scholarly journals The Role of Intra-Clutch Variation of Magpie Clutches in Foreign Egg Rejection Depends on the Egg Trait Considered

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Molina-Morales ◽  
Jesús Gómez ◽  
Gustavo Liñán-Cembrano ◽  
Marta Precioso ◽  
Juan G. Martínez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fractal Dimension ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Relative Role ◽  
Egg Rejection ◽  
Spot Pattern ◽  
Genetic Determination ◽  
Pattern Complexity ◽  
Individual Level

The existence of a coevolutionary process between avian brood parasites and their hosts predicts a lower intra-clutch variation in egg appearance of host eggs among rejecters as this would favor egg discrimination of parasite eggs by hosts once parasitic egg mimicry had evolved. So far empirical tests of this prediction have ignored the fact that different aspects of host egg phenotypes may differ in the relative role of environmental vs. genetic determination, and hence that the role of intra-clutch variation in egg rejection within a population cannot be invariant. Here, we estimated whether the intra-clutch variation in several aspects of host eggshell features is consistently associated to rejection of parasitic foreign eggs across years in a magpie host population parasitized by great spotted cuckoos. We innovatively estimated spottiness by means of the fractal dimension of eggs, which considers the homogeneity of spot pattern complexity in eggshells. Our results show that low intra-clutch variation in the blue-green coloration at the middle area of the eggs associated with a high chance of rejection, but only in one of the 3 years we conducted the study. In addition, females that rejected foreign eggs presented more homogenous spot patterns in their clutches as estimated by their fractal dimension than females that accepted experimental eggs, independently of the year of study. Finally, intra-clutch variation in egg volume of host eggs was not associated to rejection. Analyses at the individual level revealed that the relative role of genetic vs. environmental factors that determine egg phenotype would be feature-specific in magpies, females having a characteristic spottiness, but not color or volume, pattern. Our work stresses the importance of considering a holistic approach including several aspects of variation in host egg phenotype (size, color, and homogeneity of spot pattern), as some aspects might be more susceptible to selection through egg rejection than others, presumably because they are less influenced by variation in the environmental conditions. Moreover, our study highlights the importance of replication in studies on the adaptive value of host traits in egg rejection.

Epigenetic factors and molecular markers of the risk of early pregnancy losses

GYNECOLOGY ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 9-16
Author(s):  
Nataly I Frolova ◽  
Tatiana E Belokrinitskaya
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Pregnancy Complication ◽  
Common Complication ◽  
Epigenetic Factors ◽  
Genetic Determination ◽  
Periconceptional Period ◽  
Combined Impact

Background. Miscarriage is a common complication in early pregnancy. Current studies have shown a higher prevalence of miscarriage, ranging from 10 to 20%. The review is devoted to modern concepts of etiology and pathogenesis of early pregnancy losses. Aim. Assess the role of epigenetic factors and molecular-genetic markers in the pathogenesis and prediction of early pregnancy losses Materials and methods. In order to write this review domestic and foreign publications were searched in Russian and international search systems (PubMed, eLibrary, etc.) for the last 10-15 years. Relevant articles from the peer-reviewed literature and clinical practice guidelines were included. Results. Many recent studies have proved the contribution of various epigenetic factors to the pathogenesis of spontaneous miscarriages, and the molecular-genetic determination such kinds of pregnancy complication has been confirmed. Conclusion. The miscarriage in early gestation is driven by combined impact of epigenetic and molecular-genetic factors, as well as the presence of intergenic interactions. It is may lead to deterioration of physiological functions, and maternal pathologenic pathways could be changed as during her periconceptional period as so during the pregnancy.

Becoming the Demon Woman

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per Faxneld
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Silent Film ◽  
Femme Fatale ◽  
Individual Level

Chapter9 analyses individuals who, both on and off the stage, actively assumed the role of the demon woman. Three persons are considered in detail: Sarah Bernhardt, the Italian marchioness Luisa Casati, and silent film actress Theda Bara. They chose—or, in Bara’s case, were chosen—to embody the (more or less supernatural or occult) femme fatale, as constructed mostly by male authors and artists. Seemingly, they felt this was empowering or useful for commercial, subversive, or other purposes. The analysis attempts to tease out some of the implications this enactment of a disquieting stereotype had on an individual level as well as in a broader cultural context. This also applies to the unknown women who wore jewellery depicting devils, demons, or Eve—a rebellious token clearly drawing on motifs familiar from Satanic feminism.

Creativity in Sociocultural Systems

2019 ◽  
pp. 269-284
Author(s):  
Dean Keith Simonton
Keyword(s):  
Macro Level ◽  
Historical Overview ◽  
Creative Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Sociocultural Systems

Although psychologists typically see creativity as an individual-level event, sociologists and cultural anthropologists are more likely to view it as a sociocultural phenomenon. This phenomenon takes place at the level of relatively large and enduring collectives, such as cultures, nations, and even whole civilizations. This chapter reviews the extensive research on such macro-level creativity. The review begins with a historical overview before turning to the cross-sectional research on the creative Ortgeist, a subject that encompasses the factors that influence the relative creativity of both preliterate cultures and entire modern nations. From there the chapter turns to role of the Zeitgeist in affecting the creativity of civilizations across time—the rise and fall of creative activity. This research examines both quantitative and qualitative causes that operate both short- and long-term.

scholarly journals Suppression of personality variation in boldness during foraging in three-spined sticklebacks

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah E. A. MacGregor ◽  
Aislinn Cottage ◽  
Christos C. Ioannou
Keyword(s):  
Negative Feedback ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Positive Feedback ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Refuge Use ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Behavioural Type ◽  
State Behaviour

Abstract Consistent inter-individual variation in behaviour within a population, widely referred to as personality variation, can be affected by environmental context. Feedbacks between an individual’s behaviour and state can strengthen (positive feedback) or weaken (negative feedback) individual differences when experiences such as predator encounters or winning contests are dependent on behavioural type. We examined the influence of foraging on individual-level consistency in refuge use (a measure of risk-taking, i.e. boldness) in three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, and particularly whether changes in refuge use depended on boldness measured under control conditions. In the control treatment trials with no food, individuals were repeatable in refuge use across repeated trials, and this behavioural consistency did not differ between the start and end of these trials. In contrast, when food was available, individuals showed a higher degree of consistency in refuge use at the start of the trials versus controls but this consistency significantly reduced by the end of the trials. The effect of the opportunity to forage was dependent on behavioural type, with bolder fish varying more in their refuge use between the start and the end of the feeding trials than shyer fish, and boldness positively predicted the likelihood of feeding at the start but not at the end of the trials. This suggests a state-behaviour feedback, but there was no overall trend in how bolder individuals changed their behaviour. Our study shows that personality variation can be suppressed in foraging contexts and a potential but unpredictable role of feedbacks between state and behaviour. Significance statement In this experimental study, we examined how foraging influences consistency in risk-taking in individual three-spined sticklebacks. We show that bolder individuals become less consistent in their risk-taking behaviour than shyer individuals during foraging. Some bolder individuals reinforce their risk-taking behaviour, suggesting a positive feedback between state and behaviour, while others converge on the behaviour of shyer individuals, suggesting a negative feedback. In support of a role of satiation in driving negative feedback effects, we found that bolder individuals were more likely to feed at the start but not at the end of the trials. Overall, our findings suggest that foraging can influence personality variation in risk-taking behaviour; however, the role of feedbacks may be unpredictable.

Applying Expanded Servicescape to the Hotel Industry

2021 ◽  
pp. 109634802110115
Author(s):  
Seonjeong (Ally) Lee ◽  
Ning-Kuang Chuang
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Customer Loyalty ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Environmental Cues ◽  
Practical Implications

The physical environment plays an essential role in customers’ hotel stay experiences. Hotels offer a differentiated atmosphere that creates favorable customers’ evaluations. Based on the significant role of environmental cues, this study investigates the effects of an expanded servicescape on customers’ evaluations, including customer satisfaction, quality of life, and customer loyalty, in the context of the hotel industry. To test the proposed research framework, this study collects data from previous hotel customers and conducts a self-administered, online survey. Findings identified ambience, interactions with employees, authenticity, and fascination positively influenced customers’ satisfaction, which further influenced customer loyalty. Only ambience and fascination positively influenced quality of life, which in turn influenced customer loyalty. Results contributed to the application of expanded servicescape in the hotel context. Results also suggested practical implications of the holistic approach of servicescape in the hotel industry.

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