Abstract Measuring stress in animals is important many ecological, zoological and veterinary research settings. A common method to measure plasma levels of glucocorticoid hormones (cortisol, corticosterone, hereafter CORT ). Over the past decade, an alternative has become widely popular: assessing leucocyte profiles; other words, heterophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (H/L) birds reptiles or neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte (N/L) mammals, amphibians fish. Recent studies have shown that although both indices...

Long-distance migration can lower parasite prevalence if strenuous journeys remove infected animals from wild populations. We examined monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) to investigate the potential costs of protozoan Ophryocystis elektroscirrha on migratory success. collected monarchs two wintering sites in central Mexico compare infection status with hydrogen isotope (δ2H) measurements as an indicator latitude origin at start fall migration. On average, uninfected had δ2H values than...

Climate change is altering global patterns of precipitation and temperature variability, with implications for parasitic diseases humans wildlife. A recent study confirmed predictions that increased variability could exacerbate disease, because lags in host acclimation following shifts. However, the generality these effects potential them to interact other factors have yet be tested. Here, we report similar thermal (constant versus shifted temperatures) on chytridiomycosis red-spotted newts...

The practice of obtaining white blood cell (leukocyte) profiles and heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratios from avian smears has become increasingly popular to assess immune function in wild birds. I captured 28 House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) made samples obtained them at 3, 30, 60 min after capture evaluate the effect routine handling time on leukocyte H/L ratios. Total counts decreased significantly with time, but proportions each type remained same over 1-h period. There was a...

Summary We considered the impact of an emerging pathogen ( Mycoplasma gallisepticum Edward and Kanarek) on apparent survival, encounter transition rates in a population novel host (the house finch, Carpodacus mexicanus Müller). used multistate analysis mark–encounter data from individually marked birds. Individual birds were categorized to particular disease ‘state’; among states, conditional analogous new infection recovery infection. hypothesized that M. would reduce survival infected...

The demands of long-distance flight represent an important evolutionary force operating on the traits migratory species. Monarchs are widespread butterflies known for their annual migrations in North America. We examined divergence wing morphology among monarchs from eastern and western N. America, nonmigratory S. Florida, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Hawaii. For three American populations, we also reared four common environment experiments. used image analysis to measure multiple including...

Significance Amphibians are among the most threatened animal groups. Population declines and extinctions have been linked, in part, to emerging infectious diseases. One such disease has attributed Perkinsea-like protists causing mass mortality events United States. Using molecular methods, we evaluated diversity of Perkinsea parasites livers sampled from a wide taxonomic collection tadpoles six countries across three continents. We discovered previously unidentified phylogenetically distinct...

The females of Xyo pseudohystrix Travassos & Kloss, 1958 (Nematoda: Oxyuridomorpha: Hystrignathidae) are redescribed and illustrated with the aid SEM. New features cephalic end, arrangement cervical spines genital tract were observed. taxonomic status species is discussed on basis discrepancies generic diagnosis Cobb, 1898. Due to lack proper information genus incertae sedis proposed. identity males was confirmed by molecular studies morphology specimens previously assigned Christie...

Lepidonema magnum Morffe & García, 2010 (Nematoda: Oxyuridomorpha: Hystrignathidae) is redescribed and illustrated with the aid of SEM. New features cephalic end genital tract females were observed. locality records are given. The phylogenetic position species inferred on basis D2-D3 segment 28S LSU rDNA 18S SSU rDNA. L. forms a monophyletic clade formed by other hystrignathids: Coynema poeyi (Coy, García Álvarez, 1993), two Longior Travassos Kloss, 1958 Hystrignathus Leidy, 1850.

The distinctive orange and black wings of monarchs (Danaus plexippus) have long been known to advertise their bitter taste toxicity potential predators. Recent work also showed that both the coloration this species can vary in response individual-level environmental factors. Here we examine relationship between wing color flight performance captive-reared using a tethered mill apparatus quantify butterfly speed, duration distance. In three different experiments (totaling 121 individuals)...

Abstract Insect–pathogen dynamics can show seasonal and inter‐annual variations that covary with fluctuations in insect abundance climate. Long‐term analyses are especially needed to track parasite migratory insects, part because their vast habitat ranges high mobility might dampen local effects of density climate on infection prevalence. Monarch butterflies Danaus plexippus commonly infected the protozoan Ophryocystis elektroscirrha ( OE ). Because this lowers monarch survival flight...

Measuring stress in animals is an important component of many research studies, and it has traditionally been performed via sampling levels corticosterone plasma. A secondary, "hematological" approach used most commonly by researchers birds, mammals, other taxa involves evaluating leukocyte profiles from blood smears. Such shown that leukocytes have a characteristic response to stress, although amphibians this phenomenon not as well studied. In general, can induce rise the ratio neutrophils...

Members of the public have long had a fascination with monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus , because its amazing long-distance migration to overwintering sites in central Mexico, and many participate online citizen-science programs where they report observations life history North America. Here, we examine little-studied aspect biology, degree southern United States. We compiled 9 years sightings monarchs States that were reported Journey North, web-based citizen science program, map...

The demands of long‐distance flight represent an important evolutionary force operating on the traits migratory species. Monarchs are widespread butterflies known for their annual migrations in North America. We examined divergence wing morphology among monarchs from eastern and western N. America, nonmigratory S. Florida, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Hawaii. For three American populations, we also reared four common environment experiments. used image analysis to measure multiple including...

Developed countries around the world are criss-crossed with vast networks of roadways. Conservationists have recently focused attention on roadsides as possible locations for establishing pollinator habitat, monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) featuring prominently in such discussions. However, inherently loud, which could negatively affect developing larvae. We conducted a series experiments testing if simulated highway noise stresses larvae, we gauged by non-destructive monitoring heart...

For animals that typically live in groups or family units, being isolated from their conspecifics can be stressful. Horned passalus beetles (genus Odontotaenius), inhabit decaying logs forests the eastern United States. While not a truly social insect, they do coinhabit and maintain are known to communicate with each other using stridulations produce varying types of “chirps”. This project investigated if auditory environment within these affects beetles, specifically by exposing larval...

House finches (Carpodacus mexicanus (Muller, 1776)) in eastern North America have been affected by annual epidemics of an eye disease caused the bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum since 1994. To identify factors associated with seasonal changes prevalence and variation host susceptibility, we monitored mycoplasmal conjunctivitis among wild house a region high southeastern America. We captured 888 birds between August 2001 December 2003 observed outbreaks characterized rapid increases from to...

Predictors of male monarch butterfly mating success have eluded researchers for years. Although it has long been known that there is variation in this species, the source remains unclear. We used digital image analysis techniques to measure fine-scale three components orange color (hue, saturation and brightness orange) forewings 174 males at a level detail not possible until recently, we compared information captivity. A second experiment involved addition coloration wings 93 before trials....

Abstract. 1. The status of the eastern North American monarch butterfly population is a highly sensitive issue, given that winter and breeding habitats are being lost at an alarming rate each year, because this, most believe to be declining, although there has been little empirical data support this idea. In recent forum article journal, Brower et al . (2011) report statistically significant decline in colony size over 17‐year period suggest first sign impending collapse. 2. I conducted...