Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Diel activity patterns'

Marine planktonic copepods play a key ecological role in pelagic food webs. The study of their patterns of activity is fundamental in order to better understand the processes involved in the transfer of energy from lower trophic levels to higher- level consumers in marine ecosystems. This thesis is an attempt to deepen the knowledge of the factors that affect the activity patterns of marine copepods. Some of these aspects had not been addressed previously and others still required further investigation. In particular, this thesis primarily focuses on the study of daily and diel patterns of feeding of marine planktonic copepods, and the influence of factors like ontogeny, gender, food availability, predation threat, light conditions, mutigenerational rearing in the laboratory, and temperature. The experimental work carried out in this thesis mostly consisted of laboratory incubations using wild and laboratory-reared specimens of the calanoid copepods Centropages typicus and Paracartia grani. Among the main findings in this thesis are the stage- and gender-specific differences in the feeding patterns of marine planktonic copepods. Moreover, we analyzed the role of predation risk and that of other factors in the modulation of feeding rhythms, and also evaluated the physiological costs related to temperature fluctuations involved in diel vertical migration. The new insights obtained in this thesis will certainly increase our capability to estimate the grazing impact of copepod populations in plankton communities, and will allow us to obtain better estimates of energy transfer in marine pelagic food webs.
Els copèpodes planctònics tenen un paper ecològic clau en les xarxes tròfiques pelàgiques marines. L'estudi dels seus patrons d'activitat és fonamental per a comprendre millor els processos involucrats en la transferència d'energia des dels nivells tròfics inferiors cap als consumidors superiors en els ecosistemes marins. Aquesta tesi és un intent d’aprofundir en el coneixement sobre els factors que modulen els patrons d'activitat dels copèpodes marins. Alguns d'aquests aspectes no s'havien estudiat prèviament i altres encara requerien més investigació. En particular, aquesta tesi se centra principalment en l'estudi dels patrons diaris d'alimentació dels copèpodes planctònics marins i la influència de factors com l'ontogènia, el gènere, la disponibilitat d'aliment, l'amenaça de depredació, les condicions de llum, la criança multigeneracional al laboratori i la temperatura. El treball experimental dut a terme en aquesta tesi ha consistit majoritàriament en incubacions de laboratori utilitzant espècimens salvatges i de laboratori dels copèpodes calanoids Centropages typicus i Paracartia grani. Entre les principals troballes en aquesta tesi destaquen les diferències en els patrons d'alimentació entre estadis de desenvolupament i entre sexes de copèpodes planctònics marins. També s'analitza el paper del risc de depredació i el d'altres factors en la modulació dels ritmes d'alimentació i s'avaluen els costos fisiològics relacionats amb les fluctuacions de temperatura implicades en la migració vertical diària. Els nous coneixements obtinguts en aquesta tesi augmentaran la nostra capacitat per estimar l'impacte de la depredació de les poblacions de copèpodes en les comunitats de plàncton i ens permetran obtenir millors estimes de la transferència energètica en les xarxes tròfiques pelàgiques marines.
Los copépodos planctónicos desempeñan un papel ecológico clave en las redes tróficas pelágicas marinas. El estudio de sus patrones de actividad es fundamental para comprender mejor los procesos involucrados en la transferencia de energía desde los niveles tróficos inferiores a los consumidores superiores en los ecosistemas marinos. Esta tesis es un intento de profundizar en el conocimiento sobre los factores que modulan los patrones de actividad de los copépodos marinos. Algunos de estos aspectos no se habían estudiado previamente y otros aún requerían más investigación. En particular, esta tesis se centra principalmente en el estudio de los patrones diarios de alimentación de los copépodos planctónicos marinos y la influencia de factores como la ontogenia, el género, la disponibilidad de alimento, la amenaza de depredación, las condiciones de luz, la crianza multigeneracional en el laboratorio y la temperatura. El trabajo experimental llevado a cabo en esta tesis ha consistido mayoritariamente en incubaciones de laboratorio utilizando especímenes salvajes y de laboratorio de los copépodos calanoideos Centropages typicus y Paracartia grani. Entre los principales hallazgos en esta tesis destacan las diferencias en los patrones de alimentación entre estadios de desarrollo y entre sexos de copépodos planctónicos marinos. También se analiza el papel del riesgo de depredación y el de otros factores en la modulación de los ritmos de alimentación y se evalúan los costes fisiológicos relacionados con las fluctuaciones de temperatura implicadas en la migración vertical diaria. Los nuevos conocimientos obtenidos en esta tesis aumentarán nuestra capacidad para estimar el impacto de la depredación de las poblaciones de copépodos en las comunidades de plancton y nos permitirán obtener mejores estimaciones de la transferencia energética en las redes tróficas pelágicas marinas.

The response of diel extracellular α and β-glucosidase activity to in situ dissolved carbohydrates was explored in coastal marine waters. The hypothesis being tested was to determine whether natural substrate could regulate enzyme activity. Relative enzyme activity was determined using artificial 4-methylumbelliferone (MUF) substrate derivatives at low substrate concentrations (300 nM). Disssolved carbohydrate concentrations were measured using the 3-methyl-2-benzothlazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) method: a spectrophotometric determination of monosaccharide concentrations. Six studies were conducted and p-glucosidase activity (BOA) was found to be positively correlated with dissolved polysaccharide concentrations (PCHO) in two studies which suggests that PCHO can potentially regulate BOA. A significant inverse correlation (Spearman) between dissolved monosaccharides (MCHO) and β-glucosidase activity was found in one study suggesting that MCHO was capable of repressing and/or inhibiting the activity of β-glucosidase under some conditions. Three significant positive relationships were found between α-glucosidase (AOA) and BOA suggesting that there was a tight coupling between substrate release and hydrolysis. No obvious relationships were found between hydrolytic enzymes and dissolved carbohydrates in three diel studies. This may have been due to uncontrollable factors such as nutrient limitation, grazing and the inability to distinguish between α- and β-glucans. Combined data for PCHO and BOA showed an inverse relationship suggesting that high levels of naturally occurring PCHO may compete with MUF-β-glucans for β-glucosidase active sites causing a lower rate of MUF-β-glucan hydrolysis.

The yellow stingray, Urobatis jamaicensis is the most common elasmobranch in the coastal waters of Southeast Florida. Despite their common occurrence the ecology of yellow stingrays remains poorly understood. In particular, yellow stingray daily movements, space utilization, seasonal distribution and population structure have not been described. This study was conducted to address the lack of knowledge of these fundamental life history parameters and to provide further information on the ecology of U. jamaicensis in coastal waters of Broward County, Florida. The activity patterns and space utilization of U. jamaicensis were assessed by manual tracking with ultrasonic telemetry. Telemetry tracking of 17 stingrays was conducted from January 1998 to September 2001 with data presented on eight individuals tracked for a full diel cycle (24 h). Tracking data was analyzed with the Animal Movement Analysis Extension (AMAE) in Arcview® GIS to provide graphical representation of observed movements within the complex series of reef terraces and hardbottom communities of Broward County. Bottom topography had considerable influence on the space utilization of stingrays and observed movements varied with location in relation to proximity from the reef edge/sand interface. Movement was intermittent throughout the day, but displayed a highly significant increase during the nocturnal and crepuscular phases in comparison to diurnal movements. Nearly all stingrays demonstrated confined movements and indicated strong site fixity, which may imply the existence of home ranging behavior. The 95% (total 24h activity space) and the 50% (core area) Kernel Utilization Distributions (KUD) were constructed to visually display the shape and size of activity spaces. The data was pooled together for the eight individuals tracked for a full diel cycle and divided into four 6-h shifts. Statistically significant larger activity spaces for both the 95% KUD and the 50% KUD were observed during the nocturnal activity phase. Seasonal distribution was assessed to determine animal residency within the study site and ascertain the occurrence and temporal patterns of onshore/offshore movements. Stationary visual fish census techniques (point counts) from several studies conducted in Broward County from January 1998 to December 2003 were combined to determine the level of abundance across three reef tracts, throughout the entire length of the county. Data was tested for monthly and seasonal differences and for variation between reefs. Analysis of seasonal distribution established population residency is year-round with no indication of offshore emigration associated with a temperature preference. Population structure analyses were conducted to determine the sex ratio and size distribution of U. jamaicensis to examine any potential gender segregation or ontogenetic partitioning. The sex ratio was compared for differences monthly, seasonally and between reefs for expected vs. observed frequencies. Only spring observations (March, April, May) evidenced a statistically significant difference from a 1:1 ratio, where females dominated the inshore observations 20F:8M. Average size of both genders was 333mm TL, however, females dominated the larger size classes (>350mm TL). Few neonates were observed during this study with most observations occurring in shallow inshore water (depth), suggesting a nearshore nursery. Increased abundance and presence on the offshore reef among intermediate size classes (250-299mm to 300-349mm) suggests a potential ontogenetic shift to deeper water. Observations on the seasonal patterns of the reproductive condition of female yellow stingrays are also provided.

Ce dernier siècle, les lumières électriques ont proliféré, modifiant l’environnement nocturne. Des études scientifiques alertent sur les effets négatifs de la lumière artificielle nocturne (LAN) qui perturbe de nombreux processus écologiques et de taxons. Notre objectif a ainsi été de combler des manques de connaissances afin d’aider à une meilleure considération des effets de la pollution lumineuse sur la biodiversité dans les mesures de conservation. Nous avons utilisé les chiroptères comme modèles biologiques car ce sont de bons bioindicateurs de l’effet des pressions anthropiques sur la biodiversité et, étant nocturnes, ils sont directement exposés à la LAN. Nous avons préconisé de considérer la distribution temporelle des espèces dans les mesures de conservation, un prérequis étant de connaître leur écologie temporelle. Nous avons utilisé les données d’un programme national de suivis acoustiques des chiroptères (Vigie-Chiro) pour étudier leur rythme d’activité nocturne (9807 nuits, 20 espèces). Nous avons montré que les espèces pouvaient être séparées en trois groupes ayant une activité crépusculaire, en cœur de nuit ou intermédiaire, avec des variations des rythmes d’activité selon les saisons. La prise en compte de ces rythmes complexes aiderait à concevoir des mesures de conservation efficaces, par exemple, en définissant des extinctions partielles de la LAN adaptées à des espèces cibles. La plupart des chiroptères émergeant tôt sont des espèces « tolérantes à la lumière » pouvant se nourrir sous les lampadaires. Cependant, à l’échelle du paysage, ces espèces semblent moins abondantes à cause de la LAN. Cela pourrait s’expliquer par des perturbations de leur rythme d’activité influant possiblement les dynamiques de population. A l’aide des données Vigie-Chiro, nous avons testé si la LAN induisait de telles perturbations pour une de ces espèces (Eptesicus serotinus). La LAN, et dans une moindre mesure la lumière de la lune, réduisaient son abondance. La LAN retardait son activité, ce décalage était amplifié par la couverture nuageuse, possiblement à cause de son effet amplificateur du halo lumineux. Des analyses complémentaires ont suggéré que la LAN retardait l’activité de deux autres espèces « tolérantes à la lumière ». Ainsi, même ces espèces devraient être protégées de la LAN. Lorsqu’éclairer est nécessaire, changer l’intensité, la direction ou le spectre des éclairages sont des mesures de réduction possibles. Nous assistons à une modernisation des éclairages avec des diodes électroluminescentes (LEDs). Malgré des impacts potentiels sur la biodiversité, peu d’études se sont intéressées à cette évolution. En réanalysant les données d’une étude publiée, nous avons montré que les changements de spectre et d’intensité accompagnant cette évolution avaient des effets additifs et interactifs sur les chiroptères. Quand l’intensité des LEDs augmentait, leur activité décroissait. Avec les données Vigie-Chiro, nous avons montré que les LEDs pouvait réduire la connectivité du paysage pour les chiroptères, cet impact étant atténué en orientant mieux les lumières. Nous avons recommandé d’utiliser des LEDs avec des couleurs plus chaudes et de moindre intensité. Evaluer l’effet de la LAN sur la biodiversité implique des approches spatio-temporelles multi-échelles. Malgré les manques, il y a désormais suffisamment de preuves de l’impact de la LAN sur les écosystèmes. Les mesures de réduction étant en développement, évaluer leur efficacité et les améliorations possibles est indispensable. Penser la réduction de la LAN à l’échelle du paysage est une évolution impérative, d’où l’émergence du concept de trame noire. Un projet pluridisciplinaire sur les pratiques communales d’éclairage et leurs évolutions a été initié pendant cette thèse. En effet, puisque la LAN n’a pas que des implications écologiques, mais aussi sanitaires et socio-culturelles, une perspective transdisciplinaire est indispensable pour changer nos façons d’éclairer
Electric lights have proliferated rapidly over the last century and have changed the night-time environment globally. Over the past decades, scientific studies have shown the effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) on biodiversity. Light pollution has been shown to disrupt a wide range of ecological processes and taxa. In this PhD, we aimed to fill some of the knowledge gaps that could prevent the effects of light pollution on biodiversity from being effectively addressed by mitigation measures. We used bats as model species because they are considered good indicators of the effect of anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity and because, being nocturnal, they are directly exposed to ALAN.We advocated considering the temporal distribution of species in conservation measures, a prerequisite being to have access to knowledge on their temporal ecology. We used data from a national bat monitoring program (Vigie-Chiro) based on acoustic monitoring to characterise bat diel activity patterns (9807 nights monitored, 20 species). We found that bat species could be separated into three functional groups characterised by a crepuscular activity, an activity that occurs when it is completely dark or an intermediate activity. We showed variations of diel activity patterns depending on the season. Accounting for these complex diel activity patterns would help to design efficient mitigation measures. For instance, it would allow the design of part-night lighting schemes covering the range of activity of the target species. Early emerging bats are mostly “light tolerant” species known to feed on insects attracted to lights. However, at the landscape scale, these species tend to be less abundant because of ALAN. This could be explained by disruptions in the diel activity patterns of bats due to ALAN, with potential consequences for population dynamics. Using the Vigie-Chiro dataset, we tested whether ALAN was responsible for such disruptions on a “light tolerant” species (Eptesicus serotinus). ALAN, and to a lesser extent moonlight, reduced its abundance. ALAN delayed activity, this delay was amplified during overcast nights, probably because cloud cover amplified skyglow. Further analyses suggested that two other “light tolerant” species might delay their activity because of ALAN. Thus, even “light tolerant” species should be protected from light pollution. Where it is not possible to switch off lights, other mitigation measures include changing the intensity, directionality and spectrum of light. Many countries are retrofitting lighting equipment with light emitting diodes (LEDs). Despite potential impacts on biodiversity, few studies have focused on this shift. By reanalysing the data from a previously published study, we found that changes in light spectrum and intensity during such a shift have additive and interactive effects on bats. Bat activity decreased with increasing LED intensity. Using the Vigie-Chiro dataset, we showed that the adoption of LEDs would decrease landscape connectivity for bats, with this impact possibly being mitigated by better orienting the light flux. We recommended using LEDs with warmer colours and reduced light intensity. Multiscale spatiotemporal approaches are needed to assess ALAN effect on biodiversity. Although some knowledge gaps remain, there is overwhelming evidence of the impact of light pollution on ecosystems. Mitigation measures are being developed, so there is a need to assess their effectiveness and possible improvements. Considering the reduction of ALAN at the landscape scale is a necessary next step, hence the emergence of the concept of dark ecological networks. A transdisciplinary project on lighting practices and their evolution in municipalities was initiated during this PhD. Indeed, as ALAN has not only ecological but also health and socio-cultural implications, a transdisciplinary perspective is needed to shift the paradigm from conventional lighting to new forms of lighting

The morphologies and behaviors of animals evolve and diversify, filling ecological niches in their environments. In this study I examine how a morphological trait, body mass, and three ecological traits, namely diel activity patterns, diving/non-diving locomotion, and diet, evolve in the Anseriformes (waterfowl). Through ancestral state reconstructions using a maximum likelihood approach the evolution of these traits was compared to see if any patterns of trait coevolution emerged. Body mass was compared to each ecological trait using a phylogenetic ANOVA to test if there were body size differences between ecological groups. The pattern of male and female body mass evolution across the clade was found to be remarkably similar, indicating that selection effected body mass in similar ways between the sexes. Diving locomotion appears to be the ancestral state for Anseriformes with non-diving independently evolving probably five times. The ancestral state of diet appears to be either herbivory or omnivory, with carnivory secondarily evolving twice independently. For diel activity patterns, the ancestral state reconstruction showed little resolution at the internal nodes, indicating the high degree of plasticity in this trait among the species studied. Body mass in both males and females was not significantly correlated with any particular diet, diving locomotion, or diel activity pattern.

From the distant past until the present day, the archetypal image of the vast steppe lands of Inner Asia has been represented by populations practicing various forms of nomadic pastoralism as their predominant means of subsistence and way of life. While existing research in this region has focussed on questions pertaining to empire formations and interactions, as well as social and political complexity, a more developed understanding of diet, health, and activity patterns has yet to be established. Towards this end, the broad aim of this dissertation entails the reconstruction of diet, health and activity in discrete populations which inhabited this region from c. 1500 BCE to CE 600. These objectives have been addressed through a comprehensive research programme involving osteological and chemical analyses of human skeletal remains, derived from archaeological sites located throughout modern-day southern Siberia, Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Kyrgyzstan. Additional skeletal samples dating from c. CE 1200 to 1300 and a late historic sample from c. CE 1700 to 1900 have been included to provide a comparative framework for the earlier material under study. This dissertation aimed to challenge assumptions, which often presuppose a predominantly mobile pastoralist lifestyle for many of these populations, by providing indirect and direct evidence for dietary habits and evidence for workload and activity patterns. Long-term dietary intake was investigated through the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes on both human skeletal remains and associated archaeological faunal material. Diet has also been assessed through a comprehensive study of dental pathology and dental wear analysis. Health and nutrition has been assessed through the study of dental pathology, linear enamel hypoplasia, and degenerative joint disease. Workload and activity patterns have been addressed through the combined analysis of musculo-skeletal stress markers and degenerative joint disease. The key results of this dissertation indicate dietary variation and similarities in distinct communities which are related to food procurement strategies carried out at local group levels. The results of the isotopic and dental pathology analyses indicate dietary variation in discrete groups which may have been labelled under the same terms historically and archaeologically, but based on these findings did not necessarily engage in identical subsistence regimes. In addition, the results of the isotopic analyses reflect the influence of the inhabitation of and environments on 615N isotopic signatures and reinforce the need for contextualising isotopic results within local environmental settings. The analysis of degenerative joint disease, coupled with musculo-skeletal stress marker recording has provided an indication of variation in workload and health between discrete groups. Based on these results workload variation and activity patterns have been found to be relatable to local food production activities and social circumstances of particular groups. Finally, the combined analyses presented in this dissertation have provided a firm basis for reconstructing past lifeways of these populations by presenting a more thorough understanding of diet, health and group activities. In addition, this assessment provides a foundation for future research in these areas, which will continue to contribute to our knowledge of the ancient communities of this region.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc
Human-wildlife conflict is an ongoing issue worldwide. Within South Africa, human-carnivore conflict (HCC) as a result of carnivore depredation on small-livestock causes large-scale losses, and promotes the use of predator management tools by farmers. Despite being one of the major offenders involved in HCC, caracals, and their ecology in particular, are understudied. This is mainly due to high levels of persecution, coupled with their elusive nature. Within the Karoo region of South Africa, pastoralists make use of large-scale lethal predator controls in an attempt to remove the offenders, or non-lethal predator controls to protect livestock and deter predators. However, the effects of these various predator control techniques on caracal ecology have not been widely tested. Therefore, the aims of this thesis were, firstly, to assess caracal diet on lethal and non-lethal treatment farms in the Karoo; secondly, to investigate the drivers of caracal habitat selection on a non-lethal farm in the Karoo; and finally, to evaluate caracal activity patterns on the non-lethal farm. To do this, I made use of two non-invasive techniques (i.e. scat analysis and camera trapping). Caracals appeared to favour natural prey across all sites, with livestock remains only found in scats collected at the lethal treatment farm. Caracals had the broadest dietary breadth on the non-lethal treatment site, and the narrowest on the lethal treatment site. The main components of caracal diet included small mammals, lagomorphs, rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis), wild ungulates and arthropods. Caracal habitat selection was explained by resource dispersion and environmental features Interestingly, the presence of livestock was not a major consideration in caracal habitat selection. Caracals were mainly nocturnal but became increasingly crepuscular during winter. In addition, caracal activity overlapped significantly with black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas), lagomorphs and common duikers (Sylvicapra grimmia). Caracals showed plasticity in their activity patterns based on seasonal temperature fluctuations, and partially human avoidance. This study contributes to understanding how caracal ecology differs on differently managed livestock farms. Throughout this study, the importance of both a natural prey base, as well as natural lands to caracal survival have been revealed. These findings can contribute to caracal conservation in HCC areas.

Thesis (M.A.)--Kent State University, 2007.
Title from PDF t.p. (viewed March 27, 2008). Advisor: Chet C. Sherwood. Keywords: hippocampus, spatial memory, diet, habitat, home range, activity pattern, primate, independent contrast. Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-89).

Increasing rates of overweight, obesity, and related cardiovascular diseases among older adults in the United States present unique public health challenges. Cross-cultural research has shown marked variation in health across the world’s elder populations because aging is a biological process rooted in sociocultural context. The sociocultural environment contributes to complex negotiations of food and physical activity patterns for older adults. It is well established in the literature that urban residents report low levels of physical activity and have easy access to fast food outlets, which tend to be concentrated in lower-income neighborhoods. I utilize a biocultural framework, integrating nutritional anthropology with healthy aging perspectives to recognize the role of the social determinants of health throughout the lifespan. This anthropological study integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to answer the following research question: What is the relationship between the sociocultural factors that shape diet, physical activity, and nutritional status among Alaskan elders in Anchorage? The results indicate that diet and physical activity practices in this sample do not meet national recommendations and that diet differs adversely from national reference samples. Statistical analyses indicate that the media and friends positively influenced older adults to increase their energy expenditure. Family influences increased fruit consumption, while participation in cultural and social events increased intake of fats and sweets. Cultural identity was an important factor for Alaska Native participants’ dietary selections. Social supports increased access to healthy foods and safe physical activities. This research suggests that trying to reach older adults with diverse needs through a variety of channels, including the media, social networks, and social events, can help alleviate some of the barriers to healthy diet and exercise patterns. These data indicate a need for culturally-responsive programs that maintain relationships with family members and make connections between elders with similar healthy aging goals in order to improve diet and physical activity practices.

This study examined the BMI, dietary habits, body perception, physical activity patterns, and nutrition knowledge and opinions of 599 fourth grade public school students in Wells County, Indiana, in 2003-04 and 2005-06. Participants completed the School Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) survey and had their height and weight measured. Almost half (49.9%) of the participants were at risk for or were overweight. More than one-quarter (29.1 %; n=91) normal weight students perceived they did not weigh enough. At risk for overweight children were more likely to participate in exercise that did not raise their heart rate than normal weight children. Normal weight children participated in more cardiovascular-raising activity than overweight children did. Students engaged in significantly more cardiovascular exercise in 2005-06 than in 2003-04. Students "usually" spent 3.4 ± 2.0 hours per day in screen time. Interventions that encourage healthy eating and physical activity would benefit students in this community.
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

O lagarto Tropidurus torquatus (Wied, 1820) possui ampla distribuição geográfica e é encontrado em abundância nas áreas onde ocorre, sendo considerada uma espécie apropriada para estudos ecológicos. No presente estudo nós analisamos o período de atividade, o uso do microhabitat, a intensidade de forrageamento, a dieta e a ecologia térmica de uma população de T. torquatus do Costão de Itacoatiara, no Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca, situado nos municípios de Niterói e Maricá, RJ. Os dados foram coletados em dois períodos: entre julho de 2004 e janeiro de 2008 para estudo do período de atividade, uso do microhabitat e intensidade de forrageamento, e entre julho e agosto de 2010 para estudo da ecologia térmica e dieta. Todos os indivíduos coletados eram adultos, com comprimento rostro-cloacal médio de 66,2 12,0mm para machos (n = 11) e 64,1 8,0mm para fêmeas (n = 03). O período de atividade de T. torquatus no Costão de Itacoatiara durou de 12 a 14 horas. Teve um padrão unimodal na estação seca, com pico de atividade entre 09:00h e 13:00h, durante as horas mais quentes do dia. Na estação chuvosa o padrão de atividade foi bimodal, com um pico entre 8:00h e 9:00h e outro entre 16:00h e 17:00h, ambos associados aos horários de temperaturas ambientais mais amenas. O período de atividade não diferiu entre as estações, o que pode ser explicado pelo extenso pico de atividade dos lagartos na estação seca. Os microhabitats mais utilizados foram o substrato rochoso do Costão e a bromélia, refletindo a disponibilidade destes na área. A intensidade de forrageamento não diferiu sazonalmente e o tempo médio que os lagartos ficaram parados foi maior do que o tempo médio em deslocamento. A dieta foi onívora e esteve composta por artrópodes, principalmente insetos, e material vegetal, principalmente frutos. Os principais insetos consumidos foram Formicidae, Coleoptera e Hymenoptera não-Formicidae como pequenas vespas e abelhas. Os frutos, as sementes e as flores consumidos pertenciam às cactáceas Rhipsalis cereoides e Coleocephalocereus fluminensis, para as quais T. torquatus pode ser um potencial agente dispersor de sementes na área. Lagartos maiores consumiram itens maiores, mas em menor número, indicando um balanço energético positivo. O consumo de material vegetal variou de acordo com o tamanho dos lagartos, aumentando sua proporção nos indivíduos mais velhos. A temperatura média em atividade de T. torquatus foi de 34,3 2,5C, estando na faixa de temperatura corpórea média encontrada para outras populações e para outros Tropidurus. O substrato foi a fonte de calor ambiental com maior importância relativa para a termorregulação dos lagartos durante a estação seca, explicando cerca de 48% da variação na temperatura corpórea da população. Os lagartos termorregularam de forma passiva, principalmente em relação à temperatura do substrato.
The lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Wied, 1820) has a wide geographical distribution and is abundant within its area of occurrence, thus making it a suitable species for ecological studies. In the present study we analysed the activity period, microhabitat use, foraging intensity, diet and thermal ecology of a T. torquatus population in Costão de Itacoatiara, State Park of Serra da Tiririca, situated in the municipalities of Niterói and Maricá, RJ. Data were collected in two steps: between July 2004 and January 2008 for the activity period, microhabitat use and foraging intensity studies and between July and August 2010 for diet and thermal ecology studies. All specimens collected were adults, with snout-vent length = 66,2 12,0mm for males (n = 11) and 64,1 8,0mm for females (n = 3). The activity period of T. torquatus in Costão de Itacoatiara was between 12 and 14 hours. In the dry season it had a unimodal pattern, with a peak between 09:00 and 13:00h, during the hottest hours of the day. In the rainy season the pattern was bimodal, with a peak between 8:00 and 9:00h and another between 16:00 and 17:00h. Both periods were associated with lower temperatures. There was no significant difference in activity period between seasons, which can be explained by the intense lizard activity period in dry season. The most used microhabitats were rock and bromeliads, which reflects the wide availability of these microhabitats in the study area. Foraging intensity showed no seasonal differences and the mean time that lizards were stationary was higher than the mean time lizards were moving. Diet was omnivorous and composed of arthropods, mainly insects, and vegetable matter, mainly fruits. The most consumed insects were Formicidae, Coleoptera, and other Hymenoptera such as small wasps and bees. Fruits, seeds and flowers consumed belonged to the Cactaceae Rhipsalis cereoides and Coleocephalocereus fluminensis, for which T. torquatus seems to be a potential seed dispersor. Larger lizards consumed larger items, but in smaller numbers, indicating a positive energetic balance. The consumption of vegetable matter varied with lizard size, increasing its proportion in older individuals. The mean activity temperature was 34.3 2.5C, which was inside the range of mean temperature registered for other populations and Tropidurus species. Substrate was the most important environmental heat source for lizard thermoregulation along the dry season, explaining about 48% of the variation in lizard body temperature. The T. torquatus population was predominantly thermoconformer, mainly in relation to the substrate temperature.

Orientadora: Eleonore Zulnara Freire Setz
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Resumo: A alteração das necessidades energéticas dos endotérmicos pela variação da temperatura ambiental devido aos custos da termorregulação pode influenciar seu comportamento. O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a influência da temperatura nos comportamentos de sauás (Callicebus nigrifrons) na Serra do Japi, região com marcada sazonalidade e temperatura reduzida pela altitude. Para isso, relacionamos com a temperatura: o padrão de atividade, os itens alimentares e os comportamentos termorregulatórios durante o descanso (seleção de micro-hábitat, contato entre os indivíduos e postura corporal). Quanto menores as temperaturas mínimas noturnas, o que pode representar estresse térmico, os sauás iniciaram suas atividades mais tardiamente, no momento em que a temperatura ambiental já estava elevada. A distância percorrida diariamente não variou com a temperatura, mas os sauás locomoveram mais no início do dia, horário mais frio, coincidindo com o início das atividades. Entre os meses, a locomoção foi menor nos mais frios, possivelmente resultando em economia de energia. Não houve seleção por itens alimentares mais calóricos em temperaturas baixas. Entretanto, houve aumento no forrageio nos meses mais frios (não relacionado com a disponibilidade de frutos), compatível com a ideia de que os custos da termorregulação podem influenciar a ingestão de alimentos. A seleção de locais ao sol foi maior em temperaturas baixas, e tal comportamento pode estar reduzindo os custos da termorregulação com o aumento da absorção de calor da radiação solar. O contato entre os indivíduos ao longo do dia não teve relação com a temperatura e pode ter sido influenciado somente pelas interações sociais. A postura não variou em função da temperatura e aquelas que resultavam em menor perda de calor para o meio foram predominantemente adotadas. Isso, provavelmente, devido ao porte pequeno da espécie (elevada razão superfície/volume) que contribui para maior perda de calor nas baixas temperaturas registradas. Conclui-se que os sauás apresentam variação comportamental em função da temperatura ambiental quanto à escolha de micro-hábitats e padrão de locomoção e forrageio
Abstract: Variations in ambient temperature can change the energy requirements of endothermics due to costs of thermoregulation. So, ambient temperature can influence animal's behavior. The aim of this work was to investigate ambient temperature influence on wild black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons) behavior. We conducted this study in Serra do Japi, region with marked seasonality and temperature reduced due to high altitude. We analyzed the relation between temperature and the following variables: activity pattern, types of food consumed and thermoregulatory behaviors observed during resting (microhabitat selection, contact between individuals and body posture). In lower night minimum temperatures, which may represent thermal stress to titi monkey, they started their activities later in the day, after ambient temperature increase. There was no correlation between path length and ambient temperature, but titis moved more at beginning of the day (at the coldest hours), when they were starting these activities. During the coldest months, titis moved less, which could be a strategy to save energy. During this period, they did not select higher-calorie food items, but there was an increase in foraging behavior (not related to fruit availability), which is consistent with the idea that the energy costs of thermoregulation can influence food intake. The sunny resting places were selected at low temperatures. This behavior could be used to reduce thermoregulation costs, allowing the increase of heat absorption from solar radiation. The contact between individuals throughout the day was not related to the temperature and may be influenced only by social interactions. Body postures were not influenced by ambient temperature and postures that avoid heat loss were predominantly adopted. This is probably due to the small size of the species (considering the high surface/volume ratio) which contributes to greater heat loss at low temperatures. We concluded that titi monkey's behaviors vary in function of ambient temperature, such as microhabitat choice and pattern of moving and foraging
Mestrado
Ecologia
Mestre em Ecologia

Tese de mestrado, Doenças Metabólicas e Comportamento Alimentar, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, 2019
Background To study the relationships between intakes of various nutrients is used dietary pattern (DP) analysis that considers the effect of overall diet: food and nutrients are not eaten in isolation, and the ‘single food or nutrient’ approach will not take into account the complex interactions between food and nutrients. The relationship between health and social factors are not simple but the importance of social, particularly socioeconomic—factors in shaping health it’s already well-documented. Lower–socioeconomic groups have lower-quality diets as well as higher rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. By contrast, higher–socioeconomic status groups have better diets and better health. Understanding the influences of sociodemographic and economic factors on food consumption may be useful to explain eating behaviour and nutrition policymaking. The main purpose of this study is to analyze the association between sociodemographic factors, body mass index, physical activity and dietary patterns in Portuguese adults. Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted from the Portuguese fourth National Health Survey (NHS) between 2005 and 2006. To analyze the relationship between dietary patterns and sociodemographic factors were used a representative sub-sample (32 644 participants) of Portuguese adults (≥20 years old), who reported their dietary patterns, education level, family income, smoking habits, physical activity, weight and height when participating in the NHS. Dietary patterns were identified by latent trait models based on dietary intake. Unconditional logistic regression models were performed to analyze association between DP and sociodemographic factors. Age, gender, education, family income, proxy reporting information, smoking habits, body mass index and physical activity level were addressed by NHS and analyzed as potential confounders. Results Final analysis included 4 338 Portuguese adults (52.8% female). Female was positively associated with Factor 1 “dairy and fruit” and negatively associated with Factor 2 “soup and starchy foods”. In older adults were observed a positive and strong association with Factor 1 “dairy and fruit”, Factor 2 “soup and starchy foods” and Factor 4 “fish, fruit and vegetables”. Conversely, Factor 3 “high fat, sugar and salt” was inversely associated with all age group, and Factor 5 “sugary and fatty foods” only associated with adults <64 years old. Regarding to education, excluding Factor 2 “soup and starchy food” where no significantly were associated, all DPs were positively associated with some education level. Factor 1 “dairy and fruit”, Factor 4 “fish, fruit and vegetables” and Factor 5 “sugary and fatty foods” were similarly associated, while Factor 3 “high fat, sugar and salt” was only associated with the highest educational level. All categories of family income were associated with Factor 1 “dairy and fruit”, Factor 2 “soup and starchy food” and Factor 4 “fish, fruit and vegetables”. The highest family incomes was associated with Factor 5 “sugary and fatty foods” and the lowest with Factor 3 “high fat, sugar and salt”. Regarding BMI, only obesity classes were negatively associated with Factor 2 “soup and starchy food” and Factor 4 “fish, fruit and vegetables”. Proxy reporting were positively associated with Factor 1 “dairy and fruit” and Factor 4 “fish, fruit and vegetables”. For current smoker, negative associations with Factor 1 “dairy and fruit”, Factor 2 “soup and starchy food” and Factor 4 “fish, fruit and vegetables” was observed. In a past smoker, only Factor 2 “soup and starchy food” was associated negatively with smoking habits. For those who do moderate physical activity, a single negative association was observed with Factor 5 “sugary and fatty foods”. All sociodemographic factors that were not described with a specific DP did not obtain significant associations. Conclusion Sociodemographic factors such as a high education level and a high family income can influence positively healthy dietary patterns, while high BMI and current smoking habits can be negatively associated with these healthy dietary patterns. These findings may reflect a consequence of sociodemographic inequalities on diet prevailing in Portugal between 2005 and 2006, where less-favourable socioeconomic groups were associated with unhealthy dietary patterns. These data may be an interesting step in the study of food consumption, lifestyle and obesity, in addition to allowing comparison with more recent data. However, longitudinal studies will be needed to investigate these associations, which will allow the development of effective and sustainable public health policies to promote greater adherence to healthy dietary patterns.
Introdução A alimentação é um dos principais determinantes de saúde. Em Portugal, e no mundo, os hábitos alimentares pouco saudáveis constituem um importante fator de risco modificável para doença crónicas não transmissíveis, como a doença cardíaca isquémica, acidente vascular cerebral, cancro, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crónica, diabetes melitos e hipertensão arterial. Segundo a Organização Mundial de Saúde, uma alimentação saudável caracteriza-se pela ingestão limitada de energia, gordura, açúcares simples e sal e pela ingestão diária de fruta, hortícolas e cereais integrais, adequado às necessidade individuais dependendo da idade, género, estilo de vida e prática de atividade física, respeitando o contexto cultural, disponibilidade alimentar e local onde vive. Quando o objetivo é melhorar os hábitos alimentares de uma população, através da implementação de novas políticas alimentares e de saúde, é importante considerar todos os determinantes associados ao consumo alimentar e, para o efeito é utilizado a análise do padrão alimentar. Esta análise considera a dieta na sua totalidade pois os nutrientes não são consumidos isoladamente, e a abordagem “alimento ou nutriente individual” não considera o complexo das interações entre nutrientes. Em epidemiologia nutricional, a relação entre saúde, doença e alimentação tem sido amplamente descrita e considera tanto grupos alimentares (por exemplo, fruta e vegetais) como a presença de determinados nutrientes (por exemplo, cálcio, fibra). Muitos são os estudos que identificam os maus hábitos alimentares e inatividade física como os principais fatores de risco para o excesso de peso e/ou obesidade. A OMS considera a obesidade como uma epidemia global, afetando não só os países industrializados como também, e de forma crescente, os países em desenvolvimento sobrepondo-se ao problema da fome e da desnutrição. Paralelamente a isto, nas últimas décadas, aumentou igualmente o interesse em identificar as suas causas nomeadamente, os padrões de consumo que possam contribuir para o ganho de peso e/ou complicações de saúde associadas. A influência dos determinantes sociais na saúde não é fácil, mas a importância da condição socioeconómica do grupo na sua saúde é um facto consistente na literatura. As desigualdades socioeconómicas na alimentação ajudam a explicar algumas destas diferenças sociais observadas na saúde. Grupos com elevado nível socioeconómico têm maior probabilidade de ter hábitos alimentares saudáveis, enquanto grupos com menor nível socioeconómico têm perfil alimentar mais afastado das recomendações, contribuindo assim para um agravamento do seu estado de saúde. É precisamente nestes grupos que existem maiores taxas de obesidade, diabetes tipo 2 e doença cardiovascular. Por outro lado, grupos com maior nível socioeconómico apresentam melhores indicadores de saúde. Deste modo, identificar os padrões de consumo que possam contribuir para a atual epidemia da obesidade e perceber a influência das variáveis sociodemográficos e económicos sobre os hábitos alimentares da população portuguesa, constituirá uma ferramenta útil na elaboração de políticas alimentares e de saúde mais eficientes que permitirão melhorar os seus hábitos alimentares. O presente estudo tem como objetivo geral analisar a associação entre fatores sociodemográficos, Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), atividade física e o padrão alimentar em Portugueses adultos entre 2005-2006. Métodos Estudo epidemiológico observacional transversal a partir da análise dos dados do quarto Inquérito Nacional de Saúde entre 2005 e 2006. Para analisar a relação entre padrões alimentares e fatores sociodemográficos utilizou-se uma sub-amostra representativa (32 644 participantes) de adultos portugueses (≥ 20 anos) que relataram hábitos alimentares, nível de escolaridade, rendimento familiar, hábitos tabágicos, atividade física, peso e estatura. Os padrões alimentares foram identificados por um modelo de variáveis latentes, com base numa lista de 20 questões dicotómicas (“sim” ou “não”, dependendo se o entrevistado indicava que consumia esse alimento) a questões sobre o consumo alimentar: “Você consumiu algum destes alimentos ontem?”. A baixo encontrava-se uma lista de alimentos e bebidas para assinalar quando consumidas às três refeições principais - pequeno-almoço, almoço e jantar, (leite, queijo e iogurte; sopa de legumes; pão e cereais; carne; peixe; batata, arroz e massa; leguminosas; hortícolas; fruta; e produtos de pastelaria, chocolates ou sobremesas doces; outros alimentos), e fora das refeições principais (fruta; pão ou sanduíches; leite, queijo e iogurte; sumos; produtos de pastelaria, chocolates ou sobremesas doces; outras guloseimas; snacks salgados; batatas fritas; bebidas alcoólicas; outros alimentos). Os cinco padrões alimentares encontrados foram padrão 1 “Laticínios e fruta”, padrão 2 “Sopa e amiláceos”, padrão 3 “Elevado teor de gordura, açúcar e sal”, padrão 4 “Peixe, fruta e hortícolas” e padrão 5 “Alimentos açucarados e gordos”. Modelos de regressão logística (não condicional) foram realizados para analisar a associação entre os padrões alimentares e os fatores sociodemográficos. Idade, género, nível de escolaridade, rendimento familiar, informação do representante, tabagismo, IMC e atividade física foram analisados como confundidores. Resultados A análise incluiu 4 338 adultos (52,8% mulheres) com mais de 20 anos de idade. As mulheres foram positivamente associadas ao padrão 1 “Laticínios e fruta” e negativamente associada ao padrão 2 “Sopa e amiláceos” comparadas com os homens; É nas faixas etárias mais elevadas que se encontram associações positivas com o padrão 1 “Laticínios e fruta”, o padrão 2 “Sopa e amiláceos” e o padrão 4 “Peixe, fruta e hortícolas”. Por outro lado, o padrão 3 “Elevado teor de gordura, açúcar e sal” foi inversamente associado a todas as faixas etárias enquanto o padrão 5 “Alimentos açucarados e gordos” apenas se verificou relação inversa em indivíduos com idade inferior a 64 anos; Na educação, excetuando o padrão 2 “Sopa e amiláceos” onde não houve associação significativa, todos os outros padrões alimentares foram associados positivamente a algum nível de escolaridade. O padrão 1 “Leite e fruta”, o padrão 4 “Peixe, fruta e hortícolas” e o padrão 5 “Alimentos açucarados e gordos” foram associados de maneira semelhante a todos os níveis de escolaridade, enquanto o padrão 3 “Elevador teor de gordura, açúcar e sal” foi apenas relacionado com indivíduos que possuem no mínimo o ensino secundária; Todas as categorias de rendimento familiar foram associadas ao padrão 1 “Laticínios e fruta”, ao padrão 2 “Sopa e amiláceos” e ao padrão 4 “Peixe, fruta e hortícolas”. Os rendimentos mais elevados familiares foram associados ao padrão 5 “Alimentos açucarados e gordos” e os mais baixos com o padrão 3 “Elevado teor de gordura, açúcar e sal”. Em relação ao IMC, apenas as classes de obesidade foram negativamente associadas ao padrão 2 “Sopa e amiláceos” e ao padrão 4 “Peixe, fruta e hortícolas”. O relato feito por uma segunda pessoa foi positivamente associado a dois padrões alimentares: ao padrão 1 “Laticínios e fruta” e ao padrão 4 “Peixes, fruta e hortícolas”. Aos atuais fumadores foram observadas associações negativas com o padrão 1 “Laticínios e fruta”, o padrão 2 “Sopa e amiláceos” e o padrão 4 “Peixe, fruta e hortícolas”. Aos ex-fumadores, apenas o padrão 2 “Sopa e amiláceos” foi negativamente associado com hábitos tabágicos. Para quem pratica atividade física, só se registou uma associação negativa com o padrão 5 “Alimentos açucarados e gordos” para aqueles que a praticam de forma moderada. Todos os fatores sociodemográficos que não foram descritos com determinado padrão alimentar não obtiveram associações significativas. Conclusão A escolaridade e rendimento familiar elevado parecem influenciar a adesão a um padrão alimentar saudável enquanto o IMC elevado e os hábitos tabágicos se encontram associados a padrões alimentares menos saudáveis. Estes resultados podem refletir uma consequência das desigualdades sociodemográficas na alimentação em Portugal entre 2005 e 2006. Estes dados podem ser um passo interessante para o estudo entre consumo alimentar, estilo de vida e obesidade, além de permitir a comparação com dados mais recentes. No entanto, estudos longitudinais serão necessários para entender estas associações que permitirão a elaboração de políticas de saúde pública eficazes e sustentáveis a fim de promover uma maior adesão de padrões alimentares saudáveis.

碩士
國立屏東科技大學
野生動物保育研究所
101
Tawny Fish Owl (Ketupa flavipes) is the only riparian owl in Taiwan and is one of the few nocturnal raptors which receive much research attention. Early studies focused on this species were mostly done in low elevation. Qijiawan River in Wuling is a unique stream ecosystem that is the major habitat of Formosan Landlocked Salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanus) and one of the highest areas within Tawny Fish Owl’s distribution range in Taiwan. Hence, this study utilized telemetry and infrared video camera to study the breeding ecology of Tawny Fish Owl in Wuling. I found two breeding territories of 5.3 km and 7.75 km length, and judging from the number of other non-breeding territories, two breeding territories might be the capacity of Wuling. The incubation period was 36-41 days which began in mid-February and ended in early April. Nestling period was approximately 56-57 days from early April to late May. All 3 nests recorded were located on cross-sections of trees with DBH > 1 m in primary forests, showing certain level of dependency on primary forests. Fish and amphibians comprised of the majority of the nestlings’ diet (47.8% and 42.8%, respectively). The findings of this study showed that the Tawny Fish Owl in Wuling used different nest sites and had different diet composition compared with populations in lower elevations, presumably due to difference in available resources. In addition, climate, individual, breeding pressure, season and the distance from nest to foraging site could all influence the breeding behaviors of Tawny Fish Owl. Compared with previous nest observation data, nestling’s diet could not represent adult’s diet. Division of work was obvious between sexes, where females stayed in nests in early nestling period and later join in the hunt, and males provided prey throughout the entire breeding season.

碩士
國立中山大學
生物科學系研究所
93
Abstract The present study investigated the activity patterns of Formosan macaques at Mt. Longevity and an emphasis was given to feeding and foraging behavior. The diet composition of Formosan macaque showed significant changes among different age and sex classes of macaques as well as among different seasons. The field research was carried out from August 2003 to July 2004 for a total of 311 hrs covering 77 days. Feeding behavior dominated the activity patterns of the macaques at Mt. Longevity (28.11%), followed by other behaviors such as affiliate (24.71%), resting (17.10%) and moving (16.04%). In contrast, foraging (8.22%) and agonistic behaviors (5.50%) were the least among the activity patterns recorded during this study. Interestingly, adult males spent more time in resting (30.60%) while adult females spent more time in feeding (29.84%), which indicated that the activity patterns were influenced by sex and age groups. Plant food items accounted for 94.87% of their diet while the seminal fluid and breast milk accounted for 5.08%. The plant food items consumed by the monkeys came from 46 species in 31 families and the fruits alone amounted 42.18%. Other food items included leaf (26.20%), stem (11.84%), flower (10.33%), bud (9.14%) and root (0.03%). The relative frequency of fruit consumption by the macaques was higher than 40 % between May and September (40.53% - 63.79%) and December to January (54.66% - 55.28%). The Formosan macaque diet composition changed according to the sex and age class groups. The Simpson index, Shannon-Wiener index and Levine’s niche breadth index changed according to sex, age and months respectively. The plant food diversity indexes were highest for the juvenile males and lowest for the adult females. The Levine’s niche breadth index was broader for the juvenile females but narrowest for the adult females. Adult females consumed 35 species of plants which is higher than the number of species that the adult males and juveniles consumed. However, the plant food diversity index and the niche breadth index were low for adult females, which indicate that they choose certain types of food. On the other hand, all these three indexes were highest in May and changed from month to month. The diet overlap of the Formosan macaque (Renkonen percentage) was highest between adult males and adult females (85.2%) than between other sex/age groups. Among the five categories of age and sex groups, the diet overlap was 66.68% and 22 species of plants was consumed by all age and sex groups of Formosan macaques.

碩士
長庚大學
早期療育研究所
99
Background and purpose: Previous studies have shown that children with motor delay would have higher possibility of being overweight or obesity due to their activities limitation, or being thinness because of the diet problem. The anthropometry status distribution for children with motor delay tended to be bimodal. However, comparing with normal children, the studies pertaining to the anthropometry status, energy intake and activity pattern is still lacking in preschool children with motor delay. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to investigate the anthropometry status distribution among in Taiwanese children with motor delay aged 0-6 years, and its relevance to diet, and activity patterns. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and retrospective study. A total of 106 children with motor delay aged 9 to 73 months were recruited. The anthropometry status was classified by two methods: Body Mass Index and Weight-for-Length Index (WLI). The children’s total daily energy intake was recorded by 24-hour dietary recall, and the time spent on every activity patterns was measured with Daily Routine and Activity Questionnaires for Young Children (DRAQ). The difference of anthropometry status distribution between children with motor delay and normal children was tested by chi-square statistics. The relationships among children’s anthropometry status, total daily energy intake and time spent in diverse activity patterns were tested by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Logistic regression was used to analyze the multiple factors predicting overweight or obesity in children with motor delay. Result: The anthropometry status classified by BMI were statistically significantly differed from that classified by WLI (χ2=54.9, p&lt;.001) in children with motor delay. At the ages between 0-3 years, the proportion of children classified as normal anthropometry status was less in children with motor delay than in typically developed children （χ2=10.2~41.9, p&lt;.01）by either methods of BMI or WLI. Furthermore, a bimodal distribution of anthropometry was more evident when WLI was used for anthropometry status classification. For the relationships among anthropometry status, energy intake and time spent on activity patterns, higher daily energy intake was correlated with skin-fold thickness (Spearman's Rho, rs=0.39, p&lt;.01；Pearson's, r=0.43, p&lt;.01) and higher tendency of obesity (BMI: Spearman's Rho, rs=0.24, p&lt;.01；Pearson's, r=0.25, p&lt;.01) (WLI: Spearman's Rho, rs=0.26, p&lt;.01；Pearson's, r=0.26, p&lt;.01). The tendency of obesity was also related to more time spent on active activity (BMI: Spearman's Rho, rs=0.19, p&lt;.05；Pearson's, r=0.23, p&lt;.05) (WLI: Spearman's Rho, rs＝0.29，p＜.01；Pearson's, r＝0.32，p＜.01). Multiple factors, such as higher daily energy intake (OR=1.003, p=.04), used of anti-epileptics medication (OR=12.465, p=.02), low socioeconomic status (OR=4.807, p=.05), and more time spent on floor activity (OR=1.006, p=.03) could predicting obesity or overweight. Conclusions: Anthropometry status distribution in children with motor delay would depend on the method of either BMI or WLI. However, there was no suitable growth norm to be applied in children with motor delay. In children aged 0-3, the percentage of normal anthropometry status in children with motor delay was much lower than the normal children. There were inter-relationships among anthropometry status, total daily energy intake, and time spent on various patterns of activities. Besides, overweight or obesity could be predicted by multiple factors. The case-effect relationships between the multiple predicting factors and anthropometry status need to be verified by longitudinal studies in the future.

This study describes aspects of the descriptive, functional and social ecology of dingoes Canis lupus dingo from the Southern Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Australia. Amendments to the wild dog control order of the Rural Lands Protection act 1998 recommended that resident dingoes in this protected area be conserved in situ to maintain ecological function and to preserve wild “pure” dingo populations. Field work was based on and around two 25 kilometre transects, each within a separate site of varied rugged and forested terrain, within the core of this reserve. The aim was to investigate similar biological and ecological descriptors to those used in past studies of dingoes in Australia for comparison with this population. Objectives included morphometric measurements and colouration, genetic purity, patterns of prey consumption and changes in abundance, activity and spatial organisation to assess the functional role of dingoes in this universally significant protected area. Dingoes were trapped using padded soft jaw leg-hold traps by professional dingo trappers. Captured animals were weighed, measured, had tissue/blood samples collected for genetic tests, collared or tagged to observe patterns of movement, and released at the location of capture. Dingoes were tested for rare microsatellites found in captive dingoes and domestic dogs to estimate “purity”, and multilocus genotype data were compared within the population to determine relatedness. Patterns of prey consumption were assessed using scat analysis from dingo and fox scats sampled along each transect. Monthly variations in general patterns of dingo activity were tested using indices calculated from counting spoor on sand plots spaced approximately every kilometre on both transects. Spatial organisation was investigated using data logging global positioning system telemetry collars and analysed using minimum convex polygons and kernel contours. Twelve collars were outfitted to dingoes for 13 months and scheduled to log six to eight locations per 24 hours. Five additional collars were outfitted to dingoes for the 2007 breeding season and scheduled to log one location every ten minutes for 50-52 days. From 47 live captures, average morphometric measurements included: weight 16 ± 2.8kg; head length 234.2 ± 12.6mm; ear height 97.2 ± 5.9mm (n = 34); shoulder height 575.6 ± 29.4mm; hind foot length 183.6 ± 9.2mm (n = 17); tail length 423.3 ± 69.3mm (n = 46); and total length 1326.1 ± 88.7mm. Black and tan was the most common coat colour (38.3%) followed by sable (31.9%), tan (23.4%) and patchy (6.4%). Canonical scores to estimate “purity” ranged between 0.46 and 4.34 (n = 10) suggesting that 80% of the population was “pure” according to previously published “purity” descriptors. Alternatively, comparative analyses of microsatellites from captive dingo populations with the 47 live captures and one deceased individual sampled during field work suggested 2.1% of the population were likely “pure” dingoes, 16.7% was less than 75% dingo, 43.8% was less than 65% dingo and 37.5% was less than 50% dingo (n = 48). However, conclusions on “purity” depend on having a “pure” standard against which to compare current samples. Tests to investigate genetic relatedness showed each dingo could be assigned to one of eight closely related groups. Comparison of capture locations with relatedness data showed related individuals were either trapped within topographically defined areas or during extraterritorial explorations. Genetic relatedness data also showed variation in colouration between packs. In total, 1489 dingo and 962 fox scats were analysed for diet. Most commonly detected prey remains identified in dingo faeces was swamp wallaby (Site 1: 43.2% Site 2: 35.1%), brushtail possum (Site 1: 13.8%; Site 2: 7.8%) and eastern grey kangaroo in Site 2 (Site 1: 1.5%; Site 2: 12.6%). Twenty five species accounted for the remainder of the diet and included mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Of the 11768 spoor counted whilst monitoring sand plots, 759 dingo tracks were recorded in Site 1 and 1048 were in Site 2 across all seasons. Dingo activity peaked and receded every six months on both transects and related directly with the expected seasonal activity of dingoes. Many strong positive and negative correlations between diet and activity of dingoes and activity of medium-large sized mammalian prey items were observed. Results implied that these interactions were synchronised at a landscape scale and potentially showed the functional role of dingoes as a higher order predator in this study area. Similar data on foxes showed no clear interactions with dingoes or prey species, although fox diet and activity patterns overlapped with dingoes. Dingoes maintained a mean home range of 34.2km2 (± 8.2 se) for 90% kernel contours and 5.9km2 (± 1.4 se) for 50% kernel contours (n = 47347 locations from 12 dingoes). Movement patterns identified included territory maintenance behaviours, extraterritorial forays by males and potential dispersal behaviour by females. Annual patterns of activity peaked during breeding seasons which could be related with activity peaks observed using data from sand plots. Daily activity, however, varied per individual but tended to have crepuscular peaks. Data implied breeding and pup rearing behaviours may have affected patterns of movement and activity the most. From this study, dingoes are redefined as a primitive hypercarnivorous member of the family Caninae from Australia, distinguished by one annual breeding cycle and morphometric parameters that characterise the dingoes found within specific geographic locations. Future management practices should focus on targeting problem dingoes in areas near pastoral land opposed to adopting widespread dingo control campaigns across the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The cultural transmission of behaviours from dingoes to dingoes is identified as an essential natural phenomenon to maintain ecosystem stability and minimise livestock losses in pastoral areas surrounding the study area. Similarly, environmentally sustainable agricultural practices need to be adopted for holistic adaptive management of the region surrounding the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Properties which are affected by dingo predation should be audited for assessment of objects which may attract or deter dingoes to or from their estate. During the process of an audit, landowners and the greater public need to be educated about dingo ecology and adaptive landscape management practices. Environmentally sustainable economic and land management policies may then be created and implemented for holistic management of Australian landscapes.