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At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Laboratory observations of aggregative behavior of garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis: roles of the visual, olfactory, and vomeronasal senses.

Two experiments were conducted to determine (a) whether male garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) require a functional vomeronasal or olfactory system to return to previously preferred shelter locations and (b) the sensory modalities used by snakes to aggregate in the absence of previously deposited chemical cues. In Experiment 1, snakes with vomeronasal nerve lesions did not return to previously preferred shelter locations when tested individually. However, when tested with a group that included "control" animals, they returned to previously preferred shelters. The shelter-selection behavior of snakes with olfactory nerve lesions improved postoperatively, whereas the behavior of animals with sham lesions was unchanged. In Experiment 2, snakes were tested for aggregation in aquaria in which the substrate and other contents were cleaned between trials. After blindfolding or after olfactory nerve cuts, snakes aggregated at normal levels. When the snakes' vomeronasal ducts were sutured closed, aggregation scores were significantly depressed, although two of the three groups with vomeronasal duct sutures did aggregate just above chance levels. These studies indicate that use of chemical signals by garter snakes in shelter selection and aggregation is mediated by the vomeronasal system and that neither the olfactory nor the visual system is critical for these behaviors.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Developmental progression in play behavior of children between nine and thirty months. I: Spontaneous play and imitation.

The developmental progression of play behavior was studied cross-sectionally in 85 children at eight age-levels between nine and 30 months. In a structured play situation, three major play patterns were distinguished: (1) exploratory play (at the end of the first year); (2) functional play (beginning of second year); and (3) representational play (after 15 months). Sequential play first occurred at 21 months. Play behavior with spatial characteristics was also observed: relational and container play between nine and 15 months, and understanding of spatial relationships, stacking and grouping between 18 and 24 months. There was a significant relationship between spontaneous and imitative play behavior; the greatest affect was displayed when the demonstrated behaviors matched the child's developmental level of play.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Seizure patterns of Mongolian gerbils subjected to a prolonged weekly test schedule: evidence for a kindling-like phenomenon in the adult population.

PURPOSE: Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) seize in response to sensory stimulation and forced exploratory behavior, but the incidence and severity of their seizures are variable. We wished to characterize the seizure pattern of gerbils from our breeding colony. METHODS: Ninety-three gerbils aged 1-16 months were tested for a mean of 24 consecutive weeks and assigned to a category according to their seizure pattern. Frequency distribution histograms of the mean scores assigned every 5 weeks were plotted for each category. Mean age, number of seizures, onset of the first facial and forelimb myoclonus, and of the first generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) were compared among categories. We performed correlation analysis between onset of seizures and animal age. RESULTS: From the 93 tested, no seizure-resistant gerbils could be isolated. Four major categories were distinguished. Category 1, highly seizure-sensitive gerbils (39%), exhibited seizures from the first few weeks of test on. Category 2, consisting of approximately 37%, were seizure-free for the first three to six consecutive tests, later developing facial and forelimb myoclonus and eventually GTCS. Because such progressive development of seizures was similar to that occurring upon electrical kindling, the gerbils were classified as kindled-like (KL). Among KL gerbils, older individuals were significantly more refractory to seizures. In category 3, gerbils (10%) exhibited inconsistent seizure behavior. Category 4 consisted of significantly younger animals (11%) with rapid progress to generalized seizures. CONCLUSIONS: Seizures of progressive severity can be induced in adult gerbils with a prolonged test regimen. As a consequence, the number of regularly seizing gerbils in a colony can be increased. Prolonged tests starting at a defined age may help characterize seizure development better in this genetic model of limbic epilepsy.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1976

Determinants of personal space in young children: perception of distance cues.

Two methods of assessing personal space in young children were examined in a group of 24 boys and 24 girls, aged 3 to 6 yr. When sex of peer figures and affect attributed to them were varied, 3-yr.-olds made distance-cue judgements based on affect but failed to use affect cues in structuring personal space. However, 4- to 6-yr.-olds readily perceived and used distance to communicate the affective quality of peer relations. On both measures, perception of distance cues increased with age. Only girls also used sex of figures as a social cue in depicting appropriate distances.

Affect↗