Applied Animal Behaviour Science最新文献

{"title":"Empathy or Apathy? Investigating the influence of owner stress on canine stress in a novel environment","authors":"Aoife Byrne,&nbsp;Gareth Arnott","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The experience of stress in veterinary settings has the potential to compromise patient health and welfare. Owner presence and behaviour have previously been shown to influence canine stress in novel environments. However, the effect of owner stress on the behavioural and physiological stress parameters of their dogs, has yet to be investigated. The present study posed the question “Do changes in owner stress levels influence canine stress in a novel environment?” To answer this question, domestic dogs, <em>Canis familiaris</em>, and their owners were fitted with Polar® H10 heart rate monitors. These monitors were used to record heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, while owners were exposed to a stress-inducing or stress-relieving intervention. A significant decrease in dog HR over time was reported as a main effect for all dogs. This emphasises the importance of allowing dogs to acclimatise to novel environments, particularly in veterinary settings. While intervention group had no effect on owner or dog HR, or HRV, the study identified that changes in owner mean HR significantly predicted changes in dog mean HR. This suggests that dogs may exhibit emotional contagion and social referencing towards their owners in novel settings, and that acute changes in owner stress levels can produce rapid changes in canine physiological stress parameters. Therefore, awareness of owner stress should be incorporated into veterinary practice, with the aim of reducing canine stress, and improving patient and client welfare.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"279 ","pages":"Article 106403"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142320430","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":"Ethogram of the predatory sequence of dogs (Canis familiaris)","authors":"Anna Broseghini ,&nbsp;Miina Lõoke ,&nbsp;Cécile Guérineau ,&nbsp;Lieta Marinelli ,&nbsp;Paolo Mongillo","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106402","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Predatory behaviour is a relevant part of the behavioural repertoire of dogs, which often entails negative or desirable implications, depending on the context and target to which it is directed. It is also considered one of the most characterising aspects of breed-specific behaviour. Despite its relevance, there is surprisingly little scientific knowledge about the topic. In the present study we sought to develop an ethogram of the predatory sequence of dogs, with the aim of providing a sufficiently general structure to be applicable to dogs at large, without eluding peculiar aspects of the species’ specific behaviour. Sixty videos of dogs of different breeds expressing predatory acts, including both videos obtained from public internet repositories and videos made on purpose, were described in detail by two different observers. From descriptions, a general sequence was identified, consisting of four functional phases, i.e. search, approach, chase and bite. The descriptions of the behaviours included in each phase were organised into three levels, characterised by different levels of detail and focusing on different aspects of the behaviour. When appropriate, these descriptions highlighted differences in behaviour expressed by dogs belonging to different working groups. The ethogram proposed in the present paper could represent a useful starting point for improving knowledge about the predatory behaviour of dogs and answering relevant questions about both its evolution and ontogeny.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"279 ","pages":"Article 106402"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142327177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Puzzle feeder as a cognitive enrichment strategy determines long-term welfare improvements in a teleost fish","authors":"Elia Gatto ,&nbsp;Chiara Varracchio ,&nbsp;Cristiano Bertolucci ,&nbsp;Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Providing access to cognitive tasks, such as puzzle feeders, holds promise as enrichment strategy to enhance the welfare of captive animals. Despite the substantial number of teleost fish in captivity, the effects of cognitive enrichments in this group remain relatively unexplored. To address this gap in knowledge, we investigated the response of zebrafish to a puzzle feeder. In the first experiment of this study, zebrafish were presented with the option of a puzzle feeder or freely available food. While the subjects exhibited a preference for the latter option, they demonstrated some interest in the puzzle feeder, continuing to use it even though there was easily accessible food nearby. In a subsequent experiment, zebrafish groups were maintained in either a cognitive enrichment condition, where food was consistently provided through puzzle feeders, or a control condition with no cognitive enrichments. Welfare effects of the treatments were then assessed using standard behavioural indicators in the open-field test (i.e., time spent in the centre of the apparatus; number of entrances in the central sector; swim velocity; erratic swimming). Results unveiled an improvement in three welfare indicators due to cognitive enrichment, becoming apparent approximately 20 days after the treatment. Our study underscores the significance of puzzle feeders as cognitive enrichments in captive fish welfare, although consideration of other welfare indicators and different types of puzzles that elicit a more pronounced attraction is required.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"279 ","pages":"Article 106401"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142320429","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 effect of ramped nursery housing on pig behavior during loading and unloading at marketing","authors":"Mary L. Kasakamu ,&nbsp;Jennifer M. Young ,&nbsp;Ryan S. Samuel ,&nbsp;Sarah A. Wagner ,&nbsp;Christopher J. Byrd","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106397","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106397","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Transportation is an essential component of commercial swine production in the United States. Stressors experienced during the process of transportation, including loading and unloading, can result in poor welfare outcomes and economic losses. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether exposure to a ramp structure during the nursery period affected ease of loading and unloading at marketing. A secondary objective was to determine if nursery ramp provision affected nursery pig behavior and pig growth throughout the nursery and grow-finish phases. Five hundred forty weaned pigs (17 – 21 days of age) housed in 20 pens (each pen holding approximately 27 pigs) were assigned to one of two experimental treatments: 1) access to a ramp with platform within the pen during the nursery phase (<strong>RAMP</strong>) or 2) a standard pen with no access to a ramp with platform during the nursery phase (<strong>CONT</strong>). After 6 weeks, ramps were removed from RAMP pens and all pigs were raised under standard conditions until marketing. Nursery behavior (posture, eating, drinking, aggression) and growth performance during the nursery and grow-finish phases were evaluated. No differences in nursery behavior or growth performance were observed between treatments (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). At marketing, pigs were loaded in groups of four pen mates onto a semi-trailer and unloaded in mixed treatment groups upon arrival at the processing facility. During loading, duration to ascend the ramp to the trailer was quantified, along with the number of trips displayed by any animals and handler electric prod usage. Pigs in the RAMP treatment required a shorter duration to ascend the ramp compared to the CONT pigs (<em>P</em> = 0.002). An electric prod was used more frequently with CONT pigs compared to RAMP pigs (<em>P</em> = 0.02). During unloading, the total duration it took for pigs to descend the ramp, as well as the number of turnarounds, trips, and backward movement descending the ramp were quantified. Rattle paddle usage by the handler and dead on arrivals were also recorded. Control pigs required a shorter duration to descend the ramp compared to the RAMP pigs (<em>P</em> = 0.04). Additionally, a greater number of RAMP pigs descended the ramp backwards compared to CONT pigs (<em>P</em> = 0.02). No other treatment differences were observed. In conclusion, exposing pigs to a ramp during the nursery phase improved ease of loading at marketing and had no effect on nursery behavior and growth performance throughout the nursery and grow-finish phases.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"279 ","pages":"Article 106397"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142241214","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":"Temperament of the dairy cow relates to her maternal behaviour in a pasture-based extended suckling system","authors":"Sandra Liliana Ospina Rios ,&nbsp;Caroline Lee ,&nbsp;Sarah J. Andrewartha ,&nbsp;Megan Verdon","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106400","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106400","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cow-calf rearing is gaining interest in dairy systems as an alternative to calf separation soon after birth. One commonly articulated benefit of these ‘extended suckling’ systems is that they allow expression of highly motivated maternal behaviours. The quality of maternal expression is subject to natural variation, however, and could be influenced by the temperamental characteristics of the dam. This study assessed the relationship between cow temperamental characteristics and expression of maternal behaviours in a pasture-based extended suckling system. Sixteen dairy cows (<em>Bos taurus</em>) underwent social isolation, novel object and novel human tests at 4 months of pregnancy. A principal components analysis (PCA) was used to determine associations between cow responses in these tests. After parturition, the cows entered an extended suckling system (half-day contact) until calves were weaned. Cow-calf interactions at pasture were video recorded for 4 consecutive hours (∼09:00 AM – 1:00 PM) at weeks 3, 6 and 9 post-partum. These data were used to calculate a maternal behaviour score for cows by subtracting the frequency of “negative” maternal behaviours (i.e., agonistic behaviour delivered to own calf, rejecting own calf suckling attempt and rejecting attempted contact by own calf) from the frequency of “positive” maternal behaviours (i.e., nursing own calf, affiliative behaviour delivered to own calf and proximity to own calf). A Pearson correlation was then used to assess the relationship between factors scores and maternal scores. Three behavioural traits were identified from the PCA: boldness, anxiety and sociability. In general, cows delivered more affiliative behaviour to their calves than to other calves and to cows and nursed their own calf more than other calves. The maternal behaviour score varied (mean ± SD, 33 ± 13.4, minimum = 9, maximum = 49). Cows with higher loadings for boldness had a lower maternal behaviour score (p &lt; 0.05). There was no correlation between maternal behaviour score and anxiety or sociability (p &gt; 0.05). The lower maternal behaviour score of bold cows in this study might be influenced by their prioritisation of foraging and exploration over interactions with their calves. Despite the long-standing practice of calf separation soon after birth, the current study demonstrates that maternal abilities of pasture-based dairy dams persist. We conclude that cow temperamental characteristics are related to how the cows interacted with their calves.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"279 ","pages":"Article 106400"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016815912400248X/pdfft?md5=85f450e5fb4b47dcb05ebb5941f8d50f&pid=1-s2.0-S016815912400248X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142241215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oral behaviour during riding is associated with oral lesions in dressage horses – A field study","authors":"Janne Winther Christensen ,&nbsp;Mette Uldahl","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106396","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106396","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The welfare of sports horses is debated both within and outside the horse community. One welfare concern is the frequent occurrence of oral lesions. Lesions may be caused by inappropriate training and ill-fitting equipment. Increased knowledge of behavioural signs of pain, discomfort and frustration (often jointly labelled ‘conflict behaviour’) in horses can increase awareness by riders, trainers, officials, and competition judges, which is a first step towards reducing the occurrence. This study included 11 warmblood dressage horses competing at upper national level (Intermediaire I). The horses were randomly selected (from a total of 22 horses) for an unannounced inspection for oral lesions immediately after leaving the dressage arena. Five of the 11 horses had abrasion of the skin and/or mucosa at one or both commissures of the lips and were eliminated from the competition according to the rules of the national equestrian federation. An experienced observer who was blind regarding the outcome of the inspection, scored behaviour in the 11 horses from official video recordings available online from the event. The frequency of mouth opening ranged from 5 to 59 times in the 11 horses. Horses with oral lesions had a significantly higher frequency of mouth opening compared to horses without oral lesions (t-test, mean ±SEM; lesions: 34.6 ±6.7 vs. no lesions: 12.2 ±2.4, t(9) = 3.4, P = 0.008). The frequency of other conflict behaviours did not differ significantly between the groups (e.g. tail swishing: MWU-test, median [25;75 %]; lesions: 25 [14;27] vs. no lesions: 10 [6,24], U = 7.0, P = 0.18). It is concluded that oral behaviour may be a useful indicator of oral lesions. Further studies are needed to investigate behavioural signs of discomfort and pain in riding horses, as behaviour can be an early predictor of compromised welfare. Increased awareness of subtle behavioural signs is therefore an important first step towards improved sports horse welfare.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"279 ","pages":"Article 106396"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124002442/pdfft?md5=dcf3689133f3f94eacddf237c86de6d3&pid=1-s2.0-S0168159124002442-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142162400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The cage as an educational and therapeutic tool for dogs: Results of a dog’s owners questionnaire survey","authors":"Stéphane Bleuer-Elsner ,&nbsp;Sylvia Masson","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106386","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106386","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>The primary motivation for dog ownership is companionship, significantly enhancing the quality of life for both dogs and their owners. However, behavioral problems can strain this bond, leading many owners to resort to caging as a management strategy. This study aims to examine the frequency of cage use for educational and behavioral reasons, assess its efficacy in modifying behaviors, and explore potential welfare implications.</p></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><p>A 41-question survey was disseminated via social networks from January to June 2021, collecting data on various aspects related to dogs, including caging history, duration, type of cage, outcomes for training purposes, behavioral modification plans, and welfare impact. The survey, available in French, English, and Hebrew, gathered responses from 1305 dog owners across 23 countries.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The study found that 25.4 % of respondents used cages for their dogs. Neutered female dogs were more likely to be caged than their counterparts. The majority of caged dogs were puppies aged 6 months or younger, typically caged for training purposes. According to owners report, training goals were more easily achieved than behavioral goals, with dogs caged for behavioral conditions exhibiting more signs of distress.</p></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><p>The findings highlight the prevalent use of caging for various purposes. If the study outcomes show an overall low level of discomfort for caged dogs, they also emphasize that signs of distress significantly increase when the cage is used for managing behavioral issues. The study underscores the need for enhanced education for veterinarians and trainers to reduce unnecessary caging and promote alternative management strategies. Future research should incorporate objective measures of behavior and welfare, explore the efficacy of alternative strategies, and investigate cultural factors influencing caging practices.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Crating can serve educational purposes with minimal welfare impact when used appropriately. However, it is ineffective and potentially detrimental when used for behavioral therapy in dogs with behavioral disorders. Owners should seek professional guidance and closely monitor their dogs for signs of distress when using crates. Using a crate as a personal and protected space can be beneficial if the dog retains control over its use.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"279 ","pages":"Article 106386"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142167189","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":"Owner-rated personality in companion parrots (Aves; Psittaciformes); A four dimension model","authors":"Rachel A. Grant ,&nbsp;Phill Greenwell ,&nbsp;Daniel C. Kolubinski","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106387","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106387","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Parrots are popular companion animals around the world. Unlike dogs and cats there are many different species kept as pets, meaning there is likely to be more variety in personality, although comparative studies are lacking. Companion psittacines are undomesticated and have complex needs in captivity, increasing the risk for rehoming and welfare issues. Although personality has been studied in birds, this is the first study which looks at personality across eight different taxonomic groups of captive parrots, rated by their owners. A survey of owners of 2200 parrots revealed a four-dimension model of personality: confidence, prosociality, neuroticism and playfulness. There were differences in the levels of these traits between taxonomic groups and variation depending on rearing history and wing clip status. African Grey parrots were lower in confidence than other groups. Hand rearing and wing clipping increased prosociality (perhaps as a substitute for domestication) but with a cost of increased neuroticism. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that a highly neurotic, less prosocial personality predicted an owner’s intention to rehome their pet. To our knowledge this is the first study of personality across multiple taxonomic groups of psittacines, and the first to show the effects of common husbandry methods on personality, as well as showing personality can predict rehoming intention.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"279 ","pages":"Article 106387"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124002351/pdfft?md5=5a3ee6939945c10ac677a2c53e9a5d3f&pid=1-s2.0-S0168159124002351-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142230764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Social interactions of dairy cows and their association with milk yield and somatic cell count","authors":"Helen R. Fielding ,&nbsp;Matthew J. Silk ,&nbsp;Trevelyan J. McKinley ,&nbsp;Richard J. Delahay ,&nbsp;Jared K. Wilson-Aggarwal ,&nbsp;Laetitia Gauvin ,&nbsp;Laura Ozella ,&nbsp;Ciro Cattuto ,&nbsp;Robbie A. McDonald","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106385","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106385","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The social environment experienced by livestock can have implications for their health, welfare, and subsequently, their productivity. Changes in the dairy industry have led to larger herd sizes and altered management of cows, which has impacted their social environment. Studies have shown that mixing of animals can lead to social instability of groups and expansion of herds can lead to high stocking densities resulting in social stress and negative effects on production. Yet few studies have assessed the putative impact of positive cow-cow interactions, such as proximity to preferred herd mates and engaging in grooming, on milk production and udder health. To address this, we used cattle proximity as a proxy for affiliative interactions between cows in three dairy herds in south-west England over one week study periods. We created proximity networks of dairy cows and measured cow-cow associations according to milk yield, somatic cell count (SCC; an indicator of mastitis), parity (number of lactations in the cow’s lifetime), and lactation stage (grouped by days in milk for current lactation). We then assessed associations between social factors and production and health measures (milk yield and SCC). In all three herds, cows interacted more with cows in the same parity, suggesting early social bonding may be evident later in life and that grouping animals in terms of parity might encourage affiliative interactions. Cows did not associate according to milk yield, SCC, or lactation stage. There was no significant association between milk production or SCC and the total time spent in social contact with other cows, the mean time spent with the four closest herd mates, or the number of closest herd mates of the same parity. We suggest that further research on positive social environments for dairy cattle is warranted in the interests of improving welfare and enabling a more robust assessment of the putative effects on production and health parameters</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"279 ","pages":"Article 106385"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124002338/pdfft?md5=30ea0ec1c7f4af756130fe44019a6261&pid=1-s2.0-S0168159124002338-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142162497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physiological and behavioral responses to social isolation and starvation in a social fish","authors":"Dan-Dan Xu ,&nbsp;Chun-Hua Wang ,&nbsp;Jin-Qiu Bi ,&nbsp;Huan Luo ,&nbsp;Shi-Jian Fu ,&nbsp;Bin Li ,&nbsp;Ling-Qing Zeng","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106384","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106384","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Changes in the social environment, such as segregating an individual who would typically reside within a social group, may elicit physiological and behavioral responses to external stimulus such as starvation. However, such changes in phenotypic traits receive a little attention in social fish. Here, we used qingbo (<em>Spinibarbus sinensis</em>) with high level of sociability as animal model in order to examine the physiological and behavioral responses of this fish species to social environment (isolation <em>vs</em>. grouping) and nutritional state (well-fed <em>vs</em>. starvation). We found that differences in the reduction of body masses between the group-reared and the isolation-reared fish during periods of starvation can be partially attributed to variations in water volume within the tanks. Additionally, the decrease in standard metabolic rate was more pronounced in the group-reared fish compared to the isolation-reared fish when deprived of food, except for maximum metabolic rate and aerobic scope. Interestingly, only the group-reared fish experienced a decline in constant acceleration swimming performance after food deprivation, while this was not observed in the isolated fish. Neither social isolation nor starvation had any impact on personality expression (e.g., exploration, activity, and boldness). However, both exploration and boldness exhibited temporal effects with an increase in these two personality traits. Social isolation tended to elevate anxiety-like behavior levels. Both social isolation and starvation did not affect upper thermal tolerance; however, starvation enhanced cold resistance of the fish. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of how social environment combined with trophic stress influences phenotypic traits and may offer valuable insights into animal welfare considerations for both natural habitats and aquaculture practices.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"278 ","pages":"Article 106384"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142097572","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}