Sexual dimorphism in Athene cunicularia: are visual cues clues?

Body Size and Sexual Dimorphism in the Southernmost Subspecies of the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia cunicularia)

Journal of Raptor Research ◽

10.3356/rapt-49-04-479-485.1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 479-485 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Alejandro V. Baladrón ◽

Matilde Cavalli ◽

Juan P. Isacch ◽

María S. Bó ◽

Enrique Madrid

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Sexual Dimorphism ◽

Athene Cunicularia ◽

Burrowing Owl

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Sexual dimorphism in an under-ice spawning fish: the burbot (Lota lota)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/cjz-2013-0083 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 91 (10) ◽

pp. 732-740 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

P.A. Cott ◽

T.A. Johnston ◽

J.M. Gunn

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dimorphism ◽

Visual Cues ◽

Liver Lipid ◽

Sexually Dimorphic ◽

Lipid Concentration ◽

Lota Lota ◽

Selective Pressures ◽

Liver Lipid Concentration ◽

Boreal Fishes ◽

Bladder Mass

Sexual dimorphic characteristics arise in response to differing selective pressures on the sexes and can be used to attract mates or signal reproductive readiness. How sexual dimorphism is expressed where visual cues may be of limited use is an underexplored aspect of reproductive ecology. The burbot (Lota lota (L., 1758)) is a common boreal fish that is not overtly sexually dimorphic. It spawns mid-winter in a light-limited under-ice environment. We examined a variety of morphological and reproductive characteristics in burbot from a northern lake over one full year to assess both seasonal and sex-based variation. Spawning occurred under ice in early February. Seasonal variation was more pronounced in females for many of the traits examined. Growth, fin lengths, swim bladder mass, and liver lipid concentration did not differ between the sexes. Male burbot had significantly higher body condition, larger gas glands, and smaller livers. Males also had significantly larger gonads than females, unusual for boreal fishes. The high gonadal investment of male burbot suggests that sperm competition may be intense in this species. This study demonstrates that sexual dimorphism can be subtle and is present in a seemingly monomorphic species—the burbot.

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Supporting the Use of Rudimentary Vocalizations

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication ◽

10.1044/aac23.3.132 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 132-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lauren Zubow ◽

Richard Hurtig

Keyword(s):

Rett Syndrome ◽

Visual Cues ◽

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Eye Gaze ◽

Research Question ◽

Primary Research ◽

Multiple Modalities ◽

Face To Face ◽

Perceptual Judgments ◽

The Face

Children with Rett Syndrome (RS) are reported to use multiple modalities to communicate although their intentionality is often questioned (Bartolotta, Zipp, Simpkins, & Glazewski, 2011; Hetzroni & Rubin, 2006; Sigafoos et al., 2000; Sigafoos, Woodyatt, Tuckeer, Roberts-Pennell, & Pittendreigh, 2000). This paper will present results of a study analyzing the unconventional vocalizations of a child with RS. The primary research question addresses the ability of familiar and unfamiliar listeners to interpret unconventional vocalizations as “yes” or “no” responses. This paper will also address the acoustic analysis and perceptual judgments of these vocalizations. Pre-recorded isolated vocalizations of “yes” and “no” were presented to 5 listeners (mother, father, 1 unfamiliar, and 2 familiar clinicians) and the listeners were asked to rate the vocalizations as either “yes” or “no.” The ratings were compared to the original identification made by the child's mother during the face-to-face interaction from which the samples were drawn. Findings of this study suggest, in this case, the child's vocalizations were intentional and could be interpreted by familiar and unfamiliar listeners as either “yes” or “no” without contextual or visual cues. The results suggest that communication partners should be trained to attend to eye-gaze and vocalizations to ensure the child's intended choice is accurately understood.

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