Diurnal and ultradian rhythms of behaviour in a mare group of Przewalski horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), measured through one year under semi-reserve conditions
Diurnal and ultradian rhythms of behaviour in a mare group of Przewalski horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), measured through one year under semi-reserve conditions
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DOI：
10.1016/s0168-1591(99)00026-x
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发表时间：
1999-05-01
影响因子：
2.3
通讯作者：
Streich, J
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Berger, A;Scheibe, KM;Streich, J
研究人员对12匹普氏野马中的4匹马进行了调查，这些马被饲养在不同的脚趾上，并被饲养在一个44公顷的半自然条件下的围栏里。1995年6月至1996年7月，通过储存-遥测系统ETHOSYS连续每秒钟测量活动和摄食，每15分钟保存一次。马的体重被定期记录下来。计算活动和进食的日和月平均值、功率谱和DFC（作为与昼夜周期同步的节律稳定性的度量）。全年活动和进食的总体模式与日出和日落密切相关。摄食占夏季总活动的40%，占春季总活动的62%（全年平均为52%）。冬季活动水平最低；夏季采食量最低。摄食时间预算既反映了摄食条件，也反映了身体状况的年变化规律。最大的活动发生在白天。只有在炎热的夏季，夜间的活动高于白天。普氏野马活动和摄食的光谱分析显示，其时间模式具有24小时节律性，但也具有周期长度在4.8 - 12小时之间的超周期成分，即每天最多有5次强烈的活动模式。年内功率谱的年际变化不大。结果与马的喂养策略有关。分析长期和连续测量的活动和摄食的时间结构可以成为跟踪一般生活状况，特别是营养状况和发现应激状况的有用方法。(C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.版权所有
Investigations were conducted on four horses from a group of 12 Przewalski mares raised in different toes and kept in a 44-ha enclosure under semi-natural conditions. Activity and feeding were continuously measured every second and were saved every 15 min by the storage-telemetry system ETHOSYS, from June 1995 to July 1996. Body mass of the horses was regularly recorded. Daily and monthly mean values, power spectra and DFC (as a measure for stability of rhythms synchronised with circadiurnal period) for activity and feeding were calculated. The general pattern of activity and feeding over the year was closely related to sunrise and sunset. Feeding accounted for 40% of total activity in summer and 62% in spring (all-year average being 52%). The level of activity was lowest in winter; whereas feeding was lowest in summer. The time budget for feeding reflected both feeding conditions and the annual pattern of body condition. Greatest activity occurred during daylight hours. Only on hot summer days, activity at night was higher than during daylight hours. Spectral analysis of activity and feeding in Przewalski horse showed a time pattern which was characterised by 24-h rhythmicity, but also by ultradian components with period lengths between 4.8 and 12 h, i.e., an activity pattern of up to five strong bouts per day. Annual variation in the pattern of power spectra was not high during the year. Results are discussed in connection with horse feeding strategy. Analysing the time structure of long-term and continuously measured activity and feeding could be a useful method to follow the general living conditions, especially the nutritional situation and to detect stressful conditions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.