Play in juvenile greater rheas: different modes and their evolutionary and socio-cognitive implications

Zeiträg, Claudia; Jensen, Thomas Rejsenhus; Osvath, Mathias

doi:10.1080/21594937.2022.2152532

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Dinets, 2015), fishes (Burghardt, 2005), and many bird species. Some birds are among the most playful species in the world like for example keas (Nestor notabilis) (Keller, 1975) and common ravens (Corvus corax) (Heinrich and Smolker, 1998), but even species not classically regarded as playful have been shown to engage in play, such as greater rheas (Rhea americana) (Zeiträg et al, 2023) and even Red Junglefowl and domestic chickens (Gallus gallus) (Lundeń et al, 2022). Recently, play-like behaviour has even been reported in insects (Dona et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of play stimulation on cognitive capacities of chickens

Zeiträg,

Jensen

2024

Front. Ethol.

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Play is a widespread phenomenon in the animal kingdom with observations from all vertebrate classes. The adaptive value of this behaviour, however, remains unclear. In the past century, numerous theories have been put forward, ranging from releasing surplus energy to training species-specific behaviours. However, none of these theories can fully explain the functions of play. A recent neurocognitive theory suggests that play allows the brain to encounter many different and surprising situations that provide it with opportunities to learn about the environment and form predictions about it. This theory has, however, to our knowledge, previously not been experimentally tested. To start exploring the connection between play and cognition, we compared the cognitive capacities of White Leghorn chicks that were stimulated to play in the first five weeks of their lives with chicks that did not receive any play stimulation. More specifically, we wanted to test the connection between specific types of play and cognitive domains. To achieve this, we designed two play treatments: object players that were provided with a variety of toys during their treatment, and social players that were released into an arena with plenty of space and conspecifics, as this has previously been shown to trigger social play. Subsequently, all three treatments (control, object players, social players) were tested in a cognitive test battery consisting of two experiments targeting the social domain and two targeting the physical domain. We found no improvement of cognitive capacities in either play treatment group compared to control subjects, though the social play treatment appears to have affected some behavioural variables recorded during the cognitive tests. Chicks that had played socially were in general bolder, more explorative and had more access to resources in the tests. This might subsequently allow them to exploit their environment more efficiently, which could in turn affect their welfare as they might be more resilient to stress and have more access to resources. More studies will be needed to assess the long-term effects of play on cognitive capacities and welfare of chickens.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of play stimulation on cognitive capacities of chickens

Zeiträg,

Jensen

2024

Front. Ethol.

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“…New studies have begun to provide glimpses into the socio-cognitive capacities of palaeognath birds. Zeiträg et al ( 2023a ) found social play and play contagion, with an early ontogenetic onset, in greater rheas ( Rhea americana ). Additionally, and more importantly, greater rheas, elegant crested tinamous ( Eudromia elegans ), and emus ( Dromaius navaehollandiae ), exhibit complex gaze following skills, including tracking others’ gaze around barriers, which reveals visual perspective taking (Zeiträg et al 2023b ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The selfish preen: absence of allopreening in Palaeognathae and its socio-cognitive implications

2023

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Preening behaviours are widespread in extant birds. While most birds appear to autopreen (self-directed preening), allopreening (preening directed at conspecifics) seems to have emerged only in certain species, but across many families. Allopreening has been hypothesised to reinforce mutual relationships and cooperation between individuals, and to underpin various socio-cognitive abilities. Palaeognathae is a bird group exhibiting neurocognitively plesiomorphic traits compared to other birds. They share many features with non-avian paravian dinosaurs and are thus important for the study of cognitive evolution in birds. Despite this, and the important correlation of allopreening with many complicated social behaviours, allopreening has not been systematically studied in Palaeognathae. Therefore, we examined the preening behaviours in four species of palaeognaths: common ostriches (Struthio camelus), greater rheas (Rhea americana), emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae), and elegant crested tinamous (Eudromia elegans). We compared findings with common ravens (Corvus corax), a neognath species known for its allopreening and complex social cognition. We found autopreening, but no allopreening, in the palaeognath species, while both autopreening and allopreening was found in common ravens. The absence of allopreening in Palaeognathae suggests an emergence of this behaviour within Neognathae. We contextualise our results in relation to the socio-cognitive underpinnings of allopreening and its implications for the understanding of the evolution of socio-cognitive abilities in non-avian paravian dinosaurs and early birds.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Play in juvenile greater rheas: different modes and their evolutionary and socio-cognitive implications

Cited by 6 publications

References 68 publications

The effects of play stimulation on cognitive capacities of chickens

The effects of play stimulation on cognitive capacities of chickens

The selfish preen: absence of allopreening in Palaeognathae and its socio-cognitive implications

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