Applied Animal Behaviour Science最新文献

{"title":"Humans can accurately categorise negative but not positive emotional facial expressions in horses","authors":"Romane Phelipon ,&nbsp;Gaëlle Lefort ,&nbsp;Olivier Galland ,&nbsp;Benoît Piégu ,&nbsp;Noémie Hennes ,&nbsp;Elodie Briefer ,&nbsp;Léa Lansade","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106901","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106901","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recognising emotional facial expressions plays a key role in communication, both within and between species. Many non-human animals, including horses, discriminate and react to emotional human facial expressions. This raises the question of whether humans also consider some animals’ facial expressions when determining their emotional states. To address this, the present study aimed to assess human ability to categorise horses’ facial expressions according to their valence (positive/negative) and arousal (high/low), across eight distinct situations likely to elicit emotions (e.g., social isolation, going to a food bucket), and whether prior experience referring to the level of contact with horses improved this ability. An online task, in the form of a quiz, was conducted in which human participants were asked to categorise photographs of horses’ facial expressions based on perceived emotional valence and arousal. Results showed that participants (n = 930) performed well in the valence categorisation of expressions displayed in situations likely to elicit negative emotions (e.g., social isolation: 90 % of correct categorisation, sudden stimulus: 91 %), and that experience with horses improved performance in these cases. However, participants had greater difficulty in categorising the valence of facial expressions emitted in positive contexts (e.g., grooming: 42 %, going to a food bucket: 59 %), and experience, based on their level of contact, did not consistently enhance performance. Low arousal context (resting in the sun: 93 %) was well recognised, while categorisation accuracy for high arousal contexts (e.g., going to a food bucket: 55 %, sudden stimulus: 96 %) was more variable. These findings suggest that humans have a limited ability to recognise horses’ emotional states based on facial expressions, particularly for positive emotions, highlighting the need for increased awareness and caution when interpreting them. Accurate recognition of animals’ emotional facial expressions is therefore crucial, as it contributes directly to the broader assessment of their welfare.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"296 ","pages":"Article 106901"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789195","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":"The effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in transport water on the behaviour of ornamental fishes","authors":"M. Jones ,&nbsp;M.E. Alexander ,&nbsp;M. Vanderzwalmen ,&nbsp;D. Snellgrove ,&nbsp;M. Talbot ,&nbsp;P. Smith ,&nbsp;F.L. Henriquez ,&nbsp;I. McLellan ,&nbsp;K.A. Sloman","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106897","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106897","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The ornamental fish supply chain has multiple transportation phases which can induce stress in fishes. Previous studies have considered methods of improving welfare during transport, by adding water conditioners based on natural compounds known to have anxiolytic effects. Cannabidiol (CBD) has recently emerged as a compound of interest with beneficial immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic effects in mammals. In the first part of the present study, we identified whether addition of CBD to the transport water of ornamental fishes (at nominal concentrations of 3.9, 7.8 or 15.6 mg/l) had an effect on group behaviour post-transport. Variatus platys were transported for 30 min in bags containing one of five treatment groups (control, solvent control, 3.9, 7.8 or 15.6 mg/l CBD). They were then videoed as a group (15 min) immediately after introduction post-transport into an empty tank, with further videoing performed 30 min and 2 h after release. Behaviours analysed included biting, chasing, erratic movements and time spent immobile. The lowest concentration found to affect a range of behaviours was 7.8 mg/l (the middle concentration). Based on these findings, this concentration was used in a follow-on study to identify whether the use of CBD during transport affected individual behaviour and physiology post-transport. Fish were transported in the same way, and then fish were placed individually into open field arenas immediately after transport and videoed for 15 min. Behaviours analysed in the open field arenas included distance travelled, mean speed, time spent immobile, and time spent in the central zone. Water cortisol and skin mucus quantity were also analysed. CBD significantly affected behaviour post-transport, with those fish exposed to CBD exhibiting significantly reduced stress-related behaviours than those in the control and solvent control groups at both the group and individual level. No effects on mucus or water cortisol were seen. These findings highlight the potential for using CBD within commercial water conditioners to reduce the effects of transport stress for ornamental fishes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"296 ","pages":"Article 106897"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145838164","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":"Keel bone fractures are associated with anxiety like behavioural responses in laying hens housed individually in furnished cages","authors":"Jiaqi Zhang ,&nbsp;Jingyi Zhang ,&nbsp;Haoran Zhang ,&nbsp;Lu Guo ,&nbsp;Hengyi Zhang ,&nbsp;Hongui Liu ,&nbsp;Jianhong Li ,&nbsp;Jun Bao ,&nbsp;Runxiang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106903","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106903","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Keel bone fracture (KBF) is a common injury that affects the behaviour and welfare of laying hens. This study aimed to investigate the impact of KBF on anxiety-like behaviour in laying hens and explore the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Ninety 46-week-old Hy-Line Brown hens were individually housed in furnished cages and divided into two groups based on keel bone diagnosis: the non-fracture group (NF) and the KBF group. Keel bone status was evaluated at 46, 49, and 52 weeks of age using a combination of palpation and X-ray examination. Behavioural data were collected two days after each diagnosis. The open field test (OFT) was conducted at 49 weeks (n = 25 per group), and the attention bias test (ABT) was performed at 52 weeks (NF = 39, KBF=51). Behavioural observations revealed that hens with KBF displayed significantly increased preening and toe pecking behaviours. OFT showed a significant prolongation of the first movement latency and a reduction in exploration time in KBF hens. KBF hens exhibited significantly longer latencies for the first vocalization, first step, and first eating in ABT. Collectively, the OFT and ABT results indicated that hens with keel bone fractures exhibited the anxiety-like behaviour. Physiological indicators (n = 6) revealed elevated serum corticosterone levels and decreased serum serotonin levels in hens with KBF, suggesting that KBF induces a stress response, which contributes to the manifestation of anxiety-like behaviours. Golgi staining (n = 3) revealed a significant reduction in hippocampal neuronal complexity in KBF hens, indicating neuronal damage. qRT-PCR (n = 6) and western blot (n = 3) analysis demonstrated altered expression of genes related to anxiety in the hippocampus, characterized by a notable decrease in the protein levels of DCX, BDNF, and EGR1, suggesting impaired neurogenesis (DCX), reduced stress resilience (DCX and BDNF), and decrease neuroplasticity (BDNF and EGR1), all of which are closely linked to anxiety-like behaviour. Therefore, we suggest that keel bone fracture is associated with anxiety-like behaviour in laying hens, which may result from stress signals generated by the fracture that trigger the expression of anxiety-related genes in the brain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"296 ","pages":"Article 106903"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789196","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":"Use of artificial shelter structures by individual Penaeus monodon broodstock prawns","authors":"Dana L.M. Campbell ,&nbsp;Greg J. Coman ,&nbsp;Chris Stratford ,&nbsp;Pushkar Mandrekar ,&nbsp;Troy Kalinowski ,&nbsp;Caroline Lee ,&nbsp;Artur N. Rombenso","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106896","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106896","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Optimising the housing and management conditions for aquaculture species is becoming increasingly important. Determining what resources animals prefer can inform captive management decisions for positive impacts on the individual’s welfare. The black tiger prawn (<em>Penaeus monodon</em>) aquaculture industry is prominent in Australia and is the second most farmed prawn species internationally, however there is little information on resource preferences of broodstock animals in hatcheries. The objective of this study was to assess the use of three different shelter structures, including a rectangular box, a cylindrical tube, and a vertical piece of plastic mesh, by 21 individual male <em>P. monodon</em>. It was hypothesised that prawns would utilise these objects and would prefer to be hidden rather than out on the open sandy substrate. Observations were made from video-recordings of individual prawns in separate tanks across 72 h. Scan sampling every 15 min included the location of the prawn in the tank (visually divided into thirds), proximity to a shelter structure, and contact with a shelter structure. Analyses across 12-h time blocks showed no effect of time on location (both <em>P</em> ≥ 0.13). There were only 6 instances where the prawns were observed in contact with the shelter structures and no significant difference in proximity preferences for the three shelter structures (<em>P</em> = 0.26). Large standard deviations across measures of location preference and proximity indicated high variability between the tested individuals. Contrary to predictions, this study indicates these selected objects did not provide sufficient value to individual prawns to facilitate engagement with them in the experimental context tested. It is possible the sandy substrate in the tanks was sufficient enrichment for the prawns or that use may have increased if there was conspecific competition for access. Further work should continue to explore what resources may be utilised by this species that may inform on practical additions in the commercial hatchery environment. Future identification of resources that are of value to <em>P. monodon</em> prawns should continue to assess preferences while taking into account communal settings, individual variation and the potential benefits of providing a choice of resources that can cater to differing preferences.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"296 ","pages":"Article 106896"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789129","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-related changes in canine heart rate and heart rate variability during short-term measurement","authors":"Päivi Berg ,&nbsp;Aija Koskela ,&nbsp;Jukka A. Lipponen ,&nbsp;Heini Törnqvist ,&nbsp;Jan Kujala ,&nbsp;Mika P. Tarvainen ,&nbsp;Miiamaaria V. Kujala","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106899","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106899","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cardiac function is influenced by both physiological and emotional factors, with heart rate variability (HRV) serving as a key indicator of health and wellbeing. Despite the growing interest in utilizing short-term cardiac measures in canine science, the behavioral aspects of HRV in domestic dogs (<em>Canis familiaris</em>) remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to provide reference values for short-term HRV to aid future research on canine behavior in medium-sized, mesocephalic and dolichocephalic dogs, to examine differences in HRV during typical canine behaviors, and to develop practical tools for the analysis of canine cardiac function. We assessed heart rate, HRV, and physical activity of 29 dogs across five behavioral states (Resting, Playing, Panting, Spontaneous sniffing and Food searching) and investigated how these behaviors influenced time-domain and frequency-domain HRV parameters. The impact of physical activity, sex, neutered status, age, height, and weight on these parameters within the specific sample was also assessed. Both time-domain and frequency-domain parameters were affected by the behaviors. Precisely, HRV generally decreased with behavior-related physical activity (root mean square of successive differences, RMSSD; Resting vs. Playing, p &lt; 0.001; and Resting vs. Searching for food, p &lt; 0.001). However, RMSSD was significantly lower during Searching for food compared to Spontaneous sniffing (p = 0.012), despite similar activity levels, indicating higher emotional arousal when searching for food. Overall, the high-frequency component (HF power) and RMSSD differentiated well between the distinct canine behaviors. Also, physical activity (measured as 3D acceleration) was the most influential background variable in this highly specific sample, correlating with HRV parameters and depending on the behavior.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"296 ","pages":"Article 106899"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145749958","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 partial cage dividers on animal welfare and social behavior in California mice (Peromyscus californicus)","authors":"Brayana L. Knollenberg ,&nbsp;Alicia F. Dye ,&nbsp;Zachary T. Oakland,&nbsp;Jasmine C. Redding,&nbsp;Brian C. Trainor","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106905","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106905","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>California mice (<em>Peromyscus californicus</em>) are an important model species for studying social behaviors that are not readily expressed in standard laboratory mouse and rat lines. Under natural conditions, this species is highly territorial, and both males and females exhibit high levels of aggression in laboratory conditions. Like other rodent species, fighting among cage-mates can create animal welfare problems for California mice. Here we tested whether the use of partial cage dividers could reduce the impact of cage-mate fighting in California mice. Partial cage dividers were made of polycarbonate and extended approximately halfway down the center of the cage. Dividers allowed individual mice to move throughout the cage and created additional complexity that may allow individuals to avoid one another. For California mice raised without dividers, males were significantly more likely than females to have tail wounds. There was a non-significant trend for a lower probability of tail wounds in male California mice raised with dividers versus control males without dividers. Effects of dividers were more evident on approach to a novel object and social approach, two behaviors that are stress sensitive. Females raised with dividers approached an empty cage more than control animals, whereas this difference was not significant in males. Dividers also reduced effects of stress on social approach in females but not males. Overall, our results suggest that raising California mice with partial cage dividers has anxiolytic effects on behavior and can have beneficial effects on animal welfare, especially for males.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"296 ","pages":"Article 106905"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789194","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":"Try before you buy: Preferences for naturalistic-style enclosures are influenced by experience in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)","authors":"Melanie Denommé,&nbsp;Glenn J. Tattersall","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106887","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106887","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To ensure their welfare in captivity, reptiles are typically provided enclosures that aim to mimic their natural environment, as such enclosures may be preferred and better facilitate important behaviours. Research has frequently supported this principle, and has often found that reptiles’ preferences for naturalistic resources are innate. Regardless, it is critical to assess if the assumed benefits of such enclosures are realized; this may be especially pertinent for reptiles, given that the life histories of many species are not well known, making it unclear what “naturalistic” entails. Therefore, we used preference tests to examine the behaviour of bearded dragons (<em>Pogona vitticeps</em>) when allowed to freely interact with environments that were naturalistic or less complex (hereafter, standard). Lizards were randomly assigned to live in either naturalistic- or standard-style enclosures and swapped into the opposite style after 200 days. Preference tests were performed twice, occurring at least 100 days after lizards had lived in either enclosure style. In contrast to other work in reptiles, we found that a lizard’s experience influenced their behaviour: Lizards who were housed exclusively in standard-style enclosures when they were young spent more time with the style that they were familiar with when the preference test was performed, and, for all lizards, naturalistic-style enclosures were only preferred the second time the test was performed. Overall, these results suggest that familiarity may play an important role in the lizard’s preferences for naturalistic resources. Furthermore, the behaviour of lizards exclusively housed in standard-style enclosures when young could be indicative of neophobia induced by the relative low complexity of their rearing conditions, as has been observed in other vertebrates. Finally, because lizards only preferred naturalistic resources the second time the test was performed, these results may also suggest that the perceived value of naturalistic resources may have changed due to the timing of these tests, perhaps due to the lizard’s maturation or due to the season in which each test was performed. Regardless, all lizards used naturalistic resources more often to climb, dig, and hide, suggesting that these were superior for facilitating important, species-specific, motivated behaviours. In conclusion, these results demonstrate how a number of factors could influence a lizard’s perception of naturalistic resources and underscores how such resources may best facilitate important behaviours in <em>P. vitticeps</em>. Furthermore, these findings highlight the importance of assessing the assumed benefits of naturalistic enclosures and provide some practical recommendations for such assessments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 106887"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748958","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":"Mending fences: Relationship quality, not reproductive cycle, predicts reconciliation in Amiata jennies","authors":"Alice Galotti ,&nbsp;Viviana Forti ,&nbsp;Alessandra Rota ,&nbsp;Paolo Baragli ,&nbsp;Elisabetta Palagi","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106885","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106885","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Research on reconciliation has mainly focused on primates, leaving domestic ungulates largely unexplored. To address this gap, we investigated female–female agonistic and post-conflict dynamics in a stable group of jennies (<em>Equus asinus</em>), integrating behavioral observations with a physiologically validated reproductive parameter. During estrus, females showed increased proximity, suggesting that reproductive cycle promotes tolerance and spatial cohesion. Closer spacing did not lead to more overt aggression, but was associated with a rise in subtle threats, likely functioning as a low-cost strategy to regulate tension while avoiding escalation. Here, we also reported reconciliation in our group of jennies, consistent with findings in horses, a species phylogenetically close to donkeys. Most conciliatory contacts occurred within seconds after aggression and were more frequent between closely bonded partners, supporting the <em>Valuable Relationship Hypothesis</em>. Victims were more likely to initiate post-conflict contacts with close affiliates and aggressors of similar rank, indicating a balance between preserving valuable ties and minimizing risk. Reconciliation was also more likely after high-intensity aggression, suggesting its key role in rapidly repairing relationships when social costs are highest. Contrary to our predictions, the reproductive cycle did not influence post-conflict behavior. The absence of a resident male in the group likely reduced reproductive competition among females, which may explain this result. By integrating physiological and behavioral approaches, this study not only provides the first systematic evidence of reconciliation in donkeys but also demonstrates that subtle social dynamics in female-only groups can be rigorously quantified. Extending conflict management research beyond primates to domestic ungulates reveals mechanisms that are both evolutionarily informative and directly relevant to husbandry, offering novel insights into how social cohesion and welfare can be maintained in managed populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 106885"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145665667","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":"Behavioural and performance responses of primiparous buffalo cows to milking types with full or partial cow-calf contact during milking","authors":"İbrahim Cihangir Okuyucu","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106893","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106893","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The shift to mechanized milking warrants further investigation into its effects on performance and behavioral outcomes in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), a species characterized by a unique mother-calf bond and udder structure. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of milking type (MT) — bucket milking machine (BM) versus hand milking (HM) — and of cow–calf contact (CC) during milking (full (FC) or partial (PC)) on milking performance and behavioral traits in primiparous Anatolian buffalo cows. Hence, for an 8-week experiment, 80 healthy cows weighing 500 ± 40 kg and with 35 ± 5 days in milk were selected and assigned to four treatments (BM-FC, HM-FC, BM-PC, and HM-PC), with 20 cows per treatment. Data on behavioral traits (milking temperament, stepping, kicking, urinating, defecating, vocalization, turning the head back, and tail wagging) and milking performance (milk flow rate, milking duration, and milk yield per milking) were collected four times at 14-day intervals: behavioral traits by scoring and milking performance by measuring. The milking performance data were evaluated using a 2 × 2 factorial design: MT (BM and HM) × CC (PC and FC). A non-parametric permutation test was applied to assess the effects of these factors on the temperament score. Depending on the data type, Spearman or Pearson correlation analyses were used to assess pairwise correlations among behavioral and milking-performance traits. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between behavioral responses and the MT and CC factors. The BM resulted in a longer milking duration and a lower milk flow rate than the HM, whereas the FC resulted in a shorter milking duration and a higher milk flow rate than the PC. BM-PC showed reduced milk yield per milking and greater nervousness during milking compared with BM-FC, HM-PC, and HM-FC. Positive correlations between milking temperament score and behavioral traits ranged from weak (defecation and urination) to moderate (vocalizing, turning the head back, and tail wagging). Milking performance parameters and temperament scores were moderately negatively correlated. The BM and FC cows exhibited higher behavioral response levels (primarily kicking, vocalization, and stepping) than their reference counterparts (HM and PC). This study indicates that primiparous Anatolian buffalo cows subjected to BM are more susceptible to CC-associated milking stress, which can adversely affect their welfare and, subsequently, their milking performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 106893"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748961","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":"King penguins and gentoo penguins prefer to behaviourally interact with white plastics over other colours","authors":"A.M. Heswall ,&nbsp;K.E. Cain ,&nbsp;M.R. Friesen ,&nbsp;A.C. Gaskett","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106891","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106891","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seabirds are a speciose and at-risk animal group with specialized sensory ecologies that are highly responsive and vulnerable to sensory-related threats such as plastic ingestion. Seabirds may consume plastic because it functions as a sensory trap, exploiting the birds’ pre-existing biases for specific odours or colours. Previous studies have documented white plastics as a common colour in the ocean and is frequently ingested by seabirds, potentially due to its abundance. Alternatively, seabirds may selectively choose to ingest the colour white regardless of abundance in the marine environment. To evaluate whether seabirds prefer to behaviourally interact with white plastics over others, we used standardized behavioural assays to test seabird attraction to various colours of a commonly ingested plastic item: bottlecaps. Assays were performed with captive gentoo and king penguins (<em>Pygoscelis papua</em>; and <em>Aptenodytes patagonicus</em>; Tokoraki) by simultaneously presenting white, black, red and blue bottlecaps and quantifying responses. Overall, penguins were looking and showing interest with all four colours but strongly preferred the white bottlecap, showing a colour preference behaviour towards white plastics among seabirds. Seabirds may be actively attracted to white as it could be strongly associated with cues from eggs and prey associated with a potential foraging or reproductive benefit. It would be beneficial for future research to explore how plastic maybe exploiting the seabird’s sensory biases, using a sensory ecology approach to mitigate plastic ingestion for a threatened avian group.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 106891"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145749009","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}