scholarly journals Ventilatory frequency as a measure of the response of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) to the odour of potential predators

2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina S. A. Mella ◽  
Christine E. Cooper ◽  
Stephen J. J. F. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Response ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Olfactory Cues ◽  
Initial Reaction ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Ventilatory Frequency ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
Over Time

This study uses changes in ventilatory frequency to quantify the physiological response of an Australian terrestrial herbivore, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), to olfactory cues suggesting the presence of potential predators. Ventilatory frequency proved to be a quantifiable measure to assess the response of this macropod marsupial to olfactory cues. Ventilatory frequency increased from mean resting levels of 45 ± 5.1 breaths min–1 to 137 ± 11.2 breaths min–1 during the first minute of exposure to all odours. These physiological responses diminished over time, with ventilatory frequency in the first minute after introduction of the scents greater than that during the subsequent four, suggesting that the initial reaction was due to disturbance and was investigative in nature. However, the ratio of ventilatory frequency in the remaining 4 min after introduction of the odours compared with before was greater for fox (3.58 ± 0.918) and cat (2.44 ± 0.272) odours than for snake (2.27 ± 0.370), distilled water (1.81 ± 0.463) and quoll (1.71 ± 0.245) odours, suggesting that fox and cat odour provoked a greater response. However, the wallabies’ response to the odour of these introduced predators and to horse odour (2.40 ± 0.492) did not differ. Our study indicates that a long period of co-history with particular predators is not a prerequisite for detection of potentially threatening species. We do not find any support for the hypothesis that an inability to interpret olfactory cues to detect and respond to potential predation by introduced predators is responsible for the decline of these macropod marsupials.

scholarly journals Growth of the corpus luteum and its progesterone content during pregnancy in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii

Reproduction ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Renfree ◽  
S. W. Green ◽  
I. R. Young
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Macropus Eugenii

scholarly journals Transcriptional analysis of the response of C. elegans to ethanol exposure

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark G. Sterken ◽  
Marijke H. van Wijk ◽  
Elizabeth C. Quamme ◽  
Joost A. G. Riksen ◽  
Lucinda Carnell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Physiological Response ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Ethanol Exposure ◽  
Transcriptional Analysis ◽  
Transcriptional Responses ◽  
Genetic Pathways ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Chronic Ethanol Consumption ◽  
Transcriptional Changes

AbstractEthanol-induced transcriptional changes underlie important physiological responses to ethanol that are likely to contribute to the addictive properties of the drug. We examined the transcriptional responses of Caenorhabditis elegans across a timecourse of ethanol exposure, between 30 min and 8 h, to determine what genes and genetic pathways are regulated in response to ethanol in this model. We found that short exposures to ethanol (up to 2 h) induced expression of metabolic enzymes involved in metabolizing ethanol and retinol, while longer exposure (8 h) had much more profound effects on the transcriptome. Several genes that are known to be involved in the physiological response to ethanol, including direct ethanol targets, were regulated at 8 h of exposure. This longer exposure to ethanol also resulted in the regulation of genes involved in cilia function, which is consistent with an important role for the effects of ethanol on cilia in the deleterious effects of chronic ethanol consumption in humans. Finally, we found that food deprivation for an 8-h period induced gene expression changes that were somewhat ameliorated by the presence of ethanol, supporting previous observations that worms can use ethanol as a calorie source.

Observation of gliding tremors from the Gulf of Guinea might help solve over 50 year old mystery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Bruland ◽  
Sarah Mader ◽  
Céline Hadziioannou
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Analysis ◽  
Volcanic Activity ◽  
Rayleigh Waves ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Gulf Of Guinea ◽  
Seismic Amplitude ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Amplitude Spectra ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Over Time

<p>In the 1960's a peak in the seismic amplitude spectra around 26 s was discovered and detected on stations worldwide. The source was located in the Gulf of Guinea, with approximate coordinates (0,0), and was believed to be generated continuously. A source with similar spectral characteristics was discovered near the Vanuatu Islands, at nearly the antipodal location of the Gulf of Guinea source. Since it was located close to the volcanoes in Vanuatu, this source is commonly attributed to magmatic processes. The physical cause of the 26 s microseism, however, remains unclear.</p><p>We investigate the source location and evolution of the 26 s microseim using data from permanent broadband stations in Germany, France and Algeria and temporary arrays in Morocco, Cameroon and Botswana for spectral analysis and 3-C beamforming to get closer to resolving the source mechanism responsible for this enigmatic signal. We find that the signal modulates over time and is not always detectable, but occasionally it becomes so energetic it can be observed on stations worldwide. Such a burst can last for hours or days. The signal is visible on stations globally approximately 30 percent of the time. Our beamforming analysis confirms that the source is located in the Gulf of Guinea, as shown in previous studies, and that the location is temporally stable. Whenever the signal is detectable, both Love and Rayleigh waves are generated. We discover a spectral glide effect associated with the bursts, that so far has not been reported in the literature. </p><p>The spectral glides last for about two days and are observed on stations globally. Although at higher frequencies, very long period tremors and gliding tremors are also observed on volcanoes as Redoubt in Alaska and Arenal in Costa Rica, suggesting that the origin of the 26 s tremor is also volcanic. However, there is no reported volcanic activity in the area where the source appears to be located.</p><p> </p>

Mullerian inhibiting substance production and testicular migration and descent in the pouch young of a marsupial

Development ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Hutson ◽  
G. Shaw ◽  
W.S. O ◽  
R.V. Short ◽  
M.B. Renfree
Keyword(s):  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Testicular Descent ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Müllerian Inhibiting Substance ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Testicular Differentiation ◽  
Testicular Migration ◽  
Australian Marsupial ◽  
Mullerian Inhibiting Substance

The ontogeny of Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) production by the developing testis of an Australian marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), was determined during pouch life using an organ-culture bioassay of mouse fetal urogenital ridge. This information was related to the morphological events during testicular migration and descent. MIS biological activity was found in testes (but not ovaries or liver) of pouch young from 2 to 85 days of age. MIS production had commenced by day 2, which is within a day of the first gross morphological signs of testicular differentiation. Mullerian duct regression occurred between 10 and 30 days, which partly coincided with testicular migration to the inguinal region and enlargement of the gubernacular bulb (15 to 30 days). These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that MIS may be involved in testicular transabdominal migration. The epididymis commenced development and growth only after the testis had descended through the inguinal ring. This provides no support for the suggestion that the epididymis is involved in testicular descent into the scrotum. The basic sequence of events in post-testicular sexual differentiation in the wallaby is sufficiently similar to that seen in eutherian mammals to make it an excellent experimental model for future studies of testicular differentiation, migration and descent.

Biochemical studies of intrauterine components of the tammar wallaby Macropus eugenii during pregnancy

Development ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 325-338
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J. Thornber ◽  
Marilyn B. Renfree ◽  
Gregory I. Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Tenfold Increase ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
Wet Weight

The in vitro uptake and incorporation of [3H]ui idine by blastocysts of the tammar wallaby showed a 16- and 30-fold increase from day 0 to day 10 after removal of pouch young, respectively. Two of the six non-expanded blastocysts recovered on day 5 showed a tenfold increase in incorporation. During the first ten days after removal of pouch young the diameter of the blastocyst increased threefold. Endometrial exudate from gravid uteri had a higher protein concentration than exudate from nongravid uteri (39·5 ± 0·9 and 32·0 ± 2·0 mg/ml (mean ± s.e.m.), respectively). Endometrial exudates from uteri where the blastocyst was actively growing were found to contain six uterine-specific proteins. These were separated by gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two of the proteins were pre-albumins and the others were larger molecules (M.W. 153000–670000). Two proteins were only present at particular stages of pregnancy: the other four were present at all stages from diapause to birth, in exudate from gravid and nongravid uteri. The specific binding of progesterone and androstenedione to proteins in endometrial exudates or uterine flushings from pregnant wallabies was less than one per cent of the value obtained from day-5 pregnant rabbits. The ability of mouse blastocysts to take up and incorporate [3H]uridine into acidinsoluble material increased threefold in the presence of day-10 endometrial exudates from wallabies. However, this was less than ten percent of the values obtained in the presence of bovine serum albumin. The concentration of calcium in endometrial exudates increased from 23·6 to 45·2 μg/ml during pregnancy; in endometrium it remained at 88·7 μg/g (wet weight) throughout pregnancy, and in plasma it was 53·3 μg/ml. The concentration of zinc in endometrial exudates was 4·5 μg/ml; in endometrium it decreased from 21·8 to 13·3 μg/g (wet weight) during pregnancy and in plasma it was 0·6 μg/ml.

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