Biomaterial Database

Naturalistic learning and reproduction in ring neck doves (Streptopelia risoria). 2022

Melissa Burns-Cusato, and Brian Cusato

Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Centre College, 600 West Walnut Street, Danville, Kentucky, 40422, USA. m.cusato@centre.edu.

Successful reproduction in avian species requires considerable parental care, and for most species the efforts of both parents are necessary for the survival of offspring. Here we make the case that in these species reproductive interactions are enhanced when neurochemical activity reinforces critical stimuli and behaviors through associative learning. Drawing from research on several different species, we describe evidence for the role of associative learning in the reproductive behaviors of ring neck doves (Streptopelia risoria). A hypothetical mechanism involving a combination of classical and operant conditioning is proposed to explain the formation and maintenance of the pair bond, nest fidelity, and incubation behavior. The role of the opiate system in reinforcing various aspects of reproductive behavior in this and other species is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010856	Columbidae	Family in the order COLUMBIFORMES, comprised of pigeons or doves. They are BIRDS with short legs, stout bodies, small heads, and slender bills. Some sources call the smaller species doves and the larger pigeons, but the names are interchangeable.	Columba livia,Doves,Pigeons,Domestic Pigeons,Feral Pigeons,Rock Doves,Rock Pigeons,Domestic Pigeon,Dove,Dove, Rock,Doves, Rock,Feral Pigeon,Pigeon,Pigeon, Domestic,Pigeon, Feral,Pigeon, Rock,Pigeons, Domestic,Pigeons, Feral,Pigeons, Rock,Rock Dove,Rock Pigeon
D012098	Reproduction	The total process by which organisms produce offspring. (Stedman, 25th ed)	Human Reproductive Index,Human Reproductive Indexes,Reproductive Period,Human Reproductive Indices,Index, Human Reproductive,Indexes, Human Reproductive,Indices, Human Reproductive,Period, Reproductive,Periods, Reproductive,Reproductive Index, Human,Reproductive Indices, Human,Reproductive Periods
D003214	Conditioning, Classical	Learning that takes place when a conditioned stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus.	Reflex, Conditioned,Classical Conditioning,Classical Conditionings,Conditioned Reflex,Conditionings, Classical
D003216	Conditioning, Operant	Learning situations in which the sequence responses of the subject are instrumental in producing reinforcement. When the correct response occurs, which involves the selection from among a repertoire of responses, the subject is immediately reinforced.	Instrumental Learning,Learning, Instrumental,Operant Conditioning,Conditionings, Operant,Instrumental Learnings,Learnings, Instrumental,Operant Conditionings
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia