O comportamento de forrageamento dos tiranídeos (Aves, Tyrannidae) é caracterizado por um modo estereotipado de \"procura e captura\", com sutis variações interespecíficas relacionadas com fatores morfológicos e ecológicos. Estas aves são predominantemente insetívoras e podem alternar entre modos distintos de forrageamento de acordo com variações climáticas que alterem a disponibilidade de presas. Neste estudo, procuramos quantificar o comportamento de forrageamento de Alectrurus tricolor, Gubernetes yetapa, Xolmis cinereus e Xolmis velatus, durante as estações seca e chuvosa dos anos de 2012 e 2013, na Estação Ecológica de Itirapina. Nosso objetivo foi verificar quão plásticos são os modos de forrageamento destas espécies diante de mudanças nas condições ambientais em diferentes escalas temporais. Buscamos verificar se: i) Estas espécies alteram sazonalmente as proporções entre os modos de ataques, o tempo de procura por presas e a distância entre um poleiro sem sucesso para um novo poleiro? Considerando que a disponibilidade de artrópodes pode variar consideravelmente em pequenas escalas temporais e espaciais, testamos se: ii) Existem correlações entre medidas diárias de fatores meteorológicos, como temperatura, insolação, pluviosidade, umidade relativa do ar e vento, e os comportamentos de forrageamento? iii) Existem correlações entre os diferentes tipos de habitats utilizados pelas aves e os comportamentos de forrageamento? iv) Diferenças entre os sexos e a idade do indivíduo influenciam no forrageamento de Alectrurus tricolor? Nossos resultados indicaram que as aves alteram seus padrões de comportamento entre as estações seca e chuvosa de modo a melhor aproveitar as especificidades de cada estação. Ataques aéreos foram predominantemente utilizados por Alectrurus tricolor e Gubernetes yetapa ao longo das duas estações, mas apenas durante a estação chuvosa para Xolmis velatus. Ataques direcionados ao solo foram predominantemente utilizado por Xolmis cinereus durante as duas estações e por Xomis velatus durante a estação seca. Ataques aéreos foram correlacionados principalmente com altas temperaturas, mas também com baixa cobertura de nuvens, tipo de habitat, fase do dia, ventos leves, maior umidade relativa do ar e presença de chuva, com variações de acordo com a espécie estudada. O tempo de procura por presas variou principalmente com a estrutura do habitat, e os maiores valores foram encontrados quando as aves forrageavam em áreas abertas. Fatores que reduzem a disponibilidade de presas aéreas, como baixas temperaturas, baixa insolação e vento moderado, foram correlacionados com as maiores distâncias percorridas entre poleiros. Porém, quando consideramos uma maior escala temporal, encontramos maiores valores de distâncias percorridas durante a estação chuvosa para Alectrurus tricolor e Xolmis velatus, quando as condições ambientais são mais favoráveis, o que pode estar relacionado com os requerimentos da fase reprodutiva. Assim, podemos observar que a interação entre fatores meteorológicos e estrutura do habitat influenciam os padrões de comportamento destas aves / The foraging behavior of tyrant flycatchers (Aves, Tyrannidae) is characterized by a stereotyped way of \"search-and-capture\" with subtle interspecific variations related to morphological and ecological factors. These birds are mainly insectivorous and can switch between different foraging modes according to weather variations that alter the availability of prey. In this study, we seek to quantify the foraging behavior of Alectrurus tricolor, Gubernetes yetapa, Xolmis cinereus and Xolmis velatus in the dry and wet seasons of the years 2012 and 2013, at the Ecological Station of Itirapina. The objectives of this study were to determine how plastics the foraging modes of these species are against environmental changing of conditions at different time scales. It seeks to determine whether: i) These species use foraging maneuvers, search time and the distances moved from one unsuccessful perch to a new perch (give-up flight) in different proportions between the two seasons? Arthropod availability may vary considerably in small spatial and temporal scales, then we tested whether ii) There is correlation between daily weather measurements, such as temperature, cloud cover, rainfall, relative humidity and wind, and the foraging behavior? iii) There are correlations between the different habitats used by birds and foraging behavior? iv) The foraging behavior of Alectrurus tricolor is influenced by sex and age of the individual? Our results indicated the birds change their behavior between the dry and wet seasons in order to benefit from specific features of each season. Aerial hawking was predominantly used by Alectrurus tricolor and Gubernetes yetapa during both seasons, but by Xolmis velatus only during the wet season. Perch-to-ground was the predominant hunting strategy for Xolmis cinereus during both seasons and for Xomis velatus during the dry season. Aerial hawking was mainly correlated with high temperatures, but also with lower cloud cover, habitat type, time of day, low wind speed, higher relative humidity and the rain, with variations according to the studied species. Search time varied mainly with habitat structure, and the highest values when the birds were foraging in open areas. Factors reducing the availability of aerial prey, such as low temperature, low insolation and moderate wind, were correlated with longer distances traveled between perches. However, when we consider a larger time scale, we fond Alectrurus tricolor and Xolmis velatus covered greater distances the wet season (when environmental conditions are more favorable) what may be related to breeding requirements. Thus, the interaction between weather and habitat structure influences the behavioral patterns of those birds

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-07-25T11:42:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 guilhermegarciamota.pdf: 1382427 bytes, checksum: 92691ad4aa7e0aecd85e766a2425bf44 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-07-25T16:33:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 guilhermegarciamota.pdf: 1382427 bytes, checksum: 92691ad4aa7e0aecd85e766a2425bf44 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-25T16:33:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 guilhermegarciamota.pdf: 1382427 bytes, checksum: 92691ad4aa7e0aecd85e766a2425bf44 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As vespas enxamenates são dominantes na região neotropical e os estudos com esses organismos permitem entender melhor todos os processos da evolução da socialidade. A maioria da população desconhece a contribuição desses indivíduos como polinizadores e inimigos naturais de insetos praga, e visualizam apenas o risco das ferroadas que motivam a destruição das colônias. Dentre as espécies enxameantes, o gênero Apoica é incomum por exibir comportamento de forrageio noturno e por apresentar ninhos compostos por um único favo descoberto e construído diretamente sobre o substrato, com ausência de pedúnculo. A espécie Apoica pallens é comum no Estado de Minas Gerais e devido a escassez de informações, este trabalho visou ampliar os conhecimentos sobre a espécie, caracterizando as atividades de forrageio, as presas capturadas, a produtividade das colônias e os substratos utilizados para fundação das colônias. Os resultados demonstram que a atividade de forrageio da espécie, compreende uma amplitude de 12 horas. Dentre as presas coletadas, mais de 90% pertencentes foram lagartas de lepidóptera. A dissecação dos ninhos revelou que as células produtivas encontravam mais concentradas na região central e a média da razão encontrada entre o número de adultos produzidos por célula e o número total de células do foi de 0,62, demonstrando uma baixa utilização das células para produção de adultos. As colônias foram mais encontradas em locais com menor pressão antrópica e na maioria das vezes nas proximidades de um recurso hídrico, os substratos utilizados não foram específicos, destacando uma maior utilização de espécies vegetais. Os resultados encontrados compõem informações para preencher lacunas da literatura, motivando novos estudos com a espécie como alvo. / Swarm-founding social wasps are dominant in the neotropical region, and studies on these organisms allow a better understanding of the evolution of sociality. Most of the human communities don’t know about the contribution of these organisms as pollinators and natural enemies of insect pests, being only able to see the risk of accidents related to the wasps, which motivates the destruction of wasp colonies. Among the swarm founding species, the Apoica genus stands out due to its night foraging habit and to its nest architecture, composed of a single exposed comb built directly on the substrate, without a peduncle. The species Apoica pallens is commonly found in the Minas Gerais state and, due to the lack of information, this study aimed to build knowledge on the species’ foraging habits, characterizing its foraging activity, captured prey, colony productivity and nesting substrate. Results showed that the species’ foraging activity period comprehends a 12-hour amplitude. Among the captured prey, more than 90% of the samples were represented by Lepidoptera caterpillars. Nest dissection showed that productive cells were located in the nest’s center; the number of adults produced by cell/ total cell number rate was 0.62, which suggests low utilization of cells for producing adults. Colonies were found in areas with low anthropic pressure and usually near to hydric resources; the nesting substrates weren’t specific, showing a broad utilization of vegetal species. Our results make up a set of information that will fill a gap in the literature, motivating further studies on A. pallens.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Entomology / James R. Nechols / Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida and Panonychus citri (McGregor) are the two major arachnid pests of screenhouse-cultivated papayas in Taiwan. Control of these mites has become more difficult because both pests have become resistant to most registered miticides. This laboratory study investigated the feeding behaviors, predatory potential, and prey preference of a domesticated line of Mallada basalis Walker, a commonly-occurring chrysopid in Taiwan, to both of these pest mites. A laboratory assessment on control efficacies of different predator:prey release ratios to single and mixed-pest species was also conducted. Behavioral study showed that all larval stages of M. basalis exhibited a high rate of acceptance of all life stages of both T. kanzawai and P. citri. Second and third instar predators foraged actively during most of the 2-h tests. Numbers and rates of prey consumption were measured for each instar of predator and prey. Results showed that consumption increased and prey handling time decreased as predator life stage advanced, and prey stage decreased. Mallada basalis exhibited both a shorter handling time and corresponding higher consumption rate on P. citri compared with T. kanzawai. Handling time and consumption rate also were positively affected by increasing prey density. Mallada basalis did not exhibit notable species or life stage preferences, and prior feeding experience on one mite species did not affect subsequent prey choice between the two mites. Lacewings significantly reduced T. kanzawai and P. citri populations at a predator:prey ratio of 1:30 and this improved at ratios of 1:15 and 1:10. Control of T. kanzawai was slightly better than P. citri when the mites occurred singly and together. Consumption by M. basalis increased with temperature up to 30C. I conclude that M. basalis has high potential for augmentative biological control of papaya mites. Further field investigations are needed for making final recommendations.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第22848号 / 農博第2431号 / 新制||農||1082(附属図書館) / 学位論文||R2||N5308(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生物科学専攻 / (主査)教授 松浦 健二, 教授 大門 高明, 教授 吉村 剛 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Honey bee foragers form time memories that enable them to match their foraging activity to the time of day when a particular food source is most productive. Persistent foragers show food-anticipatory activity by making reconnaissance flights to the previously productive food source and may continue to inspect it for several days. In contrast, reticent foragers do not investigate the source but wait for confirmation from returning persistent foragers. To determine how persistent and reticent foragers might contribute to the colony's ability to rapidly reallocate foragers among sources, we trained foragers to collect sucrose from a feeder at a restricted time of day for several days and then observed their behavior for three consecutive days during which the feeder was empty. In two separate trials, video monitoring of the hive entrance during unrewarded test days in parallel with observing reconnaissance visits to the feeder revealed a high level of activity, in both persistent and reticent foragers, thought to be directed at other food sources. This 'extracurricular' activity showed a high degree of temporal overlap with reconnaissance visits to the feeder. In some cases, inspection flights to the unrewarded feeder were made within the same trip to an extracurricular source, indicating that honey bees have the ability to manage at least two different time memories despite coincidence with respect to time of day. The results have major implications for understanding flower fidelity throughout the day, flower constancy within individual foraging excursions, and the sophisticated cognitive management of spatiotemporal memories in honey bees.

Honey bee foragers form time memories that enable them to match their foraging activity to the time of day when a particular food source is most productive. Persistent foragers show food-anticipatory activity by making reconnaissance flights to the previously productive food source and may continue to inspect it for several days. In contrast, reticent foragers do not investigate the source but wait for confirmation from returning persistent foragers. To determine how persistent and reticent foragers might contribute to the colony's ability to rapidly reallocate foragers among sources, we trained foragers to collect sucrose from a feeder at a restricted time of day for several days and then observed their behavior for three consecutive days during which the feeder was empty. In two separate trials, video monitoring of the hive entrance during unrewarded test days in parallel with observing reconnaissance visits to the feeder revealed a high level of activity, in both persistent and reticent foragers, thought to be directed at other food sources. This 'extracurricular' activity showed a high degree of temporal overlap with reconnaissance visits to the feeder. In some cases, inspection flights to the unrewarded feeder were made within the same trip to an extracurricular source, indicating that honey bees have the ability to manage at least two different time memories despite coincidence with respect to time of day. The results have major implications for understanding flower fidelity throughout the day, flower constancy within individual foraging excursions, and the sophisticated cognitive management of spatiotemporal memories in honey bees.

In this paper, we develop a model for predation movements of a subsocial spider species, Anelosimus studiosus. We expand on a previous model to include multiple spider interaction on the web as well as a latency period during predation. We then use the model to test different spatial configurations to determine the optimal spacing of spiders within a colony for successful capture during predation. The model simulations indicate that spiders uniformly spacing out along the edge of the web results in the most successful predation strategy. This is similar to the behavior observed by Ross (2013) in which it was determined to be statistically significant that during certain times of the day, spiders were positioned along the edge more than expected under complete spatial randomness.

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) foragers can remember both the location and time of day food is collected and, even in the absence of a reward, reconnoiter the food source at the appropriate time on subsequent days. This spatiotemporal memory (time-memory) is linked to the circadian clock and enables foragers to synchronize their behavior with floral nectar secretion rhythms, thus eliminating the need to rediscover productive food sources each day. Here, we asked whether the establishment of one time-memory influences the formation of another time-memory at the same time of day. In other words, can two time-place memories with the same ‘time-stamp’ coexist? We simultaneously trained two groups of foragers from a single hive to two separate feeders at the same restricted time of day. After 5 days of training, one feeder was shut off. The second feeder continued being productive 4 more days. Our results showed that (1) foragers with high experience levels at the first source were significantly more likely than low-experience foragers to maintain fidelity to their original source and resist recruitment to the alternative source, (2) nearly one-third of foragers demonstrated multiple, overlapping time-memories by visiting both feeders at the correct time and (3) significantly more high-experience than low-experience foragers exhibited this multitasking behavior. The ability to maintain and act upon two different, yet contemporaneous, time-memories gives the forager bee a previously unknown level of versatility in attending to multiple food sources. These findings have major implications for understanding the formation and management of circadian spatiotemporal memories.

In Somalia, camel (Camelus dromedarius) survivability and milk production has been higher than for other domestic livestock and contributes substantially to the subsistence of Somali pastoralists. The objective of this research was to study management, foraging behavior and nutrition of camels in their natural habitat to determine how production continues under seasonal nutritional stress. Management systems of Ceeldheer pastoralists are based on available natural pasture and water. The natural rotation grazing system maintained an ecological equilibrium in the District. Pastoralists manipulate their herds to suit existing environmental conditions, family needs and labor availability for herding. In herd management, control of breeding males and preferential treatment to increase the female component of the herd are geared to secure continuous milk supply for the family. Camels were watered only in the dry seasons. They foraged continuously throughout the day the first few days after watering, but foraged mostly in the morning and evening as watering days approached. The quantity of water camels consumed in summer and winter dry seasons were similar. In winter, milking camels foraged more, travelled shorter distance and rested less than dry ones. In fall, 1986, and spring, 1987, lactating camels spent less time foraging than non-milking animals. Foraging time was the same for both groups in summer 1986, 1987 and fall, 1987. Camels spent more time chewing bones in summer of 1986 in Xarar foraging area than other seasons. Low or high relative humidity together with hot temperature apparently reduced foraging time, increased rumination and idling times in winter and spring seasons. As forage availability declined, camels ingested a broader array of dietary items in the dry seasons and consumed large amounts of herbaceous plants. The diets of milking and dry camels were similar. Lactating camels consumed more green forage than dry camels in the dry seasons. Shrubs and trees comprised major components of the diets (80.9%). Physical structures of plant species did not prevent feeding on the plants. Camel diets were rich in crude protein (cp), calcium (Ca), potassiuim and sodium. Phosphorus (P) was deficient. Ca:P ratios were extremely low. Neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin were high. CP intake seemed adequate year round assuming camel protein requirements are similar to other livestock requirements. Digestible energy was deficient in dry seasons. Low energy intake, inadequate phosphorous availability and water deprivation were probably responsible for the weight loss of camels as the dry season progressed.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第20429号 / 農博第2214号 / 新制||農||1048(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H29||N5050(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科森林科学専攻 / (主査)教授 吉村 剛, 教授 藤井 義久, 教授 矢野 浩之 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM