The Use Of Phylogeny In Behavior And Ecology

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137626/1/evo05703.pd

Beak colour dynamically signals changes in fasting status and parasite loads in king penguins

This research was funded by the French Polar Institute (IPEV–Research Program 119) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS-INEE). Field logistic support was provided by Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises. Q.S. was funded by a doctoral fellowship from the Ministère Français de l’Education Supérieur et de la Recherche. We thank all over-wintering assistants: Benoit Gineste, Sylvia Pardonnet, Laureline Durand, Emilie Lefol and Hédi Saadaoui for field work and Emilio Rojas for helpful discussion on the analyses. We apologize to our stick insect (Carausius morosus) for bearing with VAV’s inquisitive curiosity during our debates on color ornaments in king penguins. We sincerely thank the editor and 2 anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on a previous version of the paper.Peer reviewedPostprin

Fitness implications of seasonal climate variation in Columbian ground squirrels

The influence of climate change on the fitness of wild populations is often studied in the context of the spring onset of the reproductive season. This focus is relevant for climate influences on reproductive success, but neglects other fitness- relevant periods (e.g., autumn preparation for overwintering). We examined variation in climate variables (temperature, rainfall, snowfall, and snowpack) across the full annual cycle of Columbian ground squirrels (Urocitellus columbianus) for 21 years. We investigated seasonal climate variables that were associated with fitness variables, climate variables that exhibited directional changes across the study period, and finally observed declines in fitness (-0.03 units/year; total decline = 37%) that were associated with directional changes in climate variables. Annual fitness of adult female ground squirrels was positively associated with spring temperature (r = 0.69) and early summer rainfall (r = 0.56) and negatively associated with spring snow conditions (r = -0.44 to -0.66). Across the 21 years, spring snowmelt has become significantly delayed (r = 0.48) and summer rainfall became significantly reduced (r = -0.53). Using a standardized partial regression model, we found that directional changes in the timing of spring snowmelt and early summer rainfall (i.e., progressively drier summers) had moderate influences on annual fitness, with the latter statistically significant (rho = -0.314 and 0.437, respectively). The summer period corresponds to prehibernation fattening of young and adult ground squirrels. Had we focused on a single point in time (viz. the onset of the breeding season), we would have underestimated the influences of climate change on our population. Rather, we obtained a comprehensive understanding of the influences of climate change on individual fitness by investigating the full lifecycle

Premating behavioral tactics of Columbian ground squirrels

In polygynous and polygynandrous mating systems males possess a variety of behavioral tactics that increase their access to reproductive females. In addition to overt combat or defending resources that attract mates, males use premating tactics that provide them with subsequent opportunities to copulate with receptive females. For Columbian ground squirrels, Urocitellus columbianus, we report that co-occupation of a burrow system by a reproductive male and a female on the night before the female exhibits diurnal estrus is an example of such a tactic. Our hypothesis was that nocturnal underground association results in successful consortships and therefore constitutes a mating tactic that is complementary to other mating behaviors exhibited during a female's estrus. Under this hypothesis appropriate predictions are that: males co-occupying a burrow system with a female at night should mate first with that female; males co-occupying a burrow system with a female overnight should sire more of her offspring than her subsequent mates; and the reproductive success of males co-occupying a burrow system with females should be higher than the reproductive success of mates that do not. To test our predictions we used a combination of field observations on nocturnal underground consortships (NUCs) and microsatellite DNA analyses of paternity. Males copulated with females during NUCs, as evidenced by inseminations. These males sired more offspring than males that did not participate in NUCs. Males ≥3 years old participated in more NUCs than sexually mature 2-year-old males. Our results supported the hypothesis that entrance into NUCs with a female before she exhibits estrus was a premating tactic that increased male reproductive success when exhibited in concert with other mating tactics such as territorial defens

Experimental stress during molt suggests the evolution of condition-dependent and condition-independent ornaments in the king penguin

Acknowledgments We thank Emilie Lefol for her help in the field, and two anonymous reviewers for their comments on the manuscript. This research was funded by the French Polar Institute (IPEV– Research Program 119) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS- INEE). Field logistic support was provided by Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises. Q.S. was funded by a doctoral fellowship from the Ministère Français de l’Education Supérieur et de la Recherche.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Mating order and reproductive success in male Columbian ground squirrels (Urocitellus columbianus)

Multiple mating by females is common in many mammalian species, often resulting in mixed paternity litters. In such mating systems, mating order, male age, and male body mass frequently play an important role in determining male reproductive success. We tested for these effects on male reproductive success in Columbian ground squirrels (Urocitellus columbianus). The mating activity of estrous females was observed, and the occurrence of sperm precedence was tested using microsatellites to determine paternity in a total of 147 litters (434 offspring), including 110 litters (334 offspring) where the mating position of individual males was determined. Females mated with up to 8 males per litter, whereas paternity analyses revealed that only the first 5 males to mate actually sired offspring. The number of offspring sired significantly decreased with position in the mating sequence, showing a strong first male advantage. The extent of this advantage diminished with an increasing number of male mating partners, indicating that sperm competition plays an important role. A male's position in the females' mating sequences was not consistent within and across seasons, suggesting that individual males did not follow distinct reproductive strategies. Rather, males of intermediate age were more successful than young and old males, when corrected for age effects; heavier males were more likely to mate first. We conclude that males gain the largest part of their seasonal reproductive output from mating first with a female due to a pronounced first male advantage but gain considerable additional fitness from mating with additional, already mated female

Chronic Changes In Serum IL-6 And TNF-α Following 12 Weeks of Concurrent Resistance And Aerobic Exercise Are Dependent On Exercise Mode And May Affect Adaptation

PURPOSE: To examine physiological responses to concurrent resistance and land treadmill training (RT-LTM) compared to concurrent resistance and aquatic treadmill training (RT-ATM) and the chronic effect of each on serum TNF-α and IL-6 (cytokines associated with chronic inflammation, CVD, and skeletal muscle metabolism). METHODS: Twenty-six untrained subjects (M: n=13, 98.6±17.1kg, 182.2±6.2cm, 34±11yrs, F: n=13, 78.9±14.0kg, 165.1±5.1cm, 38±11yrs) were screened to assess VO2max, body composition (DEXA), and strength (Lifts: leg press, chest press, leg curl, lat pull, leg ext, triceps push-down, biceps curl). Subjects were then randomized into 2 groups: RT-LTM (M=6, F=7), RT-ATM (M=7, F=6). Each performed progressive RT (2/wk, 3 x 8-12 @ 60%à~80% 1RM) for 12 wks. Both groups also performed 12 wks of aerobic LTM or ATM (60à85%VO2max) respectively. ATM or LTM occurred immediately following RT sessions and in isolation on a 3rd day during the wk. Kcal/session: Wk 1-6 = 250à500 kcal/session, Wk 6-12 = 500 kcal/session. Blood samples were obtained in the rested state (\u3e72h after last exercise bout) before and after training. Serum TNF-α and IL-6 was analyzed using a multiplex assay kit (Luminex®, Millipore®). A 2x2 Mixed Model ANOVA w/ repeated measures was used to examine absolute and relative changes in the independent variables listed in the table. RESULTS: INDEP. VAR. Lean Mass (kg) Fat Mass (kg) %Body Fat (%) VO2max (ml/kg/min) Total Strength (lbs) IL-6 (pg/dl) TNF-α (pg/dl) BASELINE MEASUREMENTS RT-LTM 49.9 ± 3.7 35.9 ± 3.1 42.1 ± 2.5 29.9 ± 2.0 1457.4 ± 135.1 4.6 ± 1.6 7.1 ± 1.9 RT-ATM 53.1 ± 4.0 31.1 ± 2.8 37.0 ± 2.3 32.1 ± 1.6 1552.8 ± 145.9 4.6 ± 1.5 7.9 ± 1.5 POST TRAINING MEASUREMENTS RT-LTM 51.0 ± 4.7† 34.1 ± 2.7† 40.1 ± 3.6† 35.8 ± 2.9† 1843.4 ± 201.1† 7.1 ± 1.6† 6.8 ± 0.5 RT-ATM 55.8 ± 4.6† 30.3 ± 3.1 35.6 ± 2.4† 35.8 ± 2.3† 2193.6 ± 251.3† 5.1 ± 2.7 6.6 ± 1.0† %∆ = Calculated From Each Individual Subjects Change From Baseline RT-LTM 2.6% ± 1.4†,a -6.5% ± 2.4†,a -5.8% ± 1.8†,a 14.1% ± 2.3†,a 21.3% ± 1.1†,a 125.9% ± 36.6†,a -1.8% ± 6.0a RT-ATM 4.2% ± 0.9†,b -2.1% ± 1.6b -4.1% ± 1.5†,a 4.5% ± 3.0†,b 27.1% ± 1.7†,b 28.1% ± 34.7b -13.0% ± 5.4†,b Values are means ± SE. %Δ = Individual change from baseline. Like letters = not significantly different between groups, †=Significant change from baseline within group (α ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chronic RT-LTM and RT-ATM training elicit different effects on markers of chronic inflammation which may be related to differing health and fitness outcomes observed between our groups

Interspecific Hybridization Yields Strategy for South Pacific Filariasis Vector Elimination

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a global health problem, with over 120 million people affected annually. The current LF elimination program is focused on administering anti-filarial drugs to the entire at-risk population via annual mass drug administration (MDA). While the MDA program is proving effective in many areas, other areas may require augmentative measures such as vector control. An example of the latter is provided by some regions of the South Pacific where Aedes polynesiensis is the primary vector. Here, we describe a novel vector control approach based upon naturally occurring Wolbachia bacterial infections. Wolbachia are endosymbiotic intracellular bacteria that cause a form of sterility known as cytoplasmic incompatibility. We show that introgression crosses with mosquitoes that are infected with a different Wolbachia type results in an A. polynesiensis strain (designated ‘CP’) that is incompatible with naturally infected mosquitoes. No difference in mating competitiveness is observed between CP males and wild type males in laboratory assays. The results support continued development of the strategy as a tool to improve public health

Comparative genomic analysis of Leishmania (Viannia) peruviana and Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis

BACKGROUND: The Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis complex is responsible for most cases of New World tegumentary leishmaniasis. This complex includes two closely related species but with different geographic distribution and disease phenotypes, L. (V.) peruviana and L. (V.) braziliensis. However, the genetic basis of these differences is not well understood and the status of L. (V.) peruviana as distinct species has been questioned by some. Here we sequenced the genomes of two L. (V.) peruviana isolates (LEM1537 and PAB-4377) using Illumina high throughput sequencing and performed comparative analyses against the L. (V.) braziliensis M2904 reference genome. Comparisons were focused on the detection of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions and deletions (INDELs), aneuploidy and gene copy number variations. RESULTS: We found 94,070 variants shared by both L. (V.) peruviana isolates (144,079 in PAB-4377 and 136,946 in LEM1537) against the L. (V.) braziliensis M2904 reference genome while only 26,853 variants separated both L. (V.) peruviana genomes. Analysis in coding sequences detected 26,750 SNPs and 1,513 indels shared by both L. (V.) peruviana isolates against L. (V.) braziliensis M2904 and revealed two L. (V.) braziliensis pseudogenes that are likely to have coding potential in L. (V.) peruviana. Chromosomal read density and allele frequency profiling showed a heterogeneous pattern of aneuploidy with an overall disomic tendency in both L. (V.) peruviana isolates, in contrast with a trisomic pattern in the L. (V.) braziliensis M2904 reference. Read depth analysis allowed us to detect more than 368 gene expansions and 14 expanded gene arrays in L. (V.) peruviana, and the likely absence of expanded amastin gene arrays. CONCLUSIONS: The greater numbers of interspecific SNP/indel differences between L. (V.) peruviana and L. (V.) braziliensis and the presence of different gene and chromosome copy number variations support the classification of both organisms as closely related but distinct species. The extensive nucleotide polymorphisms and differences in gene and chromosome copy numbers in L. (V.) peruviana suggests the possibility that these may contribute to some of the unique features of its biology, including a lower pathology and lack of mucosal development. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1928-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Lipid Profiles of American Collegiate Football Athletes in Response to Fall Preseason Camp

Recent studies show former football athletes, especially football linemen, to be at increased cardiovascular disease risk. However, the lipid profiles of American NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players in response to sport participation are currently unknown. PURPOSE: To quantify the effects of participation in fall preseason football training camp on the blood lipid profiles in NCAA FBS athletes. METHODS: Seated venous blood samples were drawn in the morning after an overnight fast from 51 football players (age = 20 ± 2 yr, weight = 232.8 ± 40.8 lb, height = 73.9 ± 2.6 in) and analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HLD-C), and triglyceride (TG). Samples were obtained on two separate occasions corresponding to the beginning of fall preseason football camp, and again 16 days later near the end. Data were analyzed by paired t-test. RESULTS: See table, values are means ± SD, * = p ≤ 0.001. Measurement Time Lipid and Lipoprotein Concentrations (mg/dL) TC LDL-C HDL-C TG TC:HDL Ratio Beginning 158 ± 34 90 ± 24 54 ± 15 117 ± 50 3.02 ± 0.70 End 151 ± 35 92 ± 28 47 ± 11* 86 ± 41* 3.32 ± 0.84* CONCLUSION: Participation in fall preseason training camp significantly alters the traditional lipid profiles of Collegiate FBS athletes. These lipid changes suggest a proinflammatory state with high energy utilization, and are consistent with the hypothesis that LDL-C is necessary for the structural repair of damaged tissue