Influence of a conspecific image of own vs. different breed on fear reactions of ewes.

We observed the influence of slide images of conspecifics on fear reactions of 12 Romanov and 12 Ile-de-France ewes. Each ewe was individually tested twice in isolation: once in the presence of the projected image of an unfamiliar ewe of its own breed, and once when exposed to an image of a ewe of a different breed. Ewes' responses to a slide of an individual of their own breed differed consistently from their responses to a slide of the other breed (i.e., they displayed lower fear reactions to their own breed). There was also a significant main effect for breed of subject, which reflects breed differences in activity level and/or fearfulness. Differential responses to two-dimensional images of unfamiliar animals of own versus other breed suggest that the ewes recognized the characteristics of their breed. Moreover, the manner in which ewes responded to the slide projections indicates that those images were perceived as social stimuli.