Intraspecific variation in tree lizard escape behaviour in relation to habitat and temperature

Behaviour ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 157 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia L. Morris ◽  
Matthew S. Lattanzio

Abstract Optimal escape theory has proven useful for understanding the dynamics of antipredator behaviour in animals; however, approaches are often limited to single-population studies. We studied how the escape behaviour of tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus) varied across a disturbance gradient. We also considered how sex, body temperature, and perch temperature affected their escape decisions. Both sexes exhibited similar response patterns; however, lizards in the most-disturbed habitat, as well as cooler (body or perch temperature) lizards, initiated escape earlier (but did not flee further) than other animals. Increased wariness as indicated by earlier escape suggests that frequently-disturbed, more-open localities may be stressful habitats for species like U. ornatus. In addition, because cooler temperatures limit locomotor performance capacity, escape decisions should also depend on a species’ thermal ecology. Overall, we stress the importance of multi-population approaches for capturing the variety of ways species adaptively respond to the threat of predation across habitat gradients.

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 97.1-98
Author(s):  
S. Shoop-Worrall ◽  
K. Hyrich ◽  
L. Wedderburn ◽  
W. Thomson ◽  
N. Geifman

Background:In children and young people (CYP) with JIA, we have previously identified clusters with different patterns of disease impact following methotrexate (MTX) initiation. It is unclear whether clusters of treatment response following etanercept (ETN) therapy exist and whether, in a group of CYP who have responded inadequately to or had adverse events on methotrexate, similar treatment response patterns exist. Novel response patterns would aid stratified treatment approaches through better understanding and potential forecasting of more specific response patterns across multiple domains of disease.Objectives:To identify and characterise trajectories of juvenile arthritis disease activity score (JADAS) components following ETN initiation for JIA.Methods:ETN-naïve CYP with non-systemic JIA were selected if enrolled prior to January 2019 in at least one of four CLUSTER consortium studies: BSPAR-ETN, BCRD, CAPS and CHARMS, at point of starting ETN as their first biological therapy. JADAS components (active joint count, physician’s global assessment (0-10cm), parental global evaluation (0-10cm) and standardised ESR (0-10) were collected at ETN initiation and during the following year.Multivariate group-based trajectory models, that identify clusters of CYP with similar patterns of change over time, were used to explore ETN response clusters across the different JADAS components. Censored-normal (global scores, ESR) and zero-inflated Poisson (active joint count) models were used, adjusting for year of ETN initiation. Optimal models were selected based on a combination of model fit (BIC), parsimony, and clinical plausibility.Results:Of the 1003 CYP included, the majority were female (70%) and of white ethnicity (90%), with rheumatoid factor-negative JIA the most common disease category (39%).The optimal model identified five trajectory clusters of disease activity following initiation of ETN (Figure 1). Clusters following ETN were similar and covered similar proportions of CYP to those previously identified following MTX: Fast (Group 1: 13%) and Slow (Group 2: 10%) response, active joint count improves but either physician (Group 3: 6%) or parent global scores (Group 4: 34%) remain persistently raised and a group with persistent raised scores across all JADAS components (Group 5: 36%). Compared to the persistent disease cluster, those with greater improvement had lower age and higher functional ability at ETN initiation and those with persistent raised parent global scores had lower ESR levels and were less likely to be RF-positive at ETN initiation.Figure 1.Clusters identified following ETN initiation in children and young people recruited to the UK BSPAR-ETN, BCRD, CAPS and CHARMS studies.Conclusion:This study has identified that within CYP initiating ETN, similar response clusters are evident to those previously identified following MTX. This commonality suggests a new framework for understanding treatment response, beyond a simple responder/non-responder analysis at a set point, which applies across multiple drugs despite different mechanisms of action and previous unfavourable treatment outcomes. Understanding both clinical factors associated with, and biological mechanisms underpinning, these clusters would aid stratified medicine in JIA.Acknowledgements:We thank the children, young people and families involved in CLUSTER, as well as clinical staff, administrators and data management teams. Funding for CLUSTER has been provided by generous grants from the MRC, Versus Arthritis, GOSH children’s charity, Olivia’s vision and the NIHR Manchester and GOSH BRC schemes.Disclosure of Interests:Stephanie Shoop-Worrall: None declared, Kimme Hyrich Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Grant/research support from: BMS, UCB, Pfizer, Lucy Wedderburn Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Sobi, Wendy Thomson Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Sobi, Nophar Geifman Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Sobi


2021 ◽  
pp. 026765832199387
Author(s):  
Shuo Feng

The Interface Hypothesis proposes that second language (L2) learners, even at highly proficient levels, often fail to integrate information at the external interfaces where grammar interacts with other cognitive systems. While much early L2 work has focused on the syntax–discourse interface or scalar implicatures at the semantics–pragmatics interface, the present article adds to this line of research by exploring another understudied phenomenon at the semantics–pragmatics interface, namely, presuppositions. Furthermore, this study explores both inference computation and suspension via a covered-box picture-selection task. Specifically, this study investigates the interpretation of a presupposition trigger stop and stop under negation. The results from 38 native English speakers and 41 first language (L1) Mandarin Chinese learners of English indicated similar response patterns between native and L2 groups in computing presuppositions but not in suspending presuppositions. That is, L2 learners were less likely to suspend presuppositions than native speakers. This study contributes to a more precise understanding of L2 acquisition at the external interface level, as well as computation and suspension of pragmatic inferences.


1985 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Wood ◽  
Helen Madill

This article concludes a two-part review of graduate education in occupational therapy, with the results of a survey of 309 therapists and 68 administrators from the prairie provinces. Three areas were included in the mail questionnaire: graduate program components, potential demand, and factors likely to affect enrolment. Therapists and administrators had remarkably similar response patterns on desirable program components. Therapists expressed a need for graduate level education and administrators indicated a need for therapists with graduate degrees. Therapists indicated a variety of family and financial factors limiting their ability to enroll in graduate study. A small number of administrators indicated that assistance was available.


Behaviour ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Pooja Panwar ◽  
Pilar Angélica Gómez-Ruiz ◽  
Matthew N. Zipple ◽  
Luis Sandoval

Abstract Studies on the impact of human activity on animal behaviour are critical for understanding the extent to which humans affect ecological dynamics. Previous studies have found that human presence alters antipredator behaviours, which can be measured by flight initiation distance (FID). We investigated escape behaviour of 96 black iguanas (Ctenosaura similis) across a gradient of human disturbance in six sites inside a protected area in Costa Rica. We used a field experiment to test for effect of human disturbance on FID. We found that individuals from higher disturbance sites had shorter FIDs, meaning that black iguanas from disturbed areas allow closer approaches. This finding is consistent with the prediction that some animals become more habituated to human presence as the degree of human disturbance increases. We propose that black iguanas’ ability to alter their behaviour in response to humans’ presence could make them especially adept at invading new environments.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-393
Author(s):  
Peter Mikula ◽  
Emma Nelson ◽  
Piotr Tryjanowski ◽  
Tomáš Albrecht

Abstract Escape behaviour is a common antipredator strategy of lizards. Here, we studied the effect of several variables predicted to have a potential effect on escape behaviour of lizards. Specifically, we measured the effects of starting distance (SD), distance to cover, sex–age and the observer’s head orientation on flight initiation distance (FID) in the common agama Agama agama. Agamas were approached in urban localities in Limbe city, Cameroon, where they were habituated to the presence of humans. We found no association between FID and SD, but individuals closer to potential cover had shorter FID than individuals farther from a refuge. Juveniles escaped later than adults, but no significant differences were found in the FID between adult males and females. Head direction of the approaching observer had no effect on FID. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study investigating factors affecting FID in common agamas, extending our knowledge of risk-related behaviour in lizards of the Old World tropics.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Lehsten ◽  
K. Tansey ◽  
H. Balzter ◽  
K. Thonicke ◽  
A. Spessa ◽  
...  

Abstract. We developed a technique for studying seasonal and interannual variation in pyrogenic carbon emissions from Africa using a modelling approach that scales burned area estimates from L3JRC, a map recently generated from remote sensing of burn scars instead of active fires. Carbon fluxes were calculated by the novel fire model SPITFIRE embedded within the dynamic vegetation model framework LPJ-GUESS, using daily climate input. For the time period from 2001 to 2005 an average area of 195.5±24×104 km2 was burned annually, releasing an average of 723±70 Tg C to the atmosphere; these estimates for the biomass burned are within the range of previously published estimates. Despite the fact that the majority of wildfires are ignited by humans, strong relationships between climatic conditions (particularly precipitation), net primary productivity and overall biomass burnt emerged. Our investigation of the relationships between burnt area and carbon emissions and their potential drivers available litter and precipitation revealed uni-modal responses to annual precipitation, with a maximum around 1000 mm for burned area and emissions, or 1200 mm for litter availability. Similar response patterns identified in savannahs worldwide point to precipitation as a chief determinant for short-term variation in fire regime. A considerable variability that cannot be explained by fire-precipitation relationships alone indicates the existence of additional factors that must be taken into account.


Ecology ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 2059-2062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert T. M'Closkey ◽  
Keith A. Baia ◽  
Ronald W. Russell

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