First record of limb preferences in monotremes (Zaglossus spp.)
Andrey Giljov A D , Karina Karenina A , Margaret Hawkins B and Yegor Malashichev A CA Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia.
B Taronga Conservation Society Australia, PO Box 20, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
C Laboratory of Neuroecology, Department of Ecological Physiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia.
D Corresponding author. Email: zoology.gilev@gmail.com
Australian Journal of Zoology 63(5) 320-323 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO15043
Submitted: 19 July 2015 Accepted: 29 September 2015 Published: 30 October 2015
Abstract
Lateralisation in forelimb use at the population and/or individual level has been found in a wide variety of vertebrate species. However, some large taxa have not yet been investigated and that limits a proper evolutionary interpretation of forelimb preferences. Among mammals lateralised use of the forelimbs has been shown for both placentals and marsupials, but nothing is known about behavioural lateralisation in monotremes. Here we examined lateral preferences in forelimb use in four long-beaked echidnas (male and female Zaglossus bruijni, and male and female Z. bartoni) in captivity. Three individuals showed significant forelimb preferences in unimanual behaviours associated with feeding. When stepping on an eminence with one forelimb first, the lateralisation at the individual level was found only in males of both species. During male–female interactions, the male Z. bartoni significantly preferred to put one of the forelimbs on the female’s back. In both males, the direction of preferences was consistent across different types of behaviour. Our results confirm that manual lateralisation, at least at the individual level, is widespread among mammals. Further research is needed to investigate whether the monotremes display population-level lateralisation in forelimb use.
Additional keywords: feeding, hand preference, handedness, lateralisation, long-beaked echidna, manual laterality.
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