A number of studies have recently investigated personality traits in non-human species, with the dog gaining popularity as a subject species for research in this area. Recent research has shown the consistency of personality traits across both context and time for adult dogs, both when using questionnaire based methods of investigation and behavioural analyses of the dogs’ behaviour. However, only a few studies have assessed the correspondence between these two methods, with results varying considerably across studies. Furthermore, most studies have focused on adult dogs, despite the fact that an understanding of personality traits in young puppies may be important for research focusing on the genetic basis of personality traits. In the current study, we sought to evaluate the correspondence between a questionnaire based method and the in depth analyses of the behaviour of 2-month old puppies in an open-field test in which a number of both social and non-social stimuli were presented to the subjects. We further evaluated consistency of traits over time by re-testing a subset of puppies. The correspondence between methods was high and test- retest consistency (for the main trait) was also good using both evaluation methods. Results showed clear factors referring to the two main personality traits ‘extroversion,’ (i.e. the enthusiastic, exuberant approach to the stimuli) and ‘neuroticism,’ (i.e. the more cautious and fearful approach to the stimuli), potentially similar to the shyness-boldness dimension found in previous studies. Furthermore, both methods identified an ‘amicability’ dimension, expressing the positive interactions the pups directed at the humans stranger, and a ‘reservedness’ dimension which identified pups who largely chose not to interact with the stimuli, and were defined as quiet and not nosey in the questionnaire.

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Background: Measurement of hair cortisol is a noninvasive technique used for several purposes in humans and in animals.Objectives: To measure hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) in dogs with spontaneous hypercortisolism (HC) and determine whether it can represent a useful diagnostic test for this syndrome.Animals: Twenty-two dogs with spontaneous HC before treatment, 28 sick control dogs (SCD), and 40 healthy dogs. Methods: In this prospective, observational clinical study, the HCC was measured by an RIA assay after extraction in HC dogs, in dogs with other chronic diseases, and in healthy dogs. The diagnostic accuracy of HCC was evaluated by subjecting data from dogs with HC and dogs with other chronic diseases to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Results: Median (range) cortisol concentration in dogs with HC was 4.53 pg/mg (0.32-74.62 pg/mg) and was significantly higher than in SCD (1.49 pg/mg, 0.13-14.19 pg/mg) and healthy dogs (1.28 pg/mg, 0.34-5.38 pg/mg). Within the 3 groups, there was a large overlap of HCC. The area under the ROC curve was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.67-0.92). A cut-off value of HCC of 1.93 pg/mg revealed 91% sensitivity and 61% specificity to diagnose HC.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Hair cortisol concentrations are higher in dogs with HC compared to SCD and healthy dogs. It is a noninvasive technique that should be further investigated as a possible diagnostic procedure for the diagnosis of HC in dogs.

This work suggests the possibility of the existence of contiguity in the molecular evolution of consciousness, between man and animal. From the experimental point of view and in terms of hypotheses, it seems that many elements lead to considerations about a common molecular evolutionary origin of the consciousness in animals and humans. It seems, also, evident that the increasing levels of complexity of consciousness can correspond to the evolutionary process. The work discusses a scientific speculation about the possible role of serotonin and thermoregulation in the evolution of consciousness of living beings.

Additional information:Use policyThe full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that:• a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.Please consult the full DRO policy for further details. The aim of this investigation was to study the welfare of three captive groups of cotton-top tamarins housed in different zoological parks. Ethological observations were conducted over one year. In addition, fecal samples were collected and the concentrations of glucocorticoids, androgens, and progestagens were measured. Within each group, no significant differences in fecal cortisol concentrations were found between subjects. The fecal concentrations of testosterone and progesterone significantly differed depending on the sexes and ages of the tamarins. A significant association was found among hormone concentrations, exhibit dimensions, and group composition. A highly significant correlation was found between all hormones considered and the space available for each subject. Significant differences in behavioral patterns were observed among groups, including social-individual, affiliativeaggressive, and anogenital-suprapubic scent marking. Correlations between hormone measurements and behaviors were detected. In conclusion, this study confirmed the associations between some behaviors exhibited by these nonhuman primates and both cortisol and testosterone; these data also highlight the role played by progesterone in these behaviors. Keywords: captive management, hormones, stress, Saguinus oedipusAs the issue of nonhuman animal welfare has become increasingly important, many studies have assessed animal well-being in captivity (Candland & Bush, 1995;Kleiman, Allen, Thompson, & Lumpkin, 1992;Maple & Perkins, 1996;Moran & Sorensen, 1984), and zoological facilities now pay close attention to providing species with appropriate environments. Each species has different needs, so it is important to assess the best parameters for managing a given species in captivity to maintain animal health. This topic becomes even more essential when working with species at high risk of extinction and captive individuals who can be reintegrated into the wild. Hershkowitz, 1977), and average size (Ferrari & Ferrari, 1989;Tardif, Richter, & Carson, 1984). However, most of these studies have examined behavioral aspects only and neglected the endocrine component, which is known to be of great importance in maintaining organisms' homeostasis and therefore adaptation to their environments and well-being.Consequently, it is very important to analyze hormone levels, even if their fluctuations are not always easy to understand. The ability to collect physiological and behavioral data ...