Food and Feeding Ecology of Puffins

This study shows that although annual fluctuations occur in the main prey types of Skomer Puffins, food availability does not appear to limit breeding success. Most birds found food close to the colony, showing peaks of activity early in the day and again in late afternoon; and two out of four experimental pairs were able to rear 'twins', though the growth-rates of these were less than for single chicks. Some interesting observations are given on the feeding of the chick and on kleptoparasitism of adults by Jackdaws and gulls.     

Looking for Food: Molecular Neuroethology of Invertebrate Feeding Behavior

The assignment of complex behavior of animals to the function of specific genes has seen significant advances in the past decade. The advent of modern tools of genetics and genomics permitted analyses that revealed a good number of neural system enriched genes whose products modulate, and whose polymorphism qualitatively or quantitatively influenced invertebrate feeding behavior. The most prominent of these genes are orthologues of foraging (for) and the neuropeptide Y (NPY)/NPY receptor. The former encodes a cyclic‐GMP‐dependent protein kinase, which functional genetics have been characterized in Drosophila melanogaster, Apis mellifera and Caenorhabditis elegans. Allelic variations and changes in the expression of the above genes could influence the initiation of particular feeding behaviors or related social phenotype. These genes have provided the first molecular insights towards feeding behavior in invertebrates. Besides detailed investigations into the neural pathways involved and mechanisms of function of the gene products, parallel studies in other animal models is imperative to understand ecological drivers of animal feeding behavior.     

Sensory Ecology,Evolution,and Behavior

<正>1 Introduction Sensory ecology deals with how animals capture information from their environment,and the sensory systems involved in doing so(Hailman,1977;Lygoe,1979;Dusenbery, 1992;Mappes and Stevens 2010).Although the term     

Sensory Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior

1 Introduction Sensory ecology deals with how animals capture in formation from their environment, and the sensory sys tems involved in doing so (Hailman, 1977; Lythgoe, 1979; Dusenbery, 1992; Mappes and Stevens 2010). Although the term sensory ecology itself is compara tively recent, its basis has a long history, in part due to numerous links with subjects such as neurobiology, physiology, ethology, and evolutionary behavioral ecology.     

Food Transfer and Development of Feeding Behavior and Food-Associated Vocalizations in Cotton-Top Tamarins

Food transfer between adults and infants is common in many marmoset and tamarin monkeys, and is often accompanied by vocalizations. We hypothesized that vocalizations by adults in a food transfer context creates an opportunity for infants to learn not only what foods are appropriate but what vocalizations are appropriate in feeding contexts. We studied the development of feeding behavior and food-associated vocalizations in 10 infant cotton-top tamarins through the first 20 wks of life. Infants obtained solid food through transfers from older group members, primarily the adult male, beginning at weeks 5–6. Both adults and infants vocalized during food transfers with adults, producing rapid sequences of the call types adults normally give when feeding. Infants were usually successful in obtaining food primarily when the adult was vocalizing. The sooner infants were active participants in food transfers, the sooner they began to feed independently. In the early weeks, infants produced a large number of vocal types during food transfers, but with increasing age there was a steady increase in the number of adult-form food calls and a reduction in other, non-food-associated calls. Infants that fed independently at an early age produced fewer non-food-associated calls by the last month of observation. Infants called at higher rates to their most preferred food. Food transfers accompanied by vocalizations may provide an opportunity for infants to learn about appropriate foods as well as the vocalizations that accompany feeding in adults, and may represent a form of 'coaching' or information donation by adults.     

Primate Crop Feeding Behavior,Crop Protection,and Conservation

Many species across a range of primate genera, irrespective of dietary and locomotory specializations, can and will incorporate agricultural crops in their diets. However, although there is little doubt that rapid, extensive conversion of natural habitats to agricultural areas is significantly impacting primate populations, primate crop foraging behaviors cannot be understood solely in terms of animals shifting to cultivated crops to compensate for reduced wild food availability. To understand fully why, how, and when primates might incorporate crops in their dietary repertoire, we need to examine primate crop foraging behavior in the context of their feeding strategies and nutritional ecology. Here I briefly outline current debates about the use of terms such as human–wildlife conflict and crop raiding and why they are misleading, summarize current knowledge about primate crop foraging behavior, and highlight some key areas for future research to support human–primate coexistence in an increasingly anthropogenic world.     

Influence of Dry Season and Food Quality and Quantity on Behavior and Feeding Strategy of Propithecus verreauxi in Kirindy, Madagascar

According to optimal foraging theory, herbivores can base food choice mainly on the quality or the quantity of food, or both. Among herbivorous primates, folivorous lemurs living in the highly seasonal environment of Madagascar have to cope with the shortage of high-quality food during the dry season, at least in deciduous forests. We studied (Verreaux's sifaka) in Kirindy, western Madagascar, to understand the influence of dry season and food quality and quantity on behavioral patterns and feeding strategy (qualitative vs. quantitative dietary choice) of a folivorous lemur in a deciduous forest. We followed 7 groups (4 groups/period; 3 individuals/group/month) during 4 periods of the year (wet season: February–March; early/middle/late dry season: May–June; July–September; October–November). We collected samples of plants eaten and examined behavioral and feeding patterns, considering food quality (macronutrients, proteins/fibers ratio, and tannins) and abundance. We found 1) a significant reduction of home range, core area, and daily path length from the wet to the dry season, possibly related to dietary change and 2) a daily period of inactivity in the dry season for energy conservation. Regarding the feeding strategy, Kirindy sifakas showed 1) high variation and selection in choosing food items and 2) a dietary choice based mainly on quality: Kirindy sifakas fed on plant species/families independently from their abundance and tannins represented a feeding deterrent during the dry season. Overall, behavioral and dietary adaptations allow Kirindy sifakas to overcome the shortage of high-quality food in the lean period.     

Feeding Ecology and Regurgitation–Reingestion Behavior of the Critically Endangered Indri indri in the Maromizaha Protected Area,Eastern Madagascar

International Journal of Primatology - Deforestation around the world is a major threat to primates. Understanding primate species’ habitat and dietary requirements is critical in creating...     

Reproductive Behavior, Captive Breeding, and Restoration Ecology of Endangered Fishes

Species recovery efforts generally focus on in situ actions such as habitat protection. However, captive breeding can also provide critical life history information, as well as helping supplement existing or restoring extirpated populations. We have successfully propagated nine species in captivity, including blackside dace, spotfin chubs, bloodfin darters, and boulder darters. Threatened blackside dace, Phoxinus cumberlandensis, were induced to spawn in laboratory aquaria by exposing them to milt from a reproductively mature male stoneroller, Campostoma anomalum or river chub, Nocomis micropogon. The latter are nest-building minnows, with which Phoxinus may spawn in nature. Eggs are broadcast among gravel and pebbles. Blackside dace individuals reared in captivity were used for translocation. Threatened spotfin chubs, Cyprinella monacha, fractional crevice spawners, deposited eggs in laboratory aquaria in the spaces created between stacks of ceramic tiles. Captively produced spotfin chubs were used as part of a larger stream restoration and fish reintroduction project in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The bloodfin darter, Etheostoma sanguifluum, was first used as a surrogate to develop techniques for spawning a closely related species, the endangered boulder darter, E. wapiti. Both darter species mated in a wedge created between two ceramic tiles. Our efforts have had variable but generally high success, with survival rates of 50–90% of eggs deposited. Captive production of nongame fishes can aid recovery of rare species or populations, aid in watershed restoration, and can help to refine water quality standards. In addition, captive breeding allows discovery of important behavioral or life history characteristics that may constrain reproduction of rare species in altered natural habitats.     

新疆阿勒泰地区粉红椋鸟的繁殖生态及雏鸟食性研究

研究了新疆阿勒泰地区粉红椋鸟的繁殖生态学及雏鸟的食性.粉红椋鸟每窝产卵数2～6枚不等,育雏高峰在每日的9:30～13:30,孵化率为96.45%±18.95%,雏鸟成活率为89.38%±14.99%,觅食范围在4 km半径范围内,雏鸟多以直翅目(蝗虫)为食(占94.07%),也有少量鳞翅目和鞘翅目昆虫.阿勒泰地区粉红椋鸟的产卵日期晚于其他地区,孵化率及雏鸟成活率高于其他地区.建议在草原上设置砖堆招引粉红椋鸟,其效果高于石堆巢.     

Changes in Baboon Feeding Behavior: Maturity-dependent Fruit and Seed Size Selection within a Food Plant Species

Despite considerable inter- and intraindividual variation in fruit and seed size in many plant species, researchers have given little attention to the relevance of the traits for primate fruit choice within a food plant species and its implications for tree regeneration. We studied feeding behavior and selectivity of olive baboons (Papio anubis) in the African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa, Mimosaceae), via direct observations of habituated groups and indirect evidence from leftovers of pods after feeding events. Olive baboons acted as both seed predators and dispersers for Parkia biglobosa. They fed on and destroyed unripe seeds, and swallowed intact ripe seeds when consuming mature fruit pulp. Predation rate was high, and only 10% of the seeds were dispersed. Predation and dispersal of seeds is linked to seed number and size. Digestible unripe seeds accounted for 10% of the unripe fruit mass, while indigestible ripe seeds made up 28% of the mature fruit mass. With these constraints, olive baboons increased food gain per fruit by selecting unripe pods containing a high number of large and heavy seeds. Consequently, only pods with fewer and smaller seeds remained for maturation. Thereafter, baboons fed on mature pods containing the smallest seeds, and exploited pods with more seeds to a greater extent than those with fewer seeds. Thus, fruits with small seeds and an intermediate seed number contributed the most to dispersal by baboons.     

饲养条件下织金瘰螈摄食行为的观察

采用室内饲养观察与食物投喂实验相结合的方法,于2011年9月²012年4月研究了织金瘰螈Paramesotriton zhijinensis摄食行为和食物选择。结果表明:织金瘰螈特别喜食的食物包括扁卷螺、萝卜螺、蝌蚪、水丝蚓;较为喜食的食物包括椎实螺、环毛蚓、彩石鲋、蝇蛆、小无齿蚌、河虾、褐栉鰕虎鱼;偶食的食物包括环棱螺、黄粉虫、蜻蜓稚虫、螺类卵带、水生昆虫及幼虫。织金瘰螈发现食物目标靠视觉,判断食物性质靠嗅觉。摄食方式为吞食性摄食。摄食策略主要采取伏击法,并结合搜索法。摄食过程包括:发现食物,靠近并迅速张口咬住食物,食物挣扎时,紧咬不动,食物不动时,借助甩头将食物逐步吞进口腔,进入口腔的食物,通过闭嘴、抬头、头颈后仰、撑起前肢协助进入食道和胃。影响摄食的主要生态因子包括光照、水温和食物密度。     

Winter Food and Feeding requirements of the Starling

The Starling is an increasing and highly successful species. This study suggests that in large part this is due to its ability to utilise grain and household waste products, which enables it to survive in severe winter weather when natural foods are unobtainable.