Zoology Research 
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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 40.
Fluctuations in incubation temperature affect incubation duration but not morphology, locomotion and growth of hatchlings in the sand lizard Lacerta agilis (Lacertidae)
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AbstractLi, H., Zhou, Z.‐S., Ding, G.‐H. and Ji, X. 2011. Fluctuations in incubation temperature affect incubation duration but not morphology, locomotion and growth of hatchlings in the sand lizard Lacerta agilis (Lacertidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 1–8.Studies looking for potential effects of temperature and temperature fluctuations on phenotypic traits of reptile hatchlings have shown species variation, but have not always allowed a distinction between effects of fluctuation per se and temperature extremes themselves. To examine whether incubation temperature fluctuation has a key role in influencing th...
Source: Acta Zoologica - September 28, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Hong Li, Zong‐Shi Zhou, Guo‐Hua Ding, Xiang Ji Source Type: research
Sequential learning and rule abstraction in Bengalese finches.Email this article to a colleague.
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Abstract
The Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica) is a species of songbird. Males sing courtship songs with complex note-to-note transition rules, while females discriminate these songs when choosing their mate. The present study uses serial reaction time (RT) to examine the characteristics of the Bengalese finches' sequential behaviours beyond song production. The birds were trained to produce the sequence with an "A-B-A" structure. After the RT to each key position was determined to be stable, we tested the acquisition of the trained sequential response by presenting novel and random three-term seque...
Source: Animal Cognition - September 28, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Yamazaki Y, Suzuki K, Inada M, Iriki A, Okanoya K Tags: Anim Cogn Source Type: research
Geographic Variation in the Effects of Heat Exposure on Maximum Sprint Speed and Hsp70 Expression in the Western Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalisEmail this article to a colleague.
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Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print.
Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology - September 27, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Spider Males Adjust Mate Choice but Not Sperm Allocation to Cues of a RivalEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractSpatial and temporal variation in ecological parameters selects for plastic responses to prevailing conditions. Males of web spiders have been shown to adjust developmental decisions to cues that relate to the degree of competition from other males. Here, we explore experimentally whether males of the spider Nephila senegalensis base behavioural decisions in the context of mate choice and sperm allocation to the presence of cues of a rival and to their own competitive dominance. Large and small males were offered a simultaneous choice between two penultimate instar females that varied in quality and in whether they...
Source: Ethology - September 27, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Jutta M. SchneiderCarsten LucassWally BrandlerLutz Fromhage Tags: RESEARCH PAPER Source Type: research
A cross-species comparison of escape from X inactivation in Eutheria: implications for evolution of X chromosome inactivationEmail this article to a colleague.
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Abstract Sex chromosome dosage compensation in both eutherian and marsupial mammals is achieved by X chromosome inactivation (XCI)—transcriptional
repression that silences one of the two X chromosomes in the somatic cells of females. We recently used RNA fluorescent in
situ hybridization (FISH) to show, in individual nuclei, that marsupial X inactivation (in the absence of XIST) occurs on a gene-by-gene basis, and that escape from inactivation is stochastic and independent of gene location. In the
absence of similar data from fibroblast cell lines of eutherian representatives, a meaningful comparison is lac...
Source: Chromosoma - September 27, 2011 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Chromosoma Source Type: research
Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics Enable Coexistence via Neighbor-Dependent SelectionEmail this article to a colleague.
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The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page E000, Ahead of Print.
Source: The American Naturalist - September 26, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Resource Storage and Competition with Spatial and Temporal Variation in Resource AvailabilityEmail this article to a colleague.
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The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print.
Source: The American Naturalist - September 26, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Between Geometry and Biology: The Problem of Universality of the Species-Area RelationshipEmail this article to a colleague.
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The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print.
Source: The American Naturalist - September 26, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Three-dimensional reconstructions of intrahepatic bile duct tubulogenesis in human liver.Email this article to a colleague.
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Conclusions:
The developed protocols provide a novel and sophisticated three-dimensional visualization of vessels and protein expression in human liver during development and disease.
Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles - September 26, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Peter VestentoftPeter JelnesBranden HopkinsonBen VainerKjeld MollgardBjorn QuistorffHanne Bisgaard Source Type: research
Reproductive biology of the wild red brocket deer (Mazama americana) female in the Peruvian Amazon.Email this article to a colleague.
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Abstract
Knowledge of the reproductive biology is critical for the development of management strategies of the species both in captivity and in the wild, and to address conservation concerns regarding the sustainable use of a species. The present report characterizes some aspects of the reproductive biology of the wild red brocket deer inhabiting the North-eastern Peruvian Amazon region, based on the anatomical and histological examination of the female reproductive organs of 89 wild adult females in different reproductive states. The red brocket deer female presented ovarian follicular waves involving the synchron...
Source: Animal Reproduction Science - September 25, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Mayor P, Bodmer RE, López-Béjar M, López-Plana C Tags: Anim Reprod Sci Source Type: research
Maturational changes in the survivability and fertility of fowl sperm during their passage through the male reproductive tract.Email this article to a colleague.
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In conclusion, we suggest that fowl sperm may undergo functional maturation through a process of gradual changes in their survival and fertilization capacities during their passage through the successive parts of the male reproductive tract.
PMID: 21996579 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Animal Reproduction Science - September 25, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Ahammad MU, Nishino C, Tatemoto H, Okura N, Kawamoto Y, Okamoto S, Nakada T Tags: Anim Reprod Sci Source Type: research
Differences between epididymal and ejaculated sperm characteristics in donkey.Email this article to a colleague.
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In this study sperm characteristics of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymis of the donkey was reported and a comparison with ejaculated spermatozoal characteristics was performed. Samples from 10 Martina Franca jackasses were collected and analyzed for viability (Propidium iodide/Sybr-14(®) fluorescent stain), mitochondrial activity (Mitotraker(®) fluorescent stain), objective motility characteristics (by Computer Assisted Sperm Analyzer - CASA) and morphology. A higher viability and mitochondrial activity in the cauda epididymis samples were reported in this paper. Samples reported in this paper were identified and the p...
Source: Animal Reproduction Science - September 25, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Gloria A, Contri A, De Amicis I, Robbe D, Carluccio A Tags: Anim Reprod Sci Source Type: research
The expression of Fas/FasL and apoptosis in yak placentomes.Email this article to a colleague.
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Abstract
To clarify the status and distribution of Fas and Fas-Ligand (FasL) in yak's placentomes, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was carried out to analyze the expression and location of Fas and FasL in paraffin embedded sections. The area of positive stained sites was selected and measured using image analyses software (Image Pro-Plus 6.0). So the positive index (PI) was calculated to estimate the intensity of protein expression according to the percentage of positive area in corresponding compartment of the placentomes. In cotyledonary villi, Fas mainly presented on the villous trophoblast cells in early pregnancy. ...
Source: Animal Reproduction Science - September 25, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Jiangfeng F, Jiu YS, Wen ZZ, Ben L Tags: Anim Reprod Sci Source Type: research
Jamaican Field Cricket Mate Attraction Signals Provide Age CuesEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractOlder males often have a mating advantage, either resulting from the fact that they live longer or resulting from the fact that they both live longer and signal this to females. Male field crickets signal acoustically to attract potential mates. Some field cricket mating signals provide cues about male age while others do not. We explored whether male Jamaican field crickets, Gryllus assimilis, mating signals change with age. Our results show that older males produce chirps with longer pulses, more pulses, at higher pulse and chirp rates, and their chirps are both longer and louder than those produced by younger ma...
Source: Ethology - September 25, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Susan M. BertramVanessa Rook Tags: RESEARCH PAPER Source Type: research
Can changes in provisioning by parent birds account for seasonally declining patterns of offspring recruitment?Email this article to a colleague.
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Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 921-928, e-First articles.
Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology - September 24, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Theoretical Predictions for How Temperature Affects the Dynamics of Interacting Herbivores and PlantsEmail this article to a colleague.
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The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print.
Source: The American Naturalist - September 23, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Persistence in Peripheral Refugia Promotes Phenotypic Divergence and Speciation in a Rainforest FrogEmail this article to a colleague.
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The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print.
Source: The American Naturalist - September 23, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Growth and Development Rates Have Different Thermal ResponsesEmail this article to a colleague.
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The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print.
Source: The American Naturalist - September 23, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Individual Variation in Parental Care Reaction Norms: Integration of Personality and PlasticityEmail this article to a colleague.
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The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print.
Source: The American Naturalist - September 23, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Morphology of the cranial skeleton and musculature in the obligate carnivorous tadpole of Lepidobatrachus laevis (Anura: Ceratophryidae)Email this article to a colleague.
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AbstractZiermann, J.M., Infante, C., Hanken, J. and Olsson, L. 2011. Morphology of the cranial skeleton and musculature in the obligate carnivorous tadpole of Lepidobatrachus laevis (Anura: Ceratophryidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00:1–12.Lepidobatrachus laevis (Ceratophryidae: Ceratophryinae) is a bizarre frog endemic to the Chacoan desert of central South America. Its tadpole is an obligate carnivore that can catch and consume live prey nearly its own size. Morphological adaptations associated with this unique feeding mode, including the larval skull anatomy and associated cranial musculature, have only been part...
Source: Acta Zoologica - September 23, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Janine M. ZiermannCarlos InfanteJames HankenLennart Olsson Source Type: research
Changes in relative abundance of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) across a 265-year gradient of boreal forest successionEmail this article to a colleague.
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Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 908-920, e-First articles.
Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology - September 23, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Signatures of historical demography and pathogen richness on MHC class I genesEmail this article to a colleague.
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Abstract The extreme polymorphism of MHC class I has been argued to be driven by balancing selection from pathogens, with the prediction that populations exposed
to a wider variety of diseases should have higher diversity. We assembled a global database of allotype frequencies for MHC class I genes and investigated possible drivers of genetic diversity, measured in different ways. We first looked for a decline
in diversity with distance from Africa (a consequence of drift during human expansions) and then investigated the link with
pathogen richness once the effect of drift had been corrected for. Using heter...
Source: Immunogenetics - September 23, 2011 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Immunogenetics Source Type: research
Context-related call combinations in female Diana monkeys.Email this article to a colleague.
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In this study, we investigated extensively the vocal behaviour of free-ranging and individually identified Diana monkeys in non-predatory contexts. We found that adult females produced four vocal structures alone ('H', 'L', 'R' and 'A' calls, the latter consisting of two subtypes) or combined in non-random ways ('HA', 'LA' and 'RA' call combinations) in relation to ongoing behaviour or external events. Specifically, the concatenation of an introductory call with the most frequently emitted and contextually neutral 'A' call seems to function as a contextual refiner of this potential individual identifier. Our results demons...
Source: Animal Cognition - September 23, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Candiotti A, Zuberbühler K, Lemasson A Tags: Anim Cogn Source Type: research
Older Poor-Sleeping Women Display a Smaller Evening Increase in Melatonin Secretion and Lower Values of Melatonin and Core Body Temperature Than Good Sleepers.Email this article to a colleague.
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In conclusion, changes in melatonin level and CBT were intact in older poor sleepers in that evening melatonin increased and CBT decreased. However, poor sleepers showed a weaker evening increase in melatonin level, and their DLMO was delayed compared with good sleepers, suggesting that it is not primarily the absolute level of endogenous melatonin, but rather the timing of the circadian rhythm in evening melatonin secretion that might be related to disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle in older people. (Author correspondence: mdittmar@zoologie.uni-kiel.de ).
PMID: 21929299 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Chronobiology International - September 22, 2011 Category: Biology Authors: Olbrich D, Dittmar M Tags: Chronobiol Int Source Type: research
Species Interactions Mediate Phylogenetic Community Structure in a Hyperdiverse Lizard Assemblage from Arid AustraliaEmail this article to a colleague.
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The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print.
Source: The American Naturalist - September 22, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Effect of eCG on early resumption of ovarian activity in postpartum dairy cows.Email this article to a colleague.
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In conclusion, injection of eCG on Day 6 postpartum could assist the early resumption of ovarian activity by enhancing ovarian follicle growth and early ovulation in postpartum cows. In this context, subsequent hCG injection may not provide any more beneficial effect.
PMID: 21975305 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Animal Reproduction Science - September 22, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Rostami B, Niasari-Naslaji A, Vojgani M, Nikjou D, Amanlou H, Gerami A Tags: Anim Reprod Sci Source Type: research
Evidence of Spread of the Emerging Infectious Disease, Finch Trichomonosis, by Migrating birdsEmail this article to a colleague.
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Abstract Finch trichomonosis emerged in Great Britain in 2005 and led to epidemic mortality and a significant population decline of
greenfinches, Carduelis chloris and chaffinches, Fringilla coelebs, in the central and western counties of England and Wales in the autumn of 2006. In this article, we show continued epidemic
spread of the disease with a pronounced shift in geographical distribution towards eastern England in 2007. This was followed
by international spread to southern Fennoscandia where cases were confirmed at multiple sites in the summer of 2008. Sequence
data of the ITS1/5.8S/ITS2 ribosomal re...
Source: EcoHealth - September 21, 2011 Category: Environmental Health Tags: EcoHealth Source Type: research
Changes in the expression of Toll-like receptors in the chicken testis during sexual maturation and Salmonella infection.Email this article to a colleague.
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The objectives of this study were to determine the expression profile of the entire family of the ten chicken TLR genes in the chicken testis, to investigate whether sexual maturation affects their testicular mRNA abundance and to determine the changes in their expression levels in response to Salmonella enteritidis (SE) infection. RNA was extracted from the testis of healthy pre-pubertal, sexually mature and aged birds, and from sexually mature SE infected birds. RT-PCR analysis revealed that all TLRs, apart from TLR1-1 (TLR6), were expressed in the chicken testis. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that the tes...
Source: Animal Reproduction Science - September 21, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Anastasiadou M, Theodoridis A, Avdi M, Michailidis G Tags: Anim Reprod Sci Source Type: research
Zoology: Frogs fog up to absorb waterEmail this article to a colleague.
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Nature 477, 7365 (2011). doi:10.1038/477372a
Green tree frogs remain active in northern Australia during winter, despite a seasonal lack of rain and surface water. It seems that the frogs (Litoria caerulea) get around this by absorbing water that condenses on their skin — increasing their body mass by
Source: Nature - September 21, 2011 Category: Research Tags: Research Highlights Source Type: research
Solar Elevation Triggers Foraging Activity in a Thermophilic AntEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractNycthemeral rhythm is an important biological trait that allows animals to escape predation and competition and, conversely, to coincide with mutualists. Although laboratory studies have shown that the rhythm depends on both endogenous factors and cyclic environmental cues, the latter is often poorly understood, particularly in the wild. Because insects are mostly ectothermal organisms, their activity rhythm is often thought to depend directly on ground temperature. In Mediterranean habitats, Cataglyphis ants are well known for their unusual thermoresistance, allowing them to forage in summer at the central hours o...
Source: Ethology - September 20, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Fernando AmorPatrocinio OrtegaXim CerdáRaphaël R. Boulay Tags: RESEARCH PAPER Source Type: research
Morphology of the cranial skeleton and musculature in the obligate carnivorous tadpole of Lepidobatrachus laevis (Anura: Ceratophryidae)Email this article to a colleague.
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AbstractZiermann, J.M., Infante, C., Hanken, J. and Olsson, L. 2011. Morphology of the cranial skeleton and musculature in the obligate carnivorous tadpole of Lepidobatrachus laevis (Anura: Ceratophryidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00:1–12.Lepidobatrachus laevis (Ceratophryidae: Ceratophryinae) is a bizarre frog endemic to the Chacoan desert of central South America. Its tadpole is an obligate carnivore that can catch and consume live prey nearly its own size. Morphological adaptations associated with this unique feeding mode, including the larval skull anatomy and associated cranial musculature, have only been part...
Source: Acta Zoologica - September 20, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Janine M. Ziermann, Carlos Infante, James Hanken, Lennart Olsson Source Type: research
Observing copepods through a genomic lensEmail this article to a colleague.
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This article provides an overview of genomic studies of copepods and discusses strategies for using genomics tools to address key questions at levels extending from individuals to ecosystems. Genomics can, for instance, help to decipher patterns of genome evolution such as those that occur during transitions from free living to symbiotic and parasitic lifestyles and can assist in the identification of genetic mechanisms and accompanying physiological changes associated with adaptation to new or physiologically challenging environments. The adaptive significance of the diversity in genome size and unique mechanisms of genom...
Source: Frontiers in Zoology - September 20, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: James BronDagmar FrischErica GoetzeStewart JohnsonCarol LeeGrace Wyngaard Source Type: research
Interpopulation Differences in Shoaling Behaviour in Guppies (Poecilia reticulata): Roles of Social Environment and Population OriginEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractIn Trinidad, guppies (Poecilia reticulata) in high‐predation localities show more cohesive shoaling behaviour than those living with less dangerous predators in low‐predation sites. We evaluated the relative contributions of population origin (i.e. genetic and/or maternal effects) and social environment on the expression of shoaling by assessing the behaviour of juveniles reared in a range of social conditions. Focal individuals, offspring of guppies from populations from high‐ or low‐predation localities, were reared in a multifactorial experiment; we created four different social conditions by manipulatin...
Source: Ethology - September 19, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Zhaobin SongMorgan C. BoenkeF. Helen Rodd Tags: RESEARCH PAPER Source Type: research
Molecular analysis of oncogenicity of the transcription factor, BRN3A, in cervical cancer cellsEmail this article to a colleague.
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Conclusions BRN3A possesses anti-apoptotic property, and considering the above results, it may be regarded as the key component in promoting
tumorigenic growth in the uterine cervical cells.
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s00432-011-1059-0Authors
Biswa Pratim Das Purkayastha, Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005 IndiaJagat Kumar Roy, Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005 India
Journal Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical OncologyOnline ISSN 1432...
Source: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology - September 18, 2011 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology Source Type: research
Carryover Effects Associated with Winter Location Affect Fitness, Social Status, and Population Dynamics in a Long-Distance MigrantEmail this article to a colleague.
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The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print.
Source: The American Naturalist - September 17, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Genetic mating system and population history of the endangered Western Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens auricollis) in British Columbia, CanadaEmail this article to a colleague.
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Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 881-891, e-First articles.
Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology - September 17, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Reproductive gonadal steroidogenic activity in the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) assessed by fecal steroid analyses.Email this article to a colleague.
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Abstract
Non-invasive fecal steroid analyses were used to characterize gonadal activity in the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus). Estrogen, progestagen and androgen metabolites were quantified in fecal samples collected for 12 months from four males and 10 females housed at seven North American zoological institutions. Male reproductive hormone concentrations did not vary (P>0.05) among season, and estrogen cycles were observed year-round in females and averaged (±SEM) 19.9±1.0 days. Mean peak estrogen concentration during estrus (460.0±72.6ng/g feces) was five-fold higher than baseline (87.3±14.0ng/g fe...
Source: Animal Reproduction Science - September 17, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Santymire RM, Brown JL, Stewart RA, Santymire RC, Wildt DE, Howard J Tags: Anim Reprod Sci Source Type: research
Development of children's ability to detect kinship through facial resemblance.Email this article to a colleague.
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Abstract
Facial features appear to be a prominent kinship cue for ascribing relatedness among human individuals. Although there is evidence that adults can detect kinship in unrelated and unfamiliar individual's faces, it remains to be seen whether people already possess the ability when they are young. To further understand the development of this skill, we explored children's ability to detect parent-offspring resemblance in unrelated and unfamiliar faces. To this end, we tested approximately 140 children, aged 5-11, in two photo-matching tasks. We used a procedure that asked them to match one neonate's face to o...
Source: Animal Cognition - September 17, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Kaminski G, Gentaz E, Mazens K Tags: Anim Cogn Source Type: research
Capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) use conspecifics' emotional expressions to evaluate emotional valence of objects.Email this article to a colleague.
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Abstract
Emotional expressions provide important clues to other individuals' emotional states, as well as the environmental situations leading to such states. Although monkeys often modify their behavior in response to others' expressions, it is unclear whether this reflects understanding of emotional meanings of expressions, or simpler, non-cognitive processes. The present study investigated whether a New World monkey species, tufted capuchin monkeys, recognize objects as elicitors of others' expressions. Observer monkeys witnessed another individual (demonstrator) reacting either positively or negatively to the c...
Source: Animal Cognition - September 17, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Morimoto Y, Fujita K Tags: Anim Cogn Source Type: research
Differences in gorilla nettle-feeding between captivity and the wild: local traditions, species typical behaviors or merely the result of nutritional deficiencies?Email this article to a colleague.
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Abstract
Behavioral and cognitive studies on captive apes often pay little attention to the specific environmental conditions of their study subjects. A recent report form Byrne et al. (Anim Cogn doi: 10.1007/s10071-011-0403-8 , 2011), comparing nettle-feeding techniques between captive and wild gorillas, claimed to document "the strongest evidence yet to come from any great ape that observational learning of a skilled conspecific" can allow social learning and culture in gorillas. An earlier study with similar findings placed emphasis instead on the many similarities and claims for species typical behavior, thus a...
Source: Animal Cognition - September 17, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Masi S Tags: Anim Cogn Source Type: research
Route selection by rats and humans in a navigational traveling salesman problem.Email this article to a colleague.
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Abstract
Spatial cognition is typically examined in non-human animals from the perspective of learning and memory. For this reason, spatial tasks are often constrained by the time necessary for training or the capacity of the animal's short-term memory. A spatial task with limited learning and memory demands could allow for more efficient study of some aspects of spatial cognition. The traveling salesman problem (TSP), used to study human visuospatial problem solving, is a simple task with modifiable learning and memory requirements. In the current study, humans and rats were characterized in a navigational version...
Source: Animal Cognition - September 17, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Blaser RE, Ginchansky RR Tags: Anim Cogn Source Type: research
How does cognition evolve? Phylogenetic comparative psychology.Email this article to a colleague.
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Abstract
Now more than ever animal studies have the potential to test hypotheses regarding how cognition evolves. Comparative psychologists have developed new techniques to probe the cognitive mechanisms underlying animal behavior, and they have become increasingly skillful at adapting methodologies to test multiple species. Meanwhile, evolutionary biologists have generated quantitative approaches to investigate the phylogenetic distribution and function of phenotypic traits, including cognition. In particular, phylogenetic methods can quantitatively (1) test whether specific cognitive abilities are correlated with...
Source: Animal Cognition - September 17, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Maclean EL, Matthews LJ, Hare BA, Nunn CL, Anderson RC, Aureli F, Brannon EM, Call J, Drea CM, Emery NJ, Haun DB, Herrmann E, Jacobs LF, Platt ML, Rosati AG, Sandel AA, Schroepfer KK, Seed AM, Tan J, van Schaik CP, Wobber V Tags: Anim Cogn Source Type: research
Comprehension and utilisation of pointing gestures and gazing in dog-human communication in relatively complex situations.Email this article to a colleague.
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Abstract
The aim of the present investigation was to study the visual communication between humans and dogs in relatively complex situations. In the present research, we have modelled more lifelike situations in contrast to previous studies which often relied on using only two potential hiding locations and direct association between the communicative signal and the signalled object. In Study 1, we have provided the dogs with four potential hiding locations, two on each side of the experimenter to see whether dogs are able to choose the correct location based on the pointing gesture. In Study 2, dogs had to rely on...
Source: Animal Cognition - September 17, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Lakatos G, Gácsi M, Topál J, Miklósi A Tags: Anim Cogn Source Type: research
Actinomycetes from solitary wasp mud nest and swallow bird mud nest: isolation and screening for their antibacterial activityEmail this article to a colleague.
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Abstract The aim of this study was to isolate and screen actinomycetes from solitary wasp and swallow bird mud nests for antimicrobial
activity. The actinomycetes were isolated from soil of nests of solitary wasp and swallow bird, and identified on the basis
of morphological characteristics and molecular biological methods. A total of 109 actinomycetal isolates were obtained from
12 soil samples (6 from each habitat) using two media. The highest number of actinomycetes were recovered on Humic acid vitamin
agar media (65.13%, n = 71) as compared to actinomycetes isolation agar media (34.86%, n ...
Source: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology - September 16, 2011 Category: Microbiology Tags: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology Source Type: research
Competition and coexistence among short-grass grazers in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South AfricaEmail this article to a colleague.
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Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 900-907, e-First articles.
Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology - September 16, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Arctic herbivore diet can be inferred from stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in C3 plants, faeces, and woolEmail this article to a colleague.
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Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 892-899, e-First articles.
Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology - September 16, 2011 Category: Zoology Tags: article Source Type: research
Prospective memory in the rat.Email this article to a colleague.
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Abstract
The content of prospective memory is comprised of representations of an action to perform in the future. When people form prospective memories, they temporarily put the memory representation in an inactive state while engaging in other activities, and then activate the representation in the future. Ultimately, successful activation of the memory representation yields an action at an appropriate, but temporally distant, time. A hallmark of prospective memory is that activation of the memory representation has a deleterious effect on current ongoing activity. Recent evidence suggests that scrub jays and non-...
Source: Animal Cognition - September 16, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Wilson AG, Crystal JD Tags: Anim Cogn Source Type: research
Pinniped taxonomy: review of currently recognized species and subspecies, and evidence used for their descriptionEmail this article to a colleague.
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We present a composite phylogeny for pinnipeds.4We propose that the genus Arctocephalus be limited to Arctocephalus pusillus, and we resurrect the name Arctophoca for at least six species and subspecies.5We recommend large sample sizes and broad, random sampling in further research on pinniped taxonomy. Taxa should be described based on robust statistical analysis, not by arbitrary division of characters, and molecular research should include analysis of mtDNA and nuDNA.6Finally, we offer suggestions for further taxonomic research (on hybridization in otariids, and to allow consideration of life history data in sampling) i...
Source: Mammal Review - September 15, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: Annalisa BERTAMorgan CHURCHILL Source Type: research
Arborescent organ necrosis syndrome in catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell): a case reportEmail this article to a colleague.
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Source: Journal of Fish Diseases - September 15, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: O O OladeleB E OlufemiG A OladosuO L AjayiA A AdedijiI O Arasi Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research
The sea louse Lepeophtheirus acutus (Caligidae, Siphonostomatoida, Copepoda) as a pathogen of aquarium‐held elasmobranchsEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractLepeophtheirus acutusHeegaard, 1943 (Caligidae, Siphonostomatoida, Copepoda), was collected from or observed on four of six elasmobranch species held at Burgers’ Zoo (Arnhem, The Netherlands). Circumstantial evidence suggested that a zebra shark, Stegostoma fasciatum (Hermann), from the wild carried the infection into the facility, where copepods reproduced and colonized additional hosts. Copepods typically attached on and about the eyes, in the mouth and occasionally about the cloaca and on the claspers. Severe ocular lesions were associated with infections on zebra sharks, a grey reef shark, Carcharhinus amblyr...
Source: Journal of Fish Diseases - September 15, 2011 Category: Zoology Authors: M J L KikM JanseG W Benz Source Type: research
