Animal Biology最新文献

{"title":"The role of bushpigs (Potamochoerus larvatus) as seed dispersers in indigenous forests in the Soutpansberg Mountain range, South Africa","authors":"Kerstin B. Hikel, M. Peters, Jabu Linden, Birthe Linden","doi":"10.1163/15707563-bja10124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/15707563-bja10124","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Seed dispersal influences the survival and distribution of plant species and is an important mechanism for maintaining floristic diversity. Bushpigs (Potamochoerus larvatus) are large mammals of indigenous forests and well-wooded areas of eastern and southern Africa and may play an important role as seed dispersers. However, the diversity of fruits consumed and the effect of digestion on seeds remains poorly understood. This study was conducted from October 2018 to January 2019 and gives first insights into seed dispersal by bushpigs in the Soutpansberg Mountain range, South Africa. Here, we collected bushpig faeces and assessed the number of seeds and seed species found. Furthermore, germination experiments with digested and nondigested seeds and fruits were conducted. Our results show that bushpigs are omnivorous, consuming fruits and seeds of 126 different plant species. The proportion of seeds per plant species found in faeces was unhomogeneously distributed with a few hyperabundant species, in particular Searsia chirindensis (55%). The germination experiments showed that gut passage did, overall, not influence germination or seedling growth rates. However, seeds remaining within fruits showed reduced growth, pointing to a high importance of fruit consumption for seed fate. Our results suggest that bushpigs are major seed dispersers of a large variety of fruiting plant species in wooded areas of Africa.","PeriodicalId":7876,"journal":{"name":"Animal Biology","volume":"121 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138599509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contents of Volume 73","authors":"","doi":"10.1163/15707563-237304ci","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/15707563-237304ci","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7876,"journal":{"name":"Animal Biology","volume":" 25","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135191490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Variation in the diets of western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in two ponds: effects of time and coexistence with centrarchid fishes","authors":"Jessica E. Rettig, Margaret Surace, Kyle D. Rose, Andrew J. Baird, Zachary D. Baker, Geoffrey R. Smith","doi":"10.1163/15707563-bja10118","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/15707563-bja10118","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis , have been introduced around the world, and can affect native fish through competition and predation. The diet of G. affinis may therefore determine the extent of their interactions with native species. We examined stomach contents of G. affinis from two ponds in central Ohio in 2010, 2015, and 2016. In Olde Minnow Pond, we collected diet data before and after the introduction of the native sunfish, Lepomis megalotis , in 2014. We also collected data for G. affinis for the same period in Wood Duck Pond that has contained G. affinis and Lepomis macrochirus for years prior to the study period. The most important prey were zooplankton, especially Chydorus sp. and Alona sp. Aquatic insects, especially chironomid larvae, were often found in stomachs, with their importance varying by year. The relative consumption of zooplankton increased dramatically in G. affinis , especially females, in Olde Minnow Pond from 2010 to 2015 but then dropped in 2016. In addition, the relative consumption of aquatic insects increased in Olde Minnow Pond after the arrival of L. megalotis compared to 2010. In contrast, the diets of G. affinis in Wood Duck Pond remained relatively similar across the study period. Male and female G. affinis in Olde Minnow Pond had different diets, whereas the diets of males and females in Wood Duck Pond were generally similar. In conclusion, the results of this natural experiment provide circumstantial evidence that the arrival of L. megalotis in Olde Minnow Pond affected the diet of G. affinis .","PeriodicalId":7876,"journal":{"name":"Animal Biology","volume":"68 4","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135221798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Probabilistic models for understanding inland amphipods water population abundances in Andean stream (Caspana, 23°S, Antofagasta region, Chile)","authors":"Patricio De los Ríos-Escalante, Rodolfo Wilson, Carlos Esse","doi":"10.1163/15707563-bja10117","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/15707563-bja10117","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The Andes mountains in northern Chile have numerous small permanent and intermittent streams that are poorly studied; among the most reported species are amphipods of the genus Hyalella , specifically H. fossamanchini and H. kochi . The aim of the present study was to do a first characterization of populations of both amphipod species in a small stream (Caspana, 23°S; 3200 m a.s.l.), that was visited in September 2022. The first results using a Kruskall-Wallis nonparametric test revealed that the abundances of both species and unidentified juveniles were not significantly different in a comparison of two sites, whereas a Mann-Wittney nonparametric U test gave similar results when each species and juveniles were compared between sites. The results of variance/mean ratio revealed the existence of an aggregated pattern, and a negative binomial distribution for all samples. The occurrence of an aggregated pattern and the consequent negative binomial distribution is a very frequent pattern for inland water invertebrates in Chilean rivers.","PeriodicalId":7876,"journal":{"name":"Animal Biology","volume":"26 2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135455808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mouthparts of the crab Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille, 1803) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Grapsidae): morphological variations associated with environment, sex and stage of development","authors":"Ana Carla Soares-Silva, Erminda da Conceição Guerreiro Couto, Fabrício Lopes Carvalho","doi":"10.1163/15707563-bja10121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/15707563-bja10121","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Individuals and populations can display variations in distinct aspects of their life histories, which could be reflected in their morphological characteristics. This study analyzed the mouthpart morphology of the crab Goniopsis cruentata in relation to environment, sex and stage of development. Our results indicate differences in the number of setae between developmental stages and environments, as well as the interaction between developmental stages and environments. There were no differences in setae types between stages, sexes or environments. There were differences in the shape of the ischium between adults and juveniles, with a more homogeneous ischium in juveniles than adults. We also found differences in food content between developmental stages, as well as an interaction between developmental stages and environment. Our results support an association between diet and morphology of mouthparts in G. cruentata , and that these apparatuses vary according to ontogenetic development and the environmental conditions that species are exposed to. These associations should be considered in studies that use these characteristics to verify morphological responses to environmental variations.","PeriodicalId":7876,"journal":{"name":"Animal Biology","volume":"107 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135320591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A biotechnological method for silkworm sex regulation","authors":"Yusif Shukurlu, Madina Sharifova","doi":"10.1163/15707563-bja10123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/15707563-bja10123","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The aim of this work is to use the biotechnological method of silkworm sex regulation as a breeding method. For this purpose, butterflies were mated immediately after their emergence in a chamber with a constant magnetic field for 4 h. By studying the natural fertilization of the Sheki-2 silkworm in a constant magnetic field, it was possible to change the natural sex ratio of the offspring from 1:1 to 1:3 in favour of males. A direct positive correlation was observed between the magnetic field strength and an increase in the number of males in the offspring, with the maximum number of males observed at a strength of 729.7 kA/m. The developed mathematical model made it possible to calculate the activation coefficient of magnetic fields influencing the cytogenetic process in the silkworm, which was 4.02 × 10 −3 kA/m. An attempt was also made to explain the mechanism behind the cytogenetic influence of a constant magnetic field on possible options for obtaining males during the natural fertilization of silkworm females. Implementation of the developed method in the breeding programme will enhance both the quantity and quality of silkworm productivity. This is achieved by increasing silk yield and improvement of the raw materials obtained from the males. If these positive outcomes are consistently observed in other silkworm breeds, this method has the potential to become widely adopted for large-scale breeding of the entire silkworm population in the country.","PeriodicalId":7876,"journal":{"name":"Animal Biology","volume":"193 ","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135929974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Segregation in diet composition of two syntopic tree frog species, Hyla simplex and Polypedates megacephalus, in Ben En National Park, Vietnam","authors":"Hong Thi Trinh, Hai Ngoc Ngo, Anh Van Pham, Nhi Thi Pham, Vinh Quang Dau","doi":"10.1163/15707563-bja10119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/15707563-bja10119","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The segregation in one trophic niche of n -dimensional niches can allow many species to coexist in the same habitat. In this study, we conducted surveys in Ben En National Park, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam to examine stomach contents of two syntopic tree frog species, Hyla simplex and Polypedates megacephalus , using the stomach-flushing method. A total of 21 individuals of H. simplex and 32 individuals of P. megacephalus were sampled revealing 352 food items ( H. simplex : 131 invertebrates belonging to 20 prey types of seven orders; P. megacephalus : 215 invertebrates belonging to 22 prey types of 11 orders). Generally, both species consumed slightly diverse and equal prey types. However, ants (Formicidae) and termites (Rhinotermitidae) were identified as the most dominant and important prey for the two tree frog species. With only 38.95% overlap, it is evident that there is tropic segregation between the two syntopic species.","PeriodicalId":7876,"journal":{"name":"Animal Biology","volume":"5 4","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136312379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biology and integrative taxonomy of leaf folder, Helcystogramma hibisci (Stainton, 1859): a pest of musk mallow, Abelmoschus moschatus (L.) Medik.","authors":"Swapnarani K., Suprakash Pal, Shivakumara K.T.","doi":"10.1163/15707563-bja10120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/15707563-bja10120","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The leaf folder, Helcystogramma hibisci (Stainton, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an oligophagous pest of different malvaceous plants. In this study, attempts have been made to study the biology and taxonomy of the insect infesting musk mallow ( Abelmoschus moschatus ), an aromatic cum medicinal plant in India, following an integrative approach based on external morphology, internal genitalia structures, and molecular taxonomy. In the initial stage, the larva scrapes the tender surface of the leaves, and later, grown-up larvae web the leaves by folding them longitudinally. The entire inner content of the leaves is eaten by the larvae and ultimately the leaves get dry. The identity of the pest species is confirmed through dissecting of the male and female genitalia of the pest species and molecular confirmation (GenBank accession number ON545806). By studying the biology of the insect, the egg incubation period, larval period, and pupal period were determined to be 4.70 ± 0.64, 13.66 ± 0.86, and 6.46 ± 0.61 (male), and 7.60 ± 0.71 days (female), respectively. The average fecundity and adult longevity of males and females were 61.20 ± 11.68 eggs/female, 4.93 ± 1.38 days (male), and 8.06 ± 1.56 days (female), respectively. During their fourth instar, male larvae have dark-colored gonads that are easily visible on the dorsal integument of the abdominal segment distinguishing them from female larvae. Further confirmation of the identification was done by keeping the larvae in separate vials until emergence; larvae with this dark-colored character could be confirmed to be males, while other the larvae developed into female moths. The head capsule width of the larval instars was 0.26 ± 0.02, 0.47 ± 0.04, 0.66 ± 0.03, 0.83 ± 0.06, and 1.13 ± 0.14 mm, respectively. The information is useful for proper identification and management of this pest in such a valuable and popular plant as musk mallow in India. To our best knowledge, this is the first description of this pest species from the Indian region along with molecular confirmation.","PeriodicalId":7876,"journal":{"name":"Animal Biology","volume":"196 4","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136312378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Radiobiological studies on fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)","authors":"G. Sham Supreeth, S.G. Hanchinal, M. Bheemanna, Arunkumar Hosamani, Rachappa V. Haveri, J.M. Nidagundi","doi":"10.1163/15707563-bja10122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/15707563-bja10122","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith, 1797) is a notorious invasive pest causing significant economic damage to various crops. The extensive damage caused by this pest has created havoc in India and has become a nightmare for farmers. The management steps taken for controlling the pest have become futile. There are several instances depicting the failure of conventional management tactics, viz resistance against insecticides and transgenic maize lines paving the way for exploiting newer paradigms of pest management. Hence, a novel approach through the use of gamma irradiation against the pest was attempted. A dose-response trial encompassing doses from 50 to 200 Gy was employed to study the adverse effects of gamma irradiation on the biology of fall armyworm. The irradiated insects were crossed with their counterpart and the developmental profile of progeny was analysed. The obtained results were quite promising and showed a significant effect on the biology of the pest with progression of the irradiation dose. When females were exposed to irradiation and crossed with fertile counterparts, fecundity decreased with an increase in irradiation dose. A considerable increase in the egg, larval and pupal period was observed at 100 and 150 Gy. This decreased fecundity reduces the pest’s build-up in the field and the prolonged developmental period make the pest more prone to biotic and abiotic annihilation factors. Hence, the above-mentioned strategy has plausible applications in the near future and this tool can better be fitted into area-wide integrated pest management programmes.","PeriodicalId":7876,"journal":{"name":"Animal Biology","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134905962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distributional patterns and habitat association of sympatric carnivores in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan, and a comparison of conventional versus molecular identification in carnivore scatology","authors":"Hira Fatima, Tariq Mahmood, Lauren M. Hennelly, Muhammad Farooq, Nadeem Munawar, Waqas Ali, Benjamin N. Sacks","doi":"10.1163/15707563-bja10116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/15707563-bja10116","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Knowledge of a species’ distribution is important for developing effective conservation programs. In Pakistan, little is known about the status or distribution of most carnivores coexisting in the same landscape. To address this knowledge gap, we studied distribution patterns of coexisting carnivores in Margalla Hills National Park, using both conventional as well as DNA-identified scats, and other signs. Although scat surveys remain a popular approach to study carnivores, scat identification based on morphology alone is error-prone. As part of our study, we therefore evaluated accuracy of morphological identification of scats using genetic techniques. Field surveys were conducted from September 2015 to December 2018. Using 593 direct (sighting, camera trapping, road kills) and indirect (scats, footprints) field signs, we detected total 11 carnivore species in the park, including 10 that were represented in the subset of 248 (47.7%) scats identified from DNA. The molecular analyses confirmed that the misidentification rate was highest for red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) (8.47%), followed by Asiatic jackal ( Canis aureus ) (7.66%), but least for small Indian civet ( Viverricula indica ) (3.63%). For investigating habitat association of carnivores, and to test for the associations between species presence and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), we compared the mean and standard deviation of NDVI of each species’ presence locations with the mean and standard deviation of NDVI along the 23 sampling transects. Based on DNA-verified and all scats, carnivore species showed a range of mean NDVI, suggesting, preliminarily, some species may utilize a greater diversity of habitat types than others.","PeriodicalId":7876,"journal":{"name":"Animal Biology","volume":"93 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135616704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}