Aspects of the breeding biology of the Omei mustache toad (Leptobrachium boringii): polygamy and paternal care

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuchi Zheng ◽  
Shuqiang Li ◽  
Jinzhong Fu ◽  
Duncan Deng
Keyword(s):  
Paternal Care ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Parentage Analysis ◽  
The Body ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Western China ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Resident Male ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Leptobrachium Boringii

AbstractThe Omei mustache toad, Leptobrachium boringii, has a male biased sexual size dimorphism, which may be associated with either male-male combat behaviour or parental care. The breeding biology of this species was studied during the 2004, 2006, and 2007 breeding seasons in a population at Mount Omei in western China. The size and sex ratio of this breeding population fluctuated over the years. Males constructed nests under large rocks in mountain streams and a single “resident” male typically occupied one nest and remained in the same nest for the entire study periods with rare exceptions. Males with egg masses in their nests stayed in their nests for many days after oviposition, with few or no additional matings during this period, suggesting that males were possibly providing paternal care rather than waiting for more mating opportunities. Furthermore, males lost a significant amount (7.3%) of their body mass during the breeding season. In 2006 and 2007, we also found a positive correlation between the body size of the resident male and the number of egg masses in his nest. However, parentage analysis using microsatellite DNA loci indicated that resident males were not necessarily the fathers of all eggs in their nests. Both polygyny and polyandry occur in this species. Overall, evidence suggests that Omei mustache toads provide paternal care and larger males have higher mating success.

Strategic framework showcasing Greece in the Chinese tourism market

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soultana Tania Kapiki ◽  
Jing Fu ◽  
Lei Mou
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
The Body ◽  
Western China ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Strategic Framework ◽  
Active Player ◽  
Chinese Tourists

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to take a holistic view of the body of knowledge of the second wave of Chinese outbound tourists so as to develop a strategic framework towards positioning Greece in the China outbound tourism market. Design/methodology/approach – The survey adopted a perspective from knowledge management, investigating a deeper understanding of the knowledge about, from and for the Chinese tourists, and Greece was taken as a case study. An online survey with quantitative aspects was conducted from October 2013 to January 2014. Findings – The knowledge about the Chinese tourists depicts a young, well-educated segment with a predominance of female and western China residents. The knowledge from the Chinese tourists reveals that they prefer: visiting islands and heritage sites; safety while travelling; a faster visa process; a direct flight between China and Greece; and making a trip combined with other Schengen countries. The knowledge for the Chinese tourists indicates that purchasing tourism products/services online provides better price, is enjoyable, convenient and time-saving; and the top five digital platforms often used are Ctrip, Qunar, QQ, Weibo and WeChat, which could be effective tools for the promotion of Greek tourism in China. Originality/value – This research offers a first step to investigate the knowledge of Chinese tourists for the destination of Greece. The findings help to propose a strategic knowledge framework for the Greek tourism authorities so that Greece can become a more active player in the Chinese outbound tourism market.

scholarly journals Determination of Niclosamide and its Metabolites in Liver and Muscles of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Fingerlings

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Brankica Kartalović ◽  
Mira Pucarević ◽  
Zoran Marković ◽  
Marko Stanković ◽  
Nikolina Novakov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Common Carp ◽  
Cyprinus Carpio ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
The Body ◽  
Withdrawal Time ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
Common Carp Cyprinus Carpio ◽  
Carp Cyprinus Carpio

Background: Niclosamide is a medication used to treat tapeworm infestation in animals and humans. It is also lampricide and molluscicide, and can be used in in agriculture as a pesticide. In the treatment of parasitic diseases in fish, niclosamide can be used as bath or mixed with the feed. Its most important use in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is for the treatment of Bothriocephalus acheilognathi, which is a very common parasite in this fish species. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of niclosamide (NIC) and its metabolite 2-chloro 4-nitro aniline (CNA) and 5-chloro salycilic acid (CSA) in the liver and muscles of common carp fingerlings.Materials, Methods & Results: The fish for the experiment were obtained from Kapetanski Rit fish pond, and were acclimated to test conditions at 20.5 ± 1°C. Common carps with an average mass of 60 ± 10 g were treated with niclosamide in concentration of 2 g/kg of feed during five consecutive days. The experiment was performed in two treatments: one control and niclosamide, in three replications.  Each group contained of 30 fish, in 120 L polyethylene tanks. At the end of the treatment, the levels of niclosamide residues were determined using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis during over 13 days. The mean values of niclosamide and CNA concentrations in the muscles ranged from 27.7 µg/kg starting from the first day to <0.5 µg/kg on the 11th day and 14.2 µg/kg from the first day to <1 µg/kg on the 9th day. The CSA metabolite in muscles were <1 µg/kg during throughout the entire study. The niclosamide concentration in the liver were found to be 51.5 (30.2-61.8) µg/kg the first day and decreased proportionally to <0.5 µg/kg on the13th day. CNA level in the liver of treated Common Carps amounted to 170.1 (157-181) µg/kg on the first day and continuously declined until the 13th day when recorded values were <1 µg/kg. The CSA concentrations in the liver reached a maximum level of 11.5 (10.1-12.8) µg/kg on the 7th day and fell to <1 µg/kg on the 13th day.Discussion: Niclosamide use in fish is questionable, primarily due to the possible toxic effects on some aquatic organisms. In Serbia, niclosamide preparation for use in aquaculture, has been produced by Veterinarski zavod Subotica since 1984 when it was registred for the first time. Niclosamid degradation mechanism showed that the metabolism of niclosamide resulted in two main metabolites CNA and CSA. Withdrawal of niclosamide and its residues in the liver and muscle in the present investigation lasted from 9 to 13 days. This decrease in residues concentrations is expected and depends primarily on several factors such as the length and concentration of drug with which the fish is treated, biotransformation, excretion and decomposition of used drug. Niclosamide and CNA were proportionally decreased during the withdrawal time, while the CSA value increased to the seventh day although the fish during this period no longer consumed food with niclosamide, after which the value then decreased until the end of its elimination. This is also not unexpected because it is known that liver and gallbladder is a major organ for collection, storage and elimination of chemical residues. Although the treated fish received 2 mg of the niclosamide per g of feed for five consecutive days results obtained in this study indicate that the maximal residues concentrations were much lower than doses of niclosamide that each fish absorbed into the body. Data obtained during this study provided information about the concentration and withdrawal times of niclosamide and its residues CNA and CSA in the liver and muscles of common carp treated orally.

Benthic Egg Masses and Larval Development of Amblyosyllis Speciosa (Polychaeta: Syllidae)

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 1369-1372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Pernet
Keyword(s):  
Parental Care ◽  
The Body ◽  
Brood Chamber ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Maternal Parent ◽  
Boring Sponge ◽  
Friday Harbor ◽  
Bivalve Shell ◽  
Encrusting Sponges ◽  
Protection Of Embryos

Eggs of the syllid polychaete Atnblyosyllis speciosa are deposited in benthic gelatinous masses. Embryos and larvae develop within these masses until about three weeks after fertilization, after which they crawl or swim away and metamorphose. Only one other syllid, the Mediterranean Syllides edentula, has been reported to form benthic egg masses.While some syllid polychaetes spawn gametes freely into the water column where they are fertilized and develop without additional parental care, most species protect developing embryos in some fashion. Four modes of brood protection have been reported in the syllids. Protection of embryos within the ventral brood chamber of a planktonic adult is characteristic of members of the subfamily Autolytinae, and of some members of the Eusyllinae (Garwood, 1991). Physical attachment of embryos to the body of the maternal parent (external gestation) occurs in all members of the Exogoninae and in a few eusyllines (Heacox & Schroeder, 1978; Garwood, 1991). Viviparity is less common, having been reported in a few species in the subfamily Syllinae (Schroeder & Hermans, 1975; Ben-Eliahu, 1975) and in one exogonine (Pocklington & Hutcheson, 1983). Finally, the formation of benthic egg masses has been described in only one species, the eusylline Syllides edentula Claparède (Cognetti-Varriale, 1971).In this study the benthic egg masses and development of another eusylline, Amblyosyllis speciosa Izuka, 1912, are described. In December 1995, at the Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL), Washington, USA, five adult worms were found on a bivalve shell heavily infested with the boring sponge Cliona sp. Additional specimens and egg masses were collected in June 1996 and April-June 1997 from encrusting sponges on the FHL breakwater.

scholarly journals Reproductive ecology and behavior of Thoropa miliaris (Spix, 1824) (Anura, Leptodactylidae, Telmatobiinae)

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariovaldo Antonio Giaretta ◽  
Kátia Gomes Facure
Keyword(s):  
Paternal Care ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Rock Surface ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Short Supply ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Valid Taxon ◽  
And Behavior

Thoropa species are distributed in southern and southeastern Brazil and have semiterrestrial tadpoles on rocky environments. Herein, we provide further data on reproduction, paternal care and tadpole cannibalism in T. miliaris. Guarding males were tested for disturbances in their egg masses. Egg masses were laid in stripes of wet rock; eggs were in a single layer and were adhered to the rock surface, roots, and to one another. The tadpoles hatched between four and six days. The egg number in two egg masses was 750 and 1190; eggs were gray and the yolk were about 1.7 mm in diameter; 2.3 mm with the jelly capsule. Aggressive interactions were observed between males. Males remained with their egg masses during the night and reacted aggressively to the experimental disturbances. Late stage tadpoles were found cannibalizing eggs. An egg mass in a recently formed wet stripe died from drought. The strips of wet rock are the only places where eggs and tadpoles can develop and represent a limiting factor for reproduction because they occur in short supply. For the females, the selection of newly formed wet strips may represent a trade-off between the advantages of using places free of cannibalistic and/or competitive tadpoles and the risks of losing offspring by drought. Our results do not support Cycloramphinae as a valid taxon, indicating that the morphological and behavioral similarities between Thoropa and Cycloramphus species should be interpreted as convergence.

Variable sperm size and motility activation in the pipefish, Syngnathus abaster; adaptations to paternal care or environmental plasticity?

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 474 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. B. Dzyuba ◽  
K. J. W. Van Look ◽  
V. S. Kholodnyy ◽  
N. Satake ◽  
S. Cheung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Paternal Care ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
The Body ◽  
Brood Pouch ◽  
Ovarian Fluid ◽  
Sperm Duct ◽  
Sperm Activation ◽  
Egg Ratio ◽  
Sperm Size ◽  
Significant Distance

Like seahorses, some of the closely-related pipefish species (Family Syngnathidae) incubate their eggs within a male brood pouch. This has contributed to considerable confusion about sperm transfer mechanisms to the eggs; some authors have reported that ejaculates are released directly into water before they reach the eggs, while others have suggested that eggs are fertilised using spermatozoa deposited directly into the brood pouch via an internal sperm duct. Here we present anatomical evidence from the freshwater pipefish, Syngnathus abaster, showing not only that direct sperm deposition into the pouch is impossible, but that spermatozoa must somehow travel a significant distance (>4 mm) outside the body of the male, to reach and fertilise eggs in the pouch. We have also used several putative sperm-activating solutions to identify the type of environment most conducive to sperm activation. Spermatozoa released from the testis were active for a brief period (<5 min) in water or 150 mm saline, but showed prolonged (>25 min) motility in ovarian fluid. This suggests that spermatozoa are released into a mixture of ovarian fluid and eggs while the male and female are in close contact. Our data also suggest that the fertilisation mechanism is highly efficient (sperm : egg ratio <200 : 1) even though this pipefish species produces dimorphic spermatozoa (with long and short flagellae). The shorter (<40 μm) morphotypes were not capable of motility activation, and are therefore probably incapable of fertilisation. If so, the sperm : egg ratio reported here would represent an overestimate.

Breeding Biology of the Savannah Sparrow on Kent Island

The Auk ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara L. Dixon
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Herring Gulls ◽  
Savannah Sparrow ◽  
The Mean

Abstract I studied the breeding biology of the Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) on Kent Island, New Brunswick, Canada from 1964 through 1968. I estimated the breeding population to be 125-135 pairs $(412-445\ \text{individuals}/{\rm km}^{2})$. The mean number of nests produced per female, including those destroyed by predators, was 2.97. Clutch size ranged from 2 to 5. The mean clutch size based on 1,142 eggs in 284 nests of known clutch size was 4.02. Not only was the four-egg clutch most numerous but a greater percentage of eggs in the four-egg clutches hatched and the mean number of young fledged per nest was also highest. The mean incubation period was 12.2 days, the mean duration of nestling life was 9 days, and the approximate length of the breeding season as 52 days. The daily mortality rate of eggs was 11.9% and of nestlings 2.1%. Predation was the major factor affecting reproductive success; 50.5% of all nests located were destroyed by predators. The main nest predators were Common Crows and Herring Gulls. Of the nests destroyed by predators, 87.8% contained eggs rather than nestlings. The intense predation necessitated high nest replacement. The mean interval between the termination of one nest and the appearance of the first egg in the succeeding nest was 6.3 days. If successive nests are destroyed on the day incubation begins, it is hypothetically possible for a pair to produce four nests during a single breeding season; many birds in the population produce at least three. Although enough time was available for birds to fledge two broods in a season, few of them fledged more than one. Thus, the nesting success was low (success from egg to hatching 18.1%). High nest replacement compensated for high egg mortality, and an average of 2.16 young per pair were fledged per season.

Path analysis of body weight in grower and finisher pigs

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. S. Machebe ◽  
A. G. Ezekwe ◽  
G. C. Okeke ◽  
S. Banik
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Path Analysis ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Selection Index ◽  
The Body ◽  
White Female ◽  
Path Coefficient ◽  
Large White ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Biometric Measurements

The aim of this study was to set up direct and indirect casual effects between body weight and biometric measurements of breeding gilts at growing and finishing stages of production using path analysis. Body weights of 50 crossbred (Landrace x Large White) female pigs were measured along with four biometric traits (body length, heart girth, flank-to-flank, height-at-withers) on each animal during growing and finishing stages of production. A computed mean of 1150 measurements per biometric trait taken during the entire study was subjected to path coefficient analysis using the correlation matrix approach. High positive and significant correlations (>84.3%) were observed between different biometric measurements. However, path analysis of these traits on body weight of pigs revealed that heart girth is the major contributor to the body weight of the pig with a higher amount of direct effect of 0.6539 (R2 = 95.25). The direct effects of body length and flank-to-flank measurements on body weight of the pigs were less. These traits mostly affect body weight indirectly via heart girth. Finding of the present investigation demonstrated that heart girth was the most important contributor to body weight of grower and finisher pigs and thus was recommended for quick estimation of body weight of breeding gilts under field or market conditions than other biometric traits. In addition, it could also be used for the construction of selection index for breeding gilts at both phases of growth.

scholarly journals The Kestrel Falco tinnunculus in Slovenia – a review of its distribution, population density, movements, breeding biology, diet and interactions with other species / Postovka Falco tinnunculus v Sloveniji – pregled njene razširjenosti, populacijske gostote, disperzije, gnezditvene biologije, prehrane in interakcij z drugimi vrstami

Acrocephalus ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (152-153) ◽  
pp. 5-24
Author(s):  
Tanja Šumrada ◽  
Jurij Hanžel
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Population Estimate ◽  
Falco Tinnunculus ◽  
Hunting Behaviour ◽  
Breeding Distribution

The paper discusses the breeding and non-breeding distribution and population density of the Kestrel Falco tinnunculus in Slovenia, its movements, breeding biology, hunting behaviour, diet and interactions with other species. The data were collected from published works and directly from observers. The species’ breeding distribution is shown as a comparison of both national breeding bird atlases, which indicated no convincing changes in its distribution. The non-breeding season population estimate (1,000-2,000 ind.) is lower than the breeding population estimate (1,500-2,000 pairs). The Kestrel breeds at altitudes from 0 to 2,050 m a.s.l.; outside the breeding season, it has been observed at altitudes of up to 1,700 m a.s.l. At least part of the breeding population migrates, apparently more or less towards SSW. The breeding season lasts from February to July. It nests in trees, buildings, cliffs, nestboxes and on electricity pylons. In trees it uses abandoned nests of corvids. On buildings it nests mainly on ledges and in various openings. It often nests on industrial and residential buildings. On cliffs it nests in natural openings and in abandoned nests of other species. It lays 3-9 eggs, usually five. It hunts over open terrain by windhovering, active aerial pursuit and stooping onto the ground from perches. It feeds mainly on small mammals and, to a lesser extent, on passerines, reptiles and invertebrates. It interacts with other species during hunting, nest-site selection and breeding itself. Platyhelminthic, nematode, ixodid and insect parasites have all been recorded on the Kestrel

Breeding Biology of the Puerto Rican Sharp-Shinned Hawk (Accipiter Striatus Venator)

The Auk ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Delannoy ◽  
Alexander Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
Territorial Conflicts ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Accipiter Striatus ◽  
Breeding Attempt

Abstract We studied the breeding biology of the Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus venator ) in Maricao forest of western Puerto Rico from 1978 to 1985. Sharp-shinned Hawks are year-round residents and establish nesting territories only during the breeding season, which coincides with the dry and beginning of the wet seasons. Nesting sites were occupied in December and January every year and reoccupancy rates were 50% or higher. Prolonged and intense territorial conflicts between mated and unmated males were common. The onset of egg-laying was in late March or early April approximately 3-4 months after occupancy of nesting sites. Laying of first clutches peaked in early April and spanned 38 days (n = 19 clutches). Laying of second clutches occurred irregularly and spanned 55 days (n = 8 clutches). Females renested only after the initial clutch or brood was lost. The incubation period was 32 days (n = 13 clutches), similar to the duration reported in temperate North America. Nestling females attained larger asymptotic mass than males, but the latter grew faster; although the slopes of the regression lines were statistically homogeneous. Males fledged at an average age of 28.2 days and females at 32.1 days. Young were slightly heavier than adults at fledging, but the wing chord and tail lengths were approximately 50% shorter than those of adults. Fledging occurred at the peak of prey abundance. The breeding cycle in Puerto Rico was approximately 2 months longer than that recorded in Oregon and Utah. The time that elapsed from occupancy of nesting sites to egg laying accounted for the differences. Juveniles departed from nesting sites when prey was still abundant but delivery rates had declined considerably. A total of 105 eggs was laid in 40 nests (average clutch size 2.6), of which 63% hatched and 47% of the nestlings fledged. A total of 0.8 young fledged per breeding attempt. Overall nest success was 29%, 36% (n = 33 nests) in first nesting attempts and 0% in second nesting attempts (n = 9 nests). Most reproductive losses in 28 nests resulted from nestling mortality from Philornis sp. (Diptera, Muscidae) (n = 9) and desertion of clutches (n = 11). Fecundity and reproductive success was lower in Puerto Rico than in Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. Despite low reproductive success in Maricao forest, the breeding population did not decline during our study.

scholarly journals Multiple and Extra-Pair Mating in a Pair-Living Hermaphrodite, the Intertidal Limpet Siphonaria gigas

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L B Schaefer ◽  
John H Christy ◽  
Peter B Marko
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Parentage Analysis ◽  
Rocky Intertidal ◽  
Tropical Eastern Pacific ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity ◽  
Pair Mating ◽  
Reproductive Cycles ◽  
Extra Pair Mating

Synopsis Pair-living is a common social system found across animal taxa, and the relationship between pair-living and reproduction varies greatly among species. Siphonaria gigas, hermaphroditic pulmonate gastropods, often live in pairs in the rocky intertidal zone of the tropical Eastern Pacific. Combining genetic parentage analysis using four polymorphic microsatellite loci with behavioral observations from a 10-week field study, we provide the first description of the mating system of a Siphonaria species incorporating genetic data. S. gigas mated both within-pair and extra-pair and three out of four paired S. gigas individuals produced egg masses with extra-pair paternity. Multiple paternity was detected, but at a relatively low frequency (19% of egg masses) compared to other marine gastropods. Behavioral data indicate one potential advantage of pair-living: paired S. gigas produced almost twice as many egg masses as their solitary counterparts over four reproductive cycles. These observations, together with constraints on the movement of S. gigas, suggest that pairing may ensure mate access and increase reproductive success.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document