The density of the Atlantic marsh fiddler crab (Minuca pugnax, Smith, 1870) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae) in its expanded range in the Gulf of Maine, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 544-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayla S Martínez-Soto ◽  
David S Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Fiddler Crab ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Ecosystem Engineer ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Crab Population ◽  
Crab Density ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Historical Range ◽  
Count Surveys

Abstract The Atlantic marsh fiddler crab, Minuca pugnax (Smith, 1870), is a climate migrant that recently expanded its range northward into the Gulf of Maine. We tracked the M. pugnax population within the Great Marsh, in northeastern Massachusetts, USA, since it was first detected in 2014 using burrow counts. Because burrow counts can overestimate fiddler-crab density, we used camera traps to determine the relationship between burrow densities and fiddler-crab densities in 2019. The burrow count surveys show a six-fold increase in the density of M. pugnax in the Great Marsh from 2014 to 2019. Results indicates that the fiddler-crab population in the expanded range is established and growing. Based on burrow counts, however, the density of M. pugnax in the expanded range (6 burrows m–2) remains much lower than those found in the historical range (up to 300 burrows m–2). Based on the camera traps, we determined that burrow counts overestimated fiddler-crab densities by 47% in 2019. There was, on average, one crab detected for every two burrows observed. This result suggests that estimates of densities of M. pugnax based on burrow counts should be reduced by half. Minuca pugnax is an ecosystem engineer that can influence saltmarsh functioning and the magnitude of that influence is related to its density. Our results imply that the populations of M. pugnax in the expanded range are currently having minor impacts on marshes relative to larger populations in the historical range, but their impact will increase as the populations grow.

scholarly journals Sediment Selection: Range Expanding Fiddler Crabs are Better Burrowers Than Their Historic Range Counterparts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J Wong ◽  
Michael S. Roy ◽  
Jarrett E. K. Byrnes
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Fiddler Crab ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Cape Cod ◽  
Physical Habitat ◽  
Species Ranges ◽  
Sediment Compaction ◽  
Burrowing Activity ◽  
Historical Range

ABSTRACTSpecies ranges are shifting in response to climate change. In New England saltmarshes, the mud fiddler crab, Minuca pugnax, is expanding north of Cape Cod, MA into the Gulf of Maine (GoM) due to warming waters. The burrowing lifestyle of M. pugnax means sediment compaction in saltmarshes may influence the ability for crabs to dig, with more compact soils being resilient to burrowing. Previous studies indicate that saltmarshes along the GoM have higher soil strength (i.e., compaction) relative to marshes south of Cape Cod. Together, physical characteristics and temperature of this habitat may be influencing the burrowing performance of M. pugnax, and therefore the continuation of their northward range expansion into the GoM. To determine if compaction affects burrowing activity of M. pugnax in historical and range expanded populations, we conducted a controlled laboratory experiment. We manipulated soil compaction in standardized lab assays and measured crab burrowing performance with individuals collected from Nantucket (i.e., historical range) and the Plum Island Estuary (PIE, i.e., expanded range). We determined compaction negatively affected burrowing ability in crabs from both sites; however, crabs from PIE burrowed in higher soil compactions than Nantucket crabs. In addition, PIE crabs were more likely to burrow overall. We conclude that site level differences in compaction are likely altering burrowing behavior in the crab’s expanded range territory by way of phenotypic plasticity or rapid evolution. Our study demonstrates that non-temperature physical habitat traits can be as important as temperature in influencing climate driven range expansions.

A climate migrant escapes its parasites

2020 ◽  
Vol 641 ◽  
pp. 111-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
DS Johnson ◽  
JD Shields ◽  
D Doucette ◽  
R Heard
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Fiddler Crab ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Parasite Richness ◽  
The Us ◽  
Gill Lamellae ◽  
Enemy Escape ◽  
First Time ◽  
Historical Range

When a species colonizes a new range, it can escape enemies found in its original range. Examples of enemy escape abound for invasive species, but are rare for climate migrants, which are populations of a species that colonize a new range due to climate-driven range shifts or expansions. The fiddler crab Minuca (=Uca) pugnax is found in the intertidal salt marshes of the US east coast. It recently expanded its range north into the Gulf of Maine as a result of ocean warming. We tested the hypothesis that M. pugnax had escaped its parasite enemies. Parasite richness and trematode intensity were lower in populations in the expanded range than in populations in the historical range, but infection prevalence did not differ. Although M. pugnax escaped most of its historical parasites when it migrated northward, it was infected with black-gill lamellae (indicative of Synophrya hypertrophica), which was found in the historical range, and with the trematode Odhneria cf. odhneri, which was not found in the historical range. To our knowledge, this is the first time that O. cf. odhneri has been reported in fiddler crabs. These results demonstrate that although M. pugnax escaped some of its historical parasites when it expanded its range, it appears to have gained a new parasite (O. cf. odhneri) in the expanded range. Overall, our results demonstrate that climate migrants can escape their enemies despite colonizing habitats adjacent to their enemy-filled historical range.

Monitoring Anticoagulant Therapy by Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time: Hirudin Assessment

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (05) ◽  
pp. 685-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T Nurmohamed ◽  
René J Berckmans ◽  
Willy M Morriën-Salomons ◽  
Fenny Berends ◽  
Daan W Hommes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Blood ◽  
Partial Thromboplastin Time ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Heparin Therapy ◽  
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time ◽  
Recombinant Hirudin ◽  
Interindividual Differences ◽  
The Relationship

SummaryBackground. Recombinant hirudin (RH) is a new anticoagulant for prophylaxis and treatment of venous and arterial thrombosis. To which extent the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is suitable for monitoring of RH has not been properly evaluated. Recently, a capillary whole blood device was developed for bed-side monitoring of the APTT and it was demonstrated that this device was suitable to monitor heparin therapy. However, monitoring of RH was not evaluated.Study Objectives. To evaluate in vitro and ex vivo the responsiveness and reproducibility for hirudin monitoring of the whole blood monitor and of plasma APTT assays, which were performed with several reagents and two conventional coagulometers.Results. Large interindividual differences in hirudin responsiveness were noted in both the in vitro and the ex vivo experiments. The relationship between the APTT, expressed as clotting time or ratio of initial and prolonged APTT, and the hirudin concentration was nonlinear. A 1.5-fold increase of the clotting times was obtained at 150-200 ng/ml plasma. However, only a 2-fold increase was obtained at hirudin levels varying from 300 ng to more than 750 ng RH/ml plasma regardless of the assays. The relationship linearized upon logarithmic conversion of the ratio and the hirudin concentration. Disregarding the interindividual differences, and presuming full linearity of the relationship, all combinations were equally responsive to hirudin.Conclusions. All assays were equally responsive to hirudin. Levels up to 300 ng/ml plasma can be reliably estimated with each assay. The manual device may be preferable in situations where rapid availability of test results is necessary.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between the Home Environment and Falls for Older Adults With Visual Impairments

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 770-770
Author(s):  
Bonnielin Swenor ◽  
Aleksandra Mihailovic ◽  
Pradeep Ramulu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Home Environment ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Engineering Society ◽  
Environment Assessment ◽  
Risk Factors For Falls ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The home environment and features of the home have been identified as important risk factors for falls, and may pose particular risk for older adults with visual impairments given difficulty with hazard perception. We used data from 245 participants in the Falls in Glaucoma Study [mean age: 71 years, mean follow-up: 31 months] with homes graded using our previously validated Home Environment Assessment for the Visually Impaired (HEAVI), which quantifies the number of in-home fall-related hazards and found that neither the number of hazards nor the percentage of hazardous items were associated falls/year. However, each 10-fold increase in lighting was associated with a 35% lower rate of falls/year (RR=0.65, 95%CI=0.46 to 0.92) and there was a 50% reduction in falls/year when lighting was at or above 30 footcandles (minimum lighting level recommended by the Engineering Society of North America) compared to lighting <30 footcandles (RR=0.50, 95%CI=0.26 to 0.96).

scholarly journals The relationship between complement C3 expression and the MUC5B genotype in pulmonary fibrosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 315 (1) ◽  
pp. L1-L10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsukasa Okamoto ◽  
Susan K. Mathai ◽  
Corinne E. Hennessy ◽  
Laura A. Hancock ◽  
Avram D. Walts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Lung Injury ◽  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Complement System ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Complement C3 ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
C3 Gene ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Complement System

The common gain-of-function MUC5B promoter variant ( rs35705950 ) is the strongest risk factor for the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). While the role of complement in IPF is controversial, both MUC5B and the complement system play a role in lung host defense. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between complement component 3 (C3) and MUC5B in patients with IPF and in bleomycin-induced lung injury in mice. To do this, we evaluated C3 gene expression in whole lung tissue from 300 subjects with IPF and 175 healthy controls. Expression of C3 was higher in IPF than healthy controls {1.40-fold increase [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31–1.50]; P < 0.0001} and even greater among IPF subjects with the highest-risk IPF MUC5B promoter genotype [TT vs. GG = 1.59-fold (95% CI 1.15–2.20); P < 0.05; TT vs. GT = 1.66-fold (95% CI 1.20–2.30); P < 0.05]. Among subjects with IPF, C3 expression was significantly higher in the lung tissue without microscopic honeycombing than in the lung tissue with microscopic honeycombing [1.40-fold increase (95% CI 1.23– 1.59); P < 0.01]. In mice, while bleomycin exposure increased Muc5b protein expression, C3-deficient mice were protected from bleomycin-induced lung injury. In aggregate, our findings indicate that the MUC5B promoter variant is associated with higher C3 expression and suggest that the complement system may contribute to the pathogenesis of IPF.

scholarly journals The relationship between SARS-COV-2 RNA positive duration and the risk of recurrent positive

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhao ◽  
Chi Zhang ◽  
Xian-Xiang Chen ◽  
Qi Zhu ◽  
Wen-Xiang Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Curve Fitting ◽  
Additive Model ◽  
Smooth Curve ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Monocyte Count ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Adjusted Logistic Regression ◽  
Multi Center Study ◽  
Adjusted Model ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background The management of discharge COVID-19 patients with recurrent positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA is challenging. However, there are fewer scientific dissertations about the risk of recurrent positive. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between SARS-COV-2 RNA positive duration (SPD) and the risk of recurrent positive. Methods This case–control multi-center study enrolled participants from 8 Chinese hospital including 411 participants (recurrent positive 241). Using unadjusted and multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analyses, generalized additive model with a smooth curve fitting, we evaluated the associations between SPD and risk of recurrent positive. Besides, subgroup analyses were performed to explore the potential interactions. Results Among recurrent positive patients, there were 121 females (50.2%), median age was 50 years old [interquartile range (IQR): 38–63]. In non-adjusted model and adjusted model, SPD was associated with an increased risk of recurrent positive (fully-adjusted model: OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.08, P = 0.001); the curve fitting was not significant (P = 0.286). Comparing with SPD < 14 days, the risk of recurrent positive in SPD > 28 days was risen substantially (OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.44–6.63, P = 0.004). Interaction and stratified analyses showed greater effect estimates of SPD and risk of recurrent positive in the hypertension, low monocyte count and percentage patients (P for interaction = 0.008, 0.002, 0.036, respectively). Conclusion SPD was associated with a higher risk of recurrent positive and especially SPD > 28 day had a two-fold increase in the relative risk of re-positive as compared with SPD < 14 day. What’s more, the risk may be higher among those with hypertension and lower monocyte count or percentage.

scholarly journals Impact of Lung Function Decline on Time to Hospitalisation Events in Systemic Sclerosis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD): a Joint Model Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kreuter ◽  
Francesco Del Galdo ◽  
Corinna Miede ◽  
Dinesh Khanna ◽  
Wim A. Wuyts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Interstitial Lung Disease ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Lung Function Decline ◽  
Related Hospitalisation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Increase In Risk

Abstract Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common organ manifestation in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is the leading cause of death in patients with SSc. A decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) is an indicator of ILD progression and is associated with mortality in patients with SSc-associated ILD (SSc-ILD). However, the relationship between FVC decline and hospitalisation events in patients with SSc-ILD is largely unknown. The objective of this post-hoc analysis was to investigate the relationship between FVC decline and clinically important hospitalisation endpoints.Methods: We used data from SENSCIS®, a Phase III trial investigating the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in patients with SSc-ILD. Joint models for longitudinal and time-to-event data were used to assess the association between rate of decline in FVC% predicted and hospitalisation-related endpoints (including time to first all-cause hospitalisation or death; time to first SSc-related hospitalisation or death; and time to first admission to an emergency room [ER] or admission to hospital followed by admission to intensive care unit [ICU] or death) during the treatment period, over 52 weeks in patients with SSc-ILD.Results: There was a statistically significant association between FVC decline and the risk of all-cause (n=78) and SSc-related (n=42) hospitalisations or death (both P<0.0001). A decrease of 3% in FVC corresponded to a 1.43-fold increase in risk of all-cause hospitalisation or death (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24, 1.65) and a 1.48-fold increase in risk of SSc-related hospitalisation or death (95% CI 1.23, 1.77). No statistically significant association was observed between FVC decline and admission to ER or to hospital followed by admission to ICU or death (n=75; P=0.15). The estimated slope difference for nintedanib versus placebo in the longitudinal sub-model was consistent with the primary analysis in SENSCIS®.Conclusions: The association of lung function decline with an increased risk of hospitalisation suggests that slowing FVC decline in patients with SSc-ILD may prevent hospitalisations. Our findings also provide evidence that FVC decline may serve as a surrogate endpoint for clinically relevant hospitalisation-associated endpoints.Trial registration: Clinialtrials.gov, NCT02597933. Registered 8 October 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02597933.

Does Dingo Predation or Buffalo Competition Regulate Feral Pig Populations in the Australian Wet-Dry Tropics? An Experimental Study.

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Corbett
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Sus Scrofa ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Swamp Buffalo ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Relationship

Dingo (Canis farniliaris dingo) predation on feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in response to experimental changes in prey populations was measured over seven years in the seasonally wet-dry tropics of northern Australia. Following the removal of feral swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) from half of the 614-km*2 study area, the number of pigs doubled and there was a 3-fold increase of pig in dingo diet. The relationship between the functional response of the dingo and pig abundance was negative and significant for both the treatment and control areas. This indicated that dingoes were not regulating the pig population. Instead, dingo predation probably acted in concert with interference competition by buffalo which decreased access to critical subterranean food for pigs during the dry season and thus limited population growth in pigs.

scholarly journals ANISORROPIA: the adjoint of the aerosol thermodynamic model ISORROPIA

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 527-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Capps ◽  
D. K. Henze ◽  
A. Hakami ◽  
A. G. Russell ◽  
A. Nenes
Keyword(s):  
Discontinuous Solution ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Inorganic Species ◽  
Highly Nonlinear ◽  
Fine Mode ◽  
Inorganic Aerosol ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. We present the development of ANISORROPIA, the discrete adjoint of the ISORROPIA thermodynamic equilibrium model that treats the Na+-SO42−- HSO4−-NH4+ -NO3−-Cl−-H2O aerosol system, and we demonstrate its sensitivity analysis capabilities. ANISORROPIA calculates sensitivities of an inorganic species in aerosol or gas phase with respect to the total concentrations of each species present with less than a two-fold increase in computational time over the concentration calculations. Due to the highly nonlinear and discontinuous solution surface of ISORROPIA, evaluation of the adjoint required a new, complex-variable version of the model, which determines first-order sensitivities with machine precision and avoids cancellation errors arising from finite difference calculations. The adjoint is verified over an atmospherically relevant range of concentrations, temperature, and relative humidity. We apply ANISORROPIA to recent field campaign results from Atlanta, GA, USA, and Mexico City, Mexico, to characterize the inorganic aerosol sensitivities of these distinct urban air masses. The variability in the relationship between fine mode inorganic aerosol mass and precursor concentrations shown has important implications for air quality and climate.

‘Photography’ as a useful method for estimating the density, sex-ratio and body size of the surface-active Austruca perplexa (H. Milne Edwards, 1852) (Brachyura, Ocypodidae)

Crustaceana ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1429-1440
Author(s):  
Kanitta Keeratipattarakarn ◽  
Fahmida Wazed Tina ◽  
Rattapon Sangngam ◽  
Ketsanee Thongsri ◽  
Arreeya Suphap
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Fiddler Crab ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Crab Density ◽  
Surface Active ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Photography Method

Abstract Estimations of crab density, sex-ratio, and body sizes are difficult. Though the ‘burrow excavation’ method is widely used to estimate these parameters in surface-active crabs, it is destructive to crab populations. Therefore, an alternative, non-destructive method is desirable. This study compared the non-destructive ‘photography’ method with the ‘burrow excavation’ method in a fiddler crab (Austruca perplexa (H. Milne Edwards, 1852)) population. Twenty 0.25 m2 quadrats were set out and 4 photos were taken of the surface-active crabs in each quadrat. All crab burrows were then excavated, and the crabs were collected to estimate their numbers, sexes, and body and claw sizes. Afterward, the photographs were analysed to estimate the same parameters by using the GIMP program. These parameters were then compared between the two methods. The results showed that these parameters were not different between the methods compared. This study thus reveals that the ‘photography’ method could safely be used instead of the ‘burrow excavation’ method, and yield the same results.

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