Paradoxical population resilience of a keystone predator to a toxic invasive species

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 260
Author(s):  
J. Sean Doody ◽  
David Rhind ◽  
Simon Clulow

Abstract ContextThe invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina) has decimated populations of a keystone predator, the yellow-spotted monitor (Varanus panoptes), causing trophic cascades in Australian animal communities. Paradoxically, some V. panoptes populations coexist with toads. Demonstrating patterns in heterogeneous population-level impacts could reveal mechanisms that mediate individual effects, and provide managers with the ability to predict future impacts and assist in population recovery. AimsThe aim of the present study was to search for spatial patterns of population resilience of V. panoptes to invasive cane toads. MethodsPublished literature, unpublished data, reports and anecdotal information from trained herpetologists were used to test the emerging hypothesis that resilient predator populations are mainly coastal, whereas non-resilient populations are mostly inland. Key resultsPost-toad invasion data from 23 V. panoptes populations supported the idea that toad impacts on V. panoptes were heterogeneous; roughly half the populations could be designated as resilient (n=13) and half as non-resilient (n=10). Resilient populations had longer times since toad invasion than did non-resilient populations (39 versus 9 years respectively), supporting the idea that some recovery can occur. Non-resilient populations were exclusively inland (n=10), whereas resilient populations were split between inland (n=5) and coastal (n=8) populations. Resilient inland populations, however, were mainly confined to areas in which decades had passed since toad invasion. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that coastal V. panoptes populations fare much better than inland populations when it comes to surviving invading cane toads. ImplicationsUnambiguous recovery of monitor populations remains undemonstrated and will require long-term population monitoring before and after toad invasion.


2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 365-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Fauvel ◽  
François Brischoux ◽  
Marine Jeanne Briand ◽  
Xavier Bonnet

Long term population monitoring is essential to ecological studies; however, field procedures may disturb individuals. Assessing this topic is important in worldwide declining taxa such as reptiles. Previous studies focussed on animal welfare issues and examined short-term effects (e.g. increase of stress hormones due to handling). Long-term effects with possible consequences at the population level remain poorly investigated. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of widely used field procedures (e.g. handling, marking, forced regurgitation) both on short-term (hormonal stress response) and on long-term (changes in body condition, survival) scales in two intensively monitored populations of sea kraits (Laticauda spp.) in New Caledonia. Focusing on the most intensively monitored sites, from 2002 to 2012, we gathered approximately 11 200 captures/recaptures on 4500 individuals. Each snake was individually marked (scale clipping + branding) and subjected to various measurements (e.g. body size, head morphology, palpation). In addition, a subsample of more than 500 snakes was forced to regurgitate their prey for dietary analyses. Handling caused a significant stress hormonal response, however we found no detrimental long-term effect on body condition. Forced regurgitation did not cause any significant effect on both body condition one year later and survival. These results suggest that the strong short-term stress provoked by field procedures did not translate into negative effects on the population. Although similar analyses are required to test the validity of our conclusions in other species, our results suggest distinguishing welfare and population issues to evaluate the potential impact of population surveys.



Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 4639
Author(s):  
Ran Zhuo ◽  
Qi Chen ◽  
Dibo Wang ◽  
Mingli Fu ◽  
Ju Tang ◽  
...  

C6F12O has been introduced as the potential alternative gas to SF6 because of its excellent insulation properties and great eco-friendly performance. Considering that C6F12O may react with the internal materials of switchgears in practical applications, its compatibility with metal materials must be tested to evaluate its long-term application possibilities. In this work, the compatibility of C6F12O–N2 gas mixtures with aluminum and copper was tested at different temperatures by setting up a heat-aging reaction platform between the gas and each metal. The metal surface morphology and gas composition before and after the reaction were compared and analyzed. The results show that the surface color of the copper sheet changed considerably, and the corrosion degree of the surface deepened with the increase of temperature. The decomposition of C6F12O was also promoted. In contrast, aluminum did not react severely with the gas mixture. The compatibility of the gas mixture with aluminum was generally better than that of copper.



2007 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Thorogood ◽  
Iveta Simera ◽  
Elizabeth Dowler ◽  
Carolyn Summerbell ◽  
Eric Brunner

Diet is an important factor in the causation of cancer. Previous systematic reviews of one-to-one interventions to encourage dietary change have found that such interventions can achieve modest improvements in diet. However, such interventions are resource intensive and unlikely to be good value for money at a population level. Interventions that address groups, communities or whole populations may be less resource intensive and effect change in a wider population. We report a systematic review of such interventions. We set wide inclusion criteria, including before-and-after studies and studies with a non-randomized comparison group as well as randomized trials. We found eighteen studies based in the community, seventeen based on worksites, five based in churches and one based in a supermarket. Interventions which targeted fruit and vegetable intake were most likely to be successful, particularly in worksites and churches. There was also evidence of small positive effects on reducing fat intake in worksites and churches. Overall the community-based interventions showed little effect. The studies included in the present review were generally poorly reported. Dietary changes are reported in the relatively short-term studies reviewed here but may not be sustained in the long term. The effects that we have identified are small but the reach is potentially very wide, in some cases as wide as a whole country. The cost effectiveness of such strategies remains to be evaluated.



2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Palandri

Abstract Introduction Much has been written about how the Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridians (TCMs) are closely related to Myofascial Chains (MCs) and then, as a logic consequence, to the Posture. However, there are still few studies that operatively verify these concepts by performing acupressure treatments (like Shiatsu) on subjects groups, of which is performed a postural analysis, before and after.The aim of the present work is to promote these studies, starting from a pilot one and analyzing results thereof.Materials and Methods The study, intended as a case report, enrolled a single, 12 year-old, female subject affected by double curve, low degree scoliosis for just a clinic confirmation, for 10 consecutive modules spaced about a week (range 5-10 days) from each other and consisting of a postural analysis before and after an acupressure treatment (Shiatsu) without time gaps between analysis and treatment. The analysis was made with a DIERS Formetric 4D.Results While observing selected parameters relating their pre- and post-treatment values, is is possible to understand how the lumbar arrow (LA) is systemically reduced, the cervical arrow (CA) is progressively ameliorated, the Antero-Posterior Flexion (APF) and the Hemipelvis Torsion (HT) are progressively harmonized.After all the performed treatment, the subject refers the perception of his psycho-emotional state, better than the initial one, even though it was already good or very good.Discussion The series of treatments has shown his efficiency in the variation of morpho-structural parameters in the acute. Due to its configuration, the study didn't consider long term effects, an interesting aspect to be investigated dedicated studies with bigger sample size.Conclusions From an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspective, the stimulation of "tsubo" according to the Fascial Neuromodulation model can represent a treatment integrated with the manipulation of peripheral entries in the correction of postural-type morpho-structural alterations.



1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 695-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph D. Morris

Effects of endrin on unenclosed field populations of Microtus pennsylvanicus and Peromyscus maniculatus were investigated from June 1966 to October 1968. Adjacent 7-ac control and experimental plots were live-trapped each summer at regular intervals before and after a single endrin application of 8.0 oz per acre to the experimental plot.Immediate and significant postspray declines in Microtus numbers occurred on the experimental plot but no long-term toxicological effect was demonstrated. The experimental Microtus population rapidly recovered in numbers, eventually exceeded prespray numbers in 2 years, and exceeded corresponding control numbers in all 3 years. In 1966 and 1968, significantly more new Microtus were captured during postspray trapping on the experimental than on the control plot, and recruits survived significantly better than new individuals entering the more stable control population.It is suggested that reduction in numbers and the presumed decrease in intraspecific aggressive encounters disrupted the social structure to such an extent that normal regulation of numbers was no longer possible. The experimental Microtus population appears to have responded to endrin as it would to a local depopulation by removal trapping.Although Peromyscus were more abundant on the experimental than on the control plot before the first endrin application, their numbers were significantly reduced after spray in 1966 and never did recover. Recruitment by immigration or breeding did not occur and all individuals captured on the experimental plot in 1967 and 1968 remained there for only one trapping period. A long-term toxicological effect on Peromyscus was demonstrated, indicating a differential response of the two small mammal species to endrin.



Author(s):  
Dewa Agung Gina Andrini ◽  
N. Adiputra ◽  
Wahyuddin ◽  
Susy Purnawati ◽  
Ni Made Linawati ◽  
...  

Background: Myogenic low back pain is pain around of the lower back muscle or a disorder caused by abnormalities in the musculoskeletal system without neurological disorders.Combination of isotonic and rhythmic stabilization is PNF exercises that commonly used in the treatment of myogenic low back pain. Purpose : The purpose of this study prove that the combination of isotonic better than rhythmic stabilization to decrease disability in craftsman tile with myogenic low back pain in Darmasaba village. Methods: This study uses an experimental design with pre-test and post-test control group design. The experiment was conducted in Darmasaba village and subjects were 20 patients.Decreased disability was measured with the Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI) before and after training. Results: Statistical test results obtained, a decrease in MODI scores in the first treatment group showed that mean difference obtained 38.20±3.048 and for the second group obtained 31.80±4.050 with p=0.001.Conclusion: From these results it can be concluded that the combination of isotonic is better than rhythmic stabilization for decreased disability of tile craftsman with myogenic low back pain in Darmasaba village. Suggestion: For the next researcher can do follow up research to see long-term result of combination of isotonic and rhythmic stabilization for tile craftsman.



Liquidity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-159
Author(s):  
Pitri Yandri

The purpose of this study is (1) to analyze public perception on urban services before and after the expansion of the region, (2) analyze the level of people's satisfaction with urban services, and (3) analyze the determinants of the variables that determine what level of people's satisfaction urban services. This study concluded that first, after the expansion, the quality of urban services in South Tangerang City is better than before. Secondly, however, public satisfaction with the services only reached 48.53% (poor scale). Third, by using a Cartesian Diagram, the second priority that must be addressed are: (1) clarity of service personnel, (2) the discipline of service personnel, (3) responsibility for care workers; (4) the speed of service, (5) the ability of officers services, (6) obtain justice services, and (7) the courtesy and hospitality workers.



2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly L. Bernardo ◽  
Pati Vitt ◽  
Rachel Goad ◽  
Susanne Masi ◽  
Tiffany M. Knight




2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-330
Author(s):  
E. S. Ovcharenko ◽  
V. V. Erichev ◽  
S. I. Risovannij ◽  
T. V. Aksenova ◽  
S. V. Melekhov ◽  
...  

Relevance. A long-term inflammation in the oral cavity, unreasonable treatment of periodontal patients with antibiotics cause imbalance between certain types of fungal-bacterial associations accompanied by oral dysbiosis and change of local immune status. So, development and application of new comprehensive diagnosis and treatment techniques in periodontal patients, use of products for correction of microbiota and local immunity are a current and a long-term task. Purpose is to optimize the comprehensive treatment protocol of inflammatory periodontal diseases by introducing probiotics and evaluation of oral microbiome and cytokine profile.Materials and methods. 140 patients were examined. Of these 60 patients had chronic generalized plaque-induced gingivitis and 60 patients suffered from moderate chronic generalized periodontitis. Bacterial and fungal microbiome was assessed and the host immune response was evaluated in all patients before and after the treatment. Half of the patients were treated conventionally and the other half were treated according to a modified scheme: probiotic “Bifidumbacterin Forte” was added.Results. A large number of yeast-like fungi Candida and commensal bacteria were detected in periodontal pockets of patients with chronic generalized plaque-induced gingivitis and moderate chronic generalized periodontitis. That correlates with a significant increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL—8), decrease of concentration of INF-γ and increase of antiinflammatory cytokine IL-4.Conclusion. Changes in clinical, microbiological and immunological values during a modified combination therapy with a probiotic and during a conventional treatment demonstrated that effectiveness of treatment of chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis increased by 40% and 37% respectively.



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