Biometric Differences Research Articles

DO SEEDS OF Anadenanthera macrocarpa AND Pityrocarpa moniliformis FORMED IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF THE FRUIT HAVE SIMILAR PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITY?

Trees of the Fabaceae family can produce seeds with contrasting size and germinative performance depending on the region where they were formed in the fruit. Such differences reduce the physiological quality of the seed lot. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds formed in different seminal nucleus of the fruits of Anadenanthera macrocarpa and Pityrocarpa moniliformis and their implications for the final composition of the seed lot. The biometric characterization of the fruits was performed with four quantitative descriptors (length, width, thickness, and number of seeds per fruit). Then, seeds formed in seminal nucleus of the proximal, intermediate, and distal regions of the fruit were measured (length, width, and thickness) and evaluated using germination and vigor tests (germination speed, length, and dry weight of seedlings). Seeds from these species have biometric differences depending on their origin in the fruit, in which those formed in the seminal nucleus of the intermediate region of the fruit are larger than the other ones. The origin of the seeds of A. macrocarpa and P. moniliformis formed in different seminal nucleus of the fruit do not show differences in physiological quality. Therefore, the sorting of seeds originated in different regions of the fruit does not benefit the final quality of the seed lots of these species.

Examining the morphometric features of bulbus oculi in Van cats by using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

This study was conducted to obtain the morphometric and volumetric measurements of bulbus oculi of Van cats, growing around the city of Van in Turkey and named after here, by using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to reveal the biometric differences of these measurement values between the sexes. A total of 16 adult Van cats including 8 females and 8 males were used in the study. The animals were anesthetized with the combination of xylazine and ketamine. The anesthetized animals were scanned by using CT and MRI devices and their images were obtained. Then, the morphometric and volumetric measurements of bulbus oculi were calculated from these images using the software (Syngo CT Software) in the workstation and their statistical analysis was performed. Upon the examination of the morphometric and volumetric analysis results, it was determined that while W (bodyweight) and ACL (Left Anterior Chamber) values were higher in male cats, DVLL (Dorsoventral length of the left lens) value was higher in female cats. These differences between the sexes were statistically significant (P<0.05). The volumetric measurement values of bulbus oculi and lens were determined to be averagely 4.60 ± 0.27 cm3 and 0.67 ± 0.09 cm3, respectively. In conclusion, the statistical differences of biometric values of bulbus oculi between male and female Van cats were determined by using CT and MRI. It is thought that the present study would contribute to the ophthalmological applications and the students receiving anatomy education.

Morphometric and volumetric analysis of the cervical spinal cord and vertebral canal using computed tomography images in normal Van cats.

This study was performed on Van cats to determine the volumetric, morphometric and surface area measurement values of their cervical spinal cords (SC) and vertebral canals (CC) and the ratios between their dimensions using computed tomography (CT) images. The study also aims to reveal any biometric differences in these values between the two sexes. Spinal cord and vertebral canal CT images of 16 healthy adult Van cats (8 males and 8 females) were used in the study. First, three measurement points were selected for each vertebra on their cranial, medial and caudal sections along the sagittal axis. Next, the morphometric values were obtained using the transversal images of these measurement points. The surface areas for the SC and CC were calculated using the stereological planimetry method. The Cavalieri's principle was then used to calculate the relevant anatomic structure volumes. The obtained values were then statistically analysed. SC and CC were found to be larger in males in general, while 'SC cranial/CC cranial' and 'SC medial/CC medial' dimensions and volume ratios were found to be larger in female cats on average. Bodyweight and age values were found to have a negative correlation with SC and CC ratio, but the correlation was statistically insignificant. All SC and CC surface area and volume measurements were found to be higher in male cats (p<.05). We believe the results obtained by this study will provide valuable insight into veterinary clinicians in evaluating pathological lesions in the cervical spinal cord and vertebral canal CT scans.

POS0208 GENDER DIFFERENCES IN RESPONSE TO BIOLOGICALS. WOMEN FARE WORSE ACROSS INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS DISEASES - DATA FROM THE BIOREG

Background:Gender differences in prevalence and disease course are known in various rheumatic diseases; however, investigations of gender difference concerning therapeutical response have yielded variable results.Objectives:The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate, whether a gender difference in response rate to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and apremilast in bDMARD-naïve patients could be observed across the three most prevalent inflammatory arthritis diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondylarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Additionally, a response to individual TNF blockers was investigated in this respect.Methods:Data from bDMARD-naïve RA-, SpA- and PsA-patients from Bioreg, the Austrian registry for biological DMARDs in rheumatic diseases, were used. Patients with a baseline (Visit 1=V1) and follow-up visits at 6 months (Visit 2=V2) and 12 months (Visit 3=V3) were included and response to therapy with TNF-inhibitors (TNFi), furthermore to therapy with rituximab, tocilizumab and apremilast was analyzed according to gender. The remaining bDMARDs were not analyzed due to small numbers. Key response-parameter for RA was disease activity score (DAS28), whereas for PsoA the Stockerau Activity Score for Psoriatic Arthritis (SASPA) and for SpA the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) were employed; in addition, the Health assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was used. Data were analyzed in R Statistic stratified by gender using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests.Results:354 women and 123 men with RA (n=477), 81 women and 69 men with PsA (n=150), 121 women and 191 men with SpA (n=312) were included. No significant differences in biometrics was seen between female and male patients at baseline in all diseases.In RA patients overall DAS28 decreased from baseline (V1) to V2 and V3 (DAS28: V1: male: 4.38 [3.66, 5.11], female: 4.30 [3.68, 5.03], p(m/f) = 0.905; V2: male: 2.66 [1.73, 3.63], female: 3.10 [2.17, 3.98], p(m/f) = 0.015; V3: male: 2.25 [1.39, 3.36], female: 3.01 [1.87, 3.87], p(m/f) = 0.002). For TNF inhibitors (n=311), there was a significant difference between genders at V2 (Fig.1a). Patients receiving Rituximab (n=41) displayed a significantly higher DAS28 at baseline in females, which diminished in the follow up: V1: (p(m/f) p=0.002; V2: p=0.019; V3: p=0.13); response to tocilizumab (n=63) did not show any gender differences.In PsA patients overall SASPA decreased from baseline (V1) to V2 and V3 (SASPA: V1: male: 4.00 [2.80, 5.20], female: 4.40 [2.80, 5.80], p(m/f) = 0.399; V2: male: 2.20 [1.20, 3.50], female: 3.40 [2.00, 5.00], p(m/f) = 0.071; V3: male: 1.80 [0.80, 2.70], female: 3.01 [2.35, 4.80], p(m/f) = 0.001). For TNF inhibitors (n=79), there was a significant difference between genders at V3 (Fig 1a). For Apremilast (n=39), there was a significant difference between genders at V2 (Fig.1c).In SpA patients overall BASDAI decreased from baseline (V1) to V2 and V3 (BASDAI: V1: male: 4.70 [2.88, 6.18], female: 4.80 [3.30, 6.20], p(m/f) = 0.463; V2: male: 3.05 [2.00, 4.60], female: 3.64 [2.62, 5.41], p(m/f) = 0.039; V3: male: 3.02 [1.67, 4.20], female: 3.65 [2.18, 5.47], p(m/f) = 0.016). In V3 a differential BASDAI in response to TNFi (n=299) was observed (Fig.1a).Possible differences of response to individual TNFi (etanercept, infliximab, other TNFi) measured by HAQ were investigated in all diseases together. The difference between male and females was significant at baseline for all 3 TNFi; whereas with the use of ETA the significant difference was carried through to V2 and V3, it was lost with the use of IFX and was variable with the other TNFi (Fig.1b)Figure 1.Conclusion:Female patients showed a statistically lower response to TNFi in all three disease entities (RA, SpA and PsoA) to a variable degree in our homogenous central european population. Interestingly, the difference was not uniform across individual TNFi when measured by HAQ. Gender differences were also seen in response to Apremilast.Disclosure of Interests:Elisabeth Loibner: None declared, Valentin Ritschl: None declared, Burkhard Leeb Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Roche, MSD, Pfizer, Actiopharm, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Kwizda, Celgene, Sandoz, Grünenthal, Eli-Lilly, Grant/research support from: TRB, Roche, Consultancies: AbbVie, Amgen, Roche, MSD, Pfizer, Celgene, Grünenthal, Kwizda, Eli-Lilly, Novartis, Sandoz;, Peter Spellitz: None declared, Gabriela Eichbauer-Sturm: None declared, Jochen Zwerina: None declared, Manfred Herold: None declared, Miriam Stetter: None declared, Rudolf Puchner Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Janssen, Kwizda, MSD, Pfizer, Celgene, Grünenthal, Eli-Lilly, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Pfizer, Celgene, Grünenthal, Eli-Lilly, Franz Singer: None declared, Ruth Fritsch-Stork: None declared

Refractive prediction of four different intraocular lens calculation formulas compared between new swept source optical coherence tomography and partial coherence interferometry.

PurposeTo compare the biometry and prediction of postoperative refractive outcomes of four different formulae (Haigis, SRK/T, Holladay1, Barrett Universal II) obtained by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) biometers and partial coherence interferometry (PCI; IOLMaster ver 5.4).MethodsWe compared the biometric values of SS-OCT (ANTERION, Heidelberg Engineering Inc., Heidelberg, Germany) and PCI (IOLMaster, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany). Predictive errors calculated using four different formulae (Haigis, SRKT, Holladay1, Barrett Universal II) were compared at 1 month after cataract surgery.ResultsThe mean preoperative axial length (AL) showed no statistically significant difference between SS-OCT and PCI (SS-OCT: 23.78 ± 0.12 mm and PCI: 23.77 ± 0.12 mm). The mean anterior chamber depth (ACD) was 3.30 ± 0.04 mm for SS-OCT and 3.23 ± 0.04 mm for PCI, which was significantly different between the two techniques. The mean corneal curvature also differed significantly between the two techniques. The difference in mean arithmetic prediction error was significant in the Haigis, SRKT, and Holladay1 formulae. The difference in mean absolute prediction error was significant in all four formulae.ConclusionsSS-OCT and PCI demonstrated good agreement on biometric measurements; however, there were significant differences in some biometric values. These differences in some ocular biometrics can cause a difference in refractive error after cataract surgery. New type SS-OCT was not superior to the IOL power prediction calculated by PCI.

Biometrics, distribution, and breeding notes of Savanna Nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis) in several islands of Indonesia

Abstract. Widodo W, Sulistyadi E. 2021. Biometrics, distribution, and breeding notes of Savanna Nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis) in several islands of Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2756-2762. The Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis Horsfield, 1821, a member of the family Caprimulgidae, is a sexually dimorphic, insectivorous nightjar species commonly found in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. A least-concern species, Savanna Nightjar has diverse habitats from grasslands to shrubs to high-rise rooftops in the middle of the city. Yet, its breeding habits, particularly in urban areas, remain obscure. The purpose of the research is to discuss the biometric measurement, distribution pattern and notes of the breeding of Savanna Nightjar, through analyzing 50 specimens originating from Java, Sumatra, Billiton, Borneo, and Nusa Tenggara Islands belonging to the Museum of Zoology Bogor (MZB) in Cibinong and through a series of observation. The morphological measurements of specimens include the measurements of the length of the bodies, the wings, the tails, the bills, and the tarsi. One-way ANOVA analysis showed that the length of the body and the tail of Savanna Nightjar in Nusa Tenggara are significantly longer than those of Savanna Nightjar in Java, Sumatra, Billiton, or Borneo islands. The biometric differences could have been contributed to different habitat characteristics. Additionally, it was found the likelihood of breeding habit of Savanna Nightjar in urban areas with that of the countrysides because of the resemblance of semi-natural ecosystems in the city such as artificial rivers, small lakes, and parks to Nightjar’s open landscape natural habitats, which facilitates the breeding habits. Still, the migration of Savanna Nightjar from open country-landscapes to the metropolitan areas remains elusive and requires a more detailed study

Morphometric analysis and three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction of the long bones of femoral and crural regions in Van cats.

This study was conducted to determine the morphometric features and to make the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the images obtained by computed tomography (CT) of the main long bones (femur, tibia, fibula) in Van cats, and to reveal the biometric differences between these measurement values of both sexual dimorphism and homotypic variations. A total of 16 adult Van cats, 8 male and 8 female, were used in the study. The pelvic limb long bones of the cats, which were anesthetized with the ketamine-xylazine combination, were scanned with a CT device and their images were obtained. These images were converted to a 3D structure by means of MIMICS 20.1 (The Materialise Group, Leuven, Belgium) software programme. Then, morphometric, volumetric, surface arae measurements of these bones were calculated and statistical analyses were performed. In the analysis, it was observed that right greatest length (GL), left GL, right greatest length from caput ossis femoris (GLc), left greatest breadth of the distal end (Bd), right volume (V), and left V measurement values of the femur; left GL1, right greatest breadth of the proximal end (Bp), right Bd, left Bd, right smallest breadth of the diaphysis (SD), right V, left V, and right surface area (SA) measurement values of the tibia; right V, left V, right SA, and left SA measurement values of the fibula were statistically significantly higher in male cats than in female cats (p < 0.05). The volume and surface area measurement values of the femur, tibia and fibula of male and female cats were determined as 8.57 ± 1.33 cm3 and 7.00 ± 0.49 cm3, 64.28 ± 6.72 cm2 and 59.42 ± 4.72 cm2; 7.56 ± 1.28 cm3 and 6.15 ± 0.52 cm3, 56.89 ± 6.47 cm2 and 52.72 ± 3.15 cm2; 1.10 ± 0.17 cm3 and 0.83 ± 0.05 cm3, 14.18 ± 1.61 cm2 and 11.95 ± 0.48 cm2, respectively. The statistical differences between the sexes in terms of the measurement parameters of the femur, tibia and fibula in adult Van cats were determined. We believe that these differences can be used in determining morphological variations of Van cats. In addition, it is thought that the data obtained from the present study would be beneficial to veterinary physicians in the clinical application areas in order to evaluate the pathological conditions related to these bones and to the studies in the field of zooarchaeology.

Biometric characterization and tetrazolium test in Campomanesia phaea O. Berg. Landrum seeds

ABSTRACT: Campomanesia phaea has commercial interest because its fruits are used in the manufacture of several products, besides its high nutritional potential. Nevertheless, it has low germination potential and there is not much information in the literature. The aim of this study was to perform a biometric characterization and to establish the tetrazolium test for cambuci seeds. Seeds obtained from two collection periods were subjected to biometric evaluations (seed length, thickness, width and mass), water content, determination of the soaking curve and tetrazolium test. The soaking curve was performed with non-scarified seeds and seeds subjected to two scarification methods, mechanical and chemical. The tetrazolium test was performed soaking the seeds in a solution of 2, 3, 5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride salt at 0.75, 1.00 and 1.50% for 4, 8 and 12 hours. After this period, the seeds were categorized as viable and non-viable. It was concluded that the cambuci seeds presented biometric differences between the two collection periods, because of the different water contents. There was no difference in the soaking curve among the three treatments tested and the solution of 0.75% for four hours in a water bath at 38 oC was considered the best for performing the tetrazolium test.

Van Kedilerinde Humerus ve Antebrachium’un Bilgisayarlı Tomografi ile Anatomik, Morfometrik ve Volümetrik Olarak İncelenmesi

Bu çalışma, Van kedilerinde humerus, radius ve ulna’nın bilgisayarlı tomografi (BT) aracılığıyla üç boyutlu (3B) rekonstrüksiyonu yapmak, anatomik özelliklerinin belirlenmesini sağlamak, morfometrik ve volümetrik ölçülerini elde etmek ve bu ölçüm değerlerinin seksüel dimorfizm bakımından biyometrik farklılıklarının belirlenmesi amacıyla yapıldı. Çalışmada 8 dişi, 8 erkek olmak üzere 16 adet Van kedisi kullanıldı. Kediler dissosiyatif ajanlar (ketamine ve xylazine kombinasyonu) kullanılarak anesteziye alındı. Anestezi altındaki hayvanlar BT ile taranarak görüntüleri elde edildi. Elde edilen imajlar DICOM formatında işlenmek üzere iş istasyonuna aktarıldı ve 3B modelleme programı olan Syngo CT kullanılarak rekonstrüksiyon işlemi yapıldı. Daha sonra bu kemiklerin anatomik yapıları incelenerek, morfometrik ve volümetrik ölçümleri hesaplandı ve istatistiki analizi yapıldı. Yapılan çalışmadaki 3B rekonstrüksiyon görüntülerinde, humerus’un distal’inde hem foramen (for.) supracondylare hem de for. supratrochleare’ye rastlanıldı. Morfometrik analiz sonuçlarına bakıldığında, humerus, radius ve ulna’nın ölçüm değerleri bakımından erkek ve dişi Van kedileri arasında istatistiksel olarak önemli farklılıklar olduğu görüldü (P&amp;lt;0.05). Erkek ve dişi kedilere ait humerus, radius ve ulna’nın volüm ölçüm değerleri sırasıyla 11.22±0.86 cm3, 8.01±1.16 cm3; 3.85±0.57 cm3, 2.37±0.20 cm3; 26±0.66 cm3, 2.99±0.26 cm3 olarak tespit edildi. Erkek ve dişi kedilerin volümetrik ölçüm değerleri arasında görülen bu farklılıkların istatistiksel olarak anlamlı seviyede olduğu bulundu (P&amp;lt;0.05). Sonuç olarak, Van kedilerinde humerus, radius ve ulna’ya ait ölçüm parametrelerinin istatistiksel olarak cinsiyetler arasındaki farklılıkları BT ve 3B modelleme programı kullanılarak tespit edildi. Ayrıca çalışmadan elde edilen morfolojik bilgilerin ve osteometrik ölçüm değerlerinin bu kemiklerle ilgili anatomi eğitimi başta olmak üzere, patoloji, cerrahi, klinik uygulama ve zooarkeoloji gibi birçok alandaki çalışmalara faydalı olacağı düşünülmektedir.

Resurgence of Zostera marina in the Ria de Aveiro lagoon, Portugal

• Zostera marina resurges in the Ria de Aveiro lagoon forming larger patches than before its disappearance a decade ago. • The patches found had similar biometry and were able to flowering in late spring. • The results of this study suggest that Zostera marina is recolonizing the Ria de Aveiro lagoon. Seagrasses provide important services to coastal ecosystems and mankind. Even though seagrasses have been seriously threatened in Europe from the 1970s, a recent study suggests that they are expanding in extension since the past few decades. Here, we add a new case to this reverse trend of seagrass decline, showing the resurgence of several patches of Zostera marina in the Ria de Aveiro lagoon. In the past, this seagrass disappeared on numerous occasions, especially due to dredging activities and its use for agricultural purposes. The last record of the species in the area was a decade ago, when small patches became extinct after a long period of heavy storms. Now, a decade later, nine patches of Z. marina were identified in the Mira channel, inhabiting a much wider area than that occupied prior to its extinction. Although in periods of low tide some patches were submerged in pools and others were exposed to the air, this fact did not cause differences in the eelgrass biometrics and flowering effort. All the patches formed several sexual spathes, suggesting that the eelgrass could form seed banks in the sediment. However, due to this species vulnerability to environmental changes and human activities, further studies are required to determine long-term reproductive success and survival in the Ria de Aveiro.

Re-examining the use of the LSI technique in zooarchaeology

Biometric analysis of faunal remains is crucial for estimating the age/sex composition of assemblages and exploring large-scale processes that affected animal biology in the past. The LSI technique is a premier method for examining biometry in different zooarchaeological scenarios, particularly domestication research and regional-scale surveys. Despite the technique's popularity, several early arguments describing limitations or concerns about the LSI technique still impact interpretations and applications today. More generally, though, the LSI technique is treated as a method of increasing sample sizes as a last resort when unmodified measurements are too scarce to use. This paper re-examines the theoretical foundations of the LSI technique to update best practices in LSI analyses in zooarchaeology. Redefining the LSI technique as a pseudo-centering process shows why LSI values are preferable to unmodified measurements for biometric analyses. This new definition also highlights the arbitrary nature of standard animal and logarithm base choice, though certain decisions (smaller standard animals and base e logarithms) can aid interpretation by closely linking changes in LSI values to proportional changes of the original measurements relative to the standard. Of more consequence on LSI analyses, however, is the way to aggregate LSI values from different measurement types; this paper shows how multilevel modeling uses partial pooling to balance the trade-offs of bias and variance caused by aggregation. To showcase the benefits of the Bayesian multilevel LSI model, the biometric variation of ten simulated sites using a reference set of Shetland sheep measurements (Popkin Peter et al., 2012). Modeling all ten sites within a single multilevel structure provides a clear way to evaluate biometric differences while accounting for potential allometries and variation in body part representation between different sites. These results clarify earlier arguments about the limitations of the LSI technique, summarized in a set of best practices for LSI applications.

Reliability of morphological criteria for sexing birds during ringing, assessed using molecular methods – a study of thirteen species of passerines and near passerines

ABSTRACT Understanding the ecology and conservation of bird species often requires accurate sex determination of individuals. Species with sexually dimorphic plumage can usually be sexed in the hand based on consistent and definitive differences in plumage between sexes, but there are often challenges related to (1) how sexual dimorphism develops with age, (2) individuals that show intermediate visible morphological traits, or (3) consistent but subtle trait differences that require considerable experience to use reliably. Species with sexually monomorphic plumage, which constitute over half of all avian species globally, pose a greater challenge and can often not be sexed in the hand. The aim of this study was to use molecular methods to identify definitively the sex of individuals of both monomorphic and dimorphic species caught at a ringing site in south-west Portugal, in order to evaluate the standard morphological sexing techniques for species showing sexual dimorphism in plumage, or in biometric measurements. Blood samples were collected from a range of species during ringing, and DNA was extracted. Molecular methods were successful in identifying the sex of 202 individuals across 13 species of birds (eight species with sexually dimorphic plumage, and five sexually monomorphic in plumage). Molecular methods were consistent with the morphological sexing in the field for six of the eight species with dimorphic plumage, but discrepancies between the two methods were identified for Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca and Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops. Finally, biometric measurements taken in the field were used to assess whether species with monomorphic plumage could have been correctly sexed based on the biometric differences between males and females reported in literature.

MOŻLIWOŚĆ WPROWADZANIA SIEWEM DĘBU W MONOKULTURACH SOSNOWYCH POCHODZĄCYCH Z ODNOWIENIA NATURALNEGO NA TERENIE NADLEŚNICTWA SKWIERZYNA

Oaks have an important economic and natural role in forestry. Due to the change in land use, the problem, in the long run turned out to be obtaining the desired, consistent with the habitat, species composition of crops, derived from natural regeneration of Scots pine. The aim of the work was to show biometric differences in oaks obtained from sowing and planting. The economic aspect of both ways of introducing hardwood admixtures in pine "monoliths" was also taken into consideration. The unit cost of renewing oaks by sowing is 5 times smaller than renewal by planting. The study found no biometric differences between plants. Attention was however paid to better resistance to drought from sowing oaks.

BIOMETRY OF TWO SYMPATRIC SPECIES OF THE GENUS HYPOCNEMIS (AVES: THAMNO- PHILIDAE) IN SOUTHWESTERN AMAZONIA

Differences in size and shape between sympatric congener species may affect their dominance interactions. In Amazonia, the Pe- ruvian Warbling-Antbird (Hypocnemis peruviana) is partly sympatric with the Yellow-breasted Warbling-Antbird (Hypocnemis subflava). Here, we investigated whether biometric differences exist between H. peruviana and H. subflava, and whether the species are sexually dimorphic. We measured 10 biometric traits in 52 individuals (24 H. peruviana and 28 H. subflava). From the analyses, we conclude that H. peruviana is slightly larger than H. subflava and that this may reflect a certain competitive dominance of the former over the latter. Some biometric traits were also different between the sexes in both species, which may minimize the competition for resources between the sexes.

Van kedilerinde skeleton manus’un bilgisayarlı tomografi ile üç boyutlu olarak incelenmesi

Bu çalışma, Van kedilerinde skeleton manus (ossa carpi, ossa metacarpalia I-V ve ossa digitorum manus)’un bilgisayarlı tomografi (BT) ile üç boyutlu (3B) rekonstrüksiyonunu yapmak, osteometrik ölçümlerini belirlemek ve bu ölçüm değerlerinin erkek ve dişi kediler arasındaki biyometrik farklılıklarının belirlenmesi amacıyla yapıldı. Çalışmada 16 adet (8 dişi, 8 erkek) yetişkin Van kedisi kullanıldı. Xylazin-ketamin kombinasyonu ile anesteziye alınan kedilerin BT ile taranarak görüntüleri elde edildi. Daha sonra bu axial imajlar DICOM formatında işlenmek üzere iş istasyonuna aktarıldı ve 3B modelleme programı olan Syngo CT kullanılarak rekonstrüksiyon işlemi yapıldı. Üç boyutlu hale getirilen rekonstrüksiyon görüntülerindeki kemikler anatomik özellikleri bakımından incelendi. Bu görüntülerden volümetrik ve morfometrik ölçüm değerleri elde edilerek, istatistiki olarak analizi yapıldı. Morfometrik analiz sonuçlarına bakıldığında, ossa carpi, ossa metacarpalia I-V ve ossa digitorum manus’un ölçüm değerleri bakımından erkek ve dişi Van kedilerinde istatistiksel farklılıklar olduğu görüldü (P<0.05). Ossa carpi, ossa metacarpalia I-V ve ossa digitorum manus’un volümetrik ölçüm değerlerinin ise erkek kedilerde dişi kedilere göre istatistiki olarak önemli seviyede daha fazla olduğu gözlendi (P<0.05). Sonuç olarak, Van kedilerinde skeleton manus volümetrik, morfometrik ve morfolojik olarak değerlendirildi. Bu kemiklerin osteometrik ölçüm değerlerinin istatistiksel olarak cinsiyetler arasındaki biyometrik farklılıkları belirlendi.

Biometric differences between several populations of Cordulegaster boltonii (Odonata: Cordulegastridae) in Ibero-Maghrebian area

Biometric data of the exuviae of female larvae of the dragonfly Cordulegaster boltonii collected in Portugal, Spain and Morocco were analysed to determine whether the size of three exuvial structures measured differed depending on the geographic localities of the populations. Based on the results recorded for the 16 populations studied, head width was negatively correlated with latitude and the greatest length of the gonapophysis was recorded for the Iberian populations at the centre of this peninsula. Multivariate cluster analysis revealed a clear separation of the Moroccan population. A second cluster separated the southernmost population (Sierra Nevada) from the remaining Iberian populations. Four population groups were distinguished: those located in watercourses in the north and central area of the Iberian Peninsula, those in Iberian watercourses in the East and Middle South, the Sierra Nevada and North Morocco. Some of these results coincide with the results of genetic studies of other authors.

Characterization of Pelvic, Foot and Tail Biometrics Using 3D-Kinematic Analysis during The Proestrus-Ovulation Period in Naturally Cycling Primiparous Dairy Cows Housed in a Tie-stall System

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate 3D-kinematics as a method for determining if primiparous dairy cows display differences in behaviour biometrics during the estrus period as ovulation approaches in a tie-stall system. The second objective was to evaluate the accuracy of behaviour biometrics as estrus alerts. Fourteen primiparous dairy cows (n = 14) were studied as part of a split-plot over time design. 3D-kinematic assessment took place during proestrus-estrus-ovulation period, Follicular diameter, corpus luteum (CL) diameter and estradiol (E2) concentrations served as physiological parameters to indirectly estimate the estrus period (d -1). The frequency of Pelvic tilts, Pelvic shifts left (Pelvicsl), Pelvic shifts right (Pelvicsr), Total pelvic shifts; TPelvicS), Foot strikes left (Foot strike L), Foot strikes right (Foot strike R), and Total feet strikes (TFootS) were recorded. Additionally, the frequency of Micro tail left (TailLMicro), and right (TailRMicro) movements, Middle tail left (TailLMid), and right (TailRMid) movements, Macro tail left (TailLMacro), right (TailRMacro) movements were also recorded. The overall length of estrous cycle in primiparous dairy cows in this study was 21.66 ± 3.09 (LSMeans ± SEM days). The largest Follicular diameter (LSMeans ± SEM; 17.04 ± 0.59 mm) and E2 (17.43 ± 1.76 pg/mL) occurred 24 h before ovulation. The frequency of some behaviour biometrics increased (LSMeans ± SEM Events/5min) at d -2 including Pelvic tilts (19.75 ± 8.67 Events/5min), Pelvicsl (20.26 ± 13.64), and TPelvicS (20.82 ± 8.79) compared to baseline (d -4, Pelvic tilt; 13.10 ± 8.32, Pelvicsl; 3.71 ± 2.52, and TPelvicS; 6.34 ± 2.72). Other significant patterns observed include a decrease at d -1 in the frequency of TFootS (9.86 ± 1.98), TTailMicro (7.30 ± 3.62), TTailMid (1.82 ± 1.01), and TTailMacro (1.66 ± 1.01) movements followed by an increase in frequency at d -4 (TFootS; 14.44 ± 2.78, TTailMicro; 14.57 ± 7.23, TTailMid; 6.07 ± 3.27, and TTailMacro; 1.84 ± 1.12). The accuracy of each behaviour biometric as a potential estrus alert was analyzed using J index values with balance sensitivity – specificity (J index, Se–Sp) levels (ROC curves analysis). Feet strikes had the greatest accuracy (0.50; 0.90-0.6) followed by Pelvic tilts (0.37; 0.78-0.59), Foot strikes L (0.33; 0.44-0.89), TailLMid (0.30; 1.00–0.30), TailLMacro (0.41; 1.0–0.41) and TFootS (0.34; 0.67-0.68). Our results indicate that naturally cycling, primiparous dairy cows housed in tie-stalls exhibit behavioural fluctuations such as the estrus period approaches, which can be used as estrus alerts.

Biometry of Pityrocarpa moniliformis seeds using digital imaging: implications for studies of genetic divergence

Pityrocarpa moniliformis is a tree species with socioeconomic potential in semiarid regions. The objective of this work was to perform the biometry of P. moniliformis seeds with digital processing of images as subsidies for studies of genetic divergence. For this, we executed the biometric analysis of the seeds from 33 adult trees using digital image processing. Subsequently, descriptive and correlation analyses were performed between the biometric variables, as well as the multivariate analysis of principal components and the Euclidean distance. Digital image processing is efficient in assessing biometric differences among adult trees which vary in the morphological and biometric aspects. The biometric variables quantified employing digital images are efficient in the distinction of the adult trees. For this reason, they are important morphological markers that can aid in the differentiation of genotypes of P. moniliformis and contribute to studies of genetic divergence.

Biometric differences in Ucides cordatus (LINNAEUS, 1763) (Crustacea; Brachyura; Ocypodidae) as an indicative of environmental stress

Growing urban development, port expansion, and the deployment of industries along the northeast coast of Brazil are some of the major threats to crustacean fauna that depend directly on the mangrove ecosystem to survive. In response to these environmental changes, the swamp ghost crab (Ucides cordatus) presents biological dysfunctions in body size to invest in mechanisms that regulate homeostasis. The present study aimed to evaluate the size and condition factor of crabs from two distinct mangrove areas, being an impacted area and a reference area. Male crabs were collected through the braking technique, weighed with an analytical balance and the width and length of the carapace were measured with a digital caliper. We used a t test to observe differences between two areas and different periods, and the power function (y = axb) for the ratio between the weight and width of the carapace of each individual was used in order to observe the type of growth. There were significant differences between the weight and length of the individuals between the two sample areas and the growth classified as negative allometric.

306: Fetal growth trajectory in spontaneous and indicated preterm births: perhaps more similar than different

Abnormal fetal growth is seen among indicated preterm births (iPTB) due to placental dysfunction. Recent studies suggest a relationship between abnormal growth and spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB), which is less intuitive as placental dysfunction is not as characteristic of sPTB. If placental dysfunction differentially underlies iPTB and sPTB, then biometric differences could predict subtype of PTB. Our objective was to determine differences in fetal growth patterns in sPTB versus iPTB. This is a nested case control within prospective cohort study of pregnancies followed longitudinally at a tertiary care center. Fetal biometry was collected, including head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), estimated fetal weight (EFW). sPTB was membrane rupture or preterm labor resulting in delivery < 37 weeks whereas iPTB was defined as maternal or fetal indication leading to delivery < 37 weeks. Generalized linear models compared biometry in sPTB and iPTB. Growth patterns were explored by classifying earliest and latest biometry measurements as above or below the 50%ile (high or low). 4 categories were created: Low to Low (stable below median), Low to High (accelerating), High to Low (decelerating), High to High (stable above median). Of 125 preterm deliveries, 46% were sPTB and 54% were iPTB. All biometry except for FL had similar growth patterns with no significant differences in sPTB versus iPTB. FL demonstrated a significant difference in growth trajectory (slope) in sPTB versus iPTB (p=0.02) (Figure 1). When describing growth trajectory patterns into 4 categories, FL was the only metric to distinguish between PTB subtypes with low to high (accelerated) growth more common in sPTB (Table 1). Biometry growth patterns are similar between sPTB and iPTB. FL was the only parameter that distinguished PTB subtypes with a “low to high” pattern more common in sPTB. This suggests, that while placental dysfunction is more commonly associated with iPTB, fetal biometry growth is more similar than different between PTB subtypes.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)