scholarly journals Altered food habits? Understanding the feeding preference of free-ranging Grey langur (Semnopithecus entellus) within an urban settlement

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dishari Dasgupta ◽  
Arnab Banerjee ◽  
Rikita Karar ◽  
Debolina Banerjee ◽  
Shohini Mitra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Ecosystem ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
List Type ◽  
Feeding Preferences ◽  
Urban Settlement ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Free Ranging

ABSTRACTUrbanization affects concurrent human-animal movements as a result of altered resource availability and land use pattern, which leads to considerable ecological consequences. While some animals find themselves adrift, homeless with the uncertainty of resources resulting from the urban encroachment, few of them manage to survive by altering their natural behavioural patterns, and co-exist with humans. Folivorous colobines, such as grey langur, whose feeding repertoire largely consists of plant parts, tend to be more attuned to the urban high-calorie food sources to attain maximum fitness benefits within the concrete jungle having an insignificant green cover. However, such a mismatch between their generalized feeding behaviour and specialized gut physiology reminds us of the Liem’s paradox and demands considerable scientific attention which could tell us the story behind colobines’ successful co-existence within human settlements. Besides understanding their population dynamics, the effective management of these urbanized, free-ranging, non-human primate populations also depends on their altered feeding preferences, altogether which could lead us to the development of an ecologically sound urban ecosystem. Here, we have used a field-based experimental set up which allows langurs to choose between natural and urban food options, being independent of any inter-specific conflicts over resources due to food scarcity. The multinomial logit model reveals the choice-based decision making of these free-ranging grey langurs in an urban settlement of West Bengal, India, where they have not only learned to approach the human-provisioned urban food items but also shown a keen interest in it. While urbanization imposes tremendous survival challenges to these animals, it also opens up for various alternative options for human-animal co-existence which is reflected in this study, and could guide us for the establishment of a sustainable urban ecosystem in the future.HIGHLIGHTSThe feeding repertoire of free-ranging grey langurs at Dakshineswar largely consists of urban food items in contrast to the langurs of Nangi, and Nalpur who mostly depend on natural food sources.High human-langur interactions together with the scarcity of natural plant-based food sources could be considered as an intriguing driving force behind langurs’ altered feeding habits in Dakhineswar.The field-based experimental set up allows free-ranging langurs to choose between natural and urban food options in an urban settlement like Dakhineswar.Urban food items outperformed natural food items as the most chosen one, indicating langurs’ altered feeding preferences which facilitate their successful co-existence within an urban ecosystem.

scholarly journals Altered Food Habits? Understanding the Feeding Preference of Free-Ranging Gray Langurs Within an Urban Settlement

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dishari Dasgupta ◽  
Arnab Banerjee ◽  
Rikita Karar ◽  
Debolina Banerjee ◽  
Shohini Mitra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Multinomial Logit Model ◽  
Urban Ecosystem ◽  
Feeding Preference ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Land Use Pattern ◽  
Urban Settlement ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Scientific Attention ◽  
Free Ranging

Urbanization affects concurrent human-animal interactions as a result of altered resource availability and land use pattern, which leads to considerable ecological consequences. While some animals have lost their habitat due to urban encroachment, few of them managed to survive within the urban ecosystem by altering their natural behavioral patterns. The feeding repertoire of folivorous colobines, such as gray langur, largely consists of plant parts. However, these free-ranging langurs tend to be attuned to the processed high-calorie food sources to attain maximum benefits within the concrete jungle having insignificant greenery. Therefore, besides understanding their population dynamics, the effective management of these urbanized, free-ranging, non-human primate populations also depends on their altered feeding habits. Here, we have used a field-based experimental setup that allows gray langurs to choose between processed and unprocessed food options, being independent of any inter-specific conflicts over resources due to food scarcity. The multinomial logit model reveals the choice-based decision-making of these free-ranging gray langurs in an urban settlement of West Bengal, India, where they have not only learned to recognize the human-provisioned processed food items as an alternative food source but also shown a keen interest in it. However, such a mismatch between the generalized feeding behavior of folivorous colobines and their specialized gut physiology reminds us of Liem's paradox and demands considerable scientific attention. While urbanization imposes tremendous survival challenges to these animals, it also opens up for various alternative options for surviving in close proximity to humans which is reflected in this study, and could guide us for the establishment of a sustainable urban ecosystem in the future.

scholarly journals The Diet of Foxes and the Availability of Anthropogenic Food on Prince Edward Island, Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. p16
Author(s):  
Marina Silva-Opps ◽  
Whitney Kelly-Clark ◽  
Sheldon Opps
Keyword(s):  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
National Park ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Minor Component ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Anthropogenic Food Sources ◽  
Anthropogenic Food

It has been postulated that red foxes (Vulpesvulpes) inhabiting Prince Edward Island National Park (Canada) make very little use of natural food sources and that anthropogenic food play an integral part in their diet. The use of anthropogenic food sources has also been associated with an increased number of fatal fox vehicle-collisions in the park. The main goal of this study was to examine the composition of the diet of foxes inhabiting Prince Edward Island National Park and to compare this diet with foxes found in other areas of the island. In particular, we examined the importance of anthropogenic food items in foxes inhabiting the national park. We analyzed 38 stomachs from foxes killed by trappers or vehiclesduring late fall and early winter within and outside the national park. Our results showed that rodents and vegetation were the most common food items present in fox stomachs whether the animals were obtained from within or outside the park. Values of coefficient of variation of food items found in fox stomachs indicated a great diversity in diet composition. However, only six stomachs contained anthropogenic food items. Stomachs of foxes killed by vehicles contained twice the amount of anthropogenic food items than those that were collected from trappers. Overall, our findings indicate that anthropogenic food items are only a minor component in the diet of foxes occurring within the park, at least during the period of time examined in this study. Future studies should examine diet composition during other seasons when the quantity and quality of anthropogenic food sources is different. 

Prediction of root damaging during mechanical shaking of fruit trees

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Z. Láng
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Calculated Data ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
List Type ◽  
Structure Model ◽  
Root Damage ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Simple Tree ◽  
The Given ◽  
Cherry Trees

The possible effect of shaker harvest on root damage of 10-year-old cherry trees was studied on a simple tree structure model. The model was composed of elastic trunk and rigid main roots, the ends of which were connected to the surrounding soil via springs and dumping elements. Equations were set up to be able to calculate the relation between shaking height on the trunk and strain in the roots. To get the data for root break and their elongation at different shaking heights on the trunk, laboratory and field experiments were carried out on cherry trees and on their roots. Having evaluated the measured and calculated data it could be concluded that root damage is to be expected even at 3.6% strain and the risk of it increases with increased trunk amplitudes, i.e.with the decrease of shaking heightat smaller stem diameters (i.e. in younger plantation), andif the unbalanced mass of the shaker machine is too large for the given tree size.

Risk Assessment of Sulphite Exposure through Foods Among Adolescents of Delhi (India)

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 685-693
Author(s):  
Arushi Jain ◽  
Pulkit Mathur
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Acceptable Daily Intake ◽  
Food Record ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Permissible Levels

Background: Sulphites added as preservatives in food have been associated with adverse health effects in humans. Objective: The present study was designed with an objective of assessing the risk of sulphite exposure through food in adolescents (12-16 years old) of Delhi, India. Methods: A total of 1030 adolescents selected from four private and four government schools of Delhi, were asked to record their food intake using a 24 hour food record, repeated on three days, for assessing exposure to sulphites. The risk was assessed using six different scenarios of exposure. Results: The actual intake for sulphites for average consumers was 0.15 ± 0.13 mg / kg b.w. / day which was 21.4% of acceptable daily intake (ADI). For high consumers (P95), it was 65% of the ADI. However, for 2 respondents, the actual intake exceeded the ADI. The major food contributors to sulphite intake were beverage concentrates (46%), ready to serve beverages (22%) followed by miscellaneous food items (16%), mainly ice creams and snowballs. Estimation of sulphite intake using different exposure scenarios revealed that for certain scenarios where the highest reported sulphite level or maximum permissible levels were considered for calculation, the high consumers exceeded the ADI, though, for average consumers, intake was well below the ADI. Conclusion: Actual intake of sulphite for average consumers was well below the ADI but for high consumers was approaching the ADI. People with sulphite sensitivity need to be aware of hidden food sources of sulphites.

scholarly journals Exploring the Acceptance of Entomophagy: A Survey of Italian Consumers

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Roberta Moruzzo ◽  
Simone Mancini ◽  
Fabio Boncinelli ◽  
Francesco Riccioli
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Food Neophobia ◽  
Significant Interest ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Specific Scale

Insect-based food is not common in Europe, because most people do not consider insects to be edible, but rather a threat and a health risk. Fear and refusal to eat a new food product introduced into a culture is called food neophobia, which results in a hesitation to trying and experimenting with new foods. Although there is significant interest in this novel sector, there is a lack of research on the link between rejection, the level of food neophobia, and consumer behavior related to the introduction of insects into the diet. In this study, through 420 questionnaires, a specific experimental scale of insects was introduced which, together with a neophobia scale, analyzed the probability and the intention of respondents to consume insects. Another issue tested has been their intention to eat food containing insects. We observed that the analyses of the two scales produced different results, confirming the need for a specific scale to measure “insect phobia”. This is important, since knowledge about consumer preferences for and barriers to using insects as human food sources is limited but necessary in order to set up commercialization strategies. The development of insect-based food offers physical health benefits and also improves the sustainability of the food industry.

scholarly journals Collaborative digital platform France – Cuba: oncorehabilitation in reproductive and sexual health

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thierry Almont ◽  
Louis Bujan ◽  
Clarisse Joachim ◽  
Guillaume Joguet ◽  
Mylène Vestris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Cancer Registries ◽  
Cancer Surveillance ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
List Type ◽  
Digital Platform ◽  
Reproductive And Sexual Health ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Collaborative Platform ◽  
Set Up

Abstract Background In the French West-Indies, few studies have been performed on fertility and sexual problems in cancer survivors, which are frequent and recurring issues reported by surveys on unmet needs. Additionally, mutualizing human and material resources and promoting cooperation through a collaborative platform are the most appropriate response to complex health pathways in the Caribbean territories. Implementation of such a collaborative platform will help to launch a strategic Caribbean partnership to transfer theoretical and technical skills and care standards in oncofertility and oncosexuality. Methods We propose to set up a collaborative digital platform to strengthen, from the French expertise, Cuban health professionals’ knowledge, know-how, and skills in oncofertility and oncosexuality. The project will be coordinated by a coordinating, scientific, and supervisory committee, and the main activities will include: Theoretical training in e-learning adapted to low-speed Internet. Practical training in fertility preservation and sexual rehabilitation. Digital multidisciplinary consultation meetings for medical decisions to be taken for complex clinical cases. The platform will benefit from a recurrent evaluation, by the two cancer registries of Martinique and Cuba, with the following performance indicators: number of Cuban professionals trained, number of professionals sensitized, hourly volumes (or number of training courses provided), satisfaction of trained professionals, number of e-RCPs carried out online and number of missionaries supported. These indicators will be set up and analyzed by the registers. This project meets the Cuban and French health policies (cancer plans and national sexual health strategies) and will be implemented in liaison with the Health Agencies of both countries and the Embassy of France in Cuba. Discussion This project aims to provide support through bilateral exchanges to improve reproductive and sexual health in Cuba’s cancer patients. This collaboration will be based on a long-lasting French expertise and a solid Cuban health system. Consequently, this collaborative digital platform will contribute to data collection for cancer surveillance, and the two participating countries will ultimately be identified in the Caribbean as having centers of competence and excellence in oncofertility and oncosexuality with care standards.

scholarly journals Outbreak of S. Weltevreden linked to fermented cashew nut cheese in Victoria, BC

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 74-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Schmitt ◽  
Gloria Yu ◽  
Richard Greve ◽  
Lorraine McIntyre
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Temperature Control ◽  
Starter Culture ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Cashew Nut ◽  
Risk Practices ◽  
Food Processes ◽  
Single Batch

Twenty-three Salmonella enterica serovar Weltevreden (S. Weltevreden) illnesses occurred in a Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, restaurant following consumption of fermented vegan cheese. Three clusters of illness over 2 days were traced to a single batch of fermented cashew cheese spread. S. Weltevreden was detected in 11 clinical samples and in the cashew cheese spread. An inspection of the restaurant and review of the food processes revealed high-risk practices, such as use of rejuvelac as a starter culture for fermentation and poor temperature control. Three of five vegan and natural food restaurants in the Victoria area were using similar methods, indicating this type of product was common. Procedures to safely ferment vegan cheese spreads are presented. We also discuss higher-risk food items and practises noted in this event that inspectors should be aware of during inspections.

scholarly journals The THE ECOLOGICAL QUALITY STATUS OF THE ORGANIC SHRIMP FARMING PONDS: USE OF A NEW BIOTIC INDICES

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trần Thành Thái
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Shrimp Farming ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Biotic Index ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Ecological Quality ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Ecological Quality Status ◽  
Quality Status

In spite of the development and widespread dissemination of the model organic shrimp farming systems, the biological communities in the organic shrimp farming ponds have still very limited. Therefore, we conducted a field survey for macrobenthic communities (MC) of the Tam Giang‘s organic shrimp farming ponds (TGOSFP) located in Tam Giang commune, Nam Can district, Ca Mau province during three seasons in 2015 (March - dry, July - transfer and November - wet season). The results indicated that the MC have characterized by high density and slightly diversity that is a rich natural food sources for shrimp in the TGOSFP. Further more, the present study is a first attempt to use of new indices (AMBI - AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index) on MC for determining the ecological quality status of sediment (EcoQ) in the TGOSFP. The following results were also recorded with an undisturbed and slightly disturbed  EcoQ in the TGOSFP and the general EcoQ would likely be improved between three seasons. The success of AMBI for detecting EcoQ in Vietnam is specific to this study, but AMBI was likely to improved, in particular tropical regions.

scholarly journals Comparison of Body Composition and Fatty Acid Profiles between Wild and Cultured Rio Grande Silvery Minnows

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 487-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madison S. Powell ◽  
Ronald W. Hardy ◽  
Alison M. Hutson ◽  
Louie A. Toya ◽  
Douglas Tave
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Artificial Diet ◽  
Condition Factor ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Wild Fish ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Fatty Acid Profiles ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Supplementary Feed

Abstract Federally endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnows (RGSM; Hybognathus amarus) were raised in one of three culture regimes: intensively, with only a hatchery diet; semi-intensively with access to natural food and hatchery diet supplementation; and with only natural food available at the Los Lunas Silvery Minnow Refugium (Los Lunas, New Mexico), a naturalized conservation refugium designed to mimic the natural environment of the RGSM in the Rio Grande. The project compared each culture regime and assessed differences and similarities in lipid and fatty acid content between feeding an artificial diet and consumption of natural food items in this species. After 117 d, whole-body lipid levels and fatty acid profiles were measured in each group and compared with values for wild RGSM. Fish fed the hatchery diet exclusively or as supplementary feed had significantly higher percent lipid (15.5% ± 0.5% and 10.6% ± 0.1%, respectively) than fish raised without access to the diet. Both groups had significantly higher percent lipid than fish raised in the refugium or wild fish (8.3% ± 0.1% and 7.8% ± 0.2%, respectively). Condition factor differed among groups and was highest in fish fed the hatchery diet (1.00) followed by fish supplemented with the hatchery diet (0.93), refugium fish (0.91), and wild fish (0.90). In this respect, refugium fish appeared more similar to wild fish than fish fed the hatchery diet or offered the diet as a supplement. Comparison of fatty acid profiles among groups showed marked differences among wild fish, refugium fish, and those fed the hatchery diet, either exclusively or as supplementary feed. Total omega-3 fatty acids, expressed as percentage of total fatty acids, were highest in wild fish but similar among other groups. Total omega-6 fatty acids showed an opposite trend, with five to nine times higher percentages of linoleic acid observed among fish from the three culture regimes compared with wild fish. Significant differences in lipid content and fatty acid composition between wild RGSM and cultured silvery minnows reflected their respective diets and culture regimes. Given similarities in fat content and condition factor with wild RGSM, we conclude that fish in the refugium do not require supplemental feeding with an artificial diet for this type of naturalized conservation management. Results from this study show that RGSM readily forage on natural food items present and also artificial feed when available, indicating dietary plasticity, which is advantageous for fish culture and future recovery.

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