bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An analysis of the selection of small African mammals by two break‐back traps
Authors: Neal B. R. , Cock A. G. 
Published: August 2009

The records of animals caught by two kinds of breakback trap (Reporter and Museum Special) have been analysed to investigate the ways in which the catch of a trap may be selective. The data comprise 1583 individuals belonging to 12 species of small mammal.The Reporter trap tends, in two distinct ways, to catch individuals which are heavier. Firstly, the proportion of the total catch of a given species caught by Reporter increases with the mean weight of the species. Secondly, within each species (with one trivial exception) the individuals caught by Reporter are, on average, heavier, the mean difference being 36%. In both of these respects significant species x trap interactions remain after the effect of species mean weight have been corrected for.
The mammary gland of the echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus' with observations on the incubation of the egg and on the newly‐hatched young
Authors: Griffiths Mervyn , McIntosh D. L. , Coles R. E. A. 
Published: August 2009

During the non‐breeding season the lobules of the mammary glands consist of solid cords of cells which may occasionally be embedded in a pad of fat tissue.During the breeding season some mammary glands can exhibit a tubular grade of organization and can even secrete milk without the intervention of pregnancy. Apparently the stimulus of pregnancy and incubation of an egg in the pouch is generally, but not invariably necessary for development of an alveolar grade of organization. The ducts leading from the lobules to the skin of the areola undergo hypertrophy during the course of lactation.The present work shows that the gestation period is at least 16 days long but evidence in the literature shows it may be as long as 27 days. The incubation period of an egg in the pouch was found to be of the order of 10–10·5 days.A newly‐hatched echidna weighed 378 mg and was 1·47 cm long; it exhibited an egg tooth and the remains of foetal membranes attached to the abdomen. The newly‐hatched had well‐developed olfactory organs including sensory cells in the olfactory epithelium. The alimentary tract exhibited a degree of differentiation consistent with the notion that it could digest milk.The fatty acid composition of the triglyceride fraction of a sample of milk taken just after hatching differed from that of mature milk in that the ratio of the concentration of oleic acid to palmitic acid in the early milk was about unity whereas it was 3·7 in mature milk. A high level of arachidonic acid may be a characteristic of the milk at hatching.Iron was present in a concentration of 8·3 μg/ml in the early milk, and of 43·0 μ/mlg/ml in a sample of mature milk. The regression of the mammary glands from the alveolar to the solid‐cord state is described.Two corpora lutea of pregnancy, taken about 11 and 19 days after egg laying, were degenerate.
Feeding and digestion in Dinophilus gyrociliatus (Annelida: Archiannelida)
Authors: Jennings J. B. , Gelder S. R. 
Published: August 2009

The littoral archiannelid Dinophilus gyrociliatus Schmidt 1857 is microphagous and feeds on bacteria, protozoa, unicellular algae, diatoms and organic detritus. Two types of feeding mechanisms are used and both are relatively unselective. In the first, suspended particles brought to the head in water currents set up by the beating of transverse ciliated bands are trapped in mucus and swept laterally and ventrally on to the under surface of the head, where further ciliary activity conveys them posteriorly to the mouth.In the second feeding method the proboscis dislodges microscopic food from the sub‐stratum and freed particles are collected by ventral cilia and passed into the mouth.Mucus discharged into the mouth facilitates ingestion and other non‐mucoid secretions are poured on to the food as it passes from the oesophagus into the proventriculus where it accumulates. The proboscis is then periodically thrust up the oesophagus to drive the accumulated material onwards into the stomach.Digestion is entirely extracellular. Proteolysis initiated in the stomach by endopeptidases secreted by acidophilic glands in the stomach wall is completed in the posterior region of the stomach and in the intestine by exopeptidases produced by other components of the gut epithelium. Acid phosphatase activity is present throughout the gut epithelium at all times, irrespective of the nutritive state of the animal, but alkaline phosphatase can be demonstrated only whilst food is present in the gut. This enzyme is confined to a thin distal band below the cilia of the stomach and intestine, and reaches maximum activity in the intestinal wall 18 h after feeding, indicating that it is concerned with absorption of the products of digestion.Fat deposits occur in the stomach wall and constitute the main food reserve. Amyloid granules are laid down subepidermally in the anterior region of the body and there is some evidence that these too are utilized during periods of food shortage.
Feeding and the control of volume within the tests of regular sea‐urchins
Authors: Buchanan John B. 
Published: August 2009

The rigid, fluid filled, echinoid test presents problems of internal volume control when the vital functions of the animal involve the introduction of material, from outside the test, into the internal fluid systems. The volume of food in the guts of echinoids can be shown to vary considerably in the short term, to an extent which demands considerable capabilities for internal volume compensation. This is achieved by adjusting the quantity of fluid held within the gut so that, although the volume of food may vary widely, the total volume of the gut remains constant within narrow limits. The volume of gut fluid varies inversely with the quantity of food, and ingestion of food through the mouth is compensated by ejection of an equal volume of fluid from the anus. Defaecation is compensated by intake of fluid into the gut. On starvation, the gut becomes completely fluid filled and free from food.The food of regular urchins is habitually compacted into regularly sized subpherical pellets covered with a tough mucus coating. The formation of coated pellets takes place in the buccal cavity and pharynx. The pellets remain discrete throughout their passage along the gut. The mucus coating resists digestion and remains intact even after defaecation. The functional morphology of the buccal cavity and pharynx is described in detail.It is suggested that the functional significance of the pellets is associated with the gut fluid, volume compensation mechanism, which requires free flow of fluid throughout the length of the gut. It is also suggested that the siphon may be implicated in volume control, where fine adjustment of gut volume can be achieved by balancing ejection of fluid from the anus with intake of water through the mouth, but that the water intake is by the siphonal route, thus avoiding the necessity of flushing and diluting the enzyme rich digestive stomach region.
Studies on the pelvis in British Muridae and Cricetidae (Rodentia)
Authors: Brown J. Clevedon , Twigg G. I. 
Published: August 2009

The morphology and its variation of the bony pelvis in British species of Muridae and Cricetidae have been studied. The investigation began with the application of a mensural method for demonstrating sexual dimorphism and it is shown that for all species except those of Rattus the male os coxa can be distinguished from the female over a wide range of ages. During the study it became obvious that there are ranges of morphological variation in os coxae both inter‐ and intraspecific. There are constant interpecific differences which allow identification of os coxae of these rodents at least to genus and in many cases to species. Detailed descriptions of the morphology of the os coxa of each species are given together with an identification key. Intraspecific variation is mainly sex‐dependent and comprises sexual dimorphism, male pubertal changes and female parturition changes. The changes in the male are from epicene, through pubertal, to post‐pubertal phase, with the first of these resembling the agonadal, female, form and the last with a posterior border thickened and tuberculate in relation to the hypertrophied penis and its associated glands and musculature. These phases are not equally obvious in all species, but the pelvis in all except Rattus and Mus shows some evidence of the sexual development of the animal. In females the form of the pelvis may be modified during successive pregnancies to allow a wider pelvic outlet for parturition. Resorption and remoulding of the female pelvis allows the recognition of non‐parous, uniparous and multiparous animals in all Cricetid species, in Micromys and, more doubtfully, in Mus, but not in Apodemus and Rattus. Non‐sex‐dependent intraspecific variation, comprising differences in rugosity related to muscularity is also described.The observations are discussed in relation to earlier experimental work, to the need for basic research on small mammal reproduction and population structure, and to the use of the pelvis in the analysis of osteological assemblages, such as occur in owl pellets.
The absorption of antibody by the duodenum and jejunum in young rats
Authors: Morris B. , Begley D. 
Published: August 2009

Experiments were performed to test the capacity of parts of the small intestine of rats aged27–29 days to absorb homologous antibody and transmit it to the circulation. No antibody absorption occurs after the oral administration of immune serum to rats of this age, for the postnatal transfer of immunity normally terminates at about20–21 days.Antibody is readily absorbed and transmitted to the circulation from homologous immune serum introduced into the duodenum of27–28 day animals, after removal of the duodenal contents by flushing out with warm saline. Absorption and transmission occurs in some animals even if the duodenal contents are not previously removed. The animals used in these experiments were left with their mothers until shortly before the operation.No transmission of antibody occurred when comparable experiments were performed on young rats aged27–28 days that had been weaned at the usual age of20–21 days.Similar experiments were performed on the first segment of the jejunum. The results obtained are discussed in relation to the pinocytic activity of the epithelial components of the duodenum‐jejunum.
Serum proteins in young hedgehogs
Authors: Morris B. , Rudge Gail 
Published: August 2009

Four serum protein components are present at birth: α‐, β‐ and γ‐globulins and albumin.The preferential transfer of γ rather than β‐globulin, which occurs both prenatally and postnatally in this species, is reflected in the initial amounts of these proteins present at birth and in the relatively rapid increase in the concentration of γ‐globulin which occurs postnatally. By five weeks of age seven protein components are discernible in the serum, which is comparable in this respect to adult serum.The albumin/globulin ratio changes from about 1.5 at birth to about 0.3‐0.4 in the active adult.
An ecological study of the cavernicolous fauna of the Nullarbor Plain Southern Australia
Authors: Richards Aola M. 
Published: August 2009

The Nullarbor Plain is a low plateau of Tertiary limestone in southern Australia. Its caves may be classified as deep or shallow. They occur in the inland open shrub steppe zone, and the coastal mingled arid scrub and semi‐arid mallee zone. Comparison is made between surface, doline and cave climate in both regions, and the significance of the special climatic conditions on the fauna is discussed. Although caves appear extremely dry, relative humidity is fairly high. Animal burrows have a microclimate intermediate between caves and surface. Plants on the surface are xerophytes, and many are halophytes; but in the dolines they are less salt‐tolerant and require moister, more sheltered conditions. Many vertebrates use the caves as temporary shelters, while others may be trapped in them accidentally. Nineteen species are recorded–eight mammals, eight birds and three reptiles.Arthropods are the principal inhabitants of the caves. Ninety‐five species belonging to 17 orders and 58 families are recorded from 47 caves, and their distribution is given. Of these 25 % are accidentals, 17 % trogloxenes, 52 % troglophiles and 6 % troglobites. About 80 % are identified to genus or species. Within the caves four biotopes are examined–the Parietal Association, the Guano Association, the Dark Zone and the Liquid Medium. The species are grouped into several associations within the first three biotopes–on walls, on floor, under stones, around carcases, amongst guano and decaying vegetation. No macroscopic species have been found in the underground lakes. Only one arthropod species is definitely associated with deep as opposed to shallow caves. About 69% of the species are predators or saprophages; the rest are coprophages, necrophages or ectoparasites. Saprophages or coprop‐hages comprise the greatest number of individuals in the population. Food preferences are listed for a number of arthropods, and a generalized food web has been constructed. Some species travel considerable distances throughout the caves, and a number of Dark Zone species are recorded on the entrance talus slope, in the dolines, or on the surface. About 59 % of the species are known only from a single cave, but 29 % are widely distributed across the plain. Cave “breathing”, the cool, humid night climate, strong winds, occasional heavy rain and numerous animal burrows all contribute to the distribution of cave‐frequenting species across the plain. Subterranean migration may also occur. The cave arthropods may be divided into two groups, one much older geologically than the other. It is suggested that specific climatic conditions have been required for colonization of the caves, and these are considered in relation to current information on the Quaternary climate of the Nullarbor. Much recent colonization has been by species from eastern Australia.
The effect of ambient temperature on the arousal frequency of the hibernating Greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus fermmequinum, in relation to site selection and the hibernation state
Authors: Ransome R. D. 
Published: August 2009

Undisturbed hibernating Greater horseshoe bats were studied over three winters to find the effect of temperature on arousal frequency, timing of arousals and the selection of a hibernation site. The study showed that temperature is important in all three aspects and the ability to select a temperature zone accurately is an important factor in the survival of hibernation by a bat.The arousal frequency falls with falling ambient temperature then seems to rise again below 6°C. There is a clear seasonal effect, bats waking up on average once a day at 10.5°C in winter compared with 8.5°C in spring. An arousal frequency of once in six days occurs at 8°C in winter compared with 6°C in spring. This shift of 2°C is compensated for by a shift of 2°C in temperature selection by the bats in relation to the same external climatic temperatures on the day of arousal. It appears that bats may select the temperature zone which, if prolonged, will result in the most advantageous arousal frequency in relation to feeding experiences.The seasonal effect discovered indicates that inhibition of the arousal process is important in hibernation and a hormone is postulated.
Observations on the pituitary gland of some members of the suborder Suiformes (Mammalia: Artiodactyla)
Authors: Allanson Marjorie 
Published: August 2009

The macroscopical and microscopical anatomy of the pituitary gland of the warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) is described and compared with that of the Vietnam pig (a domestic race of Sus scrofa). The glands of the two animals differ considerably in shape but agree in anatomical details.The morphological and histochemical characteristics of cells of the pars distalis are described in the warthog, bush pig (Potamochoerus porcus), Vietnam pig (all members of the family Suidae) and hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius: Hippopotamidae). Close agreement was found between five cell types of the warthog and bush pig and the corresponding cell types in the domestic pig. The mucoid cells of the less closely related hippopotamus differed from those of the domestic pig in some morphological details.
Blood protozoa of wild carnivores in Central Africa*
Authors: Keymer I. F. , BROCKLESBY D. W. 
Published: August 2009

Blood protozoa of wild carnivores from Central Africa are described. Genetta tigrina appears to be a new host record for Nuttallia garnhami which is described and compared with the parasite discovered by Heisch (1952).Intra‐leucocytic and extra‐cellular stages of a Hepatozoon sp. were found in the blood of Genetta rubiginosa and G. tigrina, and also schizonts in the liver and cardiac muscle of G. rubiginosa. The parasites are described in detail. Two forms of schizont were found in the heart and both differed from the one found in the liver. The gametocytes most closely resemble H. chattoni of Crocuta crocuta. Schizonts in Genetta spp. have not been described previously.Intra‐leucocytic gametocytes and extra‐cellular forms in the blood, and the schizonts of a Hepatozoon sp. are described from Panther a (Pantherd) pardus. Two forms of schizont were found, both in cardiac muscle and lungs. The gametocytes are indistinguishable from H, canis of the dog and haemogregarines of Canis {Canis) adustus and P. (Leo) leo. Unlike the Hepatozoon of the dog and C. (C.) adustus, no schizonts could be found in liver, bone marrow, spleen or lymph nodes. Schizonts have not been described previously from P. (P.) pardus.There was no evidence that any of the parasites were pathogenic.No parasites were found in C. (C.) adustus; Lycaon pictus; Viverra (Civettictis) civet ta; Herpestes (Galerella) sanguineus; Ichneumia albicauda or Crocuta crocuta.
The life history and ecology of the millipede Tymbodesmus falcatus (Polydesmida: Gomphoclesmidae) in northern Nigeria with notes on Sphenodesmus sheribongensis
Authors: Lewis J. G. E. 
Published: August 2009

The life history of the gomphodesmid millipede Tymbodesmus falcatus in Zaria, Nigeria is described. Larvae of stadia I to VI are soil‐dwelling, stadium VII and adults are surface active. Tymbodesmus probably completes its life cycle in two years; the adults are relatively shortlived and die before the onset of the dry season. The species survives the dry season as dia‐pausing larvae in moulting chambers in the soil.The biology of Sphenodesmus is, in general, similar to that of Tymbodesmus.Body form in the species is described and compared with that found in other polydesmoids. A possible relationship between brood size and the degree of surface activity in polydesmoids is discussed.
The life‐cycle of the Wolf spider Pardosa lugubris in Holland
Authors: Edgar Walter D. 
Published: August 2009

Pardosa lugubris in Scotland has a 2‐year life‐cycle. In Holland the situation is less clear‐cut: spiderlings emerging from the summer egg sac can reach sexual maturity by the following spring. These spiders, with a 1‐year life‐cycle, have one instar fewer than the Scottish spiders. The Dutch spiderlings from the autumn egg sac, like the Scottish spiders, have a 2‐year life‐cycle and have the same number of instars as the Scottish spiders.The shorter life‐cycle of some of the Dutch spiders is probably due to the fact that summer temperatures are higher in Holland than in Scotland. It is suggested that the length of the life‐cycle may be an important factor in spider distribution and that this may account for the relative scarcity of large spider species in high latitudes.
The effect of age and environment on extrarenal salt excretion in juvenile gulls (Larus argentatus and L. fuscus)
Authors: Ensor D. M. , Phillips J. G. 
Published: August 2009

Young gulls captured from an essentially marine colony with no access to freshwater showed a significantly greater ability to excrete a hypertonic salt load than did birds of approximately the same age captured from an inland colony.This ability was reflected by higher extrarenal secretion rates from the heavier nasal gland of the “marine” birds. That this increased ability was due to environmental exposure and not to genetic variations was shown by the fact that these differences disappeared when the two groups of birds were maintained on a freshwater diet for four weeks.The main environmental factor stimulating the development of the nasal gland in the “marine” birds appeared to be non‐availability of freshwater, as analysis of the diet of both colonies showed only minor differences.
Hair growth in mouse mutants affecting coat texture
Authors: Trigg Monica J. 
Published: August 2009

The genetic control of hair growth has been studied in mice carrying the following coat texture genes: fz (fuzzy), soc (soft coat), hid (hair interior defect), sa (satin), It (lustrous), Ve (velvet), wa‐1 (waved‐1), Re (rex), Rewc (wavy coat) and pk (plucked).A general effect on cells of epidermal origin, found in soc/soc and Ve/+ skin samples illustrates how common factors control developmental potential in both the stratum germinativum and the follicle bulb. A direct influence on follicle bulb development is also seen in fz/fz homozygotes in which the dermal papilla functions abnormally. The role of the bulb cells and the dermal papilla in the control of hair shaft calibre is discussed. hid is a new gene, found in homozygous condition in all mice of the AKR inbred strain. hid and sa appear primarily to be concerned in the differentiation of the medulla.In the hair waving mutants, waved‐1, rex and wavy coat, the processes controlling hair movement within the follicle are disturbed. These genes appear to regulate internal root sheath function. When the normal relationship between internal root sheath and developing hair shaft is disturbed, shaft movement slows, with the subsequent development of shaft calibre abnormalities. pk acts at the level of the sebaceous gland, disturbing the normal process of hair eruption. The roles of the internal root sheath, external root sheath and the sebaceous gland in hair eruption are discussed.The abnormal epidermal layer in soc/soc and Ve/+ skin also disturbs hair eruption to a small extent. The resulting abnormalities this causes in hair shaft formation are compared with those found pk/pk samples and also with the similar effects of faulty hair movement in the hair waving mutants. An effect on pigmentation is also described.The chemistry of keratinization appears to be normal in all these mutants.