Applied Animal Behaviour Science最新文献

{"title":"Enhancing cat care: Unveiling the technology of intelligent litter box monitoring","authors":"LeAnn Snow,&nbsp;Natalie Langenfeld-McCoy,&nbsp;Helber Dussan,&nbsp;Olivia Arndt,&nbsp;Nicholas Schoeneck,&nbsp;Sarah Thomas,&nbsp;Ragen T.S. McGowan","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106811","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106811","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>While interest in feline elimination behavior in litter boxes tends to focus on factors related to the pain-points of pet cat care, there have been recent efforts to develop “smart” devices to track litter box activity as a means to observe and assess cat health. The intelligence of these devices is limited, however, given the complexity of measuring cat behavior within the constraints of the litter box environment. Here, we describe the successful development of an intelligent device that has proved a means to systematically document feline elimination patterns across a large, representative sample. The device is equipped with load cell sensors within a platform that is placed unobtrusively under a cat’s existing litter box. The rigorously developed AI models relied on a supervised learning methodology rooted in a feature generation module, all of which was made possible by a robust truth dataset of hundreds of thousands of carefully labeled litter box events captured on camera. The AI engine of this new tool can confidently distinguish Cat from Human events as well as identify the type of Cat event that is occurring (i.e., urination, defecation, non-elimination), unique cats, and duration metrics, among other event features. The performance of all models meets or exceeds the 80 % confidence threshold indicating that this device is a reliable tool that can be leveraged for future research into additional aspects of feline elimination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106811"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145019117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A novel approach for encouraging prepartum nest-building behaviour in crated sows: Its effects on farrowing characteristics","authors":"Woohee Chung ,&nbsp;Juho Lee ,&nbsp;Jinhyeon Yun","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106810","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106810","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Farrowing crates limit sows’ innate response to perform nest-building behaviour, which may compromise welfare and farrowing performance. This study evaluated novel roller and rooting-cone devices designed to stimulate nest-building in sows housed in crates with slatted floors. Twenty-two sows were assigned to Control (n = 8), Roller (n = 7), and Rooting-cone (n = 7) groups. Devices were installed in front of the feed troughs seven days before parturition to allow an adaptation period. Although not statistically significant, Roller sows exhibited numerically greater incidence of prepartum nest-building behaviour (<em>P</em> = 0.13), shorter farrowing durations (227.2 vs. 286.3 and 525.8 min, respectively, <em>P</em> = 0.18), and shorter intervals between last feeding and parturition (263.7 vs 507.9 and 626.3 min, respectively, <em>P</em> = 0.53) than Control and Rooting-cone groups. However, Roller sows exhibited more frequent postural changes during farrowing (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). Prepartum rooting behaviour tended to be negatively correlated with farrowing duration (<em>r</em> = −0.41, <em>P</em> = 0.06) and the interval between the last feeding and parturition (<em>r</em> = -0.39, <em>P</em> = 0.07). These findings suggest that the roller may contribute to improved energy retention and smoother farrowing process by supporting prepartum feeding motivation, while no apparent effects were observed with the rooting-cone. Further consideration should be given to optimizing the roller’s material and placement to better allow arranging behaviour and ensure lying comfort within the crate, and these effects should be validated in larger populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106810"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145019118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic parameters for temperament and facial hair whorl traits in Canchim cattle","authors":"Ayrton Fernandes de Oliveira Bessa ,&nbsp;Maria Victória Henrique Genuíno ,&nbsp;Giovanna Maria dos Santos Câmara ,&nbsp;Roney Teixeira ,&nbsp;Ana Luisa Paçó Bugner ,&nbsp;Walsiara Estanislau Maffei ,&nbsp;Andrea Roberto Bueno Ribeiro ,&nbsp;Vanessa Aparecida Feijó Souza ,&nbsp;Cintia Righetti Marcondes ,&nbsp;Marcos Eli Buzanskas","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106809","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106809","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The growing demand for improved animal welfare has increased interest in the genetic evaluation of temperament traits and related indicators, such as facial hair whorls, in beef cattle. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for temperament scores (movement, tension, breathing, vocalization, reactivity, and flight time) and facial hair whorl traits in the composite Canchim breed. Phenotypic data from 2145 animals born between 2013 and 2022 were provided by Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste (São Carlos, SP, Brazil), including 375 males and 1770 females. Temperament was assessed at four different ages, whereas hair whorls were recorded once. Fixed effects of sex, month-year at birth, order-period of entry of batch in the evaluation, lineage, and age at measurement were evaluated and considered in the contemporary groups when relevant. Hair whorls were classified according to their horizontal position (absent, left, middle, and right) and vertical location (absent, low, mid, and high), and additional traits such as number, height, and presence/absence of whorls were recorded. Genetic parameters were estimated using Bayesian threshold-linear animal models, with repeatability estimated for temperament traits. Heritability estimates for temperament traits ranged from 0.09 to 0.35, with repeatabilities from 0.16 to 0.55. For whorl traits, heritability estimates ranged from 0.18 to 0.57. These findings demonstrate that both temperament and hair whorl traits exhibit sufficient additive genetic variability. Genetic correlations among temperament traits ranged from −0.78 to 0.99, among whorl traits from 0.32 to 1.00, and between temperament and whorl traits from 0.49 to 0.87. It can highlight the existence of interesting genetic correlations between movement with the whorls in the left, middle, low, and mid positions, as well as with the whorl’s height (ranging from 0.72 to 0.87). Favorable genetic correlations were observed between reactivity with whorls in the left, middle, and low positions, as well as with the whorl's height and absence/presence of facial whorls. Facial hair whorls represent a practical and heritable indicator for the early selection of animals with favorable temperaments, offering an opportunity to optimize phenotyping and achieve indirect genetic gains, especially for movement and reactivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106809"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144925052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using a real-time location system to detect behavioral changes in ewes with subclinical mastitis and their lambs","authors":"Gretchen L. Peckler,&nbsp;Sarah J.J. Adcock","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106808","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106808","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Subclinical mastitis, the asymptomatic inflammation of the udder, is an important economic and animal welfare concern in meat-producing flocks, causing reduced milk yield and poorer lamb growth and survival. Cases often remain undetected until more severe stages, highlighting the need to investigate early detection methods, such as automated behavioral monitoring. Our objective was to use a real-time location system to determine whether subclinical mastitis affected ewe and lamb movement patterns. From 2–6 weeks postpartum, we collected duplicate milk samples weekly from each udder half of 24 ewes (15 Polypay, 3 Hampshire, and 6 Targhee) for bacterial speciation. Ewes were considered infected in a given week if milk samples from at least one udder half contained ≥ 100 CFU/mL at both the start of that week and the following week's sampling. Each ewe and her lamb(s) wore neck-mounted sensors that recorded <em>x, y</em> coordinates every 0.1 s via ultrawideband technology while housed in a group pen. We used linear mixed models to assess the effects of the ewe’s weekly infection status (healthy vs. infected) and weeks since lambing (2−6) on four behavioral outcomes: ewe-lamb distance, ewe-feed bunk distance, ewe distance traveled, and lamb distance traveled. The number of lambs reared (single vs. multiple) was included as a covariate and dam ID was specified as a random effect. Lambs traveled more during weeks when their dam was infected, possibly reflecting increased hunger due to insufficient maternal milk supply. No significant effects of infection status were observed for the other behavioral outcomes. Ewe–lamb and ewe–feed bunk distances were shortest, and lamb movement was greatest, in week 2 compared to later weeks – patterns that likely reflect the lamb’s greater nutritional dependence on the dam and increased play behavior early in life. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that real-time tracking of lamb behavior may help identify early cases of subclinical mastitis in the dam. They also highlight the potential welfare impacts of subclinical mastitis on lambs, underscoring the importance of early detection and management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106808"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145026584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Learning your individual inferences: A guide for overcoming statistical challenges in small-N studies","authors":"Eduardo J. Fernandez ,&nbsp;James Edward Brereton ,&nbsp;Jono Tuke","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106804","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106804","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Selecting an appropriate statistical test can be challenging for animal scientists. This is particularly true for those who study animals in applied animal settings, where a small number of subjects studied (i.e., small-N) is commonplace. Small-N studies regularly coincide with additional problems, such as non-normally distributed data and repeated measures, making many of the standard independent samples-based inferential statistics less appropriate. Some researchers may persist in using these tests irrespective of assumption violations, and in doing so they risk a Type 1 (false positive) error, potentially leading to erroneous conclusions about their data. Other, lesser considered challenges such as a lack of homogeneity of variance between conditions and time-dependency, are also commonly encountered in small-N studies. If not considered, these challenges could result in extra noise in a dataset that could reduce reliability of results. Fortunately, alternative tests are available that can account for these issues, including issues of non-independence, such as paired data and time-dependency. This guide provides simulated data to generate scenarios that reflect actual problems that emerge in small-N research. Using these generated datasets, a series of tests are used to demonstrate how they can overcome some of the statistical noise encountered. Our goal is to provide researchers with an outline of assumptions and appropriate tests to help them overcome commonly faced challenges for small-N studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106804"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144988590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An examination of husbandry training in zoos: A scoping review","authors":"Aedan Boundey ,&nbsp;Fraser Nikitins ,&nbsp;Eduardo J. Fernandez","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106805","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106805","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The modern zoo has been characterised by the use of cooperative care training techniques to manage husbandry procedures. However, limited reviews or information are available in the peer-reviewed published literature about these techniques. In this review we examined the peer-reviewed literature exploring these training procedures, discovered which species were lacking research, and how different species responded to this training. Initially three online scientific databases were searched to locate papers for review. Once found, the PRISMA-ScR format was followed using the Covidence review tool to identify publications for inclusion, resulting in a final review of 20 papers. In most included papers, food was offered as a reward during training. None of the included papers utilised coercion and all successfully trained the goal behaviour. Over half of the studies were carried out in the USA. Training sessions lasting less than 20 min several times and days a week were most common. Studies were typically 20 to 30 weeks. Training via shaping, often in conjunction with clicker training, were the most frequently used techniques. Over half of the trained behaviours were intended to ease animal handling, with others assisting sample collection and medical treatment. Several knowledge gaps were identified within this topic as well as a strong bias towards training mammals. However, the few papers on non-mammal species illustrate the generality of reward-based training methods across taxa. Implications for future research are considered, including increased demonstrations across a variety of species and examinations of training challenges encountered.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106805"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144925050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cats go wild while staying at home: First indication and behavioral assessment of potential European wildcat-hybrids living as companion animals","authors":"Péter Pongrácz ,&nbsp;Csenge Anna Lugosi ,&nbsp;Petra Anett Kovács ,&nbsp;József Lanszki","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106806","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106806","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Populations of the European wildcat (<em>Felis silvestris</em>) are threatened across the continent. Their widespread hybridization with domestic cats (<em>Felis catus</em>) represents a major threat. It is worrisome that some hybrids can basically function in the same ecological niche as wildcats do. However, hybrid cats may represent a genetic and morphological spectrum, and it is unknown whether introgression of wildcat genes could result in hybrids living unnoticed as companion animals. We hypothesized that in Hungary, where the wildcat has a slowly spreading population, their likely hybridization with rural domestic cats, resulted in hybrids living under human care. We interviewed cat owners about the morphology and behavior of their cats in a large-scale citizen-science survey. We objectively scored the cats’ apparent hybrid characteristics from the submitted photographs. Cats with the highest hybrid-category represented 18 % of the sample. Importantly, these cats were thought to be the least dependent on human caretaking (P = 0.020) and greeted other cats least often with their ‘tail-up’ (P = 0.018). Tabby-colored cats reportedly wandered farther from the house (P = 0.009) and guarded their food more fiercely (P = 0.003) than non-tabby cats. The wide spatial distribution of hybrid-looking cats indicates that the potential hybrids became an organic part of the Hungarian companion cat population. This is the first indication that wildcat hybrids may be spontaneously born in anthropogenic environment, and despite their markedly different behavior, they can successfully thrive as companions. These results may bear great importance when we consider the status and future of the threatened wildcats in densely inhabited areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106806"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144921648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of heat stress on feeding and drinking behavior of confined Texel sheep in a tropical environment","authors":"Josiel Ferreira ,&nbsp;Charleni Crisóstomo ,&nbsp;Natana Mendes Marques ,&nbsp;Rafael Franco Bernardi ,&nbsp;Letícia de Sousa Corrêa ,&nbsp;Lucas Ferreira Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Kamila de Sousa Otávio ,&nbsp;Adibe Luiz Abdalla ,&nbsp;Ricardo Lopes Dias da Costa","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106807","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106807","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the effects of heat stress on feeding and drinking behavior patterns of confined Texel sheep under tropical environmental conditions. Forty Texel ewes were monitored for 72 days in an experimental facility equipped with automated systems for individual feed and water intake recording. Meteorological variables such as air temperature, relative humidity, and temperature-humidity index (THI) were recorded daily. Behavioral parameters assessed included number and duration of visits to feeders and waterers, as well as effective intake. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to explore patterns and discriminate behavior across THI categories. Results indicated that higher THI values, especially in the afternoon, significantly influenced water and feed intake patterns. Animals exposed to more stressful conditions showed increased water intake, more frequent visits to waterers, and shorter feeding events. These behavioral adaptations are consistent with thermoregulatory strategies aimed at reducing internal heat load and maintaining homeostasis. Despite the challenging conditions, no metabolic disorders or critical heat stress indicators were observed, likely due to environmental management that provided shade and protection from direct sunlight. Multivariate analyses effectively discriminated between thermal environments based on behavioral parameters, confirming that heat stress alters feeding and drinking behavior in confined sheep. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring animal behavior as an indicator of thermal comfort and underscore the need for adaptive management strategies in confinement systems to ensure animal welfare and maintain productivity in tropical regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106807"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144921649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A cat-friendly underwater treadmill: Case series and practical implications in reducing stress","authors":"Stefania Uccheddu,&nbsp;Laura Sinigoi,&nbsp;Tommaso Furlanello","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106803","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106803","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is an increasing number of studies on the effect of aquatic therapy in dogs, but we have very few data for the cat, not only because this is a new area in veterinary physical rehabilitation, but also because of the difficulties in managing the feline patient and its stress during the rehabilitation session. Cats are often precluded from water therapy due to the assumption of their innate aversion to water. Veterinary professionals should meticulously evaluate stress indicators in cats in order to safeguard their welfare and enhance treatment outcomes, not only during physiotherapy sessions but starting from home. When cats are involved, stress signals should be carefully considered. For cats, leaving their familiar environment can be particularly stressful, and at the moment, cat-friendly guidelines allow the veterinary team to respond early to the first signs of discomfort and adjust the interaction accordingly. As a consequence, when cats are involved, stress signals should be carefully considered. We develop a protocol for (1) recognizing fear signals; (2) reducing stress during the rehabilitation program, particularly when water is involved. All 12 cats referred for the program underwent the preliminary sessions and progressed successfully. No cats were excluded from the underwater treadmill (UWTM) portion of the program after initial evaluation. There is no data in the veterinary literature on the role of stress monitoring in cats performing water rehabilitations, even though this could be the key to success. The UWTM was followed by all of the cats, regardless of their sex, sexual status, breed, or housing condition (outdoor/indoor). Stress-related behaviors were evaluated in 12 cats over three underwater treadmill sessions. GEE analysis showed a trend toward reduced odds of stress expression with successive sessions (OR = 0.58, <em>p</em> = 0.050), with no significant change in stress counts (RR = 0.91, <em>p</em> = 0.37). Age was not associated with stress measures. Cats preferring play as reinforcement showed markedly fewer stress signs than those preferring food (RR ≈ 0.19, <em>p</em> = 0.01). Early identification of stress allows the cat to start and follow the rehabilitation program without prior exclusion, assuring wellness and appropriate rehabilitation treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106803"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144921655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Behavior and physiological responses to acoustic stimuli in Taurine and Zebuine cattle","authors":"Roberta Farias Silveira ,&nbsp;Vivian Fischer ,&nbsp;Ricardo Zambarda Vaz ,&nbsp;Adroaldo Zanella ,&nbsp;Willian Barros ,&nbsp;Isabella Dias Barbosa Silveira","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106801","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106801","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Taurine and zebu cattle behave distinctly modulated by their genotype and previous experience. We hypothesized that the greater reactivity of Zebu compared with Taurine cattle during daily routine management practice is partially due to the faster perception of sounds. This study aimed to evaluate behavioral and physiological variables of taurines and zebuines before and after the exposure to six acoustic stimuli and a control (without acoustic stimulus). Thirty-nine cows, comprising 19 Aberdeen Angus, AA (<em>Bos taurus taurus</em>) and 20 Nellore (<em>Bos taurus indicus</em>) were enrolled in this study. Six acoustic stimuli were evaluated. The three sounds evaluated were calves mooing, dogs barking and handler commands (e.g. stimulating displacement of cattle), and the sound frequencies were low (65 Hz), intermediate (8 kHz) and high (20 kHz). At each acoustic stimulus, we considered the first behavioral reaction expressed by the animals and the behaviors were registered in an ethogram. Immediately before and after the acoustic stimuli test, we measured body temperature with a thermographic camera (IRT) at the right and left lacrimal caruncles, and at the muzzle as well we determined blood glucose concentration. Further, on other date, reactivity was evaluated using flight distance and behavior score and the interaural distance was measured. The study was conducted according to factorial considering genetic group and acoustic stimuli, and each cow was considered an experimental unit, totaling 39 cows (19 AA and 20 Nellore). AA and Nellore cows did not exhibit any of the behaviors linked to hearing in the absence of sound stimuli. All acoustic stimuli provoked behavior reactions in both groups, notably handler commands, dogs barking, low and high frequencies lead to increased frequency and odds ratio of presenting head movement, ears directed towards the sound source in Nellore compared with AA. Blood glucose concentration and IRT measured at the muzzle were similar for groups, while IRT at the both lacrimal caruncles increased after acoustic stimuli test only in Nellore group. The interaural distance was shorter in Nellore compared with AA cows. Nellore cows had greater values for behavior score and flight distance than AA cows. Compared with AA cows, Nellore cows are more reactive and exhibit higher frequency of behaviors related to sound perception (e.g., head movement, ears in alert position or directed towards the sound) probably linked to faster sound perception due to their shorter interaural distance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106801"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144920241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}