Morphometric Body Research Articles

A008: Screening and Risk Factors Analysis of Scoliosis in College Students

Objective: To understand the prevalence of scoliosis in college students and the risk factors affecting it, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of spinal curvature abnormalities. Methods: During the physical examination of undergraduates at Wuhan Sports University, 523 undergraduates were initially screened for body morphometrics, other physical indicators, and scoliosis. The main screening indicators included ATR, ATI, Adams test, and thoracic kyphosis angle. Results: The prevalence of initial screening for scoliosis was 28.68%, in which female students (35.63%) were greater than male students (22.05%), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The positive prevalence of 30.67% for disciplines was greater than the prevalence of 27.78% for operative disciplines, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that gender, BMI, grip strength, and high and low shoulder were significant correlates (P < 0.05), while other indicators such as specialty, years of training, and arch index were not (P > 0.05). A paired-samples t-test was used for the difference between left and right grip strength, and the results showed that the difference was statistically significant (t = 10.649, P < 0.05). Conclusion: From the results of this initial screening of scoliosis in college students, gender, BMI, high and low shoulder, and grip strength are risk factors were strongly correlated with scoliosis, while other indicators such as major, years of training, and arch index were weakly correlated with scoliosis. More attention should be paid to female students, those with low BMI, those with large difference between left and right side grip strength, and those with high and low shoulders, and children and adolescents should be screened at regular intervals because the initial screening has a certain degree of error, and those who are screened positive should go to the hospital and take X-rays in a timely manner to further confirm the diagnosis, and those who have poor posture should be educated about their health and improved their postures. By screening college students for scoliosis, we can raise the importance of bad posture and scoliosis among college students, and at the same time alert other students and help those who already have the problem to seek treatment.

An Early-Life Disruption of Gut Microbiota Has Opposing Effects on Parasite Resistance in Two Host Species.

Gut microbiota regulate multiple aspects of host health, including metabolism and the development of the immune system. However, we still know relatively little about how the gut microbiota influences host responses to parasitism in wild organisms, particularly whether host-microbiota interactions contribute to variation in parasitism across host species. The goal of this study was to determine the role of gut microbiota in shaping how birds respond to nest parasites and investigate whether this relationship varies between host species. Both eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are parasitized by blow flies (Protocalliphora sialia), for which larval flies feed on nestlings' blood. We experimentally manipulated the gut microbiota of nestling bluebirds and tree swallows by dosing nestlings with an oral antibiotic or sterile water as a control. We then quantified nestling physiology (haemoglobin, glucose, parasite-specific IgY antibody levels), body morphometrics, and survival until fledging, as well as blow fly abundance and size. An experimental disruption of nestling gut microbiota increased parasite abundance in tree swallows, but decreased parasite abundance in bluebirds, which suggests that the disruption has opposing effects on resistance across host species. Furthermore, experimental treatment delayed parasite development and had variable effects on nestling body morphometrics and physiology across the two host species. Together, these results suggest that gut microbiota contribute to host differences in resistance to blow flies and can influence host-parasite interactions.

Emaciated enigma: Decline in body conditions of common dolphins in the Celtic Seas ecoregion

AbstractMonitoring the nutritional health of cetaceans has become increasingly important in a changing environment, where multiple stressors impact animals. Particularly for those species that require consumption of energy‐dense prey, such as the common dolphin. Thus far, no uniform measure for monitoring body condition has been recommended across cetaceans, and species‐specific measures may need to be developed if employed as a population condition indicator under Descriptor 1 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Here, nine morphometric body condition indices were applied to long‐term common dolphin stranding data sets originating from Ireland and the UK. We report a recent decline in the nutritional health of common dolphins in the Celtic Seas ecoregion comparing animals from 2017 to 2019 to animals from 1990 to 2006, with an increase in cases of animals dying due to starvation. Using ordinal regression trees, ventral blubber thickness (VBT) was identified as the most important index to predict nutritional status, defined at necropsy, followed by the scaled mass index (SMI). Using generalised linear models, both the VBT and SMI indices differentiated individuals that died from chronic and acute causes of death (i.e., bycatch), where animals in chronic conditions had significantly thinner VBT and lower SMI. Both significant temporal and seasonal patterns in VBT were identified, with poorer body conditions observed during the autumn and better body conditions observed during the spring, as well as an overall decline detected in VBT during the study period. While VBT was positively correlated with total body length, SMI showed the opposite trend. The VBT index is recommended for monitoring nutritional health within the species when total body length and season are considered. Further research is needed to understand the underlying causes for the observed decline, including shifts in prey availability and/or quality, to inform targeted conservation management strategies.

Small for Gestational Age Calves: Part I-Concept and Definition, Contributing Prenatal Factors and Neonatal Body Morphometrics in Holstein Friesian Calves.

Low birth weight (BW) calves exhibit higher mortality rates, reduced body weights at parturition, lower first-lactation milk yields, and longer parturition to first insemination intervals. In human medicine, small for gestational age (SGA) births are associated with increased perinatal morbidity and long-term metabolic risks. This study aimed to define SGA in Holstein Friesian (HF) calves, evaluate their body measurements and proportions, and identify its prenatal risk factors. Four linear regression models were built with weight as a function for gestation length for bull and heifer calves born from nulli- or multiparous dams. Calves with a BW below the 10th percentile were classified as SGA. Differences in body measurements were analyzed using ANOVA, and logistic regression models identified prenatal risk factors to be born SGA. Gestation length, calf sex, and dam parity were crucial variables in defining SGA. SGA calves had significantly smaller body measurements (p < 0.001) and larger body proportions (p < 0.001) compared to average and large calves. For nulliparous dams, a higher 2nd trimester temperature-humidity index (p = 0.032) and older age at parturition (>26 months, p = 0.026) significantly increased the birth of SGA calves. For multiparous dams, both low (<5800 kg, p = 0.049) and high (6700-8600 kg, p = 0.027) milk yields during gestation lead to more SGA births, although very high-yielding dams (>8600 kg) did not birth more SGA calves. This study establishes SGA in HF calves, suggests SGA calves are asymmetrical with evidence of "brain sparing", and highlights the impact of prenatal factors on calf size at birth. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of being born SGA on growth, reproductive performance, and productivity.

The head and body morphometrics of semi-intensively managed Kacang goats in the Talawi district, Sawahlunto, Indonesia

The head and body morphometrics of semi-intensively managed Kacang goats in the Talawi district, Sawahlunto, Indonesia

Нормированная система оценки предрасположенности к различным видам плавания

The article presents the results of a study conducted in the period from 2021 to 2023, involving 147 athletes - swimmers. The following morphometric body build indices were selected for normalization and identification of children's predisposition to swimming in different styles: body mass index (BMI), relative arm length index (RALI), ARE index (ARE), relative leg length index (RLI), Scelia index (SI), relative shoulder width index (RWI), Pinier index (PI), Erisman index (EI). As a result of the research the following results were obtained: for the butterfly style the most informative indices are ARE, SSPI, IE; for the backstroke method - IODR, IODN, IS; for the breaststroke method: IODN, IS, SSPI; for the freestyle: BMI, ARE, IP, IODR. Quantitative normalization of the obtained indices was carried out to identify high and low level of predisposition to the above mentioned styles of swimming-82B0-4

Vitamin and mineral supplementation to beef heifers during gestation: impacts on morphometric measurements of the neonatal calf, vitamin and trace mineral status, blood metabolite and endocrine profiles, and calf organ characteristics at 30h after birth.

To examine the effects of feeding a vitamin and mineral supplement to beef heifers throughout gestation on mineral status and hormone/endocrine profiles in the dam and calf, and morphometric characteristics and organ mass of the calf at 30h after birth, Angus-based heifers (n = 72, 14 to 15mo of age, initial body weight [BW] = 380.4 ± 50.56kg) were estrus synchronized and artificially inseminated (AI) with female-sexed semen. Heifers were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to receive either a basal diet (CON; n = 36) or a basal diet plus a vitamin and mineral supplement (VTM; n = 36) via an individual feeding system beginning at breeding, with both diets targeting BW gains of 0.45kg heifer-1·d-1. Heifers not pregnant after the first AI (CON, n = 19; VTM, n = 18) were rebred via AI 60d after treatment initiation, and heifers gestating female fetuses (CON, n = 7; VTM, n = 7) received treatments throughout gestation and were experimental units for this study. Calves were separated from their dams and fed colostrum replacer within 2h of birth and euthanized 30h after the first feeding. Calf morphometrics were recorded, and tissues were weighed and sampled. Serum from the dam at calving and serum, liver, and muscle from the calf at 30h were analyzed for concentrations of minerals. Serum from the dam and calf were analyzed for concentrations of leptin, vitamins A, D, and E, cortisol, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor 1. All response variables were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Calf body morphometrics and BW of the dam at calving (P ≥ 0.32), calf organ weights (P ≥ 0.21), and calf ovarian follicle counts (P ≥ 0.13) were not affected by maternal treatment. Concentrations of Se and Co in calf serum and Se in calf liver were increased (P ≤ 0.02) in VTM. Serum concentrations of Co and vitamin A in the dam were greater (P ≤ 0.01) in supplemented compared with nonsupplemented dams, and serum concentrations of vitamin D were greater (P ≤ 0.0003) in supplemented dams and calves compared with the nonsupplemented cohort. Maternal supplementation supported vitamin and mineral status in the neonate, yet had no discernable impact on BW, organ mass, or circulating hormones/metabolites in the calf. Evaluating offspring at later postnatal time points is warranted to determine if prenatal vitamin and mineral supplementation affects performance, health, metabolism, and efficiency of energy utilization in key metabolic tissues in the calf.

Effects of poor maternal diet during gestation are detected in F2 offspring.

Poor maternal nutrition of F0 ewes impairs F1 offspring growth, with minimal differences in glucose tolerance or select metabolic circulating factors, and independent of differences in residual feed intake (RFI). To determine if poor maternal nutrition in F0 ewes alters F2 offspring growth, circulating leptin, feed efficiency, or glucose tolerance, F0 ewes (n = 46) pregnant with twins were fed 100% (control), 60% (restricted), or 140% (over) of National Research Council requirements from days 30 ± 0.02 of gestation until parturition. At 16 to 19 mo of age, female F1 (n = 36) offspring were bred to generate F2 offspring [CON-F2 (n = 12 ewes; 6 rams), RES-F2 (n = 7 ewes; 13 rams), or OVER-F2 (n = 13 ewes; 9 rams) corresponding to diets of the granddam (F0)]. Lamb body weights (BW) and blood samples were collected weekly from days 0 to 28 and every 14 d until day 252 of age. Circulating leptin was measured in serum at days 0, 7, 14, 56, 210, and 252. An intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed at days 133 ± 0.28. At days 167 ± 0.33, individual daily intake was recorded over a 77-d feeding period to determine RFI. Rams were euthanized at days 285 ± 0.93, and body morphometrics, loin eye area (LEA), back fat thickness, and organ weights were collected and bone mineral density (BMD) and length were determined in the right hind leg. During gestation, OVER-F1 ewes tended to be 8.6% smaller than CON-F1 ewes (P ≤ 0.06). F2 offspring were of similar BW from birth to day 70 (P ≥ 0.20). However, from days 84 to 252, RES-F2 offspring tended to be 7.3% smaller than CON-F2 (P ≤ 0.10). Granddam diet did not influence F2 ram body morphometrics, organ or muscle weights, LEA, adipose deposition, or leg BMD (P ≥ 0.84). RES-F2 (-0.20) and CON-F2 (-0.45) rams tended to be more feed efficient than CON-F2 ewes (0.31; P ≤ 0.08). No effects of granddam diet were observed on glucose or insulin average or baseline concentrations, area under the curve, first-phase response, or ratio (P ≥ 0.52). However, CON-F2 rams (297mg/dL ± 16.5) had a greater glucose peak compared with RES-F2 rams (239mg/dL ± 11.2; P = 0.05). Peak insulin concentrations were not influenced by granddam diet (P = 0.75). At d 56, RES-F2 and OVER-F2 offspring had 53.5% and 61.8% less leptin compared with CON-F2 offspring, respectively (P ≤ 0.02). These data indicate that poor maternal nutrition impacts offspring growth into the second generation with minimal impacts on offspring RFI, glucose tolerance, and circulating leptin.

Ecophenotypic Variation of Midas Cichlid, Amphilophus citrinellus (Gunther, 1864), in Lake Batur, Bali, Indonesia.

Cichlid fishes exhibit rapid adaptive radiations with significant diversification rates in response to ecological variability, i.e., ecological opportunity or geographical isolation. The discovery of a Midas cichlid species in Lake Batur, Indonesia's largest volcanic lake, first reported in 2013, could represent such adaptations. Midas cichlids can now be found in a range of habitats in Lake Batur and dominate the lake's fish population by up to 60%. This study aimed to identify the interaction between habitat, water quality, and Midas cichlid in Lake Batur, facilitating morphometric variances in the fish populations. The fish were captured at five locations in Lake Batur using fishing rods, community nets with mesh sizes of 2-3 inches, experimental gillnets with mesh sizes of 1 inch, and fish scoops in floating net cages during August and November 2022. There were 46 fish samples caught from the five stations, all photographed using a digital camera and later measured using the ZEN 2012 software. The fish measurement employed a truss morphometric method using 21 distinct morphometric body features. Canonical analysis was used to determine the distribution of characteristics, while discriminant analysis was used to examine the closeness of association. The measured water quality parameters included pH, DO, temperature, conductivity, and TDS for in-situ and TSS, TP, TN, and chlorophyll A for ex-situ. The findings revealed morphometric changes among Midas cichlid species in Lake Batur caused by habitat and water quality differences. The distinction can be detected in the anterior and posterior bodies (C1, B1, C3, C6, C5, B3 and B4). Temperature and aquatic plants, Azolla pinnata, may detect the station and shape of fish in Lake Batur. Body shape cannot be identified by chlorophyll A, TN, DO, and TDS. Future genetic research could answer why fish groups with varied body types coexist in the same location.

PSVIII-25 Investigating the Effects of Poor Maternal Nutrition on F2 Offspring Growth, Residual Feed Intake, and Glucose Tolerance

Abstract Poor maternal nutrition impairs F1 offspring growth independent of changes in feed efficiency and glucose tolerance. To determine if poor maternal nutrition in F0 ewes contributes to F2 offspring growth, feed efficiency, and glucose tolerance, multiparous Dorset ewes (F0; n = 46) pregnant with twins were fed 100% (control), 60% (restricted) or 140% (over) of NRC requirements from d 30 of gestation until parturition. At 16 to 19 mo of age, female F1 (n = 37) offspring were bred to one of two related Dorset rams to generate F2 offspring, identified as CON-F2 (n = 12 ewes; 6 rams), RES-F2 (n = 7 ewes; 13 rams), or OVER-F2 (n = 13 ewes; 9 rams), corresponding to diets of the granddam. F2 offspring body weight (BW) was measured weekly from birth (d 0) to d 28 and every 14 d until d 252. From d 0 to 70, granddam diet did not influence F2 BW (P ≥ 0.18). However, from d 84 to d 154, RES-F2 tended to be 9.42% lighter than CON-F2 with OVER-F2 intermediate (P ≤ 0.08), and from d 224 to d 252 RES-F2 tended to be 6.47% and 6.29% lighter than CON-F2 and OVER-F2, respectively (P ≤ 0.07). Overall, F2 rams were 8.36 kg heavier than F2 ewes (P &amp;lt; 0.0001). At d 133 ± 0.28 an intravenous glucose tolerance test (0.25 g/kg BW of a 50% dextrose solution) was performed. Glucose and insulin concentrations were determined using commercial kits. Granddam diet did not influence glucose or insulin average or baseline concentrations, area under the curve, first-phase response, or ratio (P ≥ 0.52). However, granddam diet influenced glucose peak response in rams, where CON-F2 rams (297 ± 16.5 mg/dL) had greater glucose peak compared with RES-F2 rams (239 ± 11.2 mg/dL; P = 0.05). At d 167 ± 0.33, daily intake of a complete pelleted feed was recorded using Super SmartFeeders over a 77-day feeding period. A treatment by sex interaction was detected for F2 offspring residual feed intake (RFI; P = 0.08) where CON-F2 ewes (0.31 ± 0.12 kg/d) tended to be less feed efficient than CON-F2 rams (-0.45 ± 0.20 kg/d) and RES-F2 rams (-0.20 ± 0.13 kg/d). Alternately, OVER-F2 ewes (0.16 ± 0.13 kg/d), OVER-F2 rams (0.02 ± 0.15 kg/d), RES-F2 ewes (-0.06 ± 0.18 kg/d), and RES-F2 rams were all of similar (P ≥ 0.34) feed efficiency. Rams were euthanized at d 285 ± 0.93 and body morphometrics, and organ weights were collected. No effect of granddam diet (P ≥ 0.25) on F2 ram morphometric measurements, organ weights, or muscle weights (P ≥ 0.15) were detected at time of necropsy. These data indicate that nutrient restriction during gestation decreases F2 offspring BW independent of RFI and glucose tolerance.

Relationship between body morphometrics and prolificacy of Jawarandu goats in sun farm Semarang regency

This research aimed to analyse the relationship between body morphometrics and prolificacy of Jawarandu goats in Sun Farm Semarang Regency. The purposive sampling method is used to collect the research object samples. The samples of this research are 10 Jawarandu goat mothers that had given birth (single or twins), aged 2-3 years, and had given birth 2-3 times. This research's observation variables are divided into two variable groups which are prolificacy rate as dummy variables and morphometrics as dependent variables. The morphometric variables observed include body height (BH), body length (BL), chest circumference (CC), and hip width (HW). The data is analysed using regression analysis with the dummy (D) variables. If the prolificacy is low (mother goat with a single kid) then D=0, and if the prolificacy is high (mother goat with twins) then D=1. Based on the regression analysis, the chest circumference and hip width are significantly related to prolificacy with the regression equation of CC = 77,335 + 5,778 D and HW = 16,418 + 1,972 D. The body height and body length are not significantly related to prolificacy. In conclusion, chest circumference and hip width are closely connected with prolificacy. The possibility of twin births in Jawarandu goats increases with bigger chest circumference and hip width.

Growth Pattern and Physiological Response of Japanese Quails to Administered Aqueous Solution of Egg Lime Molasses Mixture

Background: Japanese quails have the potentials of being cheap source of animal protein. This study was conducted to determine the growth pattern and physiological response of Japanese quails to administration of aqueous solution of egg lime molasses mixture (ELM). Methods: ELM was prepared by placing fresh eggs in a bowl after which 1 liter of lime juice and 500 g of molasses were added and left for 10 days at temperature of 27°C and relative humidity of 61%. The entire solution was then blended together. Two hundred day old Japanese quails were assigned to five treatments (4 replicates/treatment) with forty birds in a completely randomized design (CRD). The control (T1) having no administration of ELM, T2 had an inclusion level of 10 ml, T3: 20 ml, T4: 30 ml and T5: 40 ml ELM all into 500 ml of water. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. The study was carried out for 49 days. Data were collected on growth, morphometrics and key physiology parameters. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance using SPSS Version 22. Result: Significant difference (p less than 0.05) was observed only for feed conversion ratio at the starter phase, however, birds administered 20 ml ELM/500 ml of water had the best FCR. Significant differences (p less than 0.05) were observed for live weight and weight gain at the finisher phase. Significant differences (p less than 0.05) were observed in body morphometrics with birds administered 20 ml/500 ml of water having the highest values. There were significant differences (p less than 0.05) in rectal temperature and respiratory rate at the starter phase while at the finisher phase, significant difference (p less than 0.05) was only observed in rectal temperature. It can be concluded from this study that aqueous administration of egg lime molasses solution in the diet of Japanese quails has no detrimental effect on the growth pattern and physiological response.

Preening cups increase apparent wet preening behaviors, but have no impact on other behaviors, body condition, growth, or body morphometrics of grow-out Pekin ducks

Preening cups may be a form of open water that would allow ducks to express preening behaviors. We set out to test the hypothesis that preening cups would not have detrimental effects on ducks or their environment. Control pens (N=6, 65 ducks/pen) had nipple lines while experimental pens (N=6, 65 ducks/pen) had the same nipple line plus one preening cup (PC). Body weights of 30 ducks per pen, and body condition scores on 50 ducks per pen were recorded weekly. On d 18 and 43, 5 ducks per pen were euthanized and their spleens, Bursas, liver, and uropygial glands were weighed. Behavior data were collected using scan sampling with video being recorded for 72 continuous hours at 4 different ages: 25 d, 30 d, 36 d, and 40 d. Body morphometrics were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Body condition scoring was analyzed by Pearson's chi-square. The GLIMMIX procedure (SAS 9.4) was used for behavioral analyses to examine treatment differences in the proportion of ducks performing dry preening, wet preening, eating, drinking, standing, and laying down. Feather pecking, feather picking, preening conspecifics (also known as allopreening), dunking head, and drinking from preening cup were analyzed using PROC LOGISTIC with the Firth bias correction for quasi-complete separation and odds ratios were calculated. More PC ducks housed with PC performed wet preening compared to control ducks (25 d: F1,26=6.90, P=0.0143; 30, 36, and 40 d; F1,78=24.53, P < 0.0001). Ducks in the PC group were also more likely to lay down compared to controls (25 d: F1,33=4.95, P=0.0330). No differences were observed for any other behavior, body condition score, body weight or morphometrics at any age. Although ducks in the preening cup group showed an increase in wet preening, our data suggest that open water is not necessary to maintain feather condition or uropygial gland size.

Age, growth and length-to-weight relationship of largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) in south-eastern Australia suggest a distinct population

The age, growth rates and length to weight relationships for the south-eastern Australian population of largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) were investigated for the first time. Age was estimated by counting annuli in sectioned sagittal otoliths, with a maximum age of 8 years estimated for males and females. We found no significant differences in the growth rates of males and females over the size (12–78 cm pre-anal length (PL)) and age (0–8 years) ranges sampled. However, females in our collection were larger on average than males, and all fish sampled >60 cm PL were female, suggesting that females may grow to larger sizes than males and that sampling of greater numbers of larger and older fish may be required in future. T. lepturus growth was described by the von Bertalanffy growth function parameters L∝ = 74.89 cm PL, K = 0.13yr−1 and t0 = −0.80 yr, with the L∝ being amongst the largest reported for the species. Growth was variable, with the sizes at any given age spanning up to 50 cm PL. Female T. lepturus increased in body weight relative to length faster than males, as has been reported in other populations. The length/weight relationship for the south-eastern Australian population was significantly different, with almost no overlap, from that reported for T. lepturus in the Arabian Sea. The substantial differences in growth rates, maximum sizes and body morphometrics of T. lepturus from south-eastern Australia in comparison to other populations globally are consistent with the hypotheses that it represents a distinct population, although investigations using additional population markers are required to verify this.

Fish morphometric body condition indices reflect energy reserves but other physiological processes matter

Morphometric indices of body condition are assumed to reflect an animal’s health and ultimately its fitness, but their physiological significance remains a matter of debate. These indices are indeed usually considered as proxies of energy reserves, ignoring other physiological processes involved in animal health such as nutritional, immune and hormonal states. Given the wide variety of ecological processes investigated through morphometric body condition indices in marine sciences, there is a clear need to determine whether morphometric indices reflect primarily individuals’ energy reserves or their broader integrated physiological status. To address this issue, we used morphometric and physiological data (cortisol level, oxidative stress, digestive enzymes activity, and both fatty acids percentage and total amount) collected in three stocks of the European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) presenting contrasted patterns of growth and body condition. We found that morphometric body condition indices are indeed mainly and consistently linked to a proxy of the amount of lipid reserves (i.e., fatty acids amount), but also significantly to quality of lipid reserves (i.e., fatty acids percentage) and fish chronic stress (scale cortisol levels). We found no significant relationship between morphometric indices of body condition and both oxidative stress proxies and variables measuring digestive enzymes activity. Our study confirmed that morphometric body condition indices primarily reflect the variance in individuals’ lipid reserves and to a lesser extent the actual composition of these reserves (linked to differences in fish diet) and scale cortisol levels (indicating fish metabolism and/or their chronic stress levels). Therefore, some non-energetic aspects should be considered when studying individuals’ responses to environmental changes and other key physiological processes (oxidative stress proxies, activity of digestive enzymes) should be investigated directly to support scientific-based decision-making in the context of climate change.

Fermented water of Thai herbs effectively enhanced amputated fin regeneration in Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)

The aggression of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) during courtship and reproductive behaviors can result in torn fins. However, the natural regeneration of torn fins has been significantly improved by treating fish with fermented water of plants. We amputated half of the caudal fin of male Siamese fighting fish (1.29 ± 0.01 g body weight) in the vertical plane. The amputated fish were individually reared in fermented water containing eight combinations of herbs that included dried Indian almond (Terminalia catappa) leaf (IAL, 0.25 g L−1), dried banana (Musa sapientum) leaf (BL, 1.5 g L−1), and dried papaya (Carica papaya) leaf (PL, 2.5 g L−1) as major ingredients. Other ingredients included dried lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) leaf (LL, 1 g L−1), dried clay (50 g L−1), and salt (5 g L−1). For comparison, other fish were reared in non-fermented water. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design for five weeks, comprising fifteen fish per treatment. Individual fish served as experimental units. Fin regeneration was monitored weekly while growth performance was recorded at the end of the trial. The herbal treatments had no effects on growth, body morphometrics, and feed utilization (P > 0.05). However, fin regeneration was statistically improved for the fish reared in combinations of IAL, BL, and PL (P < 0.05). Among these alternative treatments, red color intensity was fully redeveloped in fish reared in three herbal treatments (P < 0.05) that all contained dried papaya leaf (BL + PL, IAL + PL, and IAL + BL + PL). Therefore, those three treatments effectively enhanced fin regeneration.

A test of the green wave hypothesis in omnivorous brown bears across North America

Herbivorous animals tend to seek out plants at intermediate phenological states to improve energy intake while minimizing consumption of fibrous material. In some ecosystems, the timing of green‐up is heterogeneous and propagates across space in a wave‐like pattern, known as the green wave. Tracking the green wave allows individuals to prolong access to higher‐quality forage. While there is a plethora of empirical support for such behavior in herbivorous taxa, the green wave hypothesis (GWH) is nuanced based on factors such as body morphometrics and digestive capacity. Furthermore, little is known about whether other taxa, such as omnivores, track the green wave. Our objective was to assess whether the GWH can be extended to explain the movements of omnivores. Using GPS collar data from seven populations (n = 127 individuals) of brown bears Ursus arctos across their entire North American range, we first tested whether bears tracked the green wave. Using conditional resource selection functions (RSFs), we found that variation in proxies of vegetative forage quality better explained movement and habitat selection than proxies of forage biomass in over half of the bears in our study, providing evidence of green wave tracking. Second, we assess factors that explained variation in green wave tracking using linear mixed effects models. Green wave tracking in brown bears was explained by the variation in availability of green‐up within spring home ranges, and how green‐up transitioned across those home ranges. Our results demonstrate that the GWH can partially explain movement of a non‐migratory omnivorous species, extending the generality of the GWH as a broad predictor of animal space use. The green wave is another resource wave brown bears track, and our findings help predict brown bear space use, which can be used to guide conservation and habitat restoration efforts.

The Atlantic salmon's (Salmo salar) incremental thermal maximum is a more relevant and sensitive indicator of family-based differences in upper temperature tolerance than its critical thermal maximum

Rising sea surface temperatures and heat waves are a challenge to salmon aquaculture, and the industry must endeavour to mitigate their impacts. To investigate genetic-based differences in upper thermal tolerance, 20 salmon families were exposed to an incremental temperature increase (+0.2 °C per day from 12 °C) to mimic the rise in temperatures experienced at sea-cages in Atlantic Canada during the summer, or held at 10 °C. Post-smolt Atlantic salmon exposed to the incremental temperature increase up to 20 °C gained more weight than fish reared at 10 °C over the same period, and there were family-specific differences (p < 0.05) in growth and body morphometrics. Significant differences were also detected between the families' incremental thermal maximum (ITMax), with average family ITMax values ranging from 23.3 to 25.0 °C. Fish weight and growth rate were not significantly related to ITMax, but a negative correlation (p < 0.01) was found between hepatosomatic index (HSI) and ITMax. In contrast, the critical thermal maximum (CTMax, measured using a temperature increase of 2 °C h−1 from 10 °C) of the bottom and top four temperature tolerant families (as determined by ITMax) did not differ (∼28.0 °C). A negative correlation (p < 0.01) between HSI and CTMax was also found. However, no relationship was evident between relative ventricular mass (RVM) and ITMax or CTMax. Our data show that ITMax is a more sensitive metric of a salmon's upper temperature tolerance than even an ‘environmentally relevant/realistic’ CTMax test, and suggest that it could be used in breeding programs that aim to enhance the salmon's tolerance to withstand rising ocean temperatures.

Lebranche mullet Mugil liza population structure and connectivity patterns in the southwest Altantic ocean using a multidisciplinary approach

Previous meristic analysis of the oblique scale counts (OSC) of Mugil liza showed a bimodal pattern within the southern stock, between São Paulo, Brazil (−24°S), and Samborombón Bay, Argentina (−35°S), allowing the identification of two morphotypes (BR1 and BR2). The Brazilian group with lower number of OSC was represented by morphotype 1 (BR1), while the group with higher number of OSC was referred as morphotype 2 (BR2), which could represent distinct subpopulation-units. This study aims at evaluating 1) the population structure of M. liza in Brazilian waters through meristics and body morphometrics from individuals captured by the industrial purse seine fishery, and 2) to assess the possible connectivity between individuals collected off southeast-south Brazil with specimens sampled in Argentinean waters (AR) through otolith shape and microchemistry analyses. Combined meristic and morphometric analyses of fish bodies captured in Brazilian waters allowed to discriminate morphotypes (BR1 and BR2) characterized by different body proportions, head profiles and relative positions of the eye. BR1 presented on average 34 OSC, contrasting with 36 of BR2. For mullets born in two-time distinct intervals, (i) 2008–2011 and (ii) 2011–2014, otolith shape analyses associated AR to BR2, and evidenced a distinct otolith outline from BR1, while multi-elemental otolith core analyses showed no significant differences between AR and BR2. It suggests that the mechanisms responsible for the elemental deposition during the early life history for these two sub-populations (AR + BR2) were significantly different compared to BR1. Univariate analyses of the otolith fingerprints (core and edge) showed higher significant levels in Cd/Ca, Cu/Ca, Fe/Ca, Li/Ca, Mn/Ca, Ni/Ca and Zn/Ca for BR1 compared to AR and BR2. The hereby morpho-meristic data and univariate elemental fingerprints suggest distinct environments inhabited by fish along the western coast of South America. Furthermore, the multi-elemental otolith core results suggested the existence of more than one nursery area for the species. In conclusion, the two morphotypes identified (BR1 and BR2+AR) should be considered as two sub-populations within the mullets southern stock for fisheries management purposes.

Morphological description and life history of the Philippine endemic Limnonectes leytensis Leyte swamp frog in Rogongon, Iligan City, Philippines

Abstract. Flores ABA, Diesmos AC, Nu?eza OM. 2022. Morphological description and life history of the Philippine endemic Limnonectes leytensis Leyte swamp frog in Rogongon, Iligan City, Philippines. Biodiversitas 23: 133-139. The Philippine endemic Limnonectes leytensis (Leyte Swamp Frog) is a widespread species, however, most studies concerning it only focus on adult stages, except for the study on Negros Island. With this, we conducted a study on the morphology and life history of L. leytensis in Rogongon, Iligan City, Philippines. We collected different tadpole stages through opportunistic sampling. Gosner developmental stages 23 to 40 were considered and measured using standard tadpole body morphometrics. Linear regression was used for modeling the relationship between the different morphometrics. Results showed that the tadpoles have a depressed body, dorsolateral eye position and has golden, light to dark brown pigmentation. Apart from this, its mouthpart showed an anteroventral shape, and the labial tooth row formula is 1/2-3, showing a single row in the upper lip and three rows in the lower lip, having the 3rd row half the length of the other two, which is different to that of the results of the past studies which reported that the labial tooth was 1/2:1-1 showing a broken gap in the first tooth row of the lower lip. The analysis revealed a positive relationship between different morphometrics to the total length (body length rs: 0.96; tail length rs: 0.99; musculature height rs: 0.90 and maximum tail height rs: 0.85) with a significance value of &lt;0.001. The data generated from this study will ignite future efforts on tadpole research in the country, given that there are differences found in the tadpoles from different regions.