scholarly journals Influence of Food Resource Size on the Foraging Behavior of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky)

Sociobiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago Sampaio de Souza ◽  
Vinícius Siqueira Gazal ◽  
Vinicius José Fernandes ◽  
Ana Carolina Campos de Oliveira ◽  
Elen De Lima Aguiar-Menezes
Keyword(s):  
Rectangular Cross Section ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Eucalyptus Grandis ◽  
Test Arena ◽  
Nasutitermes Corniger ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Influence Of Food ◽  
Chemical Factors ◽  
Mass Recruitment ◽  
Physical And Chemical

In general, termite foraging can be affected by physical and chemical factors linked to food. This study investigated if the wood length of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, as a food resource, influences the behavior of foraging events of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky). Nests with mature and active colonies were collected in the field and transferred to glass cubes connected to a test arena under laboratory conditions. Wooden blocks of E. grandis, with a 2.5 x 2.0 cm rectangular cross section, were offered to termites in three different lengths: 5, 10 and 15 cm. Each test was repeated with 20 nests and lasted 60 minutes, when the following behavioral events and their duration were observed: initial exploration, initial recruitment and mass recruitment. At the end of each test, the quantities of termites (total, workers and soldiers) and gnawing workers were determined. The results show that longer blocks favored a higher occurrence of exploration and initial recruitment. However, the highest mass recruitment occurred with the 10 cm blocks. The length of the wood influenced the total number of termites recruited and gnawing workers; both were highest for the 10 cm blocks. There was no significant difference in relation to exploration time of the blocks and number of workers and soldiers recruited. Therefore, we conclude that wood length is a factor that can affect N. corniger foraging.

scholarly journals Influence of the amount of food resources in the foraging behavior of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky)

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago Sampaio de Souza ◽  
Vinícius Siqueira Gazal ◽  
Elen De Lima Aguiar-Menezes ◽  
Vinicius José Fernandes ◽  
Aline Machado Leite-Mayerhofer
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Eucalyptus Grandis ◽  
Food Scarcity ◽  
Nasutitermes Corniger ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Recruitment Behavior ◽  
Mass Recruitment ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Group 1

Food scarcity or abundance are factors regulating termites’ foraging behavior in general. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of four amounts of Eucalyptus grandis on foraging behavior events shown by worker and soldier of Nasutitermes corniger during laboratory tests. The tests were carried out with adult and active N. corniger colonies found in nests collected in the field, which were stored in glass cubes connected to the test arenas. Four different amounts of wood blocks were used in the tests and each amount concerned a treatment and defined a different experimental group: 1, 2, 3 and 4 blocks/arenas, with 5 repetitions. Each test lasted 60 minutes and consisted in observing, or not, the occurrence of behavioral events shown by foragers when they had contact with the treatment. The duration of each event was recorded, whenever it was observed. The number of recruited foragers and the number of workers consuming the blocks were recorded at the end of each test applied to each treatment. Nasutitermes corniger presented the three behavioral events in all treatments; however, there was not significant difference between treatments in the occurrence of the two first events, in the time taken from test start to the occurrence of a new event, in the number of recruited termites and in the number of gnawing workers. Only workers’ mass recruiting was influenced by the amount of wood available. The occurrence of this event was significantly higher in treatments with greater amounts of wood. Thus, N. corniger adjusts its mass recruitment behavior in response to available food amount, which should be considered when developing baiting system for its control.

scholarly journals Drivers of Bornean Orangutan Distribution across a Multiple-Use Tropical Landscape

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 458
Author(s):  
Sol Milne ◽  
Julien G. A. Martin ◽  
Glen Reynolds ◽  
Charles S. Vairappan ◽  
Eleanor M. Slade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Bornean Orangutan ◽  
Aerial Surveys ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Fig Trees ◽  
Abundance And Distribution

Logging and conversion of tropical forests in Southeast Asia have resulted in the expansion of landscapes containing a mosaic of habitats that may vary in their ability to sustain local biodiversity. However, the complexity of these landscapes makes it difficult to assess abundance and distribution of some species using ground-based surveys alone. Here, we deployed a combination of ground-transects and aerial surveys to determine drivers of the critically endangered Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio) distribution across a large multiple-use landscape in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Ground-transects and aerial surveys using drones were conducted for orangutan nests and hemi-epiphytic strangler fig trees (Ficus spp.) (an important food resource) in 48 survey areas across 76 km2, within a study landscape of 261 km2. Orangutan nest count data were fitted to models accounting for variation in land use, above-ground carbon density (ACD, a surrogate for forest quality), strangler fig density, and elevation (between 117 and 675 m). Orangutan nest counts were significantly higher in all land uses possessing natural forest cover, regardless of degradation status, than in monoculture plantations. Within these natural forests, nest counts increased with higher ACD and strangler fig density, but not with elevation. In logged forest (ACD 14–150 Mg ha−1), strangler fig density had a significant, positive relationship with orangutan nest counts, but this relationship disappeared in a forest with higher carbon content (ACD 150–209 Mg ha−1). Based on an area-to-area comparison, orangutan nest counts from ground transects were higher than from counts derived from aerial surveys, but this did not constitute a statistically significant difference. Although the difference in nest counts was not significantly different, this analysis indicates that both methods under-sample the total number of nests present within a given area. Aerial surveys are, therefore, a useful method for assessing the orangutan habitat use over large areas. However, the under-estimation of nest counts by both methods suggests that a small number of ground surveys should be retained in future surveys using this technique, particularly in areas with dense understory vegetation. This study shows that even highly degraded forests may be a suitable orangutan habitat as long as strangler fig trees remain intact after areas of forest are logged. Enrichment planting of strangler figs may, therefore, be a valuable tool for orangutan conservation in these landscapes.

scholarly journals Effect of Mosses on physical and chemical properties of soil in temperate forests of Garhwal Himalayas

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Anshu Siwach ◽  
Siddhartha Kaushal ◽  
Ratul Baishya
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Garhwal Himalayas ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

Abstract Mosses are one of the most important and dominant plant communities, especially in the temperate biome, and play a significant role in ecosystem function and dynamics. They influence the water, energy and element cycle due to their unique ecology and physiology. The present study was undertaken in three different temperate forest sites in the Garhwal Himalayas, viz., Triyuginarayan (Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS)), Chakrata, and Kanasar forest range. The study was focused on understanding the influence of mosses on soil physical properties and nutrient availability. Different physico-chemical properties were analysed under two different substrata, that is, with and without moss cover in two different seasons, viz., monsoon and winter. We observed mosses to influence and alter the physical properties and nutrient status of soil in both seasons. All soil physical and chemical properties, except magnesium, showed significant difference within the substrates, among all the sites and across the two seasons. Besides the soil characteristics underneath the moss vegetation, the study also highlights the diversity of mosses found in the area. Mosses appear to create high nutrient microsites via a high rate of organic matter accumulation and retain nutrients for longer periods thus, maintaining ecosystem stability.

Further Studies upon Chemical Factors Affecting the Breeding of Anopheles in Trinidad

1934 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Buxton
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Study ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Freshwater Biology ◽  
Chemical Technique ◽  
Chemical Factors ◽  
Physical And Chemical

During the last decade, entomologists have made progress in understanding the environment in which certain insects live; in particular, we begin to understand the effect of certain physical and chemical factors, which make up a part of the environment. With this gain in knowledge, it is sometimes possible to forecast outbreaks of insects and of diseases conveyed by them, and one can sometimes say that a particular alteration of the environment will result in loss or gain. But so far as mosquitos are concerned, one must admit that though much work has been devoted to the analytical study of the water in which the early stages are passed, the results are disappointing. A consideration of the published work suggests several reasons for this. Investigation into the ecology of the mosquito has had a vogue, and much of it has been done by workers who were isolated and whose knowledge of chemical technique and freshwater biology was limited. Apart from that, the inherent difficulties are great, for the worker must hunt for the limiting chemical and physical factors among a host of others which are doubtless unimportant, and there are few clues to indicate which of the chemical constituents of the water affects the mosquito. The data are therefore voluminous and it is difficult to reduce them to order and present them so that they can be readily understood.

Menadione nicotinamide bisulphite as a source of vitamin K and niacin activities for the growing pig

2000 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Marchetti ◽  
M. Tassinari ◽  
S. Marchetti
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Organic Salt ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
Sodium Bisulphite ◽  
Chemical Factors ◽  
And Control ◽  
Physical And Chemical

AbstractWhen compared with other menadione derivatives such as menadione sodium bisulphite (MSB), menadione nicotinamide bisulphite (MNB), an organic salt combining menadione and nicotinamide, shows better stability towards physical and chemical factors once it is added to pre-mixes or foods. The present work evaluates the bioavailability of the two vitamins present in this compound and toxicity in the pig. To assess vitamin bioavailability, pigs were given small amounts of food containing MNB or equivalent amounts of MSB and nicotinamide in the free form. Menadione and nicotinamide concentrations in blood samples drawn at set times after the diets were given did not reveal any significant differences between the two modes of administration. Haematic levels of both vitamins in animals receiving MNB, or MSB and nicotinamide, were after 2, 4, 8 and 12 h higher (P < 0·001) than those of untreated animals. The tolerance level to MNB was evaluated in pigs given diets containing graded amounts of MNB (100, 500, 2500 mg/kg) for 28 days. No significant (P > 0·05) differences were recorded in live weight, food intake and gain/food ratio in pigs given these diets when compared with those given an unsupplemented diet. Haemoglobin and bilirubin levels did not differ between animals given various amounts of MNB and control animals. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities in pigs given 100 mg/kg of MNB did not show significant differences when compared with those observed in pigs given an unsupplemented control diet. In pigs on the diets supplemented with 500 and 2500 mg/kg of MNB there was a significant increase in the two enzymatic activities as compared with controls (P < 0·001 and P < 0·01). In the case of ALT this had disappeared by 28 weeks. MNB is a good source of vitamin K for the pig and does not appear to have any adverse effects, even when administered at levels higher than those normally used in pig food supplementation.

scholarly journals Size-controlled human adipose-derived stem cell spheroids hybridized with single-segmented nanofibers and their effect on viability and stem cell differentiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinkyu Lee ◽  
Sangmin Lee ◽  
Sung Min Kim ◽  
Heungsoo Shin
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cell Spheroids ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Vitro Analysis ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Abstract Background Fabrication of three-dimensional stem cell spheroids have been studied to improve stem cell function, but the hypoxic core and limited penetration of nutrients and signaling cues to the interior of the spheroid were challenges. The incorporation of polymers such as silica and gelatin in spheroids resulted in relatively relaxed assembly of composite spheroids, and enhancing transport of nutrient and biological gas. However, because of the low surface area between cells and since the polymers were heterogeneously distributed throughout the spheroid, these polymers cannot increase the cell to extracellular matrix interactions needed to support differentiation. Methods We developed the stem cell spheroids that incorporate poly(ι-lactic acid) single-segmented fibers synthesized by electrospinning and physical and chemical fragmentation. The proper mixing ratio was 2000 cells/μg fibers (average length of the fibers was 50 μm - 100 μm). The SFs were coated with polydopamine to increase cell binding affinity and to synthesize various-sized spheroids. The function of spheroids was investigated by in vitro analysis depending on their sizes. For statistical analysis, Graphpad Prism 5 software (San Diego, CA, USA) was used to perform one-way analysis of variance ANOVA with Tukey’s honest significant difference test and a Student’s t-test (for two variables) (P < 0.05). Results Spheroids of different sizes were created by modulating the amount of cells and fibers (0.063 mm2–0.322 mm2). The fibers in the spheroid were homogenously distributed and increased cell viability, while cell-only spheroids showed a loss of DNA contents, internal degradation, and many apoptotic signals. Furthermore, we investigated stemness and various functions of various-sized fiber-incorporated spheroids. In conclusion, the spheroid with the largest size showed the greatest release of angiogenic factors (released VEGF: 0.111 ± 0.004 pg/ng DNA), while the smallest size showed greater effects of osteogenic differentiation (mineralized calcium: 18.099 ± 0.271 ng/ng DNA). Conclusion The spheroids incorporating polydopamine coated single-segmented fibers showed enhanced viability regardless of sizes and increased their functionality by regulating the size of spheroids which may be used for various tissue reconstruction and therapeutic applications.

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