Effects of Density and Rest Stops on Movement Rates of Unrestrained Horses during Transport

The goal of this study was to provide estimates of how much loose (unrestrained) horses move during transport. Data were collected from six shipments of slaughter horses that were transported in a 16.2-m, single-deck semi-trailer in June and July of 2004 for 18 to 20 hours as part of an earlier project. Usable video was obtained from five groups of mature horses transported at “low” density (five to seven horses per group averaging 216.5 kg/m²) and three groups of horses transported at “moderate” density (10–11 horses per group averaging 345.5 kg/m²). Three low-density and two moderate-density groups had access to six water bowls inserted through the sides of the compartments during 1-hour rest stops occurring after 8 hours and at the end of transport. Twelve cameras, one mounted in each corner of the three compartments, were used to record behavior. Distance and rate of movement by individual horses during transport and during two 1-hour rest periods were determined by analysis of 206 hours of usable video footage of individual horses. Mean movement rate tended to be higher during travel (4.23 m/hour) than during the 1-hour periods when the truck was stopped (2.75 m/hour), but it did not seem to be influenced by group density. Movement was stimulated by the availability of water during the rest stops. In general, movement was strongly influenced by one or two horses causing disruption of the group, and not by independent actions of members of the group.     

3种神经递质对三角涡虫行为的影响研究

通过整体观察的方法得到了适宜三角涡虫生长的3种神经递质的最佳浓度,并通过摄像技术用IPP图像分析软件探讨3种神经递质对三角涡虫的摄食行为的影响。试验结果表明:与对照组相比,在最佳浓度下的谷氨酸、γ-氨基丁酸、毒扁豆碱和乙酰胆碱对涡虫的摄食行为均起到抑制作用,毒扁豆碱表现出明显的抑制作用,处理72 h的γ-氨基丁酸在3种神经递质中的平均移动速率最大,有1条找到食物。处理24 h的Glu试验组找到食物的涡虫最多,有4条。其余各组均未找到食物。试验同时表明:随处理时间的变化,各神经递质对涡虫摄食行为的影响也有差异。     

柑桔潜叶蛾雌成虫寿命,产卵量及产卵行为的研究

在实验室条件下，温度与柑桔潜叶蛾雌成虫寿命的关系可用方程ｙ＝１１．３５１７ＥＸＰ拟合。在１５℃时平均寿命为３２．１天，高温３３℃为９．２天，２０－２５℃为１８．９－１２．１天。２０－２５℃温度范围内，平均每雌成虫产卵量为３８粒上下，３３℃为１１。８粒，１５℃仅可产少量的卵。     

Acute toxicity of organophosphorous pesticide diazinon and its effects on behavior and some hematological parameters of fingerling European catfish (Silurus glanis L.)

Diazinon is commonly used for pest control in the agricultural fields surrounding freshwater reservoirs. So this study was conducted to determine the acute toxicity of this organophosphorous pesticide, contaminating aquatic ecosystems as a pollutant, and its effects on behavior, and some hematological parameters of fingerling European catfish, Silurus glanis. Diazinon was applied at concentrations of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 mg L⁻¹. The water temperature in the experimental units was kept at 16 ± 1 °C. The number of dead fishes significantly increased in response to diazinon concentrations 2-64 mg L⁻¹ (p < 0.05). With increasing diazinon concentrations, the fishes exposed duration 1 to 96 h significantly increased the number of dead fishes (p < 0.05 for each cases). The 1, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h LC₅₀ values (with 95% confidence limits) of diazinon for fingerling European catfish were estimated as 14.597 (12.985-16.340), 12.487 (11.079-14.471), 8.932 (7.907-10.348), 6.326 (no data because of p > 0.05), and 4.142 (no data because of p > 0.05) mg L⁻¹, respectively. Compared to the control specimens, fish after an acute exposure to diazinon was significantly lower erythrocyte, leukocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, and MCHC values (p < 0.05). In addition, it was also showed a significantly negative correlation between these hematological parameters and exposure times of diazinon (p < 0.01).     

Acute stress hyperglycemia in cats is associated with struggling and increased concentrations of lactate and norepinephrine

We characterized the changes in blood glucose concentrations in healthy cats exposed to a short stressor and determined the associations between glucose concentrations, behavioral indicators of stress, and blood variables implicated in stress hyperglycemia (plasma glucose, lactate, insulin, glucagon, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine concentrations). Twenty healthy adult cats with normal glucose tolerance had a 5-minute spray bath. Struggling and vocalization were the most frequent behavioral responses. There was a strong relationship between struggling and concentrations of glucose and lactate. Glucose and lactate concentrations increased rapidly and significantly in all cats in response to bathing, with peak concentrations occurring at the end of the bath (glucose baseline 83 mg/dL, mean peak 162 mg/dL; lactate baseline 6.3 mg/dL, mean peak 64.0 mg/dL). Glucose response resolved within 90 minutes in 12 of the 20 cats. Changes in mean glucose concentrations were strongly correlated with changes in mean lactate (r = .84; P < .001) and mean norepinephrine concentrations (r = .81; P < .001). There was no significant correlation between changes in mean glucose concentrations and changes in mean insulin, glucagon, cortisol, or epinephrine concentrations. Struggling and lactate concentrations were predictive of hyperglycemia. Gluconeogenesis stimulated by lactate release is the likely mechanism for hyperglycemia in healthy cats in this model of acute stress. Careful handling techniques that minimize struggling associated with blood collection may reduce the incidence of stress hyperglycemia in cats.     

不同泌乳时期荷斯坦奶牛的行为观察

选用健康无病的奶牛12头（其中泌乳盛期4头,泌乳后期4头,干奶期4头）。按泌乳期分为3组。对各组奶牛逐头进行连续48h行为学观察。结果表明：牛夜间反刍时间（周期数）都比昼反刍时间（周期数）长（多）。泌乳盛期奶牛的总采食时间、反刍时间、采食咀嚼速度比泌乳后期和干奶期奶牛长（快）（P〉0．05）。饲后反刍开始时间泌乳后期最短,而干奶期最长。泌乳盛期奶牛饮水次数远比泌乳后期、干奶期多（P〈0．01）,排粪次数也多（P〈0．05）,排尿次数盛期牛与后期牛接近,但比干奶期牛多2次／d。干奶期牛的卧地时间最长,泌乳盛期牛次之,泌乳后期牛最短,但卧地次数泌乳盛期比后期、干奶期分别多4．13次和3、63次。这些行为的差异可为处于不同泌乳时期的荷斯坦奶牛提供适宜的饲养环境,制定科学的管理制度提供可靠的依据。     

圈养华南虎自然分娩及育幼行为研究

华南虎是极度濒危的国家Ⅰ级保护动物,现有种群都在中国各地动物园的人工圈养之下,幼仔哺育也多采用人工手段介入,本研究对南昌动物园的雌虎"昌昌"自然分娩及育幼等行为进行分析总结,发现在母性较强的情形下应尽可能减少人为干扰,优先考虑以母乳喂养。母虎的产前行为大都是为分娩做准备,如整理产床、舔舐阴部,同时也表现出不安,如来回走动、调整姿态。产后的行为几乎完全是为了便于照顾幼虎,如哺乳、舔衔幼虎等,并且变得平静。虽然产后休息和睡眠行为较产前有增加,由产前53%增至62%,但显然母虎睡眠的深度不如产前,并且即使在母虎休息和睡眠状态下,也有被动的哺乳行为同时存在,这从幼虎吸乳的频率(54%)大大超过母虎主动哺乳的频率(3%)可以看出来。母虎产前由于不安,移动频率多达17%,而产后则降至2%。产前母虎特别注意对产道的清理,舔舐阴道达到了8%,而产后只有1%。分娩前后都有调整姿态的行为,虽频率相当但动机不同,产前是因为不安,而产后明显是出于对幼虎庇护和哺育的需要。母虎带大的幼虎具有较强的野性,表现为对人的恐惧和攻击性,生长速度也较理想。     

桔盾蚧初龄若虫活动行为的研究(英文)

1989年在美国佛州柑桔研究教育中心开展了桔盾蚧初龄若虫活动行为的研究。试验结果表明;光照强度在初龄若虫爬行定向上起重要作用。在人工光照条件下(光强<1.5×10~2lx),初龄若虫明显趋光,而在自然光下(光强>2.8×10~4lx),初龄若虫即避光,在试验果实向阳部分的初龄若虫的定着率随光强的增加而下降,其线性回归式为:y=56.40-4.63x,得出50％爬虫避光的阈值为1.38×10~4lx。重力对初龄若虫在枝条上的分布范围有影响,但对定着率无显著影响。田间初龄若虫活动时间的观察结果显示:在晴朗天气条件下活动高峰期出现在午间12点钟左右,因而认为在傍午或午间喷施农药可能获得较高的防治效果。田间的日照强度与初龄若虫的活动数量明显相关,而温、湿度和树下光照则未见到有显著影响作用。桔盾蚧初龄若虫在叶片上的定着率显著低于枝条,叶面和叶背相比,叶背显著高于叶面,对枝条的不同部位,初龄若虫的定着嗜好没有差异。另外,雌雄初龄若虫在爬行轨道和爬行速度上有明显差异。以此可用于区分初龄若虫的性别。     

江苏盐城黑嘴鸥繁殖期不同阶段行为时间分配及活动规律

1999— 2 0 0 2年夏季对江苏盐城黑嘴鸥繁殖期不同阶段行为时间分配及活动规律进行了定量研究。结果表明 :繁殖前期黑嘴鸥各种行为具有较强的规律性 ,其出现频率依次为 :取食 39 36 % ,休整 37 95 % ,运动 9 4 8% ,警戒 8 30 % ,饮水 5 0 3% ;繁殖后期黑嘴鸥成鸟的各种行为不具明显的规律性 ,其出现的频率依次为取食 4 2 5 3% ,休整 1 4 2 1 % ,运动 1 7 6 5 % ,警戒 1 4 5 2 % ,饮水 1 0 93%。繁殖后期运动和警戒行为所花费的时间比繁殖前期显著增加 (P <0 0 0 1 ) ,休整行为显著减少 (P <0 0 0 1 ) ,导致这种差异性主要是取食地点的变化和后期的育雏行为。黑嘴鸥雌雄抱孵时间比为 1 2 4∶1。抱孵时间随孵化天数的增加而相应延长 ,一次抱孵时间最长可达到 2 0 1min。     

圈养条件下岩羊冬季昼间的行为及活动规律

2003年 12月在西宁动物园,采用瞬时扫描取样法、焦点动物取样法和全事件取样法,对 9只岩羊的行为及活动规律进行了研究。结果表明,岩羊冬季行为时间分配比例依次为卧息(38. 65±9. 84)%、取食(35. 27±8. 72)%、运动(23. 55±5. 36)%、反刍(17. 47±4. 07)%、其它 (2. 77±0. 30)% (包括饮水、排便、修饰、嗅闻、站立和发声等)。冬季,岩羊在一天内的卧息有 3个高峰期(8: 00~9: 00、12: 00~15: 00和 17: 00~18: 00);取食有 2个高峰期(9: 00~12: 00和 15: 00~18: 00)。上述 2种行为在一天中是交替出现的。运动在 8: 00~10: 00和 15: 00~18: 00时发生较多。反刍有 2个高峰期(11: 00~14: 00和 17: 00~18: 00)。岩羊的取食和反刍具有相似的规律,但反刍高峰的出现时间较取食延迟了 1h左右。其它行为在一天中发生的较为随机。年龄因素和性别因素对岩羊冬季昼间的行为时间分配和活动率产生一定程度的影响,但并不显著(P>0. 05)。