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Ramos EA, Galves J, Searle L, Walker Z, Walker P, Castelblanco-Martínez N, Knowles B, Self-Sullivan C, Kiszka JJ. Agonistic interactions initiated by adult bottlenose dolphins on Antillean manatee calves in the Caribbean Sea. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295739. [PMID: 38198454 PMCID: PMC10781161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The dynamics and drivers of inter-species interactions in the wild are poorly understood, particularly those involving social animal species. Inter-species interactions between cetaceans and sirenians have rarely been documented and investigated. Here, we report 10 cases of interaction initiated by adult bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) towards Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus). Interactions were documented through behavioral observations in the wild (n = 7) and from the examination of orphaned calves (i.e., tooth rake marks on their body; n = 4) that entered a rehabilitation facility, one individual both observed interacting with dolphins and found stranded with bite marks. Bottlenose dolphins were observed interacting with orphan manatee calves and with mother-calf pairs, exhibiting agonistic behavior (n = 2), affiliative or neutral behaviors (n = 1), but the behavioral contexts of these interactions remain unclear in most cases (n = 7). Information on stranded individuals was collected from four calves (of 13 examined calves) recovered in poor condition with bottlenose dolphin tooth rakes and bite wounds on their bodies, one of which died. Injury from bite wounds varied in extent and severity, ranging from superficial scratches leaving rake marks to deep lacerations. Our findings suggest the regular occurrence of agonistic behaviors initiated by adult bottlenose dolphins and directed toward manatee calves. However, the drivers of these interactions remain unknown and need to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A. Ramos
- The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
- Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Jamal Galves
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Belize City, Belize
| | | | - Zoe Walker
- Wildtracks, La Isla, Sarteneja Village, Corozal, Belize
| | - Paul Walker
- Wildtracks, La Isla, Sarteneja Village, Corozal, Belize
| | - Nataly Castelblanco-Martínez
- Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad de Quintana Roo, Departamento de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Brittany Knowles
- Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, Florida, United States of America
| | - Caryn Self-Sullivan
- Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jeremy J. Kiszka
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, United States of America
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Georgiev DD. Evolution of Consciousness. Life (Basel) 2023; 14:48. [PMID: 38255663 PMCID: PMC10817314 DOI: 10.3390/life14010048] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The natural evolution of consciousness in different animal species mandates that conscious experiences are causally potent in order to confer any advantage in the struggle for survival. Any endeavor to construct a physical theory of consciousness based on emergence within the framework of classical physics, however, leads to causally impotent conscious experiences in direct contradiction to evolutionary theory since epiphenomenal consciousness cannot evolve through natural selection. Here, we review recent theoretical advances in describing sentience and free will as fundamental aspects of reality granted by quantum physical laws. Modern quantum information theory considers quantum states as a physical resource that endows quantum systems with the capacity to perform physical tasks that are classically impossible. Reductive identification of conscious experiences with the quantum information comprised in quantum brain states allows for causally potent consciousness that is capable of performing genuine choices for future courses of physical action. The consequent evolution of brain cortical networks contributes to increased computational power, memory capacity, and cognitive intelligence of the living organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danko D Georgiev
- Institute for Advanced Study, 30 Vasilaki Papadopulu Str., 9010 Varna, Bulgaria
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Benz-Schwarzburg J, Wrage B. Caring animals and the ways we wrong them. BIOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY 2023; 38:25. [PMID: 37388763 PMCID: PMC10300179 DOI: 10.1007/s10539-023-09913-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Many nonhuman animals have the emotional capacities to form caring relationships that matter to them, and for their immediate welfare. Drawing from care ethics, we argue that these relationships also matter as objectively valuable states of affairs. They are part of what is good in this world. However, the value of care is precarious in human-animal interactions. Be it in farming, research, wildlife 'management', zoos, or pet-keeping, the prevention, disruption, manipulation, and instrumentalization of care in animals by humans is ubiquitous. We criticize a narrow conception of welfare that, in practice, tends to overlook non-experiential forms of harm that occur when we interfere with caring animals. Additionally, we point out wrongs against caring animals that are not just unaccounted for but denied by even an expansive welfare perspective: The instrumentalization of care and caring animals in systems of use can occur as a harmless wrong that an approach purely focused on welfare may, in fact, condone. We should therefore adopt an ethical perspective that goes beyond welfare in our dealings with caring animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Birte Wrage
- Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Mrusczok MT, Zwamborn E, von Schmalensee M, Ramallo SR, Stefansson RA. First account of apparent alloparental care of a long-finned pilot whale calf ( Globicephala melas) by a female killer whale ( Orcinus orca). CAN J ZOOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2022-0161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between killer whales ( Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758)) and long-finned pilot whales ( Globicephala melas (Traill, 1809)) have been documented on numerous occasions, usually involving predation events and pursuits. Here, the first documented account of a long-finned pilot whale calf seen in echelon position with one killer whale in a group of three killer whales is described, along with one further interaction of the same killer whale group with other long-finned pilot whales. Behavioral, locational, and photographic data were recorded and analyzed for killer whales between 2011 and 2022 and for long-finned pilot whales between 2019 and 2022 off West Iceland. The data were used to obtain background information on the killer whale group involved in the apparent alloparental behavior. The described event also presents the first documented account of epimeletic behavior of a killer whale toward a non-conspecific. The movements of the same killer whale group in conjunction with other killer whales during a subsequent interaction with a group of long-finned pilot whales do not fit any previously observed behavioral patterns described for interactions between these species and may represent an active effort to obtain another long-finned pilot whale calf. Long-finned pilot whale and killer whale interactions might be more complex than previously thought and influenced by multiple drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Thérèse Mrusczok
- West Iceland Nature Research Centre (Náttúrustofa Vesturlands), Stykkishólmur, Iceland
- Orca Guardians Iceland, Grundarfjörður, Iceland
| | - Elizabeth Zwamborn
- Cape Breton Pilot Whale Project, Department of Biology,Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Menja von Schmalensee
- West Iceland Nature Research Centre (Náttúrustofa Vesturlands), Stykkishólmur, Iceland
- Orca Guardians Iceland, Grundarfjörður, Iceland
| | | | - Robert A. Stefansson
- West Iceland Nature Research Centre (Náttúrustofa Vesturlands), Stykkishólmur, Iceland
- Orca Guardians Iceland, Grundarfjörður, Iceland
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Wrage B. Caring animals and care ethics. BIOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY 2022; 37:18. [PMID: 35637869 PMCID: PMC9135829 DOI: 10.1007/s10539-022-09857-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Are there nonhuman animals who behave morally? In this paper I answer this question in the affirmative by applying the framework of care ethics to the animal morality debate. According to care ethics, empathic care is the wellspring of morality in humans. While there have been several suggestive analyses of nonhuman animals as empathic, much of the literature within the animal morality debate has marginalized analyses from the perspective of care ethics. In this paper I examine care ethics to extract its core commitments to what is required for moral care: emotional motivation that enables the intentional meeting of another's needs, and forward-looking responsibility in particular relationships. What is not required, I argue, are metarepresentational capacities or the ability to scrutinize one's reasons for action, and thus being retrospectively accountable. This minimal account of moral care is illustrated by moral practices of parental care seen in many nonhuman animal species. In response to the worry that parental care in nonhuman animals lacks all evaluation and is therefore nonmoral I point to cultural differences in human parenting and to normativity in nonhuman animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birte Wrage
- Unit of Ethics and Human-Animal Studies, Messerli Research Institute, Vetmeduni Vienna, Uni Vienna, MedUni Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Toledo G, Astúa D. A successful multiple litter adoption in a nursing southern black-eared opossum, Didelphis aurita (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae). BEHAVIOUR 2020. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-bja10030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Adoption by an alloparent of an offspring or a litter occurs in at least eight mammal orders, but is rare in marsupials, and was never confirmed in opossums. Here we report the first unequivocal and documented successful event of alloparental adoption of two distinct litters by a single captive female Southern Black-eared Opossum Didelphis aurita (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae). The female, still nursing her biological litter, accepted and nursed the two offered litters. All three litters were raised simultaneously, and the female cared for and displayed protective behaviour indistinctively of the biological or adopted pups. She was kept captive until released along with her biological litter, which was weaned and fled independently, and the two adoptive litters clinging on her back. This event sheds additional light on the little known social and maternal behaviour of opossums, suggesting it is possibly more complex than originally thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Toledo
- aProBicho Centro Veterinário, Av. Nossa Sra. da Assunção 461, Butantã 05359-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Diego Astúa
- bLaboratório de Mastozoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s.n., Cidade Universitária, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
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Mittal D, Chakrabarti S, Khambda SB, Bump JK. Spots and manes: the curious case of foster care between two competing felids. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dheeraj Mittal
- Deputy Conservator of Forests, Gir (West) Division Sardarbaug, Junagadh Gujarat362135India
| | | | - Shailesh B. Khambda
- Range Forest Officer, Dedakdi Range, Gir (West) Division Junagadh Gujarat India
| | - Joseph K. Bump
- University of Minnesota 2003 Buford Circle St. Paul Minnesota 55108 USA
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