Husbandry and captive reproduction of the giant Mexican leaf frog Agalychnis dacnicolor

The giant Mexican leaf frog, Agalychnis dacnicolor, is a large arboreal frog endemic to Mexico. This species was previously under-represented in European zoological collections and specific techniques for reproductive management under vivarium conditions little known. A group of four males and one female A. dacnicolor were maintained in captivity at Chester Zoo (Great Britain). To bring them into reproductive condition, they were subjected to three simulated environmental phases that differed in temperature, humidity and feeding regime. This proved successful so that two clutches of spawn, each containing 150-300 eggs, were deposited on leaves overhanging water. Tadpoles hatched from 4 days following oviposition with approximately 80 % success rate. They were reared at a water temperature of 27 °C to 29 °C and displayed no negative effects from living in high density. All tadpoles metamorphosed successfully and froglets with resorbing tails left water after about 32 days. Their tails were resorbed in a further 4 to 5 days at which time they began to feed; at least in the case of males, sexual maturity was reached after 10 months. This methodology will enable zoological collections in Europe to breed this species for potential conservation, research and educational purposes.

Social Organisation, Ecology and Reproduction in the Sanje Mangabey (Cercocebus Sanjei) in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Tanzania

<p>Understanding of the biology of threatened species is central to effective planning for sustainable management of wildlife. The Sanje mangabey, Cercocebus sanjei of Udzungwa Mountains National Park in Tanzania is under pressure from increasinghuman hunting, and habitat loss threatens its long-term survival. This thesis endeavoured to document the socio-biological and ecological aspects of this little-known species in a small habituated group of 62 individuals within the Mwanihana forest in Udzungwa Mountains National Park. I studied the social organisation, size and age-sex composition of one group by following and monitoring of the Sanje mangabeys over a six-month period. I also investigated the spatial-temporal interactions and associations between age and sex classes within a group. I assessed the Sanje mangabey's ranging and movementpatterns and monitored its reproductive behaviour by examining female sexual skin swellings and relationships between sexual swellings and sexual behaviour. Further, I investigated the species feeding habits and influences of seasonal parameters (rainfall and temperature) upon reproduction, feeding ecology and behaviour of this species. The Sanje mangabey social organisation is structured in a hierarchy characterised by dominance according to the sex and age of individuals. The study group was composed of individuals of all sexes and age classes; newborn babies, juveniles, sub adults and adults, males and females. Adult males were generally dominant overfemales and males of lower age. Males showed more agonistic behaviours to juveniles than did females and there were stable linear dominance hierarchies among individuals across the sexes (Landau's dominance index, h' =0.92, p =0.0281) and a high directional consistency index, DC =0.91) for both sexes. The linearity indices 'h' were 0.84, P= 0.041, DC = 0.94 and 0.93, P = 0.0382, DC = 0.94) for males and females, respectively. Individuals spent about 8% on average of day grooming each other and the rate of grooming differed across and within sexes and age classes. There was a significant relationship between duration of the initiator's first grooming episode and subsequent reciprocation by the receiver in all age classes (P < 0.05). The independent effects of total grooming duration of the initiator also showed a significant difference and predicted total grooming duration of the recipient (P =0.0001). However, there was no evidence for grooming to be directed towards higher ranking Sanje mangabeys. The Sanje mangabey's home range was 301 hectares and exhibited a mean daily range of 1760 metres within the Mwanihana forest. The rangeand movement patterns of this species differed significantly between seasons of the year. During the dry season (no rain) the group covered larger distances (P = 0.001) between forest patches and moved significantly faster (P = 0.001) than during wet (rain) season. The Sanje mangabey is omnivorous, feeding on plant material, invertebrates and vertebrates such as lizards. There were marked influences of temperature and rainfall on the feeding patterns. Mangabeys utilised the arboreal layer (>16m high) during cool and wet periods and were observed feeding mostly on the ground resources during hot and dry periods. The reproductive potential and social behaviour of theSanje mangabey, however, did not vary with the different seasons of the year. Sanje mangabeys have a mean swelling cycle length of 32.1 +/- 2.4 days. Individual females showed differences in swelling duration (F =12.43, P = 0.043) and noevidence of group variation in cycle length (H= 30.2, DF = 6, P < 0.05) was seen. Maximum swelling lasted for 4.4 +/- 0.9 days on average and detumescence was 14.7 +/- 3.9 days. The mean menses length was 3 +/- 0.2 days (n = 3). Most cycling females, showed days with regular swellings of both sizes. The gestation length averaged 173days and the interval between birth and resumption of the swelling cycle was observed to be 184 days. The sexual skin swellings appear to be sexually attractive signals of female reproductive condition. Although mating occurred in all stages of the female cycle, a peak was observed during maximum swelling size and breakdown. These findings illustrate the utility of sex swellings as signals used by males to determine reproductive condition.</p>

Social Organisation, Ecology and Reproduction in the Sanje Mangabey (Cercocebus Sanjei) in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Tanzania

<p>Understanding of the biology of threatened species is central to effective planning for sustainable management of wildlife. The Sanje mangabey, Cercocebus sanjei of Udzungwa Mountains National Park in Tanzania is under pressure from increasinghuman hunting, and habitat loss threatens its long-term survival. This thesis endeavoured to document the socio-biological and ecological aspects of this little-known species in a small habituated group of 62 individuals within the Mwanihana forest in Udzungwa Mountains National Park. I studied the social organisation, size and age-sex composition of one group by following and monitoring of the Sanje mangabeys over a six-month period. I also investigated the spatial-temporal interactions and associations between age and sex classes within a group. I assessed the Sanje mangabey's ranging and movementpatterns and monitored its reproductive behaviour by examining female sexual skin swellings and relationships between sexual swellings and sexual behaviour. Further, I investigated the species feeding habits and influences of seasonal parameters (rainfall and temperature) upon reproduction, feeding ecology and behaviour of this species. The Sanje mangabey social organisation is structured in a hierarchy characterised by dominance according to the sex and age of individuals. The study group was composed of individuals of all sexes and age classes; newborn babies, juveniles, sub adults and adults, males and females. Adult males were generally dominant overfemales and males of lower age. Males showed more agonistic behaviours to juveniles than did females and there were stable linear dominance hierarchies among individuals across the sexes (Landau's dominance index, h' =0.92, p =0.0281) and a high directional consistency index, DC =0.91) for both sexes. The linearity indices 'h' were 0.84, P= 0.041, DC = 0.94 and 0.93, P = 0.0382, DC = 0.94) for males and females, respectively. Individuals spent about 8% on average of day grooming each other and the rate of grooming differed across and within sexes and age classes. There was a significant relationship between duration of the initiator's first grooming episode and subsequent reciprocation by the receiver in all age classes (P < 0.05). The independent effects of total grooming duration of the initiator also showed a significant difference and predicted total grooming duration of the recipient (P =0.0001). However, there was no evidence for grooming to be directed towards higher ranking Sanje mangabeys. The Sanje mangabey's home range was 301 hectares and exhibited a mean daily range of 1760 metres within the Mwanihana forest. The rangeand movement patterns of this species differed significantly between seasons of the year. During the dry season (no rain) the group covered larger distances (P = 0.001) between forest patches and moved significantly faster (P = 0.001) than during wet (rain) season. The Sanje mangabey is omnivorous, feeding on plant material, invertebrates and vertebrates such as lizards. There were marked influences of temperature and rainfall on the feeding patterns. Mangabeys utilised the arboreal layer (>16m high) during cool and wet periods and were observed feeding mostly on the ground resources during hot and dry periods. The reproductive potential and social behaviour of theSanje mangabey, however, did not vary with the different seasons of the year. Sanje mangabeys have a mean swelling cycle length of 32.1 +/- 2.4 days. Individual females showed differences in swelling duration (F =12.43, P = 0.043) and noevidence of group variation in cycle length (H= 30.2, DF = 6, P < 0.05) was seen. Maximum swelling lasted for 4.4 +/- 0.9 days on average and detumescence was 14.7 +/- 3.9 days. The mean menses length was 3 +/- 0.2 days (n = 3). Most cycling females, showed days with regular swellings of both sizes. The gestation length averaged 173days and the interval between birth and resumption of the swelling cycle was observed to be 184 days. The sexual skin swellings appear to be sexually attractive signals of female reproductive condition. Although mating occurred in all stages of the female cycle, a peak was observed during maximum swelling size and breakdown. These findings illustrate the utility of sex swellings as signals used by males to determine reproductive condition.</p>

Technology of the Surround

In addressing the issue of harmful bias in AI systems, this paper asks for a consideration of a generatively wild AI that exceeds the framework of predictive machine learning. The argument places supervised learning with its labeled training data as primarily a form of reproduction of a status quo. Based on this framework, the paper moves through an analysis of two AI modalities—supervised learning (e.g., machine vision) and unsupervised learning (e.g., game play)—to demonstrate the potential of AI as mechanism that creates patterns of association outside of a purely reproductive condition. This analysis is followed by an introduction to the concept of the technology of the surround, where the paper then turns toward theoretical positions that unbind categorical logics, moving toward other possible positionalities—the surround (Harney and Moten), alien intelligence (Parisi), and intra-actions of subject/object resolution (Barad). The paper frames two key concepts in relation to an AI in the wild: the colonial sublime and black techné. The paper concludes with a summation of what AI in the wild can contribute to the subversion of technologies of oppression toward a liberatory potential of AI.

Does density-induced stress promote density-dependent reproduction in root voles? Two field experiments

Density dependence in reproduction plays an important role in stabilising population dynamics via immediate negative feedback from population density to reproductive output. Although previous studies have shown that density dependence is associated with strong spacing behaviour and social interaction between individuals, the proximal mechanism for generating density-dependent reproduction remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of density-induced stress on reproduction in root voles. Founder population enclosures were established by introducing six (low density) and 30 (high density) adults per sex into per enclosure (four enclosures per density in total) during the breeding season from April to July 2012 and from May to August 2015. Faecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) levels, reproductive traits (recruitment and the proportion of reproductive condition), and founder population numbers were measured following repeated live-trapping in both years. The number of founders was negatively associated with recruitment rates and the proportion of reproductive conditions, displaying a density-dependent reproduction. FCM level was positively associated with the number of founders. The number of founder females indirectly affected the proportion of reproductive females in 2012 and recruitment in 2015 through their FCM levels; the effect of the number of male founders on the proportion of reproductive condition was mediated by their FCM level in 2012, but the effect was not found in 2015. Our results showed that density-induced stress affected density-dependent reproduction and that density-induced stress is one ecological factor generating density-dependent reproduction.

Infections by the trematode Microphallus nicolli and the acanthocephalan Profilicollis altmani in relation to the reproductive condition of their intermediate host, the Pacific mole crab Emerita analoga

Parasites can dramatically influence fecundity of their hosts, so for any host species it is important to establish whether parasite infections affect host reproduction. The Pacific mole crab, Emerita analoga, commonly harbors metacercarial cysts of the trematode Microphallus nicolli and cystacanths of the acanthocephalan Profilicollis altmani. Although these helminths are known to infect primarily larger female mole crabs, they may do so disproportionately when tied to their host’s reproductive condition. This study was undertaken to examine differences in parasite prevalence and abundance between non-ovigerous and ovigerous hosts. Crabs from Del Monte Beach, Monterey, California were collected, carapace length measured, sexed, examined for parasites, and had their reproductive state noted. The vast majority of the crabs sampled were infected with at least one parasite, and over half of the crabs had both M. nicolli and P. altmani. Ovigerous females were significantly larger than non-ovigerous crabs. Prevalence of both trematode metacercarial cysts and acanthocephalan cystacanths was significantly higher in ovigerous females than in non-ovigerous ones. Egg-bearing females were also more heavily infected by both parasites than non-egg-bearing individuals. These results suggest that larger ovigerous crabs may provide greater resources and thus are able to support higher levels of infections. This study shows that neither parasite prevalence nor abundance seemed to affect egg production in E. analoga.

PENAMPILAN REPRODUKSI SAPI PERANAKAN ONGOLE (PO) DI KECAMATAN DUMOGA KABUPATEN BOLAANG MONGONDOW

Research has been conducted to determine the reproductive condition of Ongole Cross-breed cattle (PO) in Dumoga District, Bolaang Mongondow Regency. The material used in this study is the farmer-farmer's PO cattle taken by sample. .Village sample selection is determined purposively (purposive) with the consideration that the villages that have the largest population are Toruakat village, Pusian village and Siniung village. The selection of respondents used a side random method, namely taking 25 breeders from each of the selected villages to get 75 breeders. data analysis regarding the variables studied using descriptive analysis with reference to the measurement model of each variable showed that the reproductive performance of Ongole Cross-breed cattle (PO) in Dumoga District, especially in the Villages of Toruakat, Pusian and Siniyung, is classified as very good because the Conception Rate at Toruakat village 90 ± 30.304, Pusian village 78 ± 41.845 and Siniyung village 86 ± 35.051 showed that Toruakat and Pusian villages have significant numbers while Service per Conception in Toruakat village is 1.12 ± 0.385, Pusian village is 1.24 ± 0.476 andSiniyung Village 1.22 ± 0.582 and Toruakat Village Calving Interval 360.7 ± 3.914, Pusian Village 360.4 ± 3.620 and Siniyung 362.4 ± 3,232 the results of observations showed that the Service per Conception and Calving Interval numbers were not significant. it can be concluded that the appearance of PO cattle reproduction in Dumoga District especially in Toruakat village, Pusian village and Siniyung village has been classified as very good. Keywords: Appearance, Ongole Cattle (PO)