Neophobia in 10 ungulate species—a comparative approach

Abstract

Neophobia (the fearful reaction to novel stimuli or situations) has a crucial effect on individual fitness and can vary within and across species. However, the factors predicting this variation are still unclear. In this study, we assessed whether individual characteristics (rank, social integration, sex) and species socio-ecological characteristics (dietary breadth, group size, domestication) predicted variation in neophobia. For this purpose, we conducted behavioral observations and experimental tests on 78 captive individuals belonging to 10 different ungulate species—an ideal taxon to study inter-specific variation in neophobia given their variety in socio-ecological characteristics. Individuals were tested in their social groups by providing them with familiar food, half of which had been positioned close to a novel object. We monitored the individual latency to approach and eat food and the proportion of time spent in its proximity. Using a phylogenetic approach and social network analyses, we showed that across ungulate species neophobia was higher in socially more integrated individuals, as compared to less integrated ones. In contrast, rank and sex did not predict inter-individual differences in neophobia. Moreover, species differed in their levels of neophobia, with Barbary sheep being on average less neophobic than all the other study species. As group size in Barbary sheep was larger than in all the other study species, these results support the hypothesis that larger group size predicts lower levels of neophobia, and confirm ungulates as a highly promising taxon to study animal behavior and cognition with a comparative perspective. Significance statement In several species, individuals may respond fearfully to novel stimuli, therefore reducing the risks they may face. However, it is yet unclear if certain individuals or species respond more fearfully to novelty. Here, we provided food to 78 individual ungulates with different characteristics (e.g., sex, rank, social integration, group size, domestication, dietary breadth) in different controlled conditions (e.g., when food was close to novel or to familiar objects). Across species, we found that socially integrated individuals responded more fearfully in all species. Moreover, being in larger groups decreased the probability of fearfully responding to novelty.

Carbohydrate pellets to assess insulin dysregulation in horses

“…Future studies could examine whether offering the pellets with other feedstuffs improves palatability (and possibly familiarity), but this would reintroduce the need for additional meal components in the test and change the interpretation. Levels of neophobia in ungulates differ between individuals 34 and overall, the pellets were unacceptable to 15.9% of the animals tested. In these instances, the test could not be adequately performed, so selection of a different form of the OGT where voluntary intake is not required is suggested for these animals.…”

Anti Covid-19 face-masks increases vigilance in Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana)

“…The behaviour of animals is also significantly influenced by changes in their habitats, which are most easily noticed by them in non-urbanized environments ( Vincze et al, 2015 ; Zhou and Liang, 2020 ; Mikula et al, 2021 ). The fear of novel stimuli, called neophobia, plays a major role in animal ecology including animal behaviour ( Crane and Ferrari, 2017 ; Schaffer et al, 2021 ). Because predation is one of the major factors shaping animal populations ( McNamara and Houston, 1987 ; Gilg et al, 2003 ), we assumed that the appearance of a new, unknown stimulus in a given area should trigger an appropriate reaction reflected in changes in the behaviour of potential victims, feeling a potential threat.…”

Fear of the new? Geckos hesitate to attack novel prey, feed near objects and enter a novel space

“…birds: Milvago chimango , Biondi, Bo, & Vassallo, 2010; Guido, Biondi, Vasallo, & Muzio, 2017; mammals: Cebus apella , Visalberghi, Janson, & Agostini, 2003), but it rarely differs across the sexes (e.g. birds: Passer domesticus , Ensminger, Westneat, & Zeh, 2012; mammals: 10 ungulate species, Schaffer et al, 2021; but see Crane & Ferrari, 2017 and Crane et al, 2020 for a short discussion). Furthermore, neophobia can be influenced by the social environment (e.g.…”

“…birds: 10 corvid species, Miller et al, 2022; Taeniopygia guttata , St. Lawrence, Rojas Ferrer, & Morand-Ferron, 2021; mammals: Bos taurus taurus ; Meagher et al, 2015; 10 ungulate species, Schaffer et al, 2021) and might negatively influence other cognitive processes such as learning (e.g. birds: Milvago chimango, Guido et al, 2017) but not all studies found such a link (e.g.…”