USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Jornada Experimental Range, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8003, USA.
Laterality. 2013;18(2):179-93. doi: 10.1080/1357650X.2011.647919. Epub 2012 Apr 4.
Turning preferences among 309 white-faced ewes were individually evaluated in an enclosed, artificially lit T-maze, followed by each ewe choosing either a right or left return alley to return to peers. Data recorded included time in the start box, time in the T-maze, exit arm chosen to leave the T-maze, and return alley. Right and left arms of the T-maze were chosen 65.7% and 34.3% of the time, respectively, while right and left return alleys were chosen 32.4% and 67.6%, respectively. Exit arm and return alley were not independently chosen (p <.0001), with observed counts being higher than expected under independence when ewes made the same choice for exit and alley (RR or LL turn patterns) and being lower than expected for alternating choices (RL or LR). Out of the 309 ewes, 28.2% and 30.1% chose RR and LL turn patterns, respectively, while 37.5% chose the RL turn pattern, but only 13 (4.2%) chose the LR turning pattern. Overall, ewes that initially turned right when presented a second turning opportunity had a slight preference to alternate their turning direction, while ewes that initially turned left tended to continue turning left when given another chance to turn. Exit arm and return alley laterality was not related (α =.05) to time of day the test was administered, ewe's age or genetics, most recent liveweight, or most recent shorn fleece weight. The mean time spent in the start box (21 s) was not related to exit arm (p =.947) or return alley (p =.779). Mean time (15 s) spent in the T-maze was not related to exit arm (p =.086) or return alley (p =.952). More research will be required to understand sheep turning laterality and how it can impact working facilities and research equipment.
在一个封闭的、人工照明的 T 形迷宫中，对 309 只白脸母羊的转弯偏好进行了个体评估，然后每只母羊选择走右边或左边的返回通道回到同伴身边。记录的数据包括在起始箱中的时间、在 T 形迷宫中的时间、离开 T 形迷宫选择的出口臂以及返回通道。T 形迷宫的左右臂分别被选择了 65.7%和 34.3%的时间，而左右返回通道则分别被选择了 32.4%和 67.6%的时间。出口臂和返回通道并没有独立选择（p<0.0001），当母羊对出口和通道做出相同选择（RR 或 LL 转弯模式）时，观察到的计数高于独立性预期，而当选择交替时，观察到的计数低于独立性预期（RL 或 LR）。在 309 只母羊中，分别有 28.2%和 30.1%选择了 RR 和 LL 转弯模式，而 37.5%选择了 RL 转弯模式，但只有 13 只（4.2%）选择了 LR 转弯模式。总的来说，当提供第二次转弯机会时，最初选择右转的母羊有轻微的倾向改变它们的转弯方向，而最初选择左转的母羊在有机会再次转弯时往往会继续左转。出口臂和返回通道的偏侧性（α=0.05）与测试时间、母羊的年龄或遗传、最近的活体重或最近剪毛的羊毛重量无关。在起始箱中花费的平均时间（21 秒）与出口臂（p=0.947）或返回通道（p=0.779）无关。在 T 形迷宫中花费的平均时间（15 秒）与出口臂（p=0.086）或返回通道（p=0.952）无关。需要进一步的研究来了解绵羊转弯的偏侧性以及它如何影响工作设施和研究设备。
