Characterization of mating behaviour of the female fruit fly using machine vision

Courtship behaviour is the means for the animals to select their partner for reproduction. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, exhibit a complex courtship behaviour. Nearly all studies of D. melanogaster courtship have focused exclusively on the male behaviour. Female pre-copulatory behaviour is often relegated to ‘accepting’ or ‘rejecting’ of mating, and how females interact with males remains largely unknown. The aim of this study is to quantify and describe the mating behaviour of the female D. melanogaster. D. melanogaster is a model system that offers many genetic tools and when coupled with the recent technologies for neuronal manipulation, mapping and behavioural characterization, it has the potential to reveal the neurons involved in a particular behaviour. We analyzed the behaviour of the wild-type (WT) female fly by collecting information of the flies’ position during courtship using a tracking system and by automatically detecting specific behaviours using an automatic classifier. We found that WT flies displayed courtship acts and mating responses differently depending on their geographical origin strains. The automatic classes were developed in a machine learning system, to allow a faster and reliable behavioural analysis. In future work, the automatic classes developed in this research will be key to continue the female behaviour characterization

Optimizing rearing and welfare in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalesensis) broodstock: effect of ambient light intensity and handling time on stress response

Broodstock rearing conditions and handling procedures should be optimized in aquaculture species in order to benefit fish welfare and guarantee optimal conditions for spawning. In teleosts, basal cortisol levels display daily rhythms, oscillating along the 24 h of the day. In this sense, handling fish at different moments of the day may lead to different stress responses. The present study aimed at investigating the optimal rearing conditions for Senegalese sole broodstock, considering ambient light intensity and handling time. The optimal light intensity (50, 100 or 200 lx) was investigated by measuring fish cortisol levels and monitoring locomotor activity rhythms under each intensity tested. Results showed a significant increase in cortisol levels of fish exposed to 200 lx, when compared to values obtained under 100 lx, accompanied by changes in locomotor activity rhythms in both tanks under study. These results suggested that 200 lx may be too high as light intensity for this species, whereas 100 lx seems to be more adequate. Also, daily rhythms of stress response were investigated in breeders from different origins (Wild and first generation, G1). Basal cortisol levels and cortisol stress response after an acute stressor (air exposure) were monitored at two distinct moments of the day (Mid-Light and Mid-Dark). Basal levels were higher during the day in the wild group, while G1 fish seemed to have lost the daily fluctuations in basal cortisol plasma levels, as well as their daily rhythms of locomotor activity. Both groups showed lower stress responses during night-time, an indication that this is an adequate period of the day to handle this species. Senegalese sole breeders born in captivity presented more pronounced stress responses when compared to wild fish, reflecting their different life history in terms of stress challenges.FP7/SME/2008/1; UID/Multi/04326/2019; DL 57/2016/CP1361/CT0007; DL 57/2016/CP1361/CT0033info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identification of MurT-GatD enzymatic complex and insights into the biological role of this secondary modification

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important contemporary human pathogens. The evolutionary “success” of this species is closely related to its remarkably capacity to acquire antibiotic resistance traits. In this perspective, it is important to extend our knowledge concerning the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in S. aureus and to identify new antimicrobials targets.(...)Fundação Para a Ciência e a Tecnologi

Frequency and Distribution of Rob (1;29) in Three Portuguese Cattle Breeds

Representative samples of Portuguese cattle from Barrosg, Maronesa, and Mirandesa breeds underwent cytogenetic investigation. Banding showed that 134 (65.0 %) Barrosas, 74 (40.2 %) Maronesas and 4 (1.6 %) Mirandesas carried rob (1;29). "be frequency of this translocation in the three breeds (39 % in Barrosas, 23 % in Maronesas, and I % in Mirandesas) was in a genetic Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the three karyological forms (2n = 60, 2n = 59 and 2n = 58), strongly supporting the hypothesis for an ancient origin of this translocation and the hypothesis of the origin of Maronesas from BarrosP and Mirandesa cross-breeding. L. Iannuzzi, National Research Council (CNR), I.A.B.B.A.M., Via Argine, 1085, 80147-Naples-PonticeNi, Ital

Análise de aptidão física entre jogadores masculinos juvenis de futsal e de basquetebol

O presente estudo científico pretendeu comparar a aptidão física em praticantes de futsal e basquetebol com o objetivo de analisar os efeitos da especificidade do treino. Recorreu-se a atletas juvenis masculinos de futsal e de basquetebol (n=8, em ambas as modalidades) e obtiveram-se os seguintes valores antropométricos: futsal, altura 1.75±0.09 m, peso 67.81±14.27 kg e índice de massa corporal (IMC) 22.05±3.54 kg/m2; basquetebol, altura 1.80±0.06 m, peso 68.53±6.14 kg e IMC 21.16±2.58 kg/m2. Após a aplicação da bateria de testes para análise da aptidão física, observamos diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as duas modali-dades na avaliação da força dos membros superiores (n.º flexões: P=0.018) apre-sentando valores superiores para a equipa de basquetebol (basquetebol: 28.38±2.13; futsal: 21.13±6.71). No teste de força dos membros inferiores não se verificou uma diferença significativa (squat jump: P=0.120; basquetebol: 1.65±0.23 m e futsal: 1.50±0.12 m). Na avaliação da coordenação (sprint 10 m com contorno de obstáculos) os atletas de futsal apresentaram valores superiores comparativamente aos de basquetebol (P=0.000, 7.40±1.49 seg. e 11.84±1.04 seg., respetivamente). Relativamente ao sprint de 20 m livres observou-se o contrário (P=0.013, 3.38±0.21 seg. e 3.13±0.10 seg., respetivamente). Por último, nos testes de flexibilidade, verificou-se que os atletas de futsal possuem flexibilidade superi-or nos 3 testes realizados, comparativamente aos basquetebolistas. Os jogadores de basquetebol possuem mais força ao nível dos membros inferiores e superiores mas menos velocidade, agilidade e flexibilidade comparativamente aos jogadores de futsal.The present scientific research aimed to analyze the characteristics of physical fitness in subjects that performed futsal or basketball with the purpose of analyz-ing the effects of training specificity. Youth male athletes of futsal and basketball were involved (n=8, in both sports) and obtained the following anthropometric values: five-a-side football, n=8, height 1.75±0.09, weight 67.81±14.27 and body mass index (BMI) 22.05±3.54 kg/m2; basketball, n=8, height 1.80±0.06, weight 68.53±6.14 e BMI 21.16±2.58 kg/m2. After we applied the battery of tests for physical fitness characteristics, there are significant differences between the two sport on the strength of the upper (number of push-ups P=0.018) showed greater values for the basketball team (basketball: 28.38±2.13; futsal: 21.13±6.71). On the strength of the lower members, small differences were expressed (squat jump: P=0.120: basketball: 1.65±0.23; five-a-side football: 1.50±0.12). To evaluate the coordination (sprint 10 m + obstacles contour test) the five-a-side football players presented significant values in compare with the basketball players (sprint 10 m + obstacles contour test) (P=0.000: 7.40±1.49sec. and 11.84±1.04 sec., respectively). In the 20 meters sprint test it was observed the contrary (P=0.013: 3.38±0.21 sec. and 3.13±0.10 sec., respectively). In the flexibility test, the five-a-side football players showed more flexibility on the 3 tests applied, comparatively with the basketball players. Basketball players have more strength in the upper and lower limbs but less agility, velocity and flexibility compared to five-a-side football players