scholarly journals Comparison of non-invasive methods for quantifying population density of the fiddler crab Uca tangeri

Author(s):  
Joana M. Jordão ◽  
Rui F. Oliveira

Excavation counts (absolute density), burrow counts and surface active individuals visual counts in a Uca tangeri population were compared. Population density estimated from burrow counts was not significantly different from population density estimated by excavation, but the population density estimated with visual counts was significantly lower than the absolute density. Ovigerous females should be the main cause of these differences because they frequently remain underground, but other groups of crabs are also contributing to this difference. Burrow counting is an accurate and quick non-invasive method for the census of U. tangeri. Other population measures (e.g. sex ratio) are not obtainable by burrow counting and only further understanding of the activity patterns of this species along the tide cycle, moon phase and reproductive season will allow visual counting of surface active individuals to be used as quick, efficient and non-invasive method for crab density and population structure estimation.


Crustaceana ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1429-1440
Author(s):  
Kanitta Keeratipattarakarn ◽  
Fahmida Wazed Tina ◽  
Rattapon Sangngam ◽  
Ketsanee Thongsri ◽  
Arreeya Suphap

Abstract Estimations of crab density, sex-ratio, and body sizes are difficult. Though the ‘burrow excavation’ method is widely used to estimate these parameters in surface-active crabs, it is destructive to crab populations. Therefore, an alternative, non-destructive method is desirable. This study compared the non-destructive ‘photography’ method with the ‘burrow excavation’ method in a fiddler crab (Austruca perplexa (H. Milne Edwards, 1852)) population. Twenty 0.25 m2 quadrats were set out and 4 photos were taken of the surface-active crabs in each quadrat. All crab burrows were then excavated, and the crabs were collected to estimate their numbers, sexes, and body and claw sizes. Afterward, the photographs were analysed to estimate the same parameters by using the GIMP program. These parameters were then compared between the two methods. The results showed that these parameters were not different between the methods compared. This study thus reveals that the ‘photography’ method could safely be used instead of the ‘burrow excavation’ method, and yield the same results.



Crustaceana ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 625-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Santos ◽  
C. E. R. D. Alencar ◽  
F. A. M. Freire ◽  
A. C. Luchiari

In this study we tested the effect of population density on agonistic interactions in male Uca leptodactyla Rathbun, 1898. We recorded the crab’s behaviour in pairs or in groups of five animals composed of conspecifics and heterospecifics living in the same area (sympatric) and distinct areas (allopatric) of the mangrove forest. Allopatric conspecific crabs showed higher approaching and signalling than those in other conditions. The higher the crab density, the lower the interaction intensity between animals. Low-level agonistic signals were mainly displayed in high density (groups), while claw touch mainly occurred in pairs. Allopatric conspecifics showed the more intense agonistic interactions. Therefore, Uca seems to decrease energy investment in unnecessary fights against sympatric and conspecific crabs. Population density is a major factor driving agonistic behaviour mainly when conspecific animals are kept together. This may occur due to the increased competition for the same resources.



2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-14
Author(s):  
Gertraud Teuchert-Noodt ◽  
Ralf R. Dawirs

Abstract: Neuroplasticity research in connection with mental disorders has recently bridged the gap between basic neurobiology and applied neuropsychology. A non-invasive method in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculus) - the restricted versus enriched breading and the systemically applied single methamphetamine dose - offers an experimental approach to investigate psychoses. Acts of intervening affirm an activity dependent malfunctional reorganization in the prefrontal cortex and in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and reveal the dopamine position as being critical for the disruption of interactions between the areas concerned. From the extent of plasticity effects the probability and risk of psycho-cognitive development may be derived. Advance may be expected from insights into regulatory mechanisms of neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus which is obviously to meet the necessary requirements to promote psycho-cognitive functions/malfunctions via the limbo-prefrontal circuit.



2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-77
Author(s):  
J. Rosina ◽  
Jana Vranova ◽  
Ondrej Remes ◽  
Katarina Nehezova ◽  
I. Rychlik


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hope J. Woods ◽  
Ming Fei Li ◽  
Ujas A. Patel ◽  
B. Duncan X. Lascelles ◽  
David R. Samson ◽  
...  

AbstractThe study of companion (pet) dogs is an area of great translational potential, as they share a risk for many conditions that afflict humans. Among these are conditions that affect sleep, including chronic pain and cognitive dysfunction. Significant advancements have occurred in the ability to study sleep in dogs, including development of non-invasive polysomnography; however, basic understanding of dog sleep patterns remains poorly characterized. The purpose of this study was to establish baseline sleep–wake cycle and activity patterns using actigraphy and functional linear modeling (FLM), for healthy, adult companion dogs. Forty-two dogs were enrolled and wore activity monitors for 14 days. FLM demonstrated a bimodal pattern of activity with significant effects of sex, body mass, and age; the effect of age was particularly evident during the times of peak activity. This study demonstrated that FLM can be used to describe normal sleep–wake cycles of healthy adult dogs and the effects of physiologic traits on these patterns of activity. This foundation makes it possible to characterize deviations from normal patterns, including those associated with chronic pain and cognitive dysfunction syndrome. This can improve detection of these conditions in dogs, benefitting them and their potential as models for human disease.



Author(s):  
Patrick Veit-Haibach ◽  
Martin W. Huellner ◽  
Martin Banyai ◽  
Sebastian Mafeld ◽  
Johannes Heverhagen ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was the assessment of volumetric CT perfusion (CTP) of the lower leg musculature in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) before and after interventional revascularisation. Methods Twenty-nine consecutive patients with symptomatic PAD of the lower extremities requiring interventional revascularisation were assessed prospectively. All patients underwent a CTP scan of the lower leg, and hemodynamic and angiographic assessment, before and after intervention. Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) was determined. CTP parameters were calculated with a perfusion software, acting on a no outflow assumption. A sequential two-compartment model was used. Differences in CTP parameters were assessed with non-parametric tests. Results The cohort consisted of 24 subjects with an occlusion, and five with a high-grade stenosis. The mean blood flow before/after (BFpre and BFpost, respectively) was 7.42 ± 2.66 and 10.95 ± 6.64 ml/100 ml*min−1. The mean blood volume before/after (BVpre and BVpost, respectively) was 0.71 ± 0.35 and 1.25 ± 1.07 ml/100 ml. BFpost and BVpost were significantly higher than BFpre and BVpre in the treated limb (p = 0.003 and 0.02, respectively), but not in the untreated limb (p = 0.641 and 0.719, respectively). Conclusions CTP seems feasible for assessing hemodynamic differences in calf muscles before and after revascularisation in patients with symptomatic PAD. We could show that CTP parameters BF and BV are significantly increased after revascularisation of the symptomatic limb. In the future, this quantitative method might serve as a non-invasive method for surveillance and therapy control of patients with peripheral arterial disease. Key Points • CTP imaging of the lower limb in patients with symptomatic PAD seems feasible for assessing hemodynamic differences before and after revascularisation in PAD patients. • This quantitative method might serve as a non-invasive method, for surveillance and therapy control of patients with PAD.



2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (Suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. 127-136
Author(s):  
Hazel Gaile  Barrozo ◽  
Maria Anna De Guzman ◽  
Jose  Navarro ◽  
Narayanaswamy Venketasubramanian

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a non-invasive method for assessing cerebral hemodynamics in the acute phase of stroke. We report a case of a 33-year-old man who presented with a massive left hemispheric infarct developing into “malignant” MCA infarction. TCD was utilized to monitor intracranial hemodynamics while the clinical and neuroimaging findings were used to help us in the decision to proceed with decompressive craniectomy (DC). Pre-operatively, there was reduced mean flow velocities (MFV) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) with increasing pulsatility index (PI) ipsilateral to the infarct. The subsequent but smaller rise in the PI in the contralateral MCA was suggestive of very high intracranial pressure (ICP) from massive brain swelling. Serial TCD examinations post-operatively showed normalization of the PI, and subsequent rise in the left MCA MFV. Clinical improvement was also noted as the TCD findings improved. The asymmetry in TCD findings can be attributed to occlusion of the MCA with subsequent spontaneous recanalisation, occlusion of the MCA with subsequent recanalisation due to the DC, or initial occlusion and subsequent pressure effects on the arterioles of the MCA due to the “malignant” edema of that hemisphere that was relieved by DC. This case illustrates the value of TCD as a useful modality in monitoring intracranial hemodynamics in acute stroke.



Author(s):  
Bo-wen Zheng ◽  
Shu-hong Yi ◽  
Tao Wu ◽  
Mei Liao ◽  
Ying-cai Zhang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Biliary ischaemia is an important factor in the pathogenesis of non-anastomotic biliary stricture (NAS) after liver transplantation (LT). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can be used to detect biliary ischaemia, but no study has examined the utility of CEUS in predicting NAS. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether repeated CEUS as a non-invasive method of biliary ischaemia can identify NAS. METHODS: Consecutive LT patients who underwent CEUS examinations at 1–4 weeks after LT from September 2012 to December 2015 at our institution were included. The CEUS images and clinical data were analysed. RESULTS: Among 116 eligible LT patients, 39 (33.6%) were diagnosed with NAS within 1 year after LT. The patients with NAS had a significantly higher CEUS score at weeks 2–4 (all P <  0.05) and a higher slope of CEUS score progression (0.480 vs –0.044, P <  0.001). The accuracy of CEUS in identifying NAS improved over time after LT, reaching its maximum at week 4, with a sensitivity of 66.7%, a specificity of 87.9%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 75.9%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 82.3%, and an accuracy of 80.2%in the full cohort when a CEUS score≥3 was used as the cut-off. Multivariate analysis identified gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alanine transaminase (ALT) and the CEUS score at week 4 as independent predictors of NAS. In the task of identifying NAS, an NAS score combining the above 3 variables at week 4 showed areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88 (95%CI, 0.78–0.99) in the estimation group (n = 60) and 0.82 (95%CI, 0.69–0.96) in the validation group (n = 56). An NAS score cut-off of 0.396 identified 87.2%of NAS cases in the estimation group, with a PPV of 93.3%; and 75.0%of NAS cases in the validation group, with a PPV of 58.8%. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS examination during the first 4 weeks is useful in assessing the risk of NAS within 1 year after LT. In particular, an NAS score combining the CEUS score, GGT level, and ALT level at week 4 can be used to accurately predict the risk of NAS in LT patients.



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