摘要:

Abstract and SummaryFree‐ranging woolly spider monkeys of both sexes deposit urine on the hand, foot or tail. The eliciting stimulus for this behavior in females is unknown. In males, it frequently appears to be the presence of a sexually receptive female or copulatory activity. Male and female woolly spider monkeys do not associate on any habitual daily basis and individual females may forage alone rather than with conspecifics. Given this fluid pattern of social structure, the most important function of urine washing for a female woolly spider monkey may be to advertise her state of sexual receptivity to any males passing over her foraging path. Males may use urine to facilitate individual recognitio

ISSN:0044-3573    

DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb01384.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract and SummaryIt has been hypothesized, though tested only indirectly, that striking and envenomation of rodent prey by rattlesnakes is guided by thermal and visual senses, vomeronasal senses being employed only after envenomation. To test this hypothesis, prairie rattlesnakes that were reliable hunters/feeders in the laboratory were rendered “avomic” (i.e., their VNOs were sutured closed) or given a control surgery. While all control subjects struck, located, and swallowed prey, avomic rattlesnakes never did so. Avomic subjects exhibited fewer tongue flicks as well. Chemical cues detected by the VNO appear to play a significant role in both pre‐strike and post‐strike phases of prairie rattlesnake predation. Low rates of tongue flicking observed prior to the strike may be an effect of the cryptic ambush strategy used by rattlesnakes during the pre‐strike phase of

ISSN:0044-3573    

DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb01385.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract and SummaryThe aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between shoal size and vigilance. The behaviour of minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus) foraging on an artificial food patch during the simulated stalking approach of a model predator (pike:Esox lucius) was recorded for shoals of 20, 12, 6 and 3 fish. Minnows in large shoals reduced their foraging sooner but remained feeding on the patch longer than in small shoals. The relatively late reaction of small shoals to the model and the rapid cessation of feeding once the predator was detected, indicates that small shoals were less vigilant than large shoals. The gradual reduction of foraging in large shoals was accompanied by an increasing number of investigative approaches in which individuals monitored the model's approach. This enabled minnows in larger shoals to balance more efficiently the conflicting demands of feeding and watching for predators.

ISSN:0044-3573    

DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb01386.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract and SummaryBehaviour Analysis of Polecat Ferrets during Social PlayThe article deals with the social play of polecat ferrets (Mustela putoriusf.furo). The coordinations in playful romping are compared with parallel functional behaviour patterns. The behaviour shown in play is less strictly coordinated and orientated than the corresponding behaviour sequences in fighting and mating. Some of the forms of behaviour are more intensive and longer lasting in a serious context than they are in play. In the ontogenesis of social play both continuity and stages of development can be differentiated. The basic patterns of attack and defence are displayed in complete form shortly after the eyes open. The deliberate gripping of the nape of the neck develops gradually. It is probable that this development is partly dependent on learning processes.The social experience of young polecat ferrets affects the degree of their play motivation. During the experiment, animals which had been reared alone played together more than three times as much as those reared socially. The withholding of social experience apparently causes a drop in the threshold values of many sequences of play behaviour.In play, sex difference affects both the readiness to act and the frequency of many forms of behaviour. In general males play more frequently than females. In encounters between opposite sexes the males play offensively and the females defensively or passively. It is assumed that social play serves to develop forms of behaviour which will later be of decisive importance in social behaviour generally and in sexual behaviour in particular.

ISSN:0044-3573    

DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb01387.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract and SummaryPaper wasp foundress longevity was examined by censusing throughout one colony cycle 29 multiple foundress queens, 43 multiple foundress subordinates, and 56 single foundresses that were nesting in artificial nestboxes in the same field habitat. At the end of the census period when most colonies were in a state of decline, all of the multiple foundress queens, 32% of the single foundresses, and 19% of the subordinate cofoundresses remained with their colony. Half of the subordinates disappeared within 15 days after the first workers eclosed and before most reproductive eggs were laid. On colonies with more than one subordinate cofoundress, the closer in rank a cofoundress was to the queen, the sooner the cofoundress disappeared after the workers eclosed. The queen and her worker offspring may increase their inclusive fitnesses by selectively ejecting the highly ranked cofoundresses, which pose the greatest threat to the queen's reproductive domination. Subordinate longevity appears to be influenced more by intracolony reproductive conflict than by foraging‐related mortalit

ISSN:0044-3573    

DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb01388.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract and SummaryIn this paper I review reports in the literature in which hawks (mainly species ofAccipiter) pursued avian prey without apparently trying to capture them (Table 1). In some reports the hawks were in turn chased by the prey as well (Table 2). The species that were pursued in “playful” fashion were either belted kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon), woodpeckers or corvids. The pursuits have been interpreted in the literature as play behaviour.A search of the literature showed that many species of woodpeckers and corvids are eaten by accipiters (Table 3). However, the species that are pursued in “playful” fashion are generally those woodpeckers and corvids that are larger than the male or female accipiter pursuing them (Table 4). It is not surprising that the smallest of the accipiters (A. striatus) was involved in most of the pursuits that have been recorded (Tables 1 and 2).I argue that the hawks were inexperienced, hungry individuals which pursued inappropriately large prey. The prey's behaviour is interpreted as mobbing. They are safe because they can escape by diving into the water (kingfisher), they are larger than the hawk or they outnu

ISSN:0044-3573    

DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb01389.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract and SummaryTakeover of a social unit is known to affect the reproductive condition of the females of some primate species as a result of infanticide. Gelada females, however, come into oestrus even though infanticide does not occur. Although females with very young infants do not undergo a change in reproductive state, pregnant females will usually abort their foetuses even though these may be nearly full term.Following the takeover of a one‐male unit, most gelada females show their acceptance of the intruding male quite soon after his initial approach by presenting to him, after which he mounts them. Bond formation between the new male and the females goes through a series of behavioural stages that culminate in copulation. In contrast to other species, infanticide by the new male was not observed. The former harem male remains in the unit as a follower, though without sexual access to the females. The order in which the females come into oestrus is not significantly correlated to their dominance ranks. Females with infants of 6–24 months old come back into oestrus much sooner than expected after a takeover; females with younger infants seldom come back into oestrus. Five abortions were observed following the takeover of 3 units; the females in question subsequently came back into oestrus and mated with the new male. It is suggested that females probably balance the cost of wasting the investment in an offspring against the risks of failing to bond with the new m

ISSN:0044-3573    

DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb01390.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract and SummaryA hypothesis is proposed for explaining the evolution of display courts in birds. We suggest that males who show ownership of display courts are better able to inform females of their high dominance status, which is an indicator of their quality as a sire. The elaborate display structures of bowerbirds are viewed as an extreme example of selection to show ownership of these “markers”. Specific problems with the evolution of bowers are conside

ISSN:0044-3573    

DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb01391.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract and SummaryHatchling turtles, after emerging from their nests on the beach, move towards the sea. One explanation of this sea‐finding ability is that there is a complex phototropotactic reaction to light; this initiates turning until sub‐components of the system receive equal input. Another explanation is that the direction of peak excitation is located instantaneously and that the turtles then head in that direction. This paper reports new experiments on the behaviour of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) wearing partial blindfolds: their poor orientation, even after several hours time for adaptation to the blindfolds, supports the phototropotaxis hypothesis. Data on loggerhead, leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchlings released under clear skies confirm that the position of the sun does influence orientation. Experiments on loggerheads with wax paper over their eyes show that form vision is not essential for sea‐finding. The possibility of mechanisms additional to and redundant with a complex phototropotactic system or a direction locating system are considered but rejected as unl

ISSN:0044-3573    

DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb01392.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract and SummaryThree series of experiments were performed with pinealectomized homing pigeons released under sun. In the first series, birds were not subjected to further treatments; their homing behaviour turned out to be scarcely or not at all impaired.In the second series, birds were kept in an oscillating magnetic field before release. The same deflecting effect of the treatment was observed in both control and operated birds; this shows that the pineal is not involved in this magnetic effect and adds to the evidence contrary to a role of the pineal in processing magnetic information for navigational purposes.In the third series, birds were kept in continuous dim light (DD) or in artificial light dark cycles (LD) for three or five days before the test. In intact birds in DD, free running of the circadian rhythm which controls the sun compass was observed. The rhythm of pinealectomized birds turned out to be entrainable to light‐dark cycles, as birds in LD were capable of homeward orientation. Operated birds in DD, on the contrary, performed poorly in orientation; also their homing success was impaired. Therefore, the pineal body turns out to act as a pacemaker for the circadian rhythm controlling the sun‐compass orientat

ISSN:0044-3573    

DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb01393.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY