This study examined the body temperatures and activity patterns of the giant Solomon Islands skink (Corucia zebrata) in a semi-naturalistic enclosure to better understand its thermal biology. The lizards thermoregulated by selecting microhabitats where body temperatures around 30°C could be maintained. Body temperatures were higher on sunny days but variance was similar between weather conditions. Activity was greater in sunny weather but distance traveled was similar. Enclosure design for captive breeding programs needs thermal and structural diversity to allow appropriate activity and thermoregulation.
Lizards are vertebrate ectotherms, which like other animals maintain their body temperature (Tb) within a relatively narrow range in order to carry out crucial physiological processes during their life cycle. The preferred body temperature (Ts) that a lizard voluntarily selects in a laboratory thermal gradient
provides a reasonable estimate of what a lizard would attain in the wild with a minimum of associate costs in absence of constraints for thermoregulation
This document summarizes a study on the thermal ecology of the European tree frog (Hyla arborea) in western France. The study measured body temperatures of 108 frogs over six years during sunny and overcast weather conditions. Body temperatures were higher on sunny days but showed similar variability. Body temperatures correlated most closely with temperatures of shaded leaves, regardless of weather. This suggests H. arborea controls its body temperature through selecting shaded microhabitats, though some frogs were observed basking in sunny areas, even on hot days.
This study examined the effect of ration level on the energy allocation of the predatory beetle Notiophilus biguttatus. The beetles' energy budgets were defined by measuring egg production, respiration, and defecation rates at different ration levels. These measurements were used to estimate the energy allocated to reproduction and maintenance. The key findings were that (1) egg production, respiration rates, and energy content of feces all increased with higher ration levels, (2) more energy was allocated to reproduction at higher ration levels potentially at the cost of other metabolic processes, and (3) non-reproductive females required less maintenance energy than reproductive females.
The thermal biology of the small sand lizard Liolaemus occipitalis was studied in coastal sand dunes in southern Brazil. L. occipitalis maintained an average body temperature of 30.89°C that varied seasonally and daily depending on microhabitat temperatures. The substrate temperature was the main source for thermoregulation, accounting for most of the variation in lizard body temperatures across seasons. L. occipitalis is a rock-dwelling, thigmothermic, and heliothermic species that regulates its temperature behaviorally based on microclimate conditions.
55; varanus bengalensis feeding behaviour (natural history note)Roger Meek
This document reports observations of the feeding behaviors and thermoregulation of Varanus bengalensis (Bengal monitor) lizards in Sri Lanka during a 2005 field study. Researchers observed V. bengalensis foraging both terrestrially and arboreally for a variety of prey, including frogs, snails, and bats. They also observed a sentinel behavior where a lizard remained stationary outside its burrow at night. The document discusses the lizards' diets and how they consume and digest different prey items.
Global temperatures are rising and causing widespread changes in plant and animal species distributions and behaviors. Over 1500 species have shifted ranges northward or uphill or changed seasonal behaviors in response to 20th century climate change. If warming continues, many more species will face extinction due to inability to adapt. Coral reefs and Arctic ecosystems may already be collapsing due to extreme temperature-related stress. Most biological changes correlate as predicted with long term climate trends, providing strong evidence that climate change poses a serious threat to global biodiversity.
The document summarizes a study on the thermal biology and thermoregulation of the anguid lizard Anguis fragilis. Observations were made of their behavior and body temperatures in outdoor enclosures under different weather conditions. Tests using null models, which measure the temperatures attainable in different microhabitats without behavioral thermoregulation, indicated that the lizards' primary reason for being active above ground was thermoregulation. Their body temperatures were significantly higher than temperatures in shaded areas but lower than in open areas, regardless of weather conditions. This suggests the lizards achieved thermoregulation by selecting appropriate microhabitats rather than extensive movement.
1) The document discusses the principle of allocation and evolutionary trade-offs, where energy allocation to one biological function reduces the amount available for others. Studies on E. coli showed adaptation to lower temperatures resulted in lower fitness at higher temperatures.
2) Temperature influences enzyme function, with different optimal temperatures for forms of acetylcholinesterase in winter and summer.
3) A study on eastern fence lizards found populations from different climates had narrow optimal temperature ranges for metabolizable energy intake.
Lizards are vertebrate ectotherms, which like other animals maintain their body temperature (Tb) within a relatively narrow range in order to carry out crucial physiological processes during their life cycle. The preferred body temperature (Ts) that a lizard voluntarily selects in a laboratory thermal gradient
provides a reasonable estimate of what a lizard would attain in the wild with a minimum of associate costs in absence of constraints for thermoregulation
This document summarizes a study on the thermal ecology of the European tree frog (Hyla arborea) in western France. The study measured body temperatures of 108 frogs over six years during sunny and overcast weather conditions. Body temperatures were higher on sunny days but showed similar variability. Body temperatures correlated most closely with temperatures of shaded leaves, regardless of weather. This suggests H. arborea controls its body temperature through selecting shaded microhabitats, though some frogs were observed basking in sunny areas, even on hot days.
This study examined the effect of ration level on the energy allocation of the predatory beetle Notiophilus biguttatus. The beetles' energy budgets were defined by measuring egg production, respiration, and defecation rates at different ration levels. These measurements were used to estimate the energy allocated to reproduction and maintenance. The key findings were that (1) egg production, respiration rates, and energy content of feces all increased with higher ration levels, (2) more energy was allocated to reproduction at higher ration levels potentially at the cost of other metabolic processes, and (3) non-reproductive females required less maintenance energy than reproductive females.
The thermal biology of the small sand lizard Liolaemus occipitalis was studied in coastal sand dunes in southern Brazil. L. occipitalis maintained an average body temperature of 30.89°C that varied seasonally and daily depending on microhabitat temperatures. The substrate temperature was the main source for thermoregulation, accounting for most of the variation in lizard body temperatures across seasons. L. occipitalis is a rock-dwelling, thigmothermic, and heliothermic species that regulates its temperature behaviorally based on microclimate conditions.
55; varanus bengalensis feeding behaviour (natural history note)Roger Meek
This document reports observations of the feeding behaviors and thermoregulation of Varanus bengalensis (Bengal monitor) lizards in Sri Lanka during a 2005 field study. Researchers observed V. bengalensis foraging both terrestrially and arboreally for a variety of prey, including frogs, snails, and bats. They also observed a sentinel behavior where a lizard remained stationary outside its burrow at night. The document discusses the lizards' diets and how they consume and digest different prey items.
Global temperatures are rising and causing widespread changes in plant and animal species distributions and behaviors. Over 1500 species have shifted ranges northward or uphill or changed seasonal behaviors in response to 20th century climate change. If warming continues, many more species will face extinction due to inability to adapt. Coral reefs and Arctic ecosystems may already be collapsing due to extreme temperature-related stress. Most biological changes correlate as predicted with long term climate trends, providing strong evidence that climate change poses a serious threat to global biodiversity.
The document summarizes a study on the thermal biology and thermoregulation of the anguid lizard Anguis fragilis. Observations were made of their behavior and body temperatures in outdoor enclosures under different weather conditions. Tests using null models, which measure the temperatures attainable in different microhabitats without behavioral thermoregulation, indicated that the lizards' primary reason for being active above ground was thermoregulation. Their body temperatures were significantly higher than temperatures in shaded areas but lower than in open areas, regardless of weather conditions. This suggests the lizards achieved thermoregulation by selecting appropriate microhabitats rather than extensive movement.
1) The document discusses the principle of allocation and evolutionary trade-offs, where energy allocation to one biological function reduces the amount available for others. Studies on E. coli showed adaptation to lower temperatures resulted in lower fitness at higher temperatures.
2) Temperature influences enzyme function, with different optimal temperatures for forms of acetylcholinesterase in winter and summer.
3) A study on eastern fence lizards found populations from different climates had narrow optimal temperature ranges for metabolizable energy intake.
This presentation by Jonathan Sanders of NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service highlights the importance of considering the longer-term effects on plant populations with both fire and weed management actions.
Presentation from Nature Conservation Council of NSW 2017 Bushfire Conference - Fire, Fauna & Ferals: from backyards to bush.
An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. All the living and nonliving things in an ecosystem are interdependent and work together to form a functional unit. Ecosystems exist at all scales, from small backyard gardens to large biomes like the African savanna. When a new organism is introduced or a disruption like a fire or storm occurs, it can destabilize the ecosystem by disrupting existing relationships between organisms.
An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. All components of an ecosystem, whether living or non-living, work together and are interdependent. Ecosystems can vary in size from small, such as a backyard garden, to very large, like the savanna. Disruptions such as natural disasters, foreign invaders, or new species can upset the balance of an ecosystem and potentially cause harm.
Comparative study on Population of Earthworms in Different Habitat Types alon...AI Publications
Earthworms are one of the very diverse organisms in the environment. The abundance of the earthworms relates to the different land use, human activity, biotic and abiotic factors on nature. The diversity and abundance of earthworms was studied in different habitats; broadleaved forest, chirpine forest, residential area and agriculture land with the aim to understand the variation in earthworm species in those habitats. Between the altitude 650-1450masl. a total of 20 major plots and 100 sub-plots was made to assess the earthworm diversity in selectedhabitat. Physio-chemical analysis of soil was done to know the diversity, abundance and density of earthworms. The result of study does find two orders, five families and seven species of earthworms. They were Amynthasalexandri, Metaphirehoulleti, Perionyx excavatus, Aporrectodeacalciginosa, Dichogastersp., Pontoscolexcorethrurus and Darwidasp. Broadleaved had the highest diversity with Shannon index of 2.04 and the lowest diversity was found in chirpine forest with Shannon index of 1.6. The highest richness was in the broadleaved forest with index of 0.827. Amynthasalexandri was present in all the habitats and it had the highest relative abundance of 28.12%, relative density of 32.80 per m2 and frequency of 25%. The lowest relative density, abundance and frequency was found in Darwida sp. The analysis of variance showed thatthe NPK content in the soil has effect on the density of earthworm along the altitude. In lower altitude at 650 masl. The density of earthworms was more with a high amount of NPK in soil and in higher altitude at 1450masl. the decrease in NPK showed low earthworm density. Pearson correlation showed a positive correlation with soil Physico-chemical parameters and an abundance of earthworms.
Fire Intensity Effects on Coastal Redwood RegenerationAxël Eaton
This study examined the relationship between fire severity and basal sprouting in coastal redwood trees in Big Creek Reserve, California. The researchers measured 112 redwood trees and classified burn severity. They found coastal redwoods produced more basal sprouts with increasing burn severity, as measured by char height and the presence of goosepens. Even after accounting for tree size, higher burn severity was correlated with greater sprouting. This response may be due to increased light availability or redirection of nutrients after severe burning. The findings suggest forest management could use controlled burning to reduce fuels while stimulating redwood regeneration to conserve the species in the face of climate change.
patterns and determinants of floristic variation across lowland forests of bo...Valderes Sarnaglia
This document analyzes patterns of floristic variation across 220 forest plots in lowland Bolivia and relates this to environmental factors. It finds that floristic variation is strongly associated with differences in water availability and temperature, with climate having a stronger influence than soil properties. Analysis identifies five distinct floristic regions in lowland Bolivia. A total of 82 tree and palm species are identified as strong indicators of environmental preferences for one of the five regions. The study concludes that species composition may shift substantially with predicted changes in climate.
Studies on the Influence of Temperature in Aquatic Anuran Population in Cauve...BRNSS Publication Hub
Amphibian is one of the important ecosystem component, both the ecologically and economically. In the present study, we intended to analyze the population density based on the temperature in different months during the year 2016–2017. The data were collected by visual encounter survey method ,and amphibians were recorded in all 12 months from the study area for 2 years. The monthly variation habitat temperature was recorded in 2016–2017 using analysis of variance. In different habitat (cultivable, non-cultivable, pond, and grassland) temperature, the population was maximum at pond followed by grassland, agriculture, and non-cultivable. The maximum temperature was found in July with 74 numbers of species which were identified during 2016. Were recorded high number (1600) frog were recorded in pond 28°C during samba season followed by Thaladi and Kuruvai. Based on this study, we conclude that the population density may increase and decrease based on the temperature in all the three seasons with four microhabitats.
This document provides a literature review on the effects of top predators on biodiversity and ecosystem functions. It discusses how top predators regulate trophic cascades and food webs through controlling prey populations. The loss of top predators like wolves and lynx in Germany has allowed herbivore populations to increase, impacting vegetation. Reintroducing these predators could help control ungulate numbers and damage. The document also examines factors that reduce top predator populations in human-dominated landscapes, such as habitat loss, poaching, and conflicts with livestock.
This document summarizes research on the effects of fire on fauna habitat. It finds that:
1) Logs and bark are important habitat for many species but are consumed by fire, reducing their quality and time to recover.
2) Invertebrate numbers were over double under unburnt logs and bark compared to burnt.
3) Burning removes shrub layers and litter instantly, and the amount of logs, hollows, and fuel takes 50+ years to recover to pre-fire levels.
Diversity and distribution of butterflies in the open and close canopy forest...Innspub Net
Butterflies were sampled in Cadaclan, San Fernando La Union Botanical Garden (LUBG) of North Luzon to provide information on species-level diversity trend and distribution of butterflies on the open and close canopy portion of the dipterocarp forest from 2012-2014 using field transect method Species accumulation curve shows that additional sampling is needed for the possible turnover of species. Butterfly abundance was higher in open canopy forest with a mean individual of 8.14 per 10 meters out of the 814 total individuals. The close canopy forest had only 4.57 mean individuals for the total of 457. Species level diversity was higher in open canopy forest (H’ = 1.957) compared with the closed canopy forest (H’ = 1.933). These results suggest that butterflies prefer open canopy forest or clearing for their plights. Butterfly spatial distribution was uneven in the dipterocarp forest of LUBG with only 6 species of aggregate assemblages and 98 species with random distribution. Get more articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-6-number-1-january-2015-jbes/
The document outlines several key concepts in ecology and conservation including:
1. Factors that affect the distribution of plant and animal species such as temperature, water, light, soil pH, breeding sites, and food supply.
2. Methods for measuring ecological concepts like biomass, primary production, trophic levels, and ecological succession.
3. The major biomes of the world and how abiotic factors like temperature and rainfall affect their distribution.
4. Reasons for biodiversity conservation using rainforests as an example, including ethical, ecological, economic, and aesthetic arguments. Accelerating extinction rates are threatening many species.
This document summarizes observations of movements, mating, and parturition in a female aspic viper (Vipera aspis) in western France over two years. The female was observed basking near her hibernaculum in early spring both years. In 2015, she was observed mating with another viper in April and giving birth to an estimated 6 offspring in September, consistent with the species' gestation period. Post-parturition, she was sighted moving between hibernaculum areas until late fall. No vipers were sighted near the hibernaculum over summer, suggesting a seasonal migration. The observations provide information about the species' thermoregulation and reproductive behaviors.
Rotem et al 2011 The Effect of anthropogenic resources on the space-use patt...Guy Rotem
This study examined how the space-use patterns of golden jackals are affected by proximity to human villages in Israel. The researchers radio-tracked 16 jackals, 8 near villages and 8 further away. They found that jackals near villages had smaller home ranges and core areas than those further away. Jackals near villages also moved less during the day than those in more natural areas. However, nighttime movement did not differ between the two groups, though jackals near villages moved in a less directional manner. The presence of abundant, predictable food sources from human villages compressed jackal space use and altered their movement patterns.
Two field experiment were run at the farms of Omar AL-Mokhtar university, in order to knew the effect of some methods used to control tomato pests on soil arthropod systemic groups in organic cultivated tomato field such as (BT, algifol, methyl salicylate, neem oil), Results indicated that application of B. thuringensis and Algifol achieved the highest performance showing 100% reduction in mites and other soil arthropods systemic groups, and gave reduction 55.5 and 54.96% in both insect and total population of soil arthropods collected with pitfall traps. As far as Neemazone and Methyl salicylate increased the insect population with percentages 132.5 and 310% and total soil arthropods with 133.2% and 308.6% respectively and reduced the mites and the other arthropods population with 100%. Also results showed that the pesticides (avermectin, indoxacarb, & neemazone) increased the average number of the total soil arthropod population groups, and these pesticides showed selective effect, so that, it will be recommended that in order to preserve the beneficial predators, carnivorous and parasitoids these biological and selective pesticides in conventional tomato field should be applied.
According to the results obtained from this work, the changes in diversity and equitability and decrease or increase of percent population of soil arthropods groups were differed according to the soil arthropod groups, sampling period, applied plant protection products and system of agricultural.
1. Climate change is expected to negatively impact crop-insect pest interactions and exacerbate agricultural yield losses. Rising temperatures and shifts in rainfall patterns will influence the distribution and abundance of major and minor pests.
2. Loss of biodiversity from climate change impacts could disrupt ecological balances and increase outbreaks of destructive pests. Habitat alterations and changes in cropping practices may suppress natural enemies or competitor species.
3. Insect pests may expand their geographic ranges as temperatures and rainfall change regions, altering where growth, survival and reproduction is possible. This could introduce new pests or increase abundances in novel areas.
Impacts of fires on the woody stratum of Mbam and Djerem National Park (Camer...AI Publications
In Cameroon, the recurrent and uncontrolled use of bush fires, causing damage to the ecosystem, and constitutes a worrying situation for protected area managers. . The Mbam et Djerem National Park (PNMD) is threatened by bush fires and particularly by uncontrolled late fires which compromise all of its biodiversity and the future of the park. Faced with this increasingly high occurrence of fires and the insufficiency of basic data, it becomes urgent to assess the impacts of fire on the woody and grassy stratum according to the fire regime and at the end of proposing fire management strategies at PNMD level. To do this, experimental plots were installed, the impacts of fire on vegetation according to fire regimes were assessed. The results reveal that: 74% of the trees examined are barked by fire and the proportion of these barked trees varies according to the species of tree, which constitutes entry points for termites and bees in the trees. Adults are significantly more skinned (70%) than young people (30%) (variance = 32.447 df = 1, χ2 = 103.014, p = 0.004). The intensity of the fire is significantly different from one fire regime to another (p = 0.0154). The rate of regrowth is different between treatments (ANOVA, p = 0.005). High (apparent) mortality is observed for class 2 individuals (35%), i.e. juveniles suffering from late fires. Remote sensing therefore appears to be a more valuable tool for monitoring and analyzing space and time for strategic and operational planning and for early warning in the management of bush fires.
Investigation into the existence of Thermal Sensory Capabilities of Dung Beetlesjsenia
The document summarizes an ecology project studying whether dung beetles prefer warm dung over cold dung. The study placed paired traps with heated and unheated dung in a forest on Pulau Ubin to test the hypothesis. However, a t-test of the results found no significant difference in the number of beetles between the treatments and controls. Therefore, the null hypothesis that dung beetles have no preference could not be rejected. While infrared receptors may exist in dung beetles, this small-scale study was unable to confirm their presence.
The document summarizes several studies on plant growth analysis and the parameters used to describe and quantify growth. It discusses how relative growth rate (RGR) can be factored into leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf mass ratio (LMR), and net assimilation rate (NAR). SLA, LMR and the proportion of resources allocated to leaves versus other plant parts influence LAR and growth. NAR is influenced by photosynthesis, respiration, and carbon allocation. Studies found SLA and allocation to leaves had a stronger influence on RGR than NAR between plant species.
Meeting presentation October 2012
by Heather A. Wright
Ongoing results from a long-term analysis of plankton phenology at a LTER - Long Term Ecological Research Station in the Mediterranean Sea. Stn MareChiara.
This study examined the body temperatures of common toads (Bufo bufo) in France. The main findings were:
1) Nocturnal body temperatures ranged from 11.7-18.9°C and were associated with air and substrate temperatures.
2) Diurnal body temperatures ranged from 27.8-34.2°C and were significantly lower than open substrate temperatures but not shaded air temperatures.
3) Toad activity and body temperatures occurred over a similar period to other studies, from March to November, defining their thermal niche for the year.
Media and the Criminal Justice SystemIP2 GibsonDfinalDm Gibson
The document discusses how media coverage influences public perception of the criminal justice system. It argues that media often focuses more on negative and sensationalized stories, which can create fear among the public and impact policy. Exposure to violence in media like movies and video games can desensitize people and potentially influence criminal behavior as some try to emulate what they see. The level of trust in the criminal justice system depends on factors like gender, race, income and personal experiences with police. Diverse police forces and community outreach programs can help alleviate public fear and gain trust.
This presentation by Jonathan Sanders of NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service highlights the importance of considering the longer-term effects on plant populations with both fire and weed management actions.
Presentation from Nature Conservation Council of NSW 2017 Bushfire Conference - Fire, Fauna & Ferals: from backyards to bush.
An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. All the living and nonliving things in an ecosystem are interdependent and work together to form a functional unit. Ecosystems exist at all scales, from small backyard gardens to large biomes like the African savanna. When a new organism is introduced or a disruption like a fire or storm occurs, it can destabilize the ecosystem by disrupting existing relationships between organisms.
An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. All components of an ecosystem, whether living or non-living, work together and are interdependent. Ecosystems can vary in size from small, such as a backyard garden, to very large, like the savanna. Disruptions such as natural disasters, foreign invaders, or new species can upset the balance of an ecosystem and potentially cause harm.
Comparative study on Population of Earthworms in Different Habitat Types alon...AI Publications
Earthworms are one of the very diverse organisms in the environment. The abundance of the earthworms relates to the different land use, human activity, biotic and abiotic factors on nature. The diversity and abundance of earthworms was studied in different habitats; broadleaved forest, chirpine forest, residential area and agriculture land with the aim to understand the variation in earthworm species in those habitats. Between the altitude 650-1450masl. a total of 20 major plots and 100 sub-plots was made to assess the earthworm diversity in selectedhabitat. Physio-chemical analysis of soil was done to know the diversity, abundance and density of earthworms. The result of study does find two orders, five families and seven species of earthworms. They were Amynthasalexandri, Metaphirehoulleti, Perionyx excavatus, Aporrectodeacalciginosa, Dichogastersp., Pontoscolexcorethrurus and Darwidasp. Broadleaved had the highest diversity with Shannon index of 2.04 and the lowest diversity was found in chirpine forest with Shannon index of 1.6. The highest richness was in the broadleaved forest with index of 0.827. Amynthasalexandri was present in all the habitats and it had the highest relative abundance of 28.12%, relative density of 32.80 per m2 and frequency of 25%. The lowest relative density, abundance and frequency was found in Darwida sp. The analysis of variance showed thatthe NPK content in the soil has effect on the density of earthworm along the altitude. In lower altitude at 650 masl. The density of earthworms was more with a high amount of NPK in soil and in higher altitude at 1450masl. the decrease in NPK showed low earthworm density. Pearson correlation showed a positive correlation with soil Physico-chemical parameters and an abundance of earthworms.
Fire Intensity Effects on Coastal Redwood RegenerationAxël Eaton
This study examined the relationship between fire severity and basal sprouting in coastal redwood trees in Big Creek Reserve, California. The researchers measured 112 redwood trees and classified burn severity. They found coastal redwoods produced more basal sprouts with increasing burn severity, as measured by char height and the presence of goosepens. Even after accounting for tree size, higher burn severity was correlated with greater sprouting. This response may be due to increased light availability or redirection of nutrients after severe burning. The findings suggest forest management could use controlled burning to reduce fuels while stimulating redwood regeneration to conserve the species in the face of climate change.
patterns and determinants of floristic variation across lowland forests of bo...Valderes Sarnaglia
This document analyzes patterns of floristic variation across 220 forest plots in lowland Bolivia and relates this to environmental factors. It finds that floristic variation is strongly associated with differences in water availability and temperature, with climate having a stronger influence than soil properties. Analysis identifies five distinct floristic regions in lowland Bolivia. A total of 82 tree and palm species are identified as strong indicators of environmental preferences for one of the five regions. The study concludes that species composition may shift substantially with predicted changes in climate.
Studies on the Influence of Temperature in Aquatic Anuran Population in Cauve...BRNSS Publication Hub
Amphibian is one of the important ecosystem component, both the ecologically and economically. In the present study, we intended to analyze the population density based on the temperature in different months during the year 2016–2017. The data were collected by visual encounter survey method ,and amphibians were recorded in all 12 months from the study area for 2 years. The monthly variation habitat temperature was recorded in 2016–2017 using analysis of variance. In different habitat (cultivable, non-cultivable, pond, and grassland) temperature, the population was maximum at pond followed by grassland, agriculture, and non-cultivable. The maximum temperature was found in July with 74 numbers of species which were identified during 2016. Were recorded high number (1600) frog were recorded in pond 28°C during samba season followed by Thaladi and Kuruvai. Based on this study, we conclude that the population density may increase and decrease based on the temperature in all the three seasons with four microhabitats.
This document provides a literature review on the effects of top predators on biodiversity and ecosystem functions. It discusses how top predators regulate trophic cascades and food webs through controlling prey populations. The loss of top predators like wolves and lynx in Germany has allowed herbivore populations to increase, impacting vegetation. Reintroducing these predators could help control ungulate numbers and damage. The document also examines factors that reduce top predator populations in human-dominated landscapes, such as habitat loss, poaching, and conflicts with livestock.
This document summarizes research on the effects of fire on fauna habitat. It finds that:
1) Logs and bark are important habitat for many species but are consumed by fire, reducing their quality and time to recover.
2) Invertebrate numbers were over double under unburnt logs and bark compared to burnt.
3) Burning removes shrub layers and litter instantly, and the amount of logs, hollows, and fuel takes 50+ years to recover to pre-fire levels.
Diversity and distribution of butterflies in the open and close canopy forest...Innspub Net
Butterflies were sampled in Cadaclan, San Fernando La Union Botanical Garden (LUBG) of North Luzon to provide information on species-level diversity trend and distribution of butterflies on the open and close canopy portion of the dipterocarp forest from 2012-2014 using field transect method Species accumulation curve shows that additional sampling is needed for the possible turnover of species. Butterfly abundance was higher in open canopy forest with a mean individual of 8.14 per 10 meters out of the 814 total individuals. The close canopy forest had only 4.57 mean individuals for the total of 457. Species level diversity was higher in open canopy forest (H’ = 1.957) compared with the closed canopy forest (H’ = 1.933). These results suggest that butterflies prefer open canopy forest or clearing for their plights. Butterfly spatial distribution was uneven in the dipterocarp forest of LUBG with only 6 species of aggregate assemblages and 98 species with random distribution. Get more articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-6-number-1-january-2015-jbes/
The document outlines several key concepts in ecology and conservation including:
1. Factors that affect the distribution of plant and animal species such as temperature, water, light, soil pH, breeding sites, and food supply.
2. Methods for measuring ecological concepts like biomass, primary production, trophic levels, and ecological succession.
3. The major biomes of the world and how abiotic factors like temperature and rainfall affect their distribution.
4. Reasons for biodiversity conservation using rainforests as an example, including ethical, ecological, economic, and aesthetic arguments. Accelerating extinction rates are threatening many species.
This document summarizes observations of movements, mating, and parturition in a female aspic viper (Vipera aspis) in western France over two years. The female was observed basking near her hibernaculum in early spring both years. In 2015, she was observed mating with another viper in April and giving birth to an estimated 6 offspring in September, consistent with the species' gestation period. Post-parturition, she was sighted moving between hibernaculum areas until late fall. No vipers were sighted near the hibernaculum over summer, suggesting a seasonal migration. The observations provide information about the species' thermoregulation and reproductive behaviors.
Rotem et al 2011 The Effect of anthropogenic resources on the space-use patt...Guy Rotem
This study examined how the space-use patterns of golden jackals are affected by proximity to human villages in Israel. The researchers radio-tracked 16 jackals, 8 near villages and 8 further away. They found that jackals near villages had smaller home ranges and core areas than those further away. Jackals near villages also moved less during the day than those in more natural areas. However, nighttime movement did not differ between the two groups, though jackals near villages moved in a less directional manner. The presence of abundant, predictable food sources from human villages compressed jackal space use and altered their movement patterns.
Two field experiment were run at the farms of Omar AL-Mokhtar university, in order to knew the effect of some methods used to control tomato pests on soil arthropod systemic groups in organic cultivated tomato field such as (BT, algifol, methyl salicylate, neem oil), Results indicated that application of B. thuringensis and Algifol achieved the highest performance showing 100% reduction in mites and other soil arthropods systemic groups, and gave reduction 55.5 and 54.96% in both insect and total population of soil arthropods collected with pitfall traps. As far as Neemazone and Methyl salicylate increased the insect population with percentages 132.5 and 310% and total soil arthropods with 133.2% and 308.6% respectively and reduced the mites and the other arthropods population with 100%. Also results showed that the pesticides (avermectin, indoxacarb, & neemazone) increased the average number of the total soil arthropod population groups, and these pesticides showed selective effect, so that, it will be recommended that in order to preserve the beneficial predators, carnivorous and parasitoids these biological and selective pesticides in conventional tomato field should be applied.
According to the results obtained from this work, the changes in diversity and equitability and decrease or increase of percent population of soil arthropods groups were differed according to the soil arthropod groups, sampling period, applied plant protection products and system of agricultural.
1. Climate change is expected to negatively impact crop-insect pest interactions and exacerbate agricultural yield losses. Rising temperatures and shifts in rainfall patterns will influence the distribution and abundance of major and minor pests.
2. Loss of biodiversity from climate change impacts could disrupt ecological balances and increase outbreaks of destructive pests. Habitat alterations and changes in cropping practices may suppress natural enemies or competitor species.
3. Insect pests may expand their geographic ranges as temperatures and rainfall change regions, altering where growth, survival and reproduction is possible. This could introduce new pests or increase abundances in novel areas.
Impacts of fires on the woody stratum of Mbam and Djerem National Park (Camer...AI Publications
In Cameroon, the recurrent and uncontrolled use of bush fires, causing damage to the ecosystem, and constitutes a worrying situation for protected area managers. . The Mbam et Djerem National Park (PNMD) is threatened by bush fires and particularly by uncontrolled late fires which compromise all of its biodiversity and the future of the park. Faced with this increasingly high occurrence of fires and the insufficiency of basic data, it becomes urgent to assess the impacts of fire on the woody and grassy stratum according to the fire regime and at the end of proposing fire management strategies at PNMD level. To do this, experimental plots were installed, the impacts of fire on vegetation according to fire regimes were assessed. The results reveal that: 74% of the trees examined are barked by fire and the proportion of these barked trees varies according to the species of tree, which constitutes entry points for termites and bees in the trees. Adults are significantly more skinned (70%) than young people (30%) (variance = 32.447 df = 1, χ2 = 103.014, p = 0.004). The intensity of the fire is significantly different from one fire regime to another (p = 0.0154). The rate of regrowth is different between treatments (ANOVA, p = 0.005). High (apparent) mortality is observed for class 2 individuals (35%), i.e. juveniles suffering from late fires. Remote sensing therefore appears to be a more valuable tool for monitoring and analyzing space and time for strategic and operational planning and for early warning in the management of bush fires.
Investigation into the existence of Thermal Sensory Capabilities of Dung Beetlesjsenia
The document summarizes an ecology project studying whether dung beetles prefer warm dung over cold dung. The study placed paired traps with heated and unheated dung in a forest on Pulau Ubin to test the hypothesis. However, a t-test of the results found no significant difference in the number of beetles between the treatments and controls. Therefore, the null hypothesis that dung beetles have no preference could not be rejected. While infrared receptors may exist in dung beetles, this small-scale study was unable to confirm their presence.
The document summarizes several studies on plant growth analysis and the parameters used to describe and quantify growth. It discusses how relative growth rate (RGR) can be factored into leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf mass ratio (LMR), and net assimilation rate (NAR). SLA, LMR and the proportion of resources allocated to leaves versus other plant parts influence LAR and growth. NAR is influenced by photosynthesis, respiration, and carbon allocation. Studies found SLA and allocation to leaves had a stronger influence on RGR than NAR between plant species.
Meeting presentation October 2012
by Heather A. Wright
Ongoing results from a long-term analysis of plankton phenology at a LTER - Long Term Ecological Research Station in the Mediterranean Sea. Stn MareChiara.
This study examined the body temperatures of common toads (Bufo bufo) in France. The main findings were:
1) Nocturnal body temperatures ranged from 11.7-18.9°C and were associated with air and substrate temperatures.
2) Diurnal body temperatures ranged from 27.8-34.2°C and were significantly lower than open substrate temperatures but not shaded air temperatures.
3) Toad activity and body temperatures occurred over a similar period to other studies, from March to November, defining their thermal niche for the year.
Media and the Criminal Justice SystemIP2 GibsonDfinalDm Gibson
The document discusses how media coverage influences public perception of the criminal justice system. It argues that media often focuses more on negative and sensationalized stories, which can create fear among the public and impact policy. Exposure to violence in media like movies and video games can desensitize people and potentially influence criminal behavior as some try to emulate what they see. The level of trust in the criminal justice system depends on factors like gender, race, income and personal experiences with police. Diverse police forces and community outreach programs can help alleviate public fear and gain trust.
Д. Барашков, начальник департамента коммерческих продаж ТК ЕвразХолдинг, представил концепцию работы ЕВРАЗ в новых рыночных условиях. По его словам, учитывая тенденции будущего и новые вызовы рынка, компания планирует придерживаться максимально рационального рыночного поведения, а также укреплять отношения с партнерами за счет максимального удовлетворения их потребностей и улучшения клиентского сервиса. Затем Д.Барашков подробно рассказал о принципах работы копании с дилерами, отметив, что благодаря проводимой политике, отношения с клиентами становятся более устойчивыми и доверительными.
Mission Statement
I have been in the field of education for almost 25 years and a continuing education student for almost half that time. I am passionate about teaching students and teachers how to integrate technology into their daily assignments, along with school/class projects. My love is divided between the creative side of technology (video, music, art, graphic design, etc.) and the many ways technology can be used to improve communication between students, teachers and world beyond. Integrating different forms of technology has the power to bring life to conventional and unconventional school subjects.
My second passion is the power to keep our children safe while on the Internet, whether that be from sexual predators or cyber bullying. It has been a huge part of my life for the past 15+ years to find creative ways to train our students in Internet Safety. It is such a tremendous part of my life I opted to go back to school to earn my Ph.D. in the psychology of integrating technology and I fully believe online safety is at the forefront of integrating technology.
Our children deserve an education that takes them beyond the four walls of the classroom, yet while they beyond those walls they are as safe as if they were within those walls with the windows and the doors closed tightly. It is my goal to belong to an organization who feels the same as I do and are looking for someone to become a part of their community who wants to expand every part of the student and the teacher.
El documento presenta las ventas de 31 productos durante marzo de 2013, incluyendo la fecha, descripción, unidades vendidas, costo por producto y total por producto. En total se vendieron por $2,885,750,274. Las ventas más altas fueron de escritorios, cajas de CDs, esquineros y portaCDs.
The document discusses using numerical simulations to understand the inner structure of galaxies based on observable kinematic properties. Simulations allow mimicking observational procedures on simulated galaxies to extract surface brightness and velocity-related properties. Comparing these to real observations allows insights into hidden structures like stellar bars and bulges. The author's current work aims to understand how these structures affect disk galaxy kinematics and how they can be identified when orientations hide their appearance morphologically.
This resume is for Kennedy O'Connor, who graduated from Michigan State University in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Spanish. They have experience in various roles including as a Policy and Standards Board Member for Pi Beta Phi sorority, a receptionist at Espa Salon and H&R Block, an assistant teacher at AppleTree Learning Center, and a cashier at Kirlin's Hallmark. The resume highlights their education history and provides descriptions of their work experience in customer service, administrative support, and childcare roles.
Charlotte Heaps received an overall grade of A for her A2 coursework. She received high marks for her planning, main video task, and two ancillary tasks of creating a digipak and poster. Her video showed good use of shots, editing to match the beat, and a clear narrative. Her digipak and poster creatively used images and fonts that linked to the genre and band. In her evaluation, she provided analysis of how her video and products linked to the genre and audience, and collected some feedback via questionnaire, though more feedback would have strengthened it. Overall her work showed good technical skills, creative linking to the genre, and reflective analysis.
As the supervisor of the internal affairs division, you have been charged with reviewing the police department's procedures for investigating officer misconduct. Major challenges facing police executives today include addressing the true causes of misconduct rather than quick fixes, and overcoming the "code of silence" within the department. Organizational culture, which is established by leadership, also plays a role, as the culture can encourage or discourage misconduct and accountability. Your recommendations should explore how to establish a culture of accountability and address systemic issues rather than just surface problems.
Grade 3 u2 disease control and prevention final (1)alvin rivera
The document discusses food-borne diseases such as diarrhea, food poisoning, cholera, and typhoid. It lists their common symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These diseases can be caused by consuming contaminated food or water. Proper food handling, cooking, storage, and hand washing can help prevent the spread of food-borne illnesses. Common parasites like head lice, pinworms, and tapeworms are also mentioned along with how they infect hosts and their symptoms.
This document summarizes a study on the thermoregulatory behavior of the lizard Calotes versicolor at two different altitudes in Sri Lanka. Operative temperatures and lizard body temperatures were measured at a low altitude of 91 meters and high altitude of over 900 meters. The study found that lizards at the high altitude had to increase basking behavior to raise their body temperature due to cooler temperatures, while lizards at the low altitude engaged in more shade seeking to avoid high temperatures. Precision of body temperatures was not significantly different between the two populations. The document also presents preliminary models of how altitude generally influences body temperatures in Calotes lizards and other reptiles in the region.
This study examines the thermal ecology of Ceratophora tennentii, an endangered agamid lizard found only in Sri Lanka's Knuckles Massif cloud forests. Over 165 lizards were observed and their body temperatures measured, along with associated air and substrate temperatures. The results showed that C. tennentii operates at relatively low body temperatures that closely track air temperatures, maintaining on average only 0.8°C above air temperature. This suggests the lizards partially abandon active thermoregulation in favor of thermoconformity due to the thermal challenges of their cloud forest habitat. The study provides novel insights into the thermal biology of this rare species and recommendations for further research needed to aid conservation efforts
This document summarizes observations of the thermoregulatory behavior of the Australian water dragon lizard (Physignathus lesueurii) in relation to body size and social status. The behavior of adult and subadult lizards fit the prediction that basking decreases with increasing operative temperature, but alpha male lizards did not follow this pattern. Subadult lizards engaged in more locomotory movement and were disturbed more frequently than larger lizards, especially in the morning. The results suggest thermoregulation imposes different costs for lizards of different sizes and social statuses.
2013 lima & antonialli junior foraging strategies of the ant ectatomma vizott...Luan Lima
Foraging activity may be limited by
temperature, humidity, radiation, wind, and other abiotic factors, all of which can affect energy costs during foraging. Ectatomma
vizottoi’s biology has only recently been studied, and no detailed information is available on its foraging patterns or diet in the field.
For this reason, and because foraging activity is an important part of the ecological success of social insects, the present study aimed
to investigate E. vizottoi’s foraging strategies and dietary habits. First, we determined how abiotic factors constrained E. vizottoi’s
foraging patterns in the field by monitoring the foraging activity of 16 colonies on eight different days across two seasons. Second,
we characterized E. vizottoi’s diet by monitoring another set of 26 colonies during peak foraging activity. Our results show that E.
vizottoi has foraging strategies that are similar to those of congeneric species. In spite of having a low efficiency index, colonies
adopted strategies that allowed them to successfully obtain food resources while avoiding adverse conditions. These strategies
included preying on other ant species, a foraging tactic that could arise if a wide variety of food items are not available in the
environment or if E. vizottoi simply prefers, regardless of resource availability, to prey on other invertebrates and especially on other
ant species.
Barker et al 2012. Thermoregulation by an Australian murine rodent, the ash-g...Justine Barker
This study examines the thermoregulatory physiology of the ash-grey mouse (Pseudomys albocinereus), an Australian murine rodent. Most ash-grey mice remained normothermic over a range of ambient temperatures, but one individual entered torpor at 20°C and 25°C before spontaneously arousing, representing the first evidence of torpor use in an Australian murine rodent. However, torpor appeared to be used rarely and their basal metabolic rate was higher than expected, indicating they do not have a frugal energy expenditure approach. While ash-grey mice have the physiological ability for torpor, other behavioral and physiological adaptations allow them to maintain energy and water balance without heavy reliance on tor
This study examines the evolutionary rates of three physiological traits related to thermal tolerance—cold tolerance, body temperature, and heat tolerance—in a group of tropical lizards found across a range of thermal environments on Hispaniola. The researchers find that cold tolerance has evolved significantly faster than heat tolerance in these lizards. They suggest this is because behavioral thermoregulation more effectively shields the lizards from selection on upper (heat) tolerance compared to lower (cold) tolerance, since lizards in different environments behaviorally regulate their body temperature during the day to similar levels but nighttime temperatures cannot be fully buffered behaviorally. The findings provide insights into how exposure to selection through an organism's ability to behaviorally regulate temperature influences the pace
This document reports on observations of defence behaviours in the viperine snake (Natrix maura) in France. A male N. maura was observed adopting a "balling" defence behaviour where it hid its head in the centre of its coiled body with its tail raised. This behaviour is commonly seen in smaller snakes as a defence against predators. The document also discusses breeding phenology observations of the common toad (Bufo bufo) in Spain, noting earlier breeding and egg-laying was observed in some populations compared to previous years, which may be influenced by climate change.
This study investigated how shade affects the development of the fungal pathogen Entomophaga grylli in its host, the clearwinged grasshopper Camnula pellucida. Grasshoppers were placed in cages with east shade, west shade, or no shade (control). Mortality was monitored daily. Non-linear regressions showed no significant relationship between survival and treatment. Temperatures were higher in east shade unexpectedly. While shade did not significantly affect survival, disease still had a large impact, showing the need for further study using eggs in controlled conditions to prevent cross-contamination.
1) Female speckled tortoises (Homopus signatus) in South Africa were observed over 29 days in early spring to understand how they cope with low environmental temperatures during their active feeding season.
2) The tortoises showed a unimodal daily activity pattern, but individual tortoises were only active for about 4.5 hours per day on average. They spent up to 73% of their active time basking, mostly under shrubs.
3) On colder days, the tortoises spent a higher percentage of their active time basking, indicating they use basking more to absorb heat when temperatures are low. Their feeding time was very low at only 24 minutes per day, likely
Experiments with duckweed–moth systems suggest thatglobal wa.docxelbanglis
Experiments with duckweed–moth systems suggest that
global warming may reduce rather than promote
herbivory
TJISSE VAN DER HEIDE, RUDI M. M. ROIJACKERS, EDWIN T. H. M. PEETERS AND
EGBERT H. VAN NES
Department of Environmental Sciences, Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management group, Wageningen University,
Wageningen, The Netherlands
SUMMARY
1. Wilf & Labandeira (1999) suggested that increased temperatures because of global
warming will cause an increase in herbivory by insects. This conclusion was based on the
supposed effect of temperature on herbivores but did not consider an effect of temperature
on plant growth.
2. We studied the effect of temperature on grazing pressure by the small China-mark moth
(Cataclysta lemnata L.) on Lemna minor L. in laboratory experiments.
3. Between temperatures of 15 and 24 �C we found a sigmoidal increase in C. lemnata
grazing rates, and an approximately linear increase in L. minor growth rates. Therefore, an
increase in temperature did not always result in higher grazing pressure by this insect as
the regrowth of Lemna changes also.
4. At temperatures below 18.7 �C, Lemna benefited more than Cataclysta from an increase in
temperature, causing a decrease in grazing pressure.
5. In the context of global warming, we conclude that rising temperatures will not
necessarily increase grazing pressure by herbivorous insects.
Keywords: Cataclysta, grazing, herbivory, Lemna, temperature
Introduction
Duckweeds (Lemnaceae) are often abundant in dit-
ches and ponds (Landolt, 1986). Especially when
nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the water
column are high, the surface area can become covered
with dense floating mats of duckweed (Lüönd, 1980,
1983; Portielje & Roijackers, 1995). These mats have
large impacts on freshwater ecosystems, restricting
oxygen supply (Pokorny & Rejmánková, 1983), light
availability of algae and submerged macrophytes
(Wolek, 1974) and temperature fluxes (Dale &
Gillespie, 1976; Landolt, 1986; Goldsborough, 1993).
These changed conditions often have a negative effect
on the biodiversity of the ecosystem (Janse & van
Puijenbroek, 1998). Other free-floating plants such as
red water fern (Azolla filiculoides), water hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
often cause serious problems in tropical and sub-
tropical regions (Mehra et al., 1999; Hill, 2003).
Various species of herbivorous insects consume
free-floating macrophytes. Several species of weevils
(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are able to consume large
amounts of red water fern, water hyacinth and water
lettuce (Cilliers, 1991; Hill & Cilliers, 1999; Aguilar
et al., 2003), while the larvae of the semi-aquatic Small
China-mark moth (Cataclysta lemnata) are capable of
removing large parts of floating cover of Lemnaceae
covers (Wesenberg-Lund, 1943). Duckweed is not
only used as food source, but also as building material
Correspondence: Rudi M. M. Roijacker ...
This document summarizes a study that measured the temperatures inside nests of the Australian water dragon (Physignathus lesueurii) over several days in November and December. The study found:
1) Nest temperatures remained relatively constant, between 23-29°C, even as external temperatures varied more widely.
2) The highest nest temperatures were recorded on a sunny day in early December, while overcast days saw maximums below 25°C.
3) Nest temperatures were generally lower than those reported for similar sized tropical lizards, remaining cooler than external temperatures to prevent overheating of eggs.
1. The document discusses how different organisms regulate their body temperatures in response to variations in environmental temperature. It focuses on plants, microbes, and animals.
2. Most organisms can only photosynthesize or perform other biological functions within a narrow temperature range. The document provides examples of how plants and microbes are adapted to different optimal temperature ranges depending on their environment.
3. Organisms regulate their body temperature using various mechanisms to gain, lose, or maintain heat, including metabolic heat production, conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. Endothermic animals like birds and mammals internally produce heat through metabolism, while ectothermic animals rely more on external heat sources.
37; reptiles, thermoregulation and the environment; reviewRoger Meek
This document summarizes research on thermoregulation in reptiles. It discusses how reptiles interact with their environments to regulate their body temperatures, highlighting examples from lizards, chelonians, and other groups. It examines constraints on reptile thermoregulation from environmental factors like climate and habitat, and costs associated with precise thermoregulation in harsh environments like high altitudes and latitudes. The document aims to provide insights into reptile thermal ecology to help herpetologists with captive breeding projects.
This study investigated the effects of different overwintering temperatures (2°C, 5°C, and 8°C) on the energy reserves of Pyrrharctia isabella caterpillars. Triglyceride and glycerol levels were measured in caterpillars exposed to each temperature treatment and compared to starting levels. There was no significant difference in triglycerides across the temperature treatments, but triglycerides significantly increased with increasing temperature. Free glycerol concentrations significantly differed across treatments, suggesting unused glycerol may be recycled into other substances like triglycerides at higher temperatures. The results indicate that temperatures between 2°C and 5°C do not significantly impact energy use over winter
Liolaemus occipitalis is a small lizard found in coastal sand dunes in southern Brazil. The study examined the annual activity patterns of L. occipitalis over one year. It found that the lizard is active year-round but its daily and seasonal activity varies according to climate changes. Most activity occurred under sand (73%), followed by under vegetation (14%). Activity peaks in spring and summer occurred in the morning and afternoon, diminishing during hottest parts of the day. Thermoregulation, involving movement between sunlight and shade, is an important factor influencing the lizard's habitat use and activity patterns.
60; body temperatures and retreat site selection in saurodactylusRoger Meek
- Observations were made of the ground-dwelling lizard Saurodactylus brosseti in southern Morocco to study its retreat site characteristics and body temperatures. The study found that lizards selected retreat sites under significantly larger rocks than randomly selected rocks. Diurnal substrate temperatures inside retreat sites closely matched lizard body temperatures, though both decreased when sea mists were present and increased as conditions warmed. A regression analysis indicated the lizards exhibited partial thermoregulation. Relative humidity under retreat site rocks was significantly higher than outside humidity, suggesting lizards select sites that avoid extreme temperatures and low humidity.
1) A Solomon Island skink (Corucia zebrata) showed signs of a skin infection and was treated with the antibiotic Baytril. After initially recovering, the skink's condition gradually declined despite a good appetite.
2) It is suspected that the antibiotic treatment may have adversely affected the skink's intestinal microbe and nematode populations, causing maldigestion.
3) 'Artificial coprophagy' was induced by smearing mealworms with cagemates' feces, which the skink consumed. This helped restore the intestinal fauna and the skink regained normal weight within two months.
This study examined the effect of ambient temperature on the roost tree selection of the Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) in Thazi, Myanmar from July 2015 to April 2016. A total of 20 trees from 4 species were used as roosts. The population on Holoptelea integrifolia remained stable monthly, while numbers on Tamarindus indica and Samanea saman fluctuated from July to February. Roosting on Borassus flabellifer increased in March and April when temperatures rose. Overall, T. indica was the most selected roost tree. The bats shifted roost trees according to temperature, selecting trees that provided shelter from heat and cold and
This document summarizes temperature regulation in ectotherms. It explains that ectotherms, unlike endotherms, rely on external environmental sources to regulate their body temperature. It describes various behavioral and physiological adaptations ectotherms use to maintain temperature independence, such as exploiting microclimates or adjusting metabolic rates. The document also discusses adaptations for coping with cold environments, including selecting insulated hibernation sites, accumulating cryoprotectants to avoid freezing, and tolerating tissue freezing. In conclusion, it compares the advantages and disadvantages of ectothermy versus endothermy.
This document summarizes several research papers on how weather and climate affect animals. It discusses how temperature changes can impact cold-blooded animals and endangered species. Many animals experience discomfort during extreme heat or cold. The document also reviews how weather influences animal reproduction, metabolism, and corticosterone levels. One study found that weather had little impact on coyote health but more research is needed. Overall, the document analyzes how climate change and environmental conditions significantly impact animal populations and survival.
Similar to 48; corucia zebrata thermoregulation (20)
This document summarizes observations of post-hibernation movements of four reptile species - Hierophis viridiflavus, Natrix natrix, Vipera aspis, and Lacerta bilineata - around a hibernaculum in western France between late March and late May. Most sightings occurred in April, gradually declining later that month, with no reptiles seen after May 28th. The reptiles remained close to the hibernaculum for approximately 45 days before dispersing. Movement patterns and areas used were analyzed and discussed in relation to habitat characteristics and previous studies.
This document summarizes a field observation of an injured western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) in France. The lizard was found immobilized on a road with head trauma and lacerations near its right eye and jaw that appeared to be caused by another animal. It was treated and recovered over two weeks. The injury was likely sustained either from an attack by a predator like a snake or bird of prey, or from combat with another male lizard during their intense territorial fights in spring. Such injuries increase vulnerability to additional threats and could reduce survival potential.
42; physignathus lesueurii predation (natural history note)Roger Meek
1) The Australian Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii) was observed preying on the Grass Skink (Lampropholis delicata) on multiple occasions at the Australian Botanical Gardens.
2) Observations included 8 successful predation events where the Water Dragon captured the Grass Skink from distances up to 7 meters away.
3) Unsuccessful predation attempts by Water Dragons on Grass Skinks were also observed, with the skinks escaping into vegetation.
57; combat behaviour in varanus salvator (natural history note)Roger Meek
This document summarizes two observations of aggression in water monitors (Varanus salvator) in Sri Lanka. In the first observation, a large monitor attacked and chased off a smaller monitor basking on the bank of a narrow waterway. In the second observation, two large monitors were seen wrestling in the water in a typical combat embrace. This suggests monitors may display aggression over territory even in aquatic environments, which had not been reported previously. The document also summarizes an observation of a Philodryas patagoniensis snake that had preyed upon and consumed a venomous snake, possibly a young one, based on the presence of a fang in its feces. This suggests P. patagoniensis may occasionally
Researchers successfully incubated two clutches of reptile eggs under fluctuating temperatures rather than a constant temperature. The eggs hatched and produced healthy hatchlings. The study showed that reptile eggs can develop under more natural fluctuating temperatures rather than the traditional constant temperatures used in captivity.
The document summarizes a study that analyzed the relationship between body mass and carapace length in four chelonian species: Testudo graeca, Testudo hermanni, Emys orbicularis, and Chrysemys scripta. The study found allometric equations describing this relationship for each species, with carapace length generally proportional to body mass raised to the 0.34 power. A comprehensive equation for all species combined supported this finding.
30; allometry in testudo sulcata; a reappraisalRoger Meek
This paper reexamines data on the relationship between carapace length and body mass in the desert tortoise (Testudo sulcata) from a previous study. The authors calculate new allometric equations using the original data and find exponents of 0.36 and 0.39, which disagree with the previous study's calculation of 0.91. These new exponents are closer to what would be expected based on other research on chelonian allometry. The authors conclude the previous study likely contained errors in their calculations and analysis of this tortoise species' measurements.
This document summarizes the use of cryosurgery to treat skin disorders in two lizards and one turtle. Cryosurgery, which uses extremely low temperatures to destroy unwanted tissue, was used to successfully treat a large growth on a green lizard, a skin lesion on a tegu lizard, and an infected swelling behind the ear of a box turtle. The results indicate that cryosurgery may be a valuable surgical tool for treating skin disorders and infections in reptiles.
66;road mortalities of amphibians hj 22(1)_pp_51-58_ms_11-55[1]Roger Meek
This study monitored amphibian roadkill over six years on low-traffic roads in western France. The common toad and agile frog made up the majority of roadkill at 39% and 25.4% respectively. Roadkill patterns were associated with amphibian migration and habitat near roads. Higher roadkill occurred near woodlands/wetlands and after rainfall, related to migration and foraging behavior. Traffic volume did not correlate with roadkill, but roadkill increased with longer amphibian migration distances.
1) Over a seven year period in Western France, 36 whip snakes (Hierophis viridiflavus) suffered mortality from anthropogenic sources such as humans, dogs, and cats.
2) Humans killed over half of the snakes, particularly subadult/hatchling snakes. Dogs and cats also killed snakes, with dogs killing both adult and young snakes and cats only killing young snakes.
3) Mortality patterns varied by age class, with most adult snake deaths occurring in May during the breeding season and most subadult/hatchling deaths in August and September during dispersal from nest sites.
1. The study measured the respiratory rates, body temperatures, and behaviors of captive bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) during periods with and without handling.
2. Respiratory rates increased significantly after handling, but returned to baseline levels once handling stopped. Body temperature increases respiration at similar rates whether the lizards were handled or not.
3. The results suggest that handling induces stress in bearded dragons, shown by elevated respiratory rates, even if the lizards appear habituated to frequent human contact. This has implications for the welfare of reptiles in captive breeding and education programs that involve frequent handling.
1) The study tested whether three species of monitor lizards (Varanus spp.) showed evidence of association learning by recording how long it took them to locate food over repeated trials.
2) Results showed that the time to locate food decreased with the number of trials for two of the three species, providing evidence of association learning.
3) The study suggests that an active foraging lifestyle may place greater cognitive demands on monitor lizards and help explain their ability to learn associations through experience.
40; physignathus cocincinus thermoregulation at htcRoger Meek
The document discusses the benefits of exercise for mental health. Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood and cognitive functioning. Exercise causes chemical changes in the brain that may help boost feelings of calmness, happiness and focus.
EWOCS-I: The catalog of X-ray sources in Westerlund 1 from the Extended Weste...Sérgio Sacani
Context. With a mass exceeding several 104 M⊙ and a rich and dense population of massive stars, supermassive young star clusters
represent the most massive star-forming environment that is dominated by the feedback from massive stars and gravitational interactions
among stars.
Aims. In this paper we present the Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey (EWOCS) project, which aims to investigate
the influence of the starburst environment on the formation of stars and planets, and on the evolution of both low and high mass stars.
The primary targets of this project are Westerlund 1 and 2, the closest supermassive star clusters to the Sun.
Methods. The project is based primarily on recent observations conducted with the Chandra and JWST observatories. Specifically,
the Chandra survey of Westerlund 1 consists of 36 new ACIS-I observations, nearly co-pointed, for a total exposure time of 1 Msec.
Additionally, we included 8 archival Chandra/ACIS-S observations. This paper presents the resulting catalog of X-ray sources within
and around Westerlund 1. Sources were detected by combining various existing methods, and photon extraction and source validation
were carried out using the ACIS-Extract software.
Results. The EWOCS X-ray catalog comprises 5963 validated sources out of the 9420 initially provided to ACIS-Extract, reaching a
photon flux threshold of approximately 2 × 10−8 photons cm−2
s
−1
. The X-ray sources exhibit a highly concentrated spatial distribution,
with 1075 sources located within the central 1 arcmin. We have successfully detected X-ray emissions from 126 out of the 166 known
massive stars of the cluster, and we have collected over 71 000 photons from the magnetar CXO J164710.20-455217.
Current Ms word generated power point presentation covers major details about the micronuclei test. It's significance and assays to conduct it. It is used to detect the micronuclei formation inside the cells of nearly every multicellular organism. It's formation takes place during chromosomal sepration at metaphase.
The technology uses reclaimed CO₂ as the dyeing medium in a closed loop process. When pressurized, CO₂ becomes supercritical (SC-CO₂). In this state CO₂ has a very high solvent power, allowing the dye to dissolve easily.
The binding of cosmological structures by massless topological defectsSérgio Sacani
Assuming spherical symmetry and weak field, it is shown that if one solves the Poisson equation or the Einstein field
equations sourced by a topological defect, i.e. a singularity of a very specific form, the result is a localized gravitational
field capable of driving flat rotation (i.e. Keplerian circular orbits at a constant speed for all radii) of test masses on a thin
spherical shell without any underlying mass. Moreover, a large-scale structure which exploits this solution by assembling
concentrically a number of such topological defects can establish a flat stellar or galactic rotation curve, and can also deflect
light in the same manner as an equipotential (isothermal) sphere. Thus, the need for dark matter or modified gravity theory is
mitigated, at least in part.
ESPP presentation to EU Waste Water Network, 4th June 2024 “EU policies driving nutrient removal and recycling
and the revised UWWTD (Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive)”
The ability to recreate computational results with minimal effort and actionable metrics provides a solid foundation for scientific research and software development. When people can replicate an analysis at the touch of a button using open-source software, open data, and methods to assess and compare proposals, it significantly eases verification of results, engagement with a diverse range of contributors, and progress. However, we have yet to fully achieve this; there are still many sociotechnical frictions.
Inspired by David Donoho's vision, this talk aims to revisit the three crucial pillars of frictionless reproducibility (data sharing, code sharing, and competitive challenges) with the perspective of deep software variability.
Our observation is that multiple layers — hardware, operating systems, third-party libraries, software versions, input data, compile-time options, and parameters — are subject to variability that exacerbates frictions but is also essential for achieving robust, generalizable results and fostering innovation. I will first review the literature, providing evidence of how the complex variability interactions across these layers affect qualitative and quantitative software properties, thereby complicating the reproduction and replication of scientific studies in various fields.
I will then present some software engineering and AI techniques that can support the strategic exploration of variability spaces. These include the use of abstractions and models (e.g., feature models), sampling strategies (e.g., uniform, random), cost-effective measurements (e.g., incremental build of software configurations), and dimensionality reduction methods (e.g., transfer learning, feature selection, software debloating).
I will finally argue that deep variability is both the problem and solution of frictionless reproducibility, calling the software science community to develop new methods and tools to manage variability and foster reproducibility in software systems.
Exposé invité Journées Nationales du GDR GPL 2024
Or: Beyond linear.
Abstract: Equivariant neural networks are neural networks that incorporate symmetries. The nonlinear activation functions in these networks result in interesting nonlinear equivariant maps between simple representations, and motivate the key player of this talk: piecewise linear representation theory.
Disclaimer: No one is perfect, so please mind that there might be mistakes and typos.
dtubbenhauer@gmail.com
Corrected slides: dtubbenhauer.com/talks.html
Immersive Learning That Works: Research Grounding and Paths ForwardLeonel Morgado
We will metaverse into the essence of immersive learning, into its three dimensions and conceptual models. This approach encompasses elements from teaching methodologies to social involvement, through organizational concerns and technologies. Challenging the perception of learning as knowledge transfer, we introduce a 'Uses, Practices & Strategies' model operationalized by the 'Immersive Learning Brain' and ‘Immersion Cube’ frameworks. This approach offers a comprehensive guide through the intricacies of immersive educational experiences and spotlighting research frontiers, along the immersion dimensions of system, narrative, and agency. Our discourse extends to stakeholders beyond the academic sphere, addressing the interests of technologists, instructional designers, and policymakers. We span various contexts, from formal education to organizational transformation to the new horizon of an AI-pervasive society. This keynote aims to unite the iLRN community in a collaborative journey towards a future where immersive learning research and practice coalesce, paving the way for innovative educational research and practice landscapes.
Phenomics assisted breeding in crop improvementIshaGoswami9
As the population is increasing and will reach about 9 billion upto 2050. Also due to climate change, it is difficult to meet the food requirement of such a large population. Facing the challenges presented by resource shortages, climate
change, and increasing global population, crop yield and quality need to be improved in a sustainable way over the coming decades. Genetic improvement by breeding is the best way to increase crop productivity. With the rapid progression of functional
genomics, an increasing number of crop genomes have been sequenced and dozens of genes influencing key agronomic traits have been identified. However, current genome sequence information has not been adequately exploited for understanding
the complex characteristics of multiple gene, owing to a lack of crop phenotypic data. Efficient, automatic, and accurate technologies and platforms that can capture phenotypic data that can
be linked to genomics information for crop improvement at all growth stages have become as important as genotyping. Thus,
high-throughput phenotyping has become the major bottleneck restricting crop breeding. Plant phenomics has been defined as the high-throughput, accurate acquisition and analysis of multi-dimensional phenotypes
during crop growing stages at the organism level, including the cell, tissue, organ, individual plant, plot, and field levels. With the rapid development of novel sensors, imaging technology,
and analysis methods, numerous infrastructure platforms have been developed for phenotyping.
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2 Stephanie Louise Mann, Roger Meek
ioural thermoregulation, requires the expenditure of time, energy and water, and
the need to regulate to specific temperatures may determine when and where rep-
tiles are active, how much food they need and the amount of energy available for
growth and reproduction. The implications are that an inability to thermoregulate
behaviourally may impose serious constraints on husbandry programmes, particu-
larly when the projected outcome is for reintroductions to natural habitat. Insight
on the focal species requires knowledge of several key parameters. Critical are the
body temperatures that optimise physiological performance and the way the animal
interacts with operative temperatures to alter rates of heat exchange with the envi-
ronment (Bakken, 1992). The relationship with operative temperatures is therefore
crucial for providing insight into both behaviour and thermal biology, and although
there is now a large database on reptilian thermoregulation in the literature, much
of it concerns species from temperate or desert habitats (Avery, 1982); little at-
tention has focused on species from tropical forest. However, there is a need for
such information, for whilst many tropical reptiles experience comparatively little
temperature variation and may be sensitive to temperature changes (Lillywhite and
Gatten, 1995), others experience and require a greater variation in temperature than
might be expected (Hertz, 1992).
It is particularly important that a species thermal profile is identified when it is
under threat from extinction in its wild state; the Solomon Islands Skink (Corucia
zebrata) falls into this category. It is a large (up to 1 kg) herbivorous arboreal lizard
that inhabits large trees with extensive epiphytic growth in tropical forest (Parker,
1983), and is unusual for a lizard in that it has a prehensile tail to assist movement.
In 1992, the species was listed on Appendix II of the Berne Convention, but its
numbers in the wild have declined to such an extent since then that it is currently
now subject for inclusion in Appendix I. The problems for C. zebrata relate to
local hunting and the international pet trade especially in respect of the USA, where
between 1992 and 1995 alone, 12,000 animals were exported by the trade (Hoover,
1998). Prior to this period, around 7500 animals were exported annually, again
mainly to the USA (McCoy, 1980). These numbers are very likely a serious threat
for wild populations since the animal is a slow breeder producing only one to two
offspring every one to two years. These factors coupled to a limited geographical
distribution (McCoy, 1980) and additional pressure from loss of natural forest
habitat through logging and slash and burn farming practices suggests that, although
wildlife conservation efforts would realistically be better directed at protection
of natural habitats, captive breeding may now be increasingly necessary for the
survival of C. zebrata, and detailed information on the species biology to underpin
captive breeding is urgently needed.
There is, however, little published information on C. zebrata in this respect. Re-
cently Harmon (2002) observed communal living habits, morphology and reproduc-
tive condition in 12 individuals from rain forest on Santa Isabel whilst Balsai (1995)
has described general husbandry and breeding in captive animals. There are no data
available on thermal biology or movement patterns. Our intensions here are to pro-
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Understanding the relationship between body temperature and activity patterns in C. zebrata 3
vide baseline information on thermoregulatory behaviour and body temperature lev-
els derived from observations of C. zebrata in a simulated tropical forest subject to
natural light through glass. We recognise that information from free-living animals
provide the most accurate data for investigating thermoregulation, but tracking and
relocating C. zebrata in tropical forests may be difficult and time consuming (Har-
mon, 2002). In naturalistic enclosures, these problems are minimized and have been
recognised as a way of providing insight into reptilian thermoregulation under a
range of conditions (Lee, 1996; Lee and Mills, 2000).
Materials and methods
Data were recorded for approximately one day a week between September 2001
and September 2002 on a total of nine lizards: five adults, two of which were males,
and four unsexed sub adults. The adults were wild caught two years previously and
the sub adults born in captivity. The enclosure was 7.5 by 10 m horizontally and
3.2 m vertically, and was one of a series of animal units at the Taylor Hill Annexe of
Huddersfield Technical College. The unit received natural light through glass with
temperature controlled by thermostat, and an automatic sprinkler maintained the
humidity level. Created in 1997 the unit had a mature growth of tropical vegetation
consisting of low growing plants (i.e. Rhoeo, Dracaena, Ixora and Asplenium sp.)
and species of medium height (i.e. Hibiscus, Monstera and Ficus sp.). The canopy
plants were primarily Jasminum, Passiflora, Cyperus, Allamanda and Psigura sp.
The roof surface of the unit divided into 78 individual glass panes of which about
25 had significant plant cover thus reducing initial sunlight by about 30%. Lower
vegetation further reduced passing light so that final sunlight reaching the floor was
at most ca. 30%. The plant structure created a light effect ranging from deep shade
and open sunny areas through to a mosaic of smaller patches of sunlight and shade.
Records were made of the location of the lizards vertically and horizontally
in addition to their position in relation to sunlight (or bright light on overcast
days) and their behaviour recorded. Behaviour was monitored continuously and
the categories defined as: basking, lizards body in full sunlight; partial basking,
a mosaic of sunlight and shade falling on the body; shade, positioned in an area
where there was no sunlight. Locomotory activity is self-explanatory and defined
as both the number of bursts of activity and approximate distances travelled during
each movement, with the latter recorded in centmeters after the animal came to rest.
The animal’s location in the canopy was recorded against a vertical grid system
based on three heights from the ground level. The vertical divided from the ground
to 0.7 m (height 1), 0.7 to 2 m (height 2) and 2 to 3.2 m (height 3).
Body temperatures (n = 2859) were measured at approximately every 10 min
non-invasively with a Digitron OS 204 infrared detector that measures skin surface
temperature (emissivity of reptiles = 0.95; Tracy, 1982). This instrument has
a residual error of ± 0.1◦
C, but needs to be applied close to the lizard — at
approximately 15 cm — to give an accurate reading. Use of this approach in
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4 Stephanie Louise Mann, Roger Meek
C. zebrata produced no apparent disturbance to our animals, in the sense that
no additional or suppression of activity or behaviour appeared to have been a
consequence of measurement. In general the differences between skin surface and
cloacal temperatures can be described as a function of
Tb − Tss = 0.776(Tss − Ta) + Ta,
where Tb is body temperature, Tss skin surface temperature and Ta air temperature
(Alberts and Grant, 1997). The difference is approximately 2◦
C and the equation
Tb − Tss = 0.00114x + 1.1195, r2
= 0.7
estimates the differences from body mass x in g (Meek, 1999, based on data in
Alberts and Grant, 1997).
To test for thermoregulation, operative temperatures were recorded simultane-
ously with body temperatures during the summer months since this was the time of
year when the enclosure experienced the greatest extremes of heat loads. Operative
temperatures were measured using four water-filled black-painted copper cylinders
(Bakken, 1992) that measured 16.5 cm in length, 5.5 cm in diameter and 1 mm
thick, and which were slightly smaller than the adult lizards and slightly larger than
the sub adults. They were placed in key locations of the habitat: — one in full
sunlight at the top of the canopy where the highest operative temperatures were
expected — defined here as To(open), two placed in dappled sunlight to record inter-
mediate operative temperatures (To(dapple)) and one in full shade (To(shade)) to record
the lowest operative temperatures. For direct comparisons with To(dapple), the near-
est dappled sunlight model to the lizard was used. The models were measured with
the same thermometer used for the lizards. It was assumed that the lizards could
achieve any body temperature between these extremes by positioning themselves in
the appropriate microhabitats, and could, for example, track operative temperatures
in dappled sunlight by spending 50% of time in either sun or shade, or by being
positioned half in sun and half in shade (Christian et al., 1983). The temperatures
of these models represent the approximate potential heat exchange — radiation,
convection and conduction — between lizards and the contemporary environment.
An inherent characteristic of the size differences between the models and the lizards
were that the larger adults would have expected to heated up more slowly and the sub
adults rather quicker than the models, but models nevertheless give a more mean-
ingful measurement of the thermal environment than air or substrate temperatures,
and provide better insight into the temperatures at which a lizard would equilibrate
if it made no thermoregulatory movements, postural or physiological adjustments
(Bakken and Gates, 1975; Bakken, 1992). The type of model used to measure op-
erative temperature has been the subject of debate (e.g., Shine and Kearney, 2001),
but it would appear that model attributes are less critical than originally thought
(Vitt and Sartorius, 1999; Shine and Kearney, 2001). Hollow-walled copper tubes
have a low heat capacity and respond readily to changes in radiation levels, and have
value in predicting the amounts of time operative temperatures exceed given thermal
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Understanding the relationship between body temperature and activity patterns in C. zebrata 5
thresholds. They have rather less value when predicting heating and cooling rates in
reptiles because of differences in thermal time constants (Shine and Kearney, 2001).
Statistical analysis
Statistical tests were applied to the means of body temperature of individual lizards
and corresponding means of operative temperatures, activity and canopy heights.
This approach ensured there was no pseudoreplication for these variables. Therefore
the statistical comparisons are based on the means of nine lizards in total and
paired means of corresponding variables. ANOVA, t-tests (paired or two-sample)
were used for statistical comparison of the data set means at the 95% interval
with non parametric Mann-Whitney tests applied to the equality of medians of
activity and canopy location. All mean values are given with one standard deviation.
This method of analysis, where repeated behaviour patterns are not treated as
independent events, has been subject to criticism for underestimating the degrees of
freedom and hence the possibility of inappropriately accepting the null hypothesis
and committing a type II statistical error (Wilson and Dugatkin, 1996). However we
used the above approach in preference to the method of treating each measurement
as an independent event to avoid overestimating the degrees of freedom (Lombardi
and Hurlbert, 1996).
To ascertain any relationship between body temperatures and operative tempera-
tures, measurements of scale effects — the amount of variation of body temperature
that can be explained by variation in operative temperatures — was determined
from r2
. The adjusted r2
has been used which is less sensitive to n, i.e. r2
will not
increase as a consequence of sample size alone.
Results
Body temperatures
The general range of body temperatures during overcast weather was from 21-39◦
C
(n = 2162) and in sunny weather from 24-40◦
C (n = 825). Means and variances
of individual lizard body temperatures have been calculated, and ANOVA applied
to these subsets. Overcast weather body temperatures (grand mean = 29.2± 1.1◦
C)
(± S.D.) were lower than sunny weather (grand mean 30.5 ± 1.4◦
C) with the
difference significant, F1,16 = 4.45, p = 0.05. Variances in body temperatures
during cloudy weather (mean of individual variances = 6.1 ± 3.0◦
C) were smaller
than when the weather was sunny (grand mean = 8.0 ± 3.9◦
C), but the difference
was not significant F1,16 = 1.37, p = 0.25.
Relationship with operative temperatures
Summary statistics of operative temperatures are shown in table 1. As expected the
highest operative temperatures were recorded for To(open) followed by To(dapple) and
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6 Stephanie Louise Mann, Roger Meek
Table 1. Summary statistics of general operative temperatures (◦C) during sunny and overcast weather.
Overcast Mean Variance Minimum Maximum n
To(shade) 27.8 7.2 23 38 944
To(dapple) 30.4 15.2 24 43 944
To(open) 31.9 19.3 25 46 944
Sunny
To(shade) 28.8 7.3 25 40 826
To(dapple) 35.8 16.8 30 49 826
To(open) 36.1 5.3 32 45 826
Table 2. Comparisons of means and variances of general C. zebrata body temperatures with mean
or variances of operative temperatures in open (To(open)), dappled (To(dapple)) and shaded (To(shade))
locations during either overcast or sunny weather using analysis of variance. The F-statistic and level
of significance p indicate when mean or variances in body temperatures departed significantly from
operative temperatures.
To(open) To(dapple) To(shade)
F p F p F p
Means (overcast) 25.9 0.0001* 4.55 0.05* 9.8 0.006**
Means (sunny) 82.4 0.0001* 54.6 0.0001* 8.9 0.009**
Variances (overcast) 11.9 0.003* 5.4 0.03* 0.12 0.73n.s.
Variances (sunny) 5.26 0.04** 11.73 0.003* 0.25 0.62n.s
∗, mean body temperatures or variances were significantly lower.
∗∗, significantly higher, than comparable operative temperatures.
No significant difference between means or variances is shown as n.s.
Degrees of freedom are (1, 16) in all tests.
To(shade). This was the pattern either under overcast or sunny conditions although
comparative operative temperatures were higher during sunny weather. Details
of the differences between operative temperatures during summer are given in
table 2, with mean lizard body temperatures simultaneously measured at this time,
using analysis of variance. The results showed that lizard body temperatures were
significantly lower than either To(open) or To(dapple), but significantly higher than
To(shade) during either overcast or sunny weather. These results indicate maintenance
of body temperatures within the thermal ranges of To(shade) and To(dapple) during all
weather conditions.
Variance in body temperature and operative temperature
Using body temperature variance as a method of determining thermoregulatory
precision (Huey and Slatkin, 1976) assumes that the lizards were regulating around
a mean value. The method has been the subject of much discussion with some
evidence that reptiles may regulate between lower and upper set points (Berk
and Heath, 1975; Barber and Crawford, 1977). Variance in body temperature may
however provide insight for predicting whether a reptile can achieve greater body
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Understanding the relationship between body temperature and activity patterns in C. zebrata 7
Table 3. Relationship between body temperatures and operative temperatures determined by coef-
ficients of determination (r2) during sunny and overcast weather. The r2 values are thus shown as
percentages of body temperatures that can be explained by any given group of operative temperatures
and are based on r2 for individual lizards against corresponding operative temperatures. Each mean is
derived from n = 9 lizards. Mean r2 are given with standard deviations and ranges.
To(shade) To(dapple) To(open)
Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range
Overcast 69.9 ± 10.0 56.6-87.9 63.8 ± 18.2 34.5-91.2 61.4 ± 22.3 22.0-89.0
Sunny 46.6 ± 19.0 12.0-67.6 31.9 ± 16.2 7.8-53.6 44.4 ± 15.6 21.9-66.2
temperature precision by restricting activity to microenvironments with limited
thermal variance (Hertz and Huey, 1981). Comparisons using ANOVA are shown
in table 2 of mean variances of body temperatures during the summer months that
were directly comparable to corresponding mean variance in operative temperatures
at the same period; the sample sizes for operative temperatures at this time are
given in table 1. Results showed that body temperature variance was greater than
operative temperatures only during sunny weather in relation to To(open); all the
other comparisons either showed agreement or that body temperature variances
were significantly lower. These results suggest some degree of thermoregulatory
precision in C. zebrata.
Extent of tracking of body temperatures with operative temperatures
Coefficients of determination (r2
) have been employed to evaluate the extent
of tracking of body temperatures with operative temperatures. The results are
shown in table 3 and are based on the means of r2
for individual lizards and
corresponding operative temperatures. Higher r2
values were found when the
weather was overcast. Body temperatures tracked To(shade) to a greater extent
than other operative temperatures including during sunny weather. Paired t-tests
indicated that overcast weather r2
values were significantly higher; To(shade) t =
3.25, p = 0.01, To(dapple) t = 3.86, p = 0.005, To(open) t = 2.46, p =
0.04. However, two sample t-tests on r2
within weather conditions indicated
that body temperatures did not have significantly greater association with any
particular operative temperature; overcast t from 0.25 to 1.04 (p from 0.31 to 0.88),
sunny weather t = 0.27 to 1.76 (p from 0.09 to 0.79). These results suggest
less association with operative temperatures as the weather became hotter and is
supporting evidence for thermoregulation with the primary effort concerned with
avoiding excessive heat loads.
Activity
During overcast weather the overall median percentage amount of time each
individual lizard was observed active was 21.9% (range = 12.6-29.6, n = 9). The
comparable information for sunny weather showed greater frequency of movement
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8 Stephanie Louise Mann, Roger Meek
Figure 1. Frequencies of distances travelled during locomotory movements in C. zebrata. The
graph represents the pooled data sets from overcast and sunny weather and is shown as percentage
frequencies of the total sample.
(median = 30.6, range = 20.6-36.1, n = 9). A Mann-Whitney test indicated that
the differences were significant, W = 55.0, p = 0.008. Greater distances were
covered during overcast weather activity (median = 90, range 26-189 cm) than
sunny weather (median = 50, range 20-400 cm). However a Mann-Whitney test
indicated that the differences were not significant, W = 96.5, p = 0.35. The
frequencies of distances covered during locomotory movement with the weather
data sets pooled are shown in fig. 1.
Canopy height location
The percentages of time the lizards were located in each area of the vertical grid of
the canopy during different weather conditions are shown in fig. 2. During overcast
weather the lizards spent more time in the upper level of the canopy (height 3). A
Mann-Whitney test indicated that this difference was significant; sunny median =
22%, overcast median = 45%, W = 116.5, p = 0.007. The shift was mainly
to height 2 in sunny weather (median = 57.5%), which although greater was not
significantly different to the time spent at the this height when the weather was
overcast (median = 38.5%, W = 66.0, p = 0.09).
Discussion
Classically, the interpretation of the present results, for example the absence of
basking, would have suggested that C. zebrata thermoconformed (Huey, 1982).
However, the extent of departures of body temperatures from operative tempera-
tures have indicated a degree of active thermoregulation in C. zebrata — albeit im-
precisely — by the selection of microenvironments with the desired temperatures
for activity. This fits the general patterns of thermoregulation observed in certain
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Understanding the relationship between body temperature and activity patterns in C. zebrata 9
Figure 2. Time spent at different heights in the canopy in a) sunny and b) overcast weather. The data
are shown as the percent frequencies of total observations the lizards were observed at each height in
the canopy. See text for further details.
other tropical forest reptiles (table IV of Huey, 1982), where only 28.6% (Rand and
Humphrey, 1968) and 27.3% (Duellman, 1978) of species in respectively Brazil and
Ecuador were baskers. Imprecise thermoregulation has certain advantages for rep-
tiles in that it may, for example, increase potential activity times by avoiding the
activity costs associated with precise thermoregulation (Somero, 1978) with the rel-
atively high ambient temperatures of tropical forests facilitating this by enabling
sufficiently high body temperatures for activity. Differences in body temperatures,
including those associated with weather conditions found in C. zebrata have been
observed in other reptiles (e.g., Smith and Ballinger, 1994; Mathies and Andrews,
1997; Rock et al., 2000), and although the number of lizards used in our study
were too few to examine size class differences in body temperatures meaningfully
in C. zebrata, it is known that this may be particularly important for gravid fe-
males in certain reptiles by influencing embryonic growth and neonate performance
(Beuchat and Ellner, 1987; Beuchat, 1988; Shine and Harlow, 1993; Alberts et al.,
1997; Andrews et al., 2000).
The shift from the upper levels of the enclosure in C. zebrata during hot sunshine
and hence to greater vegetation cover may be a subtle compensatory mechanism
to maintain foraging and avoid overheating and if so would be good supporting
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10 Stephanie Louise Mann, Roger Meek
evidence for thermoregulation. However, such behaviour may not necessarily be
employed in free living individuals that may utilize hollows in trees for this purpose
(Parker, 1983; Harmon, 2002). This reduces the activity required for avoiding
excessive heat when the sun is shining and artificial enclosures with natural sunlight,
but limited vegetation cover may constrain movement and reduce spacing between
individuals during sunny weather. Inbuilt features that facilitate partial cover in the
upper part of the canopy can alleviate this problem by reducing the likelihood of
individual contact and also enable effective thermoregulation. Hide boxes make a
useful substitute in artificial environments, particularly if they can be placed in such
a way that a range of temperatures, appropriate for physiological processes, can be
attained inside the boxes, and could be adopted for reintroduction programs into
regenerated forest to enhance rest site availability. Thermal factors are known to
interact with social dominance in certain reptiles forcing some individuals to use
cooler retreat sites (Downes and Shine, 1998); multiple choice retreat sites are a
way of overcoming this.
The diet of C. zebrata consists mainly of coarse leaf material gathered through
foraging behaviour, a lifestyle that has an analogy in the South American green
iguana (Iguana iguana). Both species exhibit large size, modified colons, large
nematode and microbe populations (Iverson, 1979), and attaining appropriate body
temperatures may be critical for this dietary regime since small differences in body
temperature may influence digestive efficiency in I. iguana (Troyer, 1987; Marken
Lichtenbelt, 1993). The lifestyle of I. iguana results in limited activity — most of
the day is spent inactive (Iverson, 1979; Thornton, 2000) — which is similar to
C. zebrata. The major difference between I. iguana and C. zebrata is that the latter
is a crepuscular and/or nocturnal forager.
How close an approximation is the behaviour of captive animals to the behaviour
of animals in the field is a frequently asked and valid question even when the captive
animals are in simulated natural conditions. On this point we take the view of
Chizar et al. (1995), who argued that whilst field experimentation provides the only
pathway to answering questions of behavioural ecology, it seems reasonable to treat
processes observed in captivity as hypotheses in the sense that such observations
can be a valuable source of ideas. For example field observations coupled with
observations of captive animals can at the very least give indications of the effects
of captivity on behaviour and physiology. Captive breeding has been proposed as a
significant part of conservation programs both for reintroductions back to the wild
state and as an eventual substitute for the trade in wild caught animals. However
research has now shown that it may not be enough simply to breed and raise animals
to adulthood since thermal influences on the development of neonates may have
long lasting influences on later behaviour (Beuchat and Ellner, 1987; Beuchat, 1988;
Shine and Harlow, 1993; Andrews et al., 2000), and individuals bred and raised in
inappropriate thermal regimes may have limited value in reintroduction programs.
Design and construction of appropriate naturalistic enclosures with attention to the
thermal environment must contribute in a significant way to alleviating this problem.
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Understanding the relationship between body temperature and activity patterns in C. zebrata 11
Acknowledgements. We thank Dr Roger Avery and Professor Charles Neal for
comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript. We benefited from many useful
discussions with Dr Adrian Hailey on statistical approaches.
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