Horses’ Senses Involvement in Food Location and Selection

Senses are an important part of the interaction with the environment. Previous studies has been established that horses use smell and taste in the selection of their food. The involvement of sight in the selection process has not been clarified up to this study. Here, we investigate the involvement of senses in the selection process of food, also the proportion in which, each senses are involved and we evaluate the horses preferences for different colors. Two experiments have been designed and carried out with two racing horses The results obtained have demonstrated that the sight is the main sense in the location of the food, followed by the sense of olfactory organ involved in selecting plants ingested and the sense of taste which contributes less to the selection. There has also been identified a preference of the envolved horses for the pink color used in this experiment

Selection on multiple sexual signals in two Central and Eastern European populations of the barn swallow

Variation in intensity and targets of sexual selection on multiple traits has been suggested to play a major role in promoting phenotypic differentiation between populations, although the divergence in selection may depend on year, local conditions or age. In this study, we quantified sexual selection for two putative sexual signals across two Central and East European barn swallow (Hirundo rustica rustica) populations from Czech Republic and Romania over multiple years. We then related these differences in selection to variation in sexual characters among barn swallow populations. Our results show that tail length and ventral coloration vary between populations, sexes, and age classes (first‐time breeders vs. experienced birds). We found that selection on tail length was stronger in first‐time breeders than in experienced birds and in males than in females in the Romanian population, while these differences between age groups and sexes were weak in Czech birds. We suggest that the populational difference in selection on tail length might be related to the differences in breeding conditions. Our results show that ventral coloration is darker (i.e., has lower brightness) in the Romanian than in the Czech population, and in experienced birds and males compared with first‐time breeders and females, respectively. The sexual difference in ventral coloration may suggest sexual selection on this trait, which is supported by the significant directional selection of ventral coloration in first‐time breeding males on laying date. However, after controlling for the confounding effect of wing length and tarsus length, the partial directional selection gradient on this trait turned nonsignificant, suggesting that the advantage of dark ventral coloration in early breeding birds is determined by the correlated traits of body size. These findings show that ventral coloration may be advantageous over the breeding season, but the underlying mechanism of this relationship is not clarified

Evolutionism and creationism in the social mentality – a study case in the Romanian population

Due to the dynamic of our ever-evolving society, basically, population is now divided in two categories: one with conservative values (religion) and the other one focused on exploring the unknown (science). The aim of our study is to analyze the proportion of the two types of perspectives in the Romanian social mentality and to evaluate the participants’ attitude towards science or religion subjects. In the period between November 2016 and March 2017, questionnaires have been distributed to 400 people from Cluj-Napoca (N-W Romania) and Petroșani (S-W Romania). The questionnaire consisted of a field which evaluates personal data and a second part of 21 questions. Some of the most important results of the study included: 56% of those are religious, 71% believe in God, 55% believe that a supernatural force controls the universe, 44% consider it necessary to teach evolution in schools and 57% consider it necessary to teach religion in schools. The percentages for conservative values (religion) is 56% and those who are focused on exploring the unknown (science) is 29%. Szekely et Stermin (PDF

Colonial wintering of Long-eared owl (Asio otus) in Botoșani County (N-E Romania)

This study explores the phenological aspects and distribution of long-eared owl (Asio otus) colonies in Botoșani county, N-E Romania. The anthropogenic impact was also evaluated and analyzed and the microhabitat where the colonies are located. Data was collected between November 2018 and February 2019. 9 settlements in Botoșani county, including the municipality of Botoșani, were investigated. Data about temperature, the size of the colony, the tree species where the colony is located and anthropogenic impact, were collected. 9 colonies were identified with a total of 340 individuals. Two short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) were identified in one of the colonies. The maximum number (51) of specimens is reached in the months of January and February, and the minimum number (30) in the months of November and December. It has been observed that when the temperatures tend to fall, the size of the colonies register significant growth. The preferred species of trees are gymnosperms (69%), the owls were found on angiosperms as well (31%). The preference for the coniferous species increases along with the drop in temperatures and the increase in rainfall or snowfall, as these types of trees offer better protection against the weather conditions. We noticed that the anthropogenic factor has a significant influence on the colonies of Asio otus, so we wanted to grade it with the help of a scale from 1 to 7. Grade 1 was given in only one locality (Știubieni), grade 2 was registered in 4 points (Dorohoi, Avrămeni, Botoșani, and Roma), grade 3 is found only in Bucecea, Corlăteni registers a grade of 4, while in Dobârceni the registered value is 5, grade 6 is met only in Săveni. Grade 7 represented the stage in which there is a decrease in the population of Asio otus, or the death of individuals for various reasons, a situation that has not been encountered. Halici et Stermin (PDF

Clutch size and egg repeatability in three elusive bird species: Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), Little Crake (Zapornia parva) and Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) from north-west Romanian populations

Data were collected from Little Bittern, Water Rail and Little Crake nests located in North-Western Romania, between April and July of 2002 - 2006 and 2010 - 2012. The repeatability was calculated as intra-class correlation of length, breadth and egg volume coefficients. The total number of active nests considered for the present study was as follows: 43 for Little Bittern, 25 for Water Rail and 9 for Little Crake. The clutch size in Little Bittern ranged from 4 to 7 eggs, in Water Rail from 4 to 10 and in Little Crake from 4 to 8 eggs. The repeatability values of egg parameters varied between 0.844 to 0.860 in Little Bittern, 0.262 - 0.374 in Water Rail and 0.310 - 0.574 in Little Crake. Short-term environmental impact was strong in case of Water Rail and Little Cracke, while the genetic component had little influence. For these two species, the low repeatability could be explained by larger numbers of eggs in a clutch, reflecting in turn a longer laying period. David et al (PDF

The relation between natural and sexual selection – study case on the phenotypic characteristics that influence mate choice in a North-West Romanian human population

The force of sexual selection acts upon the mating process of all beings, this great force is influenced by different factors as phenotypic characteristics. Related to mate choice, in humans, recent studies have shown that, along with eye color, hair color is considered a relevant physical trait (Frost, 2006). Thereby, the purpose of this study is to reveal how these two factors influence mate choice by analyzing the hair color preference of a small population from Romania. Additionally, we explore how different types of selection influence each other and assume that both contribute in choosing a partner. In order to obtain basic data, a socio-demographic survey was addressed to adult male and female individuals. Based on their answers, disregarding the gender, a considerable number of individuals are brown-haired, as we expected from this area of the globe. Among the results obtained, the following considerations are worth mentioning: the most common hair color in Romania is brown, individuals with this trait are considered the most attractive for the opposite sex and parents’ hair color represents a predictor for future partners. These preferences are both in concordance and in contrast with natural selection. However, much more research is needed, approaching other areas such as genetics and forensics to determine how all these mechanisms, as well as others, affect the process of mating. Popa-Cordun et Stermin (PDF

What is for dinner? Qualitative and quantitative data regarding small mammal species identified in pellets of long-eared owl (Asio otus) from Cluj-Napoca

Analysis of pellets provides information on the prey distribution, abundance, behavior and trophic relationships between Strigiformes and small mammals. By analyzing the skulls from long-eared owl (Asio otus) pellets, collected from a colony located in the Mercur Park, in Cluj- Napoca, Romania, we aimed to identify the small mammal species and to compare the results with available ones from another study conducted 2 years ago in the same area. During 7 collecting campaigns (November 2018 to March 2019) in 538 pellets a total of 1290 skulls were identified. Over the study period, the colony increased from 10 to 40 birds. Six species of small mammals were identified: the field striped mouse (Apodemus agrarius), the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), the European water vole (Arvicola terrestris), the field vole (Microtus agrestis) and the common vole (Microtus arvalis). Compared with the previously study, a new species was identified: the yellow-necked mouse and another one was missing: the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). Neaca et al (PDF) Article history: Received 19 October 2020; Revised 23 November 2020; Accepted  5 November 2021; Available online 30 December 2021

Macroscopic comparative aspects among two species of birds of prey: Falco tunninculus (Common kestrel) and Tyto alba (Barn owl)

Birds of prey are at the top of the food chain and play an essential role in controlling populations of birds and rodents that are harmful to habitat. This study was conducted on 11 bird carcasses, 5 Falco tunniculus carcasses and 6 Tyto alba carcasses, donated by the UBB Zoological Museum of Academic Cultural Heritage, in order to examine the gross anatomical structures of the digestive system and to highlight the anatomical differences in both carnivorous species. Dissections were conducted at the Department of Comparative Anatomy at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Cluj-Napoca, according to an established protocol. The beak is short and slightly curved in both species studied, the tomial tooth being highlighted in Falco tunniculus. Conical papillae and salivary duct openings are more numerous in both species. The oropharyngeal cavity has lateral longitudinal folds of the tongue and glottis, with a distensible esophagus along its whole length in Tyto alba. Falco tunniculus, however, has ingluvium and a less distensible oesophagus. The stomach is undeveloped in both species, with the appearance of an elongated pear, and the small intestine varies in length, shorter in Falco tunniculus than in Tyto alba, but in both species it is arranged in several loops with the help of the mesenterium. The cecum is different, poorly developed, vestigial type in Falco tunniculus, and well developed, with two elongated caecal protrusions in Tyto alba. The digestive system is characteristic of carnivorous species and is a reflection of how it has adapted to feeding behavior

Macroscopic comparative aspects among two species of birds of prey: Falco tunninculus (Common kestrel) and Tyto alba (Barn owl)

Birds of prey are at the top of the food chain and play an essential role in controlling populations of birds and rodents that are harmful to habitat. This study was conducted on 11 bird carcasses, 5 Falco tunniculus carcasses and 6 Tyto alba carcasses, donated by the UBB Zoological Museum of Academic Cultural Heritage, in order to examine the gross anatomical structures of the digestive system and to highlight the anatomical differences in both carnivorous species. Dissections were conducted at the Department of Comparative Anatomy at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Cluj-Napoca, according to an established protocol. The beak is short and slightly curved in both species studied, the tomial tooth being highlighted in Falco tunniculus. Conical papillae and salivary duct openings are more numerous in both species. The oropharyngeal cavity has lateral longitudinal folds of the tongue and glottis, with a distensible esophagus along its whole length in Tyto alba. Falco tunniculus, however, has ingluvium and a less distensible oesophagus. The stomach is undeveloped in both species, with the appearance of an elongated pear, and the small intestine varies in length, shorter in Falco tunniculus than in Tyto alba, but in both species it is arranged in several loops with the help of the mesenterium. The cecum is different, poorly developed, vestigial type in Falco tunniculus, and well developed, with two elongated caecal protrusions in Tyto alba. The digestive system is characteristic of carnivorous species and is a reflection of how it has adapted to feeding behavior