Developing guidelines for the use of traps to capture koalas

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kita R. Ashman ◽  
Desley A. Whisson
Keyword(s):  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Motion Sensing ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Cost Efficacy ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Cost

Capture of wildlife is essential both for research and management, and minimising the amount of stress an animal experiences during capture is important. We examined the behavioural response of koalas to cage traps to improve protocols for trapping koalas. We used heat- and motion-sensing cameras to record the behaviour of koalas in traps, and the duration spent in traps. Behavioural responses were scored on a scale of 0 (no apparent response) to 3 (heightened response) from videos. We successfully trapped a koala in 19 of 21 attempts. For 12 occasions when traps were monitored with cameras, koalas spent 6.3–181.2min in traps and 8 of 12 koalas displayed heightened behavioural responses (score of ≥2). The frequency of response scores did not vary between males and females and was not influenced by trapped duration. We found that traps were effective for capturing koalas; however, to minimise overt behavioural responses by trapped koalas, trap-check intervals need to be as short as possible. We recommend the use of trap-trigger devices to alert personnel when a koala is trapped. The addition of such devices in trapping practices may reduce potential for adverse behavioural responses and improve the cost-efficacy of trapping.

Specific behavioural responses triggered by identified mechanosensory receptor cells in the apical field of the giant rotifer Asplanchna sieboldi.

1998 ◽  
Vol 201 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-177
Author(s):  
K D Joanidopoulos ◽  
W Marwan
Keyword(s):  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Sensory Receptor ◽  
Receptor Specificity ◽  
Free Swimming ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Receptor Cells ◽  
Mechanical Interference ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Stimulation Of

The giant rotifer Asplanchna sieboldi swims by the propulsive effect of thousands of cilia arrayed in clusters around the apical field, which has several mechanosensory structures (sensilla) located at defined positions. Males and females differ in both their patterns of behaviour and their sensory receptor equipment. Unstimulated males swim straight with occasional spontaneous changes in direction until they hit an obstacle with their apical field. Depending on the direction and the strength of the mechanical interference, the animals show different behavioural responses. To analyse the effect of excitation of the apical mechanosensitive sensilla on these responses, males were held on microcapillaries, and the sensitivity of individual sensilla was assayed using micromanipulator-mediated mechanical stimulation. Stimulation of each of the four different types of sensillum triggered a specific and well-defined initial behavioural response. Individual animals behaved identically with respect to the receptor specificity of the responses. The behaviour of free-swimming males upon contact with obstacles or females is discussed on the basis of these results.

scholarly journals The cost of associating with males for Bornean and Sumatran female orangutans: a hidden form of sexual conflict?

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia A. Kunz ◽  
Guilhem J. Duvot ◽  
Maria A. van Noordwijk ◽  
Erik P. Willems ◽  
Manuela Townsend ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Sexual Coercion ◽  
High Association ◽  
Sexual Swellings ◽  
Fecal Cortisol ◽  
Habitat Productivity ◽  
Pongo Pygmaeus Wurmbii ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Sexual coercion, in the form of forced copulations, is relatively frequently observed in orangutans and generally attributed to their semi-solitary lifestyle. High ecological costs of association for females may be responsible for this lifestyle and may have prevented the evolution of morphological fertility indicators (e.g., sexual swellings), which would attract (male) associates. Therefore, sexual conflict may arise not only about mating per se but also about associations, because males may benefit from associations with females to monitor their reproductive state and attempt to monopolize their sexual activities. Here, we evaluate association patterns and costs for females when associating with both males and females of two different orangutan species at two study sites: Suaq, Sumatra (Pongo abelii), and Tuanan, Borneo (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii). Female association frequency with both males and females was higher in the Sumatran population, living in more productive habitat. Accordingly, we found that the cost of association, in terms of reduced feeding to moving ratio and increased time being active, is higher in the less sociable Bornean population. Males generally initiated and maintained such costly associations with females, and prolonged associations with males led to increased female fecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) levels at Tuanan, the Bornean population. We conclude that male-maintained associations are an expression of sexual conflict in orangutans, at least at Tuanan. For females, this cost of association may be responsible for the lack of sexual signaling, while needing to confuse paternity. Significance statement Socioecological theory predicts a trade-off between the benefits of sociality and the ecological costs of increased feeding competition. Orangutans’ semi-solitary lifestyle has been attributed to the combination of high association costs and low predation risk. Previous work revealed a positive correlation between association frequencies and habitat productivity, but did not measure the costs of association. In this comparative study, we show that females likely incur costs from involuntary, male-maintained associations, especially when they last for several days and particularly in the population characterized by lower association frequencies. Association maintenance therefore qualifies as another expression of sexual conflict in orangutans, and especially prolonged, male-maintained associations may qualify as an indirect form of sexual coercion.

scholarly journals At a snail’s pace: the influence of habitat disturbance on terrestrial snail movement using experimentally manipulated mesocosms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily E. Denief ◽  
Julie W. Turner ◽  
Christina M. Prokopenko ◽  
Alec L. Robitaille ◽  
Eric Vander Wal
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Movement Ecology ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Habitat Alteration ◽  
Movement Behaviour ◽  
Physical Disturbance ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Cepaea Nemoralis ◽  
Experimental Mesocosms ◽  
Step Selection

AbstractThe Anthropocene marks great changes to environments and the animals that inhabit them. Changes, such as disturbance, can affect the manner in which animals interact with their environments, such as moving and selecting habitats. To test how animals might respond to changing disturbance regimes, we employ an experimental approach to movement ecology. We used integrated step selection analysis (iSSA) to test the behavioural responses of individually-marked grove snails (Cepaea nemoralis) exposed to a gradient of physical disturbance in their habitat. We used a before-after control-impact (BACI) experimental design within semi-controlled mesocosms to manipulate edge and disturbance variables by altering the area of the mesocosm covered by bricks. We showed that grove snails perceive edges of enclosures and edges of bricks as risks, and responded to such risks by altering their movement. Grove snails displayed a bimodal response to risk by taking shelter in place or moving faster to be farther from the disturbance. Furthermore, individuals tended to modulate their behavioural response to the degree of risk. Our study highlights the usefulness of experimental mesocosms in movement ecology and in determining the effects of habitat alteration and human-imposed risk on movement behaviour.

scholarly journals Systematic treatment and prevention of cardiac digoxin toxicity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Rezk Alshaer ◽  
Abdullah Obaid Binobaid ◽  
Abdelelah Hesham Mofti ◽  
Mohannad Mahmood Sadagah ◽  
Khalid Mustafa Olwi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Index ◽  
Digoxin Toxicity ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Systematic Treatment ◽  
Narrow Therapeutic Index ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Cost Efficacy ◽  
The Cost

Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, such as complicated pharmacokinetics and dynamics.  Many drug interactions may occur when the administration of one drug alters the clinical effects of another. As a result, digoxin toxicity can be a common condition within clinical settings that might lead to the development of many morbidities and even mortality. Many studies were published to investigate the efficacy and safety of different management modalities to enhance the outcomes that follow digoxin administration. The aim of the study was to discuss the approaches to systematically treat and prevent the development of cardiac digoxin toxicity. The findings are based on evidence from previous studies in the literature. To be specific, Fab fragments are the most effective modalities that can be used to treat severe cases within ideal periods. However, evidence regarding their administration for asymptomatic or mild cases is still poor regarding the cost-efficacy and the development of serious adverse events. Physicians should primarily care for a better intervention as it is usually associated with a significantly more enhanced prognosis and clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, adequate monitoring of the patients and evaluation of their personal and medical history are important steps in the process, and further approaches are still needed. Also, detailed information about our intended outcomes is furtherly discussed within the manuscript.

Response of western diamondback rattlesnakesCrotalus atroxto airborne sounds

2002 ◽  
Vol 205 (19) ◽  
pp. 3087-3092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Young ◽  
Amie Aguiar
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Frequency Modulation ◽  
Stimulus Presentation ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Acoustic Energy ◽  
Body Movements ◽  
Perception Threshold ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Acoustic Chamber ◽  
Tongue Flicking

SUMMARYIn order to test the hypothesis that snakes can not only perceive airborne sounds, but also respond to them, an acoustic isolation chamber was designed and constructed to perform best within the 150-450 Hz range in which snakes perceive sound. Suspended within this acoustic chamber was a steel mesh basket designed to minimize the potential for groundborne vibrations. A synthesized tone was created out of 20 different 150 ms sounds, each separated by a 50 ms period of silence; the acoustic energy of each of the 20 sounds was concentrated between 200-400 Hz, and each sound included frequency modulation. The trial stimuli were presented to western diamondback rattlesnakes Crotalus atrox at a level 5-10 dB above their perception threshold. Four significant behavioural responses were observed upon stimulus presentation: cessation of body movements, reduction or cessation of tongue flicking, rapid jerks of the head and rattling. At least one significant behavioural response was observed in 92% of the behavioural trials. This study provides the first experimental evidence that snakes can respond behaviourally to airborne sounds.

Territorial behaviour in southern red-backed and Ozark zigzag salamanders: effects of sex, species and ownership

Behaviour ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 156 (10) ◽  
pp. 1017-1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colton S. Lynn ◽  
Benjamin Dalton ◽  
Alicia Mathis
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behaviour ◽  
Exploratory Behaviour ◽  
Territorial Behaviour ◽  
Defensive Behaviour ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Competitive Behaviour ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Cost

Abstract When both males and females are territorial, spatial and aggressive behaviour can vary between the sexes. We examined differences in exploratory and competitive behaviour between males and females and residents and intruders of two species, the Ozark zigzag (P. angusticlavius) and southern red-backed (P. serratus) salamanders. For exploratory behaviour, males and females differed in distance traveled based on species, but females of both species were significantly more cautious than males about leaving territories. In competition trials, male and female territory residents (owners) did not differ in defensive behaviour, but female intruders were more aggressive than male intruders. Overall, P. angusticlavius showed more aggressive behaviour, explored more, and were less cautious about leaving territories than P. serratus. Female intruders of both species fight harder, potentially to gain territories, and are more cautious about leaving territories, which may indicate that the cost of not having a territory is greater for females.

Minimum wage impacts on wages, employment and hours in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Yang ◽  
Morley Gunderson
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Causal Effect ◽  
Employment Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cost Increase ◽  
Hours Of Work ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Cost

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to estimate the causal effect of minimum wages (MWs) on the wages, employment and hours of migrant workers in China, and to show their inter-relatedness and how employers can offset some of the costs through subtle adjustments. This paper also illustrates the importance of disaggregating by region and sex. Design/methodology/approach Causal estimates are provided through difference-in-differences (DID) analysis, and robustness checks through propensity score matching. The analysis is based on micro data at the individual level from the household survey on migrant workers by the National Population and Family Planning Commission, combined with macro data regarding municipalities’ population, GDP and employment information based on the China Economic Information Network database. Findings MW increases for those paid by the month increased the earnings of both low-wage males and females. However, males tend not to experience an adverse employment effect because part of the cost increase is offset by employers increasing their monthly hours of work. Hours of work do not increase for females, so they experience an adverse employment effect. This highlights the importance of examining cost offsets such as increases in hours of work, as well as analyzing effects separately for males and females. Research limitations/implications The reason behind why employers offset some of the cost increase for males paid by the month by increasing their hours of work, but this cost-offsetting adjustment does not occur for females is uncertain. Social implications For workers paid by the month, employers can offset some of the cost increase by increasing their hours of work, leading to no reductions in employment. But this adjustment occurs only for males. Hours are not increased for females, but they experience reductions in employment. Clearly, MW increases have adverse effects either in the form of employment reductions (for females) or increases in hours of work for the same monthly pay (for males). Originality/value This paper provides causal estimates through DID analysis and robustness checks through Propensity Score Matching, and also indicates how employers can offset the cost of MW increases by increasing hours for those paid by the month, resulting in no adverse employment effect for such workers, but an adverse employment effect when such an adjustment does not occur.

General linear model analysis of behavioural responses of Boerand Tswana goats to successive handling

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Molale ◽  
M. A. Antwi ◽  
J. N. Lekunze ◽  
U. Luvhengo
Keyword(s):  
Linear Model ◽  
General Linear Model ◽  
Model Analysis ◽  
Flight Time ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Flight Speed ◽  
General Linear ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
General Linear Model Analysis ◽  
Boer Goats

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the behavioural response of Boer goats and Tswana goats to successive handling. Boer goats and Tswana goats were subjected to aging and tail restrain during handling. Behavioural response was recorded through the vocalisation score (VS), crush score (CS), flight speed (FS), and flight time (FT) scores twice a week for eight weeks. A total of thirty six Boer goats and Tswana goats were used in this experiment. The results indicated that the Tswana goats were the most temperament (p < 0.05) and Boer goats were the calmest. Behavioural scores significantly increased throughout the experiment.

scholarly journals Advanced Agro Field & Crop Surveillance Systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4S2) ◽  
pp. 616-619
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Productivity Index ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Motion Sensing ◽  
Detection Algorithms ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
The Cost

Agriculture becoming the major driver for Indian economy, applying some of the latest technological digital innovations to solve critical Agri-based challenges are becoming vital to improve the productivity and lower the cost of operations. Primary productivity index of agriculture is directly dependent on how much the crops escaped from attacks either by pests or by external intruders. Applying some of the advanced machine learning techniques in Computer Vision and multiple object detection algorithms in the field of Agriculture surveillance generates huge interest among farmer communities. In this paper, an aapproach which includes deployment of sensors to monitor the whole cultivation area, fixing appropriate cameras and detecting motions in the agro field, is proposed for Agro field surveillance. An orchestrated deployment of necessary sensing devices such as motion-sensing, capturing video based on demand and passes it on to the deep learning algorithms for further synthesis. The model is developed and trained leveraging technologies such as tensorflow, keras with google Colab, Jupyter notebook environment that runs entirely in the google cloud that requires very minimal setup. To evaluate the model, the authors create a test set which contains 200 captured events, more than 60,000 images that are relevant for this scope and available in public to train Deep Learning CNN based models.

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