Rank Differences in Ecological Behavior: A Comparative Study of Patas Monkeys (Erythrocebus patas) and Vervets (Cercopithecus aethiops)

One of the central dichotomies in primate behavior is between species in which there are relationships among females that include stable dominance relationships, and those in which the relationships include weak or unstable dominance relationships. This dichotomy has been attributed to differences in food resources, with stable dominance hierarchies occurring in species that feed on usurpable foods. We compared rank-related differences in nonagonistic behaviors considered to be tightly linked to ecology in broadly sympatric vervets (Cercopithecus aethiops) and patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas), two closely related cercopithecines that are exemplars of this dichotomy, with the expectation that vervets would exhibit stronger rank differences than patas monkeys in these behaviors. Overall, rank explained more than twice as much variation among vervets as among patas monkeys in ranging behavior, activity budgets, and diet. Vervets did not, however, exhibit stronger rank differences when they used Acacia xanthophloea habitat, in which foods are more usurpable, compared to Acacia drepanolobium habitat, in which foods are less usurpable. In Acacia drepanolobium habitat, to which patas are restricted, higher-ranking vervets converged in behavior with patas monkeys to a greater extent than lower-ranking vervets, suggesting that social constraints interfere with the foraging efficiency of lower-ranking vervets even in habitats in which there are fewer opportunities to usurp foods.     

Differences Between Vervets (Cercopithecus aethiops) and Patas Monkeys (Erythrocebus patas) in Agonistic Interactions Between Adult Females

We examined agonistic interactions between adult females in wild, unprovisioned patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas) and vervets (Cercopithecus aethiops). The dominance hierarchy of patas is far less clear than that of vervets. Patas had fewer interactions per dyad, fewer dyads with interactions, and a high percentage (18%) of reversals in which lower-ranking females won in agonistic interactions with higher-ranking females. Although the rank ordering of the kinds of interactions patas and vervets displayed is similar, with avoidance being the most frequently observed agonistic response to approaches by other females, patas were chased and supplanted more often than vervets were. The resources over which females were supplanted also differ between species. Supplants over food comprise smaller proportion of total supplants patas than for vervets. Patas appear to feed on less usurpable foods than vervets. We conclude that (1) Erythrocebus and Cercopithecus spp., except C. aethiops, should not be categorized with other Cercopithecinae, and C. aethiops should not be categorized with other Cercopithecus spp. and Erythrocebus, in discussions and analyses of relationships between females within groups and (2) ecological conditions, i.e., usurpability of foods, can override phylogenetic history as the selective pressure determining the nature of female competitive relationships within groups.     

Microtubule changes during the development of generative cells in Hippeastrum vittatum pollen

Summary The three-dimensional organization of microtubules in generative cells during their development in pollen grains of Hippeastrum vittatum and the dynamic changes that occur were studied by collecting large quantities of fixed and isolated generative cells for immunofluorescence microscopy. The framework configuration and the arrangement pattern of the microtubule organization was investigated. The microtubule framework changed in shape from being spherical at an early stage to being long spindle-shaped at maturity: various transitional forms were observed: ellipsoidal, pear-shaped and short spindle-shaped. The microtubule arrangement making up this framework changed correspondingly from the original network, which was random in distribution, to axially oriented long bundles via an intermediate pattern composed of a mixture of networks with long bundles. However, cells with the same framework configuration might be heterogeneous in microtubule arrangements.     

北京山区栓皮栎林优势种群点格局分析

采用点格局分析方法对北京山区栓皮栎林主要种群和不同发育阶段种群的空间分布格局及相互关系进行分析。结果表明:(1)群落物种组成简单,栓皮栎和油松是群落的优势种群,优势种群以中径木为主,缺乏可供更新的幼苗,种群呈现出衰退趋势;(2)在研究尺度内,栓皮栎、油松单种的空间分布格局以聚集型分布为主,随着尺度的增大呈现出随机分布和均匀分布的趋势;栓皮栎和油松呈现显著负相关;(3)优势种群不同发育阶段的空间分布格局与研究尺度紧密相关,栓皮栎小树和中树以聚集型分布为主、大树呈随机分布,而油松不同发育阶段均以随机分布为主;(4)栓皮栎、油松种群不同发育阶段之间的空间关联主要发生在小尺度范围内,小树和中树以正关联为主,而中树和大树、小树和大树以负关联为主;随着研究尺度的增大趋于无关联。     

Comparing measures of travel distances in primates: Methodological considerations and socioecological implications

Travel costs can influence numerous aspects of the lives of primates, including net energy balance (and therefore reproductive success of females) and maximum group size. Despite their potential impact, there has been no systematic comparison of different measures of travel distance. We compared three measures of travel distance in 30 min (actual distance of individuals, straight‐line distance of individuals, and straight‐line distance of groups) and their ratios in a small group and a large group of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) and between the large group of vervets and a group of patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas) of roughly similar size. The large group of vervets traveled farther than the small group regardless of the measure used, but the ratios of the different measures were not significantly different between those groups. Patas monkeys traveled significantly farther than the large group of vervets regardless of the measure used. In both vervets and patas, straight‐line distances of individuals (ISLD) and groups (GSLD) underestimated actual distances traveled by individuals (IAD), but the degree to which they did so differed between species. IAD is more accurate than the other two measures and is preferred for studies of energetics and individual reproductive success, although ISLD or GSLD may be substituted when the ratios of IAD/ISLD or IAD/GSLD do not differ between groups or species. The ratio of IAD/ISLD was larger in vervets than in patas, suggesting that individual vervets meander more over short periods of time than patas. The ratio of ISLD/GSLD was larger in patas than in vervets, suggesting that patas move at angles or across the group's center‐of‐mass whereas vervets move more consistently along with others in their group. This has implications for the formation of spatial subgroups and alliances within groups. Am. J. Primatol. 48:87–98, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

藏东南急尖长苞冷杉群落空间点格局分析及其时空动态

为探究藏东南色季拉山急尖长苞冷杉（Abies georgei var.smithii）群落的空间分布格局及其时空动态,在急尖长苞冷杉纯林中设置1个1 hm²的固定样地,记录样地内所有高度>2 m的急尖长苞冷杉的年龄、胸径、冠幅和坐标等指标。根据径级分布分析种群的径级结构,采用点格局分析方法对种群的空间格局进行分析。结果显示：（1）急尖长苞冷杉的径级分布为倒"J"型,结构稳定,自然更新良好。（2）成树在各个时期和不同尺度上都呈随机分布;幼树在1891年之后的各个时期在小尺度（2 m）上呈聚集分布,1981-2012年在1-41 m尺度上陆续出现聚集分布;幼苗在1861-1920年在小尺度（1-2 m）上呈聚集分布,1951-1980年出现聚集分布的尺度范围最大（1-35 m、41 m和48 m）。（3）在不同时期中,不同年龄组树木之间几乎都呈正关联或无关联;成树和幼树随时间推移从无关联到在各个尺度上陆续出现正关联的变化;成树和幼苗随时间呈无关联、中大尺度（32-35 m、44 m和49 m）正关联和无关联的变化;幼苗和幼树呈现从无关联转变为小尺度（8 m）正关联和小、中尺度（1-30 m）正关联的变化。研究结果表明：成树在小尺度上对幼龄树存在一定的抑制,但在较大尺度是促进的。1951-1980年样地中的幼苗数量大量增加,随后30年幼树的数量因幼苗长大也有增加,这在一定程度上增大了竞争。但总体来看急尖长苞冷杉群落在演替过程中具有种内促进作用。     

A comparative study of the adrenergic nerves to the anterior eye segment of some primates

Summary The distribution of adrenergic terminals to the anterior eye segment of humans, Cynomolgue monkeys, squirrel monkeys, owl monkeys, Cebus monkeys, vervets, tamarins, and baboons has been investigated. The cornea is normally devoid of adrenergic terminals, except in a plexus near the limbus. The trabecular meshwork contains varying numbers of adrenergic terminals: usually none in Cynomolgus monkeys, patas monkeys, vervets, and humans, although fibres have very rarely been observed in Cynomolgus monkeys, vervets, and humans; a few in owl monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and tamarins; and moderate numbers in Cebus monkeys and baboons. From the evidence, however, it seems premature to presume an adrenergic innervation of the trabecular mechanism regulating the outflow resistance. The dilatator pupillae is regularly supplied with numerous adrenergic terminals and in the iris stroma there is probably an adrenergic innervation of the melanophores. The sphincter pupillae regularly contains adrenergic terminals with notable species differences; most fibres occur in baboons and fewest in humans, with the remaining species forming a middle class. The ciliary processes in all species contain a moderate number of adrenergic terminals, presumably primarily associated with the epithelium. Intraepithelial adrenergic terminals have been observed on the pars plana of the ciliary body of humans, Cebus monkeys, vervets, baboons, and patas monkeys. The ciliary muscle of baboons and Cynomolgus monkeys contains numerous adrenergic terminals. Moderate numbers occur in Cebus monkeys and vervets, and still less in (in falling order) tamarins, squirrel monkeys, humans, and patas monkeys.     

ABH Salivary antigens in populations of vervet monkeys(Cercopithecus aithiops) from Kenya

Blood and saliva samples were collected from 330 vervet monkeys living in 30 troops in central and southern Kenya. The saliva samples were tested for the presence of human-type ABH antigens by standard agglutinationinhibition tests. This population of vervets is the first in which the O phenotype has been found to occur. The gene frequencies in the overall population are as follows: A, 0.74; B, 0.21; and O, 0.05. The serum samples were tested for the presence of agglutinins having specificities like those of human anti-A and anti-B. Ten percent of the vervets have anomalous combinations of salivary antigens and serum agglutinins. The nature of the anomalies is described and a hypothesis presented to account for these observations.     

Phylogeographic studies on natural populations of the South American fruit fly, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anastrepha fraterculus</Emphasis> (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Anastrepha fraterculus is an important pest of commercial fruits in South America. The variability observed for morphological and behavioural traits as well as genetic markers suggests that A. fraterculus represents a complex of synmorphic species rather than a single biological species. We studied the correlation between geographical distribution and genetic variation in natural populations from Argentina and south Brazil. Fragments of the mitochondrial gene COII were sequenced in 28 individuals. The matrix of aligned sequences was phylogenetically analysed by parsimony, yielding a cladogram of haplotypes. Based on Templeton’s nested method, no clade showed any geographic pattern for the gene COII, indicating lack of significant association between haplotypic variability and geographic distribution. The analysis of nucleotide substitution distances by Neighbour-Joining algorithm showed that geographically distant populations exhibit low genetic distances. The corresponding trees clustered the populations without showing any geographic pattern. This result suggests that the populations studied are not reproductively isolated.     

Seasonal Changes in Male Associative Behavior and Subgrouping of Alouatta palliata on an Island

Howler groups are usually spatially cohesive and stable in composition; however, more flexible grouping patterns occur in some social groups. We analyzed the associative and subgrouping patterns of males living in a group with fission-fusion social organization. Based on information from previous studies on Alouatta palliata and other primates and in the current socioecological models, we established initial predictions on the variations in male behavior according to several socioecological factors. We studied associative behavior via scan sampling at 15-min intervals to register the identity of males in the subgroups and the presence and number of receptive females. We calculated an association index that was then transformed into a measure of association strength. We found individual association trends, as well as important seasonal differences in the subgrouping patterns of males. During the dry season the presence of many receptive females resulted in reduced levels of association, and therefore fewer males per subgroup. The scenario changed during the wet season, when males grouped together significantly more and kinship relationships were a major determinant for individual association preferences.     

Habitual fission-fusion and social organization of the Hakone troop T of Japanese macaques in Kanagawa prefecture,Japan

To analyze the socioecological factors of habitual fission-fusion of troop members, which is an underreported phenomenon in Japanese macaques, the seasonal pattern of fission-fusion within the Hakone troop T in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, was examined. Although almost all the study troop members were included in a large-sized group in winter, a portion of its members of ten formed small subgroups from spring to autumn. The frequencies and age-sex composition of these subgroups changed seasonally. All troop members participated, more or less, in subgroup formation. Subgroups tended to be composed of animals of the same age-sex class. Troop members did not fission along matrilineal lines. Although the study troop members repeatedly joined with and parted from subgroups, the characteristic social structure of Japanese macaque troops was maintained. Habitual fission-fusion among troop members may be one of a number of foraging strategies that facilitate efficient food gathering when the population density exceeds and /or reaches the carrying capacity of the area. The seasonal variation of pattern and composition type of each subgroup could be attributed to alternation of attractive food plant species, as well as age, rank, and sexual activity of both sexes.     

水分梯度下胡杨荒漠河岸林种内竞争及空间格局变化特征

为查明塔里木河下游不同水分梯度下胡杨种内竞争以及空间分布格局的变化规律,在塔里木河下游阿拉干断面选取3条样带,每条样带内依照水分梯度布设3个样方,采用Hegyi单木竞争模型与点格局等分析方法,探究了水分梯度下胡杨林种内竞争及空间格局变化特征。结果表明：1)塔里木河下游胡杨的最适竞争范围为10m; 2)胡杨竞争指数与胸径服从幂函数关系(P<0.001),胡杨竞争指数随对象木胸径的增加而逐渐减小,当对象木胸径达到20cm以上时,其竞争指数逐渐稳定,且维持在较低水平;3)随水分梯度的降低,胡杨林分竞争指数呈下降趋势;4)在塔里木河下游,胡杨空间格局主要为聚集分布,随空间尺度的增加,胡杨逐渐趋向于随机分布;5)随水分梯度的降低,胡杨空间格局由聚集分布逐渐转变为随机分布。水分是决定极端干旱区荒漠植被空间分布与结构的主要因子;在胡杨林分管理中,应充分考虑胡杨的种内竞争、空间格局及其与水分梯度之间关系,为塔里木河下游胡杨林的保护与更新提供科学依据。     

Dynamic distribution of region-specific maternal protein during oogenesis and early embryogenesis of Xenopus laevis

Summary For analysing spatial distribution of maternal proteins in an amphibian egg, monoclonal antibodies specific to certain regions were raised. One monoclonal antibody was found (MoAB Xa5B6) which reacted specifically with the animal hemisphere of the mature Xenopus laevis egg. The maternal protein that reacted with the MoAb Xa5B6 was shown to be distributed asymmetrically along the dorso-ventral axis in the upper region of the equatorial zone of the fertilized egg. At late blastula stage, the antigen protein could be observed clearly in both the marginal zone and animal cap. It was localized predominantly in mesodermal and ectodermal cells of late neurula embryos. The Xa5B6 antigen accumulated during oogenesis. The distribution pattern of maternal protein was remarkably different in the developmental stages of the oocyte. The pattern in the mature oocyte was completely different from that of the immature egg in which the antigen was located in the radial striations of the oocyte cytoplasm. After maturation, the distribution pattern changed drastically to an animal-vegetal polarization and the striation labellings were no longer observed. By Western blot examination, it was confirmed that the amounts of antigen protein were constant during early embryogenesis and the mesoectoderm contained a greater amount of antigens than the endoderm at late blastula. The antibody detected two bands of approximately 70 × 10³ and 30 × 10³ Mr by Western blot analysis. The latter molecule may possibly be a degrading moiety of the former. The results were discussed in relation to establishment of animal-vegetal (A/V) and dorso-ventral (D/V) polarization at the molecular level. Offprint requests to: A.S. Suzuki     

Spatio-temporal dynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scotinophara lurida</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in rice fields

Studying the spatial pattern of insect pests and the temporal stability of their patterns is important in understanding underlying ecological mechanisms and in developing pest management programs in cultivated crop systems. To elucidate the spatio-temporal pattern of the black rice bug, Scotinophara lurida, in rice fields, samplings were conducted in two rice fields over 2 years. Using spatial analysis by distance indices, the spatial pattern of each developmental stage of S. lurida and their temporal stability of the spatial pattern were identified. Most of the I _a (the index of aggregation) values for overwintered adults and eggs of S. lurda were close to 1, indicating random distribution pattern while nymphs and new adults mainly had I _a values >1, indicating an aggregated distribution pattern. According to spatial association analysis between successive samples using X (the index of spatial association), the spatial pattern of S. lurida showed strong temporal stability throughout the season. Also, there was strong association between the spatial patterns of developmental stages, indicating the great effect of the spatial pattern of the previous developmental stage on that of later developmental stage. Factors influencing the spatial pattern and spatial stability of S. lurida are discussed.     

The spatial pattern and canopy-understory association of trees in a cool temperate,mixed forest in western Japan

The spatial distribution pattern of trees and the association between canopy and understory individuals were examined with reference to the distribution of tree crowns in a cool temperate, mixed forest in Ohdaigahara, western Japan. Line transect and contact sampling methods were used to examine the pattern over various spatial scales. These methods are useful to detect patterns over a large study area. The dominance ofChamaecyparis obtusa on steep slopes forming large patches suggested that the distribution of this species is a consequence of landslides. UnderstoryFagus crenata showed a clumped distribution, and the relative coverage of this species was larger in canopy gaps than under a closed canopy. Understory individuals ofAbies homolepis showed a positive association with canopy trees ofF. crenata but a negative association with conspecific canopy individuals. These patterns suggested thatF. crenata regenerates in canopy gaps and is replaced byA. homolepis. The dynamics of these two species are consistent with the process of gap dynamics. The effects of both small- and large-scale disturbance must be evaluated to understand the mechanisms of patch formation and the coexistence of forest tree species.     

Light limitation creates patchy distribution of an invasive grass in eastern deciduous forests

Species interactions and their indirect effects on the availability and distribution of resources have been considered strong determinants of community structure in many different ecological systems. In deciduous forests, the presence of overstory trees and shrubs creates a shifting mosaic of resources for understory plants, with implications for their distribution and abundance. Determination of the ultimate resource constraints on understory vegetation may aid management of these systems that have become increasingly susceptible to invasions by non-native plants. Microstegium vimineum (Japanese grass) is an invasive annual grass that has spread rapidly throughout the understory of forests across the eastern United States since it was first observed in Tennessee in 1919. M. vimineum occurs as extensive, dense patches in the understory of eastern deciduous forests, yet these patches often exhibit sharp boundaries and distinct gaps in cover. One example of this distributional pattern was observed relative to the native midstory tree Asimina triloba (pawpaw), whereby dense M. vimineum cover stopped abruptly at the drip line of the A. triloba patch and was absent beneath the A. triloba canopy. We conducted field and greenhouse experiments to test several hypotheses regarding the causes of this observed pattern of M. vimineum distribution, including allelopathy, seed dispersal, light limitations, and soil moisture, texture, and nutrient content. We concluded that light reduction by the A. triloba canopy was the environmental constraint that prevented establishment of M. vimineum beneath this tree. Whereas overstory tree canopy apparently facilitates the establishment of this shade-tolerant grass, the interaction of overstory canopy with midstory canopy interferes with M. vimineum by reducing the availability of sunflecks at the ground layer. It is likely that other midstory species influence the distribution and abundance of other herb-layer species, with implications for management of understory invasive plant species.     

Distribution and conservation of the foldback transposable element inDrosophila

Summary Foldback elements are a family of transposable elements described inDrosophila melanogaster. The members of this dispersed repetitive family have terminal inverted repeats that sometimes flank a central region. The inverted repeats of all the family members are homologous.The study of the distribution and conservation of the foldback elements in differentDrosophila species shows that this distribution is different from that of the hybrid dysgenesis systems (PM and IR). Sequences homologous to foldback elements were observed by Southern blots and in situ hybridization in all species of themelanogaster subgroup and in some species of themontium andtakahashii subgroups. The element was probably already present before the radiation of these subgroups. No evidence of horizontal transmission of the foldback element could be observed.     

择伐对思茅松自然种群结构和空间分布格局的影响

思茅松是云南省重要的材脂兼用树种,而择伐是思茅松天然林管理的有效手段,也是获取木材的重要途径。基于对云南省景谷县思茅松天然林的样地调查数据,采用种群径级结构代替年龄结构、Ripley的L函数点格局等方法,对思茅松天然林在不同强度择伐10a后的种群结构和空间分布格局及其不同发育阶段在不同尺度下的相互关系进行了系统研究和分析。结果表明:择伐10a后3种类型的思茅松自然种群的胸径、树高之间呈显著的正相关且可用幂指数模拟预测模型。未择伐的思茅松种群呈衰退型,轻度择伐(12.9%)后种群呈稳定型,中度择伐(29.3%)后的种群属增长型,适当的中度择伐有利于自然种群的更新;未择伐与中度择伐后的思茅松种群分布格局整体呈随机型,但后者较前者更趋向于均匀分布,轻度择伐后的思茅松种群分布格局随着尺度的增加由随机转向聚集分布。择伐对不同径级思茅松天然林种群空间分布格局有重要影响,未择伐的思茅松自然种群随着发育阶段的发展,多数尺度上由随机分布逐渐转变为聚集分布,至大树则又以随机分布为主;轻度择伐和中度择伐的思茅松自然种群则随着发育阶段的发展而由完全的随机分布逐渐转变为聚集分布,中度择伐的聚集分布则更为明显。思茅松不同发育阶段间在所有尺度上基本都呈显著正相关,表明思茅松种群种内竞争弱,有利于种群的维持。     

The barbados vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaens): Changes in population size and crop damage, 1980–1994

We investigated changes in population size and crop damage for the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) in Barbados over the period 1980–1994. In both 1980 and 1994, we obtained data primarily via a survey of farmers islandwide to obtain estimates of group size and number of groups on agricultural land. We assessed the farmers’ estimates independently for reliability by counting number of groups and group size on a subsample of farms. We surveyed approximately 20% of the total land area in Barbados and extrapolated the results to the whole island. The estimate of population size of monkeys in 1994 is 4% greater than for 1980, but the difference is not statistically significant. This suggests that, despite the removal of over 10,000 vervets via humane trapping and through hunting over the 14-year period, population size has remained the same. Over the same time period, the percentage of crops damaged by vervets was reported by farmers to have increased almost 30%. The increase in crop damage relative to the increase in vervet abundance may best be explained by a decrease in the availability of crops to vervets, since substantial amounts of agricultural land were taken out of crop production between 1980 and 1994.     

Genetic diversity and mating system of the threatened plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kirengeshoma palmata</Emphasis> (Saxifragaceae) in Korea

The endangered herb Kirengeshoma palmata, from eastern Asia, has had its population severely reduced in number through habitat loss and fragmentation. All of the individuals within five subgroups at Mt. Baek-un-san, in the southern part of Korea, were genetically surveyed by allozyme analysis. Genetic diversity levels within subgroups were relatively high, and a consistently high outcrossing rate as well as a negligible biparental mating rate were confirmed by this study. Several groups of visibly connected ramets were observed in a clustered distribution which suggested cloning. Absence of mating partner rather than pollinators decreased seed production in small mating groups. The present genetic structure of the five subgroups was probably the result of local extinction of intervening populations. Because K. palmata may be a self-incompatible species, populations with few genets face lowered seed set due to mate scarcity. Thus, this type of population may be at an increased risk of extinction as a result of inbreeding depression, loss of genetic variability, and reduced sexual reproduction. The small, genetically depauperate subgroups may need an input of seeds or plants from other populations in China or Japan in order to regenerate, but the possibility of outcrossing depression leads us to recommend outbreeding among the local subgroups of Mt. Baek-un-san to restore genetic variability.