Population structure, body mass, activity, and orientation of an aquatic snake (Seminatrix pygaea) during a drought

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 1281-1288 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Kenneth Dodd Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Temporary Pond ◽  
Central Florida ◽  
Sampling Regime ◽  
Large Water ◽  
Seminatrix Pygaea

The snout – vent length, tail length, weight, sex, activity, and orientation of a population of swamp snakes (Seminatrix pygaea) in north – central Florida were recorded from 1985 through 1990. A small temporary pond was monitored for 1343 days, using a drift fence – pitfall trap sampling regime. I captured 123 different snakes, plus 45 recaptures. Juveniles comprised 89% of the snakes at the pond. Females were generally longer and weighed more than males, although regression analysis showed no differences between the sexes in the relationship of length versus wet body mass. Males had longer tails than females. The sex ratio of snakes with a snout – vent length of more than 150 mm was 1:1. Activity occurred throughout the year but peaked during summer. Hydroperiod and weather conditions did not appear to influence snake activity. During the latter years of the study, a regional drought that began in the mid-1980s became quite severe. However, drought had little direct effect on overland migration or body condition but caused snakes to leave or to shorten the amount of time they spent within the pond basin. Snakes immigrated and emigrated nonrandomly; orientation was directed to and from the nearest large water body. Certain temporary ponds may comprise developmental habitat for Seminatrix pygaea. The dynamic wet – dry climatic cycles in southeastern North America may lead to the formation of metapopulations in some aquatic snakes.

scholarly journals Contributions of source population and incubation temperature to phenotypic variation of hatchling Chinese skinks

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Liang Lu ◽  
Yan-Fu Qu ◽  
Hong Li ◽  
Xiang Ji
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Incubation Temperature ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Source Population ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Hatchling Size

Abstract Phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation are viewed as the main factors that result in between-population variation in phenotypic traits, but contributions of these factors to phenotypic variation vary between traits and between species and have only been explored in a few species of reptiles. Here, we incubated eggs of the Chinese skink (Plestiodon chinensis) from 7 geographically separated populations in Southeast China at 3 constant temperatures (24, 28, and 32 °C) to evaluate the combined effects of clutch origin, source population, and incubation temperature on hatchling traits. The relative importance of these factors varied between traits. Nearly all examined hatchling traits, including body mass, snout–vent length (SVL), tail length, head size, limb length, tympanum diameter, and locomotor speed, varied among populations and were affected by incubation temperature. Measures for hatchling size (body mass and SVL) varied considerably among clutches. Source population explained much of the variation in hatchling body mass, whereas incubation temperature explained much of the variation in other examined traits. Our results indicate that between-population variation in hatchling traits of P. chinensis likely reflects the difference in natural incubation conditions and genetic divergence.

scholarly journals Exploratory analyses of migration timing and morphometrics of the Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Harnos ◽  
Péter Fehérvári ◽  
Imre Sándor Piross ◽  
Zsolt Karcza ◽  
Nóra Ágh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Cumulative Distribution ◽  
Pied Flycatcher ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Migration Timing ◽  
Arrival Dates ◽  
Annual Means ◽  
Fat Score

Abstract Ornithological studies often rely on large temporal scale ringing datasets as source of information. However, basic descriptive statistics of collected data are rarely provided. In order to fill this gap, here we present the first item of a series of exploratory analyses of migration timing and body size measurements of the most frequent Passerine species at a ringing station located in Central Hungary (1984–2015). First, we give a concise description of foreign ring recoveries of the Pied Flycatcher in relation to Hungary. We then shift focus to data of 2860 individuals deriving from the ringing station, where birds have been trapped, handled and ringed with standardized methodology since 1984. Timing is described through annual and daily capture and recapture frequencies and their descriptive statistics. We show annual mean arrival dates within the study period and we present the cumulative distribution of first captures with stopover durations. We present the distributions of wing, third primary, tail length and body mass, and the annual means of these variables. Furthermore, we show the distribution of individual fat and muscle scores, and the distribution of body mass within each fat score category. We distinguish migration periods (spring and autumn), age (i.e. juveniles and adults) and sex groups. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysed variables. However, we do not aim to interpret the obtained results, merely draw attention to interesting patterns, that may be worth exploring in detail. Data used here are available upon request for further analyses.

scholarly journals Exploratory analyses of migration timing and morphometrics of the Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-170
Author(s):  
Tibor Csörgő ◽  
Péter Fehérvári ◽  
Zsolt Karcza ◽  
Péter Ócsai ◽  
Andrea Harnos
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Migration Timing ◽  
Annual Means ◽  
Thrush Nightingale

Abstract Ornithological studies often rely on long-term bird ringing data sets as sources of information. However, basic descriptive statistics of raw data are rarely provided. In order to fill this gap, here we present the seventh item of a series of exploratory analyses of migration timing and body size measurements of the most frequent Passerine species at a ringing station located in Central Hungary (1984–2017). First, we give a concise description of foreign ring recoveries of the Thrush Nightingale in relation to Hungary. We then shift focus to data of 1138 ringed and 547 recaptured individuals with 1557 recaptures (several years recaptures in 76 individuals) derived from the ringing station, where birds have been trapped, handled and ringed with standardized methodology since 1984. Timing is described through annual and daily capture and recapture frequencies and their descriptive statistics. We show annual mean arrival dates within the study period and present the cumulative distributions of first captures with stopover durations. We present the distributions of wing, third primary, tail length and body mass, and the annual means of these variables. Furthermore, we show the distributions of individual fat and muscle scores, and the distributions of body mass within each fat score category. We present data only for the autumn migratory period since there were only 27 spring captures in the study period. We distinguish the age groups (i.e. juveniles and adults) in the analyses. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysed variables. However, we do not aim to interpret the obtained results, merely to draw attention to interesting patterns that may be worth exploring in detail. Data used here are available upon request for further analyses.

scholarly journals Dietary Intake, Hydration Status, and Body Composition of Three Belgian Military Groups

2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (7-8) ◽  
pp. e1175-e1182
Author(s):  
William De Bry ◽  
Patrick Mullie ◽  
Eva D’Hondt ◽  
Peter Clarys
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Military Training ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Urine Specific Gravity ◽  
Hydration Status ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Negative Consequences

Abstract Introduction Malnutrition, suboptimal hydration, and inadequate body composition can have negative consequences on soldiers’ performance and health. A recent consensus statement concerning “soldiers’ physical performance” points to the scarcity of data in specific military populations. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess and compare dietary intake, hydration status, and body composition of three military groups during their specific military training. Materials and Methods Eighty-five soldiers (ie, 21 in a qualification course to join the Special Forces [SF], 22 Infantrymen [Chasseurs Ardennais, CA], and 42 Recruits [REs]) participated in this 3- to 4-day study. Body mass was assessed before and after each study period. All soldiers self-reported their dietary intakes, from which energy and macronutrient intakes were calculated. In addition, their morning urine samples were collected daily to assess urine specific gravity (USG) as a measure of hydration status. Fat mass was estimated at the end of the study using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results All groups lost significant amounts of body mass (ie, mean losses ranging between 1.3 and 1.7 kg). Macronutrient intakes were not fully met in respect to the recommendations. Most notably, REs’ fat intake was high (ie, 42.3 [±1.6] energy percent [E%]), while their carbohydrate intake was low (ie, 44.5 [±2.1] E%). Furthermore, saturated fat intakes were high among all groups (ie, group means ranging between 13.6 and 21.4 E%). USG values indicated suboptimal hydration status was prevalent in all groups. Most noteworthy, for SF, only 5.4% of the USG values indicated optimal hydration. The average fat mass (%) for SF, CA, and RE was 11.2 (±3.1), 18.8 (±5.1), and 19.4 (±5.0), respectively. Conclusion The present study showed that military men are not always adequately fed nor hydrated. These issues should be resolved by creating nutritional packages, and individual dietary and hydration strategies, all in function of military planning and weather conditions.

scholarly journals Herpetofauna of protected areas in the Caatinga I: Raso da Catarina Ecological Station (Bahia, Brazil)

Check List ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Antonio Garda ◽  
Taís Borges Costa ◽  
Carlos Roberto dos Santos-Silva ◽  
Daniel Oliveira Mesquita ◽  
Renato Gomes Faria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
New Records ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Potential Influence ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Forest Habitats

We provide a list of amphibian and squamate species collected in the Raso da Catarina Ecological Station, Bahia state, Brazil, during two distinct periods. An initial visual inventory of amphibians was conducted monthly from March 2010 to February 2011, using transects in a forest and temporary ponds. The second inventory was conducted over a 30-day period between March and April, 2012, when 37 pitfall trap arrays, each consisting of four buckets and supplementary glue traps, were set in low scrub and forest, complemented by opportunistic searches. A total of 19 lizard species, two amphisbaenians, 21 frogs, and 11 snakes were recorded during the study. New records for the protected area include 10 lizards, one amphisbaenian, 15 amphibians, and 11 snakes (36 species in total). Several species typical of the Atlantic Forest were collected, reflecting the potential influence of this biome, especially in the sampled forest habitats (Mata da Pororoca).

scholarly journals Can snakes use yolk reserves to maximize body size at hatching?

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 627-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Fu Qu ◽  
Shu-Zhan Zhao ◽  
Xu-Fei Jiang ◽  
Long-Hui Lin ◽  
Xiang Ji
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Linear Size ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Fat Bodies ◽  
Free Body ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Naja Atra

Abstract We experimentally miniaturized freshly laid eggs of the Chinese cobra Naja atra (Elapidae) by removing ∼10% and ∼20% of original yolk. We tested if yolk-reduced eggs would produce 1) normal-sized hatchlings with invariant yolk-free body mass (and thus invariant linear size) but dramatically reduced or even completely depleted residual yolk, 2) smaller hatchlings with normal-sized residual yolk but reduced yolk-free body mass, or 3) smaller hatchlings of which both yolk-free body mass and residual yolk are proportionally reduced. Yolk quantity affected hatchling linear size (both snout-vent length and tail length) and body mass. However, changes in yolk quantity did not affect incubation length or any hatchling trait examined after accounting for egg mass at laying (for control and sham-manipulated eggs) or after yolk removal (for manipulated eggs). Specifically, yolk-reduced eggs produced hatchlings of which all major components (carcass, residual yolk, and fat bodies) were scaled down proportionally. We show that snakes cannot use yolk reserves to maximize their body size at hatching. Furthermore, our data also suggest that the partitioning of yolk in embryonic snakes is species-specific.

scholarly journals Body-mass Changes in Female Collared Flycatchers: State-dependent Strategy

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 550-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariusz Cichoń
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Adaptive Strategy ◽  
Ficedula Albicollis ◽  
Prolonged Incubation ◽  
Collared Flycatcher ◽  
State Dependent ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Body Mass Changes

Abstract Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) females experimentally were forced to prolong their incubation to address the question whether mass constancy during incubation and subsequent mass loss after hatching is actually related to breeding stage. Compared to unmanipulated control females a week after expected hatching, experimental females did not show any significant mass loss during prolonged incubation, whereas control females that successfully hatched their eggs dropped their mass significantly. Results show that body mass in females is associated with the reproductive stage and may reflect an adaptive strategy. High and stable incubation mass can be a fasting endurance in case of adverse weather conditions when females stay on the nest instead of foraging.

scholarly journals Allometric relationships among body mass, MUZZLE-tail length, and tibia length during the growth of Wistar rats1

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 743-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hildemberg Agostinho Rocha de Santiago ◽  
Lucas Rodolfo De Pierro ◽  
Rafael Menezes Reis ◽  
Antônio Gabriel Ricardo Engracia Caluz ◽  
Victor Barbosa Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Allometric Relationships ◽  
Tibia Length

scholarly journals Exploratory analyses ofmigration timing andmorphometrics of the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Harnos ◽  
Nóra Ágh ◽  
Péter Fehérvári ◽  
Zsolt Karcza ◽  
Péter Ócsai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
European Robin ◽  
Migration Timing ◽  
Annual Means

Abstract Ornithological studies often rely on long-term bird ringing data sets as sources of information. However, basic descriptive statistics of raw data are rarely provided. In order to fill this gap, here we present the sixth item of a series of exploratory analyses of migration timing and body size measurements of the most frequent passerine species at a ringing station located in Central Hungary (1984–2017). First, we give a concise description of foreign ring recoveries of the European Robin in relation to Hungary. We then shift focus to data of 40,128 ringed and 11,231 recaptured individuals with 24,056 recaptures (several years recaptures in 313 individuals) derived from the ringing station, where birds have been trapped, handled and ringed with standardized methodology since 1984. Timing is described through annual and daily capture and recapture frequencies and their descriptive statistics. We show annual mean arrival dates within the study period and present the cumulative distributions of first captures with stopover durations. We present the distributions of wing, third primary, tail length and body mass, and the annual means of these variables. Furthermore, we show the distributions of individual fat and muscle scores, and the distributions of body mass within each fat score category.We distinguish the spring and autumn migratory periods and age groups (i.e. juveniles and adults). Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysed variables. However, we do not aim to interpret the obtained results, merely to draw attention to interesting patterns that may be worth exploring in detail. Data used here are available upon request for further analyses.

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