Behavioural and physiological effects of population density on domesticated Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata) held in aviaries

Poot, Hanneke; Maat, A. Ter; Trost, Lisa; Schwabl, Ingrid; Jansen, R. F.; Gahr, Manfred

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.10.013

Cited by 21 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…In one of the few studies to investigate the affect of breeding density in aviaries, Poot et al. () found that birds breeding in lower density conditions produced significantly more and larger offspring. Research in both domesticated (Adkins‐Regan & Tomaszycki ; Schweitzer et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variation in Reproductive Success Across Captive Populations: Methodological Differences, Potential Biases and Opportunities

et al. 2016

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International audienceOur understanding of fundamental organismal biology has been disproportionately influenced by studies of a relatively small number of ‘model’ species extensively studied in captivity. Laboratory populations of model species are commonly subject to a number of forms of past and current selection that may affect experimental outcomes. Here, we examine these processes and their outcomes in one of the most widely used vertebrate species in the laboratory – the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). This important model species is used for research across a broad range of fields, partly due to the ease with which it can be bred in captivity. However despite this perceived amenability, we demonstrate extensive variation in the success with which different laboratories and studies bred their subjects, and overall only 64% of all females that were given the opportunity, bred successfully in the laboratory. We identify and review several environmental, husbandry, life-history and behavioural factors that potentially contribute to this variation. The variation in reproductive success across individuals could lead to biases in experimental outcomes and drive some of the heterogeneity in research outcomes across studies. The zebra finch remains an excellent captive animal system and our aim is to sharpen the insight that future studies of this species can provide, both to our understanding of this species and also with respect to the reproduction of captive animals more widely. We hope to improve systematic reporting methods and that further investigation of the issues we raise will lead both to advances in our fundamental understanding of avian reproduction as well as to improvements in future welfare and experimental efficiency

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, while social contact can have stimulatory effects on some individuals, there may be inhibitory effects on others (Poot et al. ). In the wild, some pairs actively choose to breed alone away from colonies (Mariette & Griffith ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in Reproductive Success Across Captive Populations: Methodological Differences, Potential Biases and Opportunities

et al. 2016

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“…This may lead to a detection of maxima of a given curve at different days. Last but not least, the influence of nutritional quality [Naguib and Nemitz, 2007] or population density [Poot et al, 2012] on the development of zebra finches can lead to substantial differences in bodily traits and may also have an effect on brain development, although Gil et al [2006] did not find an effect of early nutrition on adult size of song nuclei. However, in spite of the variation between the studies, the main feature of all developmental time tables is the increase of the volumes of the two song control nuclei until about day 50, which is in agreement with our study and confirms the reliability of our measurements also concerning the earlier development of TnA.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Very Early Development of Nucleus Taeniae of the Amygdala

Ikebuchi¹,

Nanbu

Okanoya³

et al. 2012

Brain Behav Evol

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The avian nucleus taeniae of the amygdala (TnA) corresponds to part of the mammalian medial amygdala. Like its mammalian counterpart, it has been shown to be involved in the control of social function. According to behavioral observations, such control is already necessary early in the ontogenetic development of a bird. If so, TnA should be one of the earliest differentiating brain structures of the telencephalon. Our anatomical study shows that TnA can already be delineated at posthatching day one. The volume of TnA exhibits a growth spurt between days 1 and 8 posthatch, developing at a faster rate than the entire telencephalon. Our results suggest that between days 1 and 8 the growth of neuropil exceeds the enhancement of neuron number (leading to a decrease of cell density), and an addition at the same pace of new neurons and neuropil thereafter. A plateau is reached at posthatch day 30. The development of TnA precedes that of the song control nuclei and is similar to the early growth of thalamic and telencephalic sensory areas. This adds to the idea that this structure may already be involved in social control at the time of hatching. A proximate cause of the early development of TnA might be the direct afference from the olfactory bulb.

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“…23.4). Larger cages and lower population densities have been correlated with improved animal welfare (more flying, more vocalization, less stereotypic hopping, less aggression) in several studies (Jacobs et al, 1995;Poot et al, 2012). Larger cages and lower population densities have been correlated with improved animal welfare (more flying, more vocalization, less stereotypic hopping, less aggression) in several studies (Jacobs et al, 1995;Poot et al, 2012).…”

Section: Cagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…'Common practice' space allowances for zebra finches, along with recommendations for 'good practice', as determined by the United Kingdom Joint Working Group (Hawkins et al, 2001), are presented in Table 23.3; guidelines from the Commission of the European Communities (2007), which have already been implemented in Germany (Poot et al, 2012), are comparable to the U.K.'s for 'good practice.' 'Common practice' space allowances for zebra finches, along with recommendations for 'good practice', as determined by the United Kingdom Joint Working Group (Hawkins et al, 2001), are presented in Table 23.3; guidelines from the Commission of the European Communities (2007), which have already been implemented in Germany (Poot et al, 2012), are comparable to the U.K.'s for 'good practice.'…”

Section: Cagingmentioning

confidence: 99%