Morphometrics of Flightlessness in the Alcidae

The Auk ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 681-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley C. Livezey
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Large Core ◽  
Wing Area ◽  
Alca Torda ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Mass Estimate ◽  
Recent Species ◽  
Extreme Specialization

Abstract Data collected from skin specimens of the 23 Recent species of Alcidae, skeletal material for Recent and fossil alcids, and published data on body mass and wing area were used to describe the morphometric characteristics of flightlessness in the Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) and the fossil mancalline auks. A regression equation confirmed a body-mass estimate (5 kg) for P. impennis (Bédard 1969). The size and relatively small wings produced wing-loading of roughly 22 g· cm-2, comparable to those of medium-sized penguins. Multivariate analysis of external measurements underscored the uniquely large size, relatively short wings, and moderately deep bill of Pinguinus compared to other Recent alcids. Analysis of skeletal measurements revealed that the genera of flightless Alcidae (Pinguinus, Mancalla, Praemancalla, and Alcodes) were characterized by relatively short distal wing elements and dorsoventral flattening of all major wing elements, in combination with relatively large core and pelvic dimensions. These differences were most pronounced in Mancalla, moderately developed in Praemancalla, and smallest in Pinguinus. Estimated body mass (1-4 kg) for selected fossil mancallines exceeded the largest flighted alcids (Uria) but was less than for Pinguinus. Pinguinus was a comparatively large piscivore sharing many morphological features with the Razorbill (Alca torda) and murres (Uria spp.). Its flightlessness evidently was a consequence of extreme specialization for pursuit diving, convergent with that of the Spheniscidae. Loss of flight imposed significant requirements on breeding sites and foraging habitats of the Great Auk and presumably the mancallines, and rendered Pinguinus exceptionally vulnerable to human exploitation.

scholarly journals Prevention of Advanced Cancer by Vitamin D3 Supplementation: Interaction by Body Mass Index Revisited

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1408
Author(s):  
Hermann Brenner ◽  
Sabine Kuznia ◽  
Clarissa Laetsch ◽  
Tobias Niedermaier ◽  
Ben Schöttker
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Vitamin D3 ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
The Body ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Vitamin D3 Supplementation

Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated a protective effect of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation against cancer mortality. In the VITAL study, a RCT including 25,871 men ≥ 50 years and women ≥ 55 years, protective effects of vitamin D3 supplementation (2000 IU/day over a median of 5.3 years) with respect to incidence of any cancer and of advanced cancer (metastatic cancer or cancer death) were seen for normal-weight participants but not for overweight or obese participants. We aimed to explore potential reasons for this apparent variation of vitamin D effects by body mass index. We conducted complementary analyses of published data from the VITAL study on the association of body weight with cancer outcomes, stratified by vitamin D3 supplementation. Significantly increased risks of any cancer and of advanced cancer were seen among normal-weight participants compared to obese participants in the control group (relative risk (RR), 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–1.52, and RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.04–1.97, respectively). No such patterns were seen in the intervention group. Among those with incident cancer, vitamin D3 supplementation was associated with a significantly reduced risk of advanced cancer (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74–0.99). The observed patterns point to pre-diagnostic weight loss of cancer patients and preventive effects of vitamin D3 supplementation from cancer progression as plausible explanations for the body mass index (BMI)—intervention interactions. Further research, including RCTs more comprehensively exploring the potential of adjuvant vitamin D therapy for cancer patients, should be pursued with priority.

Speed, stride frequency and energy cost per stride: how do they change with body size and gait?

1988 ◽  
Vol 138 (1) ◽  
pp. 301-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. Heglund ◽  
C. R. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Energy Cost ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Energetic Cost ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Frequency Change ◽  
Cost Of Locomotion ◽  
The Cost

In this study we investigate how speed and stride frequency change with body size. We use this information to define ‘equivalent speeds’ for animals of different size and to explore the factors underlying the six-fold difference in mass-specific energy cost of locomotion between mouse- and horse-sized animals at these speeds. Speeds and stride frequencies within a trot and a gallop were measured on a treadmill in 16 species of wild and domestic quadrupeds, ranging in body size from 30 g mice to 200 kg horses. We found that the minimum, preferred and maximum sustained speeds within a trot and a gallop all change in the same rather dramatic manner with body size, differing by nine-fold between mice and horses (i.e. all three speeds scale with about the 0.2 power of body mass). Although the absolute speeds differ greatly, the maximum sustainable speed was about 2.6-fold greater than the minimum within a trot, and 2.1-fold greater within a gallop. The frequencies used to sustain the equivalent speeds (with the exception of the minimum trotting speed) scale with about the same factor, the −0.15 power of body mass. Combining this speed and frequency data with previously published data on the energetic cost of locomotion, we find that the mass-specific energetic cost of locomotion is almost directly proportional to the stride frequency used to sustain a constant speed at all the equivalent speeds within a trot and a gallop, except for the minimum trotting speed (where it changes by a factor of two over the size range of animals studied). Thus the energy cost per kilogram per stride at five of the six equivalent speeds is about the same for all animals, independent of body size, but increases with speed: 5.0 J kg-1 stride-1 at the preferred trotting speed; 5.3 J kg-1 stride-1 at the trot-gallop transition speed; 7.5 J kg-1 stride-1 at the preferred galloping speed; and 9.4 J kg-1 stride-1 at the maximum sustained galloping speed. The cost of locomotion is determined primarily by the cost of activating muscles and of generating a unit of force for a unit of time. Our data show that both these costs increase directly with the stride frequency used at equivalent speeds by different-sized animals. The increase in cost per stride with muscles (necessitating higher muscle forces for the same ground reaction force) as stride length increases both in the trot and in the gallop.

Exercise and body composition

1991 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 994-997 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. B. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Lean Body Mass ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Body Fat Content ◽  
Ad Libitum

We assessed changes in body composition in 41 young adults who engaged in various exercise and/or training programs on ad libitum diets. Most of those who gained weight sustained an increase in lean body mass (LBM), and most of those who lost weight lost LBM as well as fat. The change in LBM was directly related to the change in weight, with a regression slope of 0.500. An analysis of published data confirms these findings and, in concert with our data, provides the additional information that the magnitude of the change in body composition in exercising individuals is influenced by body fat content, just as it is for nonexercising individuals.

scholarly journals Corticosterone, testosterone and life-history strategies of birds

2010 ◽  
Vol 277 (1697) ◽  
pp. 3203-3212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Hau ◽  
Robert E. Ricklefs ◽  
Martin Wikelski ◽  
Kelly A. Lee ◽  
Jeffrey D. Brawn
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Season Length

Steroid hormones have similar functions across vertebrates, but circulating concentrations can vary dramatically among species. We examined the hypothesis that variation in titres of corticosterone (Cort) and testosterone (T) is related to life-history traits of avian species. We predicted that Cort would reach higher levels under stress in species with higher annual adult survival rates since Cort is thought to promote physiological and behavioural responses that reduce risk to the individual. Conversely, we predicted that peak T during the breeding season would be higher in short-lived species with high mating effort as this hormone is known to promote male fecundity traits. We quantified circulating hormone concentrations and key life-history traits (annual adult survival rate, breeding season length, body mass) in males of free-living bird species during the breeding season at a temperate site (northern USA) and a tropical site (central Panama). We analysed our original data by themselves, and also combined with published data on passerine birds to enhance sample size. In both approaches, variation in baseline Cort (Cort0) among species was inversely related to breeding season length and body mass. Stress-induced corticosterone (MaxCort) also varied inversely with body mass and, as predicted, also varied positively with annual adult survival rates. Furthermore, species from drier and colder environments exhibited lower MaxCort than mesic and tropical species; T was lowest in species from tropical environments. These findings suggest that Cort0, MaxCort and T modulate key vertebrate life-history responses to the environment, with Cort0 supporting energetically demanding processes, MaxCort promoting survival and T being related to mating success.

scholarly journals Eurasian Pygmy-owl Glaucidium passerinum in Ukrainian Polissia

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-48
Author(s):  
Yu. Kuzmenko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Period ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Breeding Density ◽  
Southern Boundary ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Northeastern Part ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Nature Park ◽  
First Time

Background. The Eurasian Pygmy-owl Glaucidium passerinum (Linnaeus, 1758) is a rare and poorly studied species in Ukraine. It is listed in the Red Data book of Ukraine [2]. Its breeding locations can be found in the Carpathians, Roztochia and Polissia. There are insufficient data the on distribution and current state of abundance of Eurasian Pygmy-owl as well as breeding biology of the species on the territory of Polissia. Materials and Methods. The published data, internet sources, and unpublished materials of colleagues were used in addition to our own observations. Special studies were conducted on permanent study sites in Polissia Nature Reserve (Olevsk and Ovruch districts, Zhytomyr region) and Desniansko-Starohutskyi National Nature Park (Seredyno-Buda district, Sumy region). Small expeditions were organized to other locations within Polissia. Studies of this species were conducted in conjunction with the study of other owl species. They included surveys, behavioral observations, and eco­logy studies. During the surveys, the registrations on the routes of natural voca­lization of adult owls were made at twilight and at night; in cases when natural vocali­za­tion was absent, the recordings of mating calls of males and females were played [1]. The maximum distance of species registration by calling (500 m) was used for breeding density estimation. Results. During the breeding period, the Eurasian Pygmy-owl was found in all regions of Polissia. The southern boundary of that area lies near the villages Perebrody, Dubrovytsia district [12] – Karasyn, Sarny district [12] – Kochychyne, Yemilchyn district – Lypnyky, Luhyny district – Velyki Klishchi, Narodychi district – Stavrovka, Ivankiv district. The second site of regular breeding is the territory of Desniansko-Starohutskyi National Nature Park, where the species has been detected since 1996 [13]. For the first time, on the territory of Polissia, two nests in Zhytomyr and Sumy regions were found. For the first time in Ukraine, the clutch was measured. Behavioral observations of owls in breeding sites were conducted. Food remains were collected and identified. Conclusions. The Eurasian Pygmy-owl is a breeding species in Ukrainian Polissia. The average breeding density in Polissia is 5.8 pairs/100 sq. km. The permanent bree­ding range was identified; it covers the northeastern part of Rivne region, the northern part of Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions, the northeastern part of Chernihiv region and the northern part of Sumy region, on the area of 18.1 thousand sq. km. The estimated bree­ding population of this species is 330 pairs. During the mating season, there are two peaks of natural 24-hour vocalization activity: in the evening and morning twilight. In the evening, males often begin to call 30 min after sunset, in the morning – 30 min before sunrise. In the autumn-winter period, birds either stay within their breeding areas or migrate, flying outside the breeding habitats. The increase in the number of registrations is due to special surveys taking into account the narrow interval of 24-hour natural vocalization acti­vity in the twilight period and the use of phonogram reproduction techniques. Keywords: Eurasian Pygmy-owl, breeding, abundance, behavior, Polissia, Ukraine

scholarly journals From Mediterranean to Scandinavia—timing and body mass condition in four long distance migrants

Ornis Svecica ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1–2) ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Christos Barboutis ◽  
Leo Larsson ◽  
Åsa Steinholtz ◽  
Thord Fransson
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Arrival Time ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Swedish Study ◽  
Collared Flycatcher ◽  
Stopover Sites ◽  
Early Arrival ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Pass Through

In spring, long-distance migrants are considered to adopt a time-minimizing strategy to promote early arrival at breeding sites. The phenology of spring migration was examined and compared between two insular stopover sites in Greece and Sweden for Icterine Warbler, Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and Collared Flycatcher. All of them migrate due north which means that some proportion of birds that pass through Greece are heading to Scandinavia. The Collared Flycatcher had the earliest and the Icterine Warbler the latest arrival time. The differences in median dates between Greece and Sweden were 3–4 weeks and the passages in Sweden were generally more condensed in time. The average overall speed estimates were very similar and varied between 129 and 137 km/d. In most of the species higher speed estimates were associated with years when birds arrived late in Greece. After crossing continental Europe birds arrive at the Swedish study site with significantly higher body masses compared to when they arrive in Greece and this might indicate a preparation for arriving at breeding grounds with some overload.

scholarly journals Volumetric Body Mass Estimate and in vivo Reconstruction of the Russian Pareiasaur Scutosaurus karpinskii

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Romano ◽  
Fabio Manucci ◽  
Bruce Rubidge ◽  
Marc J. Van den Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
3D Models ◽  
The Body ◽  
Late Permian ◽  
High Fiber ◽  
Borissiak Paleontological Institute ◽  
Mass Estimate ◽  
Living Tissues

Pareiasaurs (Amniota, Parareptilia) were characterized by a global distribution during the Permian period, forming an important component of middle (Capitanian) and late Permian (Lopingian) terrestrial tetrapod biodiversity. This clade represents an early evolution of sizes over a ton, playing a fundamental role in the structure of middle and late Permian biodiversity and ecosystems. Despite their important ecological role and relative abundance around the world, our general knowledge of the biology of these extinct tetrapods is still quite limited. In this contribution we provide a possible in vivo reconstruction of the largest individual of the species Scutosaurus karpinskii and a volumetric body mass estimate for the taxon, considering that body size is one of the most important biological aspects of organisms. The body mass of Scutosaurus was calculated using a 3D photogrammetric model of the complete mounted skeleton PIN 2005/1537 from the Sokolki locality, Arkhangelsk Region, Russia, on exhibit at the Borissiak Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow). By applying three different densities for living tissues of 0.99, 1, and 1.15 kg/1,000 cm3 to reconstructed “slim,” “average” and “fat” 3D models we obtain average body masses, respectively, of 1,060, 1,160, and 1,330 kg, with a total range varying from a minimum of one ton to a maximum of 1.46 tons. Choosing the average model as the most plausible reconstruction and close to the natural condition, we consider a body mass estimate of 1,160 kg as the most robust value for Scutosaurus, a value compatible with that of a large terrestrial adult black rhino and domestic cow. This contribution demonstrates that barrel-shaped herbivores, subsisting on a high-fiber diet and with a body mass exceeding a ton, had already evolved in the upper Palaeozoic among parareptiles, shedding new light on the structure of the first modern terrestrial ecosystems.

scholarly journals Methylation scores for smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index and risk of seven types of cancer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Antoine Dugué ◽  
Chenglong Yu ◽  
Allison M Hodge ◽  
Ee Ming Wong ◽  
JiHoon E Joo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Urothelial Cancer ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Standard Deviation Increase

ABSTRACTMethylation marks of exposure to health risk factors may be useful markers of cancer risk as they might better capture current and past exposures than questionnaires, and reflect different individual responses to exposure. We used data from seven case-control studies nested within the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study of blood DNA methylation and risk of colorectal, gastric, kidney, lung, prostate and urothelial cancer, and B-cell lymphoma (N cases=3,123). Methylation scores (MS) for smoking, body mass index (BMI), and alcohol consumption were calculated based on published data as weighted averages of methylation values. Rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals for association with cancer risk were estimated using conditional logistic regression and expressed per standard deviation increase of the MS, with and without adjustment for health-related confounders. The contribution of MS to discriminate cases from controls was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC). After confounder adjustment, we observed: large associations (RR∼1.5-1.7) with lung cancer risk for smoking MS; moderate associations (RR∼1.2-1.3) with urothelial cancer risk for smoking MS and with mature B-cell neoplasm risk for BMI and alcohol MS; moderate to small associations (RR∼1.1-1.2) for BMI and alcohol MS with several cancer types and cancer overall. Generally small AUC increases were observed after inclusion of several MS in the same model (colorectal, gastric, kidney, urothelial cancers: +3%; lung cancer: +7%; B-cell neoplasms: +8%). Methylation scores for smoking, BMI, and alcohol consumption show independent associations with cancer risk, and may provide some improvements in risk prediction.

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