scholarly journals The Natural History of Sydney

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 378
Author(s):  
Matt W Hayward
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Editorial Team ◽  
Zoological Society ◽  
Natural History Studies ◽  
History Information ◽  
History Of ◽  
Competitive Nature ◽  
Effective Conservation ◽  
Do So

AUSTRALIA’S relatively recent discovery by Europeans and rapid loss of traditional knowledge without documentation means the accumulated knowledge of our natural history is scant compared to other continents (e.g., search for publications on the top-order predators of each continent for confirmation). Yet, as Mike Archer highlights in the Foreword to this book, this natural history information is fundamental for us to develop effective conservation strategies. Instead of focusing on accumulating this information, the competitive nature of academia limits the value of publishing simple natural history studies because of the low impact such studies invariably have (see Paul Adam’s chapter), while conservation managers are too busy to publish their natural history research particularly while they receive such little incentive to do so. The Natural History of Sydney offers a valuable remedy to this problem and Dan Lunney and his Royal Zoological Society of NSW editorial team deliver once again in servicing the intellectual needs of Australian zoologists.

Sexual dimorphism, deformations, and epibionts of Phrynops tuberosus (Testudines, Chelidae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 311-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Fabrício Mota Rodrigues ◽  
José Roberto Feitosa Silva
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
History Of ◽  
One Year ◽  
Effective Conservation

Studies focusing on the natural history of species are essential for developing effective conservation measures and evaluating ecological hypotheses. To this end, we describe natural history data of the Cotinga River toadhead turtle, Phrynops tuberosus, in the Banabuiú River in Ceará, Brazil, and evaluated sexual dimorphism, epibionts, and mutilation effects. We hand-captured 134 individuals by snorkeling, over a period of one year, resulting in the capture of 94 males, 24 females, and 16 juveniles. Females had larger head width and body mass than males, while males had longer tail length. One quarter of the turtles captured had some sort of injury or deformation, most common injuries being missing claws, mutilations, and shell deformations. We found no difference in body condition index between mutilated and non-mutilated animals. Mollusks, insects, and leeches were found as epibionts on P. tuberosus and most of the captured turtles had extensive algal cover. Future studies should focus on understanding the effect of mutilations on animal fitness and reproductive success.

scholarly journals Utilization of Natural History Information in Evidence based Herpetoculture: A Proposed Protocol and Case Study with Hydrodynastes gigas (False Water Cobra)

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2021
Author(s):  
Zachary J. Loughman
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Scientific Inference ◽  
New Information ◽  
History Information ◽  
History Of ◽  
Available Information

Herpetocultural practices are based on norms driven by economy of space and time for keepers, with little scientific inference backing their practice. In recent years, a subset of herpetoculturalists have promoted evidence-based husbandry that relies on science and experimental design to generate husbandry practice. A theoretical framework and protocol are proposed herein that enables any individual who has access to the internet the ability to use various outlets of natural history information (scientific literature databases, social media sources, and weather websites) and previously published husbandry reports as evidence to drive the creation of novel herpetocultural practice. A case study is provided which compares readily available information on the care of Hydrodynastes gigas (false water cobra), such as online care sheets for the species, with the proposed evidence based herpetocultural protocol founded on natural history information and published care and captive breeding reports. Results were assessed for protocol efficacy and determined that the natural history informed evidence-based approach increased animal welfare and generated new information specific to the natural history of H. gigas.

Watchful waiting for stone disease

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Reynard ◽  
Ben Turney
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Predictive Power ◽  
Renal Stones ◽  
Stone Disease ◽  
Stone Size ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Natural History Studies ◽  
Stone Migration ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ureteric Colic

Renal stones are highly prevalent and while many cause symptoms or are of a size that requires treatment even if asymptomatic, the natural history of stones suggests that treatment may not be necessary in all cases. Stone size, position, and number are related, to a degree, to the likelihood of a subsequent stone event such as stone migration causing ureteric colic or increase in stone size, but the predictive power of ‘natural history’ studies is limited by the small number of patients in these studies. In this chapter, the evidence for watchful and waiting for asymptomatic stone disease is explored, and situations in which it is reasonable and conversely unreasonable are discussed.

Natural history of primary progressive multiple sclerosis

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. S8-S15 ◽  
Author(s):  
George C Ebers
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Primary Progressive ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Natural History Studies ◽  
History Of ◽  
Relationship Of

The relationship of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) to relapsing -remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) remains unclear. Natural history data from a population-based cohort of patients with PPMS followed for approximately 25 years demonstrate remarkable similarities in the progressive phases of PPMS and SPMS. Immunogenetic and magnetic resonance imaging studies in large numbers of patients also fail to differentiate between the two MS categories. PPMS thus resembles SPMS without the relapses, although the two forms do differ with respect to sex ratio. A n unfavourable outcome in PPMS is predicted by rapid early progression of disability and involvement of three or more systems. Natural history studies provide information on likely long-term outcomes and can be used in the design and interpretation of clinical trials in PPMS. The evidence that PPMS is distinct remains weak.

scholarly journals Taxonomy and Natural History of the Crematogaster (Decacrema)-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Madagascar

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2714 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
BONNIE B. BLAIMER
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
History Information ◽  
History Of

The taxonomy of the Malagasy Crematogaster (Decacrema) is revised and a total of six distinct species and one species-complex are recognized. Malagasy Decacrema are widespread ants in Madagascar that nest almost exclusively arboreally, either in carton nests or inside dead twigs or branches, and often tend Coccoidea. Four species are newly described here: Crematogaster mahery sp. nov., C. malala sp. nov., C. sabatra sp. nov. and C. sisa sp. nov.. The species status of Crematogaster grevei Forel 1891 is confirmed by the study, and one described subspecies, C. hova nosibeensis Forel 1891 is raised to species level (C. nosibeensis stat. nov.) and a neotype designated. Crematogaster hova latinoda Forel 1891 is synonymised under C. hova Forel 1887, and the taxonomic status of C. hova, C. ensifera Forel 1910 and C. schencki Forel 1891 is further investigated, but could not be resolved with methods employed here. The C. hova-complex, a species-complex consisting of five morphological forms, is hence defined and the three described species above are associated with these morphotypes. Full descriptions including natural history information are presented for all species and the species-complex, as well as images, distribution maps and a species-identification key to the workers of Malagasy Decacrema. A diagnosis of the Malagasy Decacrema and identification keys to the subgenera of the ant genus Crematogaster in the Malagasy region are also provided.

scholarly journals Natural history of nonhuman primates after conjunctival exposure to Ebola virus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Cross ◽  
Abhishek N. Prasad ◽  
Courtney Woolsey ◽  
Krystle N Agans ◽  
Viktoriya Borisevich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Time To Death ◽  
Aerosol Exposure ◽  
Mucosal Surfaces ◽  
Natural History Studies ◽  
Contact Exposure ◽  
History Of

Transmission of Ebola virus (EBOV) primarily occurs via contact exposure of mucosal surfaces with infected body fluids. Historically, nonhuman primate (NHP) challenge studies have employed intramuscular or small particle aerosol exposure, which are uniformly lethal routes of infection, but mimic worst-case scenarios such as a needlestick. When exposed by more likely routes of natural infection, limited NHP studies have shown delayed onset of disease and reduced mortality. Here we performed a series of systematic natural history studies in cynomolgus macaques with a range of conjunctival exposure doses. Challenge with 10,000 plaque forming units (PFU) of EBOV was uniformly lethal, whereas 5/6 subjects survived low and moderate dose challenges (100 or 500 PFU). Conjunctival challenge resulted in a protracted time-to death. Asymptomatic disease was observed in survivors with limited detection of EBOV replication. Inconsistent seropositivity in survivors may suggest physical or natural immunological barriers are sufficient to prevent widespread viral dissemination.

scholarly journals The Natural History of Multiple Sclerosis

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.G. Weinshenker ◽  
G.C. Ebers
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Prospective Studies ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Clinical Markers ◽  
Inception Cohort ◽  
Natural History Studies ◽  
History Of

ABSTRACT:Studies which have attempted to define the outcome of multiple sclerosis (MS) have methodologic difficulties arising from patient referral biases and the length of follow-up required, which make prospective studies of an inception cohort unrealistic. Means to improve the validity of retrospective natural history studies are suggested. Results of existing series are summarized and compared. Survival is only rarely shortened by MS, but disability to the point of requiring aids for ambulation occurs in 30-70% of patients by 15 years from onset of symptoms. Disagreement as to the percentage of patients who are ultimately bedridden by MS likely arises in large part due to differences in patient ascertainment and follow-up. The need to develop early clinical markers for the patient at high risk for rapid development of major disability is stressed.

The tadpole of Adelphobates galactonotus (Steindachner, 1864) (Amphibia, Anura, Dendrobatidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4422 (2) ◽  
pp. 287
Author(s):  
DANUSY LOPES SANTOS ◽  
SILIONAMÃ PEREIRA DANTAS ◽  
FAUSTO NOMURA
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Amazon Forest ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Hydroelectric Power ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
History Of ◽  
Near Future

The systematics of the dart-poison frogs, family Dendrobatidae, experienced several taxonomic rearrangements over time (e.g., Grant et al. 2006, 2017; Brown et al. 2011). Currently, this family comprises 194 described species organized in three sub-families and 15 genera (Frost 2018). Among them, the genus Adelphobates Grant, Frost, Caldwell, Gagliardo, Haddad, Kok, Means, Noonan, Schargel, & Wheeler, 2006, comprises three species, all distributed in Central and lower Amazon drainage of Peru and Brazil, and possibly in northeast of Bolivia (Grant et al. 2006; Frost 2018). Adelphobates galactonotus (Steindachner 1864) is an endemic Brazilian frog, and can be found throughout Pará, Maranhão, Mato Grosso and Tocantins states (Hoogmoed & Avila-Pires 2012), related to Amazon forest formations and also in transitional areas between the Cerrado and the Amazon forest (Valdujo et al. 2012). Despite this species is classified as Least Concern (Rodrigues et al. 2010), several threats are known. First, its geographic distribution coincides with the so-called Amazonian Deforestation Arc, which comprehends the southeastern portion of the Amazonian Forest that has been rapidly converted into pasture and crop areas or being flooded due to the construction of hydroelectric power plants (Hoogmoed & Avila-Pires 2012). Also, this species is present in Appendix II of CITES as a target for illegal trade, and their commercial exploitation should be controlled to avoid that this species become seriously endangered in the near future (see a case study in Paula et al. 2012). These threats are of deeper concern because despite A. galactonotus has been described since more than 150 years (Steindachner 1864), its tadpole remains unknown. Without a better understanding of the natural history of A. galactonotus, attempts of conservation strategies and population management are inefficient. In an effort to fill the knowledge gaps about this species natural history, we present a detailed description of the external morphology of the A. galactonotus tadpole. 

The role of Franz Herbich (1791–1865) in the organization of research on the natural history of Galicia (Austro-Hungarian Empire)

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 308-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Köhler
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Academic Society ◽  
Natural History Studies ◽  
The Future ◽  
History Of ◽  
Effective Network

From 1825 until his death, the Austrian botanist Franz Herbich lived in Galicia (a province of the Austrian Empire), where he established an effective network of associates. Towards the end of his life, he planned to hand over this network to the future Galician Physiographical Society, which was to continue his research. In 1865, thanks to his initiative, the Academic Society of Kraków established a Physiographical Commission to conduct natural history studies, which were from 1866 funded by the Galician Parliament. Austriacki botanik Franz Herbich od 1825 r. do swej śmierci mieszkał w Galicji (prowincji Cesarstwa Austriackiego). Zorganizował tam dobrze działającą sieć współpracowników. Pod koniec życia planował ją przekazać przyszłemu Galicyjskiemu Towarzystwa Fizjograficznemu, które kontynuowałoby jego badania. W 1865 r. dzięki jego inicjatywie Towarzystwo Naukowe Krakowskie zorganizowało Komisję Fizjograficzną, by prowadzić badania przyrodnicze. Badania te od 1866 r. były finansowane przez parlament galicyjski.

Natural History Studies in Mental Illness

1960 ◽  
Vol 106 (442) ◽  
pp. 93-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Pollitt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Medical History ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Natural History Studies ◽  
History Of

The history of mediaeval medicine shows clearly that the decline of a science takes place whenever the tendency to theorize overruns the desire to observe and measure. Psychiatry with its shorter medical history has suffered from this tendency until fairly recent times. Even now, it is possible to estimate the efficiency of a nation's psychiatric progress by comparing the amount of factual research with the emphasis placed on unproven theoretical concepts in clinical practice.

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