Photodegradation of Ibuprofen,Cetirizine, and Naproxen by PAN-MWCNT/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–NH<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanofiber membrane under UV light irradiation

Background

In this study, the photodegradation of three pharmaceuticals, namely Ibuprofen (IBP), Naproxen (NPX), and Cetirizine (CIZ) in aqueous media was investigated under UV irradiation. The photocatalyst used in this work consists of surface functionalized titanium dioxide (TiO₂–NH₂) nanoparticles grafted into Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite nanofibers. Surface modification of the fabricated composite nanofibers was illustrated using XRD, FTIR, and SEM analyses.

Results

Sets of experiments were performed to study the effect of pharmaceuticals initial concentration (5–50 mg/L), solution pH (2–9), and irradiation time on the degradation efficiency. The results demonstrated that more than 99% degradation efficiency was obtained for IBP, CIZ, and NPX within 120, 40, and 25 min, respectively.

Conclusions

Comparatively, the photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceuticals using PAN-CNT/TiO₂–NH₂ composite nanofibers was much more efficient than with PAN/TiO₂–NH₂ composite nanofibers.

     

Source apportionment of PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> in Tangshan,China—Hybrid approaches for primary and secondary species apportionment

The objective of this paper is to propose a hybrid approach for the source apportionment of primary and secondary species of PM_2.5 in the city of Tangshan. The receptor-based PMF (Positive Matrix Factorization) is integrated with the emission inventory (EI) to form the first hybrid method for the source apportionment of the primary species. The hybrid CAMx-PSAT-CP (Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions–Particulate Source Apportionment Technology–Chemical Profile) approach is then proposed and used for the source apportionment of the secondary species. The PM_2.5 sources identified for Tangshan included the soil dust, the metallurgical industry, power plants, coalfired boilers, vehicles, cement production, and other sources. It is indicated that the PM_2.5 pollution is a regional issue. Among all the identified sources, the metallurgy industry was the biggest contribution source to PM_2.5, followed by coal-fired boilers, vehicles and soil dust. The other-source category plays a crucial role for PM_2.5, particularly for the formation of secondary species and aerosols, and these other sources include non-specified sources such as agricultural activities, biomass combustion, residential emissions, etc. The source apportionment results could help the local authorities make sound policies and regulations to better protect the citizens from the local and regional PM_2.5 pollution. The study also highlights the strength of utilizing the proposed hybrid approaches in the identification of PM_2.5 sources. The techniques used in this study show considerable promise for further application to other regions as well as to identify other source categories of PM_2.5.

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Seasonal variations of transport pathways and potential sources of PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> in Chengdu,China (2012–2013)

Seasonal pattern of transport pathways and potential sources of PM_2.5 in Chengdu during 2012–2013 were investigated based on hourly PM_2.5 data, backward trajectories, clustering analysis, potential source contribution function (PSCF), and concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) method. The annual hourly mean PM_2.5 concentration in Chengdu was 97.4 mg·m^–3. 5, 5, 5 and 3 mean clusters were generated in four seasons, respectively. Short-distance air masses, which travelled within the Sichuan Basin with no specific source direction and relatively high PM_2.5 loadings (>80 mg·m^–3) appeared as important pathways in all seasons. These short pathways indicated that emissions from both local and surrounding regions of Chengdu contributed significantly to PM_2.5 pollution. The cities in southern Chengdu were major potential sources with PSCF>0.6 and CWT>90 mg·m^–3. The northeastern pathway prevailed throughout the year with higher frequency in autumn and winter and lower frequency in spring and summer. In spring, long-range transport from southern Xinjiang was a representative dust invasion path to Chengdu, and the CWT values along the path were 30-60 mg·m^–3. Long-range transport was also observed in autumn from southeastern Xinjiang along a northwesterly pathway, and in winter from the Tibetan Plateau along a westerly pathway. In summer, the potential source regions of Chengdu were smaller than those in other seasons, and no long-range transport pathway was observed. Results of PSCF and CWT indicated that regions in Qinghai and Tibet contributed to PM_2.5 pollution in Chengdu as well, and their CWT values increased to above 30 mg·m^–3 in winter.

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Catalytic hydrolysis of gaseous HCN over Cu–Ni/γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst: parameters and conditions

To decompose efficiently hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in exhaust gas, g-Al₂O₃-supported bimetallicbased Cu–Ni catalyst was prepared by incipient-wetness impregnation method. The effects of the calcination temperature, H₂O/HCN volume ratio, reaction temperature, and the presence of CO or O₂ on the HCN removal efficiency on the Cu–Ni/g-Al₂O₃ catalyst were investigated. To examine further the efficiency of HCN hydrolysis, degradation products were analyzed. The results indicate that the HCN removal efficiency increases and then decreases with increasing calcination temperature and H₂O/HCN volume ratio. On catalyst calcined at 400°C, the efficiency reaches a maximum close to 99% at 480 min at a H₂O/HCN volume ratio of 150. The HCN removal efficiency increases with increasing reaction temperature within the range of 100°C–500°C and reaches a maximum at 500°C. This trend may be attributed to the endothermicity of HCN hydrolysis; increasing the temperature favors HCN hydrolysis. However, the removal efficiencies increases very few at 500°C compared with that at 400°C. To conserve energy in industrial operations, 400°C is deemed as the optimal reaction temperature. The presence of CO facilitates HCN hydrolysis andincreases NH₃ production. O₂ substantially increases the HCN removal efficiency and NO _x production but decreases NH₃ production.

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Efficient oxidation of sulfides into sulfoxides catalyzed by a chitosan–Schiff base complex of Cu(II) supported on supramagnetic Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles

Sulfoxides are versatile synthetic intermediates for the preparation of biological products. Therefore, there is a need for efficient methods to oxidize sulfides into sulfoxides. Such oxidation may be catalyzed by magnetic nanocatalysts due to their good stability, easy synthesis, high surface area, low toxicity and easy separation by magnetic forces. Here we prepared a nanocatalyst by immobilization of the chitosan–Schiff base complex on supramagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The chitosan–Schiff base complex has been previously prepared by functionalization of chitosan with 5-bromosalicylaldehyde and metalation with copper(II) acetate. The catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Results show that the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and nanocatalyst were spherical in shape with an average size of 20 nm. Upon the covalently anchoring of chitosan–Schiff base Cu complex on the magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, the average size increased to 60 nm. The prepared Fe₃O₄–chitosan–Schiff base Cu complex catalyzed very efficiently the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with 100 % selectivity in all cases under green reaction conditions and excellent yields. Additionally, ease of recovery and reusability up to four cycles without noticeable loss of catalytic activity make the present protocol beneficial from industrial and environmental viewpoint.     

TiO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">2</Emphasis></Subscript> nanoparticles – Relationship between dispersion preparation method and ecotoxicity in the algal growth test

PurposeLittle is known about the ecotoxicity of nanomaterials and there are no specific guidelines for sample preparation and testing. We set out to establish whether the method used to prepare TiO₂ dispersions had a significant impact on aquatic ecotoxicity. We also followed the formation of agglomerates during the incubation period.MethodsWe applied the algal growth inhibition test (OECD test guideline no. 201). Dispersions were prepared by stirring and/or ultrasonication for different durations, and by filtration according to an OECD procedure recommended for testing difficult substances.ResultsSamples stirred for 7?d were not toxic, but EC₂₀ values could be calculated for all the other treatments. Shorter treatments generated EC₂₀ values in the range 1–27?mg/L. Only the shortest treatment (1 min stirring, 1 min ultrasonication) produced an unusually high EC₂₀ value, indicating low toxicity. Development of agglomerate size and of toxicity depends on the nanoparticles. We found that ecotoxicity was predominantly caused by a fraction of nanoparticles and agglomerates obtained by passing dispersions through a 0.22-µm filter.ConclusionsWe propose a short treatment regime to generate the most relevant ecotoxicity data for TiO₂, for example stirring for 1?min followed by 3 min ultrasonication. Until more data concerning the ecotoxicity of different fractions are available, we recommend the testing of unfiltered dispersions rather than filtrates. Relating ecotoxicity to the total hydrodynamic surface of the nanomaterials rather than concentration does not seem to improve the accuracy of ecotoxicity assessments using the algal growth inhibition test.     

Review of total suspended particles (TSP) and PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> concentration variations in Asia during the years of 1998–2015

In Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, ambient air total suspended particulates and PM_2.5 concentration data were collected and discussed during the years of 1998–2015 in this study. The aim of the present study was to (1) investigate and collect ambient air total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM_2.5 concentrations for Asian countries during the past two decades. (2) Discuss, analyze and compare those particulates (TSP and PM_2.5) annual concentration distribution trends among those Asian countries during the past two decades. (3) Test the mean concentration differences in TSP and PM_2.5 among the Asian countries during the past decades. The results indicated that the mean TSP concentration order was shown as China > Malaysia > Pakistan > India > Taiwan > Korea > Japan. In addition, the mean PM_2.5 concentration order was shown as Vietnam > India > China > Hong Kong > Mongolia > Korea > Taiwan > Japan and the average percentages of PM_2.5 concentrations for Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Mongolia and Other (India and Vietnam) were 8, 21, 6, 8, 14, 13 and 30%, respectively, during the past two decades. Moreover, t test results revealed that there were significant mean TSP and PM_2.5 concentration differences for either China or India to any of the countries such as Taiwan, Korea and Japan in Asia during the past two decades for this study. Noteworthy, China and India are both occupied more than 60% of the TSP and PM_2.5 particulates concentrations out of all the Asia countries. As for Taiwan, the average PM_2.5 concentration displayed increasing trend in the years of 1998–1999. However, it showed decreasing trend in the years of 2000–2010. As for Korea, the average PM_2.5 concentrations showed decreasing trend during the years of 2001–2013. Finally, the average PM_2.5 concentrations for Mongolia displayed increasing trend in the years of 2004–2013.     

The pollution characteristics of PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> and correlation analysis with meteorological parameters in Xinxiang during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Prime Ministers’ Meeting

The pollution characteristics of PM_2.5 and correlation analysis with meteorological parameters in Xinxiang during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Prime Ministers’ Meeting were investigated. During the whole meeting, nine PM_2.5 samples were collected at a suburban site of Xinxiang, and the average concentration of PM_2.5 was 122.28 μg m^?3. NO₃ ^?, NH₄ ⁺, SO₄ ^2? accounted for 56.8% of the total water-soluble ions. In addition, with an exception of Cl^?, all of water-soluble ions decreased during the meeting. Total concentrations of crustal elements ranged from 6.53 to 185.86 μg m^?3, with an average concentration of 52.51 μg m^?3, which accounted for 82.5% of total elements. The concentrations of organic carbon and elemental carbon were 7.71 and 1.52 μg m^?3, respectively, lower than those before and after the meeting. It is indicated that during the meeting, limiting motor vehicles is to reduce exhaust emissions, delay heating is to reduce the fossil fuel combustion, and other measures are to reduce the concentration of PM_2.5. The directly dispersing by mixing layerheight increase and the indirectly reducing the formation of secondary aerosol by low relative humidity, andthese are the only two key removing mechanisms of PM_2.5 in Xinxiang during the meeting.     

Influence of arsanilic acid,Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, PO<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>3–</Superscript> and their interaction on anaerobic digestion of pig manure

Arsanilic acid (ASA), copper ion (Cu²⁺) and phosphate (PO₄ ^3–) are widely used as feed additives for pigs. Most of these three supplemented feed additives were excreted in feces and urine. Anaerobic digestion is often used for the management of pig manure. However, the interaction of ASAwith Cu²⁺ or PO₄ ^3– on anaerobic digestion is still not clear. In this study, the influence of ASA, Cu²⁺, PO₄ ^3– and their interaction on anaerobic digestion of pig manure and the possible mechanisms were investigated. The initial concentrations of ASA, Cu²⁺ and PO₄ ^3– were 0.46 mM, 2 mM and 2 mM in the anaerobic digester, respectively. The methanogenesis was severely inhibited in the assays with only ASA addition, only Cu²⁺ addition and ASA + PO₄ ^3– addition with the inhibition index of 97.8%, 46.6% and 82.6%, respectively, but the methanogenesis inhibition in the assay with ASA + Cu²⁺ addition was mitigated with the inhibition index of 39.4%. PO₄ ^3– had no obvious impacts on the degradation of ASA. However, Cu²⁺ addition inhibited the degradation of ASA, and mitigated the methanogenesis inhibition. The existence of ASA would inhibit methanogenesis and generate more toxic inorganic arsenic compounds during anaerobic digestion, implying the limitation of anaerobic digestion for ASA- contaminated animal manure. However, the co-existence of ASA and Cu²⁺ could mitigate the inhibition. These results could provide useful information for the management of anaerobic digestion of pig manure containing ASA and Cu²⁺.

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Zur Beständigkeit von Aluminiumchloridlösungen mit tridekameren Kationen (Al<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">13</Emphasis></Subscript>)

Background, aim, and scopeThe focus of popular interest on the subject of acid rain has been on the effects, which it has on aquatic ecosystems. Aluminium toxicity and the bioavailability depend on the species of aluminium present. The cationic aluminium species are important for the phytotoxocity and for the precipitation of aluminium containing precipitate.Materials and methodsSpeciation diagrams of aqueous aluminium chloride solutions with tridecameric cations (Al₁₃) at room temperature as function of concentration (1·10^–1–1·10^–5 mol·l^–1 Al) and aging time (9 month) have been obtained from a kinetic method; these Ferron method offers a simple and inexpensive alternative for identification and quantification of aluminium cations.ResultsThe Al₁₃-cation stability decrease with decreasing concentration and increasing aging time.DiscussionPolynuclear aluminium species can be formed in nature by the dissolution of Al-containing minerals, as a consequence of surface water acidification, followed by neutralization process. The question of the occurrence of the tridecameric polycation (Al₁₃) in natural soil solutions and stream waters is of considerable interest.ConclusionsThe results are important on the occurrence of the Al₁₃ in natural waters, for the precipitation of aluminium species by acidification and for the aluminium phytotoxicity.Recommendations and perspectivesThis research suggests strongly that Al₁₃ should be negligible in natural soil and surface waters. The toxicity of Al₁₃ to plants and aquatic organism in natural conditions may be considered to be very low.     

Ontogenetic shifts in fusion–rejection thresholds in a colonial marine hydrozoan,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus</Emphasis>

Like many modular organisms, genetically distinct colonies of the hydrozoan Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus naturally fuse to produce chimeras. One of the principal cooperative benefits of fusion arises from the increased size of the resulting chimeric individual, which may enhance survivorship. However, fusion also promotes conflict through competition between cell lineages for representation in reproductive tissues. Previous studies on H. symbiologicarpus show that, consistent with kin selection theory, a highly polymorphic self/non-self recognition system limits fusion to close kin. However, these recognition systems are intrinsically subject to error. Conspecific acceptance threshold theory predicts that as the costs and benefits of making recognition errors change, or the frequencies of encounters between acceptable and unacceptable kin vary, the recognition system should respond. Specifically, as the benefits of acceptance decline or the frequency of encounters with unacceptable individuals increases, the acceptance threshold should become more restrictive. We tested this hypothesis by monitoring changes in the expression of fusion/rejection behaviors of H. symbiolongicarpus during colony establishment, a period of high mortality when the size-dependent benefits of fusion may be changing most rapidly, and the frequency of encounters with close kin declines. Across seven full-sib families, fusion frequencies between pairs of sibling colonies declined from 73% for 3-day-old colonies to 58% by day 12. This decline is consistent with optimal acceptance threshold theory. However, the period of maximum decline also corresponds to an interval during which the recognition effector mechanism becomes fully functional, suggesting that the shift to a more restrictive conspecific acceptance threshold may reflect an intrinsic constraint on recognition system maturation.Communicated by T. Czeschlik     

Sexual selection in darkness? Female mating preferences in surface- and cave-dwelling Atlantic mollies,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Poecilia mexicana</Emphasis> (Poeciliidae,Teleostei)

In many species, females prefer large males as mating partners. Male size can easily be determined visually. We examined how such mate choice evolves when individuals are deprived of sensory information previously used to determine male quality. Using a cave-dwelling population of Atlantic mollies, Poecilia mexicana, as a model, we asked whether the female mating preference for large male body size still occurs in this cave fish, or whether it is lacking due to the absence of visual communication in the cave environment. In simultaneous choice tests we compared the time females spent with a large or a small male. In the river-dwelling and cave-dwelling fish, as well as the population originating from the cave entrance, we found a significant preference for large males in light. Hence, the ancestral mating preference of surface-dwelling mollies has been maintained during the evolution of the cave form. However, only the cave population exhibited a mating preference in darkness. Determination of male body size appears to have been taken over by a non-visual sensory system, probably the lateral line.Communicated by K. Lindström     

Variation in colony geometry modulates internal light levels in branching corals, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acropora humilis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stylophora pistillata</Emphasis>

Colonial photosynthetic marine organisms often exhibit morphological phenotypic plasticity. Where such plasticity leads to an improved balance between rates of photosynthesis and maintenance costs, it is likely to have adaptive significance. To explore whether such phenotypic plasticity leads to more favourable within-colony irradiance for reef-building branching corals, this relationship was investigated for two coral species Acropora humilis and Stylophora pistillata, along a depth gradient representing light habitats ranging from 500 to 25 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹, during 2006 at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef (23.44°S, 151.91°E). In the present study changes in flow-modulated mass transfer co-varied with light as a function of depth. In low-light (deep) habitats, branch spacing (colony openness) in A. humilis and S. pistillata was 40–50% greater than for conspecifics in high-light environments. Also, branches of A. humilis in deep water were 40–60% shorter than in shallow water. Phenotypic changes in these two variables lead to steeper within-colony light attenuation resulting in 38% higher mean internal irradiance (at the tissue surface) in deep colonies compared to shallow colonies. The pattern of branch spacing was similar for S. pistillata, but this species displayed an alternate strategy with respect to branch length: shade adapted deep and cave colonies developed longer and thinner branches, allowing access to higher mass transfer and irradiance. Corals in cave habitats allowed 20% more irradiance compared to colonies found in the deep, and had a 47% greater proportion of irradiance compared to colonies in the shallow high-light environment. Such phenotypic regulation of internal light levels on branch surfaces partly explains the broad light niches of many branching coral species. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Reproduction in the deepwater squid<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Moroteuthis ingens</Emphasis>, what does it cost?

The cost of reproduction for the terminal spawning onychoteuthid squid, Moroteuthis ingens, was analysed using measures of condition and tissue biochemistry. Both males and females showed a dramatic drop in the weight of the gonad in stage 6 (spent) individuals. The mantle weight and nidamental gland weight of females also decreased during the maturation process. Males, however, had a marked increase in both the penis and spermatophoric complex weight in spent individuals, while female oviducal gland weight and nidamental gland length also increased in stage 6 individuals. Residual analysis indicated that testis growth was not developing at the expense of mantle growth, although there was a suggestion of cost to the fins. Females showed that the development of the ovary occurred at a cost to both the mantle and fins. Overall body condition also declined with maturity stage for both males and females, with stage 6 individuals of both sexes in poor condition. Very few females had eggs in the oviducts, suggesting that the oviducts are used as ducts instead of storage organs. Proximal analysis revealed a loss of constituents within the mantle during maturation, with an associated increase in water, indicating the remobilization of energy from the mantle to fuel reproduction. This study suggests that the digestive gland is not used as an energy store in this species.Communicated by M.S. Johnson, Crawley     

Does begging affect growth in nestling tree swallows,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Tachycineta bicolor</Emphasis>?

Much of the theoretical work on the evolution of begging assumes this elaborate display is costly. The evidence for an energetic cost to begging has, however, been equivocal. Metabolic studies on nestling birds suggest that begging requires minimal energy, but some growth studies have shown that excess begging reduces growth rates. One difficulty in interpreting these results is that metabolic and growth studies have each been performed on different species. Here, we test whether high begging frequencies depress growth in nestling tree swallows, Tachycineta bicolor, a species in which the metabolic cost of begging has been measured. When we compared the growth of nestlings stimulated to beg at either high or low frequencies, we found no significant differences in their mass gained, wing growth or portion of ingested energy devoted to begging either during the experimental period or in the 24 h following the end of the experiment. We also found no significant relationship between begging intensity and growth measurements. The results of our study are consistent with previous metabolic studies on this species suggesting that the energetic cost of begging is relatively low. More generally, evidence for a fitness cost of begging via decreased growth is equivocal.Communicated by J. Dickinson     

Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/K<Superscript>+</Superscript>–ATPase activity and gill ultrastructure in the hyper-hypo-regulating crab<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Chasmagnathus granulatus</Emphasis> acclimated to dilute,normal, and concentrated seawater

We studied Na⁺/K⁺ –ATPase activity and ultrastructure in gills of the hyper-hypo-regulating crab Chasmagnathus granulatus Dana, 1851 acclimated to different salinities: 10, 30 and 45, known to be hypo-, iso-, and hyper-osmotic to the hemolymph, respectively. After centrifugation of homogenates at 11,000 g, Na⁺/K⁺–ATPase activity was almost entirely found in the pellets from the posterior (6–8) and anterior (3–5) gills, whereas very little was detected in the supernatant liquid. Specific activity of gill 6 was 41.3, 30.2, and 28.2 µmol Pi h^–1 mg prot^–1 for crabs acclimated to 10, 30, and 45, respectively, the result for 10 being significantly higher than those at 30 and 45. Although the concentration of sodium at which the reaction rate is half-maximal (K _M) was similar in the three acclimation salinities, only the enzyme from crabs acclimated to 10 was inhibited by high sodium concentration. Specific activity of gill 5 increased with the increment in external salinity (10.1, 15, and 18.1 µmol Pi h^–1 mg prot^–1 for 10, 30, and 45, respectively), the only significant difference being that between the extreme salinities. The epithelium thickness of the dorsal portion of gill 6 showed a variation among salinities: 21.7, 15.8 and 17.2 µm for 10, 30 and 45, respectively. There were significant differences in epithelium thickness between the 10 and the other salinities. In all three salinities, the ultrastructure of gill 6 epithelium showed a high density of mitochondria, estimated by their volume fraction (Vv _m=0.307–0.355). These mitochondria were packed between extensive basolateral membrane interdigitations in ionocytes and pillar cells. Gill 5 showed three cell types: pillars which possess mitochondria packed between membrane folds only in their interdigitations with neighbouring cells; type-I cells 8.0 µm thick with low density of mitochondria (Vv _m=0.088), and type-II cells, 9.9 µm thick and rich in mitochondria (Vv _m=0.423), but lacking basolateral interdigitations. Vv _m of type-I cells of gill 5 was significantly lower than those of type-II cells of the same gill and the ionocytes of gill 6. No significant difference in Vv _m was detected between the latter cell types.Communicated by P.W. Sammarco, Chauvin     

Cost-free vigilance during feeding in folivorous primates? Examining the effect of predation risk,scramble competition,and infanticide threat on vigilance in ursine colobus monkeys (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Colobus vellerosus</Emphasis>)

Vigilance often decreases with increasing group size, due to lower predation risk or greater scramble competition for food. A group size effect on vigilance is seldom seen in primates, perhaps because scanning and feeding often occur simultaneously or because the distinction between routine and induced vigilance has not been investigated. We analyzed feeding and resting observations separately while distinguishing between routine and induced scans in four groups of wild ursine colobus monkeys (Colobus vellerosus) experiencing scramble competition for food and infanticide risk. We used linear mixed-effect models to test the effect of group size, age–sex class, number of neighbors, number of adult male neighbors, and height in the canopy on scanning rates (vigilance) with and without evident conspecific threat. Food type was also examined in the feeding models. Perceived predation risk affected vigilance more than scramble competition for food and infanticide risk. Routine and induced vigilance were greatest at lower canopy heights during feeding and resting and increased when individuals had fewer neighbors while resting. A group size effect was found on induced vigilance while resting, but scanning increased with group size, which probably indicates visual monitoring of conspecifics. Scanning rates decreased while feeding on foods that required extensive manipulation. This supports the idea that vigilance is relatively cost free for upright feeders when eating food that requires little manipulation, a common feature of folivore diets. In the presence of threatening conspecific males, close proximity to resident males decreased individual vigilance, demonstrating the defensive role of these males in the group.     

Extrapair paternity in the swamp sparrow, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melospiza georgiana</Emphasis>: male access or female preference?

Over the past two decades, the combination of molecular and field methods has revealed considerable variation in the level of extrapair fertilizations among socially monogamous birds. Models predicting extrapair young range in scale from a single population to multiple Orders, and there is no single, unifying theory for these reproductive tactics. We investigated proximate explanations of extrapair fertilizations in two subspecies of the swamp sparrow, Melospiza georgiana georgiana and Melospiza georgiana nigrescens, across a range of social and environmental conditions. The presence of extrapair young was best predicted by the size of two male plumage badges (one correlated with parental care and one with territorial aggression) relative to the badge size of their immediate neighbors, the interaction of these two measures, mean territory size, and the maximum size of the aggression badge among neighbors. The size of the male’s parental care badge (relative to neighbors) was negatively correlated with the probability of lost paternity. The relative size of the aggression badge was positively correlated with the presence of extrapair young when the parental care badge was small and negatively correlated when the badge was large. Controlling for these crown measures, males with larger territories were less likely to suffer losses in paternity. There was no effect of breeding density, breeding synchrony, their interaction, subspecies, or weather during the fertile period on the presence of extrapair young. These results suggest that female preference for males that provide more parental care (or preference for genes that convey this trait) plays a dominant role in extrapair interactions among swamp sparrows. Models based on female assessments of relative mate quality offer a promising explanation of patterns in extrapair fertilizations among bird species.     

Cannibalize or care? The role of perceived paternity in the sand goby, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomatoschistus minutus</Emphasis>

Parental care is a costly part of reproduction. Hence, natural selection should favor males which avoid caring for unrelated young. However, the decision to abandon or reduce care requires cues which are evaluated to give information on potential reproductive value of the offspring. The prediction that male sand gobies, Pomatoschistus minutus, care for foreign eggs as long as they were spawned in their own nest and at least some of such cues are fulfilled was tested. Egg-guarding males that had recently taken part in a spawning event were given a clutch of eggs that was sired either by themselves or another male, in either their own or another male’s aquarium. Males that had not taken part in a spawning event were used as controls and were given eggs sired by another male. We measured the amount of filial cannibalism and nest building. Control group males did not care for eggs and ate them all before rebuilding the nest. In the other treatments, there were no significant effects of paternity, though males moved to another male’s aquarium increased their clutch area threshold and completely consumed larger clutches than males that were not moved. There was no intermediate response in any treatment in the form of increased partial filial cannibalism or less well-constructed nests. Our results suggest that egg-guarding males cannot distinguish between eggs sired by themselves and those sired by other males but are able to react to cues indicating paternity state. Males do not adopt eggs to attract females in P. minutus.