Zoo Biology最新文献

{"title":"Assessing the impact of environmental enrichment on behavior in understudied armadillo species: A case study.","authors":"Robert Kelly, Paul E Rose","doi":"10.1002/zoo.21810","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.21810","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The implementation of environmental enrichment (EE) can be effective in promoting zoo animal welfare by enhancing the performance of natural or species-typical behaviors. Research on the effects of EE is biased towards larger mammalian species, with less charismatic species being overlooked. Armadillos are one such overlooked example. A captive environment that results in inactivity, obesity, and associated poor health can negatively affect armadillo well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the implementation of four physical object-based EEs could positively affect the behaviors of three armadillo species, housed in four similar exhibits. Behavioral data were collected both before (baseline) and during (treatment) EE periods, alongside of visitor number and environmental temperatures. The EE comprised of a plastic ball or a cardboard tube or a cardboard box, or a scatter-feed, and these were rotated each week of study until each exhibit had received them in turn. Despite the presence of different EE types, activity remained low throughout the study. However, results suggest that the plastic ball and cardboard box increased exploratory behaviors in the armadillos, but no overall increase in activity was noted during the scatter feed. Visitor presence had no effect on armadillo activity, and armadillos showed reduced activity with increasing environmental temperature. Overall, the use of physical object-based EE promoted beneficial natural behaviors in zoo-housed armadillos, but environmental conditions (i.e., temperature) also impacted armadillo activity, suggesting a complicated relationship between an enclosure's environmental variable and any behavioral husbandry measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"100-109"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138291949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Endoscopy and rectal enema for fecal collection in wild sea turtles (Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata) in a field setting.","authors":"Kristina L Kaleel, Patricia L Secoura, Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez, Daniela Alarcón-Ruales, Felipe Vallejo, Cristina Miranda, Gregory A Lewbart, Kathy Townsend, Shelly L Vaden","doi":"10.1002/zoo.21805","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.21805","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Forty-seven free-ranging sea turtles (46- Chelonia mydas, 1- Eretmochelys imbricata) were examined via novel use of an endoscopy combined with a rectal enema to obtain large fecal sample volumes. The cloaca was insufflated using an endoscope, after which the bladder and rectum separated, allowing access to the colon. Environmental conditions and location influenced the performance of the procedure initially, but after several attempts the procedure was successfully initiated. In all cases, fecal samples were obtained, and the animals were released to their respective locations. Fecal sample collection using this approach enhances the ability to obtain diagnostic information and perform other scientific analyses of sea turtles.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"55-60"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41239214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An evaluation of DNA sample source and molecular markers to determine gender in the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).","authors":"Lyndal Hulse, Caitlin Tomsett, Alice Roser, Lauren Clark, Haley Meer, Michael Pyne, Jane C Fenelon, Marilyn B Renfree, Stephen Johnston","doi":"10.1002/zoo.21809","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.21809","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The short-beaked echidna is sexually monomorphic such that gender identification without veterinary intervention is challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the most optimal noninvasive genetic source by extracting echidna genomic DNA (gDNA) from fecal scats, plucked hair, and quills to perform genetic sex testing using a range of molecular markers. Sex determination of 14 captive short-beaked echidnas was determined by amplifying isolated DNA from noninvasive samples, targeting two Y chromosome (male-specific) genes (mediator complex subunit 26 Y-gametologue [CRSPY] and anti-Müllerian hormone Y-gametologue [AMHY]), in addition to four confirmed sex-specific RADseq markers. Results of noninvasive samples were compared with blood samples and clinical records. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess accuracy of sex determination of markers for each sample type. The gender of the echidnas was successfully identified on 75% of occasions using fecal samples, 90.6% occasions using hair, and 84.6% occasions with quills. Overall, the male-specific RADseq markers accurately identified the sex of echidnas with all sample types for 90% of animals; compared with 81.5% using CRSPY, and 82.0% using AMHY to identify sex. Collection of hair, quills, and feces provides a useful alternative to invasively collected samples, however, the accuracy of results depends on sample type and genetic marker selected. We found gender determination in the short-beaked echidna was most accurate using four male-specific RADseq markers on gDNA isolated from blood and hair. The noninvasive genetic sexing techniques documented here will inform and facilitate husbandry and genetic management of captive echidna populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"92-99"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71414342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Never be mute about bird welfare: Swanning around with environmental enrichment.","authors":"Molly Claydon, James Brereton, Paul Rose","doi":"10.1002/zoo.21808","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.21808","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Environmental enrichment (EE) is commonly provided to animals managed under human care, being beneficial to behavioral diversity and improving animal welfare. Use of EE appears to be particularly beneficial to individual wild animals spending a short period of time in captivity, for example, as part of conservation or rehabilitation programs. This paper documents a case study on the application and relevance of EE for a group of captive mute swans housed in a rescue center. Observational data were analyzed for two groups of juvenile swans that were provided with a physical EE device to increase time spent foraging. Periods of no EE were observed and compared to data from when birds were provided with EE. Results show that EE promoted foraging time and helped to reduce long periods of inactivity in captive birds. EE helped to reduce occurrence of captive-focused (i.e., abnormal behaviors) although these was already seen at very low rates. Inactivity as a measure of welfare in captive swans specifically (and waterbirds generally) should be further investigated to understand potential impacts on bird health. Our research shows the benefits of simple and easy-to-use EE devices on captive animal behavior and how use of EE for individuals spending a short amount of time in captivity (e.g., within a rescue center) could ensure diversity of behavior patterns and promote the performance of adaptive behaviors upon release to the wild.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"83-91"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71427394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using qualitative behavior assessment to investigate the effect of tourist presence on the welfare in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) in three tourism facilities in Thailand.","authors":"Tanya S Erzinçlioğlu, Kenny M D Rutherford","doi":"10.1002/zoo.21804","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.21804","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Numerous facilities around the world offer tourists interactive experiences with captive tigers. Yet, the animal welfare implications of this practice have not been widely studied. This study aimed to investigate whether qualitative behavioral assessment (QBA) could: (i) provide a valid indicator of tiger's emotional state and (ii) be applied to assess whether unfamiliar human presence with hand-raised captive tigers had an impact on the emotional state of those tigers. To investigate this, QBA was applied to video clips of hand-raised captive tigers from three sites (two offering unfamiliar human interaction, Sites A and C, and one retirement site with no direct interactions, Site B) in Thailand. QBA allows inferences to be made about animal emotion on the basis of descriptions of behavioral expression. Analysis, using a free choice profiling methodology, was provided by observers (N = 38) split between three groups; tiger keepers and vets from the Thai venues (n = 12), UK-based animal behavior MSc and vet students (n = 16), and international tiger keepers (n = 10). Tigers (N = 35) were split between Sites A (n = 7), B (n = 18), and C (n = 10) and filmed at three time points; morning (0800-0930 h); midday, (1130-1230 h); and evening, (1630-1830h) totaling 105 clips. Using generalized procrustes analysis, a consensus profile was calculated for each observer group. Two meaningful dimensions of behavioral expression, explaining 75.0% of the variation, were observed across these groups: Dimension 1 (D1: \"active\"/\"interested\"/\"agitated\" to \"relaxed\"/\"calm\"/\"chilled-out\") and Dimension 2 (D2: \"bored\"/\"stressed\"/\"frustrated\" to \"relaxed\"/\"curious\"/\"interested\"). There was clear agreement between the three observer groups in terms of tiger emotional expression along D1. However, agreement was more variable on D2. The behavioral expression on D1 was not significantly affected by site but was significantly affected by an interaction between age and time of day. Time of day also affected scores on D2, with the Thai observer group also showing an effect of site. During the midday period, when unfamiliar humans were present, all tiger age groups showed more positive behavioral expressions on D1 (lower scores: \"relaxed\"/\"calm\"/\"chilled-out\") and more negative behavioral expressions on D2 (higher scores: \"bored\"/\"stressed\"/\"frustrated\"), which could indicate that the presence of unfamiliar humans was a stressor. However, tigers in the retirement Site C also displayed similar behavioral expressions, which could indicate a deeper welfare issue. With further development, QBA could be used as part of a valid tool for long-term measurement of behavioral expression in captive tigers.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"42-54"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41160829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of four eggshell repair materials on weight loss during incubation of white leghorn chicken eggs.","authors":"Patricia Byrne, Thomas Jensen, William Kristan, Jessica Theule, Barbara Durrant","doi":"10.1002/zoo.21807","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.21807","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Egg weight loss during incubation is a key indicator used to monitor successful egg development and is closely related to hatchability and chick survival. Artificial incubation is one of the most important captive breeding techniques used in conservation efforts to bolster avian populations. To repair damage to the eggshell and ensure embryonic viability during incubation, a variety of repair coverings can be applied. This study tested the impact of four repair materials (nail polish, synthetic glue, medical dressing, and molten wax film) on egg weight loss during incubation. We found no impact on weight loss for coverings smaller than 35% of the eggshell surface, nor did we find any differences between covering types. The average egg weight loss decreased as the coverage area increased, and the weight loss did not differ when blunt versus sharp-end coverings were compared. Given the relative insensitivity of egg weight loss and survival to the type of patch material used, we concluded that the selection of material for the purpose of weight loss management could be based on practical considerations, such as ease of application and availability.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"75-82"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50158916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A perspective on ungulate management and welfare assessment across the traditional zoo to large landscape spectrum.","authors":"David M Powell, Dan Beetem, RoxAnna Breitigan, Adam Eyres, Brandon Speeg","doi":"10.1002/zoo.21772","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.21772","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Wild ungulates are managed in human care in a range of settings from traditional zoos to large ranches. These varied settings present different portfolios of risks for good or poor welfare, which leads some to question whether a particular setting is \"good for welfare\" and have frustrated others interested in comparing the welfare of ungulates across these settings. Differing housing and management scenarios present different challenges and opportunities in terms of welfare but this commentary posits that good welfare is possible in all of these settings. In this commentary, we also consider natural behaviors that may, at face value, compromise welfare and discuss how taking a long view on welfare addresses concerns about these behaviors, in part using arguments related to normal behavioral development that likely improves welfare at other life stages. We also highlight the role of motivation in seemingly welfare-compromising behaviors. Finally, some indicators of welfare that we believe transcend management scenarios, and are thus able to be compared across scenarios, are suggested.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"5-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9448384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantifying animals' perception of environmental predictability using anticipatory behavior","authors":"Aleksei A. Podturkin, Bethany L. Krebs, Jason V. Watters","doi":"10.1002/zoo.21811","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21811","url":null,"abstract":"Animals under human care often experience predictable daily husbandry events, which can promote the development of anticipatory behavior. Previous research suggests even short delays in the arrival of a predictable, desired outcome can lead to negative welfare outcomes for animals. As such, providing reliable information to animals regarding the onset of important events may be a simple but useful method to support positive welfare. Here we evaluated the quantitative characteristics of anticipatory behavior of a California sea lion at the San Francisco Zoo in three situations (1) when the animal had accurate information about the occurrence of the event (temporally predictable training sessions), (2) when the information was semi-reliable (unscheduled training session), and (3) when a reliable signal was offered before unscheduled sessions. Results showed that providing a reliable cue resulted in a stronger temporal correlation of anticipation before the beginning of the unscheduled session, similar to the temporally predictable training session. However, providing a reliable cue did not reduce the intensity of the anticipatory behavior. We propose to take into account two aspects of the quantitative characteristics of anticipatory behavior: correlation with time until a desired event (correlation) and intensity, where the correlation indicates the ability of an individual animal to predict the occurrence of an event, and the intensity indicates the degree of sensitivity of the animal to reward. We discuss the implications for animal welfare and husbandry.","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138572589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic diversity and relatedness in captive collared peccaries Dicotyles tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cetartiodactyla: Tayassuidae) estimated by microsatellite genotyping using high-throughput sequencing: Implications for their conservation and reintroduction.","authors":"Paula Teixeira Gomes, Izinara Cruz Rosse, Lauro Ângelo Gonçalves Moraes, Evanguedes Kalapothakis, Cristiano Schetini de Azevedo, Danon Clemes Cardoso, Maykon Passos Cristiano","doi":"10.1002/zoo.21796","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.21796","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The global population of Dicotyles tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cetartiodactyla: Tayassuidae), commonly known as the collared peccary and distributed in the Neotropics, is currently in decline due to anthropogenic pressures. In this study, five microsatellite loci were used to genetically characterize a group of 20 captive-born collared peccaries intended for reintroduction. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity and relatedness of captive individuals using microsatellite markers. The genetic data generated were used to evaluate the viability of the reintroduction and to propose measures for the management and conservation of this species. In this study, we found relatively high genetic diversity indices, indicating that the group was genetically diverse. Inbreeding coefficients with negative values were observed, indicating an excess of alleles in heterozygosis and an absence of inbreeding. One locus showed deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which may have been caused by the mixing of individuals from different origins. Relatedness analysis indicated that some individuals were highly related, with coefficients indicating they may be first-degree relatives. Our findings indicate that the studied group has enough genetic diversity to be released into nature, but the high individual relatedness found would require the adoption of strategies after the release of animals in the wild to ensure their persistence.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"789-796"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9832227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The influence of feeding routines on the behavior of zoo-housed Sulawesi crested black macaques (Macaca nigra).","authors":"C P Howell, Connor Warnes, P A Bayliss","doi":"10.1002/zoo.21790","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.21790","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Many species thrive in captivity, yet there is still much to be assessed regarding the often-unknown stressors present that can compromise welfare. Uncovering such stressors is of paramount importance if we are to ensure the zoo environment provides the highest levels of animal welfare that will contribute to species conservation. Zoo-housed primates are subject to many potential stressors, including daily husbandry routines which they may find aversive or habituate to, regardless of their outcome. The specific aim of this study was to assess the behavioral responses to daily husbandry feeding routines on a total of 33 Sulawesi crested black macaques (Macaca nigra), across two different UK zoological collections. Group scan sampling was used to record behaviors for 30-min periods before feeding (BF), for 30 min after feeding (AF), which we began 30 min after feed provision, and for 30 min when no feeding occurred (NF). The feeding condition significantly influenced behaviors recorded and post-hoc comparisons showed that BF conditions produced significantly higher frequencies of food anticipatory related activity (FAA). Furthermore, during BF periods, behaviors associated with FAA increased during the 15 min closer to a feed. This research finds that temporal feeding events cause changes in the behavior of two independent groups of crested macaques, indicative of food anticipation activity, during 30-min periods leading up to a feed. These results have implications for how animal keeper routines and advertised zoo feeds are managed for this species within zoological collections.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"757-765"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9639123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}