Suites of Behavioral and Physiological Characteristics of Japanese Quail (Coturnix Japonica)
Abstract
The concept of personalities is used as a way to understand suites of behaviors associated with how animals cope with change. Animal personalities can be described along a continuum from bold to shy and describe suites of behaviors unique to the type of personality. The relationship between a specific behavior and its underlying physiological state has been well studied, however, we do not have an understanding of the potential continuum of physiological traits associated with animal personalities. In this study, I evaluated the relationships between the behaviors and physiological traits associated with bold and shy personalities in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). I focused on metabolic and endocrine traits, which provide an integrated measure of energetic demand and use, and response to stress. My data show a continuum of bold to shy personalities, but do not correlate with the physiological traits.