Search results for "Computing"

Does beak coloration of male blackbirds play a role in intra and/or intersexual selection?

2002

In many bird species, males may show brightly coloured traits and variance in male mating success may be explained by female preference and/or competition between males favouring the most coloured males. Male beak coloration has been suggested to play an important role in the pairing pattern of European blackbirds. Here, we investigate female preference and male-male interactions in relation to male beak coloration in this species. We used a field experiment to measure female and male responses toward stuffed decoys showing either of two beak coloration representing the extremes of the natural variation from yellow to orange. Decoys were situated on the centre of plots and behaviours of mal…

2020

Abstract Facing the loss of biodiversity caused by landscape fragmentation, implementation of ecological networks to connect habitats is an important biodiversity conservation issue. It is necessary to develop easily reproducible methods to identify and prioritize actions to maintain or restore ecological corridors. To date, several competing methods are used with recurrent debate on which is best and if expert-based approaches can replace data-driven models. We compared three methods: knowledge-driven (expert based), data-driven (based on species distribution model), and a mixed approach. We quantified their differences in habitat and corridor mapping, and prioritizations of landscape elem…

The roles of temperature, nest predators and information parasites for geographical variation in egg covering behaviour of tits (Paridae)

2020

Abstract Aim: Nest building is widespread among animals. Nests may provide receptacles for eggs, developing offspring and the parents, and protect them from adverse environmental conditions. Nests may also indicate the quality of the territory and its owner and can be considered as an extended phenotype of its builder(s). Nests may, thus, function as a sexual and social signal. Here, we examined ecological and abiotic factors—temperature, nest predation and interspecific information utilization—shaping geographical variation in a specific nest structure—hair and feather cover of eggs—and its function as an extended phenotype before incubation in great (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes …

Combining molecular microbial ecology with ecophysiology and plant genetics for a better understanding of plant-microbial communities' interactions i…

2013

18 pages; International audience

Mechanisms of reciprocity and diversity in social networks: a modeling and comparative approach

2018

Individual-based computer models show that different mechanisms, proximity-based or emotional bookkeeping, can lead to reciprocation. By comparing social networks from different computer models with those of empirical data, we show that the models’ social networks bear limited resemblance with some features of the observed social networks. This indicates that additional social processes (third-party awareness) may be needed in these models to represent more accurately the social behavior and interaction patterns observed in group-living animals.

Species specificity of trail pheromones of fungus-growing termites from northern Vietnam

2001

Trail-following pheromones were studied in four fungus-growing termites from northern Vietnam: Macrotermes annandalei, M. barneyi, Odontotermes hainanensis and O. maesodensis. From bioassays, we suggest that trail pheromones of these species are composed of a common or anony-mous signal, as well as species-specific signals. The anonymous signal has been identified by GC-MS as (Z)-dodec-3-en-1-ol for each species from extracts of sternal glands and from solid phase microextraction of the surface of their sternal gland. This compound is secreted in much higher quantities (up to 1.4 ng/worker) than dodecatrienol, another anonymous signal of trail-following in termites. (Z)-dodec-3-en-1-ol is a…

Use of solid state fermentation to produce Beauveria bassiana for the biological control of european corn borer

1993

The production process of a new bioinsecticide against european corn borer is described. The entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, is cultivated by Solid State Fermentation (SSF). The culture support chosen, clay microgranules, humidified with optimal nutritive solution, is incubated in optimal conditions during 48 hours, then dried for 5 days. The bioinsecticide can be directly used after harvesting, without formulation. This process is original for several reasons : - The granulometry (500 microm) and the bulk density (0.6) of the microgranules are compatible with the mechanical standard application of pesticides on corn. - The bioinsecticide could be produced in a pilot reactor of…

Macrophyte assessment in European lakes: Diverse approaches but convergent views of ‘good’ ecological status

2018

Graphical abstract

Enforced monoandry over generations induces a reduction of female investment into reproduction in a promiscuous bird.

2021

Abstract While uncovering the costs and benefits of polyandry has attracted considerable attention, assessing the net effect of sexual selection on population fitness requires the experimental manipulation of female mating over generations, which is usually only achievable in laboratory populations of arthropods. However, knowing if sexual selection improves or impairs the expression of life‐history traits is key for the management of captive populations of endangered species, which are mostly long‐lived birds and mammals. It might therefore be questionable to extrapolate the results gathered on laboratory populations of insects to infer the net effect of sexual selection on populations of …

Biogeography of Triassic ammonoids

2015

After the end-Permian mass extinction, ammonoids experienced an explosive recovery followed by episodes of radiation and extinction. These events were associated with sudden biogeographic changes often closely related to major climatic and oceanographic changes. Previous biogeographic studies of Triassic ammonoids have rarely focused on a specific time-interval and were rarely based on quantitative methods. Thus, we will first review biogeographical methods and the biogeographical signals known from Triassic ammonoids. Secondly, we will focus on quantitative approaches that improve our knowledge of ammonoid biogeographical structuring and dynamics during the Triassic, and we will discuss co…