The socio-ecological model (SEM) links ecological factors with characteristics of social systems and allows predictions about
the relationships between resource distribution, type of competition and social organisation. It has been mainly applied to
group-living species but ought to explain variation in social organisation of solitary species as well. The aim of this study
was to test basic predictions of the SEM in two solitary primates, which differ in two characteristics of female association
patterns: (1) spatial ranging and (2) sleeping associations. Beginning in August 2002, we regularly (re-)captured and marked
individuals of sympatric populations of Madame Berthe's and grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus berthae, Microcebus murinus) in Kirindy Forest (Madagascar). We recorded data on spatial patterns, feeding and social behaviour by means of direct observation
of radio-collared females. The major food sources of M. berthae occurred in small dispersed patches leading to strong within-group scramble competition and over-dispersed females with a
low potential for female associations. In contrast, M. murinus additionally used patchily distributed, high-quality (large) resources facilitating within-group contest competition. The
combined influence of less strong within-group scramble and contest as well as between-group contest over non-food resources
allowed females of this species to cluster in space. Additionally, we experimentally manipulated the spatial distribution
of food sources and found that females adjusted their spatial patterns to food resource distribution. Thus, our results support
basic predictions of the SEM and demonstrated that it can also explain variation in social organisation of solitary foragers. 相似文献
Ant social parasites use chemical warfare to facilitate host colony takeover, which is a critical but recurring step in their
life cycle. Many slave-making ants use the secretion of the Dufour gland to manipulate host behaviour during parasitic nest
foundation and slave raids. Harpagoxenus sublaevis applies this chemical weapon onto defending Leptothorax host workers, which elicits deadly fights amongst them. Host species are expected to evolve counter-adaptations against this
behavioural manipulation and in this study we investigated the geographic structure of this co-evolving trait. We compared
the effectiveness of the parasitic gland secretion from different H. sublaevis populations in host colonies from various sites and analysed the occurrence of local adaptation. The two host species L. muscorum and L. acervorum generally showed different responses to the parasites’ chemical weapon: L. acervorum attacked nestmates treated with Dufour gland secretion, while L. muscorum workers fled. Flight, instead of intraspecific fights, is an adaptive host reaction as it results in fewer host fatalities
during raids. Beside interspecific host differences, we found a geographic mosaic of host resistance: parasites from a German
population strongly manipulated the behaviour of both sympatric Leptothorax populations. Russian or Italian hosts instead did not react with intracolonial aggression, but fled when confronted with
the gland secretion of their sympatric parasite. Not only variation in host resistance explains differences in the effectiveness
of the parasitic gland secretion but also interpopulational differences in its chemical composition, which were revealed by
gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. 相似文献
A reduction in the legitimacy of top-down governance approaches has resulted in many government agencies using decentralised governance approaches, including localism. However, the effective implementation of localism is challenging. Localism aims to encourage innovative context-based solutions; however unanticipated implementation problems often constrain localism outcomes. There is a significant gap in our understanding of localism in practice, with a better understanding essential to improve localism design and implementation. This paper contributes to addressing this gap through an empirical examination of localism in action. Using the CLEAR framework, we evaluate the decentralised governance of environmental water in the Australian state of New South Wales, a contentious, uncertain and multi-level governance environment. Qualitative interviews with 58 Environmental Water Advisory Group members identified barriers to an effective localism approach, including issues of access and capacity development, transparency of decision-making outcomes and power inequities. This understanding enables the development of strategies for improved localism practice. 相似文献
Introduction of alien species is a major threat to biological diversity. Although public attention typically focuses on the species level, guidelines from the Convention of Biological Diversity define alien species to include entities below species level. This inclusion recognizes that release of nonlocal populations of native species may also result in negative effects on biodiversity. In practice, little is known about the extent, degree of establishment, or the effects on natural gene pools of such releases. Existing information on the releases in Sweden shows that alien populations are spread to a great extent. The most commonly released species include brown trout, Atlantic salmon, Arctic char, common whitefish, Scots pine, Norway spruce, mallard duck, gray partridge, and pheasant. Although millions of forest trees, fish, and birds are released annually, poor documentation makes the geographic and genetic origin of these populations, as well as the sites where they have been released, largely unclear. We provide recommendations for urgently needed first steps relating to the risks and problems associated with release of alien populations. 相似文献
An assessment of recent trends in primary NO2 emissions has been carried out for ten case study locations across the European Union. Estimates of the percentage of NOx from road traffic emitted as primary NO2 (f-NO2) have been derived for 1995, 2000 and 2005 by combining the results of a literature survey of primary NO2 emission factors for different vehicle types and technologies with an emission inventory. Estimates of f-NO2 have also been derived from ambient monitoring data at roadside sites in each case study location using a model.The results of the analysis of trends show that f-NO2 has increased in recent years and that the rate of increase has been greatest since 2000. f-NO2 has increased from 8.6% in 2000 to 12.4% in 2004 as an average across the monitoring sites and from an average of 6.3% in 2000 to 10.6% in 2005 as an average of the emission inventory based calculations for the case study countries. f-NO2 is predicted to increase further to an average of 19.6% in 2010 and 32.0% in 2020 as a result of the further penetration of exhaust after treatment technologies for diesel vehicles in the fleets. This increase is expected to be offset by the large reduction in NOx emissions over this period, resulting in an increase in NO2 emissions from road traffic to 2015, followed by a decline to close to 2004 levels by 2020. Estimates of future ambient NO2 concentrations have also been calculated for the roadside monitoring sites included in the study. At 29 out of 45 of these sites the annual mean NO2 limit value is predicted to be exceeded in 2010. At 22 of these sites, the annual mean concentration is expected to remain above the limit value until 2020 and beyond. 相似文献
Objective: This study examined whether reward and punishment sensitivities, as conceptualized by Gray and McNaughton's revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST), influenced young female drivers' attention toward a series of positive and negative antispeeding advertisement images. Young females' increasing crash risk is associated with their engagement in risky behaviors, which, in turn, has been associated with a stronger behavioral approach system (BAS; sensitive to rewards). It was predicted that individuals with a stronger BAS would elicit larger N100 and N200 mean amplitudes (reflecting greater attention) toward the positive images. Similar associations were predicted in relation to the fight–flight–freeze system (FFFS; sensitive to punishments) for negative images.
Method: Twenty-four female drivers (17–25 years; final N = 16) completed Corr-Cooper's RST-Personality Questionnaire, prior to undergoing an event-related potential computerized visual task (i.e., oddball paradigm) that included positive, negative, and neutral images as targets against checkerboard image distractors.
Results: Contrary to expectations, individuals with a stronger BAS (Reward Reactivity and Impulsivity) demonstrated significantly larger N200 mean amplitudes at the Cz electrode site on presentation of the negative images than those with a weaker BAS. No other significant RST effects were found.
Conclusions: These findings provide some preliminary objective support for the use of negative emotion-based road safety advertisements for young females. Further, this study provides support for using psychophysiological measures to enhance understanding of traffic injury persuasion. 相似文献
The degradation of spiramycin induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was studied at pH 3–4, 6–7 and 8–9 using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the influence of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen on the photodegradation was investigated. Three degradation products were observed in the presence of oxygen and four in the absence of oxygen. The degradation kinetics were monitored as mass area-time curves, analyzed and described using subsequent follow-up reaction first-order models. The m/z values of the degradation products were determined to be 160, 322 and 366, the latter representing two separate products, the sugar moieties of spiramycin. Remainders of the macrocycle or the intact lactone ring of spiramycin were not observed, since the conjugated π-electron system was assumed photoexcited and thus undergoing photodegradation and fast destruction of the ring. The kinetic of the degradation of spiramycin itself was described using a first-order model. The degradation was accelerated upon addition of hydrogen peroxide. In contrast, systematic acceleration depending on pH could not be found. The absence of oxygen did not lead to any significant acceleration. The findings are interpreted in terms of the effectiveness of advanced oxidation processes and their potential use as a fourth purification step in wastewater treatment plants. 相似文献