Performance Comparison of Meta-Heuristics Applied to Optimal Signal Design for Parameter Identification.

This paper presents a comparative study that explores the performance of various meta-heuristics employed for Optimal Signal Design, specifically focusing on estimating parameters in nonlinear systems. The study introduces the Robust Sub-Optimal Excitation Signal Generation and Optimal Parameter Estimation (rSOESGOPE) methodology, which is originally derived from the well-known Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. Through a real-life case study involving an Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) equipped with three Degrees of Freedom (DoFs) and an aerial holonomic propulsion system, the effectiveness of different meta-heuristics is thoroughly evaluated. By conducting an in-depth analysis and comparison of the obtained results from the diverse meta-heuristics, this study offers valuable insights for selecting the most suitable optimization technique for parameter estimation in nonlinear systems. Researchers and experimental tests in the field can benefit from the comprehensive examination of these techniques, aiding them in making informed decisions about the optimal approach for optimizing parameter estimation in nonlinear systems.

Following the footsteps of Burmeister's leaf frog (Phyllomedusa burmeisteri) in the Atlantic forest of Brazil.

Amphibians are organisms which mainly have a biphasic life cycle. When at the larval stage, their habitat is generally aquatic, and when adults, they become terrestrial. Pond-breeding amphibians are sensitive to some disturbances in their environment which lead to the decline of a population. The interactions between the species and their environment are performed through movement. Movement ecology combines and explains the movement data of organisms with biotic and abiotic factors and because of this, knowing the movement of these creatures is of great ecological importance. We used the spool-and-line methodology in individuals of the treefrog Phyllomedusa burmeisteri, at the Reserva Ecologica Michelin, located in the southern region of Bahia in Brazil to study their movement patterns in different environments inside and outside of the forest. We monitored 19 P. burmeisteri individuals that presented a mean total movement distance of 2160.76 cm (S.D. 1152.42). We found no significant difference in the trajectories of individuals in forested and open areas, as well as a positive relationship between the distances individuals moved and their weight only in forested areas. no relationship between distance and weight of these individuals. We observed that individuals followed non-linear paths and the number of steps from one place to another varied among individuals. Our movement ecology data allows us to answer questions about short-term movement patterns of Phyllomedusa burmeisteri. This is the first step to start understanding the spatial cognition of treefrogs from the Atlantic Forest and to fill gaps about life habits of these frogs. Information on the movement patterns of a species, as well as its home range can help to create conservation strategies, regarding the creation or delimitation of protected areas, for example.

Long-Distance Counter Calling in Maned Wolves: Friends or Foes?

Maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) are monogamous and display biparental care for their young, although adults rarely spend time in close proximity. To better understand vocal interactions of maned wolves over long-distances, we passively recorded >10 months of audio data in the species' natural habitat and analyzed manual recordings of captive animals, covering the reproductive and non-reproductive seasons. In the natural habitat recordings, we found that maned wolves engage in vocal exchanges (termed interactive sequences) more often during the mating season, suggesting the existence of a partner attraction/reunion/guarding function, and also during the initial parental care period, suggesting communication among caregivers. We analyzed 21 interactive sequences, which were the only instances in which we could distinguish individuals, and found that the individuals interacting differed significantly in their roar-bark parameters, including duration, which also differed between males and females in captivity (male vocalizations were, on average, 0.124 s longer). We also found that interactive sequences in captive animals, involving two or more participants, almost always involved both sexes. These results suggest that acoustic interacting maned wolves are most likely male−female dyads.