Journal articles on the topic 'Herbivorous male'
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Beaumont, Kieren P., Duncan A. Mackay, and Molly A. Whalen. "Ant defence of a dioecious shrub, Adriana quadripartita (Euphorbiaceae), with extrafloral nectaries." Australian Journal of Botany 64, no. 6 (2016): 539. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt16034.
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Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) can function to indirectly reduce herbivory by attracting ants that interfere with or predate on herbivorous insects. So as to examine the efficacy of ants as defenders of plants with extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) against herbivores, an ant-exclusion experiment was conducted on plants of the dioecious species Adriana quadripartita (Euphorbiaceae). The experiment was conducted on Torrens Island, South Australia, and adds to previous work that examined the associations among adrianas, ants and invertebrate herbivores at several locations across Australia. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether ants that tend EFNs reduce herbivore numbers and levels of herbivory, and whether this ant–plant–herbivore interaction differs between male and female A. quadripartita plants. The abundances of ants and invertebrate herbivores were overall greater on male than on female plants. The exclusion of ants from branches resulted in an increase in herbivore abundance on male and female plants; however, ant exclusion resulted in an increase of foliar damage on male plants only. Whereas previous research on A. tomentosa shows that ants can decrease herbivore abundance, the results here provide the first evidence that EFNs on adrianas can function to decrease foliar herbivory.
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Ismail, Mohannad, and Margot Brooks. "Male mating preference of two cryptic species of the herbivorous insectEccritotarsus catarinensis." Biocontrol Science and Technology 28, no. 6 (April 11, 2018): 529–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2018.1461196.
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van Rooij, Jules M., Frederieke J. Kroon, and John J. Videler. "The social and mating system of the herbivorous reef fishSparisoma viride: one-male versus multi-male groups." Environmental Biology of Fishes 47, no. 4 (December 1996): 353–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00005050.
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Layeghi, Yeganeh, and Farzaneh Momtazi. "Ampithoe qeshmensis sp. nov. (Amphipoda: Ampithoidae), a new herbivorous amphipod from the Persian Gulf." Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 98, no. 3 (November 11, 2016): 515–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315416001545.
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Herbivorous amphipods of the family Ampithoidae have an important role in marine ecosystems. Ampithoe qeshmensis sp. nov. is a new member of Ampithoidae from the Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf. The new species resembles A. kava, A. katae and A. cookana based on the second male gnathopod. Ampithoe qeshmensis sp. nov. is characterized by round and reduced distoventral spur on uropod 1 in male, mandibular palp article 3 longer than second one, robust seta on palm of second male gnathopod, and longer flagellum than peduncular article 5 on the second antenna.
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Kohda, M. "Does male-mating attack in the herbivorous cichlid, Petrochromis polyodon, facilitate the coexistence of congeners?" Ecology of Freshwater Fish 4, no. 4 (December 1995): 152–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0633.1995.tb00027.x.
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Takasaki, Ryuji, and Yoshitsugu Kobayashi. "Effects of diet and gizzard muscularity on grit use in domestic chickens." PeerJ 8 (November 12, 2020): e10277. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10277.
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The gizzard is the only gastrointestinal organ for mechanical processing in birds. Many birds use grit in the gizzard to enhance mechanical processing efficiency. We conducted an experiment to test the factors that affect chicken grit use in 68 male layer chicks of Gallus gallus domesticus, which were divided into two different groups in gizzard muscularity (high and low). Within each muscularity group, two different diets were provided (herbivory and non-herbivory) to test whether diet and gizzard muscularity affect grit characteristics including amount, size, and shape (circularity, roundness, and solidity) at different stages of digestion (ingested grit, grit in gizzard, and excreted grit). All animals ingested more grit than they excreted, possibly because excreted grit was below the detection size limit of 0.5 mm of the present study. The amounts of grit ingested and remained in the gizzard were larger in herbivorous groups, but these groups excreted less grit. Larger, rougher grit was selectively ingested by all chicks, but size preferences were especially pronounced in the herbivorous groups. Grit in the gizzard tended to be larger in herbivorous groups, but the grit in excreta was smaller, whereas the size of excreted grit was larger in groups with less muscular gizzards. Grit in the gizzard was much smoother than the offered and ingested grit, especially in the herbivorous, muscular gizzard groups. Excreted grit in all groups was smoother than the offered grit. These results show that diet affects the characteristics of ingested grit, grit in the gizzard, and excreted grit, whereas gizzard muscularity affects the characteristics of grit in the gizzard and excreted grit. The use of larger sizes and amounts of grit by herbivorous groups may be a response to the needs of digesting hard, coarse materials. The recovered behavioral flexibility of grit use might reflect the omnivorous nature of Gallus gallus domesticus and may aid smooth dietary shifts. The results also show that the shape of grit remaining in the gizzard does not reflect the initial shape of ingested grit, in contrast to previously published ideas. Instead, the shape of grit in the gizzard more closely reflects the diet and gizzard muscularity of chicks.
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Hoda, Nazmul, Zaied Talukder, Pravin Mishra, Md Mehedi Jaman, and Md Mahmudul Alam. "Occurrence of surgical affections in zoo herbivores: a retrospective study." Research in Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries 5, no. 2 (September 9, 2018): 209–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ralf.v5i2.38110.
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Correction: On 21st September 2018, the author 'Pravin Kumar Mishra' was changed to 'Pravin Mishra' - Editorial Board. The study has been directed to find out the occurrence of surgical affections in herbivorous zoo animals in National Zoological Garden, Dhaka, Bangladesh predicated on record books from 2012 to 2016. A total of 330 surgically affected animals were recorded. The overall occurrence of surgical affections was higher in Bovidae (34.85%) followed by Cervidae (25.45%), Equidae (13.94%), Cercopithecidae (10.61%), Giraffidae (4.85%), Elephantidae (4.55%) Hippopotamidae (4%), Rhinocerotidae (1.52%) and Macropodidae (0.61%). In this study, it is found a higher occurrence of surgically affected are male than female animals. The overall occurrence in male was 56.36% and those in female, it was 43.64%. In terms of different affections, the highest occurrence was wound (13.03% male, 16.67% female) and followed by lameness (14.55% in male, 11.82% in female), skin lesions (9.39% in male, 6.67% in female), myiasis (5.76% in male, 3.33% in female), Horn fracture 3.33% (Only in male), arthritis (2.42% male, 1.52% female), hoof injury (1.82% male, 1% female), abscess (1.52% male, 1.21% female), sore (0.61% male, 2.12% female), Fracture (1.21% male, 0.3% female), Paralysis (0.61% male, 0.3% female) and Corneal opacity (0.61% male, 0.3% female). This report may help to develop control strategies against major surgical affections reported in this study.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.5(2): 209-214, August 2018
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SZAWARYN, KAROL, and JULISSA CHURATA-SALCEDO. "Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini)." Zootaxa 5087, no. 4 (January 10, 2022): 571–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5.
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Malagasy Epilachnini are one of the least studied groups of the herbivorous ladybird beetles. Most of the species were described in the 19th and 20th centuries and their position within the modern classification has never been examined. Here we provide results of detailed study of two species Epilachna hovana Sicard, 1907 and Peralda quadriguttata, Sicard, 1909 which are proposed to be transferred to the genus Merma Weise (comb. nov.). Detailed morphological analysis, photographs of male and female genitalia and a key to species are also provided.
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Preston, Mark D., Matthew L. Forister, Jonathan W. Pitchford, and Paul R. Armsworth. "Impact of individual movement and changing resource availability on male–female encounter rates in an herbivorous insect." Ecological Complexity 24 (December 2015): 1–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecocom.2015.07.004.
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WU, SHU-PING, YAO-SUNG LIN, and CHUNG-CHI HWANG. "A new Satsuma species (Pulmonata: Camaenidae) endemic to Taiwan." Zootaxa 1608, no. 1 (October 5, 2007): 59–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1608.1.8.
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A new species of camaenid land snail, Satsuma longkiauwensis sp. nov. from southern Taiwan is established. This large terrestrial and herbivorous snail inhabits the lowland forests with a narrow geographical distribution. The species is characterized by having a large shell, roundly angulated peripheries adjacent to the peristome, an open umbilicus, a robust flagellum, a weak expansion on male genitalia instead of a penial caecum externally and a hemispherical verge instead of an elongated pilaster internally. A key is provided for the first time to identify camaenids from Taiwan.
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MICHELSEN, VERNER, and MICHAEL W. PALMER. "Pegomya disticha Griffiths and P. cedrica Huckett (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)—first documented case of insects trespassing the silica barrier of Common scouring-rush, Equisetum hyemale L." Zootaxa 4718, no. 3 (January 7, 2020): 355–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4718.3.4.
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Scouring-rushes (Equisetum sg. Hippochaete) are a group of horsetails with perennial aerial shoots strongly encrusted in silica. Accordingly, they seem to resist attacks from most herbivorous insects. Michelsen (2008) speculated that larval development of the European Pegomya terminalis (Rondani) and related anthomyiids takes place in specific scouring-rushes. Presently, we document that the larvae of two North American species related to P. terminalis attack developing shoots of Common scouring-rush, Equisetum hyemale L. Both species, Pegomya disticha Griffiths and P. cedrica Huckett, were found to coexist in a population of scouring-rush in Oklahoma. Various aspects of the life-history and morphology (3rd instar larva, male and female adults) for both species are described and documented by photos.
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Cestari, César. "Anting behavior by the White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus, Pipridae): an example of functional interaction in a frugivorous lekking bird." Biota Neotropica 10, no. 4 (December 2010): 339–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1676-06032010000400038.
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Behavioral studies of birds have reported several functions for active anting. Maintenance of plumage and prevention from ectoparasites are some examples. In this context, anting by males may be of particular importance in a classical lek mating system, where male-male competition is common and individuals with higher fitness may be more successful at attracting of females. In the present note, I describe the anting behavior of White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus) and I relate it to lek breeding and feeding (frugivory) habits of the species. Males used up to seven Solenopsis sp. ants. They rubbed each small ant from 4 to 31 times on undertail feathers until the ants were degraded; ants were not eaten. Males then searched for a new ant in the court. Seeds discarded by males on their individual display courts attract herbivorous ants that are used for anting as a way to maintain feathers and fitness. I hypothesize that anting in White-bearded Manakin may increase the probability of males to attract females to their display courts.
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Bu, Chunlan, Rui Zheng, Gaiqun Huang, Jianmei Wu, Gang Liu, Marion L. Donald, Tingfa Dong, and Xiao Xu. "The differences in cocoon and silk qualities among sex-related mulberry and silkworm feeding groups." PLOS ONE 17, no. 6 (June 30, 2022): e0270021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270021.
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Sexual dimorphism is seen in many dioecious plant and animal species, which may influence their trophic interactions. The differences in trophic interactions derived from sexual dimorphism in plants may influence herbivorous performance and population dynamics. Both silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) and mulberry (Morus alba L.) usually exhibit sexual dimorphism. However, few studies have been conducted on the effect of sex-related silkworm and mulberry pairings on cocoon and silk qualities, which are crucial in sericulture. Here, we compared the differences in cocoon and silk qualities under four feeding combinations (FS-FL: female silkworm fed with leaves from female mulberry trees; MS-FL: male silkworm fed with leaves from female mulberry trees; FS-ML: female silkworm fed with leaves from male mulberry trees; MS-ML: male silkworm fed with leaves from male mulberry trees). The results showed that silkworms exhibited male-biased herbivory with more male mulberry leaves digested. The FS-ML group had higher silk weight and silk ratio of fresh cocoons than the FS-FL group, and the MS-ML group had lower coarse points than the MS-FL group. Compared with groups FS-ML and FS-FL, both MS-FL and MS-ML had smaller cocoons with longer silk lengths and a higher silk ratio of the fresh cocoons. In addition, the Entropy Weight-TOPSIS method showed the cocoon quality rank as FS-ML > FS-FL > MS-FL > MS-ML, whereas silk quality rank was MS-ML > FS-FL > FS-ML > MS-FL. These results indicate that the quality of cocoon and silk is related to the interaction of silkworm and mulberry at the sex level. Furthermore, female silkworms fed with female and male tree leaves have a higher total yield in cocoon production, while male silkworms fed with male tree leaves produced higher silk quality.
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Bondar, C. A., K. Zeron, and John S. Richardson. "Risk-sensitive foraging by juvenile signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)." Canadian Journal of Zoology 84, no. 11 (November 2006): 1693–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z06-161.
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Feeding behavior of carnivorous and herbivorous organisms is commonly explained in terms of nutritional requirements. However, feeding behavior of omnivorous organisms is difficult to predict and may not be based on nutritional requirements alone. To assess the plasticity of feeding behaviors exhibited by an omnivore, we conducted a feeding experiment using juvenile signal crayfish ( Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana, 1852)), both alone and in the presence of conspecifics and predators. Crayfish were presented with three types of food (chironomids, mayflies, and woody debris) in experimental enclosures, and the food type consumed and time to consumption were recorded. Although the same overall food choice (chironomid larvae) was made in all trials, the time it took for the juvenile crayfish to make a food selection was longer in the presence of adult conspecifics (both male and female) and adult cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarkii (Richardson, 1836)). Food selection also took longer, although not significantly, in the presence of conspecific juvenile crayfish, and no changes in behavior were noted in the presence of young-of-the-year (YOY) cutthroat trout. The altered behavior of the juvenile crayfish observed in the presence of adult fish and crayfish can lead to context-dependent effects of this omnivore on its community. Ecologists must be increasingly aware that the feeding of omnivores may not be solely based on nutritional criteria.
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Ma, Chao, Yang Yue, Yan Zhang, Zhen-Ya Tian, Hong-Song Chen, Jian-Ying Guo, and Zhong-Shi Zhou. "Scanning Electron Microscopic Analysis of Antennal Sensilla and Tissue-Expression Profiles of Chemosensory Protein Genes in Ophraella communa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)." Insects 13, no. 2 (February 9, 2022): 183. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects13020183.
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Ophraella communa is an efficient biocontrol agent used against the invasive weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia. It is an herbivorous insect that feeds on specific plants; the olfactory functions of this insects plays an important role in their search for host plants. There are no reports on O. communa sensilla types, morphology, or chemosensory protein (CSP) genes. In this study, we observed the external structure and distribution of antennal sensilla in adult O. communa antennae by scanning electron microscopy; moreover, we cloned 11 CSPs (CSP1–CSP11) and elucidated their tissue-expression profiles using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Six types of sensilla were identified: sensilla trichodea (including two subtypes), sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconica (including two subtypes), sensilla styloconica, sensilla coeloconica, and Böhm bristles. Both male and female antennae had all six types of sensilla, and no sexual dimorphism was noted in sensillar types or distribution. We also found that the expression levels of CSP2, CSP3, CSP4, CSP6, and CSP7 in male and female antennae were higher than those in other tissues, which suggests that these five CSPs may be related to olfactory function in O. communa. Ultimately, our results lay the foundation for interpreting the olfactory functions of adult O. communa.
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Cavallo, Alessandro, and Lloyd S. Peck. "Lipid storage patterns in marine copepods: environmental, ecological, and intrinsic drivers." ICES Journal of Marine Science 77, no. 5 (May 1, 2020): 1589–601. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsaa070.
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Abstract Seasonality of food supply is a major driver of physiological and ecological adaptations of marine zooplankton. High-latitude marine copepods accumulate lipids for maintenance and reproductive maturation during the food-depleted winter period. The relationship between latitude and lipid storage in copepods is well established, but it is influenced by many factors, such as trophic position, sex, and depth distribution. In this study, the influence of latitude and collection depth, trophic level, sex, and the presence or absence of dormancy on the relative amount and composition of lipids stored was assessed by analysing published data. Our analyses confirmed higher lipid contents (expressed as % dry weight) in high-latitude species, and in deep-dwelling tropical copepods compared to shallow-living ones. Contrary to our original hypothesis, carnivorous and herbivorous copepods had similar lipid levels. Copepod species that undergo dormancy had higher levels of wax ester and were more common at polar and temperate latitudes. Lastly, adult male and female copepods did not significantly differ in the amount of lipids they store, suggesting that the portion of male reproductive investment, which may depend on lipid stores, has been underestimated. Taken together, these results both confirm some previously reported trends and refute others.
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Ghaffar, Abdul. "BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS OF BLACKBUCK (Antilope cervicapra): A REVIEW." Agrobiological Records 4 (2021): 23–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.47278/journal.abr/2020.023.
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Blackbuck is the existing members of genus Antilope which is most elegant and graceful among all Antelopes of Asia with distinct sexual dimorphism. Blackbuck show endemism in Pakistan, Nepal and India occupying mainly the semi-arid grassland areas. The name of species attributes towards the dark brownish to blackish coat color of male species. While female and the young ones are tawny or yellow. Chin undersides of legs and chest are white in both male and female individuals. Males have whorled horns with 79cm length with absence in females. The average body length of this animal is 100-150cm with the tail length of 10-17cm. The average body weight for male is 20-57kg and for female 19-33kg. Thin grassy forests, open and semi-desert areas are good habitat for it. Being diurnal and herbivorous, it acts as both grazers and browsers. It is the fastest animal with an average speed of 80km/h. It remains reproductively functional whole year. Reproductive disorders including dystocia and different infectious diseases due to ectoparasites, endoparasites, bacteria and viruses affect these species. Habitat loss, stress, illegal killing and genetic troubles cause the species to be ‘Extinct in the Wildlife’ in Pakistan so conservation strategies are underway for species protection. It is indispensable for zoologists and conservational biologists to observe the species for its conservation and confronting threats. Review article highlighted necessary information about species, which will clear the way for further research on species.
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FRANZ, NICO M. "Revision, phylogeny and natural history of Cotithene Voss (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)." Zootaxa 1782, no. 1 (June 3, 2008): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1782.1.1.
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Cotithene Voss, a previously monotypic genus of Neotropical derelomine flower weevils (Curculionidae: Derelomini), is revised, with provision of a key to the species, cladistic analysis and notes on its natural history. The following six new species are described: C. anaphalanta (Costa Rica), C. dicranopygia (Costa Rica), C. leptorhamphis (Costa Rica, Panama), C. melanoptera (Venezuela), C. stratiotricha (Costa Rica) and C. trigaea (Costa Rica). The monophyly of Cotithene is supported by the characters of a dorsomedially expanded, carinate rostrum, ventrally angulate head, long and anteriorly directed setation on the anterior margin of the prosternum and an apicodorsally expanded aedeagus with paired sclerites in the male, and subcontiguous to separated procoxal cavities in the female. Particularly the males of several species have intriguing and allometrically scaled modifications on the head (triangular projections, long setae) and pronotum (expansion, tumescences), which possibly play a role in male-to-male conflicts. Cotithene species are specialized to visit and reproduce on a narrow range of typically closely related species of Cyclanthaceae. The adults do not function as pollinators, and the herbivorous larvae develop in the fruiting organs of their hosts, frequently triggering the abortion of infructescences. An analysis of 12 taxa (5 outgroup, 7 ingroup) and 32 morphological characters yielded a single most parsimonious cladogram (L = 38, CI = 89, RI = 93) with the topology (C. dicranopygia, (C. stratiotricha, ((C. leptorhamphis, C. trigaea), (C. globulicollis Voss, (C. anaphalanta, C. melanoptera))))). The evolution of morphological traits and host shifts is examined in light of the proposed phylogeny.
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Schausberger, Peter, Tetsuo Gotoh, and Yukie Sato. "Spider mite mothers adjust reproduction and sons' alternative reproductive tactics to immigrating alien conspecifics." Royal Society Open Science 6, no. 11 (November 2019): 191201. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.191201.
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Maternal effects on environmentally induced alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) are poorly understood but likely to be selected for if mothers can reliably predict offspring environments. We assessed maternal effects in two populations (Y and G) of herbivorous arrhenotokous spider mites Tetranychus urticae , where males conditionally express fighting and sneaking tactics in male–male combat and pre-copulatory guarding behaviour. We hypothesized that resident mothers should adjust their reproduction and sons’ ARTs to immigrating alien conspecifics in dependence of alien conspecifics posing a fitness threat or advantage. To induce maternal effects, females were exposed to own or alien socio-environments and mated to own or alien males. Across maternal and sons' reproductive traits, the maternal socio-environment induced stronger effects than the maternal mate, and G-mothers responded more strongly to Y-influence than vice versa. G-socio-environments and Y-mates enhanced maternal egg production in both populations. Maternal exposure to G-socio-environments demoted, yet maternal Y-mates promoted, guarding occurrence and timing by sons. Sneakers guarded earlier than fighters in Y-environments, whereas the opposite happened in G-environments. The endosymbiont Cardinium , present in G, did not exert any classical effect but may have played a role via the shared plant. Our study highlights interpopulation variation in immediate and anticipatory maternal responses to immigrants.
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Katsemba, N., and P. Sklyarov. "Methods for determining optimal insemination time in nutrients." Naukovij vìsnik veterinarnoï medicini, no. 2(152) (December 17, 2019): 6–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.33245/2310-4902-2019-152-2-6-11.
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The implementation of the state agrarian policy provides for the creation of modern production technologies based on fundamentally new theoretical and practical research and scientifi c and technical solutions that will ensure the dynamic development of various livestock industries. Low cost of maintenance, high reproduction, resistance to diseases of various etiologies – these are exactly the criteria that nutraceuticals meet. Nutria are herbivorous, multiple polycyclic animals that multiply combine periods of lactation and pregnancy. Thus, with minimal costs for feed, the farm has the opportunity to make high profi ts. Breeding nutria is cost-eff ective and requires a more detailed study, the development of this industry in all regions of Ukraine. When breeding nutria in closed conditions, the reproductive ability of young females decreases by 20–30%. Research in the direction of the reproductive function of female nutria is practically not conducted, therefore, the study of this issue is relevant. In this article, we analyzed the methods for diagnosing the optimal insemination time for nutria, taking into account their shortcomings and ease of use, and found that the earlier methods used (before 2000) have many shortcomings, as a result of which farms receive less profi t due to death, as well as spoiled quality of fur and skins during fi ghts between animals. The use of a male probe provides not only a benefi cial eff ect on the development of the reproductive system of female nutria, but also allows timely determination of the optimal time for insemination of female nutria. The disadvantage of this method is the cost of drugs for epididiotomy and the postoperative period. Colpocytoscopy is an inexpensive, convenient, non-traumatic, and highly accurate method for determining the optimal insemination period in female nutria. Key words: nutria, reproductive cycle, puberty, male probes, insemination, colpocytoscopy.
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Leung, Luke K. P. "Ecology of Australian tropical rainforest mammals. II. The Cape York melomys, Melomys capensis (Muridae : Rodentia)." Wildlife Research 26, no. 3 (1999): 307. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr96043.
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This is the first detailed ecological study of the Cape York melomys, Melomys capensis, a small rodent endemic to the Cape York Peninsula, North Queensland, Australia. A total of 343 animals was captured 781 times in rainforest at Iron Range during a capture–mark–recapture study from 1989 to 1991. Compared with other species of Melomys in more variable habitats, populations of M. capensis were relatively stable: adjusted mean number on the traplines exhibited a maximum 1.3–2.0-fold difference. The stable demography may be related to the apparently more constant food supply in tropical rainforest. Both population abundance and male reproductive condition peaked in December when the availability of fruit was high, indicating that populations are limited by food supply. M. capensis was herbivorous, nocturnal, semi-arboreal, and it nested in hollows. Breeding occurred throughout the study. Most litters comprised two young. Young became trappable at about 14 days of age, and reached reproductive maturity at about 43 days of age. Females gave birth to the first litter when they were at least 80 days old and continued to breed into their second year.
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Mialhe, PJ. "Characterization of Desmodus rotundus (E. Geoffroy, 1810) (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) shelters in the Municipality of São Pedro - SP." Brazilian Journal of Biology 73, no. 3 (August 2013): 521–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1519-69842013000300009.
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Surveillance of hematophagous bats is an important public health measure for the prevention and control of rabies epidemics in domestic herbivorous animals. The aim of this study was to locate and georeference D.rotundus shelters in the Municipality of São Pedro - SP, Brazil, and verify their nature (artificial or natural), surrounding landscape and distance from main rivers. To do this, two samples were taken of populations in shelters, with an interval of six months between them, capturing all the bats existent in shelters with fewer than 20 individuals and approximately 20% of the bats present in shelters with over 20 individuals in order to quantify their gender and age distribution. The majority of D. rotundus (67%) were verified to be artificial and the remainder (33%) natural. Of the six artificial shelters found, five were located in abandoned houses and one in a rain water drainage channel. There were no signs of D. rotundus in other rural buildings and viaducts located in the proximities of pastures. In spite of the majority of D. rotundus shelters being artificial, the three most populated shelters were maternity colonies, two being located in grottos and only one in an artificial shelter (rain water drainage channel). The remaining shelters were occupied by only male individuals. With the exception of one shelter, all the other shelters were at a distance of less than 3 km from the main bodies of water in the study area, corroborating studies that have reported that the main rivers in the State of São Paulo are the main geographic features related to the presence of D. rotundus. It was also verified that 67% of the shelters were inhabited by only male individuals, which confirms other studies conducted in the State of São Paulo, in which over 60% of the groups of Desmodus contain only male individuals.
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Silva, FO, SD Kevan, N. Roque, BF Viana, and PG Kevan. "Records on floral biology and visitors of Jacquemontia montana (Moric.) Meisn. (Convolvulaceae) in Mucugê, Bahia." Brazilian Journal of Biology 70, no. 3 (August 2010): 671–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1519-69842010000300027.
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We present the first records on pollination biology of Jacquemontia montana (Moric.) Meisn. (Convolvulaceae), a widespread climber in the Chapada Diamantina. Our objectives were to (1) characterise flower morphology and biology of J. montana; (2) sample flower visitors and (3) make inferences about potential pollinators, based on foraging behaviour. Observations and sampling were performed on two patches from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, May 15th to 16th, 2007. The corolla is bowl shaped, pentamerous, gamopetalous, actinomorphic, and yellow, with a mean diameter of 22.43 ± 1.81 mm, the depth being variable during flower phases. Stigma receptivity lasted from 8:00 AM-3:30 PM and pollen viability from 9:00 AM-3:30 PM Pollen. showed great decline in number but not in viability during anthesis. Nectarivorous (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera) and herbivorous (Orthoptera) insects were found on the flowers. Both male and female bees (Dialictus spp., Robertson 1902) were the most frequent flower visitor. The bees' behaviour, and time spent on flowers, varied according to the resource gathered (i.e., pollen or nectar). The Dialictus species are likely to be the main pollinator of J. montana, considering the frequency, contact with reproductive parts, and carrying only J. montana pollen spread over the ventral part of the thorax, abdomen and legs. Although not quantified, nectar may still be available in the afternoon, considering the behaviour of bees on flowers during this time. Pollen:ovule ration that was1.200:4, suggests facultative xenogamy.
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Jamaludin, Abdul, Luthfiralda Sjahfirdi, and Riani Widiarti. "DUGONG (Dugong dugon) FEEDING BEHAVIOUR IN SEA WORLD INDONESIA, TAMAN IMPIAN JAYA ANCOL, JAKARTA." KnE Life Sciences 2, no. 1 (September 20, 2015): 504. http://dx.doi.org/10.18502/kls.v2i1.204.
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<p>Dugongs is a protected herbivorous marine mammals (Suwelo et al., 1992) and included in vulnerable category of IUCN(International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) and Appendix I CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) (IUCN 2012). Dugong population continues to decline due to the human threat (Suwelo et al., 1992). Another factor is because Dugong has a low reproductive rate (Hindell & Kirkword 2003). Ex-situ conservation of dugong is become important and has conducted by Sea World Indonesia, Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, Jakarta. Research on dugong feeding behaviour can help the ex-situ conservation of dugong. This because feeding behaviour is a main daily behaviour of dugong in the sea (Chilvers et al., 2003). The aim of this research was to describe feeding behaviour of two dugong in Sea World Indonesia. Observations were made in SWI Dugong aquarium with a diameter of 10 meters and two different depth (2 meters and 5 meters). Observations were made during two weeks on December 2012. Behavioral observation time was divided into morning (9:15 to 09:35), (11:30 to 11:50) and <br />(14:30 to 14:50) observations. The feeding behavior observed was hand-fed, surface-fed and bottom-fed. Daily observations of dugong feeding behavior were done using focal animal sampling and ad libitum sampling. The data obtained was displayed in the form of tables and graphs. The data was analyzed using descriptive analysis reinforced with statistical tests. The statistical tests used were the t-test and ANOVA test. Hand-fed behavior of male dugong (31,30%) was higher than female (29,67%). Results from t-test showed that the hand-fed behaviors of both dugongs were not significantly different. Meanwhile, the other t-test result for surface-fed behavior and bottom-fed behavior of both dugongs was significantly different. Surface-fed behavior of male dugong (65.83%) was higher than female (32.08%). Bottom-fed behavior of male dugong (6.23%) was lower than females (36.63%). Hand-fed behaviour and feed on surface are the adaptation of feeding behavior in captivity. Feed on bottom behaviour is the behavior that similar to dugong feeding in the wild, which is grazing. Based on the observation, it is known that both dugong, male dugong especially, have a good adaptation on hand-fed seagrass behaviour and feed on surface, while the female dugong maintain its natural feeding behavior.</p><p><br /><strong>Keywords</strong>: Dugong dugon, Sea World Indonesia, feeding behaviour, captive</p>
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Finetti, Luca, Stefano Civolani, Daniele Mirandola, Lorenzo Benetti, Santolo Francati, Federica Albanese, Felicia Menicucci, et al. "Monarda didyma Hydrolate Affects the Survival and the Behaviour of Drosophila suzukii." Insects 13, no. 3 (March 11, 2022): 280. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects13030280.
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Drosophila suzukii (Matsumara) is an herbivorous pest whose control in the field with conventional chemical is particularly difficult and has important drawbacks. Here, we investigated the insecticidal properties of hydrolate from Monarda didyma, scarlet beebalm, an aromatic herb in the Lamiaceae family. The identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by CG–MS systems revealed that thymol (38%) and carvacrol (59%) were the most abundant VOCs in the hydrolate. M. didyma hydrolate did not show fumigant toxicity. Conversely, in contact assays, M. didyma hydrolate showed a LC50 of 5.03 µL mL−1, 48 h after the application on D. suzukii adults. Expression of detoxification genes increased in flies that survived the LC50 application. Furthermore, toxicity persisted for 7 days after the treatment in the survival evaluation. Artificial diet assays with 100 and 1000 µL mL−1 of M. didyma hydrolate resulted in a significant decrease in total food intake in both male and female D. suzukii adults. In addition, electropenetrography (EPG) showed that the D. suzukii females’ feeding behaviour was altered in hydrolate-treated diets. The hydrolate also caused a significant reduction in the number of eggs laid in two different oviposition assays. Overall, our findings provide a new perspective for the improvement of D. suzukii control strategies through M. didyma hydrolate.
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Hailey, Adrian, and Ian M. Coulson. "The growth pattern of the African tortoise Geochelone pardalis and other chelonians." Canadian Journal of Zoology 77, no. 2 (August 1, 1999): 181–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z98-225.
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Growth rings were measured in dead African leopard tortoises, Geochelone pardalis, collected in the seasonal tropics of Zimbabwe over an 11-year period. A series of Ford-Walford plots using growth measured from annuli showed that growth fitted a logistic by mass curve best, logistic by length and Gompertz curves less well, and a Bertalanffy curve least well. The Bertalanffy curve, often fitted to growth of chelonians, is characterised by particularly high growth rates of juveniles compared with larger individuals. It is suggested that this growth pattern is likely to be found in species showing a marked decrease in diet quality with size. This hypothesis is supported by a review of growth patterns in chelonians: Bertalanffy curves are associated with an omnivorous (and thus potentially variable) diet and other growth patterns with an obligate carnivorous or herbivorous diet. Geochelone pardalis in Zimbabwe showed significant sexual size dimorphism, the mean asymptotic mass of females being 1.7 times that of males, unlike populations with larger body sizes to the north and south. Annual survival estimated from age-frequency distributions was significantly higher in males (0.80) than in females (0.72), the difference being sufficient to account for the male-biased sex ratio of live animals.
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Miller, Christina. "Small mammal herbivores part 1: digestive system adaptations to a herbivorous diet." Veterinary Nurse 13, no. 7 (September 2, 2022): 312–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/vetn.2022.13.7.312.
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Nutritional disease is common in exotic companion mammals, and the unique dietary adaptations of herbivorous species only compounds this issue. The target species (including lagomorphs, and hystricomorph or caviomorph rodents) exhibit anatomical and physiological adaptations to a plant-based diet that is low in calories and protein, and high in fibre. Digestive tract adaptations such as hypselodont dentition to hindgut fermentation will be reviewed. Veterinary nurses are in an excellent position to counsel pet owners on the appropriate nutrition of their companion animals, and understanding these unique adaptations provides the necessary baseline knowledge to make recommendations.
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Latuconsina, Husain, Rospita Lestaluhu, and Risman Rumasoreng. "Reproduction of White-Spotted Rabbitfish (Siganus canaliculatus Park, 1797) in the Waters of the Buntal Island, Kotania Bay, West Seram-Mollucas." Agrikan: Jurnal Agribisnis Perikanan 13, no. 2 (December 9, 2020): 470–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.29239/j.agrikan.13.2.470-478.
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White-Spotted Rabbitfish (Siganus canaliculatus Park, 1797) are herbivorous fish that are associated with seagrass habitat and are widely distributed in mangrove and coral reef habitats. The waters of the Buntal Island – Kotania Bau have an ecosystem of seagrass medows, mangroves and coral reefs, with the association of S. canaliculatus as one of the target catch of fishermen. The purpose was study to analyze the biological aspects of S. canaliculatus, including: sex ratio, size of first maturity, and fecundity. The research was conducted from October 2015 until January 2016 in the waters of Buntal Island, Kotania Bay. Fish samples were collected from fishermen's catch using bottom gill nets and Set net. Each fish sample was dissected for sex determination and gonad maturity level. The analysis is used to see the relationship between body length and weight and fecundity. The results showed that 167 fish and 149 female fish. The ratio of male and female was balanced, namely 52.85%: 47.15% or 1.1: 1 (X2count 4.13 <X2table 11.34). The size of first maturity of female is 14.98 cm (14.5 - 15.5 cm) smaller than the male 18.9 cm (18.8 - 19.1 cm). The high potential of S. canaliclulatus based on the Fecundity obtained was in the range of 524,000 - 1,286,359 eggs. There is a positive relationship between body length and fecundity, indicating that the value of Fecundity increases with body size. To support its sustainable use in the wild, it is necessary to regulate the size of S. canaliculatus that can be harvest at a body length of > 15 cm TL, to provide opportunities for spawning and support population growth before exploitation, thus supporting responsible and sustainable fisheries.
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Selakovic, Sara, Nemanja Stanisavljevic, Vukica Vujic, Luka Rubinjoni, Zivko Jovanovic, Svetlana Radovic, and Dragana Cvetkovic. "Light and sex interplay: Differential herbivore damage in sun and shade in dioecious Mercurialis perennis." Archives of Biological Sciences 70, no. 3 (2018): 469–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/abs171207007s.
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Interactions between plants and herbivorous insects can be shaped by light environment, resulting in differential herbivory in sun and shade. In dioecious species, the combination of plant sex and light-induced changes in defense traits and nutritive value can alter the patterns of foliar damage. We explored the combined effects of light environment and plant sex on natural herbivore damage and plant traits in the dioecious understory forb Mercurialis perennis on Mt. Kopaonik (Serbia). The role of plant traits in predicting the extent of damage was examined as well. Male and female plants from contrasting light environments (shade vs. sun) were analyzed with respect to leaf damage, as well as plant morphological and biochemical traits (size, specific leaf area, carbon-based defensive compounds and nutritional quality). We found prominent differences in herbivore damage between sun and shade conditions, but not between the sexes. Plants from the sun-exposed site had a significantly larger leaf area removed. The specific leaf area co-varied with herbivore damage in an inverse fashion, while leaf nutritional value had a moderate effect. Contrasting light conditions influenced the patterns of intersexual differences in the contents of condensed tannins and soluble proteins, with females exhibiting higher trait values. We found that factors defining risk of consumption were related to plant morphological traits and nutritive value rather than to chemical defenses.
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Vilhelmsen, Lars. "Morphological phylogenetics of the Tenthredinidae (Insecta : Hymenoptera)." Invertebrate Systematics 29, no. 2 (2015): 164. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/is14056.
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The Tenthredinoidea is the most diverse superfamily of non-apocritan Hymenoptera. It is also one of the largest herbivorous groups within the order, some species having substantial economic impact. Until very recently, no comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of the superfamily had been undertaken. This paper presents the largest morphological dataset assembled so far for elucidating the phylogeny of the Tenthredinoidea. In total, 129 taxa were scored for 146 characters from the adult head, thorax, wings and ovipositor apparatus. The emphasis of the taxon sample is on Tenthredinidae (104 terminals), which is by far the largest family in the Tenthredinoidea. The results of the cladistic analyses confirm the monophyly of the Tenthredinoidea, the first split being between the Blasticotomidae and the remaining families (Tenthredinoidea s. str., also monophyletic), and the monophyly of all families except Tenthredinidae. The analyses fail to consistently retrieve any of the six currently recognised subfamilies within Tenthredinidae, although core clades of Heterarthrinae, Nematinae, Selandriinae and Tenthredininae are often supported. Diprionidae are placed inside the Nematinae under some weighting conditions. The failure to corroborate the tenthredinid subfamilies might be ascribed to an insufficient character/terminal ratio, but also to problems with the existing classification. Inclusion of characters from the male genitalia and the larval stages as well as molecular data currently being assembled will hopefully lead to a more robust classification of the Tenthredinidae in the future.
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ALBA, JUAN MANUEL, JOSEPHINE BLAAZER, JIE LIU, CARLOS VILLARROEL, THOMAS VAN LEEUWEN, WANNES DERMAUW, and MERIJN KANT. "Searching for genes that make plants susceptible to spider mites as a target for resistance breeding." Zoosymposia 22 (November 30, 2022): 42. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zoosymposia.22.1.12.
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Herbivorous mites must have to overcome several barriers that are produced by plants to prevent herbivores from obtaining food and successfully colonize them. How this interaction plays out is determined by a set of complex molecular mechanisms that trigger physiological changes in plants to deter mites, and in mites to withstand deterrence and together these determine their degree of compatibility. We demonstrated that spider mites secrete specialized salivary proteins into plants that suppress plant defenses and therefore play a decisive role in the plant-mite interaction. To these proteins we refer as effectors (Villarroel et al. 2016; Jonckheere et al. 2016). Elucidating how effectors suppress plant defenses can aid plant resistance breeding and help to better understand plant-herbivore co-evolution.
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Hohman, William L. "Body composition dynamics of ruddy ducks during wing moult." Canadian Journal of Zoology 71, no. 11 (November 1, 1993): 2224–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z93-312.
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A method was developed for indexing moulting costs in waterfowl based on intensity of moult and proportional mass of feathers in seven feather regions (ADJMOLT). This method was then applied to an examination of relations between moulting costs and size-adjusted body mass and composition of postbreeding male and female ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) collected in southwestern Manitoba, 30 July – 24 August 1985. Moderate to heavy moult (25 to > 50% of moulting feathers) was recorded in all feather regions. The intensity of down moult was greater in males than in females, but no differences between sexes in moult score by contour feather region, overall mean moult score, or ADJMOLT were detected. Relations between ADJMOLT and body fat (FAT), liver protein (LIVER), and size-adjusted body mass (ADJMASS), body protein (ADJPROT), and leg and breast muscle protein (ADJLEG and ADJBR, respectively) were not influenced by sex, but there was a sex effect on the relation of ADJMOLT to gizzard mass (GIZZWT). ADJPROT and ADJBR were negatively associated with ADJMOLT, whereas female GIZZWT was positively related to ADJMOLT. ADJMASS, ADJLEG, FAT, and LIVER were unrelated to ADJMOLT. Female ruddy ducks were structurally smaller and had less ADJMASS, ADJPROT, ADJLEG, and FAT than males, but there were no sex-related differences in ADJBR. I found no evidence of nutritional stress in post-breeding ruddy ducks, but argue that stress associated with moult in waterfowl is most likely to occur in females, especially small-bodied species that are primarily herbivorous.
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ROCHA, C. F. D. "Home range of the Tropidurid lizard Liolaemus lutzae: sexual and body size differences." Revista Brasileira de Biologia 59, no. 1 (February 1999): 125–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0034-71081999000100016.
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The home range of the Tropidurid lizard Liolaemus lutzae, an endemic species of the costal sand dune habitats of Rio de Janeiro State, was studied in the beach habitat of Barra de Maricá restinga, Maricá County. Home ranges were studied using a mark-recapture technique in a delimited area at the beach habitat. I considered for estimates and analysis the home ranges of those lizards with a minimum of four positions. The size of L. lutzae home ranges varied according to the segment of the population. The mean home range size of adult males (x = 59.8 ± 33.7 m²) was significantly larger than that of adult females (x = 22.3 ± 16.1 m²). Juvenile mean home range size was significantly smaller than that of adult males, but did not differ from that of adult females (t = 1.058; p = 0.149). The overlap between male home ranges was usually low (3.6%), being in general only peripheral. Conversely, there was a considerable overlap between home ranges of adult females with those of adult males, the home range areas of two or three females being enclosed in the home range of one adult male. The small overlap between home ranges of adult males suggested mutual exclusion. The observed between-sex differences in the size of L. lutzae home range may be explained by the sexual dimorphism in body size in this species, and by the need of adult males to establish larger areas so as to include many females in their areas, during the reproductive season. The differences in home range along ontogeny probably result from differences in body size of the different segments of the population, due to trophic differences (carnivory and herbivory levels), and the dispersal of young after birth. Because L. lutzae is omnivorous, but primarily herbivorous when adult, and due to its sit-and-wait foraging behavior (mainly on arthropods), it does not need to move around over large areas to find food, which in turn reduces the area necessary for it to live.
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Menden-Deuer, Susanne, Caitlyn Lawrence, and Gayantonia Franzè. "Herbivorous protist growth and grazing rates at in situ and artificially elevated temperatures during an Arctic phytoplankton spring bloom." PeerJ 6 (July 23, 2018): e5264. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5264.
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To assess protistan grazing impact and temperature sensitivity on plankton population dynamics, we measured bulk and species-specific phytoplankton growth and herbivorous protist grazing rates in Disko Bay, West Greenland in April-May 2011. Rate estimates were made at three different temperatures in situ (0 °C), +3 °C and +6 °C over ambient. In situ Chlorophyll a (Chl a) doubled during the observation period to ∼12 µg Chl a L−1, with 60–97% of Chl a in the >20 µm size-fraction dominated by the diatom genus Chaetoceros. Herbivorous dinoflagellates comprised 60–80% of microplankton grazer biomass. At in situ temperatures, phytoplankton growth or grazing by herbivorous predators <200 µm was not measurable until 11 days after observations commenced. Thereafter, phytoplankton growth was on average 0.25 d−1. Phytoplankton mortality due to herbivorous grazing was only measured on three occasions but the magnitude was substantial, up to 0.58 d−1. Grazing of this magnitude removed ∼100% of primary production. In short-term temperature-shift incubation experiments, phytoplankton growth rate increased significantly (20%) at elevated temperatures. In contrast, herbivorous protist grazing and species-specific growth rates decreased significantly (50%) at +6 °C. This differential response in phytoplankton and herbivores to temperature increases resulted in a decrease of primary production removed with increasing temperature. Phaeocystis spp. abundance was negatively correlated with bulk grazing rate. Growth and grazing rates were variable but showed no evidence of an inherent, low temperature limitation. Herbivorous protist growth rates in this study and in a literature review were comparable to rates from temperate waters. Thus, an inherent physiological inhibition of protistan growth or grazing rates in polar waters is not supported by the data. The large variability between lack of grazing and high rates of primary production removal observed here and confirmed in the literature for polar waters implies larger amplitude fluctuations in phytoplankton biomass than slower, steady grazing losses of primary production.
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Hummel, Jürgen, Carole T. Gee, Karl-Heinz Südekum, P. Martin Sander, Gunther Nogge, and Marcus Clauss. "In vitro digestibility of fern and gymnosperm foliage: implications for sauropod feeding ecology and diet selection." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 275, no. 1638 (February 5, 2008): 1015–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2007.1728.
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Sauropod dinosaurs, the dominant herbivores throughout the Jurassic, challenge general rules of large vertebrate herbivory. With body weights surpassing those of any other megaherbivore, they relied almost exclusively on pre-angiosperm plants such as gymnosperms, ferns and fern allies as food sources, plant groups that are generally believed to be of very low nutritional quality. However, the nutritive value of these taxa is virtually unknown, despite their importance in the reconstruction of the ecology of Mesozoic herbivores. Using a feed evaluation test for extant herbivores, we show that the energy content of horsetails and of certain conifers and ferns is at a level comparable to extant browse. Based on our experimental results, plants such as Equisetum , Araucaria , Ginkgo and Angiopteris would have formed a major part of sauropod diets, while cycads, tree ferns and podocarp conifers would have been poor sources of energy. Energy-rich but slow-fermenting Araucaria , which was globally distributed in the Jurassic, was probably targeted by giant, high-browsing sauropods with their presumably very long ingesta retention times. Our data make possible a more realistic calculation of the daily food intake of an individual sauropod and improve our understanding of how large herbivorous dinosaurs could have flourished in pre-angiosperm ecosystems.
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Wishart, Jason, Steven Lapidge, Michael Braysher, Stephen D. Sarre, and Jim Hone. "Observations on effects of feral pig (Sus scrofa) age and sex on diet." Wildlife Research 42, no. 6 (2015): 470. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr15044.
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Context Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are a destructive invasive species that cause damage to ecologically sensitive areas. Management of biodiversity and of feral pigs assumes the diet of pigs of different ages and sexes are similar. Aims We aimed to investigate effects of feral pig age and sex on broad feral pig diet to identify potential at-risk native wildlife species so as to improve biodiversity and feral pig management. Methods Diet was determined by macroscopic analysis of the stomach content of 58 aerially shot feral pigs of mixed ages and sexes. The study occurred in the Macquarie Marshes, New South Wales, a Ramsar wetland of international significance. Results Feral pigs were largely herbivorous, with vegetable matter being found in all stomachs and contributing to a majority of the food material that was present in each stomach, by volume. Adult feral pigs had significantly more grasses and crop material in their stomachs than juveniles, while juveniles had significantly more forbs in their stomachs than adult feral pigs. Vertebrate prey items included frogs, lizard and snake, but no threatened wildlife species. Conclusions Juvenile and adult feral pigs differed in their diet, especially with regards to plant material, which has not been reported previously. There was, however, no difference in the consumption of vertebrate wildlife species between juvenile and adult, or male and female feral pigs. Slow-moving, nocturnal amphibians and reptiles were the most common vertebrate item recorded. Implications Biodiversity and feral pig management should recognise plant diet differences between demographic segments of the feral pig population. Further research is recommended to determine if diet differences also occur for threatened wildlife species, which will require more intensive nocturnal sampling.
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Choat, JH, and KD Clements. "Diet in odacid and aplodactylid fishes from Australia and New Zealand." Marine and Freshwater Research 43, no. 6 (1992): 1451. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf9921451.
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Diets of a number of temperate-water reef fishes considered to be herbivores were examined by stomach content analysis. Two species of the genus Odax (family Odacidae), O. pullus and O. acroptilus, were investigated. Stomach contents of samples of O. pullus from two times and two localities on the New Zealand coast were dominated by fucoid and laminarian algae. There was evidence of selection of reproductive structures of fucoid algae as an important food source. O. acroptilus collected from the central NSW coast of Australia proved to be a carnivore on small benthic invertebrates. In addition, the stomach contents of a taxon unique to Southern Hemisphere waters, Aplodactylus arctidens (family Aplodactylidae), and of one member of a widespread taxon, Girella tricuspidata (family Girellidae), were examined as a comparison with Odax. Collections of each species were made in northern New Zealand. A. arctidens and G. tricuspidata were facultative herbivores with diets dominated by under storey and epiphytic red algae. These results emphasize the unusual feeding patterns of herbivorous odacids and their importance in the development of general models of piscine herbivory.
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Fraser, Danielle, and Jessica M. Theodor. "The use of gross dental wear in dietary studies of extinct lagomorphs." Journal of Paleontology 84, no. 4 (July 2010): 720–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002233600005842x.
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Studies of paleoenvironments have commonly focused on large mammalian herbivores such as ungulates. Many localities, however, have yielded large numbers of small mammalian herbivores, including lagomorphs and rodents. These fossils represent an untapped paleoecological resource. However, the fossils are often in the form of isolated teeth, and microwear analysis cannot be used due to taphonomic alteration. As a result, we use ungulate gross dental wear as a model. The dental wear features of extant western Canadian lagomorphs are identified and used to create dietary categories that can be applied to make predictions about the diets of extinct forms. The Horse Local Fauna of the Cypress Hills Formation of Saskatchewan has yielded approximately 2,500 fossil specimens, of which nearly 300 are lagomorphs. Two leporid species (rabbits and hares) are present in the Horse Local Fauna, Palaeolagus temnodon and Megalagus brachyodon. Qualitative analysis of the gross dental wear of the lagomorphs of the Horse Local Fauna indicates that M. brachyodon was mainly folivorous and P. temnodon was primarily frugivorous, suggesting that the contemporaneous ecosystem was tree dominated. Gross dental wear analysis allows the use of small herbivores and isolated teeth in paleoecological studies. Studying the diets of small herbivorous mammals will allow more nearly complete reconstructions of past environments and will become increasingly important as more detailed reconstructions are required by paleontologists.
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Funcke, S., L. Ziegler, M. Lierz, E. Wüst, and S. Paries. "Endoscopic assisted orchiectomy in Herman’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni sp.)." Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe K: Kleintiere / Heimtiere 42, no. 06 (2014): 383–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.15654/tpk-131089.
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SummaryObjective: Male tortoises in captivity are often aggressive against other males or females, in particular during mating season related to hormonal influences (testosterone). Castration in males is the treatment of choice in many vertebrate species. A novel technique of minimal invasive castration is presented for Herman’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni).Material and methods: The procedure was performed in ten mature males. An endoscope (2.7 mm/30° angled) was inserted into a prefemoral incision on each side. The testicle was resected after ligation of the gubernaculum testis and the spermatic cord using hemoclips.Results: Each testicle could be removed in approximately 20 minutes. Complications like hemorrhage or damage of adjacent tissue did not occur and all animals recovered uneventfully.Conclusions and clinical relevance: Using the bilateral prefemoral entrance offers an alternative option for orchiectomy in Herman’s tortoises without dissection of the shell. Thus complications like hemorrhage or impaired wound healing followed by sequestration of the bone flap are prevented. Because of the anatomical settings and the risk of tissue damage and time consumption, a unilateral approach is not recommended. Fasting the animals is necessary due to the voluminous gastrointestinal tract of this herbivorous tortoise and emptying the urinary bladder provides more space for manipulations in the coelomic cavity and prevents clipping and cutting of adjacent organs. The magnification via the endoscope is beneficial for orientation in the coelomic cavity, which is formed by the extremely convex carapace. Without this equipment it is challenging to visualize the dorsocaudally located gonads through the relatively small incision and the inserted instruments might block the view at the surgical field. Administration of hemoclips achieved a good hemostasis and the testicles could be resected without major blood loss. The described technique is a gentle method for resection of the testicles in this species and can be adapted to other European tortoise species of equal size.
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Shi, Meng-Zhu, Jian-Yu Li, Yan-Ting Chen, Ling Fang, Hang Wei, and Jian-Wei Fu. "Plant Volatile Compounds of the Invasive Alligatorweed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb, Infested by Agasicles hygrophila Selman and Vogt (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)." Life 12, no. 8 (August 17, 2022): 1257. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/life12081257.
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Plants release a variety of volatiles and herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) after being damaged by herbivorous insects, which play multiple roles in the interactions with other plants and insects. Agasicles hygrophila Selman and Vogt (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a monophagous natural enemy and an effective biocontrol agent for Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. Here, we reported differences among the volatiles of A. philoxeroides by solid phase microextraction (SPME) using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). We compared the volatile emission of: (1) clean plants (CK); (2) A. philoxeroides plants with mechanical damage treatment (MD); and (3) A. philoxeroides plants infested with A. hygrophila 1st, 2nd, and 3rd larvae and female and male adults. A total of 97 volatiles were recorded, of which 5 occurred consistently in all treatments, while 61 volatiles were only observed in A. philoxeroides infested by A. hygrophila, such as trans-nerolidol, (E)-β-farnesene, and (3E,7E)-4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene (E, E-TMTT), etc. Among the 97 volatile compounds, 37 compounds belong to alkenes, 29 compounds belong to alkanes, and there were 8 esters, 8 alcohols and 6 ketones. Orthogonal partial least squares-discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) showed that the different treatments were separated from each other, especially insect feeding from CK and MD treatments, and 19 volatiles contributed most to the separation among the treatments, with variable importance for the projection (VIP) values > 1. Our findings indicated that the alligatorweed plants could be induced to release volatiles by different stages of A. hygrophila, and the volatile compounds released differ quantitatively and qualitatively. The results from this study laid an important foundation for using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and HIPVs of alligatorweed to improve the control effect of A. hygrophila on A. philoxeroides.
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Hobson, Keith A., Bruce N. McLellan, and John G. Woods. "Using stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes to infer trophic relationships among black and grizzly bears in the upper Columbia River basin, British Columbia." Canadian Journal of Zoology 78, no. 8 (August 1, 2000): 1332–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z00-069.
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Ecological segregation of species is difficult to determine using conventional dietary analysis techniques. However, stable-isotope analysis may provide a convenient means of establishing trophic segregation of species and of groups of animals within a species in the same area. We measured stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values in hair of black bears (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) inhabiting the upper Columbia River basin in southeastern British Columbia, together with samples of potential foods ranging from plant material through invertebrates and ungulate meat. We found extensive overlap in both δ15N and δ13C values of hair from male grizzly bears and black bears of both sexes. Female grizzly bears, however, had lower δ15N values in their hair than the other groups of bears, indicating either less animal protein in their diet or a reliance on foods more depleted in 15N, possibly related to altitude. Our isotopic model generally confirmed a herbivorous diet for both bear species (a mean estimated plant contribution of 91%). Bears showing the highest δ15N values were those captured because they posed a management problem. We suggest that the slope of the relationship between tissue δ15N and δ13C values might provide a convenient means of evaluating the occurrence of consumption of animal protein in populations, regardless of local isotopic end-points for dietary samples. We examined three black bear cubs from dens and found them to be about a trophic level higher than adult females, reflecting their dependence on mother's milk, a result generally confirmed by an analysis of eight mother-cub pairs from Minnesota. Our study demonstrates how stable-isotope analysis of bear tissue can be used to monitor the feeding habits of populations, as well as provide dietary histories that may reveal dietary specializations among individuals.
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Tan, Luong Minh, Doan Ngoc Hung, Do Thai My, Morgan A. Walker, Hoang Thi Thu Ha, Pham Quang Thai, Tran Thi Mai Hung, and Jason K. Blackburn. "Spatial analysis of human and livestock anthrax in Dien Bien province, Vietnam (2010–2019) and the significance of anthrax vaccination in livestock." PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 16, no. 12 (December 20, 2022): e0010942. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010942.
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Anthrax is a serious zoonosis caused by Bacillus anthracis, which primarily affects wild herbivorous animals with spillover into humans. The disease occurs nearly worldwide but is poorly reported in Southeast Asian countries. In Vietnam, anthrax is underreported, and little is known about its temporal and spatial distributions. This paper examines the spatio-temporal distribution and epidemiological characteristics of human and livestock anthrax from Dien Bien province, Vietnam from 2010 to 2019. We also aim to define the role of livestock vaccination in reducing human cases. Historical anthrax data were collected by local human and animal health sectors in the province. Spatial rate smoothing and spatial clustering analysis, using Local Moran’s I in GeoDa and space-time scan statistic in SaTScan, were employed to address these objectives. We found temporal and spatial overlap of anthrax incidence in humans and livestock with hotspots of human anthrax in the east. We identified three significant space-time clusters of human anthrax persisting from 2010 to 2014 in the east and southeast, each with high relative risk. Most of the human cases were male (69%), aged 15–59 years (80%), involved in processing, slaughtering, or eating meat of sick or dead livestock (96.9%) but environmental and unknown exposure were reported. Animal reports were limited compared to humans and at coarser spatial scale, but in areas with human case clusters. In years when livestock vaccination was high (>~25%), human incidence was reduced, with the opposite effect when vaccine rates dropped. This indicates livestock vaccination campaigns reduce anthrax burden in both humans and livestock in Vietnam, though livestock surveillance needs immediate improvement. These findings suggest further investigation and measures to strengthen the surveillance of human and animal anthrax for other provinces of Vietnam, as well as in other countries with similar disease context.
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Mialhe, Paulo Jacques, Luiz Eduardo Moschini, and Diego Peruchi Trevisan. "VAMPIRE BAT DESMODUS ROTUNDUS SHELTERS IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF SÃO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL." Veterinária e Zootecnia 28 (September 29, 2021): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.35172/rvz.2021.v28.609.
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The vampire bat Desmodus rotundus is the main transmitter of domestic herbivorous rabies, which causes economic losses in cattle raising, being a serious public health problem. The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allows the spatial monitoring of these bats shelters, which is an efficient way to prevent and control rabies. This study located shelters of D. rotundus in the Eastern Center region of São Paulo state and identified the types of shelters used (natural or artificial), their proximity to water, sexual composition, and population estimated of the colonies. Searches were carried out by colonies of vampire bats in natural and artificial shelters during 2002 to 2004, covering 18 municipalities. After located, the shelters were georeferenced, being recorded the nature of the shelter (natural or artificial), use (shelters of males, maternities, digestive) and estimated population. The data were incorporated into a GIS, producing a thematic map of the shelter’s location and their distance from the local water bodies. There were found 1.567 D. rotundus distributed in 94 shelters, where only six shelters (6.38%) were natural (caves). Most shelters (79.78%) were sparsely populated, with up to 15 bats, including male shelters (46 shelters) and 30 maternities (63.82% of maternities). Five shelters (5.37%) had between 50 and 100 bats and only two shelters (2.15%) had a population greater than 100 bats. Six shelters (6.38%) were inhabited houses, which is a concern for public health, as these may constitute a source of dangerous contamination for domestic and human carnivores. All the shelters were at a distance of up to 2 km of rivers or streams. The high percentage of artificial shelters found is a consequence of the intensification of the anthropic changes that increase the supply of food and shelter to D. rotundus, which associated with a large drainage network favors the dispersion of this species of bat in the region. The proximity of all D. rotundus shelters to the drainage network corroborates other studies in São Paulo state, where the areas close to the main rivers generally favor the existence of a larger number of shelters.
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Mountfort, Douglas O., Jane Campbell, and Kendall D. Clements. "Hindgut Fermentation in Three Species of Marine Herbivorous Fish." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 68, no. 3 (March 2002): 1374–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.68.3.1374-1380.2002.
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ABSTRACT Symbioses with gut microorganisms provides a means by which terrestrial herbivores are able to obtain energy. These microorganisms ferment cell wall materials of plants to short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which are then absorbed and used by the host animal. Many marine herbivorous fishes contain SCFA (predominantly acetate) in their hindgut, indicative of gut microbial activity, but rates of SCFA production have not been measured. Such information is an important prerequisite to understanding the contribution that gut microorganisms make in satisfying the energy needs of the fish. We have estimated the rates of acetate production in the gut of three species of temperate marine herbivorous fish from northeastern New Zealand: Kyphosus sydneyanus (family Kyphosidae), Odax pullus (family Odacidae), and Aplodactylus arctidens (family Aplodactylidae). Ex vivo preparations of freshly caught fish were maintained with their respiratory and circulatory systems intact, radiolabeled acetate was injected into ligated hindgut sections, and gut fluid was sampled at 20-min intervals for 2 h. Ranges for acetate turnover in the hindguts of the studied species were determined from the slope of plots as the log of the specific radioactivity of acetate versus time and pool size, expressed on a nanomole per milliliter per minute basis. Values were 450 to 570 (K. sydneyanus), 373 to 551 (O. pullus), and 130 to 312 (A. arctidens). These rates are comparable to those found in the guts of herbivorous reptiles and mammals. To determine the contribution of metabolic pathways to the fate of acetate, rates of sulfate reduction and methanogenesis were measured in the fore-, mid-, and hindgut sections of the three fish species. Both rates increased from the distal to proximal end of the hindgut, where sulfate reduction accounted for only a small proportion (<5%) of acetate methyl group transformed to CO2, and exceeded methanogenesis from acetate by >50-fold. When gut size was taken into account, acetate uptake from the hindgut of the fish species, determined on a millimole per day per kilogram of body weight basis, was 70 (K. sydneyanus), 18 (O. pullus), and 10 (A. arctidens).
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Beerbower, Richard, Everett C. Olson, and Nicholas Hotton. "The early development of tetrapod herbivory." Paleontological Society Special Publications 6 (1992): 21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s2475262200005815.
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Herbivorous tetrapods make their first appearance in Upper Carboniferous fossil assemblages but only become abundant and diverse in Upper Permian ones. During the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian interval, herbivory appeared independently at least five times: in diadectids, bolosaurids, captorhinids, edaphosaurids and caseids. These animals ranged from small forms with aptitudes for collection and processing of low-fiber plant tissues (as well as terrestrial invertebrates) to giants particularly apt for utilization of high-fiber tissues. Our report focuses on the latter group since the development of high-fiber herbivory has had a critical impact on evolution of terrestrial plants and animals as well as on the organization of terrestrial ecosystems.The low abundance and diversity of early, high-fiber herbivores reflect on one hand, sampling biases toward habitats suboptimal for herbivory, and on the other, the limited ecological capabilities of the animals themselves. Most of the Permo-Carboniferous assemblages derive from wet-land swamp and forest ecosystems where plant tissues would have been relatively rare and/or inaccessible and predation relatively intense. The likely herbivores appear apt for life in wet-land ecosystems; there they probably utilized localized patchs of productive shrub and herb along rivers and around lakes as refuges from disturbance (desiccation, temperature extremes and predation) as well as sources of food. Their low metabolic levels and growth rates minimized nutritional requirements but along with large size provided adequately for adult maintenance and for reproduction. High adult survivorship and production of a large number of eggs through a long adult lifespan would have offset high egg and juvenile mortality.Only a few Late Carboniferous and Early Permian assemblages sample drier woodland and shrub habitats where conditions would have been more favorable for high-fiber herbivory, but by Late Permian such assemblages occur in much greater numbers and diversity. The high-fiber herbivores in these dry-land ecosystems had ecological aptitudes comparable to wet-land forms but were relatively more abundant and diverse, reflecting both a greater abundance and extent of shrubby vegetation and a lower incidence of predation.
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Nurindah, D. A. Sunarto, and Sujak. "Arthropod diversity in ramie (Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich) plantation." IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 974, no. 1 (January 1, 2022): 012129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/974/1/012129.
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Abstract Understanding the diversity of arthropods in a crop ecosystem could be used as a basis to develop pest management in the crop cultivation. The insect pest management system for ramie has not been developed intensively in Indonesia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the diversity of arthropods associated with ramie plantation. The research was done using a survey method in ramie plantations at Wonosobo, Central Java from August 2020 to March 2021. The survey method applied was direct and indirect observations. Direct observations were made visually, and indirect observations was using traps and sweep-nets. Observations were done at the age of plants 1-8 weeks. The results showed that arthropods associated with ramie plantations belong to eight orders, 26 families, and 45 species which were as herbivores, parasitoids, predators, pollinators, and decomposers. The diversity index was in the high category (H’ = 3.08 – 3.47), and the community evenness index was in the stable category (E = 0.81-0.93). Insects with herbivorous status had not caused significant damage to the plants, so that the ramie plantation in Wonosobo did not need any insect pest control actions.
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Lemaître, Jean-François, and Jean-Michel Gaillard. "Male survival patterns do not depend on male allocation to sexual competition in large herbivores." Behavioral Ecology 24, no. 2 (November 9, 2012): 421–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/beheco/ars179.
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Toloza, E. M., and J. M. Diamond. "Ontogenetic development of transporter regulation in bullfrog intestine." American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology 258, no. 5 (May 1, 1990): G770—G773. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.1990.258.5.g770.
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Intestinal nutrient transporter activity is adapted to dietary substrate levels on three time scales: reversibly, within an adult individual, to rapid dietary changes; developmentally, to normal ontogenetic changes in diet; and evolutionarily, among carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores, to a species' natural diet. Does the capacity for rapid reversible adaptation itself vary adaptively during development? Substrate-dependent regulation would make functional sense in herbivorous/omnivorous tadpoles in which dietary substrate levels fluctuate unpredictably, but would serve no purpose in strictly carnivorous adult bullfrogs in which dietary protein is always high and carbohydrate is low. Hence, we fed premetamorphosis bullfrog tadpoles either boiled lettuce (high in carbohydrate, low in protein) or ground beef (high in protein, low in carbohydrate). Gut weight relative to body weight was higher in lettuce-fed tadpoles. Glucose uptake was greater and proline uptake slightly less in lettuce-fed than in beef-fed tadpoles. The resultant ratio of glucose uptake capacity to proline uptake capacity was nearly twice as high in lettuce-fed as in beef-fed tadpoles, corresponding to a much higher ratio of dietary carbohydrate to protein. Adult frogs have been shown to lack such regulation. Therefore, the regulatory capacity seen in tadpoles must become lost during amphibian metamorphosis.
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Kajtoch, Łukasz, and Nela Kotásková. "Current state of knowledge on Wolbachia infection among Coleoptera: a systematic review." PeerJ 6 (March 9, 2018): e4471. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4471.
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Background Despite great progress in studies on Wolbachia infection in insects, the knowledge about its relations with beetle species, populations and individuals, and the effects of bacteria on these hosts, is still unsatisfactory. In this review we summarize the current state of knowledge about Wolbachia occurrence and interactions with Coleopteran hosts. Methods An intensive search of the available literature resulted in the selection of 86 publications that describe the relevant details about Wolbachia presence among beetles. These publications were then examined with respect to the distribution and taxonomy of infected hosts and diversity of Wolbachia found in beetles. Sequences of Wolbachia genes (16S rDNA, ftsZ) were used for the phylogenetic analyses. Results The collected publications revealed that Wolbachia has been confirmed in 204 beetle species and that the estimated average prevalence of this bacteria across beetle species is 38.3% and varies greatly across families and genera (0–88% infected members) and is much lower (c. 13%) in geographic studies. The majority of the examined and infected beetles were from Europe and East Asia. The most intensively studied have been two groups of herbivorous beetles: Curculionidae and Chrysomelidae. Coleoptera harbor Wolbachia belonging to three supergroups: F found in only three species, and A and B found in similar numbers of beetles (including some doubly infected); however the latter two were most prevalent in different families. A total of 59% of species with precise data were found to be totally infected. Single infections were found in 69% of species and others were doubly- or multiply-infected. Wolbachia caused numerous effects on its beetle hosts, including selective sweep with host mtDNA (found in 3% of species), cytoplasmic incompatibility (detected in c. 6% of beetles) and other effects related to reproduction or development (like male-killing, possible parthenogenesis or haplodiploidy induction, and egg development). Phylogenetic reconstructions for Wolbachia genes rejected cospeciation between these bacteria and Coleoptera, with minor exceptions found in some Hydraenidae, Curculionidae and Chrysomelidae. In contrast, horizontal transmission of bacteria has been suspected or proven in numerous cases (e.g., among beetles sharing habitats and/or host plants). Discussion The present knowledge about Wolbachia infection across beetle species and populations is very uneven. Even the basic data about infection status in species and frequency of infected species across genera and families is very superficial, as only c. 0.15% of all beetle species have been tested so far. Future studies on Wolbachia diversity in Coleoptera should still be based on the Multi-locus Sequence Typing system, and next-generation sequencing technologies will be important for uncovering Wolbachia relations with host evolution and ecology, as well as with other, co-occurring endosymbiotic bacteria.
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Rioja, Cristina, Vladimir Zhurov, Kristie Bruinsma, Miodrag Grbic, and Vojislava Grbic. "Plant-Herbivore Interactions: A Case of an Extreme Generalist, the Two-Spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae." Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® 30, no. 12 (December 2017): 935–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/mpmi-07-17-0168-cr.
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Plant-herbivore interactions evolved over long periods of time, resulting in an elaborate arms race between interacting species. While specialist herbivores evolved specific strategies to cope with the defenses of a limited number of hosts, our understanding of how generalist herbivores deal with the defenses of a plethora of diverse host plants is largely unknown. Understanding the interaction between a plant host and a generalist herbivore requires an understanding of the plant’s mechanisms aimed at defending itself and the herbivore’s mechanisms intended to counteract diverse defenses. In this review, we use the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae (Koch) as an example of a generalist herbivore, as this chelicerate pest has a staggering number of plant hosts. We first establish that the ability of TSSM to adapt to marginal hosts underlies its polyphagy and agricultural pest status. We then highlight our understanding of direct plant defenses against spider mite herbivory and review recent advances in uncovering mechanisms of spider mite adaptations to them. Finally, we discuss the adaptation process itself, as it allows TSSM to overcome initially effective plant defenses. A high-quality genome sequence and developing genetic tools, coupled with an ease of mite experimental selection to new hosts, make TSSM an outstanding system to study the evolution of host range, mechanisms of pest xenobiotic resistance and plant-herbivore interactions. In addition, knowledge of plant defense mechanisms that affect mite fitness are of practical importance, as it can lead to development of new control strategies against this important agricultural pest. In parallel, understanding mechanisms of mite counter adaptations to these defenses is required to maintain the efficacy of these control strategies in agricultural practices.