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" BIS 2000 "
4th International Conference on Business Information Systems, Poznań, Poland, 12-13 April 2000 ; Witold Abramowicz [und weitere], (eds.).
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Latin Dissertation
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| Language of Document
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English
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| Record Number
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1107041
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| Doc. No
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TLpq2427333273
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| Main Entry
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Alyetama, Mohammad
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Chase, Bruce
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| Title & Author
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The Effect of Latent Infection with Toxoplasma gondii on the Behavior of the Domestic Cat (Felis catus)\ Alyetama, MohammadChase, Bruce
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| College
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University of Nebraska at Omaha
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| Date
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2020
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| student score
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2020
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| Degree
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M.A.
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| Page No
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134
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| Abstract
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Domestic cats play pivotal roles in transmitting the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, as this parasite reproduces sexually only in felid intestines. The behavioral-manipulation hypothesis predicts that a parasite will specifically manipulate host behaviors essential for enhancing its transmission. In line with this, Toxoplasma gondii alters risk averse, exploratory and locomotory behavior of rats to increase the likelihood of their capture by cats. Since 18–80% of domestic cats are seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii infection, it is important understand whether it manipulates cat behavior to influence its spread and/or cat predation behavior. Therefore, we used two approaches to evaluate the behavior and personality of cats who had previously been exposed to Toxoplasma gondii in natural settings. A first study employed a behavioral experiment to evaluate behavioral patterns that were, based on studies in rodents, predicted to be altered by parasite exposure. Cats exposed to Toxoplasma gondii showed specific behavioral differences in their affiliative behavior. Unlike rodents where predator and control scents trigger different behavioral responses in infected animals, however, differences in affiliative behavior were not dependent on whether cats were presented with predator or control scents. Cats did not vary in their exploration/locomotion, calm or fearful behaviors based on prior parasite exposure. A second study evaluated whether cat owners’ perceptions of their cat’s personality were associated with prior parasite exposure. Parasite-infection status had no effect on owner perceptions of the personality dimensions of Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Impulsiveness, but exposed cats were perceived to be less extroverted and more dominant. These surprising findings are discussed relative to predictions based on previous studies in rodents. Overall, this study provides support for the behavioral manipulation hypothesis. Because it was conducted in a humane, least-invasive manner, it cannot distinguish between two alternative explanations: Toxoplasma gondii manipulates feline behavior or felines with certain behavioral patterns are at greater risk of infection. It remains a potent possibility, however, that this parasite contributes to a subtle behavioral modification of its definitive host.
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Psychobiology
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