Breeding-season frugivory by Harris' sparrows (Zonotrichia querula) and white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) in a low-arctic ecosystem

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 670-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoper J. Norment ◽  
Martin E. Fuller
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Zonotrichia Leucophrys ◽  
Widespread Distribution ◽  
Empetrum Nigrum ◽  
Low Arctic ◽  
Mountain Cranberry

We studied breeding-season frugivory by Harris' sparrows (Zonotrichia querula) and white-crowned sparrows (Z. leucophrys) in the forest–tundra ecotone of the Northwest Territories during a 3-year period. Density of fruits produced during previous summers and preserved beneath the snow averaged between 83 and 94/m2 during June. Mass of alpine bearberry (Arctostaphylos alpina) fruits collected during June was significantly greater than that of crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) or mountain cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), while the relative sugar content of mountain cranberry fruits in June was greater than that of alpine bearberry or crowberry fruits. The protein content of all fruits was relatively low (≤ 3.1%). Harris' and white-crowned sparrows maintained body mass and fat condition while feeding heavily on fruits during the early breeding season and shifted to arthropods when feeding nestlings. The results of our study, plus the widespread distribution of arctic and subarctic subshrubs that produce fleshy fruits consumed by other species, particularly ptarmigan (Lagopus spp.) and shorebirds, suggest that community-wide studies are needed to evaluate the importance of over-winter and late-summer fruits in the diets of terrestrial arctic and subarctic birds.

MODEST OVERWEIGHT AND HEALTHY DIETARY HABITS REDUCE RISK OF DEMENTIA: A NATIONWIDE SURVEY IN TAIWAN

2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
C.-Y. Lee ◽  
Y. Sun ◽  
H.-J. Lee ◽  
T.-F. Chen ◽  
P.-N. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Asian Population ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Evidence of the associations of dietary habits and body mass index with dementia is inconsistent and limited in East Asian countries. Objective: We aim to explore the associations of dietary habits and body mass index with the odds of dementia. Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Setting: A nationwide, population-based, door-to-door, in-person survey. Participants: Selected by computerized random sampling from all 19 counties in Taiwan. Measurement: Diagnosis of dementia using the criteria recommended by the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association. Lifestyle factors, dietary habits and demographic data were compared between normal subjects and participants with dementia. Results: A total of 10432 residents were assessed, among whom 2049 were classified as having a mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 929 were diagnosed with dementia, and 7035 were without dementia or MCI. After adjustment for age, gender, education, body mass index (BMI), dietary habits, habitual exercises and co-morbidities, including hypertension, diabetes and cerebrovascular diseases, we found inverse associations of dementia with the consumption of fish (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41-0.94), vegetables (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13-0.95), coffee (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35-0.97), green tea (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34-0.75) and other types of tea (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.28-0.60). There was no association between dementia and fruit consumption. Compared with people who had a normal BMI (18 < BMI <= 24), older overweight people (24 < BMI <=30) had a reduced risk of dementia with an adjusted OR of 0.77 (95% CI 0.61-0.96). Conclusions: Our study provides preliminary evidence that suggests that the consumption of fish, vegetables, tea, and coffee has potential benefits against dementia in East Asian population. Being modestly overweight (nadir risk at BMI = 25) in late life was associated with decreased odds of dementia. The benefit of fruits may be offset by their high sugar content.

scholarly journals PRODUÇÃOE CARACTERIZAÇÃO DOSFRUTOS DE ESPÉCIES DE PhysalisCULTIVADAS NO SEMIÁRIDO BAIANO

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-121
Author(s):  
Tamara Torres Tanan ◽  
Marilza Neves do Nascimento ◽  
Romeu da Silva Leite
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Reducing Sugars ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Total Soluble Sugars ◽  
Biochemical Characteristics ◽  
The Masses ◽  
Solanaceae Family

The Physalisbelongs to the Solanaceae family and has sweetish fruit that can be eaten fresh or processed. In Brazil only Physalis peruvianais commercialized, it is necessary research to encourage the cultivation of other promising speciesof the genus. The aim of this study was evaluate the productivity and the physical and biochemical characteristics of P. angulata, P.pubescensand P. ixocarpafruits, in different stages,in Feira de Santana, Bahia. Productivity and the number of fruits in the breeding period were evaluated.In the fruits, longitudinal (LD) and transverse (TD) diameters, the LD/TD ratio,the masses of fruit, the protein content,reducing sugars,and total soluble sugars were analyzed. The results showed differences between species, with higher number of fruits for P. angulata(140,5). P. ixocarpashowed higher productivity (9 t ha-1) and fruit with greater mass and diameter,however P. pubescensand P. angulatashowed round fruits and higher sugar content, desirable characteristics for fresh consumption and for industrialization.

scholarly journals Temporal Variation in Breeding Season Survival and Cause-Specific Mortality of Lesser Prairie-Chickens

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 507-518
Author(s):  
Andrew R. Meyers ◽  
Scott A. Carleton ◽  
William R. Gould ◽  
Clay T. Nichols ◽  
David A. Haukos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Specific Mortality ◽  
Prairie Chicken ◽  
Female Survival ◽  
Similar Survival

Abstract The lesser prairie-chicken Tympanuchus pallidicinctus has experienced significant declines in distribution and abundance since the early 1900s. A severe and prolonged drought from 2009 to 2013 resulted in further declines in population numbers and despite improved environmental and habitat conditions since 2013, populations of lesser prairie chickens have shown little improvement. To investigate whether breeding season survival of lesser prairie-chickens in eastern New Mexico could be driving this response, we developed the following objectives: 1) estimate male and female breeding-season survival; 2) determine whether male and female survival varies temporally among lekking, nesting, and brood-rearing periods; and 3) determine cause-specific mortality during the breeding season. We captured and radiocollared 76 lesser prairie-chickens (50 male, 26 female) during spring of 2014 and 2015 and estimated their survival throughout the breeding season (15 March–31 August). Male survival was nearly double that of females in both years (0.79–0.81 and 0.38–0.45, respectively). Males had similar survival across all periods (lekking, postlekking, late summer: 0.89–0.95). Females had the greatest period-specific survival during lekking and brood rearing (0.87 ± 0.08 and 0.85 ± 0.10, respectively) relative to the nesting period (0.58 ± 0.11). Mammalian predation was the primary cause of mortality in both years. Our results indicate that in New Mexico 1) lesser prairie-chicken breeding season survival was consistent with geographically similar studies, 2) females have lower survival during the nesting period, and 3) female lesser prairie-chicken survival was lower than male survival regardless of time period. Management actions that provide and protect high-quality nesting habitat may help ensure that female survival is maximized during the nesting period.

Autumnal body mass reduction in Antechinus swainsonii (Dasyuridae) in the Snowy Mountains.

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Green
Keyword(s):  
Snow Cover ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Mass Reduction ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
Increase Body Mass ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Body Mass Reduction

Autumnal body mass reduction in a seasonally snow-covered environment is reported for Antechinus swainsonii (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae), thus extending the phylogenetic spectrum in which this phenomenon is known. Above 1600 m altitude the average mass of individual A. swainsonii falls from 48.6 g to 42.6 g (a 12.3% loss) from April to May. The difference in mass results from a reduction in lean mass rather than a metabolisation of fat reserves. In A. swainsonii, the need to increase body mass in late summer only to lose it in autumn prior to a winter beneath the snow seems superfluous. However, the higher mass may be necessary to survive the harsher microclimate in autumn before conditions ameliorate beneath the snow cover. Survival from April to May is higher in heavier animals (that do lose mass in autumn) than lighter animals (with mass in April equal to that of animals after loss of body mass). These lighter animals disappear from the population in autumn. With snow cover in place, A. swainsonii is able to increase mass in winter.

Gonadal and photoperiodic control of seasonal body weight changes in male voles

1984 ◽  
Vol 247 (1) ◽  
pp. R84-R88 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Dark ◽  
I. Zucker
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Short Photoperiod ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Short Day ◽  
Long Day ◽  
Principal Factors ◽  
Gonadal Recrudescence

After 15 wk in a short photoperiod (10 h of light/day), adult male voles weighed 25% less and consumed 33% less food than did voles in a long photoperiod (14 h light/day). Neither body weight nor food intake differed among long- and short-day castrated voles. After 19 wk, castrated long-day voles weighed less than did intact animals. Voles reduced their body weight during the first 15 wk in the short photoperiod and increased their body mass during the succeeding 15 wk. Body mass of short-day voles was positively correlated with combined testes weight. Voles in the short photoperiod collected less nesting material than did their long-day counterparts at week 31. Pelage characteristics at week 32 were not affected by castration or by photoperiod. We conclude that the decreased body mass of male voles during the late summer, fall, and early winter reflects a decrease in circulating levels of testicular hormones; gonadal recrudescence and increased circulating androgen levels are in part responsible for the subsequent seasonal increase in body weight. Part of the increased body mass in late winter in field populations or in laboratory voles after 15 wk in the short photoperiod is independent of the resumption of gonadal activity. Fluctuations in neural and endocrine processes, rather than availability of food, are the principal factors underlying seasonal changes in energy balance.

Paraoxical relationship between protein content and nucleolar activity in mammalian cardiomyocytes

Genome ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 565-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga V Anatskaya ◽  
Alexander E Vinogradov
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Ploidy Level ◽  
Ribosome Biogenesis ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Ribosomal Protein Genes ◽  
Microarray Gene Expression ◽  
Nucleolar Activity

It was recently demonstrated that polyploidization of the avian myocardium is associated with a reduction of cardiac aerobic capacity evaluated by the heart mass to body mass ratio (heart index). To investigate possible cellular correlates of polyploidization, the protein content and nucleolar activity per cell and per genome were examined by image cytometry in 21 mammalian species, differing in the degree of heart polyploidization and heart index. We found that average cardiomyocyte ploidy level correlates negatively with the animal heart index (r = –0.75, p < 10–4), i.e., the large heart of athletic mammals is polyploidized to a lesser degree than the relatively smaller heart of sedentary species, which confirms the picture observed in birds. The protein content per genome decreased with the elevation of cardiomyocyte ploidy level. This inverse correlation was especially pronounced with the removed effect of body mass (r = –0.79, p < 10–4). Surprisingly, these changes were accompanied by the increase of nucleolar activity per genome (r = 0.61, p < 10–3). In the two species, for which the microarray gene expression data were available (human and mouse), this increase was paralleled by the elevated expression of ribosomal protein genes (but there was no increase in the expression of tissue-specific genes). Thus, in the polyploid cardiomyocytes there is a misbalance between protein content per genome and ribosome biogenesis. The reduction of protein content (per genome) of polyploid cardio my ocytes should further curtail heart functionality (in addition to reduction of heart index), because it is known that cardio myocyte protein content consists of more than 90% contractile proteins. This finding makes doubtful a widespread notion that polyploidization is necessary for cell function. Because somatic polyploidization is associated with stressful conditions and impaired energetics, we suppose that additional genomes can serve for cell regeneration and as a defense against oxidative damage in the organs that work at the limit of their metabolic capacity.Key words: somatic polyploidy, heart, functional capacity, protein–DNA ratio.

Protein intake and the dynamics of the postnuptial molt in White-crowned Sparrows, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2225-2229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Murphy ◽  
James R. King
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Sulfur Amino Acids ◽  
Daily Consumption ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Zonotrichia Leucophrys ◽  
High Quality Protein ◽  
Protein Group ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Zonotrichia Leucophrys Gambelii

Nutritional constraints have often been invoked as either ultimate or proximate agents that account for variation in the schedule and intensity of molt and the quality of the new plumage. We examined this hypothesis by analyzing the dynamics of postnuptial molt and the condition of the new feathers in seven groups of White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) in which the mean daily consumption of high-quality protein in otherwise balanced diets ranged from subadequate (0.20 g/bird) to superadequate (3.23 g/bird). Mean body mass during molt did not differ among the six groups consuming 0.46 g/bird-day or more (0.69, 0.97, 1.76, 1.99, and 3.23 g/bird-day) but was significantly less throughout molt (e.g., ca. 20 vs. 26 g in mid to late molt) in the group subsisting on 0.20 g/bird-day. The mean date of molt onset (27 June – 2 July) was statistically the same in all the groups, as was the duration of molt (51–57 days) in the six groups consuming 0.46 g or more of protein per day. In the lowest-protein group (0.20 g/bird-day) the molt lasted > 111 days. The protraction of molt resulted from both a slower growth rate of flight feathers and longer shedding intervals between them. The new primary remiges of the birds in this group averaged 4–9% shorter than in the six other groups, which were statistically indistinguishable from each other. These results are consistent with those of earlier experiments on the effects on molt of shortages of nutritionally balanced diets and of diets deficient only in sulfur amino acids. Molt is very resistant to the kinds of malnutrition that free-living birds may encounter. Only very severe levels of privation that sharply depress body mass and potentially threaten life significantly slow the rate of molt or reduce the quality of plumage.

scholarly journals Hantavirus infections in fluctuating host populations: the role of maternal antibodies

2010 ◽  
Vol 277 (1701) ◽  
pp. 3783-3791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva R. Kallio ◽  
Michael Begon ◽  
Heikki Henttonen ◽  
Esa Koskela ◽  
Tapio Mappes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Maternal Antibodies ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Infection Dynamics ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Maternal Protection ◽  
First Time

Infected females may transfer maternal antibodies (MatAbs) to their offspring, which may then be transiently protected against infections the mother has encountered. However, the role of maternal protection in infectious disease dynamics in wildlife has largely been neglected. Here, we investigate the effects of Puumala hantavirus (PUUV)-specific MatAbs on PUUV dynamics, using 7 years' data from a cyclic bank vole population in Finland. For the first time to our knowledge, we partition seropositivity data from a natural population into separate dynamic patterns for MatAbs and infection. The likelihood of young of the year carrying PUUV-specific MatAbs during the breeding season correlated positively with infection prevalence in the overwintered parent population in the preceding spring. The probability of PUUV infection varied between seasons (highest in spring, lowest in late summer) and depended on population structure, but was also, in late autumn, notably, negatively related to summer MatAb prevalence, as well as to infection prevalence earlier in the breeding season. Hence, our results suggest that high infection prevalence in the early breeding season leads to a high proportion of transiently immune young individuals, which causes delays in transmission. This suggests, in turn, that MatAb protection has the potential to affect infection dynamics in natural populations.

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