Sex and ontogenetic dietary shift in Pogona barbata, the Australian eastern bearded dragon

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danny Wotherspoon ◽  
Shelley Burgin

Differences may occur in the carnivore–omnivore–herbivore spectrum over the lifespan of a reptilian species, but it seldom occurs between adult males and females. Information regarding the dietary habits of Australian eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) is also limited. We dissected museum specimens and road kills of the Australian eastern bearded dragon to compare ontogenetic shift in diet. Juveniles were insectivorous. They typically consumed larger, more active, arthropod prey than mature individuals – they are active predators. Adults were omnivorous and typically consumed small arthropod prey, and tended to be sit-and-wait predators. Mature males, particularly larger males, were primarily herbivorous. Such divergence in adult reptilian diet has rarely been reported. We suggest that the dietary switches observed are consistent with the Optimum Foraging Model. Juveniles require a high protein diet to maximise growth from juvenile to maturity. Beyond maturity females continue to require higher levels of protein for reproduction than males. At least in part, this is because males rely on sham aggression to defend territory during the reproductive season rather than resorting to aggressive behaviour. This results in a lesser requirement for protein for adult males than is required for juveniles and adult females. Males have the advantage of not being as dependent on protein, and thus are able to rely more heavily on vegetation.

The Condor ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 610-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Voelker

AbstractUsing museum specimens, I document the molt cycles and molting grounds of the Gray Vireo (Vireo vicinior). During prebasic molts, adult female Gray Vireos replace their primaries in 57 days, whereas adult males take 70 days; all body plumage is replaced during this molt. Prebasic molts occur almost exclusively on the breeding grounds; just 3 of 41 specimens replacing primaries were collected away from breeding grounds. No molting specimens were collected from wintering areas. Prealternate molt occurs on the wintering grounds, and appears limited to the replacement of innermost secondaries and a limited molt of body plumage. By performing prebasic molt on breeding grounds, the Gray Vireo differs from several other western breeding passerine species that use desert regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico to exploit late summer food resources. The areas of these southwestern desert regions used by other species form a small portion of the breeding grounds, and encompass the entire wintering grounds, of Gray Vireos. I hypothesize that this contrast in molting regions is not due to differences in the general timing of prebasic molts among these species; rather, the contrast may be due to constraints imposed on Gray Vireos by a dietary shift to fruit during winter and the need to defend winter territories.


Biologia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Baláž

AbstractReproduction potential and biometry of somatic characteristics of the common vole Microtus arvalis were evaluated and discussed. The results were processed on the basis of an extensive material (2,171 individuals) from the whole territory of Slovakia (315 sites situated at altitudes from 100 to 1500 m above sea level). Among the somatic characteristics studied, the highest variability was found in body length and the smallest in hind foot length. Highly significant differences were also found between the foot length of adult males and females. Populations of M. arvalis at low altitudes were less numerous than at higher altitudes. Altitudinal differences in average embryo numbers in female uteri as well as differences in follicle length in males during the reproductive season were also observed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-334
Author(s):  
V. N. Peskov ◽  
N. A. Petrenko ◽  
V. Yu. Reminnyi

Abstract We study size-at-age and sexual variability of morphometric characteristics of the marsh frog. According to the size of the body, males were divided into three size-age groups (juvenis, subadultus, adultus), females — into four groups (juvenis, subadultus, adultus, adultus-I). We found that the chronological age of frogs (skeletochronology) does not always correspond to their biological age (size and proportions of the body). We noted that the semi-adult males are reliably larger than females by mean values of 26 studied morphometric characters. Males and females of “adultus” group do not differ by linear body size, significant differences were found in body proportions (7 characters). For the females of “adultus-I” group, the mean values of 26 characters are significantly larger than for “adultus” males. The results of our study showed that with the age of the marsh frog, the level of exhibition, directionality and structure of morphometric sex differences changes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 313-313
Author(s):  
Brianne Olivieri-Mui ◽  
Sandra Shi ◽  
Ellen McCarthy ◽  
Dae Kim

Abstract Frailty may differentially impact how older adult males and females perceive sexual functioning, an important part of well-being. We assessed the level of frailty (robust, pre-frail, frail) for anyone with data on 11 sexual functioning questions asked in wave 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, 2010-2011 (n=2060). Questions covered five domains: overall sexual function (OSF), sexual function anxiety (SFA), changes in sexual function (CSF), erectile/vaginal dysfunction (EVD), and masturbation. Logistic regression identified sex differences in frailty and reporting worse sexual functioning. Linear regression predicted the number of domains reported as worse. Among males (n=1057), pre-frailty meant higher odds of reporting SFA (OR 1.8 95%CI 1.2-6.6), CSF (OR 1.7 95%CI 1.1-2.7), and EVD (OR 1.5 95%CI 1.0-2.2). Among females (n=1003), there was no difference in reporting by frailty. Females were more likely to report worse OSF (Robust: OR 7.4, 95%CI 4.8-11.4; Pre-frail: OR 6.2, 95%CI 3.9-9.9; Frail: OR 3.4 95%CI 1.7-6.6), but less likely to report SFA (Robust OR .3, 95%CI .2-.5; Pre-frail OR .2, 95%CI .1-.3; Frail OR .2 95%CI .1-.3). Pre-frail and frail females reported fewer domains as worse (Pre-frail coefficient -0.21 SE 0.09, Frail -0.43 SE 0.14). As frailty worsened, males reported more domains as worse (Pre-frail 0.24 SE 0.07, Frail 0.29 SE 0.08). Self-reported sexual functioning differs by sex at all levels of frailty, and reporting by males, but not females, changes with frailty. Providers should be aware that sexual functioning is of importance to both sexes despite varying degrees of frailty.


Author(s):  
Purum Kang ◽  
Hye Young Shin ◽  
Ka Young Kim

Background—Dyslipidemia is one of the prominent risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. Dyslipidemia has various causes, including metabolic capacity, genetic problems, physical inactivity, and dietary habits. This study aimed to determine the association between dyslipidemia and exposure to heavy metals in adults. Methods—Using data from the seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2017), 5345 participants aged ≥20 years who were tested for heavy metal levels were analyzed in this study. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to assess the factors affecting the prevalence of dyslipidemia. Results—The risks of dyslipidemia among all and male participants with mercury (Hg) levels of ≥2.75 μg/L (corresponding to the Korean average level) were 1.273 and 1.699 times higher than in those with levels of <2.75 μg/L, respectively. The factors that significantly affected the dyslipidemia risk were age, household income, body mass index, and subjective health status in both males and females. Conclusions—In adult males, exposure to Hg at higher-than-average levels was positively associated with dyslipidemia. These results provide a basis for targeted prevention strategies for dyslipidemia using lifestyle guidelines for reducing Hg exposure and healthy behavioral interventions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Chung ◽  
Laura Teigen ◽  
Silvia Libro ◽  
Robin E. Bromley ◽  
Nikhil Kumar ◽  
...  

Here, we present a comprehensive transcriptomics data set of Brugia malayi, its Wolbachia endosymbiont wBm, and its vector host. This study samples from 16 stages across the entire B. malayi life cycle, including stage 1 through 4 larvae, adult males and females, embryos, immature microfilariae, and mature microfilariae.


2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Dique ◽  
Jim Thompson ◽  
Harriet J. Preece ◽  
Deidré L. de Villiers ◽  
Frank N. Carrick

Koala dispersal was investigated as part of a detailed ecological study of a nationally significant koala population located 20 km south-east of Brisbane, Queensland. From 1996 to 2000, 195 koalas from three sites were captured and fitted with radio-collars. A total of 40 koalas (23 males and 17 females) dispersed from these sites. Most (93%) dispersing individuals were 20–36 months of age. Three adult females (more than 36 months old) dispersed and no adult males dispersed during the study. A significantly higher proportion of young males dispersed than females. Dispersal occurred between June and December, with most dispersal of males commencing in July and August and that of females commencing between September and November prior to, and early in, the annual breeding season. The mean straight-line distance between the natal and breeding home ranges for males and females was similar and was measured at 3.5 km (range 1.1–9.7 km) and 3.4 km (range 0.3–10.6 km) respectively. Dispersing males and females tended to successfully disperse south and west of their natal home ranges and were generally unable to successfully disperse to urban areas within the study area, as a high proportion of the mortality of dispersing koalas was associated with attacks by domestic dogs and with collisions with vehicles on roads. Information from other studies indicates that most young koalas disperse from their natal areas. It is likely that the social behaviour and mating systems of koala populations provide mechanisms for young koalas to disperse. The potential role of dispersal in the dynamics of regional koala populations is discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.V. Malysheva

AbstractOzolaimus linstowin. sp. is described from the large intestine ofIguana iguanaLinnaeus, 1758 from Mexico. The present species can be easily distinguished fromO. megatyphlonandO. cirratusby the presence of a long and slender pharynx not divided into sections, more similar to the remaining two species,O. monhysteraandO. ctenosauri. Ozolaimus linstowin. sp. can be differentiated fromO. monhysteraby the shorter spicule length and smaller body size of both males and females. Males ofO. linstowin. sp. are morphologically close to those ofO. ctenosauri, but females possess a markedly smaller body size and differ in the organization of the oral cuticular armature. Adult males ofO. linstowin. sp. bear some characteristic features of the J3 juvenile morphology in terms of the cuticular organization of the oral and buccal capsule. Phylogenetic analysis ofO.linstowin. sp. using partial small subunit (SSU) and D2–D3 large subunit (LSU) rDNA shows relationships with several Oxyuridae genera.


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