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  1. Article: The Social and Reproductive Challenges Faced by Free-Roaming Horse (

    Górecka-Bruzda, Aleksandra / Jaworska, Joanna / Stanley, Christina R

    Animals : an open access journal from MDPI

    2023  Volume 13, Issue 7

    Abstract: In captivity, intact male horses, due to their sexual drive, are usually socially isolated from other horses. This lifestyle strongly contrasts with that experienced by horses living in free-roaming, feral, or semi-feral conditions, where adult stallions ...

    Abstract In captivity, intact male horses, due to their sexual drive, are usually socially isolated from other horses. This lifestyle strongly contrasts with that experienced by horses living in free-roaming, feral, or semi-feral conditions, where adult stallions have several roles in their social group, with successful reproduction being their primary drive. Reproductive skew in wild populations is high; many stallions will fail to reproduce at all, while others achieve high levels of reproductive success, siring a large number of foals. Successful stallions are those with particular characteristics and abilities that facilitate harem formation and tenure, allowing them to successfully take over a harem or establish a new one, protect mares from rival stallions, employ appropriate social behaviour to maintain group cohesion, and avoid kin-mating, for example through kin recognition mechanisms. Whilst the life of free-living stallions is far from stress-free, they retain ancestral adaptations to selection pressures (such as predation and competition) exhibited by their natural environment over thousands of years. Here, we discuss the challenges faced by free-living horse stallions, the roles they play in social groups, and their resulting social needs. By understanding these pressures and how stallions react to them, we highlighted the importance of the social environment for the stallion. It is hoped that a better understanding of wild stallions' lives will lead to their needs being more clearly met in captivity, reducing stereotypical behaviour and improving welfare.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-03-24
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ZDB-ID 2606558-7
    ISSN 2076-2615
    ISSN 2076-2615
    DOI 10.3390/ani13071151
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  2. Article: The effects of allogrooming and social network position on behavioural indicators of stress in female lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus)

    Yates, Kerrie / Stanley, Christina R. / Bettridge, Caroline M.

    Behavioural processes. 2022 Aug. 24,

    2022  

    Abstract: Allogrooming serves an important social function in primates and confers short term benefits such as parasite removal and stress-relief. There is currently mixed evidence as to the immediate impact of allogrooming on an individual’s stress levels, which ... ...

    Abstract Allogrooming serves an important social function in primates and confers short term benefits such as parasite removal and stress-relief. There is currently mixed evidence as to the immediate impact of allogrooming on an individual’s stress levels, which may be influenced by their role in the grooming dyad, position in their social network, or their relationship with their grooming partner. In this study of seven captive adult female lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) in a mixed sex group at Chester Zoo, UK, we found evidence to support a tension-reduction function of allogrooming. Focal animal sampling showed that the duration of self-directed behaviour (SDB), which indicates moderate to high levels of stress, was significantly lower in the five-minute period following allogrooming than the five-minute minute period preceding it for both recipients and groomers. However, when compared to match-control periods, both SDB rates and durations were significantly lower across all individuals in the five-minute period both before and after allogrooming, indicating that although allogrooming reduces stress, it is also more likely to occur when individuals are already in a relatively relaxed state. The rate and duration of SDB post-grooming did not correlate with the strength of a dyad’s bond (based on proximity). This suggests that it is the act of allogrooming itself, rather than the identity of the partner, that reduces stress for both parties. Analysis of the proximity network highlighted a clear cost to social integration; node strength, a measure of the number and strength of an individual’s direct relationships, positively correlated with the duration of self-directed behaviour, suggesting that more gregarious individuals may experience higher levels of stress. These findings add to the growing body of literature that examines the effect of the individual social environment on primate stress levels, and also highlight the need to further investigate the link between social integration and the stress experienced by group-living animals.
    Keywords Macaca silenus ; adults ; animals ; females ; grooming (animal behavior) ; parasites ; social environment ; social networks ; zoos
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2022-0824
    Publishing place Elsevier B.V.
    Document type Article
    Note Pre-press version
    ZDB-ID 196999-7
    ISSN 1872-8308 ; 0376-6357
    ISSN (online) 1872-8308
    ISSN 0376-6357
    DOI 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104740
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  3. Article: How Useful Are Existing Protocols in the Quick Assessment of the Welfare of Semi-Feral Horses? Pilot Study on Konik Polski Horses Living in the Forest Sanctuary.

    Górecka-Bruzda, Aleksandra / Siemieniuch, Marta / Lansade, Léa / Stanley, Christina R

    Animals : an open access journal from MDPI

    2023  Volume 14, Issue 1

    Abstract: Scientifically validated and standardised methods for the evaluation of the welfare of free-living horses are urgently needed by both the owners and managers of these populations and those responsible for implementing national welfare legislation. The ... ...

    Abstract Scientifically validated and standardised methods for the evaluation of the welfare of free-living horses are urgently needed by both the owners and managers of these populations and those responsible for implementing national welfare legislation. The aim of the study was to test the feasibility and usefulness of two welfare protocols that could be applied to semi-feral populations: a prototype of welfare assessment template (WAT) for Carneddau semi-feral ponies and the IFCE/INRAE Horse Welfare Protocol. Additionally, the body condition scale designed by Henneke (BCS-H) was employed. The study took place in July/August 2022 and April 2023 to evaluate the welfare of a pilot population of nineteen semi-feral Konik polski horses. The horses scored high or satisfactory under indicators across both protocols; only body condition scores were significantly lower in early spring (BCS-WAT: 1.11 ± 0.57; BCS-H: 3.84 ± 1.17) than in the summer (BCS-WAT: 1.58 ± 0.61; BCS-H: 5.63 ± 1.01). Our study confirmed the feasibility of utilising most of the WAT and IFCE/INRAE welfare indicators in semi-feral horses. Some adaptations, such as considering validation of scales, positive welfare indicators and animals' free-choice of conditions, have been suggested for future in-field application.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-12-19
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2606558-7
    ISSN 2076-2615
    ISSN 2076-2615
    DOI 10.3390/ani14010008
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  4. Article ; Online: The effects of allogrooming and social network position on behavioural indicators of stress in female lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus).

    Yates, Kerrie / Stanley, Christina R / Bettridge, Caroline M

    Behavioural processes

    2022  Volume 202, Page(s) 104740

    Abstract: Allogrooming serves an important social function in primates and confers short term benefits such as parasite removal and stress-relief. There is currently mixed evidence as to the immediate impact of allogrooming on an individual's stress levels, which ... ...

    Abstract Allogrooming serves an important social function in primates and confers short term benefits such as parasite removal and stress-relief. There is currently mixed evidence as to the immediate impact of allogrooming on an individual's stress levels, which may be influenced by their role in the grooming dyad, position in their social network, or their relationship with their grooming partner. In this study of seven captive adult female lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) in a mixed sex group at Chester Zoo, UK, we found evidence to support a tension-reduction function of allogrooming. Focal animal sampling showed that the duration of self-directed behaviour (SDB), which indicates moderate to high levels of stress, was significantly lower in the five-minute period following allogrooming than the five-minute period preceding it for both recipients and groomers. However, when compared to match-control periods, both SDB rates and durations were significantly lower across all individuals in the five-minute period both before and after allogrooming, indicating that although allogrooming reduces stress, it is also more likely to occur when individuals are already in a relatively relaxed state. The rate and duration of SDB post-grooming did not correlate with the strength of a dyad's bond (based on proximity). This suggests that it is the act of allogrooming itself, rather than the identity of the partner, that reduces stress for both parties. Analysis of the proximity network highlighted a clear cost to social integration; node strength, a measure of the number and strength of an individual's direct relationships, positively correlated with the duration of self-directed behaviour, suggesting that more gregarious individuals may experience higher levels of stress. These findings add to the growing body of literature that examines the effect of the individual social environment on primate stress levels, and also highlight the need to further investigate the link between social integration and the stress experienced by group-living animals.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Female ; Grooming ; Macaca ; Social Behavior ; Social Networking
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-08-28
    Publishing country Netherlands
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 196999-7
    ISSN 1872-8308 ; 0376-6357
    ISSN (online) 1872-8308
    ISSN 0376-6357
    DOI 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104740
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  5. Article ; Online: The Social and Reproductive Challenges Faced by Free-Roaming Horse (Equus caballus) Stallions

    Górecka-Bruzda, Aleksandra / Jaworska, Joanna / Stanley, Christina R.

    Animals. 2023 Mar. 24, v. 13, no. 7

    2023  

    Abstract: In captivity, intact male horses, due to their sexual drive, are usually socially isolated from other horses. This lifestyle strongly contrasts with that experienced by horses living in free-roaming, feral, or semi-feral conditions, where adult stallions ...

    Abstract In captivity, intact male horses, due to their sexual drive, are usually socially isolated from other horses. This lifestyle strongly contrasts with that experienced by horses living in free-roaming, feral, or semi-feral conditions, where adult stallions have several roles in their social group, with successful reproduction being their primary drive. Reproductive skew in wild populations is high; many stallions will fail to reproduce at all, while others achieve high levels of reproductive success, siring a large number of foals. Successful stallions are those with particular characteristics and abilities that facilitate harem formation and tenure, allowing them to successfully take over a harem or establish a new one, protect mares from rival stallions, employ appropriate social behaviour to maintain group cohesion, and avoid kin-mating, for example through kin recognition mechanisms. Whilst the life of free-living stallions is far from stress-free, they retain ancestral adaptations to selection pressures (such as predation and competition) exhibited by their natural environment over thousands of years. Here, we discuss the challenges faced by free-living horse stallions, the roles they play in social groups, and their resulting social needs. By understanding these pressures and how stallions react to them, we highlighted the importance of the social environment for the stallion. It is hoped that a better understanding of wild stallions’ lives will lead to their needs being more clearly met in captivity, reducing stereotypical behaviour and improving welfare.
    Keywords adults ; captive animals ; kin recognition ; lifestyle ; predation ; reproductive success ; social behavior ; social class ; social environment ; stallions
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2023-0324
    Publishing place Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
    Document type Article ; Online
    ZDB-ID 2606558-7
    ISSN 2076-2615
    ISSN 2076-2615
    DOI 10.3390/ani13071151
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  6. Article: Long term analysis of social structure: evidence of age‐based consistent associations in male Alpine ibex

    Brambilla, Alice / von Hardenberg, Achaz / Canedoli, Claudia / Brivio, Francesca / Sueur, Cédric / Stanley, Christina R.

    Oikos. 2022 Aug., v. 2022, no. 8

    2022  

    Abstract: Despite its recognized importance for understanding the evolution of animal sociality as well as for conservation, long term analysis of social networks of animal populations is still relatively uncommon. We investigated social network dynamics in males ... ...

    Abstract Despite its recognized importance for understanding the evolution of animal sociality as well as for conservation, long term analysis of social networks of animal populations is still relatively uncommon. We investigated social network dynamics in males of a gregarious mountain ungulate (Alpine ibex, Capra ibex) over ten years focusing on groups, sub‐groups and individuals, exploring the dynamics of sociality over different scales. Despite the social structure changing between seasons, the Alpine ibex population was highly cohesive: fission–fusion dynamics lead almost every male in the population to associate with each other male at least once. Nevertheless, we found that male Alpine ibex showed preferential associations that were maintained across seasons and years. Age seemed to be the most important factor driving preferential associations while other characteristics, such as social status, appeared less crucial. We also found that centrality measures were influenced by age and were also related to individual physical condition. The multi‐scale and long‐term frame of our study helped us show that ecological constrains, such as resource availability, may play a role in shaping associations in a gregarious species, but they cannot solely explain sociality and preferential association that are likely also to be driven by life‐history linked physiological and social needs. Our results highlight the importance of long‐term studies based on individually recognizable subjects to help us build on our understanding of the evolution of animal sociality.
    Keywords Capra ibex ; evolution ; lead ; life history ; males ; social behavior ; social networks ; socioeconomic status ; ungulates
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2022-08
    Publishing place Blackwell Publishing Ltd
    Document type Article
    Note JOURNAL ARTICLE
    ZDB-ID 207359-6
    ISSN 0030-1299
    ISSN 0030-1299
    DOI 10.1111/oik.09511
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  7. Article: Preliminary investigation of the effects of a concert on the behavior of zoo animals

    Harley, Jessica J. / Rowden, Lewis J. / Clifforde, Lisa M. / Power, Aisling / Stanley, Christina R.

    Zoo biology. 2022 July, v. 41, no. 4

    2022  

    Abstract: To increase visitor footfall and engagement, zoos may host public events that may extend outside typical opening hours. With plans to hold a 2‐day concert at Tayto Park, Ireland, this study aimed to identify the behavioral response to the music event of ... ...

    Abstract To increase visitor footfall and engagement, zoos may host public events that may extend outside typical opening hours. With plans to hold a 2‐day concert at Tayto Park, Ireland, this study aimed to identify the behavioral response to the music event of a selected group of species in the zoo. Twenty‐two species were observed across three phases of the event (pre‐, during, and post event). Specific behaviors of interest were categorized as active, resting, asleep, abnormal, and out of sight, with repeated observations being made at each enclosure during each phase. Alongside these behavioral data, sound pressure levels (SPLs) were concurrently recorded at the observation locations in terms of both dB(A) and dB(C). The median dB(C) levels during the event were found to be significantly higher (mdn = 64.5 dB) when compared with both pre‐event (mdn = 60.7 dB) and postevent phases (mdn = 59.4 dB), while dB(A) levels were only significantly higher during the event (51.7 dB) when compared with the pre‐event phase (mdn = 49.8 dB). We found some species‐specific behavioral changes (mainly associated with active and resting behaviors) correlated with increased SPLs and/or event itself. However, the behavioral responses varied between species and there were numerous species that did not respond with any change in behavior to the increased SPLs or the event itself. This variation in response across species reinforces the need for monitoring of behavioral changes as well as consideration of their natural behavioral ecology when implementing appropriate mitigation strategies. Further research should be encouraged to provide an evidence‐based assessment of how music events may affect animal welfare and behavior and to test the efficacy of mitigation strategies that are implemented to safeguard animal welfare.
    Keywords animal welfare ; ecology ; music ; zoos ; Ireland
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2022-07
    Size p. 308-327.
    Publishing place John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
    Document type Article
    Note JOURNAL ARTICLE
    ZDB-ID 1499116-0
    ISSN 1098-2361 ; 0733-3188
    ISSN (online) 1098-2361
    ISSN 0733-3188
    DOI 10.1002/zoo.21676
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  8. Article ; Online: Preliminary investigation of the effects of a concert on the behavior of zoo animals.

    Harley, Jessica J / Rowden, Lewis J / Clifforde, Lisa M / Power, Aisling / Stanley, Christina R

    Zoo biology

    2022  Volume 41, Issue 4, Page(s) 308–327

    Abstract: To increase visitor footfall and engagement, zoos may host public events that may extend outside typical opening hours. With plans to hold a 2-day concert at Tayto Park, Ireland, this study aimed to identify the behavioral response to the music event of ... ...

    Abstract To increase visitor footfall and engagement, zoos may host public events that may extend outside typical opening hours. With plans to hold a 2-day concert at Tayto Park, Ireland, this study aimed to identify the behavioral response to the music event of a selected group of species in the zoo. Twenty-two species were observed across three phases of the event (pre-, during, and post event). Specific behaviors of interest were categorized as active, resting, asleep, abnormal, and out of sight, with repeated observations being made at each enclosure during each phase. Alongside these behavioral data, sound pressure levels (SPLs) were concurrently recorded at the observation locations in terms of both dB(A) and dB(C). The median dB(C) levels during the event were found to be significantly higher (mdn = 64.5 dB) when compared with both pre-event (mdn = 60.7 dB) and postevent phases (mdn = 59.4 dB), while dB(A) levels were only significantly higher during the event (51.7 dB) when compared with the pre-event phase (mdn = 49.8 dB). We found some species-specific behavioral changes (mainly associated with active and resting behaviors) correlated with increased SPLs and/or event itself. However, the behavioral responses varied between species and there were numerous species that did not respond with any change in behavior to the increased SPLs or the event itself. This variation in response across species reinforces the need for monitoring of behavioral changes as well as consideration of their natural behavioral ecology when implementing appropriate mitigation strategies. Further research should be encouraged to provide an evidence-based assessment of how music events may affect animal welfare and behavior and to test the efficacy of mitigation strategies that are implemented to safeguard animal welfare.
    MeSH term(s) Animal Welfare ; Animals ; Animals, Zoo/physiology ; Behavior, Animal/physiology
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-02-09
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 1499116-0
    ISSN 1098-2361 ; 0733-3188
    ISSN (online) 1098-2361
    ISSN 0733-3188
    DOI 10.1002/zoo.21676
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  9. Article: Social network analysis of small social groups: Application of a hurdle GLMM approach in the Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota)

    Panaccio, Matteo / Ferrari, Caterina / Bassano, Bruno / Stanley, Christina R / von Hardenberg, Achaz

    Ethology. 2021 June, v. 127, no. 6

    2021  

    Abstract: Social network analysis (SNA) has recently emerged as a fundamental tool to study animal behavior. While many studies have analyzed the relationship between environmental factors and behavior across large, complex animal populations, few have focused on ... ...

    Abstract Social network analysis (SNA) has recently emerged as a fundamental tool to study animal behavior. While many studies have analyzed the relationship between environmental factors and behavior across large, complex animal populations, few have focused on species living in small groups due to limitations of the statistical methods currently employed. Some of the difficulties are often in comparing social structure across different sized groups and accounting for zero‐inflation generated by analyzing small social units. Here, we use a case study to highlight how Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) and hurdle models can overcome the issues inherent to study of social network metrics of groups that are small and variable in size. We applied this approach to study aggressive behavior in the Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) using an eight‐year long dataset of behavioral interactions across 17 small family groups (7.4 ± 3.3 individuals). We analyzed the effect of individual and group‐level factors on aggression, including predictors frequently inferred in species with larger groups, as the closely related yellow‐bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris). Our approach included the use of hurdle GLMMs to analyze the zero‐inflated metrics that are typical of aggressive networks of small social groups. Additionally, our results confirmed previously reported effects of dominance and social status on aggression levels, thus supporting the efficacy of our approach. We found differences between males and females in terms of levels of aggression and on the roles occupied by each in agonistic networks that were not predicted in a socially monogamous species. Finally, we provide some perspectives on social network analysis as applied to small social groups to inform subsequent studies.
    Keywords Marmota flaviventris ; Marmota marmota ; aggression ; animal behavior ; animals ; case studies ; data collection ; monogamy ; social networks ; socioeconomic status
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2021-06
    Size p. 453-464.
    Publishing place John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
    Document type Article
    Note NAL-AP-2-clean ; JOURNAL ARTICLE
    ZDB-ID 633469-6
    ISSN 0179-1613
    ISSN 0179-1613
    DOI 10.1111/eth.13151
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  10. Article: Human-controlled reproductive experience may contribute to incestuous behavior observed in reintroduced semi-feral stallions (Equuscaballus)

    Górecka-Bruzda, Aleksandra / Jaworska, Joanna / Siemieniuch, Marta / Jaworski, Zbigniew / Stanley, Christina R. / Wocławek-Potocka, Izabela / Lansade, Léa

    Theriogenology. 2022 Mar. 01, v. 180

    2022  

    Abstract: Equine reproductive behavior is affected by many factors, some remaining poorly understood. This study tested the hypothesis that a period of captivity during the juvenile period and human-controlled reproduction may potentially be involved in the ... ...

    Abstract Equine reproductive behavior is affected by many factors, some remaining poorly understood. This study tested the hypothesis that a period of captivity during the juvenile period and human-controlled reproduction may potentially be involved in the disruption of the development of incestuous mating avoidance behavior in sanctuary-reintroduced male Konik polski horses. Between 1986 and 2000, cases of incestuous behavior in harem stallions born and reared until weaning in the sanctuary were studied. Eight males lived in the sanctuary's feral herd for the rest of their lives (the non-captive group; nC). They gained their own harem of mares without human intervention (no human-controlled reproductive activity, nHC). Another five stallions were removed as weanlings, reared in captivity and then reintroduced as adults (captive, C). Three of these C stallions were used as in-hand breeding stallions, one as a “teaser” (human-controlled reproductive activity, HC) and one was not used for reproduction in captivity (nHC). Reproductive records for 46 mares, daughters of all 13 harem stallions, were scrutinized and cases of incestuous breeding were recorded by interrogation of foal parentage records. C stallions failed to expel more daughters than nC stallions (33% vs. 18%, P = 0.045), and mated with significantly more of them (28% vs. 11%, P = 0.025). Interestingly, HC stallions expelled fewer (60%) and successfully mated with more (33%) daughters that nHC stallions (84% expelled, P = 0.013, and 10% successful mating with daughters, P = 0.010). All HC stallions bred incestuously at least once.We propose that human intervention during a critical period of development of social and reproductive behavior in young stallions, by enforced separation from their natal herd and in-hand breeding, may contribute to their later aberrant behavior and disruption of inbreeding avoidance mechanisms in these stallions. The previous occurrence of human-controlled breeding may be one of the factors promoting incestuous behavior of stallions in natural conditions. The uninterrupted presence of stallions in their harems and herd member recognition may also play important roles in inbreeding avoidance in horses.
    Keywords Polish Konik ; animal reproduction ; avoidance behavior ; captive animals ; foals ; herds ; humans ; juveniles ; parentage ; reproductive behavior
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2022-0301
    Size p. 82-86.
    Publishing place Elsevier Inc.
    Document type Article
    ZDB-ID 189232-0
    ISSN 1879-3231 ; 0093-691X
    ISSN (online) 1879-3231
    ISSN 0093-691X
    DOI 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.12.018
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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