Social facilitation is a better predictor of frog reproductive activity than environmental factors

Biotropica ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 372-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerlinde Höbel
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Social Facilitation ◽  
Reproductive Activity

scholarly journals Annual Patterns of Molt and Reproductive Activity of Passerines in South-Central Brazil

The Condor ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 767-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel  Marini ◽  
Renata Durães
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Trophic Guilds ◽  
Trophic Guild ◽  
Local Factors ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
South Central ◽  
Annual Patterns

Abstract We analyzed the occurrence of molt and brood patches in resident passerines from four localities in south-central Brazil. The annual patterns of molt and reproductive activity were very similar among the sites. Brood patches first appeared in August, but were most common between October and January, with a peak in November, early in the rainy season. Molt started in October but was most widespread from the middle to the end of the rainy season, between December and April with a peak in February. Timing of the appearance of brood patches was not related to trophic guild (insectivores, frugivores, omnivores). Molt of flight feathers started at the end of the reproductive period, which varied slightly among trophic guilds. Molt and brood patch overlap occurred in little more than 4% of individual birds, or in less than 2% considering just those molting flight feathers. This overlap occurred mostly between November and February. Regional environmental factors, instead of local factors, seem to be responsible for the annual breeding and molt patterns of the considered species. Padrões Anuais de Muda e Atividade Reprodutiva de Passeriformes na Região Centro-Sul do Brasil Resumo. Este estudo analisa a ocorrência de muda de penas e reprodução em Passeriformes residentes em quatro localidades na região centro-sul do Brasil. A atividade reprodutiva foi inferida a partir da presença de placas de incubação ativas. Os padrões anuais de muda e reprodução apresentaram-se bastante similares entre as regiões estudadas. Placas de incubação começaram a ser detectadas em agosto, sendo mais comuns entre outubro e janeiro, com um pico em novembro, no início da estação chuvosa. O principal período de mudas começou em outubro, sendo mais intensas nos dois terços finais da estação chuvosa, entre dezembro e abril, com um pico em fevereiro. Os padrões de ocorrência de reprodução e mudas apresentaram pequenas diferenças entre diferentes guildas alimentares, e, de modo geral, o início do período de mudas esteve relacionado ao fim do período reprodutivo. Sobreposição entre mudas e placas de incubação foi detectada em pouco mais de 4% do total de indivíduos analisados, ou em menos de 2%, quando apenas indivíduos mudando penas de vôo foram considerados. Esta sobreposição ocorreu principalmente entre novembro e fevereiro. Os padrões ambientais regionais, mais que os locais, parecem influenciar os ciclos anuais das espécies analisadas.

scholarly journals Plasma electrophoresis profiles of Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) and influences of month, age, sex, health status, and location

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258397
Author(s):  
Kirsten E. Andersson ◽  
Laura Adamovicz ◽  
Lauren E. Mumm ◽  
Samantha E. Bradley ◽  
John M. Winter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Plasma Protein ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Protein Fractions ◽  
Emydoidea Blandingii ◽  
Age Class ◽  
Lower Protein ◽  
Free Ranging

Baseline plasma electrophoresis profiles (EPH) are important components of overall health and may aid in the conservation and captive management of species. The aim of this study was to establish plasma protein fractions for free-ranging Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) and evaluate differences due to age class (adult vs. sub-adult vs. juvenile), sex (male, female, or unknown), year (2018 vs. 2019), month (May vs. June vs. July), health status, and geographical location (managed vs. unmanaged sites). Blood samples were obtained from 156 Blanding’s turtles in the summer of 2018 and 129 in 2019 at two adjacent sites in Illinois. Results of the multivariate analysis demonstrated that age class, sex, year, month, health status, and geographical location all contributed to the variation observed in free-ranging populations. Adult females had the highest concentration of many protein fractions, likely associated with reproductive activity. Juveniles had lower protein concentrations. Temperature and rainfall differences between years impacted concentrations between 2018 and 2019, while May and June of both years saw higher levels in some protein fractions likely due to peak breeding and nesting season. Individuals with evidence of trauma or disease also showed increased plasma protein fractions when compared to those that were considered healthy. The two sites showed a wide/large variation over the two years. All of these factors emphasize the importance of considering multiple demographic or environmental factors when interpreting the EPH fractions. Establishing ranges for these analytes will allow investigation into disease prevalence and other environmental factors impacting this endangered species.

Environmental factors have little influence on the reproductive activity of the Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis)

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Alves ◽  
A. Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
European Hare ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Iberian Hare

The two European hare species with the largest ranges, the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) and the mountain hare (L. timidus), have a marked seasonal pattern of reproduction, probably reflecting strong environmental influences during the year. In this work, we evaluate the role of some environmental factors on the reproductive activity of another European hare species, the Iberian hare (L. granatensis). The study was carried out in Pancas, southern Portugal, from mid-1997 through December 1999. Climatic data (mean monthly values of minimum and maximum air temperature, daylength and total monthly rainfall) were recorded at the nearest meteorological station. To assess abundance and quality of food, samples of the herbaceous vegetation were collected every two months and analysed for water, fibre and crude protein content. Iberian hares were collected every two months and live or post mortem analyses were performed. The proportion of males with external testes and of pregnant females as well as the weight of the gonads were recorded. While environmental variables had marked seasonal variations, the Iberian hare nevertheless showed continuous reproductive activity. In all sampled periods, males with external testes and pregnant females were observed. However, a slight decrease of sexual activity appears to occur, mainly in males, during autumn. Only the variation of male reproductive characteristics was significantly explained by multiple regression equations. Maximum regression coefficients were obtained with the climatic variables (minimum, maximum temperatures and daylength) and vegetation biomass of the preceding two months. Our data indicate that environmental factors have little effect on reproduction in the Iberian hare. The results are compared with those obtained for other phylogenetically and geographically close hare species, and with another leporid, the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus), which occurs sympatrically with L. granatensis.

scholarly journals Breeding biology in a population of Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis, Statius Müller, 1776) at different elevations in the Tropical Andes

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leydy J. Cardona-Salazar ◽  
Ana Busi ◽  
Daniela Gómez Castillo ◽  
Paula A. Ossa-López ◽  
Fredy A. Rivera-Páez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Egg Volume ◽  
Tropical Andes ◽  
Zonotrichia Capensis

Abstract: Breeding biology in a population of Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis, Statius Müller, 1776) at different elevations in the Tropical Andes. Elevation strongly influences the evolution of life history traits associated with bird physiology and reproduction. Since life history traits in birds are modulated by environmental factors that vary with elevation, we expected to find changes in breeding biology traits of Z. capensis at different elevations. In this study, we compared the breeding biology (clutch size, egg volume, and reproductive activity) of a non-migratory population of Z. capensis in two localities at different elevations (low and high elevations, 1 800 m a.s.l., and 3 800 m a.s.l., respectively) and same latitude in the Colombian Tropical Andes for a one-year period. We found no differences in clutch size between the localities; however, egg volume was higher at high elevation. Furthermore, the reproductive activity differed significantly between localities. We propose that clutch size is likely conserved throughout the altitudinal distribution of Z. capensis since the species evolved in Tropical lowlands. On the other hand, the larger egg volume at high elevation could obey local environmental factors that may favor the reproductive success of the population.

scholarly journals Do Local Environmental Factors and Lunar Cycle Influence Timing and Synchrony of Oviposition of a Turtle with Strict Nocturnal Nesting?

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Tibisay Escalona ◽  
Nicole Valenzuela ◽  
Dean C. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Social Facilitation ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Full Moon ◽  
Lunar Cycle ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Freshwater Turtle ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
River Level

Timing of nesting affects fitness of oviparous animals living in seasonal environments, and females may cue on environmental factors for their nesting behavior, but these relationships are understudied in tropical turtles. Here, the timing and synchrony of egg-laying relative to environmental factors were examined in the South American freshwater turtle Podocnemis unifilis on 11 nesting beaches during three nesting seasons. Daily measurements included number of nests laid, rainfall, river level, air temperature, and the phase of the lunar cycle (full moon, last quarter, new moon and first quarter). Results confirmed that P. unifilis nested at night and revealed that females in our population nest in groups from 2 to 17 females at a time. Nesting was not correlated with rainfall, but a significant relationship was found with river level, such that nesting started at the onset of the dry season when river levels dropped and nesting grounds emerged. Importantly, we found that (1) nesting events concentrated on days with intermediate daily maximum air temperature (although maxima changed annually), and that (2) larger groups of females nested around full moon, suggesting the reliance on visual cues to initiate nesting activities (consistent with social facilitation behavior). Altogether, the timing of nesting in P. unifilis may be shaped by a combination of environmental factors, moon phase and social facilitation, where visual cues play an important role.

Reductionist thinking and animal models in neuropsychiatric research

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Baran
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Developmental Genetic ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Mechanisms Of Plasticity

AbstractReductionist thinking in neuroscience is manifest in the widespread use of animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Broader investigations of diverse behaviors in non-model organisms and longer-term study of the mechanisms of plasticity will yield fundamental insights into the neurobiological, developmental, genetic, and environmental factors contributing to the “massively multifactorial system networks” which go awry in mental disorders.

The dual nature of obesity in metabolic programming: quantity versus quality of adipose tissue

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (18) ◽  
pp. 2447-2451
Author(s):  
Anissa Viveiros ◽  
Gavin Y. Oudit
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Maternal Obesity ◽  
Metabolic Programming ◽  
Dual Nature ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Adipose Tissue Volume ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Metabolically Healthy

Abstract The global prevalence of obesity has been rising at an alarming rate, accompanied by an increase in both childhood and maternal obesity. The concept of metabolic programming is highly topical, and in this context, describes a predisposition of offspring of obese mothers to the development of obesity independent of environmental factors. Research published in this issue of Clinical Science conducted by Litzenburger and colleagues (Clin. Sci. (Lond.) (2020) 134, 921–939) have identified sex-dependent differences in metabolic programming and identify putative signaling pathways involved in the differential phenotype of adipose tissue between males and females. Delineating the distinction between metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity is a topic of emerging interest, and the precise nature of adipocytes are key to pathogenesis, independent of adipose tissue volume.

Shared Responsibilities for Full Participation in Society: Planning Further Integration of the ICF Into AAC

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (12) ◽  
pp. 83-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Blake Huer ◽  
Travis T. Threats
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Community Support ◽  
World Health ◽  
International Classification Of Functioning ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Social Service Agencies ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Full Participation

The World Health Organization's (WHO's) 2001 International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) has as one of its central tenets the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. It acknowledges the need for medical and rehabilitation intervention in its biopscychosocial framework. However, the WHO realizes that society must do its part to facilitate this full participation and empowerment. Persons with complex communication needs (PWCCN) often need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in order to express themselves. However, in order to access and successfully use AAC, PWCCN need access to the necessary AAC devices and services, as well as a willing society to interact with them as full contributing members of society. The factors outside of a person's specific physical and/or cognitive functional limitations are addressed in the ICF via the Personal and Environmental Factors. Personal Factors include the individual's personality traits, lifestyle, experiences, social/educational/professional background, race, gender, and age. Environmental Factors include community support systems, social service agencies, governments, social networks, and those persons that interact with the PWCCN. This article addresses the sociopolitical influences on PWCCN and their functioning from a human rights perspective. The necessary introspective role of speech-language pathologists in this process is explored.

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