scholarly journals Agonistic and mating behaviour of the endemic lizard Trachylepis atlantica from the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, Brazil

2021 ◽  
pp. 16-23
Author(s):  
Vinicius Gasparotto
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Visual Display ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Agonistic Behaviour ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Fernando De Noronha ◽  
Agonistic Encounters

The skink Trachylepis atlantica is endemic to the Fernando de Noronha archipelago. Although this species is abundant in the archipelago, it is increasingly threatened by invasive species, predation, and anthropic interference. However, little is known about its natural history. Here we report on territory use, male-male combat, and mating behaviour of freeranging T. atlantica. During the dry season, we observed two bouts of male combat and two copulations, which suggests some mating seasonality. In male combat, T. atlantica displays ritualised agonistic behaviour with escalated aggressiveness that include - i) visualisation, approaching or following, ii) visual display, iii) bite and body confrontation, and iv) dominance. Adult males were always alert to invaders within their territories. After combat, resident males showed scars on their heads resulting from agonistic encounters. During the two copulations, we observed courtship, immobilisation, and mating.

scholarly journals Different stress from parasites and mate choice in two female morphs of the blue-tailed damselfly

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Subrero ◽  
Irene Pellegrino ◽  
Marco Cucco
Keyword(s):  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Similar Frequency ◽  
Male Preference ◽  
Ischnura Elegans ◽  
Emergence Success ◽  
The Common ◽  
Nw Italy ◽  
Whole Life Cycle ◽  
Pairing Behaviour

AbstractIn Odonates, female colour polymorphism is common and implies the presence of two or more female types with different colours and behaviours. To explain this phenomenon, several hypotheses have been proposed that consider morph frequency, population density, the presence of parasites, and mating behaviour. We studied the blue-tailed damselfly Ischnura elegans, a species with a blue androchrome morph and two gynochrome morphs (the common green infuscans, and the rare orange rufescens-obsoleta). The size of adult males and females, the presence of parasites, and pairing behaviour between males and the three female morphs was assessed in field conditions throughout the reproductive season in NW Italy. Moreover, growth and emergence success of larvae produced by the different morphs was analyzed in standardized conditions. In the field, males showed a preference for the gynochrome infuscans females, despite a similar frequency of androchrome females. In test conditions, male preference for the infuscans females was also observed. Paired males and paired androchrome females were larger than unpaired individuals, while there were no differences in size between paired and unpaired infuscans females. Males and androchrome females were more parasitized than infuscans females. The survival and emergence success of larvae produced by androchrome females was higher than those of offspring produced by the infuscans females. Our results suggest that a higher survival of progeny at the larval stage could counterbalance the higher parasitism and the lower pairing success of andromorph adult females and highlight the importance of considering the whole life-cycle in polymorphism studies.

scholarly journals An elusive new species of gymnophthalmid lizard (Cercosaurinae, Selvasaura) from the Andes of northern Peru

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-187
Author(s):  
Lourdes Y. Echevarría ◽  
Pablo J. Venegas ◽  
Luis A. García-Ayachi ◽  
Pedro M. Sales Nunes
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
The Other ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
The Andes ◽  
New States ◽  
Northern Peru ◽  
A New Species

We describe a new species of Selvasaura from the montane forests of the eastern slopes of the Andes in northern Peru, based on external and hemipenial morphological characters and previous phylogenetic analyses. The new species can be differentiated from the other two Selvasaura species in having keeled dorsal scales usually flanked by longitudinal striations, in adults and juveniles; adult males with a yellow vertebral stripe bordered by broad dark brown stripes on each side and a unilobed hemipenis surrounded by the branches of the sulcus spermaticus. The description of the new species contributes information about new states of diagnostic characters of Selvasaura and natural history.

Divergent Systems of Agonistic Behaviour in Lemurid Primates

Behaviour ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 134 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 225-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Pereira ◽  
Peter M. Kappeler
Keyword(s):  
Social Systems ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Agonistic Interaction ◽  
Agonistic Behaviour ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Dominance Relations ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Ringtailed Lemurs

AbstractTwo semifree-ranging groups of ringtailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and two co-ranging groups of redfronted lemurs (Eulemur fulvus rufus) were studied across a two-year period to characterise and contrast the adult agonistic behaviour these primates exhibit within groups. Temporal analyses of behavioural data distinguished agonistic from non-agonistic behaviour and aggressive from submissive behaviour. The ringtailed lemurs employed a diverse repertoire of behavioural elements to communicate agonistic intent. More than 50% of these elements were signals and nearly 50% of signals were submissive. The agonistic repertoire of the redfronted lemurs, by contrast, was relatively unelaborated: less than 40% of agonistic behaviour in this species comprised signals and less than 20% of signals were submissive. These structural differences underlay marked species differences in agonistic interaction and relationship. All pairs of ringtailed lemurs maintained dominance relations resembling those seen in many anthropoid primates: subordinates consistently signalled submissively to dominant partners, often in the absence of aggression. Dominance relations among members of each sex were seasonally unstable and not always transitive (hierarchical) during periods of stability, however. Redfronted lemurs, by contrast, did not maintain dominance relations, failing to respond agonistically to most aggression received (52% of interactions) and responding with aggression on many other occasions (12%). Even applying relaxed criteria, few adult redfronted dyads (14%) showed consistent asymmetries in agonistic relations and several never exhibited any asymmetry. Lacking dominance, E. f rufus relied heavily on alternate behavioural mechanisms to moderate social conflict as frequent and intense as that seen in study groups of ringtailed lemurs. These included a great inclination not to respond agonistically to aggression, a distinctive behavioural proposal to limit or terminate dyadic conflict (Look away), post-conflict reconciliation, and relatively frequent third-party aggression. The existence of such divergent systems of agonistic behaviour in partially sympatric, closely related and generally similar prosimian primates offers important opportunities for comparative study of the ecology, development, and evolution of mammalian social systems. Future research may reveal ecophysiological factors that promote the use of dominance behaviour among like-sexed ringtailed lemurs and show how the relative absence of dominance relates to other major elements of redfronted lemur biology, including 'special relationships' of variable duration between adult males and females.

Australian Bryozoa Volume 1

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Marine Biology ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Aquatic Animals ◽  
Marine Fouling ◽  
Biology Students ◽  
The World ◽  
Fouling Organisms

Bryozoans are aquatic animals that form colonies of connected individuals. They take a variety of forms: some are bushy and moss-like, some are flat and encrusting and others resemble lace. Bryozoans are mostly marine, with species found in all oceans from sublittoral to abyssal depths, but freshwater species also exist. Some bryozoans are of concern as marine-fouling organisms and invasive species, while others show promise as sources of anticancer, antiviral and antifouling substances. Written by experts in the field, Australian Bryozoa Volume 1: Biology, Ecology and Natural History is the first of two volumes describing Australia’s 1200 known species of bryozoans, the richest diversity of bryozoans of any country in the world. It contains chapters on the discovery of bryozoans, their morphology, classification and fossil history, their roles in biosecurity and marine benthic environments, and potential uses in biotechnology and ocean acidification. It provides an authoritative reference for biology students, academics and others interested in marine biology.

The Biology of the Northern Brown Bandicoot, Isoodon-Macrourus (Marsupialia, Peramelidae) at Mitchell Plateau, Western-Australia

1989 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Kemper ◽  
DJ Kitchener ◽  
WF Humphreys ◽  
RA How ◽  
LH Schmitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cells ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Physiological Parameters ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Young Females ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Overall Ratio

Breeding, population dynamics and seasonal changes in physical and physiological parameters were examined in Isoodon macrourus at the Mitchell Plateau between September 1981 and November 1982. Females gave birth to litters of 2.5 � 1.0 (16) young between September and April. They produced up to three litters in a breeding season with an average interval between successive litters of 89.5 (51-108) days. Adult testosterone levels and scrota1 size began to increase in July and peaked in September 1982. The overall ratio of adult males to adult females was 1:0.54; it was 1:0.80 for pouch young. Females were more frequently trapped on sequential trips than were males. Density on the grids increased towards the end of the dry season (July and September 1982)-mostly as a result of increased numbers of females. Adult males and females moving onto the grids during the dry season tended to select different habitats. Adult males moved significantly more in the wet season (September 1981, January and April) than they did in the dry season (July and September 1982); they also moved significantly more than adult females in the wet season. Seasonal variations were recorded for most physical and physiological parameters. During the wet period from September 1981 to January 1982, body weight, haemoglobin, haematocrit and total plasma albumin declined, while total white blood cells and proportion of lymphocytes to granular leucocytes rose. This indicated that this period was one of change in condition for this species. Compared to adult females, adult males were larger and heavier, had higher values of haematocrit and lymphocytes, and lower values of granular leucocytes, free steroids, CBGBd and albumin bound corticosteroid. There was considerable between-year variability in condition of individuals and both sexes differed significantly in September 1981 and 1982 in their weight, haematocrit, total white blood cells, granular leucocytes, MCBC and testosterone. Individuals at disparate localities at the Mitchell Plateau showed similar seasonal physiological and physical responses, except for one grid where they were heavier.

scholarly journals First record of a breeding colony of Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra Lesson, 1831; Sulidae) in the main island of the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco, Brazil)

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Ariane Campos Gouvêa ◽  
Thayná Jeremias Mello
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
First Record ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Breeding Colony ◽  
Main Island ◽  
Fernando De Noronha

Fernando de Noronha Archipelago is one of the places with the highest richness of seabirds in Brazil; however, little information about the breeding biology of many species is available. Here we report a breeding colony of the Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) in the main island of Fernando de Noronha, and present new data about the natural history and breeding biology of this species.

Seasonal variations in the fat content and size of Glossina swynnertoni Austen.

1961 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 705-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Glasgow ◽  
E. Bursell
Keyword(s):  
Time Lag ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Progressive Decrease ◽  
Causal Interpretation ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Pupal Development ◽  
Saturation Deficit ◽  
Glossina Swynnertoni

A population of Glossina swynnertoni Aust., at Shinyanga, Tanganyika, has been studied in respect of size and fat content of non-teneral males by monthly samples over a period of 13 years.Flies are large from February to July and small from August to January, and this change in size suggests an effect of the wet season (December to May) and dry season (June to November) upon the parent females, allowing for the time-lag of two months representing pupal development and mean age of adult males at capture. Male flies have more fat in the rains and less in the dry season and it is possible that similar changes in the nutritional status of females are responsible for the observed size changes.The correlation found in earlier work between the size of male flies in any month and saturation deficit two months earlier is confirmed, but reasons are given for rejecting a simple causal interpretation of this correlation.Since 1951, there has been a progressive decrease in size of G. swynnertoni in the area studied, more especially as regards those produced in the dry season.

On-farm performance of Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle 1. Herd structures and cattle disposal

1993 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. O. Rege ◽  
R. R. von Kaufmann ◽  
R. I. Mani
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Social Functions ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Arable Farming ◽  
Herd Structure ◽  
Milk Market

AbstractA study urns conducted to examine herd structures and cattle disposal patterns of Bunaji herds kept under traditional management at four locations in the subhumid zone of Nigeria. Sale for meat was the single most important disposal reason, accounting for proportionately 0·55 of all disposals. Mean age of cattle sold for meat was 8 years but the age range was wide: animals as old as 17·4 years were involved in such sales. Male animals were sold at a younger age (6·2 years) than females (9·3 years). Sale of calves was an important exit avenue for rural herds with less access to milk market. Calves were sold at a mean age of 1·1 years and male calves accounted for a larger proportion (0·62) of such sales. Animal sales were highest in the early dry season and lowest in the early wet season. The predominantly arable farming location, Ganawuri, had the highest frequency of animal sales and lowest frequency of exits for ‘social functions’ (exchanges, transfers and gifts). Animal transfers, gifts and exchanges were important disposal routes in the traditionally pastoral communities, especially in locations with good grazing (e.g. Abet). Exits involving exchanges, transfers and gifts were more frequent during the dry season and least frequent in the wet season. An average herd had 77 head of cattle composed proportionately of 0·54 adult females (>3 years), 0·13 adult males (>3 years), 0·08 young bulls (1 to 3 years), 0·13 heifers (1 to 3 years) and 0·11 calves (0 to 1 year). There was a tendency toward smaller herds in later years (97 in 1980 to 51 in 1989) and a decrease in the ratio of adult females to males (from 6:1 in 1980 to 3:1 in 1989). Substantial between-location differences existed in herd size ami herd structure, ranging from the ‘beef orientation’ of the arable Ganawuri with a high proportion of immatures and calves, to the pastoral situation in Abet and Kurmin Biri with high proportion of adult animals. The proportions of adults were lowest in the early dry season, reflecting seasonal pattern in disposal and calving. The pattern in disposal reasons over time indicated a decrease in the proportion of animals exiting herds through exchanges, transfers and gifts and signified a possible shift from tradition, probably a response to population pressures and emergence of cash economies.

Natural history and display behaviour of Servaea incana, a common and widespread Australian jumping spider (Araneae : Salticidae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rowan H. McGinley ◽  
Vivian Mendez ◽  
Phillip W. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Visual Displays ◽  
Intraspecific Interactions ◽  
Jumping Spider ◽  
Jumping Spiders ◽  
Display Behaviour ◽  
Subadult Female

The natural history and intraspecific interactions of Servaea incana, a common jumping spider of temperate Australia, are described. S. incana inhabits the trunks of eucalypt trees, where it builds silken retreats and nests under loose bark. Like other jumping spiders, S. incana males use elaborate visual displays (Type I courtship) when they encounter females in the open. Male jumping spiders usually rely on silk-borne vibrations to communicate with females residing within retreats and nests (Type II courtship). S. incana often uses visual displays in this context, because the thin silken walls allow conspecifics to see each other. Adult males that encounter subadult females at retreats sometimes build their own retreat nearby and cohabit until the subadult female moults to maturity, copulating shortly afterwards. Adult females and immature stages of both sexes possess similar display repertoires that contain fewer display elements than the repertoire of males. We found no evidence that visual displays of S. incana contain seismic elements, in contrast to some of its closest relatives. S. incana preys upon a variety of small arthropods and, unusually amongst salticids, ants make up a large portion of the diet. Identified enemies of S. incana include spiders, a pompilid wasp and a mantispid.

scholarly journals Evasive mating behaviour by female nurse sharks, Ginglymostoma cirratum (Bonnaterre, 1788), in an equatorial insular breeding ground

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
André S. Afonso ◽  
◽  
Carlos V. Cantareli ◽  
Rafael P. Levy ◽  
Leonardo B. Veras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ventral Side ◽  
Human Pressure ◽  
Nurse Shark ◽  
Ginglymostoma Cirratum ◽  
Fernando De Noronha ◽  
Body Rolling ◽  
Female Nurse ◽  
Nurse Sharks

ABSTRACT Mating events and aggregations of vulnerable nurse sharks Ginglymostoma cirratum were recorded in the insular protected area of Fernando de Noronha (FEN), Brazil, between April and August 2015. Female sharks were observed clustering in groups of up to 14 individuals in shallow water adjacent to the shore. Several evasive mating behaviours in the presence of males were noticed, including shoreward movement, positioning ventral side up at the sea surface with emerged pectoral and pelvic fins, body rolling and caudal fin thrashing. Fresh bite marks indicative of male courtship and coupling attempts were visible in female's pectoral and caudal fins. Altogether, the observed behaviours match previous reports of non-cooperative female nurse sharks during mating opportunities. An extended mating season coupled with a persistent use of inshore habitats result in nurse sharks being particularly vulnerable to human pressure during a most sensitive stage of their life cycle. The effective conservation of nurse shark populations from the western South Atlantic may thus depend on the protection of critical habitats where this species aggregates to reproduce. Explicitly addressing environmental requirements by vulnerable species in local management strategies is indispensable to ensure that human pressure, including ecotourism development, does not collide with stipulated conservation aims.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document