Biology subjects

Cooke, A. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Cooke, A. S..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Hunger, displacement, or play? Object manipulation behaviour in Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus)

Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus) engage in intricate activities using their paws for purposes such as food extraction, exploration, and tactile communication within their social group. However, some expressions of these behaviours do not appear to be immediately functional in captive populations. Here, we explore the expression of object manipulation behaviours (OMBs), such as rock manipulation (or juggling); the factors that may be driving their expression; and what OMBs may represent. A troop of six otters was observed at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park (United Kingdom) using camera-traps placed at three key locations in their enclosure: outside of their den, at the main feeding area, and at a rock-garden foraging area. A total of 2895 video clips were analysed using a hierarchical ethogram consisting of the behavioural categories of locomotion, stationary, vocalisation, physical affiliative, sustenance, and OMBs. The most commonly observed behaviours were walking (21.5%), lying (20.8%) and feeding (12.2%). OMBs were observed in 3.9% of total observations. Otters performed OMBs significantly more often outside their den than at the other locations. Grooming was also more frequent at this location. There was a negative association between the expression of OMBs and air temperature. Results suggest that in this otter population, OMBs were more likely an expression of play behaviour, contrasting findings reported elsewhere that rock juggling may be driven by hunger.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2023

Nutritional characterisation and seasonal variation of goat forages in Central Malawi

Goat ownership is prevalent across rural Malawi and provides a vital source of income, nutrition, and food security. However, goat performance is poor, and this presents a risk to individuals and communities who depend on them. Whilst mitigating this through supplementation of persevered forages may be possible, this is a challenge due to limitations of resources and the fact that goats typically free-roam during the dry season. Nutrition is fundamental to health and productivity of any livestock enterprise, it is required to be able to deal with stresses, such as disease, and to enable growth and production. The aim of this study was to characterise the nutritional profile of naturally available forages in Malawi, including the seasonal variation in nutrition. Samples of herbaceous forages and browse were collected over a 17-month period, across four villages (30 farms/smallholders) in Central Malawi. Forages underwent nutritional analysis for crude protein, fibre fractions, and ash/organic matter and NDVI obtained from satellite imagery was used as a measure of forage availability. Forage nutrition and availability were most adequate in the wet season, with higher concentrations of crude protein and a greater availability of herbaceous plants. There were significant differences in low-digestibility fibre fractions between locations, likely due to local factors such as soil and hydrology. The fall in crude protein concentrations from the wet season to the dry season represent a seasonal nutrition-gap which may result in risks to goat health and productivity.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2023

Opportunities to improve goat production and food security in Botswana through forage nutrition and the use of supplemental feeds

Goats fulfil a central role in food security across Africa with over half of households owning or rearing goats in rural areas. However, goat performance is poor and mortality high. This study assessed the nutritional quality of commonly used feeds and proposes feed-baskets to enhance goat nutrition and health. Feeds were collected from 11 areas within the Central District of Botswana, and macronutrient analyses were conducted, including crude protein, fibre fractions, ash, and metabolizable energy (ME). Forage nutrition was compared across seasons and soil types. Additionally, seasonal supplementation trials were conducted to evaluate consumption rates of various supplements, including crop residues, pellets, Lablab purpureus, and Dichrostachys cinerea. Each supplement was provided ad libitum for a 24-hour period, and consumption rates determined. Findings revealed significant differences in nutrition among various feed sources, across seasons, and in relation to soil types (p < 0.001). Consumption rates of supplements were higher during the dry season, possibly due to reduced forage availability. Supplement consumption rates varied across supplements, with crop residues accounting for approximately 1% of dry matter intake, compared to up to 45% for pellets, 13% for L. purpureus, and 15% for D. cinerea. While wet season feed baskets exhibited higher ME values compared to dry-season feed-baskets, the relative impact of supplementation was more pronounced during the dry season. These results highlight the potential for optimizing goat diets through improved grazing and browsing management, especially during the reduced nutritional availability in the dry season.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2023

Livestock heat stress risk in response to the extreme heat event (heatwave) of July 2022 in the UK

On the 18th and 19th of July 2022, the UK experienced a record-breaking extreme heat event. For the first time, temperatures exceeding 40{degrees}C were recorded. Whilst this may seem exceptional or unprecedented, the progression of climate change is expected to increase both the likelihood and severity of such events. Livestock are vulnerable to heat stress, which manifests as losses to health and welfare, productivity, and sustainability. Here, we characterize the heatwave of July 2022 in the context of livestock heat-stress risk, with a focus on cattle. Meteorological data was obtained from 85 weather stations and the Comprehensive Climate Index (CCI) was calculated, hourly, for each station. The CCI was mapped across the UK for 18/07/22 and 19/07/22 and compared against heat stress risk thresholds. Across both days, >25% of sites experienced "severe" heat stress risk. On 19/07/22 there was an "extreme" risk across >5% of sites. The site that experienced the highest risk was near Rugby, in the West Midlands. Across all sites, night-time temperatures fell below risk thresholds and may have mitigated some of the heat stress risk. Whilst there was some evidence of productivity losses, this was not conclusive. The impacts of this event on livestock were not just direct, but indirect through negative impacts on water and forage availability. The heatwave of July 2022 must serve as a warning for the UK livestock industry and these results may act as a case study of what the sector may be increasingly likely to experience in the future.

zoology↗