Light, flight and the night: effect of ambient light and moon phase on flight activity of pteropodid bats.

Fruit-feeding pteropodid bats roost under varying light conditions. Some roost in trees with high exposure to daylight (> 1000 lx), while others roost in dark caves (< 0.1 lx). To understand the effect of ambient light intensity and moon phase on flight activity, we examined flight times across five lunar cycles in three pteropodid species whose roosts differ in daylight exposure. We found significant interspecific differences in flight emergence and termination times. All species initiated flights after sunset but Rousettus leschenaultii, which typically roosts in caves, delayed emergence (40 ± 11 min) more than the two tree-roosting species Pteropus giganteus (16 ± 6 min) and Cynopterus sphinx (19 ± 7 min). R. leschenaultii terminated flights earlier (30 ± 7 min before sunrise) than P. giganteus (11 ± 11 min) and C. sphinx (16 ± 10 min). All individuals from P. giganteus and C. sphinx roosts emerged within less than an hour, while emergence times were more spread out in the R. leschenaultii colony. Peak emergence times differed across moon phases in the cave-roosting R. leschenaultii but not in the other species. Flight activity in R. leschenaultii is restricted to comparatively lower light levels than the tree-roosting species. The observed interspecific differences suggest that bat species, sharing same landscapes may respond differently to light pollution.

Patterns of activity rhythms of invasive coypus Myocastor coypus inferred through camera-trapping.

Studies on activity rhythms are pivotal for the management of invasive alien species, as they provide basic insights into species basic ecology and may increase the success of control programs. The coypu Myocastor coypus, introduced from South America for fur farms, has become one of the most invasive rodents in Europe. Introduced coypus may affect crop productions, as well as natural vegetation and the breeding success of wading birds. In this study, we examined activity data collected through intensive camera-trapping in three Italian areas, including two natural areas in Northern and Central Italy, and a suburban area in Central Italy. Coypus were mostly diurnal in areas characterised by low predator pressure and, at night, they are mostly active in bright moonlight. Conversely, where predators, human pressure or numerical control programmes are present, coypus remarkably shift their behaviour towards crepuscular and night hours. In these last areas, nocturnal activity increased as moonlight decreased, possibly to reduce predation risk or encounters with humans. Where winter temperature are low, diurnal habits may have developed as a physiological adaptation and a strategy to preserve energy, potentially achieving a cost/effective thermal balance.

Moon phases and moon signs do not influence morbidity, mortality and long-term survival, after living donor kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 11% of the German population are convinced that certain moon phases and moon signs may impact their health and the onset and clinical course of diseases. Before elective surgery, a considerable number of patients look to optimize the timing of the procedure based on the lunar cycle. Especially patients awaiting living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) commonly look for an adjustment of the date of transplantation according to the moon calendar. This study therefore investigated the perioperative and long-term outcome of LDKT dependent on moon phases and zodiac signs. METHODS: Patient data were prospectively collected in a continuously updated kidney transplant database. Two hundred and seventy-eight consecutive patients who underwent LDKT between 1994 and December 2009 were selected for the study and retrospectively assigned to the four moon phases (new-moon, waxing-moon, full-moon, and waning-moon) and the corresponding zodiac sign (moon sign Libra), based on the date of transplantation. Preexisting comorbidities, perioperative mortality, surgical outcome, and long-term survival data were analyzed. RESULTS: Of all LDKT procedures, 11.9, 39.9, 11.5, and 36.5% were performed during the new, waxing, full, and waning moon, respectively, and 6.2% during the moon sign Libra, which is believed to interfere with renal surgery. Survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years after transplantation were 98.9, 92, and 88.7% (patient survival) and 97.4, 91.6, and 80.6% (graft survival) without any differences between all groups of lunar phases and moon signs. Overall perioperative complications and early graft loss occurred in 21.2 and 1.4%, without statistical difference (p > 0.05) between groups. CONCLUSION: Moon phases and the moon sign Libra had no impact on early and long-term outcome measures following LDKT in our study. Thus, concerns of patients awaiting LDKT regarding the ideal time of surgery can be allayed, and surgery may be scheduled independently of the lunar phases.

Importance of the Lunar Cycle on Mesopelagic Foraging by Atlantic Bluefin Tuna in the Upwelling Area of the Strait of Messina (Central Mediterranean Sea).

The influence of the lunar cycle on bluefin tuna foraging in the upwelling area of the Strait of Messina was investigated by exploring trophic interaction with mesopelagic fish and cephalopod prey. To focus on how the lunar cycle could affect availability of mesopelagic prey for this predator, we tested potential differences in the diet related to each lunar phase. Moreover, we considered two potential impacts of the lunar cycle: the lunar irradiance and the strength of currents. Overall, 2672 prey items were mesopelagic fish and cephalopods, representing 60.7% of overall diet by number. The main mesopelagic fish prey items were lanternfishes and dragonfishes, while Onychoteuthis banksii was the most important cephalopod prey. In summary, the Strait of Messina has highly specific hydrodynamic and biological features which strongly depend on upwelling currents, which in turn are influenced by the lunar cycle (new and full moon with strong currents, quarters with fewer currents). Upwelling causes water mixing, bringing to the surface a large amount of mesopelagic fauna which become more readily available to tuna. Lunar irradiance contributes to the variation of prey composition, increasing the success of visual predation on mesopelagic resources at high light in the water column.

Temporal Partitioning between Forest-Dwelling Small Rodents in a Mediterranean Deciduous Woodland.

Temporal partitioning is reported as one of the main strategies adopted by coexisting mammal species to limit interspecific competition and behavioural interference. In the last decades, camera-trapping surveys have provided valuable insights in assessing temporal niche and activity rhythms of medium and large-sized mammalian species. Conversely, this method has been poorly applied to small rodents. In this work we aimed at assessing temporal niche partitioning between two species of forest-dwelling small rodents-Apodemus flavicollis and Clethrionomys glareolus-by means of intensive camera-trapping. Camera traps were placed in areas where previous genetic analyses have confirmed the only presence of A. flavicollis amongst wood mice species, to prevent misinterpretation of records. We collected 124 independent records of A. flavicollis and 67 records of C. glareolus over three years. The former was mostly nocturnal, with activity peaking after midnight, whereas the latter was mostly active at dawn and dusk. Therefore, a limited temporal overlap was observed, confirming the potential for interspecific competition. Intraguild interference competition between A. flavicollis and C. glareolus may play a pivotal role forcing C. glareolus to be more active in daylight hours where, the more strictly nocturnal A. flavicollis is present. Nocturnal activity of C. glareolus was limited and not influenced by moon phases, whereas A. flavicollis was mostly active in the darkest nights, avoiding bright moonlight nights.

[External influences on birth deliveries: Lunar gravitational and meteorological effects]. / Influencia externa en los partos: efecto lunar gravitacional y meteorológico.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of external factors such as lunar and meteorological effects on the frequency of birth deliveries. It includes the lunar gravitational force using the scarcely investigated lunar apogee and perigee (furthest and closest distance to earth, respectively). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of all spontaneous single deliveries during a 4 year period (2015-2018). A statistical analysis was performed on the relationship of the deliveries using birth rates with qualitative lunar variables (four classic phases, lunar apogee- perigee, and super moons) and quantitative atmospheric variables (mean atmospheric pressures, mean temperature, and mean wind velocity). RESULTS: No relationship was found between the variables studied and the birth rate. There were periods with more births in the months of May and June. CONCLUSION: Despite the myth on the meteorological, and in particular, the lunar influence on birth deliveries, no statistical association was found to support this. Furthermore, the classic moon phases and the lunar gravitational force do not seem to trigger birth delivery either.

A modeling approach for reposition dynamics of litter composition in coastal areas of the city of Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Given the complexity of the dynamics in litter reposition, our objective was modeling the possible main and interaction effects of tidal oscillations, seasons of the year and the moon phases over the solid waste in Santos beaches. A total of 80 collections were carried out using quadrat sampling, from which we classified, counted and weighed all residue items. We fitted mixed Hurdle models to the output datasets and performed hypotheses tests based on this framework. We found plastic to be the most abundant residue in all seasons, moon phases and tides, followed by Styrofoam and wood. Our models suggest the strongest effect was due to seasonal variations, which, in turn, may be related to different human activities. Although the dynamics of different components showed independency of all interaction structures, plastics depended on the interaction of tide and season, whose impact over estuarine life and ecosystem services shall be further investigated.

Moon/sun - suicide.

INTRODUCTION: Findings concerning the effects of moon phases and sun activity on suicide are mixed in the international literature. AIM: Our aim was to examine the hypothesised effects according to gender and age on Hungarian data covering more than 30 years. METHODS: Time series ARIMA models and dynamic regression models were applied in our analysis. RESULTS: Among women aged 20-49 years, a significant increase in the risk of suicide has been observed during proton solar events. At the same time, among women aged 50-59 years a slight but significant decrease has been identified in the risk of suicide during magnetic storms and full moons. CONCLUSION: Proton solar events, geomagnetic storms and moon phases caused changes in the risk of suicide in certain age groups in the case of women only.

Living in the dark does not mean a blind life: bird and mammal visual communication in dim light.

For many years, it was believed that bird and mammal communication 'in the dark of the night' relied exclusively on vocal and chemical signalling. However, in recent decades, several case studies have conveyed the idea that the nocturnal world is rich in visual information. Clearly, a visual signal needs a source of light to work, but diurnal light (twilight included, i.e. any light directly dependent on the sun) is not the only source of luminosity on this planet. Actually, moonlight represents a powerful source of illumination that cannot be neglected from the perspective of visual communication. White patches of feathers and fur on a dark background have the potential to be used to communicate with conspecifics and heterospecifics in dim light across different contexts and for a variety of reasons. Here: (i) we review current knowledge on visual signalling in crepuscular and nocturnal birds and mammals; and (ii) we also present some possible cases of birds and mammals that, due to the characteristics of their feather and fur coloration pattern, might use visual signals in dim light. Visual signalling in nocturnal animals is still an emerging field and, to date, it has received less attention than many other means of communication, including visual communication under daylight. For this reason, many questions remain unanswered and, sometimes, even unasked.This article is part of the themed issue 'Vision in dim light'.

Howling at the moon? The effect of lunar phases on post-surgical pain outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Many people are convinced that lunar phases influence their lives - despite the fact that a lot of studies have shown that this belief is wrong. In this article, we investigate the effect of lunar phases on acute post-surgical pain and on treatment-related side effects. We hypothesize that there is no influence. METHODS: The data for the study were collected in 2010 and 2011 in 10 international hospitals participating in the research project PAIN OUT. Hospitalized patients were asked for their pain after surgery and pain treatment side effects using numerical ratings scales from 0 to 10. We applied Kurskal-Wallis H-tests to find out if the four moon phases show significant differences in 14 outcome variables. Afterwards, we adjusted for age, gender and three tracer surgeries. RESULTS: A total of 12,224 patient data sets were assessed. For most variables and sub-groups, there is no lunar effect on the observed outcome variables. The only items that show statistically significant differences are pain interference with sleep (p = 0.01) and drowsiness (p = 0.01). The only sub-groups that show statistically significant connections to lunar phases in some variables are men (7 out of 14 variables significant) and elderly people (4 out of 14 variables significant). DISCUSSION: Even in the statistically significant sub-groups, the differences are small and only show up in some variables. We conclude that lunar phases have no effect on post-surgical pain or its side effects. The hypothesis holds. Thus, there is no reason for patients to postpone surgeries or to fear surgeries on any given date.

Avaliação da influência do ciclo lunar e da sazonalidade na prematuridade e na rotura prematura de membranas / Evaluate the influence of the lunar cycle and seasonality on the occurrence of premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor

O ciclo lunar sempre foi alvo de crenças populares, principalmente relacionado a ocorrência de maior número de nascimentos durante a fase de lua cheia. Influências externas como baixa pressão atmosférica estão ligadas à rotura de membrana corioamniótica e parece existir um mecanismo biológico para o desencadeamento do trabalho de parto prematuro. Este estudo tem como objetivo estudar a influência do ciclo lunar e da sazonalidade na ocorrência de rotura prematura de membranas e de trabalho de parto prematuro. Realizado um estudo transversal envolvendo dados do livro de partos de uma maternidade localizada no sul do Brasil por um período de 4 anos, totalizando 13.291 nascimentos. Utilizados dois sites, um para estimativa do ciclo lunar à época do nascimento e outro para determinar o dia da semana. Um banco de dados foi criado e exportado para o SPSS18.0 onde foi analisado. Utilizada a análise de Poisson. As variáveis que apresentaram p < 0,25 foram incluídas em uma análise multivariada para observar a independência das associações. A significância estatística estabelecida foi p < 0,05. Houveram maior prevalência de nascimentos durante a fase de lua crescente, meses de novembro e junho, estação de verão e terças-feiras. Encontrada associação estatisticamente significativa entre rotura prematura de membranas, mês de outubro e sexta-feira. Não encontrou-se associação entre a fase do ciclo lunar com rotura prematura de membranas e prematuridade, assim como, fatores sazonais e prematuridade. Observou-se menor prevalência de rotura prematura de membranas no mês de outubro e na sexta feira.

The lunar cycle has always been the target of popular beliefs, mainly related to the occurrence of more births during the full moon phase. External influences such as low atmospheric pressure are associated with rupture of the chorioamniotic membrane and there seems to be a biological mechanism for the onset of preterm labor. This study aims to study the influence of the lunar cycle and seasonality on the occurrence of premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving data from the birth book of a maternity unit located in the south of Brazil for a period of 4 years, totaling 13,291 births. Two sites were used, one to estimate the lunar cycle at the time of birth and another to determine the day of the week. A database was created and exported to SPSS18.0 where it was parsed. Poisson analysis was used. The variables that presented p <0.25 were included in a multivariate analysis to observe the independence of the associations. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05. There was a higher prevalence of births during the growing moon phase, months of November and June, summer season and Tuesday. We found a statistically significant association between premature rupture of membranes, from October to Friday. There was no association between the lunar cycle phase with premature rupture of membranes and prematurity, as well as seasonal factors and prematurity. It was observed a lower prevalence of premature rupture of membranes in the month of October and on Friday.

INFLUENCIA DE LA FASE LUNAR EN LAS TASAS DE CAPTURA DE Selar crumenophthalmus (CARANGIDAE) EN EL CARIBE DE COLOMBIA. UNA APROXIMACIÓN POR MODELOS LINEALES GENERALIZADOS / Moon Phase Influence on Catch Rates of Selar crumenophthalmus (Carangidae) in the Caribbean Sea off Colombia. A Generalized Linear Models Approach

Las tasas de captura de Selar crumenophthalmus provenientes de los desembarcos registrados en el norte del mar Caribe de Colombia fueron analizadas y estandarizadas mediante Modelos Lineales Generalizados (MLG). Se utilizó información colectada entre 1994 y 2001. Los factores que se utilizaron como predictores lineales fueron: año, mes, código lunar, sector geográfico, y estrato de profundidad. Las mayores tasas de captura fueron detectadas durante los dos días de luna nueva máxima en el sector del Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, lo cual indica que la mayor disponibilidad del recurso, dado su hábito nocturno y fototaxis positiva, está muy localizada en el tiempo. Esta condición ha de incorporarse en los esquemas de ordenamiento, una vez que facilita la implementación de mecanismos de control pesquero. Se registró una disminución de la tasa de captura en los últimos dos años del periodo examinado, tendencia que sugiere el deterioro de la abundancia poblacional de este recurso, hasta ahora considerado fuera de riesgo de sobreexplotación. En pesquerías multiespecíficas, explicar la abundancia poblacional con tasas de captura estimadas incluyendo solo datos de lances que registren la especie analizada, puede derivar en una conclusión conceptual y cuantitativamente incorrecta.

Catch rates of Selar crumenophthalmus in the landings belonging from the north of the Caribbean Sea off Colombia were analyzed and standardized with Generalized Lineal Models (GLM). Information collected between 1994 and 2001 was used. The factors used as lineal predictors were: year, month, Moon phases, geographic sector, and depth. The highest catch rates were detected during the two days 100% New Moon in the Tayrona National Natural Park, which indicates that the availability of the resource, because its nocturne habit and positive phototaxis, is located in the time. This condition should be incorporates in management schemes, since facilitates the implementation of fishing control strategies. A diminution of the catch rate was registered in the last two years; tendency that suggests the deterioration of the population abundance of this species, until now considered without over-exploitation risk. In multispecies fishing grounds, explanation of the population abundance with catch rates estimated with only data of hauls that recorded the analyzed species can derive in a conceptual and quantitatively incorrect conclusion.