Background levels of hydrogen cyanide in human breath measured by infrared cavity ring down spectroscopy

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in breath has been suggested as a diagnostic tool for cyanide poisoning and for cyanide-producing bacterial infections. To distinguish elevated levels of breath HCN, baseline data are needed. Background levels of HCN were measured in mixed exhaled air from 40 healthy subjects (26 men, 14 women, age 21–61 years; detection limit: 1.5?ppb; median: 4.4?ppb; range <1.5–14?ppb) by near-infrared cavity ring down spectroscopy (CRDS). No correlation was observed with smoking habits, recent meals or age. However, female subjects had slightly higher breath levels of HCN than male subjects. CRDS has not previously been used for this purpose.     

Provisioning habitat with custom‐designed nest‐boxes increases reproductive success in an endangered finch

Manipulating resource availability to assess the strength and effects of resource limitation on an animal population is relatively straightforward, and thus, common in the scientific literature. Resource quality, however, is rarely manipulated, as this requires a priori knowledge of a relationship between some measurable variation in the resource and individual preference and/or fitness. Recent research on nest‐site selection was used to inform the design of custom‐built nest‐boxes for an endangered hollow‐nester, the Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae). By provisioning breeding populations with these ‘high quality’ artificial nest sites over 3 years, we experimentally investigated the strength and effects of nest‐site limitation in this species. Breeding pairs using nest‐boxes initiated nesting earlier, produced larger clutches and fledged more offspring per season than those in natural hollows. Total and mean reproductive output also increased in nest‐box provisioned sites over the duration of the study. All of these effects were predominantly driven by pairs initiating clutches earlier, potentially because of the reduced intra‐ and interspecific competition for nest sites at optimal breeding times. Our findings suggest that reproduction in wild Gouldian finch populations may be limited by the availability of high quality nest sites in the landscape, and that nest‐boxes could be used as a tool for enhancing reproduction in recovering populations. Furthermore, we conclude that resource quality is equally, if not more important than quantity when supplementing resource‐limited habitats.     

口腔癌中肿瘤出芽与VEGF—C表达及淋巴结转移的相关关系

目的：通过检测肿瘤出芽、淋巴结转移以及血管内皮生长因子-C（VEGF—C）表达水平,分析口腔癌中肿瘤出芽与VEGF—C表达及淋巴结转移的相关关系,为临床治疗提供理论参考。方法：选取2009年1月-2013年1月4年间在我院接受诊治且资料完整63例口腔癌患者作为研究对象,观察肿瘤出芽、VEGF-C表达和淋巴结转移情况,分析相互之间的相关关系。结果：本次纳入研究的患者中,检出肿瘤出芽患者40例,所占比例为63．5％,VEGF—C表达阳性患者39例,阳性率率为61．9％,淋巴结转移患者40例,转移率为63．5％;肿瘤出芽与淋巴结转移的符合率为84．1％,肿瘤出芽与VEGF—C的表达符合率为79．4％,VEGF-C的表达与淋巴结转移发生的符合率为76．2％。肿瘤出芽与淋巴结转移呈正相关,经Spear相关分析,r=0．932,P〈0．05,与VEGF-C的表达也呈正相关,经Spear相关分析,r=0．897,P〈0．05。结论：肿瘤出芽与VEGF—C的表达水平和淋巴结转移均呈正相关关系,可用于预测判断口腔癌淋巴结转移情况。     

Field evaluation of abundance estimates under binomial and multinomial N-mixture models

Assessing and modelling abundance from animal count data is a very common task in ecology and management. Detection is arguably never perfect, but modern hierarchical models can incorporate detection probability and yield abundance estimates that are corrected for imperfect detection. Two variants of these models rely on counts of unmarked individuals, or territories (binomial N-mixture models, or binmix), and on detection histories based on territory-mapping data (multinomial N-mixture models or multimix). However, calibration studies which evaluate these two N-mixture model approaches are needed. We analysed conventional territory-mapping data (three surveys in 2014 and four in 2015) using both binmix and multimix models to estimate abundance for two common avian cavity-nesting forest species (Great Tit Parus major and Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus). In the same study area, we used two benchmarks: occupancy data from a dense nestbox scheme and total number of detected territories. To investigate variance in estimates due to the territory assignment, three independent ornithologists conducted territory assignments. Nestbox occupancy yields a minimum number of territories, as some natural cavities may have been used, and binmix model estimates were generally higher than this benchmark. Estimates using the multimix model were slightly more precise than binmix model estimates. Depending on the person assigning the territories, the multimix model estimates became quite different, either overestimating or underestimating the ‘truth’. We conclude that N-mixture models estimated abundance reliably, even for our very small sample sizes. Territory-mapping counts depended on territory assignment and this carried over to estimates under the multimix model. This limitation has to be taken into account when abundance estimates are compared between sites or years. Whenever possible, accounting for such hidden heterogeneity in the raw data of bird surveys, via including a ‘territory editor’ factor, is recommended. Distributing the surveys randomly (in time and space) to editors may also alleviate this problem.     

Distribution of Streptococcus troglodytae and Streptococcus dentirousetti in chimpanzee oral cavities

The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution and phenotypic properties of the indigenous streptococci in chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) oral cavities. Eleven chimpanzees (aged from 9 to 44 years, mean ± SD, 26.9 ± 12.6 years) in the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University were enrolled in this research and brushing bacterial samples collected from them. Streptococci were isolated from the oral cavities of all chimpanzees. The isolates (n = 46) were identified as thirteen species by 16S rRNA genes analysis. The predominant species was Streptococcus sanguinis of mitis streptococci from five chimpanzees (45%). Mutans streptococci were isolated from six chimpanzees (55%). The predominant species in the mutans streptococci were Streptococcus troglodytae from four chimpanzees (36%), this species having been proposed as a novel species by us, and Streptococcus dentirousetti from three chimpanzees (27%). Streptococcus mutans was isolated from one chimpanzee (9%). However, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus macacae and Streptococcus downei, which are indigenous to human and monkey (Macaca fasciclaris) oral habitats, were not isolated. Of the mutans streptococci, S. troglodytae, S. dentirousetti, and S. mutans possessed strong adherence activity to glass surface.     

A note on pterosaur nesting behavior

Based on examination of eggshell structure and predicted vapor conductances in eggshells in recently described material from Argentina and China we conclude that pterosaurs buried their eggs. Egg-burying imposes theoretical restrictions on the distribution of pterosaurs, both geographically and spatially, raises the possibility of thermal sex determination and supports previous suggestions that they exhibited nesting fidelity. Some features associated with egg-burying, such as weight savings, are likely to have been fortuitous pre-adaptations for these flying reptiles, but others may have disadvantaged them relative to avian competitors or increased their vulnerability to extinction in a cooling climate.     

Description of the larvae of Dicronocephalus wallichi bourgoini Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) with observations on nesting behavior and life cycle of two Dicronocephalus species under laboratory conditions

Larva of the fruit beetle Dicronocephalus wallichi bourgoini Pouillaude 1914 is described and illustrated. The following unique morphological characters within Cetoniinae are discussed: shape of claw, spindle-shaped last antennomera, general body shape. The presence of metathoracic egg-bursters in the first instar larva has been found. Its significance for distinguishing the first instar larvae of Cetoniinae is discussed. The nesting behaviours of D. wallichi bourgoini and D. adamsi(Pascoe 1863) are described. The course of the life cycle of both species under laboratory condition is presented and discussed.     

Two new Andean species of Neocorynura (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Augochlorini) with notes on their biology

We describe and illustrate the male, female, and pupa of two new species of Neocorynura from the Colombian Andes, and provide information on their nesting behavior, host plants and social organization. Nests of Neocorynura iguaquensis sp. nov. Smith‐Pardo & Gonzalez and N. muiscae sp. nov. Smith‐Pardo & Gonzalez were found in flat or vertical banks, and contained one to three adult females. The percentage of multi‐female nests varied considerably from 8.3% to 40% of the total of dissected nests at different times in 2000 and 2003. The ovarian development, wing and mandibular wear of females in the nests with two or more females indicated that they were the offspring that remained in the nest before dispersal or a mother and a newly emerged daughter. Pollen taken from the nest cells and scopae of museum specimens showed that both species rely heavily on pollen of asteraceans and may be active year‐round. Details on the nest architecture and comments on the phylogenetic placement of both species are also provided. Direct observations on the multi‐female nests are required to determine whether or not such nests contain temporary assemblages or truly semisocial colonies.

Resumen

Describimos e ilustramos el macho, hembra y pupa de dos especies nuevas de Neocorynura de los Andes colombianos, y proporcionamos información sobre su biología de nidificación, plantas hospederas y organización social. Los nidos de Neocorynura iguaquensis sp. nov. Smith‐Pardo & Gonzalez y N. muiscae sp. nov. Smith‐Pardo & Gonzalez fueron encontrados en el suelo, en áreas planas o barrancos verticales, y tenían de una a tres hembras adultas. El porcentaje de nidos con más de una hembra varió considerablemente desde 8.3% al 40% del total de nidos disectados a diferentes meses en el año 2000 y 2003. El desarrollo ovárico, desgaste de las alas y mandíbulas de las hembras en los nidos con dos o más hembras indicaron que ellas fueron las crías que permanecieron en el nido antes de dispersarse o una madre con la hija recién nacida. El polen tomado de las celdas de cría y escopas de especimenes de museo mostró que ambas especies dependen principalmente de asteraceas y que podrían estar activas todo el año. También oferecemos detalles de la arquitectura del nidos y comentarios sobre la posición filogenética de ambas especies. Observaciones directas de los nido con más de una hembra son necesarias para determinar si tales nidos son agrupaciones temporales o verdaderas colonias semisociales.     

Evolution of nesting behaviour and kleptoparasitism in a selected group of osmiine bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

The construction of nests to rear offspring is restricted to vertebrates and few insect taxa, such as termites, wasps, and bees. Among bees, species of the family Megachilidae are characterized by a particularly high diversity in nest construction behaviour. Many megachilid bees nest in excavated burrows in the ground, others place their brood cells in a variety of above‐ground cavities or attach them to the surface of a substrate, and yet others have adopted a kleptoparasitic habit. Evolutionary transitions between the different nesting sites and between conventional nesting and kleptoparasitism in bees are poorly understood. In the present study, we traced the evolution of nesting site selection and kleptoparasitism in the Annosmia–Hoplitis group (Osmiini), which displays an exceptionally high diversity in nesting behaviour. We found that the evolution of nesting behaviour proceeded unidirectionally from nesting in excavated burrows in the ground to nesting in rock depressions and cavities, followed by the colonization of snail shells and insect borings in dead wood or hollow stems. Kleptoparasitism evolved once and the kleptoparasitic species have derived from the same lineage as their hosts. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 108 , 349–360.     

Natural history and behaviour of Dunatothrips aneurae Mound (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), a phyllode‐gluing thrips with facultative pleometrosis

Thrips of the genus Dunatothrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) construct domiciles by tying phyllodes of Australian Acacia trees together with silk‐like glue. Females often co‐found domiciles (pleometrosis), an apparently cooperative behaviour that potentially provides insights into social evolution. However, little is known about their basic natural history, limiting the scope for testable predictions. Here, we address this crucial prerequisite step by investigating some key outstanding questions in the most common species, D. aneurae, on its host, Acacia aneura. We detail distribution in space and time, mating, dispersal, domicile building and defence. Dunatothrips aneurae was distributed in loosely reproductively synchronized patches, and tended to prefer east‐facing, terminal phyllodes on thin‐phyllode A. aneura varieties. Mature domiciles contained middens, concentrated areas of waste, suggesting active maintenance of domiciles and the potential for the division of labour. We observed inbreeding and outbreeding. Dunatothrips aneurae males engaged in short, truncated matings with sisters before dispersing locally, mating with females in nearby immature domiciles; longer distance dispersal, although it must happen, is still undocumented. Males and females mated multiply. Lone females required male presence to initiate domiciles, constructed them without male help and lost wings on nesting by abscission. Silk production occurred well before egg laying. Aggression or defence appeared to be entirely absent. Taken together, these observations suggest that research into co‐founding behaviour should focus on: (1) local crowding; (2) lack of aggression; and (3) potential division of labour with respect to egg production, silk production and domicile maintenance. These results should provide a springboard for questions on the potential evolution of cooperation in this species. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 109 , 802‐816.