Sex-related Differences In Size Research Articles

Is early osteoarthritis associated with differences in joint congruence?

Previous studies suggest that osteoarthritis (OA) is related to abnormal or excessive articular contact stress. The peak pressure resulting from an applied load is determined by many factors, among which is shape and relative position and orientation of the articulating surfaces or, referring to a more common nomenclature, joint congruence. It has been hypothesized that anatomical differences may be among the causes of OA. Individuals with less congruent joints would likely develop higher peak pressure and thus would be more exposed to the risk of OA onset. The aim of this work was to determine if the congruence of the first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint differs with the early onset of OA or with sex, as the female population has a higher incidence of OA. 59 without and 38 with early OA were CT-scanned with their dominant or arthritic hand in a neutral configuration. The proposed measure of joint congruence is both shape and size dependent. The correlation of joint congruence with pathology and sex was analyzed both before and after normalization for joint size. We found a significant correlation between joint congruence and sex due to the sex-related differences in size. The observed correlation disappeared after normalization. Although joint congruence increased with size, it did not correlate significantly with the onset of early OA. Differences in joint congruence in this population may not be a primary cause of OA onset or predisposition, at least for the CMC joint.

Sexual Dimorphism in Plumage and Size in Black-Tailed GodwitsLimosa Limosa Limosa

Systematic sex-related differences in size and plumage are informative of sex-specific selection pressures. Here, we present an analysis of sexual dimorphism in body size and plumage of Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa limosa from a breeding population in The Netherlands. Molecular methods were used to unambiguously assign the sex of captured birds. To quantify breeding plumage, we developed nine plumage scores. These scores describe the intensity of orange in the breast plumage, the extent of black bars on the belly, the coverage and number of breeding feathers on the back, the conspicuousness of the white eye stripe, the extent of white plumage on the head, the percentage of orange colour in the bill and the percentage of white and black spots covering the neck. Most females were structurally bigger, and had a greater body mass. Nonetheless, we found a greater overlap in bill length between the sexes than expected on the basis of literature data: biometrics alone are not sufficient to correctly discriminate between the sexes. Black-tailed Godwits are sexually dimorphic mostly with respect to the amount of white spots on the neck, females being of lighter colour than males. In addition, females showed fewer black bars and less orange on the breast, had more white in the head and fewer and a smaller extent of breeding feathers on the back. Interestingly, we found a genotypic polymorphism on the sex-related CHD1 gene on the Z chromosome, commonly used for molecular sexing in birds. Males of the less frequent genotype had significantly more white in their plumage and had fewer black bars on their breast, while in females no differences between the two genotypes were found.

The frontal shield of the moorhen: sex differences and relationship with body condition

Moorhens Gallinula chloropus have a conspicuous frontal shield, which is used in competitor assessment, and whose size and colour is testosteronedependent in both sexes. During 2 months in winter we examined sex-related differences in size and colour of the red or red-orange shield and the yellow-tipped bill of free-living adult moorhens, as well as their relationship with indices of body condition (body size, tarsi fluctuating asymmetry, fat index, serum lutein carotenoid concentration, and a number of blood parameters). Shield area was greater in males and more red in females. In females, area and colouration intensity of the shield were positively correlated, respectively, to body size and concentration of circulating lutein. In males, area and intensity of red colouration of the shield were positively correlated, respectively, to albumin/globulin ratio and body size, while shield colour saturation was negatively related to the leukocyte index. Our results suggest that shield area and colour of male and female moorhens may provide cues to their opponents for assessment of body size and health status, and therefore of their competitive ability.

Sex Ratios of Red Maple (Acer Rubrum) Populations in Northern Lower Michigan

Red maple (Acer rubrum) on nine different sites in northern lower Michigan showed generally male—biased sex ratios across a wide variety of habitats and through time. These ratios were not correlated with moisture or nutrient conditions of the sites and for more mesic sites, ratios did not appear to be affected by age of the stands. The more xeric sites showed greater male bias in sex ratios with age of the stand. Within the xeric sites, the sex ratio of regularly flowering trees was more male biased than the ratio of trees at first reproduction. Although data appear to support resource allocation theory predicting more male—biased ratios in older or poorer habitats, the male—biased sex ratios did not result from measurable differences in sex expression of trees originating from sprouts vs. seeds, sex—related differences in size at first reproduction, or sex—related differential mortality, or because of patterns of sex lability. Differences in sex ratio were of minor importance in reproductive success of individuals in the xeric plots given the lack of reproduction from seed. Reproduction from seed was higher in mesic areas, but sex—related differences in life history characteristics were not evident in these areas. The similarity of ratios in a diversity of habitats and through time suggests that the ratios may reflect the underlying genetic patterns of sex expression, rather than subsequent responses to the environment. These data suggest that sex ratios alone are not sufficient to infer proximate mechanisms for biased sex ratios or sex—related differences in resource allocation.

On the Functions and Causes of Sexual Dimorphism in Breeding Plumage Characters of North American Species of Warblers and Orioles

Previous articleNext article No AccessLetters to the EditorsOn the Functions and Causes of Sexual Dimorphism in Breeding Plumage Characters of North American Species of Warblers and OriolesTerrell H. HamiltonTerrell H. Hamilton Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Volume 95, Number 881Mar. - Apr., 1961 Published for The American Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/282167 Views: 14Total views on this site Citations: 25Citations are reported from Crossref PDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Gabriel Macedo, Rafael S. Marcondes, Cibele Biondo, Gustavo A. Bravo, Elizabeth P. 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