Understanding potential implications for non-trophic parasite transmission based on vertebrate behavior at mesocarnivore carcass sites

High infection risk is often associated with aggregations of animals around attractive resources. Here, we explore the behavior of potential hosts of non-trophically transmitted parasites at mesocarnivore carcass sites. We used videos recorded by camera traps at 56 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) carcasses and 10 carcasses of other wild carnivore species in three areas of southeastern Spain. Scavenging species, especially wild canids, mustelids and viverrids, showed more frequent rubbing behavior at carcass sites than non-scavenging and domestic species, suggesting that they could be exposed to a higher potential infection risk. The red fox was the species that most frequently contacted carcasses and marked and rubbed carcass sites. Foxes contacted heterospecific carcasses more frequently and earlier than conspecific ones and, when close contact occurred, it was more likely to be observed at heterospecific carcasses. This suggests that foxes avoid contact with the type of carcass and time period that have the greatest risk as a source of parasites. Overall, non-trophic behaviors of higher infection risk were mainly associated with visitor-carcass contact and visitor contact with feces and urine, rather than direct contact between visitors. Moreover, contact events between scavengers and carnivore carcasses were far more frequent than consumption events, which suggests that scavenger behavior is more constrained by the risk of acquiring meat-borne parasites than non-trophically transmitted parasites. This study contributes to filling key gaps in understanding the role of carrion in the landscape of disgust, which may be especially relevant in the current global context of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Graphical abstract

Performance Testing of L-PBF Produced Honeycombs Out of IN625

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) enables the production of complex metallic parts. Processes using pulsed wave (PW) laser radiation have been proven to be well suited to build thin-walled honeycomb structures. However, the behavior of these structures under load conditions remains mostly unexplored. The objective of this paper is to characterize L-PBF produced honeycombs by investigating their rub and leakage performance. A pulse modulated process based on previous studies is optimized for productivity and used to build L-PBF test samples out of Inconel 625 (IN625). The honeycomb cell geometry is adjusted for improved printability of the overhanging walls. Repeatable L-PBF production of honeycombs with a wall thickness of about 100 μm is confirmed. Conventionally manufactured honeycomb samples out of sheet metal are tested as reference. The rub experiments cover radial incursion rates of up to 0.5 mm/s and relative velocities of up to 165 ms−1 at incursion depths (ID) between 0.5 and 2.0 mm. Lower incursion forces are observed for the L-PBF components, with a higher degree of abrasion. The leakage tests examine the mass flow rate for pressure ratios between 1.05 and 2.0 at constant gap size and constant back pressure. The L-PBF honeycomb seals show a higher mass flow rate, with the slightly larger cell size and higher surface roughness appearing to be the main influencing factors. Overall, improved rubbing behavior and 10 % higher leakage than the conventional probes demonstrate the applicability of L-PBF for honeycomb sealing systems. Future performance improvements through dedicated L-PBF designs can be expected.

Exploring Vertebrate Behavior at Mesocarnivore Carcass Sites: Implications for Non-Trophic Parasite Transmission

The spatiotemporal distribution of parasites in ecosystems is heterogeneous. High infection risk is often associated with aggregations of animals around attractive resources. Here, we explore the behavior of potential hosts of non-trophically transmitted parasites at mesocarnivore carcass sites. We used videos recorded by camera traps at 56 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) carcasses and 10 carcasses of other wild carnivore species in three areas of southeastern Spain. In general, scavenging species, especially wild canids, mustelids and viverrids that display rubbing behavior, were more exposed to infection risk at carnivore carcass sites than non-scavenging and domestic species. The red fox was the species that most frequently contacted carcasses and marked and rubbed carcass sites. Foxes contacted heterospecific carcasses more frequently and earlier than conspecific ones, and close contact was more frequently observed at heterospecific carcasses. Thus, foxes seemed to avoid contacting carcasses in those periods and at carcass types of maximum risk of acquiring parasites. Overall, our results suggest that infection risk at carnivore carcass sites may take place mainly for visitor-carcass contact or contact with feces and urine rather than direct contact between visitors. Moreover, contact events between scavengers and carnivore carcasses are far more frequent than consumption events, which indicates that scavenger behavior is more constrained by the risk of acquiring meat-borne parasites than non-trophically transmitted parasites. This study contributes to filling key gaps in understanding the role of carrion in the landscape of disgust, which may be especially relevant in the current global context of emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

The smell of success: Reproductive success related to rub behavior in brown bears

Several species of bears are known to rub deliberately against trees and other objects, but little is known about why bears rub. Patterns in rubbing behavior of male and female brown bears (Ursus arctos) suggest that scent marking via rubbing functions to communicate among potential mates or competitors. Using DNA from bear hairs collected from rub objects in southwestern Alberta from 2011–2014 and existing DNA datasets from Montana and southeastern British Columbia, we determined sex and individual identity of each bear detected. Using these data, we completed a parentage analysis. From the parentage analysis and detection data, we determined the number of offspring, mates, unique rub objects where an individual was detected, and sampling occasions during which an individual was detected for each brown bear identified through our sampling methods. Using a Poisson regression, we found a positive relationship between bear rubbing behavior and reproductive success; both male and female bears with a greater number of mates and a greater number of offspring were detected at more rub objects and during more occasions. Our results suggest a fitness component to bear rubbing, indicate that rubbing is adaptive, and provide insight into a poorly understood behaviour.

The characteristic response of domestic cats to plant iridoids allows them to gain chemical defense against mosquitoes

Domestic cats and other felids rub their faces and heads against catnip (Nepeta cataria) and silver vine (Actinidia polygama) and roll on the ground as a characteristic response. While this response is well known, its biological function and underlying mechanism remain undetermined. Here, we uncover the neurophysiological mechanism and functional outcome of this feline response. We found that the iridoid nepetalactol is the major component of silver vine that elicits this potent response in cats and other felids. Nepetalactol increased plasma β-endorphin levels in cats, while pharmacological inhibition of μ-opioid receptors suppressed the classic rubbing response. Rubbing behavior transfers nepetalactol onto the faces and heads of respondents where it repels the mosquito, Aedes albopictus. Thus, self-anointing behavior helps to protect cats against mosquito bites. The characteristic response of cats to nepetalactol via the μ-opioid system provides an important example of chemical pest defense using plant metabolites in nonhuman mammals.

Potential self-medication by brown titi monkeys, <i>Plecturocebus brunneus</i>, in an urban fragment forest in the Brazilian Amazon

In this study, we report fur-rubbing behavior of brown titi monkeys, Plecturocebus brunneus, using chewed leaves from (Fabaceae) and Piper tuberculatum (Piperaceae). These reports were obtained during systematic monitoring of titi monkeys from May until December 2019 (218 h) in an urban fragment forest in the Brazilian Amazon. Both plant species contain chemical substances in their leaves that potentially repel ectoparasites. The genus Piper is known for its repelling action due to the presence of amides, alkaloids and benzoic acid. The presence of dogs, cats and human settlements may contribute to an increase of ectoparasites, making a potential self-medication function of fur rubbing in this primate species plausible.

HABITAT DAN PERILAKU BURUNG JULANG IRIAN (Rhyticeros plicatus) DI RESORT MASIHULAN SEKSI WILAYAH 1 TAMAN NASIONAL MANUSELA

The purpose of this study was to determine the habitat and daily behavior of hornbills at Masihulan Resort, Manusela National Park. Study was conducted on March 2019. Ad libitum sampling method was used to observe the hornbills behavior, while combination of lines and line terraced was used to obtained vegetation data. Hornbills require a natural habitats that are not affected by human activity, but can also adapt to habitats that have been disturbed with low levels of interference. An important factor of habitat that affects the distribution and daily activities of hornbills are the presence of feeding trees and nesting trees. Diet sources of hornbills in both locations consist of five spesies of plants, namely Ficus benjamina, Octomeles sumatrana, Myristica lancifolia, Pometia pinatta, and Eugenia sp; they were more abundant on Ilie than Hua Hui Jalang. The behaviors that had been identified were feeding, calling, grooming, and beak rubbing behavior. Four behaviors were observed at Hua Hui Jalang, namely: feeding (8%), grooming (32%), beak rubbing (40%), and calling (20%); and threebehaviors were observed at Ilie, namely : feeding (29,17%), grooming (31.25%), and calling (39.58%).

The Antinociceptive Activities of Certain NSAIDS Combinations in Murine Orofacial Test

Pain models are mostly in rodents and between them formalin orofacial test allow discrimination among antinociception and anti-inflammation. This assay use a formalin solution injected into the upper right lip of each mouse which produces two periods of pain separated by an inactive period. The aims of the present study were to evaluate, by means of the isobolographic analysis, the antinociception and anti-inflammatory activities of the following NSAIDs: dexketoprofen, diclofenac, piroxicam and metamizole in an orofacial. The NSAIDs administered intraperitoneally produced a dose-dependent activity with the following order of potency of the rubbing behavior, in phase I: diclofenac>dexketoprofen>piroxicam>metamizole and in the phase II: metamizole>diclofenac>piroxicam>dexketoprofen. The coadministration of NSAIDs resulted in a synergistic interaction, which according to the value of the potency of the combination (II) presents the following range: dexketoprofen plus metamizole>dexketoprofen plus diclofenac>dexketoprofen plus piroxicam, in phase I and dexketoprofen plus metamizole>dexketoprofen plus piroxicam>dexketoprofen plus diclofenac, on the phase II. Data obtained in this work corroborate that NSAIDs alone or in combination inducing activities by additional mechanism of action supplementary to inhibition of COXs. This fact represent a novel approach that could be used as multimodal management of orofacial pain, since with this treatment strategies, by the reduction of doses, can help to diminish side effects of other dugs such opioids.