scholarly journals Living in a cold tropical mountain: do the microhabitat use and activity pattern change with elevation in the high-Andean lizard Stenocercus trachycephalus (Squamata: Tropiduridae)?

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. e20216170
Author(s):  
Carol Tatiana Chamorro-Vargas ◽  
Sebastian Perez-Rojas ◽  
Uber Schalke Rozo Garcia ◽  
Juan Diego Rodríguez Rodríguez ◽  
Miguel Ángel Méndez-Galeano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Tropical Mountains ◽  
Initial Hypothesis ◽  
Study Sites

The high mountain environment is a tough habitat that imposes many challenges to reptiles. As temperature decreases with altitude and has a dramatic variation throughout the day in the tropical mountains, ectotherms must cope with these harsh conditions. We studied the use of microhabitat and activity patterns of Stenocercus trachycephalus in the eastern Andes mountain range of Colombia. Three localities were sampled across the wide altitudinal distribution of this lizard species, in a range from 2,670 to 3,950 m a.s.l. The initial hypothesis was that these natural history traits would change with altitude but instead, we found that they remained roughly consistent, showing the great plasticity of this species. The results support that this lizard is a microhabitat-generalist using principally herb across the gradient, rarely shifting to specific plants or microhabitats such as rocks depending on availability. Regarding the activity pattern, this species was active throughout the day from 8:00 to 16:00 with a similar pattern along the gradient. Nevertheless, some differences were detected across localities. The activity pattern shifted from bimodal in the lower locality to unimodal in the higher ones. As expected, a correlation between temperature and activity patterns was found in one of the study sites. However, this was not the case for the lower and mid-elevation localities, where there was no correlation between these variables. The mid-elevation study site was the most interesting locality as the use of microhabitat relied virtually just on the herb stratum and the activity was constrained to the morning hours. These findings may be the result of the synergic effects of other ecological variables (weather variability, human impact, predation, population structure, or reproductive season). Our study gives the basis for a better understanding of how behavior (microhabitat choice and hours of activity) of ectotherms can help to counter thermal constraints in the neotropics when facing an altitudinal gradient. Further studies should focus on the thermal biology of this species, considering the influence of anthropic impact on these lizards’ populations.

scholarly journals Use of microhabitat and activity patterns of two lizard species from a seasonal dry forest in northern Colombia

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-164
Author(s):  
Pedro Luis Atencia ◽  
Cristian José Castillo ◽  
Luis Fernando Montes
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Spatial Dimension ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Sympatric Distribution

In this work, the microhabitat use and activity patterns of two lizard species with sympatric distribution were evaluated in a dry forest fragment within the department of Sucre, northern Colombia. Data was collected in May, June, September and October of 2017, using the active search method limited by time (7:00 and 19:00 hours). Substrates used, spatial distribution and time of capture were recorded for individuals of the species Loxopholis rugiceps (Cope 1869) and Lepidoblepharis sanctaemartae (Ruthven 1916). Complementarily, environmental and physical parameters were recorded, which allowed us to characterise the microhabitats of the species. A total of 276 lizards were recorded, 177 belonging to the species Loxopholis rugiceps and 99 to Lepidoblepharis sanctaemartae. The results showed similar resource use by the two species for the spatial dimension, with both exploiting different terrestrial elements mainly from the interior forest, followed by the riverbed stream and forest edge. Differences were found in the daily activity patterns between species, with individuals of L. sanctaemartae more frequently recorded in the morning hours and L. rugiceps in the afternoon hours. The activity patterns did not differ by age groups: juveniles and adults. Both species were more frequently found in the litter substrate within the forest, followed by rocks and bare ground. Our results indicate that both species are tolerant to matrix conditions, however, they require internal forest conditions to exploit food resources and refuge.

Activity patterns of jaguar and puma and their main prey in the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape (Bolivia, Peru)

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Marcos Ayala ◽  
María Estela Viscarra ◽  
Pedro Sarmento ◽  
Nuno Negrões ◽  
Carlos Fonseca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Main Prey ◽  
Temporal Segregation ◽  
Overlapping Coefficient ◽  
Species Activity ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Overlap Coefficient

AbstractActivity pattern studies can help explain the coexistence of competing species. Between 2001 and 2017 we evaluated the activity pattern overlap of jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), and their main prey, using camera traps at 17 Amazonian sites in the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape. We used the Kernel density estimation to generate species activity patterns and the overlap between both cats. We then calculated the overlap coefficient (Δ) by carrying out 10,000 bootstraps (95%). Both cats were active 24 h a day. The puma has higher nocturnal activity (57%), whilst jaguar activity is split almost equally between night (53%) and day (47%). We did not find temporal segregation between jaguars and pumas, which showed similar activity patterns with a high overlapping coefficient (Δ4 = 0.84; 0.78–0.91). Also, we did not find significant differences between Male and Female activity patterns for both species (X2 = 0.50, gl = 1, P = 0.47). Moreover, both cats had significant overlap with the activity patterns of their main prey. Temporal segregation was not detected in any of our study sites within the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape, suggesting that in this region, these predators employ other mechanisms to avoid competition.

scholarly journals Influence of social upbringing on the activity pattern of captive lion Panthera leo cubs: Benefits of behavior enrichment

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibonokuhle Ncube ◽  
Hilton Garikai Taambuka Ndagurwa
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Visual Exploration ◽  
Panthera Leo ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Enrichment Program ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Behavioral Enrichment ◽  
Connochaetes Taurinus ◽  
Aepyceros Melampus

Abstract The influence of social upbringing on the activity pattern of lion Panthera leo cubs was investigated at three sites. In this study, stimulus objects such as sticks, grass, fresh dung (elephant Loxondota africana, zebra Equus quagga, impala Aepyceros melampus, duiker Sylvicapra grimmia, kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis and wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus) and cardboard boxes, were utilized in an enrichment program aimed at encouraging active behaviors of captive lion cubs at Antelope Park and Masuwe. Lion cubs at Chipangali were not behaviorally enriched. Activity patterns were recorded for 10 days at each site. We recorded moving, resting, playing, grooming, visual exploration and display of hunting instincts. We found that behavioral enrichment enhanced the active behaviors of captive lion cubs. Orphan-raised cubs spent more time moving, playing and displaying hunting instincts than mother-raised cubs, but the time spent grooming was similar across areas and suggests that grooming is not influenced by enrichment. Mother-raised cubs spent more time engaged in visual exploration than orphan-raised cubs and this could be a behavior acquired from mothers or a result of confidence to explore because of their presence. Activity patterns were different among time treatments across our three study sites. Based on these findings, we suggest that lion cubs raised in captivity could benefit from behavioral enrichment to encourage active behaviors essential for eventual reintroduction into the wild.

scholarly journals Daily activity and microhabitat use of sympatric lizards from Serra do Cipó, southeastern Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 336-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato Filogonio ◽  
Fernanda S. Del Lama ◽  
Leonardo L. Machado ◽  
Michelle Drumond ◽  
Isabella Zanon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Daily Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Campos Rupestres ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Similar Activity ◽  
Serra Do Cipó ◽  
Environmental Temperatures

We studied the influence of seasonality on the daily activity pattern and microhabitat use of three sympatric lizard species, Cnemidophorus ocellifer Spix, 1825 (Teiidae), Tropidurus montanus Rodrigues, 1987 and Eurolophosaurus nanuzae (Rodrigues, 1981) (Tropiduridae), in an area of campos rupestres (rocky fields) habitat in state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Cnemidophorus ocellifer exhibited low density and activity concentrated within the hottest hours of the day, and was observed mainly on shaded rocks. Tropidurus montanus and E. nanuzae had similar activity patterns that did not vary between seasons. Activity of T. montanus was related to environmental temperatures. However, we did not find such relationships for E. nanuzae during the dry season. Both T. montanus and E. nanuzae were sighted mainly on exposed rocks. Extension of activity varied between seasons, shorter for C. ocellifer and longer for T. montanus and E. nanuzae during the rainy season.

scholarly journals Microhabitat use, daily activity pattern and diet of Liolaemus etheridgei Laurent, 1998 (Reptilia: Liolaemidae) in the Andean Polylepis forests of Arequipa, Peru

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irbin Llanqui ◽  
Bryn Edwards ◽  
Evaristo Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Daily Activity ◽  
Negative Selection ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Prey Category ◽  
Daily Activity Pattern ◽  
Selection For

This study compared the microhabitat use, daily activity pattern and diet of Liolaemus etheridgei Laurent 1998 in two Polylepis woodlands: El Simbral (fragmented) and Tuctumpaya (unfragmented), in Arequipa, Southern Peru. In both populations, we did not detect positive selection for any microhabitat; however, the population at El Simbral showed a negative selection for Polylepys trees while the Tuctumpaya population showed negative selection for Polylepis trees and non-thorny bushes. In El Simbral, active individuals were detected between 9:00 and 15:59h, whereas in Tuctumpaya, we detected active individuals from 8:00 to 17:59h. In both populations, observations of active individuals dropped between 11:00 and 11:59h. We recorded 17 and 23 prey categories in the El Simbral and Tuctumpaya populations respectively. The most important animal prey category in each population was found to be Lygaeidae: Hemiptera, and was the only animal prey category that was selected for in El Simbral and Tuctumpaya. In addition, due to the proportions of plant material found, the El Simbral was found to be omnivorous, whereas the Tuctumpaya population was herbivorous. Trophic niche breadth was broader in Tuctumpaya (B_a= 0.202) than the El Simbral (B_a= 0.147) population, despite there being no significant differences in diet (Permanova: F = 1.036, P = 0.409, permutations = 9999), which is coherent with the high value of trophic niche overlap (O_(j,k) = 0.963). Our compiled data reveal that L. etheridgei shows no selection for any of the resources we define in Polylepis woodlands, on the contrary, it selects negatively against Polylepis trees and non-thorny bushes. The daily activity patterns indicate a bimodal pattern with peaks at 9:00-10:59 and 13:00-13:59 h. The diet of L. etheridgei consists mainly of plants (%W: 66.373), and the most important animal prey category is Lygaeidae: Hemiptera (%IRI = 55.3), which is selected positively.

scholarly journals A Pilot Study of 24-h Motor Activity Patterns in Multiple Sclerosis: Pre-Planned Follow-Up at 2 Years

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-376
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Tonetti ◽  
Federico Camilli ◽  
Sara Giovagnoli ◽  
Vincenzo Natale ◽  
Alessandra Lugaresi
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Motor Activity ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Edss Score ◽  
Activity Prognosis

Early multiple sclerosis (MS) predictive markers of disease activity/prognosis have been proposed but are not universally accepted. Aim of this pilot prospective study is to verify whether a peculiar hyperactivity, observed at baseline (T0) in early relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients, could represent a further prognostic marker. Here we report results collected at T0 and at a 24-month follow-up (T1). Eighteen RRMS patients (11 females, median Expanded Disability Status Scale-EDSS score 1.25, range EDSS score 0–2) were monitored at T0 (mean age 32.33 ± 7.51) and T1 (median EDSS score 1.5, range EDSS score 0–2.5). Patients were grouped into two groups: responders (R, 14 patients) and non-responders (NR, 4 patients) to treatment at T1. Each patient wore an actigraph for one week to record the 24-h motor activity pattern. At T0, NR presented significantly lower motor activity than R between around 9:00 and 13:00. At T1, NR were characterized by significantly lower motor activity than R between around 12:00 and 17:00. Overall, these data suggest that through the 24-h motor activity pattern, we can fairly segregate at T0 patients who will show a therapeutic failure, possibly related to a more active disease, at T1. These patients are characterized by a reduced morning level of motor activation. Further studies on larger populations are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

scholarly journals Vulnerability to climate change of a microendemic lizard species from the central Andes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Laspiur ◽  
J. C. Santos ◽  
S. M. Medina ◽  
J. E. Pizarro ◽  
E. A. Sanabria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Distribution Models ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Behavioral Thermoregulation ◽  
Rapid Loss ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Vulnerability To Climate Change

AbstractGiven the rapid loss of biodiversity as consequence of climate change, greater knowledge of ecophysiological and natural history traits are crucial to determine which environmental factors induce stress and drive the decline of threatened species. Liolaemus montanezi (Liolaemidae), a xeric-adapted lizard occurring only in a small geographic range in west-central Argentina, constitutes an excellent model for studies on the threats of climate change on such microendemic species. We describe field data on activity patterns, use of microhabitat, behavioral thermoregulation, and physiology to produce species distribution models (SDMs) based on climate and ecophysiological data. Liolaemus montanezi inhabits a thermally harsh environment which remarkably impacts their activity and thermoregulation. The species shows a daily bimodal pattern of activity and mostly occupies shaded microenvironments. Although the individuals thermoregulate at body temperatures below their thermal preference they avoid high-temperature microenvironments probably to avoid overheating. The population currently persists because of the important role of the habitat physiognomy and not because of niche tracking, seemingly prevented by major rivers that form boundaries of their geographic range. We found evidence of habitat opportunities in the current range and adjacent areas that will likely remain suitable to the year 2070, reinforcing the relevance of the river floodplain for the species’ avoidance of extinction.

Modelling Penaeid Prawn Larval Advection in Albatross Bay, Australia: Defining the Effective Spawning Population

1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
PC Rothlisberg ◽  
PD Craig ◽  
JR Andrewartha
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Flood Tide ◽  
Spatial Extent ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Penaeid Prawn ◽  
Transition Depth

A 3-dimensional numerical circulation model was linked to four larval-postlarval behaviour patterns to establish the origins of postlarvae recruiting into the estuaries adjacent to Albatross Bay, Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia. The area from which these postlarvae originate is called the 'advective envelope' and it delimits the spatial extent of the effective spawning population. The different behaviour scenarios vary the amount of time the postlarvae are active during the flood tide and the depth at which they change between their diel and tidal activity patterns (transition depth). The envelope with a behaviour scenario that incorporated a 20 m transition depth and a 3 h tidal activity pattern was 1000 km2. Incorporation of seasonal winds changed the shape but not the extent of the advective envelopes.

Crustal Structure across Central Scandinavian Peninsula along Silver Road refraction profile

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Metin Kahraman ◽  
Hans Thybo ◽  
Irina Artemieva ◽  
Alexey Shulgin ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Baltic Shield ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Seismic Profile ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
The Baltic

<p>The Baltic Shield is located in the northern part of Europe, which formed by amalgamation of a series of terranes and microcontinents during the Archean to the Paleoproterozoic, followed by significant modification in Neoproterozoic to Paleozoic time. The Baltic Shield includes an up-to 2500 m high mountain range, the Scandes , along the western North Atlantic coast, despite being a stable craton located far from any active plate boundary.</p><p>We study a crustal scale seismic profile experiment in northern Scandinavia between 63<sup>o</sup>N and 71<sup>o</sup>N. Our Silverroad seismic profile extends perpendicular to the coastline around Lofoten and extends ~300km in a northwest direction across the shelf into the Atlantic Ocean and ~300km in a southeastern direction across the Baltic Shield. The seismic data were acquired with 5 explosive sources and 270 receivers onshore; 16 ocean bottom seismometers and air gun shooting from the vessel Hakon Mosby were used to collect both offshore and onshore.</p><p>We present the results from raytracing modelling of the seismic velocity structure along the profile. The outputs of this experiment will help to solve high onshore topography and anomalous and heterogeneous bathymetry of the continental lithosphere around the North Atlantic Ocean. The results show crustal thinning from the shield onto the continental shelf and further into the oceanic part. Of particular interest is the velocity below the high topography of the Scandes, which will be discussed in relation to isostatic equilibrium along the profile.</p>

scholarly journals Daily activity of four tropical intertidal hermit crabs from Southeastern Brazil

2003 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Turra ◽  
M. R. Denadai
Keyword(s):  
High Activity ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Daily Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Intertidal Flat ◽  
Circadian Activity

This study describes the daily activity in a simulated high tide situation of four species of hermit crabs (Pagurus criniticornis, Clibanarius antillensis, C. sclopetarius, and C. vittatus) that coexist in an intertidal flat in southeastern Brazil. Observations were done in two-hour intervals during two subsequent days (48 h) in three replicate pools with thirty crabs each. Among species (between and within genera) there was an evident variation in activity patterns, of which three could be distinguished. The circadian activity patterns of C. antillensis and C. vittatus could be characterized as evening and nocturnal, with resting peaks during the morning and afternoon. The circadian activity pattern of C. sclopetarius was characterized by two marked peaks of inactivity, corresponding to dawn and evening, which could represent an intrinsic association with the semi-lunar tidal cycles of the study area. Pagurus criniticornis showed high activity not influenced by day/night conditions during the entire observed period. These activity pattern variations of the studied hermit crabs should be taken into account in designing further experiments. More precise and accurate interspecific behavioral comparisons among species could be achieved in nocturnal experiments, the high activity period of all species.

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