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he objective was to evaluate the effect of the season on the sexual behavior patterns adopted by Morada Nova sheep in the Brazilian semiarid region. A total of 55 and 59 female sheep were used in the rainy and dry seasons, respectively, attended by four males of the same breed in rotation. The females identified in oestrus were released in a pasture, together with the breeder of the day for each season, and aspects of sexual behavior were measured for an uninterrupted period of 11 hours/day. Assuming a negative binomial distribution, the behavioral frequencies were subjected to deviation analysis and compared using the chi-square. Heading in the male was observed more frequently during the rainy season (0.12) and shifts with higher temperatures; the turn of the head in relation to the man was observed more frequently during the dry season (2.49). The interactions between seasons and shifts significantly affected the following behaviors: sniffing the male, sniffing the male's urogenital region, wagging the tail, lifting the tail, and urinating. Behavioral variables were influenced by the season. Morada Nova sheep reduce their water intake and grazing time to engage more efficiently in reproductive activities, thus demonstrating an ability to adapt to the Caatinga.(AU)

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Diante de uma demanda crescente em relação ao bem-estar animal, técnicas e pesquisas necessitam de suporte teórico para compreender e intervir em comportamentos descritos como anômalos ou distúrbios de conduta. Tendo em vista a prevenção do prejuízo ao organismo e os efeitos colaterais provenientes de uma condição de baixo nível de bem-estar, compreender como um comportamento anormal surge no repertório de um indivíduo é imprescindível para intervenções eficazes. O objetivo deste artigo é discutir dois modelos teóricos de áreas distintas do conhecimento, mas que possuem em comum o estudo do comportamento, a Etologia e o Behaviorismo Radical. A partir do modelo de Comportamento Apetitivo da Etologia e do Comportamento Adjuntivo do Behaviorismo, é possível compreender os mecanismos fisiológicos e funcionais que envolvem os distúrbios de comportamento.(AU)

Faced a growing demand for animal welfare, techniques and research need a theoretical support to understand and intervene in behaviors described as anomalous or behavioral disorders. In order to prevent damage to the body and the side effects arising from a low level of well-being, understanding how abnormal behavior appears in an individual's repertoire is essential for effective interventions. The aim of this article is to discuss two theoretical models from different areas of knowledge, but which have in common the study of behavior, Ethology and Radical Behaviorism. From the Appetitive Behavior model of ethology and the Adjunctive Behavior of Behaviorism, it is possible to understand the physiological and functional mechanisms that involve behavioral disorders.(AU)

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Diante de uma demanda crescente em relação ao bem-estar animal, técnicas e pesquisas necessitam de suporte teórico para compreender e intervir em comportamentos descritos como anômalos ou distúrbios de conduta. Tendo em vista a prevenção do prejuízo ao organismo e os efeitos colaterais provenientes de uma condição de baixo nível de bem-estar, compreender como um comportamento anormal surge no repertório de um indivíduo é imprescindível para intervenções eficazes. O objetivo deste artigo é discutir dois modelos teóricos de áreas distintas do conhecimento, mas que possuem em comum o estudo do comportamento, a Etologia e o Behaviorismo Radical. A partir do modelo de Comportamento Apetitivo da Etologia e do Comportamento Adjuntivo do Behaviorismo, é possível compreender os mecanismos fisiológicos e funcionais que envolvem os distúrbios de comportamento.

Faced a growing demand for animal welfare, techniques and research need a theoretical support to understand and intervene in behaviors described as anomalous or behavioral disorders. In order to prevent damage to the body and the side effects arising from a low level of well-being, understanding how abnormal behavior appears in an individual's repertoire is essential for effective interventions. The aim of this article is to discuss two theoretical models from different areas of knowledge, but which have in common the study of behavior, Ethology and Radical Behaviorism. From the Appetitive Behavior model of ethology and the Adjunctive Behavior of Behaviorism, it is possible to understand the physiological and functional mechanisms that involve behavioral disorders.

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Field studies on freely behaving animals commonly require tagging and often are focused on single species. Weakly electric fish generate a species- and individual-specific electric organ discharge (EOD) and therefore provide a unique opportunity for individual tracking without tagging. Here, we present and test tracking algorithms based on recordings with submerged electrode arrays. Harmonic structures extracted from power spectra provide fish identity. Localization of fish based on weighted averages of their EOD amplitudes is found to be more robust than fitting a dipole model. We apply these techniques to monitor a community of three species, Apteronotus rostratus, Eigenmannia humboldtii and Sternopygus dariensis, in their natural habitat in Darién, Panama. We found consistent upstream movements after sunset followed by downstream movements in the second half of the night. Extrapolations of these movements and estimates of fish density obtained from additional transect data suggest that some fish cover at least several hundreds of meters of the stream per night. Most fish, including E. humboldtii, were traversing the electrode array solitarily. From in situ measurements of the decay of the EOD amplitude with distance of individual animals, we estimated that fish can detect conspecifics at distances of up to 2 m. Our recordings also emphasize the complexity of natural electrosensory scenes resulting from the interactions of the EODs of different species. Electrode arrays thus provide an unprecedented window into the so-far hidden nocturnal activities of multispecies communities of weakly electric fish at an unmatched level of detail.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate thermoregulatory, behavioral, and production traits of Holstein/Gir dairy cows of different genetic compositions. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Turvânia - GO, Brazil, from July to December 2017. Twenty lactating cows of two genetic groups (½ and ¾ Holstein/Gir [HG]) were used in a completely randomized design where they were subjected to a rotational-grazing system in 24 irrigated Mombasa grass pastures with one day of occupation and 24 days of rest, and fed a 22% CP supplemental concentrate diet. During the experimental period, thermoregulatory, behavioral, and production data were collected on 12 occasions, with 15-day intervals. Environmental data such as ambient temperature, air relative humidity, and temperature-humidity index were recorded. Number of hairs, hair length and thickness, body surface temperature, rectal temperature, and respiratory frequency were analyzed as thermoregulatory traits. The behavioral assessment was undertaken by observing the feeding behavior, rumination, rest, and other activities. To determine production traits, milk yield and composition were analyzed. A higher respiratory frequency was observed in ¾ HG cows compared with ½ HG cows (p < 0.05). Cows of the ½ HG group produced milk with higher protein contents (p < 0.05). Rectal temperature, body temperature, number of hairs, hair length and thickness, feeding behavior, rumination, rest, and other activities were similar (p > 0.05) between the two genetic groups, and the same was true for milk yield, fat and lactose contents, and somatic cell count.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar as características termorreguladoras, comportamentais e produtivas de vacas leiteiras Holandês/Gir de diferentes composições genéticas. O experimento foi realizado no município de Turvânia, GO, entre os meses de julho a dezembro de 2017. Foram utilizadas 20 vacas em lactação de dois grupos genéticos ½ e ¾ Holandês/Gir, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, submetidas a pastejo rotacionado irrigados com 24 piquetes de Mombaça, com um dia de ocupação e 24 dias de descanso, com uma dieta suplementar concentrada com 22% de PB. Durante o período experimental, foram coletados os dados das características termorreguladoras, comportamentais e produtivas com um intervalo de 15 dias, totalizando 12 coletas. Foram registrados dados ambientais como temperatura ambiente, umidade relativa do ar e índice de temperatura e umidade. O número de pelos, comprimento e espessura do pelo, temperatura de superfície corporal, temperatura retal e frequência respiratória foram analisados como características termorreguladoras. A avaliação comportamental foi realizada observando o comportamento alimentar, ruminação, descanso e outras atividades. Para determinação das características produtivas foi verificado a produção e composição química do leite. As vacas ¾ HG apresentaram frequência respiratória superior aos animais ½ HG (p < 0,05). Os animais ½ HG apresentaram maior teor de proteína no leite (p < 0,05). A temperatura retal, temperatura de superfície corporal, número de pelo, comprimento e espessura de pelo, comportamento alimentar, ruminação, descanso e outras atividades foram semelhantes (p > 0,05) entre os dois grupos genéticos, assim como a produção de leite e os teores de gordura, lactose e contagem de células somáticas.(AU)

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The aim of this study was to evaluate thermoregulatory, behavioral, and production traits of Holstein/Gir dairy cows of different genetic compositions. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Turvânia - GO, Brazil, from July to December 2017. Twenty lactating cows of two genetic groups (½ and ¾ Holstein/Gir [HG]) were used in a completely randomized design where they were subjected to a rotational-grazing system in 24 irrigated Mombasa grass pastures with one day of occupation and 24 days of rest, and fed a 22% CP supplemental concentrate diet. During the experimental period, thermoregulatory, behavioral, and production data were collected on 12 occasions, with 15-day intervals. Environmental data such as ambient temperature, air relative humidity, and temperature-humidity index were recorded. Number of hairs, hair length and thickness, body surface temperature, rectal temperature, and respiratory frequency were analyzed as thermoregulatory traits. The behavioral assessment was undertaken by observing the feeding behavior, rumination, rest, and other activities. To determine production traits, milk yield and composition were analyzed. A higher respiratory frequency was observed in ¾ HG cows compared with ½ HG cows (p 0.05) between the two genetic groups, and the same was true for milk yield, fat and lactose contents, and somatic cell count.

Objetivou-se avaliar as características termorreguladoras, comportamentais e produtivas de vacas leiteiras Holandês/Gir de diferentes composições genéticas. O experimento foi realizado no município de Turvânia, GO, entre os meses de julho a dezembro de 2017. Foram utilizadas 20 vacas em lactação de dois grupos genéticos ½ e ¾ Holandês/Gir, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, submetidas a pastejo rotacionado irrigados com 24 piquetes de Mombaça, com um dia de ocupação e 24 dias de descanso, com uma dieta suplementar concentrada com 22% de PB. Durante o período experimental, foram coletados os dados das características termorreguladoras, comportamentais e produtivas com um intervalo de 15 dias, totalizando 12 coletas. Foram registrados dados ambientais como temperatura ambiente, umidade relativa do ar e índice de temperatura e umidade. O número de pelos, comprimento e espessura do pelo, temperatura de superfície corporal, temperatura retal e frequência respiratória foram analisados como características termorreguladoras. A avaliação comportamental foi realizada observando o comportamento alimentar, ruminação, descanso e outras atividades. Para determinação das características produtivas foi verificado a produção e composição química do leite. As vacas ¾ HG apresentaram frequência respiratória superior aos animais ½ HG (p 0,05) entre os dois grupos genéticos, assim como a produção de leite e os teores de gordura, lactose e contagem de células somáticas.

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The analysis of behavior in animal models is an important objective in many research fields, including neuroscience, psychology, toxicology, and neuropsychopharmacology. Animal models have been used for many years, and several behavioral paradigms, such as locomotor activity, social interactions, and cognitive behavior, have been studied in animal models to correlate the behaviors with pharmacological or environmental interventions and with molecular, biochemical, and physiological findings. We reviewed the literature looking for open-source, freely available software to analyze animal behavior and found 12 freely available programs: ToxTrack, EthoWatcher, Mouse Behavior Tracker, Mouse Move, JAABA, wrMTrck, AnimalTracker, idTracker, Ctrax, Mousetracker, VideoHacking, and Cowlog, which were developed with different programs, work on different platforms, and have particular types of inputs and outputs and analysis capabilities. We reviewed some examples of their use, tested some of them, and provided several recommendations for the future development of programs for the automated analysis of behavior in animal models. In conclusion, we show freely available software for the automated analysis of behavior in animal models such as adult zebrafish and provide information for researchers and students looking for quick, easy-to-implement, and inexpensive behavior analysis alternatives.

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Social interactions have been extensively studied in poultry in a variety of environmental situations. Many studies allow full social contacts between birds, but there are others in which the interactions are tested through barriers (wire mesh or glass). Thus a situation where, according to their needs, some birds can get access to physical contact with conspecifics while others cannot, would be useful to expand the testing options for social interaction studies. We developed an individual physical barrier device (IPB) that is fitted on the birds to delimit their ambulation areas by preventing them from passing across metal mesh boundaries that IPB free counterparts can easily overcome. The prototypes showing greater efficacy consisted of a small metal bar placed in the bird's back perpendicular to the sagittal plane that slightly exceeds body width, held with a harness fitted by 2 elastic fabric bands around the wings' base. To be useful, the IPB should allow natural movements and not affect the expression of behaviors (non-invasive). This study assessed whether the IPB may alter adult Japanese quail behavioral responses using 4 classical test situations: Open-Field, Runway, Time Budget in Home Box, and Mating Interactions. Open-field ambulatory behaviors were affected 1 h, but not 7 d, after IPB was fitted, suggesting that 7 d (or less) are required to habituate to the device. After that time period, IPB fitted birds showed no differences in any of the behaviors registered in the other 3 tests situations when compared to non IPB fitted birds. Findings suggest that after habituation, the IPB does not affect main behaviors in adult quail. Its application could be expanded if an IPB device is also found suitable for other poultry species.

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Em 2014, 118 milhões de produtores ofertaram cerca de 819 milhões de toneladas de leite. No entanto, estima-se que em 2025 a demanda de leite será de 1.059 milhões de toneladas, o que representa um aumento 3 vezes maior que a produção dos Estados Unidos (IFCN, 2015). Para atender a essa demanda, será necessário um gerenciamento mais eficiente da produção leiteira, a qual convive regularmente com margens de lucro cada vez mais estreitas, exigindo que os produtores alcancem a ótima eficiência, tanto em termos de máxima produtividade quanto em termos do mínimo custo de produção. Além disso, o ambiente em que o gestor de sistemas de produção de leite toma decisões tem se tornado cada vez mais complexo, e aspectos como segurança de alimentos, proteção ao consumidor, contínuo aumento na qualidade e na diversidade dos produtos, demanda por produtos naturais, controle de doenças transmissíveis,redução do uso de medicamento se bem-estar animal são fatores que devem ser levados em consideração (Bewley et al.,2015). Nesse cenário, a pecuária leiteira de precisão pode contribuir para melhorias na gestão da propriedade.

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RESUMO

Em 2014, 118 milhões de produtores ofertaram cerca de 819 milhões de toneladas de leite. No entanto, estima-se que em 2025 a demanda de leite será de 1.059 milhões de toneladas, o que representa um aumento 3 vezes maior que a produção dos Estados Unidos (IFCN, 2015). Para atender a essa demanda, será necessário um gerenciamento mais eficiente da produção leiteira, a qual convive regularmente com margens de lucro cada vez mais estreitas, exigindo que os produtores alcancem a ótima eficiência, tanto em termos de máxima produtividade quanto em termos do mínimo custo de produção. Além disso, o ambiente em que o gestor de sistemas de produção de leite toma decisões tem se tornado cada vez mais complexo, e aspectos como segurança de alimentos, proteção ao consumidor, contínuo aumento na qualidade e na diversidade dos produtos, demanda por produtos naturais, controle de doenças transmissíveis,redução do uso de medicamento se bem-estar animal são fatores que devem ser levados em consideração (Bewley et al.,2015). Nesse cenário, a pecuária leiteira de precisão pode contribuir para melhorias na gestão da propriedade.

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O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros em confinamento, alimentados com dieta exclusiva de concentrado com diferentes porcentagens de proteína (14, 16, 18 e 20%). Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros mestiços da raça Santa Inês, não castrados, com aproximadamente 180 dias de idade, peso vivo médio de 25kg, confinados, num delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. O tempo despendido na atividade de alimentação decresceu linearmente em 0,20 hora/dia para cada 1% de aumento na porcentagem de proteína na dieta; o de ócio aumentou linearmente em 0,25 hora/dia; e o de mastigação total reduziu linearmente em 0,25 hora/dia. A elevação da porcentagem de proteína na dieta elevou linearmente a eficiência de alimentação (kg MS e FDN/hora), em 0,038 e 0,005kg/hora, respectivamente, para as frações MS e FDN. Contudo, os consumos de matéria seca (MS) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), a eficiência de ruminação (kg MS e FDN/hora), assim como o período (nº/dia) e o tempo (min) gasto por período de alimentação, ruminação e ócio não foram influenciados pelas diferentes porcentagens de proteína na dieta.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the ingestive behavior of feedlot lambs fed with an exclusive diet of concentrate with different percentages of protein (14, 16, 18, and 20%). A total of twenty four Santa Inês crossbred lambs, not castrated, with approximately 180 days of age, average live weight of 25kg, confined, in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and six repetitions. The time spent on feeding decreased linearly in 0.20 hours/day for each 1% increasing in protein percentage in the diet, the idleness increased linearly in 0.25 hours/day, and the total chewing decreased linearly in 0.25 hours/day. The increase in the protein percentage in the diet increased the feed efficiency linearly (kg DM and NDF/hour) in 0.038 and 0.005kg/hour, respectively, for DM and NDF fractions. However, the intake of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), the rumination efficiency (kg DM and NDF/hour), as well as the period (nº /day) and the time (min) spent on feeding, ruminating and idling were not influenced by different protein percentages in the diet.

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O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros em confinamento, alimentados com dieta exclusiva de concentrado com diferentes porcentagens de proteína (14, 16, 18 e 20%). Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros mestiços da raça Santa Inês, não castrados, com aproximadamente 180 dias de idade, peso vivo médio de 25kg, confinados, num delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. O tempo despendido na atividade de alimentação decresceu linearmente em 0,20 hora/dia para cada 1% de aumento na porcentagem de proteína na dieta; o de ócio aumentou linearmente em 0,25 hora/dia; e o de mastigação total reduziu linearmente em 0,25 hora/dia. A elevação da porcentagem de proteína na dieta elevou linearmente a eficiência de alimentação (kg MS e FDN/hora), em 0,038 e 0,005kg/hora, respectivamente, para as frações MS e FDN. Contudo, os consumos de matéria seca (MS) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), a eficiência de ruminação (kg MS e FDN/hora), assim como o período (nº/dia) e o tempo (min) gasto por período de alimentação, ruminação e ócio não foram influenciados pelas diferentes porcentagens de proteína na dieta.(AU)

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the ingestive behavior of feedlot lambs fed with an exclusive diet of concentrate with different percentages of protein (14, 16, 18, and 20%). A total of twenty four Santa Inês crossbred lambs, not castrated, with approximately 180 days of age, average live weight of 25kg, confined, in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and six repetitions. The time spent on feeding decreased linearly in 0.20 hours/day for each 1% increasing in protein percentage in the diet, the idleness increased linearly in 0.25 hours/day, and the total chewing decreased linearly in 0.25 hours/day. The increase in the protein percentage in the diet increased the feed efficiency linearly (kg DM and NDF/hour) in 0.038 and 0.005kg/hour, respectively, for DM and NDF fractions. However, the intake of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), the rumination efficiency (kg DM and NDF/hour), as well as the period (nº /day) and the time (min) spent on feeding, ruminating and idling were not influenced by different protein percentages in the diet.(AU)

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Study of animal movements is key for understanding their ecology and facilitating their conservation. The Argos satellite system is a valuable tool for tracking species which move long distances, inhabit remote areas, and are otherwise difficult to track with traditional VHF telemetry and are not suitable for GPS systems. Previous research has raised doubts about the magnitude of position errors quoted by the satellite service provider CLS. In addition, no peer-reviewed publications have evaluated the usefulness of the CLS supplied error ellipses nor the accuracy of the new Kalman filtering (KF) processing method. Using transmitters hung from towers and trees in southeastern Peru, we show the Argos error ellipses generally contain <25% of the true locations and therefore do not adequately describe the true location errors. We also find that KF processing does not significantly increase location accuracy. The errors for both LS and KF processing methods were found to be lognormally distributed, which has important repercussions for error calculation, statistical analysis, and data interpretation. In brief, "good" positions (location codes 3, 2, 1, A) are accurate to about 2 km, while 0 and B locations are accurate to about 5-10 km. However, due to the lognormal distribution of the errors, larger outliers are to be expected in all location codes and need to be accounted for in the user's data processing. We evaluate five different empirical error estimates and find that 68% lognormal error ellipses provided the most useful error estimates. Longitude errors are larger than latitude errors by a factor of 2 to 3, supporting the use of elliptical error ellipses. Numerous studies over the past 15 years have also found fault with the CLS-claimed error estimates yet CLS has failed to correct their misleading information. We hope this will be reversed in the near future.

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We used data collected during two concurrent studies of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) in Palenque National Park, Mexico, to compare systematically three methods of behavioral data collection [group activity scan sampling (group scans), instantaneous focal individual sampling (instantaneous focals) and continuous focal individual sampling (continuous focals)] and three methods of proximity data collection [group proximity scan sampling (group proximity scans), focal individual proximity scan sampling (focal proximity scans) and instantaneous focal individual nearest neighbor sampling (focal nearest neighbor samples)]. We conducted pairwise comparisons of data among methods using Pearson correlations and one-sample t tests. A series of Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to compare the activity and proximity patterns of adult males, adult females and juveniles described by each method. The three behavioral data collection methods generally provided similar information about activity and diet. However, important differences for both activity and proximity data existed among methods. Instantaneous focals overestimated the percentage of time spent in social interactions, while group scans overestimated time spent moving and underestimated time spent feeding. Group proximity scans and focal proximity scans provided similar spatial data, while focal nearest neighbor samples were more appropriate for determining the influence of one individual on another at any given moment. These biases suggest the importance of deliberate method selection during project design and highlight the need for taking methods into account when comparing studies.

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This study aimed to evaluate physical aspects of the semen and sexual behavior of Moxotó breed goats at different ages. Two males Moxotó goats, ages 4 and 7, represented by (1) and (2) respectively, and twenty-six (26) female goats as mannequins, were used. The breeders were subjected to sexual behavior evaluation by measuring of reaction time to the female in estrus, which were recorded the patterns of behavior (courtship with paw, emission of sounds, tongue exposure, exposure penis exposure, smell the urogenital female and Flehmen reflex) performed in two shifts (morning and afternoon) during the months of February to April 2010, totaling 50 observations. To assess the physical aspects of semen collections were performed twice on each breeder at the beginning and end of the observation period. There was no difference in reaction time and the number of jumps in terms of shifts and breeders. The frequency of behavioral events in relation to shifts evaluation did not differ. The emission of sounds (EMS) and exposure of the tongue (EXL) was expressed more often by the oldest breeder (2). Regarding the assessment soundness, the average values for the parameters studied as motility, vigor, pathology and sperm concentration, results were favorable to the breeder (1). The study of behavioral patterns during the courting stage is an indispensable tool in predicting the reproductive potential of male goats; however, other aspects within the reproductive management should be evaluated in combination.(AU)

Este estudo objetivou avaliar o comportamento sexual e aspectos físicos do sêmen de reprodutores caprinos da raça Moxotó. Foram utilizados dois reprodutores, com idades de 4 e 7 anos, representados por (1) e (2), respectivamente, e vinte e seis (26) cabras como manequins. Os reprodutores foram submetidos à avaliação do comportamento sexual pela medida do tempo de reação frente à fêmea em estro, onde foram registrados os padrões de comportamento (cortejo com a pata, emissão de sons, exposição da língua, exposição do pênis, cheirar a região urogenital da fêmea e reflexo de flehmen) realizados em dois turnos (manhã e tarde) durante os meses de fevereiro à abril de 2010, totalizando 50 observações. Para avaliação dos aspectos físicos do sêmen, foram realizadas duas coletas em cada reprodutor no início e fim do período de observações. Não houve diferença quanto ao tempo de reação e ao número de saltos em função dos turnos e reprodutores. A freqüência dos eventos comportamentais em relação aos turnos de avaliação não diferiu. A emissão de sons (EMS) e exposição da língua (EXL) foi expresso mais vezes pelo reprodutor mais velho (2). Com relação à avaliação andrológica os valores médios encontrados para os parâmetros estudados como motilidade, vigor, patologia e concentração espermática, apresentaram resultados favoráveis ao reprodutor (1). O estudo dos padrões comportamentais durante a fase de cortejo é uma ferramenta indispensável na predição do potencial reprodutivo de machos caprinos, contudo, outros aspectos dentro do manejo reprodutivo devem ser conjuntamente avaliados.(AU)

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O estudo da Etologia vem crescendo dentro da Medicina Veterinária e também pode-se observar um considerável aumento do número de gatos domésticos em nosso meio. Estes pontos ressaltam a importância de se estudar este animal de um ponto de vista etológico. O médico veterinário deve alertar o proprietário sobre aspectos comportamentais e discutir minuciosamente o que esperar de um animal de companhia, minimizando as chances de um conflito entre ambos, com um possível abandono. O conhecimento das características comportamentais, bem como do desenvolvimento do animal irá auxiliar a prevenção de problemas futuros.(AU)

The study of Ethology has grown in the Veterinary Medicine, and nowadays it can be observed a considerable increase in the number of domestic cats in our society. These points highlight the importance of studying this animal from an ethologic point of view. The professional should alert the owner about the behavioural aspects and thoroughly discuss what to expect from a companion animal, minimizing the possibilities of conflicts among them, which can lead to abandonment. The knowledge of the behavioural characteristics, as well as the development of the animal will help for the prevention of future problems.(AU)

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This study aimed to evaluate physical aspects of the semen and sexual behavior of Moxotó breed goats at different ages. Two males Moxotó goats, ages 4 and 7, represented by (1) and (2) respectively, and twenty-six (26) female goats as mannequins, were used. The breeders were subjected to sexual behavior evaluation by measuring of reaction time to the female in estrus, which were recorded the patterns of behavior (courtship with paw, emission of sounds, tongue exposure, exposure penis exposure, smell the urogenital female and Flehmen reflex) performed in two shifts (morning and afternoon) during the months of February to April 2010, totaling 50 observations. To assess the physical aspects of semen collections were performed twice on each breeder at the beginning and end of the observation period. There was no difference in reaction time and the number of jumps in terms of shifts and breeders. The frequency of behavioral events in relation to shifts evaluation did not differ. The emission of sounds (EMS) and exposure of the tongue (EXL) was expressed more often by the oldest breeder (2). Regarding the assessment soundness, the average values for the parameters studied as motility, vigor, pathology and sperm concentration, results were favorable to the breeder (1). The study of behavioral patterns during the courting stage is an indispensable tool in predicting the reproductive potential of male goats; however, other aspects within the reproductive management should be evaluated in combination.

Este estudo objetivou avaliar o comportamento sexual e aspectos físicos do sêmen de reprodutores caprinos da raça Moxotó. Foram utilizados dois reprodutores, com idades de 4 e 7 anos, representados por (1) e (2), respectivamente, e vinte e seis (26) cabras como manequins. Os reprodutores foram submetidos à avaliação do comportamento sexual pela medida do tempo de reação frente à fêmea em estro, onde foram registrados os padrões de comportamento (cortejo com a pata, emissão de sons, exposição da língua, exposição do pênis, cheirar a região urogenital da fêmea e reflexo de flehmen) realizados em dois turnos (manhã e tarde) durante os meses de fevereiro à abril de 2010, totalizando 50 observações. Para avaliação dos aspectos físicos do sêmen, foram realizadas duas coletas em cada reprodutor no início e fim do período de observações. Não houve diferença quanto ao tempo de reação e ao número de saltos em função dos turnos e reprodutores. A freqüência dos eventos comportamentais em relação aos turnos de avaliação não diferiu. A emissão de sons (EMS) e exposição da língua (EXL) foi expresso mais vezes pelo reprodutor mais velho (2). Com relação à avaliação andrológica os valores médios encontrados para os parâmetros estudados como motilidade, vigor, patologia e concentração espermática, apresentaram resultados favoráveis ao reprodutor (1). O estudo dos padrões comportamentais durante a fase de cortejo é uma ferramenta indispensável na predição do potencial reprodutivo de machos caprinos, contudo, outros aspectos dentro do manejo reprodutivo devem ser conjuntamente avaliados.

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O estudo da Etologia vem crescendo dentro da Medicina Veterinária e também pode-se observar um considerável aumento do número de gatos domésticos em nosso meio. Estes pontos ressaltam a importância de se estudar este animal de um ponto de vista etológico. O médico veterinário deve alertar o proprietário sobre aspectos comportamentais e discutir minuciosamente o que esperar de um animal de companhia, minimizando as chances de um conflito entre ambos, com um possível abandono. O conhecimento das características comportamentais, bem como do desenvolvimento do animal irá auxiliar a prevenção de problemas futuros.

The study of Ethology has grown in the Veterinary Medicine, and nowadays it can be observed a considerable increase in the number of domestic cats in our society. These points highlight the importance of studying this animal from an ethologic point of view. The professional should alert the owner about the behavioural aspects and thoroughly discuss what to expect from a companion animal, minimizing the possibilities of conflicts among them, which can lead to abandonment. The knowledge of the behavioural characteristics, as well as the development of the animal will help for the prevention of future problems.

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The free-exploratory paradigm (FEP) is currently the only proposed animal model of trait anxiety, making it highly valuable to behavioural neuroscience. However, FEP has not yet been automated, so its results depend on human scoring, which can be quite imprecise. The aim of this study was, therefore, to validate an automated version of FEP, using a commercially available video-tracking system (ANY-maze(©) - Stoelting Co., USA). To achieve this, two experiments were performed. The first one evaluated the reliability of the video-based automation of FEP, and the second, assessed whether the zeolites, used as a bedding material in the first experiment to facilitate video-tracking, influenced the animals' behaviour in FEP. In experiment I, 15 drug-naive, adult, male rats were tested in FEP, while their behaviour was simultaneously evaluated by ANY-maze(©) and two human observers. Subsequently, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated for the automated and manual results of the parameters "percentage of time in the novel side" (%TNS) and "total units visited" (TUV). The analysis resulted in high, significant values of ICC (%TNS: 0.9962 and TUV: 0.9453). In experiment II, 18 drug-naive, adult, male rats were allocated to two different groups: (1) tested in FEP with zeolites; and (2) tested in FEP with sawdust. The data obtained were analysed using the Student's t-test, which revealed no significant differences between the groups for the parameters %TNS and TUV. In conclusion, the data presented here show that automation of FEP, using a video-based tracking system, is not only possible, but also highly reliable.

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In the previous companion paper, the possibility of learning by Chasmagnathus in field conditions was demonstrated. Here, we study long-term memory inquiring to what extent an internal representation could be maintained in a complex environment. Two 45-min training sessions, each of 15 visual danger stimulus presentations with 3-min intertrials, were given at a 24-h interval. Throughout the first training session and during the first 22.5 min of re-training on day 2, crabs kept the same hiding response level but then, during the second phase of re-training, the re-emerging increased up to the point that 32% of surface crabs ignored the stimulus. Each session was followed by a 22.5-min testing without stimulation. At testing on day 2 after re-training, crabs showed a change in the usual exploring strategy. Results reveal long persistency in responding despite a rest interval of 24 h followed by a gradual decrease in response until it vanishes. The statistical analysis was performed by comparing performances at day 2 (Rescorla in Am Psychol 43:151-160, 1988) and then confirmed through comparisons between day 1 and day 2. However, it is not possible to identify separate and taxonomically well-defined learnings but rather a tangled collection of processes that influence each other blurring some of the diagnostic features of each learning.

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