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Sébastien Bouret - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Refining the ecological brain: Strong relation between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and Feeding Ecology in five primate species
Cortex, 2019Co-Authors: Margot Louail, Emmanuel Gilissen, Sandrine Prat, Cécile Garcia, Sébastien BouretAbstract:To survive in complex and seasonal environments, primates are thought to rely upon cognitive capacities such as decision-making and episodic memory, which enable them to plan their daily foraging path. According to the Ecological Brain hypothesis, Feeding Ecology has driven the expansion of the brain to support the corresponding development of cognitive skills. Recent works in cognitive neurosciences indicate that cognitive operations such as decision-making or subjective evaluation (which are contextual and dependent upon episodic memory), relied critically upon a small part of the frontal lobe, often referred to as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC). Several authors suggested that this area might be important for foraging, but this has never been tested. In the present study, we quantified the relation between the size of the VMPFC (along with other cerebral measures: the whole brain, the gyrus rectus and the somatosensory cortex) and key socio-ecological variables in five primate species (Macaca mulatta, Macaca fuscata, Gorilla gorilla, Pan troglodytes and Homo sapiens). We hypothesized that the size of the VMPFC would be greater in primates with a large dietary spectrum and complex foraging strategies. We also hypothesized that the impact of Feeding Ecology would be stronger on this specific region than on other regions (somatosensory cortex) or on more global cerebral measures (e.g., whole brain). In line with these hypotheses, we found that all cerebral measures were more strongly related to Feeding Ecology than group size, a proxy for social complexity. As expected, the VMPFC volume is more precisely related to Feeding Ecology than the whole brain, and appears to be critically related to dietary quality. Thus, combining a comparative approach with predictions coming both from behavioral Ecology and cognitive neurosciences, our study provides evidence that Feeding Ecology played a key role in the development of specific cognitive skills, which rely upon the expansion of a specific cortical area.
Joan Navarro - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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sexual dimorphism in bill morphology and Feeding Ecology in cory s shearwater calonectris diomedea
Zoology, 2009Co-Authors: Joan Navarro, Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou, Jacob GonzalezsolisAbstract:Abstract The bill is a sexually dimorphic structure in many bird species and implicated in numerous functions. Sexual differences may arise from sexual selection or ecological divergence. Here, we examined differences in bill size and shape between males and females and explored to what extent these relate to Feeding Ecology of each sex in Cory's shearwater ( Calonectris diomedea ). We applied linear measurements and geometric morphometric methods to examine sexual differences in bill size and shape. We investigated Feeding Ecology by tracking foraging movements during the breeding period and by analysing stable isotope signatures in blood during the breeding period and in feathers grown during the non-breeding period. Bill traits were all sexually dimorphic, both in absolute and relative terms, and scaled hypermetrically with body mass in several characters in males. However, males and females did not differ in their Feeding areas or isotopic signatures and no significant correlation was observed between these traits and bill dimorphism. Therefore, we discard the foraging-niche divergence hypothesis, and suggest that sexual dimorphism in bill size in this species is more likely driven by sexual selection related to antagonistic interactions.
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nutritional and Feeding Ecology in corys shearwater calonectris diomedea during breeding
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2007Co-Authors: Joan Navarro, Jacob Gonzalezsolis, Ginés ViscorAbstract:In birds, parents adjust their Feeding behaviour according to breeding duties, which ulti- mately may lead to seasonal adjustments in nutritional physiology and hematology over the breeding season. Although avian physiology has been widely investigated in captivity, few studies have inte- grated individual changes in Feeding and physiological Ecology throughout the breeding season in wild birds. To study relationships between Feeding Ecology and nutritional ecophysiology in Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea, we weighed and took blood samples from 28 males and 19 females during the pre-laying, egg-laying, incubation, hatching and chick-rearing periods of the breeding season. In addition, we fitted 6 birds with geolocators to track their foraging movements throughout the reproductive period. Thus, we examined individual changes in (1) nutritional condition (bio- chemistry metabolites); (2) oxygen carrying capacity (hematology); and (3) Feeding areas and forag- ing effort (stable isotopes and foraging movements). Geolocators revealed a latitudinal shift in main Feeding areas towards more southern and more neritic waters throughout the breeding season, which is consistent with the steady increase in δ 13 C signatures in the blood. Geolocators also showed a decrease in foraging effort from egg-laying to hatching, reflecting the activity decrease associated with incubation duties. Plasma metabolites, body mass and oxygen carrying capacity were associated with temporal changes in nutritional state and foraging effort in relation to recovery after migration, egg formation, fasting shifts during incubation and chick provisioning. This study shows that com- bining physiological and ecological approaches can help us understand the influence of breeding duties on Feeding Ecology and nutritional physiology in wild birds.
Ginés Viscor - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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nutritional and Feeding Ecology in corys shearwater calonectris diomedea during breeding
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2007Co-Authors: Joan Navarro, Jacob Gonzalezsolis, Ginés ViscorAbstract:In birds, parents adjust their Feeding behaviour according to breeding duties, which ulti- mately may lead to seasonal adjustments in nutritional physiology and hematology over the breeding season. Although avian physiology has been widely investigated in captivity, few studies have inte- grated individual changes in Feeding and physiological Ecology throughout the breeding season in wild birds. To study relationships between Feeding Ecology and nutritional ecophysiology in Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea, we weighed and took blood samples from 28 males and 19 females during the pre-laying, egg-laying, incubation, hatching and chick-rearing periods of the breeding season. In addition, we fitted 6 birds with geolocators to track their foraging movements throughout the reproductive period. Thus, we examined individual changes in (1) nutritional condition (bio- chemistry metabolites); (2) oxygen carrying capacity (hematology); and (3) Feeding areas and forag- ing effort (stable isotopes and foraging movements). Geolocators revealed a latitudinal shift in main Feeding areas towards more southern and more neritic waters throughout the breeding season, which is consistent with the steady increase in δ 13 C signatures in the blood. Geolocators also showed a decrease in foraging effort from egg-laying to hatching, reflecting the activity decrease associated with incubation duties. Plasma metabolites, body mass and oxygen carrying capacity were associated with temporal changes in nutritional state and foraging effort in relation to recovery after migration, egg formation, fasting shifts during incubation and chick provisioning. This study shows that com- bining physiological and ecological approaches can help us understand the influence of breeding duties on Feeding Ecology and nutritional physiology in wild birds.
George Idodo-umeh - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The Feeding Ecology of schilbeid catfishes in river Ase, Niger delta, Southern Nigeria.
Tropical Freshwater Biology, 2017Co-Authors: George Idodo-umehAbstract:The Feeding Ecology of Parailia pellucida (Boulenger, 1901), Eutropius niloticus (Rϋppel, 1872) and Schilbe mystus (Linnaeus, 1756) were investigated for two years (March, 1982-February, 1984) in River Ase, Niger Delta, southern Nigeria. A cyclic pattern of fish sampling was used and fish samples were collected from 0600-0900, 0900-1200, 1200-1500, 1500-1800, 1800-2100, 2100-2400, 2400-0300, 0300-0600 (hrs) using various fishing gear. Percentage food items and condition factors (kf) were calculated for each species. Feeding habits in relation to size groups, diel and monthly variations in Feeding intensity were described for Eutropius niloticus and Schilbe mystus which had adequate data. The three species P. pellucida, E. niloticus and S. mystus were omnivorous surface feeders. They consumed more food items in the dry season than during the rainy season. Diel variations in Feeding habit occurred both day and night with higher intensity at night especially between the hours of 9p.m. and 12 midnight. S. mystus is both day and night feeder. The medium size group of E. niloticus consumed a wider variety of food items than the small and large size groups. S. mystus consumed almost the same food items in both dry and rainy seasons. In the three size groups, most food items were selectively consumed indicating gape size as a limiting factor. The condition factors (kf) of the three species were above 1 indicating well being. Some aspects of the Feeding Ecology of the three schilbeid catfishes have been discussed and the results compared with the results of earlier investigations conducted elsewhere. Key words : schilbeidae, Feeding Ecology, diel variation, seasonality
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The Feeding Ecology of mochokid species in River Ase, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Tropical Freshwater Biology, 2006Co-Authors: George Idodo-umehAbstract:The Feeding Ecology of fifteen mochokid species ( Brachysnodontis batensoda, Hemisynodontis membranaceous, Synodontis budgetti, S. omias, S. clarias, S. resupinatus, S. sorex, S. eupterus, S. nigrita, S. ocellifer, S. schall, Synodontis gambiensis, S. violaceous, S. vermiculatus, S. courteti ) in River Ase, Niger Delta, Nigeria was studied for two years. Monthly mean condition factors (kf) for all species were above one (1) indicating well being throughout the study period. Feeding habits in relation to three sized groups, diel and monthly variations in Feeding intensity were described for Synodontis schall due to adequate data. S. schall fed both day and night but with higher Feeding intensity at night. On monthly basis, Feeding intensity was highest in December. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between food items consumed during the dry and rainy seasons. All the fish species fed on various food items with detritus being the most prominent food item by consumed by many species. The Feeding Ecology of mochokid species has been discussed. Keywords : Feeding Ecology, mochokid species, Niger Delta Tropical Freshwater Biology Vol. 14 2005: 71-93
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The Feeding Ecology of bagrid species in River Ase, Niger Delta, southern Nigeria
Tropical Freshwater Biology, 2005Co-Authors: George Idodo-umehAbstract:The Feeding Ecology of seven bagrid species was studied between March, 1982 and February, 1984. A summary of the food items and condition factors (kf) in relation to sized groups were described for all the seven species while Feeding intensity are to sized groups, diel and monthly variations in Feeding intensity are provided only for Chrysichthys auratus longifilis (Geoffrey St. Hilaire, 1908) and C. nigrodigitatus (Lacepede 1803) due to data. Variations in food items between dry and rainy seasons were not remarkably different. There were differences in the Feeding habits of different sized groups in C. auratus longifilis while in C. nigrodigitatus , all the sized groups consumed mainly detritus. Both C. auratus longifilis and C. nigrodigitatus fed both day and night. Feeding intensity was highest in C. auratus longifilis from 2100 to 2400 (h) and from 2400 to 0300(h) for C. nigrodigitatus . Based on the food items, Bagrus bayad macropterus Pfaff, 1933 was mainly piscivorous in diet while B. domac niger Daget, 1954 fed on fish and decapod crustaceans. C. auratus, C. nigrodigitatus, C. furcatus (Gunther, 1864) and Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Cuvier and Valencienness, 1840) were omnivorous bottom feeders. Clarotes laticeps fed on fish and detritus. The Feeding Ecology of bagrid species has been discussed and compared with the findings of earlier studies conducted elsewhere. Key Words: Bagridae, Feeding Ecology, Niger Delta, diets, seasonality Tropical Freshwater Biology 11 (2002) 47-68
Jacob Gonzalezsolis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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sexual dimorphism in bill morphology and Feeding Ecology in cory s shearwater calonectris diomedea
Zoology, 2009Co-Authors: Joan Navarro, Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou, Jacob GonzalezsolisAbstract:Abstract The bill is a sexually dimorphic structure in many bird species and implicated in numerous functions. Sexual differences may arise from sexual selection or ecological divergence. Here, we examined differences in bill size and shape between males and females and explored to what extent these relate to Feeding Ecology of each sex in Cory's shearwater ( Calonectris diomedea ). We applied linear measurements and geometric morphometric methods to examine sexual differences in bill size and shape. We investigated Feeding Ecology by tracking foraging movements during the breeding period and by analysing stable isotope signatures in blood during the breeding period and in feathers grown during the non-breeding period. Bill traits were all sexually dimorphic, both in absolute and relative terms, and scaled hypermetrically with body mass in several characters in males. However, males and females did not differ in their Feeding areas or isotopic signatures and no significant correlation was observed between these traits and bill dimorphism. Therefore, we discard the foraging-niche divergence hypothesis, and suggest that sexual dimorphism in bill size in this species is more likely driven by sexual selection related to antagonistic interactions.
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nutritional and Feeding Ecology in corys shearwater calonectris diomedea during breeding
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2007Co-Authors: Joan Navarro, Jacob Gonzalezsolis, Ginés ViscorAbstract:In birds, parents adjust their Feeding behaviour according to breeding duties, which ulti- mately may lead to seasonal adjustments in nutritional physiology and hematology over the breeding season. Although avian physiology has been widely investigated in captivity, few studies have inte- grated individual changes in Feeding and physiological Ecology throughout the breeding season in wild birds. To study relationships between Feeding Ecology and nutritional ecophysiology in Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea, we weighed and took blood samples from 28 males and 19 females during the pre-laying, egg-laying, incubation, hatching and chick-rearing periods of the breeding season. In addition, we fitted 6 birds with geolocators to track their foraging movements throughout the reproductive period. Thus, we examined individual changes in (1) nutritional condition (bio- chemistry metabolites); (2) oxygen carrying capacity (hematology); and (3) Feeding areas and forag- ing effort (stable isotopes and foraging movements). Geolocators revealed a latitudinal shift in main Feeding areas towards more southern and more neritic waters throughout the breeding season, which is consistent with the steady increase in δ 13 C signatures in the blood. Geolocators also showed a decrease in foraging effort from egg-laying to hatching, reflecting the activity decrease associated with incubation duties. Plasma metabolites, body mass and oxygen carrying capacity were associated with temporal changes in nutritional state and foraging effort in relation to recovery after migration, egg formation, fasting shifts during incubation and chick provisioning. This study shows that com- bining physiological and ecological approaches can help us understand the influence of breeding duties on Feeding Ecology and nutritional physiology in wild birds.
