Animal Movement Research Articles

Animal Brucellosis in Egypt: Review on Evolution, Epidemiological Situation, Prevalent Brucella Strains, Genetic Diversity, and Assessment of Implemented National Control Measures

Brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic disease that has a significant economic and public health impact, especially in endemic countries. This review delves deeply into brucellosis’s current epidemiological situation and potential sources of livestock infection in Egypt during the last two decades. MLVA-16 and Whole Genome Sequencing based on core-genome SNP analyses confirm the presence of different B. abortus and B. melitensis outbreak strains, both older widely disseminated Brucella strains and newly introduced ones. Despite implementing the test-and-slaughter control strategy over forty years, the disease is still endemic, and different Brucella species circulate among several animal species. The raising of mixed animal species in the same households or farms, exposure to aborted animals, and lack of public awareness about brucellosis transmission are among the main risk factors for increasing livestock brucellosis prevalence in Egypt. Young animals’ voluntary vaccination, lack of a nationwide animal identification system, and uncontrolled animal movement stand beyond the ineffectively applied control strategy and may be subdued by applying mass vaccination to decrease disease prevalence dramatically and target imported camels, domestic pigs, and dogs (housed and stray) in the national control surveillance. Increasing awareness through educational campaigns is compulsory to reduce brucellosis transmission risk to livestock/humans.

Comparison of Long-Term Antibody Titers in Calves Treated with Different Conjunctival and Subcutaneous Brucella abortus S19 Vaccines

Brucellosis is still the most common zoonosis worldwide despite advanced technology and animal husbandry. Since there is still no effective Brucella vaccine for humans, it is crucial to control the disease in ruminants through eradication and vaccination. Although some countries around the world have achieved this circumstance, every country aims to become free of Brucellosis through vaccination, animal movements, and various eradication measures. For this purpose, the Brucella abortus S19 strain has been used safely for about 100 years. However, due to the O-polysaccharide (OPS) antigen in its structure, the antibody response created by the vaccine causes confusion in serological tests. For this purpose, researchers have provided both mucosal immunity and short-term antibody response by using the B. abortus S19 vaccine in conjunctival form instead of subcutaneous form. This study aimed to determine how long the post-vaccination titer levels persisted in animals vaccinated with vaccines from 3 different companies and different routes. In this study, a total of 115 calves aged 3 to 4.5 months were created in five groups, with 23 animals in each group: group 1 (vaccine brand A), group 2 (vaccine brand B), and group 3 (vaccine brand C) received the two-dose conjunctival vaccine, group 4 received the single-dose subcutaneous vaccine (vaccine brand C), and group 5 received the subcutaneous vaccine (vaccine brand C) plus the booster dose conjunctival vaccine (vaccine brand B). Brucellosis antibody titers were monitored each 21 days until the cattle were 26–28 months old. The collected sera were analyzed using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), Serum Agglutination Test (SAT), and Complement Fixation Test (CFT), which are the preferred serological methods for Brucellosis eradication plans worldwide. In the conjunctival vaccination groups, only 3 (13%) of the animals in group 1 developed antibody titers one month after vaccination, and there was no antibody response detected against Brucellosis in group 2 and group 3. In animals that were stimulated conjunctivally, the threshold value of 30 International CFT Units (ICFTUs) (for distinguishing between infective titers and vaccination titers) was observed in one animal each in group 1 and group 2 and 0 animal in group 3. It was found that antibody titers turn to Brucellosis negative in all conjunctival vaccine groups at 7 months after vaccination. In groups 4 and 5, the first-month serological screening detected over 30 ICFTUs in 17 (89.47%) animals and 16 (69.5%) animals, respectively. In group 4, CFT titers were found to fall below 30 on the 17th month and 9.3 on the 22nd month. On the 14th month, the CFT titers of group 5 were found to be below 30, and all animals in this group turned negative after the 19th month. It was found that the single dose B. abortus S19 subcutaneous vaccination in calves caused persistent antibodies in 5% of the population. It is believed that persistent and high antibody titers created by subcutaneous vaccines will cause false positivity and create confusion in Brucellosis eradication programs. Therefore, although there is no clear distinction between vaccinated and infected animals, it has been observed that conjunctival Brucellosis vaccines create more stable antibody titers and decrease rapidly compared to subcutaneous vaccines. Based on the results of this study and the advantages of conjunctival vaccines, more effective eradication programs and antibody monitoring can be carried out in vaccinated herds where Brucellosis outbreaks are observed.

Short bouts and long-term exercise reduce sedentary-induced bone loss and microstructural changes by modulating bone formation and resorption in healthy young male rats

Although the toxic effect of Sedentary behavior (SED) on bone health has been demonstrated in the previous study, the underlying mechanisms of SED, or break SED to bone health remain unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of sedentary behavior (SED) on bone health, as well as the potential favor effects of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and periodic interruptions of SED. To simulate SED, we used small Plexiglas cages (20.0 × 9.0 × 10.0 cm) to restrict animal movement. Short bursts of exercise to break SED and continuous long-term exercise were also designed. After an 8-weeks period of SED, we observed decreased bone mass and bone microstructure. Specifically, there was a notable decrease in the bone mineral density (BMD), bone surface (BS) and cortical thickness (Ct.Th) significantly reduced in cortical bone. In the trabecular bone, parameters such as trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular number (Tb.N), BS, connectivity density (Conn.D), BS/BV, bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), degree of anisotropy (DA), and structural model index (SMI) were also significantly reduced. In addition, we detected an increase in serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) levels in SED rats at both 4 and 8 weeks. At 8 weeks, the osteoclast number and surface with TRAP-staining were significantly increased, however, the OPG mRNA and proteins level were significantly decreased. After daily short bouts exercise and long-term exercise, we observed improvements in bone mass and microstructure. These improvements included increasing BMD and BV/TV of cortical bone, and improving Conn.D, BV/TV, DA and SMI of trabecular. Meanwhile, we found that, at 4 and 8 weeks, there was an increase in serum ALP. At 8 weeks, the mineralized nodules surface with Alizarin Red S-staining, and OPG mRNA and proteins level in bone tissue were significantly increased. Our findings suggest that SED leads to alterations in the bone mass and microstructure, which are associated with the changes in the OPG protein and bone remodeling. Exercise, whether in short daily bouts or continuous long-term sessions, can ameliorate the harmful effects of SED. Similarly, the changes in bone mass and microstructure from exercise are also associated with the changes in the OPG protein and bone remodeling by upregulated osteoblast activity to bone formation. Overall, our findings indicate the importance of physical activity in maintaining bone health and preventing the negative impacts of prolonged SED.

Genomic analysis of mobility measures on 5-month-old gilts associated with structural soundness.

Sow lameness results in premature culling, causing economic loss and well-being issues. A study, utilizing a pressure-sensing mat (GAIT4) and video monitoring system (NUtrack), was conducted to identify objective measurements on gilts that are predictive of future lameness. Gilts (N = 3656) were categorized to describe their lifetime soundness: SOUND, retained for breeding with no detected mobility issues; LAME_SOW, retained for breeding and detected lame as a sow; CULL_STR, not retained due to poor leg structure; LAME_GILT, not retained due to visible signs of lameness; and CULL, not retained due to reasons other than leg structure. The GAIT4 system creates a series of measurements for each hoof and a lameness score (GLS) while NUtrack records animal movement and posture durations each day. To determine if measurements from the GAIT4 and NUtrack systems were associated with lifetime soundness, mixed model analyses were conducted in R including fixed effects of breed of sire, contemporary group and lifetime soundness score and random effect of animal. A second mixed model was run without lifetime soundness score and estimates of animal effects were then used to conduct ssGBLUP analyses using 3 generations of pedigree and genotypes from ~50k SNP on > 60% of phenotyped animals. Genomic heritabilities were estimated, SNP effects were back-solved and significance based on Bonferroni corrected permutation tests. GAIT4 traits indicative of lameness (LAME_GILT and CULL_STR vs SOUND; P < 0.05) were the standard deviation of GLS, average stride length, and average stance time, while significant NUtrack measurements were eating, standing, lateral lying, total lying, speed, distance, and rotations. In addition, rotations differed (P < 0.05) between SOUND vs LAME_SOW and distance tended to be different (P < 0.10). Estimates of heritability for predictive NUtrack traits were ~0.3 and GAIT4 traits were ~0.2. There were 382 significant SNP effects in 47 genomic regions, four regions on chromosomes 1, 4, 11 and 14 accounted for over 60% of the associations. Genome-level imputed genotypes linked several regions with possible causative genes. Objective measurements from the GAIT4 and NUtrack systems at 5 months of age were heritable, able to detect unsound animals, and were associated with lifetime soundness.

Integrating human trail use in montane landscapes reveals larger zones of human influence for wary carnivores

Abstract Coexistence between humans and wildlife is necessary for many conservation goals but is difficult to achieve in landscapes with increasing human populations and species that are often wary of people and may also threaten human safety. In these contexts, coexistence may be enhanced by identifying geographic areas where animal movement is particularly important and changes to human use via trail design could support both wildlife conservation and human safety. We used camera trap data to monitor the spatial distribution of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), grey wolves (Canis lupus), and humans within the central Canadian Rocky Mountains, where anthropogenic development and human activity have gradually encroached on limited wildlife habitat. We quantified spatial variation in human use and then incorporated this output into models for the detection rates of bears and wolves. We interpolated metrics of human use throughout the study area using inverse distance weighted averages of human detection rates from cameras. This approach supported a novel estimate of the cumulative effects of human use at all nearby trails on animal space use. We used our models to estimate the zone of influence of human use on bears and wolves, determining the distance at which human use on nearby trails no longer exhibited a measurable change in detection rates for each of grizzly bears and wolves. The negative effects of human use on wildlife declined steeply with distance such that 50% of the decrease in detection rates immediately adjacent to trails would be expected to occur at 267 m for grizzly bears and 576 m for wolves. Weak effects, 5% as strong as the effect adjacent to trails, extended up to 1.8 and 6.1 km for grizzly bears and wolves, revealing the importance of cumulative measures of human use. Synthesis and applications. Our work shows how human activity over entire landscapes can alter wildlife detection rates. Our results identify target buffer distances for protected areas near trails, and the modelling framework could be used by land managers to predict how altering trail networks and modifying human activity could affect wary wildlife species and advance coexistence.

Human Footprint and Forest Disturbance Reduce Space Use of Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) Across Europe

ABSTRACTThree‐quarters of the planet's land surface has been altered by humans, with consequences for animal ecology, movements and related ecosystem functioning. Species often occupy wide geographical ranges with contrasting human disturbance and environmental conditions, yet, limited data availability across species' ranges has constrained our understanding of how human pressure and resource availability jointly shape intraspecific variation of animal space use. Leveraging a unique dataset of 758 annual GPS movement trajectories from 375 brown bears (Ursus arctos) across the species' range in Europe, we investigated the effects of human pressure (i.e., human footprint index), resource availability and predictability, forest cover and disturbance, and area‐based conservation measures on brown bear space use. We quantified space use at different spatiotemporal scales during the growing season (May–September): home range size; representing general space requirements, 10‐day long‐distance displacement distances, and routine 1‐day displacement distances. We found large intraspecific variation in brown bear space use across all scales, which was profoundly affected by human footprint index, vegetation productivity, and recent forest disturbances creating opportunity for resource pulses. Bears occupied smaller home ranges and moved less in more anthropized landscapes and in areas with higher resource availability and predictability. Forest disturbances reduced space use while contiguous forest cover promoted longer daily movements. The amount of strictly protected and roadless areas within bear home ranges was too small to affect space use. Anthropized landscapes may hinder the expansion of small and isolated populations, such as the Apennine and Pyrenean, and obstruct population connectivity, for example between the Dinaric Pindos population and the Alpine or Carpathian population. Our findings call for actions to maintain bear movements across landscapes with high human footprint, for example by maintaining forest integrity, to support viable bear populations and their ecosystem functions.

The Development of a Reverberation Chamber for the Assessment of Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Energy Absorption in Mice.

In this paper, we present the design, RF-EMF performance, and a comprehensive uncertainty analysis of the reverberation chamber (RC) exposure systems that have been developed for the use of researchers at the University of Wollongong Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory, Australia, for the purpose of investigating the biological effects of RF-EMF in rodents. Initial studies, at 1950 MHz, have focused on investigating thermophysiological effects of RF exposure, and replication studies related to RF-EMF exposure and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in mice predisposed to AD. The RC exposure system was chosen as it allows relatively unconstrained movement of animals during exposures which can have the beneficial effect of minimizing stress-related, non-RF-induced biological and behavioral changes in the animals. The performance of the RCs was evaluated in terms of the uniformity of the Whole-Body Average-Specific Absorption Rate (WBA-SAR) in mice for a given RF input power level. The expanded uncertainty in WBA-SAR estimates was found to be 3.89 dB. Validation of WBA-SAR estimates based on a selected number of temperature measurements in phantom mice found that the maximum ratio of the temperature-derived WBA-SAR to the computed WBA-SAR was 1.1 dB, suggesting that actual WBA-SAR is likely to be well within the expanded uncertainties.

Achievement of one health multi-sectoral collaboration in containment of Rift Valley Fever outbreak, Sudan, Red Sea State 2019.

Rift Valley Fever is endemic in Sudan, with a notable outbreak declared in 2019, affecting multiple states. In this study, we examine the Red Sea State, Sudan's experience in applying the One Health approach, to contain Red-Sea RVF outbreak. A retrospective analysis of national and sub-national data and a review of literature were conducted to assess the application of One Health response and to derive lessons learned. The analysis revealed a total of 576 human cases and two deaths, with a case fatality rate of 0.35%, from 25 September 2019 to 25 January 2020. Most cases (99%) were from the Red Sea and River Nile States, and only six sporadic cases were from other five states. The Red Sea State reported 322 human and 74 animal cases, including 74 abortions and 12 animal deaths. Triggers and risk factors include floods, uncontrolled movement of animal, close contact with animals, poor disposal, and unsafe burial practices for animals. One Health approach was utilized all through the defeat of outbreak. A multi-sectoral response plan was implemented, leading to the declaration of the end of the outbreak in 2020 which was reviewed and lessons were derived. One Health approach provided a coordinated action between health, veterinary, and environmental authorities at national and subnational levels. Synergistic efforts have minimized risk of RVF spreading among human and animal. The experience was leveraged to strengthen response approaches for zoonotic diseases. Structural and capacity gaps and financial constraints were identified as implementation challenges.

Application of Dunhuang Mural Elements in the Modeling and Action Design of the “Luo Shen’s Graceful Flight” Segment in the Animated Film Yang Jian

Taking the 3D animation Yang Jian’s segment “Luo Shen’s Graceful Flight” as an example, this paper analyzes how Dunhuang mural elements inspire the modeling and action design in 3D animation. It explores the influence of Dunhuang murals on animation modeling and movement design, and offers an artistic analysis of the “Luo Shen’s Graceful Flight” in Yang Jian. This study discusses how to retain the core aesthetic of Dunhuang mural art within the scope of current technological methods, and how to convey the distinctive Eastern characteristics of Chinese traditional culture beyond the principles of Disney-style modeling and action design, providing a viable approach for Chinese animation creation.

Human-animal relations in El Impenetrable National Park, an area of confluence of environmental conservation, tourism and livestock

Since 2011, in the area currently known as El Impenetrable National Park (Chaco, Argentina), certain animals were “protected” and became part of the attractions offered to tourists. This article aims to describe and analyze the relationships between humans and animals in the mentioned area, where environmental conservation and tourism converge with family livestock production. It is an ethnographic research carried out between 2021 and 2023 that encourages us to think about ways to reconcile conservation with human presence in the environment. The physical space of the park underwent changes linked to the productive activities’ humans carried out there. The environmental conservation promoted seeks to eradicate the harmful hunting of "wild animals". Although such animal condition (wild) reflects separation between humans and nature, it is relative (it does not apply to all humans or to all animals) and permeable (through the physical movement of animals and humans across park borders and through the similar treatment that locals give to animals). Finally, the promotion of experiences with animals within the park prioritizes the presence of some to the detriment of others. The criteria of animal differentiation reveal a territorial and animal strategy aimed at transforming sources of income generation.

Movement in 3D: Novel Opportunities for Understanding Animal Behaviour and Space Use

ABSTRACTAnimals move in three spatial dimensions, but many animal movement tools have only focused on the use of 2D coordinates for modelling space use, habitat selection, behavioural classification, social interactions and movement. Here, we submit that many common movement ecology analyses can and should be extended to consider all three spatial dimensions to make more robust inferences about ecological processes. We provide an overview of how home range analysis, network analysis and social network analysis, hidden Markov models, resource selection and step selection functions and hierarchical linear and additive models are used for studying animal movement in two dimensions. Then, we explain how the third dimension, z, can be used within these existing frameworks to consider how depth and altitude affect key ecological inferences drawn from animal tracking data. Our position builds on empirical and theoretical work about how three‐dimensional methods can contribute to stronger inferences in movement ecology. Key limitations to operationalisation of this framework include calibration of uncertainty in pressure sensors used to measure depth and altitude, visualisation and rendering of three‐dimensional data to make them interpretable and understandable to end‐users and generally more conventional and accepted methods for using three dimensions when conducting standard animal movement analyses.

Learning enhances behaviorally relevant representations in apical dendrites.

Learning alters cortical representations and improves perception. Apical tuft dendrites in cortical layer 1, which are unique in their connectivity and biophysical properties, may be a key site of learning-induced plasticity. We used both two-photon and SCAPE microscopy to longitudinally track tuft-wide calcium spikes in apical dendrites of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in barrel cortex as mice learned a tactile behavior. Mice were trained to discriminate two orthogonal directions of whisker stimulation. Reinforcement learning, but not repeated stimulus exposure, enhanced tuft selectivity for both directions equally, even though only one was associated with reward. Selective tufts emerged from initially unresponsive or low-selectivity populations. Animal movement and choice did not account for changes in stimulus selectivity. Enhanced selectivity persisted even after rewards were removed and animals ceased performing the task. We conclude that learning produces long-lasting realignment of apical dendrite tuft responses to behaviorally relevant dimensions of a task.

Open Protocols, the new standard for acoustic tracking: results from interoperability and performance tests in European waters

BackgroundThe lack of compatibility between acoustic telemetry equipment from different manufacturers has been a major obstacle to consolidating large collaborative tracking networks. Undisclosed encrypted signal coding protocols limit the use of acoustic telemetry to study animal movements over large spatial scales, reduce competition between manufacturers, and stifle innovation. The European Tracking Network, in collaboration with several acoustic telemetry manufacturers, has worked to develop new transparent protocols for acoustic tracking. The results are energy-efficient transmission protocols accessible to all researchers and manufacturers. Today, the Open Protocols (OP) are already available to manufacturers and developers, and the first transmitters and receivers to implement them are already in the water.ResultsThe main objective of this study was to confirm the compatibility between devices from different manufacturers using OP, characterise the acoustic range of each transmitter–receiver manufacturer combination, compare the detection efficiency to the standard protocols used at present (R64K and encrypted protocols), and assess its robustness against spurious detections. An international collaborative effort was made to conduct acoustic range tests in four main aquatic habitats: a river, a coastal lagoon, a coastal habitat, and the open sea. Receivers and transmitters from different manufacturers were deployed at increasing distances from each other using the same experimental design at each location. The decay of detection probability with distance was modelled for each transmitter–receiver manufacturer combination by applying logistic regression using a Bayesian approach. Furthermore, to thoroughly assess performance differences in an applied research context, we conducted a direct field comparison between groups of smolts tagged with OP and R64K tags, tracking their migration to the sea.ConclusionsOur results confirm full compatibility between the tested devices, with negligible differences in the measured acoustic ranges between OP manufacturers and when compared to encrypted protocols. The OP was also robust against spurious detections, and the field comparison between OP and R64K showed equal performance. We hope these novel insights will encourage international research groups to promote OP-based studies to ensure compatibility and maximise the benefits of acoustic telemetry networks.

The Presence of Two Distinct Lineages of the Foot-And-Mouth Disease Virus Type A in Russia in 2013–2014 Has Significant Implications for the Epidemiology of the Virus in the Region

Molecular surveillance of FMD epidemiology is a fundamental tool for advancing our understanding of virus biology, monitoring virus evolution, and guiding vaccine design. The accessibility of genetic data will facilitate a more comprehensive delineation of FMDV phylogeny on a global scale. In this study, we investigated the FMDV strains circulating in Russia during the 2013–2014 period in geographically distant regions utilizing whole genome sequencing followed by maximum-likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction of whole genome and VP1 gene sequences. Phylogenetic analysis showed congruence in the topology of the phylogenetic trees constructed using the complete genome and VP1 gene sequence, clearly demonstrating that the isolates analyzed belong to two distinct genetic lineages: A/SEA97 in the Far East and Iran-05 in the North Caucasus. The A/SEA97 isolates exhibited a close genetic identity to those from China and Mongolia, whereas the Iran-05 isolates demonstrated clusterization with those from Turkey. The vaccine-matching studies with isolates from the Far East and North Caucasus revealed no antigenic homology with A/SEA-97 (r1 = 0.015–0.29) and A/Iran 05 (r1 = 0.009–0.17). The close genetic relationship of FMDV in the reported outbreak waves to those from neighboring countries indicates that animal movement could contribute to spillover and virus dispersal. The phylogenetic data reported here provide insight into the molecular epidemiology of FMD in the Eurasia region, elucidating the circulation pattern, molecular evolution, and genetic diversity, which is highly valuable for guiding vaccine designs and improving regional eradication policies.

Independent testing of PIT tags for fisheries research: a framework for standardization and performance evaluation

BackgroundPassive integrated transponder (PIT) tags are widely used to track animal movements and survival. Rigorous testing protocols are necessary to ensure reliability in PIT tag performance and resulting data across various environmental conditions. This study aimed to document a comprehensive testing framework for PIT tags as a model for the broader biotelemetry community and to showcase how independent evaluations can validate the performance of new PIT tag offerings against established regional performance criteria. Independent testing and adherence to regionally applied standards were key components of this effort.ResultsThe Voda IQ HQ12, HQ10, HQ9, and HQ8 PIT tags were evaluated through a series of independent tests, including assessment of physical dimensions, electrical parameter testing, and proximity evaluations. The HQ10 and HQ9 tags passed all performance criteria, while the HQ12 tag excelled in most areas but exceeded the region's maximum weight threshold by 0.0022g. Despite this, the HQ12 tag showed strong detection efficiency and read range, particularly in challenging environments like the Bonneville Corner Collector. The HQ8 tags, while showing a more limited read range, offer advantages in applications requiring minimal tag burden. Independent testing played a crucial role in validating the performance of these tags under established protocols.ConclusionsThis study underscores the importance of rigorous testing for PIT tags to ensure reliability across diverse environmental conditions. Independent evaluations like these not only inform stakeholders, but also encourage the adoption of new technologies and vendors. The methods and results presented here offer a valuable model for testing new biotelemetry technologies, applicable across different species, ecosystems, and monitoring programs worldwide.

Flight power muscles have a coordinated, causal role in controlling hawkmoth pitch turns.

Flying insects solve a daunting control problem of generating a patterned and precise motor program to stay airborne and generate agile maneuvers. In this motor program, each muscle encodes information about movement in precise spike timing down to the millisecond scale. Whereas individual muscles share information about movement, we do not know whether they have separable effects on an animal's motion, or whether muscles functionally interact such that the effects of any muscle's timing depend heavily on the state of the entire musculature. To answer these questions, we performed spike-resolution electromyography and electrical stimulation in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta during tethered flapping. We specifically explored how flight power muscles contribute to pitch control. Combining correlational study of visually induced turns with causal manipulation of spike timing, we discovered likely coordination patterns for pitch turns, and investigated whether these patterns can drive pitch control. We observed significant timing change of the main downstroke muscles, the dorsolongitudinal muscles (DLMs), associated with pitch turns. Causally inducing this timing change in the DLMs with electrical stimulation produced a consistent, mechanically relevant feature in pitch torque, establishing that power muscles in M. sexta have a control role in pitch. Because changes were evoked in only the DLMs, however, these pitch torque features left large unexplained variation. We found this unexplained variation indicates significant functional overlap in pitch control such that precise timing of one power muscle does not produce a precise turn, demonstrating the importance of coordination across the entire motor program for flight.

Foraging strategies by a frugivorous primate (Eulemur rubriventer) shape spatial patterns of seed dispersal

Abstract The movement decisions of frugivores shape spatial patterns of seed deposition, with considerable impacts for plant individuals, populations and communities. However, we have limited understanding of the mechanisms determining the foraging strategies behind the movements of frugivorous animals and their interaction with the landscape. Using spatially explicit simulations we examined the movements and seed dispersal of red‐bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer) groups dispersing seeds of the tropical tree Harungana madagascariensis under four theorized foraging strategies. These included scenarios in which frugivores move directly to the (1) most rewarding plant in the landscape, (2) nearest fruiting plant, or towards the most rewarding plant in the landscape, with stops at any fruiting plants encountered along the way according to a local attraction distance of (3) 10 m and (4) 20 m. We then compared 12 metrics and data distributions for seed dispersal and movement patterns from these models to empirical observations. Simulations of foraging strategies with directed movement towards highly rewarding resources (strategy 1) produced the longest seed dispersal distances and best matched observed patterns. Observed data of lemur movements and directionality best matched results from three strategies, simulations towards highly rewarding resources without stops (strategy 1) and with either stops along the way with a 10 m (strategy 3) or 20 m (strategy 4) attraction distance. Collectively, our results supported the strategies in which lemurs moved consistently towards the small number of trees that produced the most fruit in the landscape. Our work supports incorporating a mechanistic understanding of animal foraging, movement behaviour and landscape patterns in fruit production for the prediction of seed movement. Explicit considerations of these mechanisms can improve our understanding of the maintenance and structure of diversity in plant communities, with implications for the conservation of forest ecosystems relying on animals for seed dispersal. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Rift Valley Fever outbreaks in the East African Community: insights from ProMed data (2010-2024).

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease that poses a serious threat to both humans and livestock across various regions, particularly in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of the Indian Ocean Islands. This study seeks to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution and trends of RVF outbreaks within the East African Community (EAC) countries, offering insights into the patterns and progression of these outbreaks in the region. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMed), a digital, event-based disease surveillance system, to identify reports of outbreak events in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and South Sudan from 2010 to 2024. Outbreak events were systematically tabulated by year, and each record was reviewed to assess RVF outbreak characteristics, locations, trends, and spatial-temporal distribution over the past 14 years. Between 2010 and 2024, 67 RVF outbreaks were documented across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and South Sudan, impacting both animal and human populations with confirmed cases and fatalities. Key interventions to contain these outbreaks included restricting animal movement, vaccination campaigns, disease awareness initiatives, enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, isolation, and treatment. Reporting of these outbreaks varied across regions, with a notable monthly increase in cases during May and June and the highest annual incidence observed in 2018. The recurrent and widespread outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever across East Africa highlight an urgent need for increased investment in research, surveillance, prevention, and control efforts to combat this disease.

The Gewanci Application Media based on Smart Apps Creator on the Material of Imitating Animal Movements

In learning Cultural Arts in the realm of Dance, grade 1 teachers at SD Kanisius Beringin Semarang have not effectively utilized available learning resources; therefore, new media development is needed. The researcher aims to develop, determine the feasibility results, and test the effectiveness of the Smart Apps Creator-based Gewanci application media on the material of Imitating Animal Movements.This kind of study is referred to as development research using the ADDIE model. The research subjects consisted of media experts and material experts. The test was conducted on twenty three students who were in grade 1 of SD. This research use quantitative data to examine development. Data is collected via many methods such as observation, interviews, questionnaires, and testing. Data collection is conducted using a Likert Scale questionnaire. Data analysis encompasses quantitative, qualitative, and inferential statistical methodologies. The result of this research is to produce a learning media in the form of Gewanci Application which distinguishes itself from other applications, namely there are 15 videos of movement imitating rabbit animals, accompanied by attractive images and audio. This application is specifically designed to be in line with the teaching material. The findings of the media and material validation scores indicate that there are a total number of material validation scores with a percentage validation value of 93.7%. This suggests that these scores are very practical. Furthermore, media validation was considered very realistic, with a validation value percentage of 91%. Based on the t-test results, the use of the Gewanci application media has a significant impact. The N-gain test revealed a moderate improvement in learning outcomes from the pretest to the posttest. The findings suggest that the Gewanci app, developed using Smart Apps Creator, adequately meets the needs of dance education.

Applying closed-loop equations for kinematic analysis of an eight-bar walking mechanism

Bionic mechanisms are used in constructing robotic systems that perform complex tasks similar to the movement of animals. With advancements in scientific research and breakthroughs in simulation techniques and computational methods, the design of these systems has become increasingly detailed and refined. This paper proposes using the closed-loop method to analyze the operational characteristics of a wheelless walking mechanism designed to traverse complex terrains. In addition to evaluating fundamental factors affecting system operation, the study determines kinematic parameters such as leg trajectory, movement velocity, and tilt angle. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of numerical methods in analyzing and simulating real-world systems, thus extending the use of computational tools for analyzing similar linkages.