不同丰容方式对圈养成年山魈行为影响的试验

于2011年对成都动物园饲养的8只成年圈养山魈进行3种食物丰容、2种环境丰容及5种食物与环境丰容试验,考察不同形式丰容方式对圈养山魈行为的影响.结果表明,第一期丰容试验(B)后,山魈的休息行为、运动行为和玩耍行为增加极显著(P＜0.01),而交往行为和取食行为减少极显著(P＜0.01);第二期丰容(D)后,休息行为减少极显著,交往行为增加显著,运动行为、采食行为和玩耍行为增加极显著.山魈对纯轮胎丰容方式的接触次数最少,而对食物丰容方式接触次数更多.有两种丰容方式(纯轮胎丰容和纯轮胎+纯麻袋丰容)仅持续很短的时间即失去作用,其余的丰容方式一般在第8d出现兴趣下降的现象,因此建议每种丰容方式的持续使用时间不超过8d.     

圈养大熊猫食物丰容对其行为影响的研究

于2006年3、4、7、8月选用成都动物园圈养的两只雄性大熊猫进行了3 种以食物不同投喂方式的丰容试验,即在其生活环境中分别加入装有食物的PVC管和轮胎以及冰冻食物,采用瞬时取样法对其行为变化进行观察,并对所有刻板行为采取行为取样法进行观察记录.结果 表明,冰冻食物丰容显著增加了大熊猫与运动相关的行为,而轮胎和PVC食物丰容对大熊猫的日常行为影响不显著,但是3种丰容方式对减少刻板行为发生频次有不同程度的积极作用.     

丰容对圈养赤斑羚活动时间分配的影响

2010年11月—2013年2月,以上海动物园繁殖场内的10只赤斑羚(Naemorhedus cranbrooki)为研究对象,分别进行了2次环境丰容和食物丰容,分析了丰容前后对圈养赤斑羚活动时间分配的影响。结果表明:在加入丰容设施后,赤斑羚的卧息和刻板行为明显减少,摄食、移动和修饰行为明显增加,与预期结果一致;进一步增加丰容设施的复杂性后,卧息行为明显减少,移动和修饰行为明显增加,但其他几种行为变化不明显,未达到预期效果。在食物丰容阶段,卧息和其他行为有所减少,站立行为有所增加,但以上3种行为变化都不明显,未达到预期效果。在对丰容设施的利用上,进行食物丰容和增加丰容设施的复杂性有效地促进了赤斑羚对丰容设施的利用,分别使赤斑羚在丰容设施上活动的时间百分比由2.07%和1.44%提高到12.17%和10.83%。首次加入丰容设施后,赤斑羚在丰容设施上主要以站立行为为主;进一步增加环境复杂度后,赤斑羚在此设施上主要行为变为卧息行为。食物丰容前,赤斑羚在丰容设施上主要行为是站立行为;在食物丰容阶段,赤斑羚主要的行为变成了摄食行为。     

丰容对圈养雌性岩羊活动时间分配的影响

为了探究环境丰容和食物丰容对岩羊行为和活动节律的影响,于2017年3月—7月,以上海动物园的5只雌性岩羊(Pseudois nayaur)为研究对象,设计环境丰容和食物丰容试验,利用瞬时扫描法对岩羊进行行为学观察,分析岩羊丰容前后昼间行为的变化。结果表明:经过环境丰容,岩羊的运动行为和反刍行为显著增加,卧息行为和其他行为显著减少,取食行为无明显变化。在环境丰容基础上,开展食物丰容后,运动行为明显减少,取食行为明显增加。卧息行为有所减少、反刍行为和其他行为有所增加,但变化均不明显。丰容后岩羊的昼间活动节律也发生了变化。取食行为呈现2个高峰期(8:00—11:00和15:00—18:00),取食行为普遍提高;运动行为在13:30—17:30时段较丰容前提前一个小时左右发生;卧息行为有相似的波动规律,但丰容后其昼间发生频次在16:00之前均降低;反刍行为波动最大,呈现出明显的2个高峰期(6:00—9:00和10:00—15:00)。试验表明,在进行环境和食物丰容后,岩羊的活动增加,优化了时间分配,福利状况得到了有效改善。     

圈养灵长动物丰容方法研究

圈养灵长类动物处在区别于野外的生境和游客压力等因素下,其行为和生理上都会发生一系列的变化。其中最为显著的是表现出一些异常行为,包括刻板行为、自残和过度修饰等。这些行为的出现通常和圈养条件较差有关。一般可以通过环境丰容的方法减少异常行为的发生．提高圈养灵长类动物的福利。在灵长类动物的环境丰容方法中,最为普遍的方法包括改善圈养环境条件、取食丰容、感官丰容、运动刺激和社群丰容。这些丰容手段被证明能有效减少刻板行为的发生,增加行为的多样性,可在灵长类动物圈养中广泛推广。     

环境丰容对圈养灰鹦鹉日常行为的影响

于2008年1、2、6、7月通过改变食物投喂方式、给予玩具、在环境中增加带皮的树干等方式,对两只饲养于成都动物园的灰鹦鹉实施了丰容试验,观察了丰容前、后及丰容期间的行为.结果表明,灰鹦鹉的日常行为有10多种,其中发生最多的行为是休息行为,其次为观望行为以及梳理行为.统计分析表明,灰鹦鹉丰容试验中鸣叫、啃树皮的行为显著高于丰容前、后(P<0.05);丰容期间休息行为显著低于丰容前、后阶段(P<0.01).环境丰容增加了灰鹦鹉行为活动,同时还减少了咬毛、咬脚趾等不良刻板行为的发生,提高了展出效果.     

基于正交试验设计开展的黑猩猩 食物丰容效果研究

基于正交试验设计,对上海动物园8头黑猩猩(Pan troglodytes)进行食物丰容(木丝、麻袋和竹筒)对取食行为影响的研究,利用正交试验设计试验因素和水平,采用所有事件取样法记录丰容前后黑猩猩取食行为的持续时间。结果表明,通过正交试验设计,能够有效对不同的试验方案进行排序。本研究中,对黑猩猩取食行为影响的主次顺序依次为木丝麻袋竹筒;不同食物丰容方式对成年雄性取食行为影响不显著,所有成年雌性丰容后取食行为增加,且取食占比比雄性高,幼年个体在丰容后取食行为占比降低。3种丰容方式对成年雄性和幼年个体的取食行为都没有显著影响。对4头成年雌性黑猩猩的最优丰容组合为木丝和麻袋(有无竹筒都可),对1头亚成年雌性黑猩猩的最优组合为木丝(有无竹筒和麻袋都可)。木丝对成年雌性取食行为的影响极显著(P 0.01),竹筒对每个个体行为影响均不显著(P 0.05),麻袋对部分个体影响不显著(P 0.05)。     

环境丰容对笼养葵花凤头鹦鹉（Cacatua galerita）行为的影响

2009年7月-8月对上海动物园3只葵花凤头鹦鹉进行展区环境丰容试验,包括悬挂玩具、制作道具及增加取食难度等,采用瞬时扫描法记录并分析丰容前后葵花凤头鹦鹉的行为节律及对环境空间的利用特征.研究结果表明：葵花凤头鹦鹉的警戒、休息和走动行为在不同个体间存在显著差异（Kruskal Wallis test,P＜0.01）;环境丰容对葵花凤头鹗鹉的日常行为在时间分配和空间分布上均存在显著影响（Goodness of Fit test,P＜0.05）.主要表现为休息行为减少,活动增加;丰容区域利用增多,非丰容区域利用减少.环境丰容有利于减少动物的刻板行为、增加行为多样性,提高动物福利,同时应基于不同个体的特征和习性,有针对性的开展相应的丰容措施.     

狒狒圈舍废弃栖杠的嗅觉丰容对圈养食肉动物行为的影响

单调的饲养环境是导致圈养食肉动物表现刻板行为的主要原因之一。为减少圈养动物刻板行为的发生,探索便于操作、经济且有效的丰容方式是动物饲养管理者面临的一个挑战。本研究以狒狒圈舍废弃栖杠作为嗅觉丰容材料,对北京动物园小型(9种)、中型(4种)和大型(7种)食肉动物进行嗅觉丰容实验。在非投喂时段,采用扫描动物取样和瞬时记录法,分别对28只动物在丰容前后的5种行为进行观察和比较分析。结果显示,小型和中型食肉动物在丰容后对旧设施的使用频次显著下降(小型：P=0.026;中型：P=0.038),而大型食肉动物无显著变化(P> 0.05)。仅小型食肉动物的刻板性走动、休息和观望行为频次显著下降(走动：P=0.023;休息：P=0.023;观望：P=0.017),其他类群的各类行为均无显著变化(P> 0.05)。同时,丰容后小型食肉动物的行为多样性指数显著降低(P=0.008),主要表现为动物花费较多的时间探究新的丰容设施;中型和大型食肉动物的行为多样性指数变化不显著。结果表明,使用带有狒狒身体气味的栖杠进行嗅觉丰容,仅对小型食肉动物有效,对中型和大型食肉动物无效。研究认为,以其他动物圈舍的...     

环境丰容对长期单笼圈养食蟹猴行为的影响

目的观察环境丰容对长期单笼圈养食蟹猴行为学的影响。方法 30只食蟹猴(雌雄各半)随机均分为对照组(A组,n=15)和环境丰容组(B组,n=15),分别圈养在规格为0.7 m×0.8 m×0.9 m(宽×长×高)的单笼内。对照组单笼内仅设有食槽和饮水器,面向墙壁;环境丰容组置于另一个房间,单笼内除设有食槽和饮水器外,还有吊环、不锈钢球以及增加采食难度的小石块和塑料瓶,单笼对面设有镜子(猴子能看到自己和邻近的同类),同时间隔播放模拟海水声、雷鸣雨声及鸟叫声等自然音响。实验周期3个月,期间由固定观察员于上午和下午各观察记录一次食蟹猴出现的异常行为,如吸指(趾)、吮生殖器、刻板转圈、踱步、自伤、拔毛癖、嗜粪癖等。结果随着时间的延长,2组单笼圈养食蟹猴均出现不同程度的异常行为,其中对照组的异常行为发生率明显高于环境丰容组(P0.05)。结论环境丰容对降低长期单笼圈养食蟹猴异常行为有显著影响。     

The role of sex steroids in courtship, pairing and pairing behaviors in the socially monogamous zebra finch

The purpose of this study was to test whether sex steroid actions are necessary for courtship and pairing in socially monogamous birds. We examined the effects of an aromatase inhibitor, 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione (ATD), combined with an anti-androgen, flutamide (F), on the behavior and pairing status of initially unpaired male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). In the first experiment, 24 adult males were implanted with either a combination of ATD and flutamide or empty implants. Two weeks after implantation, birds were housed in aviaries containing 3 ATD + F males, 3 control males, and 3 females and allowed 2 weeks to pair, with observations 7 times during the 2-week period. A second experiment tested the effects of these same treatments in females. During the first 4 days of testing, ATD + F males were less likely to attack conspecifics than were control males. ATD + F males were also less likely to "greet," or approach, females than were control males, but other courtship behaviors, including directed singing, were unaffected. ATD + F females did not differ from control females on any courtship behavior measured. Furthermore, these treatments did not affect pairing behaviors (time spent clumping or in a nest box together) or the likelihood of pairing with a partner of the opposite sex. ATD + F treatments in females did, however, increase the likelihood of same-sex pairing. This suggests that, although sex steroids may regulate some courtship behaviors in males, they do not regulate pairing behaviors and have little effect on the likelihood that a male or female will be chosen as a mate by a bird of the opposite sex.     

Early experience shapes the development of behavioral repertoires of hatchling snakes

Snakes are obligate predatory organisms that consume prey whole, and despite their precocious nature, snakes must develop effective feeding skills, especially when encountering large prey. I conducted two experiments that document the development of behavioral repertoires for naïve hatchling trinket snakes, Coleognathus helena. In the first experiment, I examined how experience with prey of different relative prey mass encountered at regular feeding intervals affects hatchling feeding response. I also examined whether hatchling feeding performance improved over time. Improvement was evaluated on the frequency of the most effective behavioral states such as complex prey restraint behaviors and anterior-first ingestion. In the second experiment I tested whether feeding experience with prey of a particular size influences the way hatchlings respond to a novel prey size. All hatchlings improved their predatory behavior when prey size and number of trials were controlled. Hatchlings feeding on larger prey, however, showed greater overall improvement in their feeding behavior and were quick to integrate complex prey restraint behaviors such as constriction into their feeding repertoire. Despite the fact that early experience with one prey size seemed to shape their restraint repertoire during their first four feeding events, hatchlings remained flexible and responded to prey of a novel size with size-specific prey restraint behaviors.     

Aromatase inhibition blocks the expression of sexually-motivated cloacal gland movements in male quail

In Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), activation of appetitive and consummatory aspects of male sexual behavior requires aromatization of testosterone (T) into estrogens. Appetitive male sexual behavior (ASB) is usually assessed with the use of a learned social proximity procedure. In the present experiment, we investigated the role of estrogens in the activation of an another index of ASB, the female-induced activation of rhythmic cloacal sphincter movements (RCSMs) that are produced in reaction to the visual presentation of a female. Consummatory sexual behavior (CSB) was also assessed by the frequency and latency of copulatory behaviors. Castrated male quail were treated with Silastic implants filled with T in association with chronic injections of the aromatase inhibitor Vorozole (R83842; 1mg/kg twice a day; CX + T + VOR group). Control birds were implanted with T capsules only (CX + T group). CSB was almost completely blocked by injections of the aromatase inhibitor. The RCSM frequency decreased progressively in the CX + T + VOR group by comparison with the CX + T group and was therefore significantly reduced at the end of the experiment. These results demonstrate that the frequency of RCSM, a second measure of ASB is, like the social proximity response and CSB, blocked by inhibition of estrogen production. It was shown previously that lesions of the preoptic area inhibit both aspects of the appetitive sexual behavior (proximity response and RCSM). It is therefore, likely that both responses are controlled, like copulation, by aromatase-containing neurons of the preoptic area.     

Oviposition in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Heliconius erato</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera,Nymphalidae): how Essential Is Drumming Behavior for Host-Plant Selection?

Quantitative studies on the behavioral events involved in oviposition by phytophagous insects are scant. One of these events is drumming behavior, a rapid extension of forelegs after landing on a host, which remains largely under studied. In this study, quali- and quantitative analyses of Heliconius erato phyllis (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) oviposition events and drumming behavior in relation to both preferred (Passiflora misera and P. suberosa) and non-preferred (P. caerulea and P. alata) hosts were performed. For the first time, drumming behavior is described by images made during the butterfly oviposition process. The same set of females was assigned to both single- and multiple-choice tests under insectary conditions, and their behaviors toward each host were recorded on video. The resulting images were analyzed frame by frame. Both frequency and duration of behavioral events related to oviposition varied on preferred vs non-preferred hosts. On preferred hosts, behaviors that were associated with egg deposition (inspecting flight, drumming and abdomen touching) were pronounced; subsequently, oviposition occurred within a few seconds. On non-preferred host plants, behaviors that did not predict oviposition (flying and resting) predominated, and oviposition on these hosts was negligible. Drumming occurred on all plants and resulted in a faster decision-making process on high-quality hosts (prompt acceptance) as well as on lethal hosts (prompt rejection) compared to the host that confers poor larval performance (delayed rejection). Thus, drumming is crucial for decision-making related in host-plant selection by H. erato phyllis, and influences other behaviors involved in the oviposition process.     

The social development of free-ranging infantLemur catta at Berenty reserve,Madagascar

The social development of 11 free-ranging infantLemur catta was examined over the first 16 weeks of the infants' lives. By 16 weeks, infants still occasionally suckled and were carried dorsally, but on the whole, they were independent of their mothers. Sex or mother's rank was not found to affect frequency or type of play behavior. Mother's rank had no effect on frequency of maternal rejections, from the nipple or from riding, but female infants were rejected slightly more frequently than males were. Mothers tended to reject infants more severely and more frequently from dorsal riding than from the nipple. Sex and rank differences were not found with respect to behaviors determined as measures of independence; however, lower-ranking infants engaged in significantly more dependent behaviors than higher-ranking young did. It may be necessary for the infant of a low-ranking mother to maintain closer proximity to its mother for a longer period of time during infancy because such infants may be subject to abuse by higher-ranking group members and, furthermore, may not be as readily rescued in a stressful or dangerous situation as a higher-ranking infant. Sex was not found to be a factor in terms of measures of dependence. The lack of sex differences in developmental behaviors in this species may be related to female dominance, as well as to the fact that, as adults, both sexes engage in aggressive territorial behavirs.     

Relationship between Serum Testosterone, Dominance and Mating Success in Père David's Deer Stags

We conducted an experiment in the Beijing Milu Park to study the social behavior of male Père David's deer, and related social behavior to social position and serum testosterone level of the stags during rut. We classified the stags into three rank classes according to their rutting behavior: ‘harem master’, ‘challenger’ and ‘bachelor’. We monitored the behaviors of four ‘harem masters’, five ‘challengers’ and five ‘bachelors’, and analyzed serum testosterone levels in blood samples of those 14 stags using radioimmunoassay. We defined the effectiveness value, E = A/T, to assess the effectiveness of herding or mating attempts made by stags (‘T’ represents the frequency of herding or mating attempts made by a stag and ‘A’ represents the frequency of herding or mating attempts accepted by hinds). We found that: (1) the ‘harem masters’ and the ‘challengers’ displayed more frequent rut and locomotive behaviors but fewer ingestion behaviors than the ‘bachelors’; (2) serum testosterone levels in the ‘harem masters’ and the ‘challengers’ were higher than that in the ‘bachelors’; (3) effectiveness value of herding attempts differed significantly between the three types of stags, being highest in the ‘harem masters’ and the lowest in the ‘bachelors’; and (4) effectiveness value of mating attempts was significantly greater for the ‘harem masters’ than for the ‘challengers’. We conclude that: (1) reproductive behavior of the Père David's deer stags is strongly associated with social rank; (2) social roles of Père David's deer stags during the rut are related to the testosterone secretion; and (3) rank class affects the mating opportunity of the stags.     

雄性麋鹿的交配机会、社会等级和皮质醇水平

我们在北京麋鹿苑研究了发情期雄性麋鹿的社会行为、社会等级和血清皮质醇水平,并分析了三者间的相互关系。按照雄性麋鹿的行为,将雄性麋鹿分为优势群和从属群。优势群包括群主和挑战者,从属群包括单身汉和被淘汰群主。使用SJ—Ⅰ型事件记录器进行常规行为取样,用放射免疫分析法测定血清皮质醇含量。发现：(1)优势雄鹿的发情行为频次明显高于从属雄鹿;(2)攻击行为的发生频次在两组间无显著差异;(3)血清皮质醇含量在两组间也无显著差异。由此我们认为,发情期雄性麋鹿的社会等级序位影响许多行为的表达,优势雄鹿成功交配的机会比从属雄鹿多。而攻击行为和肾上腺皮质醇的分泌与社群等级无明显相关,可能是麋鹿在圈养状态下的一种适应策略,这将有利于缓解发情期雄鹿的紧张,从而允许更多的能量投放在发情交配上。     

Homosexual behavior in male goats is more frequent during breeding season and in bucks isolated from females

Male homosexual behavior is observed in many ruminant species; seasonality and isolation from females may affect the display of male–male sexual behavior. Our objectives were to determine whether: 1) homosexual behavior has a seasonal pattern in male goats (Capra hircus); 2) isolation from female goats influences the frequency of the display of homosexual behavior; and 3) the frequency of homosexual behaviors is related to testosterone concentration. Bucks were housed in a pen adjacent to another pen with 3 estrous goats (FC group) or in complete isolation from females (IF group). Homosexual behaviors and testosterone concentrations were recorded in October, December, February and May. Frequencies of penile display and flehmen increased in May and were observed more frequently in the IF than in the FC group. Ano-genital sniffing was more frequent in February and May and was more frequent in IF than in FC bucks. Lateral approaches were more frequent in May, in which period this was more frequently observed in IF bucks. Mount attempts and mounts were only observed in IF bucks. Testosterone concentrations increased from December to February and decreased in May, although they were still greater than in October and December. In May IF bucks had greater testosterone concentrations than FC bucks. Testosterone concentrations were only related to the number of lateral approaches in IF bucks in December. In conclusion, homosexual behavior was more frequent during the late breeding season than during the early and the non-breeding seasons, and in males isolated from females than in males housed near estrous females. Testosterone concentrations appear to be unrelated to homosexual behavior.     

Mechanism of vestibular adaptation of fish under microgravity.

In a space experiment, the adaptation of goldfish behavior during flight and readaptation after landing were investigated. Six goldfish (1 normal, 1 with otoliths removed on both sides, 4 with otoliths removed on one side) were flown in a fish package (F/P) of Aquatic Animal Experiment Unit (AAEU). The dorsal light responses (DLRs) of fish with otoliths removed were recorded after operation until launch and after landing. The behaviors of the fish were recorded with a video camera on Mission Elapsed Time (MET) Day-00, 02, 05, 08, 12. On MET Day-00, two fish with otoliths removed on one side showed flexion of body toward the operated side. These fish also showed rolling behavior toward the operated side. However, the body flexion disappeared on MET Day-05 or MET Day-08. No rolling behaviors were observed after that time. Five fish showed backward looping behaviors during the mission. Although the frequency of looping episodes decreased after MET Day-08, five fish still showed looping behavior on MET Day-12, that was the last day of video recording on orbit. In microgravity, visual system of fish did not seem to provide sufficient cues to prevent them from looping or rolling. After landing, no looping and rolling behavior was observed. However, the tilt angle of the DLR increased in the fish with otolith removed 5 month before launch but not in normal fish and those with otoliths removed 2 weeks before launch. These results suggest that the behavioral dysfunction and the adaptational process in space are dependent on vestibular inputs.     

Mating behavior ofXylotrechus pyrrhoderus Bates (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) V. Female mounting behavior

Female mounting behavior was observed in the grape borerXylotrechus pyrrhoderus Bates (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) under laboratory conditions. This behavior was directed towards either females (i.e., female homosexual mounting) or males. The female homosexual mounting was strongly elicited in females which had previously been allowed to fly. The frequency of this behavior was not related to the experience of mating. The investigation of the daily temporal pattern in female homosexual mounting activity indicated that the behavior most frequently occurred between 12∶00 and 16∶00, i.e., when females were searching for the pheromone-releasing males. Oviposition was also observed during this time interval. A detailed analysis revealed female mounting behaviors which are characteristic of male mounting behaviors, such as chasing conspecifics and synchronism of licking and abdominal bending. On the other hand, the frequency of male homosexual mounting was lower than that of females. Taken together with cases of other species previously reported, the expression of mounting behavior in females may be related to the evolution of the reproductive system, in which females approach their mates.