Understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of animal movement is a central theme in the growing field of movement ecology.The Bridled Tern(Onychoprion anaethetus)is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical la...Understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of animal movement is a central theme in the growing field of movement ecology.The Bridled Tern(Onychoprion anaethetus)is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical latitudes;however,knowledge of its annual movement is based only on relatively scarce recoveries of ringed birds.Studying the annual movement of pelagic seabirds is important to identify the impact of changes of marine habitats on them.We examined fine-scaled movement patterns of the species from two colonies in southern China by using GPS-GSM transmitters in 2018–2022.Twenty-three terns bred in Xichiyu Islet and Qilianyu Islet while wintered in four different sites:Gulf of Thailand,Natuna Islands,The Sulu Sea,and Makassar Strait.Bridled Terns made small detours and employed a fly-and-forage strategy with frequent stopovers to forage during autumn migration,but took more direct routes and reduced the need for stopovers during spring migration.Distance of migration between breeding and winter sites was significantly longer in autumn(average 3635 km)when compared with spring(2777 km).Ten birds with whole-year tracking data used the same breeding sites both years and four birds with tracking data of two consecutive years returned to the same wintering area,indicating that Bridled Terns are highly faithful to their breeding and wintering grounds.展开更多
Badly designed and fitted tack induces physiological stress responses in horses, and may compromise animal welfare. Moreover, horses, just like humans, comprise a series of interconnected myofascial lines. However, to...Badly designed and fitted tack induces physiological stress responses in horses, and may compromise animal welfare. Moreover, horses, just like humans, comprise a series of interconnected myofascial lines. However, to date there are no measurements of the effects of horse tack, such as bridles on muscle parameters. This study used acoustic myography to test whether two commercial anatomically designed and fitted bridles, have a measurable and positive effect on both equine muscle-function and performance. A Quantum bridle was tested on 12 Icelandic horses, whilst a Finesse bridle was tested on 8 Icelandic horses, and results compared with data from a standard bridle (n = 12) tested at the same time and under identical conditions. Sensors were placed on M. Brachiocephalicus and M. Splenius, and the horses exercised following a set protocol at three speeds. The results revealed statistically significant improvements in muscle performance as assessed by both the regularity of the recording at each speed, and the number of transient powerful contractions (spikes) for the anatomically designed and fitted bridles, compared with the standard bridle. It is concluded that the effect of anatomically designed bridles can not only be measured in the neck muscles of exercising horses, but that they appear to have a positive effect on muscle performance.展开更多
Background: Scientific procedures for addressing noseband fit and tightness, eliminating the risk of excessive and painful tightening, as well as quantitative measurements of pressures under the noseband while riding ...Background: Scientific procedures for addressing noseband fit and tightness, eliminating the risk of excessive and painful tightening, as well as quantitative measurements of pressures under the noseband while riding are either scarce or lacking. Purpose/Aim: To assess simple means of measuring pressure under different nosebands with a view to their adoption as scientific methodology. Method: Horses (n = 7) were fitted with five different bridles (A-E). Pressure distribution and intensity were measured using colour sensitive film (Fujifilm LLLW), assessing the level of pressure and distribution across the surface of the nosebands, as assessed and ranked by independent assessors. A CURO system was also used to measure pressure in real-time under nosebands whilst riding. Results: The colour-sensitive film for D & B were ranked 1st and 2nd, respectively. Regularity of pressure overall showed a statistical difference between nosebands (A & B significantly more unregular than the others). Pressure measurements revealed significantly different means (all P Conclusions: Pressures under nosebands can reach levels that appear capable of inflicting tissue damage, hence bridles and nosebands should be assessed using scientific methodology and not based on arbitrary and subjective criteria, as is currently the case.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31727901)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFC2601600).
文摘Understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of animal movement is a central theme in the growing field of movement ecology.The Bridled Tern(Onychoprion anaethetus)is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical latitudes;however,knowledge of its annual movement is based only on relatively scarce recoveries of ringed birds.Studying the annual movement of pelagic seabirds is important to identify the impact of changes of marine habitats on them.We examined fine-scaled movement patterns of the species from two colonies in southern China by using GPS-GSM transmitters in 2018–2022.Twenty-three terns bred in Xichiyu Islet and Qilianyu Islet while wintered in four different sites:Gulf of Thailand,Natuna Islands,The Sulu Sea,and Makassar Strait.Bridled Terns made small detours and employed a fly-and-forage strategy with frequent stopovers to forage during autumn migration,but took more direct routes and reduced the need for stopovers during spring migration.Distance of migration between breeding and winter sites was significantly longer in autumn(average 3635 km)when compared with spring(2777 km).Ten birds with whole-year tracking data used the same breeding sites both years and four birds with tracking data of two consecutive years returned to the same wintering area,indicating that Bridled Terns are highly faithful to their breeding and wintering grounds.
文摘Badly designed and fitted tack induces physiological stress responses in horses, and may compromise animal welfare. Moreover, horses, just like humans, comprise a series of interconnected myofascial lines. However, to date there are no measurements of the effects of horse tack, such as bridles on muscle parameters. This study used acoustic myography to test whether two commercial anatomically designed and fitted bridles, have a measurable and positive effect on both equine muscle-function and performance. A Quantum bridle was tested on 12 Icelandic horses, whilst a Finesse bridle was tested on 8 Icelandic horses, and results compared with data from a standard bridle (n = 12) tested at the same time and under identical conditions. Sensors were placed on M. Brachiocephalicus and M. Splenius, and the horses exercised following a set protocol at three speeds. The results revealed statistically significant improvements in muscle performance as assessed by both the regularity of the recording at each speed, and the number of transient powerful contractions (spikes) for the anatomically designed and fitted bridles, compared with the standard bridle. It is concluded that the effect of anatomically designed bridles can not only be measured in the neck muscles of exercising horses, but that they appear to have a positive effect on muscle performance.
文摘Background: Scientific procedures for addressing noseband fit and tightness, eliminating the risk of excessive and painful tightening, as well as quantitative measurements of pressures under the noseband while riding are either scarce or lacking. Purpose/Aim: To assess simple means of measuring pressure under different nosebands with a view to their adoption as scientific methodology. Method: Horses (n = 7) were fitted with five different bridles (A-E). Pressure distribution and intensity were measured using colour sensitive film (Fujifilm LLLW), assessing the level of pressure and distribution across the surface of the nosebands, as assessed and ranked by independent assessors. A CURO system was also used to measure pressure in real-time under nosebands whilst riding. Results: The colour-sensitive film for D & B were ranked 1st and 2nd, respectively. Regularity of pressure overall showed a statistical difference between nosebands (A & B significantly more unregular than the others). Pressure measurements revealed significantly different means (all P Conclusions: Pressures under nosebands can reach levels that appear capable of inflicting tissue damage, hence bridles and nosebands should be assessed using scientific methodology and not based on arbitrary and subjective criteria, as is currently the case.
