Articles tagged with Ethology
A study by Konstanz biologists reveals that the moths use visual feedback to move and correct the movement of their proboscis, similar to humans grasping objects. The animals' efficient way of working is also great models for applied research in robotics and understanding the visual control of appendages.
Researchers from Osaka University have developed a small sensor-based data logger that automatically detects and records video of infrequent behaviors in wild seabirds. The bio-logger uses low-power sensors and artificial intelligence to capture rare behaviors, such as head-shaking and foraging habits, without needing human supervision.
Researchers found that dogs react negatively to deterioration in reward quality in some tasks but not others. In tests with cooked liver and dry food, dogs were slower and more reluctant to work when the liver was replaced with kibble.
Scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a non-invasive, pain-free method to reprogram canine stem cells from urine samples, creating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) without feeder cells. This breakthrough aims to advance veterinary regenerative treatment and genetic disease research.
A research team at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center discovered a unique sodium pump variant in brine shrimp that enables them to thrive in high-salinity environments. This NKA variant uses more energy than common variants, allowing the animal to maintain steeper Na+ gradients.
Researchers found that one group of vervet monkeys exhibited more affiliative behavior and reciprocated grooming, suggesting a social tradition. This discovery challenges the idea that ecological differences explain behavioral variations and highlights the importance of social influence in shaping primate cultures.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that a group of exceptionally gifted dogs, known as Gifted Word Learners (GWLs), share common characteristics. The researchers identified 41 dogs from various breeds and countries with the ability to learn hundreds of toy names, highlighting their unique talent for language acquisition.
A survey of 924 cat owners found that 59% of cats who played fetch did so up to ten times per month, with cats initiating and ending games more often than their owners. Cats tend to control games of fetch with their owners and may continue play until owners end them.
A recent Cornell University study found that wasps which can recognize individual faces tend to have better social interactions and exhibit stronger cognitive abilities than those who cannot recognize individuals. This suggests an evolutionary link between facial recognition and cooperation.
Eurasian jays wait for higher-quality food when alone but choose low-quality reward with competitor birds present. Researchers studied delayed gratification in New Caledonian crows and Eurasian jays.
Researchers found that Eurasian jays settle for less preferred food options when rivals are present, while New Caledonian crows consistently choose the better, delayed reward. The study suggests that species' social tolerance and competition levels influence self-control in animals.
Research from Michigan State University reveals that spotted hyenas form mobs based on strong social relationships and can cooperate even when there's no obvious benefit. The study found that female hyenas were more likely to join mobs when there were no male lions present.
Scientists developed an AI method to track neurons in moving and deforming animals using convolutional neural networks with targeted augmentation. This breakthrough reduces manual annotation efforts by three times, enabling faster analysis of brain activity in model organisms like Caenorhabditis elegans.
A study by Eötvös Loránd University found that dogs are more skilled than cats in choosing food rewards based on human pointing. The researchers tested 62 indoor family cats and 30 dogs, with dogs finding the reward significantly more frequently, while cats became less willing to choose over time.
Researchers from Kyoto University found that two species of land snails exhibit opposite behaviors in response to predator-like stimuli. The species K gainesi accelerates its forward movement to escape predators, while its nocturnal relative K editha retreats into its shell.
Researchers analyzed bones from 52 sacrificed animals at the well-preserved site of Casas del Turuñuelo, revealing a pattern of repeated mass animal sacrifice in Iron Age Spain. The study sheds light on ritual protocols and intentional selection of adult horses over young animals.
A recent study at Eötvös Loránd University found that 'smarter' dogs process information similarly to humans, with object appearance mattering as much as its location. The researchers measured spatial bias in 82 dogs and found that those with better cognitive performance linked objects more easily to places.
Researchers discovered two new strategies used by hummingbirds to transit small gaps, including a sideways scooch and tuck-and-glide technique. These adaptations enable the birds to maneuver through dense environments with improved accuracy and control.
Researchers studied mountain goats' behavior in Glacier National Park, finding that ear flicks showed a strong correlation with the presence of snow. The lack of summer snow patches may increase their risk of local extirpation due to increased tick infestations.
Researchers found that quasimodo (qsm) gene helps sync feeding to light/dark cycles, while genes clock (clk) and cycle (cyc) govern eating/fasting cycles. This discovery sheds light on animal behavior and potential treatments for eating disorders.
A study led by primatologist Gisela Kopp identified the Horn of Africa as the region of origin for ancient Egyptian mummified baboons. Genetic analysis and comparisons with historical records linked Punt to Adulis, suggesting two names for the same place used at different times.
Researchers used behavioral and live brain imaging studies to understand why food-sated fruit flies avoid cooler temperatures. They found that insulin signaling modulators play a key role in regulating thermosensation under different feeding states.
Researchers will study the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among deer, including captive and wild populations, as well as its relationship with humans and the environment. The project aims to understand disease ecology in whole systems and inform better management practices for deer producers.
Researchers found that exposure to the aggregation pheromone 4,8-dimethyldecanal reduces death-feigning duration in red flour beetles, allowing them to save time and increase survival chances. Sex-related differences in death feigning behavior were also observed, with males exhibiting longer durations.
A study found that flat-faced breeds like English and French bulldogs rely more heavily on humans during problem-solving tasks, leading to lower task success rates. This trait may contribute to the strong social bond between owners and these breeds, but the study's findings do not confirm a genetic predisposition.
New research finds that pied tamarins increase scent marking in response to urban noise pollution, which affects their vocal communication. This adaptation may help them cope with the impact of human activity on their habitat.
Researchers argue that equipping animals with sensors can provide valuable, localized data on environmental conditions impacted by climate change. The technology can help fill critical data gaps, particularly in remote areas.
Accelerometer sensors can detect sickness behavior in wild boar, allowing for early detection of African Swine Fever. The study found that infected boars were 10-20% less active daily than healthy ones, making this technology a potential tool for disease control and prevention.
Researchers have developed SMART-BARN, a cutting-edge technology lab for complex behavioral analysis. The facility can host hundreds of animals simultaneously and track their movements in 3D, allowing for unprecedented insights into collective behavior.
Researchers found that mothers' social environment predicts their sons' reproductive tactics, such as sneaking or guarding females. A biased female sex ratio in the maternal generation leads to increased male-male competition, resulting in more males and intense mating behaviors.
Researchers found pronounced growth spurts in both body weight and length in bonobos, mirroring patterns seen in humans. The study's scale-corrected approach revealed similar hormone surges and corresponding growth curves in both species, highlighting a potential evolutionary connection.
A study found that dogs are more sensitive to speech directed at them than adult-directed speech, with a greater response to female voices. The researchers measured dog brain activity via fMRI and found that the sensitivity was affected by voice pitch and variation.
A study by Ohio State University found that urban coyote cortisol levels are higher than those in suburban or natural areas. Chronic stress is also linked to poor physical condition, such as mange infection, and the responsibility of running a pack, with alpha individuals experiencing high stress levels.
Researchers found that nematode worm larvae can leap through the air and attach themselves to passing insects when exposed to certain electric fields. They observed dauer larvae consistently moving towards the lid of a petri dish, some reaching it in a fraction of a second.
Researchers discovered that stimulating dopamine neurons in mice's midbrain triggers orofacial movements, which are linked to brain-wide neuronal activities. The study identified two distinct orofacial movements: transient actions upon reward expectation and active, sustained movements upon receiving a reward.
Researchers discovered that adult and aged mice demonstrated improved performance in behavioral tasks after environmental enrichment, with MSK1 playing a vital role. The study highlights the importance of MSK1 in converting positive experiences into cognitive benefits across the lifespan.
Neon tetra fish use queuing behavior to evacuate through narrow openings without colliding or clogging. The species maintains a constant evacuation rate through all opening sizes, with the last few fish exiting more slowly.
Researchers have discovered that rattlesnakes can modulate each other's stress responses when in the presence of a companion, similar to human behavior. This phenomenon, known as social buffering, was observed in wild-caught snakes in Southern California and persisted even after hibernation or mating.
A study by Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior found that American mink can regain almost full ancestral brain size within 50 generations after escaping captivity. This reverses the long-held assumption that domestication causes permanent brain size loss in animals.
Researchers found that migrant male orangutan males use 'peering' behavior to observe local individuals and learn about new ecological knowledge, including how to process difficult-to-eat foods. This ability provides a survival advantage and is likely ancestral in the hominin lineage.
A Virginia Tech study found that hellbender fathers are more likely to eat their eggs in deforested areas, leading to a drastic increase in filial cannibalism. The research suggests that protecting and re-establishing forest cover around streams is crucial for the species' survival.
Researchers found that cooperative dog breeds outperformed independent ones when watching a human demonstrator in the 'V-shaped fence detour' task. The study highlights the role of functional breed selection in dogs' social learning skills, shedding light on elements of dog-human cooperation.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley biologist Robert Dudley found that hummingbirds happily sip from sugar water with up to 1% alcohol by volume, without being repelled by it. The research suggests that birds are likely consuming ethanol produced by natural fermentation in flowers and nectar-filled feeders.
Researchers discovered that leaf-cutting ants use the position of their hind legs gripping the leaf edge and head position to guide cutting trajectory. The ants adapt their technique to cut smaller elliptical portions when faced with thick leaves, using a combination of sensory information.
Research found that flat-faced dog enthusiasts tend to be sociable, empathetic, and unaware of the dogs' health signals, considering health problems as normal breed characteristics. This study highlights the need to educate dog owners about the importance of health issues being abnormal and unacceptable.
The study found that poison frog tadpoles developing in clear environments can visually discriminate between predators, while those in darker environments exhibit weaker responses. This research provides insight into the visual plasticity of animals in response to environmental change and its implications for habitat disturbance.
A recent study on canine brain networks has provided insights into the evolution of human brain function, revealing that the cingulate cortex played a central role in mammalian brain development. The research used fMRI to analyze brain activity in dogs and identified functional networks that differ from those in humans.
Researchers have uncovered the oldest known architectural plans of human-made mega structures, dated to between 7,000 and 8,000 years ago. These engravings depict desert kites used to trap wild animals, showcasing a milestone in intelligent behavior and spatial representation.
A new holistic framework evaluates mental and psychological wellbeing in wild animals, including physical and behavioral indicators for positive and negative experiences. This approach has the potential to provide crucial early warning signals about species challenges and population declines.
Researchers found two E. coli strains resistant to colistin and third-generation cephalosporins in dogs and cats in Japan. The study highlights the need for 'One Health' approaches to understand companion animals' role in antimicrobial resistance transmission.
A study found that horses living in groups and large paddocks were better at following human indications than those kept in individual stables. The research showed that social interaction and space availability play a crucial role in the horses' ability to follow instructions.
Research reveals eastern wolves are genetically distinct from grey wolves and coyotes, suggesting a separate evolutionary origin around 67,000 years ago. The study also indicates hybridization between coyotes and eastern wolves has occurred at least twice, in the Great Lakes region.
New research suggests brown widow spiders actively seek and kill nearby black widows, displacing them in parts of the southern US. Brown widow females are also larger and more fertile than black widows, with a higher reproductive success rate.
Researchers have found that long-tailed macaques reject inferior rewards more frequently when provided by a human than an automatic feeder, indicating social disappointment. This behavioral pattern is consistent with frustration towards the experimenter's decision, rather than a comparison of rewards with conspecifics.
A review of evidence suggests that increased parental energy investment in young offspring may have facilitated the evolution of larger brains in some species. This is particularly true for warm-blooded species, which tend to invest more energy in their young through actions such as egg production and lactation.
Researchers at Flinders University discovered a previously unknown whale behavior, which may have been described in ancient Norse manuscripts. The
Researchers successfully recorded brain activity from freely moving octopuses, using implantable data loggers and electrodes. The study provides key findings on the neural mechanisms controlling octopus behavior, including patterns of brain activity similar to those in mammals.
A study found that dog puppies but not kittens and wolf pups spontaneously imitate human actions, even when unrewarded. The researchers believe this can inform novel training methods less dependent on food rewards.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz found that selfish behavior can lead to a fair distribution of risk within groups of animals. By positioning themselves optimally to minimize distance from others, individuals reduce their own predation risk and create a safer environment for all members.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that fish recognize themselves in photographs based on their faces, not bodies. The cleaner fish attacked photos with unfamiliar faces but not their own, indicating a higher sense of self awareness.