Influences of Personal Information, Public Information, and Extra-pair Paternity on Breeding Site Fidelity in a Songbird

I investigated the role of extra-pair paternity on use of public information and the interaction between public information and personal information for patch fidelity decisions. It is unknown if songbirds use public information about the number of conspecific fledglings for patch fidelity decisions when extra-pair paternity is uncommon. I tested if probability of patch fidelity was associated with (1) number of fledglings in adjacent territories (public information), and (2) number of fledglings raised with a social mate (personal information). I used logistic regression to predict probability of patch fidelity of males and females based on the 2 uncorrelated predictor variables (Spearman’s rank correlation, S = 21895.28, n = 50, P = 0.723, r = –0.051). I monitored patch fidelity of 107 territories, counted the number of fledglings in each territory, and assessed parentage of 102 young from 36 nests for white-eyed vireos (Vireo griseus) from 2008–2010 in a 100 ha patch of woodland in central Texas, USA. I excluded the social male as the father of 3 of the 102 young and did not exclude any of the social females as the mother with parentage analysis using 6 microsatellite loci. The number of fledglings in adjacent territories was not a good predictor of probability of patch fidelity for males (beta 1 = 0.166, df = 35, P = 0.247, Nagelkerke’s R2 = 0.054) or females (beta 1 = 0.121, df = 17, P = 0.670, Nagelkerke’s R2 = 0.016). The number of fledglings raised with a social mate was also not a good predictor of probability of patch fidelity for males (beta 1 = –0.296, df = 43, P = 0.360, Nagelkerke’s R2 = 0.029), whereas it was a good predictor for females (beta 1 = 1.281, df = 21, P = 0.048, Nagelkerke’s R2 = 0.409). The dominant ecological concepts for explaining site fidelity in songbirds, win-stay lose-switch (based on personal reproductive success with a social mate) and public information, did not predict probability of patch fidelity well for male white-eyed vireos. The win-stay lose-switch model, but not public information was a good predictor of probability of patch fidelity for females. My results suggest that use of public information may depend on frequency of extra-pair paternity. Males may primarily use other information for patch fidelity decisions beyond reproductive success of conspecifics for patch fidelity decisions in some circumstances. My results support the need to ensure high levels of nesting success for females to return and maintain populations in areas managed for breeding songbirds for conservation efforts to be successful

Effects of red imported fire ants on songbird nest survival

Invasive species are often implicated in population declines of native species through competition and predation. Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) predation of songbird nestlings and eggs has been documented. I conducted a replicated manipulative experiment to determine the magnitude of the decrease in nest survival caused by S. invicta in addition to other predators. I conducted mensurative experiments to quantify the frequency of S. invicta foraging near active songbird nests and factors that influence the susceptibility of songbird nests to S. invicta predation. I hypothesized that predation by S. invicta reduced nest survival by 10%, potentially biologically significant, and that songbird nests would be more susceptible to S. invicta predation that were located: (1) closer to the ground, (2) closer to an edge, (3) closer to disturbed soils, and (4) initiated later in the breeding season. I monitored 235 songbird nests including 45 black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla), 67 white-eyed vireo (V. griseus), and 123 northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) nests on 9 patches of 36–103 ha each on private land in east-central Texas, USA in 2006–2007. I found preventing S. invicta from preying upon songbird nests increased nest survival 20% for white eyed vireos and 1% for black-capped vireos. I detected S. invicta near songbird nest on 60% of food lures on the ground and 7% of food lures 1 m high in vegetation (n = 122). Vireo nests <2 m high and <4 m from an edge were more susceptible to S. invicta predation indicating potential threshold conditions, below which songbird nests may be more susceptible. If my results are applicable to other areas then songbird populations of some species nesting below 2 m may have substantially lower nest survival in areas occupied by S. invicta. I suggest the negative impacts of S. invicta on songbird nest survival may be reduced by applying integrated pest management methods and increasing woody vegetation cover in breeding areas of songbird species susceptible to S. invicta nest predation

Effects of red imported fire ants on songbird nest survival

Invasive species are often implicated in population declines of native species through competition and predation. Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) predation of songbird nestlings and eggs has been documented. I conducted a replicated manipulative experiment to determine the magnitude of the decrease in nest survival caused by S. invicta in addition to other predators. I conducted mensurative experiments to quantify the frequency of S. invicta foraging near active songbird nests and factors that influence the susceptibility of songbird nests to S. invicta predation. I hypothesized that predation by S. invicta reduced nest survival by 10%, potentially biologically significant, and that songbird nests would be more susceptible to S. invicta predation that were located: (1) closer to the ground, (2) closer to an edge, (3) closer to disturbed soils, and (4) initiated later in the breeding season. I monitored 235 songbird nests including 45 black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla), 67 white-eyed vireo (V. griseus), and 123 northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) nests on 9 patches of 36–103 ha each on private land in east-central Texas, USA in 2006–2007. I found preventing S. invicta from preying upon songbird nests increased nest survival 20% for white eyed vireos and 1% for black-capped vireos. I detected S. invicta near songbird nest on 60% of food lures on the ground and 7% of food lures 1 m high in vegetation (n = 122). Vireo nests <2 m high and <4 m from an edge were more susceptible to S. invicta predation indicating potential threshold conditions, below which songbird nests may be more susceptible. If my results are applicable to other areas then songbird populations of some species nesting below 2 m may have substantially lower nest survival in areas occupied by S. invicta. I suggest the negative impacts of S. invicta on songbird nest survival may be reduced by applying integrated pest management methods and increasing woody vegetation cover in breeding areas of songbird species susceptible to S. invicta nest predation

Surface hydrophobics mediate functional dimerization of CYP121A1 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is caused by the pathogenic bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and remains the leading cause of death by infection world-wide. The Mtb genome encodes a disproportionate number of twenty cytochrome P450 enzymes, of which the essential enzyme cytochrome P450 121A1 (CYP121A1) remains a target of drug design efforts. CYP121A1 mediates a phenol coupling reaction of the tyrosine dipeptide cyclo-L-Tyr-L-Tyr (cYY). In this work, a structure and function investigation of dimerization was performed as an overlooked feature of CYP121A1 function. This investigation showed that CYP121A1 dimers form via intermolecular contacts on the distal surface and are mediated by a network of solvent-exposed hydrophobic residues. Disruption of CYP121A1 dimers by site-directed mutagenesis leads to a partial loss of specificity for cYY, resulting in an approximate 75% decrease in catalysis. 19F labeling and nuclear magnetic resonance of the enzyme FG-loop was also combined with protein docking to develop a working model of a functional CYP121A1 dimer. The results obtained suggest that participation of a homodimer interface in substrate selectivity represents a novel paradigm of substrate binding in CYPs, while also providing important mechanistic insight regarding a relevant drug target in the development of novel anti-tuberculosis agents

Win-stay, lose-switch and public information strategies for patch fidelity of songbirds with rare extra-pair paternity

Determining where organisms breed and understanding why they breed in particular locations are fundamental biological questions with conservation implications. Breeding-site fidelity is common in migratory, territorial songbirds and is typically thought to occur following reproductive success with a social mate and success of nearby conspecifics. It is currently unknown if frequency of extra-pair paternity in a population influences use of information about reproductive success of nearby conspecifics for site fidelity decisions. We investigated patch fidelity of white-eyed vireos (Vireo griseus) based on reproductive success and quantified frequency of extra-pair paternity. We found support only for females making patch fidelity decisions following reproductive success with a social mate. Patch fidelity of males was not associated with reproductive success of nearby conspecifics, suggesting males may not use this information when extra-pair paternity is infrequent or the association is non-existent in this species

Do Corpo à Terra : art and guerilla in Belo Horizonte in 1970

Orientador: Nelson Alfredo AguilarDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências HumanasResumo: Esta dissertação investiga um evento artístico acontecido em Belo Horizonte em abril de 1970, conhecido como Do Corpo à Terra. Tratou-se de uma ação organizada pelo crítico e curador Frederico Morais em que vários artistas brasileiros foram convidados a criar trabalhos e apresenta-los em espaços públicos da cidade ¿ o Parque Municipal e a Serra do Curral- extrapolando as fronteiras do museu e explorando novas linguagens, como a performance, o happening e a intervenção urbana. Através de um levantamento documental e da análise das imagens e registros do evento, esta pesquisa pretende investigar seus aspectos poéticos e políticos, e contextualizá-los em todo um quadro de arte política que se desenvolveu no Brasil neste período. Além disso, a dissertação aborda o conceito de arte-guerrilha, trazido por diversos autores e fundamental para a compreensão das propostas de Frederico Morais. Investiga também a recepção do evento na imprensa mineira e os desdobramentos da exposição. O trabalho contém em anexo um depoimento inédito do próprio Frederico Morais com detalhes sobre a mostraAbstract: This thesis investigates an artistic event which happened in Belo Horizonte in April 1970, known as Do corpo à Terra. It was about an action organized by the critic and curator Frederico Morais in which various brazilian artists were invited to create artworks and exhibit them on the city¿s public spaces ¿ Parque Municipal and Serra do Curral - extrapolating the boundaries of the museum and exploring new languages, such as the performance, thehappening and urban intervention. Through a documental survey and analysis of the imagery and records of the event, this research intends to investigate its poetic and political aspects, contextualize them in a whole picture of political art that was developed in Brazil during this period. Furthermore, the thesis addresses the concept of arte-guerrilha (guerrilla art) brought by several authors and basal for the comprehension of the propositions of Frederico Morais. It also investigates the acceptance of the event by the Press of Minas Gerais and the unfolding of the Exhibit. In the paper is attached the unedited testimony of Frederico Morais himself with details about the ExhibitMestradoHistoria da ArteMestra em História1263587CAPE

Conspecific cues encourage Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) prospecting, but not nesting, at new nesting structures

Shed-like structures are being built to provide Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) nesting habitat in response to population declines. However, Barn Swallow use of these structures is unavailable in the literature. We conducted three manipulative experiments to test if adding conspecific cues (i.e., vocalizations and decoys) to newly-built structures affected prospecting visits by Barn Swallows (1) during pre-breeding, (2) during post-breeding, and (3) during or after broadcasts of vocalizations compared to before broadcasts. Additionally, we monitored nesting following pre- and post-breeding cues. We built one nesting structure with and one without conspecific cues at each of 10 study sites in southern Ontario, Canada where nesting habitat was recently lost. We detected about twice as many Barn Swallows immediately after conspecific broadcasts compared to before. We did not find substantial differences in abundance and interactions with new nesting structures for other comparisons involving conspecific cues. Following pre-breeding cues at 10 sites, six nests were built in three of 10 structures treated with conspecific cues, compared to five nests in four of 10 structures without cues. In the subsequent breeding season following post-breeding cues at eight sites, four nests were built in two of eight structures treated with conspecific cues, compared to four nests in three of eight structures without cues. Conspecific vocalizations appeared to increase prospecting behaviour, but not the number of nests, at new nesting structures. The paucity of nests on new structures suggests that building shed-like structures may not be an effective method of mitigating loss of nesting habitat

Integrating Sexual Objectification With Object Versus Person Recognition: The Sexualized-Body-Inversion Hypothesis

In the study reported here, we tested the novel sexualized-body-inversion hypothesis. Integrating research and theory on objectification and person versus object recognition, we examined whether sexualized women, but not sexualized men, are recognized in the same way as objects are. According to objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997), female bodies are scrutinized and evaluated to a greater degree than male bodies are, which leads to sexual objectification of women. Defined as viewing or treating an individual as a sexualized body, or as sexualized body parts, available for satisfying the needs and desires of other people (Bartky, 1990), sexual objectification has been recently operationalized by portraying the target wearing underwear or a swimsuit. We tested the sexualized-body-inversion hypothesis in the present study: If sexualized women are viewed as objects and sexualized men are viewed as persons, then sexualized female bodies will be recognized equally well when inverted as when upright (object-like recognition), whereas sexualized male bodies will be recognized better when upright than when inverted (person-like recognition). Includes Supplemental Materials

Impact of grazing and conservation opportunities for nesting grassland birds in a community pasture

Multiple bird species-at-risk nest on the ground in hayfields and pastures, making nests susceptible to inadvertent destruction from agricultural activity (e.g., trampling by livestock). To better understand the impact of Domestic Cattle (Bos taurus) grazing, we assessed the distribution and breeding status of nesting grassland birds in 2019 and 2020 at the Grey Dufferin Community Pasture, a ~234 ha pasture in southern Ontario, Canada. We estimated there were 86 male Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) in the community pasture in 2019 and 100 in 2020 before grazing began; observed abundance decreased by 73% in fields after grazing in 2020. Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) maintained territories after grazing and fledged young in 67% (n = 21) of territories. Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) was common across the community pasture before and after grazing occurred. We detected evidence of nesting more frequently in Bobolink and Savannah Sparrow territories in ungrazed than in grazed fields. Our results support previous research indicating nesting Bobolink often disperse from moderately to heavily grazed fields, whereas Eastern Meadowlark and Savannah Sparrow largely remain and renest. Despite the inadvertent negative impacts of cattle stepping or laying on nests and consuming vegetative cover, the community pasture provides areas for successful nesting, with Eastern Meadowlark faring better than Bobolink. Flexibility in the timing and duration of grazing in rotational grazing systems may enable strategic management in target fields (e.g., maintaining enough vegetation for nesting Bobolink). Information about the distribution and abundance of birds can be used to target particular fields for conservation