Vortex wakes generated by robins Erithacus rubecula during free flight in a wind tunnel

The wakes of two individual robins were measured in digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) experiments conducted in the Lund wind tunnel. Wake measurements were compared with each other, and with previous studies in the same facility. There was no significant individual variation in any of the measured quantities. Qualitatively, the wake structure and its gradual variation with flight speed were exactly as previously measured for the thrush nightingale. A procedure that accounts for the disparate sources of circulation spread over the complex wake structure nevertheless can account for the vertical momentum flux required to support the weight, and an example calculation is given for estimating drag from the components of horizontal momentum flux (whose net value is zero). The measured circulations of the largest structures in the wake can be predicted quite well by simple models, and expressions are given to predict these and other measurable quantities in future bird flight experiments

Sincronização da ovulação em fêmeas suínas submetidas ao desmame precoce Synchronization of ovulation in sows in early weaning system

Verificou-se a eficiência de protocolos para sincronizar a ovulação em porcas desmamadas precocemente. Trinta porcas com média de 4,4± 2,0 partos e estádio de lactação de 14,8± 0,7 dias foram distribuídas em três grupos de 10 animais: 1- nenhum tratamento hormonal; 2- 1000 UI de PMSG, via intramuscular (IM), 48h pós-desmame e 0,25mg de GnRH, IM, 72h após a aplicação do PMSG; 3- 1000 UI de PMSG, IM, 48h pós-desmame e 500 UI de hCG, IM, 72h após o PMSG. O momento da ovulação foi detectado por ultra-sonografia transretal. A taxa de sincronização (ovulação até 48h após aplicação de hCG ou GnRH) dos grupos 2 e 3 (94,7%) foi maior (P<0,01) que no grupo controle (40%). Com o uso dos protocolos de sincronização de ovulação, as fêmeas tratadas apresentaram, em relação ao grupo controle, tendência de maior taxa de prenhez (95% vs. 70%; P<0,10) e similares intervalo do desmame ao estro (96,5± 3,0 vs. 130,2± 31,4h) e número de leitões nascidos vivos por fêmea gestante no primeiro cio pós-desmame (10,9± 0,8 vs. 12,0± 0,9). Dessa maneira, os protocolos de sincronização usados neste estudo foram eficientes em sincronizar a ovulação, e podem viabilizar o uso da inseminação artificial em horários predeterminados.<br>The objective of this study was to test the efficiency of two protocols in synchronize the ovulation of sows in early weaning system. Thirty multiparous crossbred (Large-White x Landrace) sows with a mean± SD of 4.4± 2.0 parturitions and 14.8± 0.7 days in lactation were divided into three groups of 10 animals each: group 1- control; group 2- received 1000 IU of PMSG (FOLLIGON® , INTERVET) IM, 48 hours after weaning + 0.25mg of GnRH (FERTAGIL® , INTERVET) IM, 72h after PMSG; group 3- received 1000 IU of PMSG 48 hours after weaning + 500 IU of hCG (PROFASI® , SERONO) IM, 72h after PMSG. Time of ovulation was monitored by transrectal ultrasound. Synchronization of ovulation rates (ovulated within 48 hours after the treatment with hCG or GnRH) in groups 2 and 3 were higher (94.7%; P< 0.01) than in group 1 (40%). Sows from groups 2 and 3 showed a tendency of higher pregnancy rate than those from group 1 (95% vs. 70%; P<0.10), but similar weaning-to-estrus interval (96.5± 3.0h vs. 130.2± 31.4h) and similar litter size (10.9± 0.8 vs. 12.0± 0.9), respectively. The data show that the protocols used in the current study were efficient in synchronize time of ovulation and render possible the use of AI at a predetermined moment

The life-history basis of latitudinal diversity gradients: how do species traits vary from the poles to the equator.

1. Latitudinal variation among species in life-history traits is often suggested to contribute to high tropical species richness. However, traditional methods of analysing such variation rarely control for phylogeny and latitudinal range overlap between species, potentially giving misleading results. 2. Using a method of pairwise independent contrasts which overcomes these problems, I tested for latitudinal variation among bird species in a number of traits which have been linked, theoretically or empirically, with both latitude and species richness. 3. This method indicates strong support for Rapoport's Rule and decreasing clutch size towards the equator in both hemispheres, but only partial support for decreasing body size and ecological generalism towards the equator. 4. Indirect measures of sexual selection (sexual dichromatism and size dimorphism) show no variation with latitude; an apparent increase in dichromatism towards the equator is shown to be an artefact of phylogeny. 5. Many of the associations between life history and latitude were not detected by traditional cross-species analyses, highlighting the importance of incorporating phylogeny and overlap in studies of geographical life-history variation. Establishing associations between life-history traits and latitude does not prove, but is a necessary prerequisite for., a link between these traits and latitudinal diversity gradients