Altitudinal variation in body size and age in male spot-legged treefrog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Polypedates megacephalus</Emphasis>)

Body size variation across environmental gradients has received considerable attention in evolutionary ecology in recent years. In this study, we investigated body sizes and age structure using skeletochronology in male Polypedates megacephalus from five sites with the attitude ranging from 449 to 1300 m. The results showed age at sexual maturity in males was 2 years old, and the longevity was 5 years old except for Changning population of 3 years. Body size was significantly correlated with age within each population except for Changning population. Average age did not differ significantly among populations. Body size of individuals also did not differ across populations when removing the effect of age, which did not follow Bergmann’s rule.     

雅鲁藏布江异齿裂腹鱼生活史对策和种群资源利用现状

2008年8月至2009年8月在西藏雅鲁藏布江中游采集到异齿裂腹鱼（Schizothorax oconnori）1 126尾,对其生活史对策和种群资源利用现状进行了研究。结果显示：异齿裂腹鱼的总死亡系数（Z）雌性为0.090/a,雄性为0112/a;自然死亡系数（M）雌雄分别为0053/a和0064/a;捕捞死亡系数（F）雌雄分别为0037/a和0048/a;开发率（E）雌雄分别为0415/a和0428/a。以达氏鳇（Huso dauncus）和尖头塘鳢（Eleotris oxycephaoa）作为参照物,运用模糊聚类进行分析,表明异齿裂腹鱼属于比较典型的K 选择类型鱼类。在现捕捞死亡系数、现起捕年龄和现自然死亡系数下,异齿裂腹鱼的繁殖潜力比雌雄分别为5280%和5164%,都大于目标参考点40%。通过单位补充量亲鱼生物量模型分析,显示目前雅鲁藏布江中游异齿裂腹鱼种群资源的开发水平较为合理     

Marsh Frog (Rana ridibunda Pall.) in Cooling Ponds in the Middle Urals

Environmental conditions in cooling ponds of thermal power plants are favorable for marsh frogs. Their populations inhabiting Verkhne-Tagil and Reftinskoe reservoirs differ in some traits, such as size and age composition, growth rate after metamorphosis, spawning type, fecundity, and characteristics of larval development. Differentiation in body size manifests itself at the early stages of terrestrial life and progresses at later stages. As a consequence, larger individuals may reach maturity and participate in reproduction at an earlier age.     

Variation in Morphophysiological Traits of Male and Female <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aporia crataegi</Emphasis> L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Depending on the Timing of Adult Emergence

The correlation between the timing of adult emergence and variation in morphophysiological parameters of males and females has been analyzed in the black-veined white Aporia crataegi L. In 2013 to 2015, black-veined white butterflies were collected from a natural population in the south of Sverdlovsk oblast throughout the emergence period; at the same time, adult insects were reared from pupae in individual cages. Comparison of the field observations in nature and the results of rearing preimaginal stages has shown that the largest adults are the first to emerge, while the smallest are the last to emerge. This pattern holds true both for the parameters varying throughout the adult insect life (body weight and relative abdomen weight) and for the permanent characteristic of the “structural” size (wing area). The influence of protandry and food availability to caterpillars on the variation in the size of adult A. crataegi during the period of generation emergence is discussed.     

Seasonal modulation of sex-related differences in hippocampus size and spatial behavior in bank voles, Clethrionomys glareolus (Rodentia, Cricetidae)

Male and female bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) were compared with respect to seasonal variation in hippocampus size and dynamics of spatial behavior during the annual population cycle. The winter decrease in the size of the hippocampus (the brain region involved in the processing of spatial information about the environment) in young autumn-born voles coincided in time with reduction of their home ranges and did not differ significantly between males and females. The growth of the hippocampus in spring, after winter regression, was higher in males (19–28% in different populations) than in females (8–20%) and coincided with an increase in spatial activity, which was also more distinct in males. A significantly greater hippocampus size in males during the breeding period correlated with their higher mobility (reflected in capture rate) and greater size of home ranges. Thus, parallel seasonal modulation of sex-related differences in hippocampus size and spatial behavior was revealed: sexual dimorphism in these characters was insignificant among young voles in autumn; disappeared in winter; manifested itself again, synchronously in both characters, in early spring (with the onset of puberty); and reached a peak in summer.     

Coat color polymorphism in populations of the northern mole vole in the Ural Region

Collections made in the course of long-term field studies on ecology of the northern mole vole Ellobius talpinus Pall. in the Ural Region and neighboring areas (more than 2000 individuals from 24 points of the species range) were used to analyze geographic variation in its coat color (color morphs). On the basis of long-term observations (1985–1999) on marked animals from a polymorphic population (Kurtamyshskii raion, Kurgan oblast), the life spans of males and females and the dependence of life span on population density and structure were estimated in animals of different color morphs. Each color morph of E. talpinus was shown to have specific features of the seasonal dynamics of age structure and migrations.     

The Outcome of Northern Fur Seal Harvesting: The Results of Calibration of Mathematical Models Based on Observation Data (the Example of Tyulenii Island Population)

Tendencies in the dynamics of harvested northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) population on the Tyulenii Island have been analyzed in detail. The results show that retardation of reproduction (decrease in the numbers of pups) and decline in the survival of young females (up to 3 years of age) by the late 1980s resulted in a reduction of the total number of females and a significant increase in the proportion of older females. This tendency changed during the later observation period (after 1988–1989) due to increase in the survival of young females: the female population has gradually recovered, with the proportion of young females increasing at the expense of old females (aged over 10 years). The age composition of males has also changed: the proportion of young animals has decreased, while that of large mature males (bulls) has increased. Moreover, the number of bulls continues to increase and has already exceeded the level that formerly provided for the well-being of the population. This, a paradoxical situation has arisen: the numbers of females and bulls are increasing, whereas pup production remains at a low level.

     

Effectiveness of protected areas in the Colombian Andes: deforestation, fire and land-use changes

Protected areas (PAs) are one of the most common conservation strategies to halt biodiversity loss. However, little is known about their current effectiveness and how they could behave under projected scenarios of change, especially in the mountain ecosystems of the Andean region. In this study, we assess the role of protected areas against deforestation and fire incidence in the Colombian Andes and how variables associated with biophysical and context drivers such as the size, year of creation and geographic location of the PAs affect their effectiveness. For the long-term, we have addressed the question of how effective these areas will be under three different scenarios of change for the period between 2020 and 2050, including a reference scenario and two scenarios of increasing pastureland and croplands. The results obtained indicated that both deforestation and fire levels were significantly lower inside protected areas than outside their borders. Concerning variables affecting deforestation and fire, only the type of ecosystem affected these processes in this study. The magnitude of forest loss was different between the analysed scenarios and depended on the location of the PAs. The PAs located in the Western Mountain Range presented the largest values of deforestation but the lowest number of fire incidences. This finding could be related to the presence of processes other than fire, such as illegal logging or selective extraction. The largest losses are expected in the PAs associated with the Eastern and Central mountain ranges, whereas the Western Mountain range will have the lowest loss. We conclude that although the Andes Mountains are a highly transformed and dynamic region, the current PAs have been effective barriers for deforestation and fire. However, the creation of new areas and the maintenance of the current PAs should take into account the interaction with the surrounding population, especially in those areas that are more sensitive to change.     

Health effects and exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and metals in a contaminated community

Environmental measurements carried out by local authorities during the 1970s, 80s and 90s in an area contaminated by hundreds of years of industrial activities have revealed high levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in soil, vegetables, root crops, berries and mushrooms. In 1972, a large quantity of oil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was accidentally spilled into the river running through the village. To investigate the possible health effects of exposure from local sources, all cancer diagnoses, registered in 1960–2003 for individuals living in the study area, were collected from the regional cancer register of southeast Sweden. The total cancer incidence was non-significantly decreased both among males and females as compared to national rates (SIR = 0.91) for each gender. Among males, increased risks, of border-line significance, were seen for testicular cancer and lymphomas as well as significantly decreased risks for cancer in the rectum, respiratory system and brain. Information on lifetime residence, occupation, smoking habits, diseases, childbirth and food consumption, was collected via questionnaires from cancer cases and randomly selected controls. In both genders combined, significant associations were found for total cancer and high consumption of local perch, and for lymphomas and high consumption of both perch and pikeperch. Female breast cancer was significantly associated with high consumption of local perch and pike as well as with work in metal production. Mothers residing in the parish before the age of five reported significantly more preterm child deliveries. In spite of study limitations, the results indicate that residing in a rural contaminated area may contribute to the development of certain cancers and reproductive effects. In females, high consumption of local fish was shown to be the strongest determinant for total cancer, while in males, the strongest determinant was residing in the study area the first five years of life. Further research including validation of exposure using biomarkers is required to verify the findings as well as future studies in other polluted areas in Sweden with larger population bases.     

Correlates of age at first birth among the slum dwellers in Sylhet,Bangladesh

The first birth marks a transition of a woman into motherhood. It contributes substantially to overall fertility of each individual woman. The age at which childbearing begins influences the number of children a woman bears throughout her whole reproductive life span. Thus, the mother’s age at first birth influences the total number of births that she might have in her life, which impacts the size, composition, and future growth of the population. Child-bearing at very young ages is common among the poor in Bangladesh. The objective of the present study is to examine the factors associated with age at first birth among slum dwellers of five selected slums (locally, colony) in Sylhet city corporation area, Bangladesh. The data of this study was collected from 520 women aged 14–50 years. The study found that almost 93% of women were married by the ages of 18 years and about 56% of the women have had their first child by the age of 18 years. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model was used to analyze the factors correlated with women’s age at first birth. The regression model is significant with an F-value of 49.48 and can explain 40.4% of the variation in the dependent variable as it is indicated by the R-square.     

Phenogenetic Analysis of Pygmy Wood Mouse (Apodemus uralensis Pall.) Populations in the Zone of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT)

Monitoring of A. uralensis populations in Kamenskii raion, Sverdlovsk oblast, in 1992–2002 and in Kaslinskii raion, Chelyabinsk oblast, in 2000–2001 revealed an increase in the proportion and diversity of minor morphogenetic aberrations and abnormalities in the structure of the cranium along the axis of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT). The samples from the southern and northern parts of the EURT (contaminated with ⁹⁰Sr to 500 and 4 Ci/km², respectively) were characterized by directed deviations from the control with respect to the frequencies of phenes of nonmetric cranial traits and an increase in the level of their fluctuating asymmetry in young females, which is indicative of epigenetic rearrangements in populations living in a radioactive environment.     

Mating patterns in three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bufo andrewsi</Emphasis> populations at different latitude

Body size-dependent mating pattern is thought to a consequence of the sexual selection on phenotypic characters. In the view, we investigated the mating patterns in Bufo andrewsi from three populations at different latitude in three Nature Reserves (i.e. Wanglang, Yele and Fengtongzhai) in China from early- March to late-May 2013 and 2014. The results showed that average body size did not differ significantly between amplectant and non-amplectant males within each population. We found a significantly positive relationship in body size between the amplectant males and amplectant females in Wanglang population, but not in Qiqiao and Yele populations. The strength of size-dependent mating was not correlated with the malebiased operational sex ratios (OSRs), suggesting that intensity of male-male competition at nights do not result in variation in size-dependent mating patterns in B. andrewsi among populations.     

The Toad-Headed Agama Phrynocephalus guttatus (Reptilia: Agamidae): The Correlates of Survival in a Translocated Population in the Southwestern Kalmyk Republic

Observations of a translocated population of toad-headed agamas (Phrynocephalus guttatus) in the south of the Kalmyk Republic (1998–2001) have shown that seasonal differences in animal survival are manifested only in juveniles and the survival rate of juveniles is higher than that of adult individuals. A significant correlation between survival rate and sex is also characteristic only of juveniles: survival rate is higher in females than in males. In adult males, survival positively correlates with the level of activity; in juvenile males, with body size. In adult females, survival inversely correlates with body size and weight.     

Increase in Skull Size of Red Fox (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes vulpes</Emphasis>) in the Second Half of the XX Century in Northeastern Europe

Based on the skulls of red fox collected in northeastern Europe for 20 years, we obtained new data on directed temporal variation. The increase in skull size is closely related to an increase in the mean annual temperature, i.e., global warming. It was found for the first time that some skull traits increase at different rates, both within and between structural population groups. The phenomenon of increasing skull size with increases in the mean air temperature contradicts Bergmann’s rule. The causes of such increase are especially important for an understanding the adaptive role of processes in populations resulting from climate changes.     

Toxic effects of waterborne polychlorinated biphenyls and sex differences in an endangered goodeid fish (Girardinichthys viviparus)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) elicit toxic effects in different species. PCBs undergo biotransformation by enzymes associated with the mixed functional oxidase system, such as cytochrome P450 (cyt P450), this biotransformation being sex-dependent. No other metabolic pathways are known, however, in connection with this process. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of waterborne PCBs at sublethal nominal concentrations (0.92 mg PCBs/L) on the black-fin goodeid Girardinichthys viviparus, an endangered fish native to the Valley of Mexico, as well as any sex differences related to PCB biotransformation. Eight-month-old adult fish born in the laboratory were exposed for 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 days to half the LC(0) (calculated concentration at which no deaths occurred after 96 h) determined by an acute toxicity test. Specimens were sacrificed following exposure and the liver was used to evaluate different biomarkers: cyt P450 concentration and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities. Results show sexual differentiation with regard to all biomarkers in both the control group and PCB-treated fish, with higher values found in males. The induction rate of cyt P450 remained constant throughout the study in males. In females, induction peaked on day 4, coinciding with maximum EROD activity, and fell significantly thereafter. EROD was lower in PCB-treated males than in the control group, but was greater in magnitude. ADH was significantly induced in both sexes from day 2 to day 16 of exposure. The highest response as compared to the control group occurred on day 8 in females. A correlation was found between ADH activity and exposure to PCBs. Three possible action mechanisms, operating either individually or concurrently, are proposed.     

Bronchial dosimeters for radon progeny for Chinese males and females

Bronchial dosimeters have been designed for adult Chinese males and females for home and mine exposures, which can give the bronchial doses from radon progeny by direct measurements. The bronchial dosimeter for home exposures consists of five 400-mesh wire screens. With a sampling face velocity of 3.3 cm s(-1) for Chinese males and 2.7 cm s(-1) for Chinese females, the deposition pattern on the wire screens were found to satisfactorily match the variation of the dose conversion coefficients (in units of mSv WLM(-1)) with the size of radon progeny from 1 to 1000 nm. The bronchial dosimeter for mine exposures consists of four 250-mesh wire screens. With a sampling face velocity of 3.3 cm s(-1), the deposition pattern on the wire screens were found to satisfactorily match the variation of the dose conversion coefficients for both Chinese males and females. In this way, the bronchial dosimeters directly give the bronchial doses from the alpha counts recorded on the wire-screens.     

Organohalogenated pollutants in human serum from Iassy, Romania and their relation with age and gender

Human serum samples (n=142) from Iassy county (Eastern Romania) collected in 2005 were analyzed for p,p'-DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, chlordane and metabolites and 14 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. In all samples, p,p'-DDE (principal metabolite of p,p'-DDT) and beta-HCH (most persistent HCH isomer) were the most abundant organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with median concentrations of 1975 and 923 ng/g lipid weight (lw), respectively. Hexachlorobenzene and p,p'-DDT were also detected in all samples, but at a lower median concentration of 30 and 340 ng/g lw, respectively. The large variation of the ratio p,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDE (range between 0.02 and 0.80) suggests various degrees of exposure to DDT, including recent exposure, at least to some subgroups of the population. Chlordane and its metabolites were in most cases close to the limit of quantification suggesting a very low use of chlordane formulations in Eastern Romania. Unexpectedly, PCBs were present in all samples at sometimes considerable levels (up to 4970 ng/g lw for sum of 14 PCB congeners) indicating a higher exposure of the Romanian population than previously reported. The PCB profile consisted of persistent congeners such as 138, 153, 170 and 180 which contributed for approximately 75% to the sum PCBs. Concentrations of most pollutants correlated significantly with age (r>0.86, p<0.01). Except for p,p'-DDT and gamma-HCH, the mean levels of OCPs in females were statistically higher than in males, while, except for octa-CBs, no gender differences were found for PCBs. Levels of p,p'-DDE, penta-CBs, hexa-CBs and hepta-CBs were significantly higher in individuals with a rural main residence. In a pooled serum sample, 6 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners were measured at a level of 1.04 ng/g lw. Compared to results available from Central and Eastern European countries, human serum samples from Romania contained higher levels of contamination. This emphasizes that an extensive and rigorous program for the monitoring of OCPs and PCBs in Romanian population is highly needed in the light of possible adverse health effects acknowledged for these pollutants.     

Holocene fire history from the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, New South Wales, Australia: the climate, humans and fire nexus

This study presents a reconstruction of the fire activity of the last ~14,200 cal. years BP (before AD 1950) from Gooches Crater Right, located on the Newnes Plateau, approximately 150 km to the west of Sydney (~33°27′S, 150°16′E) within the Blue Mountains National Park. Charcoal analysis and palynology were undertaken with the aim of untangling any inter-relationship between climate, humans and fire. A chronology of the site was provided by radiocarbon dating. The dominant control on fire in this environment during the Holocene appears to be climate. Periods of climate change, identified in previous studies, are associated with higher levels of fire activity. Fire was less ubiquitous between ~9,000 and 6,000 years BP, a period normally described as having a higher effective moisture in south-eastern Australia. The mid-Holocene fluctuations in charcoal may reflect anthropogenic fire, climate forcing or alternatively human responses to any climate change. Coeval changes in palaeoclimatic sequences elsewhere and palynology at the site support a climatic explanation or that Aboriginal people used fire within a climatic framework.     

Genomic instability in the bank vole: Population-ecological aspects

Chromosome aberration frequency in relation to population dynamics and demographic parameters was studied for six years in a bank vole population in the Middle Urals. The frequencies of structural chromosome aberrations, chromatid gaps, aneuploidy, and polyploidy in males and females and in animals of different ages did not differ significantly. In the breeding period, the frequencies of structural aberrations and changes in chromosome number increased in the somatic cells of voles. Highly significant differences between the levels of chromosome instability in different years manifested a tendency toward a negative correlation with population size.     

Ecological Groups of the Daubed Shanny <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptoclinus maculatus</Emphasis> (Fries, 1838), an Arcto-boreal Species,Regarding Growth and Early Development

The patterns of growth and development have been studied in L. maculatus early life stages of different ecological groups (pelagic and demersal) from Kongsfjorden and Billefjorden (the northwestern coast of West Spitsbergen). It has been found that the growth rate of larvae markedly increases by age 2+ (stage L2), which is due to their transition to exogenous feeding. Consideration is given to changes in the length and condition of the lipid sac (a provisory organ) in the period of its formation, growth, and resorption in the course of ontogeny. The lipid sac reaches the maximum size at stage L4* and is resorbed at stage L5. Analysis of individual variation in the size and body weight of fish early life stages provides the possibility to evaluate the adaptation capacity of a species under specific conditions of the Arctic.