Biology subjects

Slipogor, V.

Publications and source records attributed to Slipogor, V..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Smooth move: Behavioural changes in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) after group split and relocation

Zoological gardens strive to prioritize excellent animal care and adhere to the highest standards of animal welfare, ensuring that the conditions of animals social and physical environment are as close as possible to those in the wild. This study investigates the effects of group split and relocation to the new enclosure on the behaviour of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) (N = 7) living in Prague Zoo, Czech Republic. We conducted over 289 hours of behavioural observations focusing on daily activities, social interactions, and behaviours that serve as potential stress and welfare indicators. The group split led to establishment of two groups in two separate enclosures; the old enclosure consisted of a bachelor group (i.e. three males) and a new enclosure consisted of a mixed-sex group (i.e. three females and one juvenile male). The behavioural comparisons across different study periods were conducted using linear mixed models (LMMs). The changes led to an increase in time spent moving, feeding, being in social proximity, and higher rates of approaches among the gorillas, as well as to a decrease in rates of self-directed and undesirabl behaviors. Our findings indicate that the gorillas effectively adapted to the changes, most likely by relying on social support, to navigate new conditions. This study contributes to our understanding of how socio-cognitively complex species cope with necessary alterations in captive animal care programs. Furthermore, these observations may inform strategies to enhance the welfare of zoo-housed animals and to improve their captive care.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2026

Who takes the risk to forage? Testing consistent inter-individual behavioural variation in wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)

Risk-taking behaviour permeates daily decision-making across many taxa and has significant impact on fitness outcomes. Previous research finds that individuals display consistent tendencies in their propensity to take risks, often labelled as a "Boldness-Shyness" personality trait. In this experimental study, we investigated repeatability in risk-taking behaviour in 241 wild vervet monkeys by measuring their responses to capture threat (via human-initiated darting procedure) and predation threat (via two predator models). We further examined the influence of socio-demographic, group identity and hormonal factors on risk-taking behaviour. We found that multiple behavioural responses, including the likelihood of approaching a food source under threat, were consistent across contexts. Risk-taking behaviour was influenced by age, sex, dominance rank, and hormonal profiles: juveniles, males, and higher-ranking individuals were more likely to approach food under (perceived) predation risk. Additionally, we observed significant among-group differences, suggesting that individuals within the same social group exhibit similar risk sensitivities, potentially due to social facilitation or shared environmental effects. The findings contribute to our understanding of animal personality and the ecological and social drivers underlying variation in risk-related behaviours.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2025

Associations between gut microbiota and personality traits: insights from a captive common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) colony

Recent studies have suggested the link between inter-individual behavioural variation (i.e., animal personality) and gut microbiota. Non-human primates living under controlled conditions are valuable models to investigate diet-independent microbiome-host interactions. In this study, we investigated links between specific gut microbiota members and personality traits, as well as group membership, sex, age class, breeding status and relatedness of 26 captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), maintained under the same diet and housing conditions. Personality was assessed using an established testing battery in repeated tests. Then, we collected a total of 225 fecal samples during the summers of 2017 and 2019 from five marmoset social groups for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Within-individual microbiota variance was smaller than that between group members. Group members also exhibited more similar gut microbiota than individuals from different groups in each sampling year. Beta diversity of the gut microbiota was linked with personality traits, age class, sex, and breeding status, but not with genetic relatedness. We identified specific bacterial taxa associated with personality traits. In particular, members of the sulfite-reducing genera Desulfovibrio were enriched in more avoidant marmosets. Amplicon sequencing of the dissimilatory sulfite reductase gene dsrB confirmed this pattern, yet additionally revealed an unknown uncultured bacterium that was the predominant sulfite-reducing bacterium in the fecal samples and was linked to more explorative individuals. These findings highlight specific association patterns between selected microbial taxa and personality traits in captive common marmosets. ImportanceThis study provides valuable insights into the intricate relationship between gut microbiota and host personality traits, using captive common marmosets as a model. By controlling for diet and housing conditions, it probes key host factors such as personality, age, sex, and social group membership, offering a robust framework for understanding microbiome-host interactions. The discovery of specific microbial taxa associated with personality traits, particularly the enrichment of sulfite-reducing genera in more avoidant individuals, underscores the potential role of the gut microbiome in shaping or reflecting personality. These findings advance our understanding of microbiome-host dynamics and pave the way for future research on the mechanistic links between behavior and gut microbiota in other animal models and across broader ecological contexts.

microbiology↗