Somatic Traits Research Articles

Nestling Physiology Is Independent of Somatic Development in a Common Raptor, the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius).

AbstractAlthough many studies have documented the developmental trajectory of somatic traits in birds, few measure physiological traits, and even fewer document individual variation in developmental trajectory across ecological context. Hematological traits underlying aerobic capacity can be predictive of nestling survival, fledgling flight ability, and ultimately recruitment. This study aimed to assess individual variation in the developmental trajectory of two physiological traits that underlie aerobic capacity, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration, in relation to somatic development and ecological context. Our study species, the American kestrel (Falco sparverius), is sexually dimorphic and therefore likely to show sexual variation in developmental trajectory and nestling maturity. We used lay date, year, brood size, nestling sex ratio, and parental nest visit rate to assess ecological context. Although somatic traits showed similar trajectories across nestlings, developmental trajectory for hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration showed individual variation not previously documented. This individual variation in developmental change, or trajectory, for physiological traits could not be explained by somatic development, sex, parental nest visit rate, lay date, year, brood size, or nestling sex ratio. However, we did find higher final hemoglobin concentration in 2018 and in nests with earlier lay dates. These findings demonstrate the importance of assessing physiological traits that capture aspects of individual quality distinct from somatic traits. Future studies are needed to understand the causes of individual variation in developmental trajectory, which cannot be explained by the ecological variables presented here, and the potential fitness consequences of this variation.

Sensitivity of genital and somatic traits of scorpions to developmental instability caused by increasing urbanization: A 20-year experiment

Urbanization causes the loss of large amounts of habitat and produces significant changes in environmental conditions with consequences in the individual’s behavior, morphology, and physiology in natural populations. The urbanization can impact in the individual’s development instability (DI) that may be measured with the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) level making it an environmental quality bioindicator. In addition, the FA of each trait should be interpreted considering the trait functional importance, morphogenesis and history of selection pressures. In this paper, we evaluated the impact of two decades of increasing urbanization levels over a population of the pampean scorpion Bothriurus bonariensis. We analyze the FA level in somatic and genital traits in adult individuals of both sexes, collected every ~ 10 years (1997, 2008, 2018). Interestingly, in this study the somatic traits (pedipalp chelae) would be under directional selection and are shaped throughout the individual’s growth. In contrast, the genital traits (male’s hemispermatophore) are involved in the sperm transfer process and could be under stabilizing selection. Also, hemispermatophores are affected for less time by environmental stressors since they are formed once the individual has reached sexual maturity. Our results showed a significant increase in the FA levels in somatic traits of males and females, according to the increase of urbanization along years. In contrast, genital traits showed no changes in the level of FA in females, and only a few male genital traits presented an increase in the FA level. This work shows evidence that the measured scorpion traits (under different selective pressures and morphogenesis) might present differences in their susceptibility to environmental stress. We discuss these results in a context of DI of individuals caused by urbanization. We support the idea that the level of FA can be useful as an index to evaluate the effects of environmental stress on invertebrate populations. Furthermore, our paper presents the scorpions as a good model that could be used as an indicator group for studying the impact of the anthropogenic disturbance factors on natural ecosystems.

A cross-sectional study of gastrointestinal symptoms, depressive symptoms and trait anxiety in young adults

Background>Patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders have a high psychiatric co-morbidity. This study aimed to investigate and characterise gastrointestinal symptoms in relation to depressive symptoms and trait anxiety in a well-defined population of young adult psychiatric outpatients and healthy controls.MethodsGastrointestinal symptoms were assessed with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (GSRS-IBS). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale- Self assessment (MADRS-S). Trait anxiety was estimated with three of the Swedish universities of Personality (SSP) scales: Somatic trait anxiety, Psychic trait anxiety and Stress susceptibility. Self-ratings were collected from 491 young adult psychiatric outpatients and 85 healthy controls. Gastrointestinal symptom severity was compared between patients with and without current psychotropic medication and controls. Associations between gastrointestinal symptoms, depressive symptoms and trait anxiety were assessed using Spearman’s coefficients and generalized linear models adjusting for possible confounders (sex, body mass index, bulimia nervosa).ResultsPatients, with and without current psychotropic medication, reported significantly more gastrointestinal symptoms than controls. In the generalized linear models, total MADRS-S score (p < 0.001), Somatic trait anxiety (p < 0.001), Psychic trait anxiety (p = 0.002) and Stress susceptibility (p = 0.002) were independent predictors of the total GSRS-IBS score. Further exploratory analysis using unsupervised learning revealed a diverse spectrum of symptoms that clustered into six groups.ConclusionGastrointestinal symptoms are both highly prevalent and diverse in young adult psychiatric outpatients, regardless of current psychotropic medication. Depressive symptom severity and degree of trait anxiety are independently related to the total gastrointestinal symptom burden.

Differences in personality, perceived stress and physical activity in women with burning mouth syndrome compared to controls.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a long-lasting pain condition which is commonly associated with anxiety symptoms and experience of adverse, stressful life events have been reported by those diagnosed with the syndrome. Stress-related biomarkers have been related to personality traits in BMS and a personality with high stress susceptibility and perceived stress may be of importance. Although biopsychosocial approaches are suggested to manage long-lasting orofacial pain, to date little is known about physical activity in women with BMS. The aim of this study was to investigate if personality, perceived stress and physical activity distinguish women with BMS from controls. Fifty-six women with BMS and 56 controls matched on age and gender completed Swedish universities Scales of Personality (SSP), Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and a general questionnaire with an item on weekly physical activity frequency. In addition, health-related quality of life was explored by additional questionnaires and reported in a companion article (Jedel etal. Scand J Pain. 2020. PubMed PMID: 32853174). SSP subscales Somatic Trait Anxiety, Psychic Trait Anxiety, Stress Susceptibility and Verbal Trait Aggression differed between women with BMS and controls and the personality factor scores for Neuroticism and Aggressiveness were higher. Perceived stress measured by PSQ index was higher for women with BMS compared to controls. Women with BMS reported lower physical activity frequency compared to controls and those reporting physical activity <4days/week scored higher on PSQ compared to those with weekly physical activity≥4days/week. Personality distinguished women with BMS from controls in this study. Perceived stress was higher and weekly physical activity was lower in women with BMS compared to controls. Our findings suggest physical activity should be more comprehensively measured in future BMS studies and, by extension, physical activity may be a treatment option for women with BMS. Pain management aiming to restore function and mobility with stress reduction should be considered in clinical decision making for women with BMS who have a personality with stress susceptibility, especially if reporting high perceived stress and insufficient physical activity.

The impact of maternal personality traits on behavioral problems in preschool-aged children: a population-based panel study in South Korea.

The impact of maternal personality traits on offspring behavioral problems has not been well established. In our study, the association between maternal personality traits and behavioral problems in preschool-aged children was investigated. A total of 192 preschoolers with their mothers, who were part of a population-based panel study in South Korea, were included in the present study. Maternal personality traits were assessed by the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) when the children were 1year old. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 1.5-5 was used to identify behavioral problems in the children at 4 and 5years of age. Maternal personality (borderline, somatization) positively correlated with behavioral problems (externalizing, internalizing, and dysregulation) in children. Maternal paranoid personality trait correlated with children's internalizing and dysregulation behavioral problems. Multiple linear regressions showed that maternal borderline trait significantly predicted children's externalizing (B = 0.302, P = 0.001), internalizing (B = 0.211, P = 0.020), and dysregulation problems (B = 0.327, P < 0.001). Similarly, maternal somatization trait predicted children's internalizing problems (B = 0.291, P < 0.001). Maternal borderline and somatization traits showed association with children's behavioral problems. Psychological intervention and support for mothers with these personality traits may be helpful in raising children with behavioral problems.

Sensory Processing in the Autism Spectrum: The Role of Attention to Detail and Somatic Trait Anxiety in the Olfactory Perception of the General Population.

Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as autism traits (AT), have been associated with altered sensory processing. However, the role of AT in olfactory processing is still unclear. We analyzed the impact of AT and trait anxiety (TANX), relevant in the context of autism and olfactory perception, in the olfactory abilities of a nonclinical adult sample. Participants (N = 116) completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety (STICSA) and the Sniffin' Sticks Extended Test to measure AT, TANX and olfactory abilities, respectively. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis suggested that women and higher scores on the Attention to Detail subscale of AQ were associated with better odor discrimination, and higher somatic TANX was related to poorer odor discrimination.

Prevalence of Performance Related Pre- Competition Anxiety in Recreational Marathoners: An Observational Study

Background: Anxiety in recreational marathoners is a common trait observed recently. These marathoners not only go through a lot of physical but as well as mental exertion due to which it burdens them and triggers more anxiety in them. Anxiety before the marathon creates an impact on the marathoner’s performance. Anxiety is a natural human state and a vital part of an individual’s life. Objective: the primary objective of this study was to find if there was any relation between the level of anxiety and the performance of the marathoner. The secondary objective was to quantify the extent of pre competition anxiety in recreational marathoners. Methodology: 40 recreational marathoners, both male, and female who consented to participate were included in this observational study. Their previous marathon timing and level of anxiety were checked before the marathon and they were asked to record their current marathon timings. Result: There was a positive correlation seen between the level of anxiety and performance of the marathoner. Females were found to have more significant somatic trait and concentration disruption whereas male marathoners were found to have more worry component significant. Conclusion: This study concluded that there was a significant correlation between the performance of the recreational marathoner and the level of anxiety was found.

Длительная временная динамика соматических показателей в подростковом и юношеском возрасте. Мета-анализ по материалам России и бывшего СССР (1880-е–2010-е гг.)

Длительная временная динамика соматических показателей в подростковом и юношеском возрасте. Мета-анализ по материалам России и бывшего СССР (1880-е–2010-е гг.)

Condition dependence of phenotypic integration and the evolvability of genitalic traits in a neriid fly.

The spectacular diversity of insect male genitalia, and their relative insensitivity to the environment, have long puzzled evolutionary biologists and taxonomists. We asked whether the unusual evolvability of male genitalia could be associated with low morphological integration of genitalic traits, by comparison with male somatic traits and female traits. We also asked whether this pattern was robust to variation in resource availability during development, which affects adult condition. To address these questions, we manipulated larval diet quality in a split-brood design and compared levels of integration of male and female genitalic and somatic traits in the neriid fly, Telostylinus angusticollis. We found that male genitalic traits were substantially less integrated than male somatic traits, and less integrated than female genitalic traits. Female genitalic traits were also less integrated than female somatic traits, but the difference was less pronounced than in males. However, integration of male genitalic traits was negatively condition-dependent, with high-condition males exhibiting lower trait integration than low-condition males. Finally, genitalic traits exhibited lower larval diet × family interactions than somatic traits. These results could help explain the unusually high evolvability of male genitalic traits in insects.

Dimorphic differences in selected somatic parameters in students of equal height.

This paper's aim was to describe dimorphic differences in selected somatic traits in adults of equal height. The research was based on anthropometric measurements which were taken over in 2005-2015 on a 1,911-strong cohort, 625 men and 1,286 women, aged 18-25, all of them students at the University of Zielona Góra. They were divided into 10 height groups (two-centimeter compartments), ranging from 162.1 cm to 182.0 cm. The following somatic traits were measured: height, body mass, trunk length, lengths of lower and upper extremities, hip width, shoulder width, chest width, and chest depth. The research led to the following conclusions: 1. The biggest morphological differences were found between the shortest students; with height the differences became ever less pronounced. 2. Sexual dimorphism was most pronounced in body mass, shoulder width, and chest depth (which were greater in men), and hip width (greater in women). With regard to the other somatic traits, the picture of differences was rather patchy and showed not very distinct sexual dimorphism. 3. All mean somatic parameters increased with height in both sexes. This was most visible in body mass and the lengths of upper and lower extremities, and less visible in trunk length and chest width.

Examining Group Differences in Emotion Regulation Strategies and the State and Trait Anxiety of Lifeguards and Non-Lifeguards in a Real-World Precompetitive Situation

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences, between swimmer-lifeguards and swimmer-non-lifeguards, in trait and state anxiety and emotion regulation techniques in a real-life precompetitive situation with a secondary focus on gender differences. The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Sport Anxiety Scale – 2 and the Mental Readiness Form – 3 were distributed to 100 participants at university swimming competitions in the United Kingdom. Swimmer-lifeguards displayed significantly lower cognitive (p=.03) and somatic state (p=.05) anxiety and cognitive trait anxiety (p=.02) than swimmer-non-lifeguards. Males reported significantly lower levels of cognitive and somatic trait anxiety (ppp=.01); no other effects were observed. These results support previous research regarding lifeguard characteristics, however the nature of these qualities and how they originate require further exploration.

Effects of Fish Predators on the Mass-Related Energetics of a Keystone Freshwater Crustacean.

Little is known about how predators or their cues affect the acquisition and allocation of energy throughout the ontogeny of prey organisms. To address this question, we have been comparing the ontogenetic body-mass scaling of various traits related to energy intake and use between populations of a keystone amphipod crustacean inhabiting freshwater springs, with versus without fish predators. In this progress report, we analyze new and previously reported data to develop a synthetic picture of how the presence/absence of fish predators affects the scaling of food assimilation, fat content, metabolism, growth and reproduction in populations of Gammarus minus located in central Pennsylvania (USA). Our analysis reveals two major clusters of ‘symmorphic allometry’ (parallel scaling relationships) for traits related to somatic versus reproductive investment. In the presence of fish predators, the scaling exponents for somatic traits tend to decrease, whereas those for reproductive traits tend to increase. This divergence of scaling exponents reflects an intensified trade-off between somatic and reproductive investments resulting from low adult survival in the face of size-selective predation. Our results indicate the value of an integrated view of the ontogenetic size-specific energetics of organisms and its response to both top-down (predation) and bottom-up (resource supply) effects.

Age-Specific Traits and a Post-Maturation Molt in Black Widow Spiders Latrodectus tredecimguttatus (Aranei, Theridiidae)

Age-specific traits in the black widow spiders Latrodectus tredecimguttatus from Crimea were studied. A post-maturation molt in black widow females was recorded for the first time. The somatic traits (body size and cuticle structure) in some adult females were found to be identical to those of juvenile specimens. Some females in the studied spider population may become mature 1 or 2 instars earlier than others, continue their growth, and molt when mature.

Description of Titanoeca deltshevi sp. n. from Bulgaria with faunistic notes on related species in the Balkans (Araneae, Titanoecidae).

Titanoeca deltshevi sp. n. is described and illustrated from Bulgaria. It appears closely related to T. praefica (Simon, 1870), T. spominima (Taczanowski, 1866) and partially (males only) to T. flavicoma L. Koch, 1872. A faunistic synopsis of the genus Titanoeca Thorell, 1870 in Bulgaria is also presented that is based on new field data and a review of the published literature. Titanoeca flavicoma is newly recorded for Bulgaria and T. turkmenia Wunderlich, 1995 is new for Bulgaria and Albania. Titanoeca incerta (Nosek, 1905) is removed from the Bulgarian, and therefore from the European spider checklists. The possible division of the European members of Titanoeca into three groups based on differences in copulatory and somatic traits is discussed.

Influence of Morphology and Strength on Front Crawl Swimming Speed in Junior and Youth Age-Group Swimmers.

Strzała, M, Stanula, A, Krężałek, P, Ostrowski, A, Kaca, M, and Głąb, G. Influence of morphology and strength on front crawl swimming speed in junior and youth age-group swimmers. J Strength Cond Res 33(10): 2836-2845, 2019-This study, conducted in 2 male age groups, was aimed at analyzing the influence of body properties, dry-land strength and swimming strength on 50-m crawl (VCrawl). We examined 2 competitive groups, Youth (20.6 ± 1.05) and Junior (17.3 ± 0.59), based on (a) body mass (BM) and lean body mass (LBM), body height (BH) and total body length (TBL), and arm span (AS); (b) countermovement jump (CMJ) and maximum isometric strength of elbow and knee joints; and (c) tethered crawl strength. We hypothesized that a higher relationship of strength indices in younger swimmers in VCrawl and tethered swimming would be a better sprint performance predictor. The Junior group revealed a significant relationship between somatic traits (BM r = 0.63; BH r = 0.55; TBL r = 0.58; AS r = 0.52 with p ≤ 0.05 LBM r = 0.78; with p < 0.01) and VCrawl, whereas such interplay was not found in the Youth group. General dry-land strength indices CMJ (cm), CMJ (J) or isometric strength of knee joint muscle flexors and extensors (r = 0.57; r = 0.69; r = 0.56; r = 0.57, respectively) also significantly correlated with VCrawl only in the Junior group. The Junior group's tethered swimming strength had a higher but not a significant relationship with VCrawl. The Youth group instead achieved significantly higher VCrawl and stroke rate (SR). The SR revealed (r = 0.41, p = 0.014) a relationship with VCrawl only after the combination of both groups. This study demonstrates a better strength relationship with VCrawl in the younger Junior group. In the future, the evaluation of sprint swimming aptitudes, besides on the basis of somatic traits and properties of dry-land or water strength measurement, should be complemented by measurements of real sprint swimming technique parameters.

Relationship between anthropometry and stroking parameters of front crawl sprint performance in young swimmers

BACKGROUND The aim of this work was to study the relationship between anthropometry and stroking parameters of front crawl sprint performance in young swimmers. METHODS Forty swimmers (12.2 +/- 0.5 years) volunteered to participate. Anthropometric measures included height (H), body mass, Body Mass Index, arm span (AS), skinfold thickness and the ratio of AS to H. To avoid fatigue effects, each swimmer performed without diving a 25- meter swim using the front crawl stroke. Swim velocity, stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL), and stroke index (SI) were calculated from video analysis. RESULTS Swim velocity was correlated to mass, H, AS, AS/H ratio, SR, SI, and SL. The SL was correlated to SI, mass, H, AS, and BMI. No correlation was found between the SR and the anthropometric measures. SI was correlated to all the anthropometric measures except the percent body fat (estimated). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates clearly the relationship between anthropometric and stroking parameters of young front crawl sprint swimmers and confirms the importance of considering specific stroke technical aspects and somatic traits when trying to predict success in young swimmers.

A study of palmar dermatoglyphics in type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Bangalore based population

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is represented by somatic traits of genetic factors like dermatoglyphic patterns. There is a rising incidence of DM2, requiring simple means to identify predisposition to DM2. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 75 male and 75 female patients of DM2, with positive family history of diabetes, 75 male and 75 female nondiabetics as controls, with no family history of diabetes. The prints were recorded by the Ink Method and analyzed for qualitative and quantitative parameters. Results: Diabetics of both sexes showed a significantly higher incidence of spiral whorls in both hands except L2, R1 and R4 of male cases and L1 and R5 of females, and nondiabetics of both sexes showed a higher incidence of loops in both hands. Fingertip ridge counts were significantly higher in diabetics of both sexes, except L2 and R1 in males and R5 in females. In males, pattern intensity, TFRC, AFRC and MFRC of both hands were significantly higher in diabetics. In females, the pattern intensity, AFRC, MFRC of both hands and TFRC of the right hand were significantly higher in diabetics. The left hypothenar area showed a significantly higher incidence of open fields in female nondiabetics .The right fourth interdigital area showed significantly higher incidence of open fields in female diabetics. The scores for a-b ridge count, atd angle, distal deviation of t, breadth ratio and main-line index were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Dermatoglyphics can be used for early and inexpensive screening of individuals at risk for DM2. Keywords: Dermatoglyphics, Diabetes mellitus, Type 2, Non insulin dependent, Family history, South Indian population, Bangalore.

Are baculum size and allometry a response to post-copulatory sexual selection in promiscuous males of the house mouse?

Great genital variation occurs across animal species, likely reflecting the operation of sexual selection. We quantified bacular, testicular, and vesicular size, variation, and allometry in house mice (Laurentii in: Mus musculus Linnaeus, Systema naturae 10th ed, Salvii, Stockholm, 1758) from the western Carpathians (Slovakia). We investigated whether baculum size is related to size of reproductive organs (testicular length and width, and vesicular length), and with body size (head-and-body length), which is not directly involved in reproduction. The corrected coefficient of variation (CV’) for all bacular, testicular, and vesicular traits was significantly higher than non-sexual somatic traits. The negative allometry and weak relationship between baculum size and head-and-body length obtained in presented study (OLS regression) suggest that the Mus musculus baculum is under stabilizing selection. We also assumed that penile width as related to bacular thickness could be a reliable indicator of quality during copulation.

Long-term clinical outcome in vestibular neuritis.

To review recent work on clinical and imaging aspects of vestibular neuritis (or acute vestibular syndrome), in particular with a view to identifying factors predicting long-term clinical outcome. Evidence for a role of inflammation in the vestibular nerve, and the presence of Gadolinium enhancement acutely in vestibular neuritis, is accruing. Visual dependence, anxiety and somatization traits predict the development of chronic dizziness after acute vestibular neuritis. Adaptation to asymmetric rotation is impaired in vestibular neuritis and this may indicate insufficient central compensation in chronic dizzy patients. Corticosteroids appear ineffective at improving long-term clinical outcome. Functional imaging changes during the central compensation period lead to structural brain changes; both processes correlate with clinical recovery. Vestibular neuritis appears to be the result of postviral neuroinflammation of the vestibular nerve. However, long-term prognosis is not dependent on the magnitude of the peripheral residual damage (as measured with caloric and video head-impulse test). Instead, a combination of visuovestibular psychophysical factors (visual dependence), psychological traits and dysfunctional vestibular perception are relevant. Several functional and structural neuroimaging changes develop after vestibular neuritis, which reflect and underlie the aforementioned psychophysiological and psychological features.

Social dominance, but not parasite load, affects sperm quality and sperm redox status in house sparrows.

Sperm performance is an important component of male reproductive success. However, sperm production is costly and males need to optimize their investment in sperm quality versus the somatic traits involved in mating success, e.g. their social status. As oxidative stress affects both sperm performance and somatic functions, it has been hypothesized to mediate such a trade-off. According to the oxidation-based soma/germline trade-off hypothesis, dominant males should favour the antioxidant protection of their somatic tissues, and subordinate males should favour the antioxidant protection of their sperm. We tested this hypothesis by experimentally infecting wild-caught house sparrows Passer domesticus with Coccidia Isopora sp., an internal parasite known to deplete antioxidant resources. We predicted that (i) increased parasite load affects sperm oxidative status and sperm performance and that (ii) males with experimentally high parasite load adjust the antioxidant protection of their soma versus their sperm according to their social status. Despite a 5400% increase in parasite load, sperm performance and somatic and spermatic oxidative status remained unaffected, irrespective of male social status. Nevertheless, males increased their sperm performance over time, a pattern mirrored by an increase in the antioxidant protection of their sperm. Moreover, males at the lower end of the hierarchy always produced sperm of lower velocity, suggesting that they were constrained and privileged their soma over their germline. To conclude, high parasite loads do not necessarily affect sperm performance and oxidative status. In contrast, social hierarchy and the relative investment in soma versus sperm antioxidant protection are determinants of sperm performance.