Evolution of diel activity patterns in skinks (Squamata: Scincidae), the world's second‐largest family of terrestrial vertebrates

Many animals have strict diel activity patterns, with unique adaptations for either diurnal or nocturnal activity. Diel activity is phylogenetically conserved, yet evolutionary shifts in diel activity occur and lead to important changes in an organism's morphology, physiology, and behavior. We use phylogenetic comparative methods to examine the evolutionary history of diel activity in skinks, one of the largest families of terrestrial vertebrates. We examine how diel patterns are associated with microhabitat, ambient temperatures, and morphology. We found support for a nondiurnal ancestral skink. Strict diurnality in crown group skinks only evolved during the Paleogene. Nocturnal habits are associated with fossorial activity, limb reduction and loss, and warm temperatures. Our results shed light on the evolution of diel activity patterns in a large radiation of terrestrial ectotherms and reveal how both intrinsic biotic and extrinsic abiotic factors can shape the evolution of animal activity patterns

Balloon Measurements of Cosmic Ray Muon Spectra in the Atmosphere along with those of Primary Protons and Helium Nuclei over Mid-Latitude

We report here the measurements of the energy spectra of atmospheric muons and of the cosmic ray primary proton and helium nuclei in a single experiment. These were carried out using the MASS superconducting spectrometer in a balloon flight experiment in 1991. The relevance of these results to the atmospheric neutrino anomaly is emphasized. In particular, this approach allows uncertainties caused by the level of solar modulation, the geomagnetic cut-off of the primaries and possible experimental systematics to be decoupled in the comparison of calculated fluxes of muons to measured muon fluxes. The muon observations cover the momentum and depth ranges of 0.3-40 GeV/c and 5-886 g/cmsquared, respectively. The proton and helium primary measurements cover the rigidity range from 3 to 100 GV, in which both the solar modulation and the geomagnetic cut-off affect the energy spectra at low energies.Comment: 31 pages, including 17 figures, simplified apparatus figure, to appear in Phys. Rev.

The Cholecystectomy As A Day Case (CAAD) Score: A Validated Score of Preoperative Predictors of Successful Day-Case Cholecystectomy Using the CholeS Data Set

Background Day-case surgery is associated with significant patient and cost benefits. However, only 43% of cholecystectomy patients are discharged home the same day. One hypothesis is day-case cholecystectomy rates, defined as patients discharged the same day as their operation, may be improved by better assessment of patients using standard preoperative variables. Methods Data were extracted from a prospectively collected data set of cholecystectomy patients from 166 UK and Irish hospitals (CholeS). Cholecystectomies performed as elective procedures were divided into main (75%) and validation (25%) data sets. Preoperative predictors were identified, and a risk score of failed day case was devised using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the score in the validation data set. Results Of the 7426 elective cholecystectomies performed, 49% of these were discharged home the same day. Same-day discharge following cholecystectomy was less likely with older patients (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), higher ASA scores (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), complicated cholelithiasis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.48), male gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74), previous acute gallstone-related admissions (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60) and preoperative endoscopic intervention (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.47). The CAAD score was developed using these variables. When applied to the validation subgroup, a CAAD score of ≤5 was associated with 80.8% successful day-case cholecystectomy compared with 19.2% associated with a CAAD score >5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The CAAD score which utilises data readily available from clinic letters and electronic sources can predict same-day discharges following cholecystectomy

A Small Collection of Skinks and Geckos from the Northwestern Islands of Fiji (Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups)

Three species of geckos and six species of skinks are recorded from the small islands of the Yasawa and Mamanuca groups of Fiji. All are common, widespread species occurring throughout Fiji. Habitat and other ecological data for these species are provided

Zoologia neocaledonica : 8. Biodiversity studies in New Caledonia

Lacertoides pardalis est un scinque endémique de grande taille, caractérisé par de petites écailles sur tout le corps. Cette espèce a été décrite pour la première fois en 1997, à partir de 2 spécimens en provenance d'un unique site de récolte, dans l'extrême sud de la Grande Terre. Depuis la description originale, il y a une dizaine d'année, plusieurs individus ont été capturés dans la même région (des juvéniles mais également des spécimens adultes de grande taille). Ces captures permettent de fournir des informations sur la biologie et l'écologie de l'espèce, en particulier, une reproduction vivipare et un régime alimentaire généraliste, reposant sur de la prédation d'invertébrés mais également sur d'autres espèces de reptiles et de façon plus inattendue avec une frugivorie importante. L. pardalis pourrait jouer un rôle important pour la dissémination de certaines espèces du maquis, voire de lisières forestières. Ces nouvelles captures ont permis d'élargir significativement l'aire de répartition connue de l'espèce, qui est considéré vulnérable (VU) selon les critères de la liste rouge de l'IUCN. Cependant, la région d'où est connue L. pardalis a subi de profondes transformation au cours de la dernière décennie, en raison du développement de projet minier sur le plateau de Goro. Des études complémentaires restent à mener pour conserver cette espèce originale et unique des habitats de maquis rocheux du sud de la Nouvelle-Calédonie