Facial Markings Research Articles

OBSERVATION OF DISTRIBUTION AND QUALITATIVE PROPERTIES OF HORSELIVESTOCK (EQUUSCABALLUS) IN NORTH SUMATRA)

This study aims to determine the spread of horses and horses based on the observation of the color of feathers, facial marks, foot shape and back shape in Humbang Hasundutan, Samosir, Karo and North Tapanuli districts. This research was conducted in July-September 2016 by performing phenotypic analysis (color and face mark) at 271 horses in Humbang Hasundutan District, Samosir Regency, Karo Regency and North Tapanuli Regency. The research method used is survey method and Simple Random Sampling method (simple random sampling) done to determine the cattle that will be used as sample. The analysis shows that horses in North Sumatera have various color and dominant red brown (27,86%). Horses in North Sumatra have various dominant faces that dominate strike (54.95%).

A giant among dwarfs: a new species of galago (Primates: Galagidae) from Angola.

Based on vocalization recordings of an unknown galago species, our main objectives were to compare morphology and call structure with known closely-related taxa and describe a new species of galago. We conducted field surveys in three forest habitats along the escarpment region in western Angola (Kumbira Forest, Bimbe Area, and Northern Scarp Forest), and examined galago specimens from museums worldwide. We digitized and analyzed calls using Avisoft SASLab Pro software. We also compared museum specimens from Angola with other Galago and Galagoides specimens, and conducted comparative analyses (ANOVA and between group principle component analysis) based on a set of twelve linear measurements of skulls and teeth. We describe the new species to which we give the name Angolan dwarf galago, Galagoides kumbirensis sp. nov. The new species has a loud and characteristic crescendo call, used by other Galagoides spp. (sensu stricto) in West Africa to attract companions and repel rivals. However, this call shows species-typical differences from its closest relatives. Galagoides kumbirensis sp. nov. is also distinguished by differences in the skull morphology, pelage color and facial markings, as well as a larger body size, similar to that of Galago moholi, which is not known to be sympatric. This discovery points to the importance of Angolan forests as refuges for endemic biodiversity. These forests are under severe threat from overexploitation, and there is an urgent need to establish conservation measures and designate protected areas.

Facial Reanimation: Basic Surgical Tools and Creation of an Effective Toolbox for Treating Patients with Facial Paralysis. Part A: Functional Muscle Transfers in the Long-Term Facial Palsy Patient.

The literature on facial paralysis is vast; however, detailed videos of the basic tools of dynamic reanimation within the context of patient scenarios accompanied by detailed narrative emphasizing both technique and thought processes are not common. Although not all scenarios of facial paralysis can be discussed in one setting, videographic visualization of basic surgical procedures, including facial marking, facial dissection, donor nerve preparation, cross-facial nerve graft, nerve transfers, and muscle harvest and inset, may provide a strong toolbox. Using these tools in various combinations depending on the unique case details enables the surgeon to treat a great majority of facial palsy patients. Part A, with the first of two videos, concentrates on free functional muscle transfer in the setting of longstanding facial paralysis. It includes preoperative markings, preparation of the patient in the operating room before incision, facial dissection including exposure of the masseter nerve, partial gracilis muscle harvest, and perhaps most importantly, the inset of the muscle on the paralyzed side. Part B (with the second video) concentrates on the cross-facial nerve graft and nerve transfers, used in the context of acute facial palsy, providing the short-term goal of mimetic musculature salvage in addition to longer term specific regional reinnervation by means of cross-facial nerve grafting. We hope that these videos provide a strong learning tool for enthusiastic novice medical students, residents, and fellows wishing to prepare for their cases, and faculty level physicians who wish to use them as a refresher before surgery.

Association analysis of KIT, MITF, and PAX3 variants with white markings in Spanish horses.

Several variants in the KIT, PAX3 and MITF genes have previously been associated with white markings in horses. In this study, we examined eight variants of these genes in 70 Menorca Purebred horses (PRMe, only black solid-coloured horses) and 70 Spanish Purebred horses (PRE, different coat colour patterns) that were scored for the extent of white markings. A maximum-likelihood chi-square test, logistic regression model and ridge regression analyses showed that a missense mutation (p.Arg682His) in KIT was associated with white facial markings (P<0.05) and with total white markings (P<0.05) in PRMe horses. The relative contribution of this variant to white markings in PRMe horses was estimated at 47.6% (head) and 43.4% (total score). In PRE horses, this variant was also associated with hindlimb scores (P<0.05) with a relative contribution of 41.2%. The g.20147039C>T intronic variant located 29.9kb downstream from the transcription start site of the MITF gene was associated with less white markings on forelimbs (P<0.05) in PRMe horses, with a relative contribution of 63.9%, whereas in PRE horses this variant was associated with white facial markings (P<0.05), with a relative contribution of 63.9%. No significant associations were found for PAX3 variants in these breeds. These results show that KIT and MITF variants are involved in the white marking patterns of both PRMe and PRE horses, providing breeders with an opportunity to use genetic testing to aid in breeding for their desired level of white markings.

Use of spatial capture–recapture to estimate density of Andean bears in northern Ecuador

The Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is the only extant species of bear in South America and is considered threatened across its range and endangered in Ecuador. Habitat loss and fragmentation is considered a critical threat to the species, and there is a lack of knowledge regarding its distribution and abundance. The species is thought to occur at low densities, making field studies designed to estimate abundance or density challenging. We conducted a pilot camera-trap study to estimate Andean bear density in a recently identified population of Andean bears northwest of Quito, Ecuador, during 2012. We compared 12 candidate spatial capture–recapture models including covariates on encounter probability and density and estimated a density of 7.45 bears/100 km2 within the region. In addition, we estimated that approximately 40 bears used a recently named Andean bear corridor established by the Secretary of Environment, and we produced a density map for this area. Use of a rub-post with vanilla scent attractant allowed us to capture numerous photographs for each event, improving our ability to identify individual bears by unique facial markings. This study provides the first empirically derived density estimate for Andean bears in Ecuador and should provide direction for future landscape-scale studies interested in conservation initiatives requiring spatially explicit estimates of density.

The genetic status of naturally occurring black-nosed impala from northern South Africa

The impala (Aepyceros melampus ssp.) is a widespread antelope species occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. The two recognized subspecies have non-overlapping distribution ranges, with no known natural mixture of these subspecies until human interference. A number of common impala individuals (A. m. melampus) displaying phenotypic characteristics commonly observed in the black-faced impala (A. m. petersi), namely black facial markings, were seen on a farm in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. This farm falls outside the natural distribution range of A. m. petersi. We therefore aimed to identify the taxonomic placement of these individuals (i.e. A. m. melampus or A. m. petersi) through phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses using D-loop and cytochrome subunit b sequence data. Our results showed that these black-nosed impala from Limpopo are in fact A. m. melampus individuals. The existence of the black-nose phenotype in common impala could be more widespread than previously estimated. The occurrence of introgression between the two subspecies in this region could, however, not be fully excluded, and can only be fully assessed through the use of nuclear DNA analysis.

Facial patterns in a tropical social wasp correlate with colony membership.

Social insects excel in discriminating nestmates from intruders, typically relying on colony odours. Remarkably, some wasp species achieve such discrimination using visual information. However, while it is universally accepted that odours mediate a group level recognition, the ability to recognise colony members visually has been considered possible only via individual recognition by which wasps discriminate 'friends' and 'foes'. Using geometric morphometric analysis, which is a technique based on a rigorous statistical theory of shape allowing quantitative multivariate analyses on structure shapes, we first quantified facial marking variation of Liostenogaster flavolineata wasps. We then compared this facial variation with that of chemical profiles (generated by cuticular hydrocarbons) within and between colonies. Principal component analysis and discriminant analysis applied to sets of variables containing pure shape information showed that despite appreciable intra-colony variation, the faces of females belonging to the same colony resemble one another more than those of outsiders. This colony-specific variation in facial patterns was on a par with that observed for odours. While the occurrence of face discrimination at the colony level remains to be tested by behavioural experiments, overall our results suggest that, in this species, wasp faces display adequate information that might be potentially perceived and used by wasps for colony level recognition.

Human Identification Using Automatic and Semi-Automatically Detected Facial Marks.

Continuing advancements in the field of digital cameras and surveillance imaging devices have led law enforcement and intelligence agencies to use analysis of images and videos for the investigation and prosecution of crime. When determining identity from photographic evidence, forensic analysts perform comparison of visible facial features manually, which is inefficient. In this study, we will address research efforts to use facial marks as biometric signatures to distinguish between individuals. We propose two systems to assist forensic analysts during photographic comparison: an improved multiscale facial mark system in which facial marks are detected automatically, and a semi-automatic facial mark system that integrates human knowledge within the improved multiscale facial mark system. Experiment results employ a high-resolution time-elapsed dataset acquired at the University of Notre Dame between 2009 and 2011. The results indicate that the geometric distributions of facial mark patterns can be used to distinguish between individuals.

Recapturing Traditional Culture - A Survey of Uvinmi Body Tattoo as a Curative Procedure in Esanland, Edo State, Nigeria

Body tattooing in traditional Nigerian culture was basically believed to be used for identification as well as aesthetic purposes. In some cultures, such as seen amongst the traditional ethnic Hausa and Fulani people, permanent facial marks were used to identify slaves within a community and also used to enhance the beauty and appearance of the women folk especially. In the southern part of Nigeria, amongst the Yorubas, it is used as a tribal identification symbol that provides information about the individual, as well as some culturally-related beliefs. The use of tattoos among the Esan ethnic people transcends the purposes of identification and enhancement of physical appearance as discovered. Thus this study examines the use of tattoo as a curative process for the illness called Udeh among the Esan ethnic people of Edo state Nigeria. Udeh is an illness associated with infection of the spleen. Data was collected through visitation of traditional healing venues, oral interview of some traditional doctors and elders as well as direct observation of the treatment processes. Findings indicated that the practice of Uvinmi has been in existence from time immemorial and it is a familial profession inherited from generation to generation as the most effective medium for treating spleen related diseases among the Esan people. It was also discovered contemporarily modern medical anaesthesia is employed to help reduce the agony felt in the process of blade incision as practiced by one of the traditional doctors. Recommendation made include an indebt study of the herbs used during and after treatment to gauge its efficacy on Western medicinal practices as well as proper sterilisization processes on incision equipments and procedures amongst others.

Using camera‐trap photographs to identify individual fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) in the Southeastern United States

ABSTRACTFox squirrels (Sciurus niger) in the southeastern United States have been difficult to survey because of their sparse distribution, large home ranges, and low capture success. Remote cameras have proven to be an effective tool for surveying larger mammals, including identifying individual animals using their unique markings. To test whether cameras can be used to identify individual fox squirrels in the southeastern United States, we 1) inspected digital photographs of fox squirrels; 2) identified variable pelage features for individual identification; 3) tested the ability of wildlife students and professionals to identify individuals; and 4) evaluated whether training improved participants' ability to identify individuals. We found that fox squirrels could be individually identified using a combination of sex and 10 variable pelage features, including the color morph, presence of an eye ring, distribution of white on the rostrum, and facial markings. In total, we developed ≥25,920 possible combinations of features to identify southeastern fox squirrels. We found survey participants were capable of identifying fox squirrels without training, but their average ability to do so increased significantly from 73.6% to 80.3% after training (t[df = 106] = 5.068, P &lt; 0.001). The results from this study demonstrate that camera‐trapping, particularly when combined with training that focuses on which features vary between individuals, provides an alternative method to live‐trapping for population‐level studies of southeastern fox squirrels. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.

Facing the environment: onset and development of UV markings in young fish.

Most colour patterns in animals represent an elegant compromise between conspicuousness to ensure effective communication with preferred receivers and camouflage to avoid attracting the attention of unwanted predators. Many species, including several coral reef fishes, overcome this conflict by using ultraviolet (UV) colouration and signalling, as these colours are visible only over short distances and are often invisible to their predators. Despite a great interest in their behavioural significance and ecological influence on survival, little is known about when these colours first develop on the bodies of free-living animals. Here we show for the first time that the UV facial patterns of a coral reef fish do not develop in captivity but only when juveniles experience the socio-behavioural conditions of their natural environment. Using field and laboratory experiments, we determined that the onset and early development of these UV facial markings did not occur at metamorphosis. Instead, juveniles developed the UV markings during their first two weeks on the reef. Exposure to different reef environments revealed significant plasticity in the development of these markings. The direct or indirect (through intraspecific interactions) exposure to predators is a likely candidate trigger for the plastic development of these UV markings in the wild.

Facial Mole Detection: An Approach towards Face Identification

Face is the most significant biometric as it reveals a person's identity more accurately. Soft biometric traits like facial marks have played a crucial role in identifying a human face. The paper presents an automatic prominent mole detection and validation technique which can reduce the adverse effect of illumination in face recognition. Normalized cross-correlation with LoG filter is used to detect the facial mole candidates. A contributory threshold based step is introduced in this paper to improve the accuracy of the mole detector. The mole detection rate is 91.67% using our own developed “DeitY-TU” face database and 90.58% using FEI face database.

Genomic regions influencing coat color saturation and facial markings in Fleckvieh cattle.

Genomic regions associated with coat color and pigmented areas of the head were identified for Fleckvieh (dual-purpose Simmental), a red-spotted and white-headed cattle breed. Coat color was measured with a chromameter, implementing the CIELAB color space and resulting in numerical representation of lightness, color intensity, red/green and blue/yellow color components, rather than subjective classification. Single marker regression analyses with fixed effects of the sex and barn were applied, and significant regions were determined with the local false discovery rate methodology. The PMEL and ERBB3 genes on chromosome 5 were in the most significant region for the color measurements. In addition to the blue/yellow color component and color intensity, the AP3B2 gene on chromosome 21 was identified. Its function was confirmed for similar traits in a range of model species. The KIT gene on chromosome 6 was found to be strongly associated with the inhibition of circum-ocular pigmentation and pigmented spots on the cheek.

Facial markings in the social cuckoo wasp Polistes sulcifer: No support for the visual deception and the assessment hypotheses

Insect social parasites have to conquer a host colony by overcoming its defensive barriers. In addition to increased fighting abilities, many social parasites evolved sophisticated sensory deception mechanisms to elude host colonies defenses by exploiting host communication channels. Recently, it has been shown that the conspicuous facial markings of a paper wasp social parasite, Polistes sulcifer, decrease the aggressiveness of host foundresses. Two main hypotheses stand as explanations of this phenomenon: visual sensory deception (i.e. the black patterning reduces host aggression by exploiting the host visual communication system) and visual quality assessment (i.e. facial markings reduce aggressiveness as they signal the increased fighting ability of parasites). Through behavioral assays and morphological measurements we tested three predictions resulting from these hypotheses and found no support either for the visual sensory deception or for the quality assessment to explain the reduction in host aggressiveness towards the parasite. Our results suggest that other discrimination processes may explain the observed phenomenon.

Analysis of plumage, morphology, and voice reveals species-level differences between two subspecies of Prevost's Ground-sparrow Melozone biarcuata (Prévost and Des Murs) (Aves: Emberizidae).

Melozone biarcuata (Prevost's Ground-sparrow) has traditionally been divided into two allopatric groups based on differences in vocalizations and plumage characteristics: M. b. cabanisi in Costa Rica and M. b. biarcuata/M. b. hartwegi in northern Central America. However, the relationship between these subspecies has not been studied using a modern taxonomic approach. In this study, our objective was to provide the first detailed taxonomic comparison between these three subspecies using an integrative multi-trait analysis. We analyzed morphometric features, qualitative plumage patterns, and quantitative plumage measurements using spectral reflectance from all three subspecies, and we analyzed vocalizations for subspecies M. b. biarcuata and M. b. cabanisi. Our results show that M. b. cabanisi can be readily distinguished from the two other subspecies on the basis of morphometrics (M. b. cabanisi are smaller), plumage patterns (M. b. cabanisi have different facial markings and plumage patches), color differences (M. b. cabanisi have plumage patches that differ in color and brightness), and vocalizations (M. b. cabanisi have songs and calls that are acoustically distinct from those of M. b. biarcuata). By contrast, the two northern subspecies M. b. biarcuata and M. b. hartwegi were very similar for most traits, supporting previous suggestions that the two northern subspecies should be considered a single subspecies. Our data reveal that the differentiation in phenotypic characteristics between M. b. cabanisi versus M. b. biarcuata and M. b. hartwegi is similar to that reported for other complexes of subspecies where species status has been recognized. We argue that M. b. cabanisi should be treated as a species separate from M. biarcuata and propose that it be called Melozone cabanisi, White-faced Ground-sparrow. Our findings will contribute to the conservation efforts of the White-faced Ground-sparrow, which is endemic to Costa Rica's Central Valley and Turrialba Valley, by bringing focus to conservation policies that preserve ground-sparrow habitat (thickets, shade coffee plantations, and young secondary forest).

Plumage ornaments in male Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus may not be a reliable indicator of their mating success

Conspicuous morphological traits that signal aspects of physical state of the owner may be used as cues in mate choice, leading to sexual selection of ornamental traits. In birds, colour patterns as well as structural attributes may constitute ornaments affecting mate choice. In the breeding season, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus males possess long crests, contrast-rich black and white facial markings, a black breast, and a shining greenish dorsal side. In non-breeding and juvenile plumages, and in females, crests are shorter, facial patterns have less clear contrasts, and breast and dorsal side possess varying amounts of light fringes. Depending onmoult energetics in latewinter/early spring, when males acquire their breeding plumage, the state of these characters could potentially signal male condition to females prospecting for mates. We examined if these traits correlated with male mating success in this polygynous species, predicting males with the most expressed ornamental characters (a) tomate earlier and (b) to gain more mates.Trait states were ranked for 31 males of which breeding phenology and number of mates were known. No correlationwas found between trait expression and date of first egg laid on the territory and number of mates did not correlate with trait expression. Thus, the study did not confirm that females use crest length, breast blackness and face contrasts or lack of dorsal fringes as cues in their mate choice. This could be because the elaborate traits do not have an ornamental function important for femalemate choice, but experimental studies would be needed to rigorously test this hypothesis.

Hippocamelus antisensis(Artiodactyla: Cervidae)

Abstract: Hippocamelus antisensis (d'Orbigny, 1834) is a cervid commonly called taruca or taruka and is 1 of 2 species in the genus Hippocamelus. It is a medium-sized, dimorphic ungulate with characteristic facial markings. It lives at high altitude along steep slopes composed of rocky areas with sparse vegetation in the central Andes. It is widely distributed but limited in population size, considered “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, and is represented poorly in zoos. It is illegally hunted throughout its distribution, and is affected by anthropogenic activities.

ANALYSIS OF FACIAL MARKS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN IDENTICAL TWINS USING NOVEL METHOD

Reliable and accurate verification of people is extremely important in a number of business transactions as well as access to privileged information. The biometrics-based methods assume that the physical characteristics of an individual (as captured by a sensor) used for verification are sufficiently unique to distinguish one person from another. But the increase in twin births has created a requirement for biometric systems to accurately determine the identity of a person who has an identical twin. Identical twins have the closest genetics-based relationship and, therefore, the maximum similarity between fingerprints is expected to be found among identical twins. They can’t be discriminated based on DNA. As one of the most successful applications of image analysis and understanding, face recognition has recently received significant attention, especially during the past several years. Identical twin face recognition is a difficult task due to the existence of a high degree of correlation in overall facial appearance. In this paper, we study the usability of facial marks as biometric signatures to distinguish between identical twins. We propose a multi scale automatic facial mark detector based on a gradient-based operator known as the fast radial symmetry transform. The transform detects bright or dark regions with high radial symmetry at different scales. Next, the detections are tracked across scales to determine the prominence of facial marks. Extensive experiments are performed both on manually annotated and on automatically detected facial marks to evaluate the usefulness of facial marks as biometric signatures. The results of our analysis signify the usefulness of the distribution of facial marks as a biometric signature.

Klinische und genetische Befunde bei einem männlichen Freiberger mit der neuen Fellfarbe Macchiato

In April 2008 a Franches-Montagnes colt was born with an unusual coat colour phenotype which had never been observed in that population before. The foal showed extended white markings on body and legs, a white head and blue eyes. As both parents have an unremarkable bay coat colour phenotype, a de novo mutation was expected in the offspring and a candidate gene approach revealed a spontaneous mutation in the microphthalmia associated transcription factor gene (MITF). A detailed clinical examination in 2010 indicated an impaired hearing capacity. As in the American Paint Horse large white facial markings in combination with blue eyes are associated with deafness, the hearing capacity of the stallion was closer examined performing brainstem auditory-evoked responses (BAER). The BAER confirmed bilateral deafness in the Franches-Montagnes colt. It is assumed that the deafness is caused by a melanocyte deficiency caused by the MITF gene mutation. Unfortunately, due to castration of the horse, the causal association between the mutation in the MITF gene and clinical findings cannot be confirmed by experimental matings.

Facial markings in the hover wasps: quality signals and familiar recognition cues in two species of Stenogastrinae

Both recognition and conventional signals are widespread in the animal kingdom. Chemical communication plays a major role in invertebrates, and especially in social insects. In the last decade, observational and experimental evidence has shown the existence of visual quality signals and individual recognition cues in Polistes paper wasps, meaning that visual communication might also be common in insect societies. Here we show that two species of facultatively eusocial hover wasps (Vespidae, Stenogastrinae) use the visual channel for social communication. By combining morphoanatomical measurements and behavioural assays, we found that the size of the dark facial markings was related to reproductive status and dominance in colonies of Liostenogaster vechti, thus representing a badge of status. By contrast, no correlation between facial coloration and reproductive status was found in Liostenogaster flavolineata, which instead used facial markings as familiar visual recognition cues. Our results reveal that visual communication in social insects might be more widespread than previously thought and has evolved independently in distinct wasp taxa facing similar selection pressures.