Effects of a spring snowstorm on behavior, reproduction, and survival of Belding's ground squirrels

1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (12) ◽  
pp. 2578-2590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin L. Morton ◽  
Paul W. Sherman
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
The Other ◽  
High Altitudes ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Early Emergence ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Spermophilus Beldingi

From 30 April to 26 May 1977 a snowstorm occurred in the Sierra Nevada where we were studying Spermophilus beldingi. The storm began 8 days after ground squirrels began emerging from hibernation. During the storm, emergence nearly ceased and mating was suspended, body weights decreased sharply, locomotor abilities became impaired, and nocturnal burrow sharing increased. The animals became more susceptible to predation, and one case of intraspecific killing and cannibalism was observed. At least four animals starved; they were totally depleted of fat and had atrophied livers. During the storm, more adult females than males perished; 60% of females disappeared in 1977 vs. 32 and 26% in 1975 and 1976, respectively. Furthermore, when compared with 1975 and 1976, fewer 1977 females mated, conceived, or weaned young.During 1969–1977 at Tioga Pass, first emergence of S. beldingi varied up to 6 weeks with the animals emerging earliest in years of lightest snowpacks. At high altitudes where summers are brief, early emergence may increase the likelihood that young will reach appropriate body size before winter. On the other hand, avoidance of the effects of unpredictable spring storms favors later emergence. In 1977, because of the snowstorm, late emergers were favored.

Two new scorpion species of genus Brachistosternus (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae) from northern Chile

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1623 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDRÉS A. OJANGUREN-AFFILASTRO ◽  
PABLO AGUSTO ◽  
JAIME PIZARRO-ARAYA ◽  
CAMILO I. MATTONI
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
The Other ◽  
Northern Chile ◽  
High Altitudes ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Andes Mountain ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Mountain Chain

Brachistosternus (Leptosternus) cepedai n. sp. and Brachistosternus (Leptosternus) coquimbo n. sp. are described from Coquimbo region, in northern Chile. Brachistosternus cepedai n. sp. occurs in coastal dunes and is closely related to Brachistosternus (L.) sciosciae Ojanguren-Affilastro, 2002. On the other hand, Brachistosternus coquimbo n. sp occurs at high altitudes in the Andes mountain chain and is related to Brachistosternus (L.) montanus Roig Alsina, 1977, and to several Andean species from Argentina and Chile. Adaptative characters of the psammophilous Br. (L.) cepedai n. sp. are discussed. 39 scorpion species are now known from Chile, ten of them occur in the Coquimbo Region, being the region with the more diverse scorpion fauna in the country.

Effects of population density on female and male burrow characteristics in the fiddler crab, Uca bengali Crane, 1975

Crustaceana ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 88 (12-14) ◽  
pp. 1283-1299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahmida Wazed Tina ◽  
Mullica Jaroensutasinee ◽  
Krisanadej Jaroensutasinee
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Fiddler Crab ◽  
High Density ◽  
The Other ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Density Effects ◽  
Egg Incubation ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Males And Females

We examined the effects of population density on body size and burrow characteristics ofUca bengaliCrane, 1975. We predicted that (1) males in high-density areas (HD) should be larger in size and build higher quality burrows than males in low-density areas (LD), and (2) HD females should be larger in size, but build lower quality burrows than LD females, as HD females can find higher numbers of good quality male burrows around them for breeding and egg incubation. Our results showed that males and females in HD were larger in size than those in LD. Since HD males were larger in size, they built higher quality burrows than males in LD. On the other hand, even though LD females were smaller in size than HD ones, they built higher quality burrows than HD females. Our results thus indicate that density effects both body size and burrow characteristics.

Reproductive performance and growth of Shorthorn purebred and crossbred cows

1971 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Fahmy ◽  
G. Lalande ◽  
M. Hidiroglou
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
The Other ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
First Time ◽  
Maximum Body

SUMMARYData were obtained from 27 pure Shorthorn, 22 Angus × Shorthorn, 31 Charolais × Shorthorn and 27 Hereford × Shorthorn cows, during 10 years. Angus × Shorthorn cows required the least number of services per conception (1·17), had the shortest average gestation lengths (280·6 days), and had a calving percentage of 88·2% and birth weight of calf of 29·8 kg. The respective figures for Charolais × Shorthorn were 1·21 services, 281·6 days, 88·3% (the highest) and 32·9 kg (the heaviest), for Hereford × Shorthorn 1·23 services, 283·6 days, 84·4% and 31·6 kg, and for pure Shorthorn 1·20 services, 282·2 days, 82·7% and 29·6 kg. Average calf weight at birth increased with the advance in age of cow up to 5 years, then showed little change. Seventy-two per cent of the crossbred cows calved for the first time at 2 years old compared with 65% of the Shorthorns. On the other hand, Shorthorn cows had the highest twinning percentage (2·9%) and the lowest single calf mortality at birth (1·4%). The maximum body weights of Angus, Charolais, and Hereford crossbreds and Shorthorn cows were 576·8, 655·8, 6254 and 553·8 kg respectively at 7–8 years of age.

Maternal influence on juvenile growth rates in Belding's ground squirrel (Spermophilus beldingi)

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2140-2145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Trombulak
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
The Body ◽  
Supplemental Food ◽  
Sierra Nevada Mountains ◽  
Extra Food ◽  
Spermophilus Beldingi ◽  
Reproductive Females

The influence of food acquisition by pregnant and lactating Belding's ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi) on the body mass and growth rate of their offspring was assessed in a free-ranging population. In late spring and early summer of 1985 and 1986, individual females in a population of Belding's ground squirrels in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California were given 300–500 g of sunflower seeds daily at the entrances to their burrows. Juveniles born to mothers who received supplemental food emerged from natal burrows on average 28% heavier than did controls (73.0 vs. 57.1 g, P < 0.001) and maintained a greater body mass throughout the remainder of the summer (P < 0.01). Also, females had a nonsignificant tendency towards greater survivorship during their first winter (P = 0.09). Supplemental feeding had no effect on litter size or sex ratio of offspring, or on the mass of the mothers up to the time of weaning, indicating that extra food available in the spring to reproductive females is converted primarily, if not exclusively, into larger offspring. Because the lengths of gestation and lactation are relatively invariable, the greater body mass of emerging juveniles must result from faster growth prior to weaning.

scholarly journals Some Observations on Relationships of the Liver, Ovary and Body Weights for Pipefish Species at the Lake Bafa Coasts (Muğla)

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 536
Author(s):  
Sule Gurkan ◽  
Ertan Taskavak ◽  
Deniz Innal
Keyword(s):  
Condition Factor ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Gonad Development ◽  
The Other ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Beach Seine ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Lake Bafa ◽  
Breeding Seasons

This study aims to determine various relationships between liver, gonad and body weights of the two pipefish species caught in two breeding seasons from the Bafa Lake (Muğla) coasts between 2014 -2016. Using beach seine-net in the lake, a total of 208 pipefish specimens (79 Synathus abaster and 129 Synathus acus) were sampled. L-W relationship and Fulton condition factor were W = 2E - 0.94.01, 0.035 ± 0.009 in S.abaster specimens. Also LW relationships and condition factor were W = 8E-0.93.83 , 0.033 ± 0.01 in S. acus. On the other hand mean ± SD of HSI and GSI values were 2.18 ± 1.65 and 7.69 ± 7.12 respectively. In S.acus values 3.22 ± 3.13 and 5.49 ± 5.12 as well. The decrease in HIS and K values, provides sufficient information to claim that species in the lake spend all energy requirement obtained with proper feeding to growth and gonad development.

scholarly journals Biogeographic patterns of belemnite body size responses to episodes of environmental crisis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Rita ◽  
José C. García-Ramos ◽  
Pascal Neige ◽  
Laura Piñuela ◽  
Robert Weis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Oceanic Anoxic Event ◽  
Biogeographic Patterns ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Marine Diversity ◽  
Abundance And Diversity

Body size changes have been investigated through episodes of environmental crisis among several groups of organisms but the relative contribution of within-lineage size changes, selective extinction and origination of taxa on these patterns is still being debated. Rapid warming, anoxia, and perturbations of the carbon cycle linked with volcanic activity, as well as their impact on marine diversity are well documented for the Pliensbachian-Toarcian (Pli-Toa) boundary and for the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE). Belemnites were a very abundant and successful cephalopod group in the Mesozoic oceans playing a paramount role in the oceanic trophic webs. Belemnites have mainly been studied from a geochemical perspective during this interval. Newly collected data from three northern and western Iberian sections (Peniche, Rodiles and Lastres) allowed an analysis of the belemnite body size dynamics across the Pli-Toa boundary and the T-OAE and a comparison with other European basins. In Peniche (Lusitanian Basin, Portugal), a significant reduction in belemnite body size was recognized across the Pli-Toa boundary at the assemblage level (i.e. community scale of organization). From the analysis of the different taxa recorded, it seems that adult specimens of Pseudohastites longiformis are driving the body size pattern observed (13% rostrum size decrease). The uppermost Polymorphum-Levisoni zones interval is characterized by a dramatic decrease on both belemnite abundance and diversity. Only 4 specimens of the genus Acrocoelites were found, increasing the body size at the assemblage level. In the Asturian Basin (N Spain), on the other hand, a body size increase at the assemblage level is recognized across the Pli-Toa boundary caused by a within-lineage effect mainly related to adult specimens of Passaloteuthis and Pseudohastites genera. During the onset of the T-OAE, belemnite body size increases due to the appearance of Acrocoelites genus. To summarize, the increase in rostrum size at the assemblage level across the T-OAE is associated with the radiation of a large-sized taxon (Acrocoelites genus) and the extinction of various other species. On the other hand, across the Pli-Toa boundary, the belemnite body size changes are dominated by within-lineage mechanisms. This suggests that species might have been able to cope within the early warming phase (Pli-Ta boundary), but were more affected by the subsequent warming and anoxia during the T-OAE. Our preliminary results indicate that this pattern might also be recognized in other western European sections, such as Cleveland Basin, western Paris Basin (Normandy) and Southern Germany sections. The biotic and abiotic drivers of belemnite body size changes still need to be comprehensively analyzed.

scholarly journals The effect of chosen factors of the growth of lambs crosses of the breeds Charollais, Suffolk and Improved Valachian

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
Igor Dobeš ◽  
Jan Kuchtík
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
The Other ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Live Body Weight ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Highly Uniform ◽  
Growth Ability

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of chosen factors (crossbreds, sex, litter size, age of ewes and interaction between sex and litter size) on the growth of lambs crossbreds of the breeds Charollais (Ch), Suffolk (Sf) and Improved Valachian (IV). The evaluation was performed in the year 2004 on the farm Růžďka and involved altogether 96 lambs. The growth ability was evaluated at the following crossbreds: Ch x Sf (n = 28), (Ch x Sf) x Sf (n = 28), IV x Sf (n = 21) and (IV x Sf) x Sf (n = 19). All lambs under study were born indoor in January. Lambs were kept indoor till the end of the evaluation. From the evaluation of effects of crossbreds, sex and age of ewes on the live body weights and daily gains of lambs above all result that these factors showed a significant effect only on the live body weight at birth. On the other hand, the factors of litter size and interaction between sex and litter size showed a highly significant (P < 0.01) effect on the live body weights of lambs at birth, at 70 and at 100 days of age as well as on their daily gains within the intervals from birth to 70 and 100 days of age. It can be concluded that the daily gains were highly uniform but relatively low in all crossbreds under the study within the time interval from birth to the age of 100 days, while the non-significantly highest daily gain was recorded in the crossbreds of IV x Sf (211 g). On the other hand the lowest ones were observed in the crossbreds of CH x Sf and (IV x Sf) x Sf (199 g).

Body size, medullary thickness, and urine concentrating ability in mammals

1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (2) ◽  
pp. R298-R308 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Beuchat
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Urine Concentration ◽  
The Other ◽  
Loop Of Henle ◽  
Relative Thickness ◽  
Physiological Factors ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Urine Concentrating Ability

B. H. Blake (Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A Comp. Physiol. 58: 413-419, 1977.) and W. A. Calder and E. J. Braun (Am. J. Physiol. 244 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 13): R601-R606, 1983.) have predicted that urine concentrating ability of mammals should decline with increasing body mass (M, in kg) as M-0.08. Edwards (29), on the other hand, speculated that concentrating ability should be independent of body mass. Using information compiled from the literature for 245 species of mammals, I examined the scaling of urine concentrating ability with body mass. Maximum urine concentration (Uosm, in mosmol/kgH2O) declined exponentially with body mass as Uosm = 2,564 M-0.097, and generally only the smallest species (less than 400 g) could produce urine with an osmolality greater than 4,000 mosmol/kgH2O. Medullary thickness (MT, in mm) and, therefore, the length of the loop of Henle, increased with body mass as MT = 8.147 M0.129. The thickness of the medulla relative to the size of the kidney (RMT), however, declined with body size (RMT = 5.408 M-0.108). The relative thickness of the medulla accounted for only 59% of the variability among species in concentrating ability, indicating that there are other morphological or physiological factors that significantly influence urine concentrating ability.

Ovarian Response to Exogenous Gonadotropins in Infant Cynomolgus Monkeys Hidenobu Sameshima

1996 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoru Oneda ◽  
Toshio Ihara ◽  
Katsumi Hamana
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Single Injection ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Ovarian Response ◽  
The Other ◽  
Human Menopausal Gonadotropin ◽  
Serum Estradiol ◽  
Cynomolgus Monkeys ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Other Hand

The response of the ovaries to exogenous gonadotropins was examined by determining serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels and by observing the development of follicles by using 5-to 7-month-old cynomolgus females. The serum E2 levels began to increase 2 h after a single injection of 15 IU of human menopausal gonadotropin (h MG) and reached peak levels at 6 h after dosing, but the E2levels decreased to near predosing values at 24 h. The serum E2 levels increased markedly due to the repeated injections of 15 IU h MG for 10 days (days 0-9), but the P levels were low and equal to the levels observed at the follicular stage in adult females. The E2 levels decreased after an injection of 1,000 IU h CG on day 10, and the levels on day 21 were almost equal to the predosing values on day 0. On the other hand, the P levels increased transiently on day 16, which suggested ovulation. In the histopathological examination of the ovaries obtained on day 10, large antrum follicles were observed. These results confirmed that the ovary of infant cynomolgus monkeys reacted in the same way as the ovary of adult monkeys to exogenous gonadotropins and suggested that this method could become a useful means of evaluating the ovarian function of infant females.

Measurement of weasel body size

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2277-2279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Reliable Method ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
The Other ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Juvenile Males

Body size of long-tailed weasels (Mustela frenata) and short-tailed weasels (Mustela erminea) collected in northern and central Idaho was indexed using cranial length, zygomatic width, cranial mass, body mass, and body length (total less tail) as size variables. In comparison with the other variables, body length had lower and sometimes nonsignificant correlations with principal component 1 (PC1) scores of principal component analysis, suggesting that its further use as an index of body size for these species is inappropriate. Young males (6–9 months of age) of one or both species, similar in body size to adult females, occurred in all regions sampled. Because body size alone is not a reliable method of separating juvenile males from adult females, specimens identified as male lacking the baculum or tag information independently confirming sex are possibly misclassified.

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