Population frequencies of alternative male phenotypes in tree lizards: geographic variation and common-garden rearing studies

Tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus) vary in throat fan (dewlap) color. Earlier, we described five dewlap types (Orange, Orange-Blue, Yellow, Yellow-Blue, and Blue), and reported that only males had blue in the dewlap and that presence or absence of a discrete blue patch was correlated with male alternative reproductive phenotypes in a central Arizona population. Here, with a modified scheme characterizing two dewlap elements, background color (orange, yellow, blue) and blue patch occurrence, we assessed: (1) sexual, annual, and geographic variation in the frequencies of dewlap elements; (2) simple habitat correlates; and (3) the effects of laboratory rearing regime on dewlap type. Within a population, frequencies of males and females expressing orange or yellow backgrounds did not differ, suggesting that control of background is similar in the sexes. Within several populations, frequencies of the dewlap elements did not differ across years (and probably generations), indicating that phenotype frequencies are relatively stable. Among five populations frequencies of background colors varied, as did frequencies of male types (blue patch present or absent). Dewlap frequencies did not correlate with habitat (boulders or mesquite trees), although few populations were sampled. In male and female offspring reared from eggs to sexual maturity in a common-garden laboratory study, background color frequencies in both sexes and blue patch frequencies in males differed among offspring from different populations. Offspring frequencies matched respective parental population frequencies. Results suggest that among-population variation in frequencies of the two dewlap elements are mediated by differences in genetics, in maternal effects, or both. Thus, differences in male behavior functionally linked to the blue patch also may be controlled by genetic or maternal effects. Received: 17 January 1997 / Accepted after revision: 30 August 1997     

Influence of cultivation and food concentration on body length of calanoid copepods

The cephalothorax length of the marine pelagic Copepoda Acartia clausi Giesbrecht, Temora longicornis (Müller), Centropages hamatus (Lilljeborg) and Pseudocalanus sp. was monitored at 15°C during prolonged cultivation through up to 55 filial generations and at different concentrations of food. The length of T. longicornis decreased considerably during the first 15 generations and remained rather constant thereafter. In the other species, body length increased slightly or remained almost constant. Genetic changes are probably involved. Food concentration influenced body size of all species, particularly C. hamatus, in which 80% of the natural size range may be explained by differences in food concentration. The idea that temperature is a dominant factor in determining the length of copepods should be reconsidered.     

Occurrence and congener profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in environmental samples from coastal British Columbia, Canada

Environmental levels and detailed congener profiles (31 congeners and 3 coeluting congener groups) of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were assessed in a number of biota samples taken over a large geographic range covering harbours and industrial sites on Canada's West Coast. Additionally, PBDE congener profiles were determined using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) deployed in the Fraser River, the river in Western Canada with the largest industrial activity. PBDE levels detected in biota were between 4 and 2300 ng/g lipid and these levels were compared with those reported in selected European biota to provide a wider perspective on PBDE contamination on Canada's West Coast. Thirteen-congener PBDE patterns in the environmental samples were examined using principal component analysis (PCA), and additionally, comparisons were made between the PBDE profiles in the sample groups and commercially used PBDE technical mixtures (e.g., Bromkals) on a percent composition basis. PCA on congener specific data revealed that PBDE patterns are remarkably similar over a wide geographical range in Western Canada, however, the general pattern in environmental samples varies significantly from those of the predominant technical mixtures. Finally, correlations between PBDE and other persistent and toxic co-occurring contaminants found in Dungeness crab were determined.     

Increasing community engagement in Latino residents to improve health outcomes

Community and park planners have made improvements to the built environment in order to positively influence health outcomes. An important component of improving the built environment includes engaging community members in the planning process. Yet, attempts to include community members have not always been successful, as the case of Latinos living in the U.S. demonstrates (e.g. Rowel, Sheikhattari, Barber, and Evans-Holland. 2012. “Introduction of a Guide to Enhance Risk Communication among Low-income and Minority Populations: A Grassroots Community Engagement Approach.” Health Promotion Practice 13 (1): 124–132; Schulz 2006). The limited engagement among Latinos has been explained by their low-income and ethnic status, which prioritises employment and family matters, respectively. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to examine community engagement among Latinos of Mexican descent. Specifically, the research objective for the study was to identify the specific strategies and tactics utilised by a grassroots nonprofit organisation to engage Latino residents to advocate for more equitable green space in their neighbourhood. In addressing the research question, the study utilised a case-study approach focused on Chicago’s Little Village neighbourhood. Data were collected via individual interviews and the information was gathered through historical and archival documents, websites, and participant observations during community meetings. Findings revealed that community organizing, democratic leadership, and an anti-racist stance were instrumental in engaging residents.     

Youth participation in disaster risk reduction through science clubs in the Philippines

With the UN‐led celebration of the International Year of Youth from August 2010 to August 2011 there has been a renewed interest in young people and the vital role they can play in important issues, such as disaster risk reduction (DRR). This study aims to examine the potential of science clubs as a vehicle for youth participation in DRR in the Philippines. A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 658 science club members from different provinces of the Philippines participated in the survey. The result of the survey is used to explain how the major barriers to youth participation in DRR can be overcome. Through science clubs, the youth can become a link between their school, home and community and can contribute to spreading knowledge about disaster prevention, preparedness and response learned inside and outside the classroom.     

The first record of a sauropod dinosaur from Antarctica

Sauropoda is one of the most diverse and geographically widespread clades of herbivorous dinosaurs, and until now, their remains have now been recovered from all continental landmasses except Antarctica. We report the first record of a sauropod dinosaur from Antarctica, represented by an incomplete caudal vertebra from the Late Cretaceous of James Ross Island. The size and morphology of the specimen allows its identification as a lithostrotian titanosaur. Our finding indicates that advanced titanosaurs achieved a global distribution at least by the Late Cretaceous.     

Sublethal toxicity of the Prestige oil spill on yellow-legged gulls

The Prestige oil spill in November 2002 is considered the biggest large-scale catastrophe of its type in Europe, thousands of seabirds dying in the subsequent months. Here, the total concentration of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (TPAH) was measured in the blood cell fraction of adult and chick yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) from unoiled and oiled coastal areas in North Western Spain. In addition, hematocrit, plasma metabolites, electrolytes and enzymes, as well as body mass were determined in the same individuals. Our results strongly suggest the presence of health damages of sublethal nature in adult gulls breeding in oiled colonies 17 months after the Prestige oil spill. This is supported by the following evidences: (1) gulls sampled in unoiled and oiled colonies differed in blood TPAH levels, (2) gulls sampled in unoiled and oiled colonies differed in several blood parameters indicative of physiological disorders, and (3) TPAH in blood was significantly related to several of these parameters. Differences in the level of asparatate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total protein, glucose and inorganic phosphorus suggest damages on some vital organs (i.e. liver and kidney) in adult birds from oiled areas. Meanwhile, chicks presented weaker effects than adults, showing only between-area differences in hematocrit. Since TPAH levels in blood did not differ between both age-groups, the stronger effects on adults should be due to their longer exposure to these pollutants and/or to severe exposure in the months following the spill. The presence of PAHs in chicks indicates that these pollutants were incorporated into the food chain because nestlings would have been only exposed to contaminated organisms in the diet (e.g. fishes and crustaceans). Our findings support the view that PAHs may deeply alter the physiology of seabirds, and emphasize the necessity of quantifying the circulating levels of these compounds in order to evaluate the sublethal effects associated to large oil spills.     

Cross‐level effects of demography and diversity climate on organizational attachment and firm effectiveness

We studied the impact of demographic diversity on individual attachment and firm unit performance in a relatively diverse organization. We implemented cross‐level regression to study gender and race/ethnic categorical, relational, and organizational demography in a sample of 26 units part of a regional restaurant chain. At the individual level, we found that diversity climate (DC) moderates the impact of relational and categorical demography on affective organizational commitment, organizational identification, and intention to quit. At the organizational level, we found that DC moderates the impact of organizational diversity on firm productivity and return on profit. We discuss the importance of organizational DC as organizational context on individual attachment, and implications for firm effectiveness in diverse organizations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.