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PubMed2003

Enkephalinergic involvement in substantia nigra in the modulation of hypothalamically-induced predatory attack behavior.

The present study was carried out in five cats which did not attack the rats spontaneously. Predatory attack on an anaesthetized rat was elicited by electrical stimulation of lateral hypothalamus at a mean current strength of 650 microA. The attack was accompanied by minimal affective display and culminated in neck biting. Microinfusions of DAME (delta-alanine methionine enkephaline) in 500 ng dose in substantia nigra facilitated the predatory attack and there was a significant reduction in the threshold current strength for affective display as well as somatomotor components. Microinfusions of naloxone, an opioid antagonist in 1.0 microg dose when DAME effect was at its peak reversed the facilitatory effects and the threshold returned to the control levels within 10 minutes of naloxone infusion at the same locus. Microinfusions of naloxone alone in similar dosage completely blocked the predatory attack response as indicated by an increase in the threshold current strength for somatomotor as well as affective display components. The somatomotor were completely inhibited and could not be elicited even when the current strength was increased to 1000 microA. Control injections of saline in similar volumes (0.5 microl) failed to produce any response Microinfusions of naloxone in lower dose (250 ng) failed to produce any blocking effect. These findings indicate that hypothalamically elicited predatory attack is facilitated by enkephalinergic mechanisms operating at the midbrain level.

Aggression↗
PubMed2004

Tracking and predation on earthworms by the invasive terrestrial planarian Bipalium adventitium (Tricladida, Platyhelminthes).

The potential ecological impact of exotic terrestrial planarians will be determined in part by their sensory abilities and predatory behavior. It has been suggested that these flatworms may only encounter their earthworm prey by chance, hence restricting the breadth of species they will feed upon and the number of microhabitats in which predator-prey interactions occur. We hypothesized that those flatworms that have already successfully invaded North America (genus Bipalium) actually detect and follow chemical trails of earthworms and possess the behavioral repertoire needed to feed on the prey in a range of microhabitats. We examined: (1) the tendency of Bipalium adventitium to follow chemical trails left by injured and un-injured earthworms; (2) the behavioral repertoire and predatory success of B. adventitium feeding on three earthworm species in subterranean tunnels; and (3) the response of flatworms to the reportedly defensive secretions of the earthworm Eisenia fetida in tunnels. B. adventitium detected and followed trails of earthworm mucus and secretions left by injured and un-injured earthworms. Flatworms followed trails on a range of substrates and pursued and captured three species of earthworms in subterranean tunnels, including individuals many times their mass. Although most behavior exhibited during underground attacks was similar to that reported for surface encounters, the flatworms also behaved in ways that blocked earthworm escape from tunnels. The flatworms were less successful at preying on E. fetida than on Lumbricus rubellus and Lumbricus terrestris in underground tunnels and showed some aversion to the secretions from E. fetida.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Effects of housing and muricidal behavior on serotonergic receptors and interactions with novel anxiolytic drugs.

Mouse killing by rats represents a predatory behavior that can be modified by drugs from several different therapeutic classes and by environmental conditions. Buspirone and gepirone, non-benzodiazepine anxiolytics that stimulate serotonergic receptors (5HT1a) and inhibit isolation-induced intraspecies aggression, were tested for inhibition of muricidal behavior by isolated rats. Neither buspirone (3.0 mg/kg s.c.) nor gepirone (from 5.0 to 40 mg/kg) inhibited muricide. Additional rats were housed, either aggregated or isolated, and tested for muricidal behavior 9 times over 5 weeks to establish which animals were muricidal: thus, there were 4 groups of rats: muricidal or non-muricidal under either isolated or aggregated housing condition. [3H]-Spiperone was used to determine striatal D2 receptor Bmax and Kd and prefrontal cortex D2 and 5HT2 receptor binding. There were no changes across the four groups. Binding of [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) to 5HT1a receptors decreased in septum of both groups of isolated rats and binding to 5HT1b receptors decreased 50% in hippocampus of isolated and aggregated muricidal rats. Binding of [3H]-5HT to either receptor was unchanged in amygdaloid area and hypothalamus across all groups. Thus, stimulating pre- and postsynaptic 5HT1a receptors does not alter muricidal behavior and changes in 5HT1 receptor binding occurs in limited areas. Whether this limited change in hippocampal 5HT1b binding is important for establishing muricidal behavior is unclear; however the direction of the change is consistent with reports that decreased serotonergic activity increases predatory behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Configural prey recognition by the praying mantis, Sphodromantis lineola (Burr.); effects of size and direction of movement.

The visually released, predatory behaviors of approaching and striking at prey by the praying mantis, Sphodromantis lineola (Burr.), were measured in response to various moving, three-dimensional lure configurations. Lures varied in length (3, 7, 15, 25, 35, 50, 70 or 100 mm), thickness (i.e. width and height: 3, 7, 10, 15, 20 or 30 mm) and direction (approaching or moving orthogonally). Each of these three parameters has a significant effect on whether adult female S. lineola recognize a moving object as potential prey. Approaching lures are strong releasers of predatory behaviors when they are 3-35 mm long and 10 mm thick. Orthogonally moving lures, although overall poor releasers of predatory behavior, are at their strongest when 3-35 mm long but only 3 mm thick. These response patterns are similar to those for some anurans and urodeles, which also hunt small invertebrates with analogous behavioral repertoires. This suggests that these groups may have evolved similar algorithms for identifying prey in spite of dissimilar neural organization.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The distribution of catecholamines and beta-endorphin in the brains of three behaviorally distinct breeds of dogs and their F1 hybrids.

This study examines neurochemical and behavioral differences among three types of domestic dogs and F1 hybrids derived from them. Purebred dogs included Border Collies, representing herding dogs, Shar Plaininetz, representing livestock protecting dogs, and Siberian Huskies, representing Northern dogs. Composite behavioral scores were derived from frequency measures of various components of predatory behavior observed when the dogs were tested with mice. Catecholamine levels, including norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and epineprine (EPI), were determined in various brain regions by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. beta-endorphin levels were determined in the same regions by RIA. Collies showed the highest levels of non-consummatory behaviors and Huskies the highest levels of consummatory behaviors. Shars were found to have lower levels of NE and DA than Collies and Huskies in several brain regions, including those comprising the nigrostriatal DA system. Positive correlations between neurochemical and behavioral characteristics could be made between Shars and Collies. Comparisons of F1 hybrids with their respective parental breeds revealed no clear pattern of inheritance for these characteristics but suggested that multiple factors, both independent and epistatic, are involved. Based on previous studies on nigrostriatal DA and behavior, the levels of DA in this system may be causally related to the levels of predatory behavior expressed by Collies and Shars.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Alimentary instrumental responses and neurological reflexes in amygdalar cats.

Lesions in ventromedial part of amygdala impaired neither alimentary instrumental reflexes nor food intake, but impaired predatory behavior. Lesions localized in the more dorsal and lateral part of the amygdala produced disorders in instrumental performance and food intake without changes in predatory attack. Both kind of lesions did not impair neurological reflexes, therefore the abolishment of predatory attack after ventromedial amygdala damage was not caused by sensory-motor disturbances. It is concluded that predatory behavior is based on specific mechanisms separate from both alimentary and instrumental ones.

Amygdala↗
PubMed2003

Lead exposure potentiates predatory attack behavior in the cat.

Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that environmental lead exposure is associated with aggressive behavior in children; however, numerous confounding variables limit the ability of these studies to establish a causal relationship. The study of aggressive behavior using a validated animal model was used to test the hypothesis that there is a causal relationship between lead exposure and aggression in the absence of confounding variables. We studied the effects of lead exposure on a feline model of aggression: predatory (quiet biting) attack of an anesthetized rat. Five cats were stimulated with a precisely controlled electrical current via electrodes inserted into the lateral hypothalamus. The response measure was the predatory attack threshold current (i.e., the current required to elicit an attack response on 50% of the trials). Blocks of trials were administered in which predatory attack threshold currents were measured three times a week for a total of 6-10 weeks, including before, during, and after lead exposure. Lead was incorporated into cat food "treats" at doses of 50-150 mg/kg/day. Two of the five cats received a second period of lead exposure. Blood lead concentrations were measured twice a week and were <1, 21-77, and <20 micro g/dL prior to, during, and after lead exposure, respectively. The predatory attack threshold decreased significantly during initial lead exposure in three of five cats and increased after the cessation of lead exposure in four of the five cats (P<0.01). The predatory attack thresholds and blood lead concentrations for each cat were inversely correlated (r=-0.35 to -0.74). A random-effects mixed model demonstrated a significant (P=0.0019) negative association between threshold current and blood lead concentration. The data of this study demonstrate that lead exposure enhances predatory aggression in the cat and provide experimental support for a causal relationship between lead exposure and aggressive behavior in humans.

Aggression↗
PubMed1977

[Psychopharmacological influence on the prey catching behavior of ferrets (Putorius furo L.) (author's transl)].

The prey-catching behavior of ferrets (Putorius furo L.) consists mainly of instinctive behavior patterns, which can be elicited only through their releaser. Then they are performed stereotypically. To get information concerning the central background and the hierarchical structure of this behavior the neuroleptics Haloperidol (0.14 mg/kg), Clozapine (10 mg/kg) and Chlorpromazine (4 mg/kg) were injected i.m. under controlled conditions. In a conditioning experiment the reactivity of the animals was examined. This conditioned reaction was strongly decreased by the drugs. The reaction to the natural stimulus the prey was changed, but not suppressed. The modification of the predatory behavior was manifedsted in an "improvement" of orientation reactions when pursuing the prey and in a better placement of bites. This effect, most evident with Haloperidol, is possibly due to the specific neuroleptic component of the substances. A delay in approaching the prey, or even the total suppression of the prey-catching behavior is suggested to be due to a sedative component which was most obvious in some experiments with Clozapine. On the other hand, there are behavioral elements like the use of paws which are not effected by the neuroleptics. From these and other observations, it is concluded, that the predatory behavior of the ferret has a hierarchically organisated structure. Further it is suggested that some functional connected parts of the behavior have distinct central representation, for they are not influenced in the same way by these drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effect of nymphal diet on adult predation behavior in Orius majusculus (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae).

The predatory bug Orius majusculus (Reuter) was reared on 2 different diets during the nymphal stages. The 1st group was exclusively offered eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a standard diet for O. majusculus production. The 2nd group was exclusively offered 4th instars of the pea aphid, Acyrtosiphon pisum (Harris). Subsequently, adult predatory behavior in experimental arenas containing A. pisium was recorded using 2 video cameras. One camera permitted observation of the predator's contact with the prey, where the 2nd camera viewed the arena from above to record the path taken by O. majusculus adults before and after contact with prey. When O. majusculus were reared on aphids, adult bugs successfully located and consumed 55% of experimental prey and continued prey search behavior after each aphid meal. O. majusculus adults that had no experience of aphid predation as nymphs, did not prey on aphids in the experimental arena. The mean walking speed of this group of predators increased from 5.9 +/- 1.2 mm/s to 9.8 +/- 0.7 mm/s after contact or detection of prey, indicating that predators rapidly moved away from unfamiliar prey. Moreover, for egg-reared O. majusculus, all contacts between aphid and predator were lateral, along the side of the prey and were effectively repelled by an aphid kicking response. In contrast, 83% of attacks by aphid-reared O. majusculus were directed at the head or posterior abdomen for which the prey could not defend themselves adequately. When egg-reared O. majusculus were exposed to novel aphid prey for 1-8 d, the frequency of aphid attack increased significantly. We conclude that the standard diet used for rearing O. majusculus may adversely affect the efficiency of this predator as an agent of biological control.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Discrimination of visual stimuli representing prey versus non-prey by the praying mantis Sphodromantis lineola (Burr.).

Adult, female praying mantids, Sphodromantis lineola (Burr.), were presented with seventy, flat black rectangles which moved toward the mantids (in the horizontal plane) against a white background. The lengths of the lures' edges parallel to their direction of movement, 1(1), were 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 54, 72, or 114 mm; the edge lengths perpendicular to movement direction, 1(2), were 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 mm. Mantids emitted the most predatory behaviors to square lures (1[1] = 1[2]) for which 1(1, 2) = 3-12 mm, and to 'worm' lures (1[1] greater than 1[2]) for which 1(2) = 1.5-6 mm. 'Anti-worm' lures (1[1] less than 1[2]) were poor releasers of predatory behavior. These results reconcile seemingly discrepant findings between studies that have presented mantids with various types of oscillating, rotating and/or three-dimensional lures. Further, the results indicate that like other terrestrial predators, such as toads, prey recognition by S. lineola is approximate and based on the spatiotemporal relationships between the features of moving objects (i.e. worm versus anti-worm). These findings are congruent with data on mantid prey selection in the wild.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The effects of background pattern and contrast on prey discrimination by the praying mantis Sphodromantis lineola (Burr.).

Tethered, adult female Sphodromantis lineola (Burr.) were presented with two groups of two-dimensional stimuli (i.e., 2-D lures) against various backgrounds. Lure Group 1 comprised various black rectangles in three different size arrays: each size array included a 2, 6, or 12 mm square, respectively, several 'worm' lures of a constant width (l2, edge perpendicular to the direction of movement, 3-30 mm), but varying in length (l1, parallel to the direction of movement, 6-114 mm), and several 'antiworm' lures of a constant length but varying width. Group 1 lures were presented against patterned backgrounds of similar luminance: one natural pattern mimicking foliage and the other a random geometric pattern of rectangles. Group 2 lures comprised various configurations and combinations of black and white lures which were presented against white, black, and natural pattern backgrounds. The appetitive behaviors of approaching and striking at a lure were dependent measures indicating that a stimulus was categorized as prey. For Group 1 lures, overall response rates to lures of the same size were enhanced by the natural pattern background rather than the geometric pattern background. Against the natural pattern background, worm lures were stronger releasers of predatory behavior than antiworm lures of the same size. Lure configuration (especially for the smallest array) was masked by the geometric pattern background, although worm versus antiworm discrimination was apparent with the largest size array. For Group 2 lures, lure-to-background contrast, as well as configuration, effected prey recognition. For instance, lures with low lure-to-background contrast ratios were weaker releasers than those with high ratios, and lures that were darker (versus lighter) than the background were stronger releasers. In addition, particular stimulus properties interacted to effect lure strength. For instance, a weak or strong releaser became stronger or weaker, respectively, when a more or less, respectively, preferred releaser was super-imposed. The results also suggest that S. lineola attends preferentially to the leading edge of a moving stimulus. These findings are in agreement with predatory behavior of praying mantises in the wild.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The "prawn-in-the-tube" procedure in the cuttlefish: habituation or passive avoidance learning?

This study examines whether or not habituation contributes to the regulation of the inhibition of predatory behavior observed during the "prawn-in-the-tube" training procedure. When presented with prawns that are visible behind glass but untouchable, cuttlefish promptly learn to inhibit their capture attempts. The first three experiments demonstrated that the acquired response in the course of training cannot be dishabituated. The fourth experiment demonstrated that the repeated application of a brief visual prawn stimulus, one that is terminated before the cuttlefish can strike, decreases attack latencies. Taken together, the results of this study establish that habituation does not play a significant role in this learning task. In fact, the present findings strengthen the results of previous studies suggesting that passive avoidance learning contributes to the regulation of the inhibition of predatory behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The predatory strike of free ranging praying mantises, Sphodromantis lineola (Burmeister). II: Strikes in the horizontal plane.

The predatory behavior of free ranging praying mantises, Sphodromantis lineola (Burmeister), in response to prey at various positions in the horizontal plane was examined using high speed (200 frames per second) videography. We found that the movements of the meso- and metathoracic legs over the course of the strike were analogous in many respects to those made by the cockroach Periplaneta americana during escape turns. When mantises struck at prey directly ahead of them, they were propelled forward by extensions of the metathoracic femur-tibia, and the meso- and metathoracic coxa-femur joints (changes in the latter were determined indirectly via changes in the femur-pterothorax angles). This pattern of movements is similar to that of cockroach Type 1 turns. However, when prey lay to either side of the pterothorax-abdomen axis, mantises turned toward the prey as they stuck. These turning movements were the result, primarily, of changes in the femur-thorax angles. Specifically, as the mantises turned toward the prey, contralateral mesothoracic femora and metathoracic tibiae and femora extended, and the corresponding ipsilateral joints extended to a lesser degree or flexed. This pattern of movements is similar to that of cockroach Type 2 turns. In addition, these leg movements were accompanied by flexion of the prothorax-abdomen angle which turned the prothorax even further in the direction of the prey. We found a stronger relationship between mantis leg movements and the position of the prey in relationship to the pterothorax than between the leg movements and the position of the prey in the visual field. Our data suggest that the praying mantis' central nervous system integrates proprioceptive and visual information in order to determine the location of prey in "pterothorax-centered' rather than "head-centered' space.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Impairment of social behavior in amygdalar cats.

Social dominance in predatory animals was tested before and after amygdala lesions. Cats after damage of dorsal part of amygdala did not show predatory behavior in group and lost their social rank in hierarchy, but in the same animals predatory attack remained unchanged in nonsocial situations. In the cat with medial amygdala lesions total abolishment of mouse-killing behavior was observed in both social and nonsocial situations. It has been concluded that amygdala plays an essential role in emotional-motivational mechanisms of predatory competitions as one of the forms of social behavior.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1998

Contrasting expressions of aggressive behavior released by lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala during wakefulness and rapid eye movement sleep without atonia in cats.

Whether damage to the central nucleus of the amygdala (Ace) contributes to the predatorylike attack sometimes observed in rapid eye movement sleep without atonia (REM-A), created in cats by bilateral pontine lesions, was examined. Such lesions eliminate REM sleep skeletal muscle atonia and release elaborate behavior. Unilateral damage to the Ace alone increased affective defensive aggressive behavior toward humans and conspecifics without altering predatory behavior in wakefulness. Pontine lesions added at loci normally not leading to aggression induced predatorylike attacks in REM-A as well as the waking affective defense. Alterations of autonomic activity, the absence of relevant environmental stimuli in REM-A, or both may explain the state-related differences.

Aggression↗
PubMed1977

Predation, aggression, and activity levels in food-deprived sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus and L. gibbosus): motivational interactions.

Three experiments investigated the effects of food deprivation on several behavioral categories in two species of sunfish. In Experiment 1, predatory behavior and general activity were observed under five levels of deprivation. For both species, predation measures increased in a similar negatively accelerating manner with increasing deprivation, while activity changed in a more complex fashion. Experiment 2 examined the effects of deprivation on activity in a novel environment and showed that the deprivation effects of Experiment 1 were masked by the response to the new setting. In Experiment 3, measures of aggression toward intruders of each species were recorded from resident fish of both species under three levels of food deprivation. Both species were more aggressive toward conspecifics, and bluegills were more aggressive overall. Aggression was significatly influenced by food deprivation, with the effects dependent on the species making up the pair. Theories of motivational summation, generalized drive, and activity-mediated aggression were unable to explain the differential effects of hunger on the three behavioral categories observed. A dynamic boundary-state model of behavior control was found to predict the motivational interactions observed between distinct behavioral control systems.

Aggression↗
PubMed1983

Involvement of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the control of goal-directed movements.

Changes produced in dopamine (DA) activity, by administration of the DA-antagonists metoclopramide (10 mg/kg IM) and tiapride (16 mg/kg IM) and of the DA agonists apomorphine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg IM) and bromocriptine (8 mg/kg orally), specifically modified predatory behavior in the ferret. Sulpiride (40 mg/kg IP and 90 mg/kg IM) did not change the behavior. The number of bites necessary to kill the prey was reduced by metoclopramide and tiapride. The number of bites after the death of the prey was not changed. The latency from the first bite to the death of the prey was shortened. Apomorphine and bromocriptine increased the number of bites. The DA receptor blockers haloperidol, chlorpromazine, and clozapine had similar effects to metoclopramide and tiapride, and the DA agonist L-dopa had similar effects to apomorphine and bromocriptine. The pattern of results indicated that, considering the two major DA receptor types, D-2 receptors or D-2 in combination with D-1 but not D-1 receptors alone were involved in the control of goal-directed movements. The results also provided some evidence that blockade of these DA receptors caused a narrowing of the range of exhibited behavioral responses. Stimulation of the DA receptors had opposite effects.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Moringua edwardsi (Moringuidae: Anguilliformes): cranial specialization for head-first burrowing?

The order Anguilliformes forms a natural group of eel-like species. Moringua edwardsi (Moringuidae) is of special interest because of its peculiar fossorial lifestyle: this species burrows head-first. Externally pronounced morphological specializations for a fossorial lifestyle include: reduced eyes, lack of color, low or absent paired vertical fins, elongated, cylindrical body, reduced head pores of the lateral line system, etc. Many fossorial amphibians, reptiles, and even mammals have evolved similar external specializations related to burrowing. The present study focuses on osteological and myological features of M. edwardsi in order to evaluate the structural modifications that may have evolved as adaptations to burrowing. Convergent evolutionary structures and possible relations with head-first burrowing, miniaturization, feeding habits, etc., were investigated. Body elongation, reduction of the eyes, modified cranial lateral line system, and modified skull shape (pointed though firm) can be considered specializations for head-first burrowing. Hyperossification can probably be regarded more as a specialization to both head-first burrowing and feeding, even though an impact of miniaturization cannot be excluded. Hypertrophied adductor mandibulae muscles and the enlarged coronoid process can be associated with both feeding requirements (it enhances bite forces necessary for their predatory behavior) and with a burrowing lifestyle, as well as miniaturization.

Adaptation, Biological↗