesting. Wild mice favour the chance to feed and nest over the risk of parasite contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick T Walsh
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K
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29
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Brambilla A, von Hardenberg A, Kristo O, Bassano B, Bogliani G. Don't spit in the soup: faecal avoidance in foraging wild Alpine ibex, Capra ibex. Anim Behav 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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30
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Steinheim G, Voie ØA, Ådnøy T, Longva KS, Holand Ø. Effect of contamination of pasture with military explosives on grazing behaviour in sheep. ACTA AGR SCAND A-AN 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/09064702.2011.623713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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32
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Neuberg SL, Kenrick DT, Schaller M. Human threat management systems: self-protection and disease avoidance. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2011; 35:1042-51. [PMID: 20833199 PMCID: PMC3024471 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2010] [Revised: 08/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/18/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Humans likely evolved precautionary systems designed to minimize the threats to reproductive fitness posed by highly interdependent ultrasociality. A review of research on the self-protection and disease avoidance systems reveals that each system is functionally distinct and domain-specific: each is attuned to different cues; engages different emotions, inferences, and behavioral inclinations; and is rooted in somewhat different neurobiological substrates. These systems share important features, however. Each system is functionally coherent, in that perceptual, affective, cognitive, and behavioral processes work in concert to reduce fitness costs of potential threats. Each system is biased in a risk-averse manner, erring toward precautionary responses even when available cues only heuristically imply threat. And each system is functionally flexible, being highly sensitive to specific ecological and dispositional cues that signal greater vulnerability to the relevant threat. These features characterize a general template useful for understanding not only the self-protection and disease avoidance systems, but also a broader set of evolved, domain-specific precautionary systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven L Neuberg
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, United States.
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33
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Whistance LK, Sinclair LA, Arney DR, Phillips CJC. Eliminative behaviour of dairy cows at pasture. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2010.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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34
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Soil and plant contamination with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis after exposure to naturally contaminated mouflon feces. Curr Microbiol 2011; 62:1405-10. [PMID: 21279514 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-011-9875-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Accepted: 01/08/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the persistence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in soil and colonization of different plant parts after deliberate exposure to mouflon feces naturally contaminated with different amounts of MAP. Samples of aerial parts of plants, their roots, and the soil below the roots were collected after 15 weeks and examined using IS900 real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and cultivation. Although the presence of viable MAP cells was not demonstrated, almost all samples were found to be positive using qPCR. MAP IS900 was not only found in the upper green parts, but also in the roots and soil samples (from 1.00 × 10(0) to 6.43 × 10(3)). The level of soil and plant contamination was influenced mainly by moisture, clay content, and the depth from which the samples were collected, rather than by the initial concentration of MAP in the feces at the beginning of the experiment.
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35
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Ennis DE, Dillon AB, Griffin CT. Pine weevils modulate defensive behaviour in response to parasites of differing virulence. Anim Behav 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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36
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Goat-nematode interactions: think differently. Trends Parasitol 2010; 26:376-81. [PMID: 20488752 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2009] [Revised: 04/12/2010] [Accepted: 04/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Goats (caprine) and sheep (ovine) are infected with the same principal gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) species, which provoke similar pathological changes and economic consequences. However, until now, the majority of data on host-parasite interactions have been accumulated from ovine studies. This article aims to emphasize the need for specific caprine studies. It is hypothesized that, owing to divergent evolutionary processes, sheep and goats have developed two different strategies to regulate GIN infections, respectively, based on immune response versus feeding behavior. Generation of additional comparative data should result in a better understanding of the possible trade-offs between these two basic regulatory processes. Goat studies should also help to avoid past errors in the control of GIN species owing to the lack of relevant information.
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40
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Garnick SW, Elgar MA, Beveridge I, Coulson G. Foraging efficiency and parasite risk in eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus). Behav Ecol 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arp162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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41
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Lev-Yadun S, Ne'eman G, Shanas U. A sheep in wolf's clothing: do carrion and dung odours of flowers not only attract pollinators but also deter herbivores? Bioessays 2009; 31:84-8. [PMID: 19154006 DOI: 10.1002/bies.070191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simcha Lev-Yadun
- Department of Science Education - Biology, Faculty of Science and Science Education, University of Haifa - Oranim, Tivon, Israel
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42
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Inter- and intra-specific exposure to parasites and pathogens via the faecal-oral route: a consequence of behaviour in a patchy environment. Epidemiol Infect 2008; 137:630-43. [PMID: 18812011 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268808001313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Livestock herbivores are at risk of inter- and intra-specific exposure to parasites/pathogens via the faecal-oral route during grazing. Each contact between livestock and faeces in the environment is a potential parasite/pathogen transmission event. Cattle grazing contact with faeces varies in relation to the species depositing the faeces and the distribution of the faeces. We used a foraging model to simulate the grazing behaviour of beef cattle in two grazing systems to compare the relative inter-specific and intra-specific exposure risks to parasites/pathogens. Overall, there is a greater level of intra- vs. inter-specific risk via the faecal-oral route. However, under certain conditions, particularly for microparasite infections, e.g. paratuberculosis in rabbits and bovine tuberculosis in badgers, wildlife may pose a significant exposure risk to parasites/pathogens. These risks can be enhanced when cattle are first turned out onto pasture and in situations where intra-specific variations in wildlife behaviour result in more dispersed defecation patterns.
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43
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Swain DL, Friend MA, Mayes RW, Wilson LA, Hutchings MR. Combining an active transponder system with sprayed n-alkanes to quantify investigative and ingestive grazing behaviour of dairy cattle in pastures treated with slurry. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2007.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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44
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Forbes A, Huckle C, Gibb M. Evaluation of the effect of eprinomectin in young dairy heifers sub-clinically infected with gastrointestinal nematodes on grazing behaviour and diet selection. Vet Parasitol 2007; 150:321-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2007] [Revised: 09/19/2007] [Accepted: 09/24/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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45
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46
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Böhm M, White PCL, Chambers J, Smith L, Hutchings MR. Wild deer as a source of infection for livestock and humans in the UK. Vet J 2007; 174:260-76. [PMID: 17258479 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2006] [Revised: 08/31/2006] [Accepted: 11/03/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Wild deer can feature in the epidemiology of a wide range of livestock and human diseases in the United Kingdom by representing a source of disease via various transmission routes. This review highlights current and possible future infections of deer in the UK which may have an impact on livestock and/or human health. Increases in deer abundance as well as range expansion are likely to exacerbate the potential for disease persistence due to the formation of multi-species deer assemblages, which may act as disease reservoirs. Climatic changes are likely to have a direct impact on the presence and abundance of various pathogens and their vectors, so that with a warming climate exotic diseases may play a role in future UK livestock and wildlife disease management. This paper highlights the need for a monitoring strategy for wildlife diseases, in particular infections in wild deer, in the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Böhm
- Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
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Dung avoidance as a possible mechanism in competition between wild and domestic ungulates: two experiments with chamois Rupicapra rupicapra. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-007-0115-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Whistance LK, Arney DR, Sinclair LA, Phillips CJC. Defaecation behaviour of dairy cows housed in straw yards or cubicle systems. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2006.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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JUDGE JOHANNA, DAVIDSON ROSSS, MARION GLENN, WHITE PIRANC, HUTCHINGS MICHAELR. Persistence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in rabbits: the interplay between horizontal and vertical transmission. J Appl Ecol 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01282.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Smith LA, White PCL, Hutchings MR. Effect of the nutritional environment and reproductive investment on herbivore–parasite interactions in grazing environments. Behav Ecol 2006. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ark004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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