Hare Research Articles

Density and habitat requirements of sympatric hares and cottontails in northern Italy

Abstract From 2005 to 2009, densities and habitat selection by the European hare ( Lepus europaeus ) and Eastern cottontail ( Sylvilagus floridanus ) were assessed during feeding activity in an intensively cultivated area in northern Italy. Hare average density (74 ind./km 2 ) was comparable to the highest values reported for European farming areas. Preand post-breeding density fluctuated widely across the study years, probably as a consequence of changes in the carrying capacity of the study area. Cottontail population size progressively increased, as expected for a recently introduced species supported by high reproductive performances. Hares used both crops and spontaneous vegetation during their feeding activity. Conversely, cottontails avoided winter cereals and preferred to feed on alfalfa. Our results suggest that simplified agro-ecosystems cannot maintain high density hare populations even at a short time scale. Landscape heterogeneity could enhance the chances of coexistence between the two lagomorphs. Riassunto Densita ed esigenze ecologiche della lepre e del silvilago in condizioni di simpatria in Italia settentrionale Tra il 2005 e il 2009, la densita e l’uso del habitat durante l’attivita di alimentazione da parte della Lepre europea ( Lepus europaeus ) e del Silvilago ( Sylvilagus floridanus ) sono stati indagati in un’area intensamente coltivata nell’Italia settentrionale. La densita media della lepre nell’area di studio (74 ind./km 2 ) corrisponde ai valori maggiori riportati per le aree agricole europee. Le densita pre- e post riproduttive della lepre hanno mostrato sensibili fluttuazioni durante il periodo di studio, probabilmente dovute ai cambiamenti stagionali della capacita portante dell’area di studio. L’abbondanza del silvilago e aumentata durante gli ultimi tre anni di studio, come prevedibile per una specie, a bassa densita, ben adattata agli ambienti agricoli e supportata da una elevata performance riproduttiva. Durante l’attivita di alimentazione, le lepri hanno utilizzato sia le coltivazioni sia la vegetazione spontanea. Invece, il silvilago ha evitato i cereali autunnali e selezionato l’erba medica. I risultati suggeriscono che ambienti agricoli semplificati non sono in grado di mantenere popolazioni di lepre ad alte densita nemmeno per brevi periodi di tempo. Ambienti eterogenei potrebbero favorire la coesistenza tra le due specie di lagomorfi. doi:10.4404/hystrix-20.2-4440

A study of Fuji Intelligent Chromo Endoscopy in the diagnosis of colonrectal neoplasia

Objective To investgate the value of Fuji Intelligent Chromo Endoscopy(FICE)for the diagnosis of colonrectal polympus.Methods 197 patients who had colon polypoid lesion examined with ordinary colonoscopy from March 2009 to January 2010 were enrolled in this study.The patients were examined with magnifying conventional colonoscopy,magnifying FICE technique and magnifying chromoendoscopy technique,the pit pattern and blood capillary form.The endoscopic diagnosis was made,and compared with pathologic diagnosis.Results 359 neoplasms were detected in the197 patients,among those 91.2% were detected with magnifying conventional endoscopy,97.8% were detected with FICE technique ,there was significant difference between the two methods.the structure and form of mucosal blood capillary saw mere clearly in FICE than that in chromoendoscopy technique,(P ＜ 0.01),there was no significant difference between the two methods for showing the pit pattern.The coincident rate of FICE for the diagnosis of tumor and non-tumor polynpus was 90.3%,which was significant higher than that of chromoendoscopy 82.5% (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Magnifying FICE endoscopy could show mucosal microstructure and blood capillary form.It hav the superiority of high coincident rate in distinguishing neoplastic from non-neoplastic colorectal polympus compared with conventional magnifying colonoscopy and magnifying chromoendoscopy.The detected rate of early carcinoma of colon is dramatically increased with FICE.FICE could be easily operated,and hare satisfactory clinical practical value. Key words: Fuji Intelligent Chromo Endoscopy; Colon polympus; Diagnosis

Color and motion: which is the tortoise and which is the hare?

Color and motion: which is the tortoise and which is the hare?

Coral Reef Associated Gastropods in Tuticorin Coast of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, India

Coral reef associated gastropods diversity study was undertaken in Tuticorin group of islands (Hare, Vaan and Koswari). Underwater survey was made in three quadrants (10 sq.m) in each site. A sum of 40 species of gastropods were recorded from the study area. Most of the species are commonly found in three islands. Twelve were rare viz., Ficus ficus, Colubraria muricata, Casmaria erinaceus, Natica didyma, Nerita polita, Rapana bulbosa, Purpura rudolphi, Strombus sp., Architectonica perspectiva, Cypraea tigris, Cymatium lotorium and Haustellum haustellum were reported form the study area. Species diversity and richness were found to be higher in the Vaan island.

The Hunttyng of the Hare in the Heege Manuscript

The Hunttyng of the Hare in the Heege Manuscript

Diet-Derived Halogenated Metabolite from the Sea Hare Aplysia parvula

As part of our continuous interest in the diversity of halogenated metabolites in the red algae genus Laurencia and their grazers, the sea hare genus Aplysia in Sabah coastal waters, we report the chemical composition of Aplysia parvula collected from Sepanggar Island, Kota Kinabalu. Chemical analysis resulted in the isolation and identification of three sesquiterpenes; palisadin A (1), iso-obtusol (2) and elatol (3). Compounds were present as 13.9%, 6.7%, and 8.5% of crude extract, respectively. A similar analysis of its diet from the same location, Laurencia snackeyi (Weber-van Bosse) Masuda and Laurencia majuscula (Harvey) Lucas, showed the existence of palisadin A, palisadin B, aplysistatin and 5-acetoxypalisadin B in Laurencia snackeyi, while Laurencia majuscula contained elatol and isoobtusol. Hence, it is suggestive that A. parvula is capable of selective sequestering of compounds derived from its diet. Based on the chemicals sequestered, it is confirmed that A. parvula is an oligophagous feeder. Its ability to selectively sequester palisadin A and not the other syndreans, reflects on the complexity of its digestive glands. All three compounds also showed potent antimicrobial, antifeedant and cytotoxic activities.Sehubungan dengan minat kami dalam penyelidikan sebatian berhalogen ‘seahare’ dari perairan Sabah, kami ingin melaporkan komposisi kimia sebatian berhalogen dari Aplysia parvula dari Pulau Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu. Hasil kajian telah membawa kepada pemencilan dan identifikasi tiga sesquiterpene; Palisadin A (1), iso-obtusol (2) and elatol (3). Sebatian-sebatian ini wujud dalam kuantiti yang signifikan 13.9%, 6.7%, and 8.5% dalam esktrak kasarnya ‘sea hare’ yang dikaji. Analisis kimia sedemikian keatas dietnya, Laurencia snackeyi (Weber-van Bosse) Masuda and Laurencia majuscula (Harvey) Lucas, telah menunjukkan kehadiran palisadin A, palisadin B, aplysistatin and 5-acetoxypalisadin B dalam Laurencia snackeyi, manakala Laurencia majuscula mengandungi elatol and isoobtusol. Maka, dapat disyorkan bahawa A. parvula dapat melakukan menepuan sebatian kimia daripada dietnya secara selektif. Berdasarkan bahan kimia yang ditepukan, dapat dikenalpasti bahawa A. parvula merupakan pemakan oligofagus. Kebolehannya untuk melakukan penemuan selektif terhadap palisadin A dan bukan ‘syndrean’ yang lain dapat membayangkan betapa kompleksnya kelenjar penghadamannya. Semua ketiga-tiga sebatian ini telah menunjukkan aktiviti antimikrob, ‘antifeedant’ dan sititoksik.

Hare Krishna Transformed

Hare Krishna Transformed

Colorado animal-based plague surveillance systems: relationships between targeted animal species and prediction efficacy of areas at risk for humans

Human plague risks (Yersinia pestis infection) are greatest when epizootics cause high mortality among this bacterium's natural rodent hosts. Therefore, health departments in plague-endemic areas commonly establish animal-based surveillance programs to monitor Y. pestis infection among plague hosts and vectors. The primary objectives of our study were to determine whether passive animal-based plague surveillance samples collected in Colorado from 1991 to 2005 were sampled from high human plague risk areas and whether these samples provided information useful for predicting human plague case locations. By comparing locations of plague-positive animal samples with a previously constructed GIS-based plague risk model, we determined that the majority of plague-positive Gunnison's prairie dogs (100%) and non-prairie dog sciurids (85.82%), and moderately high percentages of sigmodontine rodents (71.4%), domestic cats (69.3%), coyotes (62.9%), and domestic dogs (62.5%) were recovered within 1 km of the nearest area posing high peridomestic risk to humans. In contrast, the majority of white-tailed prairie dog (66.7%), leporid (cottontailed and jack rabbits) (71.4%), and black-tailed prairie dog (93.0%) samples originated more than 1 km from the nearest human risk habitat. Plague-positive animals or their fleas were rarely (one of 19 cases) collected within 2 km of a case exposure site during the 24 months preceding the dates of illness onset for these cases. Low spatial accuracy for identifying epizootic activity prior to human plague cases suggested that other mammalian species or their fleas are likely more important sources of human infection in high plague risk areas. To address this issue, epidemiological observations and multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analyses (MLVA) were used to preliminarily identify chipmunks as an under-sampled, but potentially important, species for human plague risk in Colorado.

Ontogeny of joint mechanics in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis): functional implications for mammalian limb growth and locomotor development

Juvenile animals must often compete against adults for common resources, keep pace during group travel and evade common predators, despite reduced body size and an immature musculoskeletal system. Previous morphometric studies of a diverse array of mammals, including jack rabbits, cats and capuchin monkeys, have identified growth-related changes in anatomy, such as negative allometry of limb muscle mechanical advantage, which should theoretically permit young mammals to overcome such ontogenetic limits on performance. However, it is important to evaluate the potential impact of such ;compensatory' growth trajectories within the context of developmental changes in locomotor behavior. I used standard kinematic and kinetic techniques to investigate the ontogenetic scaling of joint postures, substrate reaction forces, joint load arm lengths and external joint moments in an ontogenetic sample of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis). Results indicated that young squirrel monkeys were frequently able to limit forelimb and hind limb joint loading via a combination of changes in limb posture and limb force distribution, potentially compensating for limited muscularity at younger ages. These results complement previous morphometric studies and suggest that immature mammals may utilize a combination of behavioral and anatomical mechanisms to mitigate ontogenetic limits on locomotor performance. However, ontogenetic changes in joint posture, not limb length per se, explained most of the variation in load arm lengths and joint loading in growing squirrel monkeys, indicating the importance of incorporating both anatomical and performance measures when studying the ontogeny of limb joint mechanics.

Quel mode de scrutin pour quel « vainqueur » ? Une expérience sur le vote préférentiel transférable

Dans cet article nous présentons les résultats d’une expérience électorale réalisée durant l’élection présidentielle de 2007 qui avait pour objectifs de confronter le vote préférentiel transférable à deux critères : la simplicité et la sélection du vainqueur de Condorcet. À partir du profil des préférences des électeurs qui ont participé à cette expérience électorale, nous montrons que cette procédure de vote peut conduire à la désignation d’un vainqueur différent suivant la méthode de dépouillement employée. Avec la méthode de Hare, le vainqueur est N. Sarkozy, tandis que la méthode de Coombs conduit à l’élection de F. Bayrou. Pour ces deux méthodes, les modalités pratiques du scrutin restent les mêmes et l’expérience a montré que ce processus répond bien au critère de simplicité. Par contre, au regard du principe de Condorcet, seule la méthode de Coombs, pour ce profil des préférences a conduit à l’élection du vainqueur de Condorcet, à savoir F. Bayrou.

Hare Krishna Transformed

Hare Krishna Transformed

The cause and nursing prevention of chinese metabolic syndrome

Because of graduate improving of people's living standerd,environment,life style and chansins of diet structure,more and morn potential danger diseases have been threatening physically and mentally healthy of people.Metabolic syndrome is a group that is interrelated Diabetes mellitus,cardiac Vasular Department,always with Insuling Resistance.Recently to years,Metabolic Syndrome has been followed with interest by medical staff of clinic and people of society.This article summarized pathogeny of Metabolic Syndrome and nursingof prevention and nursing:different factor of crowd danger,area and culture were difference.Especially,common cause of diseases hare been bulit up by fat,hyperliedemia and hypertension,blood glucose Variable damaged to be insulin resistance.Danger of Metabolic Syndrome will be reduced,if it has been prerented with early and effective preventing. Key words: Metabolic syndrome; Pathogeny; Prevention and nursing

Extant or extinct? White-tailed jack rabbits and Yellowstone's food web

Extant or extinct? White-tailed jack rabbits and Yellowstone's food web

A comparison of stress hormone concentrations at slaughter in Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers

Concentrations of stress hormones at slaughter were determined in 15 of each of 18-month old Angus, Bonsmara and Nguni steers. The steers were slaughtered at the East London Abattoir, which is about 120 km from the University of Fort Hare farm, where the animals had been raised. Serum creatinine and packed cell volume (PCV) concentrations were determined before cattle transportation. Blood was also collected along the slaughter line immediately after exsanguination for the determination of cortisol, creatinine and PCV. Urine samples were collected for the measurement of creatinine, adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine concentrations. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was also determined. Bonsmara had the highest concentrations of adrenaline (10.8 nmol/mol), noradrenaline (9.7 nmol/mol) and dopamine (14.8 nmol/mol) concentrations, whereas the Nguni had the least concentrations of adrenaline (6.5 nmol/mol), noradrenaline (4.6 nmol/mol) and dopamine (4 nmol/mol) concentrations. The Nguni had the highest serum cortisol concentrations (2.3 nmol/mol), while Angus had the least concentrations (1.3 nmol/mol). There were no (P > 0.05) breed differences in serum and urea creatinine concentrations, and on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Bonsmara steers had higher (P < 0.05) levels of catecholamines and dopamine compared to Nguni and Angus steers after transport and handling stress. The Bonsmara was therefore the most stress responsive breed at slaughter. Key words: Stress, cortisol, dopamine, adrenaline, animal welfare, breed.

Hare Krishna Transformed. By E. Burke Rochford Jr

Hare Krishna Transformed. By E. Burke Rochford Jr

Building Schools for the Future: setting the hares running

Building Schools for the Future: setting the hares running

Undetected species losses, food webs, and ecological baselines: a cautionary tale from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, USA

Large protected areas are often considered natural yet outside pressures may compromise ecological integrity. This paper points to a problem in assessing ecological baselines: what if species’ extirpations go undetected? I present a data set spanning 130 years that demonstrates the loss of white-tailed jack rabbits Lepus townsendii from two National Parks in the well studied 60,000 km2 Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, USA. While these extirpations have been unnoticed until now, an ecological consequence may be elevated predation on juvenile ungulates. A critical challenge we face is how to apply better the concept of shifting baselines to the restoration of functional relationships when species' losses are undetected.

Hare Krishna Transformed – By E. Burke Rochford, Jr.

Hare Krishna Transformed – By E. Burke Rochford, Jr.

Study of apoptosis and Fas expression of peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood T lymphocytes in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and their relationship with CA125

To investigate the apoptosis and Fas (CD95) expression of T lymphocytes from the peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid of the patients with ovarian cancer and their relationship with CA125. Apoptosis and Fas expression of peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood T lymphocytes were assessed by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the following objects respectively: patients with stage III - IV ovarian cancer (n = 18) before and after treatment, patients with stage I - II ovarian cancer (n = 15), patients with benign ovarian tumor (n = 18), patients with Krukenberg tumor (n = 6) and normal control (n = 20). Peritoneal fluids were obtained from all the patients with ovarian cancer, Krukenberg tumor and ten patients with benign ovarian tumor. Level of serum CA125 of the patients with ovarian cancer was assessed. In the patients with stage III - IV ovarian cancer, the apoptosis level of the peripheral blood T lymphocytes was 5.55 (3.57 - 9.62)%, significantly higher than those from the patients with stage I - II ovarian cancer, patients with benign ovarian tumor, controls (P < 0.008 in all instances) and the patients with stage III - IV ovarian cancer after treatment (P < 0.05). The intensity of Fas expression of the peripheral blood T lymphocytes from the patients with stage III - IV ovarian cancer was 51 +/- 10, significantly higher than that from controls (P < 0.05). In peritoneal fluid, the apoptosis rates of T lymphocytes, positive rate and intensity of Fas expression on T lymphocytes from patients with stage I - II and stage III - IV ovarian cancer were 17.41 (7.06 - 24.56)%, (57 +/- 16)%, (55 +/- 11)% and 34.06 (17.03 - 44.65)%, (66 +/- 12)%, (70 +/- 24)%, respectively, increased significantly compared with those from patients with benign ovarian tumor, which were 0.78 (0.67 - 1.44)%, (37 +/- 6)%, 43 +/- 6, respectively (P < 0.01 in all instances). The apoptosis level and positive rate of Fas expression on peritoneal fluid T lymphocytes from patients with stage III - IV ovarian cancer were significantly higher than those from patients with Krukenberg tumor (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between the serum CA125 level and the apoptosis level of peritoneal fluid T cell in the patients with stage I - II ovarian cancer (r = 0.77, P = 0.009). For ovarian cancer, the apoptosis level of peritoneal fluid T lymphocytes from patients with the serum CA125 > 500 KU/L was higher than that from the patients with the serum CA125 < or = 500 KU/L (P = 0.009). (1) Extraordinarily increased apoptosis of T cells may play an important role in the development of systemic and celiac immunodeficiency in the patients with ovarian cancer. In contrast with the patients with Krukenberg tumor, the patients with advanced ovarian cancer hare higher percentage of apoptotic peritoneal fluid T lymphocytes, which shows the particularity of local immunity defect. (2) For the patients with ovarian cancer, efficient treatment can decrease the percentage of apoptotic peripheral blood T lymphocytes. (3) The increased positive rate and intensity of Fas expression on peritoneal fluid T lymphocytes stressed the significance of Fas interference in the treatment of ovarian cancer. (4) Level of serum CA125 can reflect the celiac immunity defection in patients with ovarian cancer.

7 From Wild Wolf to Domestic Dog

The dog ( Canis familiaris ) was the first species to be domesticated. This event was a crucial step in the history of humankind and it occurred more than 15,000 years ago when humans were generally nomadic hunter–gatherers (Price and Gebauer 1995). Dogs were domesticated at least several thousand years before any other plant or animal species, and the few ancient remains found so far come from Europe, North America, and the Near East, suggesting they rapidly spread throughout the world after initial domestication events. As a result of the scarce and highly fragmented archaeological evidence, little is known about the specific location, conditions, or causes of domestication. Knowledge of the pattern and process of domestication is essential to understanding human civilization at the end of the Stone Age and the transition from hunter–gatherer to agrarian societies. Domestic dogs are morphologically diverse, and differences in cranial and skeletal proportions among dog breeds exceed that among wild canids (Wayne 1986a,b). Domestic dogs are also behaviorally diverse and have behavioral patterns that are distinct from those of their wild ancestors (Coppinger and Coppinger 2001; Hare et al. 2002; Miklosi et al. 2003). Despite this dramatic diversity in phenotype, dogs have diverged very recently from their wild progenitor, the gray wolf ( Canis lupus ), and consequently, the two species have very similar genomes. Understanding the small subset of genes that have changed during domestication will provide insights into how rapid diversification occurs in domestic and wild species, as well as a more precise understanding...