Failure of captive-born greater rheas (Rhea americana, Rheidae, Aves) to discriminate between predator and nonpredator models.
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2012
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The capacity to recognize and respond to predators
can be lost by captive animals. Habituation to humans
caused by the captive environment can be transferred to
other stimuli, such as predators, a situation that conservation
biologists wish to avoid. Greater rheas are threatened South
American birds, for which there are plans for reintroduction
programs in Brazil. The goal of this study was to evaluate
the behavioral responses of captive-born greater rheas to
different models of predators and nonpredators. Seventeen
captive-born greater rheas, divided into four groups, from
the Belo Horizonte Zoo, Brazil were studied. Three predator
and three nonpredator models were presented to the birds
and their behavioral responses recorded. Predators versus
nonpredator models and the behavior of rheas in three
experimental phases (baseline, models, and postmodels)
were analyzed. Captive-born greater rheas modified their
behaviors in the presence of both predator/nonpredator
models, increasing alert and wary behaviors (alert, observing,
and pacing behaviors: P<0.01), showing some degree
of antipredator behavior persistence, but they were unable to
discriminate between predator and nonpredator models (all
behaviors: P>0.05). In conclusion, antipredator training
should be implemented to develop the expression of this
behavior before reintroductions are attempted.
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Conservation, Greater rhea, Habituation, Predator model
Citação
AZEVEDO, C. S. de; YOUNG, R. J.; RODRIGUES, M. Failure of captive-born greater rheas (Rhea americana, Rheidae, Aves) to discriminate between predator and nonpredator models. Acta Ethologica, v. 15, n. 2, p. 179-185, 2012. Disponível em: <https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10211-012-0124-2>. Acesso em: 20 jul. 2017.