Seasonal Field Energetics of the Rufous Rat-Kangaroo (Aepyprymnus-Rufescens)

1992 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
IR Wallis ◽  
B Green
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Behavioural Ecology ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Poor Understanding ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference

Water flux and field metabolic rate (FMR) were measured by the doubly labelled water (DLW) method in free-living male and female rufous rat-kangaroos Aepyprymnus rufescens near Drake in northern New South Wales. The mean FMR of 499 kJ kg-1 day-1 was similar in winter and summer even though the difference in mean minimum temperatures between the two seasons was 20-degrees-C. Furthermore, we did not find any differences in FMR between males and females even though several females carried large pouch young or had young-at-foot. A poor understanding of the diet and the behavioural ecology of A. rufescens makes ft difficult to explain the similarities between sexes and seasons.

scholarly journals Energy expenditure of free-living reindeer estimated by the doubly labelled water method

Rangifer ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geir Gotaas ◽  
Eric Milne ◽  
Paul Haggarty ◽  
Nicholas J.C. Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Co2 Production ◽  
Wild Ungulates ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
Mountain Pasture ◽  
The Mean

The doubly labelled water (DLW) method was used to measure total energy expenditure (TEE) in three male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) aged 22 months in winter (February) while the animals were living unrestricted at natural mountain pasture in northern Norway (69°20'N). The concentrations of 2H and l8O were measured in water extracted from samples of faeces collecred from the animals 0.4 and 11.2 days after injection of the isotopes. Calculated rates of water flux and CO2-production were adjusted to compensate for estimated losses of 2H in faecal solids and in methane produced by microbial fermentation of forage in the rumen. The mean specific TEE in the three animals was 3.057 W.kg-1 (range 2.436 - 3.728 W.kg1). This value is 64% higher than TEE measured by the DLW method in four captive, non-pregnant adult female reindeer in winter and probably mainly reflects higher levels of locomotor activity in the free-living animals. Previous estimates of TEE in free-living Rangifer in winter based on factorial models range from 3.038 W.kg-1 in female woodland caribou (R. t. caribou) to 1.813 W.kg-1 in female Svalbard reindeer (R. t. platyrhynchus). Thus, it seems that existing factorial models are unlikely to overestimate TEE in reindeer/caribou: they may, instead, be unduly conservative. While the present study serves as a general validation of the factorial approach, we suggest that the route to progress in the understanding of field energetics in wild ungulates is via application of the DLW method.

Use of products of straw decomposition by N2-fixing (C2H2-reducing) populations of bacteria in three soils from wheat-growing areas

1986 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
MM Roper ◽  
DM Halsall
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
New South ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
South Wales ◽  
History Of ◽  
Straw Incorporation ◽  
The Difference

The potential for N2 fixation by free-living bacteria using straw as a source of energy was evaluated in three soils (one from Gunnedah and two from Cowra) representative of the wheat belt in New South Wales. All three soils had a history of straw incorporation. The abilities of the respective microbial populations to use a range of carbon sources, including potential products of decomposition of straw, was determined and compared with the size and composition of each population. Neutral to alkaline (pH 7.4) soil of high (51%) clay content from Gunnedah produced higher rates of nitrogenase activity with straw than more acid (pH 5.6) lower (17%) clay containing soil from Cowra (site B). Gunnedah soil also contained a larger population of N2-fixing bacteria which used a broader range of energy sources than soil from either Cowra site B or Cowra site W (pH 5.8, clay content 34%). There was little difference in the composition of the N2-fixing populations in each of the soils except that Azotobacter spp. were absent from the acid Cowra soils. It was concluded that the difference in behaviour of the respective N2-fixing populations was primarily due to the physical characteristics of the soil affecting the numbers and activities of diazotrophic microorganisms. In addition some soil environments failed to support specific organisms.

Seasonal Field Energetics and Water Fluxes of the Long-nosed Potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) in Southern Victoria

1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. R. Wallis ◽  
B. Green ◽  
K. Newgrain
Keyword(s):  
Water Status ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Influx Rate ◽  
Hypogeous Fungi ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Field Metabolic Rates ◽  
Potorous Tridactylus

Field metabolic rates (FMRs) and water-flux rates of free-living male and female long-nosed potoroos (Potorous tridactylus) were measured in two seasons near Warrnambool in southern Victoria, Australia, using the doubly labelled water technique. Potoroos, which weighed about 835 g, expended 30% more energy (590 kJ day-1) in early spring than they did in midsummer (463 kJ day-1 ), despite mean minimum temperatures in the two seasons differing by only 4C. We did not find any difference in the FMRs of males and females even though all females carried pouch young or had young at foot. The mean water flux rates followed a similar seasonal trend to that of FMR with the summer mean influx rate (131 mL day-1 ) being 30% lower than that in spring (174 mL day-1 ). This difference in water-turnover rate may reflect changes in the seasonal water status of the environment. Hypogeous fungi constitute a major part of the diet of potoroos and the role played by this food source in supplying amino acids is discussed.

scholarly journals Estimation of energy expenditure in free-living red deer (Cervus elaphus) with the doubly-labelled water method

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Haggarty ◽  
J. J. Robinson ◽  
J. Ashton ◽  
E. Milne ◽  
C. L. Adam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Distribution Spaces ◽  
Living Adult

Energy expenditure was estimated using the doubly-labelled water (DLW) method in summer in five free-living adult, non-pregnant, non-lactating, red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds (weight 107.3 (se 0.9) kg; age 6 (se 1) years) on lowland pasture under typical farming conditions. Climatic conditions were monitored throughout the experiment. Errors due to 2H losses in CH4 and faeces were calculated from previous estimates of stoichiometries. CH4 production, fractionated water loss, urinary N and O2 consumption were estimated using an iterative approach. The water flux (rH2O) in these animals consuming only fresh grass was 12 (se 0.5) kg/d, the CO2 production (rCO2) was 1271 (se 4.0) litres/d and the mean energy expenditure was 25 (se 0.8) MJ/d. There were no significant differences in the isotope distribution spaces and flux rates, rH2O, rCO2 or energy expenditure using the multi-point or two-point approaches to calculation. The DLW-derived energy expenditure of 25 MJ/d is approximately 20% higher than the recommended intake of 21 MJ/d for adult hinds kept outdoors (Adam, 1986) and, at 757 kJ/kg0.75 per d, one third higher than the value of 570 kJ/kg0.75 per d for stags penned indoors (Key et al. 1984).

Genetic and environmental effects on a temperament score in beef cattle

1984 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 723 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Hearnshaw ◽  
CA Morris
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
New South ◽  
North Coast ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Medium Level ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Difference

Temperament scores were taken on 8-month-old calves from five calf drops (1976-80) and over three sections of a large crossbreeding trial on the North Coast of New South Wales. A 0-5 scale was used, with lower values for quieter cattle. The heritability �s.e. of temperament score of Bos taurus calves (sired by Hereford, Simmental and Friesian bulls) was 0.03�0.28, and for B. indicus-sired calves (Brahman, Braford and Africander bulls) 0.46�0.37, and for all data combined 0.44�0.25. There was a significant difference (P < 0.01) between the mean score of Brahman-sired halfbred calves (1.96) and B. taurus-sired calves (1.05). The difference was halved to 0.45 points for quarterbred Brahman calves versus B. taurus calves, i.e. as expected for an additive trait. There were significant differences in temperament among calves sired by B. indicus bulls, but there were no significant differences amongst the B. taurus sire breeds. The repeatability (mean � s.e.) of operators' score of 701 weaner calves was 0.67�0.08. From temperament scores of 315 cows at weaning in 1981, an operator repeatability of 0.82�0.08 was obtained. Correlations of cow and calf score were not consistent, but averaged 0.18�0.04 from 547 records. The repeatability of scores taken at two separate times on 132 calves, was 0.43�0.09. The group given a medium level of nutrition had significantly higher temperament scores than those given high or low levels. Sex effects were not significant on scores at weaning. A log transformation of the data equalized the variance of scores of different breeds, but did not affect the conclusions.

How adolescents perceive that community-based exercise improves their well-being

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 456-459
Author(s):  
Kevin Rourke ◽  
Coralie J Wilson
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Parental Consent ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Team Games ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Perceived Benefit ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Energy Survey

Objectives: To determine if adolescents perceive community-based exercise as beneficial to their well-being and in what ways. Methods: A New South Wales Police Citizens Youth Club ran a four-week fitness course. The classes involved: 1) sports including basketball and soccer, 2) non-contact boxing drills, and 3) games, both team games such as dodgeball and non-team games such as line tag. Parental consent to offer a survey at the completion of the course was requested during registration. The survey was the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale; it was minimally modified to measure perceived benefit to mental well-being instead of actual benefit. Results: Thirty-one high school adolescents, ages 13–18, completed the survey. As a group, participants reported that they believed their well-being had improved after the course. The mean score for each survey item showed an improvement in every area of mental well-being for this sample of adolescents. Thirty-two per cent of adolescents reported having less energy. Survey scores indicated a statistically significant improvement in perceived well-being ( p<0.0001). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that four weeks of community-based exercise improves perceived mental well-being in adolescent participants.

scholarly journals Quantitative electroencephalography as a tool for objective neurophysiological seizure diagnosis: A retrospective study

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Rajesh Kumar ◽  
Tribhuwan Kumar ◽  
Kamlesh Jha ◽  
Yogesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Energy Level ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Quantitative Electroencephalography ◽  
Beta Band ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Electrical Activities

Objectives: Seizure is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the world; it affects all age groups with equal possibility of occurrence in both males and females. Many antiepileptic drugs are available today, but its diagnosis is challenging. The present study attempted to see if seizure activities could be predicted by analyzing the pre-seizure electrical activities. The prediction may help in taking preventive measures appropriately beforehand in the individuals with seizure proneness. Material and Methods: We selected 11 generalized seizure patients and 19 control patients out of total 115 patients referred for electro-diagnostics for various reasons. EEG of the subjects recorded, segmented as per protocol, and analyzed using MATLAB and EEGLAB tools. Results: The mean energy level in alpha and beta band of the study subject was significantly lower (P = 0.04 and 0.004, respectively) as compared to the age matched control subjects. Theta and delta bands did not show any significant difference between the groups. The difference between the pre- and post-electrical seizure energy and entropy was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The study shows that the energy level remains low in the seizure patients in the alpha and beta bands. This further goes down when electrophysiological seizure activities starts. The randomness or entropy does not alter significantly among the seizure subjects in comparison to non-seizure subjects.

The breeding behaviour of the endangered regent honeyeater, Xanthomyza phrygia, near Armidale, New South Wales

1998 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damon L. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Nest Construction ◽  
Aggressive Interactions ◽  
Breeding Behaviour ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Breeding Seasons

The regent honeyea ter, Xanthomyza phrygia, is an endangered woodland bird whose range and population size have decreased in the last thirty years. Suggested reasons for this decline include abnormal breeding behaviour, poor reproductive output, and excessive inter- and intra-specific aggression. This study investigated the breeding behaviour and aggressive interactions of regent honeyeaters during the nest construction, incubation, nestling, and fledgling stages in two consecutive breeding seasons in the Bundarra–Barraba region near Armidale, New South Wales. The female was entirely responsible for nest construction and incubation, which is typical of many honeyeaters. Both parents fed the nestlings, and at a similar rate, although only the female brooded chicks on the nest. Both parents fed the fledglings. The mean frequency at which nestlings (23 times per hour) and fledglings (29 times per hour) were fed is the highest published rate of any non-cooperative honeyeater. Breeding males were involved in significantly more aggressive interactions with conspecifics and other nectarivores than were females, although the overall percentage of day-time spent in aggression for both sexes was low (2.5%). It appears that abnormal breeding behaviour, poor reproductive effort, or excessive aggression are not experienced by this species in northern New South Wales, and that other factors are likely to be responsible for its current low population level.

Biodiversity of intertidal marine flatworms (Polycladida, Platyhelminthes) in southeastern Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5024 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-63
Author(s):  
JORGE RODRÍGUEZ ◽  
PAT A. HUTCHINGS ◽  
JANE E. WILLIAMSON
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
New South ◽  
Marine Biota ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Marine Fauna ◽  
Southeastern Australia ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Molecular Sequencing ◽  
Insight Into

Flatworms of the Order Polycladida are a group of free-living invertebrates found in a diversity of marine habitats, with over 800 species described worldwide. Marine flatworms are a conspicuous component of Australia’s marine fauna yet have received little attention. Less than 30 scientific articles have been published on Australian marine flatworms since 1855, of which only nine include species from southeastern Australia. Here, the biodiversity and distribution of species belonging to the Order Polycladida inhabiting intertidal rocky beaches in southeastern Australian waters were identified and analysed. Sampling was conducted at low tide along the coasts of New South Wales and Victoria. Collected samples were serially sectioned for comparative anatomical studies, and tissue was removed from each individual for molecular sequencing and analyses. Both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences were obtained and used as an additional source of evidence for the description of new species as well as providing further insight into the phylogenetic relationships between them. A total of 20 species, six of which are new (e.g., Eulatocestus australis sp. nov.), and a new genus (Parabolia gen. nov.) have been described, as well as two new records for Australia (e.g., Stylochoplana clara Kato, 1937) have been identified increasing our knowledge of this important component of the Australian marine biota.  

Characterisation of naturalised strains of Trifolium subterraneum var. brachycalycinum cv. Clare in northern New South Wales

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge
Keyword(s):  
Seed Weight ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Median Number ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Floral Characters ◽  
Number Of Seeds

Burrs were collected from paddocks on 3 properties in northern New South Wales where the age of the Trifolium subterraneum var. brachycalycinum cv. Clare swards varied from 19 to 28 years. At 1 site burrs were also sampled from swards sown 2 and 10 years previously. Twenty seedlings from these burrs and 20 plants of certified cv. Clare were grown as spaced plants in a nursery. These were assessed for vegetative and floral characters, flowering time, number of seeds per burr, seed weight, and percentage hardseed after storage at 25/25�C for 6 months and 25/45�C for a further 6 months. For most plants the mean number of days from sowing to first flower was similar to that of Clare. Compared with the naturalised strains, Clare had the lowest (P<0.05) mean number of seeds per burr: about 25% below the mean of the strains (2.7 seeds per burr). While the lowest mean seed weights of the strains were not significantly different from those of Clare, the seed weights of plants from 3 sites were higher (P<0.05) than those of Clare. After storage for either 6 or 12 months, hardseed levels were also lowest (P<0.05) for Clare. Plants from the 2-year-old sward had the same median number of seeds per burr (2.0) as Clare. As sward age increased, the median number of seeds per burr increased to 2.8. Hardseed percentages were lowest for plants of Clare and for those from the 2-year-old sward after 6 months, and for Clare after 12 months. These studies indicated the presence of divergent strains in old swards of Clare in a summer rainfall environment. Natural selection among variability within Clare is the most likely reason for the development of these strains in an environment marginal for the long-term persistence of this softseeded cultivar. Although strains had the same vegetative and floral markings as Clare, differences in ecologically important characters such as number of seeds per burr, seed weight, and hardseededness may result in plants that are better adapted to the environment in which they evolved. From these studies 23 plants of T. subterraneum var. brachycalycinum were selected for further evaluation.

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