Similar Habits Research Articles

A reassessment of the taxonomic status of Porphyra suborbiculata, Porphyra carolinensis and Porphyra lilliputiana (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) based on molecular and morphological data

We examined three species of diminutive Porphyra, Porphyra suborbiculata Kjellman from the North Pacific, Porphyra lilliputiana W. A. Nelson, G. A. Knight et M. W. Hawkes from the South Pacific, and Porphyra carolinensis Coll et J. Cox from the western North Atlantic. These taxa were compared in terms of morphology, habitat data and sequence haplotypes of nuclear small subunit rDNA (SSU) and internal transcribed spacers of the nuclear rDNA cistron (ITS). These three species have similar morphologies and growth habits, and share very similar type descriptions and habitat records. Haplotype variation was found within the 11 samples of P. lilliputiana we examined and within P. suborbiculata samples from two locations, but the single P. carolinensis haplotype (from collections from two separate locations) was identical to one found in several widespread P. lilliputiana samples. Unrooted phylogenetic trees based on sequence data do not support any of the three species as being a monophyletic group. We conclude that these three taxa represent a single species with the oldest name P. suborbiculata having nomenclatural priority. It is likely that P. suborbiculata has recently been introduced to the western Atlantic from the Pacific region.

Histórico de vida de espécimens selvagens e variantes cromáticas de Gracilaria birdiae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

(Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) e uma macroalga marinha de coloracao vermelha (vm) comum na costa Nordeste do Brasil e amplamente coletada para a extracao de agar. O objetivo deste estudo foi completar o historico de vida de especimens selvagens (coloracao vermelha) e variantes cromaticas. Duas variantes foram isoladas, alem dos especimens selvagens coletados na praia de Paracuru, Ceara: i, marrom-esverdeada (me), encontrada em uma populacao natural da praia de Paracuru; e ii, verde (vd), obtida espontaneamente in vitro a partir de um ramo tetrasporofitico. As condicoes gerais de cultivo tanto para gametofitos quanto para tetrasporofitos foram: meio de cultura von Stosch 25%; fotoperiodo 14L:10E (luz: escuro); irradiância 100 µm.m-2.s-1 e aeracao a cada 30 min. Tetrasporofitos das tres coloracoes e gametofitos verdes foram cultivados tambem em 10L:14E. O historico de vida foi completado in vitro em 498 (vm), 523 (me) e 861 (vd) dias, mostrando-se do tipo Polysiphonia. Tetrasporofitos produziram tetrasporos apenas em fotoperiodo 10L:14E. Gametofitos femininos verdes desenvolveram cistocarpos apenas em fotoperiodo 14L:10E. No entanto, a diferenciacao de conceptaculos do tipo verrucosa em gametofitos masculinos verdes e a liberacao de espermacios ocorreu em ambos os fotoperiodos. Gametofitos masculinos vermelhos apresentaram conceptaculos espermatangiais do tipo henriquesiana, enquanto gametofitos masculinos marrom-esverdeados apresentaram os tipos verrucosa e henriquesiana. Nao foram verificadas diferencas quanto ao habito de especimens de uma mesma coloracao, independentemente do estadio reprodutivo analisado. Verificou-se em todos os tetrasporofitos a germinacao de tetrasporos in situ.

Palaeoecology and taxonomy of Pentoxylales from the Albian of Antarctica

Reproductive pentoxylalean material from the Albian Triton Point Formation, Fossil Bluff Group of Alexander Island, Antarctica is the youngest record of this group globally. Leaves are referred to Taeniopteris daintreei McCoy, ovulate reproductive organs to Carnoconites cranwelli Harris, and stem material to Pentoxylon sp. Occurring in leaf litter layers on palaeosol surfaces the sedimentology suggests that pentoxylalean plants grew upon areas of the floodplain distal to the river channel, where they covered the forest floor in a similar habit to modern brambles. The forest floor was shared with Equisetales and liverworts, an abundance of ferns [Cladophlebis Brongniart, Gleichenites Goeppert, Phyllopteroides Medwell, Sphenopteris (Brongniart) Sternberg], as well as angiosperms. Bennettitales, Ginkgoites Seward and Nilssonia Brongniart were rare within these communities, as were coniferous trees.

Freezing of Jet Fuel within a Buoyancy-Driven Flow in a Rectangular Optical Cell

JPTS, kerosene, Jet A, and additized Jet A samples were cooled below their freeze point temperatures in a rectangular, optical cell. Images and temperature data recorded during the solidification process provided information on crystal habit, crystallization behavior, and the influence of the buoyancy-driven flow on freezing. n-Alkane composition of the samples was determined. The Jet A sample contained the least n-alkane mass. The cooling of JPTS resulted in the least wax formation, while the cooling of kerosene yielded the greatest wax formation. The JPTS and kerosene samples exhibited similar crystallization behavior and crystal habits during cooling. Low-temperature additives modified the crystal habit of the Jet A fuel. Crystal shapes and sizes were recorded for use in future computational modeling.

Cytogenetic monitoring of men occupationally exposed to airborne pollutants

A study of structural chromosomal aberration frequencies in peripheral blood lymphocytes was performed in a group of 20 professional drivers exposed to airborne pollutants and 20 matching controls. The subjects in the latter group were of the same sex (males) and of similar age as the exposed ones, and also had similar habits of smoking and alcohol. A statistically significant increase of chromosomal aberration was observed in the exposed subjects over the control group. An increasing trend of aberrations was observed with the duration of service (exposure) in the exposed individuals. This study clearly indicates the effect of occupational exposure to airborne pollutants.

A survey of prepollex and prehallux variation in anuran limbs

This paper reviews skeletal variation of the prepollex and prehallux among anurans and analyses their ontogeny in neotropical species. Morphological diversity is related to the number and features of distal elements. In some groups, clear phylogenetic trends may be interpreted from prepollical and/or prehallical reduction. However, specialized patterns converge from similar habit or behaviour. Developmental data are considered for discussing homology hypotheses and also to interpret evolutionary changes of anuran prepollex and prehallux morphologies. There is an apparent invariance in the presence of these structures that suggests the prepollex and prehallux were integrated, conserved and evolved in the plan of anuran limbs.

A survey of prepollex and prehallux variation in anuran limbs

This paper reviews skeletal variation of the prepollex and prehallux among anurans and analyses their ontogeny in neotropical species. Morphological diversity is related to the number and features of distal elements. In some groups, clear phylogenetic trends may be interpreted from prepollical and/or prehallical reduction. However, specialized patterns converge from similar habit or behaviour. Developmental data are considered for discussing homology hypotheses and also to interpret evolutionary changes of anuran prepollex and prehallux morphologies. There is an apparent invariance in the presence of these structures that suggests the prepollex and prehallux were integrated, conserved and evolved in the plan of anuran limbs.

‘Daleks’ and ‘Whirligig’ used to uncover the fate of intercepted light by an apple tree canopy

Canopy light interception and distribution has a major influence on CO2 fixation and the growth and productivity of fruit trees. Spatial and temporal variations in microclimate alter the gas exchange from the leaves and other organs (fruit, branch, etc.). The variable nature of the light environment within the tree crown, and other factors such as leaf age and various stresses (water, diseases, pests) can often impair our ability to extrapolate whole-canopy net carbon exchange (NCE) and transpiration from a small sample of single-leaf measurements. This paper compares two methods for estimating whole-canopy gas exchange. An open-top, through-flow whole-canopy cuvette (Wunsche & Palmer, 1997, HortScience, 32:653-658) was used to enclose the above-ground portion of a 4 year-old apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. `Braeburn? on M.9 rootstock). NCE and transpiration from the whole canopy was measured over a one week period in mid-season. Measurements of light interception were made on a neighbouring apple tree of the same age and of a similar growth habit using a `whole-plant? radiometer known as the Whirligig (McNaughton et al., 1992, Plant Cell Environ., 17:1061-1068). Data from the Whirligig were used to estimate the distribution of PAR radiation over the total leaf area of the tree. This PAR distribution was then combined with leaf stomatal conductance and leaf net photosynthesis response functions to estimate the rates of whole-canopy NCE and transpiration. The Whirligig calculations of transpiration were in good agreement with data from the whole-canopy cuvette, and with independent measurements of sap flow recorded using heat-pulse sensors located in the trunk of the cuvette tree. The Whirligig estimates of NCE were also comparable to values obtained from the whole-canopy curvette. We conclude that both instruments provide an integrated approach for whole-plant productivity studies

A reconsideration of Wattieza Stockmans (here attributed to Cladoxylopsida) based on a new species from the Devonian of Venezuela

A single small plant fragment from the Middle Devonian of Belgium, first illustrated by Stockmans as Wattieza givetiana, is redescribed. It consists of a small central axis bearing on it whorls of four several-times bifurcate laterals that are terminally recurved. One tip is here shown to have attached one elongate ellipsoid sporangium. More abundant Middle Devonian fossils from Venezuela have similar characteristics, although they are more robust. They, together with more simple sterile examples, are demonstrated to be attached laterally and irregularly to large axes that are themselves found distal to a digitate division of a substantial branch with an enlarged base. All branches, axes and the central axes of the lateral branching systems are covered in small tangentially elongate depressions. These characteristics, taken together, demonstrate that Wattieza is a large plant of similar habit to Pseudosporochnus Potonié et Bernard. Wattieza joins Lorophyton Fairon-Demaret et Li, Calamophyton Kräusel et Weyland and Pseudosporochnus as morphologically well-circumscribed Devonian members of the phylogenetically important plant group Cladoxylopsida. Wattieza casasii Berry sp. nov. is erected to accommodate the Venezuelan material.

The volume of the solution is 1 kg: Pleading for scientific writing

“The volume of the solution is 1 kg.”Something is wrong with this statement. Volume can be expressed in liters but not in kilograms. It doesn't help much to say that aqueous solutions have a density of about 1 kg/L and that it doesn't matter much whether you say “l kg” or “1 L.” The fact remains that the statement is wrong. Fortunately, none of us would write a sentence like this for publication. Tropospheric chemists, however, have a similar habit: “The ozone concentration is 40 ppb.”

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism with bone mineral density in Slovenian postmenopausal women

Osteoporosis is a common bone disease which affects one in three women after the 60th year of life and is a major cause of morbidity in older people. To identify patients with osteoporosis, measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) is recommended. The association of BMD with vitamin D receptor (VDR) genotype in Slovenian postmenopausal women was studied. We determined VDR genotype in 102 late postmenopausal women aged 47–77 years. BMD measurements were performed at the level of the lumbar spine (L2–L4) by dual X-ray absorptiometry.Our data show significantly lower BMD in BB women compared to those with bb genotype. The relative distribution of VDR genotypes and alleles in the Slovenian population was 18.6: 57.8: 23.6% for BB: Bb: bb, respectively.The results are consistent with those of a previous study which found an excellent correlation between BB VDR genotype and low BMD. The data were derived from a relatively small, but ethnically homogeneous population of the same socioeconomic status, with very similar dietary and physical activity habits. Dietary habits in particular seem to be important because of the relatively low calcium intake which may enhance the phenotypic expression of VDR gene polymorphisms.

Organochlorine Residues in Coastal Birds From the Vellar River Watershed Areas, Parangipettai, Southern India

Organochlorine contaminants (HCHs, DDTs and PCBs) in the muscle tissues of 12 bird species collected from Vellar River watershed areas (S. India) were determined. the accumulation pattern of organochlorine residues in birds of different feeding groups for HCHs and PCBs was: scavengers > inland piscivores > coastal piscivores > insectivores. the pattern for DDTs was: coastal piscivores > scavengers > insectivores > inland piscivores. Scavengers accumulated all the three organochlorines to a higher degree than the other groups of birds. Marked variations in the accumulation pattern by different species and individuals of birds to the same and different organochlorine residues were observed. the differences in the accumulation pattern of residues in different species of birds with similar feeding habits could be attributed to different feeding areas and because migrants are exposed to contaminants in different geographical locations. HCH residues were generally found in higher concentrations than DDTs, reflecting increasing use of HCH pesticides since banning of DDT for agriculture. Levels of PCBs were lower than in birds in developed countries. Results are discussed in relation to future pest control and industrialisation in India.

Previous milk consumption is associated with greater bone density in young women

Dietary calcium and milk intakes at specific ages may influence bone mineral measures at specific sites during development of peak bone mass. Relations of previous milk intake and current calcium intake to current bone mineral measures were investigated in young women. A food-frequency interview and recall of previous milk intake from early childhood to 12 y of age and during adolescence (13-19 y) were completed in a cross-sectional analysis in young women (age 18-31 y; n = 224). Three levels of previous milk intake were defined: 1) infrequently or never, 2) sometimes, and 3) at every or almost every meal. Total body (TB), femoral neck, radius (R), and spine (S) bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were determined by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Childhood and adolescent milk intakes were positively correlated (r = 0.66). Childhood and adolescent milk intakes correlated with current calcium intakes (r = 0.26 and 0.33, respectively). Adolescent milk intake correlated with RBMD (r = 0.16). When weight was controlled for, adolescent milk intake correlated with TBBMD (r = 0.16), TBBMC (r = 0.21), SBMC (r = 0.16), RBMD (r = 0.18), and RBMC (r = 0.15). Current calcium intakes correlated with SBMC (r = 0.17). Regression analyses supported these results. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that higher milk intake during adolescence is associated with greater total body, spine, and radial bone mineral measures during development of peak bone mass, whereas current calcium intakes may influence SBMC. In addition, milk intake at a younger age may contribute to similar habits of milk intake later in life.

Syrrhopodon Subgenus Pseudocalymperes in the Neotropics

Five taxa of Syrrhopodon subgenus Pseudocalymperes occur in the Neotropics. Their neotropical ranges are summarized and a key is provided. Syrrhopodon africanus subsp. graminicola is reported new to Puerto Rico; S. cymbifolius is reported new to Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela; S. disciformis is reported from Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic), Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Panama, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad, and Venezuela; and S. flexifolius is reported new from French Guiana, Suriname, and Trinidad. The sporophyte of S. flexifolius Mitten is described for the first time. The five taxa of Syrrhopodon subgenus Pseudocalymperes that occur in the Neotropics comprise S. africanus (Mitten) Paris subsp. graminicola (Williams) Reese, S. cymbifolius C. Miller, S. disciformis Dus6n, S. flexifolius Mitten, and S. parasiticus (Bridel) Bescherelle. The purposes of this article are to review and update the taxonomic status, summarize the ranges, and provide a key for identification of these taxa. See Reese (1987, 1995) for notes on S. subg. Calymperopsis, a synonym of S. subg. Pseudocalymperes. Mosses of Syrrhopodon subgenus Pseudocalymperes are primarily corticolous, most commonly on tree trunks and branches but with some taxa characteristically frequent on slender twigs of shrubs and trees. Other-less important-habitats for some include logs, leaves, bamboo culms, and rarely old thatch roofing and soil. Of the approximately 164 specimens with habitat data examined for this article, most were taken from bark on tree trunks, 40 from twigs and branches, five were epiphylls, four grew on logs, three on bamboo culms, two on thatched roofs, and one occurred on soil. Some of the ranges stated below have been expanded from those given by me (1993) in the Flora Neotropica series. New data on ranges arise in part from vigorous recent collecting efforts in the American tropics, especially by Bruce Allen, William Buck, and Steven Churchill and his collaborators. Other new range data were discovered by re-examination of plant material in individual herbarium specimen packets housed at LAF, MO, and NY. In most instances, previous determination of these specimens was based on the assumption that the contents of the specimen packets were uniform for each specimen. But careful re-examination of specimens showed that this was not always the case, and many of the specimens turned out to include two or sometimes three taxa of S. subg. Pseudocalymperes, superficially indistinguishable because of similar habit and aspect. In retrospect, this finding is not surprising in as much as the subgenus is characterized in part by the strong preference of its taxa for a corticolous/ramicolous habitat, so that it is predictable that the taxa will co-occur to some extent in given sites. The ranges noted below were compiled primarily from collections at LAF, MO, and NY. Specimens are cited to document new range records i.e., for ranges additional to those stated in Reese (1993, 1994). 1. SYRRHOPODON AFRICANUS (Mitten) Paris subsp. GRAMINICOLA (Williams) Reese Plants of S. a. subsp. graminicola can be readily recognized with a little magnification by their dull glaucous aspect and leaves crispate-contorted when dry. The pluripapillose leaf cells make this taxon unique among neotropical S. subg. Pseudocalymperes. The epithet refers to the bamboo node habitat of the original collection, from Jamaica. One of the specimens from Puerto Rico also grew on bamboo nodes (Reese 14873B, LAF, NY). Six of the specimens seen were in mixed collections with other taxa of S. subg. Pseudocalymperes. Range.-Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, French Guiana, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic, Haiti), Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico (Reese 14873B, LAF, NY; Steere 5002 p.p., NY), Su-

Convergent evolution and character correlation in burrowing reptiles: towards a resolution of squamate relationships

The affinities of three problematic groups of elongate, burrowing reptiles (amphisbaenians, dibamids and snakes) are reassessed through a phylogenetic analysis of all the major groups of squamates, including the important fossil taxaSineoamphisbaena, mosasauroids andPachyrhachis; 230 phylogenetically informative osteological characters were evaluated in 22 taxa. Snakes (includingPachyrhachis) are anguimorphs, being related firstly to large marine mosasauroids, and secondly to monitor lizards (varanids). Scincids and cordylids are not related to lacertiforms as previously thought, but to anguimorphs. Amphisbaenians and dibamids are closely related, andSineoamphisbaenais the sister group to this clade. The amphisbaenian–dibamid–Sineoamphisbaenaclade, in turn, is related to gekkotans and xantusiids. When the fossil taxa are ignored, snakes, amphisbaenians and dibamids form an apparently well-corroborated clade nested within anguimorphs. However, nearly all of the characters supporting this arrangement are correlated with head-first burrowing (miniaturization, cranial consolidation, body elongation, limb reduction), and invariably co-occur in other tetrapods with similar habits. These characters are potentially very misleading because of their sheer number and because they largely represent reductions or losses. It takes very drastic downweighting of these linked characters to alter tree topology: if fossils are excluded from the analysis, a (probably spurious) clade consisting of elongate, fossorial taxa almost always results. These results underscore the importance of including all relevant taxa in phylogenetic analyses. Inferring squamate phylogeny depends critically on the inclusion of certain (fossil) taxa with combinations of character states that demonstrate convergent evolution of the elongate, fossorial ecomorph in amphisbaenians and dibamids, and in snakes. In the all-taxon analysis, the position of snakes within anguimorphs is more strongly-corroborated than the association of amphisbaenians and dibamids with gekkotans. When the critical fossil taxa are deleted, snakes «attract» the amphisbaenian–dibamid clade on the basis of a suite of correlated characters. While snakes remain anchored in anguimorphs, the amphisbaenian–dibamid clade moves away from gekkotans to join them. Regardless of the varying positions of the three elongate burrowing taxa, the interrelationships between the remaining limbed squamates («lizards») are constant; thus, the heterodox affinities of scincids, cordylids, and xantusiids identified in this analysis appear to be robust. Finally, the position ofPachyrhachisas a basal snake rather than (as recently suggested) a derived snake is supported on both phylogenetic and evolutionary grounds.

Convergent evolution and character correlation in burrowing reptiles: towards a resolution of squamate relationships

The affinities of three problematic groups of elongate, burrowing reptiles (amphisbaenians, dibamids and snakes) are reassessed through a phylogenetic analysis of all the major groups of squamates, including the important fossil taxaSineoamphisbaena, mosasauroids andPachyrhachis; 230 phylogenetically informative osteological characters were evaluated in 22 taxa. Snakes (includingPachyrhachis) are anguimorphs, being related firstly to large marine mosasauroids, and secondly to monitor lizards (varanids). Scincids and cordylids are not related to lacertiforms as previously thought, but to anguimorphs. Amphisbaenians and dibamids are closely related, andSineoamphisbaenais the sister group to this clade. The amphisbaenian–dibamid–Sineoamphisbaenaclade, in turn, is related to gekkotans and xantusiids. When the fossil taxa are ignored, snakes, amphisbaenians and dibamids form an apparently well-corroborated clade nested within anguimorphs. However, nearly all of the characters supporting this arrangement are correlated with head-first burrowing (miniaturization, cranial consolidation, body elongation, limb reduction), and invariably co-occur in other tetrapods with similar habits. These characters are potentially very misleading because of their sheer number and because they largely represent reductions or losses. It takes very drastic downweighting of these linked characters to alter tree topology: if fossils are excluded from the analysis, a (probably spurious) clade consisting of elongate, fossorial taxa almost always results. These results underscore the importance of including all relevant taxa in phylogenetic analyses. Inferring squamate phylogeny depends critically on the inclusion of certain (fossil) taxa with combinations of character states that demonstrate convergent evolution of the elongate, fossorial ecomorph in amphisbaenians and dibamids, and in snakes. In the all-taxon analysis, the position of snakes within anguimorphs is more strongly-corroborated than the association of amphisbaenians and dibamids with gekkotans. When the critical fossil taxa are deleted, snakes «attract» the amphisbaenian–dibamid clade on the basis of a suite of correlated characters. While snakes remain anchored in anguimorphs, the amphisbaenian–dibamid clade moves away from gekkotans to join them. Regardless of the varying positions of the three elongate burrowing taxa, the interrelationships between the remaining limbed squamates («lizards») are constant; thus, the heterodox affinities of scincids, cordylids, and xantusiids identified in this analysis appear to be robust. Finally, the position ofPachyrhachisas a basal snake rather than (as recently suggested) a derived snake is supported on both phylogenetic and evolutionary grounds.

Evaluation of a core collection of Brassica oleracea accessions for resistance to Brevicoryne brassicae, the cabbage aphid

A rapid, simple and reliable technique was developed for evaluating Brassica accessions in the glasshouse for resistance to Brevicoryne brassicae, the cabbage aphid. Brassica accessions were grouped into crop types with similar habit and vigour for evaluation. 401 Brassica oleracea accessions, representing the genetic and geographic diversity of the species, were evaluated for resistance to a population of B. brassicae collected originally from HRI, Wellesbourne. Ninety eight accessions were identified as being moderately resistant (grade 3) or partially resistant (grade 4). Re-testing of accessions in the glasshouse identified 12 moderately resistant and 43 partially resistant accessions. The most promising gene pool was kale, where a higher than expected number of resistant accessions were found. Three of the kales were consistently rated as moderately resistant in all tests. In contrast the broccoli gene pool was a poor source of resistance with less (one out of 46) resistant accessions than expected. Eleven of the kales graded 3 were tested in the field in 1995 and resistance to B. brassicae was confirmed. Ten accessions were also tested for resistance to two additional populations of B. brassicae, one from Greece and the other from Portugal. The results provided no evidence of aphid biotype/host specific differences in the resistance of these B. oleracea accessions.

Morphology and structure of poly(aryl ether ketone ketone) containing isophthaloyl moieties crystallized from dilute solution

Spherulites and lamellar single crystals of poly(aryl ether ketone ketone) containing isophthaloyl moieties (PEKK(I)) were obtained from dilute α-chloronaphthalene solution. The morphology and structure of the spherulites and single crystals were studied by electron microscopy and electron diffraction. The spherulites were found to consist of elongated lamellar branches that grow with the b crystallographic axis in the radial direction. Single crystals possess a similar habit, with b parallel to the long axis, a transverse, and c perpendicular to the lamellae plane. High-resolution images of the PEKK(I) crystals which show the perfection of and defects in the crystals, were obtained, and many defects or dislocations were observed.

Road transects as a large-scale census method for raptors: the case of the Red Kite Milvus milvus in Spain

The reliability of road transects as a census method for wintering and breeding Red Kites was studied in Spain. Road transect data were compared with censuses of wintering populations made by roost counts and of breeding populations made by a combination of nest searching and detection of territorial pairs. The variation in population density explained a high percentage of the variance of abundance indices provided by road transects during winter (> 90%) and breeding seasons (85%). The estimation of densities from distances to the transect did not provide more accurate results than unadjusted counts. On the contrary, strip counts may consistently bias population estimates in species that are attracted by roads, or may provide unpredictably unrealistic results when the number of observations is low. Winter roost counts made in areas of high breeding density apparently underestimated the real populations, because resident Red Kites usually do not use roosts, and this was detected through the results obtained in road transects. No clear effect was found of forest cover on the detectability of Red Kites, probably due to their selection of open areas for hunting. Road transects seem to be a reliable method to estimate the numbers of Red Kites, and probably of other species of similar habits and size.

Adult family members and their resemblance of coronary heart disease risk factors: the Cardiovascular Disease Study in Finnmark.

Coronary heart disease tends to run in families, and the familial resemblance of major risk factors for the disease was examined among various types of adult family members. Family units were assembled from a total of 4,738 men and women who took part in a cross sectional health survey in four Norwegian municipalities where all inhabitants between 20 and 52 years of age were invited. After adjusting for age and other confounders, correlation coefficients were derived as a measure of the degree of resemblance. Viewed across all types of investigated familial relationships, similarity was found to be stronger for total cholesterol than for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and also stronger for systolic than for diastolic blood pressure. Between husbands and wives (3,060 subjects), correlations were small (between 0.02 and 0.06), except for 0.11 for total cholesterol. Lipid and blood pressure correlations ranged from 0.13 to 0.27 for parents and their offspring (471 subjects, p < 0.05) and from 0.11 to 0.22 among siblings (2,166 subjects, p < 0.01). Sibling correlations were consistent across age groups. Furthermore, reports from each individual on daily smoking (yes or no) revealed that husbands and wives had similar habits in 63.5% of all marriages as compared with the expected 49.4% had no smoking similarity at all been present. Smoking concordance was also demonstrated among siblings (p < 0.01). The persistent pattern of lipid and blood pressure aggregation among genetically related individuals from 20 to 52 years of age and the much weaker such similarity between husbands and wives, point towards genes or commonly shared environment at early ages as a major reason why coronary heart disease runs in families.