Articles tagged with Ethology
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at Flinders University discovered a previously unknown whale behavior, which may have been described in ancient Norse manuscripts. The
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 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.
Researchers at the University of Arizona found that rock ants follow a methodical search strategy, combining systematized meandering with random movement to efficiently explore new areas. This unique behavior may provide insights into the evolution of exploration strategies in other species.
A study analyzed 105 cat interactions to categorize them into playful, aggressive, or intermediate groups. The majority (56.2%) were classified as playful, while 28.6% were agonistic. Intermediate behavior was observed in 15.2% of cats, exhibiting characteristics of both play and aggression.
Researchers have identified a new genetic pathway involved in regulating sleep from fruit flies to humans. The Pig-Q gene is associated with sleep regulation in both humans and animals, providing a novel insight into the genetics of insomnia.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers suggests that the brain's ability to focus on individual sounds amidst ambient noise declines with age, leading to a 'fuzzy' sound stage. The team trained old mice to filter out background sound, showing promise for treating age-related hearing loss.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that individuals with high empathy scores can accurately detect emotional sounds in animals, including arousal and valence. The study involved 1024 participants from 48 countries and showed a significant correlation between empathy for humans and understanding animal sounds.
A study analyzing DNA samples from over 200 dog breeds and nearly 50,000 pet-owner surveys pinpointed genes behind canine behavioral traits. The researchers found that common sets of genes were responsible for behaviors among dog breeds well-suited for similar tasks, such as hunting or herding.
A new study by Michelle Szydlowski from the University of Exeter warns that rhino conservation efforts in Nepal are putting a burden on communities, infrastructure, and other species. The study found that successful anti-poaching campaigns have increased tourist numbers and rhino populations, but also led to human and animal casualties.
Researchers discovered that ant pupae secrete a fluid that is consumed by both adults and larvae, highlighting the interconnectedness of different developmental stages within an ant colony. The fluid, derived from molting, is rich in nutrients and psychoactive substances, essential for larval growth and adult metabolism.
Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University developed two tests to assess age-related memory performance and neophobia differences in dogs. The memory test found that older dogs make more mistakes before finding food, while the novel object test revealed an increased tendency to avoid new objects with age.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science found that chronic social defeat stress (cSDS) induced mice showed higher intestinal transit ratio and visceral pain-related behaviors, similar to IBS. The study suggests that prolonged psychological stress can cause IBS-like symptoms in mice without intestinal lesions.
A recent study found that juvenile pied flycatchers in Europe can distinguish their own population's song dialects even at 12 days old. This ability is thought to aid in attracting mates and preventing learning other species' songs, highlighting the remarkable specificity of bird behaviors.
A study published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that feeding behavior traits are correlated with feed efficiency in lactating dairy cattle. Researchers estimated genetic parameters for feeding behavior and their associations with feed efficiency traits in US Holstein cows.
Researchers at Stockholm University found wolves can show attachment towards humans, discriminating between familiar and stranger individuals. The study suggests ancestral variation for human-dog attachment bonds, potentially explaining similarities in canine behavior.
A new study published in Current Biology found that carrying crying infants for 5 minutes can promote sleep and reduce crying. The technique, known as the Transport Response, involves steady walking followed by sitting before laying the baby down to sleep. This method offers an immediate solution for parents of newborns struggling with...
Researchers mapped young chickens' play development from hatching, finding 14 types of play that increased in intensity around 6-7 weeks old. Domestication didn't change play behavior, but tame chickens played more than their ancestors. Early stress surprisingly increased playful behavior.
Researchers found that gifted word learners, a rare breed of dogs capable of learning multiple toy names, exhibit even higher levels of playfulness than typical border collies. The study suggests a correlation between playfulness and giftedness in learning object verbal labels.