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Table 1 Changes in locomotor behavior of spiny mice during the four phases of the barn-owl attack, compared with controls that were not exposed to the owl. Data (means ± SEM) are arranged according to activity, temporal structure, and spatial distribution (see 'Methods'). Results of two-way ANOVA are depicted for Groups (Control vs. Owl), Phases (of owl attack) and the interaction Groups × Phases. Distance was normalized per minute, and locomoting time was calculated as percent of the respective phase to bypass the different duration of each phase in each individual. [Statistical comparisons were not carried out on activity parameters since they are linked with speed, as animals were divided according to their speed].

From: Rodents in open space adjust their behavioral response to the different risk levels during barn-owl attack

Behavior

Phase

Control

Owl

Groups F1,21; P

Phases F3,63; P

Interaction F3,63; P

ACTIVITY

Distance (m./min.)

Pre-appearance

5.97 ± 0.25

4.40 ± 0.35

   
 

Appearance

4.45 ± 0.64

14.15 ± 4.22

   
 

Attack

4.43 ± 0.98

57.74 ± 8.15

   
 

Post-attack

3.11 ± 0.83

36.26 ± 7.33

   

Locomoting time (% of phase)

Pre-appearance

51.99 ± 1.42

34.85 ± 3.65

   
 

Appearance

37.13 ± 4.11

31.35 ± 8.72

   
 

Attack

35.86 ± 6.73

74.23 ± 8.04

   
 

Post-attack

26.12 ± 6.25

58.74 ± 10.23

   

TEMPORAL STRUCTURE

Trip length (m.)

Pre-appearance

8.72 ± 2.67

4.27 ± 1.56

3.06; ns

3.88; ns

7.94; <0.001

 

Appearance

7.81 ± 2.01

3.67 ± 0.87

   
 

Attack

5.45 ± 0.98

1.10 ± 0.17

   
 

Post-attack

3.94 ± 0.65

8.80 ± 2.01

   

# Stops per trip

Pre-appearance

8.61 ± 2.61

4.62 ± 1.31

16.84; <0.001

3.85; ns

1.52; ns

 

Appearance

9.47 ± 2.37

2.99 ± 0.88

   
 

Attack

5.82 ± 0.79

0.23 ± 0.12

   
 

Post-attack

5.73 ± 1.04

3.52 ± 0.92

   

Inter-stop distance (m.)

Pre-appearance

1.01 ± 0.05

0.87 ± 0.05

7.83; ns

3.47; ns

10.33; <0.001

 

Appearance

0.83 ± 0.09

1.30 ± 0.39

   
 

Attack

0.97 ± 0.16

1.10 ± 0.17

   
 

Post-attack

0.78 ± 0.13

2.94 ± 0.54

   

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION

Time at perimeter (% of phase)

Pre-appearance

33.65 ± 2.64

39.30 ± 4.20

3.94; ns

1.98; ns

7.15; <0.001

 

Appearance

43.27 ± 4.74

41.79 ± 10.62

   
 

Attack

53.49 ± 6.57

16.92 ± 9.57

   
 

Post-attack

51.92 ± 8.12

37.15 ± 8.77

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