Seasonal Preferences Research Articles

Toward the best young horse performance—Variability of behavior and performance-related traits in Polish warmbloods during years 2002-2017

Knowledge on the best timing for horse performance is necessary to ensure horse well-being and longevity. The training plan should take into account seasonal preferences of horses to establish the optimal performance timing. The effect of season/month on horse performance was investigated as the retrospective evaluation of secondary data using a cross-sectional design on the basis of official standardized performance tests for young breeding warmblood horses (2050 mares and 73 stallions) to establish the best performance months. The tests for mares were conducted in all months of the year and for stallions in two different seasons/months. Analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the fixed effects of season/month, year, training center, breed register, random effect of sire, and linear regression on age in days. The influence of month of testing was statistically significant for the traits of “character” (P = 0.0053) and “temperament” (P = 0.0166) evaluated in mares. The trait “rideability” (P = 0.0098) differed between months in mare station tests, but not in field tests. Lower performance results were obtained generally in March and November. These months seem to be suboptimal for young horse performance in temperate climate zones. Behavior-related traits of mare performance demonstrate season-dependent characteristics, which was not the case for mare locomotion traits and stallion characteristics.

Simultaneous estimation of seasonal population density, habitat preference and catchability of wild boars based on camera data and harvest records.

Analyses of life history and population dynamics are essential for effective population control of wild mammals. We developed a model for the simultaneous estimation of seasonal changes in three parameters—population density, habitat preference and trap catchability of target animals—based on camera-trapping data and harvest records. The random encounter and staying time model, with no need for individual recognition, is the core component of the model—by combining this model with the catch-effort model, we estimated density at broad spatial scales and catchability by traps. Here, the wild boar population in central Japan was evaluated as a target population. We found that the estimated population density increased after the birth period and then decreased until the next birth period, mainly due to harvesting. Habitat preference changed seasonally, but forests having abandoned fields nearby were generally preferred throughout the season. These patterns can be explained by patterns of food availability and resting or nesting sites. Catchability by traps also changed seasonally, with relatively high values in the winter, which probably reflected changes in the attractiveness of the trap bait due to activity changes in response to food scarcity. Based on these results, we proposed an effective trapping strategy for wild boars, and discussed the applicability of our model to more general conservation and management issues.

Keratinophilic fungi: Specialized fungal communities in a desert ecosystem identified using cultured-based and Illumina sequencing approaches

Soil fungi in desert ecosystems are adapted to harsh environmental conditions such as high soil surface temperatures and limited organic matter and water. Given limited carbon inputs from plant material, heterotrophic fungi likely use unconventional sources of carbon in these systems. A baiting method was used to culture keratinophilic fungi from biocrust and rhizosphere soils in an arid grassland in Utah, USA. Fungi were baited using llama and sheep wool, horsehair, and snakeskin on two media, and pure cultures were identified using ITS and LSU rRNA sequences. One hundred-eighteen fungal colonies were grown, representing a total of 32 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) at 97 % similarity. Cultures were dominated by the phylum Ascomycota (88 %) followed by Mucoromycota (8.6 %) and Basidiomycota (3.4 %). The orders Pleosporales, Eurotiales, Hypocreales, and Sordariales were commonly isolated, with the dominant taxa Alternaria (27 %), Aspergillus (22 %), Fusarium (11 %), and Chaetomium (8%). Thirty percent of the fungi isolated have the capacity to degrade keratin in vitro using a keratin azure assay, with Penicillium showing the highest degradation followed by Geomyces, Alternaria, and Fusarium. Although keratin degraders can be infectious, dermatophytes associated with skin infections were not isolated in culture or detected in Illumina sequencing. Illumina sequencing was used to determine general patterns in seasonal variation and habitat preference of keratinophiles. Alternaria was the most abundant genus with >70 % of the sequences. The combination of Illumina data with culture-dependent approaches facilitated the characterization of a specialized community and confirmed the low abundance of dermatophytes in this arid site.

An annual cycle of diatom succession in two contrasting Greenlandic fjords: from simple sea-ice indicators to varied seasonal strategists

Abstract We recorded diatom species succession over one full year (May 2017–May 2018) using automated sediment traps installed in two contrasting Greenlandic fjords: the seasonally ice-covered Young Sound in high-arctic Northeast Greenland and the nearly sea-ice free Godthabsfjord in subarctic Southwest Greenland. The traps were positioned at differing water depths (37 m in Young Sound vs. 300 m in Godthabsfjord). Distinct differences between the study sites were observed in both sediment and diatom fluxes. In Young Sound, total diatom flux was extremely seasonal and as high as 880 × 106 valves m−2 d−1 in the spring. In Godthabsfjord, total diatom flux was more stable throughout the year, with a maximum of 320 × 106 valves m−2 d−1 in the summer. The diatom assemblage in Young Sound was dominated by the sea-ice species Fragilariopsis oceanica, Fragilariopsis reginae-jahniae and Fossula arctica, which exhibited pulse-like deposition in the trap during and after the ice melt. In Godthabsfjord, the fluxes were dominated by Chaetoceros (resting spores), while the remaining assemblage was characterised by the cold-water indicator species Detonula confervacea (resting spores) and Thalassiosira antarctica var. borealis (resting spores) together with Fragilariopsis cylindrus. Our data show that, F. oceanica, F. reginae-jahniae and F. arctica exhibit similar seasonal behaviour and a clear linkage to sea ice. Fragilariopsis cylindrus seems to have a more flexible niche, and based on our study, cannot be considered an unequivocal ice indicator. Taking into account these ecological and seasonal preferences of individual diatom species is crucial when reconstructing past sea-ice conditions both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Seasonal diet preferences of chital deer in the northern Queensland dry tropics, Australia

Chital deer (Axis axis) were introduced to the Burdekin dry tropics of north Queensland, Australia, in the late 1800s. Here rainfall and plant growth are highly seasonal and a nutritional bottleneck for grazing animals occurs annually before the wet season. This study describes the seasonal changes in diet and diet preference of chital in this seasonally-variable environment. Rumen samples were taken from 162 deer from two sites over the wet and dry seasons of two consecutive years and sorted macroscopically for identification. Relative seasonal availability of plant groups was estimated using step point sampling of areas grazed by chital. Chital alter their diet seasonally according to availability and plant phenology. Chital utilised 42 plant genera including grasses, forbs, subshrubs, shrubs, trees and litter. Grass consumption ranged from 53% of biomass intake during the dry season to 95% during the wet season. The predominance of grass in the wet season diet exceeded relative availability, indicating a strong preference. Although grass contributed more than half of the dry season diet it was the least preferred plant group, given availability, and the least actively growing. Shrubs were the preferred plant type in the dry season, and least subject to seasonal senescence. Composition and quantity of seasonal pastures vary markedly in north Queensland, and chital alter their diet by consuming those plants most actively growing. The increased dry season intake of non-grass forage appears to be a strategy to limit the detriment resulting from the progressive deterioration in the quality of grass.

Understanding the Perceptual Spectrum of Commercial Perfumes as a Basis for a Standard Sensory Wheel of Fragrances

Given the enormous number of perfumes available on the market, it is of interest to guide consumers in their purchase of a new fragrance. One approach is to project the multidimensional perceptual space of scents on a two-dimensional sensory map based on meaningful dimensions. One of the pioneering studies on this issue mapped 94 commercial perfumes according to two axes. Such an odor map is discussed here in detail by applying Principal Component Analysis to the numeric odor description of 176 fragrances. Quantitative odor profiles were obtained from Fragrantica’s website and three fragrances guides published by Haarmann & Reimer, Michael Edwards, and the French Society of Perfumers. A sensory map was obtained that reflected the similarities and dissimilarities between those odor descriptors most commonly used in perfumery. This representation was consistent with other related plots that have been previously reported. One dimension discriminated between fragrances targeted at men versus women. An orthogonal factor distinguished perfumes for daytime versus nighttime wear. These ratings, as well as seasonal preferences, could be estimated based on the main odor character attributes applied to describe the scent. The results provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive classification of commercial perfumes compiled by Edwards according to his famous “Fragrance Wheel”.

Fluctuation of Monthly Birth Number, By Chance or By Intention

There are different number of births per month in South Korea. In general, there are more births in January and fewer births in December comparing to the average monthly births of the year. Does it happen by chance or by intention? This study raises three hypotheses for it – 1) random fluctuation, 2) parents’ seasonal preference, and 3) parents’ educational purpose. From the analysis of vital registration data from 1997 to 2018, the most appealing hypothesis was the parents’ educational purpose. The author argues that the opportunity preference was stronger until early 2000 and the path dependency preference after the mid-2000s. Reflecting the rule change of elementary entrance age, the both theories support why January births are preferred by parents. The number of births from other than hospital also imply that there were intentional fabrications of birth registration. But these intentional changes become weaker recently. Especially after the abolition of guarantee of the neighborhood system at the end of 2016, the monthly birth number become stable and looks changing by chance.

Oral bait preferences for rabies vaccination in free-ranging black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) and non-target species in a multi-site field study in a peri-urban protected area in South Africa

Black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) are small meso-predators that occur in the wild and around cities and towns in southern Africa and have been associated with the spread of rabies in South Africa. Oral bait rabies vaccine has been used in Europe and the USA for the control of rabies in reservoir species. The effectiveness of an oral vaccination strategy depends not only on the efficacy of the vaccine but on the uptake of the bait in the target species. This study evaluated factors associated with the uptake of oral bait by free ranging jackal and other wildlife species in a multi-site field study in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Three different baits were offered: commercial fishmeal polymer, pieces of red meat and chicken heads. Bait uptake was observed using camera traps and patterns of uptake assessed by multiple correspondence analysis and Cox proportional hazards models. In general, all the baits were well accepted with an uptake of 91%. Median consumption time of bait for jackal was 18 h (IQR: 8−21 hours; range 7−66 hours) and for all other species it was 21 h (IQR: 4–44, range 1–283). In species other than jackals there was a faster uptake in the winter months when less food was available, and the vegetation was sparse, whereas jackal showed no seasonal preference. Jackal consumed 20% of baits placed and took all three bait types but showed a clear preference for chicken heads if available (Hazard ratio (HR) = 3.41; 95%CI: 1.16–9.99; p = 0.025). Species other than carnivores preferred fishmeal polymer or red meat. Jackals showed no preference for time of day whereas herbivores and other species clearly preferred day; other carnivores preferred either day or night but not both, depending upon species. This study showed that chicken heads may be the preferred bait type for oral vaccination of black-backed jackal in this area, and that consideration should be given to placing bait during summer and at dusk, in order to minimize uptake by non-target species.

Evaluation of Tourist Activities and Destination Attraction Capacity Using Geotags

Tourist location data accessible through social networks is a new source of information which is opening up great opportunities for studying tourism activities. We used tourist geotags from the VKontakte social network to evaluate the attractiveness of tourist destinations around the Caucasian Mineral Waters. Based on the data received from the public profiles of tourists publishing geotags, we analyzed their gender- and age-related structure, seasonal preferences, and geographic origins. The resort of Pyatigorsk was used as a case study to develop a classification of recreational areas for local people and tourists. Women prevailed among those displaying their photos – 64.7%. The two major seasons for attaching photos were spring and summer – 64.8 % of the photos. The specific feature of the Caucasian Mineral Waters viewed as a tourist destination implied the prevalence of intraregional geotags over interregional ones. The major interregional tourist flow came from the cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, and Krasnodar. The geotags on photos, therefore, may be used as an alternative source of information when evaluating the tourist activity and attractiveness of these destinations.

Experimental Research on Indoor Thermal Environment Control and Work Efficiency

In order to explore the relationship between work efficiency of office staff and human thermal sensation index PMV, in this paper, the method of combining experimental test and subjective evaluation is adopted to bring seasonal preference into the research scope of work efficiency, and the experimental data are analyzed by quadratic regression. It was found that the highest working efficiency of indoor staff did not appear in the thermal neutral state, but in the preferred environment. Subjects preferred slightly warm indoor environment in heating season and slightly cool indoor environment in transition season. This paper can provide some reference value for the study of the factors affecting the work efficiency of indoor staff.

Using social media images and text to examine how tourists view and value the highest mountain in Australia

Social media is an emerging source of data to address questions such as how do tourist view and value destinations? This research compared image content and text from Flickr posted by tourists visiting the alpine area around the highest mountain in Australia, in Kosciuszko National Park, to assess seasonal preferences for tourism (i.e., facilities and activities) and nature (i.e., landscapes, flora and fauna). In warmer months when access is easier and the alpine area receives more than 100,000 visitors, tourists' images focused on landscapes (54%) or biodiversity (50%), with fewer images including tourists (23%), mainly hiking (18%). Images were often labelled by the name of the mountain and Park. In contrast, during colder months when access is limited and approximately 400 people visit the alpine area, images still included landscapes (50%) though were also more likely to depict recreation activities (37%), including skiing (8.8%), nearly always showing snow (82%) and using tags such as ‘snow’, ‘ski’ and ‘Snowy Mountains’. Images of plants tended to show flowering herbs (7.3%) when warm or snowgums when cold (11.4%), while lakes (6.8%), creeks (4.2%) and animals (2.4%) were uncommon in images. Seasonal differences in visitor views and preferences of an area have implications for tourism, conservation and management including better understanding what may attract visitors. Challenges with coding images and text and the benefits and limitations of this novel data source in comparison to onsite surveys are considered.

Duration of the seminiferous epithelium cycle in the frugivorous bat Artibeus lituratus

The seminiferous epithelium goes through multiple changes which enables the differentiation of a spermatogonia in a fully mature spermatozoon. The timing of these changes is species-specific and influences the duration of the reproductive cycles. Bats are among wild mammals whose coordination between male and female reproductive cycles are imperative, since most females show seasonal preferences, even in the Tropics. This seasonal variation demands constant sperm production ready for spermiation in order to guarantee its genetic dispersion and reproduction success. Despite their abundance, little is known about the duration of reproductive cycles in Neotropical bat species, a relevant information for the species management and for conservational strategies regarding anthropogenic and climate influences on bats reproduction. In this study, we aimed at characterizing the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle (SEC) of the fruit bat Artibeus lituratus and to determine its duration based on the immunohistochemical analysis of the bromodeoxyuridine (BrDU) activity. SEC stages were characterized according to the tubular morphology method and the frequency of each stage was estimated. After intratesticular injections of BrDU, the animals were euthanized at different times, and the estimation of SEC duration was performed by observing the most advanced germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium. The most advanced stained cells after 2 days of BrdU injection were the primary spermatocytes in pachytene, transitioning from stages 1–2 of the SEC. Within 2 days, we found a progression of 30.42% of the SEC, and an entire cycle lasted 6.58 days on average. Considering that 4.5 seminiferous epithelium cycles are necessary for the whole spermatogenic processes to be completed, the total length of spermatogenesis in A. lituratus was estimated at 29.61 days. Our findings support a pattern of bimodal seasonal polyestry for this species, with rapid spermatogenic cycles.

A Comprehensive Survey on Travel Recommender Systems

Travelling is a combination of journey, transportation, travel-time, accommodation, weather, events, and other aspects which are likely to be experienced by most of the people at some point in their life. To enhance such experience, we generally look for assistance in planning a tour. Today, the information available on tourism-related aspects on the Internet is boundless and exploring suitable travel package/product/service may be time-consuming. A recommender system (RS) can assist for various tour-related queries such as top destinations for summer vacation, preferable climate conditions for tracking, the fastest way to transport, or photography assistance for specific destinations. In this survey, we have presented a pervasive review on travel and associated factors such as hotels, restaurants, tourism package and planning, and attractions; we have also tailored recommendations on a tourist’s diverse requirements such as food, transportation, photography, outfits, safety, and seasonal preferences. We have classified travel-based RSs and presented selection criteria, features, and technical aspects with datasets, methods, and results. We have briefly supplemented research articles from diverse facets; various frameworks for a travel-based RS are discussed. We believe our survey would introduce a state-of-the-art travel RS; it may be utilized to solve the existing limitations and extend its applicability.

Statistical analysis of Curiosity data shows no evidence for a strong seasonal cycle of martian methane

Using Gaussian process regression to analyze the Martian surface methane Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) data reported by Webster et al. (2018), we find that the TLS data, taken as a whole, do not indicate seasonal variability. Enrichment protocol CH4 data are consistent with either stochastic variation or a spread of periods without seasonal preference.

Mountain tourism and motivation: millennial students’ seasonal preferences

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify the motivations that lead a particular sub-group of the millennial generation, namely, university students, to choose mountain areas as tourism destinations both in winter and summer. Through a focus group and a questionnaire survey targeting Italian millennial students (n = 2292), we first identified the main motivations that drive this choice. Second, we identified the level of importance for each motivation during both seasons. The findings revealed that millennials are guided by six main motivations in choosing mountain areas as travel destinations, each of which play different roles according to the considered season. The only exception is represented by the category of food and beverage, which is not influenced by seasonality. The results contribute to the literature on tourism and millennials, giving insight on the motivations that drive millennials’ choices. Moreover, the results are relevant from a managerial point of view by providing important indications to managers and policy makers on the determinants of millennials’ decisions.

Seasonal habitat use and community structure of rockfishes in the Gulf of Alaska

Research is needed to determine the seasonal importance of high-relief habitats, particularly those containing biotic structures to rockfishes within the Gulf of Alaska. We examined the density and community structure of commercially important rockfishes in low-relief, high-relief, and biotic habitats in the spring, summer, and winter seasons at three sites in the central Gulf of Alaska using stereo drop cameras and bottom trawls. The fish community structure within all three sites was dominated by dusky rockfish (Sebastes variabilis), northern rockfish (S. polyspinis), Pacific ocean perch (S. alutus), and harlequin rockfish (S. variegatus). There was no effect of season on community structure and density of rockfish in the study area. While there were local differences in fish density and community structure, rockfish densities throughout the study areas were higher in complex than bare habitats. Significant differences in densities between high-relief and biotic habitats were not found and the additional value of structure- forming invertebrates was not proven. Juvenile rockfish were also associated with high-relief habitat, particularly complex boulder habitat. This study advances our knowledge of seasonal habitat preferences of commercially important rockfish species with the Gulf of Alaska and emphasizes the need to consider these preferences in surveying and managing these species.

Olfactory Preference of Drosophila suzukii Shifts between Fruit and Fermentation Cues over the Season: Effects of Physiological Status.

Worldwide monitoring programs of the invasive fruit pest Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), using fermentation baits like apple cider vinegar (ACV), revealed a counterintuitive period of low trap catches during summer, followed by an autumn peak. In this study, we demonstrate that ACV baited traps indeed provide a distorted image of the D. suzukii population dynamics as it is possible to capture higher numbers during this “low capture period” with synthetic lures. It was hypothesised that the preference of D. suzukii populations for fermentation cues like ACV is most pronounced during autumn, winter and spring, while the flies prefer fresh fruit cues during summer and that this seasonal preference is related to the changing physiology of the flies over the season. To test this hypothesis, the preference between fermentation cues (ACV) and host fruits (strawberries) and the effect of physiology (sex, seasonal morphology and feeding, mating and reproductive status) was investigated both in olfactometer laboratory experiments and a year-round field preference experiment. In olfactometer experiments we demonstrated that protein deprived females, virgin females with a full complement of unfertilised eggs and males show a strong preference for fermentation cues while fully fed reproductive summer morph females generally prefer fruit cues. These findings indicate that D. suzukii is attracted to fermentation volatiles in search of (protein-rich) food and to fruit volatiles in search of oviposition substrates. Winter morph and starved females displayed indiscriminating olfactory behaviour. In the field preference experiment, the hypothesised seasonal shift between fermentation and fruit cues was confirmed. This shift appeared to be highly temperature-related and was similarly observed for summer and winter morphs.

Phytoplankton functional groups in a monomictic reservoir: seasonal succession, ecological preferences, and relationships with environmental variables.

The seasonal succession of phytoplankton functional groups (PFGs), their ecological preferences, relationships between environmental variables and PFGs, and ecological status were investigated in the Batman Dam Reservoir, a warm monomictic reservoir, located in the Tigris River basin of Turkey. Altogether 60 species, 19 functional groups, and 10 prevailing functional groups were identified, and prevailing functional groups showed strong seasonal changes. Centric diatoms Cyclotella ocellata (group B) and Aulacoseira granulata (group P) were dominant in the spring, with water mixing and low temperature. Groups F (Elakatothrix gelatinosa, Elakatothrix gelatinosa, and Sphaerocystis schroeteri), J (Pediastrum simplex and Coelastrum reticulatum), G (Eudorina elegans and Volvox aureus), LM (Ceratium and Microcystis), and H1 (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Anabaena spiroides) dominated the phytoplankton community from summer to mid-autumn, with thermal stratification. Groups H1 and P became dominant in the late autumn, with the breakdown of stratification. With the deepening of the mixing zone, groups P and T (Mougeotia sp.) were dominant in the winter. The reservoir was meso-eutrophic according to trophic state index values based on total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll a, Secchi depth and total nitrogen, habitat preferences of PFGs, and diversity indices of phytoplankton. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that NO3-N, SiO2, TP, pH, and water temperature (WT) were the most important environmental factors controlling PFGs in the BDR. Weighted averaging regression results indicated that among PFGs, groups F and T had a narrower tolerance range for WT, pH, and SiO2, while groups G and T had a narrower tolerance range for TP and NO3-N.

Seasonal Distribution and Habitat Preferences of Crimson Seabream Parargyrops edita: Implications for a Marine Protected Area in Beibu Gulf, Northern South China Sea

AbstractUnderstanding distribution patterns and habitat characteristics of ecologically or economically important species in marine protected areas is critical for identifying ecological boundaries and optimizing management strategies. However, studies on groundfish resources around marine protected areas are often limited because of economic, geographic, or jurisdictional constraints. This study investigated the seasonal distribution of Crimson Seabream Parargyrops edita, an important demersal fish species in the Beibu Gulf, northern South China Sea, based on bottom trawl surveys inside and outside of the experimental zone of a marine protected area. It examined habitat preferences of Crimson Seabream in terms of 11 abiotic and biotic factors (sea bottom temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, depth, transparency, zooplankton biomass, eastings, northings, season, and zone) using generalized additive models. The density of Crimson Seabream was highest in spring, with a mean ± SD density of 50,700 ± 15,100 individuals/km2 and an occurrence frequency of 92.3%, and lowest in winter, with a mean ± SD density of 20 ± 39 individuals/km2 and an occurrence frequency of 30.8%. Crimson Seabream were most aggregated in summer and least aggregated in winter. Results suggest that the distribution of Crimson Seabream was first and foremost influenced by season, sea bottom temperature, and salinity. Crimson Seabream were most likely to be found in areas with sea bottom temperature between 22.8°C and 25.0°C, salinity between 31.5‰ and 32.0‰, dissolved oxygen between 4.4 and 6.8 mg/L, and zooplankton biomass between 114.0 and 2,717.5 mg/m3. Further, findings suggest that dynamic management strategies with more effort on minimizing human activity around the marine protected area in winter and spring may provide more effective support for Crimson Seabream recruitment. Statistical approaches applied here and related outcomes may serve as a basis for determining the spillover effects of marine protected areas and enhancing fishery management units.

An investigation into equestrian spur use in the United Kingdom

Knowledge on the best timing for horse performance is necessary to ensure horse well-being and longevity. The training plan should take into account seasonal preferences of horses to establish the optimal performance timing. The effect of season/month on horse performance was investigated as the retrospective evaluation of secondary data using a cross-sectional design on the basis of official standardized performance tests for young breeding warmblood horses (2050 mares and 73 stallions) to establish the best performance months. The tests for mares were conducted in all months of the year and for stallions in two different seasons/months. Analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the fixed effects of season/month, year, training center, breed register, random effect of sire, and linear regression on age in days. The influence of month of testing was statistically significant for the traits of “character” (P = 0.0053) and “temperament” (P = 0.0166) evaluated in mares. The trait “rideability” (P = 0.0098) differed between months in mare station tests, but not in field tests. Lower performance results were obtained generally in March and November. These months seem to be suboptimal for young horse performance in temperate climate zones. Behavior-related traits of mare performance demonstrate season-dependent characteristics, which was not the case for mare locomotion traits and stallion characteristics.