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Simmental cattle are renowned for their dual purpose as meat and dairy breeds. The study recorded phenotype data from 183 Simmental cattle and performed a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) analysis to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying milk production, body size traits, and tail characteristics. Statistical analysis of phenotype data showed that season, parity, and age at first calving (AFC) factors had a significant effect on milk production (P < 0.05). The results of GWAS on cattle linear traits revealed that the candidate genes SH3RF2, DCHS2, ADAMTS1, CAMK4, PPARGC1A, PRL, PRP6 , and CORIN have been found to affect body circumference (BC) and cannon circumference (CC). Through GWAS analysis of tail traits, including Circumference over tail root (COTR) and Tail Length (TL) in Simmental cattle, candidate genes associated with tail length, such as KIF26B, ITPR2, SLC8A1 , and SLIT3 were identified. Interestingly, candidate genes IL1RAP, AQP9, ITPR2, and PKD2 were also associated with metabolic inflammation in cattle tails. These genetic markers offer valuable insights into the traits of Simmental cattle, facilitating the development of molecular breeding strategies to enhance production value and provide references for breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study assessed the adult sex ratio and sexual dimorphism in body size in the vulnerable La Selle Thrush, Turdus swalesi, over a 26-month period, in Haiti. We found that the overall adult sex ratio was significantly male-biased. However, this was only true during the non-breeding season, suggesting that males may show more site tenacity than females, although true differences in adult survival between males and females cannot be ruled out. We observed a slight, albeit significant, sexual dimorphism in size, with males having, on average, both a longer wing chord and a longer tail than females. Tail length was the best predictor of sex in a logistic regression model, with about 80% of individuals being correctly assigned to their actual sex. Understanding the causes and consequences of the observed male-biased sex ratio might be important for the conservation of the La Selle Thrush, particularly in the face of ongoing severe deforestation in Haiti. Sex-determination is of particular importance in avian ecology and conservation. However, many bird species show no conspicuous sexual dimorphism, such as the La Selle Thrush, Turdus swalesi, a vulnerable species endemic to Hispaniola. We captured individuals in southeastern Haiti, in 2019–2022. For each one, we collected contour feathers or blood samples for molecular sex identification based on the CHD-1 gene. In addition, we took body measurements of several captured individuals and recorded their weight. Out of a total of 65 birds, 45 were identified as males and 20 as females, indicative of a significantly male-biased sex ratio. However, analyses of first captures showed that the sex ratio at our study site was male-biased only outside of the breeding season, suggesting that females may disperse at that time while males remain on their territories. Sexual dimorphism was limited to wing chord length and tail length, with males being larger than females. Tail length was the best predictor of sex in a logistic regression model and correctly classified about 80% of individuals as male or female. We discuss our results in relation to previous studies of sex ratio and sexual dimorphism in turdid species and address their relevance for the conservation of avian species in one of the major protected forest areas in Haiti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Sheep are bred to provide livestock products for humans. At present, sheep production systems tend to be specialized and refined, and mutton sheep production is an important part of these systems. Compared to Chinese indigenous sheep breeds, Western sheep breeds have rapid growth rate, larger physique, and higher meat yield. Growth rate and body size are critical to mutton sheep production. The population structure and genome-wide selection signatures can be used to identify genetic differences in sheep growth rate and body size. Therefore, in this study, a genome-wide investigation of the growth rate and body size between Chinese indigenous sheep breeds and introduced sheep breeds was performed. Furthermore, we also investigated the tail length trait between long- and short-tailed sheep breeds. The results showed that we identified candidate genes associated with growth rate, body size, and tail type, and elucidated the potential function of these genes. Compared to Chinese indigenous sheep, Western sheep have rapid growth rate, larger physique, and higher meat yield. These excellent Western sheep were introduced into China for crossbreeding to expedite the enhancement of production performance and mutton quality in local breeds. Here, we investigated population genetic structure and genome-wide selection signatures among the Chinese indigenous sheep and the introduced sheep based on whole-genome resequencing data. The PCA, N-J tree and ADMIXTURE results showed significant genetic difference between Chinese indigenous sheep and introduced sheep. The nucleotide diversity (π) and linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay results indicated that the genomic diversity of introduced breeds were lower. Then, Fst & π ratio, XP-EHH, and de-correlated composite of multiple signals (DCMS) methods were used to detect the selection signals. The results showed that we identified important candidate genes related to growth rate and body size in the introduced breeds. Selected genes with stronger selection signatures are associated with growth rate (CRADD), embryonic development (BVES, LIN28B, and WNT11), body size (HMGA2, MSRB3, and PTCH1), muscle development and fat metabolism (MSTN, PDE3A, LGALS12, GGPS1, and SAR1B), wool color (ASIP), and hair development (KRT71, KRT74, and IRF2BP2). Thus, these genes have the potential to serve as candidate genes for enhancing the growth traits of Chinese indigenous sheep. We also identified tail-length trait-related candidate genes (HOXB13, LIN28A, PAX3, and VEGFA) in Chinese long-tailed breeds. Among these genes, HOXB13 is the main candidate gene for sheep tail length phenotype. LIN28A, PAX3, and VEGFA are related to embryonic development and angiogenesis, so these genes may be candidate genes for sheep tail type traits. This study will serve as a foundation for further genetic improvement of Chinese indigenous sheep and as a reference for studies related to growth and development of sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both conspicuous plumage ornamentation and song are well‐known examples of sexually selected traits, but their interrelationship is not well known, perhaps in part because of confounding factors, including interspecific variation in ecology, habitat, morphology, and type of ornamentation. Here, using a phylogenetic comparative approach and the 69 species with available information (i.e. 96% of all 72 species), I examined the evolutionary relationship between forked tails and the presence/absence of song in hirundines (Aves: Hirundininae). Hirundines have similar ecology (e.g. aerial insectivores, social monogamy, and biparental provisioning), morphology (e.g. syrinx with nearly complete bronchial rings), and plumage ornamentation (i.e. a sexually selected forked tail), which provides a unique opportunity to examine the evolutionary associations between plumage ornamentation and song. In particular, hirundines have repeatedly lost their ornamentation, forked tails, setting up a condition to test their association with the evolutionary gain/loss of their simple song. After controlling for phylogeny and covariates, I demonstrated that song was less likely to be found in species with forkless tails than in species with forked tails. Two correlates of tail shape, sexual dimorphism in the overall plumage characteristics as a well‐known proxy of sexual selection and incubation type as a measure of extrapair mating opportunity, were not positively related to the presence or absence of song, indicating the importance of forked tails, rather than their correlates. The analysis of the correlated evolution of discrete characters further supported the correlated evolution of the two traits, in which forked tails and song are maintained together and less likely to be lost under the presence of each other. The current study provided macroevolutionary support for the integrated use of visual and acoustic courtship traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution of megacities can cause early biological damage such as DNA strand breaks and micronuclei formation. Comet assay tail length (TL) reflects exposure in the uterus to high levels of air pollution, primarily ozone and air particles (PM10), including mothers' smoking habits during pregnancy, conditions which can lead to low birth weight. In this biomonitoring study, we evaluated basal DNA damage in the cord blood cells of newborn children from Mexico City. We found a correlation between DNA damage in mothers and their newborns, including various parameters of environmental exposure and complications during pregnancy, particularly respiratory difficulties, malformations, obstetric trauma, neuropathies, and nutritional deficiencies. Mothers living in the southern part of the city showed double DNA damage compared to those living in the northern part (TL 8.64 μm vs. 4.18 μm, p < 0.05). Additionally, mothers' DNA damage correlates with exposure to NOx (range 0.77–1.52 ppm) and PM10 (range 58.32–75.89 μg/m3), as well maternal age >29. These results highlight the sensitivity of the comet assay in identifying differential in utero exposure for newborns whose mothers were exposed during pregnancy. They also suggest the importance of antioxidants during pregnancy and the role of the placental barrier in protecting the newborn from the DNA-damaging effects of oxidative pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient immobilisation with volatile anaesthetics (VA) during radiotherapy is sometimes unavoidable. Although it is known that both VAs and ionising radiation can have nephrotoxic effects, there are no studies of their combined effects on DNA damage. The aim of this in vivo study was to address this gap by investigating whether 48 groups of healthy Swiss albino mice (totalling 240) would differ in kidney cell DNA damage response (alkaline comet assay) to isoflurane, sevoflurane, or halothane anaesthesia and exposure to 1 Gy or 2 Gy of ionising radiation. We took kidney cortex samples after 0, 2, 6, and 24 h of exposure and measured comet parameters: tail length and tail intensity. To quantify the efficiency of the cells to repair and re-join DNA strand breaks, we also calculated cellular DNA repair index. Exposure to either VA alone increased DNA damage, which was similar between sevoflurane and isoflurane, and the highest with halothane. In combined exposure (VA and irradiation with 1 Gy) DNA damage remained at similar levels for all time points or was even lower than damage caused by radiation alone. Halothane again demonstrated the highest damage. In combined exposure with irradiation of 2 Gy sevoflurane significantly elevated tail intensity over the first three time points, which decreased and was even lower on hour 24 than in samples exposed to the corresponding radiation dose alone. This study confirmed that volatile anaesthetics are capable of damaging DNA, while combined VA and 1 Gy or 2 Gy treatment did not have a synergistic damaging effect on DNA. Further studies on the mechanisms of action are needed to determine the extent of damage in kidney cells after longer periods of observation and how efficiently the cells can recover from exposure to single and multiple doses of volatile anaesthetics and radiotherapy.

The present study investigated the morphometric measurements in 44 red foxes in two developmental stages young and adult of different sexes male and female, from three localities of Egypt Giza, Sohag, and Qena governorates, Egypt, during the period from February 2016 to April 2021 along all year`s period except during winter to avoid stress and potential injury to pups and adults. Foxes were immobilized using ketamine hydrochloride (25mg/kg) injected intramuscularly in femoral or scapular body areas before the examination. Different measurements were selected; head and body length (HBL), tail length (TaL), hindfoot length (HFL), and neck circumference (NC) besides body weight. Results revealed that bodyweight, head and body length, and tail length in adult male foxes were significantly higher than in adult females. The results also revealed that all morphometric measurements besides body weight were significantly higher in adult male animals than young males, also the same parameters were higher in adult female animals than young females

Physical traits that improve welfare and disease outcomes for sheep are becoming increasingly important due to both increased climate challenges and societal expectations. Such traits include tail length, the amount of skin (vs. wool) on the underside of the tail, and the area of no-wool (hair) on the belly and breech areas (surrounding the anus) of the animal. An industry dataset consisting of records from individual stud breeders and industry progeny tests was available to estimate the genetic parameters associated with these traits and to investigate the potential for within-breed genetic selection. The heritability estimate for tail length was 0.68 ± 0.01 when breed was not fitted, and 0.63 ± 0.01 when breed was fitted. Similar trends were observed for breech and belly bareness which had heritability estimates around 0.50 (± 0.01). The estimates for these bareness traits are both higher than previous reports from animals of the same age. There was, however, between breed variation in the starting point for these traits, with some breeds having significantly longer tails and a wooly breech and belly, and limited variability. Overall, the results of this study show that flocks exhibiting some variation will be able to make rapid genetic progress in selecting for bareness and tail length traits, and therefore have the potential to make progress towards a sheep that is easier to look after and suffers fewer welfare insults. For those breeds that showed limited within-breed variation, outcrossing may be required to introduce genotypes that exhibit shorter tail length and bareness of belly and breech to increase the rate of genetic gain. Whatever approach is taken by the industry, these results support that genetic improvement can be used to breed “ethically improved sheep”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution of megacities can cause early biological damage such as DNA strand breaks and micronuclei formation. Comet assay tail length (TL) reflects exposure in the uterus to high levels of air pollution, primarily ozone and air particles (PM10), including mothers’ smoking habits during pregnancy, conditions which can lead to low birth weight. In this biomonitoring study, we evaluated basal DNA damage in the cord blood cells of newborn children from Mexico City. We found a correlation between DNA damage in mothers and their newborns, including various parameters of environmental exposure and complications during pregnancy, particularly respiratory difficulties, malformations, obstetric trauma, neuropathies, and nutritional deficiencies. Mothers living in the southern part of the city showed double DNA damage compared to those living in the northern part (TL 8.64 μm vs. 4.18 μm, p < 0.05). Additionally, mothers’ DNA damage correlates with exposure to NOx (range 0.77–1.52 ppm) and PM10 (range 58.32–75.89 μg/m3), as well maternal age >29. These results highlight the sensitivity of the comet assay in identifying differential in utero exposure for newborns whose mothers were exposed during pregnancy. They also suggest the importance of antioxidants during pregnancy and the role of the placental barrier in protecting the newborn from the DNA-damaging effects of oxidative pollution.

Rabbits provide a cheap source of high quality animal protein and thus have the potential to bridge the shortage of animal protein in developing countries. Data were collected on 174 New Zealand × California cross-bred rabbits (87 males and 87 females) for this study, to quantify the morphological characteristics and to determine the morphological parameters that contribute to body conformation using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Data were collected on live body weight (LBW), body length (BDL), ear length (EAL), tail length (TAL), rump length (RUL), heart girth (HAG) and abdominal circumference (ADC). Data collected were analysed using the procedures of the PAST® 3.21 statistical package. Mean live body weight (± SE) for the females (0.980 ± 0.02 kg) and males (0.790 ± 0.02 kg) was recorded. There were positive and highly significant (p < 0.01) correlation coefficients between live body weight and the linear body measurements. One principal component was extracted, accounting for 64.8% of the total variances in morphological indicators measured in the New Zealand × California rabbits. The extracted principal component in this study could be used as aid in selection programme. The results obtained revealed the occurrence of sexual dimorphism, where female rabbits recorded significantly (p < 0.05) higher values than males in all the traits measured. This information suggests that use of rabbit for meat production should skew towards raising female rabbits.

In birds with extrapair mating, older males usually have higher fertilization success than younger males. Two hypotheses can potentially explain this pattern: 1) females prefer older, and often more ornamented males, or 2) older males invest more in reproduction and fertility than younger males. Here we studied factors associated with age-related male fertilization success in a population of barn swallows Hirundo rustica in Canada. We document that male fertilization success increased gradually up to a minimum age of four-year old. The age effect was especially strong for the number of extrapair offspring obtained and the occurrence of a second brood. The higher fertilization success of older males was also associated with an early start of breeding in spring. The length of the elongated outermost tail feathers, a postulated male ornament preferred by females, also increased with age (in both sexes), but it was not a significant predictor of male fertilization success within age classes. Male fertility traits, especially testis size, but also sperm motility and sperm velocity, increased significantly across age groups. Our results suggest that the higher fertilization success by older males is due to their higher reproductive investments and that their longer tails are an adaptation to early arrival on the breeding grounds. Significance statement: The barn swallow is a socially monogamous passerine with extensive extrapair mating. We found that males become more successful in siring both withinpair and extrapair offspring as they become older. Their increased fertilization success was associated with a higher reproductive effort as indicated by larger testes, more motile sperm, and an earlier start of breeding in spring. The length of the outer tail feathers increased with age in both sexes, but long tails did not enhance male fertilization success among males of the same age. Long tails are probably an adaptation to rapid migration and earlier arrival on the breeding grounds. Our findings suggest that the commonly observed age-related increase in male fertilization success in passerine birds is better explained by life history theory than by sexual selection theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between total condemnations and lesions scores highlights the financial impact of tail lesions due to condemnations rates, following the results presented by Valros et al. and Marques et al., who proved that higher tail lesion scores reflected higher odds for carcass condemnation [[12], [14]]. Tail Scores Each tail was classified based on two different lesion scores: tail lesion and tail scarring. Discussion We scored tail lesions and tail scarring at the slaughterhouse on pigs coming from different production systems and subjected to different tail-docking practices, to assess whether they are related to condemnations (either total or local). Keywords: swine; meat inspection; tail biting; tail length; production system; post-mortem findings; carcass condemnations EN swine meat inspection tail biting tail length production system post-mortem findings carcass condemnations N.PAG N.PAG 14 04/26/22 20220415 NES 220415 1. [Extracted from the article]

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Dispersal decisions are affected by the internal state of the individual and the external environment. Immigrants entering a new population are phenotypically different from residents due to selection that mitigate costs of dispersal and facilitate settlement. Sexual and status signaling traits may influence individual’s ability to settle in a population, either by showing a subordinate phenotype thus reducing aggressive interactions, or by signaling a more competitive phenotype, thus gaining local breeding resources, including mates. By comparing immigrants vs. residents in a common kestrel population across 17 years, we evaluated the influence of dispersal on fitness components (laying date, clutch size and number of fledglings) and investigated if sex, age and phenotypic traits (body size, body condition and plumage coloration) involved in movement and social interactions affected settlement. We found that population characteristics affected sexes and age classes differently, as the admission of females and young males into our population had fewer obstacles than the admission of males. In females, immigrant young were larger, had longer wings and tails, showed better body condition, had less gray tails, started breeding earlier, and laid larger clutches than residents. Adult female immigrants also showed better body condition and less gray tails. In males, immigrants had longer tails and higher number of black spots than residents. Summarizing, immigrants are good-quality individuals and, as deduced from their breeding performance, they benefited by signaling subordination, thus reducing the probability of aggressive encounters and facilitating settlement. Our study highlights the role of phenotypic traits related to signaling to study dispersal.

Sexual size dimorphism is widespread among snakes and has also been observed in lengths of body appendages such as in tails. Males typically possess longer tails than females and this dimorphism in tail length has generally been attributed to the importance of the tail in mating and reproduction. We used body size measurements, snout-vent length (SVL) and tail length (TL) as well as a body condition index (BCI) as a measure of quality in Caspian Whip Snakes from Hungary, in order to shed light on sexual dimorphism patterns. The SVL of males (1061 ± 133 mm, n = 25) were significantly longer than that of females (887 ± 208 mm, n = 41). However, the proportion of TL to total length was lower in males than in females (0.257 ± 0.018 and 0.274 ± 0.017, respectively). The BCI of females (386 ± 10) was significantly higher than that of males (343 ± 15). Females having proportionally longer tails compared to males seems to be the reverse of the usual trend. Selective pressures on the tails of female snakes are less obvious, as tail length may be linked to more than one function, and hence be simultaneously subjected to more than one type of selective force.

Abstract Variation in intensity and targets of sexual selection on multiple traits has been suggested to play a major role in promoting phenotypic differentiation between populations, although the divergence in selection may depend on year, local conditions or age. In this study, we quantified sexual selection for two putative sexual signals across two Central and East European barn swallow (Hirundo rustica rustica) populations from Czech Republic and Romania over multiple years. We then related these differences in selection to variation in sexual characters among barn swallow populations. Our results show that tail length and ventral coloration vary between populations, sexes, and age classes (first‐time breeders vs. experienced birds). We found that selection on tail length was stronger in first‐time breeders than in experienced birds and in males than in females in the Romanian population, while these differences between age groups and sexes were weak in Czech birds. We suggest that the populational difference in selection on tail length might be related to the differences in breeding conditions. Our results show that ventral coloration is darker (i.e., has lower brightness) in the Romanian than in the Czech population, and in experienced birds and males compared with first‐time breeders and females, respectively. The sexual difference in ventral coloration may suggest sexual selection on this trait, which is supported by the significant directional selection of ventral coloration in first‐time breeding males on laying date. However, after controlling for the confounding effect of wing length and tarsus length, the partial directional selection gradient on this trait turned nonsignificant, suggesting that the advantage of dark ventral coloration in early breeding birds is determined by the correlated traits of body size. These findings show that ventral coloration may be advantageous over the breeding season, but the underlying mechanism of this relationship is not clarified.

The relationship between organismal function and form is a cornerstone of biology because functional diversity is key to generating and maintaining ecological diversity. Morphological changes often occur in unison with behavioral or ecological transitions, and this process may foster diversification, but alternately could trap a species on an adaptive peak. We estimated the most comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis of Murinae, a young (∼15 million years) and diverse (∼700 species) clade of mammals. We then tested for correlated evolution among four morphological traits with potential links to locomotor modes (Arboreal, General, Terrestrial, and Amphibious), then investigated the effects of locomotion on morphological and lineage diversification. We found unique combinations of trait values for each locomotor mode, including strong covariance between the tail and hindfoot lengths of specialized Arboreal and ecologically flexible General species. Low diversification rates and long branch lengths suggest that specialized lineages represent stable evolutionary "cul‐de‐sacs." General species, characterized by the classic "rat‐like" body plan and broad locomotor abilities, have narrow optimal trait values and slow phenotypic evolution, but high lineage diversification rates. Our findings suggest that versatile, generalist forms act as seeds of species diversity and morphological specialization, which together build ecologically diverse radiations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tail length and tail lesions are the major triggers for tail biting in pigs. Against this background, 2 datasets were analyzed to estimate genetic parameters for tail characteristics and growth traits. Dataset 1 considered measurements for trait tail length (T-LEN) and for the growth traits birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), postweaning weight (PWW), and average daily gain (ADG) from 9,348 piglets. Piglets were born in the period from 2015 to 2018 and kept on the university Gießen research station. Dataset 2 included 4,943 binary observations from 1,648 pigs from the birth years 2016 to 2019 for tail lesions (T-LES) as indicators for nail necrosis, tail abnormalities, or tail biting. T-LES were recorded at 30 ± 7 d after entry for rearing (T-Les-1), at 50 ± 7 d after entry for rearing (end of the rearing period, T-LES2), and 130 ± 20 d after entry for rearing (end of fattening period, T-LES-3). Genetic statistical model evaluation for dataset 1 based on Akaike’s information criterion and likelihood ration tests suggested multiple-trait animal models considering covariances between direct and maternal genetic effects. The direct heritability for T-LEN was 0.42 (±0.03), indicating the potential for genetic selection on short tails. The maternal genetic heritability for T-LEN was 0.05 (±0.04), indicating the influence of uterine characteristics on morphological traits. The negative correlation between direct and maternal effects for T-LEN of –0.35 (±0.13), as well as the antagonistic relationships (i.e., positive direct genetic correlations in the range from 0.03 to 0.40) between T-LEN with the growth traits BW, WW, PWW, and ADG, complicate selection strategies and breeding goal definitions. The correlations between direct effects for T-LEN and maternal effects for breeding goal traits, and vice versa, were positive but associated with a quite large SE. The heritability for T-LES when considering the 3 repeated measurements was 0.23 (±0.04) from the linear (repeatability of 0.30) and 0.21 (±0.06; repeatability of 0.29) from the threshold model. The breeding value correlations between T-LES-3 with breeding values from the repeatability models were quite large (0.74 to 0.90), suggesting trait lesion recording at the end of the rearing period. To understand all genetic mechanisms in detail, ongoing studies are focusing on association analyses between T-LEN and T-LES, and the identification of tail biting from an actor’s perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We test whether geographical variation in the length of appendages in rodent species follows predictions of Allen's rule (a positive relationship between appendage length and temperature) at a broad taxonomic scale (order Rodentia). We also test whether the applicability of this rule varies based on the unit of analysis (species or assemblage), the appendage examined (tail, hind foot, ear), body size, occupied habitat, geographical range size, life mode and saltatorial ability. Location: World‐wide. Time period: Current. Major taxa studied: Rodents (order Rodentia). Methods: We assembled data on the morphology, ecology and phylogeny for ≤ 2,212 rodent species, representing c. 86% of all the described rodent species and c. 95% of the described genera. We tested the predicted Allen's rule associations among size‐corrected appendage lengths and both latitudinal and climatic variables (temperature and precipitation). We applied a cross‐species approach based on phylogenetic regressions and a cross‐assemblage approach based on spatial regressions in equal‐area 1.5° grid cells. Results: Support for Allen's rule was greatest for the tail and was stronger across assemblages than across species. We detected a negative relationship between tail length and (absolute) latitude, which was accounted for by a positive association between tail length and temperature of the coldest month. This association was greatest in desert species. In addition, we observed a negative relationship between ear length and precipitation. Main conclusions: In rodents, Allen's rule is confirmed only for tails, and this association seems to be driven by adaptation to the cold, rather than warm temperatures. Habitat type seems to influence conformity to this rule. Conformity to Allen's rule is likely to be the result of complex evolutionary trade‐offs between temperature regulation and other essential species traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last two decades, genotyping of African rodents has revealed important hidden diversity within morphologically cryptic genera, such as Rhabdomys. Although the distribution of Rhabdomys is known historically, its diversity has been revealed only recently, and information about the distribution range of its constituent taxa is limited. The present study contributes to clarifying the distribution of Rhabdomys taxa, primarily in southern Africa, and identifies gaps in our knowledge, by: 1) compiling the available information on its distribution; and 2) significantly increasing the number of geo-localised and genotyped specimens (n = 2428) as well as the localities (additional 48 localities) sampled. We present updated distribution maps, including the occurrence and composition of several contact zones. A long-term monitoring of three contact zones revealed their instability, and raises questions as to the role of demography, climate, and interspecific competition on species range limits. Finally, an analysis of external morphological traits suggests that tail length may be a reliable taxonomic trait to distinguish between mesic and arid taxa of Rhabdomys. Tail length variation in Rhabdomys and other rodents has been considered to be an adaptation to climatic (thermoregulation) and/or to habitat (climbing abilities) constraints, which has still to be confirmed in Rhabdomys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual size dimorphism is widespread among snakes and has also been observed in lengths of body appendages such as in tails. Males typically possess longer tails than females and this dimorphism in tail length has generally been attributed to the importance of the tail in mating and reproduction. We used body size measurements, snout-vent length (SVL) and tail length (TL) as well as a body condition index (BCI) as a measure of quality in Caspian Whip Snakes from Hungary, in order to shed light on sexual dimorphism patterns. The SVL of males (1061 ± 133 mm, n = 25) were significantly longer than that of females (887 ± 208 mm, n = 41). However, the proportion of TL to total length was lower in males than in females (0.257 ± 0.018 and 0.274 ± 0.017, respectively). The BCI of females (386 ± 10) was significantly higher than that of males (343 ± 15). Females having proportionally longer tails compared to males seems to be the reverse of the usual trend. Selective pressures on the tails of female snakes are less obvious, as tail length may be linked to more than one function, and hence be simultaneously subjected to more than one type of selective force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

External length is one of the most conspicuous aspects of mammalian tail morphological diversity. Factors that influence the evolution of tail length diversity have been proposed for particular taxa, including habitat, diet, locomotion and climate. However, no study to date has investigated such factors at a large phylogenetic scale to elucidate what drives tail length evolution in and across mammalian lineages. We use phylogenetic comparative methods to test a priori hypotheses regarding proposed factors influencing tail length, explore possible interactions between factors using evolutionary best-fit models, and map evolutionary patterns of tail length for specific mammalian lineages. Across mammals, substrate use is a significant factor influencing tail length, with arboreal species maintaining selection for longer tails. Non-arboreal species instead exhibit a wider range of tail lengths, secondarily influenced by differences in locomotion, diet and climate. Tail loss events are revealed to occur in the context of both long and short tails and influential factors are clade dependent. Some mammalian groups (e.g. Macaca; primates) exhibit elevated rates of tail length evolution, indicating that morphological evolution may be accelerated in groups characterized by diverse substrate use, locomotor modes and climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation in intensity and targets of sexual selection on multiple traits has been suggested to play a major role in promoting phenotypic differentiation between populations, although the divergence in selection may depend on year, local conditions or age. In this study, we quantified sexual selection for two putative sexual signals across two Central and East European barn swallow (Hirundo rustica rustica) populations from Czech Republic and Romania over multiple years. We then related these differences in selection to variation in sexual characters among barn swallow populations. Our results show that tail length and ventral coloration vary between populations, sexes, and age classes (first‐time breeders vs. experienced birds). We found that selection on tail length was stronger in first‐time breeders than in experienced birds and in males than in females in the Romanian population, while these differences between age groups and sexes were weak in Czech birds. We suggest that the populational difference in selection on tail length might be related to the differences in breeding conditions. Our results show that ventral coloration is darker (i.e., has lower brightness) in the Romanian than in the Czech population, and in experienced birds and males compared with first‐time breeders and females, respectively. The sexual difference in ventral coloration may suggest sexual selection on this trait, which is supported by the significant directional selection of ventral coloration in first‐time breeding males on laying date. However, after controlling for the confounding effect of wing length and tarsus length, the partial directional selection gradient on this trait turned nonsignificant, suggesting that the advantage of dark ventral coloration in early breeding birds is determined by the correlated traits of body size. These findings show that ventral coloration may be advantageous over the breeding season, but the underlying mechanism of this relationship is not clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim was to test whether large‐scale patterns of variation in the bodily proportions of small mammals relate to latitude and climate. Location: The New World. Time period: Current. Major taxa studied: Marsupials, lipotyphlans and rodents. Methods: Distributional, morphological and phylogenetic data were compiled for 149 faunal samples including 360 species of New World small mammals. Phylogenetic autocorrelation was addressed using phylogenetic generalized least squares regression. Results: The faunal data show that tails are systematically larger in the tropics relative to head and body lengths. Furthermore, the data for individual species demonstrate a negative relationship between tail length and the distance of the midpoint of a geographical range from the equator. Hind foot and ear length also decline at high latitudes, but the relationships are much weaker. Allen's rule states that all extremities, including ears, feet and tails, should be larger at low latitudes because heat loss is not a limiting factor. However, no correlation between any measurement and mean annual temperature is found in two major groups (cricetid rodents and didelphid marsupials) or in all mammals combined. Main conclusions: Allen's rule does not apply at the macroevolutionary scale, and a new one does. Given that long tails stabilize movement between tree branches and are better suited for being prehensile, this rule might relate to increasing arboreality in the tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surfactants have been widely employed to debundle, disperse and stabilize carbon nanotubes in aqueous solvents. Yet, a thorough understanding of the dispersing mechanisms at molecular level is still warranted. Herein, we investigated the influence of the molecular structure of gemini surfactants on the dispersibility of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). We used dicationic n - s - n gemini surfactants, varying n and s , the number of alkyl tail and alkyl spacer carbons, respectively; for comparisons, single-tailed surfactant homologues were also studied. Detailed curves of dispersed MWNT concentration vs. surfactant concentration were obtained through a stringently controlled experimental procedure, allowing for molecular insight. The gemini are found to be much more efficient dispersants than their single-tailed homologues, i.e. lower surfactant concentration is needed to attain the maximum dispersed MWNT concentration. In general, the spacer length has a comparatively higher influence on the dispersing efficiency than the tail length. Further, scanning electron microscopy imaging shows a sizeable degree of MWNT debundling by the gemini surfactants in the obtained dispersions. Our observations also point to an adsorption process that does not entail the formation of micelle-like aggregates on the nanotube surface, but rather coverage by individual molecules, among which the ones that seem to be able to adapt best to the nanotube surface provide the highest efficiency. These studies are relevant for the rational design and choice of optimal dispersants for carbon nanomaterials and other similarly water-insoluble materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim is to study morphological diversity of long-legged wood frog larvae after continuous exposure to a magnetic field of varying intensity during embryonic development from neurula to leaving the egg membranes.Methods. We have created hypermagnetic conditions by increasing the tension of the natural magnetic field. Petri dish with fragments of laid eggs has been placed in a low carbon steel container (20,5x17x9). Outside, the container has been covered with a shell made of sheet copper.Results. Rana macrocnemis, obtained in the first experiment, compared with the control specie, showed a significant increase in tail and body length. The second experiment showed an increase in tail and body length. The third experiment, compared to the control specie, showed no difference. The fourth experiment showed an increase in tail and body length. The fifth experiment also showed an increase in tail and body length.Conclusions. The effect of magnetic fields on the embryonic development period from neurula to hatching showed that the length of the trunk is a more stable feature, the tail length increases in the experiments, and only in the third experiment it remained unchanged compared to control species.

ABSTRACTThe aim of this work was to assess the damage of DNA in human blood cell and spermin vitro under the influence of furan. These cells were administered 0-600 μM of furan at 37 and 32oC for 30 and 60 min, respectively. A significant increase in tail DNA%, tail length and moment indicating DNA damage was observed at increasing doses when compared to the controls. The treatment with 300 and 600 μM of furan showed a maximum increase of 86.74 ± 2.43 and 93.29 ± 8.68 compared to the control tail DNA% in lymphocytes. However, only 600 μM of furan showed a maximum increase of 94.71 ± 6.24 compared to the control tail DNA% in sperm. The results suggested that furan caused DNA damage in lymphocytes at increasing doses, but appeared to have not the same effect on human sperm at the low doses. Genotoxic activity had an impact on the risk assessment of furan formed on the food for human cells. Therefore, it would be important to further investigate these properties of furan as the food mutagen.

Camels are livestock that exhibit unique morphological, biochemical, and behavioral traits, which arose by natural and artificial selection. Investigating the molecular basis of camel traits has been limited by: (1) the absence of a comprehensive record of morphological trait variation (e.g., diseases) and the associated mode of inheritance, (2) the lack of extended pedigrees of specific trait(s), and (3) the long reproductive cycle of the camel, which makes the cost of establishing and maintaining a breeding colony (i.e., monitoring crosses) prohibitively high. Overcoming these challenges requires (1) detailed documentation of phenotypes/genetic diseases and their likely mode of inheritance (and collection of related DNA samples), (2) conducting association studies to identify phenotypes/genetic diseases causing genetic variants (instead of classical linkage analysis, which requires extended pedigrees), and (3) validating likely causative variants by screening a large number of camel samples from different populations. We attempt to address these issues by establishing a systematic way of collecting camel DNA samples, and associated phenotypic information, which we call the "Cdrom Archive." Here, we outline the process of building this archive to introduce it to other camel researchers (as an example). Additionally, we discuss the use of this archive to study the phenotypic traits of Arabian Peninsula camel breeds (the "Mezayen" camels). Using the Cdrom Archive, we report variable phenotypic traits related to the coat (color, length, and texture), ear and tail lengths, along with other morphological measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornithological studies often rely on long-term bird ringing data sets as sources of information. However, basic descriptive statistics of raw data are rarely provided. In order to fill this gap, here we present the seventh item of a series of exploratory analyses of migration timing and body size measurements of the most frequent Passerine species at a ringing station located in Central Hungary (1984-2017). First, we give a concise description of foreign ring recoveries of the Thrush Nightingale in relation to Hungary. We then shift focus to data of 1138 ringed and 547 recaptured individuals with 1557 recaptures (several years recaptures in 76 individuals) derived from the ringing station, where birds have been trapped, handled and ringed with standardized methodology since 1984. Timing is described through annual and daily capture and recapture frequencies and their descriptive statistics. We show annual mean arrival dates within the study period and present the cumulative distributions of first captures with stopover durations. We present the distributions of wing, third primary, tail length and body mass, and the annual means of these variables. Furthermore, we show the distributions of individual fat and muscle scores, and the distributions of body mass within each fat score category. We present data only for the autumn migratory period since there were only 27 spring captures in the study period. We distinguish the age groups (i.e. juveniles and adults) in the analyses. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysed variables. However, we do not aim to interpret the obtained results, merely to draw attention to interesting patterns that may be worth exploring in detail. Data used here are available upon request for further analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornithological studies often rely on long-term bird ringing data sets as sources of information. However, basic descriptive statistics of raw data are rarely provided. In order to fill this gap, here we present the sixth item of a series of exploratory analyses of migration timing and body size measurements of the most frequent passerine species at a ringing station located in Central Hungary (1984-2017). First, we give a concise description of foreign ring recoveries of the European Robin in relation to Hungary. We then shift focus to data of 40,128 ringed and 11,231 recaptured individuals with 24,056 recaptures (several years recaptures in 313 individuals) derived from the ringing station, where birds have been trapped, handled and ringed with standardized methodology since 1984. Timing is described through annual and daily capture and recapture frequencies and their descriptive statistics. We show annual mean arrival dates within the study period and present the cumulative distributions of first captures with stopover durations. We present the distributions of wing, third primary, tail length and body mass, and the annual means of these variables. Furthermore, we show the distributions of individual fat and muscle scores, and the distributions of body mass within each fat score category. We distinguish the spring and autumn migratory periods and age groups (i.e. juveniles and adults). Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysed variables. However, we do not aim to interpret the obtained results, merely to draw attention to interesting patterns that may be worth exploring in detail. Data used here are available upon request for further analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3′-polyadenosine (poly A) tail of in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA was studied using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Poly A tails were cleaved from the mRNA using ribonuclease T1 followed by isolation with dT magnetic beads. Extracted tails were then analyzed by LC-MS which provided tail length information at single-nucleotide resolution. A 2100-nt mRNA with plasmid-encoded poly A tail lengths of either 27, 64, 100, or 117 nucleotides was used for these studies as enzymatically added poly A tails showed significant length heterogeneity. The number of As observed in the tails closely matched Sanger sequencing results of the DNA template, and even minor plasmid populations with sequence variations were detected. When the plasmid sequence contained a discreet number of poly As in the tail, analysis revealed a distribution that included tails longer than the encoded tail lengths. These observations were consistent with transcriptional slippage of T7 RNAP taking place within a poly A sequence. The type of RNAP did not alter the observed tail distribution, and comparison of T3, T7, and SP6 showed all three RNAPs produced equivalent tail length distributions. The addition of a sequence at the 3′ end of the poly A tail did, however, produce narrower tail length distributions which supports a previously described model of slippage where the 3′ end can be locked in place by having a G or C after the poly nucleotide region.Determination of mRNA poly A tail length using magnetic beads and LC-MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornithological studies often rely on long-term bird ringing data sets as sources of information. However, basic descriptive statistics of raw data are rarely provided. In order to fill this gap, here we present the fifth item of a series of exploratory analyses of migration timing and body size measurements of the most frequent Passerine species at a ringing station located in Central Hungary (1984-2016). First, we give a concise description of foreign ring recoveries of the Common Nightingale in relation to Hungary. We then shift focus to data of 3892 ringed and 1499 recaptured individuals derived from the ringing station, where birds have been trapped, handled and ringed with standardized methodology since 1984. Timing is described through annual and daily capture and recapture frequencies and their descriptive statistics. We show annual mean arrival dates within the study period and present the cumulative distributions of first captures with stopover durations. We present the distributions of wing, third primary, tail length and body mass, and the annual means of these variables. Furthermore, we show the distributions of individual fat and muscle scores, and the distributions of body mass within each fat score category. We distinguish the spring and autumn migratory periods and breeding season and age groups (i.e. juveniles and adults). Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysed variables. However, we do not aim to interpret the obtained results, merely to draw attention to interesting patterns that may be worth exploring in detail. Data used here are available upon request for further analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female ornamentation evolves as a nonfunctional copy of functional male ornamentation or through direct selection on female ornamentation. Because females invest many resources in both reproduction and ornamentation, an evolutionary tradeoff between female ornamentation and maternal investment can be predicted, but it has rarely been demonstrated. Using phylogenetic comparative analysis, we studied egg size in relation to female fork depth in the family Hirundinidae, which has a wide range of fork depth (from 0 to >50 mm). Because deeply forked tails are aerodynamically costly, we predicted that species in which females have deeply forked tails suffer reduced egg size due to inefficient foraging during the egg formation period. Egg length was significantly related to nest type but not to female or male tail fork depth, whereas we found a significant negative relationship between egg breadth and female, but not male, tail fork depth. As a consequence, a significant negative relationship was found between egg volume and female, but not male, tail fork depth. Because female and male fork depths were not significantly related to clutch size, clutch size would not compensate the relationship between egg size and fork depth. The current finding supports the hypothesis that female ornamentation trades off with maternal investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornithological studies often rely on long-term bird ringing data sets as sources of information. However, basic descriptive statistics of raw data are rarely provided. In order to fill this gap, here we present the fourth item of a series of exploratory analyses of migration timing and body size measurements of the most frequent Passerine species at a ringing station located in Central Hungary (1984-2016). First, we give a concise description of foreign ring recoveries of the Common Blackbird in relation to Hungary. We then shift focus to data of 6849 ringed individuals and 6081 recaptures derived from the ringing station, where birds have been trapped, handled and ringed with standardized methodology since 1984. Timing is described through annual and daily capture and recapture frequencies and their descriptive statistics. We show annual mean arrival dates within the study period and present the cumulative distributions of first captures with stopover durations. We present the distributions of wing, third primary, tail length and body mass, and the annual means of these variables. Furthermore, we show the distributions of individual fat and muscle scores, and the distributions of body mass within each fat score category. We distinguish the spring and autumn migratory periods, breeding and wintering seasons, ages (i.e. juveniles and adults) and the two sexes. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysed variables. However, we do not aim to interpret the obtained results, merely to draw attention to interesting patterns that may be worth exploring in detail. Data used here are available upon request for further analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornithological studies often rely on long-term bird ringing data sets as sources of information. However, basic descriptive statistics of raw data are rarely provided. In order to fill this gap, here we present the third item of a series of exploratory analyses of migration timing and body size measurements of the most frequent Passerine species at a ringing station located in Central Hungary (1984-2016). First, we give a concise description of foreign ring recoveries of the Song Thrush in relation to Hungary. We then shift focus to data of 4137 ringed individuals and 1051 recaptures derived from the ringing station, where birds have been trapped, handled and ringed with standardized methodology since 1984. Timing is described through annual and daily capture and recapture frequencies and their descriptive statistics. We show annual mean arrival dates within the study period and present the cumulative distributions of first captures with stopover durations. We present the distributions of wing, third primary, tail length and body mass, and the annual means of these variables. Furthermore, we show the distributions of individual fat and muscle scores, and the distributions of body mass within each fat score category. We distinguish the spring and autumn migratory periods, breeding and wintering seasons, and age groups (i.e. juveniles and adults). Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysed variables. However, we do not aim to interpret the obtained results, merely to draw attention to interesting patterns that may be worth exploring in detail. Data used here are available upon request for further analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornithological studies often rely on large temporal scale ringing datasets as source of information. However, basic descriptive statistics of collected data are rarely provided. In order to fill this gap, here we present the first item of a series of exploratory analyses of migration timing and body size measurements of the most frequent Passerine species at a ringing station located in Central Hungary (1984-2015). First, we give a concise description of foreign ring recoveries of the Pied Flycatcher in relation to Hungary. We then shift focus to data of 2860 individuals deriving from the ringing station, where birds have been trapped, handled and ringed with standardized methodology since 1984. Timing is described through annual and daily capture and recapture frequencies and their descriptive statistics. We show annual mean arrival dates within the study period and we present the cumulative distribution of first captures with stopover durations. We present the distributions of wing, third primary, tail length and body mass, and the annual means of these variables. Furthermore, we show the distribution of individual fat and muscle scores, and the distribution of body mass within each fat score category. We distinguish migration periods (spring and autumn), age (i.e. juveniles and adults) and sex groups. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysed variables. However, we do not aim to interpret the obtained results, merely draw attention to interesting patterns, that may be worth exploring in detail. Data used here are available upon request for further analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornithological studies often rely on large temporal scale ringing datasets as source of information. However, basic descriptive statistics of collected data are rarely provided. In order to fill this gap, here we present the second item of a series of exploratory analyses of migration timing and body size measurements of the most frequent Passerine species at a ringing station located in Central Hungary (1984-2015). First, we give a concise description of foreign ring recoveries of the Dunnock in relation to Hungary. We then shift focus to data of 11,617 individuals deriving from the ringing station, where birds have been trapped, handled and ringed with standardized methodology since 1984. Timing is described through annual and daily capture and recapture frequencies and their descriptive statistics. We show annual mean arrival dates within the study period and we present the cumulative distribution of first captures with stopover durations. We present the distributions of wing, third primary, tail length and body mass, and the annual means of these variables. Furthermore, we show the distribution of individual fat and muscle scores, and the distribution of body mass within each fat score category. We distinguish migration periods (spring and autumn), and age groups (i.e. juveniles and adults). Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysed variables. However, we do not aim to interpret the obtained results, merely draw attention to interesting patterns, that may be worth exploring in detail. Data used here are available upon request for further analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of food additives has increased enormously in modern food technology but they have adverse effects in human healthy. The aim of this study was to investigate the DNA damage of some food additives such as citric acid (CA), benzoic acid (BA), brilliant blue (BB) and sunset yellow (SY) which were investigated in human male germ cells using comet assay. The sperm cells were incubated with different concentrations of these food additives (50, 100, 200 and 500 μg/mL) for 1 h at 32 °C. The results showed for CA, BA, BB and SY a dose dependent increase in tail DNA%, tail length and tail moment in human sperm when compared to control group. When control values were compared in the studied parameters in the treatment concentrations, SY was found to exhibit the highest level of DNA damage followed by BB > BA > CA. However, none of the food additives affected the tail DNA%, tail length and tail moment at 50 and 100 μg/mL. At 200 μg/mL of SY, the tail DNA% and tail length of sperm were 95.80 ± 0.28 and 42.56 ± 4.66, for BB the values were 95.06 ± 2.30 and 39.56 ± 3.78, whereas for BA the values were 89.05 ± 2.78 and 31.50 ± 0.71, for CA the values were 88.59 ± 6.45 and 13.59 ± 2.74, respectively. However, only the highest concentration of the used food additives significantly affected the studied parameters of sperm DNA. The present results indicate that SY and BB are more harmful than BA and CA to human sperm in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insolubility of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aqueous media has been a limitation for the practical application of this unique material. Recent studies have demonstrated that the suspend ability of CNT can be substantially improved by employing appropriate surfactants. Although various surfactants have been tested, the exact mechanism by which carbon nanotubes and the different surfactants interact is not fully understood. To deepen the understanding of molecular interaction between CNT and surfactants, as well as to investigate the influence of the surfactant tail length on the adsorption process, we report here the first detailed large-scale all-atomistic molecular dynamics simulation study of the adsorption and morphology of aggregates of the cationic surfactants containing trimethylammonium headgroups (CTAB and CTAB) on single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) surfaces. We find that the aggregation morphology of both CTAB and CTAB on the SWNT is dependent upon the number of the surfactants in the simulation box. As the number of the surfactants increases the random monolayer structure gradually changes to the cylinder-like monolayer structure. Moreover, we make a comparison between the CTAB and CTAB adsorption onto SWNTs to clarify the role of the surfactant tail length on the adsorption process. This comparison indicates that by increasing the number of surfactant molecules, the larger number of the CTAB molecules tend to adsorb onto SWNTs. Further, our results show that a longer chain yields the higher packed aggregates in which the surfactant heads are extended far into the aqueous phase, which in turn may increase the SWNTs stabilization in aqueous suspensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Comet assay is a quick method for assessing DNA damage in individual cells. It allows the detection of single and double DNA strand breaks, which represent the direct effect of some damaging agents. This study uses standard comet quantification models to compare the neurotoxic effect of orally administered propionic acid (PA) to that produced as a metabolite of bacterial overgrowth induced by clindamycin. Additionally, the protective effect of carnosine and carnitine as natural dietary supplements is assessed. Methods: Single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assays) were performed on brain cortex and medulla samples after removal from nine groups of hamsters including: a control (untreated) group; PA-intoxicated group; clindamycin treated group; clindamycin-carnosine group and; clindamycin-carnitine group. Results: There were significant double strand breaks recorded as tail length, tail moment and % DNA damage in PA and clindamycin-treated groups for the cortex and medulla compared to the control group. Neuroprotective effects of carnosine and carnitine were observed. Receiver Operating Characteristics curve (ROC) analysis showed satisfactory values of sensitivity and specificity of the comet assay parameters. Conclusion: Percentage DNA damage, tail length, and tail moment are adequate biomarkers of PA neurotoxicity due to oral administration or as a metabolite of induced enteric bacterial overgrowth. Establishing biomarkers of these two exposures is important for protecting children's health by documenting the role of the imbalance in gut microbiota in the etiology of autism through the gut-brain axis. These outcomes will help efforts directed at controlling the prevalence of autism, a disorder recently related to PA neurotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When males become more ornamented and reproduce more successfully as they grow older, phenotypic correlations between ornament exaggeration and reproductive success can be confounded with age effects in cross-sectional studies, and thus say relatively little about sexual selection on these traits. This is exemplified here in a correlative study of male fertilization success in a large colony of American barn swallows ( Hirundo rustica erythrogaster). Previous studies of this species have indicated that two sexually dimorphic traits, tail length and ventral plumage coloration, are positively correlated with male fertilization success, and a mechanism of sexual selection by female choice has been invoked. However, these studies did not control for potential age-related variation in trait expression. Here, we show that male fertilization success was positively correlated with male tail length but not with plumage coloration. We also show that 1-year-old males had shorter tails and lower fertilization success than older males. This age effect accounted for much of the covariance between tail length and fertilization success. Still, there was a positive relationship between tail length and fertilization success among older males. But as this group consisted of males from different age classes, an age effect may be hidden in this relationship as well. Our data also revealed a longitudinal increase in both tail length and fertilization success for individual males. We argue that age-dependent ornament expression and reproductive performance in males complicate inferences about female preferences and sexual selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cytogenetic and DNA damaging effects of cadmium (Cd) were examined through chromosome aberrations (CA) and Comet assay on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa. Root meristem cells were exposed to Cd (10, 20, and 40μM) for 24h and also left in water for 24h recovery. Exposure of Cd revealed significant (P<0.001) inhibition of mitotic index (MI), induction of CA, mitotic aberrations (MA), and micronucleus (MN) formation. Similarly, at 40μM significant increase in the tail length (85.70±9.40μm) and tail moment (58.75±5.30μm) was observed as compared to control 4.50±0.76 and 0.86±0.03μm, respectively. However, cells examined at 24h post-exposure showed concentration-dependent decline in all the endpoints. Findings of this study confirms the root meristem cells of A. cepa are suitable model for detecting both the environmentally induced CA as well as DNA damage analyzed by Comet assay. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For squirrels, physical size varies with ancestry, locomotion, and sex. Body length has little variation associated with subfamilies or tribes but varies significantly among genera within tribes. Thus, patterns in body size among genera represent more recent evolutionary pressures. Flying squirrels weigh less than similarly sized tree or ground squirrels but ecological profile and ancestry are confounded for flying squirrels. Tail length has clear relationships with ecological profile in squirrels. Tail length is shorter in ground squirrels, longer in tree squirrels, and longest in flying squirrels. In addition, in arboreal squirrels, females have longer tails, relative to body length, than those of males. This latter result suggests that reproductive constraints can influence external features of morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual dimorphism, mating system, and parental care are known for only a few species of the large passerine family Furnariidae. We conducted a study of sexual dimorphism in morphology, coloration, and parental roles during incubation and chick-rearing in the Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda), a characteristic resident ovenbird of the southern temperate rainforests of Chile and Argentina. Through molecular sexing, morphological measurements, and spectrophotometric analysis of body plumage and rectrices of reproductive adults captured on Chitoé Island (southern Chile), we determined that males were between 2% and 10% larger than females in mass, tarsus length, and wing length, while no difference was found for the length of the bill or the two longest central rectrices and their characteristic spines, or in plumage coloration. Heavy males were paired with heavy females and light males with light females. Males and females participated equally in all reproductive activities during the incubation and nestling phases, except removal of nestling feces, in which females were twice as active as males. In a study of habitat use on Navarino Island (extreme southern Chile) we found that the extended graduated tail, with rectrices that end in spines, which gives the species its name, was not used as a support while foraging and could be related to another function such as sexual or social signaling. The absence of sexual dimorphism in plumage and parental roles in rayaditos may be related to the use of the long, graduated tail as a signal of quality by both sexes, although this hypothesis requires confirmation through future mate choice studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]