Male Burmese pythons follow female scent trails and show sex‐specific behaviors

Animals communicate with potential mates using species‐specific signals, and pheromones are powerful sexual signals that modify conspecific behavior to facilitate mate location. Among the vertebrates, snakes are especially adept in mate searching via chemical trailing, which is particularly relevant given that many snake species are invasive outside their native ranges. Chemical signals used in mate choice are, thus, potentially valuable tools for management of invasive snake species. The Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is an invasive snake in the Florida Everglades where it is negatively impacting native fauna. In this study, we sought to: (i) determine if males can follow conspecific chemical trails in a Y‐maze; and (ii) describe the mate searching behaviors exhibited by males while trailing. All males consistently followed a single female scent trail in the maze, but when only a male scent trail was present they did not discriminate between the male and blank arms. Rate of tongue‐flicking, a proxy for chemosensory sampling, was also marginally higher when males were following female versus male scent trails. However, when both female and male scent trails were simultaneously present in the Y‐maze, males did not show a preference for the female arm, although the tongue‐flick rate was higher in the female‐only trial compared to female versus male. Analyses of multiple male behaviors individually and using an ethogram revealed that behaviors were more frequent and complex in the female‐only trials compared to male‐only trials. Additional behavioral trials are needed to determine if an effective pheromonal approach to Burmese python management is possible.     

Chemical Communication in Galago Crassicaudatus: Investigation of the Chest Gland Secretion

The volatile properties of the three major components of the chest gland secretion of Galago crassicaudatus were studied. Artificial scents were prepared using these components and were tested under natural conditions at a field site in the Soutpansberg mountains of the Northern Transvaal. In order to establish a natural basis for analysing the communicatory function of the scent mark which results from chest rubbing behaviour, the social structure of the group of G. crassicaudatus at the study site was investigated. The chest gland secretion appears to function as a relatively short-lived cue which facilitates communication between individuals found near each other; and a relatively persistant cue which may be used for territorial marking.     

Pronghorn Winter Resource Selection Before and After Wind Energy Development in South-Central Wyoming

Few studies have evaluated the response of ungulate populations to wind energy development. Recent demand for wind-generated electricity coupled with a tendency for wind-energy facilities to be sited within suitable pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) winter range make this a critical issue for conservation of this icon of western North America. We evaluated pronghorn response to wind energy development at the winter home range scale, as well as within individual winter home ranges using data collected from 47 adult female pronghorn equipped with Global Positioning System transmitters. At both scales, we developed separate resource selection models for pronghorn before (winter 2010) and after (winters 2011 and 2012) development of the Dunlap Ranch wind energy facility in south-central Wyoming to evaluate the potential impacts of wind energy infrastructure on pronghorn winter resource selection. In general, pronghorn winter resource selection was correlated with greater sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) cover, lower snow depth, and lower slopes before and after wind energy development at both scales. At the larger scale, pronghorn selected home ranges closer to wind turbines during all winters. Within home ranges, pronghorn selected areas closer to future locations of wind turbines at Dunlap Ranch during 2010 before turbine erection. However, we found evidence that pronghorn avoided wind turbines in winters after development within their winter home ranges. This relationship was most evident during winter 2011, which coincided with the most severe winter of our study. Long-term replicated studies will be necessary to make inferences for pronghorn populations exposed to wind energy development in different environments and scales than we evaluated. Nonetheless, in the absence of additional information on how ungulates respond to wind energy development, our finding that pronghorn avoided wind turbines within their winter home ranges has important implications for future wind development projects, particularly in areas known to fulfill important seasonal requirements of pronghorn populations.     

No evidence for avoidance of black rat scent by the presumably less competitive Natal multimammate mouse in a choice experiment

In Africa, indigenous multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis) only appear to live commensally in houses when invasive black rats (Rattus rattus) are absent, yet little is known about the underlying mechanism. Avoidance through smell may cause the absence of M. natalensis from areas occupied by R. rattus, but this hypothesis has not yet been tested. We conducted a Y-maze choice experiment where 15 M. natalensis were offered a choice between corridors containing conspecific scent, R. rattus scent and a control scent. Residence time in the R. rattus corridor was greater than that in the control corridor but equal to that in the M. natalensis corridor, suggesting that multimammate mice do not actively avoid the scent of their invasive competitor.     

Vomeronasal organ lesion disrupts social odor recognition,behaviors and fitness in golden hamsters

Most studies support the viewpoint that the vomeronasal organ has a profound effect on conspecific odor recognition, scent marking and mating behavior in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). However, the role of the vomeronasal organ in social odor recognition, social interaction and fitness is not well understood. Therefore, we conducted a series of behavioral and physiological tests to examine the referred points in golden hamster. We found that male hamsters with vomeronasal organ lesion showed no preference between a predator odor (the anal gland secretion of the Siberian weasels (Mustela sibirica) and putative female pheromone components (myristic acid and palmitic acid), but were still able to discriminate between these 2 kinds of odors. In behavioral tests of anxiety, we found that vomeronasal organ removal causes female hamsters to spend much less time in center grids and to cross fewer center grids and males to make fewer crossings between light and dark boxes than sham‐operated controls. This indicates that a chronic vomeronasal organ lesion induced anxious responses in females. In aggressive behavioral tests, we found that a chronic vomeronasal organ lesion decreased agonistic behavior in female hamsters but not in males. The pup growth and litter size show no differences between the 2 groups. All together, our data suggested that vomeronasal organ ablation disrupted the olfactory recognition of social chemosignals in males, and induced anxiety‐like and aggressive behavior changes in females. However, a vomeronasal organ lesion did not affect the reproductive capacity and fitness of hamsters. Our studies may have important implications concerning the role of the vomeronasal organ in golden hamsters and also in rodents.     

Colour Change in Leptotyphlops Scutifrons (Peters) and Notes on its Defensive Behaviour

Some adult males defended territories of up to 40 ha in size all year round. Most males were seen both alone and with females on their territories. Males did not have permanent harems, since groups of females were fluid in composition and highly mobile. Groups of females moved into and out of male territories at will, despite attempts by the male to prevent them leaving.

For ten marked males the minimum period spent on a territory ranged from 6,5 to 26 months. These males appeared to cover a wide age-range from young adult to old. Results of a quantitative study of daily activity of selected territorial males are presented. Males were observed for 12 consecutive daylight hours for a total of 13 days. The most important activity on a year-round basis was grazing. Courtship and defence of territory were second in importance.

Aspects of territorial behaviour, such as courtship displays, defence of territory (by chasing out trespassing males), and advertising of territory by means of linked urination-defaecation displays on discrete dung-sites, are described.     

Male attacks on infants and infant death during male takeovers in wild white‐headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus)

Infanticide was first observed in langurs nearly 50 years ago, and this rare phenomenon has been inferred to have either an evolutionarily adaptive function or to be a pathological and non‐functional behavior. In this study, we report 5 male takeover events in one‐male groups of white‐headed langurs in the Nongguan Karst Hills, Guangxi, China from 1998 to 2006. We recorded 13 attacks on 9 infants by extra‐group males or new resident males. During the male takeovers, all of the infants younger than 6 months (with an average age of 3.6 months [N = 11]) in the groups disappeared. The infant death rate during the 4.2 months after takeover by a new male was significantly higher than the infant death rate calculated for most of the year. Older infants that were still nursing (with an average age of 14.1 months [N = 7]) were often attacked and seriously wounded by the extra‐group males or new resident males, but all of them survived. The interbirth intervals of females whose infants were assumed to be killed by males were significantly reduced relative to those of females in groups with stable male tenure (mean = 10 months vs 25 months). Our data suggest that males kill unrelated and unweaned infants during the takeover period to decrease the time until the infants’ mothers resume fertility. Thus, infanticide would support sexual selection theory in white‐headed langurs. The data also show that infanticidal behavior was directed toward the infants, especially those who were still nursing. Female dispersal may function as a counter‐strategy to avoid infanticide.     

Territorial Behaviour in Certain Horned Ungulates,With Special Reference to the Examples of Thomson's and Grant's Gazelles

An attempt has been made to distinguish between action area, home range, and territory in the Bovidae. The establishing of subjective boundaries is considered to be the most important criterion of territoriality. The existence of such boundaries becomes evident from certain behavioural symptoms; “defence” or better, localized dominance which may lead to intolerance, is one of them.

Not all bovids are territorial. Within the territorial species, there seem to be at least two types: (a) The animals, usually in pairs, may, under favourable conditions, stay in their territories permanently; (b) Only the males are territorial and stay in temporary territories, usually for several weeks or months. This last type is obviously more common in horned ungulates than the first one. Within this second type (b), there are species-specific differences. For example, in Grant's gazelle (Gazella granti), under certain environmental conditions, this type of territoriality is combined with harem behaviour, but in the co-inhabiting Thomson's gazelle (Gazella thomsoni), the females roam through the territories of the males and stay together with the same buck only for a few hours per day.

Even within one and the same species, there can be variations, apparently linked with differences in environmental conditions. This is discussed, using the examples of the Uganda kob (Adenota kobj, the wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), and Grant's gazelle. Finally, there can be differences in the territorial behaviour of the same individual according to the phases of territoriality (beginning, peak, end) which is shown by the example of Thomson's gazelle.     

Ontogenese des Sexualverhaltens von Ziegen*

A large number of young goats of both sexes were obseiaed from birth for a period of several weeks. The mating behaviour of young males at one month of age did not differ from that oj adults neither in the sequence of movements nor in intensity. At this age sexual maturity begins in the male goat according to the criteria of behavioural biology, although sexual potency does not develop until several months later. The interpretation of these biological eaents as play is not justifiable.     

The effect of fertility control on the transmission of bovine tuberculosis in wild brushtail possums

AIM: To determine the effect of fertility control on the rate of transmission of bovine tuberculosis (Tb), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, in brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula).

METHODS: At two study sites with a history of Tb infection in the resident possum population, a sample of adult male and female possums (n=50), determined by palpation to be Tb-free, was surgically sterilised by gonadectomy. A sample of untreated Tb-free male and female possums (n=54) served as controls. Each study site was trapped every 2 months over a 3-year period, and the Tb status of the individuals in the trial assessed. At the conclusion of the trial, all remaining experimental individuals were killed, necropsied and examined for characteristic lesions typical of Tb. The rate of transmission of Tb infection was estimated using the incidence of tuberculous cases in the experimental animals and comparing it between sites, sex and sterilisation treatment.

RESULTS: Sterilisation by gonadectomy resulted in a reduction in the rate of transmission of Tb in male possums by 53%, but a corresponding increase in sterilised females for reasons that are still unclear. However, this interaction was statistically weak (p=0.10). When the sexes were combined, there was no overall effect of sterilisation on the rate of transmission of Tb (p=0.43). Sterility treatment notwithstanding, there was a highly significant difference in the rate of transmission between the sexes (p=0.01), being almost one order of magnitude higher in untreated males compared with untreated females.

CONCLUSIONS: Although lacking strong statistical support, these results suggest that fertility control that targets endocrine control of fertility may provide some additional benefits for disease control over that achieved by reductions in population density, by reducing the rate of transmission of M. bovis in male possums. However, additional studies are needed to confirm the validity of these results. The large difference in the rate of transmission of M. bovis in untreated males compared with untreated females suggests that transmission of Tb among males may be an important driver of the dynamics of Tb infection in possums.     

Xenopus Laevis (Anura: Pipidae) Mating Systems - A Preliminary Synthesis with some Data on the Female Phonoresponse

The mating system of hormonally stimulated Xenopus laevis laevis has been examined. The mating call of the male can be divided into two parts, one displaying a greater pulse repetition rate. These two components follow one another in calling bouts without intervals of silence between them. Temporal characteristics of the call are presented. The mating call has a complex frequency structure. Up to five energetic frequency bands are present, and individual frogs from the same population emphasize different bands. Female Xenopus laevis respond to the mating call with a positive phonotactic response. This has been quantified, and the associated behaviour described. Females, when clasped by males, produce a release call which rarely resulted in the release of the female, the result of overstimulation of the male with sex hormone. Males give a soft ‘amplectant call’ while clasping. Clasped males produce a release call which effects their release. Of all modes of ° communication, the mating call is considered to convey the a highest information content for mate recognition. Other communication relates to the physiological condition of the clasped frog.     

麝鼠香腺Elovl1基因生物信息学分析及表达研究

【目的】 测定麝鼠超长链脂肪酸延伸酶1(elongase of verylong chain fatty acid 1,Elovl1)基因序列并进行生物信息学分析,探讨其在麝鼠香腺发育和泌香过程中的作用。【方法】 使用TRIzol法提取成年雄性麝鼠香腺总RNA,采用转录组测序技术获得麝鼠香腺Elovl1基因序列并测序;在GenBank数据库中下载啮齿目不同物种的Elovl1基因及其多转录本CDS序列并构建系统进化树;通过在线工具对Elovl1基因编码蛋白的理化性质及结构进行预测与分析;利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析成年雄性麝鼠香腺发育周期内香腺组织中Elovl1基因的表达水平。【结果】 Elovl1基因在麝鼠香腺中表达2个转录本,能编码2个不同的蛋白,分别由313和279个氨基酸组成。Elovl1基因2个转录本在2~9月末的麝鼠香腺中均有表达,且表达量整体呈先上升后下降的趋势。Elovl1基因编码的2个蛋白均为稳定的亲脂性、非分泌蛋白,具有7个跨膜螺旋区,亚细胞定位均主要位于内质网。在啮齿目动物中,Elovl1基因进化与物种进化基本一致,仓鼠科与鼠科亲缘关系较近,麝鼠与水鼠平亲缘关系最近;同一物种Elovl1基因的不同转录本间相对保守,均按物种聚在一起且置信值普遍较高,旱獭例外。【结论】 Elovl1基因表达规律与麝鼠香腺的发育、萎缩及泌香周期相吻合,提示Elovl1与麝鼠香分泌相关,并参与了香腺细胞发育。     

Social relationships and dispersal patterns in a clan of spotted hyaenas Crocuta crocuta in the Kruger National Park

Membership, social relationships and dispersal were recorded for all members of one clan of spotted hyaenas, Crocuta crocuta, in the Kruger National Park over a period of 27 months. The clan comprised females, cubs, and three social classes of males: resident natal males, peripheral immigrant males and central immigrant males. Although a linear dominance hierarchy was recorded under all circumstances, it was most strongly expressed at food. Females were philopatric and maintained a network of amicable relationships with each other and their offspring. Social dominance assured them priority of access to carcasses, so that they obtained a high proportion of meat. Males left their natal clans and attempted to join neighbouring clans, where they were initially treated as territorial intruders, but could eventually gain membership albeit with low social status, lowest feeding priority at carcasses and precarious social relationships. An immigrant male that maintained close attendance on females became a central immigrant and gained unrivalled breeding status. The segregation of a clan into co-operative relatives and subordinate immigrants assures an optimal distribution of resources.     

Habitat use and home range of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) on farmlands in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

Black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) are an abundant mesopredator on farmlands (croplands and rangelands) across South Africa. Given their adaptability in a changing anthropogenic landscape, knowledge of spatial movements can provide important ecological information on the species. We captured, collared and monitored five black-backed jackals in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal to determine their home range and habitat use in farmlands. The 95% fixed kernel (95% FK) home range sizes were large, showing a marked seasonal variation in movement. One adult male dispersed 150?km over two seasons (winter and spring) and thereafter settled into a home range that it maintained. Transient home ranges of males and juveniles were larger than resident home ranges. The mean resident home ranges (95% FK) across seasons for adult males, adult female and juvenile males were 11.4 ± 4.3 km², 5.6 ± 0.36?km² and 2.15 ± 0.45?km², respectively. The mean transient home ranges (95% FK) of all the seasons for adult and juvenile males were 1 181.93 ± 575.81 km² and 104.27 ± 35.64?km², respectively. Adult jackal preferred croplands in spring, summer and autumn but avoided croplands in winter. Variable habitat use and large home ranges in our study confirmed the species’ ability to adapt to agricultural areas.     

Some blood parameters of the Chinese grasscarp Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes)

The activity cycle of a captive group of Dendrohyrax arboreus comprising an adult male, an adult female and two juveniles showed them to be more active during the daylight hours than nocturnally. Activities of the siblings were closely synchronized, but showed no close relationship to the mother's cycle. The animals spent most of their time on the upper level of their enclosure. The data support the view that D. arboreus is arboreal and solitary in its natural habitat. The nocturnal habits of some wild D. arboreus populations may represent a shift in activity pattern in response to hunting pressure by man.     

Detection of the EGFP sequence in breast muscle of 3‐year‐old chicken after transfection using sonoporation

In our continuing effort to generate transgenic chickens, sonoporation was chosen to insert an exogenous gene into the chicken genome. An EGFP expression vector (pCAG‐EGFPac) and microbubbles were injected into the central disc of stage‐X blastoderm or the germinal crescent of stage‐4 embryos, followed by ultrasonic vibration. Nineteen chicks out of 108 treated embryos hatched, six females and six males out of these 19 chicks grew to sexual maturity and two females and three males lived for 3 years. Genomic DNA from 17 out of 35 gonads from embryos and chicks that died before sexual maturity was EGFP‐positive by PCR. No EGFP sequence was detected in the genomic DNA of 322 embryos from six sexually mature females and the semen from four sexually mature males by PCR. When genomic DNA was obtained from various tissues of five 3‐year‐old chickens, the EGFP sequence was amplified from the genomic DNA of the breast muscle of a female (No. 85). The above sequence was subjected to DNA sequencing and verified to be the EGFP sequence. These results showed that sonoporation is an effective tool for the transduction of exogenous genes into chicken embryos for the generation of transgenic chickens.     

Functional activity of epididymal Chinchilla laniger spermatozoa cryopreserved in different extenders

Chinchilla laniger is an endangered species and improved cryopreservation of spermatozoa would constitute a significant advance in the development of assisted reproductive techniques in this species. The functional activity of epididymal spermatozoa from adult males was studied immediately after extrusion and after 24 hours incubation, and the ability of five extenders to protect these gametes during cryopreservation was determined. A decrease in sperm motility, viability, acrosome intact cells and response to hypo-osmotic swelling test was detected 24 hours later. The extenders here assayed showed well-defined differences in their cryoprotective ability; however such differences could not be attributed to any one of their individual components. The presence of TES plus Tris, the proportion of the individual constituents and/or the differences in metabolic substrate content could explain the above-mentioned finding. The results indicate that cryo-buffer 11 (TES-Tris-egg yolk-fructose-glycerol) is the most powerful protector of sperm functional activity in this species.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE CANINE ABDOMEN: EFFECT OF PULSE SEQUENCE ON DIAGNOSTIC QUALITY

Motion artifact is an important limiting factor for abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in veterinary patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pulse sequence on abdominal MRI diagnostic quality in dogs. Ten normal dogs were each scanned using 16 MRI pulse sequences. Sequences included breath‐holding sequences, respiratory navigation sequences, and traditional spin‐echo sequences. Four observers independently scored diagnostic quality for each sequence based on the appearance of specific organs, overall diagnostic quality, and degree of artifactual interference. Signal‐to‐noise ratio and contrast‐to‐noise ratio were also calculated for each sequence. The sequence with the highest overall mean diagnostic quality score was the dorsal T2 turbo spin echo (TSE) with fat saturation and breath‐holding. The sequence with the lowest mean diagnostic quality score was the dorsal T2 fast spin echo. The sequence with the highest signal‐to‐noise ratio for all evaluated organs was the sagittal T1 spin echo. Signal‐to‐noise and contrast‐to‐noise ratios did not correlate with subjective assessment of overall diagnostic quality for the majority of the sequences evaluated (P < 0.05). The three sequences considered to have the highest diagnostic quality for the cranial abdomen were the dorsal T2 TSE with fat saturation and breath‐hold, transverse T1 turbo fast low‐angle shot gradient echo with breath‐hold, and dorsal T2 half‐Fourier acquisition single shot TSE with respiratory navigation. These sequences had short acquisition times, yielded studies of similar diagnostic quality, provided complementary information, and are therefore recommended for routine canine abdominal MRI protocols.     

Breeding distribution and maternal genetic lineages in Lulu,a dwarf cattle population in Nepal

Lulu is a dwarf cattle population bred in the Mustang district of western and central Nepal. This area is located around the habitat boundary between Bos taurus and Bos indicus. The peculiarities of Lulu are their small size (weight range in the adult female: 68–153 kg) and rearing in high mountain areas at 2800 m to 4000 m in altitude. There were 5770 head of Lulu cattle in the Mustang district in 1998, 4333 females and 1437 males. The morphological appearance of Lulu is Bos taurus. However, one of the five Lulu studied in Kagbeni, Mustang had a Bos indicus mitochondrial DNA type based on the D‐loop sequence, while the other four were Bos taurus. It is suggested that there are hybrids of Lulu with Bos indicus maternal lineage in a mostly taurine‐breed genetic background. Steps must be taken to preserve the unique Lulu.