The risks of using the chi-square periodogram to estimate the period of biological rhythms

The chi-square periodogram (CSP), developed over 40 years ago, continues to be one of the most popular methods to estimate the period of circadian (circa 24-h) rhythms. Previous work has indicated the CSP is sometimes less accurate than other methods, but understanding of why and under what conditions remains incomplete. Using simulated rhythmic time-courses, we found that the CSP is prone to underestimating the period in a manner that depends on the true period and the length of the time-course. This underestimation bias is most severe in short time-courses (e.g., 3 days), but is also visible in longer simulated time-courses (e.g., 12 days) and in experimental time-courses of mouse wheel-running and ex vivo bioluminescence. We traced the source of the bias to discontinuities in the periodogram that are related to the number of time-points the CSP uses to calculate the observed variance for a given test period. By revising the calculation to avoid discontinuities, we developed a new version, the greedy CSP, that shows reduced bias and improved accuracy. Nonetheless, even the greedy CSP tended to be less accurate on our simulated time-courses than an alternative method, namely the Lomb-Scargle periodogram. Thus, although our study describes a major improvement to a classic method, it also suggests that users should generally avoid the CSP when estimating the period of biological rhythms.     

Inhibitton of prolactin release by stimulation of presynaptic serotonin autoreceptors

The effects of 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT), a serotonin agonist with a preferential action on presynaptic autoreceptors, on prolactin release in male rats was determined. Basal serum prolactin levels were not altered after administration of 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 10.0 or 20.0 mg/kg of 5-MeODMT.Pretreatment with 5-MeODMT reduced prolactin release by agents that depend on serotonergic neurotransmission for part of their prolactin release stimulation. Prolactin release in response to L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) or morphine was significantly reduced by pretreatment of the rats with 5-MeODMT.The results of this experiment indicate that 5-MeODMT act as a presynaptic serotonin autoreceptor stimulant and not as a postsynaptic serotonin agonist on the neuronal systems that control prolactin release.     

Vertical distribution of zooplankton in the frontal zone of the Gulf Stream and Labrador Current

Zooplankton data collected during September 1995 in the NorthWest Atlantic at 4139'N, 4958'W (the location of the siteof the ‘Titanic’ wreck) were analysed. The regioninvestigated was characterized by a very sharp frontal zonebetween the Gulf Stream and the main stream of the LabradorCurrent. The total plankton biomass in the water column wasvery high. The macroplankton biomass values below the 600 mlayer were significantly higher as compared with the similarvalues measured before in other productive boreal regions ofthe Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A lot of dead mesoplanktonanimals occurred in the deep layers. The reason was that thecold-water mesoplankton advected by the Labrador Current diedoff intensively within the deep layers of the frontal zone andwere used as a food resource by the macroplankton carnivoresand scavengers that were very abundant there.     

Polyphyly of Asian Tree Toads,Genus Pedostibes Günther, 1876 (Anura: Bufonidae), and the Description of a New Genus from Southeast Asia

The Asian Tree Toad genus Pedostibes, as currently understood, exhibits a conspicuously disjunct distribution, posing several immediate questions relating to the biogeography and taxonomy of this poorly known group. The type species, P. tuberculosus and P. kempi, are known only from India, whereas P. hosii, P. rugosus, and P. everetti are restricted to Southeast Asia. Several studies have shown that these allopatric groups are polyphyletic, with the Indian Pedostibes embedded within a primarily South Asian clade of toads, containing the genera Adenomus, Xanthophryne, and Duttaphrynus. Southeast Asian Pedostibes on the other hand, are nested within a Southeast Asian clade, which is the sister lineage to the Southeast Asian river toad genus Phrynoidis. We demonstrate that Indian and Southeast Asian Pedostibes are not only allopatric and polyphyletic, but also exhibit significant differences in morphology and reproductive mode, indicating that the Southeast Asian species’ are not congeneric with the true Pedostibes of India. As a taxonomic solution, we describe a new genus, Rentapia gen. nov. to accommodate the Southeast Asian species.     

Grooming and touching behaviour in captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta L.)

The distribution of grooming and touching behaviours was recorded in a group of captive ring-tailed lemurs. Grooming was found to be performed chiefly by older, higher ranking animals; touching (i.e., “reach out and touch” behaviour) was directed primarily by younger, low ranking animals to older, high ranking individuals. It is suggested that such touching is a submissive gesture in this species.