Intraspecific Motor and Emotional Alignment in Dogs and Wolves: The Basic Building Blocks of Dog–Human Affective Connectedness

Involuntary synchronization occurs when individuals perform the same motor action patterns during a very short time lapse. This phenomenon serves an important adaptive value for animals permitting them to socially align with group fellows thus increasing integration and fitness benefits. Rapid mimicry (RM) and yawn contagion (YC) are two behavioral processes intermingled in the animal synchronization domain. Several studies demonstrated that RM and YC are socially modulated being more frequently performed by individuals sharing close relationships. This evidence highlights the relation between RM/YC and emotional contagion that is the capacity of two or more individuals to share the same affective state. In this review, we try to delineate a possible developmental trajectory of emotional sharing phenomena by using, as a model species, the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), a valid example of empathic predisposition towards individuals belonging both to the same and the different species. We contrast available findings on RM and YC in dog–dog and dog–human dyads with those in wolf–wolf dyads, in order to investigate if the ability to emotionally engage with conspecifics (wolf–wolf and dog–dog) is evolutionary rooted in canids and if provides the basis for the development of inter-specific emotional sharing (dog–human).

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Primary osteoblast culture from domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Bone Abstracts ◽

10.1530/boneabs.5.p166 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Ines Pedro Perpetuo ◽

Richard Meeson ◽

Andrew Pitsillides ◽

Michael Doube ◽

Isabel Orriss

Keyword(s):

Canis Lupus ◽

Domestic Dog ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Primary Osteoblast ◽

Osteoblast Culture

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Successful cloning of coyotes through interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer using domestic dog oocytes

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd12256 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 25 (8) ◽

pp. 1142 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Insung Hwang ◽

Yeon Woo Jeong ◽

Joung Joo Kim ◽

Hyo Jeong Lee ◽

Mina Kang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Canis Lupus ◽

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer ◽

Nuclear Transfer ◽

Fusion Rate ◽

Domestic Dogs ◽

Domestic Dog ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Cloning Efficiency ◽

Donor Cells

Interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) is an emerging assisted reproductive technology (ART) for preserving Nature’s diversity. The scarcity of oocytes from some species makes utilisation of readily available oocytes inevitable. In the present study, we describe the successful cloning of coyotes (Canis latrans) through iSCNT using oocytes from domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris or dingo). Transfer of 320 interspecies-reconstructed embryos into 22 domestic dog recipients resulted in six pregnancies, from which eight viable offspring were delivered. Fusion rate and cloning efficiency during iSCNT cloning of coyotes were not significantly different from those observed during intraspecies cloning of domestic dogs. Using neonatal fibroblasts as donor cells significantly improved the cloning efficiency compared with cloning using adult fibroblast donor cells (P < 0.05). The use of domestic dog oocytes in the cloning of coyotes in the present study holds promise for cloning other endangered species in the Canidae family using similar techniques. However, there are still limitations of the iSCNT technology, as demonstrated by births of morphologically abnormal coyotes and the clones’ inheritance of maternal domestic dog mitochondrial DNA.

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The role of stimulus comparison in animal perceptual learning: Effects of a distractor placement

Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology ◽

10.1177/1747021818757101 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 71 (12) ◽

pp. 2488-2496 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sergio A Recio ◽

Adela F Iliescu ◽

Isabel de Brugada

Keyword(s):

Perceptual Learning ◽

Learning Process ◽

Time Lapse ◽

Animal Research ◽

Learning Effects ◽

Stimulus Comparison ◽

Human Research ◽

Short Time ◽

Effect Experiment

Research on perceptual learning shows that the way stimuli are presented leads to different outcomes. The intermixed/blocked (I/B) effect is one of these outcomes, and different mechanisms have been proposed to explain it. In human research, it seems that comparison between stimuli is important, and the placement of a distractor between the pre-exposed stimuli interferes with the effect. Results from animal research are usually interpreted in different terms because the type of procedure normally used in animal perceptual learning does not favour comparison. In our experiments, we explore the possibility that a distractor placed between the to-be-discriminated stimuli may interfere with the perceptual learning process in rats. In Experiment 1, two flavoured solutions are presented in an I/B fashion, with a short time lapse between them to favour comparison, showing the typical I/B effect. In Experiment 2, we introduced a distractor in between the solutions, abolishing this effect. Experiment 3 further replicates this by comparing two intermixed groups with or without distractor. The results replicate the findings from human research, suggesting that comparison also plays an important role in animal perceptual learning.

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Effect of plantation clearcutting on carnivore presence in industrial forest landscapes in south-central Chile

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mammalia-2017-0061 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 83 (2) ◽

pp. 115-124

Author(s):

Sandra P. Escudero-Páez ◽

Esteban Botero-Delgadillo ◽

Cristián F. Estades

Keyword(s):

Puma Concolor ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Pine Plantations ◽

Domestic Dog ◽

Native Forest ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Central Chile ◽

South Central ◽

The Impact

Abstract Information on how wildlife is affected by pine plantation clearcutting is relevant for designing management strategies to promote biodiversity conservation in productive systems. By comparing the number of records of carnivores in a mosaic of pine plantations and native forest remnants before and after pine harvesting, we assessed the effect of plantation clearcutting on carnivore presence in ten sampling areas in Central Chile. We also included a number of covariates to account for their potential confounding effects, for example, the distance between each site and the nearesting human settlement and vegetation cover. A total of 10 species were observed, but no negative effect of clearcutting on carnivore presence was detected. Only the culpeo fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) responded positively to the harvesting of pine plantations. The threatened kodkod (Leopardus guigna) was absent in clearcut areas and the number of records increased in forests or plantations with a dense understorey. The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) responded positively to human settlements and seems to prefer more open areas. The number of records for the Puma (Puma concolor) and the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) was too few, and hence, we could not make any inference regarding these two species. The other species recorded showed different responses to one or more of the included covariates. Although our results showed that the recording of some species could change in the short term after pine harvesting, future studies should assess the impact of clearcutting at a much higher scale, both in terms of space and time.

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The Temporomandibular Joint of the Domestic Dog ( Canis lupus familiaris ) in Health and Disease

Journal of Comparative Pathology ◽

10.1016/j.jcpa.2018.05.001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 161 ◽

pp. 55-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

A.W. Lin ◽

N. Vapniarsky ◽

D.D. Cissell ◽

F.J.M. Verstraete ◽

C.H. Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Temporomandibular Joint ◽

Canis Lupus ◽

Domestic Dog ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Health And Disease

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Exotic Dogs and Indigenous Humans in Tropical Northeastern South America

Dogs ◽

10.5744/florida/9780813066363.003.0008 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 186-205

Author(s):

Peter W. Stahl

Keyword(s):

South America ◽

Indigenous People ◽

Canis Lupus ◽

Native Plants ◽

Domestic Dog ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Hunting Dogs ◽

Late Arrival ◽

Exotic Animal ◽

Tropical Lowlands

Although the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is today ubiquitous throughout most of South America, it may have been a relatively late arrival in Amazonia. A dog’s comparative value to contemporary indigenous people in the tropical lowlands of Northeastern South America relates directly to its role in hunting; otherwise, it can be regarded with the same ambivalence attributed to other exotic domesticates, most of which tend to be poorly integrated into indigenous human societies. Despite cultivating a formidable array of native plants and demonstrating a marked proclivity for pets, indigenous Amazonians had few, if any, native animal domesticates. The elaborate esteem bestowed on valued hunting dogs by indigenous societies in Northeastern South America can contrast markedly with their attitude toward other exotic animal domesticates. This is likely rooted in their ontological perspectives of animal others and may be based upon a pre-Columbian template of tamed autochthonous canids.

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Neuroprosthetics: an outlook on active challenges towards clinical adoption.

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.00496.2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Marco Bonizzato

Keyword(s):

Building Blocks ◽

Human Experience ◽

Neural Prostheses ◽

Motor Action ◽

Open Questions ◽

Sensorimotor Recovery ◽

Clinical Adoption ◽

Meaningful Communication

Neural prostheses are designed to counter the effects of neurotrauma and restore the fundamental building blocks of human experience including motor action, sensation and meaningful communication with other individuals. Here, we present an overview of active avenues, open questions and debated topics in neuroprosthetics, such as targeting the mechanisms of sensorimotor recovery and designing brain interfaces for scalability. We review leading opinions in this thriving field, aiming to inform translational practice towards clinical adoption.

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Are We Ready to investigate Cognitive Function of Fetal Brain? The Role of Advanced Four-dimensional Sonography

Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10009-1453 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 116-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Aida Salihagic Kadic ◽

Lara Spalldi Barisic

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Fetal Brain ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Time Lapse ◽

Functional Development ◽

4D Ultrasound ◽

And Behavior

ABATRACT Human brain is fascinating organ in so many ways. Some of its cognitive functions, such as ability to learn, memorize, think, percept different sensations, such as pain, to have emotion, process audio-visual inputs, and to coordinate reaction and movements have been subjects of studies for many years. Yet, till recently, we could only make assumptions about prenatal activities, interactions and its construction of complex structures in the time frame of antenatal life. With the prenatal assessment (sonoembryology, neurosonoembryology, KANET test, etc.) by latest advanced HDlive, Silhouette and Flow 3D/4D imaging there is possibility to follow in continuity normal structural and functional development from the early beginnings of “life” and on the other hand consider what might be different (not necessarily abnormal) and deviate from normal development and behavior. On this way, we are able to supplement knowledge of fundamental building blocks of development of fetal cognitive functions, to pay more attention and follow up fetuses at higher risk and finally find some of the possible origins of cognitive dysfunctions which may manifest in childhood or later in life.82 With the introduction of different 3D/4D ultrasound modes we have ability to observe all of this in vivo while emerging, and make “time-lapse” of fetal neurodevelopment and behavior in correlation to its cognitive functional development How to cite this article Kurjak A, Spalldi Barisic L, Stanojevic M, Salihagic Kadic A, Porovic S. Are We Ready to investigate Cognitive Function of Fetal Brain? The Role of Advanced Fourdimensional Sonography. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016;10(2):116-124.

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Partners in the street ballet: An embodied process of person-space coupling in the built environment

Environment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science ◽

10.1177/0265813516638185 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 294-307

Author(s):

Alasdair Turner

Keyword(s):

Built Environment ◽

Markov Model ◽

Cognitive Strategies ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Active Perception ◽

Political Factors ◽

Motor Action ◽

Embodied Action ◽

Physical Layout ◽

Do So

The diurnal movements of pedestrians in the built environment are sometimes typified as a ‘street ballet’, where each actor or dancer has their own set role within a larger complex. Every individual in the ballet may have many influences on their behaviour including the physical layout of the environment, cognitive strategies to navigate it, experiential or affective preferences as well as social, economic and political factors, but ultimately each one seems to obey apparently choreographed actions. The aim of this article is to understand whether or not there is in fact an underlying choreography to the ballet, in that certain steps or moves are more likely than others, such that a ‘dance’ through daily life is constructed. To do so, simple automata that use active perception to inhabit the world are evolved against different tasks within the environment, representing different sets of moves that may be taken. It is shown that any evolved automaton appears to embody a mathematical person–space relationship that joins visual affordance with motor action: the convergence of a simple Markov model of visual movement. From the Markov model, a general model of embodied action in the environment is proposed, whereby memory of the dance is ingrained over evolutionary history, such that it forms building blocks for non-discursive action within the built environment and comprises a possible common phenomenological framework.

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