Summary: Chapuis & Bshary (2010)

Signals alter the behaviour of receivers, thereby increasing the sender's fitness. When individuals interact cooperatively, signal strength may be linked to supply and demand (biological market theory). Hunger level in cleaner shrimps (Periclimenes longicarpus) is linked to advertisement of their services to client reef fish. To test more detailed predictions of biological market theory, Chapuis & Bshary (2010) investigated signalling by wild cleaner shrimps. Shrimps increased claw clapping when they were food deprived and were more likely to clean than non-clapping shrimp. Chapuis & Bshary (2010) however did not find evidence that signalling was target-specific to visiting client species, and shrimps signalled more frequently to predatory species. They conclude that signal conveys information about identity in order to avoid predation, rather than to attract choosy clients.

Summary: Stetina et al. (2011)

Recognition of emotions is required for interpersonal interactions and emotional competencies. Stetina et al. (2011) explored the possibility of enhancing emotion recognition of children (5-7 years) and adults (19-45 years) by using animal-assisted intervention, focusing on the emotional expression of dogs. Their results showed that the highest changes in both the adult and children groups related to the correct identification of fear and anger. Adults also showed an increase in the overall number of correctly identified facial expressions, as well as a decrease in the latency to respond. Children also increased their capacity for the recognition of disgust and neutral facial expressions, identified 5 more emotions correctly after training and decreased their response latency. Stetina et al. (2011) suggest that a generalization process from human-dog interaction to human-human interaction seems to occur. They indicate that the implied learning effects of animal-assisted interventions are a promising and essential aspect of psychological and psychosocial treatment.

Summary: Townsend & Moger (1987)

Male Puerto Rican frogs Eleutherodactylus coqui are paternal throughout embryonic development of the eggs. Males stop calling (which is necessary for attracting mates) and reduce egg cannibalism during this period. Townsend & Moger (1987) analyzed the relationship between parental behaviour and androgens by analysing blood plasma from males captured in the field. They found that paternal males had lower androgen levels than males that were nonpaternal, calling or amplectant. They noted that the decline in circulating androgens between the sexually active state and the paternal care state was rapid, but also that androgen levels did not differ between males that were at differing stages of the paternal care period. Townsend & Moger's (1987) results suggest a relationship between circulating androgen levels, mating behaviour and the development of paternal care.

Summary: Wainwright et al. (1999)

Linoleic acid and alpha-linoleic acid can not be synthesized by animals and must be obtained through their diet. These fatty acids are important for essential for growth and development. Wainwright et al. (1999) compared behavioural development of young born to female B6D2F1 mice that had been fed a diet with an imbalance of dietary essential fatty acids to pups that had been undernourished (through rearing in large litters). Some pregnant and lactating females were fed a diet with a very low (n-6):(n-3) ratio, in which the fatty acids were provided solely as linoleic acid and very high levels of docosahexaenoic acid. Wainwright et al. (1999) randomly established four groups of females : 2 groups were fed lab chow but varied in litter size (large vs. normal), and 2 groups were of normal litter size but varied in dietary ratio (low=0.32 vs. normal = 4.0). At 32 days post conception, offspring from both lab chow-fed large litters and low ratio normal litters had lower body weights and were behaviourally retarded. Wainwright et al.'s (1999) results show that growth retardation (offspring of dams fed a diet with low essential fatty acid ratio and very high levels of DHA) is accompanied by behavioural retardation similar to that seen in malnourished pups.

Summary: Moosman et al. (2009)

Animal signals evolve in a variety of contexts. Some male fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) produce bioluminescent courtship signals during mate searching, and these males are often chemically defended. These courtship signals may have consequences (positive/negative) that are unrelated to mating. Moosman et al. (2009) examined whether Photinus flash signals are aposematic signals for insectivorous bats. They observed four species of North American bats in the field, then conducted behavioural and diet experiments in the laboratory to assess taste responses to the fireflies. Interestingly, fireflies were not found in bat faeces, even though they co-occurred in the field. Bats found the taste of meal worms coated with homogenized fireflies aversive, but responded differentially to moving lures based on a combination of lure size and flash cues. Moosman et al. (2009) suggest that flash signals of Photinus fireflies probably act as aposematic warnings to the common bat Eptesicus fuscus. This indicates that bioluminescent courtship signalling in fireflies may operate under competing selective pressures.

Summary: Paulisson (2008)

After long periods of training, lizards and snakes show spatial learning (an animal's ability to learn the location of resources for access in the future). It has been suggested that the natural environment is more conducive to spatial learning in squamates than the laboratory, as the animals become familiar with vital resources and landmarks within their home ranges. Paulisson (2008) hypothesised that spatial learning in little brown skinks (Scincella lateralis) can be improved with prior experience of a habitat. He subjected individual lizards to simulated predatory attacks and tested their ability a) to choose between 1 of 2 cardboard retreats (Experiment 1); 2) to choose a designated "correct" retreat without prior experience (Experiment 2); and 3) to choose the "correct" retreat after 48 hours of prior experience in the habitat (Experience 3). Paulisson (2008) found that little brown skinks learn to take refuge (Experiment 1), and experience leads them to choose the "correct" retreat in a short period of time (Experiment 3). He discusses the role of experience and the use of ecologically relevant landmarks in laboratory-based learning experiments.

Summary: Gerber et al. (2011)

Oceans are challenging areas for conservation, as large marine mammals move large distances, but are typically only protected in small areas. In 2006, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM), one of the largest conservation areas in the world, was established with the primary aim of conserving marine wildlife. However, despite this goal, one of the endemic species of this area, the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is declining as a result of high juvenile mortality. In contrast, populations outside of the protected area are increasing. The ecological drivers of the decline are currently unknown. Gerber et al. (2011) evaluated an intervention proposal by the Pacific Island Fisheries Science Centre. The benefits proposed included maintainance of subpopualtions in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands through preservation of metapopulation structure. Gerber et al. (2011) indicate that this would provide more time for studies on the factors driving the population decline. They suggest that the inability of the PMNM to conserve monk seals reflects the differing ideals of conservation agendas, the necessity for understanding ecosystem and large-scale ecosystem interactions, and the necessity of adaptive management.