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This page shows you the 20 most read items in the past 30 days within this specialty in the MedWorm directory.

Zoological nomenclature in the digital era
Alessandro Minelli calls for radical changes to zoological nomenclature and envisages a future where the act of registering a name, with accompanying taxonomic data, would confer the availability of that name in the same way that publication does currently. (Source: Frontiers in Zoology)
Source: Frontiers in Zoology - February 4, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Alessandro Minelli Source Type: research

Dynamics of symbiont-mediated antibiotic production reveal efficient long-term protection for beewolf offspring
Conclusions: The antibiotic production by the beewolf symbionts serves as a reliable protection for the wasp offspring against pathogenic microorganisms during the long and unpredictable developmental phase in the subterranean brood cells. Thus, the beewolf-Streptomyces symbiosis provides one of the rare examples of antibiotics serving as an efficient defense in the natural environment and may aid in devising new strategies for the utilization of antibiotic combination therapies in human medicine against increasingly resistant bacterial and fungal pathogens. (Source: Frontiers in Zoology)
Source: Frontiers in Zoology - January 31, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Sabrina KoehlerJan DoubskýMartin Kaltenpoth Source Type: research

Thyroid hormone increases fibroblast growth factor receptor expression and disrupts cell mechanics in the developing organ of corti
Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that thyroid hormones may be involved in coordinating the processes that regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and suggest that manipulating thyroid hormone sensitivity might provide insight into the relationship between cytoskeletal formation and developing cell mechanical properties. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)
Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles - February 8, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Katherine SzaramaNúria GavaraRonald PetraliaRichard ChadwickMatthew Kelley Source Type: research

Winner and loser effects are modulated by hormonal states
Conclusions: This study shows that an individual's receptivity to the influence of recent wins and losses is modulated by its internal state, as well as by extrinsic factors. Individuals with hormonal profiles corresponding to lower aggressiveness and a reduced likelihood of winning were more likely to alter contest decisions after a recent win/loss. The results also suggest that F, T, KT and E2 are not the primary physiological mechanisms mediating winner-loser effects in this fish. (Source: Frontiers in Zoology)
Source: Frontiers in Zoology - February 11, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Ryan EarleyChung-Kai LuI-Han LeeStephanie WongYuying Hsu Source Type: research

Synergistic interaction of an endo-β-1,4-glucanase and a β-glucohydrolase leads to more efficient hydrolysis of cellulose-like polymers in the gecarcinid land crab, Gecarcoidea natalis
Benjamin J. Allardyce, Stuart M. Linton (Source: Australian Journal of Zoology)
Source: Australian Journal of Zoology - February 6, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Benjamin J. AllardyceStuart M. Linton Source Type: research

Use and characteristics of nocturnal habitats of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfocensis) in Australian temperate woodlands
M. J. Crane, D. B. Lindenmayer, R. B. Cunningham (Source: Australian Journal of Zoology)
Source: Australian Journal of Zoology - February 26, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: M. J. CraneD. B. LindenmayerR. B. Cunningham Source Type: research

Habitat productivity constrains the distribution of social spiders across continents -- case study of the genus Stegodyphus
Conclusions: Habitat productivity constrains the distribution of social spiders across continents compared to their solitary congeners, with group-living in spiders being restricted to areas with relatively high vegetation productivity and insect prey biomass. As known for other taxa, permanent sociality likely evolves in response to high predation pressure and imposes within-group competition for resources. Our results suggest that group living is contingent upon productive environmental conditions where elevated prey abundance meet the increased demand for food of social groups. (Source: Frontiers in Zoology)
Source: Frontiers in Zoology - February 23, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Marija MajerJens-Christian SvenningTrine Bilde Source Type: research

Understanding Mimicry – with Special Reference to Vocal Mimicry
Abstract The term mimicry was introduced to biology in 1862 by Henry Walter Bates in his evolutionary explanation of deceptive communication in nature, based on a three‐part interaction system of a mimicked organism or object (called model), a mimicking organism (called mimic), and one or more organisms as selecting agents. Bates gave two incongruous definitions of mimicry: one from the viewpoint of a natural agent that selects for, and in consequence is deceived by, the close resemblance of a toxic model's warning signal and the similar appearance of a palatable mimic, and another one from the viewpoint of a human taxon...
Source: Ethology - February 1, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Wolfgang Wickler Tags: Current Issues – Perspectives and Reviews Source Type: research

Olfactory Snake‐Predator Discrimination in the Cape Ground Squirrel
Abstract Small mammals have a number of means to detect and avoid predators, including visual, auditory and olfactory cues. Olfactory cues are particularly important for nocturnal or fossorial species where visual cues would not be as reliable. The Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris) is a semi‐fossorial, diurnal mammal from southern Africa. Cape ground squirrels encounter multiple species of predatory snake that pursue individuals underground where visual and social cues are limited. We assessed whether Cape ground squirrels use odours to discriminate between snakes by presenting a non‐venomous snake, a venomous snake...
Source: Ethology - February 1, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Molly A. Phillips, Jane M. Waterman Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Milk Composition in the Weddell Seal Leptonychotes weddellii: Evidence for a Functional Role of Milk Carbohydrates in Pinnipeds
Regina Eisert, Olav T. Oftedal, and Graham K. Barrell Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 2, Page 159-175, March 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)
Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology - February 22, 2013 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research

Sex produces as numerous and long-lived offspring as parthenogenesis in a new parthenogenetic insect
Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 1-4, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)
Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology - February 23, 2013 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research

Cephalodiscus reproductive biology (Pterobranchia, Hemichordata)
Abstract Sexually mature adults and embryos and larvae of Cephalodiscus nigrescens and C. gracilis were studied by light and electron microscopy. Contrary to claims in the literature, individual coenecial cavities are inhabited by colonies of up to 15 joined zooids and not by single individuals, which is important for the interpretation of the mode of life of the related fossil group the graptolites. Some aspects of the reproductive apparatus and reproduction in Cephalodiscus are reported. The ultrastructure of the spermatozoon is described for the first time. Coelom formation is by schizocoely. The structure of the larva ...
Source: Acta Zoologica - January 1, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Peter N. Dilly Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Bench‐top validation testing of selected immunological and molecular Renibacterium salmoninarum diagnostic assays by comparison with quantitative bacteriological culture
Abstract No gold standard assay exhibiting error‐free classification of results has been identified for detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of salmonid bacterial kidney disease. Validation of diagnostic assays for R. salmoninarum has been hindered by its unique characteristics and biology, and difficulties in locating suitable populations of reference test animals. Infection status of fish in test populations is often unknown, and it is commonly assumed that the assay yielding the most positive results has the highest diagnostic accuracy, without consideration of misclassification of results. In...
Source: Journal of Fish Diseases - January 26, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: D G Elliott, L J Applegate, A L Murray, M K Purcell, C L McKibben Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Optimum Temperature in Juvenile Salmonids: Connecting Subcellular Indicators to Tissue Function and Whole-Organism Thermal Optimum
Katja Anttila, Matthew T. Casselman, Patricia M. Schulte, and Anthony P. Farrell Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 2, Page 245-256, March 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)
Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology - February 22, 2013 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research

Linking Immune Patterns and Life History Shows Two Distinct Defense Strategies in Land Snails (Gastropoda, Pulmonata)
Jacqueline Russo and Luc Madec Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 2, Page 193-204, March 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)
Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology - February 22, 2013 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research

Pheomelanin-Based Plumage Coloration Predicts Survival Rates in Birds
Ismael Galván and Anders P. Møller Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 2, Page 184-192, March 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)
Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology - February 22, 2013 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research

Genetic diversity in natural and introduced island populations of koalas in Queensland
Kristen E. Lee, Jennifer M. Seddon, Stephen Johnston, Sean I. FitzGibbon, Frank Carrick, Alistair Melzer, Fred Bercovitch, William Ellis (Source: Australian Journal of Zoology)
Source: Australian Journal of Zoology - February 8, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Kristen E. LeeJennifer M. SeddonStephen JohnstonSean I. FitzGibbonFrank CarrickAlistair MelzerFred BercovitchWilliam Ellis Source Type: research

Sperm cryopreservation of the Indian major carp, Labeo calbasu: Effects of cryoprotectants, cooling rates and thawing rates on egg fertilization.
Abstract A sperm cryopreservation protocol for the Indian major carp, Labeo calbasu, was developed for long-term preservation and artificial fertilization. Milt collected from mature male fish were placed in Alsever's solution (296mOsmolkg(-1)) to immobilize the sperm. Cryoprotectant toxicity was evaluated by motility assessment with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methanol at 5, 10 and 15% concentrations. DMSO was more toxic at higher concentrations than methanol, and consequently 15% DMSO was excluded from further study. A one-step cooling protocol (from 5 to 80°C) with two cooling rates (5 and 10°C/min) was carr...
Source: Animal Reproduction Science - December 1, 2012 Category: Zoology Authors: Nahiduzzaman M, Hassan MM, Roy PK, Hossain MA, Hossain MA, Tiersch TR Tags: Anim Reprod Sci Source Type: research

Kinematic study on the effect of pH on bull sperm function.
In this study, we evaluated the effect of different environmental pHs (5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, and 8.5) on kinetic parameters, sperm viability, mitochondrial activity, and sperm morphology of bull semen immediately and 1h after dilution. The results showed higher values for sperm motility characteristics, viability, and mitochondrial activity at pH 7 and 7.5. Values of pH lower than 6.5 and higher than 8 resulted in suboptimal motility, with a decrease in most parameters. At pH 8 and 8.5, a discrepancy between viability and total and progressive motility was found, with a significant amount of spermatozoa that were live bu...
Source: Animal Reproduction Science - January 1, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Contri A, Gloria A, Robbe D, Valorz C, Wegher L, Carluccio A Tags: Anim Reprod Sci Source Type: research

Induction of double ovulation in mares using deslorelin acetate.
This study aimed to determine whether deslorelin acetate could induce double ovulation in mares. In Experiment 1, eight mares were treated with prostaglandin on Day 8 (D8) after ovulation, then treated with saline or with 100μg of a controlled-release formulation of deslorelin acetate vehicle intramuscularly (IM) every 12h from D8 after ovulation until at least two follicles reached 33mm. At this time, ovulation was induced with 2500 IU of hCG. Artificial insemination was performed 24h after induction, and embryos were collected on the eighth day after ovulation was first detected. In Experiment 2, 112 estrous cycles in 5...
Source: Animal Reproduction Science - December 1, 2012 Category: Zoology Authors: Nagao JF, Neto JR, Papa FO, Alvarenga MA, Freitas-Dell'aqua CP, Dell'aqua JA Tags: Anim Reprod Sci Source Type: research