Fluctuating Asymmetry Index Research Articles

ФЛУКТУИРУЮЩАЯ АСИММЕТРИЯ СЕЙСМОСЕНСОРНЫХ КАНАЛОВ ГОЛОВЫ У ВЕРХОВКИ LEUCASPIUS DELINEATUS (HECKEL, 1843) ИЗ МАЛЫХ ПРУДОВ С РАЗНЫМИ ВЕЛИЧИНАМИ МИНЕРАЛИЗАЦИИ ВОДЫ И СОДЕРЖАНИЯ КАТИОНОВ ЖЕСТКОСТИ

Background. The change in external conditions is accompanied by various responses of organisms existing in an unstable and heterogeneous environment. Relevance. Under the influence of physico-chemical factors of the aquatic environment, the frequency and extent of asymmetric manifestations of bilateral morphological features in fish individuals may increase, which is a consequence of an imbalance in their development and reflects the level of environmental stress. The aim of this work was to examine the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in the number of pores in the head seismosensory canals of belica Leucaspius delineatus (sunbleak) from the water bodies that differ in the content of total dissolved solids (water mineralization) and hardness cations. Methods. Ichthyological material was collected in nine small ponds belonging to the Kama River basin in the Udmurt Republic in 2018-2019. In the captured individuals of belica, the number of pores in the seismosensory canals in four paired head dermal bones has been identified, on the basis of which two FA indices have been calculated. Results. In several water bodies, a considerable proportion of belica mature individuals with incompletely ossified sections of the head seismosensory canals, often on one side only, or on the both sides but to different extents, has been recorded. This proportion determined the FA indices of the studied seismosensory features and had a positive correlation with the content of magnesium ions in the water bodies. In the belica individuals with fully ossified head seismosensory canals, the FA variance of the total number of pores in these canals had a positive correlation with the total dissolved solids in the water of the investigated small ponds; however, it had not depended on the content of hardness cations in them. Conclusion. The possible mechanisms of the influence of the investigated hydrochemical factors on the morphogenetic processes sequentially occurring in the belica early development - anlage of the raws of primary head neuromasts in its larvae and the subsequent formation of the ossified sections of the head seismosensory canals in its fry - are discussed.

Three methods testing the asymmetry of the leaf blades of the small-leaved lime

Three methods were used to determine the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of leaf blades and the developmental stability of smallleaved linden (Tilia cordata Mill): the normalizing difference method, the sample normalization method, and the two-factor analysis method (FA10). The collection of leaf blades took place along the latitudinal zonality gradient from north to south in five cities from Murmansk (68°58′ N) to Mozhaisk (55°30′ N), including the cities of Apatity, Petrozavodsk and Saint Petersburg. In all analyses, the highest FA value was obtained in the population of Petrozavodsk, the lowest in the population of Mozhaisk. In other cities, the FA indices differed, except for the populations in Apatity and Petrozavodsk with FA10 indices, respectively, 0.02 (p=0.02) and 0.03 (p=0.01). In the northernmost population (Murmansk), no decrease in developmental stability was noted. The stability of the development of Tilia cordata was more strongly influenced by the climatic and geographical conditions of the area and the technogenic state of the environment than by the geographic latitude. The authors note that a non-parametric sample distribution is advisable to use the two-factor analysis of variance, since normality difference and normalization lead to a non-equivalent deviation of the results. Bonferroni’s adjustments for measurement error were convenient for accurately distributing FA values at significance level.

Fluctuating Asymmetry Increases with Heat Stress Disruptions on Bali Cattle (Bos javanicus) at Different Altitude

<p>Bali cattle (<em>Bos javanicus</em>) are common species distributed throughout Indonesia to survive in tropical hot, and humid climates. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is a random deviation from perfect bilateral symmetry. FA is often used to measure developmental stability in individuals and can be used as a marker for the impact of environmental and genetic stress. This study aims to investigate the pattern of developmental instability in Bali cattle as caused by environmental stress at various altitudes using the FA index. FA indexes in this study were used to compare asymmetrical physical traits of Bali cattle in Sembalun high altitude and Serading low altitude. Sixty-five Bali cattle were used in this study reared at different altitudes, namely Serading, Sumbawa Island (50 m above sea level), and Sembalun, Lombok Island (1,186 m above sea level). The physical traits of Bali cattle measured were horn circumference (horn), a distance of hip to spine bone (pelvic), metatarsal circumference (metatarsal), and metacarpal circumference (metacarpal). The FA1 and FA5 indexes showed significant metacarpal differences between Bali cattle reared at Sembalun and Serading population (P<0.05). FA11 multiple trait index as a composite of all traits revealed a significant difference as well. (P<001). It can be concluded that various heat stress by altitude impacts the asymmetry of Bali cattle.</p>

Assessment of the Orbital and Auricular Asymmetry in Italian and Sudanese Children: A Three-Dimensional Study

The evaluation of the symmetry of orbital and ear soft tissues is important for aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. However, little information is available for these facial regions, especially in children. We analyzed the orbital and auricular symmetry in 418 Italian and 206 Sudanese subadult males divided into three age groups (8–11, 12–15, and 16–19 years old). Orbital and auricular height and width were measured for calculating fluctuating and directional asymmetry indices. Differences in asymmetry indices according to ethnicity and age group were assessed through the two-way ANOVA test (p < 0.01), while differences in the prevalence of right or left asymmetry according to ethnicity were assessed through the chi-square test. On average, directional asymmetry indices ranged from −2.1% to 1.1%, while fluctuating asymmetry indices ranged between 2.9% and 5.4%, corresponding to a small effect size and to 1.06–2.34 mm actual dimensions. Sudanese subjects showed a greater asymmetry for all the indices except for the fluctuating asymmetry of orbital height (p < 0.01). The directional asymmetry of auricular width increased with age. A prevalent right-side asymmetry was found for all the orbital indices (p < 0.001) in both populations, although significantly more prevalent in Sudanese individuals (over 83% for both measures), while auricular measures showed a prevalent left asymmetry exclusively in the Sudanese but with lower percentages. Aside from the limited effect size, the results proved the ethnic variability of asymmetry of orbital and auricle regions in children and suggest the need to collect more population data.

Developmental instability in wild Nigerian olive baboons (Papio anubis).

BackgroundDevelopmental instability in archaeological samples can be detected through analysis of skeletal and dental remains. During life, disruptions to biological internal homeostasis that occur during growth and development redirect bodily resources to returning to homeostasis and away from normal processes such as symmetrical development. Because dental enamel does not remodel in life, any deviations from normal development are left behind. Even subtle disturbances to developmental trajectory may be detected in asymmetrical development of traits, specifically a random variation in sides termed fluctuating asymmetry. Human dental fluctuating asymmetry studies are common, but here we investigate the permanent dentition of a non-human primate Papio anubis, for potential fluctuating asymmetry relative to sex, weaning, and reproductive maturity. The sample stems from an outlier population that lives in the wettest and most humid habitat of any studied baboon group.MethodsThe skulls of adult baboons were collected after their natural death in Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria. The permanent dentition of antimeric teeth (paired) were measured for maximum length and breadth using standard methods. The metrics were analyzed to assess the presence of fluctuating asymmetry in adult permanent mandibular and maxillary dentition. Measurement error and other forms of asymmetry (antisymmetry, directional asymmetry) were considered and dental measures expressing true fluctuating asymmetry were used to address three research questions.ResultsMales exhibit greater fluctuating asymmetry than females, suggesting that males experience greater overall instability during the developmental period. While weaning is not more stressful than other life history stages for males and females (using the first molar fluctuating asymmetry index as a proxy compared to other teeth), it is more stressful for females than males. The onset of reproduction is also not more stressful than other life history stages for males and females (using the third molar fluctuating asymmetry index as a proxy compared to other teeth), but it is more stressful for males than females. We explore possible explanations for these findings in the discussion.

Qualitative and Quantitative Indicators of Foliar Mass of Woody Plants in Urban Greenspaces According to the Level of Air Pollution

The purpose of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the leaf fall timing and parameters of fluctuating leaf asymmetry among two commonly used plant species for street landscaping in Detroit city, namely, American elm and American ash. The study was completed between summer and fall for the year 2019 in and around Detroit, US. Phenological leaf fall timing of elm and ash was studied, and the fluctuating asymmetry index of their leaves was estimated within the city limits (80 trees of ash and 40 of elm) and outside the city (control site, 20 trees of each species). Leaf fall in city ash trees was recorded from November 1st to 4th and 5-8 days prior to the leaf fall in elms (p ≤ 0.01). Elm trees in the control group shed their leaves 10 days later compared to the city trees, i.e., on average, on November 25th (p ≤ 0.01). Ash trees in the control group shed their leaves earlier than the elm control group, on November 11th (p ≤ 0.001). In the city streets, the average fluctuating asymmetry ranged from 0.065 to 0.086 (point 1), from 0.049 to 0.078 (point 2) and from 0.063 to 0.082 (control site, near the highway).

Air Pollution Investigated by Fluctuating Asymmetry of Leaves

Air pollution is an increasing threat in urban as well as rural areas. Particularly, motor vehicles and their exhaust gases cause considerable health risks. In addition to traditional air monitoring, we propose a new method by investigating morphological changes of leaves coming from trees that are located near streets or roads. Shape changes were measured by computing the already established fluctuating asymmetry index. Results of this study indicate that although air pollution may be lower in rural areas, the influence to the ecosystem can be quite comparable to urban areas.

The ecology of urban system: assessment using Spiraea plants

The article presents the results of the study of the shift in the morphological parameters of the leaves of three species of the genus Spiraea L. growing under the conditions of transport-caused and industrial pollution in large industrial citi of Western Siberia (Novosibirsk) in comparison with that in background conditions (reference). The morphological indices (length, width, perimeter, and area of the lamina) were determined by digital image analysis using the Maplnfo software. The anthropogenic impacts induced a reduction in the size of the assimilating organs and an increase in the index of the fluctuating asymmetry of the leaves of urban plants compared to background plants. According to the fluctuating asymmetry index, the environmental quality of the Lenin district of Novosibirsk was assessed as critical, meanwhile that of the reference conditions corresponded to the norm.

Assessment of the Possibility to Use Potentilla fruticosa L. (Rosaceae, Magnoliopsida) for Bioindication of the Environmental Status of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace

The environmental status of the Eastern Ural radioactive trace (EURT) zone has been assessed by bioindication methods. A long-term (2005–2013) study of Potentilla fruticosa plants planted on three sites within the gradient of radionuclide contamination with 90Sr and 137Cs showed that, regardless of the vegetation period and year of observation, an increase in the level of radiation caused a reduction in the lamina and petiole length and an increase in the fluctuating asymmetry index of the terminal leaf lobe. The morphological indices (length, width, and area of the lamina and terminal leaf lobe; petiole length) were determined by digital image analysis using the Maplnfo software. Statistically significant differences in these indices from the control were observed only in the plants from the most contaminated area. As the radiation load increased, the interannual variability of the petiole length increased from low to high values regardless of the vegetation period. In the case of fluctuating asymmetry of the terminal leaf lobe, a significant difference was revealed between the control plants and plants exposed to radiation. Using the fluctuating asymmetry index, the environmental quality of areas located within the EURT territory was assessed as critical, while that of the control site corresponded to the norm.

Морфологічна мінливість фоліарних показників Populus tremula L. в умовах техногенного навантаження

The article presents the study of leaf morphological features of Populus tremula L. Growing under the conditions of the influence emissions from Burshtynska TPP. The methods of linear morphometry were used to analyze the variability of the morphological parameters of leaves at high levels of pollutants. In the zone of influence of the industrial object there is a significant decrease in the foliar parameters. Uneven variability of morphological parameters between the study plots of industrial pollution and with minimized technogenic load are revealed. Levels of variability of morphological parameters are estimated using coefficient of variation, which for most of the analyzed morphological features at the polluted plot load is characterized by high and average values. The most varied ones were the distance between the first and second veins and the length of the second vein from the base of the leaf vein. For bioindication of anthropogenic load, an index of fluctuating asymmetry of P. tremul leaf blades has been tested. The analysis of the fluctuating asymmetry was based on leaf linear measurements and area of ​​ the halves of leaf blades. The results indicated an increase in fluctuating asymmetry index in plant growing at the polluted plot, both in linear measurements and in area indices. The comparison of the two approaches to the estimation of the level of fluctuating asymmetry has been carried out. As a result of this study, those foliar morphometric parameters of P. tremula, which exhibit high morphological reactivity under the influence of anthropogenic load, can be used as bioindicatory markers for assessing the state of the environment. A reliable indicator of technological pressure is the level of fluctuating asymmetry that can be recommended for use in bioindicative studies.

Phytocenological study of environmental quality using the fluctuating asymmetry index Betula pendula Roth

The structure and species composition of communities of 9 areas within the city of Tobolsk (Tyumen region, Russia) and its surroundings were studied. The method used to assess the quality of the environment consisted in determination of the fluctuating asymmetry index of the Betula pendula Roth lamina. For spatial characterization of the state of the test object and assessment of the anthropogenic load, a bioindication map was drawn up using isolines. The environmental heterogeneity of environmental conditions and the degree of deviation from the environmental optimum were revealed. During the examination of groups of individuals, insignificant fluctuations in the nature of environmental conditions from conditionally normal (I point) to critical (V points) were noted. Such fluctuations are explained by the uneven distribution of pollution sources between the compared territories. It was established that under conditions optimal for a species, the smallest level of deviations from the norm is observed, and that the territory under study is heterogeneous in terms of the fluctuating asymmetry index.

Fluctuating Asymmetry in Melipona scutellaris (L.) 1811 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Associated to Stress due to Transportation of Colonies

Transportation to long distances and handling of colonies can affect development and survival conditions of bees. Our study investigated the stress intensity of individuals of Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811, due to transportation of colonies to long distances, within the natural range of the species. We used 746 bee workers. The right and left forewings were removed and measured using 15 landmarks in vein insertions. Individuals were divided into four groups: (1) workers collected at the origin site, (2) workers emerged at the place of destination in pupal stage during transportation, (3) workers emerged at the destination site in the 3rd instar of larval stage during transportation, and (4) workers collected after three months of colony establishment at the destination site. The Procrustes ANOVA showed significant results as well as the presence of Fluctuating Asymmetry (FA) in all treatments for the shape of wings (P<0.01). However, in the comparison of groups using the One-Way ANOVA, only workers that emerged at the destination site in the 3rd instar of larval stage during transportation (Group 3) significantly differentiated (P<0.05) from the others, with a higher FA index. The larval stage underwent more stress due to colony transportation. Beekeepers should take good care of colonies during transportation in order to minimize damages to workers to prevent quality loss of services and products offered by bees.

Drosophila melanogaster Response to Feeding with Neomycin-Based Medium Expressed in Fluctuating Asymmetry.

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a model species used for a wide range of studies. Contamination of Drosophila cultures with bacterial infection is common and is readily eradicated by antibiotics. Neomycin antibiotics can cause stress to D. melanogaster’s larvae and imagoes, which may affect the interpretation of the results of research using culture from neomycin-based medium. In the present study, fluctuating asymmetry (FA), one of the important bioindicators of stress, was measured. Larvae and imagoes of a wild-type D. melanogaster strain were exposed to various concentrations of neomycin. The size of anal papillae and selected wing veins were measured using scanning electron and light microscopy, respectively. Next, the FA was checked. The values obtained for larval anal papillae appeared to be concentration-dependant; the FA indices increased with the concentration of neomycin. The wing FA presented a large but variable correlation, depending on the measured vein. However, the mean length of veins was the highest for the control group, with neomycin-exposed groups showing lower values. The research showed that neomycin may cause sublethal stress in D. melanogaster, which manifests in increased FA indices. This suggests that neomycin can cause physiological and developmental stress in insects, which should be taken into account when interpreting the results of studies using these model organisms.

Quantification of the Radiation Effects on the Stability of the Irradiated Plants Development in Light Culture

The radiation environment parameters affect not only individual biochemical reactions and physiological processes occurring in the plant, but also make it possible to achieve stable plant development as a whole. (Research purpose) To develop a method, technical means and methodology for the quantitative assessment of the optical radiation effect on plants, the use of which ensures energy efficiency and environmental friendliness of the resulting product by choosing the most optimal light source. (Materials and methods) The authors demonstrated that the stability of plant development can be characterized by fluctuating asymmetry indices, the values of which form uneven optical density on both sides of the leaf. They developed and manufactured an experimental model of a device for measuring leaves' optical density. They studied the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) of the Safa mix F1 mid-early hybrid. They used plants in a juvenile age state to reduce the duration of the experiment, that means from the appearance of the first to the appearance of the second leaf. (Results and discussion) The authors found that the differences between the parameters of plants grown under light sources № 1 and № 2 are not significant. They took the parameters of plants grown under light sources № 1 and № 3 for comparison. It was determined that these sources have approximately the same flow shares in the blue range (27.4 and 26.2 percent). They found out that the flow shares in the red range are different (34.4 and 49.5 percent), which determined different values of the ratio R:B (1.3 and 1.9). It was noted that the values of the ratio R: FR (4.1 and 16.3) are also different. (Conclusions) The authors proposed a method for assessing the effect of radiation on plants by the stability of their development. It was established that the application of this method to plants grown under conditions of light culture is promising for a comprehensive assessment of the quality of the light medium created by radiation sources; allows to choose the most optimal light sources.

Evaluation of the State of the Environment in Yoshkar-Ola Using Morphometric Indicators of Betula pendula Roth

The results of long-term bioindication studies aimed to evaluate the state of the silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) in Yoshkar-Ola under different anthropogenic load conditions are presented. An increase in the morphometric indices of the shoot system and leaf lamina area under anthropogenic load was observed. The fluctuating asymmetry (FA) index of B. pendula leaves growing on short shoots did not depend on the ontogenetic state of the tree, while in the case of leaves collected from long shoots, such a dependence was revealed. The most informative morphometric parameters of B. pendula indicating the state of the environment included the FA index of leaves growing on short shoots and the damaged leaf area.

Fluctuating Asymmetry of Leaves of Betula pubescens Ehrh. for Assessment of Pollution of the Urban Environment of the Kola North

The results of determining the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) index of Betula pubescens leaves as well as the state of birches in general, as an aboriginal species in the Murmansk region to assess the pollution of urban ecosystems of the Kola North (Murmansk, Apatity, Olenegorsk, Polyarnye Zori, Kandalaksha) in the zone of influence of railway transport have been presented in the article. It has been shown that the most weakened birches grow in Kandalaksha and Olenegorsk, while in Kandalaksha area, there are more than 10% of dead trees. It has been revealed that the highest FA index which characterizes the critical state of plants and the high level of environmental pollution is observed in Olenegorsk. The increased level of FA has also been in Kandalaksha and Polyarnye Zori. The comparative analysis of the state of plants and FA index showed existence of functional interrelation only in Kandalaksha and Olenegorsk when with a significant proportion of weakened trees the indicator of FA is the highest. Due to the fact that the increase in the level of FA is influenced by stress factors caused not only by pollution, the method of assessing the quality of the environment by the fluctuating asymmetry should be used in complex with other studies.

Fluctuating asymmetry of the needles of Pinus brutia var. pityusa (STEVEN) SILBA, 1985, growing in industrial and recreational areas in Tuapse

The paper provides information on the index of fluctuating asymmetry of the Pitsunda pine in industrial and recreational areas in the city of Tuapse (the Russian Black Sea coast of the Caucasus). It is shown that pollution is localized in the port area, and in the city center, the fluctuating asymmetry index is comparable to that for resort areas at a considerable distance from the Tuapse port. The necessity of taking into account the climate when using the coefficient of fluctuating asymmetry of the needles of the Mediterranean (Pitsunda) pine in assessing the degree of ecological well-being of various areas is shown.

Assessment of the state of the urboecosystem by integral indicators of pine and soil cover

Soil contamination due to the accumulation of heavy metals directly affects the biogeochemical composition, development stability (fluctuating asymmetry) of urban vegetation. To assess the condition of urbanized territories, monitoring is required, especially biological. This work shows an assessment of the stability of the development of populations of Scots pine growing in the urban environment, depending on the content of heavy metals in the soil cover, needles. The representativeness of the data obtained is confirmed by appropriate statistical processing. Higher values of integral indicators were found for all the territories examined, especially for the Central Park, which is characterized by maximum traffic load. The values of the fluctuating asymmetry index of pine needles reflect the elemental composition of the soil cover (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co Cr, Mn).

Morphological abnormalities in caddisfly larvae (Hydropsyche doctersi) as indicator of water quality in tropical rivers

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of Hydropsyche doctersi (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) and its relationship with physico-chemical parameters of four rivers, Kurau River and Ara River in Perak while Kob River and Sedim River in Kedah, Malaysia were studied. All investigated rivers experienced good water quality (Class II) according to water quality index (WQI), although the rivers were surrounded by different land uses. However, high values of BOD, COD and TSS of Kob River indicated that the river was highly polluted. The influence of several physicochemical parameters on H. doctersi anatomical structures such as 1st tarsal claw length, 1st tarsal length, 1st tibial length, 1st tibial width, 2nd tibial length, 2nd tibial width, 2nd femur length, 3rd tibial length, 3rd tibial width, 3rd femur length, 3rd trochanter length, mesonotum length and anal claw length were also investigated. However, only four structures (2nd tibial length, TBL and 3rd tibial width, TBW) exhibited FA in H. doctersi samples from the rivers and were further analyzed. Results revealed that the greatest numbers of traits exhibited FA was recorded at Ara River with eight traits and the greatest FA11 was recorded in third femur length, meanwhile only three traits exhibited FA in Kurau River. In 3rd TBW, AbsFA and FA index showed correlation with nitrate concentration in the rivers. The FA incidence was also reported in the 1st TBL based on correlation of AbsFA with temperature, TDS and orthophosphate. As a conclusion, FA occurrence at Hydropsyche doctersi has proved that river pollution contributed to deformities among the aquatic organisms.

Assessment of Possible Use of Potentilla fruticosa L. (Rosaceae, Magnoliopsida) for Bioindication of the Natural Environment Status in the Area of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace

Журнал принимает на русском и английском языках статьи, представляющие результаты научных исследований в различных областях теоретической и прикладной экологии. Приоритет отдается научным статьям, основанным на явно сформулированных гипотезах.