Interpopulational differences in the nutritional condition of Aequiyoldia eightsii (Protobranchia: Nuculanidae) from the Western Antarctic Peninsula during austral summer

The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is a hotspot for environmental change and has a strong environmental gradient from North to South. Here, for the first time we used adult individuals of the bivalve Aequiyoldia eightsii to evaluate large-scale spatial variation in the biochemical composition (measured as lipid, protein and fatty acids) and energy content, as a proxy for nutritional condition, of three populations along the WAP: O’Higgins Research Station in the north (63.3°S), Yelcho Research Station in mid-WAP (64.9°S) and Rothera Research Station further south (67.6°S). The results reveal significantly higher quantities of lipids (L), proteins (P), energy (E) and total fatty acids (FA) in the northern population (O’Higgins) (L: 8.33 ± 1.32%; P: 22.34 ± 3.16%; E: 171.53 ± 17.70 Joules; FA: 16.33 ± 0.98 mg g) than in the mid-WAP population (Yelcho) (L: 6.23 ± 0.84%; P: 18.63 ± 1.17%; E: 136.67 ± 7.08 Joules; FA: 10.93 ± 0.63 mg g) and southern population (Rothera) (L: 4.60 ± 0.51%; P: 13.11 ± 0.98%; E: 98.37 ± 5.67 Joules; FA: 7.58 ± 0.48 mg g). We hypothesize these differences in the nutritional condition could be related to a number of biological and environmental characteristics. Our results can be interpreted as a consequence of differences in phenology at each location; differences in somatic and gametogenic growth rhythms. Contrasting environmental conditions throughout the WAP such as seawater temperature, quantity and quality of food from both planktonic and sediment sources, likely have an effect on the metabolism and nutritional intake of this species.

The Nutritional Condition of the Spanish Soldier: “Spain. Nutrition Survey of the Armed Forces, a Report by the Interdepartmental Committee on Nutrition for National Defence 1958”

The study of the nutritional transition in Spain must combine sources concerning the health conditions and the nutritional profile of the population. Such an approximation to the issue is, as a rule, not possible until the two final decades of the 20th century. However, the report on the nutritional status of the Spanish army, undertaken by the American Interdepartmental Committee on Nutrition for National Defence (ICNND) in 1958, combines both approaches. The report is based on the medical examination of 10727 army drafts. First, the article contextualised the report’s sample geographically and demographically; second, it validated the variables used statistically; and third, it explored the relationship between the diseases diagnosed, the biomarkers yielded by blood and urine tests, and the diet. The main results were as follows: (a) the report confirmed that the military population under examination did not suffer from severe dietary shortcomings; (b) the sample presents a double bias, geographical (overrepresentation of southern provinces) and institutional (underrepresentation of the land forces).

Assessment of elements in the exoskeleton of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Decapoda, Cambaridae), indicating distinctly regulated and separate accumulations of nutrition and toxic elements

The red swamp crayfish, as a typical crustacean, grows by moulting periodically. Thus, the exoskeletons of this species, including inter-moult (IME), pre-moult (PME) and the discarded fully moulted exoskeletons (ME), respectively, could be collected from different sites in China in order to assess the nutritional condition and the level of toxic elements. The mean concentration of Na (3650 mg/kg) and K (2420 mg/kg) in IME were significantly higher than those in PME (). Furthermore, the concentrations of the five toxic elements analysed, Al (176 mg/kg), Ti (4.75 mg/kg), Cr (0.38 mg/kg), Ni (0.42 mg/kg) and As (0.80 mg/kg) in ME were significantly higher than those in IME (), whereas the opposite was true for the nutrition elements, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Se. Together, these results suggest that the eight nutritional elements monitored could metabolically be retained, but the five toxic elements could be excreted through the series of moulting events during the lifespan of an individual.

Seasonal patterns in nutritional condition of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in the southern Northwest Territories and northeastern British Columbia, Canada

Evaluating nutritional condition provides insights of nutritional influences on wildlife populations. We sampled three measures of condition — body fat, body mass, and loin thickness — of adult female caribou (Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1758)) in boreal settings in the Northwest Territories (NT), Canada, in December and March, 2016–2018, and in mountain and boreal settings in British Columbia (BC), Canada, in December and February, 2014–2015. We evaluated the effect of calf-rearing on condition in December, compared influences of summer–autumn versus winter on condition over winter, and developed an annual profile of nutritional condition with estimates from caribou dying in summer. Mean December body fat was 8.4% in females with calves and 11.4% in females without calves, demonstrating the influence of lactation on condition. Over winter, nutritional condition did not decline in northeastern BC and it declined slightly in NT: body fat by 0.55 percentage points, mass by 2.8 kg, and loin thickness did not change. Body fat peaked in December, changed little over winter, but declined to a minimum by early summer, temporally coinciding with elevated rates of adult female mortality. Consistent with those of other ungulate studies worldwide, our findings suggest a need to focus on nutritional limitations operating in late spring through early autumn.

Evaluating indices of nutritional condition for caribou (Rangifer tarandus): which are the most valuable and why?

Body composition studies are critical for evaluating the accuracy of nutritional condition indices for predicting body components. We evaluated >40 indices of nutritional condition for caribou (Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1758)) using 29 female caribou captured from three populations in Alaska (USA) that ranged in condition from 2.3% to 11.2% ingesta-free body fat (IFBF) and 6 captive female caribou that ranged in condition from 8.1% to 26.0% IFBF. Estimates of body fat, protein, and gross energy were regressed against each index of nutritional condition. Generally, indices with linear or slightly curvilinear relations to body fat and those based on multiple fat depots were the most accurate in predicting nutritional condition and the most useful over the full range of nutritional condition. A scaledLIVINDEX (a combination of subcutaneous fat thickness and a condition score), CONINDEX (a combination of kidney fat and marrow fat), and a subset of the Kistner score (pericardium and kidneys only) had the strongest relationship with body fat (r2 > 0.86) and were useful over the entire range of nutritional condition. If used properly and with adequate training, indices of nutritional condition can be a critical tool for understanding the severity and seasonality of nutritional limitations in wild caribou populations.

Penerapan Urban Farming dengan Sistem Hidroponik Menggunakan Botol Bekas melalui Kuliah Kerja Nyata Mahasiswa (KKNM) Virtual

Hydroponically planting vegetables is something new for most of the KKNM participants. KKNM activities are carried out for 30 working days based on modules and WhatsApp Group. The vegetable cultivation module with a hydroponic system using used bottles is systematically arranged, equipped with pictures to make it easy for each KKNM participant to implement. WhatsApp Group is used as a means of discussion and consultation. This virtual KKNM activity aims to produce vegetables through a hydroponic system from used bottles and distribute harvested vegetables to the community. The implementation of the activity begins with the preparation of tools and materials, sowing seeds, preparing planting media, maintaining plants, until harvesting. Finally, the distribution of crops to the closest neighbors. The results showed that used plastic bottles can be used as a hydroponic planting medium with the axis system. Transplanting the seedlings to the used wick bottle media that has been filled with nutrients was carried out on the 12th day. Plant maintenance is carried out by periodically controlling the nutritional condition. Harvesting and distribution of vegetables was carried out on the 25th day after transplanting. This Virtual KKNM activity is proven to be able to increase participants' knowledge and skills, and to inspire people to do the same.