bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Habitat preference and flight activity of bats in a city
Authors: Gaisler J. , Zukal J. , Rehak Z. , Homolka M. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Eptesicus serotinus, Nyctalus noctula, N. leisleri, Myotis daubentonii, M. myotis, unidentified small Myotis spp. and Plecotus spp. were recorded during bat detector transects within a central European city of 350,000 inhabitants. Bats were recorded in all seven habitat types under study, the levels of activity for each species and habitat type were significantly different. The relative activity of the whole bat community was highest in old outskirts (low density housing) and at the river, and lowest in the city centre and new housing estates (high density housing). Significant differences were found in the timing of bat activity during the night and the season. Within the first two hours after sunset, relative activity of P. pipistrellus and E. serotinus was highest in the first 0.5 h and decreased thereafter. In N. noctula, it was highest during the second and third 0.5 h and in Myotis spp. it was low in the first 0.5 h and increased till the end of monitoring. Flying bats were recorded from March till October; the lunar cycle had no significant effect on the amount of flight activity. The relative activity of E. serotinus was positively correlated with temperature. No significant correlation was found between the activity of bats and the number of trees and streetlamps per transect. Comparison with the results of an earlier visual census showed that more bats were recorded acoustically than visually except in the city centre. This is attributed to the effect of white streetlamps during the visual census. During the acoustic census, most white lamps were replaced by yellow lamps which biased the impact of lamps on bat traffic. Nevertheless, bat species known to benefit from white streetlamps remained the most common foragers within the city.
The functional and biomechanical modifications of the spine of Scutisorex somereni, the hero shrew: skeletal scaling relationships
Authors: Cullinane Dennis M. , Aleper Daniel , Bertram John E. A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe vertebral column of Scutisorex somereni (the hero shrew), and its size and morphology, is probably the most modified among the vertebrates (Kingdon, 1974). We examined the scaling of diameter versus length in the long bones and ribs, and spine mass versus body mass of this species, in comparison to 19 other mammalian taxa (including fossorial species). The ribs of Scutisorex are significantly more robust than any genus examined, and the spine of this species, relative to its body mass, is four times more robust than that reported for any other vertebrate. Paradoxically, the long bones of the limbs of Scutisorex demonstrate no difference in robustness from that predicted for an animal of its body mass. There is no satisfactory ecological, behavioural, or functional explanation for this unique spinal morphology.
The functional and biomechanical modifications of the spine of Scutisorex somereni, the hero shrew: spinal musculature
Authors: Cullinane D. M. , Aleper D. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe spine of Scutisorex somereni, the hero shrew, is probably the most highly modified among the vertebrates (Kingdon, 1974), yet no description of the accompanying spinal musculature has been published. This paper describes the anatomy and proposed functions of the major epaxial and hypaxial muscle groups of Scutisorex. The unusual vertebral morphology of this species is accompanied by major modifications in some of the spinal muscle groups. The transverse spinalis muscles are the most modified, and this is probably related to the presence of bony interdigitating tubercles on the vertebrae. The longissimus muscles possess long tendons that share attachment with the iliocostalis muscles. The iliopsoas muscles and their sites of attachment are greatly enlarged in comparison to those of Blarina and Rattus. Much of the spinal musculature reflects the highly modified state of the Scutisorex vertebrae. The unique behavioural function of the Scutisorex spinal modification, if any exists, is not known
The phylogeny of box crab genera (Crustacea: Brachyura: Calappidae) with notes on their fossil record, biogeography and depth distribution
Authors: Bellwood Orpha 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe phylogenetic relationships of eight genera within the Calappidae H. Milne Edwards, 1837 (Crustacea: Brachyura) were examined based on a cladistic analysis of 55 adult morphological characters. A single tree was produced (CI=0.833, RCI=0.717). The data revealed two major lineages within the Calappidae: the ‘calappine’ clade, consisting of Calappa, Cryptosoma, Cycloes, Paracyclois and Cyclozodion, and the ‘mursiine’ clade, consisting of Acanthocarpus, Mursia and Platymera. Analyses of the fossil record and biogeographic patterns point to vicariance events associated with Gondwanan fragmentation. Optimization of depth distributions on the cladogram suggests that the family had a deep‐water origin with only a single lineage moving into shallow waters.
A population study of the dicrocoeliid trematode Paradistomum orientalis in the garden lizard Calotes versicolor
Authors: Madhavi R. , Nirmala E. , Subbalakshmi C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe population biology of Paradistomum orientalis, a dicrocoeliid trematode occurring in the gall bladder of the garden lizard Calotes versicolor, was investigated during 1991‐1993. The prevalence and abundance of the fluke were high throughout the year and demonstrated no seasonal fluctuations. The maturation cycle of the fluke followed an annual pattern. The recruitment of the fluke was restricted to the period September to February, with a peak during September. Mature flukes occurred throughout the year, facilitating continuous release of eggs into the macroenvironment. Rainfall plays a major role in governing the maturation cycle, by regulating the population density of the snail host and the feeding activity of the definitive host. The frequency distribution of the fluke followed the overdispersion pattern, fitting the negative binomial model. There is no evidence for the existence of parasite‐induced host mortality. On the other hand, competition for space and nutritive resources under crowded conditions serves as a major regulatory force and is the key factor responsible for maintaining the equilibrium of parasite densities during different months. The infrapopulation of the fluke remained stable over several years.
Timing and synchrony of birth in a hider species, the roe deer Capreolus capreolus
Authors: Linnell J. D. C. , Andersen R. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractTiming of birth was determined for 292 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) fawns belonging to 146 litters on an island in central Norway between 1991 and 1994, and for 33 fawns belonging to 19 litters from an inland site from 1995 to 1997. On the island site there was no significant variation between years in the mean date of birth, 22 May, nor was there any significant effect of dam age, fawn sex, or litter size. Individual does tended to give birth close to the same date in consecutive years. Mean birth date at the inland site was 5 June. The births showed a relatively high degree of synchrony with 80% occurring within 26 days and 24 days at the island and inland sites, respectively. Copulation dates were much more synchronized than birth dates on the island site. Gestation length averaged 301 days, although individuals varied by up to 26 days. When comparing published data from European populations, there appears to be extensive variation in timing of birth, while birth synchrony is very conservative. There appears to be little possible anti‐predator benefit for roe deer in any pattern of birth synchrony. Because of their high post‐natal investment and large litter size, we hypothesize that roe deer are constrained to give birth close to the peak of forage productivity.
Risks of calling by the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus; potential predation by Australian long‐eared bats
Authors: Bailey W. J. , Haythornthwaite S. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractMale Teleogryllus oceanicus prefer to call from refuges and from these protected sites produce signals that contain more trill elements than produced by males calling without the protection of refuges. We tested the vulnerability of male crickets to predation from two species of gleaning bats, Nyctophilus major and N. geoffroyi. Crickets called from the floor of darkened fly‐ways where bats preyed on calling rather than silent males. Both species of bat used passive listening to locate their prey rather than echolocation. Those crickets calling from refuges avoided predation. By counting the number of passes each bat made over paired speakers emitting different digitized songs, we tested the bat's preference for different call elements or the total number of sound elements in the song per unit time. When the total number of sound elements of each signal was balanced, bats preferred trills to chirps, and when call length differed, bats preferred those signals with more total sound elements. We discuss the possibility that predation by bats is a form of counter‐selection on calling in T. oceanicus.
Comparative studies on the predatory behaviour of Stenus spp. (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): the significance of its specialized labial apparatus
Authors: Betz O. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAmong insects, the modified labium of Stenus species is one of the most specialized prey‐capture structures. However, the question of its adaptive value has remained unanswered, since many species make use of their mandibles as an alternative capture technique (Bauer & Pfeiffer, 1991). In order to elucidate the biological significance of the specialized labium, within‐ and between‐species comparisons of the performance abilities (i.e. velocity, mode of prey seizure, range, rate of occurrence and capture success) of both capture techniques were carried out. These investigations were performed in standardized prey‐capture experiments, primarily by means of video‐recordings and prey‐capture cinematography. In addition, direct observations under semi‐field conditions concerning habitat choice and searching behaviour were used to assess possible selection factors arising from the environment.In standard experiments, most investigated species catch springtails much more successfully with the labium than with the mandibles, thereby stressing the selective value of the labium. The marked capture success of the latter is attributable to its large range, its high capture velocity and its capability of fixing prey at the moment of contact. The prey‐capture experiments revealed interspecific differences in agility and reaction ability, which, to some extent, can be explained by differences in eye morphology. Some agile species, which usually forage on bare ground (e.g. S. comma), depend on the labium capture mechanism to a lesser degree. However, most species are not agile and forage in densely structured habitats such as plant debris or vegetation. The specialized labial apparatus of Stenus is thought to provide a biological advantage in that it permits these predators, in spite of their limited reaction ability and agility, to catch prey that are capable of rapid escape responses.
Population dynamics of the fossorial rodent Ctenomys talarum (Rodentia: Octodontidae)
Authors: Malizia Ana I. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAs part of a study on the ecological strategies related to adaptation to the subterranean habitat of genus Ctenomys (tuco‐tucos), a natural population of C. talarum was live‐trapped at Necochea (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) with the aim of providing information on its population ecology. Population size was consistently low throughout the study and was related to the low habitat productivity. Mortality rates were low, although for juveniles the estimations were higher than for adults. Individuals have an average life expectancy of 22‐25 months, but some individuals lived at least three years. Reproductive activity started by July and ended by March, when last known pregnancies were recorded. This long reproductive season allowed a gradual incorporation of young over an extended period of time, with a restricted period of recruitment lacking. Sex ratio did not depart from 1:1 and appears to be density dependent. The spatial distribution of individuals was clumped and corresponded to the patchy distribution of suitable habitats. The results are compared and contrasted with those from previous demographic studies performed in other conspecifics as well as in other subterranean rodents.
Investigations on periparturient behaviour in free‐ranging mouflon sheep (Ovis orientalis musimon)
Authors: Langbein J. , Scheibe K.‐M. , Eichhorn K. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractWe studied the behaviour of free‐ranging female mouflon sheep (age 3‐5 years) in the period periparturition. The study area is situated in the north‐east of Germany (52°59′N, 13°50′E). For continuous data collection, we used the storage‐telemetry‐system ETHOSYS. Activity and foraging behaviour of five females were recorded every second by electronic sensors integrated in a collar round the sheep's neck (weight 300 g). Whenever the animals visit a special ‘link‐station’, installed at a combined saltlick/feeder station, the recorded data are transmitted from the collar to the station and then to a laptop. In addition, we recorded continuously the presence of sheep at the saltlick using a camera‐system, including a daylight and an infra‐red camera.Activity of female mouflon ranged from 8 to 10 hours daily during late winter. The animals spent the major part of that time feeding (70‐80%). The sheep visited the saltlick every two to three days regularly. However, from late March to early April, every animal stayed away from the ‘link‐station’ for about two weeks. This meant spatial isolation from social companions. When returning, these sheep were accompanied by a lamb. Parturition was assumed to take place during 2‐3 consecutive days of markedly decreased activity. In the night from the first to the second day of this period, we found a unique activity pattern observed in all sheep. A short activity bout during the second half of the night was interpreted as the exact time of lambing. Spatial and temporal changes in behaviour during parturition are discussed with regard to other wild ungulates as well as domestic animals.
A survey of the helminth parasites of cetaceans stranded on the coast of England and Wales during the period 1990‐1994
Authors: Gibson D. I. , Harris E. A. , Bray R. A. , Jepson P. D. , Kuiken T. , Baker J. R. , Simpson V. R. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe helminth parasites from more than 300 cetaceans stranded on the coast of England and Wales during the period 1990‐1994 were identified, this being the largest organized survey of cetacean parasites yet undertaken. Thirteen species of cetaceans were examined, although the majority were common (harbour) porpoises Phocoena phocoena (n=173) and common dolphins Delphinus delphis (n=101). The parasites found included 11 species of nematode (Anisakis simplex, Pseudalius inflexus, Torynurus convolutus, Stenurus globicephalae, S. minor, Halocercus delphini, H. invaginatus, H. lagenorhynchi, H. taurica, Crassicauda boopis, Crassicauda sp.), five cestodes (Diphyllobothrium polyrugosum, D. stemmacephalum, Phyllobothrium delphini, Monorygma grimaldii, Tetrabothrius sp.), five digeneans (Campula oblonga, Oschmarinella albamarina, O. rochebruni, Lecithodesmus palliatus, Pholeter gastrophilus) and two acanthocephalans (Bolbosoma capitatum, B. physeteris). The results of this survey are tabulated and each helminth species is discussed in terms of its biology and pathogenicity.
Genital mechanics in some neotropical pholcid spiders (Araneae: Pholcidae), with implications for systematics
Authors: Huber Bernhard A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractGenital mechanics are studied in five species from three genera of neotropical pholcid spiders. The study focuses on the function of a pointed and upward projecting (‘pup’) apophysis on the male pedipalpal femur: it engages an indentation in the genital bulb during copulation. This character is geographically restricted to spiders in Central and North America and the West Indies and is considered a key character of the monophyletic ‘Modisimusgroup’. This includes the generaModisimusSimon, 1893,PsilochorusSimon, 1893,BryantinaBrignoli, 1985,AnopsicusChamberlin & Ivie, 1938, and some species now misplaced inCoryssocnemisSimon, 1893 andBlechroscelisSimon, 1893. Evidence for the polyphyly of the following genera is presented:Psilochorus,Coryssocnemis, andBlechroscelis. Some notes on the reproductive biology of the species studied are briefly presented.
Modelling survival and capture probabilities of the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) in the forests of south‐eastern Australia using trap‐recapture data
Authors: Lindenmayer D. B. , Lacy R. C. , Viggers K. L. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe results are described of a capture–recapture study of the Australian arboreal marsupial, the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus Ogilby). Adult, subadult and juvenile T. caninus were captured during 11 trapping periods and at 70 different trap placement sites between June 1992 and November 1995 in a 40 ha area of mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell.) forest in the central highlands of Victoria, south‐eastern Australia. A total of 80 (37 male and 43 female) T. caninus were captured, comprising 45 adults, 14 subadults and 21 juveniles when first trapped. This gave a total of 333 captures of T. caninus from approximately 4600 trap nights.The Jolly–Seber–Cormack approach was employed to model the frequency of recapture as simple product functions of the survival and capture probabilities for each inter‐trapping interval. Using this method, we explored the relationships between survival and capture probabilities of T. caninus and a range of potential explanatory variables including sex, age class, time, and trap location.The results of our analyses indicated that there was a high probability of recapture of T. caninus–P= 0.80 (0.03 SE – with females significantly (P < 0.05) more likely to be caught than males. There was spatial heterogeneity across our study site in the probability of recapture of T. caninus, and animals inhabiting areas of old growth were more likely to be retrapped than animals in younger forest where potential nest sites within large standing dead trees with hollows are decaying rapidly and are at high risk of collapse. There were no significant differences between the survival rates of different sexes or age classes, and the monthly value for the probability of persistence calculated for T. caninus was 97.7% (0.48%).Our study demonstrated that T. caninus is long‐lived with high levels of survival among individuals of all age classes once young animals have emerged from the pouch. Animals have relatively high site affinity and are readily recaptured, often at exactly the same place, or very close to, where they were first caught. Some juveniles have taken up permanent residence in the natal territory, which may result in opportunities to mate with close relatives.
Seasonal and diel variation in group size among Japanese sika deer in different habitats
Authors: Borkowski J. , Furubayashi K. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractInfluence of habitat type on the group size of sika deer was analysed on the basis of 2718 individuals observed in 708 groups, in the area where deer are under pressure neither from predators nor hunters. From spring to autumn, the percentage of individuals observed in the largest groups in open woodland was higher than both in clearings and closed woodland. In early winter, the percentage of individuals aggregated in the largest groups was highest in the clearings, while in late winter, the percentage of individuals observed in the largest groups was highest in the closed woodland. Besides, the percentage of large groups observed in the morning and evening (when most of deer are active) was much higher than during daytime (when level of deer activity is lower). Changes in food availability are suggested to be a factor responsible for variation in sika deer group size in different habitats.
The role of scent marking in a free‐ranging, female black‐footed cat (Felis nigripes)
Authors: Molteno A. J. , Sliwa A. , Richardson P. R. K. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA radio‐collared, female black‐footed cat (Felis nigripes) was followed for a total period of 575 hours, over seven observation periods spanning 18 months, in the Kimberley region of the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Data on reproduction and scent marking were collected by direct observation. The predominant form of scent marking was urine‐spraying, the frequency of which fluctuated during the year and seemed to be related to changes in the reproductive cycle. Marking frequency increased dramatically approximately one and a half months before mating, and conception of the first litter of the breeding season occurred at a low frequency during pregnancy, and was entirely absent when the cat was rearing young. This strongly indicates a primary function in the advertisement of female reproductive condition, although an additional role in the maintenance of social spacing is suggested. Scent marks were not restricted to the borders of the animal's range, but corresponded to those areas used most intensely during the year.
Quaternary radiation and genetic structure of the red fox Vulpes vulpes in the Mediterranean Basin, as revealed by allozymes and mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Frati F. , Hartl G.B. , Lovari S. , Delibes M. , Markov G. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe Quaternary dispersal of the red fox Vulpes vulpes in the Mediterranean area was evaluated through the study of allelic variation at 45 enzyme loci in 120 individuals from 10 sampling sites. A 375 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene was also sequenced in a total of 41 specimens from the same sampling locations. Nine allozyme loci were polymorphic. The proportion of polymorphic loci per population (P) ranged from 0 to 15.6%, and expected average heterozygosity (H) from 0 to 4.4%. A total of 18 different Cyt b haplotypes were detected. Most of them were confined to only one population. Both allozyme and mtDNA data implied that our fox populations were genetically fairly isolated from one another, suggesting low gene flow between them. This isolation should be of comparatively recent origin according to the slight differentiation among Cyt b haplotypes. Fox populations appeared to belong to two genetically distinct groups. With a mean value of Nei's D = 0.024, genetic distance between these groups was similar to that detected at subspecies level in taxa of large mammals. This pattern may have originated from different colonization waves during Quaternary glaciations and deglaciations. Red foxes from Sardinia were more closely related to the Bulgarian foxes than to the Iberian ones. However, repeated introductions to Sardinia probably also occurred from Central Italy and Spain, as suggested by the presence of haplotype A and a typical Central Italian allele, Ck‐290.