MedWorm: Zoology

Trends in the biology of the phylum Mollusca / Tendances concernant la biologie du phylum des mollusques

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:03:14 +0100

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

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External and internal shell formation in the ramshorn snail Marisa cornuarietis are extremes in a continuum of gradual variation in development

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: We could show that the formation of internal, external, and intermediate shells is realized within the continuum of a developmental gradient defined by the degree of differential growth of the embryonic mantle edge and shell gland. The artificially induced internal and intermediate shells are first external and then partly internalized, similar to internal shells found in other molluscan groups. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

The C. elegans gene pan-1 encodes novel transmembrane and cytoplasmic leucine-rich repeat proteins and promotes molting and the larva to adult transition

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We show that PAN-1 is a critical regulator of larval development. Our data suggests that PAN-1 promotes developmental progression of multiple tissues during the transition from a larva to a reproductive adult. We further demonstrate that the activity of PAN-1 is complex with diverse roles in the regulation of animal development. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

Island Life Shapes the Physiology and Life History of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis)*

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:02:28 +0100

Kevin D. Matson, Robert A. Mauck, Sharon E. Lynn and B. Irene Tieleman Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Predators with Multiple Ontogenetic Niche Shifts Have Limited Potential for Population Growth and Top-Down Control of Their Prey

The American Naturalist — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:22:28 +0100

Anieke van Leeuwen, Magnus Huss, Anna Gårdmark, Michele Casini, Francesca Vitale, Joakim Hjelm, Lennart Persson and André M. de Roos, The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print. (Source: The American Naturalist)

World’s most comprehensive guide to primates - in pictures

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:00 +0100

A new book features, for the first time ever, illustrations of every single primate species (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

Standard Operating Procedures for aluminium box, wire cage, and pitfall trapping, handling, and temporary housing of small wild rodents and marsupials

Australian Journal of Zoology — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Sophie Petit, Helen P. Waudby (Source: Australian Journal of Zoology)

Isolation and characterisation of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the neriid fly Telostylinus angusticollis using MiSeq sequencing

Australian Journal of Zoology — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Anna M. Kopps, Russell Bonduriansky, Anthony S. Gilchrist, Angela J. Crean (Source: Australian Journal of Zoology)

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Scarlet macaw genome sequenced | @GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:06:00 +0100

The newly-sequenced scarlet macaw genome will provide many important insights into avian and human biology, behaviours and genetics and will contribute to parrot conservationAfter many years of research into the behaviours, diseases, genetics and life history of scarlet macaws, a team of scientists have taken their studies to the next level. Christopher Seabury, an Assistant Professor of Genetics at Texas A&M University's college of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Ian Tizard, Director of the Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center and a Professor of Microbiology & Immunology at Texas A&M University's college of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, spearheaded an international collaboration of scientists that sequenced the genome of the scarlet macaw, Ara macao. This work...

Zoology: Tongue spikes snare nectar

Nature — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Nature 497, 7449 (2013). doi:10.1038/497291d Hovering bats use barbed tongues to snare nectar from flowers.Cally Harper and her colleagues at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, used a high-speed video camera and post-mortem analyses to understand the mechanics of the eponymous organ of the Pallas's long-tongued bat (Glossophaga (Source: Nature)

World's most extraordinary species mapped for the first time

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

(Zoological Society of London) The black-and-white ruffed lemur, Mexican salamander and Sunda pangolin all feature on the first map of the world's most unique and threatened mammals and amphibians, released today by the Zoological Society of London. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Issue Information

Animal Science Journal — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Animal Science Journal)

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Functional modelling of planar cell polarity: an approach for identifying molecular function

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We have carried out a systematic comparison of in-silico polarity phenotypes with patterns observed in vivo under different genetic manipulations in the wing. This has allowed us to classify the specific functional roles of proteins involved in generating cell polarity, providing new hypotheses about their specific functions, in particular for Pk and Dsh. The predictions from the model allow direct assignment of functional roles of genes from genetic mosaic analysis of Drosophila wings. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

Sexual size dimorphism in ground squirrels (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Marmotini) does not correlate with body size and sociality

Frontiers in Zoology — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We suggest that lack of conformity with Rensch s rule in ground squirrels may be attributed to their low variation in SSD, and briefly discuss three potential causes of small magnitude of SSD in the structural size in rodents: low selection on SSD in structural dimensions, ontogenetic and genetic constraints and the existence of ecological/selection factors preventing the evolution of extensive SSD. (Source: Frontiers in Zoology)

Adaptive Dynamics with Interaction Structure.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:24:21 +0100

Benjamin Allen, Martin A. Nowak, and Ulf Dieckmann The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page E139-E163, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Thermal Sensitivity of Immune Function: Evidence against a Generalist-Specialist Trade-Off among Endothermic and Ectothermic Vertebrates.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:24:16 +0100

Michael W. Butler, Zachary R. Stahlschmidt, Daniel R. Ardia, Scott Davies, Jon Davis, Louis J. Guillette Jr., Nicholas Johnson, Stephen D. McCormick, Kevin J. McGraw, and Dale F. DeNardo The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 761-774, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

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Consequences of Pathogen Spillover for Cheatgrass-Invaded Grasslands: Coexistence, Competitive Exclusion, or Priority Effects.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:24:06 +0100

Erin A. Mordecai The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 737-747, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Trade-Offs, Geography, and Limits to Thermal Adaptation in a Tide Pool Copepod.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:23:52 +0100

Morgan W. Kelly, Richard K. Grosberg, and Eric Sanford The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 846-854, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Differences in Speed and Duration of Bird Migration between Spring and Autumn.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:23:45 +0100

Cecilia Nilsson, Raymond H. G. Klaassen, and Thomas Alerstam The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 837-845, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Initiators, Leaders, and Recruitment Mechanisms in the Collective Movements of Damselfish.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:23:38 +0100

Ashley J. W. Ward, James E. Herbert-Read, Lyndon A. Jordan, Richard James, Jens Krause, Qi Ma, Daniel I. Rubenstein, David J. T. Sumpter, and Lesley J. Morrell The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 748-760, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Movement Responses of Caribou to Human-Induced Habitat Edges Lead to Their Aggregation near Anthropogenic Features.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:23:31 +0100

Daniel Fortin, Pietro-Luciano Buono, André Fortin, Nicolas Courbin, Christian Tye Gingras, Paul R. Moorcroft, Réhaume Courtois, and Claude Dussault The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 827-836, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

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Sibling Cooperation Influences the Age of Nest Leaving in an Altricial Bird.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:23:26 +0100

E. Keith Bowers, Scott K. Sakaluk, and Charles F. Thompson The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 775-786, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Assortative Mating in Animals.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:23:18 +0100

Yuexin Jiang, Daniel I. Bolnick, and Mark Kirkpatrick The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page E125-E138, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

A Quantitative Genetic Model of r- and K-Selection in a Fluctuating Population.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:23:11 +0100

Steinar Engen, Russell Lande, and Bernt-Erik Sæther The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 725-736, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

The Battle of the Sexes over Seed Size: Support for Both Kinship Genomic Imprinting and Interlocus Contest Evolution.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:23:05 +0100

Yvonne Willi The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 787-798, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Choosy Males Could Help Explain Androdioecy in a Selfing Fish.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:22:59 +0100

Amy Ellison, Jennifer Jones, Charlotte Inchley, and Sofia Consuegra The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 855-862, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

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Consumer Interaction Strength May Limit the Diversifying Effect of Intraspecific Competition: A Test in Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus).

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:22:52 +0100

Andrew W. Jones and David M. Post The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 815-826, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Separating Intrinsic and Environmental Contributions to Growth and Their Population Consequences.

The American Naturalist — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:22:44 +0100

Andrew O. Shelton, William H. Satterthwaite, Michael P. Beakes, Stephan B. Munch, Susan M. Sogard, and Marc Mangel The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 6, Page 799-814, June 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Fish Pathology, 4th edn Edited by Ronald J Roberts. Wiley Blackwell, Oxford. 597pp. ISBN 978‐1‐4443‐3282‐7.

Journal of Fish Diseases — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Fish Diseases)

Stopover optimization in a long-distance migrant: the role of fuel load and nocturnal take-off time in Alaskan northern wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe)

Frontiers in Zoology — Sun, 12 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Although birds did not behave like time-minimizers in respect of the optimal migration strategies their surplus of fuel load clearly contradicted an energy saving strategy in terms of the minimization of overall energy cost of transport. The observed low variation in nocturnal take-off time in relation to local night length compared to similar studies in the temperate zone revealed that migrants have an innate ability to respond to changes in the external cue of night length. Likely, birds maximized their potential nightly flight range by taking off early in the night which in turn maximizes their overall migration speed. Hence, nocturnal departure time may be a crucial parameter shaping the speed of migration indicating the significance of its integration in future migration m...

Reproductive strategies in hermaphroditic gastropods: conceptual and empirical approaches

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Sat, 11 May 2013 07:04:32 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 1-15, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Color plumage polymorphism and predator mimicry in brood parasites

Frontiers in Zoology — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Overall, our data combined with previous results from other localities suggest polymorphism dynamics are not strongly affected by local predator model frequencies. Instead, hosts responses and discrimination abilities are proportional, other things being equal, to the frequency with which hosts encounter various cuckoo morphs near their nests. This suggests that female cuckoo polymorphism is a counter-adaptation to thwart a specific host adaptation, namely an ability to not be fooled by predator mimicry. We hypothesize the dangerousness of a particular model predator (sparrowhawks are more dangerous to adult birds than kestrels) may be another important factor responsible for better discrimination between the gray cuckoo and its model rather than between the rufous cuckoo and ...

How Individual Movement Response to Habitat Edges Affects Population Persistence and Spatial Spread

The American Naturalist — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:25:56 +0100

Gabriel Andreguetto Maciel and Frithjof Lutscher, The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print. (Source: The American Naturalist)

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A pair of Barred Antshrikes (Thamnophilus doliatus) perched near their nest in French Guiana. Pairs of antshrikes perform vocal duets to defend their territories against rivals. Results of a playback experiment reveal that territorial antshrikes respond more aggressively to duets presented through stereo loudspeakers compared to a single loudspeaker, and that both the male and female display equivalent responses to same–sex and opposite–sex rivals.Photo reproduced by permission of Michel Giraud–Audine.

Ethology — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Ethology)

On the Meaning of Alarm Calls: A Review of Functional Reference in Avian Alarm Calling

Ethology — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract A long‐standing question in animal communication is whether signals reveal intrinsic properties of the signaller or extrinsic properties of its environment. Alarm calls, one of the most conspicuous components of antipredator behaviour, intuitively would appear to reflect internal states of the signaller. Pioneering research in primates and fowl, however, demonstrated that signallers may produce unique alarm calls during encounters with different types of predators, suggesting that signallers through selective production of alarm calls provide to conspecific receivers information about predators in the environment. In this article, we review evidence for such ‘functional reference’ in the alarm calls of birds based on explicit tests of two criteria proposed in Macedonia &...

Investigating the Effect of Familiarity on Kin Recognition of Three‐Spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Ethology — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract The ability to discriminate between related and unrelated individuals has been demonstrated in many species. The mechanisms behind this ability might be manifold and depend on the ecological context in which the species lives. In brood‐caring species, both familiarity and phenotype matching are known to be used in kin recognition. However, results of studies disentangling these two phenomena have proved contradictory. We aimed to broaden our knowledge about the mechanisms of kin recognition using shoaling preferences of three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) as a model behavior. In our first experiment, focal fish had the choice to shoal either with kin or unfamiliar non‐kin. In half of the trials, kin groups were composed of familiar individuals, while they were ...

Anatomy of the fully formed chondrocranium of Podocnemis unifilis (Pleurodira: Podocnemididae)

Acta Zoologica — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

This study describes the anatomy of the chondrocranium of Podocnemis unifilis (Pleurodira, Podocnemididae), based on recently hatched specimens, and cleared and double‐stained specimens. The orbitotemporal region is dramatically different from those observed for other species of turtles in that the: (1) planum supraseptale is greatly reduced and present only as tiny projections on the posterodorsal margin of the interorbital septum, (2) pila metoptica is free from all neighbouring structures and bifurcates distally, (3) pila antotica is greatly reduced, (4) foramina for optic nerve, ophthalmic artery and oculomotor nerves are open dorsally by virtue of this species lacking the taenia marginalis and taenia medialis, and (5) tectum synoticum is present and invested dorsally by the supraocc...

The haemocytes of the salp Thalia democratica (Tunicata, Thaliacea): an ultrastructural and histochemical study in the oozoid

Acta Zoologica — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, we identified various haemocyte types and their distribution in the common salp Thalia democratica by comparative observations under light and electron microscopy and by histochemical, histoenzymatic and immunohistochemical techniques. By comparing specialisations with those of ascidian haemocytes, we detected an undifferentiated cell type (lymphocyte‐like cell) and three categories with four cell types, that is, (i) phagocytic line (hyaline amoebocyte and amoebocyte with large vacuoles), (ii) mast cell‐like line (granular cell) and (iii) storage cells (nephrocyte). Both phagocytes and granular cells appear to migrate in the tunic. Phagocytes adhere to the tunic which internally covers the oral siphon, where they probably function as sentinel cells of the pharynx. Result...

Edinburgh zoo's pandas help boost visitor numbers by 51%

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:38:32 +0100

Royal Zoological Society of Scotland says Sunshine and Sweetie are headline act after profits increase more than £5mEdinburgh's romantically doomed giant pandas may have failed to mate but they have brought good fortune to the city's zoo, boosting its income and visitor numbers to record levels.The zoo's charitable owners, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said its overall income jumped by more than £5m to nearly £15m last year, and the number of visitors leapt by 51% following the arrival of Tian Tian and Yang Guang in late December 2011.The society has taken another step to protect the pandas' value to the zoo by trademarking their popular, anglicised names, Sunshine and Sweetie, to prevent pirate merchandising.Other retailers and businesses are now banned from selling product...

Zoology student captures unique collection of Peruvian wildlife

University of Bristol news — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:15:41 +0100

An aspiring professional wildlife photographer and second-year student at the University of Bristol has captured a unique collection of images from Manu National Park in Peru. (Source: University of Bristol news)

Development of human hip joint in the second and the third trimester of pregnancy; a cadaveric study

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Despite an increasing depth and growing dimensions of the acetabulum in the uterus, its orientation does not change in any significant way. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

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Vibrio splendidus, Vibrio ichthyoenteri and Vibrio pacinii isolated from the digestive tract microflora of larval ballan wrasse, Labrus bergylta Ascanius, and goldsinny wrasse, Ctenolabrus rupestris (L.)

Journal of Fish Diseases — Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Fish Diseases)

More on sexy dinosaurs

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:57:00 +0100

Did all those crests, horns and knobs on the heads of dinosaurs help them identify each other correctly? asks Dr Dave Hone As readers may know, I've been away in Canada for the last few weeks, and coupled with a rush at work, the Lost Worlds had rather ground to a halt. However, my trip to Alberta has been incredibly productive, so there's lots of things to come once I've cleared the inevitable work backlog that appears whenever one goes away. I want to start with a paper of mine that came out while I was away as this is the latest in a series of ongoing exchanges in the scientific literature on the origins and functions of the bewildering variety of crests and horns that appear on the heads and bodies of so many dinosaur lineages (including some birds, but mostly the non-avian crowd). Som...

The effect of vaccination, ploidy and smolt production regime on pathological melanin depositions in muscle tissue of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L

Journal of Fish Diseases — Sun, 05 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, we have examined the presence of abnormal pigmentation in vaccinated versus unvaccinated Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and evaluated possible differences between diploid and triploid fish. Furthermore, the impact of the smolt production regime at ambient (4.5 °C) versus elevated temperature (16 °C) was investigated. Pigmented muscle spots were analysed for the expression of genes involved in melanization (tyrosinase gene family) and immune‐related response in addition to morphological investigations. The proportion of fish with intramuscular melanin deposits was not significantly different between vaccinated and unvaccinated fish, regardless of ploidy. However, an interaction between vaccination and smolt regime was shown, where smoltification at elevated temperatur...

Seasonal differences in the relative importance of specific phenolics and twig morphology result in contrasting patterns of foraging by a generalist herbivore

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Sat, 04 May 2013 07:05:14 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 338-347, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Expression of phosphatase of regenerating liver family genes during embryogenesis: an evolutionary developmental analysis among Drosophila, amphioxus, and zebrafish

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Sat, 04 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This study, for the first time, elucidated the embryonic expression pattern of Drosophila, amphioxus, and zebrafish PRL genes. The shared PRL expression pattern in the developing CNS among diverse animals suggests that PRL may play conserved roles in these animals for CNS development. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

Anatomy and development of the larval nervous system in Echinococcus multilocularis

Frontiers in Zoology — Sat, 04 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We provide evidence for the first time of the existence of a nervous system in the metacestode cyst wall, which is remarkable given the lack of motility of this larval stage, and the lack of serotoninergic and cholinergic elements. We propose that it could function as a neuroendocrine system, derived from the nervous system present in the bladder tissue of other taeniids. The detailed description of the development and anatomy of the protoscolex neuromuscular system is a necessary first step toward the understanding of the developmental mechanisms operating in these peculiar larval stages. (Source: Frontiers in Zoology)

The effect of hydration state and energy balance on innate immunity of a desert reptile

Frontiers in Zoology — Sat, 04 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Depending on the life history of an organism, osmotic state may have a greater influence on immune function than energy availability. Thus, consideration of osmotic state as a factor influencing immune function will likely improve our understanding of ecoimmunology and the disease dynamics of a wide range of species. (Source: Frontiers in Zoology)

Foamy virus for efficient gene transfer in regeneration studies

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: FV vectors are efficient mean of transferring genes into axolotl limb/tail and infection persists throughout regeneration and reamputation. This is a nontoxic method of delivering genes into axolotls in vivo/ in vitro and can potentially be applied to other salamander species. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

Bats and bat-borne diseases: a perspective on Australian megabats

Australian Journal of Zoology — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Justin H. J. Ng, Michelle L. Baker (Source: Australian Journal of Zoology)

Quantifying annual patterns in the frequency of mammalian births: do goodness-of-fit tests provide adequate inferences?

Australian Journal of Zoology — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Evan Watkins, Julian Di Stefano (Source: Australian Journal of Zoology)

Distribution of radioactive cesium in edible parts of cattle

Animal Science Journal — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, radioactive cesium was measured in various edible parts of cattle to verify the current inspection method for cattle, in which the neck tissues are generally used as samples. Radioactive cesium concentration in the short plate, diaphragm, liver, lung, omasum, abomasum and small intestine were lower and sirloin, tenderloin, top round meat and tongue were higher than that in the neck. There was no significant difference between the other organs (heart, kidney, lumen and reticulum) and the neck. Ninety‐five percent upper tolerance limits of the relative concentration to the neck were 1.88 for sirloin, 1.74 for tenderloin, 1.87 for top round and 1.45 for tongue. These results suggest that a safety factor of 2 is recommended for the radioactivity inspection of cattle to prevent...

Estimation of variance components for carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle using 50K SNP genotype data

Animal Science Journal — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, we attempted to estimate the variance components of six carcass traits in fattened Japanese Black steers using SNP genotype data. Six hundred and seventy‐three steers were genotyped using an Illumina Bovine SNP50 BeadChip and phenotyped for cold carcass weight, ribeye area, rib thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, estimated yield percent and marbling score. Additive polygenic variance and the variance attributable to a set of SNPs that had statistically significant effects on the trait were estimated via Gibbs sampling with two models: (i) a model with the chosen SNPs and the additive polygenic effects; and (ii) a model with the polygenic effects alone. The proportion of the estimated variance attributable to the SNPs became higher as the number of SNP effects that fit i...

Effects of photoperiod on secretory patterns of growth hormone in adult male goats

Animal Science Journal — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of photoperiod on secretory patterns of growth hormone (GH) in male goats. Adult male goats were kept at 20°C with an 8‐h or 16‐h light photoperiod, and secretory patterns of GH secretion were compared. In addition, plasma profiles of prolactin (PRL), insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and testosterone (T) were also examined to characterize GH secretion. GH was secreted in a pulsatile manner. There was no significant difference in pulse frequency between the 8‐h 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 < 0.05). The GH‐releasing respon...

Effect of bromochloromethane and fumarate on phylogenetic diversity of the formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase gene in bovine rumen

Animal Science Journal — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract Effect of the methane inhibitor, bromochloromethane (BCM) and dietary substrate, fumarate, on microbial community structure of acetogen bacteria in the bovine rumen was investigated through analysis of the formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase gene (fhs). The fhs sequences obtained from BCM‐untreated, BCM‐treated, fumarate‐untreated and fumarate‐treated bovine rumen were categorized into homoacetogens and nonhomoacetogenic bacteria by homoacetogen similarity scores. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that most of the fhs sequences categorized into homoacetogens were divided into nine clusters, which were in close agreement with a result shown in a self‐organizing map. The diversity of the fhs sequences from the BCM‐treated rumen was significantly different from those fro...

Naloxone increases maturation rate and ratio of inner cell mass to total cells in blastocysts in pigs

Animal Science Journal — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, at low concentration, naloxone increases maturation rate and the ratio of ICM to total cells in blastocysts. Naloxone and cAMP have a synergistic effect on oocyte maturation. (Source: Animal Science Journal)

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Expression pattern of Protein Kinase C epsilon during mouse embryogenesis

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The seemingly strong expression of PKCepsilon in heart and ganglia shown in this study suggests a important role of this isoform in the vascular and nervous systems during mouse development. However, functional redundancy with other PKCs during midgestation within these domains and others reported here possibly exists since PKCepsilon deficient mice do not display obvious embryonic developmental defects. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

Comparison of the lipid properties of healthy and pansteatitis‐affected African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), and the role of diet in pansteatitis outbreaks in the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Journal of Fish Diseases — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract Pansteatitis has been identified in wild populations of sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), and Nile crocodiles, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, inhabiting the same waters in the Olifants River Gorge in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Mesenteric and pectoral fat tissue was investigated microscopically and by fatty acid analysis in healthy and pansteatitis‐affected catfish from both captive and wild populations. Variation in fatty acid composition between pectoral and mesenteric fat was noted. Composition of mesenteric fat differed between fish from various localities as a result of differences in diet. Pansteatitis in the captive population, resulting from ingestion of high amounts of dietary oxidized fat, reflected higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids ...

Clinical signs of barotrauma in golden perch, Macquaria ambigua (Richardson), and associated effects on post‐release mortality and health

Journal of Fish Diseases — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

This study assessed the effects of different retrieval depths (2, 10 or 20 m), surface intervals (none or 15 min) and release methods (untreated, vented or recompressed) on the incidence of external and internal clinical signs of barotrauma (ECSB and ICSB) and post‐release mortality in golden perch, Macquaria ambigua (Richardson). Fish were assessed for ECSB before and after surface intervals and either monitored for mortality over 3 days in two deep cages or killed for internal examination. When all fish were left untreated, short‐term mortality increased with retrieval depth from 0% and 4.2% among 2 and 10‐m fish, respectively, to 19.2% among 20‐m fish; while surface interval only affected the incidence of two ECSB (excess buoyancy and a prolapsed cloaca). Mortality was also g...

Chemotactic activity of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), recombinant cyclophilin A

Journal of Fish Diseases — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Fish Diseases)

A new cultivation‐independent tool for fast and reliable detection of Mycobacterium marinum

Journal of Fish Diseases — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract The Mycobacterium marinum group (MMG) is a class of mycobacteria that includes M. marinum, the cause of chronic systemic infections in fish. This species occasionally causes granulomatous skin lesions in humans. Other members of MMG are mycolactone‐producing mycobacteria (MPM; M. ulcerans, M. shottsii and M. pseudoshottsii). The cultivation‐independent approach presented in this study brings a fast and reliable alternative to classically used cultivation methods. The developed triplex erp/IS2404 qPCR assay is based on a primary species‐specific erp detection, which allows enumeration of MMG in analysed samples, and secondary IS2404 detection is suitable for the differentiation of M. marinum from MPM. The detection of M. marinum in clinical specimens and in artificially...

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Expression pattern of Protein Kinase C ¿ during mouse embryogenesis

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Adaptive Dynamics with Interaction Structure

The American Naturalist — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:48:17 +0100

The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page E000, Ahead of Print. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Repeated Parallel Evolution Reveals Limiting Similarity in Subterranean Diving Beetles

The American Naturalist — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:35:09 +0100

Remi Vergnon, Remko Leijs, Egbert H. van Nes and Marten Scheffer, The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print. (Source: The American Naturalist)

How Does Climate Influence Speciation?

The American Naturalist — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:34:37 +0100

Xia Hua and John J. Wiens, The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Non-homogeneous combination of two porous genomes induces complex body shape trajectories in cyprinid hybrids

Frontiers in Zoology — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Hybrid specimens present a mosaic of genomic combination, showing regions with genomic compatibility and others with genomic incompatibility between the two species. Positive selection (invasive advantage ranging from 9.76% to 21.95% of the loci) was evidenced in the upstream part of the Ardeche indicating that environmental selection makes a substantial contribution. Although the presence of a dam is known to impose heterogeneous hybrid zones between these two species, we demonstrated in this study that a natural environment can also generate a hybrid zone with a large number (and diversity) of hybrids. The combination of the two genomes in the hybrids results in complex ontogenetic trajectories (with different morphological traits evolving at different rates) that correspond...

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Effect of L‐carnitine on maturation, cryo‐tolerance and embryo developmental competence of bovine oocytes

Animal Science Journal — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, the supplementation of L‐carnitine during IVM of bovine oocytes improved their nuclear maturation and subsequent embryo development after IVF, but when they were vitrified the improving effects were neutralized. (Source: Animal Science Journal)

Rectal temperature as an indicator for heat tolerance in chickens

Animal Science Journal — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to test adaptive responses of chickens to high ambient temperatures and identify suitable indicators for selection of heat‐tolerant individuals. Full‐sib or half‐sib Anak‐40 pullets (n = 55) with similar body weights were raised in a room with a temperature ranging from 24°C to 28°C, and relative humidity of 50% from 61 to 65 days of age. On day 66, the ambient temperature was increased within 60 min to 35 ± 1°C which was defined as the initial of heat stress (0 h). Rectal temperature (RT) was measured on each pullet at 0, 6, 18, 30, 42, 54 and 66 h. After 66 h the ambient temperature was increased within 30 min to 41 ± 1°C and survival time (HSST) as well as lethal rectal temperatures (LRT) were recorded for each individu...

Liver melanomacrophage centres as indicators of Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus L. well‐being

Journal of Fish Diseases — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

This study supports the utility of MMCs as biomarkers of fish ‘health status’ and gives concern for a potential contaminant accumulation in ABFT. (Source: Journal of Fish Diseases)

Detection of abalone shrivelling syndrome‐associated virus using loop‐mediated isothermal amplification

Journal of Fish Diseases — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Fish Diseases)

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Comparative pathogenicity study of ten different betanodavirus strains in experimentally infected European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.)

Journal of Fish Diseases — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER), otherwise known as viral nervous necrosis (VNN), is a severe pathological condition caused by RNA viruses belonging to the Nodaviridae family, genus Betanodavirus. The disease, described in more than 50 fish species worldwide, is considered as the most serious viral threat affecting marine farmed species in the Mediterranean region, thus representing one of the bottlenecks for further development of the aquaculture industry. To date, four different genotypes have been identified, namely red‐spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV), striped jack nervous necrosis virus (SJNNV), tiger puffer nervous necrosis virus and barfin flounder nervous necrosis virus, with the RGNNV genotype appearing as the most widespread in the Mediterranea...

Effect of Prenatal and Natal Administration of Testosterone on Production of Structurally Based Plumage Coloration

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:31:41 +0100

Lynn Siefferman, Mark Liu, Kristen J. Navara, Mary T. Mendonça, and Geoffrey E. Hill Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 3, Page 323-332, May/June 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Balancing the Energy Budget in Free-Ranging Male Myotis daubentonii Bats

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:31:38 +0100

Nina I. Becker, Marco Tschapka, Elisabeth K. V. Kalko, and Jorge A. Encarnação Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 3, Page 361-369, May/June 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Bioelectric Fields of Marine Organisms: Voltage and Frequency Contributions to Detectability by Electroreceptive Predators

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:31:36 +0100

Christine N. Bedore and Stephen M. Kajiura Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 3, Page 298-311, May/June 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Comparative Visual Function in Predatory Fishes from the Indian River Lagoon

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:31:34 +0100

D. Michelle McComb, Stephen M. Kajiura, Andrij Z. Horodysky, and Tamara M. Frank Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 3, Page 285-297, May 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Time Course and Metabolic Costs of a Humoral Immune Response in the Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:31:31 +0100

José M. Abad-Gómez, Jorge S. Gutiérrez, Auxiliadora Villegas, Juan M. Sánchez-Guzmán, Juan G. Navedo, and José A. Masero Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 3, Page 354-360, May/June 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

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Erratum: Experimental Evaluation of Fatty Acid Profiles as a Technique to Determine Dietary Composition in Benthic Elasmobranchs

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:31:30 +0100

Crystal L. Beckmann, James G. Mitchell, Laurent Seuront, David A. J. Stone, and Charlie Huveneers Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 3, Page 383, May/June 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Dietary Carotenoids Increase Yellow Nonpigment Coloration of Female Convict Cichlids (Amantitlania nigrofasciata)

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:31:26 +0100

Alexandria C. Brown, Kevin J. McGraw, and Ethan D. Clotfelter Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 3, Page 312-322, May/June 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Reduced Heart Rate and Cardiac Output Differentially Affect Angiogenesis, Growth, and Development in Early Chicken Embryos (Gallus domesticus)

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:31:11 +0100

Sylvia R. Branum, Miho Yamada-Fisher, and Warren Burggren Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 3, Page 370-382, May/June 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Baseline Corticosterone in Wintering Marine Birds: Methodological Considerations and Ecological Patterns

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:31:07 +0100

E. C. Palm, D. Esler, E. M. Anderson, T. D. Williams, O. P. Love, and M. T. Wilson Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 3, Page 346-353, May/June 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

Effects of Prenatal Testosterone Exposure on Antioxidant Status and Bill Color in Adult Zebra Finches

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:31:01 +0100

Michael Tobler, Maria I. Sandell, Sandra Chiriac, and Dennis Hasselquist Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Volume 86, Issue 3, Page 333-345, May 2013. (Source: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology)

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Haematopoietic necrosis of cultured Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (Bloch), associated with Cyprinid herpesvirus 2

Journal of Fish Diseases — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:10:50 +0100

(Source: Journal of Fish Diseases)

Behavioural Flexibility and Personality in Zebra Finches

Ethology — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:10:38 +0100

Abstract Consistent individual differences in behaviour of animals, that is, personalities, are both widespread and widely studied, but very few studies also include cognitive traits in this context. Animal personality has recently been integrated into the pace‐of‐life‐syndrome hypothesis, relating individual behavioural traits to life history. Variation in cognitive traits could be explained well by this theoretical framework. A risk‐reward trade‐off might lead to different cognitive types: Active birds that learn fast, take risks and probably have a fast lifestyle and less active, slow learning birds that are risk averse but thereby perform better in reversal learning as they probably pay more attention to external cues. We investigated the performance of zebra finches (Taeniop...

Distance from Water, Sex and Approach Direction Influence Flight Distances Among Habituated Black Swans

Ethology — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract In many animals, response to predators occurs at greater distances the further an individual is from a refuge, but this has rarely been investigated in birds. Here, we test the hypothesis that the further from refuge (i.e. water) a foraging black swan Cygnus atratus is situated, the longer its flight initiation distance (FID) in response to a pedestrian approach on land. As predicted, swans situated farther from water exhibited longer FIDs compared with those closer to the shore. In addition, there was the possibility of an interesting interaction effect (p < 0.061) of sex and direction of approach on FID. Whilst males tended to not alter their response in relation to the angle of approach relative to the water, females tended to respond at longer distances, when approached f...

Locomotor Performance Varies With Adult Phenotype in Ornamented/Non‐Ornamented Wolf Spiders

Ethology — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

New to Nature No 102: Lobariella sipmanii

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:05:01 +0100

A beautiful, newly discovered lichen from Colombia is the result of a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic algaA new species of lichen was found growing on lower to mid-height stems and small trunks of Diplostephium revolutum, a composite, in Bogotá, Colombia. It is only the second species in its genus with a cyanobacterial symbiont (a bacterium that obtains its energy through photosynthesis) but is distinct from all other species in several respects, including its strongly veined and stained surface.While this is a beautiful new find, it is perhaps most remarkable for the context in which it was described.For 250 years taxonomy has been largely based on an individual researcher-scholar model, although botanists have pioneered collaborative taxonomy in large-scale ...

Premature Hardening Of The Zona Pellucida Can Be A Cause Of Infertility

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:00:00 +0100

Scientists in Mainz and Aachen have discovered a new mechanism that controls egg cell fertility and that might have future therapeutic potential. It was revealed by Professor Dr. Walter Stocker of the Institute of Zoology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) that the blood protein fetuin-B plays an important and previously unknown role in the fertilization of oocytes. Fetuin-B, first identified in the year 2000, is formed in the liver and secreted into the blood stream. During a joint research project with researchers at RWTH Aachen University headed by Professor Dr... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The living community inside the common periwinkle, Littorina littorea

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:04:00 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 293-301, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Skin pathology in Hawaiian goldring surgeonfish, Ctenochaetus strigosus (Bennett)

Journal of Fish Diseases — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract Twenty‐eight goldring surgeonfish, Ctenochaetus strigosus (Bennett), manifesting skin lesions and originating from the north‐western and main Hawaiian Islands were examined. Skin lesions were amorphous and ranged from simple dark or light discolouration to multicoloured tan to white sessile masses with an undulant surface. Skin lesions covered 2–66% of the fish surface, and there was no predilection for lesions affecting a particular part of the fish. Males appeared over‐represented. Microscopy revealed the skin lesions to be hyperplasia, melanophoromas or iridophoromas. The presence of skin tumours in a relatively unspoiled area of Hawaii is intriguing. Explaining their distribution, cause and impact on survivorship of fish all merit further study because C. strigosus is...

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Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in fish by‐products is inactivated with inorganic acid (pH 1) and base (pH 12)

Journal of Fish Diseases — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract The aquaculture industry needs a simple, inexpensive and safe method for the treatment of fish waste without heat. Microbial inactivation by inorganic acid (HCl) or base (KOH) was determined using infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) as a model organism for fish pathogens. Salmonella and spores of Clostridium perfringens were general hygiene indicators in supplementary examinations. IPNV, which is considered to be among the most chemical‐ and heat‐resistant fish pathogens, was reduced by more than 3 log in 4 h at pH 1.0 and pH 12.0. Salmonella was rapidly inactivated by the same treatment, whereas spores of C. perfringens were hardly affected. The results indicate that low and high pH treatment could be particularly suitable for fish waste destined for biogas producti...

Development of a monoclonal antibody‐based flow‐through immunoassay (FTA) for detection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon

Journal of Fish Diseases — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract A flow‐through immunoassay (FTA), an improved version of immunodot, was developed using a nitrocellulose membrane baked onto adsorbent pads enclosed in a plastic cassette to detect white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp. Sharp purple dots developed with WSSV against the white background of the nitrocellulose membrane. The detection limits of WSSV by the FTA and immunodot were 0.312 and 1.2 μg mL−1 crude WSSV protein, respectively. The FTA could be completed in 8–10 min compared with 90 min for immunodot. The FTA was 100 times more sensitive than 1‐step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in between that of the 1‐ and 2‐step PCR protocol recommended by the Office of International Epizootics (OIE). In experimental, orally infected shrimp post‐larvae, WSSV was ...

Seeking a Sex‐Specific Coolidge Effect in a Simultaneous Hermaphrodite

Ethology — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:10:56 +0100

Abstract In polygamous mating systems, a capability to discriminate against familiar mates may be beneficial to both sexes. Polyandrous females, for instance, may enhance the odds of finding sires with optimal genetic compatibility or high genetic quality by mating with multiple different males; polygynous males, in addition, may more efficiently invest their limited ejaculates across multiple (rather than single) females. The Coolidge effect facilitates this kind of mate discrimination, as sexual motivation declines across consecutive copulations with a familiar partner but resurrects with a novel mate. In simultaneous hermaphrodites, we expect the Coolidge effect to show sex role‐dependent patterns and vary with previous sex‐specific mating activity. Using the promiscuous hermaphrodi...

First evidence of the presence of NK2 and Tlx genes in bivalve molluscs

Canadian Journal of Zoology — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:03:47 +0100

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 275-280, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology)

Genetic connectivity between land and sea: the case of the beachflea Orchestia montagui (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae) in the Mediterranean Sea

Frontiers in Zoology — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We conclude that the population structure of O. montagui is the result of the interplay of two contrasting forces that act on the species population genetic structure. On one hand, the species semi-terrestrial life style would tend to determine the onset of local differences. On the other hand, these differences are partially counter-balanced by passive movements of migrants via rafting on heaps of dead seagrass leaves across sites by sea surface currents. Approximate Bayesian Computations support dispersal at sea as prevalent over terrestrial regionalism. (Source: Frontiers in Zoology)

A bright single-cell resolution live imaging reporter of Notch signaling in the mouse

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: By using multiple CBF1 binding sites together with a subcellular-localized, genetically-encoded fluorescent protein, H2B-Venus, we have generated a transgenic strain of mice that faithfully recapitulates Notch signaling at single-cell resolution. This is the first mouse reporter strain in which individual cells transducing a Notch signal can be visualized. The improved resolution of this reporter makes it ideal for live imaging developmental processes regulated by the Notch signaling pathway as well as a short-term lineage tracer of Notch expressing cells due to the perdurance of the fluorescent reporter. Taken together, the CBF:H2B-Venus mouse strain is a unique tool to study and understand the morphogenetic events regulated by the Notch signaling pathway. (Source: BMC Develop...

Differences in Speed and Duration of Bird Migration between Spring and Autumn

The American Naturalist — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:05:48 +0100

Cecilia Nilsson, Raymond H. G. Klaassen and Thomas Alerstam, The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Representatives Lipinski, Reichert Receive BESC Award

Public Policy Reports — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:10:58 +0100

Representatives Daniel Lipinski (D-Illinois) and Dave Reichert (R-Washington) are the recipients of the 2013 Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC) Congressional Leadership Award. The award is given to recognize congressional leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting public policy that advances the nation’s scientific research enterprise. “We are fortunate to have two such strong supporters of the natural sciences in Congress,” said Nadine Lymn, co-chair of BESC and director of public affairs for the Ecological Society of America. “Representatives Lipinski and Reichert have repeatedly demonstrated that they value the contributions of biology and other sciences to society and believe that sustaining the nation’s research and technolo...

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Development, organization, and remodeling of phoronid muscles from embryo to metamorphosis (Lophotrochozoa: Phoronida)

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Early steps of phoronid myogenesis reflect the peculiarities of the actinotroch larva: the muscle of the preoral lobe is the first muscle to appear, and it is important for food capture. The larval muscular system is organized in differently in different phoronid larvae, but always exhibits a complexity that probably results from the long pelagic life, planktotrophy, and catastrophic metamorphosis. Degeneration of the larval muscular system during phoronid metamorphosis occurs in two ways, i.e., by complete or by incomplete destruction of larval muscular elements. The organization and remodeling of the muscular system in phoronids exhibits the combination of protostome-like and deuterostome-like features. This combination, which has also been found in the organization of some o...

miRNA regulated pathways in late stage murine lung development

BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: MiRNAs are differentially regulated across time and between sexes during the canalicular and saccular stages of lung development. Sex-associated differential miRNA expression may regulate the differences in structural and functional male and female lung development, as shown by networks generated using in silico analysis. These data provide a valuable resource to further enhance the understanding of miRNA control of lung development and maturation. (Source: BMC Developmental Biology - Latest articles)

Robust Fall Social Displays Predict Spring Reproductive Behavior in Brown‐Headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater ater)

Ethology — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract The ability to engage others in close proximity may be an essential component of social life and shapes the development of social skills. Variation in the willingness to initiate and sustain close interaction with conspecifics is known as sociability. The Brown‐headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) uses an affiliative display called the head‐down to bring individuals into close proximity. During fall 2009, we manipulated a large flock of cowbirds in a fission–fusion perturbation and recorded the frequency of head‐downs and social approaches. During the fission–fusion perturbation, the rate of head‐downs remained both correlated and repeatable across perturbations. In spring 2010, we separated individuals into three aviaries, a high, intermediate, and low aviary, based on the...

Edinburgh panda artificially inseminated with dead male's sperm

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:39:27 +0100

Sperm from Tian Tian's mate Yang Guang and Bao Bao, who died in Berlin zoo last year, is used in effort to impregnate herEdinburgh zoo's female panda Tian Tian may give birth to a cub conceived with sperm from a male who died last year after the zoo resorted to artificial insemination to increase the chances of a pregnancy.The zoo said it had used artificial insemination with Tian Tian early on Sunday after it became clear she and her mate Yang Guang were not going to mate naturally, despite days of coaxing and waiting.But to maximise the chances for a live birth, the team of Scottish, Chinese and German specialists in Edinburgh used sperm from Yang Guang and thawed sperm from a panda called Bao Bao, who died in Berlin zoo aged 34 last year.He was the last panda on British soil until Edinb...

Giant pandas after artificial insemination - video

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:42:00 +0100

Two giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo roam their enclosures and chew on bamboo. Tian Tian, the female, was artificially inseminated on Sunday morning (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

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Predation Risk and Opportunity Cost of Fleeing While Foraging on Plants Influence Escape Decisions of an Insular Lizard

Ethology — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:10:12 +0100

Abstract Cost‐benefit models of escape behaviour predict how close a prey allows a predator to approach [flight initiation distance (FID)] based on cost of not fleeing (predation risk) and cost of fleeing (loss of opportunities). Models for FID have been used with some success to predict distance fled (DF). We studied effects of foraging opportunity cost of fleeing and examined differences between age‐sex groups in the omnivorous Balearic Lizard, Podarcis lilfordi. Balearic lizards forage on the ground for invertebrate prey and climb the thistle Carlina corymbosa to forage on its inflorescences. We studied escape behaviour in three experimental groups, with human beings as simulated predators: lizard foraging above ground on C. corymbosa, foraging on the ground away from thistles and ...

Trade-Offs, Geography, and Limits to Thermal Adaptation in a Tide Pool Copepod

The American Naturalist — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:53:08 +0100

Morgan W. Kelly, Richard K. Grosberg and Eric Sanford, The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Initiators, Leaders, and Recruitment Mechanisms in the Collective Movements of Damselfish

The American Naturalist — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:37:02 +0100

Ashley J. W. Ward, James E. Herbert-Read, Lyndon A. Jordan, Richard James, Jens Krause, Qi Ma, Daniel I. Rubenstein, David J. T. Sumpter and Lesley J. Morrell, The American Naturalist, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print. (Source: The American Naturalist)

A Field Experiment Demonstrating Plant Life-History Evolution and Its Eco-Evolutionary Feedback to Seed Predator Populations.

The American Naturalist — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:44:04 +0100

Anurag A. Agrawal, Marc T. J. Johnson, Amy P. Hastings, and John L. Maron The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue S1, Page S35-S45, May 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

A Critical Look at Reciprocity in Ecology and Evolution: Introduction to the Symposium.

The American Naturalist — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:44:02 +0100

David N. Reznick The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue S1, Page S1-S8, May 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

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Navigating the Devious Course of Evolution: The Importance of Mechanistic Models for Identifying Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics in Nature.

The American Naturalist — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:43:45 +0100

Shishi Luo and Katia Koelle The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue S1, Page S58-S75, May 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Predicting and Detecting Reciprocity between Indirect Ecological Interactions and Evolution.

The American Naturalist — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:43:27 +0100

James A. Estes, Justin S. Brashares, and Mary E. Power The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue S1, Page S76-S99, May 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

The Nonlinear Effects of Evolutionary Innovation Biospheric Feedbacks on Qualitative Environmental Change: From the Microbial to Metazoan World.

The American Naturalist — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:43:24 +0100

Martin Kennedy The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue S1, Page S100-S111, May 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Experimental Test of an Eco-Evolutionary Dynamic Feedback Loop between Evolution and Population Density in the Green Peach Aphid.

The American Naturalist — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:43:20 +0100

Martin M. Turcotte, David N. Reznick, and J. Daniel Hare The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue S1, Page S46-S57, May 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

Contemporary Evolution of Plant Growth Rate Following Experimental Removal of Herbivores.

The American Naturalist — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:43:07 +0100

Nash E. Turley, Walter C. Odell, Hanno Schaefer, Georg Everwand, Michael J. Crawley, and Marc T. J. Johnson The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue S1, Page S21-S34, May 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)

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Use of axonal projection patterns for the homologisation of cerebral nerves in Opisthobranchia, Mollusca and Gastropoda

Frontiers in Zoology — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: As the described tracing patterns are highly conserved morphological characters, they can be used to homologise nerves within the investigated group of gastropods. The combination of adequate number of replicates and a comparative approach allows us to provide preliminary hypotheses on homologies for the cerebral nerves. Based on the hypotheses regarding cerebral nerve homology together with further data on ultrastructure and immunohistochemistry of CSOs published elsewhere, we can propose preliminary hypotheses regarding homology for the CSOs of the Opisthobranchia themselves. (Source: Frontiers in Zoology)

Change of antibody levels to ferritin in the sera of foals after birth: Possible passive transfer of maternal anti‐ferritin autoantibody via colostrum and age‐related anti‐ferritin autoantibody production

Animal Science Journal — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract Antibody (immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM or IgA) levels relative to ferritin in six foal sera (three male and three female) after birth (day 0 and 2, 6, 10, 20, 28, 36, 40, 52 and 56 weeks of age) were semi‐quantitatively measured with normalization with antibody activity to ferritin in one adult horse serum. After addition of horse spleen ferritin to the serum sample, the complex formed between antibodies to ferritin in the serum and ferritin was co‐immunoprecipitated using antibody to horse spleen ferritin. Antibody classes of the co‐immnoprecipitate were detected with antibodies specific for horse IgG, IgM or IgA heavy chain. Six adult horse serum samples were found to have ferritin‐binding activities in all immunoglobulin classes examined. Although ferritin antibody activ...

An improved dry ash procedure for the detection of titanium dioxide in cattle feces

Animal Science Journal — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract We improved the dry ash procedure for detecting titanium dioxide (TiO2) in cattle feces containing chromium dioxide (Cr2O3). First, the effect of amount of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) on the recovery of TiO2 from cattle feces that contained Cr2O3 was evaluated. Average recovery of TiO2 at the 2.5 g Na2SO4 level was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than that at 0.75 g Na2SO4. Second, the effect of Cr2O3 concentration on the recovery of TiO2 of cattle feces by using two levels of Na2SO4 addition was examined. The recovery of TiO2 decreased with the increase in the amount of Cr2O3 at the 0.75 g Na2SO4 level but was consistently high at 2.5 g Na2SO4. Third, the recovery of Cr2O3 from cattle feces was checked. The recoveries of TiO2 and Cr2O3 were high enough at the 2.5 g...

Estimation of genetic parameters for longevity traits in dairy cattle: A review with focus on the characteristics of analytical models

Animal Science Journal — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract Longevity is an economically important trait of dairy cattle for increasing the profitability of dairy management. The reasons for culling can be either voluntary (primarily productivity) or involuntary (primarily health and fertility). Longevity characteristics include: (i) true longevity (all culling reasons, including productivity); and (ii) functional longevity (all culling reasons, except productivity). Improvements to longevity are made to decrease the rate of involuntary culling rather than extend the herd life (HL). The proportional hazard model is useful for evaluating genetic ability for HL. However, the differences between estimates made using the proportional hazard model and those made using linear single or multiple‐trait animal models are not clear. The model comm...

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Use of axonal projection patterns for the homologisation of cerebral nerves in Opisthobranchia (Mollusca, Gastropoda)

Frontiers in Zoology — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0100

'Coelacanth' Genome Unlocked

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0100

The South African fisherman who pulled a prehistoric-looking blue creature out of his net in 1938 had unwittingly snagged one of the zoological finds of the century: a 1.5-meter-long coelacanth, a type of fish that had been thought to have become extinct 70 million years earlier. [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

Genetic Relatedness Influences Plant Biomass Accumulation in Eelgrass (Zostera marina).

The American Naturalist — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:44:23 +0100

John J. Stachowicz, Stephanie J. Kamel, A. Randall Hughes, and Richard K. Grosberg The American Naturalist, Volume 181, Issue 5, Page 715-724, May 2013. (Source: The American Naturalist)