A volumetric technique for fossil body mass estimation applied to Australopithecus afarensis

Fossil body mass estimation is a well established practice within the field of physical anthropology. Previous studies have relied upon traditional allometric approaches, in which the relationship between one/several skeletal dimensions and body mass in a range of modern taxa is used in a predictive capacity. The lack of relatively complete skeletons has thus far limited the potential application of alternative mass estimation techniques, such as volumetric reconstruction, to fossil hominins. Yet across vertebrate paleontology more broadly, novel volumetric approaches are resulting in predicted values for fossil body mass very different to those estimated by traditional allometry. Here we present a new digital reconstruction of Australopithecus afarensis (A.L. 288-1; ‘Lucy’) and a convex hull-based volumetric estimate of body mass. The technique relies upon identifying a predictable relationship between the ‘shrink-wrapped’ volume of the skeleton and known body mass in a range of modern taxa, and subsequent application to an articulated model of the fossil taxa of interest. Our calibration dataset comprises whole body computed tomography (CT) scans of 15 species of modern primate. The resulting predictive model is characterized by a high correlation coefficient (r2 = 0.988) and a percentage standard error of 20%, and performs well when applied to modern individuals of known body mass. Application of the convex hull technique to A. afarensis results in a relatively low body mass estimate of 20.4 kg (95% prediction interval 13.5–30.9 kg). A sensitivity analysis on the articulation of the chest region highlights the sensitivity of our approach to the reconstruction of the trunk, and the incomplete nature of the preserved ribcage may explain the low values for predicted body mass here. We suggest that the heaviest of previous estimates would require the thorax to be expanded to an unlikely extent, yet this can only be properly tested when more complete fossils are available

The genetic diversity, phylogeography and morphology of Elphidiidae (Foraminifera) in the Northeast Atlantic

Genetic characterisation (SSU rRNA genotyping) and Scanning ElectronMicroscope (SEM) imaging of individualtests were used in tandem to determine the modern species richness of the foraminiferal family Elphidiidae(Elphidium, Haynesina and related genera) across the Northeast Atlantic shelf biomes. Specimens were collectedat 25 locations fromthe High Arctic to Iberia, and a total of 1013 individual specimenswere successfully SEMimagedand genotyped. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out in combination with 28 other elphidiid sequencesfrom GenBank and seventeen distinct elphidiid genetic types were identified within the sample set, sevenbeing sequenced for the first time. Genetic types cluster into sevenmain cladeswhich largely represent their generalmorphologicalcharacter. Differences between genetic types at the genetic, morphological and biogeographiclevels are indicative of species level distinction. Their biogeographic distributions, in combination with elphidiidSSU sequences from GenBank and high resolution images from the literature show that each of them exhibitsspecies-specific rather than clade-specific biogeographies. Due to taxonomic uncertainty and divergent taxonomicconcepts between schools, we believe that morphospecies names should not be placed onto molecularphylogenies unless both the morphology and genetic type have been linked to the formally named holotype,or equivalent. Based on strictmorphological criteria,we advocate using only a three-stage approach to taxonomyfor practical application in micropalaeontological studies. It comprises genotyping, the production of a formalmorphological description of the SEM images associated with the genetic type and then the allocation of themost appropriate taxonomic name by comparison with the formal type description. Using this approach, wewere able to apply taxonomic names to fifteen genetic types. One of the remaining two may be potentially cryptic,and one is undescribed in the literature. In general, the phylogeographic distribution is in agreement with ourknowledge of the ecology and biogeographical distribution of the corresponding morphospecies, highlighting thegenerally robust taxonomic framework of the Elphidiidae in time and space

Euclid Near Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer instrument concept and first test results obtained for different breadboards models at the end of phase C

The Euclid mission objective is to understand why the expansion of the Universe is accelerating through by mapping the geometry of the dark Universe by investigating the distance-redshift relationship and tracing the evolution of cosmic structures. The Euclid project is part of ESA's Cosmic Vision program with its launch planned for 2020 (ref [1]). The NISP (Near Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer) is one of the two Euclid instruments and is operating in the near-IR spectral region (900- 2000nm) as a photometer and spectrometer. The instrument is composed of: - a cold (135K) optomechanical subsystem consisting of a Silicon carbide structure, an optical assembly (corrector and camera lens), a filter wheel mechanism, a grism wheel mechanism, a calibration unit and a thermal control system - a detection subsystem based on a mosaic of 16 HAWAII2RG cooled to 95K with their front-end readout electronic cooled to 140K, integrated on a mechanical focal plane structure made with molybdenum and aluminum. The detection subsystem is mounted on the optomechanical subsystem structure - a warm electronic subsystem (280K) composed of a data processing / detector control unit and of an instrument control unit that interfaces with the spacecraft via a 1553 bus for command and control and via Spacewire links for science data This presentation describes the architecture of the instrument at the end of the phase C (Detailed Design Review), the expected performance, the technological key challenges and preliminary test results obtained for different NISP subsystem breadboards and for the NISP Structural and Thermal model (STM)

L'alimentazione dei cavalli

International audienc

Energy requirements and allowances of exercising horse

In this review, requirements proposed by several countries using different systems (NRC- 2007, GEH-1994, INRA-1990, CVB-2006, SCAN-2004) are described and discussed. Energy requirements are evaluated using either factorial method (GEH-1994 and CVB-2006) and a model which predicts oxygen consumption or feeding trial method (INRA-1990) based on nutritional balance which include the variation of body weight and body condition score whereas the intensity of work is stated both on oxygen consumption and practical observations. NRC-2007 and SCAN-2004 proposed to assign the increments of exercise requirement as multiple of maintenance requirement based more or less on factorial method. The increments of the requirements with the intensity of exercise in respect of maintenance (base =100) are more or less consistent between the different systems, in spite the intensity of exercise does not means the same work and the model used to predict oxygen consumption are different. Additional requirements to young horses (yearlings and long yearlings) during the training period are requested and suggested by all the systems to support the increase of the muscle mass due to simultaneous late growth and exercise. Recommended allowances including requirements for different body weight and exercise intensity are provided by all the systems but the range of intake capacity - diet composition and key body condition score along the training and competition period are not always suggested.vo

Protein requirements and allowances of the exercising horse

Protein requirements are evaluated using either factorial method which results to different protein/energy -ratios for maintenance and work and with intensity of exercise (NRC, 2007) or a constant ratio, assuming that the ratio is the same for work and maintenance whatever the intensity (all other systems). The increments of the requirements with the intensity of exercise in respect of maintenance (base = 100) is close in all the European systems (125-200 percent) but much higher than that of NRC systems (110-140 percent) whatever the intensity. Extra requirements to support the increase of the muscle mass in the adult individuals are not well established. Additional requirements are requested to support simultaneous late growth and early training in young horses. Requirements in essential amino acids are not yet well defined except for lysine mainly in growing horses. The benefit of branched-chain amino acids supplementation is not yet demonstrated. The effect of excess of protein in diet is still questionable. Recommended allowances including requirements for different body weight and exercise intensity are provided by all the systems but the range of intake capacity diet composition and key body condition score along the training and competition periods are note always suggested.vo

Equine Nutrition: INRA nutrient requirements, recommended allowances and feed tables

International audienceEquine nutrition gives insight in updated feed evaluation systems based on net energy, global amount of amino acids, and feed intake. These systems allow accurate comparison of the nutritive value of feeds, the formulation of well-balanced rations to achieve production or utilisation goals, and the prediction of equine performance based on the quantity and quality of the ration. Equine nutrition provides an update of the nutrient requirements for all categories of equine. Tables of recommended allowances based on long term feeding trials carried out at INRA are proposed. These recommendations and the simple approach to formulation of rations based on the use of a maximum amount of forage have been successfully tested in the fields. The importance of grass intake during summer for the different categories of equines is evaluated and grazing management is described. Feed allowances and feeding practices are proposed in respect of health and behaviour of the equine and of the preservation of environment. The feed tables list 169 roughages and 71 concentrates feeds. Data have been derived from digestion trials on horses, carried out at INRA and measurements of voluntary intake for most of the forages. This book also deals with several distinct pedagogic tools dedicated to end-users: 'equineration', a guide to 'body condition scoring in horse' and 'Equine Rami' for horse grazing and farming management. This book is an essential source for scientists, teachers and their students, advisers and professionals

Evaluation of nitrogen value of feeds in the horse in the MADC system

International audienc

Caracteristiques de la conduite des troupeaux allaitants en zones difficiles

National audienc

Caracteristiques de la conduite des troupeaux allaitants en zones difficiles

National audienc