Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
The role of acetylcholine in feline predatory attack was examined by
pharmacological manipulations. Attack behavior was partitioned into
components of app roach (visualorientation, approach, extension of the
head, trapping, seizing in the jaws, biting) and withdrawal (whole
body withdrawal, retraction of the head and upper torso, swiping ) in
an attempt to selectively affect specific components of the attack
pattern. Carbachol, a cholinomimetic, produced an increase in the
percentage of head and upper torso retractions, as well as a slight
inhibition of prey seizing. Atropine methyl nitrate, an anticholinergic,
was found to decrease the percentage of head and upper torso
retractions, as well as the rate of swiping. The primary effect of
atropine, however, was a slight, non-specific inhibition of all
behaviors, as evidenced by longer latencies to kill the prey, as
well as by long periods of pausing and dry mouth symptoms. Leakage
of the drug into the periphery may have contributed to these effects.
pharmacological manipulations. Attack behavior was partitioned into
components of app roach (visualorientation, approach, extension of the
head, trapping, seizing in the jaws, biting) and withdrawal (whole
body withdrawal, retraction of the head and upper torso, swiping ) in
an attempt to selectively affect specific components of the attack
pattern. Carbachol, a cholinomimetic, produced an increase in the
percentage of head and upper torso retractions, as well as a slight
inhibition of prey seizing. Atropine methyl nitrate, an anticholinergic,
was found to decrease the percentage of head and upper torso
retractions, as well as the rate of swiping. The primary effect of
atropine, however, was a slight, non-specific inhibition of all
behaviors, as evidenced by longer latencies to kill the prey, as
well as by long periods of pausing and dry mouth symptoms. Leakage
of the drug into the periphery may have contributed to these effects.
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