A New Fluctuating Asymmetry Index, or the Solution for the Scaling Effect?

The article presents the study of leaf morphological features of Populus tremula L. Growing under the conditions of the influence emissions from Burshtynska TPP. The methods of linear morphometry were used to analyze the variability of the morphological parameters of leaves at high levels of pollutants. In the zone of influence of the industrial object there is a significant decrease in the foliar parameters. Uneven variability of morphological parameters between the study plots of industrial pollution and with minimized technogenic load are revealed. Levels of variability of morphological parameters are estimated using coefficient of variation, which for most of the analyzed morphological features at the polluted plot load is characterized by high and average values. The most varied ones were the distance between the first and second veins and the length of the second vein from the base of the leaf vein. For bioindication of anthropogenic load, an index of fluctuating asymmetry of P. tremul leaf blades has been tested. The analysis of the fluctuating asymmetry was based on leaf linear measurements and area of the halves of leaf blades. The results indicated an increase in fluctuating asymmetry index in plant growing at the polluted plot, both in linear measurements and in area indices. The comparison of the two approaches to the estimation of the level of fluctuating asymmetry has been carried out. As a result of this study, those foliar morphometric parameters of P. tremula, which exhibit high morphological reactivity under the influence of anthropogenic load, can be used as bioindicatory markers for assessing the state of the environment. A reliable indicator of technological pressure is the level of fluctuating asymmetry that can be recommended for use in bioindicative studies.

Download Full-text

Fluctuating asymmetry of the needles of Pinus brutia var. pityusa (STEVEN) SILBA, 1985, growing in industrial and recreational areas in Tuapse

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202022404044 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 224 ◽

pp. 04044

Author(s):

G Kozlov ◽

M Pushkarev ◽

I Belyaeva ◽

A Maksimova ◽

S Shvidkoy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Black Sea ◽

Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽

Well Being ◽

Asymmetry Index ◽

City Center ◽

The Caucasus ◽

Port Area ◽

Black Sea Coast ◽

The City ◽

Sea Coast

The paper provides information on the index of fluctuating asymmetry of the Pitsunda pine in industrial and recreational areas in the city of Tuapse (the Russian Black Sea coast of the Caucasus). It is shown that pollution is localized in the port area, and in the city center, the fluctuating asymmetry index is comparable to that for resort areas at a considerable distance from the Tuapse port. The necessity of taking into account the climate when using the coefficient of fluctuating asymmetry of the needles of the Mediterranean (Pitsunda) pine in assessing the degree of ecological well-being of various areas is shown.

Download Full-text

Qualitative and Quantitative Indicators of Foliar Mass of Woody Plants in Urban Greenspaces According to the Level of Air Pollution

Asian Journal of Water Environment and Pollution ◽

10.3233/ajw210024 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 11-19

Author(s):

Mei Lu

Keyword(s):

Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽

Control Site ◽

Asymmetry Index ◽

Control Group ◽

Leaf Fall ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Ash Trees ◽

Urban Greenspaces ◽

Quantitative Indicators ◽

The City

The purpose of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the leaf fall timing and parameters of fluctuating leaf asymmetry among two commonly used plant species for street landscaping in Detroit city, namely, American elm and American ash. The study was completed between summer and fall for the year 2019 in and around Detroit, US. Phenological leaf fall timing of elm and ash was studied, and the fluctuating asymmetry index of their leaves was estimated within the city limits (80 trees of ash and 40 of elm) and outside the city (control site, 20 trees of each species). Leaf fall in city ash trees was recorded from November 1st to 4th and 5-8 days prior to the leaf fall in elms (p ≤ 0.01). Elm trees in the control group shed their leaves 10 days later compared to the city trees, i.e., on average, on November 25th (p ≤ 0.01). Ash trees in the control group shed their leaves earlier than the elm control group, on November 11th (p ≤ 0.001). In the city streets, the average fluctuating asymmetry ranged from 0.065 to 0.086 (point 1), from 0.049 to 0.078 (point 2) and from 0.063 to 0.082 (control site, near the highway).

Download Full-text

Radial and Bilateral Fluctuating Asymmetry of Iris pumila Flowers as Indicators of Environmental Stress

Symmetry ◽

10.3390/sym11060818 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 818

Author(s):

Barišić Klisarić ◽

Miljković ◽

Avramov ◽

Živković ◽

Tarasjev

Keyword(s):

Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Stomatal Density ◽

Heavy Traffic ◽

Photosynthetic Pigment ◽

Asymmetry Index ◽

Polluted Environment ◽

Arid Steppe ◽

Iris Pumila ◽

Flower Structures

In this study we compared the biomonitoring potential of various types of flower asymmetry indices in Iris pumila (Dwarf Bearded Iris). We chose 197 naturally growing clones from the arid steppe habitat in the largest sandy area in Europe (Deliblato Sands Nature Reserve), and we transplanted two replicates of each clone to a polluted highway site with a heavy traffic flow. After a period of acclimatization, lower levels of photosynthetic pigment concentrations and higher stomatal density and specific leaf area in transplants verified that the chosen highway site was indeed more stressful and therefore suitable for estimation of the flower asymmetry biomonitoring potential. We analyzed radially and bilaterally symmetrical flower structures (radial fluctuating asymmetry (RA) and bilateral fluctuating asymmetry (FA)) on three perianth parts—falls, standards, and styles—and calculated various asymmetry indices based on linear and geometric morphometrics. Despite utilizing a heavily polluted environment and fairly large sample sizes, only one asymmetry index was significantly higher on the polluted site with demonstrated stressful effects on utilized plants, indicating that flower asymmetry was not an efficient method for biomonitoring in the case of I. pumila RA and FA indices.

Download Full-text

Facial symmetry and severity of gender dimorphism in its proportions in the isanzu people, traditional farmers of East Africa

Experimental Psychology (Russia) ◽

10.17759/exppsy.2015080406 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 77-90

Author(s):

M.L. Butovskaya ◽

E.V. Veselovskaya ◽

E.A. Postnikova

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dimorphism ◽

East Africa ◽

Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽

Maximum Level ◽

Psychological Research ◽

Asymmetry Index ◽

Gender Dimorphism ◽

Men And Women ◽

Agricultural Societies ◽

The Face

In modern scientific literature on sexual selection, a significant place is occupied by scientific works that examine the relationship between indicators of fluctuating asymmetry of the face, the expression of sexual dimorphism and individual attractiveness and reproductive success. The present study is devoted to analysis of the data of the ethno-psychological research of representatives of Isanzu tribe - one of the traditional agricultural societies of East Africa (Tanzania). An assessment of the degree of symmetry of the faces of men and women of Isanzu tribe, as well as the expression of characteristics of sexual dimorphism in face proportions was the purpose of this study. On the basis of the evaluation of photographic images of 159 men and 56 women of Isanzu tribe we analyzed and compared the following indexes: indexes of fluctuating asymmetry and sexual dimorphism of the face, finger index, the ratio of waist to hips, the ratio of shoulders to hips, and finally indicators of the age in which expression of fluctuating asymmetry reaches its maximum level. The results of the analysis indicate that faces of men and women of Isanzu tribe do not differ in the level of fluctuating asymmetry, male faces are characterized by pronounced masculine traits; as for the calculation of indexes, we did not detect any age differences based on fluctuating asymmetry index, whereas masculine index tends to increase linearly with increasing age

Download Full-text

Developmental instability in wild Nigerian olive baboons (Papio anubis)

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.11832 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e11832

Author(s):

Kara C. Hoover ◽

Emily Gelipter ◽

Volker Sommer ◽

Kris Kovarovic

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽

Developmental Instability ◽

Asymmetry Index ◽

Permanent Dentition ◽

Developmental Trajectory ◽

Directional Asymmetry ◽

Papio Anubis ◽

Life History Stages ◽

Males And Females

Background Developmental instability in archaeological samples can be detected through analysis of skeletal and dental remains. During life, disruptions to biological internal homeostasis that occur during growth and development redirect bodily resources to returning to homeostasis and away from normal processes such as symmetrical development. Because dental enamel does not remodel in life, any deviations from normal development are left behind. Even subtle disturbances to developmental trajectory may be detected in asymmetrical development of traits, specifically a random variation in sides termed fluctuating asymmetry. Human dental fluctuating asymmetry studies are common, but here we investigate the permanent dentition of a non-human primate Papio anubis, for potential fluctuating asymmetry relative to sex, weaning, and reproductive maturity. The sample stems from an outlier population that lives in the wettest and most humid habitat of any studied baboon group. Methods The skulls of adult baboons were collected after their natural death in Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria. The permanent dentition of antimeric teeth (paired) were measured for maximum length and breadth using standard methods. The metrics were analyzed to assess the presence of fluctuating asymmetry in adult permanent mandibular and maxillary dentition. Measurement error and other forms of asymmetry (antisymmetry, directional asymmetry) were considered and dental measures expressing true fluctuating asymmetry were used to address three research questions. Results Males exhibit greater fluctuating asymmetry than females, suggesting that males experience greater overall instability during the developmental period. While weaning is not more stressful than other life history stages for males and females (using the first molar fluctuating asymmetry index as a proxy compared to other teeth), it is more stressful for females than males. The onset of reproduction is also not more stressful than other life history stages for males and females (using the third molar fluctuating asymmetry index as a proxy compared to other teeth), but it is more stressful for males than females. We explore possible explanations for these findings in the discussion.

Download Full-text

Plant life assessment by the total fluctuating asymmetry index in the RUDN University campus

RUDN Journal of Ecology and Life Safety ◽

10.22363/2313-2310-2018-26-3-335-345 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 335-345

Author(s):

Roman Khasanovich Mamadzhanov

Keyword(s):

Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽

Tree Species ◽

Asymmetry Index ◽

Life Assessment ◽

New Method ◽

Morphological Parameters ◽

University Campus ◽

Plant Life ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Asymmetry Parameters

The article proposes a new method of plant life assessment by the total fluctuating asymmetry index that includes seven asymmetry parameters of leaves growing in three experimental areas near the Leninsky Prospekt and Miklukho-Maklaya highways. The data on 18 morphological parameters of leaves of the tree species growing in these experimental areas has been presented. The potential impact of the Leninsky Prospekt and Miklukho-Malkaya highways on the morphological parameters of leaves has been estimated.

Download Full-text

Phytocenological study of environmental quality using the fluctuating asymmetry index Betula pendula Roth

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/595/1/012011 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 595 ◽

pp. 012011

Author(s):

E Popova

Keyword(s):

Environmental Quality ◽

Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽

Betula Pendula ◽

Asymmetry Index ◽

Betula Pendula Roth

Download Full-text

The ecology of urban system: assessment using Spiraea plants

BIO Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/bioconf/20213800075 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 00075

Author(s):

Anna Lugovskaya ◽

Elena Khramova ◽

Evgenia Karpova

Keyword(s):

Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽

Western Siberia ◽

Anthropogenic Impacts ◽

Reference Conditions ◽

Urban System ◽

Asymmetry Index ◽

Length Width ◽

System Assessment ◽

Urban Plants

The article presents the results of the study of the shift in the morphological parameters of the leaves of three species of the genus Spiraea L. growing under the conditions of transport-caused and industrial pollution in large industrial citi of Western Siberia (Novosibirsk) in comparison with that in background conditions (reference). The morphological indices (length, width, perimeter, and area of the lamina) were determined by digital image analysis using the Maplnfo software. The anthropogenic impacts induced a reduction in the size of the assimilating organs and an increase in the index of the fluctuating asymmetry of the leaves of urban plants compared to background plants. According to the fluctuating asymmetry index, the environmental quality of the Lenin district of Novosibirsk was assessed as critical, meanwhile that of the reference conditions corresponded to the norm.

Download Full-text

Fluctuating dental asymmetry in rabbits with familial nonsyndromic coronal suture synostosis

Dentistry 3000 ◽

10.5195/d3000.2017.78 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mae A. Hyre ◽

Seth M. Weinberg ◽

Gregory M. Cooper ◽

James Gilbert ◽

Michael I. Siegel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽

Early Onset ◽

Asymmetry Index ◽

Coronal Suture ◽

Wild Type ◽

Standard Size ◽

Molecular Events ◽

Parametric Statistics ◽

Systemic Stress ◽

The Right

Fluctuating dental asymmetry has been linked to conditions of unstable pre- and peri-natal development. Familial, nonsyndromic craniosynostosis disrupts early craniofacial development through localized excessive calvarial ossification leading to the premature fusion of the calvarial sutures. Such abnormal gene expression may also produce systemic stress resulting in developmental instability, thereby affecting normal trait symmetry. The present study was designed to test this hypothesis by examining fluctuating dental asymmetry in an inbred strain of rabbits with familial, nonsyndromic coronal craniosynostosis. The mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL) dimensions of the right and left maxillary first molars were measured in four groups of New Zealand white rabbits (N=176; n=40 with early-onset synostosis, n=65 with delayed-onset synostosis, n=46 in-colony, phenotypically normal rabbits, and n=25 wild-type normal controls). For each variable, raw signed asymmetry was calculated (left-right) and tested for assumptions of fluctuating asymmetry (i.e., normality and non-directionality). Any group that did not meet these assumptions was excluded from further analysis. Using a standard size-adjusted, fluctuating asymmetry index, mean fluctuating asymmetry was calculated and compared across groups with non-parametric statistics. For the MD dimension, no significant (p > 0.05) group differences in mean fluctuating asymmetry were observed among groups. In contrast, rabbits with early-onset synostosis had significantly (p < 0.05) more fluctuating asymmetry in the BL dimension compared to wild-type controls. Results demonstrate increased fluctuating dental asymmetry in rabbits with nonsyndromic, early-onset coronal suture synostosis and suggest that the molecular events producing suture synostosis locally may have also have systemic effects. Knowledge of these systemic interactions may contribute to a fuller understanding of the phenotypic spectrum observed in individuals with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis.

Download Full-text