scholarly journals Year-round at-sea distribution and trophic resources partitioning between two sympatric Sulids in the tropical Atlantic

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253095
Author(s):  
Nathalie Almeida ◽  
Jaime A. Ramos ◽  
Isabel Rodrigues ◽  
Ivo dos Santos ◽  
Jorge M. Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Habitat Preference ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Sexual Segregation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Seabird Species ◽  
Trophic Resources ◽  
Different Seasons

In the oligotrophic tropical marine environment resources are usually more patchily distributed and less abundant to top predators. Thus, spatial and trophic competition can emerge, especially between related seabird species belonging to the same ecological guild. Here we studied the foraging ecology of two sympatric species–brown booby (BRBO) Sula leucogaster (breeding) and red-footed boobies (RFBO) Sula sula (non-breeding)–at Raso islet (Cabo Verde), across different seasons. Sexual segregation was only observed during Jun-Oct, when RFBO were present, with larger females BRBO remaining closer to the colonies, while males and RFBO travelled further and exploited different habitats. Overall, species appeared to prefer areas with specific oceanic features, particularly those related with oceanic currents and responsible for enhancing primary productivity in tropical oceanic areas (e.g. Sea Surface Height and Ocean Mixed Layer Thickness). Female BRBOs showed high foraging-site fidelity during the period of sympatry, while exploiting the same prey species as the other birds. However, during the months of co-existence (Jun.-Oct.), isotopic mixing models suggested that female BRBO would consume a higher proportion of epipelagic fish, whereas female RFBO would consume more squid compared to the other birds, possibly due to habitat-specific prey availability and breeding energy-constraints for BRBO. We conclude that divergent parental roles, environmental conditions, habitat preference and competition could be mechanisms simultaneously underlying sexual segregation for BRBO during a period of co-existence, while inter-specific foraging differences appear to be more affected by habitat preference and different breeding stages. These results support previous statements that BRBO can adapt their foraging ecology to different circumstances of environmental conditions and competition, and that marine physical features play an important role in foraging decisions of boobies.

Statistical Processing and Correlations Between Concentrations of Some Atmospheric Pollutants in Suceava and Botosani Counties

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 175-186
Author(s):  
Doina Lutic ◽  
Danut-Gabriel Cozma
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Monoxide ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
The Other ◽  
Atmospheric Pollutants ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
National Network ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Official Site ◽  
Social Wealth

The abundance of some pollutants from the air depend on the geographic area, the human activities intensity, the climate, the season and even on the hour within a day. The nitrogen oxides are the most abundant and most dangerous toxic species from the air, and these emissions are tightly connected to human polluting activities. Therefore, in our work, the first part is assigned for a wide literature search concerning the incidence of the keywords �nitrogen oxide� and searching the connections with other significant related terms and formulas, investigated by the researches worldwide. Then, a statistic approach was applied trying to correlate the values of the concentration in air of nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, benzene and particulate matter PM10, all of these being generated to a large extent from the exhaust gases from different automotives. The data were collected from the official site of the National Network of Air Quality Monitoring from Romania, and processed by statistical methods, using specific software and methods, in order to find significant differences between the pollutants concentrations values in two neighbor counties (Suceava and Botosani), with relatively similar climate conditions, but different social wealth. The findings of these statistical processing indicate that the PM10 values do not present significant differences between the two locations, neither the time within a day, while the other parameters exhibit distinctions between the values of the other pollutants concentrations in different seasons (summer and winter) and hourly intervals within a day (night, morning, afternoon and evening).

scholarly journals Characteristics of Extratropical Cyclones That Cause Tornadoes in Italy: A Preliminary Study

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Eigo Tochimoto ◽  
Mario Marcello Miglietta ◽  
Leonardo Bagaglini ◽  
Roberto Ingrosso ◽  
Hiroshi Niino
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Static Stability ◽  
Extratropical Cyclones ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Southeastern Us ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Strong Evaporation

Characteristics of extratropical cyclones that cause tornadoes in Italy are investigated. Tornadoes between 2007 and 2016 are analyzed, and statistical analysis of the associated cyclone structures and environments is performed using the JRA-55 reanalysis. Tornadoes are distributed sporadically around the cyclone location within a window of 10° × 10°. The difference in the cyclone tracks partially explains the seasonal variability in the distribution of tornadoes. The highest number of tornadoes occur south of the cyclone centers, mainly in the warm sector, while a few are observed along the cold front. Composite mesoscale parameters are examined to identify the environmental conditions associated with tornadoes in different seasons. Potential instability is favorable to tornado development in autumn. The highest convective available potential energy (CAPE) in this season is associated with relatively high-temperature and humidity at low-levels, mainly due to the strong evaporation over the warm Mediterranean Sea. Upper-level potential vorticity (PV) anomalies and the associated cold air reduce the static stability above the cyclone center, mainly in spring and winter. On average, the values of CAPE are lower than for US tornadoes and comparable with those occurring in Japan, while storm relative helicity (SREH) is comparable with US tornadoes and higher than Japanese tornadoes, indicating that the environmental conditions for Italian tornadoes have peculiar characteristics. Overall, the conditions emerging in this study are close to the high-shear, low-CAPE environments typical of cool-season tornadoes in the Southeastern US.

scholarly journals Foraging niche partitioning in sympatric seabird populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Petalas ◽  
Thomas Lazarus ◽  
Raphael A. Lavoie ◽  
Kyle H. Elliott ◽  
Mélanie F. Guigueno
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Seabird Species ◽  
Foraging Range ◽  
Common Murre ◽  
Prey Items

AbstractSympatric species must sufficiently differentiate aspects of their ecological niche to alleviate complete interspecific competition and stably coexist within the same area. Seabirds provide a unique opportunity to understand patterns of niche segregation among coexisting species because they form large multi-species colonies of breeding aggregations with seemingly overlapping diets and foraging areas. Recent biologging tools have revealed that colonial seabirds can differentiate components of their foraging strategies. Specifically, small, diving birds with high wing-loading may have small foraging radii compared with larger or non-diving birds. In the Gulf of St-Lawrence in Canada, we investigated whether and how niche differentiation occurs in four incubating seabird species breeding sympatrically using GPS-tracking and direct field observations of prey items carried by adults to chicks: the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica), razorbill (Alca torda), common murre (Uria aalge), and black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). Although there was overlap at foraging hotspots, all species differentiated in either diet (prey species, size and number) or foraging range. Whereas puffins and razorbills consumed multiple smaller prey items that were readily available closer to the colony, murres selected larger more diverse prey that were accessible due to their deeper diving capability. Kittiwakes compensated for their surface foraging by having a large foraging range, including foraging largely at a specific distant hotspot. These foraging habitat specialisations may alleviate high interspecific competition allowing for their coexistence, providing insight on multispecies colonial living.

scholarly journals Morphological variation in Leptorhynchos squamatus (Gnaphalieae: Asteraceae)

2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Flann ◽  
Pauline Y. Ladiges ◽  
Neville G. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
Alpine Plants ◽  
The Other ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Low Altitude

A study of morphological variation in Leptorhynchos squamatus (Labill.) Less. across its range in south-eastern Australia was undertaken to test the hypothesis that L. squamatus includes two taxa. Phenetic pattern analyses of both field-collected and herbarium specimens on the basis of morphology confirmed two major groups. Bract, cypsela, pappus bristle and leaf characters were particularly important in separating the two groups. The taxa are separated by altitude differences with one being a low-altitude plant found in many habitats and the other being a high-altitude taxon that is a major component of alpine meadows. Lowland plants have dark bract tips, fewer and wider pappus bristles than alpine plants, papillae on the cypselas and more linear leaves. A somewhat intermediate population from the Major Mitchell Plateau in the Grampians shows some alpine and some lowland characters but is included in the lowland taxon. Seeds from five populations (two alpine, two lowland and Major Mitchell) were germinated and plants grown for 18 weeks under four controlled sets of environmental conditions. The experiment showed that leaf size and some other characters are affected by environmental conditions, but that there are underlying genetic differences between the lowland and alpine forms. Leptorhynchos squamatus subsp. alpinus Flann is described here to accommodate the highland taxon.

THE KILLER OF NATURE – ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-295
Author(s):  
Ekta Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
The Other ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
The Public ◽  
Summary Paper ◽  
Living Being

The Presented summary paper target is to draw the attention of the public to the benefits of Environment and how we are connected to the Environment. To show that if there’s any change in the Environmental conditions, then how the conditions change in human beings lives. Living Being, whether a Human Being or Animals or plants,  are all directly or indirectly Dependent on the Environment for their Survival. When asked truly it can be said that none of the living being can survive without the presence of Environment. It is difficult to find absolutely natural environments, and it is common that the naturalness varies in a continuum, from ideally 100% natural in one extreme to 0% natural in the other. More precisely, we can consider the different aspects or components of an environment, and see that their degree of naturalness is not uniform.

Proximate Composition and Spatio-temporal Heterogeneity of Phytochemicals in Agave sisalana (sisal) adapted in different agro-ecological zones of Punjab, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sobia Shahzad ◽  
Mumtaz Hussain ◽  
Hassan Munir ◽  
Muhammad Arfan
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Proximate Composition ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Proximate Analysis ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Autumn Season ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Abstract Exploring extractable phytochemicals from locally adapted sisal plant vegetation vary seasonally at different locations. This study elaborated proximate composition and phytochemical heterogeneity in sisal due to varying environmental conditions analyzed from five districts, i.e., Chakwal, Khushab, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Layyah in Punjab, Pakistan. Extensive surveying and plant sampling across two years 2017-18 and 2018-19, during mid-spring, summer, autumn, and winter seasons were carried out for understanding the seasonal impact on sisal. The present study was designed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and analyzed considering seasonal, yearly, and locational impact. The spatial differences in phytochemicals concentration were strongly associated with environmental conditions prevailing in different seasons. Autumn season reflected saponins, tannins, and flavonoids in higher concentrations during 2018-19 while steroids and terpenoids were higher during spring 2018-19. While Spatio-temporal variations in the proximate analysis were more apparent in different samples collected from different districts. Data recorded for the Khushab district and autumn season reflected the higher composition of a proximate analysis and phytochemical contents as compared to other seasons. Overall, the spatial differences in phytochemicals concentration were strongly associated with soils and environmental conditions prevailing in different seasons in selected districts.

The Effects of Adverse Environmental Conditions on Workload

1975 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-304
Author(s):  
Ann E. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Secondary Task ◽  
The Other ◽  
Random Numbers ◽  
Performance Decrement ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Continuous Noise ◽  
Adverse Environmental Conditions ◽  
Intermittent Noise

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of environmental conditions on visual workload. The environmental variables used were temperature, studied at levels of 45°F., WBGT, and 95°F., WBGT; and noise, studied at 83 dBA intermittent noise and 93 dBA continuous noise. Workload was defined as the amount of attention demanded from an operator as measured by performance decrement on a secondary task while performing a primary and secondary task simultaneously. The secondary task was reading random numbers, and the primary task was reading word lists. Significant differences (p<.05) were found between the control condition and all experimental conditions. The low temperature and high temperature-continuous noise conditions were significantly different from the other conditions. Noise and temperature were found to significantly increase workload (p<05).

Predator and prey detection in two species of water bear (Tardigrada)

2019 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 860-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry A Meyer ◽  
Hannah E Larsen ◽  
Nézira O Akobi ◽  
Garret Broussard
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
The Other ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Nutrient Agar ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Prey Detection ◽  
Potential Prey ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Petri Dishes

Abstract Tardigrade behavioural studies have focused on responses to abiotic environmental conditions. Predator–prey interactions have received some attention, but not how predators and prey might detect one another. Here, we investigate whether a predatory tardigrade species is attracted to, and a potential prey tardigrade avoids, areas previously occupied by the other. In our experiments, Milnesium lagniappe was the predator and Macrobiotus acadianus the prey. Petri dishes with non-nutrient agar were used as experimental arenas. In one treatment, we allowed Macrobiotus to roam over half of the agar for 20 h, while leaving the other half free of Macrobiotus. We then removed the prey and introduced the predator. In the control treatment, no prey were added. Results indicated that Milnesium individuals were significantly concentrated in the area previously occupied by Macrobiotus, whereas no such concentration was evident when Macrobiotus had not been present. A similar protocol was used to test whether Macrobiotus avoided areas previously occupied by the predator. As expected, Macrobiotus were significantly concentrated in the area never occupied by Milnesium, unlike the control treatment. These results suggest that both species can detect the other without physical contact and react accordingly. Given that the experiments were conducted in darkness, detection is probably olfactory.

scholarly journals Henricia djakonovisp. nov. (Echinodermata, Echinasteridae): a new sea star species from the Sea of Japan

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e2863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Chichvarkhin
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sea Of Japan ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Sea Of Japan ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Russian Waters

A new sea star species,H. djakonovisp.n., was discovered in Rudnaya Bay in the Sea of Japan. This is a sympatric species of the well-known and common speciesHenricia pseudoleviusculaDjakonov, 1958. Both species are similar in body size and proportions, shape of skeletal plates, and life coloration, which distinguishes them from the otherHenriciaspecies inhabiting the Sea of Japan. Nevertheless, these species can be distinguished by their abactinal spines: in both species, they are short and barrel-like, but the new species is the onlyHenriciaspecies in Russian waters of the Pacific that possesses such spines with a massive, smooth, bullet-like tip. The spines inH. pseudoleviusculaare crowned with a variable number of well-developed thorns. About half (<50%) of the abactinal pseudopaxillae in the new species are oval, not crescent-shaped as inH. pseudoleviuscula.

scholarly journals Development of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L) on the foliage of Quercus cerris L., Q. Petraea (matt) Liebl. and Q. Robur L. in the controlled conditions

2007 ◽  
pp. 55-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Slobodan Milanovic
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Gypsy Moth ◽  
Lymantria Dispar ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Quercus Robur ◽  
Quercus Petraea ◽  
The Other ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Quercus Cerris

The development of Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L) was monitored in laboratory conditions, on the foliage of the species Quercus cerris L. Quercus petraea (Matt) Liebl. and Quercus robur L. The experiment was established in the controlled environmental conditions, at the temperature of 25?C, photoperiod 14:10 (day: night) and relative humidity 70%. The objective of the research was to determine the suitability of the study host plant species for gypsy moth development. The study results show that Gypsy moth caterpillars cultivated on Q. petraea foliage had a lower survival, higher number of moultings, longer preadult development and lower fecundity, which makes this species less suitable compared to the other two. Gypsy moth caterpillars cultivated on Q. cerris foliage had the highest survival degree the lowest number of moultings, the shortest preadult development and the highest fecundity, which makes this species the most favourable for gypsy moth development. Q. robur was between the former two species in this respect.

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