Animal behaviour articles from across Nature Portfolio

Animal behaviour is the scientific study of the behaviour of animals. The discipline covers study under experimental conditions, behaviourism, or natural conditions, ethology.

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News & Views | 07 June 2023

A battle between neural circuits for infanticide and maternal-care behaviours

Nature

Latest Research and Reviews

Research
02 June 2023 | Open Access

Explainable automated pain recognition in cats
- Marcelo Feighelstein
- , Lea Henze
- & Anna Zamansky
Scientific Reports 13, 8973
Research
02 June 2023 | Open Access

Effects of the depletion of neural progenitors by focal X-ray irradiation on song production and perception in canaries
- Ioana Chiver
- , Ednei B. dos Santos
- & Jacques Balthazart
Scientific Reports 13, 9010
Research | 01 June 2023

Single-cell dissection of aggression in honeybee colonies

The genetic basis of collective behaviour is complex. Single-cell transcriptomics of honeybee brains and gene regulatory network analysis showed differences in brain gene regulation and gene regulatory network plasticity between aggressive soldiers and non-aggressive foragers.
- Ian M. Traniello
- , Syed Abbas Bukhari
- & Gene E. Robinson
Nature Ecology & Evolution, 1-13
Research
01 June 2023 | Open Access

Leafhopper males compensate for unclear directional cues in vibration-mediated mate localization
- Jernej Polajnar
- , Anka Kuhelj
- & Meta Virant-Doberlet
Scientific Reports 13, 8879
Research
31 May 2023 | Open Access

Illuminance-tuned collective motion in fish

The collective schooling behaviour of rummy-nose tetra fish is associated with light intensity, moving from a state of disorder through polarization and then into rotational milling as light intensity increases.
- Baptiste Lafoux
- , Jeanne Moscatelli
- & Benjamin Thiria
Communications Biology 6, 585
Research
27 May 2023 | Open Access

Horses (Equus caballus) facial micro-expressions: insight into discreet social information
- Claude Tomberg
- , Maxime Petagna
- & Lucy-Anne de Selliers de Moranville
Scientific Reports 13, 8625

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News and Comment

News | 07 June 2023

A brain circuit for infanticide, in mice

Research reveals system underlying behaviour change towards young, and identifying the source of fast solar wind.
- Noah Baker
- & Nick Petrić Howe
Nature
News & Views | 07 June 2023

A battle between neural circuits for infanticide and maternal-care behaviours

A previously unknown neural circuit in the brains of female mice is activated during infanticidal behaviour, and reciprocally inhibits another circuit that promotes maternal-care behaviour. These circuits show opposing changes in excitability when female mice become mothers, explaining the switch in young-directed behaviours that occurs with motherhood.

Nature
News | 07 June 2023

Deaths of African cheetahs in India shine spotlight on controversial conservation project

Scientists fear that an Indian park is not enough space for the planned population — and that not enough work has been done with locals on how they will respond to the animals.
- Gayathri Vaidyanathan
Nature
News | 01 June 2023

Biggest ever study of primate genomes has surprises for humanity

Genomes of humans’ closest relatives provide insight for conservation, human disease and the origins of social structures.
- Dyani Lewis
Nature
Research Highlights | 31 May 2023

These hardy ants build their own landmarks in the desert

Ants living on the sprawling salt pans of Tunisia use DIY markers to find their way home.

Nature 618, 217
News | 23 May 2023

Does the roar of rocket launches harm wildlife? These scientists seek answers

With rocket lift-offs set to increase drastically, a team will monitor the effects of noise pollution at a California spaceport.
- Nicola Jones
Nature 618, 16-17