Temporal and spatial variation in harbor seal (Phoca vitulina L.) roar calls from southern Scandinavia.

Male harbor seals gather around breeding sites for competitive mating displays. Here, they produce underwater vocalizations possibly to attract females and/or scare off other males. These calls offer prospects for passive acoustic monitoring. Acoustic monitoring requires a good understanding of natural variation in calling behavior both temporally and among geographically separate sites. Such variation in call structure and calling patterns were studied in harbor seal vocalizations recorded at three locations in Danish and Swedish waters. There was a strong seasonality in the calls from end of June to early August. Vocalizations at two locations followed a diel pattern, with an activity peak at night. Recordings from one location also showed a peak in call rate at high tide. Large geographic variations were obvious in the total duration of the so-called roar call, the duration of the most prominent part of the call (the roar burst), and of percentage of energy in roar burst. A similarly large variation was also found when comparing the recordings from two consecutive years at the same site. Thus, great care must be taken to separate variation attributable to recording conditions from genuine biological differences when comparing harbor seal roars among recording sites and between years.

The reproductive biology of Pinguipes brasilianus Cuvier, 1829 (Osteichthyes: Pinguipedidae) in temperate rocky reefs of Argentina

Pinguipes brasilianus is a conspicuous and abundant rocky-reef fish inhabiting the Northern Patagonian gulfs of Argentina, Southwest Atlantic. This study describes its reproductive biology in this region. We made macroscopic and histological descriptions of the testis and ovary development, analyzed the evolution of the gonadosomatic index (GSI) in both sexes throughout the year, and estimated fecundity and length at 50% maturity for females. Pinguipes brasilianus is a multiple spawner with indeterminate annual fecundity and an extended reproductive season, encompassing austral spring and summer. Low GSI values in males (monthly means ranged between 0.11% and 0.75%) and low relative fecundity in female fish (between 2 and 44 oocytes/g) are consistent with a need of close proximity between male and female during oocyte fertilization, sexual courtship and with spawning in pairs and/or within reef crevices. The estimated length at 50% maturity (± SD) for females was 15.22 ± 0.43 cm total length. Although P. brasilianus shares the main reproductive features of its congeneric species Pinguipes chilensis , male GSI and female length at 50% maturity in P. brasilianus were markedly lower than those reported for P. chilensis , while relative and batch fecundity were greater in fish of the same size.

Pinguipes brasilianus es una especie abundante en los arrecifes rocosos de los golfos norpatagónicos de Argentina, en el Atlántico Sudoccidental. En este trabajo estudiamos su biología reproductiva, incluyendo la descripción macroscópica e histológica del desarrollo de testículos y ovarios, el análisis de la evolución del índice gonadosomático (IGS) para ambos sexos a lo largo del ciclo anual, y la estimación de la fecundidad y la talla de primera madurez para las hembras. Pinguipes brasilianus es un desovante múltiple con fecundidad indeterminada y una estación reproductiva extensa que abarca la primavera y el verano australes. Los bajos valores de IGS en machos (el promedio mensual varió entre 0,11% y 0,75%), y la baja fecundidad relativa en las hembras (entre 2 y 4 oocitos/g) son consistentes con un sistema de apareamiento que involucra una estrecha proximidad entre machos y hembras durante la fertilización de los oocitos, cortejo y desove en parejas y/o en áreas confinadas (ej .: refugios). La talla de primera madurez (± DE) estimada para las hembras fue de 15,22 ± 0,43 cm de largo total. Aunque P. brasilianus comparte los principales rasgos reproductivos con Pinguipes chilensis , tanto los valores promedio de IGS en machos como la talla de primera madurez en hembras fueron menores que los reportados para P. chilensis , mientras que la fecundidad (parcial y relativa) fue mayor.

Activación del cerebelo por estimulación olfativa en ratas macho sexualmente inexpertas / Activation of the cerebellum by olfactory stimulation in sexually naive male rats

Introducción: El cerebelo es una estructura que se ha vinculado con múltiples funciones, tales como control motor, cognición, memoria y procesamiento emocional. En cuanto a su relación con los sistemas sensoriales no está claro el papel que desempeña en relación con el sentido del olfato. Suponemos que las ratas macho sexualmente inexpertas presentarán un incremento en la actividad neuronal del vermis cerebelar tras ser estimuladas con olor de hembra receptiva y almendra. Métodos: Comparamos la actividad de la capa granular del vermis cerebelar mediante la inmunorreactividad a Fos tras estimulación olfativa. Esta estimulación se realizó durante 60 min en cámaras cúbicas de acrílico con un doble fondo. Los estímulos fueron aserrín limpio, con esencia de almendra y proveniente de la cama de hembras receptivas. Finalmente los machos fueron anestesiados con pentobarbital sódico intraperitoneal. El tejido cerebelar fue fijado con paraformaldehído para su posterior análisis inmunohistoquímico. Resultados: El número de células inmunorreactivas a Fos en todos los lóbulos del vermis cerebelar de los grupos estimulados con almendra y hembra receptiva fue similar, pero mayor comparado con el grupo de aserrín limpio. Conclusiones: La estimulación olfativa del sistema olfatorio principal (almendra) y accesorio (hembra receptiva) incrementa la producción de proteína Fos en la capa granular de la corteza cerebelar del vermis de ratas macho sexualmente inexpertas

Introduction: The cerebellum has been linked to multiple functions, such as motor control, cognition, memory, and emotional processing. As for its involvement in the sensory systems, the role of the cerebellum in the sense of smell remains unclear. We suggest that sexually naive male rats will present increased neuronal activity in the cerebellar vermis after being stimulated with almond odour or oestrous odour from receptive females. Methods: We compared activity in the cerebellar vermis using Fos immunoreactivity after olfactory stimulation. Stimulation took place during 60 min in a cube-shaped acrylic chamber with a double bottom. Stimuli were clean woodchip bedding, bedding with almond extract, and bedding taken from a cage of receptive females. Male rats were subsequently anaesthetised with intraperitoneal sodium pentobarbital. Cerebellar tissue was fixed with paraformaldehyde for later immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The number of Fos immunoreactive cells in all lobes of the cerebellar vermis was similar between groups stimulated with almond extract and with oestrous odour, and higher than in the clean woodchip group. Conclusions: Stimulation of the main olfactory system (almond) and the accessory system (oestrous odour) increases Fos protein production in the granular layer of the cortex of the cerebellar vermis in naive male rats

Acoustic courtship songs in males of the fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) associated with geography, mass rearing and courtship success / Cantos acústicos de cortejo en machos de la mosca de la fruta Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) asociados con geografía, crianza masiva y éxito de cortejo

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has been used successfully to control or eradicate fruit flies. The commonly observed inferiority of mass-reared males, compared with wild males, when they are paired with wild females, is apparently due to their inadequate courtship. Anastrepha ludens males produce two types of wing vibration during courtship and mating, the "calling sound" and the "premating or precopulatory sound". There were clear differences in the calling songs between successful and unsuccessful courtships in sterile (irradiated) and fertile Mexican flies. Among sterile flies, successful males produce longer buzzes, shorter interpulses and a higher power spectrum in the signal. Fertile flies showed the same trend. For mating songs a significant difference occurred in two parameters: power spectrum between sterile and fertile flies with respect to the type of song, and the signal duration and intensity were greater in non-irradiated flies. Calling songs of wild flies compared with laboratory grown flies from Mexico had shorter interpulses, longer pulses, and a greater power spectrum. However, in the case of premating songs, the only difference was in the intensity, which was significantly greater in wild males. An unexpected result was not observing pulses during pheromone deposition in wild males from Costa Rica. Comparing the premating songs of wild flies from Costa Rica and Mexico, no significant differences were observed in the duration, and the intensity of the signal was slightly greater in flies from Mexico. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (Suppl. 1): 257-265. Epub 2009 November 30.

La técnica estéril del insecto (SIT) se ha utilizado con éxito para controlar o para suprimir las moscas de fruta y su impacto en los cultivos. La inferioridad comúnmente observada de machos criados masivamente, comparada con los machos silvestres, cuando se aparean con las hembras silvestres es al parecer debido a su inadecuado cortejo. Los machos de Anastrepha ludens producen dos tipos de vibraciones del ala durante cortejo y el apareamiento, una de "llamada" y "el sonido de pre-apareamiento o precopulatorio". Se encontraron diferencias claras en las canciones de llamada entre los cortejos exitosos y no exitosos en moscas estériles y fértiles de Mexico. En las moscas estériles, los machos exitosos producen zumbidos más largos, interpulsos más cortos y un espectro de una energía más alta en la señal. Las moscas fértiles mostraron la misma tendencia. Para las canciones precopulatorias hay diferencias significativas en dos parámetros: el espectro de energía entre las moscas irradiadas y no irradiadas también observadas con respecto al tipo de canción, y la duración y la intensidad de la señal fueron mayores en moscas no irradiadas. Las canciones de llamada de las moscas silvestres comparadas con las de laboratorio de México tenían interpulsos más cortos, pulsos más largos, y un mayor espectro de energía. Sin embargo, en el caso de canciones precopulatorias, la única diferencia estaba en la intensidad, que era perceptiblemente mayor en machos silvestres. Un resultado inesperado fue no observar canciones de llamada durante la deposición de la feromona en machos silvestres de Costa Rica. Al comparar las canciones precopulatorias de moscas silvestres de Costa Rica y de México, no se observó ninguna diferencia significativa en la duración, ni en la intensidad de la señal.

Effect of early and late exposure to estrual ewes on ram sexual performance classifications.

This study was conducted to determine whether exposure of ram lambs to estrual ewes during their first autumn and again as adults just before serving capacity tests (SCT) affected the outcome of the sexual performance tests. Treatments were either early exposure of Polypay ram lambs (i.e., 7-8-mo-old rams with ewes for 17 d [n=30] or no early exposure [n=30]), and late exposure (i.e., 16-19-mo-old rams with estrual ewes for 3 d) or no exposure to estrual ewes in a 2x2 factorial arrangement. Three serving capacity tests were conducted immediately after the early exposure period for individual ram lambs that were exposed to ewes early. Three sham sexual performance tests (i.e., four ram lambs placed in test pens for 30-min without ewes) were conducted with ram lambs that were not exposed to ewes early. All rams were evaluated during nine 30-min serving capacity tests over a 2-mo period at 16-19 mo of age to determine sexual performance. Prior to serving capacity tests, one half of the rams from each early exposure treatment were exposed to estrual-induced ewes for 3 d. Specific sexual behaviors (e.g., sniffs, flehmens, foreleg kicks, vocalizations, mount attempts, mounts, and ejaculations) were recorded during serving capacity tests. Number of sniffs, flehmens, foreleg kicks, vocalizations, and mount attempts were summed without estimating the value of importance and analyzed as courtship behaviors. Sexual performance data were analyzed with Mixed model procedures for repeated measures. During serving capacity tests, the early exposed rams exhibited more courtships (40.3+/-8.0 versus 23.4+/-4.6; P<0.05; LSM+/-estimated SE), mounts (11.3+/-1.0 versus 7.7+/-0.9; P<0.01), and ejaculations (3.3+/-0.2 or 2.4+/-0.2; P<0.01) than rams not exposed to ewes as ram lambs, respectively. We conclude that early exposure of 7-8-mo-old ram lambs to estrual ewes improves sexual performance in serving capacity tests at 16-19 mo of age in most rams whereas, late exposure to estrual ewes for 3 d prior to serving capacity tests did not improve sexual performance scores.

Sinais químicos envolvidos no comportamento sexual de Rhodnius prolixus Stål, 1859(Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

Rhodnius prolixus é o principal vetor da doença de Chagas no norte da América do Sul e na América Central. Triatomíneos adultos possuem um par de glândulas metasternais (GM) localizadas no metatórax ventral. Alguns estudos discutem a participação das GMs na comunicação sexual em triatomíneos. Até o momento, a função das GMs de R. prolixus, assim como a identidade da suas secreções são desconhecidas. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os compostos presentes nas GMs de R. prolixus, bem como estudar o envolvimento destes compostos no contexto sexual desta espécie. Para isso, foram feitas análises. químicas do conteúdo das GMs, utilizando SPME e CG-EM. Posteriormente,. foram feitas análises químicas dos voláteis emitidos por casais em cópula. A emissão espontânea de voláteis em adultos virgens também foi caracterizada. Foram identificados 12 compostos nas GMs, sendo estes cetonas e álcoois.

Os mesmos compostos foram encontrados nas glândulas de ambos os sexos. Em 70% das cópulas realizadas foi encontrado pelo menos um composto das GMs, sendo que o principal composto (2-metil-3-buten-2-ol) foi detectado em 40% das cópulas. As fêmeas emitiram espontaneamente mais compostos presentes nas GM durante a noite, sendo esta emissão mais intensa que nos machos. Propomos que os compostos encontrados nas GMs de R. prolixus estão envolvidos na comunicação sexual desta espécie. Foi observado um decréscimo no sucesso da cópula na ausência dos odores das GMs devido a oclusão dos orifícios de abertura desta glândula. Sugerimos que o reconhecimento entre os sexos pode ser mediado por sinais químicos e que estes podem ser originados das GMs. A identificação dos compostos presentes nas GMs, assim como o envolvimento destes na comunicação química, é o primeiro passo no estudo dos prováveis feromônios sexuais de R. prolixus. A sua potencial utilização na manipulação do comportamento desta espécie justifica o aprofundamento deste estudo para permitir o desenho potencial de ferramentas para o seu controle

Sinais químicos envolvidos no comportamento sexual de Rhodnius prolixus Stål, 1859(Hemiptera, Reduviidae) / Monitoring susceptibility to pyrethroid deltamethrin in populations of Triatoma sordida Stål, 1859 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Rhodnius prolixus é o principal vetor da doença de Chagas no norte da América do Sul e na América Central. Triatomíneos adultos possuem um par de glândulas metasternais (GM) localizadas no metatórax ventral. Alguns estudos discutem a participação das GMs na comunicação sexual em triatomíneos. Até o momento, a função das GMs de R. prolixus, assim como a identidade da suas secreções são desconhecidas. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os compostos presentes nas GMs de R. prolixus, bem como estudar o envolvimento destes compostos no contexto sexual desta espécie. Para isso, foram feitas análises. químicas do conteúdo das GMs, utilizando SPME e CG-EM. Posteriormente,. foram feitas análises químicas dos voláteis emitidos por casais em cópula. A emissão espontânea de voláteis em adultos virgens também foi caracterizada. Foram identificados 12 compostos nas GMs, sendo estes cetonas e álcoois.

Os mesmos compostos foram encontrados nas glândulas de ambos os sexos. Em 70% das cópulas realizadas foi encontrado pelo menos um composto das GMs, sendo que o principal composto (2-metil-3-buten-2-ol) foi detectado em 40% das cópulas. As fêmeas emitiram espontaneamente mais compostos presentes nas GM durante a noite, sendo esta emissão mais intensa que nos machos. Propomos que os compostos encontrados nas GMs de R. prolixus estão envolvidos na comunicação sexual desta espécie. Foi observado um decréscimo no sucesso da cópula na ausência dos odores das GMs devido a oclusão dos orifícios de abertura desta glândula. Sugerimos que o reconhecimento entre os sexos pode ser mediado por sinais químicos e que estes podem ser originados das GMs. A identificação dos compostos presentes nas GMs, assim como o envolvimento destes na comunicação química, é o primeiro passo no estudo dos prováveis feromônios sexuais de R. prolixus. A sua potencial utilização na manipulação do comportamento desta espécie justifica o aprofundamento deste estudo para permitir o desenho potencial de ferramentas para o seu controle

Relationship between sexual behavior classifications of rams and lambs sired in a competitive breeding environment.

The objectives for this study were to 1) determine the relationship between sexual performance class and lambs sired in a competitive mating environment, and 2) determine whether the male-oriented ram test is valid. Fifteen 2- to 3-yr-old whitefaced rams classified as female-oriented, with high or low sexual performance, or classified as male-oriented were used in a multiple-sire breeding arrangement. Five groups of approximately 200 ewes each were exposed for 21 d to 3 rams per group consisting of 1 ram from each class. Rams were blocked for sexual class, and those with close genetic relationship were assigned to different pens. Genomic DNA was prepared from blood collected from 15 rams, 934 ewes, and 1,757 lambs. Up to 4 microsatellite markers were used to determine a lamb's sire. Of 884 ewes with identifiable lambs (known sires), 178 ewes had single lambs, 408 had multiples sired by 1 ram, and 298 had multiples sired by more than 1 ram. The sexual partner preference test used to identify male-oriented rams did not absolutely reflect their sexual performance during competitive breeding. In contrast to only mounting and servicing males in preference tests before breeding, male-oriented rams sired 480 lambs from 330 ewes. Serving capacity tests predicted sexual performance of high and low sexual performance rams. High performance rams impregnated more ewes (499 vs. 258; P < 0.05) and sired more lambs (756 vs. 357; P < 0.05) than did low performance rams, respectively. Low performance and male-oriented rams did not differ for ewes impregnated or lambs sired. We conclude that 1) sexual partner preference tests used to classify male-oriented rams were not absolute in reflecting their breeding performance in a competitive breeding environment; 2) serving capacity tests predicted that high performance rams would breed more ewes than low performance rams and sire more lambs than either low performance or male-oriented rams; and 3) under the conditions of this study, low performance and male-oriented rams did not have an adverse impact on the overall breeding outcome. Combined, low performance and male-oriented rams sired 81 more lambs than did high performance rams, but this required twice as many rams to obtain approximately equal breeding results. Therefore, we suggest that serving capacity tests should be used to select high performance rams, reduce number of rams with marginal sexual performance, and make decisions on ram numbers needed.

Mating systems of blood-feeding flies.

The mating system of each species is a unique, dynamic suite of interactions between the sexes. In this review I describe these interactions in the families of flies that contain blood-feeding species. A transition from the aerial swarm, with rapid copulae and no direct female choice, to substrate-based systems with lengthy copulae and opportunities for female choice is evident at both a phylogenetic scale and within nematoceran families under specific ecological conditions. Female monogamy is associated with the former, polyandry with the latter. I suggest that the intensity of sexual selection operating on males in systems where the probability of mating is low has favored male ability to control female receptivity. Reproductive success of males is universally correlated to successful foraging for sugar or blood and (in some species and ecological conditions) to body size. Understanding the ecological basis of the mating systems of these flies will help formulate integrative, sustainable, and biologically lucid approaches for their control.

Influence of classification levels of ram sexual activity on spring breeding ewes.

Ram lambs (7-8 months old) and mature rams (19-20 months old) were used to evaluate the effect of classification levels of male sexual performance on reproductive performance of ewes during spring breeding. In Exp. 1, sexually active ram lambs with high (1.8+/-0.3; n=5) and low (0.9+/-0.2; n=5) sexual performance scores (HP and LP; mean+/-S.E.M.) were used in single sire breeding pens. Ewes (n=305) were stratified by age and assigned to 10 pens for 34 days starting in late March. For Exps. 2 and 3, two replicates were conducted for 2 years with sexually active mature rams in a single sire mating scheme. For Exp. 2, HP rams (n=5) averaged 3.6+/-0.2 ejaculations and LP rams (n=7) 1.8+/-0.2 ejaculations for sexual performance scores based on nine, 30 min serving capacity tests (SCT). Polypay ewes (n=152 to 153 per year) were stratified by age and assigned to pens each year for 34-38 days starting in late March for years 1 and 2. For Exp. 3, HP rams (n=6) averaged 3.7+/-0.1 ejaculations and LP rams (n=10) 2.3+/-0.1 ejaculations for sexual performance scores based on 18, 30 min SCT. Polypay ewes (n=229 in year 3 and n=244 in year 4) were stratified by age and assigned to pens each year for 34 days starting in late March. In Exp. 1, lambing rates for ewes bred to HP versus LP ram lambs did not differ (65.8 versus 53.0; P=0.20). Prolificacy tended (P=0.06) to be increased by 0.1 lambs in ewes bred by LP ram lambs. Total number of lambs born per ewe present at lambing, and lambing distribution were not altered by HP and LP ram lambs. In Exp. 2, lambing rates for fall-lambing ewes bred to mature HP or LP rams did not differ (58.1 versus 60.1; P=0.78). In Exp. 3, lambing rates for fall-lambing ewes bred to mature HP or LP rams did not differ (74.3 versus 69.0; P=0.35). There was no difference (P>0.10) between years for Exp. 2 or Exp. 3, and mature HP and LP rams did not affect the other reproductive variables monitored. Analyses of the combined data for Exps. 2 and 3 indicated only a year difference (P<0.001) in lambing rates and total lambs born. Present studies indicate that different sexual performance classifications for ram lambs and mature rams did not alter lambing rates or distribution of lambing of Polypays bred in late March to April. These results indicate that HP and LP, sexually active, Polypay rams and ram lambs with average to high quality semen can provide a source of rams for spring breeding Polypays in ambient conditions and that there was no advantage to using HP over sexually active LP ram lambs or rams.

Modelos animales de ansiedad incondicionada (I) / Animal models of unconditioned anxiety (I)

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Sexual isolation of genetically differentiated sympatric populations of Drosophila melanogaster in Brazzaville, Congo: the first step towards speciation?

Two sympatric populations of Drosophila melanogaster were collected in the Brazzaville area in Congo, one from the suburban countryside and the other from a brewery located in the city. They were compared for several genetically determined traits including morphology, allozymes, microsatellites, cuticular hydrocarbons, and sexual behaviour. The two populations were similar to other African populations for morphological traits, but differed significantly from each other for all other characters. The countryside population resembled other African populations, whereas the urban population was consistently similar to European populations. Mating choice experiments showed incipient reproductive separation between the populations. In agreement with the hypothesis that D. melanogaster originated in Africa and spread to the rest of the world by invading human-modified habitats, we suggest that man-adapted fruit fly populations have returned 'back to Africa', and remained partially isolated from older native stocks.

Behavioral and neurochemical changes induced by aging in dopaminergic systems of male and female rats

Changes induced by aging in dopaminergic activity of male and female rats were compared by behavioral and neurochemical methods. Young (3 months) and old (23 months) rats were used. Aging decreased animal activity in the open field and increased aponiorphine-induced stereotyped behavior. No differences in open field data were observed between males and females. Young and aged female rats had higher striatal DA and HVA levels than males; aging induced a decrease in both striatal DA and HVA levels in males, but not in females. No changes in HVA/DA ratios were observed among the different groups. These results show that aging reduces nigrostriatal activity as well as nigrostriatal DA levels. Furthermore, they indicate that time course events related to aging differ between males and females