scholarly journals Tadpole-transporting frogs use stagnant water odor to find pools in the rainforest

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley J. Serrano-Rojas ◽  
Andrius Pašukonis
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Resource Limitation ◽  
Offspring Survival ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Stagnant Water ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Odor Cues ◽  
Allobates Femoralis ◽  
Initial Discovery

Breeding sites are often a limited and ephemeral resource for rainforest frogs. This resource limitation has driven the evolution of diverse reproductive strategies that increase offspring survival. For example, poison frogs shuttle their tadpoles from terrestrial clutches to aquatic rearing sites, using various cues to assess pool suitability. Yet, how frogs find new pools is unknown. We tested the role of odor cues in the process of finding tadpole deposition sites by the poison frog Allobates femoralis. We created 60 artificial pools grouped into three conditions: stagnant water, tadpole water, and clean water control. Fifteen pools were discovered within six days, with more tadpoles and more frogs directly observed at pools with stagnant odor cues. Our findings suggest that frogs use odor cues associated with stagnant water for the initial discovery of new breeding pools. These cues may be good indicators of pool stability and increased likelihood of tadpole survival.

scholarly journals The Possible Role of the Uropygial Gland on Mate Choice in Domestic Chicken

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Hirao
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Individual Recognition ◽  
Copulatory Behavior ◽  
Uropygial Gland ◽  
Odor Cues ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Efferent Projections ◽  
Opposite Sex

In avian mating systems, male domestic fowls are polygamous and mate with a number of selected members of the opposite sex. The factors that influence mating preference are considered to be visual cues. However, several studies have indicated that chemosensory cues also affect socio-sexual behavior, including mate choice and individual recognition. The female uropygial gland appears to provide odor for mate choice, as uropygial gland secretions are specific to individual body odor. Chicken olfactory bulbs possess efferent projections to the nucleus taeniae that are involved in copulatory behavior. From various reports, it appears that the uropygial gland has the potential to act as the source of social odor cues that dictate mate choice. In this review, evidence for the possible role of the uropygial gland on mate choice in domestic chickens is presented. However, it remains unclear whether a relationship exists between the uropygial gland and major histocompatibility complex-dependent mate choice.

scholarly journals Larvicidal effect of some natural products on mosquito and some aquatic predators in Gezira State, Sudan: Field assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 078-082
Author(s):  
Abdelmonem Eltiyab Houmida Ali ◽  
Mutaman Ali A. Kehail
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Mosquito Larvae ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Stagnant Water ◽  
Source Reduction ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Field Assessment ◽  
Neem Leaves ◽  
Aquatic Predators

There are many methods used for mosquito control. Depending on the situation, source reduction (removing stagnant water), bio-control (importing natural predators), trapping, and insecticides to kill larvae or adults may be used. Some aquatic predators were reputed as biological control agents for mosquito larvae. Hence they have to be considered when experimenting on the lethal effects of any material on mosquito larvae. The objectives of this study were to study the effects of neem leaves and usher latex against Anopheles and Culex larvae and some of their aquatic predators (hemipteran boatman (HB), tadpole (T), swimming beetle larvae (SBL) and adult (SBA) and mayfly naiad (MF)) in some breeding sites around Wad Medani Town. Gezira State, Sudan. Two villages were selected for conducting this study. The count of the mosquito larvae and the aquatic predators continued for four days from applying natural products. The results showed that, mosquito’s larvae were affected more than the aquatic by Neem leaves and Ushar latex. The study of the microclimates in the breeding sites will help to correlate toxicity to any level of any environmental factor.

scholarly journals Water-filled Asian elephant tracks serve as breeding sites for anurans in Myanmar

Mammalia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-289
Author(s):  
Steven G. Platt ◽  
David P. Bickford ◽  
Myo Min Win ◽  
Thomas R. Rainwater
Keyword(s):  
Loxodonta Africana ◽  
Ecosystem Engineering ◽  
Asian Elephant ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Elephas Maximus ◽  
Stepping Stones ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Loxodonta Cyclotis ◽  
And Function

Abstract Elephants are widely recognized as ecosystem engineers. To date, most research on ecosystem engineering by elephants has focused on Loxodonta africana and Loxodonta cyclotis, and the role of Elephas maximus is much less well-known. We here report observations of anuran eggs and larva in water-filled tracks (n=20) of E. maximus in Myanmar. Our observations suggest that water-filled tracks persist for >1 year and function as small lentic waterbodies that provide temporary, predator-free breeding habitat for anurans during the dry season when alternate sites are unavailable. Trackways could also function as “stepping stones” that connect anuran populations.

scholarly journals Influence of strategic points in the dispersion of Aedes aegypti in infested areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerson Laurindo Barbosa ◽  
Mariana De Oliveira Lage ◽  
Valmir Roberto Andrade ◽  
Antônio Henrique Alves Gomes ◽  
Jose Alberto Quintanilha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Spatial Statistics ◽  
Random Distribution ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Control Area ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Vector Control Program

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether sites with large amount of potential breeding sites for immature forms of Aedes aegypti, called strategic points, influence in the active vector’s dispersion into properties in their surroundings. METHODS: We selected four areas in the municipality of Campinas, three of them with strategic points classified as high, moderate, and low risk according to infestation and a control area, without strategic points. Between October 2015 and September 2016, we monthly installed oviposition traps and evaluated the infestation by Ae. aegypti in all properties of each selected area. To verify if there was vector dispersion from each strategic point, based on its location, we investigated the formation of clusters with excess of eggs or larvae or pupae containers, using the Gi spatial statistics. RESULTS: The amount of eggs collected in the ovitraps and the number of positive containers for Ae. aegypti did not show clusters of high values concerning its distance from the strategic point. Both presented random distribution not spatially associated with the positioning of strategic points in the area. CONCLUSIONS: Strategic points are not confirmed as responsible for the vector’s dispersion for properties in their surroundings. We highlight the importance of reviewing the current strategy of the vector control program in Brazil, seeking a balance from the technical, operational, and economic point of view, without disregarding the role of strategic points as major producers of mosquitoes and their importance in the dissemination of arboviruses in periods of transmission.

scholarly journals Wild Blueberry Fruit Drop: A Consequence of Seed Set?

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis A. Drummond
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Resource Limitation ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Plant Genotype ◽  
Fruit Drop ◽  
Fruit Maturity ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Temporal Rate ◽  
Wild Blueberry

Wild blueberry is a native plant managed as a crop in northeastern North America. Fruit drop in wild blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton, was studied over 6 years (1996–1999, 2008 and 2011). Three hypotheses were tested regarding fruit drop mechanisms from plants (clones) sampled in the field: (1) proportional fruit drop; (2) constant or uniform fruit drop; and (3) pollen or resource limitation. In addition, the temporal rate of fruit drop was measured between the end of pollination (petal fall) and fruit maturity just prior to harvest (2008 and 2011). The dynamics of fruit drop were different in the two years. The role of pollination intensity in fruit drop was also assessed. Evidence for both proportional fruit drop and resource limitation at the clone level was found but only proportional drop at the field level. Low levels of seed set are associated with fruit drop. In a four-year study (1996–1999), fruit drop ranged from 23.3 to 49.4% of the total set fruit. Partitioning the variance in fruit drop between years, fields and clones (plant genotypes) showed that the highest variation is between stems within clones (37.4%) and clones (plant genotype) within fields (35.4%), followed by between fields (19.8%) and between years (7.4%).

scholarly journals Effect of Social Rank upon Estrus Induction and Some Reproductive Outcomes in Anestrus Goats Treated With Progesterone + eCG

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago Zuñiga-Garcia ◽  
Cesar A. Meza-Herrera ◽  
Adela Mendoza-Cortina ◽  
Julio Otal-Salaverri ◽  
Carlos Perez-Marin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Social Rank ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Seasonal Reproduction ◽  
Reproductive Outcomes ◽  
Research Outcomes ◽  
The Social

We evaluated the possible role of the social rank [R] (i.e., low—LSR, middle—MSR, or high—HSR) in anestrus goats exposed to a P4 + eCG [D] (i.e., 100 or 350 IU) estrus induction protocol (EIP). Adult, multiparous (two to three lactations), multiracial, dairy-type goats (Alpine–Saanen–Nubian x Criollo goats (n = 70; 25°51′ North) managed under stall-fed conditions were all ultrasound evaluated to confirm anestrus status while the R was determined 30 d prior to the EIP. The variables of estrus induction (EI, %), estrus latency (LAT, h), estrus duration (DUR, h), ovulation (OVU, %), ovulation rate (OR, n), corpus luteum size (CLS, cm), pregnancy (PREG, %), kidding (KIDD, %), and litter size (LS, n) as affected by R, D, and the R × D interaction, were evaluated. While OVU and CLS favored (p < 0.05) HSR (96% and + 1.04 ± 0.07 cm), an increased (p < 0.05) LS occurred in D350 vs. D100 (2.06 ± 0.2 vs. 1.36 ± 0.2); neither R nor D affected (p > 0.05; 38.5%) KIDD. However, EI, LAT, DUR, OR, and PREG were affected by the R × D interaction. The HSR group had the largest (p < 0.05) EI % and DUR h, irrespective of D. The shortest (p < 0.05) LAT occurred in D350, irrespective of R. While the largest (p < 0.05) OR occurred in HSR and MSR within D350, the HSR + D350 group had the largest PREG (p < 0.05). These research outcomes are central to defining out-of-season reproductive strategies designed to attenuate seasonal reproduction in goats.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Local Institutions as The Basis of Sustainable Tourism Village

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Widhianthini Widhianthini
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Local Institutions ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Balance Of Nature ◽  
Shifting Balance ◽  
Tourist Village ◽  
Local Water

The purpose of this study was to describe the institutional position of local water control system and Pakraman as policy makers in developing sustainable tourism villages. This study was conducted in Tabanan, Bali. Tabanan is a famous tourist village area with rice barns. Analytical approach through a dynamic system combined with the scoring system. The results of the study reinforced the position of local institutions such as Subak and Pakraman that collaborate to determine the sustainability of tourism villages. The local institutions act as policy makers so there is no shifting balance of nature (a decrease in agricultural land or fields). This success will be realized if the role of local institutions were legitimized through local legislation and awig awig so the model of sustainable tourism village could be directed and conserved.

scholarly journals The Role of Olfactory Genes in the Expression of Rodent Paternal Care Behavior

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasmin L. Rymer
Keyword(s):  
Paternal Care ◽  
Sensory Modality ◽  
Odor Cues ◽  
Laboratory Rodents ◽  
Formyl Peptide ◽  
Parental Aggression ◽  
Olfactory Detection ◽  
Membrane Spanning ◽  
Care Behavior

Olfaction is the dominant sensory modality in rodents, and is crucial for regulating social behaviors, including parental care. Paternal care is rare in rodents, but can have significant consequences for offspring fitness, suggesting a need to understand the factors that regulate its expression. Pup-related odor cues are critical for the onset and maintenance of paternal care. Here, I consider the role of olfaction in the expression of paternal care in rodents. The medial preoptic area shares neural projections with the olfactory and accessory olfactory bulbs, which are responsible for the interpretation of olfactory cues detected by the main olfactory and vomeronasal systems. The olfactory, trace amine, membrane-spanning 4-pass A, vomeronasal 1, vomeronasal 2 and formyl peptide receptors are all involved in olfactory detection. I highlight the roles that 10 olfactory genes play in the expression of direct paternal care behaviors, acknowledging that this list is not exhaustive. Many of these genes modulate parental aggression towards intruders, and facilitate the recognition and discrimination of pups in general. Much of our understanding comes from studies on non-naturally paternal laboratory rodents. Future studies should explore what role these genes play in the regulation and expression of paternal care in naturally biparental species.

scholarly journals White dwarfs as astrophysical probes

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S258) ◽  
pp. 299-306
Author(s):  
Jasonjot S. Kalirai
Keyword(s):  
White Dwarfs ◽  
Elliptical Galaxies ◽  
Main Sequence Stars ◽  
Large White ◽  
Hydrogen Burning ◽  
Nearby Star ◽  
Stellar Ages ◽  
Initial Discovery ◽  
Uv Upturn

AbstractMuch of our knowledge regarding the ages of stars derives from our understanding of the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. The diagram is typically dominated by hydrogen burning main-sequence stars, which historically, have been used to establish our most fundamental knowledge of stellar ages and evolution. In this brief article, I highlight how deep ground and space based imaging can uncover the stellar remnants of these hydrogen burning stars, white dwarfs. We have followed up our initial discovery of several large white dwarf populations in nearby star clusters with multiobject spectrographs. The spectroscopy allows us to characterize the properties of the remnant stars (e.g., mass, temperature, and age), which are in turn used to shed new light on fundamental astrophysical problems. Specifically, we estimate the ages of the Milky Way disk and halo, provide the inputs needed to calculate the chemical evolution of galaxies, and re-iterate the important role of HB stars in producing the UV-upturn seen in elliptical galaxies.

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