Complex patterns of grooming and sexual activity in Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus)

Grooming in primates is often considered a “currency” that can be exchanged for other “services” or “commodities” such as reciprocal grooming, coalitionary support, infant handling, tolerance around food sources, active food sharing, or mating opportunities. Previous studies on primate grooming‐for‐sex exchange viewed the males as the demanding class, with the females as suppliers of mating opportunities. In this study, we examine the broader context of grooming‐for‐mating exchange in Barbary macaques in Gibraltar. Our data show that Barbary macaque males groom females with whom they are mating more frequently and for longer periods than other females, and the relationship between grooming and mating remains significant in both sexual and nonsexual contexts. In addition, females groomed males with whom they were mating more frequently and for longer periods than other males. In both sexes, grooming was observed to be far more frequent and to occur for longer durations in sexual compared to nonsexual contexts. We did not find any difference in grooming behavior between presexual and postsexual contexts. Our data suggest that there is no simple model to describe Barbary macaque grooming patterns in sexual contexts. Although our results are partly consistent with male use of grooming as payment for mating, broadly assessed grooming‐mating patterns cannot be solely explained by a male‐driven grooming‐for‐mating exchange.     

Some dasyclad algae of the sinemurian from the north-western iberian chains (Spain)

In a section of the Liassic southwest of the village of Préjano (Prov. Logroño) Sinemurian Dasyclad algae were found for the first time in the “Bankkalk-Series” of the “Carniolas-Formation” which is not dated up to that time. Six species,Dissocladella lucasi (Cros & Lemoine),Dissocladella iberica nov. sp.,Dissocladella ebroensis nov. sp.,Sestrosphaera liasina Pia,Gyroporella retica (Zanin) andMacroporella nov. sp. aff. sturi Bystricky are described.     

The mongolian game Norobo or Cindi

Current debates over the concept of culture are examined, especially with regard to the relationship of culture to bounded collectivities, human nature, and individuality; present‐day views are seen against the background of back‐and‐forth swings in the history of anthropological thought. Recent theorizing about cultural acquisition is also considered.     

Phenotype modulation in primary cultures of arterial smooth-muscle cells. Dual effect of prostaglandin E1

The effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the phenotypic state of enzymatically isolated arterial smooth-muscle cells in primary culture were studied by transmission electron microscopy, thymidine autoradiography, and cell counting. Early in culture (day 0-2), PGE1 stimulated conversion of the cells from contractile (less euchromatic nucleus and cytoplasm dominated by myofilament bundles) to synthetic state (more euchromatic nucleus and cytoplasm dominated by cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum and a large Golgi complex). The rate of entrance of the cells into DNA synthesis and mitosis was also increased at this time. Later on (day 3-6), when the majority of the cells had entered synthetic state, PGE1 inhibited DNA synthesis and cellular proliferation. These observations indicate that the effect of prostaglandins on arterial smooth muscle is dual in nature and dependent on the state of differentiation of the cells.