Site Selection Behavior Research Articles

Spoilt for choice: Do female mosquitoes experience choice overload when deciding where to lay eggs?

Animals live in complex natural environments. Based on the effects of natural selection, theory on animal information use says that it is optimal for animals to make "rational" decisions, i.e., to choose alternatives which maximize fitness gains, irrespective of the number of alternatives presented to them. Yet, animals commonly make seemingly “irrational” choices in the face of complex and variable stimuli that challenge their cognitive machinery. Here, we test the choice overload hypothesis – decision-making is negatively affected when animals experience an overload of choice. Using simultaneous-choice trials that varied in choice repertoire size, we examined oviposition site selection behaviour in Aedes aegypti towards larval predators, the nymphs of Bradinopyga geminata. Based on the underlying fitness trade-offs of oviposition decision-making, we predicted that female oviposition preference would be weaker and variation in this response would be higher in complex, multiple-choice trials than in binary-choice trials. In partial support of our hypothesis, oviposition preference was weaker in the complex, multiple-choice trials, but the variation in response depended on predator density, and did not depend on choice repertoire size. We suggest that information overload can negatively affect certain aspects of animal decision-making, resulting in choices appearing as “irrational” if the complexity of the decision-making context is not incorporated. Information overload can potentially lead to alternative strategies, such as bet-hedging or decision-making with reduced discrimination.

Vigilance behaviour during the calving season in female Tibetan antelopes (Pantholopshodgsonii).

Tibetan antelopes (Pantholopshodgsonii) migrate great distances to specific delivery and calving areas. In the current study, we investigated calving site selection and vigilance behaviour during delivery and nursing in migratory female Tibetan antelopes at Zonag Lake. According to observations and analysis, the females were distributed south of Zonag Lake, where vegetation was abundant. We determined their dates of migration (crossing the Qinghai-Tibet Highway observation site), showing a shift of one month during the period from June in 2008 to May 2021. Results also showed that 81.4% of females expressed high vigilance behaviour during calving and nursing compared to those without calves (7.1%). From delivery until calf standing, females were highly vigilant and spent considerable time scanning, with 96% of females showing vigilance behaviour. Females with calves (average 9.94 ± 0.62 s) spent more time on vigilance behaviour than females without calves (average 6.25 ± 1.38 s). Females with newborns spent the greatest amount of time being vigilant (average 51.63 ± 4.24 s). These results not only identify basic Tibetan antelope calving behaviour, but also provide scientific analysis and evidence for further ethological research on female Tibetan antelopes.

Impact of site-selective spectroscopy on laser cooling parameter characterization.

From laser design to optical refrigeration, experimentally measured fluorescence spectra are often utilized to obtain input parameters for predictive models. However, in materials that exhibit site-selectivity, the fluorescence spectra depend on the excitation wavelength employed to take the measurement. This work explores different conclusions that predictive models reach after inputting such varied spectra. Here, temperature-dependent site-selective spectroscopy is carried out on an ultra-pure Yb, Al co-doped silica rod fabricated by the modified chemical vapor deposition technique. The results are discussed in the context of characterizing ytterbium doped silica for optical refrigeration. Measurements made between 80 K and 280 K at several different excitation wavelengths yield unique values and temperature dependencies of the mean fluorescence wavelength. For the excitation wavelengths studied here, the variation in emission lineshapes ultimately lead to calculated minimum achievable temperatures (MAT) ranging between 151 K and 169 K, with theoretical optimal pumping wavelengths between 1030 nm and 1037 nm. Direct evaluation of the temperature dependence of the fluorescence spectra band area associated with radiative transitions out of the thermally populated 2F5/2 sublevel may be a better approach to identifying the MAT of a glass where site-selective behavior precludes unique conclusions.

Nest box entrance hole size can influence nest site selection and nest defence behaviour in Japanese tits.

Birds have the ability to assess the risk of predation in their environment and adjust their antipredation strategies based on this risk information. However, whether nest site selection has effect on subsequent nest defence behaviour has not been studied. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the Japanese tit (Parus minor) exhibits a nest-box hole size preference and whether the entrance hole sizes of nest boxes influence the nest defence behaviour of tits. We hung nest boxes with three different entrance hole sizes (diameters: 6.5cm, 4.5cm and 2.8cm) in our study sites and investigated which nest boxes were occupied by tits. In addition, by using dummy-presentation experiments, we observed the nest defence behaviours of tits that nested in boxes with 2.8cm and 4.5cm entrance holes towards common chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus, a small nest predator able to enter these holes) and Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris, a large nest predator unable to enter the 2.8cm entrance hole). The tits that bred in nest boxes with 2.8cm entrance holes exhibited more intense nest defence responses to chipmunks than to squirrels. In contrast, the tits that bred in nest boxes with 4.5cm entrance holes exhibited similar nest defence responses to chipmunks and squirrels. Additionally, Japanese tits that bred in nest boxes with 2.8cm entrance holes exhibited more intense behavioural responses to chipmunks than those that bred in nest boxes with 4.5cm entrance holes. Our results suggested that Japanese tits prefer to occupy nest boxes with small holes for breeding and that nest-box characteristics influenced their nest defence behaviour.

Site selective behaviour of B, C and N doping in MgO monolayers towards spintronic and optoelectronic applications

The electronic, magnetic and optical properties of graphene-like MgO monolayers doped with B, C and N atoms in both Mg and O sites are investigated in the framework of density functional theory. The impurity atoms induce magnetism in the host material irrespective of the sites of substitution. The HSE based hybrid DFT calculations show that the wide electronic band gap semiconducting pristine MgO monolayer becomes metallic due to B and C doping in the Mg site of MgO monolayer system (BMg and CMg). However, rests of the doped monolayers remain semiconducting with appearance of impurity states that lowers their energy band gaps compared to the pristine value. Accordingly, the optical behaviour of the doped systems get tuned making them optically active for a wide spectral range in electromagnetic spectrum starting from infrared to UV region. Therefore, such site selective modulation of electronic and optical properties achieved through substitutional doping in MgO monolayers may be effective for desirable moulding of these materials for spintronic and optoelectronic applications.

Drilling predation on Early Jurassic bivalves and behavioral patterns of the presumed gastropod predator—evidence from Pliensbachian soft-bottom deposits of northern Germany

AbstractDrilling predation is a common reason for mortality of benthic mollusks but did not become common until the late Mesozoic. The scarcity of drill holes in the early Mesozoic fossil record limits our understanding of the evolution of drilling behavior and its role on shaping early Mesozoic marine communities. Here, we use drilling traces on several bivalve taxa from the Lower Jurassic (Pliensbachian) marine soft-bottom deposits in northern Germany to explore behavioral patterns of the predator (e.g., site selectivity, change in site-selective behavior with age). Although none of the known drilling gastropod groups existed in the Pliensbachian, including the studied localities, the drill-hole morphology suggests that the predator was probably a gastropod. The ecology and identity of the target prey changes from a diverse array of epifaunal to infaunal taxa in older deposits to focus on a single, large, deep infaunal taxon, Gresslya intermedia, in younger deposits, suggesting a potential trend in prey selectivity over time. Spatial point pattern analysis of traces (SPPAT) reveals an aggregated pattern of drill holes on Gresslya, suggesting strong selectivity in drill-hole location. Drilling on a single large infaunal taxon and site selectivity are common patterns also inferred previously from the drilled deep infaunal Eothyasira from the Pliensbachian of southern Germany. In addition to the scarcity of predators, the highly specialized behavior of the early drilling predators, including strong prey selectivity in terms of prey identity and life habit, can partly explain the rarity of the early Mesozoic drill holes.

Site-selective spin transition in LuCo3

The itinerant ferromagnetic behavior of LuCo 3 exhibits a field-induced phase transition from a low-spin to high-spin state. We have considered this transition in detail using a first-principles approach based on density functional theory. We have found that the transition exhibits Co site-selective behavior and can be associated with two features in the majority spin density of the Co 3 d states (mostly the d xz / d yz orbital character), which can provide the instability in the 3 d -electron subsystem under certain external conditions. The band structure of LuCo 3 and the related mechanism of the spin transition have been discussed in detail. • The electronic structure and magnetic properties of LuCo 3 have been investigated. • The LS-HS state transition occurs with the change in the unit cell volume. • The spin transition exhibits Co site-selective behavior. • The spin transition may be associated with the experimental magnetic transition. • A new explanation of the two magnetic transitions in R Co 3 has been proposed.

Odour Cues from Fruit Arils of Artocarpus heterophyllus Attract both Sexes of Oriental Fruit Flies.

The Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) is an economically devastating pest of fruit crops across the globe with stringent quarantine restrictions to limit its further spread. The current management programs increasingly depend on male annihilation but trapping female flies is equally important to reduce fruit damage. Considering the importance of kairomones in courtship and oviposition site selection behavior of B. dorsalis, the aim of this work was to isolate and identify potential cues from the volatiles of arils of jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus. Using olfactometer assays and gas-chromatography linked to electroantennographic detection, attraction of both female and male B. dorsalis to specific jackfruit volatiles was demonstrated. Ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, ethyl hexanoate, pentyl butanote, 2-methylbutyl 3-methylbutanoate, 2-methylpropyl hexanoate, (Z)-3-hexenyl 3-methylbutanoate and dodecanal were found to attract female B. dorsalis specifically. Butyl acetate, 2 phenylethanol and pentyl 3-methylbutanoate elicited attraction in male B. dorsalis only. Synthetic blends of these compounds were found to attract female and male B. dorsalis in laboratory as well as field conditions. Using specific cues common to each set, a blend of methyl 3-methylbutanoate, butyl acetate, 3-methylbutyl acetate and hexyl acetate attracted both sexes of B dorsalis. This study demonstrates the use of kairomone-based lures for sex-specific as well as bisexual attraction for the first time.

Good prospects: high-resolution telemetry data suggests novel brood site selection behaviour in waterfowl

Breeding success should increase with prior knowledge of the surrounding environment, which is dependent upon an animal's ability to evaluate habitat. Prospecting for nesting locations and migratory stopover sites are well-established behaviours among bird species. We assessed whether three species of California dabbling ducks – mallards, Anas platyrhynchos , gadwall, Mareca strepera , and cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera – in Suisun Marsh, California, U.S.A., a brackish marsh, prospect for suitable wetlands in the week prior to brooding. K -means cluster analyses grouped 29 mallard and gadwall hens into three groups. One group ( N = 13) demonstrated evidence of brood site prospecting, with the fewest and latest prebrooding wetland visits. Of these hens, seven visited their future brood pond an average of 1.14 times and only shortly before brooding (1.29 days), obtaining current information on habitat suitability. For the remaining six hens, we did not detect a brooding wetland visit, possibly due to data limitations or because these hens acquired sufficient familiarity with the wetland habitat during nest breaks in adjacent wetlands, obviating the need to prospect the specific brood pond. The second identified group of hens ( N = 11) visited the brooding wetland most frequently (on 4.55 days), further in advance (5.27 days), with the fewest unique wetland visits and the earliest brooding date (26 May). The final group of hens ( N = 5) were the latest to brood (21 June) and visited the most wetlands, possibly due to less water or more broods present across the landscape. Brood ponds were always farther from the nest than the nearest ponds, indicating that habitat suitability or presence of conspecifics is more important to brood site selection. Prospecting provides hens with knowledge about current habitat conditions and allows them to ‘crowdsource’ public information regarding use of that habitat by other brooding hens. Prospecting may, therefore, benefit ducks inhabiting ephemeral habitats like those within Suisun Marsh, where brood habitat is limited and water cover changes rapidly during the breeding season. • GPS telemetry 1-week prehatch reveals brood site prospecting behaviour in waterfowl. • Pond visits provide information on current habitat quality and conditions. • Dabbling ducks select brood sites during nest recess wetland visits. • Late-brooding hens visit more ponds, suggesting use of public information. • Hens may crowdsource public information from the presence of other broods.

Budaya, Kepribadian, Sosial, Psikologi Berpengaruh pada Perilaku Pemilihan Lokasi Café pada Konsumen Penikmat Kopi

The purpose of this study examined the consumer behavior of coffee connoisseurs after a visit to a shop or café. This study also aims to analyze what factors influence them visiting the café. The researcher distin-guished two groups of types of places. Are there differences in consumer behavior towards the two types, Café type 1 refers to foreign ownership of the example of The Starbuck café and The Bean café. Café type 2 refers to domestic ownership such as The Excelso cafe, The X-Café, The JCo, The KFC and the Warteg. Factors observed in consumers are cultural, social, personality and psychological variables. The number of visitor respondents is not known with certainty, so convenience sampling is used with the number of re-spondents as many as 200 people in the community of staff, campus lecturers and students of Binus Uni-versity. The analytical tool used is SmartPls version 3. The results of this study indicate that cultural, per-sonality and social variables have a significant effect on consumer site selection behavior. Consumer be-havior visits the location of a larger type 2 café (local ownership) rather than type 1 (foreign ownership). The larger type 2, it is probable that positive perceptions of name, equality and price are unfortunately, but it not examined in this study. The end of the study included suggestions for further researchers.

Effects of methylmercury on mosquito oviposition behavior: Maladaptive response to non-toxic exposure

Animals can modulate their own exposure to environmental contaminants through behavioral plasticity such as diet and habitat choice. However, it remains unclear if behavior also has cascading effects on contaminant exposure across multiple generations. In insects, oviposition site selection is an important behavior females can use to modify offspring contaminant exposure risk. In this study, we use the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, to test how methylmercury (MeHg) affects oviposition site selection. We found that mosquito larval development rate and survival were negatively affected at MeHg concentrations ≥100 ppb. Adult females not exposed to MeHg as larvae avoided oviposition sites with high MeHg concentrations (>50 ppb), but MeHg exposure at the larval stage significantly affected this oviposition site selection. Specifically, females raised from larvae exposed to non-toxic MeHg levels (i.e., five-50 ppb) showed a significant increase in preference for oviposition sites contaminated with toxic MeHg concentrations (≥500 ppb), compared to unexposed controls. This maladaptive behavioral response could be because, when conditioned with non-toxic MeHg concentrations, MeHg-associated olfactory cues act as a “supernormal” stimulus during oviposition site selection. Importantly, however, this maladaptive behavioral response is eliminated in female mosquitoes raised from larvae exposed to toxic MeHg concentrations (i.e. 100 ppb), and these mosquitoes showed a significant increase in preference for MeHg uncontaminated oviposition sites, compared to unexposed controls. Thus, in mosquitoes, the magnitude of MeHg exposure in one generation can impact MeHg exposure in subsequent generations by altering oviposition site selection behavior. Our results have broad implications for our understanding of how contaminant-mediated behavioral modifications can feedback on contaminant exposure risk across multiple generations, and consequently how behavior can affect the evolutionary trajectory of organisms inhabiting a heterogeneously contaminated environment.

NeSS: A modified artificial bee colony approach based on nest site selection behavior

This paper proposes a new version of the Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) optimization algorithm based on the natural nest-site selection behavior of honey bee swarms. The algorithm offers three advantages. First, the responsibility of bees in the proposed algorithm is dynamic, meaning that bee agents may change states (explorer, resting, observer, and committed) during the execution. New feasible solutions are randomly generated in every iteration by varying the numbers of bee agents, thus introducing diversified candidate solutions into the solution space. Second, each bee records its own satisfaction with each nest-site and this satisfaction value is added to the quality measure for the nest site, allowing lower quality nest sites to be retained as candidate solutions and again providing greater diversity. Third, a quorum mechanism provides the stopping criterion, instead of the maximum cycle number (MCN). This mechanism helps the algorithm to converge more quickly. Experiments on the traveling salesman and clustering problems have been conducted in order to observe the algorithm performance. The results show promising performance in solving combinatorial problems when compared with other state-of-the-art algorithms. In addition, the proposed algorithm can converge more quickly with the quorum mechanism.

Hunger mediates apex predator's risk avoidance response in wildland-urban interface.

Conflicts between large mammalian predators and humans present a challenge to conservation efforts, as these events drive human attitudes and policies concerning predator species. Unfortunately, generalities portrayed in many empirical carnivore landscape selection studies do not provide an explanation for a predator's occasional use of residential development preceding a carnivore-human conflict event. In some cases, predators may perceive residential development as a risk-reward trade-off. We examine whether state-dependent mortality risk-sensitive foraging can explain an apex carnivore's (Puma concolor) occasional utilization of residential areas. We assess whether puma balance the risk and rewards in a system characterized by a gradient of housing densities ranging from wildland to suburban. Puma GPS location data, characterized as hunting and feeding locations, were used to assess landscape variables governing hunting success and hunting site selection. Hunting site selection behaviour was then analysed conditional on indicators of hunger state. Residential development provided a high energetic reward to puma based on increases in prey availability and hunting success rates associated with increased housing density. Despite a higher energetic reward, hunting site selection analysis indicated that pumas generally avoided residential development, a landscape type attributed with higher puma mortality risk. However, when a puma experienced periods of extended hunger, risk avoidance behaviour towards housing waned. This study demonstrates that an apex carnivore faces a trade-off between acquiring energetic rewards and avoiding risks associated with human housing. Periods of hunger can help explain an apex predator's occasional use of developed landscapes and thus the rare conflicts in the wildland-urban interface. Apex carnivore movement behaviours in relation to human conflicts are best understood as a three-player community-level interaction incorporating wild prey distribution.

Incorporating insitu habitat patchiness in site selection models reveals that site fidelity is not always a consequence of animal choice.

Understanding site fidelity is important in animal ecology, but evidence is lacking that this behaviour is due to an animal choosing a specific location. To discern site selection behaviour, it is necessary to consider the spatial distribution of habitats that animals can occupy within a landscape. Tracking animals and defining clear habitat boundaries, however, is often difficult. We use insitu habitat distribution data and animal movement simulations to investigate behavioural choice in site fidelity patterns. We resolved the difficulty of gathering data by working with intertidal rock pool systems, which are of manageable size and where boundaries are easy to define. Movements of the intertidal starfish Parvulastra exigua were quantified to test the hypotheses that (1) this species displays fidelity to a particular rock pool and that (2) rock pool fidelity is due to site selection behaviour. Observed patterns of individuals (n=10 starfish) returning to a previously occupied rock pool (n=5 pools per location) were tested against an expected null distribution generated through simulations of random movements within their natural patchy environment. Starfish exhibited site selection behaviour at only one location even though site fidelity was high (av. 7·4 starfish out of 10 found in test pools) in two of the three locations. The random chance of a starfish returning to a pool increased 67% for each metre further a rock pool was from the original pool, and 120% for each square metre increase in surface area of an original pool. The decision of returning to an original rock pool was influenced by food availability. When microalgal cover was >60%, there was a c. 50% chance of animals staying faithful to that pool. Our results show the importance to consider spatial distribution of habitats in understanding patterns of animal movement associated with animal choices and site fidelity. Returning to a particular place does not necessarily mean that an animal is homing; it may be the only place to go.

Genetic Correlations among Developmental and Contextual Behavioral Plasticity in Drosophila melanogaster.

Correlations among traits, including behaviors, are important because traits that are genetically correlated may not evolve independently. Recently, behavioral-correlations research has expanded to include correlations not only in mean-level behaviors but also in behavioral plasticity, that is, the degree to which individuals change their behavior in response to environmental stimuli. Positive correlations among behavioral plasticities would imply that individuals or genotypes that are behaviorally plastic in one way may also be plastic in other ways; negative correlations could imply trade-offs. Here, we examine aversive odor conditioning (learning) at two time points and plasticity in pupation site selection behavior across substrates in a panel of Drosophila genotypes. These behaviors represent different types of behavioral plasticity: contextual plasticity describes behavioral responses to stimuli that are currently present, while developmental plasticity describes behavioral responses to remembered experiences with stimuli in the recent past. We find that learning scores and plasticity in pupation site selection behavior are positively genetically correlated, representing the first example of a genetic correlation between developmental and contextual plasticity. These findings imply that ecological and evolutionary theories focusing on variation in a single dimension of behavioral plasticity may be incomplete.

Frog breeding pond selection in response to predators and conspecific cues

AbstractPredators are a major influence on the breeding site selection decisions of anurans. Many species actively avoid breeding in habitat with predators when given the choice between predator and predator‐free sites. However, certain factors such as site fidelity or conflicting cues may preclude avoidance behavior. We conducted two experiments examining how western chorus frogs, Pseudacris triseriata, respond to predators, western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, using an array of artificial ponds located at two field sites. In one experiment, we added G. affinis to half of our experimental ponds and monitored subsequent colonization by frogs. We found that frogs laid significantly fewer eggs in ponds with fish compared to fishless ponds. In another experiment, we introduced an additional cue to complicate the decision‐making process and monitored colonization of ponds in response to treatments of conspecific breeding cues only (eggs), predators (G. affinis) only, and conspecific cues and predators. We found no significant differences in number of eggs deposited among these three treatments. Based on these results, P. triseriata does not always exhibit complete avoidance of fish predators, and avoidance may vary based on factors such as site fidelity or dispersal costs. This study represents a step toward understanding how multiple biotic factors at a breeding pond may influence anuran site selection behavior in the field.

Unusual Fe–H bonding associated with oxygen vacancies at the (001) surface of Fe3O4

An unusual Fe-H bonding rather than conventional OH bonding is identified at Fe3O4 (001) surface. This abnormal behavior is associated with the oxygen vacancies which exist on the surface region but also penetrate deep into the bulk Fe3O4. In contrast, OH bonding becomes preferential as generally expected on an ozone processed surface, which has appreciably less oxygen vacancies. Such bonding site selective behavior, depending on oxygen vacancy concentrations, is further confirmed with DFT calculations. The results demonstrate an opportunity for tuning the chemical properties of oxide surfaces or oxide clusters.

Spatial analysis ofListronotus maculicollisimmature stages demonstrates strong associations with conspecifics and turfgrass damage but not with optimal hosts on golf course fairways

For insects that develop on few hosts and/or have immobile immature stages, optimal oviposition theory suggests that females should seek high-quality hosts that maximize larval development and reduce competition from conspecifics. However, there is a growing amount of evidence that suggests female choice may often be at odds with their offspring's development. Listronotus maculicollis (Kirby) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a serious pest of golf course turfgrass in eastern North America. The weevil develops on few hosts and demonstrates improved fitness traits when developing on Poa annua L. (Poaceae). However, previous population studies observed either weak or no correlations between the spatial dispersion of larval populations and P. annua in the field. In this study, populations on three golf course fairways were monitored over a 4-year period (2009–2012) to determine whether the lack of spatial associations between preferred hosts and immatures was a result of spatial scale or the density and distribution of conspecifics. Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs (SADIE) was used to characterize the spatial dispersion of populations of individual stages (larvae and pupae), P. annua, and turfgrass damage. Life stages were aggregated in each observation, independent of population density or the spatial dispersion of hosts. The distribution of consecutive and non-consecutive immature stages was found to be correlated in all years, suggesting that females do not avoid patches already occupied by conspecific eggs. Surprisingly, significant spatial associations were not found between larvae and P. annua when the host plant was relatively abundant. Hence, multiple mechanisms may drive L. maculicollis oviposition site-selection behavior, and a flexible strategy may allow the weevil to persist in areas where P. annua is not the dominant species. Future studies are required to determine what other factors (e.g., natural enemy-free space, egg or time limitations) influence oviposition behavior.

Rank-related response in foraging site selection and vigilance behaviour of a small passerine to different winter weather conditions

The foraging patterns and time spent on vigilance behaviour by Willow Tits (Poecile montanus) were studied under varying weather conditions in a subalpine forest in central Norway during the winters of 2009-2013. The birds adjusted their microhabitat use in pines and their vigilance levels in response to perceived risk of predation and starvation. At low temperatures, the dominating adults foraged mainly in the upper and most predation safe areas in pines and the subordinate juveniles in the more predator risky lower halves. When the outer canopies of pines were covered by snow, the adults tended to restrict their foraging activities to the inner parts of the lower halves of the trees and thus overlapped considerably with the juveniles. In windy weather, the age classes differed in site use, mostly because juveniles foraged more in the outer part of the branches. Juveniles were significantly More vigilant than adults under all the weather conditions, and they spent about 60% of their time seeking food whereas adults spent about 85%. It is suggested that the high level of vigilance by the subordinate juveniles is costly and may be the main cause of the higher winter mortality of juveniles compared to that of adults.

Correction: Spawning Site Selection and Contingent Behavior in Common Snook, Centropomus undecimalis

Correction: Spawning Site Selection and Contingent Behavior in Common Snook, Centropomus undecimalis