scholarly journals Hyperparasitism in caves: bats, bat flies and ectoparasitic fungus

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrine Jensen ◽  
Luísa Rodrigues ◽  
Thomas Pape ◽  
Anders Garm ◽  
Sergi Santamaria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Entire Life ◽  
Bat Flies ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Bat Fly ◽  
Peculiar Case

Bat flies (Nycteribiidae) of the order Diptera are highly specialized bloodsucking ectoparasites living on bats. The life-cycle of the bat flies emphasizes their obligate relationship with their hosts as they spend almost their entire life on bats. Upon mating, the female bat fly carries the larvae internally until the 3rd-instar when it deposits the larvae on the ceiling of the roost occupied by bats. The larvae then form a puparium. After 3-4 weeks the adult bat fly emerges from the puparium and starts searching for a host bat to colonize. Some of these ectoparasitic bat flies themselves are infected with an ectoparasitic fungus of the genus Arthrorhynchus (Laboulbeniales). Ascospores of the fungi attach themselves to the cuticle of the bat fly and develop a very conspicuous haustorium that penetrates into the soft tissues from where it presumably extract nutrition from the hemolymph of the bat flies. This interaction converts the fungus into a hyperparasite. Both the parasite and hyperparasite are obligates and cannot live separate from their hosts. This peculiar case of hyperparasitism remains highly unknown. The bat flies were collected in caves of Portugal, in maternity and hibernation bat seasons, and in the autumn migration period. The most common species of cave-dwelling bat species in Portugal is Miniopterus schreibersii, frequently parasitized with Nycteribia schmidlii and Penicillidia conspicua bat flies. We have studied the prevalence of the Laboulbeniales of the genus Arthrorhynchus in natural populations of bat flies. The site and position of the fungus on male and female bat flies unveils the mechanism of fungal transmission among bat flies, indicating that it occurs during mating behavior. This study is the starting point towards the understanding of this unique case of fungus-insect-vertebrate hyperparasitism interaction. See Suppl. material 1.

scholarly journals The Violence of the Cut: Gendering Self-Harm

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4650
Author(s):  
Amy Chandler ◽  
Zoi Simopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Violence ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Qualitative Methodologies ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

Taking as a starting point the frequent characterisation of self-harm as “an adolescent thing for girls,” this paper offers a sociologically informed, qualitative exploration of self-harm as a gendered practice. We move beyond statistical constructions of this “reality,” and critically examine how this characterisation comes to be, and some of its effects. Our data are drawn from a pilot study that developed a collaborative arts-based inquiry into meanings of self-harm. The authors worked with two groups: one of practitioners and another of people who had self-harmed, meeting over six sessions to discuss and make art in response to a range of themes relating to the interpretation and explanation of self-harm. Through data generation and analysis, we collaboratively seek to make sense of the gendering of self-harm, focusing on a series of dualistic Cartesian “cuts” between male and female, violence and vulnerability, and inside and outside. In conclusion, we call for more multi- and interdisciplinary explorations of self-harm, and greater use of diverse, arts-based, and qualitative methodologies, in order to further expand and nuance understandings and ethical engagements with self-harm, and those who are affected by it.

Seasonal variation of bat-flies (Diptera: Streblidae) in four bat species from a tropical dry forest

Mammalia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria B. Salinas-Ramos ◽  
Alejandro Zaldívar-Riverón ◽  
Andrea Rebollo-Hernández ◽  
L. Gerardo Herrera-M
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
Bat Flies ◽  
Host Parasite Interactions ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Bat Fly ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Wet And Dry Seasons

AbstractSeasonality of climate promotes differences in abundance and species composition of parasites, affecting host-parasite interactions. Studies have reported seasonal variation in bat-flies, which are obligate bat ectoparasites. We characterized the bat-fly load of three insectivores [Pteronotus davyi(Gray),Pteronotus parnellii(Gray) andPteronotus personatus(Wagner)] and one nectarivorous [Leptonycteris yerbabuenae(Martínez and Villa-R.)] bat species in a tropical dry forest to test the existence of seasonality in response to the availability of resources during the wet and dry seasons. We collected 3710 bat-fly specimens belonging to six species and two genera from 497 bats. Most of the ectoparasite load parameters examined (mean abundance, mean intensity, richness, etc.), including comparisons among reproductive conditions and sex of the host, were similar in both seasons. Prevalence was the parameter that varied the most between seasons. The six bat-fly species were found in all bat species exceptP. personatus. The latter species andL. yerbabuenaehad four and five bat-fly species in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. This study provides significant information of ectoparasites ecology in relation to seasonality, contributes to the understanding of host-parasite relationships in tropical dry forests and discusses the relevance of the abiotic and biotic factors that could impact host-parasite interactions.

scholarly journals Male and female reproductive success in natural and anthropogenic populations of Malaxis monophyllos (L.) Sw. (Orchidaceae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edyta Jermakowicz ◽  
Beata Ostrowiecka ◽  
Izabela Tałałaj ◽  
Artur Pliszko ◽  
Agata Kostro-Ambroziak
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Floral Display ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Female Reproductive Success ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Demographic Processes ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Effective Pollinators

Abstract In the presented study, male and female reproductive success was analyzed in relation to the population size, floral display and pollinators’ availability in natural and anthropogenic populations of the orchid Malaxis monophyllos (L.) Sw. Our results indicated significant differences between all investigated populations in parameters of floral display, including heights and number of flowers per inflorescence, as well the number of flowering individuals and their spatial structure. Additionally, populations differed both in male (pollinia removal) and female (fruit set) reproductive success, but only the fruit set clearly differentiated anthropogenic and natural populations. Despite the average flower number per plant being significantly higher in two of the anthropogenic populations, it was not related to the fruits set, which was significantly lower there. Moreover, our preliminary study concerning the potential pollinators of M. monophyllos showed a higher contribution of flies in natural habitats than in anthropogenic ones. Thus, we can suspect that the main factors influencing the level of female reproductive success in M. monophyllos populations are abundance of effective pollinators, as well as flower visitors, which may have resulted in a different level of pollen discounting in populations. Therefore, further studies concerning breeding system and pollination as important forces that shape demographic processes in M. monophyllos populations are necessary. Our results also indicate that suitable conservation methods in M. monophyllos should always include the preservation of potential pollinators, especially in these new, secondary habitats.

The effects of seasonality on host–bat fly ecological networks in a temperate mountain cave

Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (5) ◽  
pp. 692-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
KARINA D. RIVERA-GARCÍA ◽  
CÉSAR A. SANDOVAL-RUIZ ◽  
ROMEO A. SALDAÑA-VÁZQUEZ ◽  
JORGE E. SCHONDUBE
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Ecological Networks ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Bat Flies ◽  
Bat Fly ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Host Parasite

SUMMARYChanges in the specialization of parasite–host interactions will be influenced by variations in host species composition. We evaluated this hypothesis by comparing the composition of bats and bat flies within a roost cave over one annual. Five bat and five bat fly species occupied the cave over the course of the study. Bat species composition was 40% different in the rainy season compared with the dry–cold and dry–warm seasons. Despite the incorporation of three new bat species into the cave during the rainy season, bat fly species composition was not affected by seasonality, since the bats that arrived in the rainy season only contributed one new bat fly species at a low prevalence. Bat–bat fly ecological networks were less specialized in the rainy season compared with the dry–cold and dry–warm seasons because of the increase of host overlap among bat fly species during this season. This study suggests that seasonality promote: (1) differences in host species composition, and (2) a reduction in the specialization of host–parasite ecological networks.

Roadblocks

2019 ◽  
pp. 125-136
Author(s):  
Allan Metcalf
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
General Public ◽  
English Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Other ◽  
Feminist Movement ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Neutral Object ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Gradual Expansion

For the most part, the gradual expansion of the meaning of “guy” to include everyone, male and female and GLBTQ, has slipped by without particular notice by the general public, and even by linguists. There’s no mystery about Guy Fawkes being the starting point that leads as far from that beginning as groups of women calling each other “you guys,” but neither is there much interest—except in two quarters that object: the feminist movement and the Old South of the United States. Feminists who want the inherently sexist English language to become gender neutral object to the expansion of “guys” to include women as well as men. As a result, some people try to avoid “guys,” though the alternatives aren’t that obvious, at best a plain “you all.” The other objection comes from Southerners, who don’t so much object to “guys” as keep to their well-established older alternative “y’all.” The boundary between “guys” or “you guys” and “y’all” has remained firm for the last century, perhaps getting its strength as one last means of holding the line against the northern states.

scholarly journals De-gendering in the use of e-learning

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Remmele ◽  
Matthias Holthaus
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Basic Structure ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Gender Performance ◽  
Doing Gender ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Gender And Technology ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
E Learning

The starting point of the paper is the co-construction of gender and technology, that is, the theory that the usage of and the attitude to certain kinds of technology are a way to “do” one’s gender. A survey is presented that supports the assumption that with the routinization of e-learning in higher education e-learning loses its character as a technology, which can be used for gender performance. With the routinization of its usage e-learning is becoming a gender-neutral tool with no outstanding technological appeal. However, though doing gender may disappear in certain fields the co-construction of gender and technology is still valid as basic structure. Furthermore, the results show that e-learning meanwhile supports the attitude we call <em>study as consumption</em>, that is, the expectation that the main e-learning features are usual services to be provided by the educational institution. This attitude is to be found among male and female students alike.

scholarly journals Possibilities of nontoxic autonomous thyroid nodules treatment by percutaneous ethanol injection

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 767-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoran Andjelkovic ◽  
Snezana Kuzmic-Jankovic ◽  
Dragan Pucar ◽  
Ivan Tavcar ◽  
Tamara Dragovic
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Nodules ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Percutaneous Ethanol Injection ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Percutaneous Injection ◽  
Ethanol Injection ◽  
Nodule Size ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Average Size

Background/Aim. According to the current principles, autonomous functional thyroid nodules are treated by surgery or by radioiodin therapy. Ultrasound guided percutaneous ethanol injection into solid tumors of the soft tissues was a starting point in attempts to treat the thyroid nodules by the same method. The aim of the study was to assess the efficiency of percutaneous injection in treating solitary, nontoxic, autonomous thyroid nodules of up to 15 mL volume. Methods. In 25 patients with solitary nontoxic autonomous thyroid nodules diagnosed by tehnetium-99m scanning as an intensive area having a complete supremacy in the paranodal tissue, an ultrasound guided percutaneous ethanol injection was applied. The procedure was carried out repeatedly once a week until the reduction in nodule size to 50% of the initial size was achieved. Results. An average size of the nodule before curing was 9.68 ? 5.01 mL. An average quantity of the injected ethanol was 9.52 ? 5.08 mL, ie 1.06 ? 0.48 mL/mg of the tissue. The regression of the nodule size in the successfully (?vol% u = - 57.09 ? 13.75%, p < 0.001) and partly successfully cured (?vol du = -48.45 ? 14.35%, p < 0.05) was statistically significant compared to the size before the treatment. After ceasing ethanol injection, 18 months later, a further size regression (?vol% = -79.20 ? 9.89%) compared to the initial one (p < 0.001) was noticed. Soon, after the procedure was finished, a statistically significant concentration increase of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) was noticed compared to the initial values (0.18 ? 0.16 vs 0.34 ? 0.31 mU/L, p < 0.01). According to the given criteria, in two female patients satisfactory results were not achieved, but, a year later, in one of them the nodule was not seen by repeated scintigram. The number and frequency of side effects were insignificant. Conclusion. Repeated percutaneous ethanol injections into nontoxic solitary autonomous thyroid nodules result in disappearing of authonomy. The regression of the nodule size of more than 50% compared to its initial volume, as well as the increase in concentration of TSH for more than 50% are the signs of a successful treatment.

Numerical Changes and Environmental Utilization in Natural Populations of Drosophila.

1974 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Mckenzie ◽  
PA Parsons
Keyword(s):  
Niche Breadth ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Drosophila Species

Monthly collections of three Drosophila species were made over a 39-month period. D, melanogaster was found to be the most common species during summer, D. sirnulans during autumn and D. irnrnigrans during winter. Numerical fluctuations were most marked in the first two species and were related to macroenvironmental temperature. The D. irnmigrans population remained relatively constant throughout the year and the number of the species collected was independent of macroenvironmental variation. For all three species the dimensions of the niche were related to macroenvironmental temperature. This result is discussed in relation to the interaction between numbers in the population, the niche breadth of the species and the environment.

scholarly journals Content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the leaves of coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L.) in Poland

2013 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur Adamczak ◽  
Bogna Opala ◽  
Agnieszka Gryszczyńska ◽  
Waldemar Buchwald
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Phytochemical Analysis ◽  
Tussilago Farfara ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Genetically Determined

Coltsfoot (<em>Tussilago farfara</em> L.) is a common species, widely used in European and Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of respiratory diseases. However, raw material from this plant contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). The aim of the study was to determine the variability of the level of PAs (senkirkine and senecionine) in leaves of coltsfoot originated from natural populations in Poland. In the phytochemical analysis, 20 samples of <em>T. farfara</em> were used. This plant material was obtained from the Garden of Medicinal Plants in Plewiska near Poznań and originated from different regions of Poland. Coltsfoot leaves were harvested in the middle of July of 2010 and then dried at room temperature. The alkaloid content was detected using the HPLC-DAD method. The amount of PAs in leaves of <em>T. farfara</em> changed in a wide range from 0.06 to 1.04 μg g<sup>−1</sup> of dry matter (DM). The content of senkirkine and senecionine was positively correlated (<em>r</em> = 0.68, <em>P</em> = 0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between the amount of PAs as well as leaf weight and water content in leaves of <em>T. farfara</em>. Our results showed that a medium-sized leaf of coltsfoot (0.33 g DM) may contain from 0.02 to 0.34 μg of PAs (on average 0.14 μg). The level of PAs was not associated with the region of Poland, but phytochemical similarity of samples was usually visible at the local scale. Coltsfoot leaves are characterized by a high variability of the content of toxic PAs, much higher than in the case of the main active compounds, especially flavonoids and mucilage.<br /> This phytochemical variability is mainly genetically determined (samples came from a garden collection), and it can be increased by environmental factors. Our investigations indicate that Polish natural populations of <em>T. farfara</em> may provide raw material with a low level of toxic PAs.

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