Elevated tongue-flicking rate to cricket surface chemicals by the arthropodivorous rough green snake Opheodrys aestivus

AbstractThe rough green snake Opheodrys aestivus is a dietary specialist on insects and other arthropods. In a laboratory experiment, I tested chemosensory responses to chemical cues from several taxa palatable to other snakes and two control stimuli presented on cotton swabs. The snakes tongue-flicked at significantly higher rates in response to cues from crickets than from any of the other stimuli, and none of the other potential prey types elicited more tongue-flicks than cologne, the control for response to an odorous substance irrelevant to feeding. These findings are consistent with existing data for a few other species of snakes that are prey specialists, suggesting that correlated evolution may occur between diet specialization and chemosensory responsiveness to cues from the specialized prey. Tests of additional species of prey specialists are needed to establish whether this hypothesis is correct.

Download Full-text

Strong response to anuran chemical cues by an extreme dietary specialist, the eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z07-041 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 85 (5) ◽

pp. 619-625 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

William E. Cooper, ◽

Stephen Secor

Keyword(s):

Chemical Cues ◽

Response Strength ◽

Tongue Flick ◽

Vomeronasal System ◽

Potential Prey ◽

Food Cues ◽

Strong Response ◽

Bufo Terrestris ◽

Plant Chemical ◽

Tongue Flicking

Squamate reptiles use the lingual–vomeronasal system to identify food using only chemical cues. In lizards, most of which are dietary generalists that consume a wide variety of arthropods and other small animals, correlated evolution has occurred between addition of plants to the diet and responsiveness to plant chemical cues. In snakes, many of which are dietary specialists, several studies have detected differences in response strength among populations that correspond to the importance of prey types in different geographic locations. In one species of Thamnophis Fitzinger, 1843, such variation in responsiveness has been demonstrated to have a genetic basis. We studied tongue-flicking and biting responses to chemical cues from a range of potential prey types by nine ingestively naive hatchlings of the eastern hog-nosed snake ( Heterodon platirhinos Latreille in Sonnini and Latreille, 1801), which is an extreme toad specialist that less frequently eats other anurans. The snakes responded most strongly to chemical cues from the southern toad ( Bufo terrestris (Bonnaterre, 1789)), as indicated by significantly greater tongue-flick rate. Only two individuals bit in response to chemicals cues, both to the toad cues. Elevated tongue-flick rates were also elicited by chemical cues from the green frog ( Rana clamitans Latreille in Sonnini de Manoncourt and Latreille, 1801), but the mean rate for frog cues was less than for toad cues. Responses to other potential prey types did not differ from those of the control stimuli. Our findings are consistent with those of several other investigators in showing close correspondence between the inclusion and importance of dietary items and the intensity of chemosensory investigation in snakes. Studies of diverse dietary specialists are needed to establish the generality of this relationship in snakes and to demonstrate that diet and chemosensory responses to food cues coevolve.

Download Full-text

Chemosensory discrimination of plant and animal foods by the omnivorous iguanian lizard Pogona vitticeps

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z00-049 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 78 (8) ◽

pp. 1375-1379 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

William E Cooper, Jr.

Keyword(s):

Visual Cues ◽

Chemical Cues ◽

Bearded Dragon ◽

Chemical Discrimination ◽

Pogona Vitticeps ◽

Preferred Foods ◽

Alfalfa Sprouts ◽

Tongue Flicking ◽

Tongue Flicks

Most iguanian lizards are insectivores that do not use chemical cues sampled by tongue-flicking to identify prey before attacking, but the sole iguanian herbivore previously studied did so. To investigate the effects of a partially herbivorous diet on responses to food chemicals, I conducted an experiment to determine whether the omnivorous bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) has a similar ability. Chemical stimuli from crickets and carrots, both preferred foods, and alfalfa sprouts, and deionized water (a nonpreferred food and odorless control, respectively) were presented on cotton-tipped applicators. The lizards responded more strongly to both preferred foods than to the controls, performing more tongue flicks and biting the cotton in a greater number of trials. It is hypothesized that lingually mediated food-chemical discrimination is useful to herbivorous and omnivorous lizards for identifying plant and animal foods and for evaluating the quality of plant foods. The insectivorous ambush foragers ancestral to P. vitticeps could not locate prey by tongue-flicking repeatedly at an ambush post and do not exhibit prey-chemical discrimination. Adding plants to the diet altered the selective milieu because plants approached using visual cues can be evaluated using chemical cues, allowing the evolution of the ability to discriminate between plant-food chemicals. The ability to identify animal prey by tongue-flicking may have evolved through correlated evolution with chemosensory identification of plants or specifically for locating or identifying immobile prey.

Download Full-text

Predator and prey detection in two species of water bear (Tardigrada)

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society ◽

10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz141 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 188 (3) ◽

pp. 860-864 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Harry A Meyer ◽

Hannah E Larsen ◽

Nézira O Akobi ◽

Garret Broussard

Keyword(s):

Environmental Conditions ◽

The Other ◽

Physical Contact ◽

Nutrient Agar ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Prey Detection ◽

Potential Prey ◽

Predator Prey ◽

Petri Dishes

Abstract Tardigrade behavioural studies have focused on responses to abiotic environmental conditions. Predator–prey interactions have received some attention, but not how predators and prey might detect one another. Here, we investigate whether a predatory tardigrade species is attracted to, and a potential prey tardigrade avoids, areas previously occupied by the other. In our experiments, Milnesium lagniappe was the predator and Macrobiotus acadianus the prey. Petri dishes with non-nutrient agar were used as experimental arenas. In one treatment, we allowed Macrobiotus to roam over half of the agar for 20 h, while leaving the other half free of Macrobiotus. We then removed the prey and introduced the predator. In the control treatment, no prey were added. Results indicated that Milnesium individuals were significantly concentrated in the area previously occupied by Macrobiotus, whereas no such concentration was evident when Macrobiotus had not been present. A similar protocol was used to test whether Macrobiotus avoided areas previously occupied by the predator. As expected, Macrobiotus were significantly concentrated in the area never occupied by Milnesium, unlike the control treatment. These results suggest that both species can detect the other without physical contact and react accordingly. Given that the experiments were conducted in darkness, detection is probably olfactory.

Download Full-text

Avitograptus species (Graptolithina) from the Hirnantian (uppermost Ordovician) Anji Biota of South China and the evolution of Akidograptus and Parakidograptus

Journal of Paleontology ◽

10.1017/jpa.2020.12 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 94 (5) ◽

pp. 955-965 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lucy A. Muir ◽

Yuandong Zhang ◽

Joseph P. Botting ◽

Xuan Ma

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

South China ◽

Zhejiang Province ◽

The Other ◽

New Combination ◽

Upper Ordovician ◽

Additional Species ◽

Evolutionary Changes

AbstractThe latest Ordovician to earliest Silurian graptolite Avitograptus avitus is important in the biostratigraphy of the Ordovician–Silurian boundary interval. Two additional species of Avitograptus are described from the sponge-dominated Anji Biota of the Upper Ordovician Wenchang Formation (Metabolograptus persculptus Biozone) of Zhejiang Province, South China. One species, Avitograptus akidomorphus new species, is new; the other, Avitograptus acanthocystus new combination, which was previously placed in Climacograptus, is herein assigned to Avitograptus. The former species may represent the ancestral akidograptid because it is identical in thecal form to Akidograptus, but differs in the development of the proximal end. The evolutionary changes from Avitograptus avitus to Akidograptus and Parakidograptus involved distal movement of the origins of th11 and th12, thecal elongation, and greater outward inclination of the thecal walls.UUID: http://zoobank.org/81c433a0-9069-48d2-ae72-1267400cbf77.

Download Full-text

Dynamic Guidance by Colored Running Lights and Affordance: Route Choices of Adults and Older Children

Collective Dynamics ◽

10.17815/cd.2020.53 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Laura Künzer ◽

Robert Zinke ◽

Gesine Hofinger

Keyword(s):

Laboratory Experiment ◽

Route Choice ◽

The Other ◽

Route Guidance ◽

Older Children ◽

Aversive Effect ◽

Architectural Elements ◽

Route Choices ◽

Subway Stations ◽

Dynamic Route

Abstract Guidance to emergency exits play an important role for safe evacuation. Dynamic route guidance by colored flashing lights and strobe lights at emergency exits has been tested [1–3], but the effects of dynamic lights to support route choices need to be determined in more detail. Also, the guidance effects of different colors need to be examined and the reaction of various groups of evacuees. The paper analyzes the effects of red and green running lights on route choice in subway stations comparing adults and older children (10 to 12 years old). Data was gathered in a laboratory experiment, focusing on the concept of affordance [4, 5]. Participants were asked to make a decision about the safest direction between two alternative directions. Their choice was either unsupported or supported by red or green running lights. In general, an interaction between color and direction of the running light was found. Green running lights influenced route choices of both participant groups and led participants clearly into the direction indicated by the lights. Red running lights influenced route choices of both participant groups, but red lights lead to ambiguous decisions. Architectural elements such as stairs influenced route choices of both participant groups (functional affordance). But green running light offered a stronger indication to a safe route (cognitive affordance) than a visible staircase (functional affordance). Green lights even led participants to modify their route preference. In contrast, red running lights had an aversive effect: older children chose against the lights and preferred the other direction than the red lights were directing to. Implications for design of dynamic route guidance are discussed. This includes colored running lights to lead evacuees to a safe exit and to implement the influence of running lights on route choice and movement in simulations.

Download Full-text

Estimation of the Bubble Influence on the Imbibed Liquid Measurement During Tight Rock Continuous Imbibition

Journal of Energy Resources Technology ◽

10.1115/1.4045734 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 142 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mianmo Meng ◽

Hongkui Ge ◽

Yinghao Shen ◽

Wenming Ji ◽

Longlong Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Laboratory Experiment ◽

Water Content ◽

Repeated Measurement ◽

The Other ◽

Liquid Content ◽

Accurate Evaluation ◽

The Difference ◽

Different Characteristics ◽

Liquid Measurement ◽

Measured Liquid

Abstract Bubble influence makes the measured liquid content in rock become less during continuous imbibition because it attaches to the surface of the tight sand increasing the buoyancy of rock in liquid. The imbibition experiment was performed to research this influence. The experiment has two parts. One is the repeated measurement of imbibition with the same sample to investigate the repeatability of the imbibition experiment under the bubble influence. The other part includes the measurement with bubble influence and without bubble influence of the same sample. The results are listed as follows. The repeated measurement of the same rock imbibition reflects a similar characteristic with the bubble influence. The water content is very close with the corresponding imbibition time. This characteristic presents that tight sand imbibition has the characteristic of repeatability, which was the basis for the other experiment. Some different characteristics appear during the measurement of the liquid content with and without bubble influence in the same sample. The liquid content without bubble influence is apparently larger than the liquid content with bubble influence. The difference between the liquid content in these two conditions is small at the end of imbibition time. It becomes larger in the middle imbibition time. The error can reach 50%. It severely influences the accurate evaluation of the imbibition capacity of tight sand. Our research contributes to the acquaintance of liquid imbibition in the formation during hydraulic fracturing and is also conducive to better measure the liquid content through the laboratory experiment.

Download Full-text

The orientation behaviour of multiple chromosome configurations in acridid grasshoppers

Genome ◽

10.1139/g87-050 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 292-308 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

B. John

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

Reciprocal Translocation ◽

Chiasma Frequency ◽

The Other ◽

Robertsonian Fusion ◽

Orientation Behaviour ◽

Chiasma Distribution ◽

First Time ◽

Existing Data ◽

Combined Data

The existing data on the behaviour of multiple chromosome configurations arising from single interchanges between either metacentric–telocentric or telocentric–telocentric nonhomologues in 10 species of acridid grasshoppers are compared with data from four new cases. Two of these new cases involve metacentric–telocentric exchanges but the other two, for the first time in acridids, deal with a reciprocal translocation between two nonhomologous metacentrics. The combined data are used to evaluate the factors that influence multiple orientation in this family of grasshoppers and reemphasize the importance of chiasma frequency and chiasma distribution for multiple behaviour. This conclusion is reinforced by a consideration of the known cases of chain of three multiples originating from the Robertsonian fusion of nonhomologous telocentrics in acridoids. Key words: acridid grasshoppers, multiple chromosome configurations, chiasma distribution, orientation behaviour.

Download Full-text

The spectra of the halogen molecules. Part I.-Iodine

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Containing Papers of a Mathematical and Physical Character ◽

10.1098/rspa.1933.0142 ◽

1933 ◽

Vol 141 (845) ◽

pp. 603-625 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Keyword(s):

Emission Spectrum ◽

Intensity Distribution ◽

Wave Length ◽

The Other ◽

Comparable Data ◽

General Survey ◽

Band Spectra ◽

Low Dispersion ◽

Existing Data

The term “halogen molecule” is intended to include the interhalide compounds as well as the elementary molecules. The existence of three of the ten possible molecules of this type, namely, IF, BrF, and CIF, has not yet been established, and we have not attempted any spectroscopic search for them. For F 2 the data are meagre, only an emission spectrum being known, and we have therefore confined our attention to the other six molecules, namely, CI 2 , Br 2 , I 2 , BrCl, ICI, and IBr. The spectra of these, with the exception of BrCl, have been extensively investigated, and partially interpreted. There are certain features, however, notably the continua and diffuse bands observed in emission, which have not yet been satisfactorily explained, and we have set out to survey the existing data systematically and, where necessary, to obtain new data with the object of accounting for these features. The problem of obtaining satisfactory data of continua and diffuse bands is definitely different from that involved in the case of line and ordinary band spectra. Not only is it more difficult to make accurate visual settings for the purpose of wave-length determinations, but it becomes of much more importance to record the intensity distribution, which is often very characteristic and undoubtedly significant. For these reasons we have thought it essential to obtain and reproduce microphotometer records in all experiments, and to determine wave-lengths solely from these records. Quite low dispersion has been used, and appears very suitable for a general survey, although a more detailed investigation using higher dispersion may well prove profitable later. It seemed important to us to get strictly comparable data in all observations, and it has therefore been necessary to redetermine some of the existing data, which although numerous are seldom complete or homogeneous. A number of entirely new data are also presented. Some consideration must first be given to the known band systems of these molecules, since they provide evidence relating to the location and characteristics of molecular levels, some at least of which may be expected to be concerned in the emission of the continua and diffuse bands.

Download Full-text

System Behaviour Charts Inform an Understanding of Biodiversity Recovery

International Journal of Ecology ◽

10.1155/2015/787925 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Simon A. Black

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Land Use ◽

Control Chart ◽

Wildlife Conservation ◽

The Other ◽

Data Sets ◽

Ecosystem Recovery ◽

Ecological Understanding ◽

Existing Data ◽

Conservation Interventions

Practitioners working with species and ecosystem recovery typically deal with the complexity of, on one hand, lack of data or data uncertainties and, on the other hand, demand for critical decision-making and intervention. The control chart methods of commercial and industrial and environmental monitoring can complement an ecological understanding of wildlife systems including those situations which incorporate human activities and land use. Systems Behaviour Charts are based upon well-established control chart methods to provide conservation managers with an approach to using existing data and enable insight to aid timely planning of conservation interventions and also complement and stimulate research into wider scientific and ecological questions. When the approach is applied to existing data sets in well-known wildlife conservation cases, the subsequent Systems Behaviour Charts and associated analytical criteria demonstrate insights which would be helpful in averting problems associated with each case example.

Download Full-text