Challenges of measuring body temperatures of free-ranging birds and mammals

The thermal physiology of most birds and mammals is characterised by considerable spatial and temporal variation in body temperature. Body temperature is, therefore, a key parameter in physiological, behavioural and ecological research. Temperature measurements on freely moving or free-ranging animals in the wild are challenging but can be undertaken using a range of techniques. Internal temperature may be sampled using thermometry, surgically implanted loggers or transmitters, gastrointestinal or non-surgically placed devices. Less invasive approaches measure peripheral temperature with subcutaneous passive integrated transponder tags or skin surface-mounted radio transmitters and data loggers, or use infrared thermography to record surface temperature. Choice of technique is determined by focal research question and region of interest that reflects appropriate physiological or behavioural causal mechanisms of temperature change, as well as welfare and logistical considerations. Particularly required are further studies that provide opportunities of continuously sampling from multiple sites from within the body. This will increase our understanding of thermoregulation and temperature variation in different parts of the body and how these temperatures may change in response to physiological, behavioural and environmental parameters. Technological advances that continue to reduce the size and remote sensing capability of temperature recorders will greatly benefit field research

New Techniques for Associating the Stages of Aquatic Insects

(excerpt) The immature forms of many benthic insect species are presently either undescribed or unidentifiable. The result is that associations with corresponding adult forms are often necessary in order to confirm specific and sometimes generic identifications. Specific determination of aquatic stages of insects is prerequisite to adequately understanding the various aspects and implications of autecological specificity and the synecological dynamics of an aquatic system. Wiggins (1966), among others, has adequately pointed out the basic necessity of being able to discriminate between immature aquatic species

Revisionary Notes on Predaceous Heptageniidae Based on Larval and Adult Associations (Ephemeroptera)

New data indicate that larvae previously described as Spinadis Edmunds and Jensen and Spinadis wallacei Edmunds and Jensen are the larval stage of the prior named adults of Anepeorus simplex (Walsh) and are therefore synonymized. It is highly probable that larvae described as Acanthomola pubescens Whiting and Lehmkuhl represent the larval stage of Anepeorus rusticus McDunnough, but they remain to be reared. Anepeorus sensu novum and Pseudiron are placed in the subfamily Anepeorinae, and Raptoheptagenia (= recently associated Heptagenia cruentata Walsh adults and larvae previously thought to be Anepeorus) is placed in the subfamily Heptageniinae

Historical and Spatial Analysis of the Fishes of Triplett Creek, Rowan County, Kentucky

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Katherine A. McCafferty on December 5, 2000

Water on Oxide Surfaces

Most oxidE.. surfaces interact with ambient water vapor to form a layer of chemisorbed hydroxyls. Physical adsorption of multilayer water readily starts by hydrogen bonding onto the hydroxyl array. The normally hydrophilic surface 0£ silica can be modified by heating to produce a predominantly hydrophobic matrix which contains but a few isolated hydrophilic sites, around which water adsorbs in clusters. The authors\u27 results on both hydrophilic and hydrophobed oxides are discussed and compared to results in the literature

New Techniques for Associating the Stages of Aquatic Insects

(excerpt) The immature forms of many benthic insect species are presently either undescribed or unidentifiable. The result is that associations with corresponding adult forms are often necessary in order to confirm specific and sometimes generic identifications. Specific determination of aquatic stages of insects is prerequisite to adequately understanding the various aspects and implications of autecological specificity and the synecological dynamics of an aquatic system. Wiggins (1966), among others, has adequately pointed out the basic necessity of being able to discriminate between immature aquatic species

Urban grasslands support threatened water voles

Urbanisation is often linked with habitat loss and a reduction in species richness but some species may be able to adapt to urban environments. Water voles Arvicola amphibius, a rapidly declining species in the UK, have recently been recorded in isolated grassland habitats in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city (human population 1.2 million). The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and habitat characteristics of water vole populations occupying these dry grasslands. Field work was undertaken from March to October 2014 in a 34 km2 study area located 3 km east of the city centre. Field sign transects recorded water vole presence in 21/65 (32%) and 19/62 (31%) surveyed sites in spring and autumn, respectively. Vole occupancy increased with distance from water and was greatest in parkland, followed by sites with rank vegetation and roadside habitats. Occupancy was lower where signs of predators were recorded but surprisingly occupancy was found to be greater in the most disturbed sites, perhaps linked to the fact that many of these sites were public parks containing suitable grassland. Sites occupied by water voles were classed as neutral grasslands with species composition dominated by two main species. The number of grassland sites occupied by water voles, especially within public areas suggests that careful management of these urban grassland habitats will benefit the conservation of this highly threatened species in the UK

Skin temperature reveals the intensity of acute stress

Acute stress triggers peripheral vasoconstriction, causing a rapid, short-term drop in skin temperature in homeotherms. We tested, for the first time, whether this response has the potential to quantify stress, by exhibiting proportionality with stressor intensity. We used established behavioural and hormonal markers: activity level and corticosterone level, to validate a mild and more severe form of an acute restraint stressor in hens (Gallus gallus domesticus). We then used infrared thermography (IRT) to non-invasively collect continuous temperature measurements following exposure to these two intensities of acute handling stress. In the comb and wattle, two skin regions with a known thermoregulatory role, stressor intensity predicted the extent of initial skin cooling, and also the occurrence of a more delayed skin warming, providing two opportunities to quantify stress. With the present, cost-effective availability of IRT technology, this non-invasive and continuous method of stress assessment in unrestrained animals has the potential to become common practice in pure and applied research