bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allocation of Male Parental Care in Relation to Paternity Within and Among Broods of the Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Authors: Peterson Kara A. , Thusius Kevin J. , Whittingham Linda A. , Dunn Peter O.
Published: March 2003

The relationship between male parental care and paternity has been investigated in a number of avian species, but in many cases the influences of confounding factors, such as variation in male and territory quality, were not addressed. These sources of variation can be controlled for by making within‐male comparisons between successive broods or within‐brood comparisons between groups of fledglings in a divided brood. We studied the relationship between male parental care and paternity in the common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) at three levels: between groups of fledglings in divided broods, between first and second broods of the same pair, and among all broods in the population. In this study we proposed three hypotheses: first, males in double‐brooded pairs should provide relatively more parental care to broods in which they have higher paternity; secondly, after fledging and brood division, males should provide more care to related offspring; and finally, among all broods in the population, paternity should be related positively to male parental care. Brood division occurred in many of the broods studied; however, broods were not divided according to fledgling size or paternity. Furthermore, within divided broods, males fed within‐pair and extra‐pair fledglings at similar rates. For sequential broods of the same pair, male feeding rates were not associated with differences in paternity between broods. Among all broods in the population, males did not provide relatively less care to broods containing unrelated young. The lack of a relationship between male parental care and paternity suggests that either males cannot assess their paternity or the costs of reducing male parental care outweigh the benefits.
Sex‐Specific Aggression and Antipredator Behaviour in Young Brown Trout
Authors: Johnsson Jörgen I. , Sernland Emma , Blixt Marco
Published: March 2003

Sex differences in adult behaviour are often interpreted as consequences of sexual selection and/or different reproductive roles in males and females. Sex‐specific juvenile behaviour, however, has received less attention. Adult brown trout males are more aggressive than females during spawning and juvenile aggression may be genetically correlated with adult aggression in fish. We therefore tested the prediction that immature brown trout males are more aggressive and bolder than immature females. Because previous work has suggested that precocious maturation increases dominance in salmonids, we included precocious males in the study to test the prediction that early sexual maturation increase male aggression and boldness. Aggression and dominance relations were estimated in dyadic contests, whereas boldness was measured as a response to simulated predation risk using a model heron. Independent of maturity state, males initiated more than twice as many agonistic interactions as females in intersexual contests. However, males were not significantly more likely to win these contests than females. The response to a first predator attack did not differ between sex categories, but males reacted less to a second predator attack than females. Sexual maturity did not affect the antipredator response in males. Since there is no evidence from field studies that stream‐living immature male and female salmonids differ in growth rate, it appears unlikely that the sex differences demonstrated are behavioural consequences of sex‐specific investment in growth. It seems more likely that sex‐specific behaviour arises as a correlated response to sexually selected gene actions promoting differential behaviour in adult males and females during reproduction. Alternatively, sex differences may develop gradually during juvenile life, because a gradual developmental program should be less costly than a sudden behavioural change at the onset of sexual maturity.
Macrogeographic Variation in Song – a Test of Competition and Habitat Effects in Blue Tits
Authors: Doutrelant Claire , Lambrechts Marcel M.
Published: March 2003

Investigations into the environmental causes of phenotypic variation may reveal information regarding the selective pressures leading to the evolution of these phenotypes. Blue tit (Parus caeruleus) song varies geographically in the proportion of song types that contain a trill (i.e. a series of identical notes repeated in sequence at a very rapid rate produced at the end of a song). In order to determine the environmental factors influencing geographic variation in the proportion of blue tit songs with a trill, we conducted a comparative study. At macrogeographic and regional scales we examined the effect of three factors that could influence geographic variation in blue tit song: dominant vegetation type, intraspecific competition and interspecific competition with great tits (Parus major). Interspecific competition may result in song convergence or song divergence (hereafter called character shift). The results we obtained are consistent with predictions of the character shift hypothesis: the proportion of songs presenting a different syntax to great tit songs (songs with a trill) increases significantly with relative great tit density. Results do not support predictions of hypotheses concerning song convergence or intraspecific competition. The results are consistent with some of the predictions of the acoustic adaptation hypothesis.
Temperature Effects on Anti‐Predator Behaviour in Rhabdophis tigrinus, a Snake with Toxic Nuchal Glands
Authors: Mori Akira , Burghardt Gordon M.
Published: March 2003

Many contextual factors affect the anti‐predator behaviour of animals. In ectotherms, in which most physiological activities depend on body temperature, ambient temperature is one of the most important of these factors. We examined the effects of temperature on the anti‐predator behaviour of an ectotherm, the Japanese grass snake (Rhabdophis tigrinus). This species has a large repertoire of anti‐predator behavioural responses. Among these responses are several anti‐predator displays that appear to be unique to this species and perhaps others in a small group of closely related species possessing nuchal glands containing toxic secretions that may be derived from their toxic toad diet. Snakes were tested at room temperatures of 14, 22 and 30°C with order of temperatures balanced. A long wand modified to simulate initial contact by a predator was used as the stimulus. Snakes exhibited rather passive responses (neck flatten, body flatten, neck arch and immobile) more frequently at low temperatures, and fled more frequently at high temperatures. The dorsal facing posture, a characteristic posture directed against the stimulus, was observed more frequently at low temperatures. Threatening, assertive responses such as strike were rarely observed. These results showed that R. tigrinus shifts its anti‐predator behaviour from multiple passive responses to active flight responses with increasing temperature. This snake species thus appears to rely more on its nuchal glands as a predator deterrent at low ambient temperatures. Consistent individual variation was also observed, and its adaptive and causal bases are discussed.
Vocalizations and Behaviour of Pacific Humpback DolphinsSousa chinensis
Authors: Van Parijs Sofie M. , Corkeron Peter J.
Published: March 2003

Very little is known about the acoustic repertoire of the Pacific humpback dolphinSousa chinensis. This study, off eastern Australia, used concurrent observations of surface behaviour and acoustic recordings to gain an insight into the behavioural significance of humpback dolphin vocalizations. Humpback dolphins exhibit five different vocalization categories: broad band clicks; barks; quacks; grunts; and whistles. Broad band clicks were high in frequency (8 kHz to > 22 kHz), were directly related to foraging behaviour and may play a role in social behaviour. Barks and quacks were burst pulse sounds (frequency: 0.6 kHz to > 22 kHz, duration: 0.1–8 s) and were associated with both foraging and social behaviour. The grunt vocalization is a low frequency narrow band sound (frequency 0.5–2.6 kHz, duration 0.06–2 s) and was only heard during socializing. There were 17 different types of whistles, ranging widely in frequency (0.9–22 kHz) and vocal structure (n=329). The predominant whistle types used by the groups were type 1 (46%) and type 2 (17%). Most whistles were heard during both socializing and foraging. The number of whistles recorded in a group increased significantly as the number of mother–calf pairs increased, suggesting that whistles may be used as contact calls. Few vocalizations were heard during either travelling or milling behaviours. Broad band clicks, barks and whistle type 1 were the only vocalizations recorded during either travelling or milling.
Reconciliation in the Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
Authors: Wahaj Sofia A. , Guse Kevin R. , Holekamp Kay E.
Published: March 2003

Theory predicts that it should often be in the best interests of gregarious animals to repair social bonds damaged by within‐group conflict. Indeed, reconciliation in many primates takes the form of affiliative behavior occurring shortly after a conflict. Here we inquired whether reconciliation also occurs among spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), gregarious carnivores whose social lives share much in common with those of cercopithecine primates. In a large group of free‐living hyenas in Kenya, we used focal animal observations to monitor rates at which various affiliative behaviors occurred before and after dyadic aggressive interactions. An affiliative behavior was identified as having a conciliatory function only if it occurred more frequently after than before fights, and if it was also associated with reduced rates of aggression between former opponents during the post‐conflict interval. Of all affiliative behaviors monitored, only two types satisfied both these criteria: greeting behavior and non‐aggressive approach. Over 72% of conciliatory behaviors occurred within the first five minutes after a fight, and hyenas reconciled after 14.6% of 698 fights. Mean conciliatory tendency (CT) for individual hyenas was 11.3%. Hyenas exhibited higher CTs when they were recipients (victims) of aggression than when they were aggressors, and they showed higher CTs in interactions with non‐kin than with kin. Conciliatory tendencies did not vary with age–sex classes of opponents or with rank distance between opponents.Conciliatory tendency in spotted hyenas fell at the low end of the CT range observed among primates.
Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Hinds Discriminate Between the Roars of Their Current Harem‐Holder Stag and Those of Neighbouring Stags
Authors: Reby David , Hewison Mark , Izquierdo Marta , Pépin Dominique
Published: March 2003

During the period of reproduction red deer stags gather harems and roar loudly and repeatedly, both toward competing stags and toward the hinds that they actively herd. It has been proposed that red deer hinds may actively choose their mate on the basis of a comparison of the roaring rate of competing stags. Hinds may also choose to mate with the male that is most familiar to them, i.e. that male who spent most time and effort in retaining them within his harem and in roaring at them. Such a mechanism of female choice implies that females are able to discriminate individual characteristics in the stags’ roars. We investigated this possibility by conducting playback experiments based on the habituation–discrimination paradigm. Our results show that hinds are able to discriminate between the roars of their current harem‐holder stag and those of other neighbouring stags and suggest that this ability, a necessity for individual recognition, may be important in female mate choice in red deer.
Acoustic Communication in a Black‐Headed Gull Colony: How Do Chicks Identify Their Parents?
Authors: Charrier Isabelle , Mathevon Nicolas , Jouventin Pierre , Aubin Thierry
Published: March 2003

Chicks perform conspicuous begging behaviour in response to the arrival of a parent. In seabirds colonies, as nests are close to each other, chicks are permanently surrounded by sound and visual stimuli produced by adult conspecifics approaching their nests. However, in spite of these conditions, black‐headed gull chicks begin to vocalize as their parent approaches even before they can see it. In this paper, we report field experiments testing sound‐based discrimination of parents by black‐headed gull chicks. Focusing on the ‘long call’, i.e. the signal emitted by parents when coming back to the nest, we investigate here the acoustic parameters used for this recognition process. By playback experiments using modified ‘long calls’, we demonstrated that signals without amplitude modulation still elicit responses in chicks. In contrast, frequency modulation appears essential. In the frequency domain, experiments revealed that frequency analysis is precise. Chicks did not react when the frequency spectrum of parental call was shifted 20 Hz down or up. The totality of harmonics is not necessary: chicks require only two harmonics to discriminate between parents. Signal redundancy is of great significance since a minimum of four successive syllables in parental ‘long call’ are required to elicit reaction in the chick.
Multiple Roles of Tail Display by the Curly‐Tailed Lizard Leiocephalus carinatus: Pursuit Deterrent and Deflective Roles of a Social Signal
Authors: Cooper William E.
Published: March 2003

The same display may be used in different contexts to convey different messages, or may have other, non‐signaling functions. Several lines of evidence suggest that vertical tail curling, a previously documented social display in the lizard Leiocephalus carinatus, has antipredatory functions that may include pursuit deterrence and deflection of attacks from the body to the tail, which can be autotomized. An antipredatory role of tail curling is suggested by its more frequent occurrence when a predator is approaching than moving away, its greater frequency and intensity when a lizard is approached by a predator than when it moves spontaneously, and its greater frequency when the predator approaches directly rather than on a path bypassing the lizard. Evidence is presented contradicting use of tail curling for flash concealment or as an alarm signal to conspecifics. A pursuit‐deterrent function of tail curling is suggested by its (1) more frequent use by lizards close to a refuge than those further from a refuge, (2) greater frequency during direct approaches by predators, and (3) much greater frequency when a predator is far enough away for pursuit to be deterred than when the predator is close enough to pose a high risk of capture. Lizards fled into a refuge without tail curling when the predator was very close, but often stopped outside a refuge while displaying the curled tail when the predator was farther away. Tail curling also may deflect attacks to the autotomizable tail, as suggested by its occurrence during spontaneous movements when no predator is approaching and by the high frequency of completely uncurled tails among individuals under bushes. The role of the tail in autotomy may facilitate evolution of pursuit‐deterrent signals involving the tail.
Is Self‐Grooming by Male Prairie Voles a Predictor of Mate Choice?
Authors: Wolff Jerry O. , Watson Matthew H. , Thomas Shawn A.
Published: March 2003

Self‐grooming by mammals is a form of scent dissemination in which individuals anoint themselves with salivary, anogenital, and other body odours. Self‐grooming has been proposed to be a sexually selected trait favoured in reproductive competition and sexual attraction. We tested the hypothesis that females would show a mating preference for males that self‐groomed more than a reproductive competitor that groomed less. In mate‐choice experiments in which females had a choice of two tethered males, non pair‐bonded females did not choose males based on their frequency of self‐grooming. In a second experiment in which pair‐bonded females in postpartum oestrus had access to their current mate and two strange males, strange males groomed significantly more than pair‐bonded mates, yet attained the fewest copulations. Non pair‐bonded females and pair‐bonded males and females groomed significantly less often than did non pair‐bonded males. Self‐grooming behaviour was consistent with the sexual attraction hypothesis, but the frequency of self‐grooming did not increase a male's mating success. We conclude that the frequency and time spent self grooming are not good predictors of mating success.
Social Control and Physiological Cost of Cheating in Status Signalling Male House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)
Authors: Gonzalez Guillermo , Sorci Gabriele , Smith Linda C. , De Lope Florentino
Published: March 2003

Flock‐forming passerines often use plumage characteristics to signal their social dominance. While the benefits to signal dominance seem obvious, costs associated with status signalling are ambiguous. The social control hypothesis predicts that individuals of high social status – with large badges – are involved in more social interactions with individuals of similar badge size. Cheaters are therefore exposed to increased risk of fighting with high quality individuals and the costs associated with enhanced fights with dominant males are supposed to outweigh the benefits of cheating. We tested the social control hypothesis in male house sparrows (Passer domesticus), by observing social interactions in captive flocks and determining dominance relationships. Two low status individuals within each flock had the size of their badge experimentally increased and the interactions involving experimental and control birds were recorded. We also assessed the potential physiological cost of cheating in terms of enhanced levels of the stress hormone, corticosterone. Dominance was significantly positively correlated with badge size, but not with other morphological traits. We found little support for the social control hypothesis. Birds did not have significantly more interactions with individuals of similar badge size, before the manipulation. Similarly, after the experimental increase in badge size, experimental birds did not tend to have more encounters with large‐badged males. Experimental birds with enlarged badges won more fights compared with prior to the manipulation, suggesting that badge size is used as a signal of social dominance even in small and stable flocks. Finally, corticosterone levels in the blood did not increase significantly after the manipulation of badge size, suggesting that there is no measurable cost, resulting from stress, in cheaters.
Song Sharing in Neighboring and Non‐Neighboring Thrush Nightingales (Luscinia luscinia) and its Implications for Communication
Authors: Grießmann Benjamin , Naguib Marc
Published: March 2003

In many passerines, males have repertoires of different songs of which some songs are often shared with other males. Sharing of song repertoires among males can provide insights into the context in which songs were acquired and on the role of song repertoires in inter‐ and intrasexual communication. Here we studied repertoire sharing in male territorial thrush nightingales (Luscinia luscinia). We compared male vocal repertoires of the basic song components, full songs, and the sequencing of songs in a bout. The results show that males differed significantly in the size of their song repertoires but not in the size of the repertoire of basic song components. Moreover, they shared almost all (80%) the repertoire of song components but only 30% of their song types. Neighboring males shared significantly more song types than did non‐neighboring males but interestingly they did not share more basic song components than non‐neighboring males. These results show that the repertoire of basic song components is under much less sexual selection than the size of song repertoires. Sharing of song repertoires among neighbors presumably results from repertoire conversion over time and from males returning to their territories in the following season. Repertoire sharing then can be an indicator of territory tenure and thus it can be important in repelling rivals and in female choice.
Adult Female Canaries Respond to Male Song by Calling
Authors: Nagle Laurent , Kreutzer Michel , Vallet Eric
Published: March 2003

We describe a new assay for measuring the response to song playback by adult female domesticated canaries,Serinus canaria. We tested song perception and discrimination by measuring the frequency of particular female calls (`single calls') given in response to male song playbacks. We observed that females responded differently to songs of different species (canaries vs. pine siskin,Carduelis spinus) and to songs of different canary strains (domesticated vs. wild canaries). In addition, females were especially responsive to songs containing a particular type of song phrase (`A' phrases).

This new assay provides equivalent results to the standard method (copulation solicitation displays) traditionally used to assess female song preferences. Our new assay has the advantage that it allows one to measure female song responsiveness without having to use estradiol implants and during both long and short day photoperiods. However, females responded differently in long and short days. We suggest that, by calling, females could both provide information about their sexual interest and attract the attention of particular males.
Variation in and Meaning of Alarm Calls in a Social Desert RodentRhombomys opimus
Authors: Randall Jan A. , Rogovin Konstantin A.
Published: March 2003

The great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus), a social rodent that lives in family groups, emits three different alarm vocalizations in the presence of predators: a rhythmic call; a faster more intense call; and a single whistle. We tested the hypothesis that the alarm calls communicate risk of predation. We quantified the relationship between predator distance and type of alarm call via human approaches to gerbils. We also tested responses of focal adults in family groups to playback broadcasts of the different calls and controls of bird song and tape noise. Results showed that alarm calls were related to distance from a predator. Gerbils gave the rhythmic call when the predator was farthest away, the more intense call as the predator moved closer; and a short whistle when startled by a close approach of the predator. Gerbils stopped feeding and stood vigilant in a frozen alert posture in response to playbacks of all three alarm calls. They decreased non‐vigilant behavior to the alarm vocalizations more than to the controls and decreased non‐vigilant behavior significantly more in response to the intense alarm and whistle compared with the rhythmic alarm. We conclude that one function of gerbil alarm calls is to communicate response urgency to family members. The rhythmic alarm communicates danger at a distance, whereas the intense alarm and whistle signal the close approach of a predator.
Kin Discrimination in a Macropod Marsupial
Authors: Blumstein Daniel T. , Ardron Jodie G. , Evans Christopher S.
Published: March 2003

Differential treatment of kin is ubiquitous in social animals. Parents often behave preferentially towards their dependent offspring. Species in several taxa also bias behaviour towards non‐descendent kin. This latter phenomenon has not been demonstrated in marsupials, which are reportedly less social than eutherian mammals. We report the first evidence of non‐parental kin‐biased behaviour in a macropodid marsupial. Experimental pairing of individuals based on kinship reliably altered the rate of aggression between individuals in pairs of female tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii). This effect is probably attributable to relatedness rather than to familiarity. Marsupial sociality may be substantially more complex than is currently recognized.
Assessing the Semelparity Hypothesis: Egg‐guarding and Fecundity in the Malaysian TreehopperPyrgauchenia tristaniopsis
Authors: Stegmann Ulrich E. , Eduard Linsenmair K.
Published: March 2003

According to the semelparity hypothesis, iteroparous insects should provide either no maternal care or less care than related semelparous species. We present field data on reproductive output and maternal care in the Southeast Asian treehopperPyrgauchenia tristaniopsis(Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo) relevant to a preliminary assessment of the hypothesis. In a mark‐recapture experiment, more females than expected under semelparity were found to have oviposited a second clutch (37%). Female longevity was aof 75 d. Both these estimates were highly conservative. Oviposition was successive resulting in aof 46 eggs per clutch. Females provided care for eggs only, occasionally scraping their legs along the sides of the clutch apparently attempting to deterBrachygrammatellasp. egg parasitoids (Trichogrammatidae). Females straddled their clutch for aof 27 d, i.e. until 8 d after the beginning of first instar hatching. First instars hatched successively over a period of 11 d. When a female deserted her clutch, it contained about 37% yet unhatched eggs. Egg‐guarding effectively reduced egg mortality: the earlier a female was experimentally removed from her clutch the higher the egg mortality. Displacement experiments demonstrated that egg‐guarding is a behaviour actively maintained despite disturbances and specifically directed towards the egg clutch but not to the feeding site. We interpret our findings as being in accordance with the weaker claim of the semelparity hypothesis, i.e. the iteroparousP. tristaniopsisprovided less maternal care than semelparous membracid species. Continued female feeding is discussed as a mechanism to display some level of care despite iteroparity.
Why Parental Sex Ratio Manipulation is Rare in Higher Vertebrates (Invited Article)
Authors: Krackow Sven
Published: March 2003

The debate over adaptive parental sex ratio adjustment in higher vertebrates appears neither to be resolvable by the current approach, nor does it necessarily make sense. It rests on the a priori supposition of parental manipulation, which is questioned here from first principle. It is considered an unlikely biological hypothesis if we extend our perspective to gametic and offspring optimal strategies, and to the potential mechanisms existing in the avian and mammalian reproductive systems. Evenness of primary sex ratios is expected to be optimal from the gametic point of view and is supposed here to be the more likely evolutionary outcome. Also, manipulations by sex‐selective offspring mortality is argued to be unlikely as usually the benefits will be surpassed by the costs incurred. Furthermore, parents can adjust behavioural and energetic investment patterns to their offspring sex (ratio), thereby minimizing any costs of sex ratio control inability. Slight biases in offspring sex ratios are then viewed as resulting from physiological limitations ultimately relating to sex differences in embryonic development. Contrary to recent attempts to understand higher vertebrate sex ratio variation by further refinement of functional models (of parental optima) and data analysis, Bayesian logic precludes those approaches to gain useful new insights. To prove the basic assumption of parental manipulation, apart from defining gametic and offspring optima, the emphasis should lie on identifying control mechanisms by experimental verification.
Age‐Related Variation in Mate‐Guarding Intensity in the Bluethroat (Luscinia s. svecica)
Authors: Johnsen Arild , Lifjeld Jan T. , Krokene Christin
Published: March 2003

Female extra‐pair copulations (EPCs) have selected for male paternity guarding strategies in many bird species. In the bluethroat, Luscinia s. svecica, males guard their mates closely during the last 2 d before the start of egg laying, but there is great individual variation in the intensity of mate guarding. Here we show that some of this variation is related to male age. Old males guarded their mates with much lower intensity and sang more than young males, although the latter difference was not statistically significant. Controlling for male age, male and female coloration and size were not significantly related to the intensity of mate guarding. We have previously shown that young and old males had a similar paternity loss in their own broods. On the other hand, old males were far more successful than young males in achieving extra‐pair fertilizations. These patterns suggest that young and old males have different trade‐offs between preventing paternity loss in own nest and gaining paternity in others, because male skills in obtaining EPCs improve with experience and/or because of female preferences for old males as copulation partners. There were no significant relationships between paternity and male mate‐guarding behaviour during the fertile period, indicating that mate guarding is not a very effective paternity‐assurance strategy in the bluethroat.
Influence of air pollution on seed quality of Picea obovata
Authors: Fedorkov A.
Published: March 2003

The status of Siberian spruce seeds along a transect near the Monchegorsk nickel smelter (Kola Peninsula, Russia) was evaluated using the X‐ray method. The viability of seeds was significantly reduced under severe deposition of sulphur dioxide and heavy metals.
Bacterial canker of Maackia amurensis var. buergeri caused by a putative Pseudomonas syringae
Authors: Sakamoto Y. , Takikawa Y. , Takao Y. , Sasaki K.
Published: March 2003

A new disease of Maackia amurensis var. buergeri was recently found on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan. Affected trees were heavily damaged and had cankers on both trunks and branches. After natural infection, a series of swellings on the bark surface developed longitudinally. These swellings burst and coalesced to become long cankers. It is proposed that the disease be designated ‘bacterial canker of Maackia’. The causal pathogen was isolated and characterized tentatively as Pseudomonas syringae on the basis of laboratory tests. Pathogenicity of the bacterium was confirmed by inoculation into the host.
Colonization of beech leaves by two endophytic fungi in northern Japan
Authors: Sahashi N. , Miyasawa Y. , Kubono T. , Ito S.
Published: March 2003

Leaves of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) were collected monthly during the vegetation period at five sites in the Tohoku district in Japan to isolate endophytic fungi. Leaves were also collected only once at two additional sites. Two endophytic fungi were dominant, a Discula species and a sterile mycelium. This result strongly suggests that these two fungi are generally associated with leaves of the Japanese beech at different sites. At most sites the isolation frequency of Discula sp. was greatest in June and gradually decreased from July to October whereas the isolation frequency of the sterile mycelium increased during the vegetation period and remained at a high isolation frequency in October. Spores of Discula sp. were released for a very short time in late May, just after the disappearance of the snow cover on the forest floor. These spores may be important for the infection of newly sprouting leaves.
A simple, polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism‐aided diagnosis method for pine wilt disease
Authors: Iwahori H. , Kanzaki N. , Futai K.
Published: March 2003

For diagnosis of pine wilt disease, a simple PCR‐RFLP method was developed to identify and to differentiate two similar nematode species, based on a living or preserved single specimen. Pinewood nematodes, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, and Bursaphelenchus mucronatus were examined. A single nematode in 1 µl of distilled water was put on a glass slide. When the water had almost dried the nematode was crushed with a filter paper chip, 1.5 mm × 1.5 mm, with the aid of forceps. The filter paper chip containing nematode remains was immediately placed into PCR buffer as the DNA template. The primer set used was to amplify ribosomal DNA containing the inter‐transcribed spacer (ITS) 1, 5.8S and ITS2 regions. The PCR product was consistently obtained from a single nematode, and digesting the product with restriction endonuclease, Hinf I, enabled discrimination between B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus. This method was simple, convenient and definitive, and could successfully determine the pathogen in the diagnosis of pine wilt disease. This method was applicable also to nematode specimens preserved under various conditions except in the case of those preserved in aldehyde‐containing fixatives.
Hybridization between two biotypes of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina in artificial pairings
Authors: Uotila A. , Hantula J. , Väätänen A. K. , Hamelin R. C.
Published: March 2003

Summary The ability of the European biotypes A and B of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina to hybridize in artificial pairings was tested. Using three types of molecular markers progenies with parental markers mixed indicating that the two biotypes can hybridize were observed. However, the resulting progeny had a low rate of successful germination, grew poorly on artificial medium and one was most probably a partial diploid or heterokaryon. Thus, both biotypes are genetically distinct populations and should be described as separate species as soon as sufficient discriminating information is available.
The genetic composition of Peridermium pini and Cronartium flaccidum cankers on Scots pine as revealed by two multi‐allelic loci
Authors: Kasanen R. , Kaitera J. , Hantula J.
Published: March 2003

Summary Two highly variable DNA markers were developed for Cronartium flaccidum and Peridermium pini. The markers were used to study the genetic composition of aecia of single cankers of both species. All five cankers of P. pini were homogenic and contained only one allele in both loci studied, indicating that the aecia were homozygous. The homogeneity of the cankers suggested that either genetic exchange via spermatization does not occur in autoecious P. pini populations, or that the pairing is homothallic. Two C. flaccidum cankers contained heterozygous loci. However, one canker contained genetically variable aecia indicating heterothallism, whereas the aecia of the other canker were homogenic.
Effects of root damage associated with Phytophthora cinnamomi on water relations, biomass accumulation, mineral nutrition and vulnerability to water deficit of five oak and chestnut species
Authors: Maurel M. , Robin C. , Capron G. , Desprez‐Loustau M.‐L.
Published: March 2003

The effects of root damage associated with Phytophthora cinnamomi on water relations, biomass accumulation, mineral nutrition and vulnerability to water deficit were investigated in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), red oak (Quercus rubra) and holm oak (Quercus ilex) saplings over two years. Comparison was made with sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), a susceptible species to infection by P. cinnamomi, and with a resistant hybrid chestnut (Castanea crenata × C. sativa). Trees were inoculated in 1998 and were subjected to water shortage in 1999. All inoculated sweet chestnuts died before the application of water shortage. Hybrid chestnut, pedunculate oak and red oak displayed low root susceptibility to P. cinnamomi. In these species, water relations, aerial growth and mineral nutrition were slightly affected by inoculation. By contrast, holm oak was the most susceptible oak species to P. cinnamomi as inoculated well‐watered trees displayed the highest root loss (67%) and a 10% mortality. Root loss was associated with a decrease in predawn leaf water potential, a 61% reduction in stomatal conductance, a 55% reduction in aerial biomass, a decrease in leaf carbon isotope discrimination and reduced leaf N and P contents in comparison with controls. In hybrid chestnut and pedunculate oak, water shortage resulted in a similar decrease of predawn leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and aerial biomass in inoculated and non‐inoculated trees. In red and holm oaks, soil volumetric water content of inoculated trees subjected to water shortage remained high. The effects observed in those trees were similar to those of inoculated well‐watered trees and were probably the result of root infection only.
Hosts and distribution ofCollybia fusipesin France and factors related to the disease's severity
Authors: PIOU D. , DELATOUR C. , MARÇAIS B.
Published: March 2003

Using data collected by two different observation networks, it was possible to clarify the distribution ofCollybia fusipesin France. It is frequently found in the western and northern parts of France, mainly onQuercus rubraandQuercus robur, and to a somewhat lesser extent onQuercus petraea. When the relative areas covered by these species are compared, it is evident thatQ. rubrais much the most susceptible of the three species. The fungus has been less frequently reported in the south‐eastern quarter of France, whereQuercus ilexandQuercus pubescensare the dominant species. Complementary observations carried out at the National Arboretum of Les Barres indicate that a large number of oak species are susceptible to infection by this fungus, particularly those in the subgenusErythrobalanus. These observations are discussed with reference to reports of this fungus throughout Europe. In aQ. rubrastand, fruit‐body clumps were monitored and root damage was assessed on 73 final‐crop trees and 40 codominant trees. The results suggest thatC. fusipesdoes not preferentially infect weakened trees. Both the severity of root damage and the number of fruit‐body clumps increased with increasing depth to signs of waterlogging.
Association of Sphaeropsis sapinea with insect‐damaged red pine shoots and cones
Authors: Feci E. , Smith D. , Stanosz G. R.
Published: March 2003

The association of the shoot blight and canker pathogen Sphaeropsis sapinea with red pine (Pinus resinosa) shoots and cones damaged by insects (especially Dioryctria sp.) was investigated. Samples from a single plantation approximately 35 years old, in Sauk Co., Wisconsin and also from three plantations, between approximately 40 and 50 years old, located in an area of pine shoot moth activity in the preceding year in Adams Co., Wisconsin were visually examined. Samples were arbitrarily collected from trees felled in the first plantation in May. Pycnidia of S. sapinea and insect damage were observed on 56 of 91 (62%) of closed cones and 17 of 165 (7%) of previous year's shoots. In the absence of insect damage, pycnidia of the pathogen were identified only on eight of 91 (9%) closed cones and never on previous year's shoots. In each of the other three plantations, 10 trees were located at intervals along transects in mid‐June; one branch from the lower half of the crown per tree was pruned off, and both current and previous year's shoots were examined. Insect damage and S. sapinea pycnidia were too rare on current year's shoots to draw any conclusions. Insect damage occurred on 20–40% of over 2000 previous year's shoots that were examined, but pycnidia of the pathogen were identified on only about 5%. Although infrequent, S. sapinea was identified in association with insect‐damaged previous year's shoots from these three plantations three times more frequently than those without insect damage. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers from eight randomly selected isolates were consistent with the A group of S. sapinea, which can be aggressive on red pine. This ability to exploit insect‐damaged shoots may facilitate long‐term persistence of S. sapinea at low disease incidence and severity. The potential role of insect wounds as infection courts and insects as vectors of this important pathogen of pines deserves further study.
Effects of leaves of Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) on nest development and on respiratory metabolism of leaf‐cutting ants Atta sexdens L. (Hym., Formicidae)
Authors: Hebling M. J. A. , Bueno O. C. , Maroti P. S. , Pagnocca F. C. , Da Silva O. A.
Published: March 2003

Abstract: Laboratory colonies of the leaf‐cutting ants Atta sexdens feed daily with leaves of Ipomoea batatas showed ant mortality and a significant decrease in the size of the fungal garden after the second week, with complete depletion of nests after 5 weeks of treatment. The mean oxygen consumption rate of these ants was higher than the control (ants collected from nests feed with leaves of Eucalyptus alba), suggesting a physiological action of the leaves of I. batatas on the ants in addition to the effect of inhibiting the growth of the fungal garden.
Identification and monitoring of disordered water balance: Bioelectrical impedance analysis as an alternative to the target weight procedure
Authors: Colls Ian , Rees Ari , Ward Leigh C.
Published: March 2003

Many psychiatric patients present with disorders of water balance manifested by polydipsia or polyuria. Multiple frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA) was investigated as a suitable method for the assessment of body water in such patients. Whole body bioelectrical impedance, total body water and extracellular water and serum sodium were measured in 10 chronic psychiatric in‐patients with polydipsia. Fluid volumes predicted by MFBIA correlated significantly (P < 0.002) with those obtained by reference methods but the relatively high limits of agreement (2.2 L) suggest that the method is not yet sufficiently accurate for random screening purposes. However, owing to the simplicity and non‐invasive nature of the technique, it warrants further investigation and development, particularly for routine patient monitoring.
On the brink of change? Implications of the review of undergraduate education in New Zealand for mental health nursing
Authors: Prebble Kate
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:

A New Zealand Nursing Council review of undergraduate education provides an ideal opportunity to make much needed changes to the system of preparation for mental health nurses. This article critiques comprehensive nursing education through an examination of its history in New Zealand, recent mental health reports and a projected estimate of workforce needs. Historical analysis reveals a process of marginalization and invisibilization of psychiatric/mental health nursing within comprehensive programmes with a consequent reduction of skills and a weakening of the profession. The author concludes that psychiatric/mental health nursing is a distinct scope of practice which requires specialty undergraduate preparation.
Stigma, social justice and the rights of the mentally ill: Challenging the status quo
Authors: Johnstone Megan‐Jane
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:

People suffering from mental illness and other mental health problems are among the most stigmatized, discriminated against, marginalized, disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society. Although much has been done in recent years to improve the status quo, it is evident that a great deal more needs to be done to improve the moral standing of and to achieve social justice for the mentally ill. A key contention of this philosophical essay is that unless the stigma of difference that is attached to people with mental illness is overturned, their rights will continue to be marginalized, invalidated, violated and/or ignored.
Towards a Foucauldian reading of the Australian mental health nursing workforce
Authors: Clinton Michael , Hazelton Michael
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:

This article reflects on the findings of the recently published Scoping Study of the Australian Mental Health Nursing
Workforce from the perspective of Foucault’s work on ‘governmentality’. First, the policy background to the scoping study is described. This is followed by a discussion of Foucauldian concepts and method that will be used to explore selected aspects of the scoping study. The related concepts of ‘governmentality’ and ‘technologies of the self’ are used to begin a theoretically grounded analysis of mental health nursing education and practice, with particular attention to discourses of ‘change’ and ‘survival’. The examples chosen are used to support the argument that competing discourses order multiple ‘readings’ of Australian mental health nursing, including whether or not it is thriving or surviving. The article ends with comments on whether a Foucauldian analysis adds anything to what has been reported in the scoping study.
Do suicidal ideation and behaviour influence duration of psychiatric hospitalization?
Authors: Smith David , Fisher Laura , Goldney Robert
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:

Suicidal ideation and behaviour are sometimes considered to be manipulative, with the intention of escaping from intolerable situations leading to prolonged hospitalization. The present study examined the length of hospitalization of those who had attempted suicide or had suicidal ideation compared to non‐suicidal patients, as measured by the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales in two private psychiatric hospitals. Suicidal patients had a significantly shorter length of hospitalization, despite their significantly greater degree of psychiatric morbidity. Results indicated that it is erroneous to preclude inpatient care for those who are suicidal on the assumption that it will promote prolonged hospitalization.
Measuring outcomes in the workplace: The impact of an education program
Authors: Cleary Michelle , Jordan Raighne , Happell Brenda
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:

There is an increasing pressure for mental health nurses to engage in research and quality improvement activities to demonstrate how nursing care contributes to improved patient outcomes. This paper describes the evaluation of an educational program, particularly its impact on participants’ attitudes towards and confidence in the measurement of patient outcomes. Nurses from the Central Sydney Area Mental Health Service (n = 38) participated in one of two 1‐day workshops. The participants were asked to complete three surveys. The first prior to the commencement of the workshop, the second on completion of the workshop and the third 3 months later. The findings suggest the workshops were beneficial to participants in many areas relevant to the measurement of outcomes. The recommendations made on the basis of this study are described.
AT THE INTERFACE OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY CARE: DEVELOPING LINKAGES BETWEEN AGED CARE SERVICES IN A RURAL CONTEXT
Authors: Robinson Andrew
Published: March 2003

This paper explores issues concerning the development of linkages across the interface between acute and community aged care services in a small regional Australian city. It addresses a participatory action research project that took place over a 2 year period involving an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). Aged Care Assessment Teams are multidisciplinary teams whose members mediate between hospitals and the aged care system in the community and have a key role in developing networks and linkages between various service providers in the field. In an age of economic rationalist‐inspired reform agendas in health and community care, rural infrastructures have been compromised to such a degree that the role of rural ACAT in developing linkages between sectors has never been more important. This paper takes up this issue and addresses the project findings, which highlight a field characterised by ineffective linkages within and between the various sectors, a lack of understanding of the operation of the rural aged care system among nurses working in regional hospitals, and the efficacy of ACAT working collaboratively with nurses to create new and more effective linkages in aged care.