Effect of ecological adaptation on suckling behaviour in three zebra species

Abstract

The three existing zebra species differ in their ecology: in the wild, mountain (Equus zebra) and Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi) live in an arid environment while plains zebra (Equus quagga) inhabit savannah. Interspecific differences in maternal care in terms of suckling bout duration and frequency are thought to be based on the ecological adaptations of equid species. However, other studies showed that suckling bout duration and frequency cannot reflect maternal investment. The aim of this study was to re-evaluate the suggestion of previous studies that suckling behaviour is influenced by environmental adaptations in equids using rejection and termination of suckling bouts in three captive zebra species kept in the same facility. Suckling behaviour of all three zebra species was observed over a period of 31 months at the Dvůr Králové Zoo, Czech Republic. We found that Grevy's and mountain zebra showed a lower rate of rejection and termination of suckling bouts by the mother than plains zebra. Therefore, mothers of species that evolved in a more arid habitat were more tolerant towards their offspring than those of species that evolved in a mesic habitat. Thus, our results confirmed that parent-offspring conflict in terms of suckling bout termination and rejection seems to be affected by ecological adaptation.

Inter-Specific Differences in the Structure and Mechanics but not the Chemical Composition of Antlers in Three Deer Species

“…This highlights that only standardized studies under controlled conditions can reliably demonstrate inter-specific differences in antler properties. In particular, zoos keeping various deer species under the same living conditions and management provide excellent material for such inter-specific studies (Gauthier & Barrette 1985, Ralls et al 1986, Pluháček et al 2012.…”