Body Size Characteristics Research Articles

Quantitative Relation of the Point BarWidth and Meander Belt Width of Subsurface Reservoir

Due to large lateral oscillation amplitude, it tends to form complex meander belt in meandering river, which makes the internal sand body size and distribution characteristics of meandering river deposits in different region very complex. Subsurface reservoir architectural elements analysis based on the experience formula summarized from the outcrop and modern deposition research tends to have greater uncertainty. Microfacies sandbody size was measured through fine reservoir architecture research on mature area of target oilfield, it is concluded that meandering river microfacies sandbody scale is closely related to the size of the sedimentary system, the point bar width has the highest degree in related to meander belt width in the narrow banding patterns. Under different curvature, meandering river point bar length and width present a certain positive correlation, when the curvature is less than 1.7, the correlation is higher. The quantitative relation of different configuration unit of the target oilfield was established，it provided a quantitative basis for fine research and geological modeling on less well area of target oilfield and similar oilfield.

Trust, caring and organizational learning: the leader’s role

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether principals can have an impact on organizational learning (OL). The authors use a cultural perspective, based both in the emerging literature from positive psychology and the relatively well-developed research tradition in studying the nature and impacts of OL to address four questions: first, is principal’s cognitive trust in teachers’ professional capacities related to knowledge sharing/OL among teachers?; second, is principal’s trust in teachers’ professional capacities related to teachers’ reports of being in a caring school setting (relational trust)?; third, is principal caring related to knowledge sharing/OL among teachers?; and fourth, is principal trust particularly important in school contexts with low income students?Design/methodology/approachAn existing database that includes principal and teacher surveys in 116 schools in the USA provides the basis for examining the four questions. Optimized scaling techniques were used to develop measures of principal trust in teachers professional capacities, teachers’ perception of principal caring, an indicator of academic support for students that includes a social justice of equity emphasis, and capacity for OL. The demographic characteristics of the student body and school size were used as possible moderating variables. The data were subject to both regression and path analysis.FindingsPrincipal trust was directly related to teachers’ perceptions of principal caring, and indirectly related to OL. The measure of academic support for students had the strongest direct effect on OL. While the percentage of non-white students and school size had some relationship to OL, they do not change the overall results. The model, which supports the role that principals play in fostering both equity and OL is sustained when the authors examine student achievement.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the study stem largely from the nature of the sample and measures, which are confined to 116 schools in the USA, and a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey database. Because understanding the dynamics of a relationship-based/positive leadership perspective require detailed qualitative studies and longitudinal data, the results are presented as suggestive of issues that should be studied further.Originality/valueBoth trust and OL have been extensively studied both in education and other settings. However, few studies have simultaneously examined leadership, different types of trust and OL and none have done so in the context of positive psychology. The contribution of this analysis is thus empirical (extending the boundaries of what is known using concepts that are familiar) and theoretical (beginning the development of a theory of positive leadership that incorporates multiple factors associated with healthy and productive school environments).

Association between bicuspid aortic valve morphotype and regional dilatation of the aortic root and trunk

Thoracic aortic disease, including thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), is frequently seen in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). We hypothesized that BAV morphotype would be associated with aortic aneurysm phenotypes but that other patient variables would significantly modify this relationship. 829 patients between 18 and 90 years with BAV and available raw imaging of the aortic valve and the ascending aorta to its mid-portion prior to aortic valve and aortic surgery were examined. The sinuses of Valsalva and proximal ascending aorta were measured from 2-dimensional co-planar echocardiographic images. We observed strong associations between patient habitus and raw and normalized dimensions of the aortic root and ascending aorta. Patients with R-L morphotype presented at an older age with larger aortic root but similar ascending aortic dimensions. After accounting for patient morphometric characteristics and severity of aortic valve disease, patients with R-L valve morphotype were marginally more likely to have an aortic root aneurysm (86% vs. 78%; P = 0.043), defined as aortic root dimension Z score ≥3. We observed only small differences in aortic dimensions between BAV morphotypes, that are eclipsed by variation in patient habitus. We interpret these findings to mean that BAV patients will not likely benefit from therapies based on aortic valve morphotype. Rather, we propose that all BAV patients should undergo longitudinal follow-up, independent of valve morphotype. Guidelines for aortic surgery based upon dimensions alone may be improved by considering patient characteristics such as age, body size and other characteristics.

개선된 Floor Field Model과 다른 피난시뮬레이션 모델의 비교 연구

본 연구는 보행자의 물리적 특성(크기, 모양, 자세 등)을 적용한 개선된 플로어 필드 모델(Floor field model; FFM)을 소개하고, 개선된 모델과 널리 알려진 다른 피난시뮬레이션 모델과의 비교를 통해 FFM의 한계점 파악 및 개선된 모델의 특징을 분석하고자 한다. FFM은 셀룰라 오토마타(Cellular automata)를 이용한 대표적 미시적 관점 보행 모델이지만 보행자의 크기, 모양, 자세 등의 물리적 특성을 세밀하게 반영하지 않는다. 이로 인해 보행자들 간의 충돌, 마찰 등의 현상을 모델링하기 어려우며 결과적으로 다른 모델들과 비교하였을 경우에 매우 짧은 대피 시간을 산출하고 있다. 본 연구는 물리적 현상을 반영할 수 있는 개선된 FFM을 제시하며, 개선된 모델과 기존 FFM, 시뮬렉스(Simulex), 패스파인더(Pathfinder) 등 다른 모델들과의 비교 실험을 수행하였다. 실험은 실제 캠퍼스 건물의 일부 공간을 대상으로 진행되었으며, 대피 인원의 변화에 따른 대피 양상의 비교와 각 출구별 대피 양상의 비교가 수행되었다. 이를 통해 FFM에서는 반영되지 않던 물리적 현상들이 개선된 모델에서는 상용 모델 수준으로 적용되는 점과 특히 시뮬렉스와 유사한 형태의 대피 양상을 보임을 확인하였다. In this study, we propose an improved Floor Field Model(FFM) that considers the physical characteristics of pedestrians, i.e., body size, shape, and posture. Also we analyse limits of FFM and features of improved model compared with existing evacuation simulation models. FFM is a typical microscopic pedestrian model using CA, but it does not reflect the physical characteristics of pedestrians. Because of this, FFM is difficult to modeling phenomena such as collision, friction between pedestrians. As a result, FFM calculates a very short evacuation time when compared with the other models. We performed a computational experiment to compare improved model with other models such as FFM, Simulex, Pathfinder in an actual campus building. We carried out a comparison of evacuation aspect according to the change in number of evacuees. Also we compared evacuation aspect by exit. Finally, we confirmed that improved model reflects physical phenomena which were not reflected in FFM. Especially, experimental results were very similar to the Simulex.

The Association Between Body Size and Breast Cancer in Han Women in Northern and Eastern China.

Although obesity has been reported worldwide as a risk factor for breast cancer, there are still some inconsistencies regarding the association between obesity and breast cancer. Body mass index (BMI) is used most to assess the extent of obesity; however, the association of other body size characteristics, such as waist and hip circumference, with susceptibility to breast cancer in Chinese Han women needs to be better assessed. Female Chinese Han patients (N = 2,800) were recruited from 21 hospitals in northern and eastern China from April 2012 to April 2013 for a case-control study. The significant differences of factors related to body size between the breast-cancer case and control groups were determined by Student's t test and chi-square tests. Premenopausal women with breast cancer had higher BMI and larger waist and hip circumferences (p = 2 × 10-4, <1 × 10-6, and 2 × 10-5, respectively). However, these body-size factors were not associated with postmenopausal breast cancer (p = .45, 0.32, and 0.12, respectively). BMI between 28 and 30 kg/m2 or greater than 32 kg/m2 was related to breast cancer incidence in the overall study population and in premenopausal women but not in the postmenopausal group. Obesity is significantly associated with breast cancer in Chinese Han premenopausal women but not in postmenopausal women. Thus, it is important to realize that weight control, as well as avoiding abdominal obesity, should be considered as one of the most effective methods of reducing breast cancer risk. To better understand the characteristics and risk factors for breast cancer in Han women in northern and eastern China, a case-control study of 2,800 Chinese Han women was conducted. Obesity was significantly associated with breast cancer in Chinese Han premenopausal women but not in postmenopausal women. Consequently, controlling body weight and avoiding abdominal obesity should be considered as one of the most effective methods of reducing breast cancer susceptibility. However, the diversity between this study's finding among Chinese Han women and other data previously reported among European and American populations still needs further investigation.

Body Size Changes Among National Collegiate Athletic Association New England Division III Football Players, 1956-2014: Comparison With Age-Matched Population Controls.

Collegiate football programs encourage athletes to pursue high body weights. To examine position-dependent trends over time in body size characteristics among football players in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) from 1956 to 2014 and to compare the observed absolute and relative changes with those in age-matched male population controls. Descriptive laboratory study. Medical school affiliated with a NESCAC institution. Football team rosters from the 10-member NESCAC schools, available as public documents, were analyzed along with body size data from general population males aged 20 to 29 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Body weight, height, and calculated body mass index were evaluated using analysis of variance, linear regression, and nonlinear regression to determine the distribution features of size variables and changes associated with time (year), school, and position. Among NESCAC linemen, absolute and relative changes over time in body weight and body mass index exceeded corresponding changes in the NHANES population controls. New England Small College Athletic Conference offensive linemen body weights increased by 37.5% from 1956 to 2014 (192 to 264 lb [86.4 to 118.8 kg]), compared with a 12% increase (164 to 184 lb [73.8 to 82.8 kg]) since 1961 in the NHANES population controls. Body mass index changed in parallel with body weight and exceeded 35 kg/m(2) in more than 30% of contemporary NESCAC offensive linemen. Among skill players in the NESCAC group, time-related changes in body size characteristics generally paralleled those in the NHANES controls. High body weight and body mass indices were evident in offensive linemen, even among those in Division III football programs with no athletic scholarships. These characteristics may be associated with adverse cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. We need approaches to encourage risk modification in the postfootball lifestyles of these individuals.

Evaluating evolutionary pressures and phylogenetic signal in earthworms: a case study - the number of typhlosole lamellae in Hormogastridae (Annelida, Oligochaeta)

Rarely have phylogenetic comparative methods been used to study the correlation between phenotypic traits and environmental variables in invertebrates. With the widespread convergence and conservativeness of the morphological characters used in earthworms, these comparative methods could be useful to improve our understanding of their evolution and systematics. One of the most prominent morphological characters in the family Hormogastridae, endemic to Mediterranean areas, is their multilamellar typhlosole, traditionally thought to be an adaptation to soils poor in nutrients. We tested the correlation of body size and soil characteristics with the number of typhlosole lamellae through a phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) analysis. An ultrametric phylogenetic hypothesis was built with a 2580-bp DNA sequence from 90 populations, used in combination with three morphological and 11 soil variables. The best-supported model, based on the Akaike information criterion, was obtained by optimizing the parameters lambda (λ), kappa (κ), and delta (δ). The phylogenetic signal was strong for the number of typhlosole lamellae and average body weight, and was lower for soil variables. Increasing body weight appeared to be the main evolutionary pressure behind the increase in the number of typhlosole lamellae, with soil texture and soil richness having a weaker but significant effect. Information on the evolutionary rate of the number of typhlosole lamellae suggested that the early evolution of this character could have strongly shaped its variability, as is found in an adaptive radiation. This work highlights the importance of implementing the phylogenetic comparative method to test evolutionary hypotheses in invertebrate taxa.

Morphometrics Studies on Females &lt;i&gt;Anopheles arabiensis&lt;/i&gt; Patton (Diptera: Culicidae) from Kassala State, Eastern Sudan

Anopheles arabiensis Patton (1905) is the most important malaria vector in Sudan. A morphometric analysis was carried out to characterize the morphology of adult females An. arabiensis and to test the existence of morphological variations among local populationsof females An. arabiensis found in eastern Sudan.Adult females An. arabiensis were collected from four sites in Kassala State, eastern Sudan (Kassala, New Halfa, Aroma and Wager). In addition, An. arabiensis specimens, obtained from Sennar laboratory colony were also used in the study. Collection of females An. arabiensis mosquitoes was done by hand capture during the rainy season 2008. Thirty seven morphological characters were examined on samples representing each of the collection sites. One Way ANOVA testshowed significant differences in most of the measured characters on females An. arabiensis . Principal component analysis showed that the populations studied differed mainly in the body size of mosquito. A discriminant function analysis was used, based on the new variables generated by principal component analysis, to select an aggregate of morphological characters which collectively could differentiate local populations of females An. arabiensis and to assess the reliability associated with multivariate statistics. Using the body size measurements, the analysis revealed that geographical clustering of field collected females An. arabiensis populations were not clear and the body size characters had little discrimination values. The cluster analysis summarized the phylogenetic relationships among the different populations of An. arabiensis according to their mean body sizes . Laboratory colony samples had a smaller body size compared to the field collected ones. The morphometric analysis confirmed the existence of some geographical variations in the mosquito body size among local populations of An. arabiensis in eastern Sudan.

卵胎生入侵种食蚊鱼的两性异形和雌性繁殖输出

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 卵胎生入侵种食蚊鱼的两性异形和雌性繁殖输出 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201412032399 作者: 作者单位: 丽水学院生态学院,丽水学院生态学院,丽水学院生态学院,丽水学院生态学院 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金项目(31270443);浙江省大学生科技创新活动计划(2013R429025) Sexual dimorphism and female reproductive outputs of the ovoviviparous and invasive mosquitofish Gambusia affinis Author: Affiliation: College of Ecology,Lishui University,College of Ecology,Lishui University,College of Ecology,Lishui University,College of Ecology,Lishui University Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:检测了卵胎生入侵种食蚊鱼(Gambusia affinis)繁殖期个体大小和形态特征的两性异形以及雌性繁殖输出。结果表明,繁殖期,雌性个体的数量显著大于雄性个体,雌性个体的体长显著大于雄性个体,食蚊鱼属于偏向雌性的两性异形。以体长为协变量的One-wayANCOVA及后续的Tukey's检验显示,特定体长食蚊鱼的雌性个体的头宽、眼间距、体宽和体重均显著大于雄性个体;头长和尾鳍长的两性间差异不显著。6个形态特征变量的主成分分析(Eigenvalue≥1)发现,前2个主成分共解释65.1%的变异。头宽、眼间距、体宽和体重在第一主成分有较高的正负载系数(解释45.4%变异),头长在第二主成分有较高的负负载系数(解释19.7%变异)。食蚊鱼的繁殖输出与母体个体大小的线性回归显示,窝仔数和窝仔重均与母体体长、体重呈显著的正相关;食蚊鱼的繁殖输出与母体局部特征的线性回归显示,窝仔数和窝仔重均与母体头宽、眼间距和体宽呈显著的正相关。窝仔数与后代个体的平均体长呈显著的正相关、与后代个体的平均体重相关不显著,后代个体大小与数量不发生权衡。食蚊鱼繁殖期的性别比例、个体大小和局部形态特征的两性异形受生育力选择、性选择、生态位分化、食物竞争等多种选择压力的作用,也有利于该物种种群扩张和快速入侵。 Abstract:In this study, we measured the sexual dimorphism in body size and six other mophometrical variables along with the individual fecundity in females of ovoviviparous and invasive mosquitofish Gambusia affinis, collected in Lishui (Zhejiang, eastern China), during the reproductive season. The results showed that the number of adult females was more than that of the males during the breeding season, and the body length of adult females was significantly longer than that of adult males. Therefore, G. affinis is a species with highly female-biased sexual size dimorphism. One-way analysis of variance with body length as a covariate showed significantly higher (P<0.0001) head width, interorbital width, body width, and body mass for G. affinis females than males, while no significant sexual differences were identified based on the head length or caudal fin length. A principal component analysis resolved two components (with Eigenvalues ≥ 1) from six morphometrical variables, accounting for 65.1% of variation in the original data. The first component (45.4% variance explained) had high positive loading for size-free values of head width, interorbital width, body width, and body mass; and the second component (19.7% variance explained) had high negative loading for the size-free value of head length. Analysis of unary linear regression showed that the reproductive outputs (including brood size and mass) of G. affinis positively correlated with the female body length, body mass, head width, interorbital width, and body width. Brood size positively correlated with the average body length of offspring, but there was no correlation between the brood size and the average body mass. No trade-off was identified between the size and number of offspring. Sexual dimorphism in sex ratio, body size, and local characteristics of G. affinis was influenced by a variety of selection pressure parameters, including fecundity selection, sexual selection, niche differentiation, and food competition during the breeding season. Sexual dimorphism also contributed to population expansion and rapid invasion of the species. Our results have provided some basic data for further studies on the evolution mechanisms of fish sexual dimorphism. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Do British birds conform to Bergmann's and Allen's rules? An analysis of body size variation with latitude for four species

Capsule An analysis of body mass and wing length for four bird species shows trends broadly in line with predictions from Bergmann's and Allen's rules but with species- and sex-specific trends in terms of body size variation with latitude in Britain.Aims To analyse body size characteristics for bird species with latitude in Britain and to test Bergmann’s and Allen’s rules (over a range of c. 740 km).Methods Body mass and wing length for four bird species (Blackbird Turdus merula, House Sparrow Passer domesticus, Robin Erithacus rubecula, and Song Thrush Turdus philomelos) were analysed using principal components regression analysis to investigate trends with latitude, longitude, or by sex and Julian day.Results Evidence was found for latitudinal gradients in body mass for male Blackbird, female House Sparrow (both increasing in size northwards), and female Robin (decreasing in size northwards) and in wing length for female Robin and male Song Thrush (decreasing and increasing northwards, respectively).Conclusion Trends were broadly in line with predictions from Bergmann's and Allen's rules except for Robin which had trends opposite to those expected. Differences in trends between sexes suggest a role for an interplay between natural and sexual selection with latitude that deserves further consideration.

The effects of phthalate and nonylphenol exposure on body size and secondary sexual characteristics during puberty

Some phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and nonylphenol (NP) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are widely used in consumer products. Consequently, the general population is exposed simultaneously to both groups of chemicals. To investigate the single- and co-exposure effects of PAEs (DMP, DEP, DnBP, DiBP, BBzP, and DEHP) and NP on obesity and pubertal maturity to compare the body sizes of general adolescents with the complainants of the phthalate-tainted foods scandal that occurred in Taiwan. This study included 270 general adolescents aged 6.5-15.0 years and 38 complainants aged 6.5-8.5 years. Nine metabolites of the five PAEs and of NP were measured in urine. We used a questionnaire to evaluate pubertal maturity, measured anthropometric indices (APs) to assess body size, and collected urine samples to measure the two groups of chemicals. We found that urinary PAE metabolite concentrations (specifically, metabolites of DEP, DnBP, DiBP, and DEHP) were positively associated with the APs for abdominal obesity (including skinfold thickness, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and waist-to-hip) and indicated a dose-response relationship. Mono-methyl phthalate (MMP) exposure was inversely associated with pubarche among boys. The daily intake of DEHP in general adolescents exceeded the reference doses (RfD-20 μg/kgbw/day) and tolerable daily intake (TDI-50 μg/kgbw/day) by 3.4% and 0.4%, respectively. No associations were observed between NP exposure or co-exposure and the APs or pubertal maturity. No significant differences were observed between general adolescents and the complainants with regard to weight, height, or BMI. The study suggests that PAE (specifically, DEP, DnBP, DiBP, and DEHP) exposure is associated with abdominal obesity in adolescents and that the APs for abdominal obesity are more sensitive than BMI for measuring obesity among adolescents. We suggest that the RfD and TDI for PAEs should be revised to provide sufficient protection.

Progress of Assisted Reproductive Technology and Genetic Modification in Marmoset (&amp;lt;italic&amp;gt;Callithrix jacchus&amp;lt;/italic&amp;gt;)

More and more researches have demonstrated that genetic mutation or modification is an important cause of human diseases. Thus, genetically modified animal models associated in human diseases become one of the important ways and experimental materials to study the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets of human diseases. Marmoset is the smallest primate in the world. The characteristics of small body size, prolificacy, genetic evolution and physiology and biochemistry close to human make it to be one of the ideal experimental animals in studying animal models of human diseases. Therefore, genetically modified marmosets created by combining efficient assisted reproductive technology with gene editing technology show the great value in biomedicine. The assisted reproductive technology and genetic modification in marmoset are reviewed to develop animal models of human diseases, promote the breakthrough of studying mechanisms and the drug discovery in human diseases.

Deconstructing occupancy frequency distributions in stream insects: effects of body size and niche characteristics in different geographical regions

1. Occupancy frequency distributions (OFDs) are one means to study species distribution patterns, allowing the delineation of rare and common species. Very few studies have deconstructed entire assemblages by ecological or biological characteristics and subsequently examinedOFDsin subgroups of species.2. The effect of deconstruction of entire assemblages by niche breadth, niche position or body size classes onOFDsin stream insects in three drainage basins was examined. It was hypothesized thatOFDsshould not vary between different drainage basins, but they should be affected by deconstruction into different niche breadth, niche position or body size classes.3. TheOFDswere typically strongly right‐skewed in all drainage basins. The set of small‐sized species was strongly dominated by rare species, whereas the importance of rare species decreased with increasing body size. Further, while theOFDsof sets of species with marginal niche position or small niche breadth were strongly dominated by rare species, those of species with non‐marginal niche position or large niche breadth showed highly variable degrees of occupancy. TheOFDsof non‐marginal species were even uniform in the entire data and one drainage basin, providing partial support to thea priorihypothesis.4. Niche‐based explanations are likely to account for occupancies of marginal and small‐niched species, whereas the distributions of non‐marginal and broad‐niched species may be not only affected by niche‐based mechanisms but also by spatial dynamics. Deconstruction ofOFDsby ecological and biological traits thus showed that the patterns may vary between different subgroups of species.

Формирование географической изменчивости размеров и репродуктивных характеристик самок остромордой лягушки Rana arvalis Nilsson, 1842

Формирование географической изменчивости размеров и репродуктивных характеристик самок остромордой лягушки Rana arvalis Nilsson, 1842

Maternal weight in pregnancy and offspring body composition in late adulthood: Findings from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study (HBCS)

Introduction. Maternal obesity has long-term consequences for the offspring's later health, including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The underlying mechanisms explaining these associations are, however, not fully understood.Methods. A total of 2003 individuals from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study born 1934–44, underwent measurements of body size, body composition, and clinical characteristics at a mean age of 62 years. Data on maternal anthropometry were available from hospital records.Results. Maternal BMI was positively associated with BMI in the offspring. Higher maternal BMI was associated with less favorable body composition in the offspring. There was a significant interaction between birth weight and maternal BMI on offspring body fat percentage (P for interaction 0.003). In mothers with low BMI, a higher offspring birth weight was associated with lower fat percentage, while among those with maternal BMI in the highest fourth, higher offspring birth weight predicted higher body fat percentage.Discussion. Our findings suggest that a disadvantageous body composition is programmed in early life. This may in part underlie the association between maternal obesity and later cardio-metabolic health of the offspring. These findings support the importance of prevention of overweight in women of child-bearing age.

Effects of population density on female and male burrow characteristics in the fiddler crab, Uca bengali Crane, 1975

We examined the effects of population density on body size and burrow characteristics ofUca bengaliCrane, 1975. We predicted that (1) males in high-density areas (HD) should be larger in size and build higher quality burrows than males in low-density areas (LD), and (2) HD females should be larger in size, but build lower quality burrows than LD females, as HD females can find higher numbers of good quality male burrows around them for breeding and egg incubation. Our results showed that males and females in HD were larger in size than those in LD. Since HD males were larger in size, they built higher quality burrows than males in LD. On the other hand, even though LD females were smaller in size than HD ones, they built higher quality burrows than HD females. Our results thus indicate that density effects both body size and burrow characteristics.

Consistent individual differences in paternal behavior: a field study of threespine stickleback.

Consistent individual differences in parenting are widespread; however, we know little about why there is variation in parenting behavior among individuals within species. One possible explanation for consistent individual differences in parenting is that individuals invest in different aspects of parental care, such as provisioning or defense. In this field study we measured consistent individual differences in parenting behavior and evaluated correlations between parenting and other behaviors in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). We repeatedly measured male parenting behavior and male behavior in the presence of three different types of live intruders: a female, a conspecific male, and a predator, meant to provoke courtship, aggressive and antipredator behavior, respectively. While males plastically adjusted their reactions to different types of intruders, we found consistent individual differences in behavior (behavioral types) both within and across contexts, even after accounting for variation in body size and nest characteristics. Males that performed more parenting behavior responded faster to all types of intruders. These results suggest that in nature, individual male stickleback exhibit robust parental behavioral types, and highly parental males are more attentive to their surroundings. Future studies are needed to examine the potential causes of individual variation in parental behavior in the field.

Biological Characteristics of Captive Chinese Wuzhishan Minipigs (Sus scrofa).

In order to meet the demands of experimental minipigs for biomedical researches, we have aimed at cultivating grazing Chinese Wuzhishan (WZS) minipigs and trying to make them useful and affordable since the 1990s. After more than ten years of captive cultivation following sound management practices and a rigorous selection program for fertility and litter size, we established an outbred WZS minipigs colony with a core group (14 males and 30 females) and an expanding group (20 males and 40 females). In 2010–2013 periods, extensive background data of this colony were recorded and analyzed. This paper was written to provide pertinent information about outbred WZS minipigs for producers, users, and others concerned with WZS minipigs. It contains physical characteristics, growth performance, productive performance, hematology and blood biochemistry, microsatellite analysis, organ coefficients, and carcass properties. Results show that WZS minipigs have characteristics of small body size, slow growth rate, long life cycle, high reproductive rate, and maintaining original genetic diversity. All data present that outbred WZS minipigs are suitable laboratory animal and model animal.

Three new species of the salamander genus Hynobius (Amphibia, Urodela, Hynobiidae) from Kyushu, Japan.

Three new species of lotic breeding Hynobius, formerly assigned to H. boulengeri, are described from the Kyushu region, southwestern Japan. They differ from all the known congeners by a unique combination of body size, character ratios, coloration, mtDNA, and allozymic characteristics. Together with H. stejnegeri they form a clade, which is not a sister group of H. boulengeri, and their speciation in Kyushu is surmised to have occurred at the end of Miocene, accompanied by differentiations in larval period and metamorphosing size. Measures of conservation of these new species are discussed briefly.

The effect of fire on habitat selection of mammalian herbivores: the role of body size and vegetation characteristics

Given the role of fire in shaping ecosystems, especially grasslands and savannas, it is important to understand its broader impact on these systems. Post-fire stimulation of plant nutrients is thought to benefit grazing mammals and explain their preference for burned areas. However, fire also reduces vegetation height and increases visibility, thereby potentially reducing predation risk. Consequently, fire may be more beneficial to smaller herbivores, with higher nutritional needs and greater risks of predation. We tested the impacts of burning on different sized herbivores' habitat preference in Serengeti National Park, as mediated by burning's effects on vegetation height, live : dead biomass ratio and leaf nutrients. Burning caused a less than 4month increase in leaf nitrogen (N), and leaf non-N nutrients [copper (Cu), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg)] and a decrease in vegetation height and live:dead biomass. During this period, total herbivore counts were higher on burned areas. Generally, smaller herbivores preferred burned areas more strongly than larger herbivores. Unfortunately, it was not possible to determine the vegetation characteristics that explained burned area preference for each of the herbivore species observed. However, total herbivore abundance and impala (Aepyceros melampus) preference for burned areas was due to the increases in non-N nutrients caused by burning. These findings suggest that burned area attractiveness to herbivores is mainly driven by changes to forage quality and not potential decreases in predation risk caused by reductions in vegetation height.