Applied Animal Behaviour Science最新文献

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Effects of birdwatching tourism on breeding behaviour and reproductive success of hornbills” [Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 292 (2025) 106763]","authors":"Shuang Yang , Xi Lu , Jiaju Liu , Shuangping Yu , Zuwei Yang , Anru Zuo , Ruixin Mo , Dong Zhu , Shilong Liu , Yubao Duan","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106867","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106867","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 106867"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145690733","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":"Predicting equine behavior from small datasets using machine learning with LLM-generated explanations","authors":"Oleksandra Topal ,&nbsp;Inna Novalija ,&nbsp;Dunja Mladenić ,&nbsp;Elena Gobbo ,&nbsp;Manja Zupan Šemrov","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106863","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106863","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding horse fearfulness is crucial for building strong human–animal relationships, influencing training methods, task selection, and predicting reactions to new stimuli. This interdisciplinary study aimed to identify key characteristics for predicting a horse’s fearfulness. Using classical machine learning, we analyzed anatomical, kinematic, and housing-related data from 49 horses, with fear scores obtained through a standardized behavioral test. To ensure an unbiased evaluation, the leave-one-out cross-validation method was applied. The study’s main contributions are: (1) an iterative feature selection approach that reduces the number of required measurements while maintaining prediction accuracy; (2) a unique dataset on Lipizzan horses, revealing that head and body anatomical characteristics are critical for assessing fearfulness; (3) identification of the Decision Tree algorithm as the most accurate machine learning method for modeling fearfulness; (4) integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) to generate clear, interpretable textual explanations of the Decision Tree, improving the understanding of key predictive features. This study bridges behavioral science and artificial intelligence, offering a novel AI-driven approach to equine behavior analysis, with practical applications in horse training, selection, and welfare management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 106863"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145475477","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":"Can we assess neuroticism in horses? A study on a novel behavioural test","authors":"Laize Guedes do Carmo ,&nbsp;Matheus Borges de Carvalho ,&nbsp;Pedro Vicente Michelotto ,&nbsp;Ruan Rolnei Daros","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106856","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106856","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Neuroticism is one of the five personality traits described in the Five-Factor Model and is associated with emotional instability and behavioural rigidity. It reflects an individual’s sensitivity to negative emotions, resulting in repetitive behavioural responses aimed at avoiding novelty and the unknown. Although this trait has been assessed in horses through questionnaires, no behavioural test had been developed to measure it objectively. This study aimed to propose a novel behavioural test to assess neuroticism in horses based on patterns of food-choice repetition. Fifteen adult mixed-breed mares were tested over five consecutive days in a familiar arena. The test comprised two phases: (1) food recognition and (2) assessment of repetitive patterns in food consumption. Five food types (carrot sticks, carrot cubes, chicory, apple semicircles, and triangular apple pieces) were placed in five divisions of a table. In phase 1, mares underwent five consecutive three-minute sessions, each presenting a single food type. In phase 2, all five foods were presented simultaneously in a fixed arrangement, and each mare completed one five-minute session per day for four days. The sequence in which each food item was consumed was recorded manually. A repetition-based \"interday score\" was calculated for each mare to quantify behavioural consistency across days. Scores ranged from 32 to 138 points, indicating individual variability in food-choice patterns. To evaluate whether the score represented a new personality trait, principal component analyses were conducted using behavioural data from three validated personality tests (open field, novel object, and startle tests). The interday score did not load with any component extracted from these tests, suggesting it captured a distinct behavioural dimension. This new test generated diverse, consistent response patterns among individuals and appears to assess a personality trait related to neuroticism; however further validation against questionnaires or other tests that measure (or intent to) neuroticism are still needed. Nonetheless, the findings offer a novel behavioural approach to better understand equine personality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 106856"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145690734","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":"This little piggy got cold: Door flaps on outdoor farrowing huts improve piglet survival during winter in Australia","authors":"Megan E. Lucas,&nbsp;Lucy Wotherspoon,&nbsp;Amelia Sofra","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106795","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106795","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pigs in outdoor production systems have opportunities to engage in experiences that enhance their welfare but are also challenged with stressors like coping with harsh climatic conditions. Cold weather is a particular challenge for neonatal piglets that have a limited capacity to thermoregulate and increased risk of dying in winter. This research examined if adding door coverings to outdoor farrowing huts in winter could increase the temperature of pigs’ shelters and translate to improved thermal comfort and survival for piglets. Two hundred litters were studied over six time replicates from early winter until early spring at a commercial piggery in Australia. Pigs were housed in group farrowing paddocks containing eight huts each. A randomised complete block design was used to assign treatment (with or without a rubber door flap over the entryway) to huts within each paddock. Hut microclimate, piglet thermoregulatory behaviours, and piglet survival were examined. Door flaps were effective at increasing temperature, with the daily minimum temperature in huts with door flaps 2.4°C (SE = 0.2) warmer than huts without (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.0001). Door flaps had no negative effects on other aspects of the hut microclimate, including humidity, ammonia, or bedding moisture (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05). Piglets in huts with door flaps compared to without were less likely to shiver from 0 to 4 days of age (OR = 0.77; 95 % CI = 0.39–1.50; <em>p</em> = 0.0002). At this same age, there was also an indication that piglets from huts with door flaps were less likely to be in physical contact with the sow when resting, although the evidence was not strong (OR = 0.81; 95 % CI = 0.66–1.0; <em>p</em> = 0.057). There was no significant effect of door flaps on huddling behaviour (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05). While door flaps had no significant effect on the number of piglet losses within 24 h of age before piglet processing, they improved survival after this time. Specifically, door flaps reduced the hazard of piglets dying between processing until 12 days of age by a factor of 0.65 (95 % CI = 0.47–0.89; <em>p</em> = 0.007). These findings demonstrate that simple modifications to existing outdoor farrowing huts can improve thermal comfort and piglet survival in winter. Overall, door flaps present a practical and beneficial strategy for improving piglet welfare and farm productivity in outdoor systems, even in relatively moderate climates like Australia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106795"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144917041","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":"Putting the evidence into evidence-based husbandry: A scoping review of empirical approaches to improving captive reptile welfare","authors":"Sara L. Hanson ,&nbsp;Alexandra L. Whittaker ,&nbsp;Bridget Cooper-Rogers ,&nbsp;Gordon M. Burghardt ,&nbsp;Eduardo J. Fernandez","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106831","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106831","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Non-avian reptiles are commonly kept in captivity, including zoos, aquariums, farms, laboratories, classrooms, rehabilitation centres, and homes. With this wide range of captive conditions and potential diversity of species housed, it is crucial to ensure that these animals are housed appropriately. Lack of data from wild populations for many species limits the foundation of husbandry practice parameters. In the absence of field data, facilities should use data from related species as well as research in applied settings to inform decisions on captive animals. Together these constitute evidence-based husbandry. A systematic scoping review was performed to examine publications that evaluated modifications in the maintenance of captive reptiles with the aim to improve welfare. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and Zoological Record databases were searched for publications that implemented at least one modification applied to a reptile in a captive setting and where at least one welfare-based metric was used to assess the impact of the change. A total of 72 papers were identified, consisting of 75 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Data extracted from each paper included the setting type, taxon, modification type, welfare measures, and the overall outcomes. The most common taxonomic order studied were Squamata. Housing modifications were the most common type of intervention, with the majority adding or altering furnishings to the enclosure. Behavioural metrics were the most frequently used measure of impact. Overall, studies often concluded either neutral/ambiguous or positive effects of the modifications. With the high prevalence of neutral outcomes, more research is needed to further determine optimal husbandry and welfare strategies. Additionally, with only 72 identified papers there is greater need for more published research focused on evidence-based husbandry practices for captive reptile species, and greater focus on some taxa is urgently needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106831"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145262710","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 birdwatching tourism on breeding behaviour and reproductive success of hornbills","authors":"Shuang Yang ,&nbsp;Xi Lu ,&nbsp;Jiaju Liu ,&nbsp;Shuangping Yu ,&nbsp;Zuwei Yang ,&nbsp;Anru Zuo ,&nbsp;Ruixin Mo ,&nbsp;Dong Zhu ,&nbsp;Shilong Liu ,&nbsp;Yubao Duan","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106763","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Birdwatching tourism, as a form of sustainable ecotourism, has gained increasing attention and popularity. While bringing significant economic benefits to local areas, it may also impact on local wildlife. Yingjiang County, located in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, leverages its abundant avian resources to develop the birdwatching industry vigorously. Three hornbill species—<em>Anthracoceros albirostris</em>, <em>Rhyticeros undulatus</em>, and <em>Buceros bicornis</em>—form stable breeding populations there and have become focal species for birdwatching tourism. However, research on the impacts of birdwatching tourism on the behavior and breeding ecology of hornbills remains scarce.</div><div>This study investigated the effects of birdwatching activities at birdwatching hides on the behavioral expressions of these three hornbill species during the breeding period, using Number of birdwatchers, HidingCover, and Distance as key factors. Results showed that anthropogenic disturbances from birdwatching did not significantly impact hornbills, breeding success rates, nor did they affect locomotor, preening, or social behaviors. However, they significantly influenced breeding behaviors, particularly during the pre-nesting period, with weaker effects observed during the nesting period. Overall, the impacts of birdwatching at birdwatching hides are complex and multifaceted, with disturbances and protective effects coexisting in a non-mutually exclusive manner during the breeding period.</div><div>This study aims to reveal the impacts of birdwatching activities on hornbills' behaviors and breeding performance while exploring hornbills' response processes to anthropogenic disturbances. The findings will help establish rational birdwatching practices and standardize the planning and design of birdwatching sites, providing a scientific basis for sustainable birdwatching tourism and effective species conservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106763"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144724080","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":"“Scent work is incorporated in almost everything I do”: Investigating dog trainers’ perceptions of scent-based activities for companion dogs","authors":"Jade Fountain ,&nbsp;Todd J. McWhorter ,&nbsp;Robert Hewings ,&nbsp;Susan J. Hazel","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106837","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106837","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Scent-based activities are a popular activity to provide dogs an outlet centred on their natural abilities and dogs of any physical ability can participate. We aimed to investigate how professional dog trainers are using scent-based activities and explore perceptions around the impact of olfactory enrichment and exercises on behaviour in companion dogs. The online survey contained 29 questions across four sections, with a total of 566 responses analysed from trainers from around the world. The most commonly practiced scent-based training activity was scent work, training companion dogs to locate odours for a reward. Further, the most commonly used scent enrichment activity was sniff-based walks (sniffaris; 85 %), providing sensory garden spaces (46 %) or offering food via scatter feeding (92 %) or snuffle mats (87 %). Trainers have a belief that trained scent work tasks are good for dogs and that scent enrichment activities can be effective in reducing general fearfulness, anxiety, and addressing overexcitement. As evidence is currently limited in this area, future work should investigate which dog-centered scent-based activities may enhance their wellbeing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106837"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145332143","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 maintenance conditions of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) breeding stock affect the survival and behavior of their offspring","authors":"Francieli Ubirajara India Amaral ,&nbsp;Aline Pompermaier ,&nbsp;Gabriela Rutikoski ,&nbsp;Milena Zanoello Bertuol ,&nbsp;Paola Aparecida de Almeida ,&nbsp;Luciane Dallazari da Silva do Prado ,&nbsp;Wagner Antonio Tamagno ,&nbsp;Jennifer L. Freeman ,&nbsp;Rodrigo Egydio Barreto ,&nbsp;Leonardo José Gil Barcellos","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106761","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106761","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The environment in which we live influences our biological traits throughout our ontogeny, being markedly significant during the beginning of our lives. Some characteristics inherited (genetically and/or epigenetically) from parents can also influence individual development, known as transgenerational effects. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the transgenerational effects in the offspring of parental fish prior exposed to different environments in terms of quality (from poor quality to good quality one). We evaluated the consequences of different parental environmental quality on survival and behavior of their offspring. The zebrafish (<em>Danio rerio</em>) was used as our experimental model. To do that, zebrafish breeders were kept in different environments (stressful (poor quality), standard (neutral) or enriched (high quality)) for 15 days before reproduction. After this maintenance period, the breeders reproduced, and their offspring were evaluated for survival and exploratory behavior. Our results show that breeders kept under low welfare conditions (stressful environment) produced offspring with higher mortality rates compared to the other environmental conditions. Also, the survived offspring of parents that were in low welfare conditions exhibited increased anxiety as detected in behavioral tests. Thus, we conclude that the maintenance environment of breeders significantly affects the development of traits of their offspring, emphasizing the importance of breeders’ welfare for both fish farming and scientific research laboratories.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106761"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144679167","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":"First step after submitting your paper: The preliminary checks done by the editors","authors":"Péter Pongrácz,&nbsp;Irene Camerlink","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106823","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106823","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106823"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145424616","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":"Personality traits of aged dogs according to their cognitive status","authors":"Audrey Besegher ,&nbsp;Sarah Jeannin ,&nbsp;Nancy Rebout ,&nbsp;Tiphaine Blanchard ,&nbsp;Samanta Świerk ,&nbsp;Yohan Stephan ,&nbsp;Caroline Gilbert ,&nbsp;Morgane Robles ,&nbsp;Thierry Bedossa ,&nbsp;Sara Hoummady","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106844","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106844","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) syndrome is a neurodegenerative condition that shares similarities with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in humans. In human studies, high neuroticism, low openness, and low extraversion have been significantly associated with AD diagnosis. Similarly, changes in dog behaviour, including alterations in personality, have been reported as common features in dogs with CCD, but no precise assessment of their changes has yet been realised. The aim of this study (based on the CaniAge cohort) was to compare characteristics of dogs with cognitive impairment (CI dogs) and non-CI dogs in a French senior dog population including owner-reported personality traits between dogs. Data were collected via an online survey, including the CADES scale (Canine Dementia Scale), the Monash Canine Personality Questionnaire, the Canine Owner-Reported Quality of Life (CORQ) assessment, and an environment questionnaire. Dogs aged of 6 years and older were included. Responses were obtained for 566 senior dogs of various breeds, with a median age of 9.86 years (Interquartile range: 8.08–11.98). Among them, 234 were classified as cognitively impaired, including 182 with mild impairment, 44 with moderate impairment, and 8 with severe impairment or dementia. Compared to non-CI dogs, CI dogs scored significantly lower on extraversion and amicability, and higher on neuroticism. After adjustment, CI dogs showed significantly lower amicability and higher neuroticism compared to non-CI dogs. This study is complementary of previous studies regarding CI-characteristics but is also the first to explore personality trait differences between CI and non-CI dogs, supporting observations previously reported in Alzheimer's disease research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 106844"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145358592","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}