Stomach fullness modulates prey size choice in the frillfin goby, Bathygobius soporator

Behaviours related to foraging and feeding in predator-prey systems are fundamental to our understanding of food webs. From the perspective of a predator, the selection of prey size depends upon a number of factors including prey vulnerability, prey size, and the predator's motivation to eat. Thus, feeding motivation and prey visual cues are supposed to influence predator decisions and it is predicted that prey selection by visual cues is modulated by the predator's stomach fullness prior to attacking a prey. This study was conducted using an animal model from the rocky shores ecosystem, a predatory fish, the frillfin goby Bathygobius soporator, and a benthic prey, the mottled shore crab Pachygrapsus transversus. Our results demonstrate that frillfin gables are capable of visually evaluating prey size and that the size evaluation process is modulated by the level of stomach fullness. Predators with an empty stomach (0% fullness) attacked prey that was larger than the predicted optimal size. Partially satiated predators (50% stomach fullness) selected prey close to the optimal size, while fully satiated predators (100% stomach fullness) showed no preference for size. This finding indicates an integrative response of the predator that depends on the input of both internal and external sensory information when choosing prey. Predator perceptions of visual cues (prey size) and stomach fullness modulate foraging decisions. As a result, a flexible feeding behaviour emerges, evidencing a clearly adaptive response in line with optimal foraging theory predictions. (C) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Development of a new wine tasting method based on emotional responses

Mestrado Vinifera Euromaster - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL

Spatial choice is biased by chemical cues from conspecifics in the speckeled worm eel Myrophis punctatus

A enguia mirongo-mirim Myrophis punctatus vive em agrupamentos de alta densidade populacional e comumente se enterra ou permanece sob o substrato. Esses comportamentos podem levar a marcas químicas no subtrato e podem, portanto, modular o uso do espaço nessa espécie. Neste estudo, testamos a hipótese de que a preferência espacial da enguia mirongo-mirim é influenciada pela presença de odor do animal coespecífico no subtrato. Mostramos que as enguias evitam a área que contém tal odor, indicando que as decisões de ocupação espacial podem ser influenciadas por pistas químicas de coespecíficos. As enguias claramente detectaram o odor de um animal coespecífico e essa percepção poderia ser um indicativo da presença de um coespecífico enterrado no substrato. Visto que elas evitam uma área contendo tal odor, sugerimos que isso poderia ser uma resposta para evitar invadir o território de um animal residente.

The creation and evaluation of novel canine training aids for cocaine using molecularly encapsulated sol-gel polymers and an investigation of canine field accuracy

Biological detectors, such as canines, are valuable tools used for the rapid identification of illicit materials. However, recent increased scrutiny over the reliability, field accuracy, and the capabilities of each detection canine is currently being evaluated in the legal system. For example, the Supreme Court case, State of Florida v. Harris, discussed the need for continuous monitoring of canine abilities, thresholds, and search capabilities. As a result, the fallibility of canines for detection was brought to light, as well as a need for further research and understanding of canine detection. This study is two-fold, as it looks to not only create new training aids for canines that can be manipulated for dissipation control, but also investigates canine field accuracy to objects with similar odors to illicit materials. ^ It was the goal of this research to improve upon current canine training aid mimics. Sol-gel polymer training aids, imprinted with the active odor of cocaine, were developed. This novel training aid improved upon the longevity of currently existing training aids, while also provided a way to manipulate the polymer network to alter the dissipation rate of the imprinted active odors. The manipulation of the polymer network could allow handlers to control the abundance of odors presented to their canines, familiarizing themselves to their canine’s capabilities and thresholds, thereby increasing the canines’ strength in court.^ The field accuracy of detection canines was recently called into question during the Supreme Court case, State of Florida v. Jardines, where it was argued that if cocaine’s active odor, methyl benzoate, was found to be produced by the popular landscaping flower, snapdragons, canines will false alert to said flowers. Therefore, snapdragon flowers were grown and tested both in the laboratory and in the field to determine the odors produced by snapdragon flowers; the persistence of these odors once flowers have been cut; and whether detection canines will alert to both growing and cut flowers during a blind search scenario. Results revealed that although methyl benzoate is produced by snapdragon flowers, certified narcotics detection canines can distinguish cocaine’s odor profile from that of snapdragon flowers and will not alert.^

First report of Ciguatoxins in two starfish species: Ophidiaster ophidianus and Marthasterias glacialis

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a syndrome caused by the ingestion of fish contaminated with Ciguatoxins (CTXs). These phycotoxins are produced mainly by dinoflagellates that belong to the genus Gambierdiscus that are transformed in more toxic forms in predatory fish guts, and are more present in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean areas. It is estimated that CFP causes per year more than 10,000 intoxications worldwide. With the rise of water temperature and anthropogenic intervention, it is important to study the prevalence of CFP in more temperate waters. Through inter- and subtidal sampling, 22 species of organisms were collected, in Madeira and Azores archipelagos and in the northwestern Moroccan coast, during September of 2012 and June and July of 2013. A total of 94 samples of 22 different species of bivalves, gastropods, echinoderms and crustaceans where analyzed by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectometry-Ion Trap-Time of Flight (UPLC-MS-IT-TOF) and Ultra Performance Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Our main aim was to detect new vectors and ascertain if there were some geographical differences. We detected for the first time putative CTXs in echinoderms, in two starfish species—M. glacialis and O. ophidianus. We detected differences regarding uptake values by organisms and geographical location. Toxin amounts were significant, showing the importance and the need for continuity of these studies to gain more knowledge about the prevalence of these toxins, in order to better access human health risk. In addition, we suggest monitoring of these toxins should be extended to other vectors, starfish being a good alternative for protecting and accessing human health risk.

First report of Ciguatoxins in two starfish species: Ophidiaster ophidianus and Marthasterias glacialis

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a syndrome caused by the ingestion of fish contaminated with Ciguatoxins (CTXs). These phycotoxins are produced mainly by dinoflagellates that belong to the genus Gambierdiscus that are transformed in more toxic forms in predatory fish guts, and are more present in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean areas. It is estimated that CFP causes per year more than 10,000 intoxications worldwide. With the rise of water temperature and anthropogenic intervention, it is important to study the prevalence of CFP in more temperate waters. Through inter- and subtidal sampling, 22 species of organisms were collected, in Madeira and Azores archipelagos and in the northwestern Moroccan coast, during September of 2012 and June and July of 2013. A total of 94 samples of 22 different species of bivalves, gastropods, echinoderms and crustaceans where analyzed by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectometry-Ion Trap-Time of Flight (UPLC-MS-IT-TOF) and Ultra Performance Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Our main aim was to detect new vectors and ascertain if there were some geographical differences. We detected for the first time putative CTXs in echinoderms, in two starfish species—M. glacialis and O. ophidianus. We detected differences regarding uptake values by organisms and geographical location. Toxin amounts were significant, showing the importance and the need for continuity of these studies to gain more knowledge about the prevalence of these toxins, in order to better access human health risk. In addition, we suggest monitoring of these toxins should be extended to other vectors, starfish being a good alternative for protecting and accessing human health risk.

Análisis del cambio de las relaciones políticas entre India y Pakistán, a la luz de la cultura de anarquía hobbesiana, como consecuencia de los atentados de Mumbai 2008

Esta investigación busca analizar como se modificaron las relaciones entre India y Pakistán luego de los atentados de Mumbai 2008, a la luz de la cultura de anarquía hobbesiana. Para ello, se explicará como la estructura de anarquía ha sido un catalizador en la modificación de la toma de decisiones de los Estados, sobretodo teniendo en cuenta la característica de Pakistán como un Estado predador. Se demostrará si gracias a estos atentados la actuación de India en el conflicto ha cambiado y percibe a su par como un ente violento y predispuesto a la agresión. Para ello se entrará a explicar el devenir histórico de la relación, la intensidad del grupo perpetrador (Lashkar-e-Taiba) y las posiciones de ambos Estados frente a los atentados.

Ecologia da polinização de Oenocarpus mapora Karsten. (Arecaceae) nas condições de Belém (PA).

Estudaram-se alguns aspectos da ecologia da polinização da bacabi (Oenocarpus mapora Karsten). As observações foram feitas em seis indivíduos com 11 anos de idade, em uma área experimental da Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Belém (PA), de julho/1990 a junho/1991. A inflorescência apresentou flores unissexuais, sendo envolvida por duas brácteas. Detectou-se que as flores femininas são actinomorfas, tendo três sépalas e três pétalas claras aderidas ao estigma, estando ladeadas por duas masculinas, as quais têm a mesma cor e quantidade de sépalas e pétalas com seis estames. Os eventos de floração e frutificação ocorreram em todos os meses de observação, com picos de floração em janeiro e de frutificação em setembro. Na inflorescência, os eventos florais ocorreram em fases distintas em 26 dias. A fase masculina iniciou com a exposição da inflorescência, sendo desuniforme, completando-se em sete dias, tendo cada for antese explosiva e caindo em minutos. A fase feminina, também, foi desuniforme e ocorreu em 12 dias, começando por volta de sete dias após o termino da masculina, ficando as flores viáveis por 24 a 36 horas, após o estigma se expor. Ambas tiveram anteses vespertinas a partir das 16 horas. A viabilidade polínica foi alta, tanto em flores solitárias como nas díades. As recompensas florais foram odor, pólen e secreção estigmática. Foram gastos 110 dias para a maturação dos frutos. Os insetos visitantes foram os coleópteros, hymenópteros e heterópteros. Pode-se, então, considerar a bacabi como espécie monoica, protândrica com síndrome de entomofilia.

Floração e vingamento de frutos de Passiflora Cincinnata por polinização natural nas condições do cerrado.

A espécie de maracujazeiro Passiflora cincinnata Mast. é nativa da caatinga, produz frutos comestíveis, e apresenta potencial agronômico de produção. Se destaca pelo colorido e odor das flores, que são de coloração rosa pálido à violeta e azul, com produção abundante de pólen de coloração alaranjada (JUNGHANS et al., 2015; OLIVERIA; RUGGIERO, 2005). O início da fase reprodutiva, após a semeadura, ocorre de cinco a seis meses. As flores abrem às 6h00 e fecham as 18h00, são autoincompatíves e apresentam 7,0 a 12 cm de diâmetro. Do aparecimento do botão floral até a antese são requeridos de 20 a 24 dias. No verão, a taxa de flores que chega a antese é de 93% e no inverno de 35 a 60% (JUNGHANS et al., 2015; OLIVERIA; RUGGIERO, 2005). A capacidade reprodutiva da espécie é limitada pelo aborto de flores e frutos pequenos (APONTE; JÁUREGUI, 2004), de modo que informações referentes à biologia floral e vingamento de frutos são importantes para as diferentes regiões brasileiras. Assim, objetivou-se neste trabalho quantificar a taxa de floração e o pegamento de frutos de dois acessos dos acessos CBAF 2334 e CPEF 2220 de P. cincinnata.