Cool gleaners: Thermoregulation in sympatric bat species

Thermoregulatory behavior in temperate bats is influenced by gender, food availability, ambient temperature and reproduction. Ecologically and morphologically similar bat species (Myotis bechsteinii, M. nattereri, and Plecotus auritus; Vespertilionidae) facing similar diurnal conditions should therefore not differ in their thermoregulatory behavior. Identified day roosts (n = 23) of radio-tagged bats (n = 30) were spread over an area of 33.1 ha, but ambient temperature did not differ between roosting sites. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in cardinal direction, roost height, canopy coverage, and breast height diameter between day roosts used by the three species. Minimum roost temperatures and isolation values, however, differed significantly between our species with lowest values in P. auritus. The range of skin temperatures (min–max) recorded by temperature-sensitive transmitters was not species-specific with the lowest ranges in late pregnancy (mean ± SD: 7.1 ± 1.1 °C) and highest in post-lactation (mean ± SD: 13.1 ± 1.1 °C). The minimum skin temperature, however, was species-specific with the lowest values in P. auritus (mean ± SD: 20.2 ± 1.1 °C), intermediate in M. nattereri (mean ± SD: 23.4 ± 1.0 °C), and the highest in M. bechsteinii (mean ± SD: 26.8 ± 1.0 °C). Species-specific usage of energy-saving mechanisms might represent an important niche differentiation of species. Different mechanisms might allow, e.g. one species to occupy colder roosts with higher temperature variations or to shorten foraging times due to distinct thermoregulatory behavior.     

Influence of night length on home range size in the northern bat Eptesicus nilssonii

The northern bat Eptesicus nilssonii is widespread in Fennoscandia, with breeding populations well above the Arctic Circle. I studied this species at its extreme northern limit, at 69°N in Norway. I radio-tracked 17 bats from 2 maternity roosts during 2003–2006 to study the influence of the midnight sun and increasing lengths of darkness on activity (time spent out of roost) and home range size. Activity and home range was highly correlated with night length (light intensity); both increasing progressively with season. Bats were classified into 3 groups based on the time of the season they were tracked (basically July, August and September–October); short activity (average 1.57 h) and small home range (average 0.91 km²), medium activity (3.69 h) and medium-sized home range (4.58 km²), and long activity (4.80 h) and large home range (17.2 km²). Bats visited roosts several times during the night, and the duration of roost visits increased significantly by group. The number of periods out of roost increased from the first to the second group (1.45 vs. 2.36 flight periods per night), but insignificantly to the third group (2.37 flights). The most significant increase in activity and home range was associated with the first flight of juveniles in early August. These bats appeared to have a threshold level of around 1700 lux for activity out of roost, with little difference between light levels at emergence and return (the second group returned in significantly poorer light than they emerged in). Although the northern bat at this extreme latitude had adapted to the ambient light conditions, the bright nights under the midnight sun and the short season strongly reduced their window of opportunity for activity and may possibly reduce survival and reproductive success.     

The applicability of empirical vegetation indices for determining leaf chlorophyll content over different leaf and canopy structures

Retrieving leaf chlorophyll content at a range of spatio-temporal scales is central to monitoring vegetation productivity, identifying physiological stress and managing biological resources. However, estimating leaf chlorophyll over broad spatial extents using ground-based traditional methods is time and resource heavy. Satellite-derived spectral vegetation indices (VIs) are commonly used to estimate leaf chlorophyll content, however they are often developed and tested on broadleaf species. Relatively little research has assessed VIs for different leaf structures, particularly needle leaves which represent a large component of boreal forest and significant global ecosystems. This study tested the performance of 47 published VIs for estimating foliar chlorophyll content from different leaf and canopy structures (broadleaf and needle). Coniferous and deciduous sites were selected in Ontario, Canada, representing different dominant vegetation species (Picea mariana and Acer saccharum) and a variety of canopy structures. Leaf reflectance data was collected using an ASD Fieldspec Pro spectroradiometer (400–2500 nm) for over 300 leaf samples. Canopy reflectance data was acquired from the medium resolution imaging spectrometer (MERIS). At the canopy level, with both leaf types combined, the DD-index showed the strongest relationship with leaf chlorophyll (R² = 0.78; RMSE = 3.56 μg/cm²), despite differences in leaf structure. For needleleaf trees alone the relationship with the top VI was weaker (D_[red], R² = 0.71; RMSE = 2.32 μg/cm²). A sensitivity study using simulated VIs from physically-modelled leaf (PROSPECT) and canopy (4-Scale) reflectance was performed in order to further investigate these results and assess the impacts of different background types and leaf area index on the VIs’ performance. At the leaf level, the MNDVI8 index showed a strong linearity to changing chlorophyll and negligible difference to leaf structure/type. At canopy level, the best performing VIs were relatively consistent where LAI ≥ 4, but responded strongly to differences in background at low canopy coverage (LAI = 2). This research provides comprehensive assessments for the use of spectral indices in retrieval of spatially-continuous leaf chlorophyll content at the leaf (MTCI: R² = 0.72; p < 0.001) and canopy (DD: R² = 0.78; p < 0.001) level for resource management over different spatial and temporal scales.     

Estimation of wetland vegetation height and leaf area index using airborne laser scanning data

Wetland vegetation is a core component of wetland ecosystems. Wetland vegetation structural parameters, such as height and leaf area index (LAI) are important variables required by earth-system and ecosystem models. Therefore, rapid, accurate, objective and quantitative estimations of wetland vegetation structural parameters are essential. The airborne laser scanning (also called LiDAR) is an active remote sensing technology and can provide accurate vertical vegetation structural parameters, but its accuracy is limited by short, dense vegetation canopies that are typical of wetland environments. The objective of this research is to explore the potential of estimating height and LAI for short wetland vegetation using airborne discrete-return LiDAR data.The accuracies of raw laser points and LiDAR-derived digital elevation models (DEM) data were assessed using field GPS measured ground elevations. The results demonstrated very high accuracy of 0.09 m in raw laser points and the root mean squared error (RMSE) of the LiDAR-derived DEM was 0.15 m.Vegetation canopy height was estimated from LiDAR data using a canopy height model (CHM) and regression analysis between field-measured vegetation heights and the standard deviation (σ) of detrended LiDAR heights. The results showed that the actual height of short wetland vegetation could not be accurately estimated using the raster CHM vegetation height. However, a strong relationship was observed between the σ and the field-measured height of short wetland vegetation and the highest correlation occurred (R² = 0.85, RMSE = 0.14 m) when sample radius was 1.50 m. The accuracy assessment of the best-constructed vegetation height prediction model was conducted using 25 samples that were not used in the regression analysis and the results indicated that the model was reliable and accurate (R² = 0.84, RMSE = 0.14 m).Wetland vegetation LAI was estimated using laser penetration index (LPI) and LiDAR-predicted vegetation height. The results showed that the vegetation height-based predictive model (R² = 0.79) was more accurate than the LPI-based model (the highest R² was 0.70). Moreover, the LAI predictive model based on vegetation height was validated using the leave-one-out cross-validation method and the results showed that the LAI predictive model had a good generalization capability. Overall, the results from this study indicate that LiDAR has a great potential to estimate plant height and LAI for short wetland vegetation.     

How far a protected area contributes to conserve habitat species composition and population structure of endangered African tree species (Benin,West Africa)

The Pendjari Biosphere Reserve located in the Sudanian zone of Bénin, is a protected area well managed, but mainly aimed at wild animal conservation. This study assessed its effectiveness to conserve habitat species composition and population structure of three endangered African tree species: Afzelia africana Sm., Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. and Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss. We randomly sampled 120 plots in the protected and surrounding unprotected habitats by inventorying plant species. For the three target species, we estimated adult and juvenile densities and recorded size classes. According to floristic composition four habitats groups were recognized in relation to human disturbance, vegetation type, and moisture. These were protected savannas, unprotected savannas, old fallows and gallery forests. The estimated adult densities of A. africana were similar between protected (14 ± 1.2 tree/ha) and unprotected savannas (17 ± 0.9 tree/ha) while for P. erinaceus the adult density was significantly higher in protected (12 ± 3.7 tree/ha) than in unprotected savannas (5 ± 1.9 tree/ha). Estimated adult density of K. senegalensis was also significantly higher in protected gallery forest (40 ± 5.8 tree/ha) than in unprotected one (29 ± 4.8 tree/ha). Juvenile densities of A. africana, K. senegalensis and P. erinaceus were higher in protected habitats than in unprotected ones but the difference was not significant. Skewness coefficient indicated that populations of investigated trees were declining in their protected habitats. However, in the case of A. africana and K. senegalensis populations seemed to be mostly threatened in the protected area. We concluded that although the studied protected area is effective to conserve some habitats species compositions, protection is not sufficient to guarantee future conservation of some threatened tree species.     

Analysis of the relationship between the spectral characteristics of maize canopy and leaf area index under drought stress

Maize is one of the most widespread grain crops in the world; however, more than 70% of corn in China suffers some degree of drought disaster every year. Leaf area index (LAI) is an important biophysical parameter of the vegetation canopy and has important significance for crop yield estimation. Using the data of canopy spectral reflectance and leaf area index (LAI) for maize plants experiencing different levels of soil moisture from 2011 to 2012, the characteristics of the canopy reflective spectrum and its first derivative, and their relationships to leaf area index, were analyzed. Soil moisture of the control group was about 75% while that of the drought stress treatment was about 45%. In addition, LAI retrieval models for maize were established using vegetation indices (VIs) and principal component analysis (PCA) and the models were tested using independent datasets representing different soil water contents and different developmental stages of maize. The results showed that canopy spectral reflectances were in accordance with the characteristics of green plants, under both drought stress and at different developmental stages. In the visible band, canopy reflectance for both healthy and damaged vegetation had a green-wavelength peak and a red-wavelength valley; reflectance under drought stress, especially in the green peak (about 550 nm) and the red valley (about 676 nm) was higher than in the control group. In the near-infrared band, the canopy spectral reflectance decreased substantially between 780 and 1350 nm under drought stress. Moreover, the red edge of the spectrum was shifted toward blue wavelengths. The first derivative spectrum showed a double peak phenomenon at the edge of the red band at different developmental stages: the main peak appeared between 728 and 732 nm and the minor peak at about 718 nm. The double peaks become more obvious through the growth and development of the maize, with the most notable effect during the silking and milk stages, after which it gradually decreased. During maize growth, the LAI of all plants, regardless of soil moisture conditions, increased, and the largest LAI also occurred during the silking and milk stages. During those stages, the LAI of plants under different drought stress levels was significantly lower (by 20% or more) than in normal plants with sufficient water supplies. The LAI was highly significantly correlated with canopy spectral reflectance in the bands from 350 nm to 510 nm, from 571 nm to 716 nm, and from 1450 nm to 1575 nm. Also, the LAI was significantly correlated with red edge parameters and several VIs. The Perpendicular Vegetation Index (PVI) had the best correlation with LAI, with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.726 for the exponential correlation. Using dependent data, a LAI monitoring model for the maize canopy was constructed using PCA and VI methods. The test results showed that both the VI and PCA methods of monitoring maize LAI could provide robust estimates, with the predicted values of LAI being significantly correlated with the measured values. The model based on PVI showed higher precision under the drought stresses, with a correlation coefficient of 0.893 (n = 27), while the model based on PCA was more precise under conditions of adequate soil moisture, with a correlation coefficient of 0.877 (n = 32). Therefore, a synthesis of the models based on both VI and PCA could be more reliable for precisely predicting LAI under different levels of drought stresses in maize.     

Differentiation between Neotropical rainforest,dry forest,and savannah ecosystems by their modern pollen spectra and implications for the fossil pollen record

Accurate differentiation between tropical forest and savannah ecosystems in the fossil pollen record is hampered by the combination of: i) poor taxonomic resolution in pollen identification, and ii) the high species diversity of many lowland tropical families, i.e. with many different growth forms living in numerous environmental settings. These barriers to interpreting the fossil record hinder our understanding of the past distributions of different Neotropical ecosystems and consequently cloud our knowledge of past climatic, biodiversity and carbon storage patterns. Modern pollen studies facilitate an improved understanding of how ecosystems are represented by the pollen their plants produce and therefore aid interpretation of fossil pollen records. To understand how to differentiate ecosystems palynologically, it is essential that a consistent sampling method is used across ecosystems. However, to date, modern pollen studies from tropical South America have employed a variety of methodologies (e.g. pollen traps, moss polsters, soil samples). In this paper, we present the first modern pollen study from the Neotropics to examine the modern pollen rain from moist evergreen tropical forest (METF), semi-deciduous dry tropical forest (SDTF) and wooded savannah (cerradão) using a consistent sampling methodology (pollen traps). Pollen rain was sampled annually in September for the years 1999–2001 from within permanent vegetation study plots in, or near, the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (NKMNP), Bolivia. Comparison of the modern pollen rain within these plots with detailed floristic inventories allowed estimates of the relative pollen productivity and dispersal for individual taxa to be made (% pollen/% vegetation or ‘p/v’). The applicability of these data to interpreting fossil records from lake sediments was then explored by comparison with pollen assemblages obtained from five lake surface samples.Pollen productivity is demonstrated to vary inter-annually and conforms to a consistent hierarchy for any given year: METF > SDTF > cerradão. This suggests an association between pollen productivity and basic structural characteristics of the ecosystem, i.e. closed canopy vs. open canopy vs. savannah. Comparison of modern pollen and vegetation revealed that some important floristic elements were completely absent from the pollen: Qualea and Erisma (METF), Bauhinia, Simira and Guazuma (SDTF), and Pouteria and Caryocar (cerradão). Anadenanthera was found to be abundant in both the pollen and flora of SDTF (p/v = 3.6), while Poaceae was relatively poorly represented in cerradão (0.2). Moraceae, Cecropia and Schefflera were found to be over-represented palynologically in all ecosystems. Overall, the data demonstrated that no one taxon could be used as a definitive indicator of any of the ecosystems. Instead, associations of taxa were found to be important: METF = Moraceae (> 40%), Cecropia, Hyeronima, Celtis; SDTF = Anadenanthera, Apuleia, Ferdinandusa and non-arboreal Asteraceae, Bromeliaceae, Piper and fern spores; cerradão = Poaceae, Myrtaceae, Borreria, Solanum plus Asteraceae and fern spores. Interpretation of Poaceae pollen was highlighted as problematic, with relatively low abundance in the cerradão (< 20%) in comparison to high abundance in lake environments (c. 30–50%). Re-examination of fossil pollen records from NKMNP revealed that modern vegetation associations were only established in the last few thousand years.     

Monitoring submersed vegetation in a mesotrophic lake: correlation of two spatio-temporal scales of change

The submersed vegetation of mesotrophic, alkaline Chenango Lake in New York, USA, was monitored at two spatio-temporal scales: a 200 m² grid censused annually from 1978 to 1993 and again in 2001 (12,800 quadrats), and a 1.8 ha littoral zone sampled every 6–10 years (1978, 1984, 1991, and 2001; 3600 quadrats). The grid vegetation fluctuated rather erratically for the first 11 years with each of the dominant species showing a different pattern of change. Frequency values for Chara vulgaris were the most dynamic, while those for Vallisneria americana were the most stable. After 1989, grid vegetation declined, so that by 2001, only four of the original 11 species were present (including the original dominants), and the total number of observations declined to <10% of the maximum recorded. This decline is attributed to vigorous benthic feeding by carp (Cyprinus carpio), not noted in 1978 but relatively abundant by 2001. Frequency changes of species in the 200 m² grid were positively correlated with corresponding frequency changes in the 1.8 ha littoral zone, indicating that a small, carefully chosen area may reflect vegetation at a larger scale. This was particularly true when vegetation change was appreciable.     

Influence of woody vegetation on pollinator densities in oilseed Brassica fields in an Australian temperate landscape

Wild pollinators may benefit Brassica oilseed production in temperate Australia, yet it is not known how the density of potential pollinators varies in these landscapes. In this study we assessed whether the density of feral honeybees, hoverflies (probably 2 species) and native bees (multiple species) in temperate Australian Brassica oilseed crops was related to the composition of the landscape. The density of pollinators was measured at multiple points in six different Brassica oilseed paddocks (20–80 ha) at least 1.75 km apart. Landscape composition at multiple scales (radii 100–2000 m) was determined from GIS layers of Brassica paddocks, woody vegetation and non-woody vegetation, and a derived layer expected to reflect the condition of woody vegetation remnants (the ‘Link’ score). Densities of feral honeybees were higher near the edges of Brassica fields than towards the middle. Densities of feral honeybees were strongly positively associated with the summed ‘Link’ score within 300 m and with the amount of woody vegetation. Densities of native bees and hoverflies were not strongly associated with woody vegetation or with woody vegetation with a high ‘Link’ score. Our results suggest that maximising feral honeybee abundance within paddocks in these landscapes may require smaller paddocks than those typically used, interspersed with habitat beneficial to feral honeybees such as woody vegetation in good condition.     

Holocene vegetation and hydrologic changes inferred from molecular vegetation markers in peat,Penido Vello (Galicia,Spain)

Peat molecular chemistry reflects a combination of plant input and decomposition. Both vegetation community and the degree of decomposition of plant remains are highly dependent on depth and fluctuation of the water table and thus peat organic matter (OM) chemistry reflects past hydrological conditions. Changes in hydrology according to the OM composition (by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, pyrolysis-GC/MS) in a high-resolution sampled monolith of an 8000 years old peat deposit are presented. Analysis of 18 modern vegetation species resulted in molecular markers for Erica spp., Deschampsia flexuosa, Juncus bulbosus and Carex binervis, in addition to more general markers which enabled differentiation between woody, grass and moss vegetation. Factor analysis of 106 pyrolysis products quantified for all peat samples enabled identification of mineral (Factor 1) and hydrological (Factor 2) conditions of the bog. Depth profiles of vegetation markers showed good agreement with those of the scores of both factors and enabled the identification of 14 relatively wet periods, dating to 1430–1865 AD, 930–1045 AD, 640 AD, 270–385 AD, 190–215 AD, 135 AD, 45 BC–15 AD, 260–140 BC, 640–440 BC, 1055–960 BC, 1505–1260 BC, 2300 BC, 4190–2945 BC and 5700–5205 BC, which show excellent agreement with other palaeoclimatic studies in Europe. The results emphasize the importance of high-resolution sampling, in combination with the use of multiple vegetation markers and other peat OM characteristics for a proper interpretation of a peat record.     

The 24-hour cycle of the mountain hare Lepus timidus Linnaeus, 1758

The behavioral decisions of wild animals are influenced by the often conflicting needs to both feed efficiently and to avoid predators. Information regarding how lagomorphs such as the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) balance these factors throughout the day-night cycle is largely lacking despite its importance to management.To better understand the type and proportion of various behaviors the mountain hare engages in over the course of a 24-hour period, I monitored the behavior of six mountain hares under controlled conditions from early to mid-winter. The mountain hares spend the majority of their time resting (mean ± standard deviation: 32.4 ± 14.4%) and under canopy (22.4 ± 18.7%), and a smaller proportion of their time feeding (16.2 ± 6.1%). Activity peaks over the course of the 24-hour cycle reflect natural behavior patterns that emphasize the reduction of predation risk. The sunrise phase is characterized by the search for a suitable resting place; the day phase by resting and hiding. The sunset phase is characterized by the search for food, and the night phase by an equal mix of food intake and movement through the home range. These results can help land managers predict how factors such as increasing tourist activity (perceived by the hare as a safety threat) will influence the behavior of free-ranging mountain hares.     

Ranging behaviour,activity, habitat use,and morphology of the Malay civet (Viverra tangalunga) on Peninsular Malaysia and comparison with studies on Borneo and Sulawesi

The Malay civet (Viverra tangalunga) is found throughout Southeast Asia, but there have been very few studies on its natural history and ecology. We present here the results from the first radio telemetry study of this species on Peninsular Malaysia and compared our findings to similar studies on Borneo and Sulawesi. From August 2004 to August 2006, we captured 11 Malay civets in Krau Wildlife Reserve and radio-tracked seven adults (four males and three females). The mean weight of males (6.6 kg) was significantly higher than females (5.8 kg). Both sexes on Peninsular Malaysia were larger than their counterparts on Borneo and Sulawesi. There was no significant difference between the mean sizes of male and female home ranges on Peninsular Malaysia; the mean home range size for both sexes was 143 ha (95% MCP), which was larger than the mean range size recorded on Borneo and Sulawesi. We found that the Malay civet is a solitary, territorial species on Peninsular Malaysia: mean range overlap was 15% for males and 0% for females, and the home range of each male overlapped one or two females. Malay civets were mainly nocturnal, with some periods of rest during the night; daytime rest sites were within dense ground cover. Lowland forest is an essential habitat for this species; although Malay civets were sometimes found in plantations, they did not venture far from forested habitat.     

Fatty acid profiles,growth, and immune responses of neonatal lambs fed milk replacer and supplemented with fish oil or safflower oil

Diets supplemented with long chain, n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have improved the health and performance of neonatal and growing animals. This study was conducted with lambs that were orphaned at approximately 1 day of age to determine whether supplementing milk replacer fed lambs with oils rich in long chain n − 3 or n − 6 PUFA would alter plasma lipid profiles and affect growth characteristics and immune functions. From days 1 to 28 of age, lambs had ad libitum access to commercial milk replacer. From days 7 to 28 of age, lambs received twice daily either 1 g of soybean oil, 1 g of fish oil, or 1 g of safflower oil per os in a gelatin capsule (n = 60 pens; 20 pens/treatment; one ewe and one ram with similar initial body weights/pen). On days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of age, lambs were weighed, and jugular blood was collected from ram lambs. Lymphocyte proliferation in vitro, differential white blood cell (WBC) counts, and weight gains were quantified. Plasma from days 7 and 28 was used for fatty acid analyses. Fish oil increased (P < 0.001) plasma total n − 3 fatty acid concentration and total n − 3:total n − 6 fatty acid ratio. Pen body weight (i.e., total lamb weight per pen) increased (P < 0.001) with day (day 7, 11.9 kg; day 14, 15.1 kg; day 21, 18.2 kg; and day 28, 21.2 kg), but oil treatment did not affect pen body weight. Neither oil treatment, day, nor oil treatment × day interaction were significant for pen body weight gains (3.5 kg), pen average daily gains (0.5 kg), pen milk intakes (19.0 kg), or pen gain:feed ratio (0.18) measured during three intervals: days 7–14; days 14–21; and days 21–28. Day, but not oil treatment, affected (P < 0.001) unstimulated, concanavalin A stimulated, and lipopolysaccharides stimulated lymphocyte proliferation: days 14, 21, and 28 proliferation > day 7 proliferation. For neutrophils per 100 WBC, the treatment × day interaction was significant (P < 0.05). Oil treatment and day affected (P < 0.01 and <0.05, respectively) lymphocyte numbers per 100 WBC. For monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, neither oil treatment, day, nor the oil treatment × day interaction were significant. Fish oil altered plasma fatty acid profiles, but it did not seem to improve measures of the performance or immune function of healthy, milk replacer fed lambs.     

Habitat associations of an insular Wallacean avifauna: A multi-scale approach for biodiversity proxies

The endemic avifauna of Wallacea is of high conservation significance, but remains poorly studied. Identifying priority conservation areas requires a greater understanding of the habitat associations of these bird communities, and of how spatial scale of analysis can influence the interpretation of these associations. This study aims to determine which proxy habitat measures, at which spatial scales of analysis, can provide useful inferential data on the composition of Wallacean forest avifauna. Research was conducted within the Lambusango forest reserve, South-East Sulawesi, using point count surveys to sample avifauna. Habitat properties were characterised in three ways: broad classification of forest type, canopy remotely-sensed response derived from satellite imagery, and in situ measures of vegetation composition and structure. Furthermore, we examined avifauna–habitat relationships at three spatial scales: area (c.400 ha per sample site), transect (c.10 ha) and point (c.0.2 ha). Results demonstrate that broad forest type classifications at an area scale can help to determine conservation value, indicating that primary and old secondary forests are important for supporting many species with lower ecological tolerances, such as large-bodied frugivores. At the transect-scale, significant congruence occurs between bird community composition and several habitat variables derived from vegetation sampling and satellite imagery, particularly tree size, undergrowth density, and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values; this highlights the importance small scale habitat associations can have on determining α-diversity. Analysis at the point-scale was ineffective in providing proxy indications for avifauna. These findings should be considered when determining future priority conservation areas for Wallacean avifauna.     

Diurnal patterns of abundance of aphidophagous lady beetle species on chili (Capsicum annuum L.)

The influence of temperature on the diurnal activity of five species of aphidophagous lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was investigated between 0700 and 1900 h in chili (Capsicum annuum L.) agroecosystems and neighboring vegetation (goose grass, Eleusine indica L.). The lady beetle species observed were Menochilus sexmaculatus Fabricius, Coelophora inaequalis F., Coccinella transversalis F., Harmonia octomaculata F. and Coelophora bissellata Mulsant. More lady beetles (of all species) were found during cooler periods (at 0700, 0900, 1100, and 1900 h). The diurnal pattern of lady beetle adult was temperature dependent. On chili plants, numbers were higher at temperatures between 22 to 30 °C (at 0700, 0900, 1100 and 1900 h) and numbers decreased when temperatures were above 30 °C. When temperature was above 30 °C under the chili plant canopy, numbers were higher in neighboring goose grass, where temperatures were cooler (< 30 °C). Numbers of all species were negative correlated between chili plant and goose grass.     

Weight gains of meat goat kids on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pastures fertilized at different nitrogen levels

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pastures are increasingly being used for cool-season forages to complement range-based goat production systems in southern USA. Because goats are more selective than cattle, ideal nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates already established for wheat grazed by cattle may be different for goats. Weight gains of Boer X Spanish doe kids (average 17 kg) as well as forage yields and crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) concentrations were measured for two winter seasons on replicated wheat paddocks fertilized with 0, 56, 112 and 224 kg N/ha per season in split autumn/spring applications at Stephenville, TX, USA. Animals were stocked in the pasture at 20 head/ha from January to April 2003 (478 mm rainfall from September to March) and 2004 (355 mm rainfall). Available forage ranged from 50 to 200 kg/ha in January and from 2300 to 6300 kg/ha in April in the 0 and 224 kg N/ha paddocks, respectively. Crude protein dry matter (DM) concentration ranged from 25 to 34% (0 and 224 kg N/ha, respectively) in January, but down to 13 and 22% across treatments in April. Average daily gains (ADG) over the 90-day trial were similar both years, 68 g per head per day for the 0 N treatment and undifferentiated among the fertilized paddocks, all near 90 g per head per day. Results indicate that N fertilizer rates above 56 kg/ha per season do not increase ADG/kid, but will increase ADG/ha if stocking rates are adjusted for forage production.     

Stature,body mass,and brain size: A two-million-year odyssey

Physical size has been critical in the evolutionary success of the genus Homo over the past 2.4 million-years. An acceleration in the expansion of savannah grasslands in Africa from 1.6 Ma to 1.2 Ma witnessed concomitant increases in physical stature (150–170 cm), weight (50–70 kg), and brain size (750–900 cm³). With the onset of 100,000 year Middle Pleistocene glacial cycles (“ice ages”) some 780,000 years ago, large-bodied Homo groups had reached modern size and had successfully dispersed from equatorial Africa, Central, and Southeast Asia to high-latitude localities in Atlantic Europe and North East Asia. While there is support for incursions of multiple Homo lineages to West Asia and Continental Europe at this time, data does not favour a persistence of Homo erectus beyond ～400,000 years ago in Africa, west and Central Asia, and Europe. Novel Middle Pleistocene Homo forms (780,000–400,000 years) may not have been substantially taller (150–170 cm) than earlier Homo (1.6 Ma–800,000 years), yet brain size exceeded 1000 cm³ and body mass approached 80 kg in some males. Later Pleistocene Homo (400,000–138,000 years) were ‘massive’ in their height (160–190 cm) and mass (70–90 kg) and consistently exceed recent humans. Relative brain size exceeds earlier Homo, yet is substantially lower than in final glacial H. sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis. A final leap in absolute and relative brain size in Homo (300,000–138,000 years) occurred independent of any observed increase in body mass and implies a different selective mediator to that operating on brain size increases observed in earlier Homo.     

Microhabitat preferences and spatial distribution of the vesper rat (Nyctomys sumichrasti) in Colima,Mexico

The vesper rat (Nyctomys sumichrasti), a little-known arboreal rodent, was encountered during mark-recapture studies in Colima, Mexico, in January 2003-2007. We trapped on the Pacific coast at Playa de Oro (2003-2005) and in northern Colima (2006-2007). Each year five trap grids were established in heavily vegetated areas and typically run for 8 nights (100 trap stations per grid, each station with a ground trap and an arboreal trap elevated 1-2 m, 10×10 configuration with adjacent stations 10 m apart; 1,600 trap-nights per grid; 40,000 trap-nights total). Nyctomys sumichrasti occurs throughout most of Colima. On grids we captured 29 individuals a total of 41 times, with 90.2% of captures in arboreal traps and 69.0% of animals being adults. The sex ratio of adults was 1.22:1 (males:females), not statistically different from 1:1. Most adult females (77.8%) were pregnant or lactating. Mean mass was 41.3 and 38.6 g for males and females, respectively (P>0.05). Mean greatest distances traveled were longer for males (60.6 m) than females (20.2 m), with an overall mean of 40.4 m. One to six individuals were captured on 9 of 25 grids, with density estimates of 0.87-4.09/ha. We contrasted 14 environmental measures (most involving vegetation structure) for stations where N. sumichrasti was caught and not caught using logistic regression and nonparametric multiplicative regression, finding the species frequented sites flat to moderate in slope with considerable ground litter and relatively sparse high vegetation. In northern Colima, N. sumichrasti used areas with close trees, an open understory, and little grass. Other studies indicate the species sometimes occupies similar areas but with a relatively dense understory.     

Immune mobilization of autologous blood progenitor cells: direct influence on the cellular subsets collected

Background aimsA phase I trial examined the ability of immunotherapy to mobilize progenitor and activated T cells.MethodsInterleukin (IL)-2 was administered subcutaneously for 11 days, with granulocyte (G)-colony-stimulating factor (CSF) (5 mcg/kg/day) and granulocyte–macrophage (GM)-CSF (7.5 mcg/kg/day) added for the last 5 days. Leukapheresis was initiated on day 11. Thirteen patients were treated (myeloma n = 11, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma n = 2).ResultsToxicities were minimal. IL-2 was stopped in two patients because of capillary leak (n = 1) and diarrhea (n = 1). Each patient required 2.5 leukaphereses (median; range 1–3) to collect 3.2 × 10⁶ CD34⁺ cells/kg (median; range 1.9–6.6 × 10⁶/kg). Immune mobilization increased the number of CD3⁺ CD8⁺ T cells (P = 0.002), CD56⁺ natural killer (NK) cells (P = 0.0001), CD8⁺ CD56⁺ T cells (P = 0.002) and CD4⁺ CD25⁺ cells (P = 0.0001) compared with cancer patients mobilized with G-CSF alone. There was increased lysis of myeloma cells after 7 days (P = 0.03) or 11 days (P = 0.02). The maximum tolerated dose of IL-2 was 1 × 10⁶ IU/m²/day.ConclusionsImmune mobilization is well tolerated with normal subsequent marrow engraftment. As cells within the graft influence lymphocyte recovery, an increased number of functional lymphocytes may result in more rapid immune reconstitution.     

Role of calcium in alleviating effect of salinity on germination of Phragmites karka seeds

Phragmites karka (Retz.) Trin, ex. steud, a perennial reed with creeping rhizome from the family Poaceae, is distributed as pure population in brackish water swamps. Populations primarily propagate using ramets but also produce numerous seeds which form part of the seed bank after dispersal and are exposed to extremes of temperature, drought, and salinity stress. Seeds were germinated under a range of salinity (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mM NaCl) and temperature (10/20 °C, 15/25 °C, 20/30 °C, 25/35 °C, night/day) regimes in 12 h light:12 h dark photoperiod or in complete darkness with 0, 5, 10, 25 mM CaCl₂. Salinity, absence of light and high temperature (25/35 °C) reduced germination while calcium generally reversed this effect, more so at cooler temperature regimes. Calcareous soil around Karachi would help alleviate the salinity effect on the germination of P. karka and facilitate its survival.