Global Size Pattern in a Group of Important Ecological Indicators (Diptera, Chironomidae) Is Driven by Latitudinal Temperature Gradients

Size is one of the most outwardly obvious characteristics of animals, determined by multiple phylogenetic and environmental variables. Numerous hypotheses have been suggested to explain the relationship between the body size of animals and their geographic latitude. Bergmann’s Rule, describing a positive relationship between the body size of endothermic animals and their geographic latitude, is especially well known. Whether or not insects exhibit a similar pattern has long been a subject for debate. We hypothesize that latitudinal size gradients are coupled to temperature variation affecting the metabolic rate of these merolimnic insects. We showcase a strong latitudinal size gradient in non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae), based on the examination of 4309 specimens of these midges from around the world. Although phylogenetic position was a key predictor of wing length, we also found that wing length decreases by 32.4 µm per every 1 °C of mean annual temperature increase. This pattern was found across different taxa and could be detected in 20 of 24 genera studied. We discuss the reasons for this pattern origin and its palaeoecological implications.

Technologies used at advanced dairy farms for optimizing the performance of dairy animals: A review

Superior germplasm, better nutrition strategies, health care facilities and improved dairy husbandry practices have boosted milk yield and its quality with a rapid rate. Per cow productivity has risen up sharply with considerable increase in the population of dairy animals. Recent era has witnessed the extension of large dairy farms around the world. Demand for high quality and increased quantity of milk is of the prime concern for all the dairy farms. With an increase in the size of animals in a farm, the labour requirement also rises up. Availability of skilled labour at low wage rate is becoming difficult. In last couple of decades, the cost of microprocessors has been reduced to an affordable level. The economic availability of engineered processors, artificial intelligence, improved data statistics combined with expert suggestions has created a revolution in livestock farming. Advanced engineered devices have become alternative to reduce high labour cost. This review focuses on latest knowledge and emerging developments in animal’s welfare focused biomarker activities and activity-based welfare assessment like oestrus, lameness and others. Use of enhanced sensors and data technologies with expert based solutions is anticipated to bring out a substantial improvement in existing dairy farming practices.

Breeding to increase the meat productivity of Russian meat merino sheep

Here is presented the analysis of sheep meat productivity of the Russian meat Merino breed and the effectiveness of selection for large size of animals, the severity of meat forms, and their higher precocity is shown. The selection differential for live weight in animals of different gender and age groups was determined, which is 5.0-26.0 kg, or 10.0-32.5%. The number of Russian meat Merino sheep (n=1045) is characterized by the severity of meat forms (T5) and has a desirable type of physique, exterior and meat productivity (100%), which confirms the consolidation of the herd on this basis. It was found that the genetic resources of the herd allow young sheep to receive a high average daily increase in live weight (170.4 g) from birth to 4.5 months. It is experimentally proved that the offspring of the PMM breed with intensive feeding is characterized by a higher growth energy. It is noted that the descendants of meat Merino have a large carcass mass of 12.4%, a slaughter yield of 2.2 abs. percent and a meat content coefficient of 21.3%, compared to the Stavropol sheep breed of wool productivity. Experimental data confirm that the sheep’s meat of the Russian meat Merino breed is " marbled, has high quality and consumer properties.

Capture-Recapture Sampling Techniques: Artificial and Real Population Data Analysis

Capture-Recapture sampling methods are being used to estimate the population size of an unknown population. These methods are widely used for determining the population size of animals and birds. Literature shows that these methods were purely used by ecologist in the past. But now-a-days, these methods are also used to determine the chronic diseases, for example, cancer patients, HIV Aid patients, etc. Not only this, many studies had conducted to determine the road accidents ratios on different points. This study covered two examples; one was the total number of female drivers at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan and the second example was about the total number of male smokers at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. On these two examples, the basic capture-recapture sampling methods were used which involved Lincoln Peterson Index, Chapman Estimate and Schnable Estimate. Then an artificial data with known population was created and same methods were used for analysis. In the end, the results of artificial data and two examples were compared with each other through analysis on excel sheet.

Genotype analysis of partial growth hormone gene (GH891│MspI) in Pesisir cattle and Simmental-Pesisir crossbred cattle

Growth hormone gene that controls metabolism and body size of animals and polymorphism of the gene is known related to performance of livestock. Identification of gene polymorphisms was important to get early information to determine genetic markers associated with economically desirable traits. Genetic mapping is one of important characterizations in the selection process. Pesisir cattle is one of local cattle in Indonesia that are reared in West Sumatera and have become adaptive to local environment. The present study aimed to identify the genotype of Growth Hormone gene (GH891│MspI) of the Pesisir cattle and crossbred Simmental-Pesisir cattle (designated as SimPes) and relationship between growth performance (body weight and body size). The present study was conducted to 30 blood samples consisted of 15 Pesisir cattle and 15 SimPes cattle. Body weight and body size were measured at 12-18 months of age. The Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used in this research. The results showed that there exist three variant genotypes (MspI-/-, MspI+/-, MspI+/+) and that allele frequencies of MspI- and MspI+ were 53.3% and 46.7%, respectively. Non-significant effect has found between GH’s genotype and growth traits (Body measurement and body weight) in both of breed cattle. In conclusion, three variant genotypes (GH891│MspI) in Pesisir and SimPes (Simmental x Pesisir) cattle population were found and no significant effect on growth trait performance.

Socio-Economic Profile of Maldhari Dairy Farmers of South Saurashtra Region

Dairy farming plays an important role in social and economic livelihood of the Maldhari dairy farmers. The present study was conducted in Junagadh and Gir Somnath districts of Saurashtra region. Two talukas were randomly selected from each district. Three villages were selected from each talukas and from each village 10 respondents who possess minimum five dairy animals were selected randomly. The data were collected with the help of predesigned interview schedule by personal interview. The collected data were analyzed by using simple statistical methods like frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficient. The results indicate that majority (70.83 %) of the Maldhari dairy farmers belonged to middle age group, 40.83 per cent of them educated up to secondary level and 78.33 per cent from them belonged to OBC category, majority (59.17 %) of Maldhari dairy farmers had medium annual income, 47.50 per cent of Maldhari dairy farmers had large size of family and 70.83 per cent of them belonged to joint family, majority (54.17 per cent) of Maldhari dairy farmers had animal husbandry plus agricultureas main occupation. The socio-economic parameters viz. extension participation among Maldhari farmers was of medium level, they had medium level of experience in animal husbandry activities, used medium level of sources of information and had small heard size of animals.

Zonation in a cryptic Antarctic intertidal macrofaunal community

Despite the general view that the Antarctic intertidal conditions are too extreme to support obvious signs of macrofaunal life, recent studies have shown that intertidal communities can survive over annual cycles. The current study investigates distribution of taxa within a boulder cobble matrix, beneath the outer, scoured surface of the intertidal zone at Adelaide Island, west Antarctic Peninsula. The intertidal zone at the study sites comprised compacted, flattened cobble pavements, which have been shown to be highly stable over time. Community structure was investigated using univariate and multivariate approaches. Virtually no macrofauna were present on the outer surface, but richness, diversity, abundance and size of animals increased with depth into the rock matrix. Abundance of taxa increased by an order of magnitude between the outer surface and the lowest level sampled. These findings show that the Antarctic intertidal is not always the uninhabitable environment currently perceived, and that under these highly variable environmental conditions at least some species have the capacity to survive.

The Real Animal Size Test (RAST)

Inhibitory control disturbances are reported in numerous developmental and acquired neuropsychological disorders of young children. In this study, a new assessment tool, the Real Animal Size Test (RAST) was tested. It includes four conditions: The first two conditions assess speed of processing and require making quick decisions, by pressing a response key, on the real size of animals and the on-screen size of big or small rectangles; the third and fourth condition (combined into one) require the child to decide the real size of animals displayed in congruent or incongruent size on the screen. Participants in the study were 90 children aged 5–9 years old. The results confirmed that the RAST provides a good measure of inhibitory control in children. In a second experiment, 15 children 5–9 years old with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder symptoms (ADHD) participated; the RAST was also administered. The clinical pertinence of the RAST for ADHD symptoms is discussed.