scholarly journals Is chamois hybridization in the northern Dinaric Mountains an important factor for horn development?

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krešimir Kavčić ◽  
Francesca Brivio ◽  
Stefano Grignolio ◽  
Damir Ugarković ◽  
Igor Stankić ◽  
...  
Mammalia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Attum ◽  
Alaaeldin Soultan ◽  
Louis C. Bender

Abstract Documenting patterns of horn growth and horn-age relationships of Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of their natural history, horn development in ibex in general, and future conservation of the species. Our specific objectives included (1) documenting age-horn growth patterns; (2) contrasting horn growth patterns of Nubian ibex with other ibex species; and (3) determining whether horn development accurately reflects age of Nubian ibex in Sinai, Egypt. As expected, all male and female horn measurements had significant relationships with age. Horn growth in males started plateauing at ca. age 7–8, whereas female horn growth started plateauing at ca. age 4–6. The extremely arid environment of Nubian ibex in the Sinai may account for the slowing of horn growth at a younger age than seen in populations of some other ibex species. We found a significant relationship between the number of horn ridges and age, indicating that counting horn ridges provides a viable method of aging males to within ±1 y. Thus counting horn ridges may be a useful and non-invasive method to determine age or age class, which can further our understanding of age structure, the natural history, and management of Nubian ibex populations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tihomir Marjanac ◽  
Ljerka Marjanac

Solitary limestone blocks and groups of blocks occur on Risnjak and Velebit Mountains and on the northern Adriatic islands of Krk and Rab. Previous researchers have interpreted some of these as a) erratic blocks, b) corrosional remnants, or c) rockfalls. We have studied their mode of occurrence and composition, and revised previous interpretations of their origin in the light of transport mechanism and depositional processes. After analyzing the context of the block positions and the physical processes responsible for their emplacement, and taking into account their sedimentological context (their association with glaciogenic sediments), we herein propose a glacial origin for most of these blocks. However, some blocks are indeed shaped by sub-soil corrosion, as evidenced by their structure. The interpreted erratic blocks on the inner northern Adriatic Sea islands document the presence of middle Pleistocene glaciation of Dinaric Mountains though not its maximal extent, which is still unclear as the ice terminus was in the area that is inundated by postglacial rise of Adriatic Sea. The reconstructed ice cap area, which extended along the coastal mountains from Risnjak Mt. to south Velebit Mt. and across the range from Lika Polje to Rab Island, is conservatively estimated to be 5400 km2.


Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. 1315-1323 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Sharma ◽  
Z. Korade ◽  
E. Frank

Development of sensory projections was studied in cultured spinal segments with attached dorsal root ganglia. In spinal segments from stage 30 (E6.5) and older chicken embryos, prelabeled muscle and cutaneous afferents established appropriate projections. Cutaneous afferents terminated solely within the dorsolateral laminae, whereas some muscle afferents (presumably Ia afferents) projected ventrally towards motoneurons. Development of appropriate projections suggests that sufficient cues are preserved in spinal segments to support the formation of modality-specific sensory projections. Further, because these projections developed in the absence of muscle or skin, these results show that the continued presence of peripheral targets is not required for the formation of specific central projections after stage 29 (E6.0). Development of the dorsal horn in cultured spinal segments was assessed using the dorsal midline as a marker. In ovo, this midline structure appears at stage 29. Lack of midline formation in stage 28 and 29 cultured spinal segments suggests that the development of the dorsal horn is arrested in this preparation. This is consistent with earlier reports suggesting that dorsal horn development may be dependent on factors outside the spinal cord. Because dorsal horn development is blocked in cultured spinal segments, this preparation makes it possible to study the consequences of premature ingrowth of sensory axons into the spinal cord. In chicken embryos sensory afferents reach the spinal cord at stage 25 (E4.5) but do not arborize within the gray matter until stage 30. During this period dorsal horn cells are still being generated. In spinal segments, only those segments that have developed a midline at the time of culture support the formation of midline at the time of culture support the formation of specific sensory projections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3580 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETER HUEMER ◽  
MARKO MUTANEN

The taxonomy of the European alpine species Teleiopsis albifemorella (Hofmann, 1867) s. lat. is revised. We sequenced mtDNA markers (COI barcode region) of 44 specimens resulting in a full barcode for 41 specimens. We also sequenced five nuclear markers (CAD, EF-1a, IDH, MDH and wingless) of 12 specimens. Molecular data of nuclear genes combined with weak morphological characters indicate two species: Teleiopsis albifemorella from the eastern Alps and the Dinaric mountains and Teleiopsis paulheberti sp. nov. from the southwestern Alps, the Apennines and the Pyrenees. The COI barcode region groups into seven genetic lineages from geographically coherent areas. Four major haplogroups are assigned to T. paulheberti sp. nov. whereas three major haplogroups support the eastern alpine Teleiopsis albifemorella.


1993 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Georges ◽  
Roger Drinkwater ◽  
Tracey King ◽  
Anuradha Mishra ◽  
Stephen S. Moore ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 651-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R Robinson ◽  
Loeske E.B Kruuk

In many species, females show reduced expression of a trait that is under sexual selection in males, and this expression is thought to be maintained through genetic associations with the male phenotype. However, there is also the potential for the female trait to convey an advantage in intrasexual conflicts over resources. We tested this hypothesis in a feral population of Soay sheep, in which males and females have a polymorphism for horn development, producing either full (normal horned), reduced (scurred) or no (polled, females only) horns. During the lambing period, females who possessed horns were more likely to initiate and win aggressive interactions, independent of age, weight and birthing status. The occurrence of aggression was also context dependent, decreasing over the lambing period and associated with local density. Our results demonstrate that a trait that confers benefits to males during intrasexual competition for mates may also be used by females in intrasexual competition over resources: males use weaponry to gain mates, whereas females use weaponry to gain food.


Acrocephalus ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (148-149) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miha Krofel

Monitoring of facultative avian scavengers on large mammal carcasses in Dinaric forest of SloveniaFacultative vertebrate scavengers have an important role in forest ecosystems, however, not much is known as to their use of carrion in temperate forests. Three carcasses of Red DeerCervus elaphusand European Roe DeerCapreolus capreolusfound dead or killed by Grey WolfCanis lupuswere monitored in March and April 2010 and 2011 on Menišija Plateau in northern Dinaric Mountains (central Slovenia) using photo-trapping and video surveillance. Carcasses were monitored for 26 days, during which 708 photos and 43 video recordings of scavengers were taken. In the 91% of all visits recorded, birds were the most frequent scavengers, with Common BuzzardButeo buteoas the most frequent species present at 76% of all visits. On average, Buzzards returned to carcasses twice per day, with an average visit lasting 29 min. Common Buzzards used carcasses to a significantly higher degree on days with snow cover, which was due to the more frequent visits per day and not to longer visits. Recorded antagonistic interspecific interactions suggested that Common Buzzards were the dominant species in the observed avian scavenger guild, as they displaced RavensCorvus coraxand GoshawkAccipiter gentilisfrom the carcass. However, Ravens frequently mobbed Common Buzzards while scavenging. Once an Ural OwlStrix uralensisalso visited prey remains of Grey Wolf, but feeding could not be confirmed. Observations suggested that carcasses of large mammals could be locally and temporarily an important food source for some facultative avian scavengers in Dinaric forests, especially in times when other food is scarce. Data from the two wolf kills also confirm the importance of predation by large carnivores in providing food for scavengers. Given the small amount of meat consumed, kleptoparasitism by solitary raptors did not bring significant losses to large carnivores, whereas gregarious avian scavengers like corvids can importantly affect the consumption process and consume large amount of biomass in a relatively short time.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Ljubenkov

Abstract Imotsko-Bekijsko Polje has an area of 9 500 ha and is one of the biggest karst fields (polje) in the Dinaric Mountains, extending over the territory of two states: Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Many hydraulic structures (reservoirs, retentions, tunnels, etc.) have been built since the middle of 20th century in order to protect polje against floods. Therefore, the security from flooding has increased substantially. However, there is still periodical flooding in the southeastern lowest part of the polje. The largest flood in recent times was in January 2010, when 2676 ha (28% of the area) was flooded. The polje is a typical karst with very complex hydrological and hydrogeological relations. In this paper two hydrological stations, Nuga at the lowest part and Kamenmost in the central part of the polje with respectable hydrological series, are statistically analysed. In particular, the efficiency of existing hydraulic structures for flood mitigation is estimated. The research points out that floods in Imotsko-Bekijsko Polje are largely influenced by water management objects (reservoir, retention, tunnel) and only indirectly by precipitation.


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