Scatting behaviour of the pygmy bluetongue lizard

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehregan Ebrahimi ◽  
Stephanie S. Godfrey ◽  
Aaron L. Fenner ◽  
C. Michael Bull
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Burrow Entrance ◽  
Path Direction ◽  
Activity Season

We used video recordings of 29 pygmy bluetongue lizards for ten days of each month during their spring and summer activity season to observe scatting behaviour. This was possible because resident lizards rarely moved from their single entrance burrows. We used these observations to ask questions about social communication that might be relevant to conservation of this endangered species. We found lizards produced more scats in the middle of the day than earlier or later in the day, and more scats in the spring and early summer than later in the summer. Lizards moved an average of 68.54 ± 0.09 cm from their burrow entrance to deposit scats, taking an average of 2.4 min per defecation trip. They tended to use the same path direction for most defecation trips, but used more different directions if there were more close neighbours, strongly supporting a hypothesis that scats mark burrow ownership. The results suggested that conservation managers might reduce stress for relocated lizards by removing scat piles in the early stages of settlement.

Use of burrows by the endangered pygmy blue-tongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis (Scincidae)

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Milne ◽  
C. Michael Bull ◽  
Mark N. Hutchinson
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Mating Activity ◽  
Adequate Supply ◽  
Invertebrate Prey ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Management Scheme ◽  
Burrow Entrance

The pygmy blue-tongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis, had been considered extinct until its recent rediscovery near Burra in the mid-north of South Australia. The lizards apparently rely on spider burrows with a single entrance as refuge sites. In this paper we describe observations from all-day video recordings of the entrances of burrows occupied by lizards on 31 days across the spring and early summer of 1996. The lizards spent most of each day either retreated down the burrow or basking at the burrow entrance. Early in the season, when temperatures were cooler, lizards spent more of each day basking, and more of their basking time fully emerged from the burrow, than later in the season. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that the lizards thermoregulate by moving in and out of the burrow. Lizards also fed by making short excursions from the burrow, often to catch passing invertebrate prey, although they also fed on flowers early in spring. Later in the season lizards were more likely to vacate their burrows for longer times, or to move away from their burrows, and mating activity was observed when males approached burrows occupied by females. The observations suggest that pygmy blue-tongue lizards rely heavily on burrows for many activities, and that any conservation management scheme for this endangered species will rely on maintaining an adequate supply of burrows.

scholarly journals The role of technology-mediated music-making in enhancing engagement and social communication in children with autism and intellectual disabilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lila Kossyvaki ◽  
Sara Curran
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
School Staff ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Social Communication Skills ◽  
Music Making ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Very little research has explored the impact of interventions combining music and technology on children with a dual diagnosis of autism and intellectual disabilities (ID) incorporating the active involvement of school staff. Video recordings and group interviews were used to collect data in this study. Video recordings of five children with autism and ID were conducted as they engaged with a technology-mediated music-making intervention over a period of 5 weeks. Additionally, five group interviews with classroom staff were carried out. This study is the first to explore the impact of a technology-mediated music-making intervention on the engagement levels and social communication skills of children with autism and ID at school. Some positive outcomes, especially regarding social communication skills, are reported, which are of significant value to educational researchers and school staff.

Reproduction in Sminthopsis-Longicaudata (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae) - Laboratory Observations

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
PA Woolley ◽  
A Valente
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Breeding Condition ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Mean

Observations on the pattern of reproduction in Sminthopsis longicaudata, at present considered to be an endangered species, are presented. S. longicaudata is polyoestrous and in the laboratory females are in breeding condition from late winter (August) to early summer (December). They enter oestrus up to four times during the breeding season. Two litters were born 17 and 19 days post-mating, but the gestation period may be less than 15 days. The mean length of the oestrous cycle is 34.4 days. Both males and females may be able to breed in more than one season.

The pattern of reproductive development and the leafiness of spring and early summer regrowths in two contrasting varieties of ryegrass

1972 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ieuan Davies
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Reproductive Development ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Floral Initiation ◽  
Selection Methods ◽  
Stem Apex ◽  
Early Stages

SUMMARYEarly stages in the development of reproductive tillers of S. 24 and S. 23 perennial ryegrass are described. The pattern of development of the stem apex and of the unemerged leaves present at the time of floral initiation is traced up to the time when internode extension results in the elevation of the stem apices above the level of defoliation. If tillers with stems about 10 cm long, or more, escape damage to the stem apex during defoliation, the regrowth may be expected to deteriorate rapidly in leafiness, since at this stage there are few or no unemerged leaves. Tillers with 3–4 cm stems generally bear 1–2 unemerged leaves, and hence the regrowth is more leafy.For a given stem length apical development was slightly more advanced in S. 24 than in S. 23. Consideration is given to selection methods to be used in breeding for leafy regrowths in springtime.

scholarly journals DISCLOSURE OF SOCIAL ACTIVE TERRITORIES

2019 ◽  
pp. 23-27
Author(s):  
Larisa Khalatyan
Keyword(s):  
Social Communication ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Human Relations ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Active Zones

Human relations are one of the most important demands of society. Open public spaces are designed to create and develop the vital needs of human. In the early stages of history, squares were created for population communication, which today partly serve their purpose. And before addressing new social communication areas (SCA) solutions, it is necessary to discover and study the current social life of the population and almost formed socially active zones in the observed area. This article discusses the methods developed to identify them.

Spherulitic crystal growth in the prodissoconch larval of Crassostrea virginica

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 518-519
Author(s):  
George G. Cocks ◽  
Louis Leibovitz ◽  
DoSuk D. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Crassostrea Virginica ◽  
Crystal Orientation ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Orthorhombic Crystal ◽  
Orthorhombic Crystal Structure ◽  
Stages Of Growth ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Initial Deposition

Our understanding of the structure and the formation of inorganic minerals in the bivalve shells has been considerably advanced by the use of electron microscope. However, very little is known about the ultrastructure of valves in the larval stage of the oysters. The present study examines the developmental changes which occur between the time of conception to the early stages of Dissoconch in the Crassostrea virginica(Gmelin), focusing on the initial deposition of inorganic crystals by the oysters.The spawning was induced by elevating the temperature of the seawater where the adult oysters were conditioned. The eggs and sperm were collected separately, then immediately mixed for the fertilizations to occur. Fertilized animals were kept in the incubator where various stages of development were stopped and observed. The detailed analysis of the early stages of growth showed that CaCO3 crystals(aragonite), with orthorhombic crystal structure, are deposited as early as gastrula stage(Figuresla-b). The next stage in development, the prodissoconch, revealed that the crystal orientation is in the form of spherulites.

Formation of Dislocation Channels in Neutron Irradiated Molybdenum

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 672-673
Author(s):  
S. Mahajan
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Channel Formation ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
Polycrystalline Molybdenum

The evolution of dislocation channels in irradiated metals during deformation can be envisaged to occur in three stages: (i) formation of embryonic cluster free regions, (ii) growth of these regions into microscopically observable channels and (iii) termination of their growth due to the accumulation of dislocation damage. The first two stages are particularly intriguing, and we have attempted to follow the early stages of channel formation in polycrystalline molybdenum, irradiated to 5×1019 n. cm−2 (E > 1 Mev) at the reactor ambient temperature (∼ 60°C), using transmission electron microscopy. The irradiated samples were strained, at room temperature, up to the macroscopic yield point.Figure 1 illustrates the early stages of channel formation. The observations suggest that the cluster free regions, such as A, B and C, form in isolated packets, which could subsequently link-up to evolve a channel.

Pragmatic Language Performance of Children Adopted Internationally

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 501-514
Author(s):  
Deborah A. Hwa-Froelich ◽  
Hisako Matsuo
Keyword(s):  
Social Communication ◽  
False Belief ◽  
Pragmatic Language ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Language Performance ◽  
Emotion Identification ◽  
False Belief Understanding ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Pragmatic Communication ◽  
Eastern European Countries

Purpose Pragmatic language is important for social communication across all settings. Children adopted internationally (CAI) may be at risk of poorer pragmatic language because of adverse early care, delayed adopted language development, and less ability to inhibit. The purpose of this study was to compare pragmatic language performance of CAI from Asian and Eastern European countries with a nonadopted group of children who were of the same age and from similar socioeconomic backgrounds as well as explore the relationship among emotion identification, false belief understanding, and inhibition variables with pragmatic language performance. Method Using a quasi-experimental design, 35 four-year-old CAI (20 Asian, 15 Eastern European) and 33 children who were not adopted were included in this study. The children's pragmatic language, general language, and social communication (emotion identification of facial expressions, false belief understanding, inhibition) were measured. Comparisons by region of origin and adoption experience were completed. We conducted split-half correlation analyses and entered significant correlation variables into simple and backward regression models. Results Pragmatic language performance differed by adoption experience. The adopted and nonadopted groups demonstrated different correlation patterns. Language performance explained most of the pragmatic language variance. Discussion Because CAI perform less well than their nonadopted peers on pragmatic communication measures and different variables are related to their pragmatic performance, speech-language pathologists may need to adapt assessment and intervention practices for this population.

Applying Item Response Theory Modeling to Identify Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 1916-1932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiying Yuan ◽  
Christine Dollaghan
Keyword(s):  
Item Response Theory ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
National Database ◽  
Communication Disorder ◽  
Social Communication Questionnaire ◽  
Autism Research ◽  
The Social ◽  
Pragmatic Communication

Purpose No diagnostic tools exist for identifying social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SPCD), a new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition category for individuals with social communication deficits but not the repetitive, restricted behaviors and interests (RRBIs) that would qualify them for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We explored the value of items from a widely used screening measure of ASD for distinguishing SPCD from typical controls (TC; Aim 1) and from ASD (Aim 2). Method We applied item response theory (IRT) modeling to Social Communication Questionnaire–Lifetime ( Rutter, Bailey, & Lord, 2003 ) records available in the National Database for Autism Research. We defined records from putative SPCD ( n = 54), ASD ( n = 278), and TC ( n = 274) groups retrospectively, based on National Database for Autism Research classifications and Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised responses. After assessing model assumptions, estimating model parameters, and measuring model fit, we identified items in the social communication and RRBI domains that were maximally informative in differentiating the groups. Results IRT modeling identified a set of seven social communication items that distinguished SPCD from TC with sensitivity and specificity > 80%. A set of five RRBI items was less successful in distinguishing SPCD from ASD (sensitivity and specificity < 70%). Conclusion The IRT modeling approach and the Social Communication Questionnaire–Lifetime item sets it identified may be useful in efforts to construct screening and diagnostic measures for SPCD.

Perceptions of a Collaborative Professional Learning Program: Seeing the “Bigger Picture”

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 290-303
Author(s):  
P. Charlie Buckley ◽  
Kimberly A. Murza ◽  
Tami Cassel
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Special Educators ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Related Service

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of special education practitioners (i.e., speech-language pathologists, special educators, para-educators, and other related service providers) on their role as communication partners after participation in the Social Communication and Engagement Triad (Buckley et al., 2015 ) yearlong professional learning program. Method A qualitative approach using interviews and purposeful sampling was used. A total of 22 participants who completed participation in either Year 1 or Year 2 of the program were interviewed. Participants were speech-language pathologists, special educators, para-educators, and other related service providers. Using a grounded theory approach (Glaser & Strauss, 1967 ) to data analysis, open, axial, and selective coding procedures were followed. Results Three themes emerged from the data analysis and included engagement as the goal, role as a communication partner, and importance of collaboration. Conclusions Findings supported the notion that educators see the value of an integrative approach to service delivery, supporting students' social communication and engagement across the school day but also recognizing the challenges they face in making this a reality.

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