The methodological approaches involve both wild and captive populations to carry out naturalistic observations and studies under controlled conditions. Non-invasive experiments are carried out to explore the bases of animal social cognition.

1. Olfactory communication and social behaviour in prosimians (Lemur catta, Propithecus verreauxi, Eulemur sp.).
2. Conflict management and post-conflict behaviour in social mammals (Lemur catta, Propithecus verreauxi, Eulemur sp., Theropithecus gelada, Macaca tonkeana, Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus, Gorilla gorilla, Homo sapiens, Canis lupus, Equus asinus).
3. Play behaviour and its signals in relation to social structure, tolerance degree and conflict distribution (Otaria flavescens, Canis familiaris, Canis lupus, Suricata suricatta, Lemur catta, Propithecus verreauxi, Callithrix jacchus, Theropithecus gelada, Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus, Gorilla gorilla, Macaca fuscata, Macaca tonkeana, Homo sapiens).
4. Sexual behaviour: reproductive strategies (Lemur catta, Propithecus verreauxi, Theropithecus gelada, Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus).
5. Reciprocity and biological market theories (Propithecus verreauxi, Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus, Gorilla gorilla, Canis lupus).
6. Emotional contagion and mimicry phenomena at the basis of the empathic processes of Theropithecus gelada, Macaca tonkeana, Macaca fuscata, Pan paniscus, Pan troglodytes, Gorilla gorilla, Homo sapiens, Canis familiaris.
7. Mirror self-recognition and personality in Equus caballus.

 

Institutions, zoos and natural reserves where the research has taken and takes place:

ISTC, CNR  (Rome, Italy)

Università di Parma  (Parma, Italy)

Università di Firenze  (Firenze, Italy)

Università di Torino  (Torino, Italy)

Giardino Zoologico di Pistoia  (Pistoia Italy)

Parco Zoo di Falconara  (Ancona, Italy)

Parco Punta Verde (Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy)

Bioparco  (Roma, Italy)

Parco Natura Viva  (Bussolengo, Italy)

ZooParc de Beauval  (St. Aignan sur Cher, France)

Apenheul Primate Park  (Apeldoorn, The Netherlands)

Amersfoort Zoo  (Amersfoort, The Netherlands)

Frankfurt Zoo  (Francoforte, Germany)

NaturZoo  (Rheine, Germany)

Copenhagen Zoo  (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Wilhelma Zoo  (Stuttgart, Germany)

Parc Zoologique de Thoiry   (Thoiry, France)

Zoo Olomouc   (Olomouc, Czech Republic)

FAUNIA   (Madrid, Spain)

Berenty Reserve   (South-West Madagascar)

Oceanogràfic   (Valencia, Spain)

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