Body Size Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

To test the hypothesis that selective breeding for high voluntary wheel running negatively affects maternal performance in house mice, we observed maternal behavior and compared litter size and mass, in replicate lines of selected (N =4) and control (N=4) mice from generations 20 and 21 of an artificial selection experiment. At generation 21, selected-line females ran 2.8-times more revolutions per day than females from random-bred control lines, when tested at approximately 6 weeks of age as part of the normal selection protocol. After giving birth, dams from selected and control lines exhibited similar frequencies of maternal behaviors and also spent similar amounts of time in general locomotor activity at litter ages of both 9 and 16 days. Dams from selected lines also performed equally well as controls in repeated pup-retrieval trials. At first parturition, selected-line dams averaged 2.4 g smaller in body mass as compared with dams from the control lines; however, neither litter size nor litter mass at birth (generation 20) or at weaning (generation 21) differed significantly between selected and control lines. We conclude that, at least under the husbandry conditions employed, maternal behavior and reproductive output at first parturition are genetically independent of wheel-running behavior.

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- Genetics, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Reproduction

Wang, Y., Shih, C., Szwedo, J. & Ren, D. iFirst article. New fossil palaeontinids (Hemiptera, Cicadomorpha, Palaeontinidae) from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, China. Alcheringa, 1–12. ISSN 0311-5518.A new genus and species assigned to the extinct family Palaeontinidae, Synapocossus sciacchitanoae Wang, Shih & Ren, is described from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou in Inner Mongolia, China. This new genus is established based on well-preserved fossil specimens with body and complete forewings and hind wings. It differs from other described genera by the following characters: small body size, RP and M1 coalescing for an interval on the forewings and M3 + 4 without bifurcation on the hind wings. The RP coalescence with M1 in Synapocossus Wang, Shih & Ren previously reported only in Turgaiella Becker-Migdisova & Wootton, seems to be associated with strengthening of the anterior wing margin. The intra-specific and individual variations of Synapocossus and numerous other insect fossils of northeastern China probably indicate long-lasting ecological stresses and a competitive environment in the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous ecosystems.Synapocossus sciacchitanoae Wang, Shih&Ren;Palaeontinidae:, RPM1, M3+4, Synapocossus Wang, Shih&RenRPM1Turgaiella Becher-Migdisova&Wootton, Synapocossus

- by Jacek Szwedo
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- Evolutionary Biology, Geology, Ecology, Early Cretaceous

The estimation of body size among the earliest members of the genus Homo (2.4e1.5 Myr [millions of years ago]) is central to interpretations of their biology. It is widely accepted that Homo ergaster possessed increased body size compared with Homo habilis and Homo rudolfensis, and that this may have been a factor involved with the dispersal of Homo out of Africa. The study of taxonomic differences in body size, however, is problematic. Postcranial remains are rarely associated with craniodental fossils, and taxonomic attributions frequently rest upon the size of skeletal elements. Previous body size estimates have been based upon well-preserved specimens with a more reliable species assessment. Since these samples are small (n < 5) and disparate in space and time, little is known about geographical and chronological variation in body size within early Homo.

- by Manuel Will and +1
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- Evolutionary Biology, Paleoanthropology, Paleontology, Human Evolution

Through their domestication and subsequent selection, sheep have been adapted to thrive in a diverse range of environments. To characterise the genetic consequence of both domestication and selection, we genotyped 49,034 SNP in 2,819 animals from a diverse collection of 74 sheep breeds. We find the majority of sheep populations contain high SNP diversity and have retained an effective population size much higher than most cattle or dog breeds, suggesting domestication occurred from a broad genetic base. Extensive haplotype sharing and generally low divergence time between breeds reveal frequent genetic exchange has occurred during the development of modern breeds. A scan of the genome for selection signals revealed 31 regions containing genes for coat pigmentation, skeletal morphology, body size, growth, and reproduction. We demonstrate the strongest selection signal has occurred in response to breeding for the absence of horns. The high density map of genetic variability provides an in-depth view of the genetic history for this important livestock species.

- by Hans Lenstra
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- Phylogeography, Africa, Principal Component Analysis, Biological Sciences

In polygynous mating systems, sexual selection can drive the evolution of male characters beneficial to winning fights for mates (intrasexual selection), for improving the mating success of males through mate choice (intersexual selection), or both. However, it may be difficult to disentangle the relative contributions of intra and intersexual selection on multiple traits that may be of dual utility. We used field arena trials to determine which morphological traits best explained male fighting ability and male mating success in 2 species of chameleons in Madagascar, Furcifer labordi and Furcifer verrucosus. In F. labordi, male fighting success was best predicted by body size and size-corrected shorter rostral appendages and male mating success was best predicted by width of the rostral appendage and body size. In F. verrucosus, we found strong intrasexual selection for increased male body size and fewer counted dorsal cones, a trait that may correspond to increased age and experience. Although females in this species are generally passive toward courting males, male mating success with potentially receptive females is highly variable. Fewer counted dorsal cones and larger size-corrected casque height best explained male mating success; traits that may be selected by the female and/or correlated with increased age and experience. Although difficult to determine the relative contributions of intra and intersexual selection on traits with dual benefits (both fighting and mate choice), we documented both types of selection on body size and secondary sexual characters in these 2 chameleon species.

- by Stanley Fox
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- Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, Mate Choice, Sexual Selection

Body size is one of the most important determinants of the biology of a species, as it correlates with life history, energetic expenditure, diet, thermoregulation, and home range size, among other factors. Although the evolution of body size within the genus Homo is an important issue, the most influential large-scale studies have been performed over 20 years ago, with a recent interest in this issue only in the last few years. In the meantime, the widely accepted interpretation that there was a major shift in body size with the origin of Homo ergaster/erectus when compared Homo habilis, Homo rudolfensis, and australopithecines has come under criticism. Recent analyses have demonstrated that body size within early Homo is spatially and temporally variable, only showing significant increase in the Koobi Fora region after 1.7 Mya (Will & Stock, 2015). Broad temporal analyses of body size have highlighted the significant increase in body mass during the late Middle and Late Pleistocene (Ruff, 1997), and that brain size increases correspond closely with body mass increases throughout the Pleistocene (Grabowski, 2016). Even though new body size data is now accumulating rapidly for various parts of the hominin record (Arsuaga et al., 2015; Grabowski et al., 2015; Will & Stock, 2015), no study comparable to the scope of Ruff et al. (1997) has since been performed.
In this paper we investigate taxonomic, spatial and temporal variation in two components of body size within the genus Homo: body mass and stature. We combine size estimates of hominin fossils from our own studies with other published data, resulting in the largest sample for a single study so far (n=319). The body size estimates cover roughly four million years (4.1 Mya – 11 ka) and derive from African, European and Asian specimens, including several genera and species of hominins. This data set allows for a detailed assessment of body size evolution within the genus Homo and relative to earlier hominins.
Analyses of the body size estimates demonstrate that: a) the origins of the genus Homo are characterized by a significant increase in body size compared to australopithecines and paranthropines, but also feature abundant spatial and temporal variation within an enlarged size range; b) members of Homo erectus/ergaster are marked by a diversification in body mass and stature rather than directional increase; c) a consistent and universal increase in body size is only established in Middle Pleistocene hominins (e.g. Sima de los Huesos, Atapuerca; Homo heidelbergensis), Neanderthals and modern humans after ca. 0.5 Mya; d) selection against smaller body mass and stature occurred in the late Early and Middle Pleistocene, and; e) there are no simple latitudinal trends in the variation of body size estimates within Middle and Late Pleistocene Homo in Europe. These results have implications for studies concerned with human dispersal and encephalization, and more generally for how we interpret the evolution and biology of our genus. In light of the above, rather than focusing exclusively on species means and unidirectional models, perspectives that emphasize spatio-temporal variability and phenotypic plasticity might be more fruitful frameworks for interpreting the evolution of body size in our genus.

- by Manuel Will and +1
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- Evolutionary Biology, Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Human Evolution

Fasciolid flukes are among the largest and best known digenetic trematodes and have considerable historical and veterinary significance. Fasciola hepatica is commonly implicated in causing disease in humans. The origins, patterns of... more

- by Le Thanh Hoa
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- Tropical Medicine, Phylogeny, Fasciola hepatica, Body Size

In an effort to improve knowledge of Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) life history and behavior, we conducted a capture-mark-recapture study in Tuskegee National Forest, Alabama over four years to examine the influence of body size on survival, recapture probabilities, and behavior; as well as monitor change in the population's body-size distribution over time. Our estimate of annual Cottonmouth survival (0.79) is among the highest reported for all snakes. Although we did not detect an effect of body size on survival, the probability of recapturing individuals increased with body size up to a snout-vent-length of 82 cm, after which it remained approximately constant. Relative to large snakes, small snakes were more likely to be found in a resting coil and less likely to move away from researchers, suggesting that our lower probability of recapturing small snakes was not due to behavioral avoidance of researchers but perhaps dispersal patterns or microhabitat use. Furthermore, the observed frequency of snakes ≤ 30 cm in length increased each year, indicative of an increase in recruitment over time. Our findings provide new information about Cottonmouth life history, and we suggest future paths of research that could further enhance knowledge of Cottonmouth demography and population dynamics.

- by Roger Birkhead
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- Zoology, Behavior, Life history, Biology
- by Theo Mulder
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- Attention, Running, Adolescent, Multivariate Analysis
- by Alison Boyer
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- Earth Sciences, Macroecology, Biogeography, Biological Sciences

The viperine snake Natrix maura is a common water snake, which forages on aquatic prey such as fish and frogs in Western Mediterranean water bodies. Female viperine snakes collected from three populations at the Iberian Peninsula during the vitellogenesis period were compared. Mean clutch size and range, as well as the slope of the regression between body size and clutch size, did not show differences between populations. In contrast, mean size of enlarged follicles of females collected in May from the Ebro Delta proved significantly smaller than those of females from the Matarranya River (50 km far) and the Granada Depression (500 km far). There were no differences in climatic conditions between areas. However, seasonal variation in food availability was significantly different in the Ebro Delta. In this area, the rice fields are dry in early spring as men control the water flow, and prey are not available. This energetic constraint induced female viperine snakes to adjust reproductive timing according to seasonal availability and to delay vitellogenesis for at least one month. By contrast, other Mediterranean populations exhibited a rather high prey availability from early spring (e.g. Matarranya River), females being in good condition in this season and consequently vitellogenesis starting earlier than in the Ebro Delta. This study illustrates a new case of reproductive plasticity in snakes.

- by gustavo giron
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- Zoology, Seasonality, Amphibia, Clutch Size

Dionisios Youlatos (2011) Substrate use and locomotor modes of the Neotropical pygmy squirrel Sciurillus pusillus (E. Geoffroy, 1803) in French Guyana. Zoological Studies 50(6): 745-750. The Neotropical pygmy squirrel Sciurillus pusillus is the smallest South American squirrel. This primitive sciurid is rarely encountered and exhibits morphological and behavioral specializations related to bark gleaning and bark and/or exudate feeding. The present account reports the 1st quantitative data on substrate use and locomotor patterns of S. pusillus from a high terra-firme forest in French Guyana. S. pusillus made extensive use of medium vertical supports. The most frequent locomotor modes were claw-climbing and reversion, an orthograde airborne switching mode. Quadrupedalism was used to a lesser extent. The behavioral repertoire of S. pusillus was examined in light of its postcranial morphological features. Together, they suggest a large degree of vertical trunk foraging for bark and/or exudates similar to what was reported for other pygmy squirrels in Africa and Asia. More-detailed studies are required to elucidate these patterns of morphological convergence in pygmy squirrels across tropical forests worldwide.

- by Dionisios Youlatos
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- Zoology, Ethology, Habitat Use, Body Size

In response to food limitation, many insects have evolved developmental plasticity in which larvae mature at a smaller body size. Here we investigate the consequences of this smaller body size for development of individuals in the next generation, after resource competition has been relaxed. Families of the seed beetle Stator pruininus (Horn) reared at high density (Ϸ20 eggs per seed) matured at a substantially smaller adult body size than families reared at 1 egg per seed. Females emerging from high density seeds also laid smaller eggs than did females reared at low density (7Ð14% lighter). Progeny developing from these smaller eggs eventually attained the same adult body size as progeny developing from eggs laid by low-density mothers when all progeny were reared at low density (i.e., resource competition was relaxed). They achieved this by developing on average Ϸ0.5 d longer. Reciprocal crosses between high and low-density lines demonstrated that the differences among lines in development time was maternally inherited; only maternal lineage explained some of the variance in development time. Thus, larvae appear to compensate for the small eggs laid by their mothers by extending development time to mature at the same size as progeny from larger eggs.

- by Charles Fox
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- Zoology, Developmental Plasticity, Body Size, High Density Concrete

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES The predatory potential of the larvivorous fishes can be affected by the presence of alternative preys. In the present study the predation pattern of the sewage dwelling Poecilia reticulata (Peters 1872) on the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say 1823 (Diptera: Culicidae) was evaluated in the presence of alternative preys. METHODS The predation of Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae by different size groups of R. reticulata fishes was evaluated. In addition to this, the niche breadth (N) and diet breadth (B) were measured following Manly's selectivity index (Si) as an indicator of variation of such predation pattern in the presence of alternative prey types, like chironomid larvae and tubificid worms. RESULTS The consumption of IV instar Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae by individual P. reticulata ranged between 65 and 84 in a 3 h feeding period and varied with the size of fish (F2,33 = 34.91; p < 0.001). The selectivity coefficient revealed a significantly low pr...

- by Barnali Manna
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- Biology, Medicine, Guppy, Body Size

Habitat association and depth distribution of two sympatric coral reef groupers of the genus Cephalopholis were examined at Rota, Mariana Islands. The two species are similar in body size, morphology, and social organization. In this study, they differed in their association with habitat and microhabitat and in depth distribution. Cephalopholis spiloparaea occurred on the reef slope between the reef terrace and deep sand flats at depths between 15 and 26 m. This species was associated mainly with Porites rus corals. Cephalopholis urodeta occurred largely on the upper reef terrace at 1-12 m. This species was associated mainly with coral pavement. The observed pattern of segregation might be the result of competitive or noncompetitive interactions or of phylogenetic constraints, but the exact mechanism or combination thereof remains unknown.

- by Terry Donaldson
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- Zoology, Social organization, Coral Reef, Body Size

We examined hematological parameters in four related sciurid species in the late summer -autumn to assess the role of habitat, elevation, body size, and behavior in shaping these parameters. Red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and Arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) were sampled in southwestern Yukon, yellow-pine chipmunks (Tamias amoenus) in southern Alberta, and the eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in southern Ontario. We obtained whole blood samples from each species and compared glucose levels, red blood cell characteristics (hematocrit, red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), and white blood cell counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils) across species. We found species differences in glucose and red blood cell characteristics that may be a function of activity levels, phylogeny, or elevation, but not of body size, body condition, or adaptations to a semi-fossorial habitat. We also found species differences in white blood cell counts that remain unexplained by any single simple explanation and may be more useful for comparison of individuals within a given species than for interspecies comparisons. D

- by Rudy Boonstra
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- Physiology, Zoology, Hibernation, Blood Glucose

Habitat utilization of native young-ofthe-year (YOY) muskellunge, Esox masquinongy, was quantified by the type and density of vegetation present, water depth, and fish communities associated with their presence and abundance in nursery bays of the Upper St. Lawrence River. We completed 441 seine hauls and captured 400 YOY muskellunge in 11 bays that were sampled each July and August over a 3year period (2002)(2003)(2004). We hypothesized a change in habitat utilization related to increasing body size, as YOY muskellunge doubled in total length from July to August. Fine-leafed submerged and emergent macrophytes and prey availability (cyprinids, Notropis sp., banded killifish, Fundulus diaphanous and tessellated darter, Etheostoma olmstedi), were positively related to muskellunge use in July, while in August coverage of broad-leafed submerged macrophytes and increased overall vegetation density were the best habitat descriptor. In both months, muskellunge were associated with moderate (20-60%) vegetation coverage and density, however, captures were in areas of significantly greater vegetation coverage and density than was generally available. A negative relation of muskellunge occurrence with water depth, yellow perch, Perca flavescens, and stonewort, Chara vulgaris, was observed in both months. The negative relationship between muskellunge and depth, plus their strong linkages to nearshore submerged vegetation and forage fish that inhabit the nearshore areas, highlights the importance of protecting the ecological integrity of nearshore habitats. Our findings should assist managers in protecting native stocks, planning restoration and enhancement initiatives, and in regulating riparian and nearshore development.

- by Brent Murry
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- Zoology, Ecology, Ecology of Submerged Macrophyte, Habitat

A long-standing hypothesis for the adaptive radiation of macrostomatan snakes is that their enlarged gape -compared to both lizards and basal snakesenables them to consume 'large' prey. At first glance, this hypothesis seems plausible, or even likely, given the wealth of studies showing a tight match between maximum consumed prey mass and head size in snakes. However, this hypothesis has never been tested within a comparative framework. We address this issue here by testing this hypothesis in 12 monophyletic clades of macrostomatan snakes using recently published phylogenies, published maximum consumed prey mass data and morphological measurements taken from a large sample of museum specimens. Our nonphylogenetically corrected analysis shows that head width -independent of body size -is significantly related to mean maximum consumed prey mass among these clades, and this relationship becomes even more significant when phylogeny is taken into account. Therefore, these data do support the hypothesis that head shape is adapted to prey size in snakes. Additionally, we calculated a phylogenetically corrected morphological variance-covariance matrix to examine the role of morphological integration during head shape evolution in snakes. This matrix shows that head width strongly covaries with both jaw length and out-lever length of the lower jaw. As a result, selection on head width will likely be associated with concomitant changes in jaw length and lower jaw out-lever length in snakes.

- by shawn vincent
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- Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, Foraging ecology, Phylogeny
- by Pierre Léopold and +1
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- Science, Drosophila melanogaster, Transcription Factors, Multidisciplinary
- by Peter Scogings
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- Biology, Animal Production, Seasonality, South Africa
- by Gordon Rodda
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- Zoology, Reproduction, Biology, Diet

Background: Pattern of fat distribution rather than obesity is of importance for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The accurate measurement of total and regional fat mass requires sophisticated and often expensive methods that have limited applicability in the clinical setting. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate body fat distributions by ultrasound (US) as a gold standard method for measuring visceral, preperitoneal and subcutaneous fat layers and comparing with anthropometric results, and then to find the most reliable anthropometric measurement in childhood obesity. Materials and methods: Study group of 51 obese children (21 F, 30 M) (mean age7s.d.: 11.572.6 years) and control group of 33 non-obese children (17 F, 16 M) (mean age7s.d.: 12.272.7 years) were recruited for this study. Anthropometric measurements as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist/hip ratio (WHR), triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were taken from all the participants. Abdominal preperitoneal (P), subcutaneous (S) fat at their maximum (max) and minimum (min) thickness sites, visceral (V), triceps (TrUS) and subscapular (SsUS) fat thicknesses were also measured ultrasonographically. Results: In the obese group, BMI was significantly correlated with US measurements of fat thicknesses, except Pmin and SsUS, whereas in the control group, BMI was significantly correlated with all US fat measurements. The relation of US measurements with skinfold thickness and WC was more significant in the control than in the obese group. No relation between WHR and US fat thickness measurements was found in both groups. Multiple regression analysis, using V as the dependent variable and anthropometric parameters, gender and the group as the independent variables, revealed BMI was the best single predictor of V (R 2 : 0.53). Conclusion: This study suggests that the validity of the anthropometric skinfold thickness in the obese children is low. Despite the limitations reported in the literature, in our study, BMI provides the best estimate of body fat. WHR in children and adolescents is not a good index to show intra-abdominal fat deposition.

- by Nuran Sabir
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- Education, Anthropometry, Childhood Obesity, Comparative Study

In this paper, we examine allometric and sexual-selection explanations for interspecific differences in the amount of sexual dimorphism among 60 primate species. Based on evidence provided by statistical analyses, we reject Leutenegger and Cheverud's [(1982). Int. J. Primatol. 3: 387-402] claim that body size alone is the major factor in the evolution of sexual dimorphism. The alternative proposed here is that sexual selection due to differences in the reproductive potential of males and females is the primary cause of sexual dimorphism. In addition, we propose that the overall size of a species determines whether the dimorphism will be expressed as size dimorphism, rather than in some other form.

- by Steven Gaulin
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- Zoology, Primatology, Sexual Selection, Sexual dimorphism

In many hummingbird species there is an opposite pattern of sexual dimorphism in bill length and other morphometric measures of body size. These differences seem to be closely related with differences in foraging ecology directly associated with a different resource exploitation strategy. The aim of this study was to assess if natural selection is acting on wing length and bill size in hummingbird males and females with different resource exploitation strategies (i.e., territorial males and non-territorial females). If competition for resources promotes sexual dimorphism as a selective pressure, males should be subjected to negative directional selection pressure for wing length and no selection pressure over bill size, while females should undergo positive directional selection pressure for both bill size and wing length. The morphometric data we collected suggests that there is no selection for wing length and bill size in male hummingbirds. In contrast, our females exhibited positive directional selection for both wing length and bill size. Although we cannot reject sexual selection acting on sexually dimorphic traits, this study suggests that natural selection may promote sexual dimorphism in traits that are closely related with hummingbird foraging ecology and resource exploitation strategies.

- by Cristian Estades
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- Zoology, Ornithology, Sexual Selection, Foraging ecology

The black-faced uacaris are a poorly known group of platyrrhine monkeys from the Rio Negro basin in northwestern Amazonia. Originally described as two distinct species-Cacajao melanocephalus (Humboldt 1812) and Cacajao ouakary (Spix 1823)-from opposite banks of the Negro, they were treated as a single species until the end of the twentieth century, when molecular studies reconfirmed their status as true species. One of these studies not only nominated a third (northern) species, Cacajao ayresi Boubli et al. 2008, but also identified C. ouakary as a junior synonym of C. melanocephalus, resulting in the introduction of a new nomen, Cacajao hosomi Boubli et al. 2008. In the present study, additional evidence on morphological and zoogeographic variables is analyzed, which indicates that C. ouakary should be reinstated, and supports the nomination of a neotype of C. melanocephalus. The molecular and zoogeographic data on the species status of the ayresi form are also re-assessed, leading...

- by Adrian Barnett
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- Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, Brazil, Body Size

Grazing experiments were performed with the zooplankters Daphnia pulex and Daphnia magna feeding on nitrogen-and phosphorus-limited cells of two green algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Selenastrum cupricornutum). To analyze the role of the cell wall structure in digestibility of the algae by Daphnia, the same experiments were carried out with both wild-type C. reinhardtii and a cell wall-deficient mutant.

- by Ellen Donk
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- Earth Sciences, Limnology, Life history, Biological Sciences

The body size of animals is affected by several factors, including ambient temperature and food availability. Ambient temperature is often negatively related to body size (Bergmann's rule) whereas an improved diet, especially during growth, has a positive effect. Animals commensal with man commonly exploit additional food sources (e.g. garbage dumps), thereby increasing their food supply. Using museum material, we studied morphological variation in skull size (and thus body size) among Spanish red foxes. Four measurements were taken of each skull and were related to the habitat from which the foxes were collected (agricultural and non-agricultural), and to latitude as a proxy for ambient temperature. The skull size of foxes collected in agricultural areas during the late 20th Century was significantly larger than that of those from non-agricultural areas, and was negatively related to latitude, thus contradicting Bergmann's rule. We suggest that increased food availability from animal husbandry is the cause for the observed increase in skull size (and thus body size).

- by Yoram Yom-Tov
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- Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Biological Sciences, Biological

Studies examining the effects of anthropogenic habitat fragmentation on both neutral and adaptive genetic variability are still scarce. We compared tadpole fitness-related traits (viz. survival probability and body size) among populations of the common frog ( Rana temporaria ) from fragmented ( F ) and continuous ( C ) habitats that differed significantly in population sizes ( C > > > > F ) and genetic diversity ( C > > > > F ) in neutral genetic markers. Using data from common garden experiments, we found a significant positive relationship between the mean values of the fitness related traits and the amount of microsatellite variation in a given population. While genetic differentiation in neutral marker loci ( F ST ) tended to be more pronounced in the fragmented than in the continuous habitat, genetic differentiation in quantitative traits ( Q ST ) exceeded that in neutral marker traits in the continuous habitat (i.e. Q ST > > > > F ST ), but not in the fragmented habitat (i.e. Q ST ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ F ST ). These results suggest that the impact of random genetic drift relative to natural selection was higher in the fragmented landscape where populations were small, and had lower genetic diversity and fitness as compared to populations in the more continuous landscape. The findings highlight the potential importance of habitat fragmentation in impairing future adaptive potential of natural populations.

- by Frog Fog
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- Geography, Biology, Medicine, Fitness

Total body turnover of cholesterol was studied in 54 subjects by fitting a three-pool mathematical model to plasma decay curves of 32-49 weeks duration following ['4C]cholesterol injection. Fifteen subjects were normal, 10 hypercholesterolemic, 2 1 hypertriglyceridemic, and 8 had both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia; 2 1 had a familial form of hyperlipidemia. In every subject in this heterogeneous population, the three-pool model gave the best fit for the data.

- by Rajasekhar Ramakrishnan
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- Kinetics, Aging, Lipids, Cholesterol
- by Oskar Burger
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- Reproduction, Nonlinear dynamics, Life history, Population Dynamics

Insects in diapause characteristically feed very little or not at all, thus they are largely or totally dependent on energy reserves sequestered prior to the entry into diapause. Fats are the dominant reserve used during this period, but non-fat reserves are also important for some species, especially during certain phases of diapause. Metabolic depression, coupled with the low temperatures of winter, facilitates the economic utilization of reserves during the many months typical of most diapauses. Though many insects store additional lipid prior to the entry into diapause, our review of the literature indicates that this is not always the case. We provide evidence that interactions between nutrient storage and metabolism can influence the decision to enter diapause and determine how long to remain in diapause. In addition, the energy reserves expended during diapause have a profound effect on post-diapause fitness. Though the physiological and biochemical mechanisms that regulate nutrient homeostasis prior to and during diapause remain poorly known, we propose several mechanisms that have the potential to contribute to diapause-associated nutrient homeostasis. Potential players include insulin signaling, neuropeptide F, cGMP-kinase, AMP-activated protein kinase, and adipokinetic hormone. r

- by Daniel Hahn and +1
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- Physiology, Zoology, Caenorhabditis elegans, Insect Physiology

The aim of the present study was to compare arm and leg anaerobic peak and mean power after normalisation for body mass (W/kg} and fat-free mass (W/kg FFM) of 12 female and 10 male wrestlers, members of the Polish Olympic team. Power outputs were assessed by 30 seconds leg cycling and 30 seconds arm cranking. It was determined that males had higher peak power (11.4 W/kg and 13.2 W/kg FFM for legs, 9.6 W/kg and 11.2 W/kg FFM for arms) as well as mean power (8.7 W/kg and 9.6 W/kg FFM for legs, 6.9 W/kg and 7.9 W/kg FFM for arms) than females (peak power 8.6 W/kg and 11.3 W/kg FFM for legs, and 5.9 W/kg, 7.8 W/kg FFM for arms, mean power 6.8 W/kg, 9.0 W/kg FFM for legs and 5.9 W/kg, 7.8 W/kg FFM for arms). Post-exercise maximal blood lactate concentration after 30 seconds leg cycling and 30 seconds arm cranking was also higher in male wrestlers (11.9 and 11.8 mmol/1, respectively) than in female wrestlers (10.4 and 9.1 mmol/1, respectively). However the ratios of lactate concentration to mean power expressed in W/kg FFM for males and females in leg cycling (1.18 and 1.17, respectively) and in arm cranking (1.48 and 1.50, respectively) were similar. These findings suggest that the amount of energy derived from glycolysis is not sex-dependent. Additionally it seems that the higher ratios for arms when compared to legs reflect closer relation of arm muscle energy metabolism to carbohydrate utilisation.

- by A. Kosmol
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- Skeletal muscle biology, Wrestling, Arm, Body Size

EJ800106 - Sensory Contributions to Balance in Boys with Developmental Coordination Disorder.

- by Matthieu Lenoir
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- Psychology, Motor Development, Visual perception, Life Sciences

Background and objectives: We compared the estimations of Cockcroft-Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations to a gold standard GFR measurement using 125 I-iothalamate, within strata of GFR, gender, age, body weight, and body mass index (BMI). Design, setting, participants, & measurements: For people who previously underwent a GFR measurement, bias, precision, and accuracies between measured and estimated kidney functions were calculated within strata of the variables. The relation between the absolute bias and the variables was tested with linear regression analysis. Results: Overall (n ‫؍‬ 271, 44% male, mean measured GFR 72.6 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 [SD 30.4 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 ]), mean bias was smallest for MDRD (P < 0.01). CKD-EPI had highest accuracy (P < 0.01 compared with Cockcroft-Gault), which did not differ from MDRD (P ‫؍‬ 0.14). The absolute bias of all formulas was related to age. For MDRD and CKD-EPI, absolute bias was also related to the GFR; for Cockcroft-Gault, it was related to body weight and BMI as well. In all extreme subgroups, MDRD and CKD-EPI provided highest accuracies. Conclusions: The absolute bias of all formulas is influenced by age; CKD-EPI and MDRD are also influenced by GFR. Cockcroft-Gault is additionally influenced by body weight and BMI. In general, CKD-EPI gives the best estimation of GFR, although its accuracy is close to that of the MDRD.

- by Friedo Dekker
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- Kidney diseases, Chronic kidney disease, Linear models, Kidney

Background: Obesity has been identified as an important risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases; however, other factors, combined or not with obesity, can influence cardiovascular risk and should be considered in cardiovascular risk stratification in pediatrics. Objective: To analyze the association between anthropometry measures and cardiovascular risk factors, to investigate the determinants to changes in blood pressure (BP), and to propose a prediction equation to waist circumference (WC) in children and adolescents. Methods: We evaluated 1,950 children and adolescents, aged 7 to 18 years. Visceral fat was assessed by WC and waist-hip relationship, BP and body mass index (BMI). In a randomly selected subsample of these volunteers (n = 578), total cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides levels were evaluated. Results: WC was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.85; p < 0.001) and BP (SBP r = 0.45 and DBP = 0.37; p < 0.001). Glycaemia and triglycerides showed a weak correlation with WC (r = 0.110; p = 0.008 e r = 0.201; p < 0.001, respectively). Total cholesterol did not correlate with any of the variables. Age, BMI and WC were significant predictors on the regression models for BP (p < 0.001). We propose a WC prediction equation for children and adolescents: boys: y = 17.243 + 0.316 (height in cm); girls: y = 25.197 + 0.256 (height in cm). Conclusion: WC is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and presents itself as a risk factor predictor of hypertension in children and adolescents. The WC prediction equation proposed by us should be tested in future studies. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2013; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

- by Dennis Rono
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- Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Anthropometry, Asthma

Objective: To analyse the effect of extracurricular physical activities on fat mass accumulation and physical fitness during growth in early pubertal males. Design: Longitudinal study. Subjects: A total of 42 male children (9.471.4 years, Tanner I-II and 12.771.5 years, Tanner III-IV, before and after the 3.3 years follow-up, respectively), randomly sampled from the population of Gran Canaria (Spain), 26 of them physically active (PA, at least 3 h per week during 3 years) and 16 non-physically active (non-PA). Measurements: Body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), anthropometrics (body circumferences and skinfolds) and physical fitness variables (dynamic and isometric force, anaerobic capacity and maximal aerobic power) were determined in all subjects. Results: Both groups had comparable body sizes at the start and the end of the study. Body mass index increased with growth more in the PA than in the non-PA group (Po0.05). However, fat mass accumulation with growth was lower in the PA than in the non-PA (Po0.05). There was a positive relationship between the increment of total and trunkal fat mass, especially in nonactive children (r 2 ¼ 0.93). In contrast, there was an inverse relationship between the total lean mass growth and the accumulation of total and regional fat mass (r ¼ À0.37 to À0.41, all Po0.05). Physical fitness was maintained in the PA, while it worsened in the non-PA children. Conclusions: Without any dietary intervention, children who regularly participate in at least 3 h per week of sports activities are more protected against total and regional fat mass accumulation. They also increase their total lean and bone mass to a greater extent than children who do not participate in extracurricular sport activities. In addition, PA children maintain their physical fitness during growth, while it deteriorates in the non-PA children.

- by Jose A Serrano-Sanchez
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- Education, Anthropometry, Aging, Health

Changes in mass during moult were investigated by analysis of data recorded on standard moult cards by members of the British Trust for Ornithology Ringing Scheme. In the analysis of post juvenile moult, all available cards that presented wing length, mass and time of capture were used. The analysis of adult post-nuptial moult was restricted to cards from a single year. Juvenile mass correlated strongly with body size, time of day and the number of greater coverts being replaced. After controlling for the effects of size and time of day, mass was found to increase with date except in those individuals in which all juvenile greater coverts were retained. In these birds residual mass declined with date. In adult males, mass increased with both date and moult scores of primary, secondary and tertial remiges and of rectrices but because of the strong correlations between moult scores and date, the true relationship was not clear. In adult females, mass declined with date before increasing again. Unlike the males, female moult scores did not predict body mass. However, the timing of moult was a strong predictor of body mass. The differences between age and sex groups are discussed in relation to the nutritional demands of moult.

- by Andrew G Gosler
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- Zoology, Body Size, Body Mass

In the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L., mating occurs on the soil surface, but partners remain anchored in their burrow and mating is preceded by repeated mutual burrow visits between neighbors. This study focuses on body size as one possible trait that earthworms may assess during these burrow visits. Size-related mate choice is predicted to result in size-assortative mating, which we found in one field sample (n ϭ 90 pairs), but not in a second (n ϭ 102). We discovered that when mates separate, one of them can be pulled out of its burrow. This was more likely for small individuals or those mating across wide distances. In a subsequent greenhouse experiment, we allowed focal individuals to mate with two neighbors of different sizes. Relative size affected neither mating rate nor primary preference, but focals mated sooner with the same-sized neighbor than with a differently sized one. Small focals visited large neighbors more often than small ones. We conclude that size influences mate choice as well as the outcome of mating and discuss how the ''tug-of-war'' that ends a mating contributes to this result. Precopulatory visits may involve assessment as well as enticement to lure the partner closer to the individual's own burrow, in order to minimize the risk when mating with a partner that is large or far away.

- by Andrea Hohner
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- Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, Mate Choice, Sexual Conflict

A new species of Acusicola is described based on adults of both sexes taken from plankton samples collected in the upper reaches of the Piauí River estuary, in the northeast of Brazil. Ovigerous females were present in the plankton. The new species, Acusicola minuta n. sp., can be distinguished from its congeners by its small body size, female antennal morphology and leg setation. The male described here as A. minuta n. sp. is the first known male attributed to the genus.

- by Helder Araujo
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- Microbiology, Zoology, Crustacea, Brazil

Ten populations of the green toad, Bufo viridis, from three areas having different climatic regimes were compared. Multivariate analyses of morphological characteristics revealed three distinct populations of green toads: the first group inhabiting the lowland and humid localities was characterized by a small body size, the second group occurred at higher altitudes and in desert areas had a significantly larger body size, while the third group from the Mediterranean localities was characterized by a large tympanum, a longer tarsus and short first toes. Interestingly, the specimens from Giresun Island were clustered with the second group with a similar pattern of body size. Differences in the morphological characteristics among populations were positively associated with ecological conditions, and not with geographic distance. Some characteristics previously used for taxonomic purposes in B. viridis were shown to be associated with local climatic conditions.

- by bilal kutrup
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- Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Ecological, Body Size

Social wasps from temperate zones have clear annual colony cycles, and the young queens hibernate during winter. In the subtropics, the only previously reported evidence for the existence of “hibernation” is the facultative winter aggregations of females during harsh climate conditions. As in temperate-zone species analyzed so far, we show in this study that in the paper wasp, Polistes versicolor, a subtropical species, body size increases as an unfavorable season approaches. Our morphological studies indicate that larger females come from winter aggregations—that is, they are new queens. Multivariate analyses indicate that size is the only variable analyzed that shows a relationship to the differences. Given the absence of a harsh climate, we suggest that the occurrence of winter aggregations in tropical P. versicolor functions to allow some females to wait for better environmental conditions to start a new nest, rather than all being obliged to start a new nest as soon as they emerge.

- by Marcelo Penna
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- Brazil, Multidisciplinary, Seasonality, Wasps
- by Anne Ellaway
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- Education, Obesity, Anthropometry, Public Health Policy

Adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) returning to the Bibi River, which were originally derived from LakeShikotsu kokanee salmon,and adult kokanee salmon in Lake Shikotsuwere examined for variation in body size, fecundity, and egg size. Both groups of adults originated from hatcheryreleased juveniles. Larger adult females had higher fecundity. Fecundity and fork length fitted allometric formula within each population. There was no relationship between fork length and egg size in Lake Shikotsu kokanee salmon or in age-I .1 sockeye salmon from the Bibi River although the sockeye salmon were approximately 65% larger in fork length than the kokanee salmon. Age-1.2 sockeye salmon, however, had eggs about 12% larger than did kokanee and age-1.1 sockeye salmon. We suggest fecundity in hatchery-released sockeye salmon vary with body size influenced by environmental components, and that their egg size would be affected by both environmental and genetic components such as polygene model within a cohort or population because of exclusion from the breeding competition and parental care.

- by Masahide Kaeriyama
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- Genetics, Parental care, Body Size, Fork Length

The aims of this study were: (1) to observe participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during school recess periods; (2) to determine the relative importance of physical activity during recesses to overall daily physical activity; and (3) to examine differences in physical activity between the sexes during unstructured recess periods. The participants were 22 school children (10 boys, 12 girls) aged 8 -10 years (mean = 8.9, s = 0.7) in the third and fourth grades. Daily totals for the physical activity variables were calculated by summing the values for each hour of 14 h of physical activity measurements (08:00 to 22:00 h). Recess times (minutes) were as follows: morning 10:30 to 11:00 h and afternoon 15:30 to 16:00 h. We did not differences between boys and girls in daily total accelerometer counts or the overall time spent in MVPA. However, girls were significantly (P 5 0.05) more involved (38%) in MVPA during recess time than boys (31%). Participation in MVPA during recess contributes significantly more (P 5 0.05) for girls (19%) than boys (15%) to the total amount of physical activity suggested by international health-related physical activity guidelines, while the percentage of time engaged in MVPA during recess time at school accounts for a small amount of the daily MVPA (6% for boys and 8% for girls). The results of this study suggest that school recess time is an important setting to promote MVPA and contributes to daily physical activity in young children, especially in girls.

- by Jorge Mota
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- Health Behavior, Life Style, Physical Activity, Schools

For intertidal fishes belonging to three species, the herbivore Scartichthys viridis (Blenniidae), the omnivore Girella laevifrons (Kyphosidae) and the carnivore Graus nigra (Kyphosidae), mass and body size relationships were higher in individuals from an upwelling zone compared with those from a non-upwelling zone. RNA:DNA were higher in the herbivores and omnivores from the upwelling zone. Higher biomass and RNA:DNA in the upwelling intertidal fishes may be a consequence of an increased exposure to higher nutrient availability, suggesting that increased physiological conditioning in vertebrates from upwelling areas can be detected and measured using intertidal fishes of different trophic levels.

- by Marco Alvarez
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- Zoology, RNA, Ecology, Fish Biology

Previous research has shown that changes to the body can influence the perception of distances in near space (Witt et al 2005). In this paper, we question whether changes to the body can also influence the perception of extents in extrapersonal space, namely the perception of aperture widths. In experiment 1, broad-shouldered participants visually estimated the size of apertures to be smaller than narrow-shouldered participants. In experiment 2, we questioned whether changes to the body, which included holding a ...

- by Michael Geuss
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- Psychology, Cognitive Science, Perception, Space perception

Concern about the impact of fishing on ecosystems and fisheries production is increasing (1, 2). Strategies to reduce these impacts while addressing the growing need for food security (3) include increasing selectivity (1, 2): capturing species, sexes, and sizes in proportions that differ from their occurrence in the ecosystem. Increasing evidence suggests that more selective fishing neither maximizes production nor minimizes impacts (4-7). Balanced harvesting would more effectively mitigate adverse ecological effects of fishing while supporting sustainable fisheries. This strategy, which challenges present management paradigms, distributes a moderate mortality from fishing across the widest possible range of species, stocks, and sizes in an ecosystem, in proportion to their natural productivity (8), so that the relative size and species composition is maintained.

- by Adriaan Rijnsdorp
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- Fisheries, Biomass, Policy, Science

Objective-Efforts to understand specific effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on cognitive processing are hampered by high rates of concomitant alcohol use during pregnancy. We examined whether neurocognitive systems differed... more

- by Chris Derauf
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- Neuroimaging, Child Development, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Risk assessment