scholarly journals Relationship between early body condition, energetic reserves and fitness in an iteroparous insect

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Zanchi ◽  
Yannick Moret ◽  
Mark A. F. Gillingham
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Larval Feeding ◽  
List Type ◽  
Structural Size ◽  
Adult Feeding ◽  
Adult Fitness ◽  
Food Conditions ◽  
Condition Indices ◽  
Energetic Reserves

AbstractBody condition can be defined as the amount of energetic reserves present within an individual after structural size had been accounted for (i.e. relative amounts of energetic reserves), and estimated by Body Condition indices (BCIs)Several methods have been proposed to calculate BCIs. However, they have traditionally been validated in vertebrate studies and evidence of their power to predict fitness in invertebrates is scarce. Ideally, the use of a particular BCI in an animal population should be validated based on its ability to accurately reflect the relative amount of reserves available to the animal as well as its relationship to fitness.We aimed at increasing the variance in female body condition of Tenebrio molitor beetles by subjecting them to restricted or optimal food conditions at both the larval and/or adult stage. We then explored the predictive power of several BCIs on both the absolute and relative amount of lipids and sugars present in the insect’s body, and their link with adult fitness. Using an iteroparous income breeder allowed us to assess the relative effects of larval vs. adult access to nutritional resources on fecundity along several reproductive events.Simple measurements of phenotypically plastic traits (i.e. mass and volume) correlated well with absolute, but poorly with relative, measures of body reserves. Conversely, we found that BCIs that corrected for the interdependence between phenotypically plastic traits and structural size strongly correlated with relative amounts of body components.We found that even though the adult feeding treatment had a stronger effect, body condition at emergence, but not larval feeding treatment, also affected fecundity. Moreover, while the effect of the adult feeding treatment varied along time (i.e. egg laying rank), the effect of body condition at emergence remained constant.These results show that by carefully using simple morphometric measures and BCIs, it is possible to distinguish between the effects of structural size and body condition on fitness traits in invertebrates, and to show that an iteroparous income breeder can partially rely on its early energetic state for its later fecundity.

Comparing three body condition indices in amphibians: a case study of yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegata

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodica Plăiaşu ◽  
Tibor Hartel ◽  
Raluca Ioana Băncilă ◽  
Dan Cogălniceanu ◽  
Joost Smets
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bombina Variegata ◽  
Condition Indices ◽  
Three Body

AbstractBody condition is important because it is correlated with population and habitat quality parameters. Since the direct measurements are either lethal or unreliable, a wide range of non-lethal body condition indices has been proposed. The aim of our study was to apply and compare three body condition indices (Fulton's index, relative body condition mass index and residual index) using body size indicator – body mass data for 24 populations of the yellow bellied toad (Bombina variegata). The condition index should be independent of body size indicator, in this case snout vent length (SVL). Therefore we tested all three indices for the statistical independence of SVL and for the normality of distribution. Fulton's index violated the independence assumption, whereas the relative body condition mass index did not have a normal distribution. Residual index was found both independent of SVL and normally distributed. Moreover, the residual index highlighted biological significant differences on the basis of altitude and season. Our results recommend the residual index as a useful tool in amphibian monitoring and conservation.

scholarly journals Effects of Incubation Conditions and Offspring Sex on Embryonic Development and Survival in the Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia Guttata)

The Auk ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 1239-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen E. Gorman ◽  
Kate J. Orr ◽  
Aileen Adam ◽  
Ruedi G. Nager
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Taeniopygia Guttata ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Embryo Mortality ◽  
Offspring Fitness ◽  
Offspring Sex

AbstractSuboptimal conditions during embryonic development can affect offspring fitness. Both egg quality and incubation behavior can affect hatching success, hatching mass, and subsequent offspring performance. These effects may differ between male and female offspring. We manipulated the prebreeding body condition of Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata), using diets of different protein content. To separate possible effects on egg quality of parental body condition and incubation conditions, we did a cross-fostering experiment. We analyzed embryo survival and hatching mass with respect to body condition of the egg-laying parent, body condition of the incubating foster parent, and offspring sex. Embryos were not affected by the condition of the egg-laying parent. Eggs incubated by parents in better condition suffered less embryo mortality than those incubated by parents in poorer condition, but only when overall embryo mortality was low. Hatching mass was also affected by the incubating foster parent’s body condition. And hatchlings incubated by parents in good condition were heavier than those incubated by parents in poor condition. Female hatchlings from late-laid eggs were heavier, in comparison with the size of the egg from which they hatched, than female hatchlings from earlier-laid eggs. No such effect was found for males. Therefore, male and female embryos may differ in their sensitivity to suboptimal conditions during embryonic development. These results suggest that parental body condition during incubation can affect offspring fitness.Efectos de las Condiciones de Incubación y el Sexo de las Crías sobre el Desarrollo Embrional y la Supervivencia en Taeniopygia guttata

STELLER SEA LION BODY CONDITION INDICES

2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. W. Pitcher ◽  
D. G. Calkins ◽  
G. W. Pendleton
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Steller Sea Lion ◽  
Sea Lion ◽  
Condition Indices

Some recent Observations on Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lep., Noctuidae) in Southern Rhodesia

1960 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 809-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. N. Smithers
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Light Trap ◽  
Busseola Fusca ◽  
Pupal Stage ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Larval Feeding ◽  
Appreciable Change ◽  
Southern Rhodesia

The life-history and seasonal cycle of the Lepidopterous borer, Busseola fusca (Fuller), the most serious pest of maize in Southern Rhodesia, have been studied there.There are two generations in the year, the majority of the full-grown larvae of the second entering diapause, in which condition the dry season is passed in the maize stem, but a proportion of the second-generation consists of short-cycle individuals that give rise to moths irregularly during the dry season.In the field, the egg stage lasts about 7–11 days, according to the time of year. In the laboratory, there are six, very occasionally seven, larval instars in the first generation, occupying about 37 days, and the pupal stage lasts about 17 days. In the second (diapausing) generation there may be one or two additional moults without appreciable change in size, and there is considerable variation in the length of instars and in the date of entry into diapause, but by mid-June the bulk of the larvae that will survive are in diapause. The majority of diapause larvae pupate in early November, the pupal stage lasting about 23 days.The feeding habits of the larvae are described and reference is made to other food-plants.The length of life of the adult, in cage conditions, averages 6–7 days, but there is great variation. When provided with diluted honey, adults were not observed to feed, and absence of such food did not appear to impair egg-laying. The sex ratio was 1:1, but in catches at a light-trap the ratio of males to females was 5:1. Copulation takes place shortly after emergence, and oviposition may begin within 24 hours of emergence.The average number of eggs laid per female in cages was 360 over an average of four days, one female laying 1,032. Several batches of eggs may be laid in one night. A single mating appears to be sufficient, but males may copulate with more than one female. Eggs laid by virgin females do not hatch.Diapause is thought to be induced by larval feeding on drying food. Continuous rearing of non-diapause generations can be achieved by feeding the larvae on fresh, green maize. Similarly, in the field, irrigated out-of-season maize will support non-diapause generations and constitute a source of infestation that may render ineffectual the normal routine destruction of all plants of the previous dry-land farming season.The main parasite is the Tachinid, Sturmiopsis parasitica (Curr.), which may destroy more than 33 per cent, of the larvae in either generation.

The effect of female body condition on egg laying in Lesser black-backed gulls Larus fuscus

2009 ◽  
Vol 200 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Houston ◽  
P. J. Jones ◽  
R. M. Sinly
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Female Body ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Larus Fuscus

Colony growth and pup condition of the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) on the Kaikoura coastline compared with other east coast colonies

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 497 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Boren ◽  
C. G. Muller ◽  
N. J. Gemmell
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Colony Growth ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
Seal Population ◽  
Condition Indices ◽  
New Zealand Fur Seal ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Abstract.Since its near extermination by sealing, the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) has been recolonising areas of its former range throughout New Zealand and Australia. This study examined fur seal population growth over four breeding seasons spanning 2002–05 at the Ohau Point and Lynch’s Reef colonies in Kaikoura and the Horseshoe Bay and Te Oka Bay colonies on Banks Peninsula, on the east coast of New Zealand. Estimates of pup numbers were made using mark–recapture techniques and condition indices were used to assess the body condition of pups in each colony. We found that the Ohau Point and Te Oka Bay colonies are growing exponentially (32% and 47% per annum respectively), reaching nearly 600 pups at Ohau Point and 300 pups at Te Oka Bay, whereas Horseshoe Bay appears stable. Pups born at Ohau Point are consistently heavier and in better condition than their Banks Peninsula counterparts despite the faster rate of growth observed at Te Oka Bay. An El Niño event in 2003 coincided with a drop in mass and condition at the Banks Peninsula colonies, but not at the Kaikoura colony. This discrepancy between colonies in response to environmental conditions suggests that colony-specific variables at Kaikoura may provide more favourable conditions for rearing pups than on Banks Peninsula.

Oviposition site selected by the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Leconte) in southern Ontario strip plots

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 949-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. Knight ◽  
K. P. Pauls ◽  
M. K. Sears ◽  
A. W. Schaafsma
Keyword(s):  
Insect Pest ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Western Corn Rootworm ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Larval Feeding ◽  
Corn Rootworm ◽  
Diabrotica Virgifera ◽  
Southern Ontario

Western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera L., is the most serious insect pest of corn, Zea mays L., in North America. Crop rotation had successfully controlled this pest until the late 1980s when a new biotype that lays its eggs in non-corn crops was discovered in Illinois. This biotype has spread to parts of Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and threatens Ontario. By using emergence cages, Pherocon Am® sticky traps and corn root ratings, egg-laying behaviour of WCR in Ontario was assessed in strip crop settings that represent typical cropping systems of southern Ontario. WCR adults were active in both soybean and winter wheat fields in July and August. Larval feeding and adult emergence in first-year corn fields following soybean and wheat were similar, confirming that oviposition did occur in both crops. These data do not, however, provide conclusive evidence for the presence of the rotation resistant WCR in Ontario because previous studies have demonstrated that WCR are capable of utilizing other crops for oviposition. Key words: Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, strip plots, corn, soybean, wheat (winter)

RESTITUTION OF MASS–SIZE RESIDUALS: VALIDATING BODY CONDITION INDICES

Ecology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albrecht I. Schulte-Hostedde ◽  
Bertram Zinner ◽  
John S. Millar ◽  
Graham J. Hickling
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Mass Size ◽  
Condition Indices
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