bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nimodipine alleviates apoptosis-mediated impairments through the mitochondrial pathway after spinal cord injury
Authors: Cai Yafei , Fan Rui , Hua Tianmiao , Liu Huiling , Li Jing
Published: February 2016

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains an unsolved human health challenge. To alleviate the impairments of SCI, we studied the therapeutic effect of nimodipine (an L-type Ca2+ channel antagonist) on functional recovery from SCI using Nystrom’s method in a mouse model. Eighty-four mice were divided into three groups: control group in which only vertebral plates were cut off without causing any spinal injuries; SCI; and SCI with nimodipine treatment. We assessed the histopathology, apoptosis detection, cell cycle, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, bcl-2/bax and caspase-3 levels of tissue 8 h, 1 d, 3 d and 4 d after trauma to evaluate rehabilitation. Behavioral performances were also assessed before and after nimodipine treatment. Results from inclined plane tests, motor score assessment and histological observations indicated that mice in the nimodipine-treated group rehabilitated better than those in the SCI group. The ratio of apoptosis, caspase-3 and bax expression in the nimodipine-treated group were significantly lower than those in the SCI group. The mitochondrial membrane potential and bcl-2 expression were up-regulated in the nimodipine-treated group. Taken together, our results indicate that the inhibition of calcium flux by nimodipine could reduce apoptosis processes and tissue damage through a mitochondrial pathway after spinal cord trauma.
The aggressive invasion of exotic reptiles in Florida with a focus on prominent species: A review
Authors: Engeman Richard , Jacobson Elliott , Avery Michael L. , Meshaka Walter E.
Published: February 2016

Florida, along with Hawaii, has among the two worst invasive species problems in the USA, and the state is especially susceptible to establishment by alien reptiles. Besides the large numbers of established non-native reptile species in Florida, many of these species present novel difficulties for management, or have other characteristics making effective management extremely challenging. Moreover, initiation of management action requires more than recognition by experts that a potentially harmful species has become established. It also requires the political will along with concomitant resources and appropriate personnel to develop effective methods and apply them. We review the situation in Florida, including assessment of risk for establishment, and we use a subset of prominent species to illustrate in more detail the array of invasive reptile species circumstances in Florida, including routes of introduction, impacts, and potential and implemented management actions. These examples not only highlight the severity of the invasive reptile problems in the state, but they also show the diversity in resolve and response towards them and the motivating factors.
Microsatellite variability reveals high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation in a critical giant panda population
Authors: Yang Jiandong , Zhang Zhihe , Shen Fujun , Yang Xuyu , Zhang Liang , Chen Limin , Zhang Wenping , Zhu Qing , Hou Rong
Published: February 2016

Understanding present patterns of genetic diversity is critical in order to design effective conservation and management strategies for endangered species. Tangjiahe Nature Reserve (NR) is one of the most important national reserves for giant pandas Ailuropoda melanoleuca in China. Previous studies have shown that giant pandas in Tangjiahe NR may be threatened by population decline and fragmentation. Here we used 10 microsatellite DNA markers to assess the genetic variability in the Tangjiahe population. The results indicate a low level of genetic differentiation between the Hongshihe and Motianling subpopulations in the reserve. Assignment tests using the Bayesian clustering method in STRUCTURE identified one genetic cluster from 42 individuals of the two subpopulations. All individuals from the same subpopulation were assigned to one cluster. This indicates high gene flow between subpopulations. F statistic analyses revealed a low FIS-value of 0.024 in the total population and implies a randomly mating population in Tangjiahe NR. Additionally, our data show a high level of genetic diversity for the Tangjiahe population. Mean allele number (A), Allelic richness (AR) and mean expected heterozygosity (HE) for the Tangjiahe population was 5.9, 5.173 and 0.703, respectively. This wild giant panda population can be restored through concerted effort.
Response of endemic afroalpine rodents to the removal of livestock grazing pressure
Authors: Vial Flavie , Macdonald David W. , Haydon Daniel T.
Published: February 2016

The Bale Mountains of Ethiopia represent the world’s largest continuous extent of afroalpine habitat. With a peak combined density of over 8000 individuals/km2, the endemic giant mole rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, Blick’s grass rat Arvicanthis blicki and the brush-furred mouse Lophuromys melanonyx are the dominant wild herbivores within this ecosystem and may be affected by the presence of high densities of domestic livestock. The purpose of this study was to establish whether these endemic rodent populations could respond to the removal of grazing pressure inside three 0.25 hectare livestock exclosures (paired with grazed control plots) and to determine whether such response was mediated through concomitant changes in the vegetation structure. We hypothesised that livestock grazing negatively affects endemic rodent populations through competition or increased predation risk and we predicted an increase in rodent biomass following the removal of grazing pressure. We found no evidence of rodent populations responding to the removal of livestock after fourteen months. The short-term nature of the experimental design, environmental fluctuations and the ecosystem’s inherent stochasticity may explain the apparent lack of a significant response. However, while this study is inconclusive, it emphasises the need for more long-term experimental investigations to assess the effects of domestic grazers on vegetation and on dependent communities. The effects of rapidly increasing livestock numbers in the Bale Mountains will require continued close monitoring of vegetation and endemic animal communities as the afroalpine is altered by external biotic and abiotic forces.
Factors contributing to amphibian road mortality in a wetland
Authors: Gu Haijun , Dai Qiang , Wang Qian , Wang Yuezhao
Published: February 2016

To understand road characteristics and landscape features associated with high road mortality of amphibians in Zoige Wetland National Nature Reserve, we surveyed road mortality along four major roads after rainfall in May and September 2007. Road mortality of three species, Rana kukunoris, Nanorana pleskei and Bufo minshanicus, was surveyed across 225 transects (115 in May and 110 in September). Transects were 100 m long and repeated every two kilometers along the four major roads. We used model averaging to assess factors that might determine amphibian road mortality. We recorded an average of 24.6 amphibian road mortalities per kilometer in May and 19.2 in September. Among road characteristics, road width was positively associated with road morality for R. kukunori and B. minshanicus. Traffic volume also increased the road mortality of B. minshanicus in September. Of the landscape features measured, area proportions of three types of grassland (wet, mesic and dry) within 1 km of the roads, particularly that of wet grassland, significantly increased road mortality for R. kukunori and total mortality across all three species. To most effectively reduce road mortality of amphibians in the Zoige wetlands, we suggest better road design such as avoiding wet grasslands, minimizing road width, underground passes and traffic control measures. The implementation of public transit in the area would reduce traffic volume, and hence mortality.
Assessment of predatory ability of native and non-native freshwater gammaridean species: A rapid test with water fleas as prey
Authors: Stoffels B.E.M.W. , Tummers J.S. , Der Velde G. Van , Platvoet D. , Hendriks H.W.M. , Leuven R.S.E.W.
Published: February 2016

Predation rate with relation to species, sex and water temperature was tested among four different gammaridean species: Dikerogammarus villosus, Gammarus roeselii, Gammarus pulex and Gammarus fossarum. Tests were performed in microcosms in climate-controlled rooms at five different temperatures. Daphnia magna, a common water flea, served as prey. On average D. villosus showed the highest consumption rate of Daphnia magna over the entire temperature range, followed in decreasing order by G. p u le x , G. roeselii and G. fossarum. The predation rate of all species showed a distinct peak at 20°C. Correction of predation rates for body size gave somewhat different results. D. villosus is then still the most predatory of all gammaridean species tested followed by G. pulex, G. fossarum and G. roeselii. The outcome of the Daphnia tests is consistent with results of other studies with different prey. This supports that the Daphnia test is a good and quick indicator of the predatory abilities in gammaridean species at varying temperatures, and allows the prediction of how changing temperature regimes influence invasion impacts.
A comparison of two methods to assess audience-induced changes in male mate choice
Authors: Ziege Madlen , Hennige-Schulz Carmen , Muecksch Frauke , Bierbach David , Tiedemann Ralph , Streit Bruno , Plath Martin
Published: February 2016

Multidirectional communicative interactions in social networks can have a profound effect on mate choice behavior. Male Atlantic molly Poecilia mexicana exhibit weaker mating preferences when an audience male is presented. This could be a male strategy to reduce sperm competition risk: interacting more equally with different females may be advantageous because rivals might copy mate choice decisions. In line with this hypothesis, a previous study found males to show a strong audience effect when being observed while exercising mate choice, but not when the rival was presented only before the choice tests. Audience effects on mate choice decisions have been quantified in poeciliid fishes using association preference designs, but it remains unknown if patterns found from measuring association times translate into actual mating behavior. Thus, we created five audience treatments simulating different forms of perceived sperm competition risk and determined focal males’ mating preferences by scoring pre-mating (nipping) and mating behavior (gonopodial thrusting). Nipping did not reflect the pattern that was found when association preferences were measured, while a very similar pattern was uncovered in thrusting behavior. The strongest response was observed when the audience could eavesdrop on the focal male’s behavior. A reduction in the strength of focal males’ preferences was also seen after the rival male had an opportunity to mate with the focal male’s preferred mate. In comparison, the reduction of mating preferences in response to an audience was greater when measuring association times than actual mating behavior. While measuring direct sexual interactions between the focal male and both stimulus females not only the male’s motivational state is reflected but also females’ behavior such as avoidance of male sexual harassment.
Pollutants and fish predator/prey behavior: A review of laboratory and field approaches
Authors: Weis Judith S. , Candelmo Allison
Published: February 2016

Fish behavior can be altered by contaminants. There is an extensive literature on laboratory behavioral assays, with many chemicals impairing feeding or predator avoidance. However, there is not extensive work on fishes that live in contaminated environments. Therefore, we then review our recent research on feeding and trophic relations of populations from contaminated estuaries compared with relatively unpolluted sites. The mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus, is a non-migratory fish; those from more contaminated areas are poor predators and slower to capture active prey (grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio). In the field, they consume much detritus and sediment, which is not nutritious. They are less active than fish from cleaner sites and more vulnerable to predation. They have altered thyroid glands and neurotransmitter levels, which may underlie altered behaviors. Fish from the reference site kept in tanks with sediment and food from the polluted site showed bioaccumulation and reduced prey capture after two months, although fish from the polluted site did not show significant improvement when maintained in a clean environment. Poor nutrition and predator avoidance may be responsible for their being smaller and having a shorter life span than reference fish. Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix, are a marine species in which the young-of-the-year spend their first summer in estuaries. We found bioaccumulation of contaminants and reduced activity, schooling, and feeding in young-of-the-year bluefish from a relatively unpolluted site that were fed prey fish from a contaminated site. They also had altered thyroid glands and neuro-transmitter levels. Many field-caught specimens had empty stomachs, which is rare in this species. In the fall, when they migrate back out to the ocean, they are smaller, slower, and more likely to starve or to be eaten than those that spent their summer in cleaner estuaries.
Testing for selection on color and pattern in a mimetic radiation
Authors: Yeager Justin , Brown Jason L. , Morales Victor , Cummings Molly , Summers Kyle
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we analyze variation in spectral reflectance and color pattern among populations to demonstrate dramatic divergence between four distinct morphs of the mimic poison frog Ranitomeya imitator. We also analyze genetic divergence in d-loop mtDNA sequences between populations. We then use coalescent-based simulations to demonstrate that the high levels of observed phenotypic divergence are not consistent with levels of genetic divergence expected under neutral drift among populations, implying an important role for selection in driving divergence between these populations.
Breeding bird density does not drive vocal individuality
Authors: Blumstein Daniel T. , Mcclain Douglas R. , De Jesus Carrie , Alarcón-Nieto Gustavo
Published: February 2016

Many species produce individually specific vocalizations and sociality is a hypothesized driver of such individuality. Previous studies of how social variation influenced individuality focused on colonial or non-colonial avian species, and how social group size influenced individuality in sciurid rodents. Since sociality is an important driver of individuality, we expected that bird species that defend nesting territories in higher density neighborhoods should have more individually-distinctive calls than those that defend nesting territories in lower-density neighborhoods. We used Beecher’s information statistic to quantify individuality, and we examined the relationship between bird density (calculated with point-counts) and vocal individuality on seven species of passerines. We found non-significant relationships between breeding bird density and vocal individuality whether regressions were fitted on species values, or on phylogenetically-independent contrast values. From these results, we infer that while individuality may be explained by social factors, breeding bird density is unlikely to be generally important in driving the evolution of individually-specific vocalizations.
Selectivity in feeding preferences and ranging patterns in spider monkeys Ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis of northeastern Yucatan peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Scherbaum Carmen , Estrada Alejandro
Published: February 2016

The spider monkey, a fruit specialist and important seed dispersal agent in the Neotropics, is an endangered primate due to habitat loss, hunting and the pet trade. Spider monkeys have been the subject of a few studies in Central and South America, but little is known about the diet and ranging for this primate in southern Mexico. Here we report the results of a six-month long study (October 2010 to March 2011) of the feeding preferences and ranging patterns of the Yucatan spider monkey Ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis living in the “Ya´ax´che” reserve by the Caribbean coast in northeast Yucatan peninsula. Focal animal and scan sampling as well as GPS tracking were used to document spider monkey feeding behavior, location of food trees and ranging in the reserve. The spider monkeys used 36 species of plants (94% trees; n = 432) and six non tree morphospecies as a source of food. Six tree species accounted for ≥80% of total feeding time and for 74% of all trees used. Fruits accounted for 59% of total feeding time, followed by leaves (35%), palm piths (5%) and other plant parts (1%). Total range used by the monkeys was estimated at 43% of semievergreen rainforest habitat available (ca 40ha). Range use was not random with segments showing light, moderate and heavy use; the use of different areas of their range varied monthly and was closely linked to the spatial dispersion of the trees used for food.
Hormones and phenotypic plasticity: Implications for the evolution of integrated adaptive phenotypes
Authors: Lema Sean C. , Kitano Jun
Published: February 2016

It is generally accepted that taxa exhibit genetic variation in phenotypic plasticity, but many questions remain unanswered about how divergent plastic responses evolve under dissimilar ecological conditions. Hormones are signaling molecules that act as proximate mediators of phenotype expression by regulating a variety of cellular, physiological, and behavioral responses. Hormones not only change cellular and physiological states but also influence gene expression directly or indirectly, thereby linking environmental conditions to phenotypic development. Studying how hormonal pathways respond to environmental variation and how those responses differ between individuals, populations, and species can expand our understanding of the evolution of phenotypic plasticity. Here, we explore the ways that the study of hormone signaling is providing new insights into the underlying proximate bases for individual, population or species variation in plasticity. Using several studies as exemplars, we examine how a ‘norm of reaction’ approach can be used in investigations of hormone-mediated plasticity to inform the following: 1) how environmental cues affect the component hormones, receptors and enzymes that comprise any endocrine signaling pathway, 2) how genetic and epigenetic variation in endocrine-associated genes can generate variation in plasticity among these diverse components, and 3) how phenotypes mediated by the same hormone can be coupled and decoupled via independent plastic responses of signaling components across target tissues. Future studies that apply approaches such as reaction norms and network modeling to questions concerning how hormones link environmental stimuli to ecologically-relevant phenotypic responses should help unravel how phenotypic plasticity evolves.
Loss of sexual isolation in a hybridizing stickleback species pair
Authors: Lackey Alycia C. R. , Boughman Janette Wenrick
Published: February 2016

One approach to understand the importance of reproductive barriers to the speciation process is to study the breakdown of barriers between formerly distinct species. One reproductive barrier, sexual isolation, reduces gene flow between species through differences in mate preferences and mating signals and is likely important for species formation and maintenance. We measure sexual isolation in two limnetic-benthic threespine stickleback species pairs (Gasterosteus spp.). One species pair maintains strong reproductive isolation while the other species pair has recently collapsed into a hybrid swarm. We compare the strength of sexual isolation in the hybridizing pair to the currently isolated pair. We provide the first evidence that sexual isolation has been lost in the hybridizing pair and show furthermore that preferences females have for conspecific mates and the traits they use to distinguish conspecific and heterospecific males contribute to this loss. This work highlights the fragility of reproductive isolation between young species pairs and considers the role of sexual isolation in speciation.
A meta-analysis of the effects of geolocator application on birds
Authors: Costantini David , Møller Anders Pape
Published: February 2016

An increasing trend in use of tracking devices such as geolocators is based on the assumption that the information gathered from such devices provides reliable information about the migratory behavior of free-living birds. This underlying assumption is rarely tested, as evidenced by the absence in many studies of controls, in particular treated controls, and so far never with a reasonable statistical power. Published studies have shown reduced survival prospects or delayed breeding in some species, suggesting that there may be reason to doubt that tracking devices provide unbiased information. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies applying geolocators to wild birds to determine whether geolocators affected fitness components. Ge-olocators had an overall negative effect on fitness components, in particular survival, and ecological variables. Effect size was larger for aerial foragers than for other species. Moreover the leg band attachment method was more detrimental for birds than the leg-loop backpack harness. A meta-regression model of effect size showed independent negative effects of geolocators on aerial foragers, smaller species, species with smaller migration distances and in studies where geolocators were attached with a ring. These results suggest that geolocator studies should be interpreted with caution, but also raise questions whether it is ethically defensible to use geolocators on aerial foragers or small species without carrying out robust pilot studies.
Fading indirect effects in a warming arctic tundra
Authors: BêTY Joël , Graham-Sauvé Maude , Legagneux Pierre , Cadieux Marie-Christine , Gauthier Gilles
Published: February 2016

Indirect interactions in food webs can strongly influence the net effect of global change on ecological communities yet they are rarely quantified and hence remain poorly understood. Using a 22-year time series, we investigated climate-induced and predator-mediated indirect effects on grazing intensity in the tundra food web of Bylot Island, which experienced a warming trend over the last two decades. We evaluated the relative effects of environmental parameters on the proportion of plant biomass grazed by geese in wetlands and examined the temporal changes in the strength of these cascading effects. Migrating geese are the dominant herbivores on Bylot Island and can consume up to 60% of the annual production of wetland graminoids. Spring North Atlantic Oscillation, mid-summer temperatures and summer abundance of lemmings (prey sharing predators with geese) best-explained annual variation in grazing intensity. Goose grazing impact increased in years with high temperatures and high lemming abundance. However, the strength of these indirect effects on plants changed over time. Grazing intensity was weakly explained by environmental factors in recent years, which were marked by a sharp increase in plant primary production and steady decrease in grazing pressure. Indirect effects do not seem to be reversing the direct positive effect of warming on wetland plants. We suggest that cascading effects on plants may lag considerably behind direct effects in vertebrate dominated arctic communities, especially where key herbivore populations are strongly affected by factors outside of the Arctic.
Genealogy and phylogeography of Cyprinid fish Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) inferred from ATPase 6 and 8 mitochondrial DNA gene analysis
Authors: Luhariya Rupesh K. , Lal Kuldeep K. , Singh Rajeev K. , Mohindra Vindhya , Gupta Arti , Masih Prachi , Dwivedi Arvind K. , Das Rakhi , Chauhan U. K. , Jena J. K.
Published: February 2016

ATPase 6/8 gene (842 bp) of mitochondrial DNA was sequenced in Labeo rohita samples (n = 253) collected from nine rivers belonging to four river basins; Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra and Mahanadi. Analysis revealed 44 haplotypes with high haplotype diversity (Hd) 0.694 and low nucleotide diversity (π) 0.001. The within population variation was larger (83.44%) than among population differences (16.56%). The mean FST value (0.166; P < 0.05) for overall populations revealed moderate level of genetic structuring in the wild L. rohita populations. The haplotype network presented a single clade for wild L. rohita population, from different rivers. Negative values for Fu’s index (FS), mismatch distribution analysis indicated period of expansion in L. rohita population. The time after recent expansion was estimated for each population, between 0.042 to 0.167 mya. The pattern of Isolation by Distance (IBD) was not significant (r = -0.113, P < 0.287), when all the sampling locations were compared (Mantel test), however, when an outlier (Indus, Brahmaputra and Mahanadi) was removed from the whole population set, a clear positive correlation between pairwise FST and geographic distance (Km) was seen. The analysis of data demonstrated that ATPase6/8 gene polymorphism is a potential marker to understand genetic population structure of wild L. rohita existing in different rivers. The study identified population substructure in wild L. rohita with common ancestral origin [Current Zoology 60 (4): 460–471, 2014].
A survey for Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Chinese amphibians
Authors: Zhu Wei , Xu Feng , Bai Changming , Liu Xuan , Wang Supen , Gao Xu , Yan Shaofei , Li Xianping , Liu Zetian , Li Yiming
Published: February 2016

For the last decade, chytridiomycosis was considered to be caused by a single species of fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), but a second chytrid species, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bs), was recently isolated from an infected Salamandra salamandra in the Netherlands. To date, Bs has only been found in the Netherlands. To assess whether Bs is present in China, we analyzed a total of 665 samples, including 425 wild samples, 41 preserved specimens, and 199 captive samples, from 30 different species, including both urodeles and anurans. Our sample sites covered 15 provinces in China. All of the samples tested negative for Bs, resulting in a 95% confidence limit for a prevalence of 0.6%. The absence of Bs observed in this large-scale survey in China has significant implications for amphibian conservation and for border trade management strategies intended to control amphibian diseases. We strongly recommend the continued close monitoring of Bs to verify the status of this potentially devastating amphibian fungus in China.
Higher-Order Interactions: Understanding the knowledge capacity of social groups using simplicial sets
Authors: Greening Bradford R , Pinter-Wollman Noa , Fefferman Nina H
Published: February 2016

A predominant benefit of social living is the ability to share knowledge that cannot be gained through the information an individual accumulates based on its personal experience alone. Traditional computational models have portrayed sharing knowledge through interactions among members of social groups via dyadic networks. Such models aim at understanding the percolation of information among individuals and groups to identify potential limitations to successful knowledge transfer. However, because many real-world interactions are not solely pairwise, i.e., several group members may obtain information from one another simultaneously, it is necessary to understand more than dyadic communication and learning processes to capture their full complexity. We detail a modeling framework based on the simplicial set, a concept from algebraic topology, which allows elegant encapsulation of multi-agent interactions. Such a model system allows us to analyze how individual information within groups accumulates as the group’s collective set of knowledge, which may be different than the simple union of individually contained information. Furthermore, the simplicial modeling approach we propose allows us to investigate how information accumulates via sub-group interactions, offering insight into complex aspects of multi-way communication systems. The fundamental change in modeling strategy we offer here allows us to move from portraying knowledge as a “token”, passed from signaler to receiver, to portraying knowledge as a set of accumulating building blocks from which novel ideas can emerge. We provide an explanation of relevant mathematical concepts in a way that promotes accessibility to a general audience.
Regional and age-dependent differences in the effect of wind on the migratory routes of Eleonora’s falcon
Authors: Mellone Ugo , Limiñana Rubén , López-López Pascual , Urios Vicente
Published: February 2016

During migration, birds can show different responses to wind in relation to distance to the goal, experience, ecological barriers and visibility of landmarks. We analysed the effect of wind (tailwinds and crosswinds) on daily movement rates (forward and perpendicular) of Eleonora’s falcons using ARGOS satellite telemetry, during their trans-continental autumn migration to Madagascar, in relation to the different crossed regions and individuals’ age class. Our results showed that the effect of wind on daily movement rates was not uniform, being stronger in the farthest region from the migration goal, the Sahara desert, with adults being more affected than juveniles in this region. In the Sahel, the results were more conflicting, perhaps because daily movements were more shaped by the distribution of food resources. In Equatorial Africa, daily movement rates were mainly affected by crosswinds. Still, it remains unclear which orientation mechanism allows Eleonora’s falcons to reach such a narrow wintering area compensating also for wind displacement.
An experimental test of whether pied flycatchers choose the best territory for rearing the young
Authors: Mäntylä Elina , sirkiä Päivi M. , Klemola Tero , Laaksonen Toni
Published: February 2016

It is often assumed that birds are able to choose a breeding territory that will later on have the most food for nestlings. Studies on this essential question are, however, few. We studied territory choice of a long-distance migrant, the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca in southwestern Finland. In one study area, we monitored the territory choice of males via the order of territory settlement. Female territory choice was studied experimentally in another study area where the correlation between male and territory quality was removed by not allowing males a free choice of territory. We defined several habitat characteristics and estimated the abundances of invertebrate prey from air, ground and trees with appropriate traps from the surroundings of the nest sites in both study areas. Against the expectation that parent birds would choose an arthropod-rich territory, neither males nor females seemed to choose those territories that later had the most food for nestlings. There was, however, some evidence that more eggs were laid in territories with more aphids and that more fledglings were produced in territories with high ant abundance. Our findings thus suggest that while it would be beneficial for birds to be able to choose food-rich territories, they may not be able to detect the right cues for doing so early in the breeding season. The possibility and importance of detecting the territories with the best prospects of rearing young may, however, vary among and within seasons and more studies on this topic are clearly needed.
Evolutionary responses to climate change and contaminants: Evidence and experimental approaches
Authors: Kimberly David A. , Salice Christopher J.
Published: February 2016

A fundamental objective within ecotoxicology lies in understanding and predicting effects of contaminants. This objective is made more challenging when global climate change is considered as an environmental stress that co-occurs with contaminant exposure. In this multi-stressor context, evolutionary processes are particularly important. In this paper, we consider several non-”omic” approaches wherein evolutionary responses to stress have been studied and discuss those amenable to a multiple stressor context. Specifically, we discuss common-garden designs, artificial and quasi-natural selection, and the estimation of adaptive potential using quantitative genetics as methods for studying evolutionary responses to contaminants and climate change in the absence of expensive molecular tools. While all approaches shed light on potential evolutionary impacts of stressor exposure, they also have limitations. These include logistical constraints, difficulty extrapolating to real systems, and responses tied strongly to specific taxa, populations, and/or testing conditions. The most effective way to lessen these inherent limitations is likely through inclusion of complementary physiological and molecular tools, when available. We believe that an evolutionary context to the study of contaminants and global climate change is a high priority in ecotoxicology and we outline methods that can be implemented by almost any researcher but will also provide valuable insights.
Comparing techniques for measuring corticosterone in tadpoles
Authors: Burraco Pablo , Arribas Rosa , Kulkarni Saurabh S. , Buchholz Daniel R. , Gomez-Mestre Ivan
Published: February 2016

Glucocorticoids play a key role in mediating stress responses in vertebrates. Corticosterone (CORT) is the main glucocorticoid produced in amphibians, birds, and reptiles, and regulates several metabolic functions. The most common methods for quantifying CORT are competitive binding immunoassays: radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA). RIA has been broadly used since the 1980’s but it requires radioactivity. Commercial EIA kits permit quantifying hormone levels without radioactivity although the requirement for a larger sample volume may be a strong limitation for measurements involving larval amphibians. Here we used Xenopus laevis tadpoles to compare the performance of three commonly used procedures for determination of CORT: RIA on a chloroform extract of whole-body homogenate, EIA on plasma, and EIA on supernatant of whole-body homogenate. We treated tadpoles with exogenous CORT at 0, 25, 50, and 100 nM. RIA could distinguish between 0 and 25 nM, and EIA on plasma between 0 and 50 nM, whereas whole-body homogenate EIA only detected significant differences between 0 and 100 nM. Each procedure presents advantages and disadvantages regarding sensitivity, the use of radioactivity, sample size, handling time, and economic cost. RIA is preferred when studying small-bodied animals from which blood samples cannot be obtained. When CORT level differences are intermediate and blood sampling is possible, EIA on plasma is a good non-radioactive alternative. EIA on whole-body homogenates may be useful to assess qualitative changes in CORT levels when considerable differences are expected. Finally, we discuss our findings in the context of previous studies on CORT in amphibians.
Uprooting phylogenetic uncertainty in coalescent species delimitation: A meta-analysis of empirical studies
Authors: Caviedes-Solis Itzue W. , Bouzid Nassima M. , Banbury Barbara L. , Leaché Adam D.
Published: February 2016

Phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies rely on the accurate quantification of biodiversity. In recent studies of taxonomically ambiguous groups, species boundaries are often determined based on multi-locus sequence data. Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BPP) is a coalescent-based method frequently used to delimit species; however, empirical studies suggest that the requirement of a user-specified guide tree biases the range of possible outcomes. We evaluate fifteen multi-locus datasets using the most recent iteration of BPP, which eliminates the need for a user-specified guide tree and reconstructs the species tree in synchrony with species delimitation (= unguided species delimitation). We found that the number of species recovered with guided versus unguided species delimitation was the same except for two cases, and that posterior probabilities were generally lower for the unguided analyses as a result of searching across species trees in addition to species delimitation models. The guide trees used in previous studies were often discordant with the species tree topologies estimated by BPP. We also compared species trees estimated using BPP and *BEAST and found that when the topologies are the same, BPP tends to give higher posterior probabilities.
Comparative phylogeography and niche modeling for three species complexes of SE China (Paradoxornis spp., Pycnonotus spp., Spizixos spp.)
Authors: Klicka Luke B. , Campillo Luke C. , Manthey Joseph D. , Qu Yanhua
Published: February 2016

Contrasting multiple organisms with similar contemporary distributions, researchers can identify shared evolutionary patterns and provide historical context for community composition. We used three species complexes with overlapping distributions in Southeastern China and surrounding islands to explore the phylogeographic history of the region. Despite similar geographic distributions, genetic data revealed few congruent patterns, but all complexes displayed genetic divergence for Taiwanese populations. Additionally, niche modeling and divergence dating did not find support for diversification associated with the Last Glacial Maximum.
Functional Genetic Screen to Identify Interneurons Governing Behaviorally Distinct Aspects ofDrosophilaLarval Motor Programs
Authors: Clark Matt Q. , McCumsey Stephanie J. , Lopez-Darwin Sereno , Heckscher Ellie S. , Doe Chris Q.
Published: February 2016

Drosophila larval crawling is an attractive system to study patterned motor output at the level of animal behavior. Larval crawling consists of waves of muscle contractions generating forward or reverse locomotion. In addition, larvae undergo additional behaviors including head casts, turning, and feeding. It is likely that some neurons are used in all these behaviors (e.g. motor neurons), but the identity (or even existence) of neurons dedicated to specific aspects of behavior is unclear. To identify neurons that regulate specific aspects of larval locomotion, we performed a genetic screen to identify neurons that, when activated, could elicit distinct motor programs. We used 165 JaneliaCRM-Gal4lines – chosen for sparse neuronal expression – to express the warmth-inducible neuronal activator TrpA1 and screened for locomotor defects. The primary screen measured forward locomotion velocity, and we identified 63 lines that had locomotion velocities significantly slower than controls following TrpA1 activation (28°C). A secondary screen was performed on these lines, revealing multiple discrete behavioral phenotypes including slow forward locomotion, excessive reverse locomotion, excessive turning, excessive feeding, immobile, rigid paralysis, and delayed paralysis. While many of the Gal4 lines had motor, sensory, or muscle expression that may account for some or all of the phenotype, some lines showed specific expression in a sparse pattern of interneurons. Our results show that distinct motor programs utilize distinct subsets of interneurons, and provide an entry point for characterizing interneurons governing different elements of the larval motor program.
Cellular aspects of gonadal atrophy in P-M hybrid dysgenesis
Authors: Dorogova Natalia V. , Bolobolova Elena Us. , Zakharenko Lyudmila P.
Published: February 2016

Gonadal atrophy is the most typical and dramatic manifestation of intraspecific hybrid dysgenesis syndrome leading to sterility ofDrosophila melanogasterdysgenic progeny. The P-M system of hybrid dysgenesis is primarily associated with germ cell degeneration during the early stages ofDrosophiladevelopment at elevated temperatures. In the present study, we have defined the phase of germ cell death as beginning at the end of embryogenesis immediately following gonad formation. The early stages of germ cell formation in dysgenic flies showed sensitivity to developmental temperature increases at any stage of theDrosophilalife cycle including the imago. Analysis of germ cell reactions to hybrid dysgenesis induction revealed significant changes in subcellular structure, especially mitochondria, prior to germ cell breakdown. The mitochondrial pathology can be the reason for the activation of cell death pathways in dysgenic germ cells and lead to gonadal atrophy.

We investigated the hybrid dysgenesis in the context of germ cell development and observed the dysgenic effect is associated with dramatic pathological changes in structure of germ cell mitochondria and lead to massive and quick cell death. The temperature-dependent screening of germ cells developmental pattern in dysgenic background showed that these cells are susceptible to the hybrid dysgenesis at any drosophila life-cycle stage, including in the imago.
Of bad-seed, black-sheep and prodigal-sons
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– In small-business-communities trust is important inter/intra family particularly in relation to familial dynamics. Seldom is mistrust or distrust examined in an academic context. In business families “Black-Sheep” often rebel against familial expectations by engaging in criminal activity. This is important because entrepreneurs are eulogised by society and as an institution, family business is venerated. The very idea that small business owners would knowingly engage in crime is anathema. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using retrospective ethnography and immersion techniques this quasi-longitudinal study of (dis)organized crime in a small-business-community (SBC) starts the bridging process.

Findings

– There is an assumption that business crime is best accommodated under the rubric of white-collar-criminality typically regarded as an excusable middle-class crime compared to organized working-class crime. By focusing on the black-sheep of business families collectively this work illustrates how there may be a stronger link between organized-crime-groups and the local-business-community than previously assumed because a small minority of businessmen engage in the commission of ordinary crime by choice.

Research/limitations/implications

– The methodology used is a limitation as is replicating it in other small-business-communities.

Practical/implications

– This study provides an alternative heuristic through which to understand the application black-sheep-thesis in business settings. The knowledge developed has practical implications for the investigation of crime in such communities and for researchers in the field.

Social/implications

– This study extends knowledge of white-collar-criminality within the business domain.

Originality/value

– This is an original and novel study which extends our knowledge and understanding of trust based issues in business settings and the SBC.
Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is a potential target for the treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Braegelmann Christine , Hölzel Michael , Ludbrook Valerie , Dickson Marion , Turan Nil , Ferring‐Schmitt Sandra , Sternberg Sonja , Bieber Thomas , Kuhn Annegret , Wenzel Joerg
Published: February 2016

Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is a protein kinase involved in cell proliferation and the regulation of inflammatory pathways. Due to the increasing evidence that kinase inhibitors have potential as specific anti‐inflammatory drugs, we have investigated the potential for SYK inhibition as a therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases, particularly cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Skin samples of patients with different CLE subtypes and appropriate controls were analysed for the expression of SYK and SYK‐associated pro‐inflammatory mediators via gene expression analysis and immunohistochemistry. The functional role of SYK in keratinocytes was investigated in vitro, using LE‐typical pro‐inflammatory stimuli and a selective inhibitor of SYK. SYK‐associated genes are strongly upregulated in CLE skin lesions. Importantly, phosphorylated SYK (pSYK) is strongly expressed by several immune cell types and also keratinocytes in CLE skin. In vitro, immunostimulatory nucleic acids are capable of inducing SYK phosphorylation in keratinocytes leading to the induction of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, while small‐molecule SYK inhibition decreases the expression of these proteins. The results demonstrate that pSYK is expressed by immune cells and keratinocytes in skin lesions of CLE patients. LE‐typical stimuli induce the expression of pSYK in vitro. Small‐molecule SYK inhibition leads to a reduction of pSYK expression and downregulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in keratinocytes. We therefore believe that pSYK provides a potential future drug target for the treatment of patients who suffer from CLE and related skin disorders. Specifically, our study reveals evidence supporting the use of topical SYK inhibitors in treating lupus.
No influence of sugar, snacks and fast food intake on the degree of obesity or treatment effect in childhood obesity
Authors: Trier C. , Fonvig C.E. , Bøjsøe C. , Mollerup P.M. , Gamborg M. , Pedersen O. , Hansen T. , Holm J.‐C.
Published: February 2016

Background

Increased consumption of sweetened beverages has previously been linked to the degree of childhood obesity.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to assess whether the intake of sweetened beverages, candy, snacks or fast food at baseline in a multidisciplinary childhood obesity treatment program was associated with the baseline degree of obesity or the treatment effect.

Methods

This prospective study included 1349 overweight and obese children (body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI SDS) ≥ 1.64) enrolled in treatment at The Children's Obesity Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Holbæk. The children were evaluated at baseline and after up to 5.9 years of treatment (median 1.3 years).

Results

Both boys and girls decreased their BMI SDS during treatment with a mean decrease in boys of 0.35 (p < 0.0001) and in girls of 0.22 (p < 0.0001) after 1 year of treatment. There were no associations between the baseline intake of sweetened beverages, candy, snacks, and/or fast food and BMI SDS at baseline or the change in BMI SDS during treatment.

Conclusions

The intake of sweetened beverages, candy, snacks or fast food when entering a childhood obesity treatment program was not associated with the degree of obesity at baseline or the degree of weight loss during treatment.