Recent changes in the diet and breeding parameters of the Purple Heron Ardea purpurea in southern France

The Purple Heron population in southern France suffered a 46% decline between 1981 and 1994. A study of breeding biology was instigated in 1997 in order to examine potential changes in the main breeding parameters between the early 1980s and the late 1990s. Here, we present data on the breeding biology and diet of breeding Purple Herons in the Camargue, southern France, collected from 1997 to 1999. These results were compared with those from a similar study conducted between 1979 and 1982. No difference in first spring arrival date on breeding grounds was noted between these two periods. Mean first egg date was 22 April during 1979–82, in contrast to 6 May during 1997–99. Mean colony size was c. 118 breeding pairs during 1979–82, but only c. 59 during 1997–99. For broods of three and four chicks, linear growth rates for rank A (first hatched) chicks were higher during 1979–82 than during 1997–99. For broods of four chicks linear growth rates were also higher for rank B (second hatched) chicks and tended to be higher for rank C (third hatched) but lower for rank D (fourth hatched) chicks. During 1979–82 nestling diet (determined from regurgitates) was dominated by fish (85.4% by biomass). There was an increase in the proportion of insects from 12.8% during 1979–82 to 21.7% in 1998 (from regurgitates), whereas the proportion of fish was 61.3% in 1998. Diet was determined from pellets in 1999 and indicated that 42.6% of the biomass was insects whereas 33.8% was fish. No difference was found between 1979–82 and 1997–99 for clutch size and hatchling mass. Results suggest that birds needed more time to initiate breeding during 1979–82 than during 1997–99. Possible causes for the observed differences in the Purple Heron breeding biology and diet between both study periods are discussed.     

Cranial growth in Saimiri sciureus (Cebidae) and its alteration by nutritional factors: A longitudinal study

Ten male Saimiri sciureus boliviensis (Cebidae), born at the Centro Argentino de Primates (CAPRIM), were grown in captivity. At weaning (6 months old), five individuals were fed ad libitum on a 20% protein diet (controls). The other five animals were fed ad libitum on a 5% protein diet (malnourished). Animals were radiographed monthly. The length, width, and height of the anterior, middle, and posterior components of the neurocranium, and those of the masticatory, respiratory, and optic components of the face were measured. A pattern of high growth rate was observed in both the three facial and the middle neural components. The anterior and posterior neural components showed a pattern of low rate of growth. The growth behavior of each variable was also different. Lengths grew more than widths and heights in the facial components, whereas widths grew more than heights and lengths in the neurocranium. Malnutrition delayed growth in size and altered the normal shape changes. High-patterned variables, such as masticatory and respiratory lengths, and the anterior and middle neural widths were particularly affected. The masticatory and the middle neural components underwent the greatest growth arrest. The optic and the respiratory components suffered a mild effect. The anterior and the posterior neural components were affected to a lesser degree. Am J Phys Anthropol 102:545–554, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Dietary correlates of temporomandibular joint morphology in New World primates

Previous analyses of the masticatory apparatus have demonstrated that the shape of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is functionally and adaptively linked to variation in feeding behavior and diet in primates. Building on previous research, this study presents an analysis of the link between diet and TMJ morphology in the context of functional and dietary differences among New World primates. To evaluate this proposed relationship, I used three-dimensional morphometric methods to quantify TMJ shape across a sample of 13 platyrrhine species. A broad interspecific analysis of this sample found strong relationships among TMJ size, TMJ shape, and diet, suggesting that both size and diet are significant factors influencing TMJ morphology in New World primates. However, it is likely that at least some of these differences are related to a division of dietary categories along clade lines.A series of hypotheses related to load resistance capabilities and range of motion in the TMJ were then tested among small groups of closely related taxa with documented dietary differences. These pairwise analyses indicate that some aspects of TMJ morphology can be used to differentiate among closely related species with different diets. However, not all of my predictions were upheld. The anteroposterior dimensions of the TMJ were most strongly consistent with hypothesized differences in ingestive/masticatory behaviors and jaw gape, whereas the predictions generated for variation in entoglenoid and articular tubercle height were not upheld. These results imply that while some features can be reliably associated with increased load resistance and facilitation of wider jaw gapes in the masticatory apparatus, other features are less strongly correlated with masticatory function.     

Changes in the food of British Barn Owls (Tyto alba) between 1974 and 1997

Comparison of the results of a 1993–97 Barn Owl Tyto alba pellet survey with those of a similar survey from 1956–74 showed that Barn Owl diet had changed significantly. The primary differences were a widespread decrease in the percentage of Common Shrew Sorex araneus, combined with an increase in Pygmy Shrew Sorex minutus. The percentage of Wood and Yellow‐necked mice Apodemus sylvaticus and A. flavicollis and Bank Vole Clethrionomys glareolus in the diet also increased. Changes in Barn Owl diet since 1974 were independent of land‐class group, but were dependent upon region. This was due primarily to a large increase in the percentage of Apodemus spp. in Eastern England. Whilst the percentage of Pygmy Shrew in Barn Owl diet showed significant regional variation, there was no significant variation between land‐class groups. The diversity of Barn Owl diet increased between 1974 and 1997, although it was still lower in 1997 than earlier in the century. This increase was dependent upon region, but independent of land‐class group. The combined results of both surveys showed significant interland‐class group variation in dietary diversity. Changes in diet are discussed in relation to the intensification of agriculture and other changes in land management since the 1970s. The effects on Barn Owls of these changes in prey abundance are discussed, particularly in relation to the decline in Barn Owl numbers during the twentieth century.     

Response of the flora and macroinvertebrate fauna of a chalk stream site to changes in management

1. Temporal changes in a series of habitats and their macroinvertebrate assemblages were examined on a 50‐m section of a chalk stream in Berkshire, England between June 1975–79 and June 1997–2001. 2. The site was part of a trout fishery in 1975–79, when river management included instream weed cutting together with control of bankside trees and riparian vegetation. Management ceased in the 1980s and by 1997–2001, the site was heavily shaded by trees and riparian vegetation. 3. The mean area of instream macrophytes decreased by 50% between the first and second sampling period. In contrast, gravel and silt increased and invading marginal vegetation formed a new habitat. 4. Changes in macroinvertebrate family richness between sampling periods were scale dependant. Although there were, on average, significantly more families in individual replicates in 1975–79 than in 1997–2001, total family richness for the site in each year did not differ significantly between sampling periods. 5. Sixty families of macroinvertebrates were recorded during the study, 50 in both sampling periods, 53 in 1975–79 and 57 in 1997–2001. This small increase in site family richness may be due to the invading marginal plants. 6. Total macroinvertebrate abundance was significantly lower in the second sampling period. A major drought in 1976 resulted in significantly higher densities of macroinvertebrates, partly through the exploitation of epiphytic diatoms by chironomid larvae. A drought in 1997 failed to elicit a similar response because of the limited macrophytes and diatoms under heavy shading by trees and marginal vegetation. 7. Significant increases in important shredders and decreases in some scrapers between the early and later sampling years largely reflected changes in available food resources. 8. Whereas macroinvertebrate family richness has been conserved under the recent ‘no management’ regime, the site is now less attractive as a fishery because of poor access and lower densities of some macroinvertebrates taken by brown trout.     

'Inadequate' dietary habits and mastication in elderly men

Objective: The aim of this study was to re‐evaluate data about oral status, mastication and nutrition in elderly men in Malmö, Sweden, recorded in 1985–1987, to assess associations between inadequate dietary habits, oral conditions and masticatory function. Materials and methods: Four hundred and eighty‐one men, aged 67–68, participated in a comprehensive health examination, including tooth and denture status and masticatory tests. A separate study of dietary habits and nutritional status was made. Ninety‐five men had inadequate dietary habits. The databases of dental/denture status, mastication, nutritional status and social network factors were re‐evaluated for assessment of associations. Results: No significant differences between those with adequate or inadequate nutrition were found with regard to the number of teeth, occlusal contacts or removable dentures. Also self‐assessed chewing did not show any differences. Conclusion: Inadequate dietary habits were independent of teeth and denture status. Some correlations to social network conditions could be identified. Overweight, obesity, low physical activity and high alcohol intake were more common among those with inadequate nutritional intake.     

Variation in ancient Egyptian stature and body proportions

Stature and the pattern of body proportions were investigated in a series of six time-successive Egyptian populations in order to investigate the biological effects on human growth of the development and intensification of agriculture, and the formation of state-level social organization. Univariate analyses of variance were performed to assess differences between the sexes and among various time periods. Significant differences were found both in stature and in raw long bone length measurements between the early semipastoral population and the later intensive agricultural population. The size differences were greater in males than in females. This disparity is suggested to be due to greater male response to poor nutrition in the earlier populations, and with the increasing development of social hierarchy, males were being provisioned preferentially over females. Little change in body shape was found through time, suggesting that all body segments were varying in size in response to environmental and social conditions. The change found in body plan is suggested to be the result of the later groups having a more tropical (Nilotic) form than the preceding populations.     

Microevolution of outer and inner structures of upper molars in Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene humans

In this study, we investigate outer and inner variations of upper second molars (UM2) for Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene modern humans, at a key-period in our evolutionary history associated with major sociocultural, economic and environmental changes. Non-metric traits have been recorded on 89 UM2 of 66 Upper Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic individuals, and 40 UM2 have been microscanned to assess variations in enamel thickness (ET) distribution and enamel–dentine junction (EDJ) shape. Major changes are found between Mesolithic and Neolithic periods: a decrease of the metacone expression combined with an increase of the hypocone development; an increase of the heterogeneity of ET distribution between lingual and buccal cusps; and an increase of the development of the dentine horn tips corresponding to the hypocone and, to a lesser extent, to the metacone. These morphological modifications could be linked to the masticatory functional changes associated with the transition to agriculture.     

Effects of the mixed biocide Bacillus thuringiensis–abamectin on the development of the parasitoid Microplitis mediator and its host Helicoverpa armigera

The effects of the mixed biocide Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner with abamectin (BtA) on the development of the parasitoid Microplitis mediator (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its cotton bollworm host, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were evaluated in the laboratory. Weight gain in larvae of H. armigera was initially delayed, but larval developmental period increased and pupal weight increased when they were fed on a diet containing BtA. Due to increased longevity of the host larvae, the susceptible period to parasitization of H. armigera by M. mediator increased when the host larvae were reared on diets containing BtA at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 μg g^?1. The longevity of female and male parasitoids significantly decreased when newly emerged wasps were fed a honey solution containing 200 μg ml^?1 BtA in comparison with those fed only a honey solution. Mean longevity was significantly prolonged when parasitoids were fed a honey solution and BtA–honey solution in comparison with those fed BtA–distilled water, distilled water, or nothing. There were no significant differences compared with the control in any biological characteristics for the offspring of female parasitoids fed the honey solutions containing BtA at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 μg ml^?1; characteristics measured include the egg‐larval period, pupal weight, male and female pupal periods, adult fresh weight, and adult longevity. When female parasitoids parasitized host larvae that had been fed the diet containing BtA, their male and female pupal periods were significantly prolonged compared with the control (without BtA).     

Occlusal variation in Australian aboriginals

Variation of dental occlusion around established norms has frequently been related to industrialized or modernized life habits. This tendency has been tested among samples (n = 48) of older (originally nomadic) and younger (settled and rationed) Australian Aboriginals. Although significant differences are found in incisor relation traits, tooth malalignment, and relative arch breadth, these are slight compared to some other studies of peoples undergoing one-generation dietary westernization. Reasons for this might relate to concomitantly subtle differences in diet or masticatory habits, genetic buffering, attrition gradient, tooth size, biased sampling according to tooth retention, or fluoride in water supplies.     

Tooth wear and dental pathology of the Bronze-Iron Age people in Xinjiang, Northwest China: Implications for their diet and lifestyle

Tooth wear and dental pathology related to diet and lifestyle were investigated in the human dental remains unearthed from three archaeological sites of Bronze Age and Iron Age in Xinjiang of northwest China, and in comparative samples from two Neolithic sites in Henan and Shanxi in central China along the Yellow River.Our results indicate that the average tooth wear on most tooth types in the three Xinjiang sites was close to those of the Neolithic samples from central China. The variation within the Xinjiang samples was also explored. Some special wear patterns such as severe wear on the first molar and relatively heavy wear of anterior teeth were observed on the specimens from the Xinjiang sites. Obvious differences in caries and antemortem tooth loss were found between Xinjiang and comparative samples with higher frequencies of caries observed in samples from central China and higher antemortem tooth loss in samples from the Xinjiang sites. Strongly developed exostoses (tori) were also identified on mandibles and maxillae of the specimens from Xinjiang.The authors believe that the differences in tooth wear and dental pathology between Xinjiang and central China were caused by differences in diet and lifestyle. Food of a harder texture was consumed by the people who lived in Xinjiang than by the people in Henan and Shanxi of central China. The higher occurrence of heavily worn anterior teeth and some other special wear patterns, antemortem tooth loss and presence of exostoses on jaw bones in Xinjiang suggest that the people in Xinjiang lived in a relatively harsh environment, frequently gnawing hard objects, or using teeth as some kind of tools. All these activities put masticatory organs under a heavy load. The differences in caries frequencies between the frontier and central areas of China indicate that food richer in carbohydrates was consumed by the people in the central areas.It is proposed that about 3000-2000 years BP in many areas of frontier Xinjiang, people mainly relied on the type of hunter-gatherer economy with agriculture playing a smaller role in their lifestyle.     

河南淇县宋庄东周墓地人骨稳定同位素分析——东周贵族与殉人食谱初探

淇县宋庄东周墓地出土贵族和殉人骨骼遗存的稳定同位素分析是国内首例针对东周社会分化背景下不同社会阶层先民开展的食谱研究.稳定碳氮同位素分析结果表明,贵族阶层在主粮和肉食方面与殉人群体明显不同.贵族几乎完全以粟为主粮,食物中肉类含量很高;而殉人阶层整体食肉水平较低,主粮的内部差异显著,大部分个体都不同程度的食用了当时不受青...     

Lead in bone III. Prediction of social correlates from skeletal lead content in four Colonial American populations (Catoctin Furnace, College Landing, Governor's Land, and Irene Mound)

Lead content was determined in the skeletal tissue of 82 individuals representing two black and two white Colonial American populations: Catoctin Furnace, College Landing, Governor's Land, and Irene Mound. Group and individual differences in bone lead concentrations were used to assess behavioral, social and occupational characteristics. Variations in skeletal lead content suggested that the white owners of the Catoctin iron furnace shared little of their food and beverage with their black, male, industrial slaves, but that some of these workers' women had access to the owners' food sources--probably via domestic duty assignments. A broad range of lead concentrations in bones of the free blacks at College Landing implies a wide range of economic success among these tradesmen. Bone lead content of the white populations at Governor's Land and Irene Mound helped confirm family relationships that had been assigned on an archaeological and osteological basis, and also suggested that the social and functional status of the white tenant farmers' white servants frequently differed little from that of black slaves. These findings suggest that, when applied in appropriate circumstances, lead studies of archaeological skeletal tissue may provide information supplemental to that derived from historical, archaeological, or other conventional sources.     

The African custom of tooth mutilation in America

A broad historical sketch of tooth mutilation stresses the role of Negro slaves in introducing the African custom into America, and the possibility of filling in gaps in our knowledge along this line from recovered skeletal remains. As an example of what can be learned, a skeleton found recently in Grenada, West Indies, is described as that of a male Negro, with a West African type of dental mutilation. The individual represented is shown to have been around 35–40 years of age, below average in size, with bandy legs, signs of mild deficency disease, and a variety of dental and periodontal diseases. Geographical and historical factors are reviewed in an effort to decide whether or not he was one of the original slaves or a descendant of a slave. The authors conclude that the circumstances of the find warrant the belief that he had been born in Africa and received his mutilation there. An earlier report of another such find in Barbados, and the mention of a subsequent find in St. Croix, suggest that a more intensive search for Negro remains in the West Indies would prove fruitful.     

Special relationships instead of female dominance for redfronted lemurs,Eulemur fulvus rufus

Most lemurs yet studied in detail exhibit some mode of adult female social dominance over males. The known exception, a brown lemur subspecies known as rufous or redfronted lemurs (Eulemur fulvus rufus), forms multimale–multifemale social groups within which unambiguous dominance relations are not observed among adults. Resting groups of redfronted lemurs consistently include huddling adult male–female pairs whose males selectively scentmark and rub their heads in the scentmarks of their female huddling partners. Quantitative observations confirmed that some of these male–female pairs maintain special relationships satisfying all criteria originally developed in research on cercopithecine monkeys. Observations before, during, and after mating season, intergroup encounters, male transfers, and changes in male–female affiliations illuminated developmental and functional aspects of male–female partnerships. Each adult female in two semi-free-ranging study groups shared high rates of association, grooming, and agonistic support and low rates of agonistic interaction with one unrelated or distantly related adult male partner. Such affinity characterized small proportions of adult male–female relationships. Several males directed not only support but also aggression toward adult females with whom they sought to affiliate. All bonded males sought to copulate with their partners, and some appeared to ignore estrus in nonpartners. All females accepted copulation attempts from partners and some seemed to prefer their partners as mates. Partial synchronization of brief estrus periods together with concealed ovulation appeared to minimize chances for polygynous mating. Results support the view that the male–female pair is the fundamental social unit of E. fulvus and suggest that female partnership with individual males obviates dominance behavior, including female dominance, in this lemurid primate. Am. J. Primatol. 43:239–258, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Harp seal foraging behaviour during summer around Svalbard in the northern Barents Sea: diet composition and the selection of prey

The harp seal Pagophilus groenlandicus is a major high trophic level predator in the Barents Sea, and to better understand their function in the Barents Sea ecosystem, we need to understand their foraging behaviour during their most intensive feeding period. We analysed the diet composition and prey preference of 184 harp seals and 94 faeces samples, sampled in the northern Barents Sea (around Svalbard) during the period May–August in 1996, 1997, and 2004–2006. Concurrent with the sampling of seals, prey availability was assessed in one area in 1996 and 1997 and in two areas in 2006 using standard acoustic methods. Our study showed that harp seal diet composition varied significantly both in time (year) and space, and that their diets appeared to be size dependent. Both subadult (<150 cm) and adult seals were associated with pelagic crustaceans (particularly krill), whereas primarily adult seals were associated with fish (capelin, gadoids and flatfish). Krill was the most important prey group (63 %) followed by polar cod (16 %) and other fish species (10 %). The prey preference of harp seals varied in time and space; polar cod was often preferred by the seals whereas krill was commonly consumed in lower proportion than observed in the survey area. Gadoids and capelin had either been exploited in the same or less proportion as observed in the survey sea. This study emphasises the ecological significance of krill as prime food for harp seals during their intensive feeding period in summer.     

Affiliative relationships between adult males and immature group members in naturally occurring ringtailed lemurs (Lemur catta)

Affiliative relations between adult males and immature group members were studied in three naturally occurring groups of ringtailed lemurs (Lemur catta) over a 12-month period at Beza-Mahafaly Reserve, southwestern Madagascar. No statistically significant difference was found in rates of affiliative interactions between adult males and older immatures (juveniles and adolescents) over reproductive seasons. However, some of the adult males in two focal groups increased their rates of affiliative behaviors with older immatures during the lactation and subsequent 1993 postmigration periods. Female involvement with infants during lactation season, the increasing independence of juveniles and adolescents, and length of male tenure may be factors contributing to such a pattern. Neither adult males nor immatures were significantly responsible for the initiation and maintenance of proximity in male-immature dyadic interactions. Neither dominance rank nor age-class of the adult male affected their rates of affiliative behavior with immatures. The majority of focal males exhibited an interest in infants and occasionally participated in alloparental care. It is suggested that adult males can benefit from affiliative relations with immatures in terms of opportunities for greater spatial centrality in the group, which can lead to enhanced predator protection and greater opportunities to develop affiliative relationships with females. Immatures can benefit from affiliation with males in relation to enhanced predator detection and protection, alloparental care, and opportunities to develop social skills. Am J Phys Anthropol 103:163–171, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Uniform diet in a diverse society. Revealing new dietary evidence of the Danish Roman Iron Age based on stable isotope analysis

A systematic dietary investigation during Danish Roman Iron Age (1‐375AD) is conducted by analyzing stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) in the collagen of human and animal bone. The human sample comprises 77 individuals from 10 burial sites. In addition 31 samples of mammals and fish were analyzed from same geographical area. The investigation characterizes the human diet among different social groupings and analyses dietary differences present between sex, age, and site phase groups. Diachronically, the study investigates the Roman influences that had an effect on social structure and subsistence economy in both the Early and Late Period. Geographically the locations are both inland and coastal. The isotopic data indicate extremely uniform diet both between and within population groups from Early and Late Roman periods and the data are consistent throughout the Roman Iron Age. Protein consumption was dominated by terrestrial animals with no differences among social status, age, sex, or time period, while terrestrial plant protein only seems to have contributed little in the diet. Furthermore, the consumption of marine or aquatic resources does not seem to have been important, even among the individuals living next to the coast. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Predicting the Timing and Duration of Sleep in an Operational Setting Using Social Factors

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of bio‐mathematical models to predict alertness, performance, and/or fatigue in operational settings. Current models use only biological factors to make their estimations, which can be limited in operational settings where social and geo‐physical factors also dictate when sleep occurs. The interaction between social and biological factors that help determine the timing and duration of sleep during layover periods have been investigated in order to create and initially validate a mathematical model that may better predict sleep in the field. Participants were 32 male transmeridian airline pilots (17 captains, 10 first officers, and 5 second officers) flying the Sydney‐Bangkok‐London‐Singapore‐Sydney (SYD‐LHR) pattern. Participants continued their regular schedule while wearing activity monitors and completing sleep and work diaries. The theoretical sleep timing model underpinning this analysis consists of separate formulations for short (<32 h) and long (>32 h) break periods. Longer break periods are split into three distinct phases—recovery (break start until first local night), personal (first local night until last local night), and preparation phases (last local night until break end)—in order to exploit potential differences specific to each. Furthermore, an iterative procedure combining prediction and retrodiction (i.e., using future duty timing information to predict current sleep timing) was developed to optimize predictive ability. Analysis found an interaction between the social and circadian sleep pressures that changed over the break period. Correlation analysis indicated a strong relationship between the actual sleep and new model's predictions (r=0.7–0.9), a significant improvement when compared to existing models (r=0.1–0.4). Social and circadian pressures play important roles in regulating sleep for international flight crews. An initial model has been developed in order to regulate sleep in these crews. The initial results have shown promise when applied to small sets of data; however, more rigorous validation must be carried out.     

A preliminary investigation of urinary testosterone and cortisol levels in wild male mountain gorillas

Urinary steroid hormone levels were measured in wild male mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) to determine how levels of testosterone and cortisol corresponded with age and social rank. Urine samples were collected noninvasively from 18 males, ranging in age from 3–26 years, in three groups of wild mountain gorillas at the Karisoke Research Center, Rwanda, Africa, and samples were analyzed using radioimmunoassay procedures. Males were classified as being immature (<7 years), maturing (10–13 years), or adult (+13 years of age). Immature males had significantly lower levels of testosterone and higher levels of cortisol than both maturing and adult males. No differences in testosterone or cortisol levels were found between maturing and adult males. Dominant males exhibited a trend toward significantly higher levels of testosterone than subordinate males, but no difference was found between cortisol levels of dominant and subordinate males. These results suggest that the increase in testosterone associated with puberty occurs prior to any outward sign of development of secondary sexual characteristics. Within-group male–male competition may affect testosterone levels, but the lack of difference in cortisol levels between dominant and subordinate males suggests that subordinate males are not socially stressed, at least as measured by cortisol. Am. J. Primatol. 43:51–64, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.