bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flower diversity and bee reproduction in an arid ecosystem
Authors: Dorado Jimena , Vázquez Diego P.
Published: January 2018

Background. Diverse flower communities are more stable in floral resource production along the flowering season, but the question about how the diversity and stability of resources affect pollinator reproduction remains open. High plant diversity could favor short foraging trips, which in turn would enhance bee fitness. In addition to plant diversity, greater temporal stability of floral resources in diverse communities could favor pollinator fitness because such communities are likely to occupy the phenological space more broadly, increasing floral availability for pollinators throughout the season. In addition, this potential effect of flower diversity on bee reproduction could be stronger for generalist pollinators because they can use a broader floral spectrum. Based on above arguments we predicted that pollinator reproduction would be positively correlated to flower diversity, and to temporal stability in flower production, and that this relationship would be stronger for the most generalized pollinator species. Materials & Methods. Using structural equation models, we evaluated the effect of these variables and other ecological factors on three estimates of bee reproduction, and whether such effects were modulated by bee generalization on floral resources. Results. Contrary to our expectations, flower diversity had no effect on bee reproduction, stability in flower production had a weakly negative effect on one of the bee reproductive variables, and the strength of the fitness-diversity relationship was unrelated to bee generalization. In contrast, elevation had a weak, non significant negative effect on bee reproduction, despite the narrow elevation range encompassed by our sites. Discussion. Flower diversity did not affect the reproduction of the solitary bees studied here. Although high temporal stability in flower production is expected to enhance pollinator reproduction, in our study it had a weakly negative---instead of positive---effect on the average number of brood cells per nest. Other environmental factors that vary with elevation could influence bee reproduction. Our study focused on a small group of closely-related bee species, which cautions against generalization of our findings to other groups of pollinators. More studies are clearly needed to assess the extent to which pollinator demography is influenced by the diversity of floral resources.
Development of a novel molecular tool for the rapid assessment of changes in biodiversity of benthic nematodes assemblages
Authors: Avó Ana Patrícia , Daniell Tim , Neilson Roy , Oliveira Solange , Adão Helena
Published: January 2018

Nowadays molecular approaches are being used in population estimation of terrestrial nematode communities offering a more efficient and faster alternative over microscopy-based methods. A molecular profiling tool was developed using directed Terminal-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (dT-RFLP) to characterize soil nematode assemblages by relative abundance of feeding guilds, and validated by comparison with traditional morphological method. Combining morphological and molecular analysis of benthic nematodes assemblages, the main aim of this study was to develop and validate the dT-RFLP tool for benthic nematodes. Estimation of population size was derived using real time PCR (qPCR). A molecular phylogenetic analysis of benthic nematodes was created based on a database of 18S rDNA sequences related to individuals identified to species level. dT-RFLP results showed that the digest strategy developed for soil nematodes was not suitable for benthic nematodes. A new dT-RFLP strategy for benthic assemblages was designed by using the sequence database coupled with cloning and sequencing the whole assemblage from five samples. Several solutions were identified by the DRAT software and tested empirically to select the optimum solution that separates the assemblages. qPCR results showed differences in gene copy number between two sampling sites, which is consistently with the results of nematode density obtained by traditional methods. The application of these high-throughput molecular approaches for benthic nematodes will improve sample throughput and their implementation more efficient and faster as an indicator of marine ecosystem health.
Patterns of success in game bird introductions in the United States
Authors: Moulton Michael P , Cropper Wendell P , Broz Andrew J , Gezan Salvador A
Published: January 2018

Better predictions of the success of species’ introductions require careful evaluation of the relative importance of at least three kinds of factors: species characteristics, characteristics of the site of introduction, and event-level factors such as propagule pressure. Historical records of bird introductions provide a unique method for addressing the relative importance of these factors. We compiled a list of introductions of 17 Phasianid species released in the USA during the Foreign Game Investigation Program (FGIP). These records indicate that releases for some Phasianid species in the USA continued long after establishment. For many of the 13 species that always failed, even numerous releases and large numbers of individuals per release were not enough for successful establishment, yet several of these species were successfully introduced elsewhere. Only four species were successful in at least one state. Yet, all four were unsuccessful either in other states, or in other regions of states where they were not already successfully established, or both. These results support the notion that the number of individuals released and the number of releases are less important than characteristics of the location where the introductions occurred.
Identification of phenolic secondary metabolites from Schotia brachypetala Sond. (Fabaceae) and demonstration of their antioxidant activities in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Sobeh Mansour , ElHawary Esraa A , Peixoto Herbenya , Labib Rola M , Handoussa Heba , Swilam Noha , El-Khatib Ahmed H. , Sharapov Farukh , Mahmoud Tamer , Krstin Sonja , Linscheid Michael W , Singab Abdel Nasser B. , Wink Michael , Ayoub Nahla
Published: January 2018

Background: Schotia brachypetala Sond. (Fabaceae) is an endemic tree of Southern Africa whose phytochemistry and pharmacology were slightly studied.The present work aimed at profiling the major phenolics compounds present in the hydro-alcoholic extract from S. brachypetala leaves (SBE) using LC/HRESI/MS/MS and NMR and prove their antioxidant capabilities using novel methods. Methods: In vitro assays; DPPH, TEAC persulfate decolorizing kinetic and FRAP assays, and in vivo assays: Caenorhabditis elegans strains maintenance, Intracellular ROS in C. elegans, Survival assay, GFP expression and Subcellular DAF-16 localization were employed to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Results: More than forty polyphenols ,including flavonoid glycosides, galloylated flavonoid glycosides, isoflavones, dihydrochalcones, procyanidins, anthocyanins, hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, hydrolysable tannins, and traces of methylated and acetylated flavonoid derivatives were identified. Three compounds were isolated and identified from the genus Schotia for the first time, namely gallic acid, myricetin-3-O-α-L-1C4-rhamnoside and quercetin-3-O-L-1C4-rhamnoside.The tested extract was able to protect the worms against juglone induced oxidative stress and attenuate the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. SBE was also able to attenuate the levels of heat shock protein (HSP) expression. Discussion: A pronounced antioxidant activity in vivo, which can be attributed to its ability to promote the nuclear translocation of DAF-16/FOXO, the main transcription factor regulating the expression of stress response genes. The remarkable antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo correlates to SBE rich phenolic profile.
What flowers do we like? The influence of shape and color on the rating of flower beauty
Authors: Hůla Martin , Flegr Jaroslav
Published: January 2018

There is no doubt that people find flowers beautiful. Surprisingly, we know very little about the actual properties which make flowers so appealing to humans. Although the evolutionary aesthetics provides some theories concerning generally preferred flower traits, empirical evidence is largely missing. In this study, we used an online survey in which residents of the Czech Republic (n = 2006) rated the perceived beauty of 52 flower stimuli of diverse shapes and colors. Colored flowers were preferred over their uncolored versions. When controlling for flower shape, we found an unequal preference for different flower colors, blue being the most and yellow the least preferred. In the overall assessment of beauty, shape was more important than color. Prototypical flowers, i.e., radially symmetrical flowers with low complexity, were rated as the most beautiful. We also found a positive effect of sharp flower contours and blue color on the overall rating of flower beauty. The results may serve as a basis for further studies in some areas of the people-plant interaction research.
The effects of phthalates on Nereis diversicolor
Authors: Alnemari Ashwaq , Hardege Joerg
Published: January 2018

Animals are exposed, in the natural environment, to a range of human activity related dissolved chemicals that are potentially impacting on their fitness. The animals responses to such stress determines its fitness, physiology and in case of chemical signals also its behaviour. If physical or chemical changes in the ecosystem make the detection of such a chemical impossible, then it can be reasonably assumed that vital behaviours of the animal will be significantly altered. Plastics are lighter, more durable, stronger and cheaper than other materials used for the same purposes, making them most suitable for producing a very broad range of goods and products. However, these same properties also make them serious environmental hazards i.e. they are easily carried and dispersed by water over long distances, and stopped by barriers and settle in the form of sediments that can persist for centuries. Phthalate esters are widely used as additives to offer flexibility to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins (Graham, 1973). DEHP and DMP are the most frequently used plasticizer in PVC formulas in consumer products (Metcalf et al. 1973; Carnevali et al. 2010). In general phthalate esters harmful environmental and human health effects are well documented and a range of studies documented harmful effects on both land and aquatic organisms (Metcalf et al. 1973; Lithner, et al. 2009). Neanthes (Nereis, Hediste) diversicolor is a bio-indicator species to monitor levels of pollution in a particular environment i.e. to by quantify levels of contaminant presents in the worms. Measuring these in N. diversicolor makes it possible to estimate and monitor levels of contamination in marine environments. The worms are easy to keep in laboratory conditions and can be collected in large numbers in the field and used as model species since the 1950s (Scaps, 2002). The main aim of this study is to investigate and determine the fate of phthalates in a Nereis culture system and to assess the impact of phthalates upon fitness such as feeding behaviours. For this worms are exposed to different concentration of DEHP (0.05, 2, and 10 ug/mL) over short term (days) and long term (3 months / lifespan). The aim of short term of exposure was to determine the fate of phthalates in a Nereis culture system to examine if phthalate degradation takes place. GC-MS is used to measure the phthalates. Liquid: liquid extraction was used to extract phthalates from water and worm tissue whereas accelerated solvent extraction was used to extract phthalates from sediment. The aim of long term of exposure was to investigate and assess the impact of phthalates on animals’ functional traits (feeding response).
OncoLnc: Linking TCGA survival data to mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs
Authors: Anaya Jordan
Published: January 2018

OncoLnc is a tool for interactively exploring survival correlations, and for downloading clinical data coupled to expression data for mRNAs, miRNAs, or lncRNAs. OncoLnc contains survival data for 8,647 patients from 21 cancer studies performed by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), along with RNA-SEQ expression for mRNAs and miRNAs from TCGA, and lncRNA expression from MiTranscriptome beta. Storing this data gives users the ability to separate patients by gene expression, and then create publication-quality Kaplan-Meier plots or download the data for further analyses. OncoLnc also stores precomputed survival analyses, allowing users to quickly explore survival correlations for up to 21 cancers in a single click. This resource allows researchers studying a specific gene to quickly investigate if it may have a role in cancer, and the supporting data allows researchers studying a specific cancer to identify the mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs most correlated with survival, and researchers looking for a novel lncRNA involved with cancer lists of potential candidates. OncoLnc is available at http://www.oncolnc.org
Invasion of the tropical earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus (Rhinodrilidae, Oligochaeta) in temperate grasslands
Authors: Ortiz-Gamino Diana , Pérez-Rodríguez Paulino , Ortiz-Ceballos Angel I.
Published: January 2018

The tropical earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus presents a broad distribution (56 countries from four continents) with climates that resemble the one in its native area of distribution. In invasive earthworms, it is generally assumed that temperature appears to limit the success of tropical exotic species in temperate climates. With the global climate change, the edge of the distribution range of this species could advance towards higher elevations (with lower temperatures) where no tropical species currently occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the soil and climatic variables that could be closely associated with the distribution of P. corethrurus in four sites along an altitudinal gradient in central Veracruz, Mexico. We tested the hypothesis that the global migration of P. corethrurus appears to be limited only by temperature. Five sampling points (monoliths) were established at each of four sites along an altitudinal gradient: Laguna Verde (LV), Ingenio La Concepción (IC), Naolinco (NA) and Acatlán (AC) at 20, 982, 1542 y 1751 masl, respectively. Our results showed that the climate along the altitudinal gradient ranged from tropical to temperate. Ten earthworm species were found along the gradient, belonging to three families (Rhinodrilidae, Megascolecide and Lumbricidae). Soil properties are associated with the abundance of the earthworm community along the altitudinal gradient. P. corethrurus was recorded at three sites (LV, IC and NA) along the altitudinal gradient. Our results reveal that the premise that low temperature limits the distribution of P. corethrurus in not supported; that is, this species may survive and reproduce at the site NA with an average annual temperature of 17 ºC. These results suggested that P. corethrurus might be colonizing temperate environments.
The effects of dietary changes on chimpanzee behavior
Authors: Fultz Amy , Jackson-Jewett Raven , Taylor Kathleen , Philipp Connie , Yanagi Akie , Loeser Erin , Case Leilani
Published: January 2018

Captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) often suffer from obesity-related health issues including arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. It is becoming increasingly common to house captive chimpanzees in large social groups, which may increase aggression due to the competition over limited food resources. In order to improve the health of sanctuary chimpanzees at Chimp Haven, Inc, USA. we recently made some modifications to the chimpanzee’s diet. Diet formulations were created by our veterinarian using recommendations from Association of Zoos and Aquariums Nutrition Advisory Groups and National Research Council guidelines on daily nonhuman primate caloric needs. The current study examined behavioral changes in the chimpanzees when diet modifications included a reduction in the overall amount of produce given. As dietary changes were being implemented, animal care staff voiced concerns over the possibility of increased competition, abnormal behavior and aggression with the reduction in the amount of produce provided. We observed six groups of chimpanzees (N = 85; M = 34 F = 51, age: range 3-55, mean = 27.8) when produce was provided in the morning and afternoon for seven weeks before and three weeks after the dietary changes were made. We completed two 30 minute scans with six minute intervals per week on each group for a total of 820 scans. Groups ranged in size from 11-23 members (mean = 14.33). Although we found no significant changes in aggressive behavior after the dietary changes (t = .007, p = .99), there was a non-significant tendency towards an increase in abnormal behavior (t = 2.30, p = .06).
Watch out where you sleep: Nocturnal sleeping behaviour of Bay Island lizards
Authors: Mohanty Nitya Prakash , Harikrishnan Surendran , Vasudevan Karthikeyan
Published: January 2018

Sleeping exposes lizards to predation. Therefore, sleeping strategies must be directed towards avoiding predation and might vary among syntopic species. We studied sleeping site characteristics of two syntopic, congeneric lizards - the Bay Island forest lizard, Coryphophylax subcristatus and the short-tailed Bay Island lizard, C. brevicaudus and evaluated inter-specific differences. We measured structural, microclimatic and potential predator avoidance at the sleeping perches of 386 C. subcristatus and 185 C. brevicaudus. Contrary to our expectation, we found similar perch use in both species. The lizards appeared to use narrow girth perch plants and accessed perches by moving both vertically and horizontally. Most lizards slept on leaves, with their heads directed towards the potential path of a predator approaching from the plant base. There was no inter-specific competition in the choices of sleeping perches. These choices indicate an anti-predator strategy involving both tactile and visual cues. This study provides insight into a rarely studied behaviour in reptiles and its adaptive significance.
Viruses' origin could relate to the act of prey among primitive life forms during the old ages
Authors: Abbas Eslam
Published: January 2018

Viruses could have originated from the frantic competition to survive among the primitive life forms of the old ages. This is the result of this new hypothesis which proposes that viruses could have originated as remnants of primitive microorganisms disintegration. The destruction can have resulted from an attack of other cells for the purpose of nutrition or imposing control on the nutritional sources. This view is conclusive and can replace old hypotheses and additionally, it is flexible and explains virus diversity.
Virus origin could relate to the act of prey among primitive life forms
Authors: Abbas Eslam
Published: January 2018

Viruses could have originated from the frantic competition to survive among primitive life forms. This is the result of this new hypothesis which proposes that viruses could have originated as remnants of the disintegration of primitive microorganisms. The disintegration can have resulted from an attack of other cells for the purpose of nutrition or imposing control on the nutritional sources. This view is conclusive and can replace old hypotheses and additionally, it is flexible and explains virus diversity.
A road map for a sustainable cocoa development in Togo, West Africa
Authors: Dendi Daniele
Published: January 2018

Cacao production is one of the most important agro-forestry practice in West Africa. In Togo, cacao production is concentrated in the hilly area in the south-west of the country, close to the political border with Ghana. In this commentary paper, I summarize some of the main issues faced by cacao production value chain in Togo, highlighting its connections with poverty alleviation and ecosystem management and conservation practices. A road map of future needs is also presented and discussed.
The macroevolution of size and complexity in insect male genitalia
Authors: Rudoy Andrey , Ribera Ignacio
Published: January 2018

The evolution of insect male genitalia has received much attention, but there is still a lack of data on the macroevolutionary origin of its extraordinary variation. We used a calibrated molecular phylogeny of 71 of the 150 known species of the beetle genus Limnebius to study the evolution of the size and complexity of the male genitalia in its two subgenera, Bilimneus, with small species with simple genitalia, and Limnebius s.str., with a much larger variation in size and complexity. We reconstructed ancestral values of complexity (perimeter and fractal dimension of the aedeagus) and genital and body size with Bayesian methods. Complexity evolved more in agreement with a Brownian model, although with evidence of weak directional selection to a decrease or increase in complexity in the two subgenera respectively, as measured with an excess of branches with negative or positive change. On the contrary, aedeagus size, the variable with the highest rates of evolution, had a lower phylogenetic signal, without significant differences between the two subgenera in the average change of the individual branches of the tree. Aedeagus size also had a lower correlation with time and no evidence of directional selection. Rather than to directional selection, it thus seems that the higher diversity of the male genitalia in Limnebius s.str. is mostly due to the larger variance of the phenotypic change in the individual branches of the tree for all measured variables.
RNA interference in gene cloning/expression
Authors: Bhardwaj Vikash
Published: January 2018

DNA cloning is a simple, straightforward process. It has been put into practice as a standard lab procedure for cloning the gene of interest for specific protein expression and other molecular or cellular studies. The present study is the first of its kind to hypothesize the formation of interfering recombinant plasmid during a DNA cloning reaction that is believed to interfere with the protein or gene expression. This might lead to a false conclusion in a cellular study and also may lower the protein expression during the production stage.
Raw material procurement for termite fishing tools in wild chimpanzees
Authors: Pascual-Garrido Alejandra , Sommer Volker , Almeida-Warren Katarina
Published: January 2018

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) termite fishing has been studied for decades. However, we still know little about how raw material for the extraction of tools is obtained. This is particularly true for potential selection criteria and what these imply for underlying cognitive mechanisms, such as forward planning. We employed traditional archaeological methods while studying termite fishing in two ecologically distinct habitats in western Tanzania: the Kasekela community, with approximately 55 habituated individuals who reside in the forests and woodlands of Gombe; and the Issa community of around 67 members, in process of habituation, who live in the more open, drier woodland-savannah of the Issa Valley. Results suggest that chimpanzees select particular species as tool sources, many of which are also food plants. Chimpanzees at both sites chose three identical species, perhaps for their especially suitable physical properties, like bark that is easy to peel off. At both sites, chimpanzees used plants close to termite mounds, but also from further away (up to 35 m), indicating a mixed strategy of opportunism and forward thinking. The populations also differed, in that Issa chimpanzees clearly preferred bark as raw material, while Gombe chimpanzees also used twigs and grass. Moreover, a quarter of sourced plants at Issa were not visible from the mound, and, compared to Gombe, on average 5 m further away. These disparities are likely caused by environmental differences, in that the more open and drier habitat at Issa might necessitate a higher degree of planning.
Constructing social identity? Potential non-nutritional functions of chimpanzee insectivory
Authors: Buba Umaru , Sommer Volker , Jesus Goncalo , Pascual-Garrido Alejandra
Published: January 2018

Many animals, including humans and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), eat insects, although frequencies vary greatly between populations. Insects are traditionally either seen as desired nourishment or a fallback fare compensating a shortage of preferred foods. We test these explanations against long-term data on chimpanzees at Gashaka, Nigeria. Here, chimpanzees harvest army ants much more frequently than elsewhere, while termite eating is completely absent. We report a pattern of strict seasonality in terms of rainfall and pronounced peaks in the abundance of fruit, the chimpanzees’ preferred staple food. Even so, evidence based on recovered ant-dipping wands and chimpanzee faecal samples indicates that myrmecophagy does not decrease when fruit becomes more abundant. Instead, ant-eating is virtually constant year round and chimpanzees eat them every other day or so. This contradicts the fallback hypothesis and supports the hypothesis of ants as preferred food. Army ants may thus serve as a supplement or complement in terms of macro - or micronutrients to the chimpanzees. Nevertheless, it remains puzzling why termites are not eaten at Gashaka, despite apparent availability and technological skills to extract insects. We therefore propose that dietary choices are also likely to contain a social element. The non-consumption of a perfectly edible food-item may reflect a "taboo" that comes at some cost. Similarly, army ant gathering is associated with painful bites, and self-experiments suggest that the highly chitinous insects do not taste well, compared to smaller arboreal ants and termites. We speculate that, in this way, mental concepts of identity versus otherness may develop that strengthen group cohesion. We do not have sufficient data for Nigeria, but speculations about social identity based on community-dependent behavioural uniformity are open to empirical testing. The principal method would be to document natural instances of “acculturation”, when female chimpanzees transfer from their natal into a neighbouring community.
COMODI: An ontology to characterise differences in versions of computational models in biology
Authors: Scharm Martin , Waltemath Dagmar , Mendes Pedro , Wolkenhauer Olaf
Published: January 2018

Motivation: Open model repositories provide ready-to-reuse computational models of biological systems. Models within those repositories evolve over time, leading to many alternative and subsequent versions. Taken together, the underlying changes reflect a model’s provenance and thus can give valuable insights into the studied biology. Currently, however, changes cannot be semantically interpreted. To improve this situation, we developed an ontology of terms describing changes in computational biology models. The ontology can be used by scientists and within software to characterise model updates at the level of single changes. When studying or reusing a model, these annotations help with determining the relevance of a change in a given context.

Methods: We manually studied changes in selected models from BioModels and the Physiome Model Repository. Using the BiVeS tool for difference detection, we then performed an automatic analysis of changes in all models published in

these repositories. The resulting set of concepts led us to define candidate terms for the ontology. In a final step, we aggregated and classified these terms and built the first version of the ontology.

Results: We present COMODI, an ontology needed because COmputational MOdels DIffer. It empowers users and software to describe changes in a model on the semantic level. COMODI also enables software to implement user-specific filter options for the display of model changes. Finally, COMODI is the next step towards predicting how a change in a model influences the simulation study.

Conclusion: COMODI, coupled with our algorithm for difference detection, ensures the transparency of a model’s evolution and it enhances the traceability of updates and error corrections.

Availability: COMODI is encoded in OWL. It is openly available at http://comodi.sems.uni-rostock.de/.
On the occurrence of fossil conifers with affinities to Geinitzia in the late Cretaceous (Campanian) Mesaverde Group, Williams Fork Formation of northeastern Utah, U.S.A.
Authors: Burger Benjamin J , Ward Christopher J
Published: January 2018

In this paper we describe fossil conifer branches discovered in the Mesaverde Group, Williams Fork Formation in northeastern Utah, along Snake John Reef. Fossil conifers from the Campanian of northeastern Utah have not been previously studied, despite their common occurrence in the formation. The recovered fossils closely resemble Geinitzia known from the late Cretaceous of Europe, with several previous reported occurrences in North America, including New Jersey and Southern Utah. The fossils share morphological characteristics with Geinitzia, exhibiting short spirally arranged thin needles, with appressed scale-like leaves along the shoots. They differ from Araucarites in that the appressed needles are more scale like and smaller, and differ from the members of the modern Araucariaceae in lacking broad bases to the needles, although the fossils resemble the modern species Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Island Pine) native to the South Pacific. The observed branching pattern in the fossil reflects similarities found in the Cupressaceae Family, and Geinitzia may be regarded as an early member of this group, or having an affinity to fossil Araucariaceae conifers, which despite having a modern southern hemisphere geographic distribution today were widespread during the late Mesozoic, extending across North America and Europe.
Largest global shark biomass found in the northern Galápagos Islands of Darwin and Wolf
Authors: Salinas de León Pelayo , Acuña-Marrero David , Rastoin Etienne , Friedlander Alan M , Donovan Mary K , Sala Enric
Published: January 2018

Overfishing has dramatically depleted sharks and other large predatory fishes worldwide except for a few remote and/or well-protected areas. The islands of Darwin and Wolf in the far north of the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) are known for their large shark abundance, making them a global scuba diving and conservation hotspot. Here we report quantitative estimates of fish abundance at Darwin and Wolf over two consecutive years using stereo-video surveys, which reveal the largest reef fish biomass ever reported (17.5 t ha-1 on average), consisting largely of sharks. Despite this, the abundance of reef fishes around the GMR, such as groupers, has been severely reduced because of unsustainable fishing practices. Although Darwin and Wolf are within the GMR, they were not fully protected from fishing until March 2016. Given the ecological value and the economic importance of Darwin and Wolf for the dive tourism industry, the current protection should ensure the long-term conservation of this hotspot of unique global value.
Microbial diversity of extreme habitats in human homes
Authors: Savage Amy M. , Hills Justin , Driscoll Katherine , Fergus Daniel J , Grunden Amy M , Dunn Robert R
Published: January 2018

Background: High throughput sequencing techniques have opened up the world of microbial diversity to scientists, and a flurry of studies in the most remote and extreme habitats on earth have begun to elucidate the key roles of microbes in ecosystems with extreme conditions. These same environmental extremes can also be found closer to humans; in fact, they can be found in our homes. Here, we used high throughput sequencing techniques to assess microbial diversity in the extreme environments inside human homes (e.g. dishwashers, hot water heaters, washing machine bleach reservoirs, etc.). We focused on habitats in the home with extreme temperature, pH and chemical environmental conditions.

Results: We found that although these habitats supported a lower diversity of microbes than less extreme habitats in the home, there were still diverse microbial assemblages in extreme home environments. Habitats with extreme temperatures alone appeared to be able to support a greater diversity of microbes than habitats with extreme pH or extreme chemical environments alone. Microbial diversity was lowest when habitats had both extreme temperature and one of these other extremes. This interactive effect was strongest when habitats had both extreme temperatures and extreme pH. Under these conditions, taxa with known associations with extreme conditions dominated.

Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of examining interactive effects of multiple environmental extremes on microbial communities. Inasmuch as taxa from extreme environments can be both pathogens and industrially useful, our findings also suggest future work to understand both the threats and opportunities posed by the life in these habitats.
Flash visual evoked potentials in diurnal birds of prey
Authors: Dondi Maurizio , Biaggi Fabio , Di Ianni Francesco , Dodi Pier Luigi , Quintavalla Fausto
Published: January 2018

The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of Flash Visual Evoked Potentials (FVEPs) testing in birds of prey in a clinical setting and to describe the protocol and the baseline data for normal vision in this species. FVEP recordings were obtained from 6 normal adult birds of prey: n. 2 Harris's Hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus), n. 1 Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus), n. 2 Gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus) and n. 1 Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug). Before carrying out VEP tests, all animals underwent neurologic and ophthalmic routine examination. Waveforms were analysed to identify reproducible peaks from random variation of baseline. At least three positive and negative peaks were highlighted in all tracks with elevated repeatability. Measurements consisted of the absolute and relative latencies of these peaks (P1, N1, P2, N2, P3, and N3) and their peak-to-peak amplitudes. Both the peak latency and wave morphology achieved from normal animals were similar to those obtained previously in other animal species. This test can be easily and safely performed in a clinical setting in birds of prey and could be useful for an objective assessment of visual function.
Variation in energy intake of female chimpanzees: comparing estimates based on feeding time versus energy ingestion rates
Authors: Uwimbabazi Moreen , Wrangham Richard W , Machanda Zarin P , Conklin-Brittain Nancy L , Rothman Jessica M , Basuta Gilbert I
Published: January 2018

Different food items can provide calories at different rates, yet nutritional studies of primates are generally based on the proportion of time spent eating different foods. Accordingly, estimates of energy intake are potentially wrong. To assess the importance of this problem we observed 15 female chimpanzees from the Kanyawara chimpanzee community in Kibale National Park, Uganda for 15 months. Feeding rates were recorded and nutritional analyses assembled for 90 food types. Across all foods the mean estimated rate of energy ingestion was 8.8±7.6 Kcals/min. Energy ingestion rates varied among food types (F8,82,=2.24, p<0.05), being higher for ripe fruits (12.2±8.7Kcals/min) than for young leaves (7.8±7.9Kcals/min), piths (6.0±5.2Kcals/min) or seeds (2.8±1.9Kcals/min). Energy ingestion rates estimated assuming high %NDF fermentation (54.3%) were significantly higher than the rates at zero (0%) fermentation (t=6.14, p<0.01). At 54.3% NDF fermentation, estimated energy ingestion rate rose by 20.5% for ripe fruits (9.7 to 12.2 Kcals/min), and by 39.7% for young leaves (4.7 to 7.8Kcals/min). Chimpanzees spent a mean of 304±80 minutes feeding daily, indicating that daily energy intake averaged to 3029 ±1198Kcal. When chimpanzees spent >60% of feeding time on ripe fruits (N=79 days), the average energy intake (3367Kcal) was significantly higher than when they spent >60% of feeding time on herbaceous vegetation (2409Kcal, N=37 days) (F1,114=12.68, p<0.01). Our results highlight the value of using feeding rates to understand chimpanzee nutrition, and suggest that seasonal fluctuation in nutrient intake is more pronounced than indicated by variation in feeding time.
Preferred temperature and thermal breadth of birds wintering in peninsular Spain – the limited effect of temperature on species distribution
Authors: Carrascal Luis M. , Villén-Pérez Sara , Palomino David
Published: January 2018

Background. Availability of environmental energy, as measured by temperature, is expected to limit the abundance and distribution of endotherms wintering at temperate latitudes. A prediction of this hypothesis is that birds should attain their highest abundances in warmer areas. However, there may be a spatial mismatch between species preferred habitats and species preferred temperatures, so some species might end-up wintering in sub-optimal thermal environments. Methods. We model the influence of minimum winter temperature on the relative abundance of 106 terrestrial bird species wintering in peninsular Spain, at 10x10 Km2 resolution, using 95%-quantile regressions. We analyze general trends across species on the shape of the response curves, the environmental preferred temperature (at which the species abundance is maximized), the mean temperature in the area of distribution and the thermal breadth (area under the abundance-temperature curve). Results. There is a large interspecific variability on the thermal preferences and specialization of species. Despite this large variability, there is a preponderance of positive relationships between species abundance and temperature, and on average species attain their maximum abundances in areas 1.9 ºC warmer than the average temperature available in peninsular Spain. The mean temperature in the area of distribution is lower than the thermal preferences of the species, although both parameters are highly correlated. Discussion. Most species prefer the warmest environments to overwinter, which suggests that temperature imposes important restrictions to birds wintering in the Iberian Peninsula. However, most individuals overwinter in locations colder than the species thermal preferences, probably reflecting a limitation of environments combining habitat and thermal preferences. Beyond these general trends, there is a high inter-specific variation in the versatility of species using the available thermal space .
Evidence that St. Helena island is an important multi-use habitat for whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, with the first description of putative mating in this species
Authors: Clingham Elizabeth , Brown Judith , Henry Leeann , Beard Annalea , Dove Alistair D
Published: January 2018

Preliminary observations of whale shark behavioural ecology are presented from St. Helena, a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic. Whale shark sightings by fishers, government biologists and the general public have been recorded by the St. Helena Government since February 1999 and are presented here through to the end of 2014. A total of 328 sightings was collected on an ad hoc basis, a total of 931 animals, although the number of re-sightings within that total is not known. Increases in observations are likely coincident with increases in surveillance and public awareness of the presence of this species in the waters surrounding St Helena. On two occasions, small aggregations of whale sharks were observed at the bay at Jamestown; the animals were engaged in surface feeding behaviour similar to that seen in coastal aggregations in Mexico and Qatar. In contrast to other aggregations, however, animals observed at St Helena were numerically dominated by adult females, although mature males and some juveniles have also been observed. On two occasions, eyewitness accounts of mating behaviour were reported by two different reliable observers. These events took place in 2005 and 2007, both approximately 16 kilometers from shore, at different sites. They both involved belly-to-belly contact behaviour at the surface, in one case involving at least two males. This is the first report of putative mating behaviour in the whale shark. With the presence of both adult and juvenile animals, surface feeding aggregations, apparently pregnant females and the first observations of putative mating, the waters around St Helena are clearly an important multi-use habitat for whale sharks and are worthy of concerted conservation efforts.
Predictive analytics in practice: A novel simulation application for addressing patient flow challenges in today's emergency departments
Authors: Hurwitz Joshua E , Lopiano Kenneth K , Bohrmann Thomas F , Swan Wendy , Falgiani Michael , Tyndall J Adrian
Published: January 2018

Objectives: To develop a flexible software application that uses predictive analytics to enable emergency department (ED) decision-makers in virtually any environment to predict the effects of operational interventions and enhance continual process improvement efforts. To demonstrate the ability of the application's core simulation model to recreate and predict site-specific patient flow in two very different EDs: a large academic center and a freestanding ED. To describe how the application was used by a freestanding ED medical director to match ED resources to patient demand.

Methods: The application was developed through a public-private partnership between University of Florida Health and Roundtable Analytics, Inc., supported by a National Science Foundation Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant. The core simulation technology was designed to be quickly adaptable to any ED using data routinely collected by most electronic health record systems. To demonstrate model accuracy, Monte Carlo studies were performed to predict the effects of management interventions in two distinct ED settings. At one ED, the medical director conducted simulation studies to evaluate the sustainability of the current staffing strategy and inform his decision to implement specific interventions that better match ED resources to patient demand. After implementation of one intervention, the fidelity of the model's predictions was evaluated.

Results: A flexible, cloud-based software application enabling ED decision-makers to predict the effects of operational decisions was developed and deployed at two qualitatively distinct EDs. The application accurately recreated each ED's throughput and faithfully predicted the effects of specific management interventions. At one site, the application was used to identify when increasing arrivals will dictate that the current staffing strategy will be less effective than an alternative strategy. As actual arrivals approached this point, decision-makers used the application to simulate a variety different interventions; this directly informed their decision to implement a new strategy. The observed outcomes resulting from this intervention fell within the range of predictions from the model.

Conclusion: This application overcomes technical barriers that have made simulation modeling inaccessible to key decision-makers in emergency departments. Using this technology, ED managers with no programming experience can conduct customized simulation studies regardless of their ED's volume and complexity. In two very different case studies, the fidelity of the application was established and the application was shown to have a direct positive effect on patient flow. The effective use of simulation modeling promises to replace inefficient trial-and-error approaches and become a useful and accessible tool for hea
Does stature or wingspan length have a positive effect on competitor rankings or attainment of world title bouts in international and elite mixed martial arts?
Authors: Kirk Christopher
Published: January 2018

Background: Whilst most anthropometrical research within sport has focussed on muscle and fat distribution, more studies are measuring the relationship between stature and wingspan, which has been found to be selective criteria in many sports.

Methods: In this study the stature, wingspan and stature-to-wingspan ratio (S:W) was recorded for N = 474 elite and international mixed martial arts (MMA) competitors who appeared in televised bouts over the course of one calendar year. Each weight division was split into three or four ranking groups (RG) depending on division size, as well as into groups depending on if the competitors had won a world title (Ch), competed for a world title (El) or had done neither (In).

Results: One-way ANOVA (≤0.05) found that shorter competitors are ranked higher in flyweight and in the middle in women’s straw weight. Independent t-tests (≤0.05) found that shorter competitors also have more chance of winning or competing for a world title in featherweight and flyweight. Independent t-tests (≤0.05) also found a significant difference between males and female for S:W. There was a weak, negative correlation and a moderate, negative correlation between stature and rank in lightweight and light heavyweight respectively and a moderate, negative correlation between S:W and rank in featherweight. There were no other significant differences found.

Discussion: Overall, whilst MMA competitors have a S:W of 1:1.024, due to the paucity of significant differences found, it was determined that anthropometrical measurements cannot be used to predict success in elite and international mixed martial arts.
The effect of body measurements on success in mixed martial arts
Authors: Kirk Christopher
Published: January 2018

Whilst most anthropometrical research within sport has focussed on muscle and fat distribution, more studies are measuring the relationship between stature and wingspan, which has been found to be selective criteria in many sports. In this study the stature, wingspan and stature-to-wingspan ratio (S:W) was recorded for N = 474 elite and international mixed martial arts (MMA) competitors who appeared in televised bouts over the course of one calendar year. Each weight division was split into three or four ranking groups (RG) depending on division size. One-way ANOVA (≤0.05) found that shorter competitors are ranked higher in flyweight and in the middle in women’s straw weight. Independent t-tests (≤0.05) found that shorter competitors also have more chance of winning or competing for a world title in featherweight and flyweight. Overall, whilst MMA competitors have a S:W of 1:1.024, due to thepaucity of significant differences found, it was determined that anthropometrical measurements cannot be used to predict success in elite and international mixed martial arts.
Time-variant species pools shape competitive dynamics and diversity-ecosystem function relationships in pitcher plant bacterial communities
Authors: Armitage Dave W
Published: January 2018

Biodiversity-ecosystem function (BEF) experiments often employ common garden designs, drawing samples from a local biota. However, the communities from which taxa are sampled may not be at equilibrium. I assembled pools of aquatic bacterial strains isolated at different time points from leaves on the pitcher plant Darlingtonia californica to evaluate the role of a dynamic, host-associated microbiota on the BEF relationship. I constructed experimental communities using bacteria from each time point and measured their respiration rates. Communities assembled from mid-successional species pools showed the strongest positive relationships between community richness and respiration rates, driven primarily by linear additivity among isolates. Diffuse competition was common among all communities but greatest within mid-successional isolates. These results demonstrate the dependence of the BEF relationship on the temporal dynamics of the local species pool, implying that ecosystems may respond differently to the addition or removal of taxa at different points in time during succession.