bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance in a variable world: using Jensen’s inequality to scale up from individuals to populations
Authors: Denny Mark 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBody temperature affects plants’ and animals’ performance, but these effects are complicated by thermal variation through time within an individual and variation through space among individuals in a population. This review and synthesis describes how the effects of thermal variation—in both time and space—can be estimated by applying a simple, nonlinear averaging scheme. The method is first applied to the temporal variation experienced by an individual, providing an estimate of the individual’s average performance. The method is then applied to the scale-dependent thermal variation among individuals, which is modelled as a 1/f-noise phenomenon. For an individual, thermal variation reduces average performance, lowers the temperature of maximum performance (Topt) and contracts the range of viable temperatures. Thermal variation among individuals similarly reduces performance and lowers Topt, but increases the viable range of average temperatures. These results must be viewed with caution, however, because they do not take into account the time-dependent interaction between body temperature and physiological plasticity. Quantifying these interactions is perhaps the largest challenge for ecological and conservation physiologists as they attempt to predict the effects of climate change.
Ocean change within shoreline communities: from biomechanics to behaviour and beyond
Authors: Gaylord Brian , Barclay Kristina M , Jellison Brittany M , Jurgens Laura J , Ninokawa Aaron T , Rivest Emily B , Leighton Lindsey R 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHumans are changing the physical properties of Earth. In marine systems, elevated carbon dioxide concentrations are driving notable shifts in temperature and seawater chemistry. Here, we consider consequences of such perturbations for organism biomechanics and linkages amongst species within communities. In particular, we examine case examples of altered morphologies and material properties, disrupted consumer–prey behaviours, and the potential for modulated positive (i.e. facilitative) interactions amongst taxa, as incurred through increasing ocean acidity and rising temperatures. We focus on intertidal rocky shores of temperate seas as model systems, acknowledging the longstanding role of these communities in deciphering ecological principles. Our survey illustrates the broad capacity for biomechanical and behavioural shifts in organisms to influence the ecology of a transforming world.
Homer's disembodied Siren, the missing player, or, what’s in Faux Rock?
Authors: Tran Han 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWhat are the Homeric Sirens? This article argues that the non-presence of these creatures’ bodies, which has, for the most part, eluded scrutiny, equates to an absence of their promised song. In place of a singing body, Homer’s audience is told only of hushing winds, an island, blooms and sailor bones. I suggest that this entangled presentation is clarified in Siren Serenade (2010), a sculpture by the American artist, Rachel Harrison. The installation, which features a purpose-built black rock, a satellite dish, and a vinyl record with absent turntable, captures both the Sirens’ disembodied voice and the emptiness of their claim. More intriguingly, it also recasts the rock, the Sirens’ island, as disrupting epic teleology, which correlates their home with death. Instead of an endpoint, the deadly island broadcasting the never-to-be-fulfilled promise can be re-read as fitting within a broader scale and as open to lithic ontology. I substantiate this proposition with insights from Jeffrey Cohen’s work on stone, and suggest that the Sirens’ promise of vast knowledge is death only if conceived from the standpoint of the epic hero’s apprehension of immortality through song. In a lithic timescale, the disembodied voice as rock is life, albeit experienced as ‘non-human’.
Assemblage theory and the uses of classical reception: the case of Aristotle Knowsley’s Oedipus
Authors: Ward Marchella 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe metaphors that we use to describe the relationships between texts often carry within them limitations on the relationships that they figure. Classical reception is perhaps the most dominant of these metaphors, structuring the way readers understand the relationships between texts. This is particularly problematic in the early modern period where it is often difficult to account for the relationships between texts using traditional models of influence (a problem that is further amplified in performance). This article uses the example of an Oedipus play written by Aristotle Knowsley sometime between 1596 and 1603 to ask whether thinking about what we more often call ‘receiving texts’ as ‘assemblages’ could offer the study of classical reception a way to confront the restrictions placed upon it by the linearity of literary history. Knowsley’s text — when it is discussed at all — is usually considered to be an amalgamation of Neville’s translation of Seneca’s Oedipus (1563) and Newton’s Thebais (1581), but this restrictive reading, based on assumptions latent in the metaphor ‘classical reception’, excludes a number of texts that participate in productive relationships with the play.
Sexual selection affects the sizes of the mammalian prostate gland and seminal vesicles
Authors: Anderson Matthew J. , Dixson Alan F . 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The accessory reproductive glands of male mammals contribute the bulk of the secretions in which spermatozoa are transported to the female tract during copulation. Despite their morphological diversity, and the chemical complexity of their products, little is known about the possible effects of sexual selection upon these glands in mammals. Here we consider the seminal vesicles and prostate glands in a sample of 89 species and 60 genera representing 8 Orders of mammals. The sizes of the accessory glands are analysed in relation to body weight and testes weight. Both the seminal vesicles size and prostate size (corrected for body weight) correlate positively with relative testes size in this sample; this finding remains highly significant after application of procedures to correct for possible phylogenetic biases in the data set. The accessory reproductive glands are also significantly larger in those mammals which have large relative testes sizes, and in which the likelihood of sperm competition is greatest. These results support the hypothesis that sexual selection has played an important role in the evolution of the mammalian prostate gland and seminal vesicles.
Relative accuracy of spatial predictive models for lynx Lynx canadensis derived using logistic regression-AIC, multiple criteria evaluation and Bayesian approaches
Authors: Kang Hejun , M. Alexander Shelley 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We compared probability surfaces derived using one set of environmental variables in three Geographic Information Systems (GIS) -based approaches: logistic regression and Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC), Multiple Criteria Evaluation (MCE), and Bayesian Analysis (specifically Dempster-Shafer theory). We used lynx Lynx canadensis as our focal species, and developed our environment relationship model using track data collected in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, during winters from 1997 to 2000. The accuracy of the three spatial models were compared using a contingency table method. We determined the percentage of cases in which both presence and absence points were correctly classified (overall accuracy), the failure to predict a species where it occurred (omission error) and the prediction of presence where there was absence (commission error). Our overall accuracy showed the logistic regression approach was the most accurate (74.51%). The multiple criteria evaluation was intermediate (39.22%), while the Dempster-Shafer (D-S) theory model was the poorest (29.90%). However, omission and commission error tell us a different story: logistic regression had the lowest commission error, while D-S theory produced the lowest omission error. Our results provide evidence that habitat modellers should evaluate all three error measures when ascribing confidence in their model. We suggest that for our study area at least, the logistic regression model is optimal. However, where sample size is small or the species is very rare, it may also be useful to explore and/or use a more ecologically cautious modelling approach (e.g. Dempster-Shafer) that would over-predict, protect more sites, and thereby minimize the risk of missing critical habitat in conservation plans.
Microhabitat use by white-footed mice Peromyscus leucopus in forested and old-field habitats occupied by Morrow’s honeysuckle Lonicera morrowii
Authors: Edalgo Jennifer A. , McChesney Holly M. , Love Jason P. , Anderson James T. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We quantified microhabitat use by white-footed mice Peromyscus leucopus in forest and old-field habitats occupied by Morrow’s honeysuckle Lonicera morrowii, an invasive exotic shrub imported from Japan. Microhabitat characteristics were compared between trails used by mice (n = 124) and randomly selected trails (n = 127) in 4 study plots located at Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Farmington, Pennsylvania, USA. We compared 10 microhabitat variables between used and random trails using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. Trails used by mice were statistically different from randomly selected trails in both forested plots (P < 0.008) and old-field plots (P < 0.001). In the forested plots, trails of white-footed mice were more often associated with a greater percent cover (% cover) of coarse woody debris (CWD) than were randomly selected trails. In the old-field plots, mouse trails were commonly characterized by having a lower % cover of exotic herbaceous vegetation, a greater % cover of shrubs, and a greater % cover of Morrow’s honeysuckle than randomly selected trails. Our study indicates that white-footed mice do not move randomly and prefer areas of high structural complexity, thereby showing significant microhabitat preference. The preference of white-footed mice for areas with a relatively high percent cover of Morrow’s honeysuckle could 1) be a factor in the aggressive nature of the exotic honeysuckle shrub’s spread throughout the Battlefield or 2) cause the shrub to spread even faster into adjacent areas not yet occupied by Morrow’s honeysuckle.
Canopy arthropods community within and among oak species in central Mexico
Authors: Tovar-Sanchez Efraĺn 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Quercus rugosa and Q. laurina are species that presents a wide geographical distribution range in temperate forests of Mexico. Oak canopies contain a considerable portion of arthropod diversity and the arthropods fauna fulfill a wide variety of ecological roles. We examined the effect of oak species and seasonal changes on some community structure parameters (diversity, composition, similarity, biomass, rare species, and density of arthropod fauna) of canopy arthropods. In total, 40 oak canopies were fogged during rainy and dry season. A total of 614 identified arthropod morphospecies were recognized belonging to 22 orders associated with tree canopies. A separation of host tree species during both seasons, suggesting a different community structure on host plants species was demonstrated by the principal component analyses (PCA), therefore, differences between oak species results in phenotypes that structure the composition of the arthropod community. Q. laurina registered the highest densities, diversity index and number of rare species in comparison with Q. rugosa. While arthropod biomass showed an inverse pattern. Trees more close to one another (spatial distance) register a more similar canopy arthropod fauna. This study suggests that the trees of Q. laurina could act as a center of biodiversity by the accumulation of arthropod fauna with a considerable number of rare species, which presents wide ecological roles or is involved in critical processes that maintain forest ecosystems.
Population response of rodents to control with rodenticides
Authors: Shilova S.A. , Tchabovsky A.V. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We summarize theoretical approaches and practice of rodent pest control in Russia and former USSR during last 50 years. We review literature as well as original data to understand mechanisms of rodent populations recovery after chemical control campaigns in urban areas, agricultural lands and natural foci of plague. Laboratory and field experiments indicate that inherent individual variation in behavioural, physiological and life-history traits provides survival of heterogeneous mix of individuals in residual population with increased resistance to poisonous baits and high reproductive potential that leads to fast recovery of a population. In a series of field experiments with various rodent and lagomorph species (Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Meriones unguiculatus, M.meridianus, M.tamariscinus, Ochotona pallasii) we have shown that patterns of recolonization of depopulated area and mechanisms of population recovery vary among species and depend on species-specific social organization. After control territorial and group-living species demonstrated an increase in mobility and affiliative and marking behaviour and a decrease in intraspecific aggression. The rate of recolonization of treated areas was high due to redistribution of survived individuals and immigration by neighbors. Population recovered to original level due to increased breeding performance and fecundity of both survived residents and immigrants. In contrast socially-independent species exhibited minor changes in behaviour. Recolonization was mainly due to better survival and recruitment of youngs, so the rate of recolonization was low. Species-specificity of behavioural compensation mechanisms to control should be considered when developing ecologically based rodent management strategies.
Effects of stochastic food deprivation on energy budget, body mass and activity in Swiss mice
Authors: Zhao Zhijun , Cao Jing , Tian Ye , Wang Ruirui , Wang Guiying 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
When small animals are faced with an unpredictable food supply, they can adapt by altering different components of their energy budget such as energy intake, metabolic rate, rate of non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) or behaviour. The present study examined the effect of stochastic food deprivation (FD) on body mass, food intake, resting metabolic rate (RMR), NST and behaviour in male Swiss mice. During a period of 4 weeks’ FD, animals were fed ad libitum for a randomly assigned 4 days each week, but were deprived of food for the other 3 days. The results showed that body mass significantly dropped on FD days compared to controls. Food intake of FD mice increased significantly on ad libitum days, ensuring cumulative food intake, final body mass, fat mass, RMR and NST did not differ significantly from controls. Moreover, gastrointestinal tract mass increased in FD mice, but digestibility decreased. In general, activity was higher on deprived days, and feeding behaviour was higher on ad libitum days suggesting that Swiss mice are able to compensate for stochastic FD primarily by increasing food intake on ad libitum days, and not by reducing energy expenditure related to RMR or NST.
Detection of α2u-globulin in rat pup preputial gland by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Ponmanickam Ponnirul , Jebamercy Gnanasekaran , Archunan Govindaraju , Kannan Soundrapandian 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The α2u-globulin, a soluble protein identified in the urine and preputial gland of adult male rat is reported to be pheromone carrier. The pup preputial gland plays a significant role in chemical communication for mother-young interaction; however, the presence of a pheromone-carrying protein in the pup preputial gland has not been confirmed. Therefore, the present study was carried out to identify the α2u-globulin in the pup preputial gland by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). The preputial glands of prepubertal rats were subjected to one-dimensional SDS-PAGE. In-gel trypsin digestion of a 18 kDa band was carried out and analyzed by MALDI-TOF. The results of a MASCOT search showed the presence of α2u-globulin in the 18 kDa band. In contrast to the report of the synthesis of this protein only in adult rats, the identification of this protein in pup preputial gland is significant. The results suggest that synthesis of α2u-globulin in the rat preputial gland starts in the prepubertal stage itself. In prepubertal rats, the preputial gland is a source of pheromone for performing anogenital licking behaviour by the mother rat. Since α2u-globulin belongs to the lipocalin (ligand carrier) family, it might carry the volatile for processing pheromonal communication in mother-pup bonding in rat.
Uropygial gland volatiles may code for olfactory information about sex, individual, and species in Bengalese finches Lonchura striata
Authors: Zhang Jian-Xu , Sun Lixing , Zuo Ming-Xue 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Over-shadowed by eye-catching vocal and visual signals, chemical communication has long been overlooked in birds. This study aimed at exploring whether volatile composition of the uropygial gland secretion (UGS) of birds was associated with the information about sex, individual and species. By using dichloromethane extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), we analyzed the UGS volatiles of domesticated Bengalese finches (Lonchura striata, Estrildiea) which is also known as white-rumped munias. We characterized 16 volatile molecules from the UGS, including eight n-alkanols, five diesters, an ester, an aldehyde and a fatty acid, and quantified them in terms of GC peak area percentages (relative abundances). Among these compounds, hexadecanol and octadecanol were major components in both sexes. The former was richer in males than in females and the latter richer in females than in males, suggesting that they might be male and female pheromone candidates, respectively. The high inter-individual variations, in relative abundance, of the UGS volatiles implied that these compounds might carry information about individuality. The similarity between GC profiles of the UGS and wing feather from same individuals indicates that the birds might preen the secretion to their feathers to transmit chemical cues. Additionally, by comparing with three sympatric passerine species, i. e., zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata, yellow-bowed buntings Emberiza chrysophrys and rooks Corvus frugilegus, we found that the composition of C13 - C18 alkanols in the UGS might code for information about species. Our study also showed that quantitative differences (degree) of same UGS volatiles might be the key for the Bengalese finch to code for information about sex and individuality whereas both the kind and degree of UGS constituents could be utilized to code for information about species.
Food resource and temporal partitioning amongst a guild of predatory agroecosystem-inhabiting ant species
Authors: Agarwal Vivek Mohan , Rastogi Neelkamal 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Prey diversity and temporal foraging patterns of six abundant. predatory ant species were investigated Seasonally in an agroecosystem with two main vegetable crops. Pheidole sp. demonstrated the highest predation success and therefore appears to be the dominant species while Tapinoma melanocephalum showed the lowest success under the natural field conditions. Investigation of prey diversity and temporal activity patterns with the null model tests of niche overlap revealed a significant overlap indicating that the activity periods and prey diversity may not be solely influenced by interactions among the co-existing ant species. However, niche partitioning in the daily peak activity periods was demonstrated during all the three seasons (summer, rainy and winter) particularly between Pheidole sp. and T. melanocephalum. Pheidole sp. exhibited a high intensity, broadly extended mono-modal foraging patterns. Camponotus compressus and C. paria showed bi-modality in their foraging activity during the rainy season and mono-modal patterns during summer and winter seasons. Pachycondyla tesserinoda, Tetramorium sp. and T. melanocephalum exhibited peak foraging artivities in the morning hours during the summer and rainy seasons. The activity profiles of C. compressus and T. melanocephalum were skewed towards late afternoon hours during the winter season indicating avoidance of foraging activity during the favourable periods when the more aggressive Pheidole sp. is active. In the sponge gourd agroccosystem, the ants captured predominantly hymenopteran, orthopteran and coleopteran insects. While Pheidole sp. hunted mainly the large orthopteran prey, other ant species captured worker ants in the sponge gourd agroecosystem. In the cauliflower agroecosystem, while other species captured prey chiefly belonging to six orders, i. e., Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Isoptera and Diptera, Pheidole sp. and P. tesserinoda were the only species to also hunt many orthopteran prey. The agroecosystem-inhabiting ant species prey on a large number and wide variety of insect herbivores as evident from the differences in the peak foraging times and the proportion of each type of prey hunted. Overall, our results indicate that the structure of agroecosystem-inhabiting ant assemblage may be influenced by a variety of factors including competition, temporal heterogeneities, prey availability and its characteristics such as size and mobility.
Characterization of the cDNA encoding a BPI/LBP homologue in venom gland of the hundred-pace snake Deinagkistrodon acutus
Authors: Hu Jianrao , Cao Mingfu , Chen Jiong 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and LPS-binding protein (LBP) play an important role in host defence. Current evidence shows that BPI/ LBP may be widely existed in different cells and tissue types of animals. A full-length cDNA clone encoding a BPI/LBP homologue (dBPI), 1757 bp in size, was characterized in venom gland of the hundred-pace snake Deinagkistrodon acutus. Its deduced amino acid sequence of 417 residues had 13.8% - 21.5% identity to BPI like 1 (BPILl) and BPI like 3 (BPIL3) of other animals. Conserved cysteine residues which are involved in disulfide bond formation between the final strand of the N-terminal beta sheet and the long alpha helix of BPI are identified as Cysl46-Cysl83 of dBPI. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the BPI/LBP homologues formed five large clusters and dBPI was in a large cluster including BPILl and BPIL3. dBPI mRNA shows a tissue specific expression in venom gland. This is the first study to identify the cDNA encoding BPI/LBP homologues from reptiles.