Egg incubation temperature affects male reproductive success but not display behaviors in lizards

The complex ritualized displays of males in many territorial species suggest that selection has shaped male behaviors in ways that affect fitness. In this study, we evaluated the link between display behavior during male–male interactions and reproductive success in the Australian jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus), a lizard species that uses a complex series of movement patterns for communication. We quantified variation in male display behaviors by using video playback experiments in the laboratory, and subsequently assessed variation in male reproductive success by paternity analyses of offspring. Because the lizards used in this study came from eggs incubated under three thermal environments, we also could evaluate the impact of developmental temperature on adult behavior and reproductive success. Incubation temperature had a strong effect on male reproductive success; males produced under intermediate temperatures sired more offspring than those produced under extreme developmental temperatures. However, incubation temperature did not affect male display behavior, nor was male behavior associated with reproductive success. Our findings do not support the common assumption that display behaviors used during male–male interactions affect reproductive success.     

A Comparison of Loch Chemistry from 1955 and 1999 in the Cairngorms,N.E. Scotland

The Cairngorms in north-east Scotland is remote from pollutant sources although it currently receives ca. 10 kg ha¹ yr¹ S and ca. 11 kg ha¹ yr¹ N deposition from the atmosphere.In 1955, 15 lochs (lakes) at a range of altitudes were sampled and analysed for major ion concentrations. A new survey of these and an additional 23 lochs and their catchment soils was conducted in 1999 to determine the impact of acid deposition, and the changes in loch chemistry since the 1955 survey. The bedrock geology of this region has a strong influence on the loch chemistry. Surface waters were generally more acidic in high altitude areas due to predominantly poorly buffered, thin alpine soils developed on granitic parent material (mean acid neutralising capacity (ANC) for 23 lochs = 30 eq L¹). At lower altitudes where the geology is dominated by Dalradian metamorphic rocks surface waters are comparatively base rich and have higher ANC (mean ANC for 15 lochs = 157 eq L¹). Surface water nitrate concentrations show a negative relationship with soil C:N status, in that higher nitrate only occurs at low soil C:N ratios. A comparison of data for 1955 and 1999 shows that sulphate concentrations are significantly lower (67.8 and 47.5 eq L¹, respectively), and pH has improved (pH 5.6 and 5.9) in response to decreased S deposition since the mid 1970s. However, mean nitrate concentrations were found to increase from 2.48 >eq L¹ in 1955 to 5.65 eq L¹ in 1999. Differences in the sampling and laboratory methods from 1955 and 1999 are acknowledged in the interpretation of data.     

Natural chelators — an indication of activity with the calanoid copepod Euchaeta japonica

Survival of Euchaeta japonica Marukawa prefeeding stages in natural seawater is increased by the addition of a synthetic chelating agent. This increase occurs periodically in inshore waters and more frequently in near-oceanic water. The periodicity is associated with changes in chelator-like characteristics of the seawater. Changes in these characteristics are associated with changes in biological activity in the water.     

Development and initial validation of an Aviation Safety Climate Scale

PROBLEM: A need was identified for a consistent set of safety climate factors to provide a basis for aviation industry benchmarking. METHOD: Six broad safety climate themes were identified from the literature and consultations with industry safety experts. Items representing each of the themes were prepared and administered to 940 Australian commercial pilots. RESULTS: Data from half of the sample (N=468) were used in an exploratory factor analysis that produced a 3-factor model of Management commitment and communication, Safety training and equipment, and Maintenance. A confirmatory factor analysis on the remaining half of the sample showed the 3-factor model to be an adequate fit to the data. DISCUSSION: The results of this study have produced a scale of safety climate for aviation that is both reliable and valid. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: This study developed a tool to assess the level of perceived safety climate, specifically of pilots, but may also, with minor modifications, be used to assess other groups' perceptions of safety climate.     

A global assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas

Protected areas (PAs) are a key strategy for protecting biological resources, but they vary considerably in their effectiveness and are frequently reported as having negative impacts on local people. This has contributed to a divisive and unresolved debate concerning the compatibility of environmental and socioeconomic development goals. Elucidating the relationship between positive and negative social impacts and conservation outcomes of PAs is key for the development of more effective and socially just conservation. We conducted a global meta‐analysis on 165 PAs using data from 171 published studies. We assessed how PAs affect the well‐being of local people, the factors associated with these impacts, and crucially the relationship between PAs’ conservation and socioeconomic outcomes. Protected areas associated with positive socioeconomic outcomes were more likely to report positive conservation outcomes. Positive conservation and socioeconomic outcomes were more likely to occur when PAs adopted comanagement regimes, empowered local people, reduced economic inequalities, and maintained cultural and livelihood benefits. Whereas the strictest regimes of PA management attempted to exclude anthropogenic influences to achieve biological conservation objectives, PAs that explicitly integrated local people as stakeholders tended to be more effective at achieving joint biological conservation and socioeconomic development outcomes. Strict protection may be needed in some circumstances, yet our results demonstrate that conservation and development objectives can be synergistic and highlight management strategies that increase the probability of maximizing both conservation performance and development outcomes of PAs.     

The Climate for Joint Implementation: Case Studies from Russia,Ukraine, and Poland

Joint implementation (JI) can provide flexibility in meetingKyoto Protocol commitments, and 44 nations have already participated inthe U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change – Activities Implemented Jointly (AIJ) pilot. Thispaper surveys JI policy and projects in three countries – Russia, Ukraine,and Poland – over the past five years and examines the effects of domesticinstitutions, foreign policy, and investment trends on JI in each country.The institutional and economic situation in the three nations differs greatly,and these distinctions have resulted in very different circumstances for AIJprojects, affecting both their number and scope. Poland has a well-definedset of rules and procedures for JI and its economy is quite strong. Ukrainehas not yet established criteria or clear procedures for AIJ project reviewsalthough it does have an Interagency Commission on Climate Change.Ukraine's economy declined by over 40% in the 1990s. Russia'seconomy has also declined, to a lesser extent. Russia does have aprocedure for reviewing AIJ projects, though it has temporarily halted thesereviews. Countries seeking JI investment can take several steps to improve thenumber and quality of AIJ projects that they receive. In the long term,governments can create macroeconomic stability and a solid legalinvestment basis to attract investment for JI and other areas. In the shortterm, however, governments can undertake several simple and inexpensivesteps to promote JI. Establishing clear rules and procedures for AIJprojects is an important step. So too are clearly delegating responsibilityfor AIJ project review and providing a single JI point of contact in thegovernment to which investors and project developers can turn. Gainingmore experience in implementing AIJ projects now is important preparationfor fully implementing the Kyoto Protocol beginning in 2008.     

The use of gamma glutamyl transferase activity in amniotic fluid in the detection of fetal trisomy 21

The value of using gamma glutamyl transferase (GT) to select amniotic fluids for karyotyping from patients at low risk of chromosome defects is assessed. This paper reports on 16 pregnancies with fetal trisomy 21 and compares these to two previous reports of GT in fetal trisomy 21. The value of GT is contrasted to the value of AFP in selecting liquors for karyotyping.     

An experimental study of male adornment in the scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird: I. The role of pectoral tufts in territorial defence

Summary Scarlet-tufted malachite sunbirds (Nectarinia johnstoni) are endemic to the alpine zones of East African mountains. On Mount Kenya they feed almost exclusively on the nectar of Lobelia telekii flowers. Males are resident on their territories all year and defend L. telekii inflorescences from conspecifics. Males are bright iridescent green, with scarlet pectoral tufts which are displayed prominently during aggressive interactions with other males. We investigated the role of pectoral tufts in territory defence using natural variation and experimental manipulation. Males with naturally large pectoral tufts defended more L. telekii inflorescences than males with smaller tufts, and achieved a higher reproductive success. Males were subjected to one of three experimental treatments - having their pectoral tufts enlarged, reduced or manipulated but kept at the same size. Males with reduced tufts spend more time in aggressive interactions than the control males, the interactions lasted longer and they lost a number of inflorescences to neighbours. Males with enlarged pectoral tufts increased the number of inflorescences defended. These results indicate that the pectoral tufts of male scarlet-tufted malachite sunbirds are used as a means of male-male assessment during aggressive interactions. Offprint requests to: M.R. Evans     

Female behaviour mediates male courtship under predation risk in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Previous work has shown that under elevated predation risk, male guppies (Poecilia reticulata) switch from courtship to less conspicuous coercive mating attempts. This behavioural transition is traditionally interpreted as a 'risk-sensitive' response that makes males less conspicuous to predators. However, predation risk leads to behavioural changes (such as schooling and predator inspection) in females that may result in coercive mating attempts being more profitable in high-risk situations. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the switch to coercive mating by male guppies in high-risk situations is mediated by adjustments in female behaviour, rather than directly by the predator. We used replicate models resembling a known guppy predator to simulate predation risk in wild-caught guppies from a high-predation population in Trinidad. Our results revealed that males performed proportionately more coercive mating attempts when presented with a female that had been exposed previously to a model predator compared to when males were paired with non-exposed females. Total mating activity (combined rates of courtship and forced mating attempts) did not differ significantly among the two treatment groups, indicating that overall mating activity is unaffected by predation risk. Importantly, when we subsequently presented both sexes concurrently with a predator model, total mating activity and the proportion of forced mating attempts remained unchanged in the high-risk treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that the transition from courtship to forced mating attempts under elevated predation risk is mediated by changes in female behaviour, which we suggest may favour the use of coercive mating under high predation risk.