Studies on the behaviour on the South Ausralian fur seal, Arctocephalus forsteri (Lesson) II. Adult females and pups

1971 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 267 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Stirling
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Specific Location ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Specific Behaviour ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
O 47 ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Regular Patterns

A. forsteri pups were all weaned by 1 year old and were then totally absent from the island during the breeding season. The recorded intervals, for three tagged females, between apparent weaning of one pup and birth of the next were 29, 40, and 60 days. Some females became infested with barnacles during the period of feeding at sea prior to parturition. Adult females showed a high degree of fidelity to specific breeding colonies. Little specific behaviour, other than restlessness, preceded birth. Five observed births took from 5 sec to 4 min. Pups could swim when born. Male and female newborn pups weighed 4.41 =0.60 and 4.11 +O.47 kg respectively; the sex ratio was not significantly different from unity. Pups stayed with their mothers at a specific location for the first few days, after which the females began to feed at sea and the pups began to associate with each other. Females had not established regular patterns of presence and absence in the pupping colony by early February, but did so by late April. Females did not defend even newborn pups from approaching humans.

On the mating system of polar bears

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 2142-2151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm A. Ramsay ◽  
Ian Stirling
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Mating System ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
Polar Bears ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Adult Females

Polar bears are intimately associated with arctic sea ice and their distribution is approximated by its winter extent. They are the only terrestrial mammals, other than humans, to have adapted so completely to sea ice, a quite different habitat, spatially and temporally, from that occupied by other terrestrial mammals. We propose that the dynamics of sea ice and the associated variability in access to food have played a major role in the evolution of the social structure and mating system of polar bears. Adult females and males move to areas of the sea ice where the greatest success in hunting is realized. Such regions are unpredictable in location, however, both seasonally and annually. Because female distributions are unpredictable, adult males are unable to defend stable territories that will encompass the home ranges of one or more females and may instead distribute themselves among different sea-ice habitats at the same relative densities as solitary adult females. Females keep nursing cubs with them for more than 1 year; hence the mean interbirth interval is 2 or more years. This results in a functionally skewed sex ratio, with fewer females available to breed in any one year than males, and in intrasexual competition among males for access to breeding females. Consequently, established dominance hierarchies among males are unstable, and wounding, scarring, and breakage of canine teeth are common; these are evidence of direct physical confrontations during the breeding season. Large body size is advantageous in these fights and this has resulted in one of the highest degrees of sexual dimorphism among terrestrial mammals. Because of the funtionally skewed sex ratio and the shifting distribution of both females and males, however, even the largest male probably cannot be certain of locating a larger than average number of receptive females in any one breeding season.

Prenatal investment in the subantarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus tropicalis

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 601-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Yves Georges ◽  
Christophe Guinet
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Maternal Body ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
Maternal Resources ◽  
Arctocephalus Tropicalis

We investigated prenatal investment in a large sexually dimorphic mammal, the subantarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus tropicalis, on Amsterdam Island in the Indian Ocean. Pups' sex ratio and body mass, body length, and body condition at birth were studied in relation to timing of birth and maternal characteristics (body length and body condition) during three consecutive breeding seasons. Pups' sex ratio did not differ from unity throughout the pupping period. The sex of the pup was related to neither maternal body length (i.e., maternal age) nor maternal body condition when mating occurred or at parturition (1 year later), which suggests that the sex ratio was not biased toward one sex during gestation. Newborn male pups were heavier and longer than female pups in all years. Longer mothers tended to arrive later in the season regardless of their body condition, and gave birth to heavier pups whatever the sex of the pup. Mothers in good condition gave birth to heavier male pups than mothers in poor condition, but no significant differences were found for female pups, suggesting that the costs of carrying male foetuses is higher than that of carrying female foetuses. Differences in allocation of maternal resources between male and female pups may be due to sex-related differences in body composition, since male pups were heavier than female pups for a given body length at birth. Thus, male and female foetuses may use maternal resources differently, with males growing in length whereas females appear to grow in body mass. The mothers we monitored over 2 consecutive years gave birth to pups that were similar in quality (in terms of birth mass) over years regardless of the sex of the previous pup and the mother's body length, suggesting that individual reproductive value is independent of maternal age. Furthermore, maternal body condition was not affected by the sex of the foetus, suggesting that there is no differential reproductive cost in carrying a male or a female foetus. Interannual differences in pup body size at birth suggest that environmental conditions such as prey availability during the last stages of gestation, and consequent maternal body condition, are important components of maternal investment in fur seals.

scholarly journals Estimating pre-harvest density, adult sex ratio and fecundity of white-tailed deer using wildlife cameras

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Brommer ◽  
Jenni Poutanen ◽  
Jyrki Pusenius ◽  
Mikael Wikström
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Total Density ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Adult Sex Ratio

Adult sex ratio and fecundity are key population parameters in sustainable wildlife management, but inferring these requires estimates of the density of at least three age/sex classes of the population (male and female adults and juveniles). We used an array of 36 wildlife camera traps during 2–3 weeks in autumn prior to harvest during two consecutive years, and recorded white-tailed deer adult males, adult females and fawns from the pictures. Simultaneously, we collected fecal DNA (fDNA) from 92 20mx20m plots placed in 23 clusters of four plots between the camera traps. We identified individuals from fDNA samples with microsatellite markers and estimated the total sex ratio and population density using Spatial Capture Recapture (SCR). The fDNA-SCR analysis concluded equal sex ratio in the first year and female bias in the second year, and no difference in space use between sexes (fawns and adults combined). Camera information was analyzed in a Spatial Capture (SC) framework assuming an informative prior for animals’ space use, either (1) as estimated by fDNA-SCR (same for all age/sex classes), (2) as assumed from the literature (space use of adult males larger than adult females and fawns), (3) by inferring adult male space use from individually-identified males from the camera pictures. These various SC approaches produced plausible inferences on fecundity, but also inferred total density to be lower than the estimate provided by fDNA-SCR in one of the study years. SC approaches where adult male and female were allowed to differ in their space use suggested the population had a female-biased adult sex ratio. In conclusion, SC approaches allowed estimating the pre-harvest population parameters of interest and provided conservative density estimates.

Breeding biology and haul-out pattern of the New Zealand fur seal, Arctopehalus forsteri, at Cape Gantheaume, South Australia

1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
SD Goldsworthy ◽  
PD Shaughnessy
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Operational Sex Ratio ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
Median Date ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
Bay Islands

New Zealand fur seals, Arctocephalus forsteri, breed at Cape Gantheaume (36�04'S,137�28'E), Kangaroo Island, South Australia, on broken rock platforms. In 1988-89, pups were born between late November and mid-January, 90% of them over 34 days between 3 December and 6 January. The median date of birth was 21 December. A re-analysis of data for this species from three breeding seasons at the Open Bay Islands (South Island, New Zealand, 43�52'S,l68�53'E) indicates that: (i) the breeding season at Cape Gantheaume occurs 5-12 days later than at the Open Bay Islands, (ii) the period containing 90% of births was the same duration for both populations, and (iii) the median date of birth spanned seven days in three seasons at the Open Bay Islands. In addition, the timing and duration of the pupping season varied within the Cape Gantheaume colony, it being later in recently colonised areas. We suggest that this pattern is a consequence of changes in the age distribution of females through the colony. The sex ratio of pups born in the colony over four breeding seasons did not differ significantly from 1:l. Females were mated on average 7.4 days after birth and left for sea 2.3 days later. The mean date of observed matings was 29 December; copulations lasted about 13 min. The operational sex ratio (OSR) in the colony was 8.6 females per territorial male (the maximum ratio of territorial males to pups was 1:16), which was within the range reported for other southern fur seal species. In two consecutive breeding seasons, the estimated fecundity rate of adult females averaged 67%. Non-breeding animals (sub-adult males, juveniles and yearlings) occurred in areas not occupied by breeding animals. The number of juveniles ashore increased after the breeding season, but no pattern was found for sub-adults and yearlings. Yearlings were uncommon in the colony at all times; it is suggested that they are mostly pelagic and do not moult in their second year.

The DEVELOPMENT OF Elaeidobius kamerunicus FAUST POPULATION AFTER INTRODUCTION AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF OIL PALM FRUIT SET IN SERAM ISLAND, MOLLUCAS, INDONESIA

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Agus Eko Prasetyo ◽  
Agus Susanto
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Average Risk ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
North Sumatra ◽  
Female Flowers ◽  
Elaeidobius Kamerunicus

Elaeidobius kamerunicus is the main pollinating agent in oil palm plantations in Indonesia today. The development of oil palm plantations in new areas requires introduction of these insects, moreover the new areas are located on different islands. First introduction of Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust had been done from North Sumatra to Seram Island on 23 September 2013. The introduction was performed on larva and pupa stadium in 4-5 days post anthesising of male inflorescences. The introduction of E. kamerunicus using plywood boxes has an average risk of death by 7.89% at 6 days delivery period. Observation before releasing of the weevils showed that this insect was not detected in both of oil palm male and female flowers and the oil palm fruit set was very low approximately 11.27%. For about 500 weevils/ha were released in Marnuhu estate and could be developed into 362,401 weevils/ha in 5 months with 97.86% of oil palm sex ratio. The oil palm fruit sets were increased after 1 and 2 months introduction, 53.70% and 75.56 %, respectively. The lower sex ratio of oil palm or the more availability of male inflorescences make growth of E. kamerunicus population became faster and the greater number of weevils that visiting anthesising of female flowers make the higher value of oil palm fruit set.

The DEVELOPMENT OF Elaeidobius kamerunicus FAUST POPULATION AFTER INTRODUCTION AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF OIL PALM FRUIT SET IN SERAM ISLAND, MOLLUCAS, INDONESIA

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Agus Eko Prasetyo ◽  
Agus Susanto
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Average Risk ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
North Sumatra ◽  
Female Flowers ◽  
Elaeidobius Kamerunicus

Elaeidobius kamerunicus is the main pollinating agent in oil palm plantations in Indonesia today. The development of oil palm plantations in new areas requires introduction of these insects, moreover the new areas are located on different islands. First introduction of Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust had been done from North Sumatra to Seram Island on 23 September 2013. The introduction was performed on larva and pupa stadium in 4-5 days post anthesising of male inflorescences. The introduction of E. kamerunicus using plywood boxes has an average risk of death by 7.89% at 6 days delivery period. Observation before releasing of the weevils showed that this insect was not detected in both of oil palm male and female flowers and the oil palm fruit set was very low approximately 11.27%. For about 500 weevils/ha were released in Marnuhu estate and could be developed into 362,401 weevils/ha in 5 months with 97.86% of oil palm sex ratio. The oil palm fruit sets were increased after 1 and 2 months introduction, 53.70% and 75.56 %, respectively. The lower sex ratio of oil palm or the more availability of male inflorescences make growth of E. kamerunicus population became faster and the greater number of weevils that visiting anthesising of female flowers make the higher value of oil palm fruit set.

Sperm Competition and the Dynamics of X Chromosome Drive: Stability and Extinction

Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 160 (4) ◽  
pp. 1721-1731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse E Taylor ◽  
John Jaenike
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sperm Competition ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Sex Chromosome ◽  
Basin Of Attraction ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Mating Rate ◽  
Female Mating ◽  
Balanced Polymorphism

AbstractSeveral empirical studies of sperm competition in populations polymorphic for a driving X chromosome have revealed that Sex-ratio males (those carrying a driving X) are at a disadvantage relative to Standard males. Because the frequency of the driving X chromosome determines the population-level sex ratio and thus alters male and female mating rates, the evolutionary consequences of sperm competition for sex chromosome meiotic drive are subtle. As the SR allele increases in frequency, the ratio of females to males also increases, causing an increase in the male mating rate and a decrease in the female mating rate. While the former change may exacerbate the disadvantage of Sex-ratio males during sperm competition, the latter change decreases the incidence of sperm competition within the population. We analyze a model of the effects of sperm competition on a driving X chromosome and show that these opposing trends in male and female mating rates can result in two coexisting locally stable equilibria, one corresponding to a balanced polymorphism of the SR and ST alleles and the second to fixation of the ST allele. Stochastic fluctuations of either the population sex ratio or the SR frequency can then drive the population away from the balanced polymorphism and into the basin of attraction for the second equilibrium, resulting in fixation of the SR allele and extinction of the population.

Biology of the Feral Cat, Felis Catus (L.), On Macquarie Island.

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 425 ◽  
Author(s):  
NP Brothers ◽  
IJ Skira ◽  
GR Copson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Macquarie Island ◽  
Pregnant Females

246 feral cats were shot on Macquarie Island, Australia, between Dec. 1976 and Feb. 1981. The sex ratio ( males : females ) was 1:0.8. The percentages of animals with tabby, orange and black coats were 74, 26 and 2 resp. [sic]. Of the 64 orange cats, 56 were males . The breeding season was Oct.-Mar., with a peak in Nov.-Dec. The number of embryos in the 14 pregnant females averaged 4.7 (range = 1-9). The size of the 23 litters that were observed averaged 3 (range = 1-8). Kitten survival to 6 months of age was estimated to be <43%.

scholarly journals Motives and Obstacles of Using Internet as A Source for Learning By The Students of Human Sciences at the World Islamic Science & Education University( WISE)

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
Mohammed Bader Alyousef
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Female Students ◽  
T Test ◽  
Human Sciences ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
University Courses ◽  
The World ◽  
Islamic Science ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Use Of Internet

<p>The study aimed at revealing the motives and the obstacles of using internet as a source of<br />learning by the human colleges at WISE. And to achieve the study’s goals , a questionnaire<br />was developed consisting of 40 items; 20 items addressed motives of using internet as source<br />of learning and other 20 items addressed obstacles of using internet as a source of learning .<br />The sample of the study which consisted of 520 male and female students was selected<br />randomly in the second semester for 2012/2013. After data were collected, they were<br />analyzed using descriptive methods, t-test and ANOVA. Results showed the motives of using<br />internet ranged from high degree to moderate. The degrees of obstacles facing using internet<br />were moderate.<br />The researcher recommended the necessity of activating the students’ use of internet with<br />their teachers’ guidance, facilitating the use of internet by increasing the number of computer<br />labs and supervisors, in addition to provide flexible and easy electronic programs for studying<br />university courses.</p>

Development of intentional stranding hunting techniques in killer whale (Orcinus orca) calves at Crozet Archipelago

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Guinet ◽  
Jérome Bouvier
Keyword(s):  
Growth Curve ◽  
Parental Investment ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Elephant Seal ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Juvenile Female ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Social Transfer ◽  
High Degree

This paper describes the trend in the practice of what we interpret to be the "intentional stranding" hunting technique of two juvenile female killer whales (Orcinus orca), A4 and A5, belonging to pod A on the beaches of Possession Island, Crozet Archipelago. Pod A was composed of three adult females, A2, A3, A6, and one adult male, A1. A2 is A4's mother and A3 is A5's mother. The year of birth and thus the probable age of the two juveniles were estimated from their growth curve determined by means of a photogrammetric technique. These observations indicate that at Crozet Archipelago, juvenile killer whales first practiced intentional stranding on their own when they were 4–5 years old. Their first attempt to capture elephant seal pups by means of this technique was observed when they were 5–6 years old. However, 5- to 6-year-old juveniles still needed the assistance of an adult female to return to the water with their prey. This study indicates that learning hunting techniques needs a high degree of skill and requires high parental investment to reduce the associated risk. Furthermore, social transfer, through apprenticeship, is probably one of the mechanisms that enables the high degree of adaptability observed in killer whales.

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