scholarly journals Increased food availability raises eviction rate in a cooperative breeding mammal

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 20160961 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Dubuc ◽  
S. English ◽  
N. Thavarajah ◽  
B. Dantzer ◽  
S. P. Sharp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Group Living ◽  
Feeding Competition ◽  
Foraging Success ◽  
Reproductive Competition ◽  
Suricata Suricatta ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Experimental Feeding ◽  
Energetic Constraints ◽  
Breeding Groups

In group-living mammals, the eviction of subordinate females from breeding groups by dominants may serve to reduce feeding competition or to reduce breeding competition. Here, we combined both correlational and experimental approaches to investigate whether increases in food intake by dominant females reduces their tendency to evict subordinate females in wild meerkats ( Suricata suricatta ). We used 20 years of long-term data to examine the association between foraging success and eviction rate, and provisioned dominant females during the second half of their pregnancy, when they most commonly evict subordinates. We show that rather than reducing the tendency for dominants to evict subordinates, foraging success of dominant females is positively associated with the probability that pregnant dominant females will evict subordinate females and that experimental feeding increased their rates of eviction. Our results suggest that it is unlikely that the eviction of subordinate females serves to reduce feeding competition and that its principal function may be to reduce reproductive competition. The increase in eviction rates following experimental feeding also suggests that rather than feeding competition, energetic constraints may normally constrain eviction rates.

scholarly journals Spontaneous abortion as a response to reproductive conflict in the banded mongoose

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 20190529
Author(s):  
E. Inzani ◽  
H. H. Marshall ◽  
F. J. Thompson ◽  
G. Kalema-Zikusoka ◽  
M. A. Cant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spontaneous Abortion ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Reproductive Competition ◽  
Reproductive Conflict ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
Banded Mongoose ◽  
Living Species ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Term Data

When breeding females compete for limited resources, the intensity of this reproductive conflict can determine whether the fitness benefits of current reproductive effort exceed the potential costs to survival and future fertility. In group-living species, reproductive competition can occur through post-natal competition among the offspring of co-breeding females. Spontaneous abortion could be a response to such competition, allowing females to curtail reproductive expenditure on offspring that are unlikely to survive and to conserve resources for future breeding opportunities. We tested this hypothesis using long-term data on banded mongooses, Mungos mungo , in which multiple females within a group give birth synchronously to a communal litter that is cared for by other group members. As predicted, abortions were more likely during dry periods when food is scarce, and in breeding attempts with more intense reproductive competition. Within breeding events, younger, lighter females carrying smaller fetuses were more likely to abort, particularly those that were also of lower rank. Our results suggest that abortion may be a means by which disadvantaged females conserve resources for future breeding attempts in more benign conditions, and highlight that female reproductive competition may be resolved long before the production of offspring.

scholarly journals Hair Cortisol Concentration as a Biomarker of Sleep Quality and Related Disorders

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Nisrin El Mlili ◽  
Hanan Ahabrach ◽  
Omar Cauli
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Common Manifestation ◽  
Functional Alteration

Cortisol is the end product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and its production is increased mainly in stressful situations or in chronic disorders accompanied by stress enhancement. Altered cortisol concentrations have been reported in a number of neuropsychiatric diseases and sleep disorders. Cortisol concentrations have been measured using several methods, and in several matrixes, such as blood, saliva, and urine. However, lately, hair cortisol, for several reasons, has emerged as a promising biomarker of long-term retrospective HPA activation. Several experimental approaches for cortisol measurement with the corresponding concentration reference ranges and a summary of findings from scientific literature on this field are presented. There is evidence of a close relationship between HPA functional alteration and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Sleep disorders are the most common manifestation in several neuropsychiatric conditions, and have also been associated to cortisol alterations in both adults and children. Many studies indicate that hair cortisol constitutes a valuable tool for further contributing to existing data on salivary, plasma, or urinary cortisol concentrations in patients with sleep disorders.

scholarly journals Family feud: permanent group splitting in a highly philopatric mammal, the killer whale (Orcinus orca)

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva H. Stredulinsky ◽  
Chris T. Darimont ◽  
Lance Barrett-Lennard ◽  
Graeme M. Ellis ◽  
John K. B. Ford
Keyword(s):  
Killer Whale ◽  
Group Structure ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Internal Factors ◽  
Individual Fitness ◽  
Leadership Experience

Abstract For animals that tend to remain with their natal group rather than individually disperse, group sizes may become too large to benefit individual fitness. In such cases, group splitting (or fission) allows philopatric animals to form more optimal group sizes without sacrificing all familiar social relationships. Although permanent group splitting is observed in many mammals, it occurs relatively infrequently. Here, we use combined generalized modeling and machine learning approaches to provide a comprehensive examination of group splitting in a population of killer whales (Orcinus orca) that occurred over three decades. Fission occurred both along and across maternal lines, where animals dispersed in parallel with their closest maternal kin. Group splitting was more common: (1) in larger natal groups, (2) when the common maternal ancestor was no longer alive, and (3) among groups with greater substructuring. The death of a matriarch did not appear to immediately trigger splitting. Our data suggest intragroup competition for food, leadership experience and kinship are important factors that influence group splitting in this population. Our approach provides a foundation for future studies to examine the dynamics and consequences of matrilineal fission in killer whales and other taxa. Significance statement Group living among mammals often involves long-term social affiliation, strengthened by kinship and cooperative behaviours. As such, changes in group membership may have significant consequences for individuals’ fitness and a population’s genetic structure. Permanent group splitting is a complex and relatively rare phenomenon that has yet to be examined in detail in killer whales. In the context of a growing population, in which offspring of both sexes remain with their mothers for life, we provide the first in-depth examination of group splitting in killer whales, where splitting occurs both along and across maternal lines. We also undertake the first comprehensive assessment of how killer whale intragroup cohesion is influenced by both external and internal factors, including group structure, population and group demography, and resource abundance.

scholarly journals Expected Genetic Contributions and Their Impact on Gene Flow and Genetic Gain

Genetics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 153 (2) ◽  
pp. 1009-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Woolliams ◽  
P Bijma ◽  
B Villanueva
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Overlapping Generations ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Index Theory ◽  
Previous Theory ◽  
Selection Indices ◽  
Breeding Groups ◽  
Genetic Contributions

Abstract Long-term genetic contributions (ri) measure lasting gene flow from an individual i. By accounting for linkage disequilibrium generated by selection both within and between breeding groups (categories), assuming the infinitesimal model, a general formula was derived for the expected contribution of ancestor i in category q (μi(q)), given its selective advantages (si(q)). Results were applied to overlapping generations and to a variety of modes of inheritance and selection indices. Genetic gain was related to the covariance between ri and the Mendelian sampling deviation (ai), thereby linking gain to pedigree development. When si(q) includes ai, gain was related to E[μi(q)ai], decomposing it into components attributable to within and between families, within each category, for each element of si(q). The formula for μi(q) was consistent with previous index theory for predicting gain in discrete generations. For overlapping generations, accurate predictions of gene flow were obtained among and within categories in contrast to previous theory that gave qualitative errors among categories and no predictions within. The generation interval was defined as the period for which μi(q), summed over all ancestors born in that period, equaled 1. Predictive accuracy was supported by simulation results for gain and contributions with sib-indices, BLUP selection, and selection with imprinted variation.

scholarly journals Automatic synchronisation of the cell cycle in budding yeast through closed-loop feedback control

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giansimone Perrino ◽  
Sara Napolitano ◽  
Francesca Galdi ◽  
Antonella La Regina ◽  
Davide Fiore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Genetic System ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Control Engineering ◽  
Loop Feedback ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Closed Loop Feedback ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

AbstractThe cell cycle is the process by which eukaryotic cells replicate. Yeast cells cycle asynchronously with each cell in the population budding at a different time. Although there are several experimental approaches to synchronise cells, these usually work only in the short-term. Here, we build a cyber-genetic system to achieve long-term synchronisation of the cell population, by interfacing genetically modified yeast cells with a computer by means of microfluidics to dynamically change medium, and a microscope to estimate cell cycle phases of individual cells. The computer implements a controller algorithm to decide when, and for how long, to change the growth medium to synchronise the cell-cycle across the population. Our work builds upon solid theoretical foundations provided by Control Engineering. In addition to providing an avenue for yeast cell cycle synchronisation, our work shows that control engineering can be used to automatically steer complex biological processes towards desired behaviours similarly to what is currently done with robots and autonomous vehicles.

scholarly journals Cyber-yeast: Automatic synchronisation of the cell cycle in budding yeast through closed-loop feedback control

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giansimone Perrino ◽  
Sara Napolitano ◽  
Francesca Galdi ◽  
Antonella La Regina ◽  
Davide Fiore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Genetic System ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Control Engineering ◽  
Loop Feedback ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Closed Loop Feedback ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

ABSTRACTThe cell cycle is the process by which eukaryotic cells replicate. Yeast cells cycle asynchronously with each cell in the population budding at a different time. Although there are several experimental approaches to “synchronise” cells, these work only in the short-term. Here, we built a cyber-genetic system to achieve long-term synchronisation of the cell population, by interfacing genetically modified yeast cells with a computer by means of microfluidics to dynamically change medium, and a microscope to estimate cell cycle phases of individual cells. The computer implements a “controller” algorithm to decide when, and for how long, to change the growth medium to synchronise the cell-cycle across the population. Our work builds upon solid theoretical foundations provided by Control Engineering. In addition to providing a new avenue for yeast cell cycle synchronisation, our work shows that computers can automatically steer complex biological processes towards desired behaviours similarly to what is currently done with robots and autonomous vehicles.

scholarly journals Social foraging in vampire bats is predicted by long-term cooperative relationships

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon P. Ripperger ◽  
Gerald G. Carter
Keyword(s):  
Social Evolution ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Food Sharing ◽  
Social Foraging ◽  
Social Grooming ◽  
Cooperative Relationships ◽  
Vampire Bats ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Access To Food

AbstractStable social bonds in group-living animals can provide greater access to food. A striking example is that female vampire bats often regurgitate blood to socially bonded kin and nonkin that failed in their nightly hunt. Food-sharing relationships form via preferred associations and social grooming within roosts. However, it remains unclear whether these cooperative relationships extend beyond the roost. To evaluate if long-term cooperative relationships in vampire bats play a role in foraging, we tested if foraging encounters measured by proximity sensors could be explained by wild roosting proximity, kinship, or rates of co-feeding, social grooming, and food sharing during 22 months in captivity. We assessed evidence for six hypothetical scenarios of social foraging, ranging from individual to collective hunting. We found that female vampire bats departed their roost individually, but often re-united far outside the roost. Nonrandomly repeating foraging encounters were predicted by within-roost association and histories of cooperation in captivity, even when controlling for kinship. Foraging bats demonstrated both affiliative and competitive interactions and a previously undescribed call type. We suggest that social foraging could have implications for social evolution if ‘local’ cooperation within the roost and ‘global’ competition outside the roost enhances fitness interdependence between frequent roostmates.

Oppressed Within the Oppressed: The Patriarchal Hegemonic Discourse of Colourism on Dalit Women in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
pp. 2455328X2110483
Author(s):  
Md. Rifat-Ur-Rahman ◽  
Subeda Khatun ◽  
Shahida Amin Piya ◽  
Sadia Arefin ◽  
Md. Masood Imran
Keyword(s):  
Random Sample ◽  
Social System ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
Literal Meaning ◽  
Hegemonic Discourse ◽  
Dark Complexion ◽  
Dalit Women ◽  
Racist Discourse

The biggest victims of colourism in Bangladesh are girls, who are victims of colour-based violence and suffer from a dark-black complexion. In general, Bangalee society is a dominating patriarchal society, which has been established through a hegemonic discourse. This study explores how and in what process this racist discourse has started in the society. Therefore, being born with only a black complexion, a family deals with long-term psychological problems. In addition to the so-called mainstream social system in Bangladesh, a detached and marginalized group living in Bangladesh is known as Dalits. They are primarily a neglected community, isolated from the mainstream. Among them, the condition of Dalit women is much more deplorable. Dark complexion women are experiencing the most exploitation, deprivation and neglect. The Dalit women are ‘Oppressed within the Oppressed’—they are forced to live a cursed life through a dark-black complexion from birth. This study focuses on how masculine authoritarian behaviours dominate the dark-black face of the Dalit girls in Bangladesh. A random sample-based interview has been conducted on Dalit people of Shahjadpur in the Sirajganj district to explore what kind of mechanism exploits the girls and how the literal meaning of ‘beauty’ is established in society.

Identifying pathogenic determinants of Acidovorax citrulli toward the control of bacterial fruit blotch of cucurbits

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bingyu Zhao ◽  
Saul Burdman ◽  
Ronald Walcott ◽  
Tal Pupko ◽  
Gregory Welbaum
Keyword(s):  
Host Preference ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Bacterial Fruit Blotch ◽  
Group I ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Bacterial Genes ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The specific objectives of this BARD proposal were: Use a comparative genomics approach to identify T3Es in group I, II and III strains of A. citrulli. Determine the bacterial genes contributing to host preference. Develop mutant strains that can be used for biological control of BFB. Background to the topic: Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) of cucurbits, caused by Acidovoraxcitrulli, is a devastating disease that affects watermelon (Citrulluslanatus) and melon (Cucumismelo) production worldwide, including both Israel and USA. Three major groups of A. citrullistrains have been classified based on their virulence on host plants, genetics and biochemical properties. The host selection could be one of the major factors that shape A. citrullivirulence. The differences in the repertoire of type III‐ secreted effectors (T3Es) among the three A. citrulligroups could play a major role in determining host preferential association. Currently, there are only 11 A. citrulliT3Es predicted by the annotation of the genome of the group II strain, AAC00‐1. We expect that new A. citrulliT3Es can be identified by a combination of bioinformatics and experimental approaches, which may help us to further define the relationship of T3Es and host preference of A. citrulli.   Implications, both scientific and agricultural: Enriching the information on virulence and avirulence functions of T3Es will contribute to the understanding of basic aspects of A. citrulli‐cucurbit interactions. In the long term, it will contribute to the development of durable BFB resistance in commercial varieties. In the short term, identifying bacterial genes that contribute to virulence and host preference will allow the engineering of A. citrullimutants that can trigger SAR in a given host. If applied as seed treatments, these should significantly improve the effectiveness and efficacy of BFB management in melon and atermelon production. 

scholarly journals Negative density-dependent parasitism in a group-living carnivore

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1941) ◽  
pp. 20202655
Author(s):  
Gregory F. Albery ◽  
Chris Newman ◽  
Julius Bright Ross ◽  
David W. MacDonald ◽  
Shweta Bansal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Population ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Negative Density Dependence ◽  
Dilution Effects

Animals living at high population densities commonly experience greater exposure to disease, leading to increased parasite burdens. However, social animals can benefit immunologically and hygienically from cooperation, and individuals may alter their socio-spatial behaviour in response to infection, both of which could counteract density-related increases in exposure. Consequently, the costs and benefits of sociality for disease are often uncertain. Here, we use a long-term study of a wild European badger population ( Meles meles ) to investigate how within-population variation in host density determines infection with multiple parasites. Four out of five parasite taxa exhibited consistent spatial hotspots of infection, which peaked among badgers living in areas of low local population density. Combined movement, survival, spatial and social network analyses revealed that parasite avoidance was the likely cause of this negative density dependence, with possible roles for localized mortality, encounter-dilution effects, and micronutrient-enhanced immunity. These findings demonstrate that animals can organize their societies in space to minimize parasite infection, with important implications for badger behavioural ecology and for the control of badger-associated diseases.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document