MedWorm: Zoology

Zoos tighten security as threat of animal poaching grows

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:12:52 +0100

Despite its size, many feel the illegal trade in wildlife is not getting the attention or resources it deservesOpening the door to the animal house, passing a rhino on the way and patting the giraffe inside, Sarah Forsyth points out small white boxes that dot the walls. "Everywhere you look there's a detector or a motion sensor," she says, chuckling in front of one that presented the security firm with a peculiarly zoo-specific problem. "These are the ones the giraffe were licking."She can laugh about it now, but two months ago, when Colchester zoo decided to put in place its new £300,000 alarm system, Forsyth's overriding emotions were panic and disbelief. As curator of the resident rhinos – five southern whites – she is responsible for their care and protection. So when the National...

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The week in wildlife – in pictures

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:19:00 +0100

Squabbles at a 'vulture restaurant', a rescued orangutan and her baby and wintry scenes are among the pick of this week's images from the natural world (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

Today's mystery bird for you to identify | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:30:00 +0100

This southeast Asian mystery bird is atypical amongst those species with similar habitsMystery Bird photographed at the Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Chaiyaphum, Thailand. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]Image: Alex Vargas, 10 January 2012 (with permission) [velociraptorize].Nikon D5000, Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR 1/10s f/5.6 at 420.0mm iso500, With a Kenko 1.4X Teleconverter on. This southeast Asian mystery bird is atypical amongst those species with similar habits. Can you tell me in what way it is atypical? Can you identify this mystery bird's taxonomic family and species? The Rules:1. Keep in mind that people live in zillions of different time zones, and some people are following on their smart phones. So let everyone play the game. Don't spoil it for everyone els...

UK's last wildlife recording course threatened with closure

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:22:34 +0100

The biological identification courses run by Birmingham University have trained hundreds of top ecologistsThe natural world is the litmus paper of the health of our environment. But the last course in the UK which teaches people how to identify plants and animals in the field, and so monitor their changes, is threatened with closure.The biological recording courses operated by Birmingham University have trained hundreds of ecologists who work for the UK's most famous organisations – the National Trust, the Wildlife Trusts, the Natural History Museum, among them – and many more obscure, but vital, charities and research bodies which focus on groups like bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) and conchology (molluscs).Now the university has told staff and students that the course...

The zoo visitors who saw a lion kill an owl can count themselves lucky | Benjamin Mee

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:22:32 +0100

We've had some unexpected animal run-ins at Dartmoor zoo – it can be an unforgettable educational experienceWhen I heard that Colchester zoo had lost one of its owls to one of its lions, my first thought was: "That could have been us, or any other zoo in the country." Although our falcon display takes place a good distance from the bears, wolves, lions and tigers, the birds do sometimes become distracted and make forays into areas they shouldn't.Fortunately, so far, they have always – eventually – returned to the capable gauntlet of David our falconer. Being on the edge of Dartmoor, where big buzzards and falcons are not uncommon other wild birds often fly nearby. I once watched one of our falcons become a speck in the sky a mile away while it checked out a potential mate or rival, a...

Can management regulate the population size of wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) through harvest?

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:18:46 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 163-171, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

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Embryonic and Fetal Development in – Pigmy Rice Rat – Oligoryzomys sp. (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) and its Significance for Being a new Experimental Model

Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia: Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series C — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryOligoryzomys (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) is a common rodent genus from South America that includes a couple of very similar species. Related species have been used as experimental model for understanding several diseases for which these species are reservoirs. In order to provide a better understanding of the embryological aspects of this group, herein we showed data on the embryonic and fetal development in Oligoryzomys sp. Eight specimens of different stages of gestation were obtained from the Collection of the Zoology Museum of University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Gestational ages were estimated by crown‐rump‐length according to Evans and Sack (). To address our analysis after examining the gross morphology, tissues from several organs were processed for light and scanning electr...

Identification of immunogenic proteins of Flavobacterium columnare by two‐dimensional electrophoresis immunoblotting with antibacterial sera from grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes)

Journal of Fish Diseases — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:52:11 +0100

In this study, 14 proteins were identified from cellular components of F. columnare using an immunoblotting approach in two‐dimensional electrophoresis map gels with antibacterial sera from grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes), and then anti‐grass carp‐recombinant Ig (rIg) polyclonal antibodies. These proteins were characterized conclusively by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF/TOF MS). The 14 proteins are immunogenic molecules of F. columnare, including chaperonins DnaK, GroEL and trigger factor, and translation elongation factor G, translation elongation factor Tu, 30S ribosomal subunit protein S1, dihydrolipoamide succinyltransferase, succinyl‐CoA synthetase, SpoOJ regulator protein, alcohol dehydrogen...

Seismic Signaling is Crucial for Female Mate Choice in a Multimodal Signaling Wolf Spider

Ethology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:51:19 +0100

AbstractComplex courtship signals can be dissected into distinct components that can either function independently or via interactions with one another. Male Rabidosa rabida wolf spiders use courtship displays that couple a seismic signal with the waving of an ornamented foreleg. While previous studies suggest that female R. rabida exhibit mate choice and that both the seismic and visual modalities are important in mating interactions, it remains unclear how variation in each component influences female mating decisions. To investigate this, we ran two separate experiments in which we manipulated (1) male diets, to induce variation in the seismic courtship signal, and (2) male foreleg color, to artificially induce variation in visual foreleg ornamentation. To determine the influence of va...

Relationships between yolk androgens and nest density, laying date, and laying order in Western Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea)

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:34:28 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 182-192, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

A new inhibitory pathway in the jellyfish Polyorchis penicillatus

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:34:15 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 172-181, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

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Dates of publication of issues / Dates de parution des numéros

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:17:07 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page iii, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Relationship Between Condition, Aggression, Signaling, Courtship, and Egg Laying in the Field Cricket, Gryllus assimilis

Ethology — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractSexual selection theory suggests males in good condition should be more successful than males in poor condition when competing with rivals for territories and mates. Understanding how condition influences the interplay between aggression, mate attraction, and courtship displays could help explain why variation is maintained in traits that confer fitness. Using laboratory‐reared Jamaican field crickets, Gryllus assimilis, we found that fine‐scale temporal components of mate attraction signals were positively correlated with body condition (residual body mass) and body size; signaling effort was positively correlated with both body condition and fine‐scale temporal signaling components; aggression was positively correlated with signaling effort; number of eggs laid was positive...

Effect of replacing corn with brown rice grain in a total mixed ration silage on milk production, ruminal fermentation and nitrogen balance in lactating dairy cows

Animal Science Journal — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTNine multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to determine the effects of substituting corn grain with brown rice (BR) grain in total mixed ration (TMR) silage on milk yield, ruminal fermentation and nitrogen (N) balance. The TMR silages were made from the ensiling of TMR containing (dry matter basis) 50.1% forage in rice silage and corn silage combination, and 49.9% concentrate. The grain portion of the diets contained 31.2% steam‐flaked corn, 31.2% steam‐flaked BR or an equal mixture of corn and BR. Dietary treatments did not affect dry matter intake, milk yield and milk fat, protein and lactose yields. The ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acid concentrations were not affected by dietary treatment. The urinary N excretion decreased...

Effects of photoperiod on the secretion of growth hormone in female goats

Animal Science Journal — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of photoperiod on the secretion of growth hormone (GH) in goats. Adult female goats were kept at 20°C with an 8‐h or 16‐h photoperiod, and secretory patterns of GH for 4 h (12.00 to 16.00 hours) were compared. In addition, the goats were kept under a 16‐h photoperiod and orally administered saline (controls) or melatonin, and the effects of melatonin on the secretion of GH were examined. GH was secreted in a pulsatile manner. There were no significant differences in pulse frequency between the 8‐ and 16‐h photoperiods; however, GH pulse amplitude tended to be greater in the group with the 16‐h photoperiod (P = 0.1), and mean GH concentrations were significantly greater in the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0....

Feeding Aspergillus awamori reduces skeletal muscle protein breakdown and stimulates growth in broilers

Animal Science Journal — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, feeding A. awamori improves growth performance because skeletal muscle proteolytic activity is reduced and digestibilities of energy and protein are increased. (Source: Animal Science Journal)

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Common nucleotide sequence of structural gene encoding fibroblast growth factor 4 in eight cattle derived from three breeds

Animal Science Journal — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTFibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) is considered as a crucial gene for the proper development of bovine embryos. However, the complete nucleotide sequences of the structural genes encoding FGF4 in identified breeds are still unknown. In the present study, direct sequencing of PCR products derived from genomic DNA samples obtained from three Japanese Black, two Japanese Shorthorn and three Holstein cattle, revealed that the nucleotide sequences of the structural gene encoding FGF4 matched completely among these eight cattle. On the other hand, differences in the nucleotide sequences, leading to substitutions, insertions or deletions of amino acid residues were detected when compared with the already reported sequence from unidentified breeds. We cannot rule out a possibility that the...

Habitat use, population dynamics and species identification of mulgara, Dasycercus blythi and D. cristicauda, in a zone of sympatry in central Australia

Australian Journal of Zoology — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Chris R. Pavey, Catherine E. M. Nano, Steven J. B. Cooper, Jeff R. Cole, Peter J. McDonald (Source: Australian Journal of Zoology)

Amazon rainforest mapped in unprecedented detail

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:17:58 +0100

Scientists record Amazon's structure and biodiversity by bouncing laser beams off forest 400,000 times per secondFive thousand metres above the most biodiverse corner of the Amazon, tropical ecologist Greg Asner and his team see a kaleidoscope of colours among a mass of green.Huddled in a twin-engine Dornier 228 aeroplane called the Carnegie Airborne Observatory, the scientists are capturing multicoloured images of the Peruvian rainforest canopy that verge on the psychedelic.Inside the plane, a machine known as a Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) bounces a laser beam off the forest canopy 400,000 times per second – the result is a three-dimensional map of the forest showing unprecedented detail.In addition, a spectrometre, kept at a temperature of -131C (-204F), measures the biodiversi...

In vitro differentiation of human skin-derived multipotent stromal cells into putative endothelial-like cells

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our data is the first to demonstrate that human dermal skin stromal cells can be differentiated into endothelial lineage. Hence, SSCs represents a novel source of stem/stromal cells for tissue regeneration and the vascularization of engineered tissues. Moreover, the CD146 investigations suggested that the microenvironmental niche might contribute to direct stromal cells multipotency toward certain lineages, which warrants further investigation. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

New species discovered in Suriname - in pictures

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:33:01 +0100

An armoured catfish, a cowboy frog, and a 'Crayola' katydid are among the 46 new species discovered during an expedition to remote areas of Suriname (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

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Generally specialized or especially general? Habitat selection by Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in central Ontario

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:15:06 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 139-149, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Everybody Needs Good Neighbours: Coalition Formation Influences Floater Fight Choice

Ethology — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:04:38 +0100

AbstractIn territorial species, it is sometimes less costly to help a neighbour fight off an intruder than to re‐establish territory boundaries with a new, potentially stronger neighbour. In fiddler crabs, a male resident will only help his neighbour if he is larger than the intruder who, in turn, is larger than the challenged neighbour. Does this influence with whom a territory‐seeking male decides to fight? I show that territory‐seeking males appear to choose opponents based partly on the size of the resident’s nearest neighbour. By avoiding challenging resident males with larger neighbours, territory‐seeking males can reduce the likelihood of initiating a fight with a resident who might gain help from his neighbour that decreases the likelihood that the intruder will win the f...

The complete larval development of Panopeus lacustris Desbonne 1867 (Brachyura: Panopeidae), from the Amazon region, reared in the laboratory

Acta Zoologica — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Abstractde Souza, A.S., da Costa R.M. and Abrunhosa F.A. 2011. The complete larval development of Panopeus lacustris Desbonne 1867 (Brachyura: Panopeidae), from the Amazon region, reared in the laboratory. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 1–16.Larvae of the mud crab Panopeus lacustris were reared in laboratory from ovigerous females collected in the estuarine area of the Caeté River in the Amazonian region. The complete development of this species consisted of four zoeal and one megalopal stages, which were described and illustrated in detail. The results are compared with those of other previous studies on larval development of the species belonging to the genus Panopeus and then briefly discussed. (Source: Acta Zoologica)

Oldest dinosaur nests discovered in South Africa

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:07:28 +0100

Massospondylus nesting site – with fossilised eggs and tiny footprints – is 100m years older than any previously discoveredA dinosaur nesting site older than any discovered before suggests that the creatures were caring mothers early in their evolution. Scientists uncovered clutches of fossilised eggs at the site in the Golden Gate Highlands national park, South Africa, many containing embryos. They also found footprints of hatchlings showing that young dinosaurs stayed in the nest long enough to double in size. The nests belonged to Massospondylus, a six-metre (20ft) ancestor of long-necked "sauropod" dinosaurs that lived 190m years ago. The newly discovered nesting ground is 100m years older than any found before. At least 10 nests were uncovered and each contained up to 34 round egg...

Effects of the inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A2α in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:27:13 +0100

Conclusions Pyrrolidine-2 is a more potent and specific cPLA2α inhibitor than MAFP and AACOCF3 and represents an excellent pharmacological tool to investigate the biosynthesis and the biological roles of cancer. The present study suggests that pyrrolidine-2 could be a potential therapeutic agent for cancer therapy. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s00432-012-1157-7Authors Shenbagamoorthy Sundarraj, Proteomics and Molecular Cell Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641046 TN, IndiaSoundarapandian Kannan, Proteomics and Molecular Cell Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641046 TN, IndiaRamar ...

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Factors shaping gene flow in red deer (Cervus elaphus) in seminatural landscapes of central Europe

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:04:56 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 150-162, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Transcriptional signature of accessory cells in the lateral line, using the Tnk1bp1:EGFP transgenic zebrafish line

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We present a Tg(tnks1bp1:EGFP) stable transgenic line, which we used to establish a transcriptional profile of supporting cells in the zebrafish lateral line. Therefore we are providing a new set of markers specific for supporting cells as well as candidates for functional analysis of this important cell type. This will prove to be a valuable tool for the study of regeneration in the lateral line of zebrafish in particular and for regeneration of neuroepithelia in general. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

Mystery bird: Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:32:00 +0100

One of this tiny Ethiopian mystery bird's calls is a loud whinny that sounds similar to a horseLittle grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis (synonyms, Podiceps ruficollis and Tachybaptus fluviatilis; protonym, Colymbus ruficollis), Pallas, 1764, also known as the common grebe, as the common or little dabchick, red-throated grebe/dabchick or as the red-throated little grebe/dabchick or just as the dabchick, photographed at Lake Zway, one of the freshwater Rift Valley lakes of Ethiopia (Africa). Image: Dan Logen, 6 February 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize].Nikon D300s, 600 mm lens, f/8, 1/1250 sec, ISO 500 Question: This Ethiopian mystery bird speaks to us like horses -- what am I talking about? Can you name this mystery bird's taxonomic family and species?Response: This is a little grebe, T...

Today's mystery bird for you to identify | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0100

This North American mystery bird has no recognised subspeciesMystery Bird photographed at Illinois Beach State Park, Zion, Illinois (USA). [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]Image: Paul Sweet, 12 November 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize to see the complete unaltered image].Sony Alpha-35 camera with a Sony 75-300 mm lens This North American mystery bird is interesting because it has no recognised subspecies, unlike its congeners. Can you identify this mystery bird's taxonomic family and species?About the Daily Mystery Bird: The Rules:1. Keep in mind that people live in 24 different time zones, and some people are following on their iPhones. So let everyone play the game. Don't spoil it for everyone else by identifying the bird in the first 24 to 36 hours.2. If you know t...

The animal kingdom: A very short introduction [Review] | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0100

A concise and readable introduction or refresher for those who wish to learn about animalsDid you know that the most resilient animals on earth can survive temps from -200oC to +150oC? (Incidentally, these are also considered to be amongst the cutest of all animals.) Which evolutionary innovation allowed the beetles to evolve such a fabulous diversity of species? How many times have invertebrates and vertebrates colonised land? What dramatic event can be seen only in the DNA of vertebrates? Did you know that fish and reptiles can't be separated into their own groups simply based on superficial appearances? And did you know that, of the 33 animal phyla, 32 comprise only invertebrates whilst one is a mix of both invertebrates and vertebrates? If you've ever been tempted to read and learn abo...

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Landscape requirements of a primate population in a human-dominated environment

Frontiers in Zoology — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The model results indicate that land development in the Cape Peninsula has pushed baboons into increasingly marginal natural habitat while simultaneously providing them with predictable and easily accessible food sources in human-modified habitats. The resultant spatial competition between humans and baboons explains the high levels of human-baboon conflict and further erosion of the remaining land fragments is predicted to exacerbate competition. This study demonstrates how the quantification of animal landscape requirements can provide a mechanism for identifying priority conservation areas at the human-wildlife interface. (Source: Frontiers in Zoology)

Regulation of aggregate size and pattern by adenosine and caffeine in cellular slime molds

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Adenosine increased the cell division timings thereby making large number of cells available for aggregation and also it marginally increased the cell size contributing to large aggregate size. Reduced cell division rates and decreased cell size in the presence of caffeine makes the aggregates smaller than controls. Both the compounds altered the speed of the chemotactic amoebae causing a variation in aggregate size. Our data strongly suggests that cytosolic glucose and extracellular cAMP levels are the other major determinants regulating aggregate size and pattern. Importantly, the aggregation process is conserved among different lineages of cellular slime molds despite using unrelated signalling molecules for aggregation. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

Spatial Proximity between Newborns Influences the Development of Social Relationships in Bats

Ethology — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:21:00 +0100

AbstractAlthough bats are highly social mammals, the mechanisms influencing the establishment of social structures are far from being fully understood. So far, no study has addressed the effects of spatial proximity between newborns such as that occurring in nursery clusters on the development of preferential associations among individuals. We tested such effects on captive pups of Kuhl’s pipistrelle Pipistrellus kuhlii. During the first 6 wks, we kept them in separate rearing groups. Once able to fly, bats were allowed to freely interact in a common flight room, where those reared in the same groups showed higher rates of amicable interactions (proximity during roosting, allogrooming, huddling) but no effect on aggressive behaviour. Sex also influenced such frequencies, females being ...

Aardvark baby takes its first steps at Antwerpen zoo - video

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:29:54 +0100

Nuru the baby aardvark was born in Antwerpen zoo in Belgium two weeks ago. It is only the 10th baby aardvark born in the zoo in more than 50 years (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

Scott's Last Expedition, Natural History Museum – exhibition review

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:29:00 +0100

Scott's Last Expedition at the Natural History Museum reveals the challenges of conducting a scientific mission in such bitter conditionsAs I wait to enter Scott's Last Expedition, at the Natural History Museum, I check my phone. It's -27C but the wind chill makes it feel more like -38C. Not in London of course, but the South Pole. The weather report is beamed via satellites all over the world, straight from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. With information only a click away, it's easy to forget just how much human toil went into making some of the greatest scientific discoveries.Inside, Lil Stevens, curator of Palaeontology, points me towards a dull-looking grey rock. In 1912, despite suffering from intense frostbite, zoologist Edward Wilson decided to haul it back on his return jou...

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Scientific paper shows California condor still threatened by human activities

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Zoological Society of San Diego) A recently released scientific paper authored by San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research scientists shows the leading causes of death of the endangered California condor in the wild are human influenced, with lead poisoning being the primary factor in juvenile and adult birds. The study found that 70 percent (53 out of 76) of condor moralities can be attributed to human influences. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Who Can I Sleep With?

Psychology Today Sex Center — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:18:35 +0100

From deaths of infants to a litany of zoological diseases, who knew that co-sleeping could be so perilous? Is there anyone you can sleep with safely?read more (Source: Psychology Today Sex Center)

The Birds of America by John James Audubon – in pictures

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:50:00 +0100

On Friday, this masterpiece of ornithological illustration is up for auction – and it's predicted to be the most expensive book ever (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

The Starvation-Predation Trade-Off Predicts Trends in Body Size, Muscularity, and Adiposity between and within Taxa

The American Naturalist — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:40:35 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Historical perspectives of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery: Alfred Blalock (1899–1964)

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:10:16 +0100

Alfred Blalock, the 30th president of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), was born on April 5, 1899, in the small town of Culloden, Georgia. Located in Monroe County in central Georgia, Culloden is approximately 0.8 square miles in size and, according to the United States Census of 1900, had a population of 334. Blalock was the eldest of 5 children born to George Z. Blalock and Martha (Davis) Blalock. The elder Blalock was a merchant and the owner of a cotton plantation. Often referenced as a firm disciplinarian, Blalock’s father placed a significant value on education. According to his sister, Alfred would “…rather [his] mother use the hairbrush on him than [his] father look at him hard.” When Alfred was a youth, the family moved to nearby Jonesboro owing to his ...

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p53 codon 72 polymorphism and endometriosis: a meta-analysis

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:56:10 +0100

Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests that p53 codon 72 Pro/Pro + Arg/Pro genotypes are associated with increased risk of endometriosis in Asian. To validate the association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and endometriosis, further studies with larger participants worldwide are needed. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory General GynecologyPages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s00404-012-2226-5Authors Shuting Jia, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging and Tumor, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Chenggong Campus, 727 South Jingming Road, Kunming, 650500 Yunnan, ChinaLin Xu, Department of Gynaecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, ChinaYing Chan, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of ...

Native forest birds in unprecedented trouble, according to University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers

EurekAlert! - Biology — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Hawaii at Manoa) Native birds at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge are in unprecedented trouble, according to a paper recently published in the journal PLoS ONE. The paper, titled "Changes in timing, duration, and symmetry of molt of Hawaiian forest birds," was authored by University of Hawai'i at Manoa zoology professor Leonard Freed and cell and molecular biology professor Rebecca Cann. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)

Sperm nucleus decondensation, hyaluronic acid (HA) binding and oocyte activation capacity: different markers of sperm immaturity? Case reports

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:00:03 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Gamete BiologyPages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s10815-012-9710-5Authors Am Junca, UNILABS, Clinique de la Muette, 55 Rue St Didier, 75116 Paris, FranceBeatriz Gonzalez Marti, UNILABS, Clinique de la Muette, 55 Rue St Didier, 75116 Paris, FranceElisabetta Tosti, Stazione Zoologica, Villa comunale 1, 80121 Naples, ItalyMarc Cohen, Procrelys, Maison médicale Ambroise Paré, 28 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, FranceDidier De la fontaine, UNILABS, Clinique de la Muette, 55 Rue St Didier, 75116 Paris, FranceMoncef Benkhalifa, UNILABS, Clinique de la Muette, 55 Rue St Didier, 75116 Paris, FranceYves Ménézo, UNILABS, Clinique de la Muette, 55 Rue St Didier, 75116 Paris, France Journal Journal of Assisted Reproduction and GeneticsOnline ISSN 1573-7330Print ISS...

The pheromones of laying workers in two honeybee sister species: Apis cerana and Apis mellifera

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:59:34 +0100

Abstract When a honeybee colony loses its queen, workers activate their ovaries and begin to lay eggs. This is accompanied by a shift in their pheromonal bouquet, which becomes more queen like. Workers of the Asian hive bee Apis cerana show unusually high levels of ovary activation and this can be interpreted as evidence for a recent evolutionary arms race between queens and workers over worker reproduction in this species. To further explore this, we compared the rate of pheromonal bouquet change between two honeybee sister species of Apis cerana and Apis mellifera under queenright and queenless conditions. We show that in both species, the pheromonal components HOB, 9-ODA, HVA, 9-HDA, 10-HDAA and 10-HDA have significantly higher amounts in laying workers than in non-laying...

Mystery bird: Striated heron, Butorides striata | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:33:00 +0100

Even though it's not migratory, this Malaysian mystery bird species pops up in tropical wetlands around the worldStriated heron, Butorides striata (synonym, Butorides striatus; protonym, Ardea striata), Linnaeus, 1758, also known as the mangrove heron or mangrove bittern, as the little mangrove heron, the little heron, as the eastern green heron, the little green heron or as the green-backed heron, or as Anthony's green heron or as Frazar's green heron, or, colloquially, as the fly-up-the-creek, as the Shite-poke, shitpoke, or simply as the poke, photographed at Mabul island, south-eastern coast of Sabah (Malaysia). Image: Konstans Wells, 28 December 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize].Nikon D90, 105 mm AF-S Nikkor lens 18-105 mm ED Question: This Malaysian mystery bird species is qui...

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Today's mystery bird for you to identify | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0100

This South American mystery bird is notable amongst its congeners for one of its traitsMystery Bird photographed at Minca, Magdalena department, Colombia (South America). [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]Image: Nick Athanas/Tropical Birding, 8 November 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize]. Canon EOS 7D This South American mystery bird is notable amongst its congeners for one of its traits. Which trait might that be? Can you name these birds' taxonomic family and species?About the Daily Mystery Bird: The Rules:1. Keep in mind that people live in zillions of different time zones around the globe, and some people are following on their mobile phones. So let everyone play the game. Wait to identify the bird until 24 to 36 hours after it's been published.2. If you know the bir...

Winter walk [video] | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

A winter walk through the hills near the Natural History Museum in TringIf you're like me, you're probably wondering what happened to winter this year. In my neck of the woods, we had a light dusting of snow that lasted for roughly three hours this winter season, and it doesn't look as though any more is on the way. So if you're missing snow, here's a nice little video, courtesy of the Natural History Museum in Tring, of a winter walk around the snowy hills of Tring with museum botanist Fred Rumsey: Visit NaturalHistoryMuseum's YouTube channel [video link]. What animal was chewing on the cherry stones? .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. The Natural History Museum at Tring is on facebook and on twitter @NHM_Visiting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. twitter: @GrrlScientist facebook: grrl...

Fine scale analysis of gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster gonads reveals Programmed cell death 4 promotes the differentiation of female germline stem cells

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We propose that Pdcd4 promotes the differentiation of GSC daughter cells by relieving the eIF4A-mediated inhibition of Bam. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

Mystery bird: Half-collared kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:30:00 +0100

This Ethiopian mystery bird is interesting because none of its family members can be found on three continentsHalf-collared kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata, Swainson, 1823, photographed at Wondo Genet, central Ethiopia (Africa). Image: Dan Logen, 31 January 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize].Nikon D300s, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender, f/5.6, 1/200 sec, ISO 400 Question: This Ethiopian mystery bird is interesting because none of its family members can be found on three continents. Can you name those continents? Can you identify this mystery bird's taxonomic family and species?Response: This is a half-collared kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata, a species of river kingfisher in the taxonomic family, Alcedinidae. The river kingfishers in the genus, Alcedo, feed almost exclusively on fish a...

Today's mystery bird for you to identify | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0100

This North American mystery bird is out of its normal range Mystery Bird photographed on the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas (USA). [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]Image: Dave Rintoul, 4 January 2012 (with permission) [velociraptorize].Canon EOS10D body, 100-400 mm f/5.6 Canon IS zoom lens This North American mystery bird is out of its normal range. Can you tell me where this species is usually found and why it is out of its typical range? Can you identify this bird's taxonomic family and species?About the Daily Mystery Bird: The Rules:1. Keep in mind that people live in zillions of different time zones around the globe, and some people are following on their mobile phones. So let everyone play the game. Wait to identify the bi...

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An aerolysin‐like enterotoxin from Vibrio splendidus may be involved in intestinal tract damage and mortalities in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), and cod, Gadus morhua L., larvae

Journal of Fish Diseases — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:33:21 +0100

AbstractVibrio splendidus is a pathogen that can cause major losses during the early stages of larval turbot rearing when live feed (rotifers or Artemia) is used. As haemolytic bacteria have often been associated with larval rearing losses, we studied the role of the V. splendidus haemolysin in infection of larvae. From a bank of over 10 000 transposon mutants of V. splendidus, two different types of haemolysin‐negative mutants were obtained. Both had lost virulence for larval fish, and immunohistochemistry showed that the transposon mutant studied colonized the turbot larval intestinal tract at a similar level to the wild‐type organism but did not cause damage or signs of enteritis found with the wild‐type organism. One transposon insertion site was located within a gene with hi...

Parasites and hepatic lesions among pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (Walbaum), during early seawater residence

Journal of Fish Diseases — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:33:19 +0100

AbstractJuvenile pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (Walbaum), in the Broughton Archipelago region of western Canada were surveyed over 2 years for sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus clemensi), gross and microscopic lesions and evidence of infections with viruses and bacteria. The 1071 fish examined had an approximate ocean residence time no longer than 3 months. A high prevalence of degenerative liver lesions, renal myxosporean parasites and a low prevalence of skin lesions and sea lice were observed. No indications of viral or bacterial diseases were detected in either year. The monthly prevalence of sea lice in 2007 (18–51%) was higher than in 2008 (1–26%), and the infestation density exceeded the lethal threshold in only two fish. Degenerative hepatic lesions and re...

Tetradecylthioacetic acid modulates cardiac transcription in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., suffering heart and skeletal muscle inflammation

Journal of Fish Diseases — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:33:14 +0100

AbstractHeart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) is a disease causing considerable mortality in farmed Atlantic salmon. We have previously reported that pre‐feeding of tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) reduces the mortality during a natural outbreak of HSMI. In the present paper we show that in the cardiac ventricle, during HSMI infection, pre‐feeding TTA increases the expression of the immune genes: TNFα, VCAM‐1, IgM and CD8α. We also show that TTA increases the cardiosomatic index potentially by elevating cardiomyogenesis through activation of the cardiac transcription factors MEF2C and Nkx2.5. Using the recently published genomic sequence of a HSMI associated piscine reovirus (PRV), we could show that the PRV levels have no confounding effects on the mRNA expression of the in...

Nutrition and health of aquaculture fish

Journal of Fish Diseases — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:33:12 +0100

This study reviews knowledge of the effect of diet nutrients on health, welfare and improvement of disease resistance in fish. (Source: Journal of Fish Diseases)

Field tests of Poly(I:C) immunization with nervous necrosis virus (NNV) in sevenband grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus (Thunberg)

Journal of Fish Diseases — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:33:10 +0100

AbstractIt was recently reported that Poly(I:C) immunization with live nervous necrosis virus (NNV) confers protection in sevenband grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus (Thunberg), from NNV infection. In the present study, we conducted field tests with sevenband grouper for the evaluation of Poly(I:C) immunization efficacy. In the first experiment, sevenband grouper were immunized with NNV followed by Poly(I:C) administration 7 weeks before natural occurrence of viral nervous necrosis (VNN). Survival rate of the naïve fish was 71.0%, whereas that of the immunized fish was 99.8%. In the second experiment, sevenband grouper were immunized 10 months before VNN occurrence and survival rate of the non‐treated and vaccinated fish was 79.5% and 97.5%, respectively. In the third experiment,...

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Repeated Recent Aggressive Encounters Do Not Affect Behavioral Consistency in Male Siamese Fighting Fish

Ethology — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:32:28 +0100

This study demonstrates that consistent individual differences and decision‐making strategies may be resistant to recent aggressive experiences, even over a period of days. (Source: Ethology)

New to nature No 63: Dalara garuda

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:04:10 +0100

A fearsome giant 'warrior wasp' discovered in a tropical forest in Indonesia uses its huge jaws to grab hold of its mateLynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology at the University of California in Davis, has discovered a 2.5in wasp that has jaws longer than its front legs and a particularly fierce appearance. The description of the species is not yet published so its scientific name is not official, but Kimsey will name it Garuda, after the national symbol of Indonesia – a mythological, part-human, part-eagle warrior that has wide wings, great speed and superb fighting skills.Her Garuda, which she describes as the Komodo dragon of wasps, was collected in the Mekongga Mountains on Sulawesi island, which, like Australia and Madagascar, has an inordinate percentage of species...

How a heroic hunt for penguin eggs became 'the worst journey in the world'

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:42:08 +0100

Scott centennial at Natural History Museum recalls horrific trip across polar wastes to prove link between birds and reptilesHenry Bowers, Apsley Cherry-Garrard and Bill Wilson took 35 days to collect three emperor penguin eggs in July 1911. In the middle of the Antarctic winter, they had to survive intense blizzards and temperatures that plunged to –60C. It was pitch black and the three had to navigate by candlelight and the stars. They took turns falling into crevasses. Cherry's teeth chattered so violently that they shattered, while Wilson was blinded in one eye by a blob of boiling blubber from a camp stove.In the end, the three men – members of Robert Scott's doomed expedition to the south pole – returned to their base camp, utterly exhausted and close to death, with the three p...

Effect of iodine, selenium and cobalt rumen boluses given to dry dairy cows on the immunoglobulin and thyroid hormone status of calves

Animal Science Journal — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The objective was to determine the effect of rumen boluses containing 6800 mg iodine, 1000 mg selenium and 1000 mg cobalt given to dry dairy cows on the efficiency of colostral immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption in calves. Thirteen cows received the bolus approximately 58 days before calving. A further 12 cows received no bolus and were used as controls. The cows were housed as one group. Calves were prevented from suckling for the first 24 h of life, and were given three feeds of a fixed quantity of colostrum. At 24 h, the average plasma concentrations of IgG in the calves were 15.5 and 13.4 g/L for the control and bolus groups, respectively; these were not significantly different (P = 0.212). Bolus treatment was associated with higher levels of free and total tri‐iodot...

Ectopic expression of Cyclase associated protein CAP restores the streaming and aggregation defects of Adenylyl Cyclase A deficient Dictyostelium discoideum cells

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Collectively, our data shows a novel role of CAP in regulating cell adhesion mechanisms during development that might be envisioned to unravel the functions of mammalian CAP during animal embryogenesis. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

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Interrelations among Immune Defense Indexes Reflect Major Components of the Immune System in a Free-Living Vertebrate

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:50:21 +0100

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 85, Issue 1, Page 1-10, January 2012. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

No Effect of Carotenoid Supplementation on Phytohemagglutinin Response or Body Condition of Nestling House Wrens

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:30:06 +0100

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 85, Issue 1, Page 21-28, January 2012. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Tissue Carbon Incorporation Rates and Diet-to-Tissue Discrimination in Ectotherms: Tortoises Are Really Slow

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:29:57 +0100

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 85, Issue 1, Page 96-105, January 2012. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Effect of Dietary Restriction on Immune Response of Laboratory Mice Divergently Selected for Basal Metabolic Rate

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:29:52 +0100

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 85, Issue 1, Page 51-61, January 2012. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Cocoon and Epidermis of Australian Cyclorana Frogs Differ in Composition of Lipid Classes That Affect Water Loss

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:29:49 +0100

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 85, Issue 1, Page 40-50, January 2012. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

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Determining Seabird Body Condition Using Nonlethal Measures

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:29:44 +0100

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 85, Issue 1, Page 85-95, January 2012. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Sex and Proximity to Reproductive Maturity Influence the Survival, Final Maturation, and Blood Physiology of Pacific Salmon When Exposed to High Temperature during a Simulated Migration

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:29:41 +0100

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 85, Issue 1, Page 62-73, January 2012. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Expression Analysis of Glycerol Synthesis–Related Liver Transcripts in Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) Exposed to a Controlled Decrease in Temperature

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:29:39 +0100

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 85, Issue 1, Page 74-84, January 2012. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Impact of Body Reserves on Energy Expenditure, Water Flux, and Mating Success in Breeding Male Northern Elephant Seals

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:29:35 +0100

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 85, Issue 1, Page 11-20, January 2012. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Neural Thermal Performance in Porcelain Crabs, Genus Petrolisthes

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:29:32 +0100

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 85, Issue 1, Page 29-39, January 2012. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

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Indirect closing of elytra by the prothorax in beetles (Coleoptera): general observations and exceptions.

Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Frantsevich L Abstract Voluntary movements of the prothorax and the elytra in tethered flying beetles and manually induced movements of these parts in fresh dead beetles were recorded in 30 species representing 14 families. Participation of prothoracic elevation in the closing of the elytra was demonstrated in three ways. (i) The elevation was always simultaneous with elytral closing, in contrast to depression and elytral opening; a rare exception occurred in Lucanus cervus, whose elytra sometimes started to close before the cessation of wing strokes and the elevation of the prothorax. (ii) The manipulated elevation always induced closing of the spread elytra; the mechanical interaction between the hind edge of the pronotum and the roots of the elytra is a universal mechan...

The need for speed: testing acceleration for estimating animal travel rates in terrestrial dead-reckoning systems.

Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We describe a method by which these errors can be minimised, by periodic ground-truthing (e.g., by GPS or VHF telemetry) of the dead-reckoned track and adjusting the relationship between speed and ODBA until actual known positions and dead-reckoned positions accord. PMID: 22244455 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Zoology)

Prey handling using whole-body fluid dynamics in batoids.

Zoology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, the kinematics and hydrodynamics of prey handling behavior in little skates, Leucoraja erinacea, and round stingrays, Urobatis halleri, are compared using kinematics and particle image velocimetry. Both species use the body to form a tent to constrain the prey with the pectoral fin edges pressed against the substrate. Stingrays then elevate the head, which increases the volume between the body and the substrate to generate suction, while maintaining pectoral fin contact with the substrate. Meanwhile, the tip of the rostrum is curled upwards to create an opening where fluid is drawn under the body, functionally analogous to suction-feeding fishes. Skates also rotate the rostrum upwards although with the open rostral sides and the smaller fin area weaker fluid flow is generate...

Female Preferences for Male Vocal and Facial Masculinity in Videos

Ethology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractVocal and facial masculinity are cues to underlying testosterone in men and influence women’s mate preferences. Consistent with the proposal that facial and vocal masculinity signal common information about men, prior work has revealed correlated female preferences for male facial and vocal masculinity. Previous studies have assessed women’s preferences for male facial and vocal masculinity by presenting faces and voices independently and using static face stimuli. By contrast, here we presented women with short video clips in which male faces and voices were simultaneously manipulated in masculinity. We found that women who preferred masculine faces also preferred masculine voices. Furthermore, women whose faces were rated as relatively more attractive preferred both facial an...

Desmosomal cadherins in zebrafish epiboly and gastrulation

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These results demonstrate an important role for DCs and desmosomes in the early morphogenesis of the zebrafish embryo, provide a basis for more detailed analysis of their role and raise interesting questions relating to the evolution and functional significance of DC isoforms. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

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HOXA13 and HOXD13 expression during development of the syndactylous digits in the marsupial Macropus eugenii

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This is the first examination of HOXA and HOXD gene expression in a marsupial. The gene structure and predicted proteins were highly conserved with their eutherian orthologues. Interestingly, despite the morphological differences in hindlimb patterning, there were no modifications to the polyalanine tract of either HOXA13 or HOXD13 when compared to those of the mouse and bat but there was a marked difference between the tammar and the other mammals in the region of the first polyserine tract of HOXD13. There were also altered expression domains for both genes in the developing tammar limbs compared to the chicken and mouse. Together these findings suggest that the timing of HOX gene expression may contribute to the heterochrony of the forelimb and hindlimb and that alteration ...

Socially Influenced Behaviour and Learning in Locusts

Ethology — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:17:06 +0100

AbstractAs a part of our research on the evolution of social learning in insects, we examined socially influenced behaviour and social learning in desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) nymphs and adults. In the nymphs, the only positive effect we documented was an increased tendency to feed while in the company of another locust than alone. The adults, on the other hand, showed significant preference for joining others (local enhancement) in both the contexts of feeding and egg laying. Neither nymphs nor adults, however, showed social learning. Our preliminary analyses pointed to locusts as a likely insect that might possess social learning. Our research, when taken together with research on phase‐shifts and swarm/marching behaviour of gregarious locusts, suggests that the behavioural dy...

Inclusion of seminal plasma in sperm cryopreservation of Iberian pig.

Animal Reproduction Science — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, replacement of 25% of the water by SP as diluent in the freezing extender could be considered the maximum percentage of inclusion, without harmful effects to the sperm. In addition, this proportion of SP maintained Iberian sperm quality for longer time when it was present during the freezing and thawing process. PMID: 22266249 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Animal Reproduction Science)

MicroRNA expression profile in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes: Possible role of let-7 and miR-106a in the development of bovine oocytes.

Animal Reproduction Science — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The objectives of this study included: (1) identify the expression of miRNAs specific to bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) during late oogenesis, (2) characterize the expression of candidate miRNAs as well as some miRNA processing genes, and (3) computationally identify and characterize the expression of target mRNAs for candidate miRNAs. Small RNAs in the 16-27bp range were isolated from pooled COCs aspirated from 1- to 10-mm follicles of beef cattle ovaries and used to construct a cDNA library. A total 1798 putative miRNA sequences from the cDNA library of small RNA were compared to known miRNAs. Sixty-four miRNA clusters matched previously reported sequences in the miRBase database and 5 miRNA clusters had not been reported. TaqMan miRNA assays were used to confirm the expression o...

Effects of Haematococcus pluvialis in maternal diet on reproductive performance and egg quality in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Animal Reproduction Science — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, this study showed that female rainbow trout appear to benefit from inclusion of H.p in diet during their reproductive stages in terms of improved egg quality. PMID: 22277839 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Animal Reproduction Science)

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Lipid-rich blastomeres in the two-cell stage of porcine parthenotes show bias toward contributing to the embryonic part.

Animal Reproduction Science — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study was designed to determine the fate of the blastomeres in two-cell porcine parthenotes that display uneven size (larger vs. smaller) or cytoplasmic brightness (darker vs. brighter) during development to the blastocyst stage. For the non-invasive tracing of cell lineage, lipophilic fluorescence dye DiI (red) and DiD (blue) was randomly microinjected into each of two different blastomeres in each embryo. In blastocysts derived from the two-cell parthenotes with unevenly-sized blastomeres, no biased contribution was found in the progeny of either blastomere. However, in the blastocysts derived from the two-cell parthenote having different cytoplasmic brightnesses, the progeny of darker (more lipid-rich cytoplasm) blastomeres were more than two-fold more likely to form the embryonic ...

Rapid freezing without cooling equilibration in canine sperm.

Animal Reproduction Science — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, use of 5% glycerol and freezing in LN(2) vapor were essential for the rapid freezing of canine sperm without cooling equilibration. In particular, holding for 2min in LN(2) vapor was sufficient to yield successful rapid freezing. This rapid freezing method is simple and effective in canine sperm and would be helpful to offer information for trial of vitrification in large volumes of canine sperm. PMID: 22277841 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Animal Reproduction Science)

Ovarian and placental expression of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase during pregnancy in deer.

Animal Reproduction Science — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we cloned and expressed the gene encoding elk deer 20α-HSD from reproductive placental and ovarian tissues. PCR, 3'- and 5'-RACE, and northern blot analysis were performed for the cloning and characterization of deer 20α-HSD gene. We expressed recombinant deer 20α-HSD protein and used western blot analysis to determine protein expression levels in the placenta and ovary during pregnancy. The full cDNA sequence of 20α-HSD was used to clone an open reading frame encoding 323 amino acids and consisting of 1142bp. The nucleotide sequence of deer 20α-HSD showed high homology with the sequences of the bovine (96%), goat (96%), and human (83%) 20α-HSD genes. 20α-HSD mRNA was strongly expressed in the placenta on days 30, 60, and 70 of pregnancy. A high level of the protein w...

Sperm viability of canine and caprine semen samples preserved in a dry shipper.

Animal Reproduction Science — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study assessed the efficacy of a dry shipper to preserve canine and caprine semen samples. After equilibration, semen straws from six Majorera bucks and five dogs were frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen (LN). Thirty days after freezing, half of the frozen straws were transferred from LN to a dry shipper (DS). Then, thawing was performed at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days and the percentages of motile spermatozoa, acrosome intact spermatozoa and abnormal spermatozoa were determined. The sperm motility (total and progressive) of canine semen samples preserved with DS was quite similar to those preserved in LN, and no significant differences were observed throughout the experimental period. In addition, no differences were observed in the number of abnormal spermatozoa (range: 13.2-19.0%) or int...

Alterations in follicular fluid estradiol, progesterone and insulin concentrations during ovarian acyclicity in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Animal Reproduction Science — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, acyclic buffaloes have lower concentrations of estradiol and insulin concurrent with higher concentrations of progesterone in the follicular fluid. These hormonal changes in the follicular microenvironment are possibly a manifestation of the disturbances in the normal follicular development leading to anovulation and anestrus in acyclic buffaloes. PMID: 22277844 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Animal Reproduction Science)

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Timing of lactational oestrus in intermittent suckling regimes: Consequences for sow fertility.

Animal Reproduction Science — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Soede NM, Laurenssen B, Abrahamse-Berkeveld M, Gerritsen R, Dirx-Kuijken N, Langendijk P, Kemp B Abstract Three intermittent suckling (IS) regimes were evaluated for their effects on lactational oestrus and subsequent fertility. Control sows were weaned (CW; n=38) at d 26±2 of lactation. In IS19-7D (n=40) and IS19-14D (n=42) sows, IS started at d 19±1 of lactation and sows were weaned 7 or 14d later. In IS26-7D (n=41), IS started at d 26±1 of lactation and sows were weaned 7d later. During IS, sows were separated from their piglets for 10h/day. Oestrus detection was performed twice daily without a boar and ovulation was confirmed by ultrasound once a week. In IS19-7D, IS19-14D and IS26-7D, respectively, 50%, 64% and 61% of the sows showed oestrus and ovulation during IS...

Nitric oxide concentrations, estradiol-17β progesterone ratio in follicular fluid, and COC quality with respect to perifollicular blood flow in cows.

Animal Reproduction Science — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, E2:P4, and NO concentrations in FF, as well as FBF, could be used to determine the functionality of ovarian follicles in cows. Moreover, determination of FBF could be useful to predict quality of COCs in cattle. PMID: 22281101 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Animal Reproduction Science)

In This Issue [This Week in PNAS]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Unconventional muscle pain signalingpnas;109/2/347/UNFIG01F1unfig01Substance P can be inhibited by a known isoflavone isolated from soybeans. Image courtesy of Chia-Wen Wong (Institute of Zoology, National Taiwan University) and Wei-Li Wu (Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica).Substance P (SP) is a pain neurotransmitter that helps excite and transmit pain signals from neural cells in many organs. Though high levels of SP in muscle tissues and spinal fluid are frequently associated with chronic muscle pain, the role of SP in muscle pain transmission and perception remains unclear. Chia-Ching John Lin et al. (pp. 363–364) used mice that lacked SP signaling to test how... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

Mystery bird: Verreaux's eagle, Aquila verreauxii | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:31:00 +0100

This African mystery bird is a highly specialised predator on a tiny relative of the elephantVerreaux's eagle, Aquila verreauxii (protonym, Aquila Verreauxii), Lesson, 1831, also known as the African black eagle or erroneously, as the black eagle, photographed high in the Champagne Valley in the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa. Image: James Borrell, 5 November 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize]. Cannon 220D with a Canon EF 75-300mm lens / 1:4-5.6UV filter Question: This huge South African mystery bird has an enormous range, but it is found only in special places within that range. Can you explain why? Can you identify this bird's taxonomic family and species? Response: This is an adult Verreaux's eagle, Aquila verreauxii, a member in accipitridae. These large black eagles are hig...

Evidence for a magnitude effect in temporal discounting with pigeons.

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A magnitude effect in human intertemporal choice is well established—larger rewards or outcomes are discounted over time at a lower rate than are smaller rewards. However, many recent studies have failed to find a corresponding effect in nonhuman animals. Here we report a magnitude effect in temporal discounting for pigeons' choices involving a tradeoff between reward delay and amount. Pigeons chose between a small reward (1-s access to food) after a 2-s delay, and a large reward (4.5-s access to food) after a 28-s delay. Across conditions, the delays to the small and large rewards were increased or decreased, respectively. Temporal discounting functions obtained through a value-estimation procedure showed clear evidence of a magnitude effect: The value of the large reward decreased more...

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Classical conditioning mechanisms can differentiate between seeing and doing in rats.

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We show that the attentional-associative SLG model of classical conditioning, based on the 1996 research of Schmajuk, Lam, and Gray, correctly describes experimental results regarded as evidence of causal learning in rats: (a) interventions attenuate responding following common-cause training but do not interfere on subsequent responding during observation, and (b) interventions do not affect responding after direct-cause training or (c) causal-chain training. According to the model, responding to the weakly attended test stimulus is strongly inhibited by the intervention in the common-cause case. Instead, in the direct-cause and causal-chain cases, the strongly attended test stimulus becomes inhibitory, thereby overshadowing the inhibitory effect of interventions. Most importantly, ...

Salience modulation in serial preexposure: Implications for perceptual learning.

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In three experiments rats were given serial preexposure to two flavor stimuli. In Experiment 1, some animals were given exposure to AX followed by the presentation of BX, a forward schedule; the others were given backward preexposure (BX→AX). Conditioning and test trials with the A element showed that salience or effectiveness of A was better protected in the forward than in the backward condition. Experiments 2 and 3 assessed the relevance of this salience modulation mechanism for perceptual learning. In these experiments, generalization of a conditioned aversion from AX to BX was reduced in the forward (but not in the backward) condition only after prolonged exposure, indicating that the establishment of an inhibitory link from B to A is required for successful discrimination. Howe...

Correction to Jones and Haselgrove (2011).

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Reports an error in "Overshadowing and associability change" by Peter M. Jones and Mark Haselgrove ( Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes , 2011[Jul], Vol 37[3], 287-299). The number of sessions and trials given for Experiment 1 is incorrect. The correct number of sessions and trials are presented in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2011-07615-001 .) Three appetitive Pavlovian conditioning experiments with rats examined the associability of stimuli A and B that had a history of compound conditioning (AB+), relative to stimuli X and Y that had a history of conditioning in isolation (X+, Y+). Following this training, Experiment 1 revealed that conditioned responding was higher to X and Y than to A and B (overshadowing)....

Associative status of the training context determines the effectiveness of compound extinction.

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Studies of extinction of a target cue in compound with another excitor have produced evidence of both deepened and attenuated extinction relative to elemental extinction. The present experiments sought to resolve this discrepancy by assessing the effect of the extinction context-unconditioned stimulus (US) association on compound extinction. In an ABC renewal situation with rats, Experiment 1 replicated the observation that enhanced extinction (i.e., reduced conditioned suppression) occurs as a result of nonreinforcement in compound with a concurrent excitor. In Experiment 2, inflation of the extinction context-US association through unsignaled, intertrial US presentations reversed the effect of a concurrent excitor (i.e., extinction with a concurrent excitor was less effective than elemen...

Mystery bird: Chestnut-naped forktail, Enicurus ruficapillus | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:30:00 +0100

These gorgeous southeast Asian mystery birds are named for their long distinctive tail (includes video)Chestnut-naped forktail, Enicurus ruficapillus, Temminck, 1832, also known as the chestnut-backed forktail, photographed at Sri Phang Nga National Park, Phang Nga province on the Malay Peninsula in Thailand. Image: Alex Vargas, 20 May 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize].Nikon D5000, Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR 1/40s f/4.0 at 300.0mm iso800 Question: This Thai mystery bird is part of an interesting little genus that was recently relocated from one taxonomic family into another. What family was this bird originally placed into and what family is it now part of? Can you identify this bird? What sex is this bird?Response: This is an adult male chestnut-naped forktail, Enicurus rufi...

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Today's mystery bird for you to identify | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0100

This Ethiopian mystery bird is easily confused with another species Mystery Bird photographed in the Lake Zway area in the Rift Valley of Ethiopia (Africa). [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]Image: Dan Logen, 30 January 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize].Nikon D300s, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender, f6.3, 1/5000 sec, ISO 640 This Ethiopian mystery bird is special because it is quite international. What am I talking about? This mystery bird is easily confused with another species -- which species is that and how can you distinguish them? Can you identify this mystery bird's taxonomic family and species? About the Daily Mystery Bird: The Rules:1. Keep in mind that people live in zillions of different time zones around the globe, and some people are following on their mobile ...

Birdbooker Report 204 | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0100

Compiled by an ardent bibliophile, this weekly report tells about two bird field guides -- a book and an audio CD -- that are hot-off-the-presses in North America and the UKBooks to the ceiling, Books to the sky,My pile of books is a mile high.How I love them! How I need them!I'll have a long beard by the time I read them. ~ Arnold Lobel [1933-1987] author of many popular children's books. Compiled by Ian "Birdbooker" Paulsen, the Birdbooker Report is a weekly report listing the wide variety of nature, natural history, ecology, animal behaviour, science and history books that have been newly released or republished in North America and in the UK. The books listed here were received by Ian during the previous week, courtesy of various publishing houses. New and Recent Titles: Connop, Scott...

Reduced response to an estrous induction program in postpartum beef cows treated with zilpaterol and gaining body weight.

Animal Reproduction Science — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, despite an increase in body weight and a positive change in BCS, the reduction in insulin and IGF-I concentrations, associated with βAR treatment, reduced the response to induction of estrus. However only IGF-I, but not leptin or insulin, significantly influenced the odds for the occurrence of luteal activity after estrous induction in cattle with poor BCS. PMID: 22277845 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Animal Reproduction Science)

John Brockman: the man who runs the world's smartest website

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:05:00 +0100

Since the mid-1960s John Brockman has been at the cutting edge of ideas. He is a passionate advocate of both science and the arts, and his website Edge is a salon for the world's finest mindsTo say that John Brockman is a literary agent is like saying that David Hockney is a photographer. For while it's true that Hockney has indeed made astonishingly creative use of photography, and Brockman is indeed a successful literary agent who represents an enviable stable of high-profile scientists and communicators, in both cases the description rather understates the reality. More accurate ways of describing Brockman would be to say that he is a "cultural impresario" or, as his friend Stewart Brand puts it, an "intellectual enzyme". (Brand goes on helpfully to explain that an enzyme is "a bio...

Mystery bird: Eastern spinebill, Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:30:00 +0100

This Australian mystery bird is part of a group of birds that has several ecological equivalents in other parts of the worldEastern spinebill, Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris, (protonym, Certhia tenuirostris), Latham, 1802, photographed at New South Wales, Australia. Image: Marie-Louise Ng, 24 December 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize].Nikon D7000. Question: This striking Australian mystery bird is part of a taxon that has several avian ecological equivalents in other parts of the world. Can you identify this distinctive species and its taxonomic family, and tell me which other avian groups perform similar ecological functions?Response: This is an adult male eastern spinebill, Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris. This bird is placed into the family, Meliphagidae (the honeyeaters), a rather la...

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Today's mystery bird for you to identify | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0100

This huge South African mystery bird has an enormous range, but it is found only in special places within that rangeMystery Bird photographed high in the Champagne Valley in the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]Image: James Borrell, 5 November 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize]. Cannon 220D with a Canon EF 75-300mm lens / 1:4-5.6UV filter This huge South African mystery bird has an enormous range, but it is found only in special places within that range. Can you explain why? Can you identify this bird's taxonomic family and species? About the Daily Mystery Bird: The Rules:1. Keep in mind that people live in zillions of different time zones around the globe, and some people are following on their mobile phones. So let everyone play th...

Song Amplitude of Rival Males Modulates the Territorial Behaviour of Great Tits During the Fertile Period of Their Mates

Ethology — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:47:08 +0100

AbstractBird song is a widely used model in the study of sexual selection. Variation in the expression of sexually selected traits is thought to reflect variation in male genetic and/or phenotypic quality. Vocal amplitude is a song parameter that has received little attention in the context of sexual selection, but there is some evidence that the intensity of bird song affects female preferences. Here, we tested whether the amplitude of broadcast song plays a role in male–male competition. We used song playback with varying song amplitude (within the natural amplitude range of the species) and a dummy bird taxidermy to simulate territorial intrusions in the great tit, Parus major, during the fertile period of the female and measured the response of the local male. The results show that p...

Soon after copulation has been completed, a pair of the damselfly Ischnura denticollis (male above, female below) remains in tandem. During copulation, the male removes the sperm the female received from previous copulations, and then transfers his own. Reproduced by permission of Dustin Huntington.

Ethology — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:46:51 +0100

(Source: Ethology)

Temporal and Spectral Analyses Reveal Individual Variation in a Non‐Vocal Acoustic Display: The Drumming Display of the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus, L.)

Ethology — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:46:36 +0100

AbstractIndividual variation in vocalizations is a common feature of many forms of long‐distance communication in vertebrates. The extent to which individual variation occurs in non‐vocal, long‐distance acoustic communication has not, however, been tested. Here, we examine the spectral and temporal characteristics of a non‐vocal acoustic signal, the wing‐beating drumming display of the male Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus, L.), and test whether its structure varies more among individuals than within them. Drumming displays were recorded over two field seasons, and we measured several temporal and spectral features of these recordings. Each drumming display consists of 39–50 pulses produced over a period of 9–10 s with most of the energy concentrated at frequencies below 100�...

Hamster power to help solve energy crisis? [videos] | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 10:12:00 +0100

This study shows that we really can harness human or animal motion to generate current."Linking a shirt to an iPod is just one possible application for this new technology, said Dr Wang. So using "hamster power" as a unit (similar to "horse power") how much energy does that represent? Having the paper to refer to, how long would it take one dwarf hamster to charge a cell phone battery, an iPad, or a nano iPod? Or alternatively, how many hamsters would it take to recharge those items in after one night's activity? How much "hamster power" is that?Source:Yang, R., Qin, Y., Li, C., Zhu, G., & Wang, Z. (2009). Converting Biomechanical Energy into Electricity by a Muscle-Movement-Driven Nanogenerator. Nano Letters, 9 (3), 1201-1205 doi:10.1021/nl803904b [free PDF]. Georgia Tech press release. ....

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Ecomorphology, differentiated habitat use, and nocturnal activities of Rhinolophus and Hipposideros species in East Asian tropical forests.

Zoology — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lee YF, Kuo YM, Chu WC, Lin YH, Chang HY, Chen WM Abstract We investigated the wing morphology and foraging distributions of sympatric Rhinolophus and Hipposideros species by acoustic sampling, measuring wing parameters, and observing bats in different settings of tropical East Asian forests, to evaluate their flexibility in habitat use and edge sensitivity. R. formosae and H. terasensis were more abundant at edges/in open habitats and shared the highest overlap, with R. formosae displaying the greatest breadth in habitat use, whereas R. monoceros had a higher abundance and feeding efficiency in forest interiors with a continuous canopy. H. terasensis was significantly larger and had higher wing loading and aspect ratio than R. formosae and R. monoceros, while R. formosae ...

Tritrophic Interactions at a Community Level: Effects of Host Plant Species Quality on Bird Predation of Caterpillars

The American Naturalist — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:56:06 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Mystery bird: Swallow-tailed cotinga, Phibalura flavirostris | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:30:00 +0100

This monotypic species is a taxonomic orphan: no one knows which family it belongs to (includes video)Swallow-tailed cotinga, Phibalura flavirostris flavirostris, Vieillot, 1816, photographed at Intervales State Park, São Paulo state, Brazil (South America). Image: Nick Athanas/Tropical Birding, 1 October 2007 (with permission) [velociraptorize].Samsung digital camera I encourage you to purchase images from the photographers who freely share their beautiful work with us. Question: This Brazilian mystery bird species is poorly known and is placed in a taxonomic family that I've never shown to you before. Can you identify this species and its taxonomic family? Response: This is an adult female swallow-tailed cotinga, Phibalura flavirostris. As its common name implies, this species was origi...

Today's mystery bird for you to identify | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0100

This Thai mystery bird is part of an interesting little genus that was recently relocated from one taxonomic family into another Mystery Bird photographed at Sri Phang Nga National Park, Phang Nga province on the Malay Peninsula in Thailand. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]Image: Alex Vargas, 20 May 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize].Nikon D5000, Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR 1/40s f/4.0 at 300.0mm iso800 This Thai mystery bird is part of an interesting little genus that was recently relocated from one taxonomic family into another. What family was this bird originally placed into and what family is it now part of? Can you identify this bird? What sex is this bird?About the Daily Mystery Bird: The Rules:1. Keep in mind that people live in zillions of different time...

Eyewitness: In for the count

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:12:05 +0100

Photographs from the Guardian Eyewitness series (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

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Associative learning in male rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus): conditioned behavioural response to an egg cue from walleye (Sander vitreus)

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:21:12 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 90, Issue 1, Page 85-92, January 2012. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Altitudinal variation of demographic life-history traits does not mimic latitudinal variation in natterjack toads (Bufo calamita).

Zoology — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Oromi N, Sanuy D, Sinsch U Abstract In anuran amphibians, age- and size-related life-history traits vary along latitudinal and altiudinal gradients. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that altitudinal and latitudinal effects cause similar responses by assessing demographic life-history traits in nine Bufo calamita populations inhabiting elevations from sea level to 2270m. Skeletochronologically determined age at maturity and longevity increased at elevations exceeding 2000m, but female potential reproductive lifespan (PRLS) did not increase with altitude, as it did with latitude. Integrating the available evidence, it was found that lifetime fecundity of natterjacks decreased at the upper altitudinal range because PRLS was about the same as in lowland populatio...

Ovarian maturation and oogenesis in the blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus (Decapoda: Portunidae)

Acta Zoologica — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractRavi, R., Manisseri, M.K. and K.S., N. 2011. Ovarian maturation and oogenesis in the blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus (Decapoda: Portunidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 1–9.The study was aimed at understanding the process of reproduction and the changes happening in the ovary of Portunus pelagicus during maturation, which would be useful for its broodstock development for hatchery purposes. For that, tissue samples from different regions of the ovary at various stages of maturation were subjected to light and electron microscopy, and based on the changes revealed and the differences in ovarian morphology, the ovary was divided into five stages such as immature (previtellogenic oocytes), early maturing (early vitellogenic oocytes), late maturing (late vitellogenic oocy...

Regulation of nutrient intake in nectar-feeding birds: insights from the geometric framework

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:05:09 +0100

Abstract A nectar diet is simple in nutritional composition and easily digested, but may vary greatly in its proportions of sugar and water. Here, we apply the geometric framework, a modelling approach for investigating how animals balance nutrient needs in multidimensional and dynamic nutritional environments, to captive whitebellied sunbirds (Cinnyris talatala). We address the question of how these small birds (~8 g) prioritise sugar and water intake, and how dietary salt content interacts with sugar and water intake. Sunbirds kept at 20°C and provided with moderate to high sucrose concentrations (≥1 M), together with supplementary water, converge on an intake target of 2.79 g day−1 of sucrose and 7.72 g day−1 of water: equivalent to 0....

Genetic structure of a Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) population inhabiting a fragmented agricultural ecosystem

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:10:12 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 90, Issue 1, Page 101-109, January 2012. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

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Body temperature and standard metabolic rate of the female viviparous lizard Eremias multiocellata during reproduction

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:10:11 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 90, Issue 1, Page 79-84, January 2012. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Trophic cascades linking wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and small mammals

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:10:09 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 90, Issue 1, Page 70-78, January 2012. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Prey competition between sympatric Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) on Lovushki Island, Russia

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:10:05 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 90, Issue 1, Page 110-127, January 2012. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Does 2D:4D predict fitness in a wild mammal?

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:09:56 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 90, Issue 1, Page 93-100, January 2012. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Indonesia's underwater masters of disguise [videos] | GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Meet the fish that mimics the octopus that mimics scary sea creaturesJust when we think we have some sort of appreciation for the subtle beauty of evolution, another surprise comes along to remind us just how complex and multilayered the world truly is. Discovered in 1998 off the coast of Sulawesi in Indonesia, the mimic octopus is the first species discovered that takes on the characteristics of multiple species. So far, we know that this octopus can copy the physical and behavioural characteristics of a number different species, many of them poisonous whilst others are merely dangerous, including sea snakes, lionfish, flatfish, brittle stars, giant crabs, sea shells, stingrays, jellyfish, sea anemones, and mantis shrimp. Furthermore, this octopus is so intelligent that it is able to deci...

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Do Feeding Resources Induce the Adoption of Resource Defence Polygyny in a Lekking Butterfly?

Ethology — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractAmong polygynous species, males often compete for the possession of mating sites to increase their reproductive success. Weaker individuals frequently adopt alternative non‐territorial mate‐locating tactics, but the adoption of alternative territorial tactics may also occur. Although alternative tactics with territory defence are less common in arthropods, factors that drive its adoption may provide information to understand the organization of different territorial mating systems in the group. Here we investigate the adoption of resource‐based territoriality as an alternative to a non‐resource‐based one by males of the butterfly Paryphthimoides phronius. Male P. phronius commonly defend sunny clearings lacking feeding resources in the forest edge (non‐resource‐based...

Announcements

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:44:34 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page iii, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Rensch’s Rule in Large Herbivorous Mammals Derived from Metabolic Scaling.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:36:24 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 169-177, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Haplodiploidy and the Evolution of Eusociality: Split Sex Ratios.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:36:00 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 240-256, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Evolutionarily Labile Species Interactions and Spatial Spread of Invasive Species.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:35:15 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page E37-E54, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

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Population Dynamics of Plant and Pollinator Communities: Stability Reconsidered.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:34:45 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 157-168, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Hybridization Alters Early Life-History Traits and Increases Plant Colonization Success in a Novel Region.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:34:07 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 192-203, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

New Insights into Virulence Evolution in Multigroup Hosts.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:33:43 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 228-239, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Behavioral Responses in Structured Populations Pave the Way to Group Optimality.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:33:23 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 257-269, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

On the Equivalence of Host Local Adaptation and Parasite Maladaptation: An Experimental Test.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:32:44 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 270-281, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

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A Comparative Method for Both Discrete and Continuous Characters Using the Threshold Model.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:32:32 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 145-156, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Behavioral Types of Predator and Prey Jointly Determine Prey Survival: Potential Implications for the Maintenance of Within-Species Behavioral Variation.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:32:08 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 217-227, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Evolution of Dispersal in a Predator-Prey Metacommunity.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:31:39 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 204-216, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Increasing Temperature, Not Mean Temperature, Is a Cue for Avian Timing of Reproduction.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:30:10 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page E55-E69, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Fungal Pathogen Species Richness: Why Do Some Plant Species Have More Pathogens than Others?

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:29:35 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 282-292, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

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A Framework for Elucidating the Temperature Dependence of Fitness.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:29:12 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 178-191, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Biotic Interactions, Rapid Evolution, and the Establishment of Introduced Species.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:28:28 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page E28-E36, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Suppression of Social Conflict and Evolutionary Transitions to Cooperation.

The American Naturalist — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:27:58 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 179, Issue 2, Page 293-301, February 2012. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Expression and distribution of symplekin regulates the assembly and function of the epithelial tight junction

Histochemistry and Cell Biology — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:49:47 +0100

In conclusion, symplekin expression regulates the assembly of tight junctions, thus helps to maintain the integrity of the epithelial monolayer and cellular polarity. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s00418-011-0906-zAuthors Hong Chang, Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanism of CAS and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 Jiaochang Donglu, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, Peoples’ Republic of ChinaChen Zhang, Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanism of CAS and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 Jiaochang Donglu, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, Peoples’ Republic of ChinaYi Cao, Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mecha...

Immunolocalization of steroidogenic enzymes and their expression during the breeding season in the testes of wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

Animal Science Journal — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to investigate immunolocalization of steroidogenic enzymes 3βHSD, P450c17 and P450arom and their expression during the breeding season in wild male raccoon dogs. The testicular weight, size and seminiferous tubule diameters were measured, and histological and immunohistochemical observations of testes were performed. The messenger RNA expression (mRNA) of 3βHSD, P450c17 and P450arom was measured in the testes during the breeding season. 3βHSD was found in Leydig cells during the breeding and non‐breeding seasons with more intense staining in the breeding season. P450c17 was identified in Leydig cells and spermatids in the breeding season, whereas it was present only in Leydig cells in the non‐breeding season. The localization of P450arom changed seaso...

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Old and sticky-adhesive mechanisms in the living fossil Nautilus pompilius (Mollusca, Cephalopoda).

Zoology — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: von Byern J, Wani R, Schwaha T, Grunwald I, Cyran N Abstract Nautiloidea is the oldest group within the cephalopoda, and modern Nautilus differs much in its outer morphology from all other recent species; its external shell and pinhole camera eye are the most prominent distinguishing characters. A further unique feature of Nautilus within the cephalopods is the lack of suckers or hooks on the tentacles. Instead, the animals use adhesive structures present on the digital tentacles. Earlier studies focused on the general tentacle morphology and put little attention on the adhesive gland system. Our results show that the epithelial parts on the oral adhesive ridge contain three secretory cell types (columnar, goblet, and cell type 1) that differ in shape and granule size. In ...

Sulfated cholecystokinin‐8 increases ghrelin secretion but does not affect oxyntomodulin in Holstein steers

Animal Science Journal — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, our results show that administration of CCK increased ghrelin secretion but did not affect OXM release in ruminants. Ghrelin did not affect the secretions of CCK and OXM. (Source: Animal Science Journal)

Polymorphism of spermatozoa in Largus rufipennis Laporte 1832 (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoroidea: Largidae)

Acta Zoologica — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractThe production of polymorphic spermatozoa has been registered in various insect orders such as Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Hemiptera. In this work, morphology of two types of spermatozoa produced by Largus rufipennis was reported for the first time in the Largidae family. For this, techniques including optical and transmission electron microscopy were used. Spermatozoa measured, on the average, 260 and 200 μm, and both types possessed a nucleus measuring on the average 65 μm. No ultrastructural differences were observed between the two spermatozoa types from L. rufipennis. The head region is composed of an acrosome, a nucleus, and part of the centriolar adjunct. The centriolar adjunct is in parallel with the nucleus and followed by mitochondrial derivates. The flagellum consists...

Sexual dimorphisms in the dermal structure of the lesser‐spotted catshark, Scyliorhinus canicula (Linnaeus, 1758)

Acta Zoologica — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study reveals that not only do adult (M ≥ 525 mm, F ≥ 550 mm) S. canicula show a sexual dimorphism in the epidermis and dermis, but that hatchling S. canicula are born with a sexually dimorphic epidermal layer and this persists into the juvenile stage (M < 525 mm, F < 550 mm). A sexual dimorphism was found in all size classes with both hatchling and juvenile female S. canicula having significantly thicker epidermal layers than hatchling and juvenile male S. canicula. Adult female S. canicula were found to possess both a significantly thicker epidermal and dermal layer than adult male S. canicula. The presence of a sexual dimorphism in the epidermal and dermal layers of adult S. canicula could be directly related to reproductive behaviour in response to the ...

Sensilla on maxillary and labial palps in a helicophagous ground beetle larva (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Acta Zoologica — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractGiglio, A., Perrotta, E., Talarico, F., Zetto Brandmayr, T. and Ferrero, E.A. 2011. Sensilla on maxillary and labial palps in a helicophagous ground beetle larva (Coleoptera, Carabidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 1–8.Sensilla on the labial and maxillary palp of Carabus lefebvrei Dejean, 1826 larvae were investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Two identical sets of sensilla were present on the tips of both palp pairs, and four morphological types of sensilla were identified: sensilla basiconica types 1 and 2, sensilla coeloconica and sensilla digitiformia. Ultrastructure indicates that the sensilla basiconica type 1 and coeloconica have a chemical role as gustatory and olfactory receptors, respectively, while sensilla basiconica type 2 are mechano...

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The Effects of 11-ketotestosterone on Occupation of Downstream Location and Seawater in the New Zealand Shortfinned Eel, Anguilla australis.

Zoological Science — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we investigate the possible role of 11KT in modulating behaviors consistent with downstream migration; i.e., downstream and salinity preference in the New Zealand shortfinned eel (A. australis). Unlike silvering, 11KT did not induce preference for downstream locations, scored as presence at the downstream ends of 35 m raceways. Likewise, there was no evidence for increased salinity preference in 11KT-treated yellow eels, scored as preference for sea water over fresh water in a choice experiment. However, the 11KT treatment induced higher frequency of movements between fresh water and sea water, which may indicate restlessness. PMID: 22233489 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Zoological Science)

Developmental Changes in the Localization of Protein Kinase CK2 in Non-Diapause and Diapause Eggs of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Zoological Science — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sawada H, Yamahama Y, Yamamoto T, Togawa T, Mase K Abstract To analyze the role of protein kinase CK2 (CK2) during early embryogenesis in non-diapause and diapause of the silkworm, the distribution and localization of Bombyx mori CK2 (BmCK2) were investigated by an immunohistochemical technique using antibodies against the α- and β-subunits of BmCK2. Both were localized in blastoderm cells of non-diapause and diapause eggs until 24 h after oviposition. More than 24 h after oviposition, however, the distribution of BmCK2 was different in non-diapause and diapause eggs. In non-diapause eggs, BmCK2 was mainly localized in yolk cells. In contrast, in diapause eggs, the localization was mainly observed in germ-band cells. Furthermore, we confirmed that the RNA helicase-like p...

Establishment of Enhancer Detection Lines Expressing GFP in the Gut of the Ascidian Ciona intestinalis.

Zoological Science — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we characterized eight enhancer detection lines that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the whole or part of the digestive tube of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Three enhancer detection lines for the pyloric gland, a structure associated with the digestive tube, were also analyzed. These lines are valuable markers for analyzing the mechanisms of development of the gut. Based on the GFP expression of the enhancer detection lines together with morphological characteristics, the digestive tube of Ciona can be subdivided into at least 10 compartments in which different genetic cascades operate. Causal insertion sites of the enhancer detection lines were identified, and the expression pattern of the genes near the insertion sites were characterized by means of wholemou...

Population Subdivision of the Brackish-Water Crab Deiratonotus cristatus on the Japanese Coast.

Zoological Science — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kawamoto M, Wada K, Kawane M, Kamada M Abstract We investigated the genetic structure of populations of the brackish-water crab Deiratonotus cristatus (de Man, 1895) (family Camptandriidae) on the Japanese coast, together with morphological and the ecological variations. Genetic characteristics of the local populations based on mitochondrial DNA COI sequence data have revealed genetic differentiation between many populations, with the haplotype networks forming three geographical clades: a clade occurring on the Pacific coast, one occurring predominantly in northern Hokkaido, Kyushu and the Seto Inland Sea, and a third occurring in the Ryukyu Islands. Male pleopod morphology, carapace length relative to carapace width, and carapace width of adult crabs varied inconsistentl...