bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early mortality and perinatal growth in the subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) on Amsterdam Island
Authors: Georges Jean‐Yves , Guinet Christophe 
Published: February 2006

AbstractEarly mortality and pup growth during the perinatal period were investigated in pups of the subantarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis on Amsterdam Island. Mothers that were shorter in body length and expected to be younger, gave birth earlier in the pupping season, compared with longer/older mothers. Pups born early were often still‐born, suggesting that shorter/younger mothers that gave birth early in the season were not able to carry their foetuses to term. Pregnant females arrived ashore 1.4 days before giving birth, regardless of the date and their body condition. There was a positive relationship between maternal body length and pup birth mass. Consistently, birth mass increased throughout the pupping period. After parturition, mothers suckled their pups during an average 8.7‐day postnatal period that was significantly shorter in mothers giving birth late in the season. However, the absolute gain in pup mass was 1.5 kg regardless of the birth date, suggesting that mothers did not leave their pups before they had transferred a given amount of body reserves to them. We propose that pups born late grew faster because they were bigger at birth and because their mothers were likely to be more experienced. Mothers in good condition, nursing male pups transferred more milk and therefore greater mass to their pup, whereas mothers in poor condition were unable to do so. Such differences did not occur in smaller female pups, suggesting that pup growth was limited by maternal resources in male pups but not in female pups. The lack of a relationship between birth mass and absolute gain during the perinatal period suggests that mass at birth determined pup body mass after the perinatal period. Body mass is an important factor in growth rate and survival during the period of pup dependence.
Growth in pups of the subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) on Amsterdam Island
Authors: Guinet C. , Georges J.‐Y. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractGrowth in body mass in pups of the subantarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis was studied at Amsterdam Island, southern Indian Ocean during the rearing period between December 1995 and August 1996. We examined the change in the rates of mass gain and mass loss with pup age to explain the overall change in mass throughout the rearing period, when mothers alternate foraging trips at sea and attendance periods ashore. In the absence of their mothers, pups fast and lose mass. During the maternal attendance period ashore pups suck and gain mass. There was no significant difference in the rate of growth in mass between male and female pups. The rate of loss in mass during a fasting event was positively related to the initial body mass but negatively related to the age and duration of the fast of the pup. The rate of mass loss was best related to pup age by a quadratic relationship. The rate of mass loss increased until pups were 120 days old and then decreased until the end of the study period. The rate of gain in mass following a maternal foraging trip was positively related to the initial pup mass but negatively related to the foraging trip duration, and we found that the rate of mass gain decreased linearly with the age of the pup. The concomitant decrease in the rate of mass loss and mass gain for pups > 120 days old allowed pups to maintain a positive growth until they were 220 days old. After 220 days of age the rate of mass loss exceeded the rate of mass gain and the pups start to lose mass until weaning.
The relationship of neonate mass and incubation temperature to embryonic development time in a range of animal taxa
Authors: Gillooly J. F. , Dodson S. I. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractEmbryonic development time has been of long‐standing interest to physiologists and ecologists because of its importance in understanding the behaviour and ecology of reproduction, and the evolution of reproductive strategies in animals. Yet, the relationship of embryonic development time to both neonate mass and incubation temperature remains poorly understood for most taxonomic groups. Here we define the relationship of embryonic development time to neonate mass (embryo mass at birth) and incubation temperature for a broad range of animals, ectothermic and endothermic, invertebrate and vertebrate, microscopic and gigantic. We begin by establishing the relationship of embryonic development time to neonate mass for a broad array of zooplankton, fishes and amphibians for temperatures from 5 to 20°C. Next, we compare the relationships of embryonic development time to neonate mass in these aquatic ectotherms to those for terrestrial ectotherms (reptiles) and endotherms (birds and mammals) in terms of degree‐days. The similar nature of these relationships allows us to define embryonic development time as a function of neonate mass for many of the species considered here with a single equation in terms of degree‐days for incubation temperatures ranging from 5 to 38°C. This relationship establishes a basis by which to compare differences in embryonic development time among species.
Roost selection by noctules (Nyctalus noctula) and Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii)
Authors: Boonman Martijn 
Published: February 2006

AbstractRoost selection by tree roosting noctules Nyctalus noctula and Daubenton's bats Myotis daubentonii was determined by comparing roost characteristics with the characteristics of randomly chosen tree cavities in the area. The following parameters were determined for 81 noctule roosts and 27 Daubenton's bat roosts: tree species, type of cavity (woodpecker or natural), entrance height, compass direction of entrance and distance to the edge of the wood. Roost choice of both bat species was similar except that Daubenton's bats used woodpecker cavities less than noctules. Both bat species were selective in their roost choice. Daubenton's bats preferred oaks over beeches, and noctules preferred woodpecker cavities over natural cavities, indicating dependence on woodpeckers. Both bat species preferred to roost close to the edge of the wood. Roosting close to the edge of the wood may reduce commuting flight costs for both species or may be preferable for thermoregulatory reasons.
Individual recognition in the Damaraland mole‐rat, Cryptomys damarensis (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)
Authors: Jacobs D. S. , Kuiper S. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractConspecific recognition was investigated in the eusocial and subterranean Damaraland mole‐rat Cryptomys damarensis. This species out‐breeds and is xenophobic. Differences in the frequency of agonistic behaviours between male–male pairs were used as an indication of recognition. Focal males were tested with familiar, unfamiliar, and foreign conspecifics. Males directed significantly more aggression towards unfamiliar colony mates and foreign conspecifics than towards familiar colony mates. This happened even though both focal and test animals retained contact with their natal colonies and, therefore, any group cue. Furthermore, when male–male pairs were returned to their natal colonies they continued directing aggression towards each other but not towards the rest of the colony. These results suggest that the Damaraland mole‐rat uses individually distinct cues rather than kin‐specific cues based on genetic relatedness.
Female‐initiated copulations in two tetragnathid spiders from Indonesia: Leucauge nigrovittata and Tylorida ventralis
Authors: Preston‐Mafham Kenneth G. , Cahill Alexis 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe mating behaviour of two species of spiders in their natural habitat is described. A male Leucauge nigrovittata from Sumatra mated repeatedly with a newly‐moulted adult female which he had been guarding. Each copulation was in response to a body‐jerking ‘invitation’ display by the female. In Tylorida ventralis from Sulawesi, males and females copulated almost continuously from dawn until dusk over several days. Females switched from diurnal to nocturnal web construction during this time. After temporary separations, females were almost as likely as males to solicit the re‐initiation of copulation. In both species the sexes are of approximately equal size. The possible adaptive reasons for the extended mating times in T. ventralis are discussed.
Feeding ecology, density and biomass of the freshwater turtle,Phrynops geoffroanus, inhabiting a polluted urban river in south‐eastern Brazil
Authors: Souza Franco Leandro , Abe Augusto Shinya 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis study examines the ecology of a population of Geoffroy's side‐necked turtlePhrynops geoffroanusinhabiting a polluted urban river in Ribeirão Preto city, São Paulo state, south‐eastern Brazil. Adult turtles fed mainly on Chironomidae larvae and pupae (Chironomuscf.plumosus, 100% of occurrence frequency) and domestic waste, but they also consumed terrestrial items (cockroach, snails) and carrion. Juvenile turtles showed more feeding diversity than the adults and exhibited a trend for predation on Chironomidae pupae, but this is not reflected in resource partitioning. The elevated number of turtles (170–230 turtles/ha of river) and biomass (255–345 kg/ha of river) inhabiting this urban river is probably the result of the abundance of sewage and organic waste produced by humans, the absence of predators, and increased availability of nesting areas. Such factors convert this area into an environment highly advantageous for the survival of Geoffroy's side‐necked turtle.
Mate locating strategies of the green carpenter bees Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus and X. (L.) bombylans
Authors: Leys Remko 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis paper describes the mate locating strategies of male Australian carpenter bees Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus Smith and X.(L.) bombylans (F.). Males of X. aeratus display three different mate locating strategies: (1) non‐territorial patrolling near nests or flowers; (2) territorial defence of nests that contain unmated females; (3) non‐resource territoriality (hill‐topping). At the onset of the mating season, non‐territorial patrolling and territorial defence of nests were observed in three out of four populations that were studied, while in a fourth population only non‐resource territoriality was observed. Later in the mating season both territorial defence of nests and non‐resource territoriality were observed in one of the populations. Male X. bombylans have only been observed using the non‐resource territoriality. Males of all size classes used the same strategy at any one time, but males that were observed more than once in a territory were significantly larger, suggesting that larger males have greater territory‐holding capacity. Upon encountering males, receptive female X. aeratus alternated low zigzag flights through the vegetation with high‐velocity flights well above the vegetation, while males followed closely. This behaviour is interpreted as a test of the flight capacity of males, and is indicative of pronounced female choice. The mate locating strategies of the two species are compared with literature data from other xylocopine bees, and factors that might affect the choice of a particular mate locating strategy are briefly discussed.
Epigenetic dental variability of Israeli hares (Lepussp.): ecogenetic or phylogenetic causation?
Authors: Suchentrunk F. , Alkon P. U. , Willing R. , Yom‐Tov Y. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractWe examined 3747 teeth from 134 hares (Lepussp.) collected at 46 sites in Israel to test whether variation in epigenetic occlusal characters was linked to ecogenetic or phylogenetic factors. Collection sites encompassed a wide range of ecogeographical and climatic regimes. We compared data from Israeli hares with occlusal characters of 160 cape haresL. capensisfrom East Africa and 68 brown haresL. europaeusfrom central Europe. Only three teeth (I1, I2, M3) did not show occlusal variation. Thirty‐eight occlusal characters were derived from dental variants by dichotomous (0/1) scoring. Absence of association of character states among characters of single teeth indicated a lack of morphotypes. Epigenetic differentiation among hares from northern, central and southern Israel, and the two East African, and two central European samples, was revealed by pairwise C. A. B. Smith's ‘mean measures of divergence’ (MMD), based on frequencies of character states. Cluster analyses of MMD values revealed little epigenetic differentiation between northern and southern Israeli hares, but greater differentiation between central European and East African hares. Concordance of the MMD matrix with linear geographical distances among sampling regions was demonstrated by a Mantel test. No frequencies of character states exhibited significant changes across the climatic parameters among hares from northern and southern Israel. But the individual folding index, which expresses the degree of enamel on the occlusal surface, slightly decreased from north to south. Our results support a phylogenetic interpretation of occlusal character variation. Despite distinct differences in external appearance, hares from northern and southern Israel probably comprise a single species that encompasses two closely related geographical populations with a probable area of overlap. Israeli hares are intermediate between European brown hares and East African cape hares, with a slightly closer relationship to the cape hares.
Hybridization and changes in the distribution of Iceland gulls (Larus glaucoides/kumlieni/thayeri
Authors: Weir D. N. , Kitchener A. C. , McGowan R. Y. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThree Iceland gull taxa were defined mainly from adult wingtip melanism. Up until about 1860, nominateglaucoides(no melanism) was known to breed from Greenland to western High Arctic Canada, but by about 1900 it was essentially confined to Greenland. Until 1860,thayeri(most melanism) was known only from western High Arctic Canada, but from 1900 to 1980 it was found throughout High Arctic Canada and in a small part of north‐west Greenland. At high latitudes in Canada it replacedglaucoides, with which it was formerly sympatric in the west and probably interbred. The first knownkumlieni(intermediate, variable melanism) were from west Greenland in the 1840s, and by 1900 the western and northern limits of most of its breeding range in the eastern Canadian Low/High Arctic were known. The range ofkumlienilies between those ofthayeriandglaucoidesand overlaps both;kumlienibred in Greenland by 1964. It freely interbreeds withthayeriand probably withglaucoides. Winter ranges ofglaucoidesandthayerihave changed little since they were first determined forglaucoidesby 1860 and forthayeriby the 1920s. However, winter adultkumlieniwas unknown from Greenland to the British Isles until 1900; there were a few records prior to 1915 and progressively more after 1950. The study adds to the evidence thatkumlienirepresents introgressive hybridization by westernthayeriinto easternglaucoides.D. N. Weir died 15 August 2000.
Biased distribution of trematode metacercariae in the nephric system of Rana tadpoles
Authors: Thiemann Greg W. , Wassersug Richard J. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract Echinostoma sp. use larval anurans as intermediate hosts. The cercariae enter the tadpoles via the cloacal opening and form metacercarial cysts in the kidneys, pronephroi, and Wolffian ducts. To examine the distribution of Echinostoma metacercariae in Rana sylvatica and Rana clamitans tadpoles, 200 individuals of each species were exposed to free‐swimming cercariae. There was a significant left:right bias in the distribution of metacercariae within both R. sylvatica and R. clamitans tadpole hosts, with trematodes preferentially encysting in nephric structures on the right side. In R. sylvatica and R. clamitans, respectively, 56.7% and 96.8% of the metacercariae were on the tadpoles' right side. Asymmetry in the distribution of parasites followed the direction of the asymmetry in tadpole kidney size, but was much greater. Trematodes preferentially encysted in the head kidneys of R. clamitans, which regress at metamorphosis. The right head kidney was the most commonly infected structure in R. clamitans tadpoles, containing 72.7% of all cysts in that species. Despite the preference of trematodes to encyst in the head kidney, there was no correlation between the number of cysts in the right kidney and the number in the right head kidney. This suggests that limited space in the head kidney does not influence metacercarial formation in the kidney proper. The high frequency of unilateral encystment in both anurans, and in the head kidneys of R. clamitans, may be the result of a co‐evolved relationship that ultimately benefits both the host and parasite by ensuring host survival.
P300 amplitude as an indicator of externalizing in adolescent males
Authors: Patrick Christopher J. , Bernat Edward M. , Malone Stephen M. , Iacono William G. , Krueger Robert F. , McGue Matt 
Published: February 2006

AbstractReduced P300 amplitude is reliably found in individuals with a personal or family history of alcohol problems. However, alcoholism is part of a broader externalizing spectrum that includes other substance use and antisocial disorders. We hypothesized that reduced P300 is an indicator of the common factor that underlies disorders within this spectrum. Community males (N=969) were assessed at age 17 in a visual oddball task. Externalizing was defined as the common factor underlying symptoms of alcohol dependence, drug dependence, nicotine dependence, conduct disorder, and adult antisocial behavior. A robust association was found between reduced P300 amplitude and the externalizing factor, and this relation accounted for links between specific externalizing disorders and P300. Our findings indicate that reduced P300 amplitude is an indicator of the broad neurobiological vulnerability that underlies disorders within the externalizing spectrum.
Student teachers and cultural diversity in an Australian regional university
Authors: Hope‐Rowe Gaelene 
Published: March 2006

This article examines student teachers’ discursive constructions of difference, cultural diversity and race as they write and talk about their cultures and identities in relation to teaching and learning in the first year of a Primary Teaching Degree in a regional Australian university.The qualitative case study which informs this paper considered the discursive resources that students bring to teacher education from their past experiences and contact with cultural differences in communities, families and schools. It examined various discourses around cultural diversity that are available to them in the teacher education course and how their discursive practices are mediated and reconstructed in the particular university context. A major goal was to explore how universities in largely homogeneous settings might firstly work with the resources that students bring to teacher education and, secondly, assist students to consider the implications of cultural and linguistic diversity for teaching language and literacy.
Obtaining Unbiased Estimates of Tagging SNP Performance
Authors: Iles M. M. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe use of tagging SNPs (tSNPs) as a cost‐effective means of capturing genetic diversity is widespread. However, the quality of the tSNPs selected is dependent on the initial sample in which they are characterized. If the initial marker set is too sparse the tSNPs chosen will capture less information than a naïve analysis suggests. A simple method has been proposed that should provide a better estimate of the performance of tSNPs. It is shown here that this approach is both unbiased and accurate, even for small numbers of typed markers. The effect of unknown phase is also investigated and it is shown that, excepting very small samples, this has little effect on the accuracy of the method.
Histomorphologic Characterization of Noncarious and Caries‐Affected Dentin/Adhesive Interfaces
Authors: Haj‐Ali Reem , Walker Mary , Williams Karen , Wang Yong , Spencer Paulette 
Published: March 2006

Purpose
: The purpose of this study was to compare the dentin/adhesive interfacial characteristics when bonding to noncarious as well as caries‐affected dentin.
Materials and Methods
: Seven extracted, unerupted, third molars were sectioned into halves. Artificial caries was created on one‐half of each tooth, leaving the other half as a control. Dentin surfaces were treated with UNO adhesive according to the manufacturer's instructions for the wet‐bonding technique and under environmental conditions present in the oral cavity. Dentin/adhesive interface sections of each half‐tooth were stained with Goldner's trichrome, a classic bone stain, and examined using light microscopy. The width of exposed collagen was measured directly from photomicrographs, and adhesive penetration was analyzed qualitatively.
Results:
The degree and extent to which the adhesive encapsulated the demineralized dentin matrix were reflected in the color difference in the stained sections with the noncarious dentin sections showing a degree of collagen encapsulation superior to that of the caries‐affected dentin sections. The overall mean widths of exposed collagen were significantly (p≤ .05) greater at the caries‐affected dentin/adhesive interface, 8.6 (1.7) μm, as compared with those at the noncarious dentin/adhesive interface, 6.0 (1.5) μm.
Conclusions:
The morphologic characteristics of the caries‐affected dentin/interface suggest an increase in the exposed collagen zone and a decrease in the quality of the adhesive infiltration when compared with noncarious dentin. The evidence suggests that dentin substrate characteristics have a significant effect on the dentin/adhesive interface structure.
The Effect of Gingival Retraction Procedures on Periodontal Indices and Crevicular Fluid Cytokine Levels: A Pilot Study
Authors: Feng Jian , Aboyoussef Hoda , Weiner Saul , Singh Surendra , Jandinski John 
Published: March 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of placement of retraction cord subgingivally upon periodontal indices including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and attachment level (AL), as well as gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and TNF‐α levels.
Methods: Ten teeth in 6 patients who were periodontally healthy were selected. These teeth had pocket depths of 3 mm or less, no evidence of significant loss of attachment, BOP, or plaque accumulation. The patients each received an oral prophylaxis. The following week, baseline measurements of periodontal indices and TNF‐α were taken and the retraction cord was placed for 15 minutes. Following removal, the patients were dismissed. The periodontal indices measured included PI, GI, PD, BOP, and AL. In addition, the levels of TNF‐α in GCF, were investigated. These measurements were made before gingival retraction as a baseline and on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 28th days post retraction.
Results: A repeated measures ANOVA showed that TNF‐α levels in GCF were significantly increased at all five intervals after gingival retraction compared to the baseline. The mean TNF‐α level peaked at Day 1 (0.90 ± 0.62), then declined at Days 3 (0.53 ± 0.16), 7 (0.43 ± 0.08), 14 (0.47 ± 0.10), and 28 (0.43 ± 0.08) but was still elevated 54% above baseline at Day 28, p < 0.01. The GI was significantly elevated at Day 1 (0.9 ± 0.49), p < 0.01; Day 3 (0.53 ± 0.32); and Day 7 (0.33 ± 0.33), p < 0.05. Unlike TNF‐α, GI recovered to the baseline by day 14. Other periodontal parameters, PI, PD, BOP, and AL were not significantly altered by the gingival retraction procedure.
Conclusion: This pilot study supports the previous research that gingival retraction causes an acute injury that heals clinically in 2 weeks as is indicated by the GI. It also provides the first evidence that gingival retraction results in an elevation of the proinflammatory cytokine, TNF‐α, in GCF.