Mate choice tactics and swarm size: a model and a test in a dance fly

In the dance flyEmpis borealis (L.) (Diptera: Empididae) females gather to swarm and males visit swarms for mating. A model was constructed, based on previously published data, simulating how males may choose among females of different sizes in swarms of different sizes. The focal question was, what influences the number of individuals in the swarm in this and possibly other swarming insects? The relationships between original swarm size and both the number of males arriving per minute and the proportion of males mating are both logarithmic. The model predicted that if these relationships were linear, or if males were able to judge absolute female size, the mean swarm size should increase and be at least four times as large as those found in the field. The only type of male mate choice strategy that gave rise to very large swarms (>25) was size-related choice (if males are able to assess the size of a female in relation to the entire population and not merely to the swarm). Furthermore, no swarming behaviour would occur if males mate independently of swarm size. Thus, the numbers of females attending a given swarm site are influenced by male arrival pattern, male preference for larger swarms, the inability of males to judge the absolute body size of females, and female polyandry. Males searching for mates seem to prefer larger swarms than females searching for a swarm to join, but the mean swarm size is primarily set by the swarm size preference of females. Optimal swarm size predicted from the model was 4.68±0.53 females. In order to test model predictions, 69 natural swarm sites were studied during one season. The mean swarm size was 4.85±4.54 females (median 4.03), and about 90% of swarms consisted of 11 females or fewer. Predicted and observed swarm size did not differ significantly.     

Estimating Population Size of Elusive Animals with DNA from Hunter-Collected Feces: Four Methods for Brown Bears

Abstract:  Noninvasive genetic methods can be used to estimate animal abundances and offer several advantages over conventional methods. Few attempts have been made, however, to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the estimates. We compared four methods of estimating population size based on fecal sampling. Two methods used rarefaction indices and two were based on capture-mark-recapture (CMR) estimators, one combining genetic and field data. Volunteer hunters and others collected 1904 fecal samples over 2 consecutive years in a large area containing a well-studied population of brown bears ( Ursus arctos ). On our 49,000-km² study area in south-central Sweden, population size estimates ranged from 378 to 572 bears in 2001 and 273 to 433 bears in 2002, depending on the method of estimation used. The estimates from the best model in the program MARK appeared to be the most accurate, based on the minimum population size estimate from radio-marked bears in a subsection of our sampling area. In addition, MARK models included heterogeneity and temporal variation in detection probabilities, which appeared to be present in our samples. All methods, though, incorrectly suggested a biased sex ratio, probably because of sex differences in detection probabilities and low overall detection probabilities. The population size of elusive animals can be estimated reliably over large areas with noninvasive genetic methods, but we stress the importance of an adequate and well-distributed sampling effort. In cases of biased sampling, calibration with independent estimates may be necessary. We recommend that this noninvasive genetic approach, using the MARK models, be used in the future in areas where sufficient numbers of volunteers can be mobilized.     

Female mate choice in the non-territorial lizard Ameiva plei (Teiidae)

Mate choice by females has been documented in a variety of taxa. Female mate choice in species lacking male resource control or paternal care might occur if preferred males provide protection from harassment. Female mate choice was investigated in a natural population of the non-territorial lizard Ameiva plei (Teiidae). Consort pairs were allowed to form naturally. Consort males were significantly larger than non-consort males. After removal of consort males, the “abandoned” female's reaction to the first male who approached her was recorded. Females rejected all small males. Female preference for large males was significantly higher than preference for small males. Large males may be better equipped to guard the females from harassment and behavior of large males is less harassing than behavior of small males, thereby affording the female increased foraging time. Received: 21 June 1996 / Accepted after revision: 28 December 1996     

Brood size manipulation affects frequency of second clutches in the blue tit

The reproductive trade-off hypothesis predicts that the investment made in current reproduction determines the breeders’ future fitness as a consequence of intra-or inter-generational reproductive costs. Long-lived species are expected to favour their own reproductive value at the expense of their offspring, hence incurring in inter-generational costs, whereas short-lived species are expected to invest in the current breeding attempt even at the expense of their own survival, thus incurring in intra-generational costs. We tested whether intensity of current reproductive effort has intra-or inter-generational costs in a short-lived bird, the blue tit Parus caeruleus, with a brood size manipulation experiment. We expected more intra-generational (parental reproduction and/or survival) than inter-generational (offspring quality and survival) reproductive costs. We found that parental effort, measured as the hourly rate of parental visits to nests, increased gradually with experimental manipulation. Brood size manipulation resulted in a gradual increase in the number of fledglings per nest from reduced to increased treatments. We found an effect of the manipulation on the probability of making a second clutch, with adults rearing enlarged broods being less likely to undertake such a second reproduction during the season compared to those rearing control or decreased broods. We found no evidence of other reproductive costs; neither as adult weight after manipulation, apparent parental local survival, apparent offspring local survival or local recruitment. Although the results seem to support the a priori expectations, alternative explanations are discussed.Communicated by M. Soler     

Beryllium Concentrations in Ambient Air and Its Source Identification

Beryllium concentrations in atmospheric particulate and soil samples in and around a Beryllium Processing Facility (BPF) have been measured. The mean air concentration level of beryllium in and around the fence line of the BPF is 0.48 ± 0.43 ng m^-3 (n = 397) and is mostly influenced by diurnaland seasonal changes. The observed air concentration levelswere well below the prescribed ambient air quality (AAQ)standard of 10 ng m^-3. The soil concentration levels ofberyllium in the study area were found to be in the range of 1.42–2.75 g g^-1. The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD)of beryllium aerosols in ambient air was found to be 6.9 m.Source identification using the Enrichment Factor (EF) approachindicates soil as the predominant contributory source for air concentrations at the site.     

Size effect of Pt nanoparticles in acid-assisted soot oxidation in the presence of NO

Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts with mean Pt particle size ranged from 2.7 to 7.1 nm were synthesized by chemical reduction method, and the sulfated counterparts were prepared by impregnation of sulfuric acid. The turnover frequency of platinum for soot oxidation under loose contact conditions in a feed flow containing NO and O₂ are positively correlated with the size of platinum. The sulfated Pt/Al₂O₃ exhibits higher catalytic activity for soot oxidation in the presence of NO despite their reduced ability for NO₂ production. Such a contradiction is more significant for those catalysts with smaller platinum particles. Herein, the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductive coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectrometry, CO chemisorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD), NO temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) and NO_x temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). Possible effect of Pt particle size for the catalytic oxidation of soot in the presence of NO was presented based primarily on the promoted NO₂ transfer efficiency onto the soot pushed by the acidic catalysts.     

Physicochemical and toxicological characteristics of nanoparticles in aerosols in southern Thailand during recent haze episodes in lower southeast Asia

Transboundary haze from biomass burning is one of the most important air pollutions in Southeast Asia. The most recent serious haze episode occurred in 2015. Southern Thailand was affected by the haze during September to October when the particulate matter concentration hit a record high. We investigated physical and chemical characteristics of aerosols, including concentration and aerosol size distribution down to sub-micron sizes during haze episodes in 2013 and 2015 and, for reference, an insignificant haze period in 2017. The highest total suspended particulates and PM₁₀ levels in Hat Yai city were 340.1 and 322.5 µg/m³. The mass fractions were nanoparticles (< 100 nm) 3.1%-14.8% and fine particles (< 1 µm) 54.6%-59.1%. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon size distributions in haze periods peaked at 0.75 µm and the concentrations are 2-30 times higher than the normal period. High molecular weight (4-6 ring) PAHs during the haze episode contribute to about 56.7%-88.0% for nanoparticles. The average values of benzo(a)pyrene toxic equivalency quotient were 3.34±2.54ng/m³ in the 2015 haze period but only 0.89±0.17 ng/m³ in 2017. It is clear that particles smaller than 1 µm, were highly toxic. Nanoparticles contributed 19.4%-26.0% of total BaP-TEQ, whereas the mass fraction is 13.1%-14.8%. Thus the nanoparticles were more carcinogenic and can cause greater health effect than larger particles. The fraction of BaP-TEQ for nanoparticles during 2017 non-haze period was nearly the same, while the mass fraction was lower. This indicates that nanoparticles are the significant source of carcinogenic aerosols both during haze and non-haze periods.     

干旱区黑碳沉降积雪反照率及雪粒径模拟研究

在以往研究基础上,利用单点实测数据驱动雪、冰及气溶胶辐射（SNICAR）区域物理模型,将微观数据与遥感的宏观技术相结合对积雪反照率与雪粒径进行数值模拟及反演.研究表明：积雪反照率会随着太阳天顶角的增大而增加,且在近红外波段的影响更加明显;在不同雪粒径、黑炭浓度下,积雪反照率都随着雪粒径、黑炭浓度的增大而减小,且颗粒越小的雪粒,粒径的减小对反照率的影响更为明显,而黑炭主要是对可见光波段有显著作用;利用SNICAR模型与MODIS数据反演北疆地区雪粒径,其精度可达0.749,实现了单点雪粒径向面状雪粒径的尺度转换.本研究揭示了干旱区季节性积雪中,气溶胶粒子存在情况下的积雪反照率连续变化特征,有效提高了积雪中雪粒径的反演精度,为积雪中气溶胶粒子对气候产生的辐射胁迫模拟提供了技术支持.     

气溶胶粒径吸湿增长与散射吸湿增长的关系

基于成都市2017年10~12月AURORA-3000积分浊度计、AE-31黑碳仪和GRIMM180环境颗粒物监测仪的地面逐时观测资料,以及该时段同时次的环境气象监测数据（大气能见度、相对湿度RH和NO₂质量浓度）,通过Mie散射理论与免疫进化算法反演气溶胶粒径吸湿增长因子Gf（RH）,并利用光学综合法测量气溶胶散射吸湿增长因子f（RH）,探究了Gf（RH）与f（RH）之间的关系.结果表明：当RH<85%,Gf（RH）和f（RH）随RH的增加均表现为平缓式增长;当RH>85%,Gf（RH）和f（RH）随RH的增加则均呈现出爆发式增长.Sigmoid函数f（RH）=17.34/（1+e^{-2.43·[Gf（RH）-2.15}]）较好地拟合了f（RH）随Gf（RH）的变化形态,其f（RH）拟合值与测量值之间的决定系数（R²）和平均相对误差（MRE）分别为0.97和4.01%.利用sigmoid函数计算Gf（RH）,模拟了观测时段内一次灰霾演化过程中气溶胶的散射系数b_sp（RH）和吸收系数b_ap,二者的模拟值与测量值基本吻合,对应的R²分别为0.99和0.98,MRE分别为2.94%和5.24%.