scholarly journals How to catch more prey with less effective traps: explaining the evolution of temporarily inactive traps in carnivorous pitcher plants

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1801) ◽  
pp. 20142675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Bauer ◽  
Walter Federle ◽  
Hannes Seidel ◽  
T. Ulmar Grafe ◽  
Christos C. Ioannou
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Pitcher Plants ◽  
Trapping Mechanism ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Safe Access ◽  
Trap Activation

Carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plants capture arthropods with specialized slippery surfaces. The key trapping surface, the pitcher rim (peristome), is highly slippery when wetted by rain, nectar or condensation, but not when dry. As natural selection should favour adaptations that maximize prey intake, the evolution of temporarily inactive traps seems paradoxical. Here, we show that intermittent trap deactivation promotes ‘batch captures' of ants. Prey surveys revealed that N. rafflesiana pitchers sporadically capture large numbers of ants from the same species. Continuous experimental wetting of the peristome increased the number of non-recruiting prey, but decreased the number of captured ants and shifted their trapping mode from batch to individual capture events. Ant recruitment was also lower to continuously wetted pitchers. Our experimental data fit a simple model that predicts that intermittent, wetness-based trap activation should allow safe access for ‘scout’ ants under dry conditions, thereby promoting recruitment and ultimately higher prey numbers. The peristome trapping mechanism may therefore represent an adaptation for capturing ants. The relatively rare batch capture events may particularly benefit larger plants with many pitchers. This explains why young plants of many Nepenthes species additionally employ wetness-independent, waxy trapping surfaces.

scholarly journals Selfish Genes, Pleiotropy and the Origin of Recombination

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 149 (4) ◽  
pp. 2089-2097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jody Hey
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Computer Simulations ◽  
Recombination Rate ◽  
Evolutionary Origin ◽  
Deleterious Mutations ◽  
Beneficial Mutations ◽  
Selfish Genes ◽  
Simple Interaction

Abstract If multiple linked polymorphisms are under natural selection, then conflicts arise and the efficiency of natural selection is hindered relative to the case of no linkage. This simple interaction between linkage and natural selection creates an opportunity for mutations that raise the level of recombination to increase in frequency and have an enhanced chance of fixation. This important finding by S. Otto and N. Barton means that mutations that raise the recombination rate, but are otherwise neutral, will be selectively favored under fairly general circumstances of multilocus selection and linkage. The effect described by Otto and Barton, which was limited to neutral modifiers, can also be extended to include all modifiers of recombination, both beneficial and deleterious. Computer simulations show that beneficial mutations that also increase recombination have an increased chance of fixation. Similarly, deleterious mutations that also decrease recombination have an increased chance of fixation. The results suggest that a simple model of recombination modifiers, including both neutral and pleiotropic modifiers, is a necessary explanation for the evolutionary origin of recombination.

The Tensile Property of the SPF/Cotton Blended Yarn

2011 ◽  
Vol 321 ◽  
pp. 192-195
Author(s):  
Qing Bin Yang ◽  
Xiao Yang
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Tensile Property ◽  
Cotton Fibers ◽  
Blended Yarn ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship

In order to analysis the relationship between the strength and elongation and the blended ratio of SPF/Cotton blended yarn, the strength and elongation of SPF /cotton blended yarn with different blended ratio were measured and compared with the simple model. The results indicated that For the SPF/cotton blended yarn, the difference between the experimental data and the model value is remarkable because of the high cohesion of the cotton fibers.

SYNCHRONIZATION IN RANDOMLY DRIVEN SYSTEMS

1995 ◽  
Vol 09 (16) ◽  
pp. 985-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. JAYANNAVAR
Keyword(s):  
Simple Model ◽  
Law Of Large Numbers ◽  
Driven Systems ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Law

We have solved analytically a simple model of evolution of particles driven by identical noise. We show that the trajectories of all particles collapse into a single trajectory at long time. This synchronization also leads to violation of the law of large numbers.

scholarly journals The evolution of superstitious and superstition-like behaviour

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1654) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin R Foster ◽  
Hanna Kokko
Keyword(s):  
Popular Culture ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Correct Response ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Adaptive Behaviour ◽  
Multiple Events ◽  
Cause And Effect ◽  
Pascal’S Wager ◽  
Hamilton's Rule

Superstitious behaviours, which arise through the incorrect assignment of cause and effect, receive considerable attention in psychology and popular culture. Perhaps owing to their seeming irrationality, however, they receive little attention in evolutionary biology. Here we develop a simple model to define the condition under which natural selection will favour assigning causality between two events. This leads to an intuitive inequality—akin to an amalgam of Hamilton's rule and Pascal's wager—-that shows that natural selection can favour strategies that lead to frequent errors in assessment as long as the occasional correct response carries a large fitness benefit. It follows that incorrect responses are the most common when the probability that two events are really associated is low to moderate: very strong associations are rarely incorrect, while natural selection will rarely favour making very weak associations. Extending the model to include multiple events identifies conditions under which natural selection can favour associating events that are never causally related. Specifically, limitations on assigning causal probabilities to pairs of events can favour strategies that lump non-causal associations with causal ones. We conclude that behaviours which are, or appear, superstitious are an inevitable feature of adaptive behaviour in all organisms, including ourselves.

scholarly journals Isotopic fractionation during grain coarsening of wet snow

1993 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 129-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masayoshi Nakawo ◽  
Shigeru Chiba ◽  
Hiroshi Satake ◽  
Shigeru Kinouchi
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Isotopic Fractionation ◽  
Water Interface ◽  
Grain Coarsening ◽  
Isotope Concentration ◽  
Large Particles ◽  
Wet Snow ◽  
Ice Water

Isotopic composition of solid and liquid portions of wet snow was investigated experimentally. The compositions changed with time, δ values of ice becoming heavier than those for water. A simple model was proposed to explain their temporal variation. It predicted, however, a more rapid change of δ values than the trend obtained in the experiments. This suggests the presence of a “diffusion layer” adjacent to growing snow particles, where isotope concentration has dropped at the ice-water interface because of the fractionation during grain coarsening. The slope in δD–δ18O diagram estimated by the model is compatible with the experimental data. It is considered, therefore, that the freezing fraction, the part of the liquid which refreezes to relatively large particles during grain coarsening, could be estimated by measuring the isotope concentration.

A SIMPLE MODEL FOR ORIENTATIONAL ORDERING OF A SILVER MONOLAYER ELECTRODEPOSITED ON A C(0001) SURFACE

1995 ◽  
Vol 02 (04) ◽  
pp. 489-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.E. MOLA ◽  
A.G. APPIGNANESSI ◽  
J.L. VICENTE ◽  
L. VAZQUEZ ◽  
R.C. SALVAREZZA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Fourier Series ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Series Expansion ◽  
Unit Cell ◽  
Fourier Series Expansion ◽  
Crystal Formation ◽  
Substrate Potential ◽  
Weber Type ◽  
Orientational Ordering

The model for the angular orientational energy (AOE) has been extended to hexagonal submonolayer domains of Ag electrodeposited at a constant overpotential on a C(0001) surface. These domains which are characterized by an epitaxy angle θ=15±5° and an Ag−Ag distance d Ag−Ag =0.330± 0.016 nm, can be considered as precursors of 3D Ag crystal formation, according to a Volmer-Weber type mechanism. Calculations are based upon a simple Hamiltonian evaluated by introducing the concept of the commensurable unit cell. A Fourier series expansion for the substrate potential was used. Results from the model predict the existence of a commensurable cell in agreement with the experimental data derived from STM imaging.

scholarly journals Estimate of Glacier Ablation under a Debris Layer from Surface Temperature and Meteorological Variables

1982 ◽  
Vol 28 (98) ◽  
pp. 29-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Nakawo ◽  
G.J. Young
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Temperature Data ◽  
Meteorological Variables ◽  
Glacier Ablation ◽  
Surface Temperature Data ◽  
Good Agreement

AbstractA simple model suggests that the ablation under a debris layer could be estimated from meteorological variables if the surface temperature data of the layer are available. This method was tested by analyzing the data obtained from experiments with artificial debris layers. Fairly good agreement was obtained between the estimated and the experimental data.

PHOTOEMISSION CALCULATION WITH A SIMPLE MODEL FOR THE PHOTON FIELD: APPLICATION TO ALUMINIUM

1991 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. DAS ◽  
R.K. THAPA ◽  
N. KAR
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Fermi Level ◽  
Dielectric Function ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Free Electron ◽  
Surface Region ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Frequency Dependent ◽  
Photon Field

Photoemission cross-sections are calculated, using a simple “local” dielectric function for computing the photon field in the surface region and free electron wavefunctions. Comparisons are made with the experimental data for the frequency-dependent normal photoemission from the Fermi level of aluminium, and the importance of the variation of the photon field in the surface region is pointed out.

Some Observations on X-Ray Emission as a Function of Accelerating Voltage in the Microprobe

1964 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 384-399
Author(s):  
D. L. Burk
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Atomic Number ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Absorption Wavelength

AbstractData are presented from several systems for which the emitted X-ray intensity goes through a maximum as accelerating voltage is increased. An attempt is made to systematize the data in terms of absorption, wavelength, and atomic number. A very simple model, analyzed graphically, is capable of displaying many of the features of the experimental data.

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