The relationship between ecological segregation and sexual body size dimorphism in large herbivores

Ecological segregation (sexual differences in diet or habitat use) in large herbivores has been intimately linked to sexual body size dimorphism, and may affect both performance and survival of the sexes. However, no one has tested comparatively whether segregation occurs at a higher frequency among more dimorphic species. To test this comparatively, data on sex-specific diet, habitat use and body size of 40 species of large herbivores were extracted from the literature. The frequency of ecological segregation was higher among more dimorphic herbivores; however, this was only significant for browsers. This provides the first evidence that segregation is more common among more dimorphic species. The comparative evidence supported the nutritional-needs hypothesis over the incisor breadth hypothesis, as there was no difference in frequency of segregation between seasons with high and low resource levels, and since segregation was also evident among browsers. Whether the absence of a correlation between ecological segregation and level of sexual body size dimorphism for intermediate feeders and grazers is due to biological differences relative to browsers or to the fact that the monomorphic species included in the analysis were all browsers is discussed. Received: 18 August 1999 / Accepted: 31 January 2000     

Seasonal changes in the reproductive and life-history traits of Chrysomela populi L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Seasonal changes in the reproductive and life‐history traits of Chrysomela populi L. were investigated in Shobara (34°52′N, 133°01′E), Japan, in 2004 and 2005. Larvae were hatched and reared under natural photoperiod and temperature in 8 different periods between late April and early September in 2004. The incidence of adult diapause increased with progression of the season in 2004. The critical timing of diapause induction, as defined by 50% of females entering diapause, was estimated to occur between late July and early August. No effects of season on the survival rate from hatching to adult emergence, percentage ovipositing females and percentage females that deposited viable eggs were clearly detected. Adult weight at emergence fluctuated seasonally, which was probably caused by air temperature. No effect of season on the oviposition period was observed among females that averted diapause. Females that entered diapause in 2004 started oviposition from the first day of May in 2005. Reproductive output was significantly greater in diapause females than in non‐diapause females. This increase in the reproductive output of diapause females was caused by elongation of the oviposition period and consequently by enlargement of the number of egg clutches deposited. These results suggest that the seasonal timing of diapause induction in females of C. populi would be affected by various risks and benefits to reproduction and survival.     

Strategies in Mediterranean grassland annuals in relation to stress and disturbance

Abstract. Morphological (size and shape) and functional (growth, reproduction and phenology) attributes are used to characterize 42 annual species of Mediterranean grasslands according to their strategy. Principal component analysis of the matrix of 42 species x 9 attributes shows that the main trend of variation is related to plant size. Larger species have larger seeds, lower relative growth rates and lower reproductive output. The second and third trends of variation are related to plant shape. Ordination of species shows differences in shape between taxa and growth forms (grasses, legumes, forbs). The relative abundance of species with different attributes vary with the level of stress (water and nutrient availability) and disturbance (grazing and ploughing). Size is related to stress, with larger plants dominating in productive habitats and smaller ones in the most unproductive. Disturbance is related to shape and phenology, since grazing favours species with low canopies and ploughing favours species with shorter life cycles, that are usually small in size. Relations between plant attributes and habitat characteristics are examined within the more general framework of plant strategy theory.     

Comparison of two cool vests on heat-strain reduction while wearing a firefighting ensemble

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a six-pack versus a four-pack cool vest in reducing heat strain in men dressed in firefighting ensemble, while resting and exercising in a warm/humid environment [34.4°C (day bulb), 28.9°C (wet bulb)]. Male volunteers (n = 12) were monitored for rectal temperature (T _re), mean skin temperature (T _sk), heart rate, and energy expenditure during three test trials: control (no cool vest), four-pack vest, and six-pack vest. The cool vests were worn under the firefighting ensemble and over Navy dungarees. The protocol consisted of two cycles of 30 min seated rest and 30 min walking on a motorized treadmill (1.12 m · s^–1, 0% grade). Tolerance time for the control trial (93 min) was significantly less than both vest trials (120 min). Throughout heat exposure, energy expenditure varied during rest and exercise, but no differences existed among all trials (P > 0.05). During the first 60 min of heat exposure, physiological responses were similar for the four-pack and six-pack vests. However, during the second 60 min of heat exposure the six-pack vest had a greater impact on reducing heat strain than the four-pack vest. PeakT _e andT _sk at the end of heat exposure for 6-pack vest [mean (SD) 38.0(0.3)°C and 36.8(0.7)°C] were significantly lower compared to four-pack [38.6 (0.4)°C and 38.1(0.5)°C] and controls [38.9(0.5)°C and 38.4(0.5)°C]. Our findings suggest that the six-pack vest is more effective than the four-pack vest at reducing heat strain and improves performance of personnel wearing a firefighting ensemble.     

Retardation of bone development in the Koshima troop of Japanese macaques

Retardation of bone development was observed in the Koshima troop of free ranging Japanese macaques. In the control group, epiphyseal unions of appendicular long bones generally started to close at about 4 yrs of age and were completed at about 8 or 9 yrs of age. Limb bone unions of the Koshima troop, however, started to close at about 9 yrs of age and completely closed at about 15 yrs of age. In the epiphyseal unions of trunk and girdle bones, the Koshima troop again showed a retardation of closure compared with the control group. Until long bones reached their full length, that is, until about 15 yrs of age, their size was small in the Koshima troop compared with the control group, though the sample size of the Koshima troop was small. After 15 yrs of age, however, many osteometrical measurements of the Koshima troop were nearly the same as controls. A prolonged growing duration compensated for the slow growth and allowed them to become as large as controls. This prolongation may be an adaptation in response to small size during the developmental period. In some parts of the body, however, Koshima macaques failed to reach the adult size of controls. Males were less likely than females to reach full size. Causes of the retardation and small size in the Koshima troop are discussed, but they remain open to further studies.     

The energetics of middle-distance running

In order to assess the relative contribution of aerobic processes to running velocity (v), 27 male athletes were selected on the basis of their middle-distance performances over 800, 1500, 3000 or 5000 m, during the 1987 track season. To be selected for study, the average running velocity (v) corresponding to their performances had to be superior to 90% of the best French v of the season. Maximum O2 consumption (VO2max) and energy cost of running (C) had been measured within the 2 months preceding the track season, which, together with oxygen consumption at rest (VO2rest) allowed us to calculate the maximal v that could be sustained under aerobic conditions: vamax = (VO2max - VO2rest) x C-1. The treadmill running v corresponding to a blood lactate of 4 mmol.l-1 (vla4), was also calculated. In the whole group, C was significantly related to height (r = -0.43; P less than 0.03). Neither C nor VO2max (with, in this case, the exception of the 3000 m athletes) were correlated to v. On the other hand, vamax was significantly correlated to v over distances longer than 800 m. These v were also correlated to vla4. However vla4 occurred at 87.5% SD 3.3% of vamax, this relationship was interpreted as being an expression of the correlation between vamax and v. Calculation of vamax provided a useful means of analysing the performances. At the level of achievement studied, v sustained over 3000 m corresponded to vamax.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

On the value of seasonal mammals for identifying mechanisms underlying the control of food intake and body weight

This article is part of a Special Issue “Energy Balance”.     

Urbanization effects on different biological organization levels of an estuarine polychaete tolerant to pollution

Estuarine species exposed to diffuse contaminants might trigger either positive or negative feedbacks in many biological scales. Their life history traits performing at different biological organization levels could propose an organism as a useful indicator of environmental pollution, mainly addressed as sensitive or tolerant species. To track the effects of contaminants from the molecular to the population level of the polychaete Laeonereis acuta we utilize a framework of biomarkers. For this purpose we assessed the L. acuta frequency of micronuclei at the molecular level, the body size and biomass at individual level, and the production-to-biomass ratio at population level in five urbanized and five non-urbanized estuaries in southern Brazil. L. acuta had significantly varying positive and negative feedbacks between urbanized and non-urbanized estuaries at multiple biological scales. These generalized effects in all biological organization scales indicate a pollution impact on the polychaete. The main responses accounted for individuals becoming lengthy and weighty, but with molecular damage. The L. acuta allocation of energy to body enlargement in polluted environments, and a consequent reduced population turnover, contradicts the expected from an opportunist species. The damages in DNA and the internal strategies of individuals, as antioxidant defense mechanisms, could favor resistance of the population and tolerance to pollutants. All of these characteristics induce bioaccumulation and could cause bottom-up pollution transfer compromising the estuarine food web. These results, ascertain that L. acuta could be considered as a tolerant species, instead of an opportunistic, and as a useful indicator of environmental pollution in estuaries.     

Determinants of resistant starch accumulation in wheat endosperm

A part of the big three cereal crops in the world, wheat has become a major constituent of the everyday food chain and is grown at a massive scale to meet global demands. This makes it an important crop from an economic as well as food security perspective. Selection of high-quality cultivars and consistent trait enhancement for such cultivars is crucial, and in light of new challenges from climate change, this has become an absolute necessity of time. In this regard, we conducted a detailed qualitative and quantitative trait analysis for multiple commercially viable varieties of wheat, and corresponding results were subjected to a series of critical statistical analyses. Final results have shown that five cultivars including Uqaab-2000, Faisalabad- 85, Anmol-19, NARC-2009, and Pirsabak-2004 depicts higher levels of various essential qualitative and quantitative traits (including Starch content, grain weight, RS content, Protein content, etc.) and are most viable varieties for further growth and trait enhancements to meet regional and global food challenges.     

Growth performance,haematological assessment and chemical composition of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) fed different levels of Aloe vera extract as feed additives in a closed aquaculture system

A 105-day experimental trial was conducted to assess different levels of dietary Aleo vera extract supplementation on water quality parameters, proximate composition, growth performance and haematological parameters of fry Oreochromis niloticus. Four different percentages of dietary leaf extract powder of Aleo vera (ALE) with a basal feed, designated as, i.e., T0 (Control group; without ALE), T1 (1% ALE), T2 (2% ALE), and T3 (3% ALE). Fish fry was reared in concrete tanks (7.0 m, 1.6 m, 1.0: L, W, H; water volume 11.2 m3/tank), with an average initial weight 4.04 ± 0.03 g/ fry, and each treatment was triplicated. Fry was randomly distributed at a stocking rate of 450 individuals/ tanks. The water quality parameters revealed that temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and nitrates were found in a promising range as given by FAO/WHO limits. However, the record values obtained for Electric Conductivity (EC), Total dissolved solids (TDS), and alkalinities were not found in all tanks' suitable range according to FAO/WHO limits. The results revealed a significant impact of different percentages of dietary ALE supplementation on fry's body composition and haematological parameters. Moreover, the final body weight, final body length, average daily weight gain (g), net weight gain (g) and specific growth rate (%) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in T1 and T2 compared with T0 and T3 treatments. The poorest feed conversion ratio was recorded in the T2 group compared with other treatments. Thus, the current study provides information about the nutritional quality of Nile tilapia culturing in Pakistan.