LATERAL PLATE VARIATION IN GALICIAN STICKLEBACK POPULATIONS IN THE RIVERS MIÑO AND LIMIA, NW SPAIN

Behaviour ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 137 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 965-979 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
E. San Miguel ◽  
◽  

AbstractWe examined lateral plate variation in populations of stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, from the rivers Miño and Limia in Galicia (Northwest Spain), by analysing morphs, number of lateral plates, and position of the plates. In order to test for sexual dimorphism, the means and variances of plates were compared in males and females of some populations. No significant differences were found between sexes, therefore all remaining populations were analysed without controlling for sex. As stickleback populations in Galicia have an annual life span, the populations from the river Miño were divided in two age groups to compare lateral plate number. Analysis of each group revealed significant differences among populations, in accordance with the large amount of variation found in populations from other regions. Analysis of samples collected from the same place and at the same time of year, but in different years, indicated that there was little year to year variation. This suggests that populations are well adapted to their habitat, or that environmental conditions did not change significantly during the period of sampling. Finally, we propose a new method for the evaluation of scute variation analysis of the position of lateral plates. Cluster analysis of our data clearly differentiated populations from the rivers Miño and Limia.

Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdel-Khalek ◽  
Maysa al Nyal ◽  
Hanan Saeed

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of insomnia, differences between males and females, and between two age groups, and to explore the factorial structure of the Arabic Scale of Insomnia (ASI). Samples of university students (n=500) and employees (n=457) of both sexes were recruited. Female university students obtained the highest mean total score on the ASI, followed by female employees, male university students, and finally male employees. The salient significant differences were between female students and male employees and between male and female employees. Despite the differences in the prevalence rate of insomnia between the four groups, they all agreed on that the least prevalence rate was for the item: “I feel depressed when it is time for me to go to bed, whereas the highest prevalence rate was for the item: “My interrupted sleep annoys me.” Principle components analysis yielded three factors for each group. Most of their names were not identical. The most salient finding of this study was the statistically significant sex differences in insomnia in favor of women. It was concluded that is it important to introduce counseling for those who obtained high scores on the ASI. 


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 638 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Salehi ◽  
I. Kadim ◽  
O. Mahgoub ◽  
Sh. Negahdari ◽  
R. S. Eshraghi Naeeni

This study evaluated the potential of two goat types (hairy and cashmere) for quality and quantity of skin and leather production. Goat skins (200: males n = 80, and females n = 120) of two age groups (<1 year, n = 80; and 1–5 years, n = 120) representing two genotypes (hairy and cashmere) were used. There were significant differences between hairy and cashmere goats for skin area (43.7 ± 0.9 and 41.8 ± 0.9 dm2; P = 0.04). Cashmere goat leather had significantly higher values for thickness (1.01 ± 0.01 vs 0.96 ± 0.01 mm; P = 0.05) and percentage extension (66.4 ± 0.9 vs 63.1 ± 0.9%; P = 0.04) than hairy goat leather. There were no type effects on leather weight (P = 0.3), area or dimension (P = 0.6–0.1), breaking force (P = 0.8), or tensile strength (P = 0.06). Male goats had significantly (P < 0.0001) heavier skins (1288 ± 26.4 vs 804 ± 23.3 g) with greater area (49.2 ± 0.9 vs 35.3 ± 0.9 dm2) and greater thickness at all sites measured than females. In addition, male goats had significantly (P < 0.0001) heavier leather (568.1 ± 13.5 vs 321.2 ± 11.6 g) with greater area (71.4 ± 0.9 vs 53.8 ± 0.9 dm2), length (96.3 ± 1.1 vs 83.1 ± 0.9 cm), and width (65.4 ± 0.7 vs 60.8 ± 0.6 cm). Leather from male goats had significantly (P < 0.0001) higher breaking force (32.9 ± 0.8 vs 23.2 ± 0.7 kg), tensile strength (296.5 ± 5.6 vs 264.2 ± 4.9 kg force/cm2), and percentage extension (68.5 ± 1.0 vs 61.0 ± 0.9%) than females. Adult goats had significantly heavier (P < 0.0001) skins and leather with greater (P < 0.0001) area and greater (P = 0.0006–< 0.0001) leather thickness at all sites measured than kids. Leather from adult goats had significantly higher values for breaking force (29.6 ± 0.7 vs 26.5 ± 0.8 kg; P = 0.001) and percentage extension (66.6 ± 0.9 vs 62.9 ± 1.0%; P = 0.006), but tensile strength was not significantly different (283.6 ± 5.1 vs 276.4 ± 5.1 kg force/cm2; P = 0.3). The region of sampling had significant (P < 0.0001) effects on physical properties of goat leather. The skin form hip, top shoulder, and back regions had highest thickness, followed by the rib and belt. Leather samples from shoulder showed significantly greater (P < 0.0001) breaking force and tensile strength (31.7 ± 0.7 kg, 313.4 ± 4.6 kg force/cm2) than hip (24.7 ± 0.7 kg, 226.6 ± 4.6 kg force/cm2) and rib (25.4 ± 0.7 kg, 294.4 ± 4.6 kg force/cm2), but had less extension (59.0 ± 0.9 vs 68.0 ± 0.9 and 65.4 ± 0.9%; P < 0.0001). Samples taken parallel to the backbone had significantly (P < 0.0001) higher force and strength (31.2 ± 0.7 kg, 314.3 ± 4.3 kg force/cm2) than perpendicular samples (23.4 ± 0.7 kg, 241.9 ± 4.3 kg force/cm2), although they showed smaller (P < 0.0001) percentage extension (59.9 ± 0.9, 68.4 ± 0.9%). Phenotypic correlation estimates among studied traits ranged from +0.4 for physical characteristics of leather with weight and area to +0.9 among weight, area, and thickness of skin and leather. This study showed that skin and leather differences were greater between males and females, and between kids and adults, than between hairy and cashmere goats.


1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1140-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey V. Baumgartner

Differentiation with respect to two functional components of morphology, the defensive complex and overall body form, was studied in a population of threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from the Brush Creek drainage, a small coastal system in northern California with high- and low-gradient habitats. The vast majority of body-shape differences among localities was accounted for by size-related allometric variation, the differences being closely related to overall growth trends. Relative to general body size, small individuals had long spines and fins whereas larger individuals tended to be deep bodied and have shorter fins and shorter spines. Significant size-independent differentiation with respect to the defensive complex and overall body form was also observed. The spatial pattern of differentiation in the components of the defensive complex changed dramatically over the period of study, possibly in response to natural selection. Stable stepped clines for overall body form and lateral-plate morph ratio were observed. Both clines were centered on the ecotone between high- and low-gradient habitats, and were apparently maintained by differential selection in alternative stream-gradient habitats despite gene flow across the ecotone. Sticklebacks from the high-gradient habitat had a continuous row of lateral plates, were elongate, and had long fins, whereas those from the low-gradient or standing-water habitat tended to have only abdominal plates, were more robust through the midbody, and had shorter fins. The results of this study and previous work suggest that various aspects of stickleback morphology may respond independently and rapidly to different evolutionary forces and be functionally related to hydrodynamics.


Behaviour ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 137 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1097-1112 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  

AbstractFluctuating asymmetry (FA) has been used as a measure of developmental stability across many taxa, with asymmetric individuals presumed to have reduced fitness. FA has also been suggested for use in conservation biology as a measure of the health of populations. Here we assess the suitability of these uses of FA by using a novel measure of asymmetry in the bony lateral plates of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from 60 insular and endemic freshwater populations from the Queen Charlotte Islands. The frequency of asymmetric G. aculeatus individuals among populations varied from 1% to 76% with a mean of 42%. Extreme variation in the frequency of asymmetries among lateral plate positions within samples was also observed. Plates important to the structural integrity of predator defences were least asymmetric, either due to selection against asymmetry at these positions or to variation in the temporal development of the plates. These results emphasize the need for caution when interpreting differential levels of FA among traits in individuals and populations, as the differences may be due to variation in the strength or direction of selection for symmetry, and not exclusively to differences in fitness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-49
Author(s):  
Elyssa Fenton ◽  
Amy Bustin ◽  
Antje Muntendam

AbstractThis paper examines the intonation of broad focus declaratives in the Afro-Peruvian Spanish spoken in Chincha, based on two elicitation tasks. The objectives were to investigate the intonation of Afro-Peruvian Spanish broad focus declaratives, as compared to non-Afro-Peruvian Spanish, and to compare the findings across genders and age groups.The data came from a Story Builder Action Cards task and a Frog Story task. The participants were thirteen Afro-Peruvians (seven female; 21–54 years), who were divided in two age groups. For comparison, data were collected from three speakers who did not identify as Afro-Peruvian. The data were analyzed in Praat, following Spanish ToBI. Specifically, pitch accents in prenuclear and nuclear positions, and intermediate and final boundary tones were analyzed.The results showed a lack of downstepping in prenuclear and nuclear positions, early-aligned peaks in prenuclear position, a high frequency of falling tones, high and rising boundary tones, and circumflex contours. These characteristics were found in males and females, and younger and older speakers, suggesting that the characteristics of Afro-Peruvian Spanish intonation are not limited to elderly male speakers as suggested in previous research. Interestingly, circumflex contours were especially frequent in younger males, possibly as a marker of their identity.


e-GIGI ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoghi B. Prabowo ◽  
Haliza Ermanto ◽  
Tira H. Skripsa ◽  
Edward K. S. Limijadi ◽  
Rizky M. Boedi

Abstract: Up to now, there are still residents of Indonesia who do not have legal documents supporting age information. Hence, proving the age of a person concerning some reasons becomes difficult. Third molar development could be used as an indicator to estimate the age in adolescents if legal documents are not available. This study was aimed to prove the difference in the development of third molars between individuals aged above and below 19 years using the third molar maturity index (I3M) method. Third molar development calculations were performed on 112 digital OPG photographs (71 females and 41 males) of patients aged 16- <24 years. Samples were divided into two age groups, namely <19 years and ≥19 years. We performed comparison tests to analyze the differences between groups and genders against I3M. The results showed significant differences between the development of third molars in individuals aged above and below 19 years according to I3M values. Meanwhile, there was no significant differences in I3M values between males and females. Males experienced faster third molar development than females in the age group <19 years. In conclusion, the I3M method can be used to differentiate the development of third molars in individuals aged above and below 19 years. Further research could be carried out by using a larger number of samples and setting a threshold of I3M for the age of 19 among Indonesian population.Keywords: dental age estimation, third molar, I3M method Abstrak: Pada saat ini, masih ada penduduk Indonesia yang tidak memiliki dokumen legal pendukung informasi usia sehingga terdapat kesulitan dalam membuktikan usia seseorang untuk berbagai kebutuhan. Pertumbuhan molar ketiga dapat digunakan sebagai indikator untuk melakukan estimasi usia pada remaja bila dokumen legal tidak tersedia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuktikan perbedaan pertumbuhan molar ketiga pada individu berusia di atas dan di bawah 19 tahun dengan metode third molar maturity index (I3M). Perhitungan pertumbuhan molar ketiga dilakukan pada 112 foto OPG digital (71 wanita dan 41 pria) dari pasien berusia 16- <24 tahun. Sampel dibagi menjadi dua kelompok usia, yaitu <19 tahun dan ≥19 tahun. Uji beda dilakukan untuk menganalisis perbedaan antar kelompok dan jenis kelamin terhadap I3M. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan perbedaan bermakna antara pertumbuhan molar ketiga pada individu berusia di atas dan di bawah 19 tahun. Tidak terdapat perbedaan bermakna pada nilai I3M pada pria dan wanita. Pria ditemukan mengalami pertumbuhan molar ketiga yang lebih cepat dari wanita pada kelompok usia <19 tahun. Simpulan penelitian ini ialah metode I3M dapat digunakan untuk membedakan pertumbuhan molar ketiga pada individu berusia di atas dan di bawah 19 tahun. Disarankan penelitian lanjut dengan menggunakan jumlah sampel yang lebih besar dan dilakukan penetapan batas ambang I3M untuk usia 19 tahun pada populasi Indonesia.Kata kunci: estimasi usia dental, molar ketiga, metode I3M


1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Craig Sargent ◽  
Michael A. Bell ◽  
William H. Krueger ◽  
Jeffrey V. Baumgartner

We examined samples of Gasterosteus wheatlandi collected in coastal marine waters from northern Maine to southern New York. Gasterosteus wheatlandi exhibited remarkable variation in lateral plate number, including phenotypes similar to the low, partial, and complete morphs described in Gasterosteus aculeatus. Partials and completes, however, seemed to represent a continuum, thus we could only recognize two discreet phenotypes, low and partial–complete. The low phenotype predominated strongly north of Cape Cod and was rare or absent south of it. Within both phenotypes mean plate number increased toward the southern end of the range; thus, both lateral plate number and lateral plate phenotype exhibited a pronounced step-cline. We found significant sexual dimorphism among localities for total lateral plates and for a suite of other morphological characters. Both sexes had higher mean vertebral counts north of Cape Cod, a trend which ran counter to the cline in lateral plates. The pervasive sexual dimorphism in G. wheatlandi, and the fact that latitudinal variation in lateral plates ran counter to the trend in G. aculeatus, suggest that different processes may be responsible for maintaining the geographical variation in these two species.


1993 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Perlman ◽  
J. G. Schultz ◽  
D. J. VanDaele

Oropharyngeal pressure during swallowing was studied in a total of 40 healthy adult males and females in two age groups (21–27 yr and 62–75 yr). Effects of bolus volume, bolus viscosity, age, and gender were analyzed, and dry and bolus swallows were compared. The duration of the intrabolus pressure, reflecting the pressure exerted by the tongue on the bolus and preceding the generation of the pharyngeal pressure, was significantly affected by bolus volume. The duration of oropharyngeal pressure was affected by age, gender, and bolus type (bolus vs. dry swallow). Peak oropharyngeal pressure was not affected by any of the test factors, although there was a tendency for older subjects to have higher pressures than young subjects.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paloma González-Peña ◽  
Begoña Delgado Egido ◽  
Miguel Á. Carrasco ◽  
Francisco Pablo Holgado Tello

AbstractThis study’s objective is to analyze temperament and parenting variables as they relate to proactive and reactive aggression in children. To be specific, profiles based on these variables were analyzed in children with high levels of proactive versus reactive aggression. The sample was made up of two groups: 482 children (52.3% boys) between 1 and 3 years-old, and 422 children (42.42% boys) 3 to 6 years-old. Statistical analyses of the two age groups included: Pearson´s correlations to explore the relationships among variables, Cluster Analysis to create groups with different levels of aggression, and finally discriminant analysis to determine which variables discriminate between groups. The results show that high levels of frustration/negative affect in the 1–3 year-old group and low effortful control in children 3 to 6 years old are the most relevant variables in differentiating between aggressive and non-aggressive subjects. Nevertheless, differential profiles of subjects with high levels of proactive versus reactive aggression were not observed. The implications of these different types of aggression in terms of development and prevention are discussed.


1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
pp. 2632-2638 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Lavin ◽  
J. D. Mcphail

To assess interpopulation levels of morphological variability populations of Gasterosteus aculeatus were sampled from lakes within the upper Cowichan River system (Vancouver Island, British Columbia). Phenotypic divergence between populations is assumed to be a postglacial event. Nine characters were scored; eight were related to feeding and the ninth character was lateral plate number. All populations were the low plate morph; however, populations of Gasterosteus in lakes lacking piscivorous fish had significantly fewer lateral plates than populations in lakes with predatory fish species. Two distinct trophic "morphotypes" were identified, each one associated with a specific lake environment. Populations inhabiting benthic-dominated environments were found to possess reduced gill raker number and reduced gill raker length but increased upper jaw length relative to populations from limnetic environments. We propose that the interpopulation variability in trophic morphology is a response to trophic resource differences between lakes.


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