Physiological responses to capture and handling of free-ranging male Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis)

2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 315-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Jiang Hao ◽  
Qing-Zhong Zhao ◽  
Hai-Ping Wu ◽  
Dao-Quan Chen ◽  
Cheng Gong ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-398
Author(s):  
Victoria L. Preston ◽  
Jessica M. Vannatta ◽  
Matthew Klukowski

Abstract In spite of the fully-hinged shell being the defining characteristic of box turtles, few studies have quantified the behavioural use of the shell in response to predator encounters. While it is often assumed that box turtles simply withdraw into their shell in response to threats, we expected variability among individuals in shell usage and in the degree of head and limb retraction because withdrawal is likely to be costly. We tested the behavioural and physiological responses of free-ranging eastern box turtles to stimuli of varying intensity: observation only, a visual stimulus, a poke on the leg, or a pinch on the leg before being flipped. The more intense the simulated predatory stimulus, the more likely turtles were to fully close their shell. However, stimulus intensity did not affect plasma corticosterone or lactate levels. This may be due to too brief or weak of a stimulus, increased parasympathetic activity, or seasonal effects. Upon capture and during handling, almost all turtles withdrew into their shells and closed their anterior plastron, although fewer closed their posterior plastron, and a few engaged in other behaviours such as biting and urinating. Older, larger turtles were able to close their shells with greater strength than younger and smaller turtles. Our results indicate that in spite of their fully closable shell, box turtles exhibit a graded response to perceived threats. This suggests that full closure of the shell is likely to be costly and occurs only in response to the most intense stimuli.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 502-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela SB. Barros ◽  
Alina L. Evans ◽  
Jon M. Arnemo ◽  
Fredrik Stenbacka ◽  
Göran Ericsson

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey R. Moreno ◽  
Maya Weinberg ◽  
Lee Harten ◽  
Valeria B. Salinas Ramos ◽  
L. Gerardo Herrera M. ◽  
...  

AbstractAlong with its many advantages, social roosting imposes a major risk of pathogen transmission. How social animals, and especially free-ranging mammals, reduce this risk is poorly documented. We used lipopolysaccharide injection to imitate bacterial sickness in both a captive and a free-ranging colony of an extremely social, long lived mammal – the Egyptian fruit bat. We monitored behavioral and physiological responses using an arsenal of methods, including on-board GPS and acceleration, video, temperature and weight measurements, and blood samples. Sick-like bats exhibited an increased immune response, as well as classical illness symptoms including fever, weight loss, anorexia, and lethargy. Notably, they also isolated themselves from the group by leaving the social cluster and avoiding contact. Free-ranging individuals ceased foraging outdoors for at least two nights. Together, these sickness behaviors demonstrate a strong, integrative immune response which promotes recovery of infected individuals while protecting their group members from transmission of pathogens, and at the same time, reducing spillover events outside the roost.


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