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The acoustic detection of potential predator in domestic horse (Equus caballus)
Vidimská, Tereza ; Komárková, Martina (advisor) ; Fuchs, Roman (referee)
Equidae belong to a group of large herbivores, which survival in natural environment depends beside others on their capability of fast predator recognition and detection. They can sensually recognise a possible threat in advance and react by immediate escape, which increases their survival. Also domestic horses still show very sensitive reaction to sudden (unexpected) stimuli. So we assume, that the ability to detect predator immediately is conserved despite of the long domestication process. The supportive indirect evidence is given by the successful breeding of the feral herds all over the world. However, studies showing the direct reaction of domestic horse toward the canids (as the most common predators), are still absent. Aim of the work was to find, if the horses (Equus caballus) could recognize acoustic sign of dogs like predators and if they could recognize the level of potential threat according to the number of predators, similarly as their wild ancestors. The recordings of barking of big dog breeds were obtained and modified. The final recording contained the set of barking coming from one individual or three different. The recording was played to the experimental horses, under controlled conditions, together with white sound as a control. The reactions were recorded. Altogether 12...
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Signaling between ungulates and their predators, depending on the degree of predation pressure
Vidimská, Tereza ; Komárková, Martina (advisor) ; Fuchs, Roman (referee)
The Equids are large grazers inhabiting the savannah and prairies throughout the world. They have two types of social organization, the harem or the territorial, depending on the natural environment where they live. Main predators are the large felids and canids, especially these hunting together in packs. Historically humans were also the important hunters, based on the rich archeological evidence. Fast escape is the primary antipredation strategy of equids. This strategy is supported by many morphological, anatomical and behavioral adaptations. The body construction allows them to flee immediately and to run for a long distance. Their senses are evolved extraordinary as well, primarily the olfactory and vision. The early predator detection, enhanced by the broad interspecies communication, significantly increases the chance of horses, zebras and asses for successful survival.
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The acoustic detection of potential predator in domestic horse (Equus caballus)
Vidimská, Tereza ; Komárková, Martina (advisor) ; Fuchs, Roman (referee)
Equidae belong to a group of large herbivores, which survival in natural environment depends beside others on their capability of fast predator recognition and detection. They can sensually recognise a possible threat in advance and react by immediate escape, which increases their survival. Also domestic horses still show very sensitive reaction to sudden (unexpected) stimuli. So we assume, that the ability to detect predator immediately is conserved despite of the long domestication process. The supportive indirect evidence is given by the successful breeding of the feral herds all over the world. However, studies showing the direct reaction of domestic horse toward the canids (as the most common predators), are still absent. Aim of the work was to find, if the horses (Equus caballus) could recognize acoustic sign of dogs like predators and if they could recognize the level of potential threat according to the number of predators, similarly as their wild ancestors. The recordings of barking of big dog breeds were obtained and modified. The final recording contained the set of barking coming from one individual or three different. The recording was played to the experimental horses, under controlled conditions, together with white sound as a control. The reactions were recorded. Altogether 12...
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The acoustic detection of potential predator in domestic horse (Equus caballus)
Vidimská, Tereza ; Komárková, Martina (advisor) ; Fuchs, Roman (referee)
Equidae belong to a group of large herbivores, which survival in natural environment depends beside others on their capability of fast predator recognition and detection. They can sensually recognise a possible threat in advance and react by immediate escape, which increases their survival. Also domestic horses still show very sensitive reaction to sudden (unexpected) stimuli. So we assume, that the ability to detect predator immediately is conserved despite of the long domestication process. The supportive indirect evidence is given by the successful breeding of the feral herds all over the world. However, studies showing the direct reaction of domestic horse toward the canids (as the most common predators), are still absent. Aim of the work was to find, if the horses (Equus caballus) could recognize acoustic sign of dogs like predators and if they could recognize the level of potential threat according to the number of predators, similarly as their wild ancestors. The recordings of barking of big dog breeds were obtained and modified. The final recording contained the set of barking coming from one individual or three different. The recording was played to the experimental horses, under controled conditions, together with white sound as a control. The reactions were recorded. Altogether 12 horses out of...
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Signaling between ungulates and their predators, depending on the degree of predation pressure
Vidimská, Tereza ; Komárková, Martina (advisor) ; Fuchs, Roman (referee)
The Equids are large grazers inhabiting the savannah and prairies throughout the world. They have two types of social organization, the harem or the territorial, depending on the natural environment where they live. Main predators are the large felids and canids, especially these hunting together in packs. Historically humans were also the important hunters, based on the rich archeological evidence. Fast escape is the primary antipredation strategy of equids. This strategy is supported by many morphological, anatomical and behavioral adaptations. The body construction allows them to flee immediately and to run for a long distance. Their senses are evolved extraordinary as well, primarily the olfactory and vision. The early predator detection, enhanced by the broad interspecies communication, significantly increases the chance of horses, zebras and asses for successful survival.
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