Bias in aerial estimates of the number of nests in White Ibis and Great Egret colonies

ABSTRACT Estimating detection error, as well as the magnitude of other potential survey biases, is essential when sampling efforts play a role in the estimation of population size and management of wildlife populations. We quantified visual biases in aerial surveys of nesting wading birds (Ciconiiformes) in colonies in the Florida Everglades using a negative binomial count regression model to compare numbers of nests in quadrats counted on the ground with numbers estimated from aerial photographs of the same quadrats. The model also allowed the determination of degree of difference between monitoring results based upon such factors as nest density, vegetative cover, and nest turnover rates. Aerial surveys of White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) colonies underestimated the true number of nests found during ground counts by 11.1%, and underestimates were significantly greater (P= 0.047) in a colony with high nest turnover. Error rates did not differ for quadrats that varied in the density of White Ibis nests did not differ, and visual bias did not increase with vegetative complexity (P= 0.73). Estimates of nest density in colonies of Great Egrets (Ardea alba) based on aerial surveys were higher than ground counts for 38% of the quadrats sampled, and mean visual bias was 23.1%. Species misidentification likely contributed to visibility bias for Great Egrets in our study, with some Snowy Egrets almost certainly mistaken for Great Egrets in aerial photos. Biases of the magnitude we observed fro Great Egrets and White Ibises can mask true population trends in long‐term monitoring and, therefore, we recommend that detection probability be explicitly evaluated when conducting aerial surveys of nesting birds.     

Cytodiagnosis of extraosseous mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of meninges: a case report

BACKGROUND: Extraosseous mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MC) is a rare neoplasm. Most reports in the literature are based on histologic diagnosis. Cases diagnosed on the basis of cytologic features are few. CASE: A 30-year-old woman presented with complaints of headache, vomiting and swelling in the right temporal region for the previous 2 months. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears showed scant material consisting mainly of monomorphic small round cells with granular cytoplasm and central round nuclei lying in a background of myxoid matrix. Occasional giant cells were also seen. Cells were periodic acid-Schiff negative. One of the smears showed a tiny fragment of cartilaginous component. A provisional diagnosis of extraosseous MC was made. Peroperatively the mass was arising from meninges and the diagnosis was confirmed by histology. CONCLUSION: Extraosseous MC should be considered in FNA smears showing small round cells in a myxoid background. Demonstration of cartilage and a correlation of clinical presentation and imaging studies with cytologic findings are important.     

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the chest wall masquerading as a breast tumor. A case report

BACKGROUND: Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare tumor that usually occurs in the soft tissues of extremities. Cytologic features of chondrosarcoma arising from a rib and presenting as a breast mass were reported by Molyneux et al in 1995. However, to the best of our knowledge, the cytology of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the chest wall presenting as a breast mass has not been documented before. CASE: A 30-year-old female presented with left-sided chest pain and a hard lump in the breast of two months' duration. Fine needle aspiration cytology was done, and a possible diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma or mixed tumor of the breast was suggested, with advice to prepare a frozen section before undertaking a radical procedure. On imprint cytology and frozen section a diagnosis of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma was made and confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: It is rare for extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma to occur in the chest wall. This problem is compounded by the fact that cells of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma which resemble epithelial cells, can very closely mimic some malignant breast tumors.     

Body temperatures in free-flying pigeons

We examined the relationship between body temperature (T_b) of free flying pigeons and ambient water vapor pressure and temperature. Core or near core T_b of pigeons were measured using thermistors inserted into the cloaca and connected to small transmitters mounted on the tail feathers of free flying tippler pigeons (Columba livia). Wet and dry bulb temperatures were measured using modified transmitters mounted onto free-flying pigeons. These allowed calculation of relative humidity and hence water vapor pressure at flight altitudes. Mean T_b during flight was 42.0 ± 1.3 °C (n = 16). Paired comparisons of a subset of this data indicated that average in-flight T_b increased significantly by 1.2 ± 0.7 °C (n = 7) over that of birds at rest (t = −4.22, P < 0.05, n = 7) within the first 15 min of takeoff. In addition, there was a small but significant increase in T_b with increasing ambient air (T_a) when individuals on replicate flights (n = 35) were considered. Inclusion of water vapor pressure into the regression model did not improve the correlation between body temperature and ambient conditions. Flight T_b also increased a small (0.5 °C) but significant amount (t = 2.827, P < 0.05, n = 8) from the beginning to the end of a flight. The small response of T_b to changing flight conditions presumably reflects the efficiency of convection as a heat loss mechanism during sustained regular flight. The increase in T_b on landing that occurred in some birds was a probable consequence of a sudden reduction in convective heat loss. Accepted: 2 February 1999     

牛背鹭种群扩张析

牛背鹭种群扩张析文祯中（河南省信阳师范学院生物系,４６４０００）ＰｏｐｕｌａｔｉｏｎＤｉｓｐｅｒｓｉｏｎｏｆＣａｔｔｌｅＥｇｒｅｔ．￥ＷｅｎＺｈｅｎｚｈｏｎｇ（ＤｅｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔｏｆＢｉｏｌｏｇｙ,ＸｉｎｙａｎｇＴｅａｃｈｅｒ’ｓ,Ｃｏｌｌｅｇｅ,...     

Imprint cytology of extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the perineum: a case report

BACKGROUND: Extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (EMC) is an uncommon soft tissue tumor, occurring mainly in the lower limbs, meninges and retroperitoneum. EMC of the female genital tract is extremely rare, and the cytologic literature is scarce. CASE: A 43-year-old female with a growing perineal mass underwent excision of the tumor. Pathologic examination of the rumor revealed a characteristic two-cell pattern of primitive small cells and cartilaginous tissue. A diagnosis of EMC of the perineum was made. Imprint cytology from surgical material showed a cluster of small round cells with a focal hemangiopericytomalike arrangement and islets of cartilage. The cartilaginous cells reacted with S-100 protein immunocytochemically. CONCLUSION: The characteristic features of EMC, a hemangiopericytomalike arrangement of small cells and S-100-positive cartilaginous cells, may be helpful in diagnosing EMC and differentiating it from other perineal tumors.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of primary extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma. A case report

BACKGROUND: Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare soft tissue tumor of the extremities. Since it usually lacks obvious chondroid differentiation on light microscopy, it needs to be distinguished from other myxoid soft tissue sarcomas. CASE REPORT: The diagnosis of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma was made on fine needle aspiration in a patient with a swelling in the right calf. Cellular myxoid fragments having round to oval cells with grooved nuclei arranged in a cordlike pattern suggested chondroid differentiation. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. CONCLUSION: Fine needle aspiration cytology can be diagnostic of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma even in the absence of obvious chondroid differentiation.     

Zinc toxicosis in a free-flying trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator)

A trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) was observed near a mill pond in Picher, Oklahoma, USA. It became weakened and emaciated after about 1 mo, was captured with little resistance, and taken into captivity for medical care. Serum chemistry results were consistent with hepatic, renal, and muscular damage. Serum zinc concentration was elevated at 11.2 parts per million (ppm). The swan was treated for suspected heavy-metal poisoning, but died overnight. Gross postmortem findings were emaciation and pectoral muscle atrophy. Histopathologic lesions in the pancreas included mild diffuse disruption of acinar architecture, severe diffuse depletion or absence of zymogen granules, occasional apoptotic bodies in acinar epithelial cells, and mild interstitial and capsular fibrosis. Zinc concentration in pancreas was 3,200 ppm wet weight, and was similar to that reported in the pancreases of waterfowl known to be killed by zinc toxicity. Zinc concentrations in liver (154 ppm) and kidneys (145 ppm) also were elevated. Acute tubular necrosis of the collecting tubules of the kidneys was also possibly due to zinc toxicity. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of zinc poisoning in a trumpeter swan associated with mining wastes.     

Water influx and efflux in free-flying pigeons

We used tritium-labeled water to measure total body water, water influx (which approximated oxidative water production) and water efflux in free-flying tippler pigeons (Columba livia) during flights that lasted on average 4.2 h. At experimental air temperatures ranging from 18 to 27 °C, mean water efflux by evaporation and excretion [6.3 ± 1.3 (SD) ml · h⁻¹, n = 14] exceeded water influx from oxidative water and inspired air (1.4 ± 0.7 ml · h⁻¹, n = 14), and the birds dehydrated at 4.9 ± 0.9 ml · h⁻¹. This was not significantly different from gravimetrically measured mass loss of 6.2 ± 2.1 g · h⁻¹ (t = 1.902, n = 14, P>0.05). This flight-induced dehydration resulted in an increase in plasma osmolality of 4.3 ± 3.0 mosmol · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹ during flights of 3–4 h. At 27 °C, the increase in plasma osmolality above pre-flight levels (ΔP _osm = 7.6±4.29 mosmol · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n = 6) was significantly higher than that at 18 °C (ΔP _osm = 0.83±2.23 mosmol · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, (t = 3.43, n = 6, P < 0.05). Post-flight haematocrit values were on average 1.1% lower than pre-flight levels, suggesting plasma expansion. Water efflux values during free flight were within 9% of those in the one published field study (Gessaman et al. 1991), and within the range of values for net water loss determined from mass balance during wind tunnel experiments (Biesel and Nachtigall 1987). Our net water loss rates were substantially higher than those estimated by a simulation model (Carmi et al. 1992) suggesting some re-evaluation of the model assumptions is required. Accepted: 8 April 1997     

Retroperitoneal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. Report of a case diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology

An unusual case of retroperitoneal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is described. CT-guided FNA of a mass arising in retroperitoneal soft tissues yielded an amorphous, myxoid material containing two distinct and separate populations of tumor cells. One was an undifferentiated, monomorphic, small cell component with granular cytoplasm and round central nuclei. The second population was an overtly malignant chondroid component scattered within an abundant myxoid matrix showing foamy cytoplasm, marked nuclear pleomorphism and frequent multi-nucleation. These cytologic findings were distinctive and similar to the histologic findings. The differential diagnosis and the possible pitfalls in the FNA diagnosis of this relatively rare tumor are discussed.     

长山列岛发现黄嘴白鹭的繁殖种群

:1 999年 6～ 8月 ,在辽宁省长海县石城乡形人岛 (N30°31′,E1 2 3°0 2′)发现了目前已知国内最大的黄嘴白鹭繁殖种群 ,约 4 0 0余只。黄嘴白鹭于 4月份迁至该岛繁殖 ,巢材由蒿子杆构成 ,每窝产 4～ 6枚卵 ,卵为淡青色。 1 4枚卵平均大小为 4 8 5( 46 0～ 50 5)mm× 34 0 ( 31 0～ 36 5)mm ,平均重量为 2 8 3( 2 7 5～ 2 9 0 ) g。孵化期 2 1～ 2 3天     

Auditory-evoked evasive manoeuvres in free-flying locusts and moths

We presented free-flying locusts (Locusta migratoria L.) with sounds that varied in temporal structure and carrier frequency as they flew toward a light source in a flight room under controlled temperature and light conditions. Previous studies have shown tethered locusts react more often to trains of 30-kHz pulses than to pulse trains below 10 kHz. Further, this acoustic startle response has been suggested to function in bat-avoidance. We expected free-flying locusts to respond similarly; however, we found locusts responded to all sounds we presented, not just high-frequency, bat-like sounds. Response rates of turns, loops, and dives varied from 6% to 26% but were statistically independent of carrier frequency and/or pulse structure. Free-flying moths and tethered locusts were tested using a subset of our acoustic stimuli under the same temperature and light conditions as the free-flying locusts. Moth responses were carrier frequency dependent as were responses of tethered locusts positioned along the flight path observed in our free-flight trials. All responses were unaffected by a 90% reduction in room light. We conclude that locusts possess an acoustic startle response evocable in free flight, however, free-flying locusts do not show the same discrimination observed in tethered locusts under similar conditions.Abbreviations ASR acoustic startle response - dB SPL decibel sound pressure level (RMS re: 20 Pa)     

Immune response impairs learning in free-flying bumble-bees

Parasites can influence different host behaviours including foraging, mate choice and predator avoidance. Several recent papers have shown reduced learning abilities in infected insects. However, it is difficult to separate the effects of the immune response from the direct effects of the parasite. Using a free-flying learning paradigm, this paper shows that learning performance is impaired in bumble-bees (Bombus terrestris) that are not infected but whose immune system is stimulated non-pathogenically. This demonstrates that before it is assumed that a parasite has a direct effect on a host's behaviour, the effect of the immune response stimulated by the parasite must first be quantified.     

Cell kinetics of a chondrosarcoma.

The cell kinetics of the transplantable DC-II mouse chondrosarcoma have been studied by the pulse labelled mitoses method. The analysis gave the following estimates for the phases of the cell cycle: G1, 10-5 hr; S, 9-5 hr; G2, 4 hr with an intermitotic time of 23-5 hr. Consideration of the overall growth of the tumour indicated that the growth fraction and cell loss factor both had values of about 0-5. The results are compared with cell kinetic data from sarcomas and other cartilage tissues.     

广西防城发现黄嘴白鹭的繁殖种群

20 0 2年 3～ 8月 ,在广西防城万鹤山首次发现国家Ⅱ级重点保护动物黄嘴白鹭的繁殖种群 ,约 4巢 ,8只成鸟 1 4只雏鸟。黄嘴白鹭于该年 3月底 4月初迁来筑巢繁殖。巢材多为常绿、落叶阔叶树枯枝和松枝。窝卵数 4枚 ,卵为淡蓝青色。雌雄鸟轮流交替孵卵 ,孵化期 2 4 5 0± 1 5 0 ( 2 3～ 2 6)d ,孵化率1 0 0 %。育雏期 41± 2 ( 3 9～ 43 )d ,窝雏数 3 5 0± 0 2 9( 3～ 4)只 ,雏鸟成活率 87 5 0 %。食性主要为鱼( 77 84% )、虾 ( 1 6 76% )和青蛙 ( 5 40 % )。     

Aversive reinforcement improves visual discrimination learning in free-flying honeybees

Background

Learning and perception of visual stimuli by free-flying honeybees has been shown to vary dramatically depending on the way insects are trained. Fine color discrimination is achieved when both a target and a distractor are present during training (differential conditioning), whilst if the same target is learnt in isolation (absolute conditioning), discrimination is coarse and limited to perceptually dissimilar alternatives. Another way to potentially enhance discrimination is to increase the penalty associated with the distractor. Here we studied whether coupling the distractor with a highly concentrated quinine solution improves color discrimination of both similar and dissimilar colors by free-flying honeybees. As we assumed that quinine acts as an aversive stimulus, we analyzed whether aversion, if any, is based on an aversive sensory input at the gustatory level or on a post-ingestional malaise following quinine feeding.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We show that the presence of a highly concentrated quinine solution (60 mM) acts as an aversive reinforcer promoting rejection of the target associated with it, and improving discrimination of perceptually similar stimuli but not of dissimilar stimuli. Free-flying bees did not use remote cues to detect the presence of quinine solution; the aversive effect exerted by this substance was mediated via a gustatory input, i.e. via a distasteful sensory experience, rather than via a post-ingestional malaise.

Conclusion

The present study supports the hypothesis that aversion conditioning is important for understanding how and what animals perceive and learn. By using this form of conditioning coupled with appetitive conditioning in the framework of a differential conditioning procedure, it is possible to uncover discrimination capabilities that may remain otherwise unsuspected. We show, therefore, that visual discrimination is not an absolute phenomenon but can be modulated by experience.     

Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of a Newcastle Disease Virus Isolated from a Wild Egret

We report here the complete genomic sequence of a novel Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain, egret/China/Guangxi/2011, isolated from an egret in Guangxi Province, southern China. A phylogenetic analysis based on a fusion gene comparison with different NDV strains revealed that egret/China/Guangxi/2011 was phylogenetically close to genotype VIIa NDV, and the deduced amino acid sequence was ¹¹²R-R-R-K-R-F¹¹⁷ at the fusion protein cleavage site. The whole nucleotide sequence had the highest homology (93.3%) with the sequence of strain chicken/Sukorejo/019/10 (GenBank accession number {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"HQ697255","term_id":"359358674","term_text":"HQ697255"}}HQ697255). This study will help us to understand the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of Newcastle disease virus in a migratory egret.