scholarly journals Sized-related changes in winter condition of male calves in reindeer

Rangifer ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Helle ◽  
E. Pulliainen ◽  
J. Aspi
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Food Competition ◽  
The Body ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Length Ratio ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Winter Condition ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Snow Conditions ◽  
Free Ranging

<p>Size-related changes in body condition of free-ranging male calves of semi-domesticated reindeer were studied in northern Finland from October 1983 to February 1984. In October-November, back fat depth or muscle fat percent correlated positively with the body size (=back length). In January, the highest means especially for muscle fat percent were found among medium-sized calves. Carcass weight and weight/back length ratio correlated positively with size, excluding February sample, where correlation for carcass weight was non-significant and for weight/back length ratio negative. Weight in the autumn correlated negatively with weight in February. Therefore, normalizing selection for body size (working against small and large phenotypes) is expected to occur in late winter. Small calves may be at greater mortality risk because of lower initial body reserves. Large calves commonly disperse during the rutting season and they may suffer most from increased food competition later in winter. Using of medium-sized calves for breeding might be the safest policy on ranges characterized by short food supply and difficult snow conditions.</p><p>Koon vaikutus poron urosvasojen talviseen kuntoon.</p><p>Abstract in Finnish / Tiivistelm&auml;: Koon vaikutusta vapaana laiduntavien poron urosvasojen kuntoon tutkittiin Pohjois-Suomessa loka-helmikuussa talvella 1983-84. Loka-marraskuussa selk&auml;rasvan paksuus tai lihaksen rasvaprosentti riippui vasan koosta ( = sel&auml;n pituus). Tammikuussa sen sijaan lihaksen rasvaprosentti oli korkein keskikokoisilla vasoilla. Ruhopaino sek&auml; ruhopaino/sel&auml;n pituus oli yleensa riippuvainen koosta. Helmikuussa ruhopainon riippuvuus koosta ei ollut en&auml;&auml; tilastollisesti merkitsev&auml;, ja koon ja ruhopainon/sel&auml;npituuden v&auml;linen korrelaatio oli negatiivinen. Eniten painoa menettiv&auml;t (%) loka-helmikuun v&auml;lill&auml; suurikokoisimmat vasat. Havainnot viittaavat siihen, ett&auml; talvella esiintyv&auml; kuolleisuus on normalisoivaa koon suhteen (karsii pieni&auml; ja suuria fenotyyppej&auml;). Pienten vasojen kuolleisuusriski on suuri alunperinkin v&auml;h&auml;isen varastoravinnon vuoksi. Suuret vasat puolestaan erkaantuvat usein emist&auml;&auml;n jo rykim&auml;aikana, ja joutuvat k&auml;rsim&auml;&auml;n eniten talven mittaan kiristyv&auml;st&auml; ravintokilpailusta. Niukoilla laitumilla siitokseen on turvallisinta s&auml;&auml;st&auml;&auml; keskikokoisia vasoja.</p><p>Sammenhengen mellom st&oslash;rrelse og vinterkondisjon hos hankalver av reinsdyr.</p><p>Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: St&oslash;rrelses-relaterte forandringer i kroppskondisjon hos fritt beitende han-kalver av semidomestiserte rein er studert i Nord-Finland fra oktober 1983 til februar 1984. I oktober - november korrelerte tykkelsen av ryggfettet eller muskelfett-prosenten positivt med kroppsst&oslash;rrelsen (= rygglengden). I januar ble de h&oslash;yeste middelverdier, s&aelig;rlig for muskelfett-prosenten, funnet hos kalver av middels st&oslash;rrelse. Skrott-vekter og vekt/rygglengde-forholdet korrelerte positivt med kroppsst&oslash;rrelse bortsett fra februar-pr&oslash;vene, der korrellasjonen for skrott-vekt var ikke-signifikant og for vekt/rygglengde-forholdet var negativt. Vekt om h&oslash;sten korrelerte negativt med vekt i februar. Derfor ventes et normaliserende utvalg for kroppsvekt (som arbeider mot sm&aring; og store fenotyper) &aring; skje p&aring; senvinteren. Sm&aring; kalver er utsatt for st&oslash;rre d&oslash;dsrisiko p&aring; grunn av lavere kroppsreserver. Store kalver streifer vanligvis under brunsttiden og kan komme til &aring; lide under &oslash;kt n&aelig;ringskonkurranse p&aring; senvinteren. Bruk av middels store kalver i avlen kan v&aelig;re den sikreste metode p&aring; beiter som karakteriseres av d&aring;rlige n&aelig;ringstilgang og vanskelige sn&oslash;forhold.</p>

scholarly journals Development of a noninvasive photograph-based method for the evaluation of body condition in free-ranging brown bears

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9982
Author(s):  
Yuri Shirane ◽  
Fumihiko Mori ◽  
Masami Yamanaka ◽  
Masanao Nakanishi ◽  
Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
The Body ◽  
Length Ratio ◽  
Brown Bears ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Free Ranging

Body condition is an important determinant of health, and its evaluation has practical applications for the conservation and management of mammals. We developed a noninvasive method that uses photographs to assess the body condition of free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) in the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. First, we weighed and measured 476 bears captured during 1998–2017 and calculated their body condition index (BCI) based on residuals from the regression of body mass against body length. BCI showed seasonal changes and was lower in spring and summer than in autumn. The torso height:body length ratio was strongly correlated with BCI, which suggests that it can be used as an indicator of body condition. Second, we examined the precision of photograph-based measurements using an identifiable bear in the Rusha area, a special wildlife protection area on the peninsula. A total of 220 lateral photographs of this bear were taken September 24–26, 2017, and classified according to bear posture. The torso height:body/torso length ratio was calculated with four measurement methods and compared among bear postures in the photographs. The results showed torso height:horizontal torso length (TH:HTL) to be the indicator that could be applied to photographs of the most diverse postures, and its coefficient of variation for measurements was <5%. In addition, when analyzing photographs of this bear taken from June to October during 2016–2018, TH:HTL was significantly higher in autumn than in spring/summer, which indicates that this ratio reflects seasonal changes in body condition in wild bears. Third, we calculated BCI from actual measurements of seven females captured in the Rusha area and TH:HTL from photographs of the same individuals. We found a significant positive relationship between TH:HTL and BCI, which suggests that the body condition of brown bears can be estimated with high accuracy based on photographs. Our simple and accurate method is useful for monitoring bear body condition repeatedly over the years and contributes to further investigation of the relationships among body condition, food habits, and reproductive success.

Energy requirements of eastern coyotes

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 656-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Pekins ◽  
William W. Mautz
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Critical Temperatures ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
Daily Energy ◽  
Seasonal Metabolism ◽  
Snow Conditions ◽  
Free Ranging

We used indirect respiration calorimetry to measure seasonal metabolism and lower critical temperatures (TLC) of eastern coyotes (Canis latrans var.). The yearly mean basal metabolic rate was 10.6 L O2∙kg−1∙d−1. No difference was found among seasonal BMRs. The TLC values were 10, 0, and 5 °C during summer, autumn, and spring, respectively. Metabolism increased linearly below the TLC values. Normal temperatures in New Hampshire were well within the seasonal thermoneutral zones of eastern coyotes. The average daily energy requirements of free-ranging eastern coyotes during winter were estimated as 163.5 kcal∙kg−1 (3 × BMR). A 15-kg coyote required three snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) every 2 days to satisfy these energy needs. In northern forested habitats, where hare and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) may represent the primary prey species, interrelationships of the energy requirements of eastern coyotes with coyote breeding activity, sociality, and snow conditions may favor predation of white-tailed deer during late winter, particularly if hare availability is low.

Niche partitioning within a population of sea snakes is constrained by ambient thermal homogeneity and small prey size

2020 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 644-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Goiran ◽  
Gregory P Brown ◽  
Richard Shine
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Small Prey ◽  
Sea Snakes ◽  
Local Extirpation ◽  
Free Ranging

Abstract In many populations of terrestrial snakes, the phenotype of an individual (e.g. body size, sex, colour) affects its habitat use. One cause for that link is gape limitation, which can result in larger snakes eating prey that are found in different habitats. A second factor involves thermoregulatory opportunities, whereby individuals select habitats based upon thermal conditions. These ideas predict minimal intraspecific variation in habitat use in a species that eats small prey and lives in a thermally uniform habitat, such as the sea snake Emydocephalus annulatus, which feeds on tiny fish eggs and lives in inshore coral reefs. To test that prediction, we gathered data on water depths and substrate attributes for 1475 sightings of 128 free-ranging E. annulatus in a bay near Noumea, New Caledonia. Habitat selection varied among individuals, but with a preference for coral-dominated substrates. The body size and reproductive state of a snake affected its detectability in deep water, but overall habitat use was not linked to snake body size, colour morph, sex or pregnancy. A lack of ontogenetic shifts in habitat use allows extreme philopatry in E. annulatus, thereby reducing gene flow among populations and, potentially, delaying recolonization after local extirpation events.

Selective factors in the evolution of insect wings: response to Kukalová-Peck

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 785-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel G. Kingsolver ◽  
M. A. R. Koehl
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Early Evolution ◽  
The Body ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Insect Wings ◽  
Selection For

Kukalová-Peck (J. Kukalová-Peck. 1987. Can. J. Zool. 65: 2327–2345) has recently criticized the hypothesis that selection for increased thermoregulatory capacity was important in the early evolution of wings from protowings. Here we argue that the current paleontological, embryological, and experimental evidence cannot be used to reject the thermoregulatory hypothesis. Experimental studies of aerodynamics and thermoregulation suggest that knowledge of the body size of ancestral pterygotes is crucial to evaluating the relative importance of aerodynamic and thermoregulatory factors in the evolution of flight.

scholarly journals The trade-off between color and size in lizards' conspicuous tails

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raiane dos Santos Guidi ◽  
Vinicius de Avelar Sao-Pedro ◽  
Holda Ramos-Silva ◽  
Gabriel Correa Costa ◽  
Daniel Marques Almeida Pessoa
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Body Part ◽  
The Body ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Red Color ◽  
Color Signals ◽  
Free Ranging

A tail of conspicuous coloration is hypothesized to be an advantageous trait for many species of lizards. Predator attacks would be directed to a non-vital, and autotomizable, body part, increasing the chance of survival. However, as body size increases it also increases the signaling area that could attract predators from greater distances, increasing the overall chance of predation. Here, we test the hypothesis that there is a trade-off between tail color and size, affecting predation probabilities. We used plasticine replicas of lizards to study the predation patterns of small and large lizards with red and blue tails. In a natural environment, we exposed six hundred replicas subjected to the attack of free-ranging predators. Large red-tailed models were attacked more quickly, and more intensely, by birds. Mammals and unidentified predators showed no preference for any size or colors. The attacks were not primarily directed to conspicuous tails when compared to the body or the head of our replicas. Our study suggests that red color signals in large lizards could enhance their detection by visually oriented predators (i.e., birds). The efficacy of conspicuous tails as a decoy may rely on associated behavioral displays, which are hard to test with static replicas.

scholarly journals Whole Genome Sequencing Reveals Signatures for Artificial Selection for Different Sizes in Japanese Primitive Dog Breeds

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangqi Lyu ◽  
Chunyu Feng ◽  
Shiyu Zhu ◽  
Shuang Ren ◽  
Wanyi Dang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Artificial Selection ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
The Body ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Sliding Windows ◽  
Selection For

Body size is an important trait in companion animals. Recently, a primitive Japanese dog breed, the Shiba Inu, has experienced artificial selection for smaller body size, resulting in the “Mame Shiba Inu” breed. To identify loci and genes that might explain the difference in the body size of these Shiba Inu dogs, we applied whole genome sequencing of pooled samples (pool-seq) on both Shiba Inu and Mame Shiba Inu. We identified a total of 13,618,261 unique SNPs in the genomes of these two breeds of dog. Using selective sweep approaches, including FST, Hp and XP-CLR with sliding windows, we identified a total of 12 genomic windows that show signatures of selection that overlap with nine genes (PRDM16, ZNF382, ZNF461, ERGIC2, ENSCAFG00000033351, CCDC61, ALDH3A2, ENSCAFG00000011141, and ENSCAFG00000018533). These results provide candidate genes and specific sites that might be associated with body size in dogs. Some of these genes are associated with body size in other mammals, but 8 of the 9 genes are novel candidate genes that need further study.

scholarly journals Host selection for selfsuperparasitism by Diaeretiella rapae (MIntosh) (Hymenoptera Aphidiidae)

2011 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
pp. 37-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kant ◽  
M.A. Minor ◽  
S.A. Trewick ◽  
W.R.M. Sandanayaka
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Host Selection ◽  
Reproductive Fitness ◽  
Brevicoryne Brassicae ◽  
The Body ◽  
Diaeretiella Rapae ◽  
Cabbage Aphid ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Repeated Attack

Superparasitism (repeated oviposition in same host) indicates either a fitness benefit for the parasitoid or an inability of ovipositing females to discriminate parasitised versus unparasitised hosts Superparasitism in Diaeretiella rapae the solitary endoparasitoid of cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae was studied in the laboratory When given a choice of parasitised and unparasitised aphids 70 of females made their attack on unparasitised hosts first even though alreadyparasitised aphids were less defensive to parasitoid attack and ovipositing females had shorter hosthandling time The female superparasitised hosts during repeated attack and the large hosts were superparasitised more often than the small ones Although superparasitised hosts carried two to five parasitoid larvae only one larva developed into an adult The body size of parasitoid larvae as measured 4 days after oviposition was affected by the total number of larvae in the host Superparasitism strategies of D rapae are discussed in the context of reproductive fitness

The Body Size of Headstarted and Wild Juvenile European Pond Turtles (Emys orbicularis)

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Sławomir Mitrus ◽  
Bartłomiej Najbar ◽  
Adam Kotowicz ◽  
Anna Najbar
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
The Body ◽  
Emys Orbicularis

scholarly journals First record of Pachycrocuta brevirostris (Gervais, 1850) from Ukraine on the background of the European occurrence of the species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Marciszak ◽  
Yuriy Semenov ◽  
Piotr Portnicki ◽  
Tamara Derkach
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
First Record ◽  
The Body ◽  
Crocuta Crocuta ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
Eastern Asia ◽  
South Eastern

AbstractCranial material ofPachycrocuta brevirostrisfrom the late Early Pleistocene site of Nogaisk is the first record of this species in Ukraine. This large hyena was a representative of the Tamanian faunal complex and a single specialised scavenger in these faunas. The revisited European records list ofP.brevirostrisdocumented the presence of this species in 101 sites, dated in the range of 3.5–0.4 Ma. This species first disappeared in Africa, survived in Europe until ca. 0.8–0.7 Ma, and its last, relict occurrence was known from south-eastern Asia. The main reason of extinction ofP.brevirostrisprobably was the competition withCrocuta crocuta. The cave hyena was smaller, but its teeth were proportionally larger to the body size, better adapted to crushing bones and slicing meat, and could also hunt united in larger groups.

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