Daily activity and light exposure levels for five species of lemurs at the duke lemur center

Light is the primary synchronizer of all biological rhythms, yet little is known about the role of the 24‐hour luminous environment on nonhuman primate circadian patterns, making it difficult to understand the photic niche of the ancestral primate. Here we present the first data on proximate light–dark exposure and activity–rest patterns in free‐ranging nonhuman primates. Four individuals each of five species of lemurs at the Duke Lemur Center (Eulemur mongoz, Lemur catta, Propithecus coquereli, Varecia rubra, and Varecia variegata variegata) were fitted with a Daysimeter‐D pendant that contained light and accelerometer sensors. Our results reveal common as well as species‐specific light exposure and behavior patterns. As expected, all five species were more active between sunrise and sunset. All five species demonstrated an anticipatory increase in their pre‐sunrise activity that peaked at sunrise with all but V. rubra showing a reduction within an hour. All five species reduced activity during mid‐day. Four of the five stayed active after sunset, but P. coquereli began reducing their activity about 2 hours before sunset. Other subtle differences in the recorded light exposure and activity patterns suggest species‐specific photic niches and behaviors. The eventual application of the Daysimeter‐D in the wild may help to better understand the adaptive evolution of ancestral primates. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:68–77, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Differential Water Mite Parasitism,Phenoloxidase Activity,and Resistance to Mites Are Unrelated across Pairs of Related Damselfly Species

Related host species often demonstrate differences in prevalence and/or intensity of infection by particular parasite species, as well as different levels of resistance to those parasites. The mechanisms underlying this interspecific variation in parasitism and resistance expression are not well understood. Surprisingly, few researchers have assessed relations between actual levels of parasitism and resistance to parasites seen in nature across multiple host species. The main goal of this study was to determine whether interspecific variation in resistance against ectoparasitic larval water mites either was predictive of interspecific variation in parasitism for ten closely related species of damselflies (grouped into five “species pairs”), or was predicted by interspecific variation in a commonly used measure of innate immunity (total Phenoloxidase or potential PO activity). Two of five species pairs had interspecific differences in proportions of individuals resisting larval Arrenurus water mites, only one of five species pairs had species differences in prevalence of larval Arrenurus water mites, and another two of five species pairs showed species differences in mean PO activity. Within the two species pairs where species differed in proportion of individuals resisting mites the species with the higher proportion did not have correspondingly higher PO activity levels. Furthermore, the proportion of individuals resisting mites mirrored prevalence of parasitism in only one species pair. There was no interspecific variation in median intensity of mite infestation within any species pair. We conclude that a species’ relative ability to resist particular parasites does not explain interspecific variation in parasitism within species pairs and that neither resistance nor parasitism is reflected by interspecific variation in total PO or potential PO activity.     

Comparative histology, histochemistry and innervation of striated muscle fibers of the greater pectoralis muscle and supracoracoid muscle in birds

The morphology of the pectoralis major muscle and the supracoracoideus muscle was compared in three Galliformes and five Passeriformes, in relation to partial behavioral characteristics. In all species, two fibres types are observed. The frequencies of these fibres are different, especially between Galliformes and Passeriformes, but also between Coturnix and other Galliformes. All fibres show phasic innervation. A relation of the extent between synaptic gutters and muscle activity is suggested.     

Relationships among Bacterial Cell Size, Productivity, and Genetic Diversity in Aquatic Environments using Cell Sorting and Flow Cytometry

Abstract The study of relationships between cell size and productivity is of key importance in microbial ecology to understand which members of natural aquatic communities are responsible for the overall activity and/or productivity. Flow sorting of microorganisms from different environmental samples was used to analyze the activity of bacterial cells depending on their biovolume. Bacterial cells from five different natural samples taken along the Mediterranean coast including fresh- and seawaters were incubated with tritiated leucine, then stained with SYTO 13 and sorted by flow cytometry according to their average side-angle-scattered (SSC) light. In all samples, a bell-shaped relationship was found between cell biovolume and activity, whereas activity of a given cell-size class varied between samples. In contrast, an inverse relationship was found between biovolumes and abundances. These results suggest that medium-sized cells with highest growth rates are probably submitted to intense grazing. For one sample, bacteria within five different size classes were sorted and the genetic diversity of cells within each sorted size class and that of the whole community were analyzed by the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method. The genetic diversity, as determined at the community level was highly represented into the pool of small cells, whereas only few species were present into larger cell subpopulations. The results suggest that only a few genotypes may be dominant within the largest and most productive cells. Furthermore, cell size polymorphism as well as heterogeneous cellular activities were found within some species. Received: January 2000; Accepted: April 2000; Online Publication: 28 August 2000     

Enzyme activities in plasma, kidney, liver, and muscle of five avian species

Activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined in plasma, kidney, liver, and muscle from five species of captive birds. Few differences occurred in plasma activities between sexes but considerable differences occurred between species. All five enzymes were detected in each of the tissues sampled. Relative enzyme activities in liver, kidney, and muscle were similar for each species. CPK activity was much higher in muscle than in liver or kidney and, of the five enzymes studied, may be the best indicator of muscle damage. Most of the other enzymes were more evenly distributed among the three tissues, and no organ-specific enzyme could be identified for liver or kidney. Because of interspecific variations in plasma enzyme activities, it is important to establish baseline values for each species to ensure accurate interpretation of results.     

Low diversity,activity, and density of transposable elements in five avian genomes

In this study, we conducted the activity, diversity, and density analysis of transposable elements (TEs) across five avian genomes (budgerigar, chicken, turkey, medium ground finch, and zebra finch) to explore the potential reason of small genome sizes of birds. We found that these avian genomes exhibited low density of TEs by about 10% of genome coverages and low diversity of TEs with the TE landscapes dominated by CR1 and ERV elements, and contrasting proliferation dynamics both between TE types and between species were observed across the five avian genomes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CR1 clade was more diverse in the family structure compared with R2 clade in birds; avian ERVs were classified into four clades (alpha, beta, gamma, and ERV-L) and belonged to three classes of ERV with an uneven distributed in these lineages. The activities of DNA and SINE TEs were very low in the evolution history of avian genomes; most LINEs and LTRs were ancient copies with a substantial decrease of activity in recent, with only LTRs and LINEs in chicken and zebra finch exhibiting weak activity in very recent, and very few TEs were intact; however, the recent activity may be underestimated due to the sequencing/assembly technologies in some species. Overall, this study demonstrates low diversity, activity, and density of TEs in the five avian species; highlights the differences of TEs in these lineages; and suggests that the current and recent activity of TEs in avian genomes is very limited, which may be one of the reasons of small genome sizes in birds.     

Partitioning of vocal activity in a Neotropical highland-frog community

Vocal activity was studied in a Colombian highland-frog community, consisting of five frog species belonging to three families with three different reproductive modes, which reproduced simultaneously in the area. We encountered one diurnal and four nocturnal species. Each species had a distinct call structure, and the 24-hour patterns of calling activity differed significantly between all but two species. Interspecific differences in dominant call frequencies corresponded inversely to differences in male snout-vent length. Only one species called in ponds, whereas all other species used terrestrial sites. Among the terrestrial callers there seemed to be interspecific differences in plant use as calling sites. Our results indicate that despite the low number of species, interspecific vocal partitioning is pronounced, and probably important for reliable vocal communication.     

Comparative sequence analysis reveals extensive microcolinearity in the lateral suppressor regions of the tomato, Arabidopsis, and Capsella genomes

A 57-kb region of tomato chromosome 7 harboring five different genes was compared with the sequence of the Arabidopsis genome to search for microsynteny between the genomes of these two species. For all five genes, homologous sequences could be identified in a 30-kb region located on Arabidopsis chromosome 1. Only two inversion events distinguish the arrangement of the five genes in tomato from that in Arabidopsis. Inversions were not detected when the arrangement of the five Arabidopsis genes was compared with the arrangement in the orthologous region of Capsella, a plant closely related to Arabidopsis. These results provide evidence for microcolinearity between closely and distantly related dicotyledonous species. The degree of microcolinearity found can be exploited to localize orthologous genes in Arabidopsis and tomato in an unambiguous way.     

The Golden-spectacled Warbler: a complex of sibling species, including a previously undescribed species

The Golden-spectacled Warbler, usually treated as a single species, Seicercus burkii , is widely distributed in mountains of southern Asia. We argue that it should be treated as five different species, one of which is described here for the first time. Two species occur in sympatry in the Himalayas. The other three species are found in eastern Asia, where all three are sympatric in China, and two of these breed sympatrically also in Vietnam. In Burma and adjacent parts of India, one of the Himalayan species is sympatric with one of the east Asian species. We describe differences in morphology, vocalizations, altitudinal distribution and habitat between these five species, as well as results from playback tests, which show that all sympatric taxa differ and appear to be reproductively isolated from each other.     

Eimeria tenella, E. necatrix, E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. brunetti: potent anticoccidial activity of an uridine analog, 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-2(1H)-pyrazinone 4-oxide

The anticoccidial activity of an uridine analog, 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-2(1H)-pyrazinone 4-oxide (emimycin riboside), against five species of chicken Eimeria was tested individually in battery experiments. With 16 ppm of the compound in feed, marked anticoccidial activity was obtained against Eimeria tenella, E. necatrix, E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. brunetti. The last named species was more drug-sensitive than the others--dietary levels of at least 8 ppm of the drug exhibited good protection and eliminated practically all clinical signs. The battery tests with delayed and restricted medications showed that emimycin riboside affected the development of parasites in first and second generation schizogony of the life cycle of E. tenella.     

Antimicrobial activity in gorgonian corals (Coelenterata,Octocorallia)

Coral surfaces are often colonized by bacteria and other microbes that may be pathogenic as well as surface-fouling. To test the hypothesis that corals possess antimicrobial properties, both polar and non-polar extracts from eight species of gorgonian corals were assayed against five species of bacteria. Antimicrobial activity was most apparent in the non-polar fractions, which inhibited bacterial growth in all but one of the 40 interactions assayed (8 coralsx5 bacteria). Polar extracts were effective in less than 40% (14/40) of the interactions assayed. The levels of antimicrobial activity varied significantly among the gorgonian corals and was also dependent on the species of bacteria. Generally, marine bacteria were less sensitive to the extracts than were non-marine species. Differences in selerite content among the gorgonians did not influence the levels of extract antimicrobial activity.     

Distinction between ''A''-esterases and arylesterases. Implications for esterase classification.

'A'-esterase activities (substrates paraoxon and pirimiphos-methyloxon) and arylesterase activities (substrate phenyl acetate) were assayed in the sera of 14 species of birds representing seven different orders and 11 species of mammal representing five different orders. Ten species of birds had no detectable 'A'-esterase, and the remaining four species only low activity, yet all birds showed considerable arylesterase activity (16.8-99.3 mumol/min per ml of serum). Ten species of mammal showed both 'A'- and 'aryl'-esterase activities. In humans, gel filtration of serum completely separated peaks representing paraoxonase and arylesterase activities. Thus, in both birds and humans, serum enzymes exist that express arylesterase activity but not 'A'-esterase activity. These findings suggest that a distinction should be made between these two types of esterase in future classifications.     

A New Species of the Genus Achalinus from Huangshan,Anhui, China(Squamata: Xenodermidae)

A new species of the genus Achalinus is described based on five specimens collected from the villages of Huangjialing and Fuxi, Huangshan, Anhui, China. It can be morphologically differentia ted from all the other species in Achalinus except for A. spinalis and A. werneri by the presence of a dotted black streak in the middle of the subcaudal. It can be distinguished from A. spinalis in that its two anterior temporals are in contact with eye, and A. werneri by its light brown flanks. The phylogenetic rela tionship of Achalinus was reconstructed using the mitochondrial locus of cytochrome coxidase subunit 1(CO1). The five new specimens form a monophyletic clade with strong support. The uncorrected p-dista nces between the new species and other representatives of Achalinus range from 13.6% to 21.7%. The recognition of the new species increases the number of described Achalinus species to 14.     

基于红外相机技术对文山国家级自然保护区老君山片区地栖鸟兽多样性的调查

为进一步查清云南省文山国家级自然保护区老君山片区地栖鸟兽多样性、常见物种活动节律及其与人畜活动的关系,2019年8月—2020年3月分两次在老君山片区布设73个红外相机监测位点,除丢失损坏及无效相机外,59个相机位点共调查到鸟兽62种,其中兽类5目11科17属21种,鸟类5目14科31属41种。国家二级重点保护野生动物有熊猴(Macaca assamensis)、红面猴(Macaca arctoides)、斑林狸(Prionodon pardicolor)、白腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus amherstiae)、栗头八色鸫(Pitta oatesi)等12种,其中有4种仅在核心区分布;中国特有哺乳动物2种：侧纹岩松鼠(Rupestes forresti)和红白鼯鼠(Petaurista alborufus)。新增兽类记录4种,鸟类记录17种。鸟类中相对多度指数较高的种类为红喉山鹧鸪(Arborophila rufogularis)和白鹇(Lophura nycthemera),兽类为红腿长吻松鼠(Dremomys pyrrhomerus)和侧纹岩松鼠。生态位相似的红喉山鹧鸪和白鹇之...     

Glutathione metabolism in primate lenses: A phylogenetic study of glutathione synthesis and glutathione redox cycle enzyme activities

Lens wet weights, soluble protein, and activities of γ-glutiamylcysteine synthetase, glutathione synthetase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase were determined in primate lenses. The primary sources of lenses were middle-aged adult animals. The Primates, from 23 genera, were categorized into six superfamilies: hominoids (five species), Old World monkeys (seven species), New World monkeys (five species), tarsiers (two species), lemurs (six species), and lorisids (three species). Significant differences between various groups or combinations of groups were noted for γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities. Lenticular γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity was very low in the Old World simian lenses and highest in the prosimians. Glutathione peroxidase activity was extraordinarily high in lenses of Old World monkeys. Glutathione reductase activity was low in all the prosimians but tenfold higher in hominoid lenses with intermediate values in monkeys of both the Old World and New World. Glutathione synthetase activity was variable, and no clear pattern which might be useful for primate classification was noted. Lenticular activity ratios of glutathione synthetase:γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase were highest in the Old World simians and lowest in the prosimians. These data with emphasis upon Aotus and the tarsiers were examined with regard to phylogenetic relationships. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Endophytic fungi occurring in fennel, lettuce, chicory, and celery — commercial crops in southern Italy

The occurrence of endophytic fungi in fennel, lettuce, chicory, and celery crops was investigated in southern Italy. A total of 186 symptomless plants was randomly collected and sampled at the stage of commercial ripeness. Fungal species of Acremonium, Alternaria, Fusarium, and Plectosporium were detected in all four crops; Plectosporium tabacinum was the most common in all crop species and surveyed sites. The effect of eight endophytic isolates (five belonging to Plectosporium tabacinum and three to three species of Acremonium) inoculated on lettuce plants grown in gnotobiosis was assessed by recording plant height, root length and dry weight, collar diameter, root necrosis, and leaf yellowing. P. tabacinum and three species of Acremonium, inoculated on gnotobiotically grown lettuce plants, showed pathogenic activity that varied with the fungal isolate. Lettuce plants inoculated with the isolates Ak of Acremonium kiliense, Ac of Acremonium cucurbitacearum, and P35 of P. tabacinum showed an increased root growth, compared to the non-inoculated control. The high frequency of P. tabacinum isolation recorded in lettuce plants collected in Bari and Metaponto, and in fennel plants from Foggia agricultural districts, suggests a relationship not only between a crop species and P. tabacinum, but also between the occurrence of the endophyte and the crop rotation history of the soil.     

Differences in the rDNA-bearing chromosome divide the Asian-Pacific and Atlantic species of Crassostrea (Bivalvia, Mollusca)

Karyotype and chromosomal location of the major ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) were studied using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in five species of CRASSOSTREA: three Asian-Pacific species (C. gigas, C. plicatula, and C. ariakensis) and two Atlantic species (C. virginica and C. rhizophorae). FISH probes were made by PCR amplification of the intergenic transcribed spacer between the 18S and 5.8S rRNA genes, and labeled with digoxigenin-11-dUTP. All five species had a haploid number of 10 chromosomes. The Atlantic species had 1-2 submetacentric chromosomes, while the three Pacific species had none. FISH with metaphase chromosomes detected a single telomeric locus for rDNA in all five species without any variation. In all three Pacific species, rDNA was located on the long arm of Chromosome 10 (10q)--the smallest chromosome. In the two Atlantic species, rDNA was located on the short arm of Chromosome 2 (2p)--the second longest chromosome. A review of other studies reveals the same distribution of NOR sites (putative rDNA loci) in three other species: on 10q in C. sikamea and C. angulata from the Pacific Ocean and on 2p in C. gasar from the western Atlantic. All data support the conclusion that differences in size and shape of the rDNA-bearing chromosome represent a major divide between Asian-Pacific and Atlantic species of CRASSOSTREA: This finding suggests that chromosomal divergence can occur under seemingly conserved karyotypes and may play a role in reproductive isolation and speciation.     

Antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antibacterial properties of endophytic Pestalotiopsis species from medicinal plants

Pestalotiopsis species were most dominant endophytic species isolated from four medicinal plants including Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia chebula, Azadirachta indica, and Holarrhena antidysenterica. Thirty Pestalotiopsis species isolated from different parts of the medicinal plants were selected for the study. The antioxidant and antihypertensive properties of Pestalotiopsis isolates were determined by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl inhibitory activity, lipid peroxidation, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition activity. Pestalotiopsis isolates of T. arjuna origin exhibited maximum radical scavenging activity compared with the others. The IC50 values of Pestalotiopsis extracts for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity ranged from 14 to 27 mug/mL compared with 15 and 6 mug/mL for butylated hydroxytoluene and ascorbic acid, respectively. The DNA damage study was also done for three isolates, TC-315, TA-37, and TA-60; TA-37 gave 80% protection. The IC50 values of Pestalotiopsis extracts for lipid peroxidation ranged between 30 and 35.5 mug/mL, while for the positive control butylated hydroxytoluene, it was 26 mug/mL. Out of 32 fungal extracts screened for antihypertensive assay, five (TA-37, TA-60, TA-102, TA-103, and TC-320) showed >60% inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme. The IC50 values for five extracts ranged from 21 to 37 mug/mL and was 20 mug/mL for captopril used as a positive control. The antibacterial activity was measured by the microplate-based turbidity measurement method. Four Pestalotiopsis extracts (TA-04, TA-37, TA-60, and TA-102) showed >75% inhibition against five bacterial strains including Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum, and Staphylococcus aureus. The antioxidant, antibacterial, and antihypertensive activities demonstrated the potential of Pestalotiopsis extracts as therapeutic targets.     

Increase in activity density and species number of carabid beetles in cereals as a result of strip-management

In 1990 and 1991, we monitored the abundance of a carabid community in a 8 ha winter cereal field. The field was subdivided by five 1.5 m wide weed-strips leaving 12, 24 and 36 m between the strips. In 1990 significantly higher activity densities and number of species were found in the strips. In 1991, however, both number of species and activity densities of ground beetles in the weed-strips and the cereal parts in between were similar. In 1991, activity density in cereal parts between weed-strips was significantly higher than in a bordering control area. Most of the activity densities of all 23 abundant species were significantly higher in the strip-managed area than in the control area. Furthermore, the number of species in the strip-managed area was higher. In addition, most sampling dates (1990 and 1991) revealed a significant negative regression between activity density and distance from the first strip, i.e. width of the cereal parts between the strips. Strip-management seems to be a way to increase ground beetle densities considerably by providing better food supplies and more suitable overwintering sites.     

Length-dependent changes in egg size and fecundity in females, and brooded embryo size in males, of fork-tailed catfishes (Pisces: Ariidae) from the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, with some implications for stock assessments

Data suggest that mature egg weight is positively correlated to female parent length in all five species of fork-tailed catfish studied. Embryo weight is positively correlated with the length of the male mouthbrooding parent in the four species where data are available. Non-random mate pairing is probably between fish of equivalent size. Fecundity appears to be linearly related to female fish length in all species. There is no significant correlation between fecundity and female weight, probably because egg size increases with fish size. Low fecundities and breeding behaviour suggest that recruitment is likely to be highly density-dependent and the stocks vulnerable to increased mortality (fishing). Changes in egg size with fish size may account for deviations from a cube relationship between fecundity and fish length in other species. The relevance of this to other fish stock assessments is discussed. Attention is drawn to possible changes in egg size with fish length which could affect recruitment in fished stocks, depending on the specific relationship and the length at which mature fish are caught.