scholarly journals Environmental enrichment reduces aggression of pearl cichlid, Geophagus brasiliensis, during resident-intruder interactions

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian Oliveira Kadry ◽  
Rodrigo Egydio Barreto
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Complexity ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Geophagus Brasiliensis ◽  
Prior Residence ◽  
Enriched Environments ◽  
Enrichment Condition ◽  
Resident Intruder

Among fishes, when residents and intruders fight, residents usually win, most likely because they value the residence more than intruders. We hypothesized that enriched environments increase the value of an area in dispute, causing a resident to more fiercely defend a resource-rich environment than a poor one. However, in the present study, intruder-resident tests with the pearl cichlid, Geophagus brasiliensis, showed environmental enrichment actually reduces aggression and can even lead to co-habitation without fighting. Additionally, in our experiments, the prior residence effect occurred irrespective of enrichment condition. Decreased visibility from increased habitat complexity reduces interactions between fish and consequently might explain the lower aggression observed herein.

scholarly journals Aggression and dominance in cichlids in resident-intruder tests: the role of environmental enrichment

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 543-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Nijman ◽  
Boudewijn A. Heuts
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Size Effects ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Geophagus Brasiliensis ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Prior Residency ◽  
Resident Intruder

When establishing dominance residents have a greater likelihood to dominate intruders than vice versa, partially because the resident has more to loose that the intruder has to win. This is known as the prior residency effect. In environmentally rich environments this effect should be stronger than in poor environments. Recently Kadry & Barreto (2010, Neotrop Ichthyol 8: 329-332) tested this in the pearl cichlid Geophagus brasiliensis (17 test pairs) and reported that environmental enrichment led to a reduction of aggression. We here present data on four other cichlids (332 test pairs) showing a stronger prior residency effect in enriched conditions, and, for two species, an increase in aggression. We discuss possible reasons for the differences between studies, focussing on the relationship between aggression and dominance and sample size effects.

scholarly journals Cognitive Enrichment in Piglet Rearing: An Approach to Enhance Animal Welfare and to Reduce Aggressive Behaviour

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilia Thays Sonoda ◽  
Michaela Fels ◽  
Sally Rauterberg ◽  
Stefano Viazzi ◽  
Gunel Ismayilova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behaviour ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Aggressive Interactions ◽  
Suckling Piglets ◽  
Cognitive Enrichment ◽  
Enriched Environments ◽  
The University ◽  
Resident Intruder

It is known that pigs raised in enriched environments express less aggressive behaviour. For this reason, a new method of cognitive environmental enrichment was experimented at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany. In the first phase, 78 suckling piglets were trained to learn the link between a sound given by an electronic feeder and a feed reward in the form of chocolate candies during a period of 8 days. In the second phase, the same piglets were used in resident-intruder tests to verify the potential of the feeding system to interrupt aggressive behaviour. The analysis of all training rounds revealed that piglets learned the commands during 8 days of training and the interest of the piglets increased within training days (P<0.05). In the resident-intruder test, 79.5% of aggressive interactions were broken by feeder activation. In interactions where either the aggressor or the receiver reacted, a high number of fights were stopped (96.7% versus 93.1%) indicating that it was not relevant if the aggressor or the receiver responded to the feeder activation. We conclude that the electronic feeding system has the potential to be used as cognitive enrichment for piglets, being suitable for reducing aggressive behaviour in resident-intruder situations.

scholarly journals RETA A TU MENTE, DESAFÍA A TU CEREBRO: COMPLEJIDAD AMBIENTAL Y SALUD CEREBRAL

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Rosa Redolat ◽  
Patricia Mesa Gresa
Keyword(s):  
Successful Aging ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Voluntary Exercise ◽  
World Health ◽  
Positive Direction ◽  
Stress Studies ◽  
The World ◽  
Enriched Environments ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract.According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that more than 30 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease in the world. Currently, there is great interest in developing strategies to counteract the cognitive decline that accompanies aging and, to a greater extent, neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of the current study is to analyze the experimental evidence supporting the hypothesis that interventions based on novelty and complexity are more effective in order to achieve successful aging. In animal models it has shown that enriched environments and performing voluntary exercise can improve performance in learning and memory tasks, decrease anxiety response and counteract the deleterious effects of stress. Studies in human subjects suggest that those activities that imply greater novelty and challenge for the brain (such as bilingualism or learning new tasks) as well as interventions based on physical exercise induce greater benefits on brain health. It is considered that this type of interventions and an active lifestyle can contribute to the cognitive reserve, promoting neuroplasticity in a positive direction. Since in human subjects is difficult to isolate the mechanisms that explain how the novelty or complexity of the environment can promote neuroplasticity, in this paper we report main results obtained in neuroscientific studies related to the changes induced at neurobiological and behavioral levels by exposure to enriched environments. Future studies using neuroimaging and other biomarkers could explain why those most challenging and novel tasks can induce adaptive changes in the brain.Keywords: Environmental enrichment- neuroplasticity- complexity- dementia- agingResumen.Según datos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, se calcula que más de 30 millones de personas sufren Enfermedad de Alzheimer en el mundo. Actualmente existe gran interés en desarrollar estrategias que contribuyan a frenar el deterioro cognitivo que acompaña al envejecimiento y, en mayor medida, a las enfermedades neurodegenerativas. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar la evidencia experimental que apoya la idea de que las intervenciones basadas en los factores de novedad y complejidad son más efectivas para conseguir un envejecimiento satisfactorio. En modelos animales se ha demostrado que tanto los ambientes enriquecidos como la realización de ejercicio físico voluntario mejoran el rendimiento en tareas de aprendizaje y memoria, disminuyen la respuesta de ansiedad y pueden contrarrestar los efectos deletéreos del estrés. Los estudios en sujetos humanos muestran que aquellas actividades que suponen mayor desafío y reto para el cerebro (como son el bilingüismo o el aprendizaje de tareas nuevas que impliquen desafío a nivel mental) así como las intervenciones basadas en el ejercicio físico son las que mayores beneficios proporcionan. Se considera que este tipo de intervenciones y un estilo de vida activo pueden contribuir a la reserva cognitiva y promover la neuroplasticidad en sentido positivo. Dado que en sujetos humanos resulta difícil aislar los mecanismos que explican cómo la novedad o complejidad del ambiente pueden favorecer la plasticidad a nivel cerebral, en el presente trabajo se describirán los principales resultados obtenidos en estudios neurocientíficos relacionados con los cambios que la exposición a ambientes enriquecidos induce a nivel neurobiológico y conductual. Son necesarios futuros estudios que utilicen técnicas de neuroimagen y otros biomarcadores que permitan explicar por qué aquellas tareas más desafiantes y novedosas pueden inducir modificaciones adaptativas en el cerebro.Palabras Clave: Ambientes enriquecidos-neuroplasticidad-complejidad-demencia-envejecimiento

Effect of environmental enrichment on pig welfare as measured by physiological and pathological parameters

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 191-191
Author(s):  
N.E. O'Connell ◽  
V.E. Beattie ◽  
B.W. Moss
Keyword(s):  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Large White ◽  
Enriched Environments

While it is accepted that environmental enrichment can improve the welfare of growing pigs by reducing harmful social behaviour (Beattie et al., 1995), the influence of environmental enrichment on physiological and pathological parameters remains unclear. The objective of this study was to monitor selected physiological and pathological parameters of pigs reared in barren and enriched environments.In a randomised block design, three-hundred and twenty Large White x Landrace pigs were allocated to one of two environmental treatments from birth to slaughter. Five blocks were used, each containing eight groups of eight pigs. In each block, four groups were reared in barren environments which had slatted floors and recommended space allowances. The remaining four groups were reared in enriched environments which had three times the recommended space allowance, solid floors partially bedded with peat and pigs had access to straw from a rack. Both environmental treatments were located in separate buildings.

scholarly journals The effects of environmental enrichment on some welfare indicators in fattening cattle, housed at different stocking densities

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 575-582
Author(s):  
Kristina Matković ◽  
◽  
Ranka Šimić ◽  
Marica Lolić ◽  
Mario Ostović
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behaviour ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Welfare Indicators ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Welfare Quality ◽  
Enriched Environments

The effects of environmental enrichment were assessed at different stocking densities on fattening cattle welfare. The study included four groups of heifers observed during four-month final commercial fattening. The heifers were housed in non-enriched and enriched environments at low (n = 14; 4.5 m2/animal) and high (n = 19; 3.3 m2/animal) stocking density. Environmental enrichment consisted of a grooming brush and salt blocks. Heifer welfare was assessed using selected indicators from the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for cattle. The study results showed that the heifers housed at high stocking density used environmental enrichment materials significantly more frequently as compared with heifers housed at low stocking density (P<0.05), whereas there was no difference in their use of particular enrichment materials. The effect of environmental enrichment on heifer welfare was mainly manifested in a reduction in the expression of some forms of aggressive behaviour; therefore, this finding should encourage the use of enrichment materials such as those presented in this study which are commercially available, relatively inexpensive and simple to use.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Macaque Hair Hormone Concentration Following Enhanced Cognitive Experiences or Standard Nonhuman Primate Environmental Enrichment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke J. Meidam ◽  
Emilia K. Meredith ◽  
Amita Kapoor ◽  
Allyson J. Bennett ◽  
Peter J. Pierre
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Nonhuman Primate ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Healthy Development ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Enriched Environments

Experience with enriched environments positively impacts the health and wellbeing of nonhuman animals ranging from rodents to primates. Little is known, however, about the specific effects of enhanced cognitive enrichment (ECE) on nonhuman primates. The study reported here used archival samples to provide preliminary analysis of ECE on hormones associated with stress and wellbeing, as well as evaluation of persistent effects of infant social rearing. Hair samples from 24 adult male rhesus macaques were analyzed via LC-MS/MS technique for the main stress response hormones: cortisol, cortisone, and dehydroepiandrosterone. The ECE and care-as-usual (CAU) groups did not significantly differ in any of the mean analyte values. Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone were strongly and positively correlated in the ECE group. By contrast, for the CAU group the two analytes were weakly correlated. Within the ECE group, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone were significantly and positively correlated in the mother-reared group, but not in the nursery-reared group. Overall, these results provide preliminary evidence that experience with ECE could help to maintain a balanced cortisol:dehydroepiandrosterone ratio, possibly indicative of a healthy stress response. Further examination of this ratio in hair is needed to support this hypothesis. These observations may also suggest that nursery rearing could have persistent effects, including dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, apparent in the unbalanced cortisol:dehydroepiandrosterone ratio. Together these findings are consistent with the growing literature that supports the use of ECE to promote nonhuman primate wellbeing and healthy development.

scholarly journals Different enriched environments for Eurasian lynx in the Barnaul Zoo

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 671-675
Author(s):  
T. V. Antonenko ◽  
O. M. Ulitina ◽  
S. V. Pysarev ◽  
A. V. Matsyura
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Similarity Coefficient ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Primary Interest ◽  
Eurasian Lynx ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Stereotypic Behaviour ◽  
Enriched Environments

Our primary interest is in welfare of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the Barnaul Zoo. As discussed below, behavioural researches can reveal much about the welfare of captive wild animals. Eurasian lynx behaviour is studied and time budget is calculated for male and female. The Schorygin’ similarity coefficient of behaviour is determined (87.2%). The male lynx demonstrated low degree of stereotypic behaviour–5.9%, the female lynx–3.8%. We analyzed the differences in their behaviour before and after environmental enrichment. Olfactory environmental enrichment exhibits a decrease of male stereotypic behaviour on 24.3% and of female on 18.8%. Feeding environmental enrichment reduces male stereotypic behaviour on 15.9%, female on 20.3% (with a rat trunk); the male lynx pacing is diminished on 0.9% and female stereotypic behaviour on 1.4% in experiments with meat under fresh-cut grass. Based on our findings, we recommend that lynxes should be housed by mating pair (male with female), with appropriate hiding locations and with the varied feeding, change decorations for captive lynx, carry out tests by olfactory environmental enrichment (with pony droppings and with valerian) and feeding environmental enrichment. It could be concluded that animal welfare depends on keepers’ goodwill relation with captive lynx.

scholarly journals Effect of stocking density and use of environmental enrichment materials on the welfare and the performance of pigs in the growth and finishing phases

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. e0504
Author(s):  
Edilson D. Caldas ◽  
André Michelon ◽  
Luciana Foppa ◽  
Sandra M. Simonelli ◽  
Carlos R. Pierozan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Enriched Environments ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Frequencies ◽  
Feed Conversion Rate

Aim of study: To evaluate the effects of stocking density and the use of environmental enrichment (EE) objects on the welfare and the performance of pigs in the growing and finishing phases.Area of study: The southern region of Brazil.Material and methods: A total of 240 pigs, 120 immunocastrated males and 120 females, with an initial weight of 22.38 ± 2.38 kg and mean age of 65 days, were submitted to two stocking densities conditions (0.85 and 1.28 m²pig) with and without EE for 117 days. The experimental design was a 2×2×2 factorial (two categories, two densities, and two EE conditions), with six replicates. Performance variables and behavior were evaluated.Main results: For stocking density, there was a significant difference in the finishing phase from 148 to 161 days of age for the final weight (FW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), and feed conversion rate (FCR). For the EE factor, there was no difference in any of the phases or in the overall period. In the overall period, the higher availability of space improved the results of FW (140.56 kg vs 136.63 kg), ADWG (1.005 kg vs 0.974 kg), and FCR (2.05 vs 2.10). There was no effect of EE, stocking densities, or their interaction on the frequency of different behaviors of the pigs in the growth and finishing phases.Research highlights: There was no effect of interactions between enriched environments, stocking densities, and sex for animal performance and behavioral frequencies; however, differences between the factors were observed separately. The higher availability of space improved the results of FW, ADWG, and FCR.

scholarly journals Environmental enrichment on the behavior and welfare of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus)

2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 562-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.D.L. Assis ◽  
T.S.G. Carvalho ◽  
V.M. Pereira ◽  
R.T.F. Freitas ◽  
C.E.P. Saad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Analysis ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Nymphicus Hollandicus ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
Behavioral Activities ◽  
Enriched Environments

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the influence of physical environmental enrichment on the behavior of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus). Eighteen birds, nine males and nine females, were monitored in environments enriched with wooden sticks and bead rings and in non-enriched environments, in a completely randomized design. Behavioral categories were grouped into locomotion, maintenance, rest, feed, undesirable activities, and interaction with environmental enrichment. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis of behaviors to produce the ethogram and percentage comparison of frequency values for behavior analysis. Environmental enrichment positively influenced behavioral categories and some behavioral activities of birds.

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