Sleep‐related behaviors in zoo‐housed giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata): Basic characteristics and effects of season and parturition

Despite increasing interest in the behavior of zoo animals, studies of nocturnal behavior of zoo animals are limited. In this study, we investigated the relationship between parturition, season, and the sleep‐related behaviors in captive reticulated giraffes to better understand the nocturnal life in giraffes. The subjects were two adult reticulated giraffes living in Kyoto City Zoo, Japan. Observations were made via an infrared camera that was mounted in the indoor enclosure between June 2007 and August 2009. We analyzed video clips that were recorded between 16:30 and 09:00 the next morning, over a total of 199 days. Sleep‐related behaviors were classified into two categories based on the posture of the giraffes; recumbent posture and paradoxical sleep. We also recorded the laterality of recumbent posture, which was coded based on the direction of the legs against the torso (right or left). Seasonal differences in sleep behaviors between summer and winter were observed in both individuals. They tended to start to lie down earlier in the winter than in the summer. Parturition also affected the behaviors as both individuals decreased the behaviors before and after the parturition of the female. Additionally, the female lay on her left side less frequently than her right when resuming a recumbent posture in the pre‐parturition period, while such laterality was not observed in the baseline and post‐parturition period. These results suggested that season and parturition are important factors for determining the sleep‐related behaviors in giraffes. Further studies are needed to understand how these changes in sleep affect other welfare parameters.     

Large-scale,millennial-length temperature reconstructions from tree-rings

Over the past two decades, the dendroclimate community has produced various annually resolved, warm season temperature reconstructions for the extratropical Northern Hemisphere. Here we compare these tree-ring based reconstructions back to 831 CE and present a set of basic metrics to provide guidance for non-specialists on their interpretation and use. We specifically draw attention to (i) the imbalance between (numerous) short and (few) long site chronologies incorporated into the hemispheric means, (ii) the beneficial effects of including maximum latewood density chronologies in the recently published reconstructions, (iii) a decrease in reconstruction covariance prior to 1400 CE, and (iv) the varying amplitudes and trends of reconstructed temperatures over the past 1100 years. Whereas the reconstructions agree on several important features, such as warmth during medieval times and cooler temperatures in the 17th and 19th centuries, they still exhibit substantial differences during 13th and 14th centuries. We caution users who might consider combining the reconstructions through simple averaging that all reconstructions share some of the same underlying tree-ring data, and provide four recommendations to guide future efforts to better understand past millennium temperature variability.     

Reproductive exocrine and endocrine profiles and their seasonality in male langur monkeys (Presbytis entellus entellus)

The reproductive exocrine and endocrine profiles in male langurs are reported with an emphasis on seasonality. The animals showed positive response to electroejaculation throughout the year. The sperm concentration varied between 10–383 × 10⁶/ejaculation with wide fluctuations all through the year. No appreciable changes in the motility and percent live sperm were observed throughout the year. The levels of seminal fructose and magnesium remained unchanged throughout the year, while acid phosphatase showed wide fluctuations. Citric acid showed elevation during February and March and LDH showed elevated levels during April and May. The annual range of serum testosterone was 6–34 nMol/l with a peak during July. Cortisol ranged between 575–1587 nMol/l and prolactin ranged between 107–900 mU/l. Wide fluctuations were observed in hormonal levels. No seasonality was exhibited in the seminiferous tubule diameter, nuclear diameter of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, and the cholesterol, glycogen, and sialic acid contents of testis. None of the parameters studied have shown any correlation with season. The results suggest that the male langurs lack seasonality in their reproductive exocrine and endocrine profiles and thus could be used as model for research in human reproduction.     

Reproductive periodicity of the sparid,Acanthopagrus pacificus,on a hierarchy of temporal scales

The reproductive periodicity of the sparid, Acanthopagrus pacificus, over four temporal scales is described. Acanthopagrus pacificus had a short spawning season between June and September, and within this, a peak reproductive period from July to early September. During the peak period there were several spawning peaks corresponding to a lunar periodicity, with intense reproductive activity on new and full moons that peaked during the period of the full moon when the tidal range was greatest. At the smallest temporal scale, spawning occurred at night on ebb tides. Because this study draws on data collected in 1991 and 1995, it provides a useful baseline against which to judge future changes in reproductive periodicity.     

Effects of light-emitting diode light v. fluorescent light on growing performance,activity levels and well-being of non-beak-trimmed W-36 pullets

More energy-efficient, readily dimmable, long-lasting and more affordable light-emitting diode (LED) lights are increasingly finding applications in poultry production facilities. Despite anecdotal evidence about the benefits of such lighting on bird performance and behavior, concrete research data were lacking. In this study, a commercial poultry-specific LED light (dim-to-blue, controllable correlated color temperature (CCT) from 4500 to 5300 K) and a typical compact fluorescent light (CFL) (soft white, CCT=2700 K) were compared with regards to their effects on growing performance, activity levels, and feather and comb conditions of non-beak-trimmed W-36 pullets during a 14-week rearing period. A total of 1280-day-old pullets in two successive batches, 640 birds each, were used in the study. For each batch, pullets were randomly assigned to four identical litter-floor rooms equipped with perches, two rooms per light regimen, 160 birds per room. Body weight, BW uniformity (BWU), BW gain (BWG) and cumulative mortality rate (CMR) of the pullets were determined every 2 weeks from day-old to 14 weeks of age (WOA). Activity levels of the pullets at 5 to 14 WOA were delineated by movement index. Results revealed that pullets under the LED and CFL lights had comparable BW (1140±5 g v. 1135±5 g, P=0.41), BWU (90.8±1.0% v. 91.9±1.0%, P=0.48) and CMR (1.3±0.6% v. 2.7±0.6%, P=0.18) at 14 WOA despite some varying BWG during the rearing. Circadian activity levels of the pullets were higher under the LED light than under the CFL light, possibly resulting from differences in spectrum and/or perceived light intensity between the two lights. No feather damage or comb wound was apparent in either light regimen at the end of the rearing period. The results contribute to understanding the impact of emerging LED lights on pullets rearing which is a critical component of egg production.     

Seasonal dispersal of pests: one surge or two?

Many agricultural pest species occur in seasonal metapopulations with a period of asexual reproduction. We use evolutionary theory to predict timing of dispersal for such species, and identify four sequential phases: no dispersal, dispersal from initially occupied patches, dispersal from later colonized patches, and no dispersal. The third type of phase occurs only when reproductive rates are relatively high; we speculate that this could explain why among aphids there can be either one or two waves of dispersal during a season, depending on the species. Our model also explains other features of aphid biology, including a summer crash in colony size, and a decline in the number of colonies towards the end of each reproductive season. The presence of an additional surge of dispersal becomes more likely as season length increases, and does not require further evolution. This could have profound implications for pest management during future climatic warming.     

Phenology of plants in relation to ambient environment in a subalpine forest of Uttarakhand,western Himalaya

Observations on phenology of some representative trees, shrubs, under-shrubs and herbs in a subalpine forest of Uttarakhand, western Himalaya were recorded. With the commencement of favorable growth season in April, occurrence of leaf fall was indicatory growth phenomenon in Quercus semecarpifolia, Q. floribunda and Abies spectabilis. However, active vegetative growth in herbaceous species starts onward April and fruit maturation and seed dehiscence are completed from mid of September to October. In general, vegetative growth and reproductive stages in majority of the studied species seems to be dependent on adequate moisture content and also flowering and fruiting in subalpine plants correlate ambient temperature.     

Female reproductive biology of the sand smelt in brackish lagoons of southern France

The breeding season of Atherina boyeri living in the brackish lagoons of Mauguio, Pérols and Méjean (Hérault, southern France) was very protracted (February-September). The peak of the reproductive effort occurred in April, May and June. Larger fishes started spawning earlier, and stopped later, than smaller ones. Batch fecundity varied from 4 to 447 oocytes and was positively related to female length and weight. Monthly mean fecundity increased at the beginning of the breeding season and decreased between June and July. Individual mean oocyte diameter ranged from 1.34 to 1.94 mm and was not related to fish length. Monthly mean oocyte size declined throughout the breeding season as water temperature rose. There was no trade-off between number and egg size. The strategy of these sand smelts seemed well adapted to ensure spawning success without endangering their survival. The highest reproductive effort period occurred in such a way that environmental conditions were suitable to the best survival and growth of hatched larvae. When breeding ceased, fishes, particularly the youngest ones, had enough time to improve their condition before overwintering.