Object Play as a Positive Emotional State Indicator for Farmed Spotted Paca ().

We aimed to assess whether object play can be used as a positive emotional state indicator for farmed spotted pacas () by examining its association with other positive welfare markers including affiliative behavior and low-amplitude vocalizations. We submitted six groups of spotted pacas (one male/two females per group) (N = 18) to an ABA experimental design (A/A: without ball; B: with three boomer balls). Object play behavior occurred only during phase B (mean = 35.

Responses to environmental enrichment are associated with personality characteristics in chestnut-bellied seed finches (Sporophila angolensis).

Environmental enrichment (EE) is used to promote natural behaviours in captive animals and may hold promise as a form of pre-release training, a strategy for improving coping skills of translocated birds. We investigated the use of EE to enhance foraging and vigilance behaviours of captive Sporophila angolensis, which may be related to post-release survival. We also evaluated whether consistent individual behavioural differences affected birds' responses to EE.

Vocal complexity and sociality in spotted paca (Cuniculus paca).

The evolution of sociality is related to many ecological factors that act on animals as selective forces, thus driving the formation of groups. Group size will depend on the payoffs of group living. The Social Complexity Hypothesis for Communication (SCHC) predicts that increases in group size will be related to increases in the complexity of the communication among individuals.

Morphophysiological responses and programmed cell death induced by cadmium in Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae).

Cadmium (Cd) originating from atmospheric deposits, from industrial residues and from the application of phosphate fertilizers may accumulate in high concentrations in soil, water and food, thus becoming highly toxic to plants, animals and human beings. Once accumulated in an organism, Cd discharges and sets off a sequence of biochemical reactions and morphophysiological changes which may cause cell death in several tissues and organs. In order to test the hypothesis that Cd interferes in the metabolism of G.