Bright turquoise as an intraspecific signal in the chameleon grasshopper (Kosciuscola tristis)

Bright colours often communicate important information between conspecifics. In sexually dichromatic species where males exhibit bright colours, two hypotheses are often invoked to explain the function of the colour. First, if a male’s bright colour contains information about his quality, females may prefer brighter males. Equally, male colour may reliably provide other males with information about fighting ability or resource holding potential. In such circumstances, brighter males may win altercations and/or males may use rival colour to assess their likelihood of winning an interaction. In the chameleon grasshopper (Kosciuscola tristis), males but not females turn bright turquoise when their body temperature exceeds 25 °C. In this study, we tested whether the turquoise phase of colour change has a signaling role in inter- and intrasexual contexts. We predicted that females would prefer bright turquoise males over dull males, but found no evidence from several choice experiments to support this hypothesis. We also predicted that brighter males would win more fights than duller males. Whilst we did not find that brighter males won more fights in staged experiments, we found that the brightness of males who chose to enter fights was significantly correlated with their opponents’ brightness. Our results suggest that the brightness of males’ turquoise phase may provide competitors with important information about their rival’s fighting ability.     

Genital shape correlates with sperm transfer success in the praying mantis Ciulfina klassi (Insecta: Mantodea)

The rapid divergence of male genitalia is a widely observed evolutionary phenomenon. Although sexual selection is currently regarded as providing the most likely driving force behind genital diversification, the mechanisms responsible are still debated. Here, we investigate the relationship between male genital morphology and sperm transfer in the praying mantid Ciulfina klassi using geometric morphometrics. The shape of male genitalia in C. klassi influenced sperm transfer duration and the number and proportion of sperm transferred, suggesting that genital morphology is under sexual selection in this species. Genital size however was not correlated with any aspect of sperm transfer. Intriguingly, two of the major genital shape components correlated positively with the number of sperm transferred, but negatively with sperm transfer duration. Hence, males that most effectively transfer sperm to the female spermatheca do so in a relatively short period of time. A direct negative relationship was also found between sperm transfer duration and sperm transfer success. Overall, our study suggests that the variable genital shape of Ciulfina may have been selected for more efficient sperm transfer.     

Handling Techniques: The Influence of Weight and Height for Experts and Novices

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the weight of the load (12 kg, 22 kg) and of the height of the grasp (high: 126 cm; middle: 64 cm and 95 cm; low: 33 cm) on the handling techniques adopted by six experienced handlers and six novices having only limited handling experience during a free box-handling task. Each subject had to transfer two sets of 16 boxes from a platform to a four-wheel cart. The observations dealt with the position of the subject at the beginning of transfer and at deposit (position of the back, knees and feet, pelvic orientation, position of the hands), his way of moving during the transfer (position of the feet), and his way of positioning and moving the box during handling (tilt of the box, impulse given to the box, grip change). The results show that the weight and the height of grasp/deposit had an influence on the techniques adopted by expert handlers and novices. Some of these variations are common to both groups but many of them are not, such as the position of the knees, the grips and the position of the box. This study suggests that there is not one method that is suitable for all situations, and that expert handlers may have learned how to adjust their methods to the working environment. A better understanding of the experts’ techniques could help in redesigning efficient training programs.     

Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus elemental stoichiometry in aquacultured and wild-caught fish and consequences for pelagic nutrient dynamics

The elemental carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) compositions of the whole-body and gut content of wild marine fish inhabiting the Bay of Biscay (Northeast Atlantic) were studied. Furthermore, the literature was examined for studies of aquacultured fish, reporting the elemental composition of the whole-body fish, that of their food, and nutrient assimilation and gross growth efficiencies (GGE). In both wild-caught and aquacultured fish, significant differences in C, N and P elemental composition were found between species, with P being the most variable component. Differences among species in terms of C, N and P content could be explained by varying proportions of storage compounds in whole-body fish, and varying degrees of ossification. Aquacultured fish feces were found to be P-rich, because of a lower P assimilation efficiency, compared to C or N assimilation efficiencies. Examination of aquacultured fish literature also revealed that C, N and P GGE and nutrient resupply ratios agreed with basic principles of homeostatic regulation of whole-body fish elemental composition. Extrapolation of the results to broader marine systems indicated that fish may be important for conveying nutrients toward the ocean interior.     

Supporting breastfeeding in emergencies: protecting women's reproductive rights and maternal and infant health

Women have the right to support that enables them to breastfeed. Supporting breastfeeding in emergencies is important because artificial feeding places mothers and children at risk. In emergencies, artificial feeding is dangerous to the infant, difficult and requires substantial resources. In contrast, breastfeeding guards infant health. It is also protective against postpartum haemorrhage, maternal depletion, maternal anaemia and closely spaced births and should therefore concern not only nutritionists, but also those involved in reproductive health. However, it is common for women's ability to breastfeed to be undermined in emergencies by the indiscriminate distribution of breast-milk substitutes and the absence of breastfeeding support. Controlling the distribution of breast-milk substitutes, providing supportive environments, and appropriate medical and practical assistance to breastfeeding women safeguards the health and well-being of mothers and babies. Greater collaboration between the nutrition and reproductive health sectors is required to promote best practice in protecting breastfeeding women and their children in emergencies.     

The influence of contrasting life history traits and oceanic processes on genetic structuring of rabbitfish populations Siganus argenteus and Siganus fuscescens along the eastern Philippine coasts

Genetic variability and structuring of rabbitfish populations with contrasting life histories, Siganus argenteus and Siganus fuscescens were determined using allozyme analysis. A total of 13–14 polymorphic loci were examined from samples collected in 2002 and 2003 from eight reefs representing 25 populations north (Kuroshio Current) and south (Mindanao Current) of the bifurcation of the North Equatorial Current along the eastern Philippine coast. S. fuscescens populations (H _OBS = 0.085) showed higher heterozygosity than S. argenteus (H _OBS = 0.053), consistent with predictions of the neutral theory for demersal egg spawners compared to pelagic egg spawners. The generally lower genetic variability of Kuroshio populations may be due to greater environmental disturbance affecting larval mortality and recruitment success. There was no significant overall population genetic structuring for S. argenteus (F _ST = 0.01485, P > 0.05) compared to S. fuscescens (F _ST = 0.03275, P < 0.05). The latter species showed highly significant genetic structuring among Kuroshio and Mindanao Current populations in both 2002 and 2003 (F _CT = 0.08120, P < 0.05; F _CT = 0.07500, P < 0.05, respectively), as well as among populations within regions. This conforms to expectations of correlations between observed population genetic structure and life history features related to dispersal potential and gene flow. However, there were significant temporal (i.e., 2002 vs. 2003 samples) genetic variations for both S. fuscescens (F _CT = 0.08542, P < 0.05) and S. argenteus (F _CT = 0.06330, P < 0.05), which may reflect interannual variability in recruitment success. Differences in population spatial genetic patterns between the two reef fish species suggest that broad scale physical factors (e.g. NEC bifurcation) and regional environmental perturbations (e.g. incidence of typhoons) affect population genetic structure of sympatric congeneric species with different life histories differently. Finer scale ecological processes, which affect larval dispersal and recruitment (e.g., local hydrographic features, distribution of habitats), particularly in the Mindanao Current region, exert more influence on structuring populations of S. fuscescens.     

退化湿地生态系统的生态恢复与管理——以美国Hackensack湿地保护区为例

受城市化、工业化和地球温室效应等人类活动与自然因素的影响,美国Hackensack湿地保护区正面临着面积不断减少、景观破碎化、外来物种入侵、河水污染增加、盐碱化程度增加和范围扩大等生态胁迫。稳定湿地面积,重建湿地的复合景观,丰富生物多样性,恢复潮水的正常规律,减少水体污染,控制外来种的入侵与扩张,促进湿地原有植物的定居与扩增及原有植被的恢复是Hackensack湿地恢复的关键,也是恢复工程设计与实施的核心。退化湿地生态恢复的管理则以植被的生长、芦苇的扩散方式及动态、鱼类和蟹类的种群动态、鸟类的种类及其对生境地的利用情况对生态系统功能恢复状况进行生物检验,有效监控退化湿地生态系统的恢复动态,研究其恢复规律,进而采取相应的管理措施,科学调控生态恢复进程。     

Formaldehyde Dose-Response in Healthy Nonsmokers

Industrial, commercial, and domestic levels of formaldehyde exposure range from <0.1 to >5.0 ppm. Irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract predominate, and bronchoconstriction is described in case reports. However, pulmonary function and irritant symptoms together have not been assessed over a range of HCHO concentrations in a controlled environment. We investigated dose response in both symptoms and pulmonary function associated with 3-h exposures to 0.0-3.0 ppm HCHO in a controlled environmental chamber. Ten subjects were randomly exposed to 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ppm HCHO at rest plus 2.0 ppm HCHO with exercise and nine additional subjects were randomly exposed to 0.0,1.0,2.0, and 3.0 ppm HCHO at rest plus 2.0 ppm HCHO with exercise. Significant dose-response relationships in odor and eye irritation were observed (p < 0.05). Nasal flow resistance was increased at 3.0 ppm (p < 0.01), but not at 2.0 ppm HCHO. There were no significant decrements in pulmonary function (FVC, FEV₁, FEF_25-75%, SGaw) or increases in bronchial reactivity to methacholine (log PD_35SGaw) with exposure to 0.5-3.0 ppm HCHO at rest or to 2.0 ppm HCHO with exercise.     

Opening access to the black box: The need for reporting on the global phosphorus supply chain

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient in agriculture; however, lack of reporting makes its supply chain a black box. By using literature synthesis on the P challenge, we identify four areas where the reporting process is problematic: P reserves and resources; P losses along the supply chain; P externalities; and access to data. We find that in these areas, the reporting system is inconsistent, inaccurate, incomplete, fragmented and non-transparent. We use systems analysis to discuss implications of reporting on the sustainability of the P supply chain. We find that reporting is essential for the achievement of global P governance and the human right to adequate food. It can also inform decision makers and other impacted stakeholders on policies on agriculture, food security, pollution and international conflict. An improved P reporting process also allows a better evaluation of global sustainability commitments such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.