Manipulating sex ratio to increase population growth: the example of the Lesser Kestrel

Small or decreasing populations call for emergency actions like, for example, captive breeding programs. Such programs aim at rapidly increasing population sizes in order to reduce the loss of genetic variability and to avoid possible Allee effects. The Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni is one of the species that is currently supported in several captive breeding programs at various locations. Here, we model the demographic and genetic consequences of potential management strategies that are based on offspring sex ratio manipulation. Increased population growth could be achieved by manipulating female conditions and/or male attractiveness in the captive breeders and consequently shifting the offspring sex ratio towards more female offspring, which are then used for reintroduction. Fragmenting populations into wild-breeding and captive-breeding demes and manipulating population sex ratio both immediately increase the inbreeding coefficient in the next generation (i.e. decrease N-e) but may, in the long term, reduce the loss of genetic variability if population growth is restricted by the number of females. We use the Lesser Kestrel and the wealth of information that is available on this species to predict the long-term consequences of various kinds of sex-ratio manipulation. We find that, in our example and possibly in many other cases, a sex-ratio manipulation that seems realistic could have a beneficial effect on the captive breeding program. However, the possible long-term costs and benefits of such measures need to be carefully optimized.

Validation of the 34-item Supportive Care Needs Survey and 8-item Breast module French versions (SCNS-SF34-Fr and SCNS-BR8-Fr) in breast cancer patients.

This study aimed to assess the psychometric robustness of the French version of the Supportive Care Needs Survey and breast cancer (BC) module (SCNS-SF34-Fr and SCNS-BR8-Fr). Breast cancer patients were recruited in two hospitals (in Paris, France and Lausanne, Switzerland) either in ambulatory chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or surgery services. They were invited to complete the SCNS-SF34-Fr and SCNS-BR8-Fr as well as quality of life and patient satisfaction questionnaires. Three hundred and eighty-four (73% response rate) BC patients returned completed questionnaires. A five-factor model was confirmed for the SCNS-SF34-Fr with adequate goodness-of-fit indexes, although some items evidenced content redundancy, and a one-factor was identified for the SCNS-BR8-Fr. Internal consistency and test-retest estimates were satisfactory for most scales. The SCNS-SF34-Fr and SCNS-BR8-Fr scales demonstrated conceptual differences with the quality of life and satisfaction with care scales, highlighting the specific relevance of this assessment. Different levels of needs could be differentiated between groups of BC patients in terms of age and level of education (P < 0.001). The SCNS-SF34-Fr and SCNS-BR8-Fr present adequate psychometric properties despite some redundant items. These questionnaires allow for the crucial endeavour to design appropriate care services according to BC patients' characteristics.

Effect of soil management on the white grub population and damage in soybean

To evaluate the effect of soil management systems on population of white grubs, (Phyllophaga cuyabana Moser), and on its damage in soybean, experiments were set up under no-tillage and conventional tillage (one disk plow, and a leveling disk harrow) areas. Primary tillage equipment, used in other soil management systems, such as moldboard plow, disk plow, chisel plow and heavy duty disk harrow were also tested. Fluctuation of P. cuyabana population and the extent of its damage to soybean was similar under no-tillage and conventional tillage systems. Results comparing a range of primary tillage equipment showed that it affected soil insect populations differently, depending on the time during the season in which tillage was executed. Larval mortality could mostly be attributed to their exposure to adverse factors, soon after tillage, than to changes in soil conditions. Reduction of white grub population was more evident in plots managed by heavier equipment, such as the moldboard plow. Soil tillage could be one component within the soil pest management system in soybean, however, its use can not be generalized.

Parâmetros morfológicos para estabelecer tolerância diferencial à toxicidade de alumínio em cultivares de arroz

Dois experimentos em casa de vegetação foram conduzidos visando identificar parâmetros morfológicos ligados à tolerância ao alumínio (Al) e estabelecer a concentração de Al e o tempo de cultivo suficientes para a expressão da tolerância ao Al, em duas cultivares de arroz, em solução nutritiva. Plantas de determinado comprimento radicular máximo foram transferidas para solução nutritiva com quatro concentrações de Al (0, 80, 160 e 320 mimol L-¹), a pH 4,0. Em cada coleta, foram medidos o comprimento máximo radicular, área radicular, área foliar e massa seca de raízes e parte aérea. Apenas os parâmetros morfológicos ligados ao sistema radicular possibilitaram o reconhecimento da tolerância diferencial das cultivares; a elongação radicular relativa foi a medida mais sensível. Quatro dias de exposição ao Al foram suficientes para a detecção da tolerância diferencial por meio da elongação radicular relativa. Os procedimentos estabelecidos nos experimentos podem ser utilizados para a avaliação de um número maior de cultivares.

Embebição de sementes de soja em solução de fosfato de potássio

O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de estudar a possibilidade de aumentar a concentração de fósforo e de potássio nas sementes de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), cv. EMBRAPA 66, utilizando três métodos de embebição (contato com substrato úmido, imersão em solução e imersão em solução a vácuo) e as concentrações de KH2PO4: 0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 mM. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial (métodos de embebição x concentrações de solução), com quatro repetições. As determinações dos conteúdos de P e K nas sementes e as avaliações de germinação e vigor foram realizadas imediatamente após o procedimento e após a secagem. Os métodos da imersão e da imersão a vácuo proporcionam 14% de acúmulo de P nas sementes de soja. Os métodos de embebição e as concentrações de KH2PO4 não aumentam o teor de K das sementes de soja. O método do substrato úmido provoca menor prejuízo à qualidade fisiológica inicial das sementes. A secagem das sementes acentua os danos causados pelos métodos de imersão e imersão a vácuo.

Color differences among feral pigeons (Columba livia) are not attributable to sequence variation in the coding region of the melanocortin-1 receptor gene (MC1R)

Genetic variation at the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene is correlated with melanin color variation in many birds. Feral pigeons (Columba livia) show two major melanin-based colorations: a red coloration due to pheomelanic pigment and a black coloration due to eumelanic pigment. Furthermore, within each color type, feral pigeons display continuous variation in the amount of melanin pigment present in the feathers, with individuals varying from pure white to a full dark melanic color. Coloration is highly heritable and it has been suggested that it is under natural or sexual selection, or both. Our objective was to investigate whether MC1R allelic variants are associated with plumage color in feral pigeons.We sequenced 888 bp of the coding sequence of MC1R among pigeons varying both in the type, eumelanin or pheomelanin, and the amount of melanin in their feathers. We detected 10 non-synonymous substitutions and 2 synonymous substitution but none of them were associated with a plumage type. It remains possible that non-synonymous substitutions that influence coloration are present in the short MC1R fragment that we did not sequence but this seems unlikely because we analyzed the entire functionally important region of the gene.Our results show that color differences among feral pigeons are probably not attributable to amino acid variation at the MC1R locus. Therefore, variation in regulatory regions of MC1R or variation in other genes may be responsible for the color polymorphism of feral pigeons.

Flight, feeding and reproductive behavior of Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) adults

Phyllophaga cuyabana is a univoltine species and its development occurs completely underground. Its control by conventional methods, such as chemical and biological insecticides, is difficult, so it is important to understand its dispersion, reproduction, and population behavior in order to determine best pest management strategies. The objective of this work was to study the behavior of adults of P. cuyabana. This study was carried out in the laboratory, greenhouse and field sites in Paraná State, Brazil (24º25' S and 52º48' W), during four seasons. The results obtained demonstrate that: a) P. cuyabana adults have a synchronized short-flight period when mating and reproduction occurs; b) adults tend to aggregate in specific sites for mating; c) the majority of adults left the soil on alternate nights; d) the choice of mating and oviposition sites was made by females before copulation, since after copulation adults did not fly from or bury themselves at nearby locations; e) females that fed on leaves after mating, oviposited more eggs than females that had not fed;f) plant species such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and the Crotalaria juncea are important food sources for adults.

Detrimental effect of rutin on Anticarsia gemmatalis

Behavioral and nutritional effect of rutin (quercetin 3-O-rutinosídeo) on Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lep.: Noctuidae), a major soybean defoliator in Brazil, was evaluated from the third instar to pupation. Rutin is one of the flavonol glycosides identified in the leaves of the wild soybean PI 227687. Larval weight and amount of ingested food decreased as rutin concentration in the diet increase. An interactive effect between feeding time and diet (treatment) was observed on insect growth; when larvae fed on pure-diet, feeding time elongation resulted in heavier pupae. Differently, the weight of larvae fed on rutin-diet remained almost stable, in spite of eating for longer. A. gemmatalis growth was negatively influenced by rutin-diet not only by feeding deterrence but also by post-ingestive effect on insect growth, since after adjustment of pupal weight by the amount of ingested food (covariate), the effect of diet remained significant. Rutin negatively influenced A. gemmatalis growth as result of pre-ingestive effect, indicated by reduction in food consumption, and post-ingestive effect, indicated by lower conversion of ingested food into body mass and food assimilation.

Crescimento e competitividade de biótipos de capim-colchão resistente e suscetível aos herbicidas inibidores da acetil coenzima A carboxilase

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o crescimento e a habilidade competitiva de dois biótipos de capim-colchão (Digitaria ciliaris), um resistente (R) e outro suscetível (S) aos herbicidas inibidores da acetil coenzima A carboxilase. O crescimento dos biótipos foi determinado pela coleta da matéria seca das plantas, aos 14, 21, 25, 28, 34, 42, 49, 57, 65, 72, 78, 86, 101, 111 e 118 dias após emergência (DAE). Os dados de massa de matéria seca foram ajustados ao modelo logístico e, também, utilizados para a obtenção da taxa de crescimento absoluto. Para avaliar a habilidade competitiva intra-específica e interespecífica, foram instalados cinco experimentos com o uso do método substitutivo. Compararam-se os biótipos R e S entre si e cada um destes com a cultura da soja, quando semeada no mesmo dia ou sete dias após a semeadura das plantas daninhas. As proporções de plantas entre as espécies ou biótipos utilizados foram: 5:0; 4:1; 3:2; 2:3; 1:4 e 0:5. Os biótipos de capim-colchão apresentaram acúmulo de matéria seca, crescimento absoluto e competição interespecífica semelhantes, e a redução da matéria seca da soja foi similar na presença dos biótipos R e S, o que sugere que ambos os biótipos de capim-colchão possuem a mesma adaptabilidade ecológica.

Adição de molibdênio ao inoculante turfoso com bactérias diazotróficas usado em duas cultivares de arroz irrigado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da utilização de bactérias diazotróficas com ou sem molibdênio em duas cultivares de arroz com diferentes potenciais de fixação biológica de nitrogênio. Dois experimentos foram montados: o primeiro foi conduzido em condições gnotobióticas, com utilização das estirpes BR 11417 (ZAE94 - Herbaspirillum seropedicae) e BR 11340 (M130 - Burkholderia sp.), duas doses de molibdênio, 1,12 e 2,25 g, e duas fontes, molibdato de sódio e molibdato de amônio. As sementes foram peletizadas com inoculante turfoso com bactérias diazotróficas e o molibdênio. Em seguida as cultivares foram plantadas em tubos de ensaio com capacidade para 120 mL com 60 mL da solução de Hoagland sem nitrogênio por 30 dias. Foi avaliada a matéria seca das plantas. O segundo experimento foi conduzido em vasos em casa de vegetação, com as mesmas estirpes e dosagens de molibdênio. Foram avaliados a produção e o N total dos grãos. O delineamento estatístico foi inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições e quatro plantas por vaso. Foram observados aumentos na produção de grãos nas cultivares IR42 e IAC4440 de 88 e 57%, respectivamente, com a adição ao inoculante turfoso, das estirpes ZAE94 e M130 com molibdênio.