Temporal characteristics of feeding behavior in the Munich miniature pig.
Correlations between meal size and inter-meal intervals as a characteristic of ingestive behavior are generally calculated utilizing Pearson's correlation coefficient. However, this commonly used method may exhibit disadvantages and methodological problems when dealing with dependent time series. Alternatively, a modified version of Pearson's r (r(diff)) or a nonparametric procedure, Pfanzagl's T combined with an expanded sampling theorem offer a statistical alternative for correlational analysis, robust to stochastic interdependencies between time series. In two studies, porcine self-initiated feeding behavior was observed in a closed economy setup, and a comparison of all three correlation coefficients was performed. STUDY 1: Twelve Munich mini-pigs were observed for 2 weeks. The rate of food ingestion was a stable characteristic of each individual pig, feeding and defecation behavior were temporally associated and light/dark cycle differences were seen for feeding. STUDY 2: Eight Munich mini-pigs were studied for 4 weeks. Kendall's Tau was utilized to test the stability of feeding behavior across weeks. Stability increased over time and feeding was more stable during the light period. Both correlation measures revealed a strong association between meal size and inter-meal intervals.


CONCLUSIONS
Munich-miniature pigs exhibited a stable pattern of self-initiated ingestive and excretory behaviors. In both studies, Pfanzagl's T-values as well as r(diff)-values revealed a corresponding and consistent association between meal size and inter-meal intervals. In combination with the conventional Pearson's r, all three coefficients characterize different aspects of feeding behavior.
Musial
Frauke
F
Biological and Clinical Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Am Steiger 3/Haus 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany. musial@biopsy.uni-jena.de
Kowalski
Axel
A
Treiber
Annemarie
A
Enck
Paul
P
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D004609:Eliminative Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D017440:Photoperiod; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors