ABSTRACT
The housing conditions of laboratory mice must be strictly controlled in order to reduce the impact of pathophysiological changes that affect animal health and welfare, possibly resulting in increased variability within experimental results. One way to improve the activity and survival of laboratory mice is to provide nesting material. The objective of this study was to determine if nest-building quality could be used to detect changes in murine mating behaviour in a rodent facility under controlled conditions. Nesting scores of 847 cages with monogamous pairs from three different genetic backgrounds (129, B6 and BALB/c) of both sexes were correlated with 18 predefined variables. The effects on nest quality were evaluated using descriptive data analysis, correspondence analysis and ordinal logistic model fitting. The results showed a strong relationship between nest quality and nest position. Humidity, genetic background, cage change and the number and age of pups in the cage affected the nest-building scores. The most important indicators were cage change and relative humidity, both of which exerted significant negative effects on nest-building quality. Even though the criteria were well defined, the observer could still influence nest score appraisal. However, in a long-term observational study, observers could improve their assessment by training and acquiring greater experience in score assignment. Nest-building scores are easy to assess in the cage, with little discomfort to the animal. Moreover, the nest score is a valid indicator of the health and well-being of laboratory mice and can provide valuable support in the management of animal facilities.
Subject(s)
Housing, Animal , Nesting Behavior , Animals , Female , Male , Mice/physiology , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology , Animal Husbandry/methods , Humidity , Animal WelfareABSTRACT
Nesting behaviour is extremely diversified among solitary nesting sphecids. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the nesting behaviour of Trypoxylon agamemnon and discuss the advantages of guarding behaviour of males. It was conducted in the Parque Municipal das Araucárias, Guarapuava (PR), Brazil from October/2003 to July/2007. To describe the behaviour of T. agamemnon and construct its ethogram, daily observations were made, totalling 410:19 hours observation. Although the males of T. agamemnon stand guard close to the entrance of the nests, we concluded that this behaviour is not ensuring the protection of nests against parasitoids and that, probably, this behaviour ensures them the paternity, but further studies with microsatellite markers will be necessary to confirm this hypothesis.
O comportamento de nidificação é bastante diversificado entre os esfecídeos solitários. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o comportamento de nidificação de Trypoxylon agamemnon, bem como discutir as vantagens do comportamento de guarda dos machos. O estudo foi realizado no Parque Municipal das Araucárias, Guarapuava-PR, Brasil, de outubro de 2003 a julho de 2007. Para descrever o comportamento de T. agamemnon e construir o etograma, foram feitas observações diárias, totalizando 410:19 horas. Embora os machos de T. agamemnon permaneçam constantemente de guarda na entrada do ninho, foi possível concluir que tal comportamento não está promovendo a proteção dos ninhos contra parasitoides e que, provavelmente, sirva para os machos se assegurarem da paternidade; entretanto, estudos com marcadores microssatélites serão necessários para confirmar essa hipótese.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Nesting Behavior/physiology , Oviposition/physiology , Wasps/physiologyABSTRACT
Nesting behaviour is extremely diversified among solitary nesting sphecids. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the nesting behaviour of Trypoxylon agamemnon and discuss the advantages of guarding behaviour of males. It was conducted in the Parque Municipal das Araucárias, Guarapuava (PR), Brazil from October/2003 to July/2007. To describe the behaviour of T. agamemnon and construct its ethogram, daily observations were made, totalling 410:19 hours observation. Although the males of T. agamemnon stand guard close to the entrance of the nests, we concluded that this behaviour is not ensuring the protection of nests against parasitoids and that, probably, this behaviour ensures them the paternity, but further studies with microsatellite markers will be necessary to confirm this hypothesis.
O comportamento de nidificação é bastante diversificado entre os esfecídeos solitários. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o comportamento de nidificação de Trypoxylon agamemnon, bem como discutir as vantagens do comportamento de guarda dos machos. O estudo foi realizado no Parque Municipal das Araucárias, Guarapuava-PR, Brasil, de outubro de 2003 a julho de 2007. Para descrever o comportamento de T. agamemnon e construir o etograma, foram feitas observações diárias, totalizando 410:19 horas. Embora os machos de T. agamemnon permaneçam constantemente de guarda na entrada do ninho, foi possível concluir que tal comportamento não está promovendo a proteção dos ninhos contra parasitoides e que, provavelmente, sirva para os machos se assegurarem da paternidade; entretanto, estudos com marcadores microssatélites serão necessários para confirmar essa hipótese.