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Repeatability in the behavioural analyses
Vobrubová, Barbora ; Frynta, Daniel (advisor) ; Sedláček, František (referee) ; Špinka, Marek (referee)
This thesis is focused on the repeatability of behaviour, a suitable tool for quantification of personality, which is defined as consistent inter-individual differences. It contains five studies, which view repeatability and personality from different angles. In the first study, I focus on the description of the history of personality studies, the most often mammalian species used in these studies, and I present a metaanalysis of the published works. The highest repeatability was found in activity, the lowest in aggressivity and exploratory behaviour. The following two studies concern the expressions of personality in exploratory behaviour of the black rat (Rattus rattus). The first one analyses habituation in the course of repeated testing, and found the most prominent habituation in head-dipping (looking in the holes) in the hole board test. This study also demonstrates the differences between different approaches to estimating repeatability, when the inclusion of systematic effect of habituation increased the repeatability estimates. The subsequent study measured the levels of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM), their diurnal cycle and the association with exploratory behaviour. fGCM showed themselves to be an interindividually variable characteristic, which is well repeatable, despite the...
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Vliv personality proaktivní vs reaktivní u okouna říčního na náchylnost k infekci Aeromonas sp.
ČERNÝ, Jan
The existence of intra-specific differences in the life strategies of animals is described by the so-called proactive and reactive personality, where proactive individuals are characterized by a higher willingness to take risks and explore new environments compared to reactive individuals who choose a passive and inactive approach to new challenges in the environment. This concept is often defined in fish as the shy-bold continuum, with the bold individual (BI) exhibiting proactive behaviour and the shy individual (SI) typically exhibiting a reactive approach. Several studies have already been written confirming the influence of personality on fish performance traits, such as growth in three spined-sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) or stress tolerance in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) or rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykkis). The aim of our experiment was to describe the existence of a link between personality and immunological resistance to Aeromonas sp. infection and stress tolerance in European perch. In our experiment, 1000 European perch were subjected to two behavioral tests for personality (open field, number of cm swum in 30 min; novel object, exploring zones of proximity to an unknown object). The top 20 BI fish (highest values in both tests) and the top 20 SI fish (zero values in both tests) were selected. Representatives of both behavioral groups BI and SI were then subjected to an induction stress challenge (lowering the tank level to 5 cm above the dorsal fin) and then metabolic activity values (ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, glucose, osmolytes, and cortisol) were measured, with the only significant difference shown by cortisol concentration (2.5-fold higher in SI compared to BI 30 min after stimulation and 5-fold higher in SI compared to BI in control). In immunological resistance testing, phagocytic capacity (natural immunity) was assessed first, and no significant differences were observed between SI and BI groups. Next, head kidney and peritoneal cells from representatives of the BI and SI groups were stimulated in vivo with A. salmonicida infection and then RNA was extracted to analyze gene expression of 46 immune genes 1, 3 and 7 days after stimulation to assess the adaptive immune system response. A 1.2-1.3-fold increase in the level of the ighm gene was observed in the head kidney of BI versus SI 1 day after stimulation, while the level of the identical gene showed a 2.2-fold increase in BI versus SI peritoneal cells. Furthermore, an increase in gene levels was observed in BI compared with SI for cc125 (1.2-fold in the head kidney) and Cd74 (1.3-1.5-fold in both peritoneum and head kidney). The results of this work suggest that personality has a significant effect on stress tolerance, does not affect natural immunity, but does affect the level of the adaptive immune system in European perch, with BI individuals appearing to be more resistant to both stress and infection by Aeromonas hydrophila.
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Inter-individual differences in behaviour of laboratory rats
Rudolfová, Veronika ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Sedláček, František (referee)
Number of studies report that even when experimental animals are subjected to the exact same conditions, they differ in their behaviour. If these differences were stable in time and across several experimental procedures, we could talk about personality. This diploma thesis studies inter-individual differences in behaviour of laboratory rats (Long Evans strain) in a series of experiments conducted in early ontogeny and in adult age. Apart from analysing inter-individual differences in behaviour and personality of experimental animals, this thesis has two main aims. The first aim is assessing stability of inter-individual differences in behaviour throughout ontogeny. The second aim is to explore possible link between inter-individual differences in behaviour and performance in cognitive tests. We confirmed the existence of inter-individual difference in behaviour in laboratory rats. In this thesis we were, however, not able to assess personality of experimental animals. The differences in behaviour were best described by behaviour in Open field test and Elevated plus maze test. Our results also show marked differences between successive trials of these experiments. We also report that performance in Active allothetic place avoidance is not linked to performance in Morris water maze, even though both...
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Ontogeny of personality or repeatability in behavioral and cognitive tests
Pšeničková, Eliška ; Landová, Eva (advisor) ; Sedláček, František (referee)
Individual stability is important for the development of personality, and above all two patterns of consistency - structural and differential. The main goal of this diploma thesis was to monitor changes in the repeatability of behavior over time (i.e., differential consistency) during ontogenesis and to compare the consistency of selected elements of behavior in behavioral tests and a selected cognitive test. Testing of a model species of squamate reptile, the common leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius), in standard behavioral tests and in a selected cognitive test across ontogenesis over three life stages (juvenile, subadult and adult phase) showed, after statistical examination, high estimates of repeatability and significant influence of ontogenetic phase. Behavioral consistency between juveniles and adults could increase or decrease for certain behaviors or remain consistent in only one phase of life. In the subadult period, the behavior was generally inconsistent, except for vocalization in the reactivity test, where it was demonstrated by high estimates of repeatability. The aim of testing in the selected cognitive test was to determine the non-cognitive component of variability, which could be explained by different personalities. Yet, cognitive styles associated with personality have not...
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Factors influencing variability i behaviour towards novel and aposematic prey in tits (Paridae)
Adamová, Dana
Inter-specific and intra-specific variation in reactions towards novel and aposematic prey was found in several species of tits (Paridae). This Ph.D. thesis is focusing on various factors influencing reactions towards novel and aposematic prey in three European species of tits. We tested differences in exploration behaviour, neophobia, dietary conservatism, personality, age and experience as well as ability of avoidance learning and generalisation. We found no difference in exploration behaviour and in reaction towards novel prey in two different populations of great tits (Parus major). But the birds from the Finnish population were more neophobic than Czech birds, but they attacked aposematic firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus) more often and faster than Czech birds. The difference can be explained by a different experience with local aposematic prey communities. Than we studied initial wariness in naive juveniles of great tits (P. major), coal tits (Periparus ater) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), and we tested how the initial wariness towards novel and aposematic prey can be deactivated by experience with palatable prey. Great tits and coal tits from experienced groups significantly decreased their neophobia towards both types of prey while blue tits did not change their strongly neophobic...
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Interaction between hierarchy, personality traits and melanin-based colouration in pigeons (Columba livia domestica)
Vohralíková Houšková, Markéta ; Landová, Eva (advisor) ; Sedláček, František (referee)
An individual position in social hierarchy is the key mechanism, how an individual could gain a priority access to more quality food resources, find an attractive sexual partner to reproduce and find territory with low predation risk and maintain its fitness in total. Personality is supposed to be an important factor how an individuals keep their positions in social groups. The consistent individual variability in aggressive behaviour is closely related to the expression of melanin-based colouration and testosterone levels in blood. More explorative, aggressive, bolder and darker-coloured individuals are supposed to achieve higher dominance rank in social structures. But this prediction was barely tested. The main aims of this diploma thesis were: to find consistent individual variability in social and non-social context to confirm personality traits and to define connection between an individual variability in agonistic and explorative behaviour and melanin-based colouration in relation to social rank in experimental group of domestic pigeons (Columba liva f. domestica) under human care. Unfortunately, personality could not be defined and even more, there was no significant correlation between dominant position in social hierarchy and individual behavioural variability in social and non-social...
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Signalling of personality and stress response by secondary sexual traits in a socially monogamous passerine
Tesař, David ; Tomášek, Oldřich (advisor) ; Sedláček, Ondřej (referee)
Secondary sexual traits play an irreplaceable role in the reproduction of a range of animals and are used as quality and fitness sensors during pairing of individuals. Expression of these traits, ornamentes, can correlated with an individual's personal and behavioral strategies. In the case of melanin ornaments, not only the relationships with personal individuals are considered, but there is the possible connections with stress resistance and the level of stress responses too. This hypothesis is based on the pleiotropic effect of the melanocortin system, which can be used during melanogenesis but also in the production of hormones that contribute to range of stress responses. The aim of this work was to clarify the relationship between an individual's ornaments, his stress response and individuality in the barn swallows (Hirundo rustica rustica). In this work the relationship between selected ornaments and the stress reaction of the organism, stressed glucose levels measured 15 minutes after a stress stimulus, was tested. Both sexes showed a correlation between area of white tail spots and stress response. Only for males a relationship with the length of outermost tail feathers was found and a correlation with the color saturation of feathers on the throat was shown for females. The second part of...
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The effect of stress in early ontogeny on behavioural characteristics of rodents
Chumová, Petra ; Landová, Eva (advisor) ; Petrásek, Tomáš (referee)
Postnatal stress and sensory stimulation are major factors causing the acute changes in development of neuroendocrine system that can influence the expression of behavioural phenotype in adult rodents. Variability of early life environment and stress affect the development of individual through the changes of maternal care. The amount and quality of maternal care influence the function of HPA axis and stress hormone levels in pups during the hyporesponsive period, which provides them lesser vulnerability against the potential impact of stressors. This mechanism is crucial for physiological development of hippocampus, amygdale and prefrontal cortex, the brain regions that are highly important for regulation of adult behaviour. The absence of maternal care and social contact in postnatal and early weaning ontogeny are possibly the biggest stressors in rodents. While neonatal handling (brief maternal separation) has mainly positive effects on the development of emotional and cognitive abilities, prolonged and repeated maternal separation and early weaning result in stress-response alterations and long-lasting impairments in many behavioural traits mediated by the lack of maternal care. This thesis summarizes current knowledge of endocrinological and behavioural consequences of early postnatal stress...
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Ontogeny of animal personality
Pšeničková, Eliška ; Landová, Eva (advisor) ; Sedláček, František (referee)
Personality, consistent differences among individuals in their behaviour across time and contexts is a popular topic that is being addressed in a large number of studies. However, there are not many studies describing the development of personality over a longer period of time. The most relevant factors for development are: mean-level consistency (also called normative consistency), differential consistency (also called repeatability), structural consistency, and individual stability. Personality is generally more plastic in juveniles, where behavior is often more intense, in the sense that they are bolder, more aggressive/active/explorative, and over time, as individuals mature, plasticity and intensity of behavior decreases. Adolescence is a period in which behavior is often restructured and thus is not stable and consistent at this life-stage. However, behavior does not necessarily change during ontogeny, it may remain unchanged, or the intensity of behavior may also increase with age. Selected models describing the ontogeny of the animal personality are not sufficient and new ones need to be formulated. These should include more variables, for example genetic or maternal factors. This work is a review of studies about ontogeny of animal personality. KEY WORDS: Personality, ontogeny,...
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Inter-individual differences in behaviour of laboratory rats
Rudolfová, Veronika ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Sedláček, František (referee)
Number of studies report that even when experimental animals are subjected to the exact same conditions, they differ in their behaviour. If these differences were stable in time and across several experimental procedures, we could talk about personality. This diploma thesis studies inter-individual differences in behaviour of laboratory rats (Long Evans strain) in a series of experiments conducted in early ontogeny and in adult age. Apart from analysing inter-individual differences in behaviour and personality of experimental animals, this thesis has two main aims. The first aim is assessing stability of inter-individual differences in behaviour throughout ontogeny. The second aim is to explore possible link between inter-individual differences in behaviour and performance in cognitive tests. We confirmed the existence of inter-individual difference in behaviour in laboratory rats. In this thesis we were, however, not able to assess personality of experimental animals. The differences in behaviour were best described by behaviour in Open field test and Elevated plus maze test. Our results also show marked differences between successive trials of these experiments. We also report that performance in Active allothetic place avoidance is not linked to performance in Morris water maze, even though both...
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