Observations on the Ecology and Natural History of Anura, VII. Food and Feeding Habits of the Common Species of Toads in Oklahoma

Ecology ◽  
1949 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Clinton Smith ◽  
Arthur N. Bragg
2000 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. ALMEIDA ◽  
E. F. RAMOS ◽  
E. GOUVÊA ◽  
M. do CARMO-SILVA ◽  
J. COSTA

Ctenus medius Keyserling, 1891 is a common species in several spots of Mata Atlântica, however there is a great lack of studies in all aspects of its natural history. This work aims to elucidate aspects of ecotope preference compared to large spiders, and to provide data on the development of chromatic patterns during its life cycle. The observations on the behavior of C. medius were done in the campus of Centro Universitário de Barra Mansa (UBM) by means of observations and nocturnal collections using cap lamps. For observations on the development of chromatic patterns, spiderlings raised in laboratory, hatched from an oviposition of a female from campus of UBM, and others spiderlings collected in field were used. The field observations indicate that: C. medius seems to prefer ecotopes characterized by dense shrub vegetation or herbal undergrowth; Lycosa erythrognatha and L. nordeskioldii seems to prefer open sites; Phoneutria nigriventer seems to prefer shrub vegetation and anthropogenic ecotopes as rubbish hills; Ancylometes sp. seems to prefer ecotopes near streams. Concerning chromatic patterns, it was observed that males and females show well distinct patterns during the last two instars, allowing distinction by sex without the use of a microscope. Through chromatic patterns it was also possible to draw a distinction between C. medius and C. ornatus longer that 3 mm cephalothorax width. 69 specimens of C. medius (males and females) collected in the campus of UBM did not show a striking polymorphism in chromatic pattern, but one among 7 adult females collected in National Park of Itatiaia, showed a distinct chromatic pattern.


2016 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 146 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. Halliday

Diet is an important aspect of the natural history of all animals, but diet can vary through space and time because of variations in prey availability. The diet of the Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) consists mainly of earthworms and frogs, but other prey items might be important when they are locally abundant. I report an observation of a female Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) regurgitating 2 nestling birds in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Birds are seldom present in the diet of the Common Gartersnake. This rare food choice highlights the opportunistic nature of foraging by adult Common Gartersnakes and, further, demonstrates that diet depends not only on prey preference, but also on prey availability.


1972 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen M. Young

This paper summarizes the life cycle and some aspects of natural history of the tropical pierid, Dismorphia virgo (Dismorphiinae) in Costa Rica. The precise taxonomic status of the butterfly in Central America has not been established, and it may represent a variable northern isolate of the common South American D. critomedia. Therefore, independent of whether the Central American form discussed in this paper has achieved full species status as the more northern virgo or is a subspecies or variety of critomedia evolving towards species status, this paper provides new information on the biology of the butterfly in Costa Rica. The establishment of precise taxonomic position awaits further study, and for the present purpose, I refer to the butterfly as D. virgo.


2011 ◽  
Vol 279 (1732) ◽  
pp. 1351-1358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yehu Moran ◽  
Grigory Genikhovich ◽  
Dalia Gordon ◽  
Stefanie Wienkoop ◽  
Claudia Zenkert ◽  
...  

Jellyfish, hydras, corals and sea anemones (phylum Cnidaria) are known for their venomous stinging cells, nematocytes, used for prey and defence. Here we show, however, that the potent Type I neurotoxin of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis , Nv1, is confined to ectodermal gland cells rather than nematocytes. We demonstrate massive Nv1 secretion upon encounter with a crustacean prey. Concomitant discharge of nematocysts probably pierces the prey, expediting toxin penetration. Toxin efficiency in sea water is further demonstrated by the rapid paralysis of fish or crustacean larvae upon application of recombinant Nv1 into their medium. Analysis of other anemone species reveals that in Anthopleura elegantissima , Type I neurotoxins also appear in gland cells, whereas in the common species Anemonia viridis , Type I toxins are localized to both nematocytes and ectodermal gland cells. The nematocyte-based and gland cell-based envenomation mechanisms may reflect substantial differences in the ecology and feeding habits of sea anemone species. Overall, the immunolocalization of neurotoxins to gland cells changes the common view in the literature that sea anemone neurotoxins are produced and delivered only by stinging nematocytes, and raises the possibility that this toxin-secretion mechanism is an ancestral evolutionary state of the venom delivery machinery in sea anemones.


2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 881-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toby Richards ◽  
Asela Dharmadasa ◽  
Rachael Davies ◽  
Michael Murphy ◽  
Rafael Perera ◽  
...  

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1965 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-191
Author(s):  
JOHN L. GREEN

This is a neatly organized, practical medical text written in easily understandable language covering the major physical and emotional problems of school-age children. The eighteen chapters review for non-medical personnel each organ system of the body including the special senses; there are sections, too, on the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social maturation of children. The appendices outlining the latest recommended immunization schedules and the essential information concerning the natural history of the common communicable diseases are complete and up to date.


1973 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Wheeler

AbstractThe spider fauna of alfalfa was studied at Ithaca, N.Y., in three experimental plots and in nearby fields during 1966–69. As part of an overall study of the arthropod fauna of alfalfa, the spider populations in the study plots were recorded weekly during visual examination of the terminal 6 in. of five stems for 100 plants in each of the plots. Additional information was obtained from sweep-net and pitfall trap collections in the study plots and from sweeping several commercial plantings. The spider fauna of alfalfa was found to consist of 78 species, 10 of which were collected only from the ground layer. Tetragnatha laboriosa Hentz and Dictyna volucripes Keyserling were the most abundant species found in the weekly samples. Notes on the seasonal occurrence, location on the plants, and feeding habits are given for the common species.


The Lancet ◽  
1949 ◽  
Vol 253 (6541) ◽  
pp. 71-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.H. Andrewes

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