Aposematism is an antipredator strategy in which conspicuous coloration acts as a warning of chemical defenses to potential predators.Evidence suggests that aposematism largely functions under positive frequency-depen...Aposematism is an antipredator strategy in which conspicuous coloration acts as a warning of chemical defenses to potential predators.Evidence suggests that aposematism largely functions under positive frequency-dependent selection,which is thought to maintain uniformity of aposematic signals.Many studies of aposematic organisms have found evidence that color signals and defenses are positively correlated,indicating a quantitatively honest aposematic signal.Dendrobatid poison frogs represent a well-studied group of aposematic organisms that in addition to exhibiting a diversity of color signals also display unique defensive behaviors.Few studies have examined if both behavior and coloration act as quantitative honest signals of alkaloid defenses in poison frogs.We aimed to determine if coloration and behavior are quantitatively honest signals in the green and black poison frog(Dendrobates auratus)among 6 populations from Costa Rica.We(1)evaluated antipredator displays by using behavioral assays in the field,(2)assessed frog conspicuousness and pattern using digital images,and(3)quantified alkaloid profiles from frog skin secretions.We found that Pacific populations are less conspicuous in coloration,had greater quantities of alkaloids,and more frequently performed body-raising defensive behaviors when compared with Caribbean populations.Our results do not support the hypothesis that aposematic traits in D.auratus are quantitatively honest.Rather,our results suggest that phenotypic differences among populations may represent different phenotypic optima for advertising unprofitability to predators based on local environmental conditions,leading to the diversification of aposematic signals in this species.展开更多
The Random Amplified Polymorphism DNA (RAPD) markers were used to stu dy the intra-specific diversity and regional differentiation of the Chinese fore st frogs (Rana chensinensis), which were sampled from the fields o...The Random Amplified Polymorphism DNA (RAPD) markers were used to stu dy the intra-specific diversity and regional differentiation of the Chinese fore st frogs (Rana chensinensis), which were sampled from the fields of 8 regions in Heilongjiang Province. Totally 78 polymorphic DNA loci were amplified by 10 RAP D primers. By genetic distance analysis and phylogenetic tree reconstruction wit h the Neighbor-Joining (NJ) method the results showed that the populations of Ch inese forest frogs distributed in 8 regions existed great differentiation (Avera ge Fst=0.347, SD=0.235) while there was the paradox between geographic distances and genetic distances. Based on geographic and geological data, a hypothesis wa s posed that it is very possible that the hilly lands in the downstream of the S onghua River and the Heilong River were the center of the origin of the Chinese forest frogs in Heilongjiang Province. And mainly through the Songhua River syst em, the Chinese forest frogs dispersed into the Songneng Plain from the Sanjiang Plain whereas the Fangzheng region became a sub-center for the western dispersi on.展开更多
The genetic diversity and population structure of the Dybowski＇s frog（Rana dybowskii） were investigated by using 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci.Total 75 individuals were sampled from six populations in Lesser K...The genetic diversity and population structure of the Dybowski＇s frog（Rana dybowskii） were investigated by using 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci.Total 75 individuals were sampled from six populations in Lesser Khingan Mountains and Changbai Mountains,China.Results showed that allele number of the 11 microsatellite loci was in the range of 2-10 in all populations,with the mean of 5.6.The average expected heterozygosity（HE） was 0.572,indicating a moderate polymorphism.The results of genetic differentiation coefficient（FST） showed that population genetic differentiation was significant between Changbai and Lesser Khingan Mountains（p〈0.001）.This result was verified further by Nei＇s genetic distance（DA） based on UPGMA phy-logenetic trees and by AMOVA analysis.In conclusion,the populations distributed in Lesser Khingan Mountains and Changbai Mountain are proposed to be two distinct management units（MUs） for their protection and management.展开更多
Attribute reduction in the rough set theory is an important feature selection method, but finding a minimum attribute reduction has been proven to be a non-deterministic polynomial （NP）-hard problem. Therefore, it i...Attribute reduction in the rough set theory is an important feature selection method, but finding a minimum attribute reduction has been proven to be a non-deterministic polynomial （NP）-hard problem. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate some fast and effective approximate algorithms. A novel and enhanced quantum-inspired shuffled frog leaping based minimum attribute reduction algorithm （QSFLAR） is proposed. Evolutionary frogs are represented by multi-state quantum bits, and both quantum rotation gate and quantum mutation operators are used to exploit the mechanisms of frog population diversity and convergence to the global optimum. The decomposed attribute subsets are co-evolved by the elitist frogs with a quantum-inspired shuffled frog leaping algorithm. The experimental results validate the better feasibility and effectiveness of QSFLAR, comparing with some representa- tive algorithms. Therefore, QSFLAR can be considered as a more competitive algorithm on the efficiency and accuracy for minimum attribute reduction.展开更多
Native species may decline quickly when confronted with an exotic species to which they are not adapted. The extent of decline may depend on the abundance of an invader and the length of time since it first arrived in...Native species may decline quickly when confronted with an exotic species to which they are not adapted. The extent of decline may depend on the abundance of an invader and the length of time since it first arrived in the community （residence time）, and the interaction between these two variables. We tested these effects using data on the effects of American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus invasion on native frog communities in 65 permanent lentic waters on islands in the Zhoushan Archipel- ago, China. We examined variation in native frog abundance and species richness in relation to features of the American bullfrog invasion, habitat disturbance, characteristics of the water body and fish communities and the presence of red swamp crayfish. Bullfrog invaded sites had lower native frog density and species richness, higher submerged vegetation cover and greater fre- quency of repairs to the water body than did non-invaded sites. The minimum adequate general linear mixed models showed that both native frog density and species richness were negatively related to post-metamorphosis bullfrog density, and that native frog species richness was also positively related to the vegetation cover. There was no effect on either native frog density or species richness of residence time or its interaction with bullfrog density, or of the abundance of bullfrog tadpoles. The results suggested that post-metamorphosis bullfrogs had impacts on native frog communities in the islands, and that the extents of these impacts are proportional to post-metamorphosis bullfrog density展开更多
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County is a novel first published in 1865.It tells us a story taking place in the ancient mining camp of Angel's.By using analysis,the implication hidden behind the novel i...The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County is a novel first published in 1865.It tells us a story taking place in the ancient mining camp of Angel's.By using analysis,the implication hidden behind the novel is explored here.That is,the abnormal social phenomena exist in the reality,the intrigue among people to gain profits and also the immoral measures people took for panning gold at the Gold Rush Era.展开更多
Objective Many studies have reported that animals will display collision avoidance behavior when the size of retinal image of an object reaches a threshold.The present study aimed to investigate the neural correlates ...Objective Many studies have reported that animals will display collision avoidance behavior when the size of retinal image of an object reaches a threshold.The present study aimed to investigate the neural correlates underlying the frog collision avoidance behavior.Methods Different types of visual stimuli simulating the retinal image of an approaching or a recessing object were generated by a computer and presented to the right eye of frog.A multielectrode array was used to examine the activity of collision-sensitive neurons,and single electrode recordings were employed to quantify visual parameter （s）of the frog collision-sensitive neurons.Results The multielectrode array revealed that 40 neurons in the optic tectum showed selective responsiveness to objects approaching on a direct collision course.The response profiles of these collision-sensitive neurons were similar to those of lobula giantmovement detector（LGMD）in the locust or to those ofηneurons in the pigeon.However,the receptive field（RF）size of the frog neurons[（18.5±3.8）°,n=33）]was smaller than those of collision-sensitive neurons of the locust and the pigeon.Multielectrode recordings also showed that the collision-sensitive neurons were activated only when the focus of expansion of a looming retinal image was located within the center of its RF.There was a linear relationship between the parameter l/v（l denotes half-size of the object,v denotes approaching velocity） and time-to-collision（time difference between the peak of the neuronal activity and the predictive collision）in 16 collisionsensitive neurons.Theoretical consideration showed that the peak firing rate always occurred at a fixed delay of（60.1±39.5）ms （n=16）after the object had reached a constant angular size of（14.8±3.4）°（n=16）on the retina.Conclusion The results may help clarify the mechanisms underlying the collision avoidance behavior in bullfrog.展开更多
This paper presents a mechanical model of jumping robot based on the biological mechanism analysis of frog. By biological observation and kinematic analysis the frog jump is divided into take-offphase, aerial phase an...This paper presents a mechanical model of jumping robot based on the biological mechanism analysis of frog. By biological observation and kinematic analysis the frog jump is divided into take-offphase, aerial phase and landing phase. We find the similar trajectories of hindlimb joints during jump, the important effect of foot during take-off and the role of forelimb in supporting the body. Based on the observation, the frog jump is simplified and a mechanical model is put forward. The robot leg is represented by a 4-bar spring/linkage mechanism model, which has three Degrees of Freedom （DOF） at hip joint and one DOF （passive） at tarsometatarsal joint on the foot. The shoulder and elbow joints each has one DOF for the balancing function of arm. The ground reaction force of the model is analyzed and compared with that of frog during take-off. The results show that the model has the same advantages of low likelihood of premature lift-off and high efficiency as the frog. Analysis results and the model can be employed to develop and control a robot capable of mimicking the jumping behavior of frog.展开更多
The giant spiny frog （Quasipaa spinosa） is an endangered species with a relatively small distribution limited to southern China and Northern Vietnam. This species is becoming increasingly threatened because of over-...The giant spiny frog （Quasipaa spinosa） is an endangered species with a relatively small distribution limited to southern China and Northern Vietnam. This species is becoming increasingly threatened because of over-exploitation and habitat degradation. This study provides data on the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of the giant spiny frog to facilitate the further development of effective conservation recommendations for this economically important but threatened species. We examined 10 species-specific microsatellite loci and Cyt b genes （562 bp） collected from 13 wild populations across the entire range of this species. Results of 10 microsatellite loci analysis showed a generally high level of genetic diversity. Moreover, the genetic differentiation among all 12 populations was moderate to large （overall Fs7= 0.1057）. A total of 51 haplotypes were identified for Cyt b, which suggests high haplotype nucleotide diversities. Phylogeographic and population structure analyses using both DNA markers suggested that the wild giant spiny frog can be divided into four distinct major clades, i.e., Northern Vietnam, Western China, Central China, and Eastern China. The clades with significant genetic divergence are reproductively isolated, as evidenced by a high number of private alleles and strong incidence of failed amplification in microsatellite loci. Our research, coupled with other studies, suggests that Q. spinosa might be a species complex within which no detectable morphological variation has been revealed. The four phylogenetic clades and some subclades with distinct geographical distribution should be regarded as independent management units for conservation purposes.展开更多
Generally, the function of vocalizations made by male anurans are to attract females or defend resources. Typically, males vocalize in choruses during one or more periods in a twenty-four-hour cycle, which varies, how...Generally, the function of vocalizations made by male anurans are to attract females or defend resources. Typically, males vocalize in choruses during one or more periods in a twenty-four-hour cycle, which varies, however, among species. Nevertheless, the causal factors influencing circadian variations of calling patterns in anuran species are not clear. In this study, male chorus vocalizations were monitored in the Emei music frog(Babina daunchina) for 17 consecutive days during the breeding season, while its habitat air temperature and relative humidity in the course of experiments were measured as well. The results revealed that the circadian calling patterns were characterized by two periods of peak vocalization, which were observed from 0500 h to 0700 h and from 1300 h to 2000 h, while the lowest activity period was found from 2100 h to 2200 h. Both calls/h and notes/h were positively correlated with air temperature and negatively with relative humidity. Overall, our data indicate that the Emei music frogs(B. daunchina) could regulate their vocal activities based on the changes of physical micro-environment(e. g., temperature or humidity) to maximize reproductive success.展开更多
Commercial farming of anuran species that are declining in the wild raises a need to discriminate wild from farmed frogs.We hypothesized wild frogs might have extended hindlimbs due to greater frequency or intensity o...Commercial farming of anuran species that are declining in the wild raises a need to discriminate wild from farmed frogs.We hypothesized wild frogs might have extended hindlimbs due to greater frequency or intensity of jumping relative to farmed frogs,highlighting a morphometric approach to discrimination of wild from farmed frogs using hindlimb length.In the present study,Dybowski＇s frog（Rana dybowskii） was used to test this hypothesis.We measured body mass（Mb） and hindlimb length（Lh） of 2-year old farmed frogs and wild frogs aged 2 to 5 years.Dybowski＇s frog demonstrated significant dimorphism in Mb and Lh.Mb was significantly greater among farmed 2-year old frogs in both sexes（p=0.000）,while only among females was Lh significantly greater for wild frogs（p=0.000）.Lh/Mb was used as an index for origin discrimination to eliminate the influence of Mb due to variation of husbandry conditions among farms.Mean Lh/Mb for farmed frogs was significantly lower than for wild frogs（p=0.000） in the 2-year old age class.Discrimination correctly classified 84.4% of farmed and 96.3% of wild male frogs.Among females,92.9% of farmed frogs and 90.1% wild frogs were correctly classified.The overall correctness of classification was 92.1% and 90.8% for males and females,respectively.However,Lh/Mb revealed variation with age,resulting in reduced discriminative power for frogs ≥3 years old.We introduced a coefficient Ce to adjust the Lh/Mb of frogs ≥3 years to the level equivalent to 2-year frogs.The adjustment achieved 89.5% for overall correctness of origin for wild males and 92.4% for wild females ≥3 years old.These results show that Lh/Mb is an effective index to discriminate wild from farmed Dybowski＇s frog.Since the physical demands of jumping are common among anurans,this index is also potentially applicable to other anuran species.展开更多
Objective Electrophysiological examination of the ipsilateral pretectotectal projection has proved that pretectal cells elicit strong suppressive responses to the ipsilateral tectum.However,the neural mechanisms under...Objective Electrophysiological examination of the ipsilateral pretectotectal projection has proved that pretectal cells elicit strong suppressive responses to the ipsilateral tectum.However,the neural mechanisms underlying the contralateral pretectotectal prejection are still obscure.The present study aimed to examine the synaptic nature of pretectal nuclei and contralateral tectal cells,and to demonstrate the spatiotemporal pattern of neuronal activity in the 2 main brain structures. Methods Intracellular recording and current source density（CSD）analysis were used to test the complexity of neuronal mechanism of pretectotectal information transfer.Results The pretectal stimulation elicited only one type of response on the contralateral tectum,the inhibitory postsynaptic potential（IPSP）.The majority of contra-induced IPSPs were assumed to be polysynaptically driven.In the CSD analysis,only one sink with short latency was observed in each profile.The ipsilateral projection produced a prominent monosynaptic sink in layer 8 of tectum.Recipient neurons were located in layers 6 and 7 of tectum.The result confirmed former findings from ipsilateral intracellular recordings.Conclusion These results suggest the following neuronal circuit：afferents from the pretectal nuclei broadly inhibit both tectal neuron,and since no second sink occurs in tectal layers,the pretectotectal excitatory afferents probably do not extend over the whole tectum,but are within limited state.The results of intracellular recording and CSD analysis further provide evidence of how pretectal afferent activity flows within the tectal laminae.展开更多
Changes in distribution density,morphology and secretory content of endocrine cells in the gastro-entero-pancreatic system of black-spotted frogs Rana nigromaculata before and after fasting were investigated using imm...Changes in distribution density,morphology and secretory content of endocrine cells in the gastro-entero-pancreatic system of black-spotted frogs Rana nigromaculata before and after fasting were investigated using immunohistochemistry and antisera to six gut hormones.Six types of endocrine cells were detected in the digestive tract of Rana nigromaculata,including 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),gastrin(GAS),somatostatin(SOM),glucagon(GLU),pancreatic polypeptide(PP)and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide(VIP)cells.After fasting,the density of 5-HT cells in the esophagus,cardia and fundus,GAS cells in the fundus and pylorus,PP cells in the fundus decreased significantly(P<0.01),while SOM cells in the cardia,GLU cells in the rectum increased significantly(P<0.01).The cytoplasmic processes of 5-HT cells became shorter or not detectable.The secretory content of GAS cells reduced in the cardia.The positive immunostaining reaction in the perinuclear region of SOM cells in the cardia,fundus and pylorus became weaker,while the staining intensity in the periphery of these cells became stronger.VIP cells were not detectable in the whole digestive tract after fasting.Five types of endocrine cells were found in the pancreas of Rana nigromaculata,including 5-HT,GAS,SOM,GLU and PP cells.After fasting,the density of 5-HT cells decreased slightly(P>0.05),while SOM,GAS,GLU and PP cells increased significantly(P<0.01).Furthermore,the secretory content of GLU cells increased significantly.Considering their functionalities,our results indicate that the changes of GEP endocrine cells in Rana nigromaculata responded adaptively to starvation-induced stress.展开更多
Pneumatic muscles with similar characteristics to biological muscles have been widely used in robots, and thus are promising drivers for frog inspired robots. How- ever, the application and nonlinearity of the pneumat...Pneumatic muscles with similar characteristics to biological muscles have been widely used in robots, and thus are promising drivers for frog inspired robots. How- ever, the application and nonlinearity of the pneumatic system limit the advance. On the basis of the swimming mechanism of the frog, a frog-inspired robot based on pneumatic muscles is developed. To realize the indepen- dent tasks by the robot, a pneumatic system with internal chambers, micro air pump, and valves is implemented. The micro pump is used to maintain the pressure difference between the source and exhaust chambers. The pneumatic muscles are controlled by high-speed switch valves which can reduce the robot cost, volume, and mass. A dynamic model of the pneumatic system is established for the sim- ulation to estimate the system, including the chamber, muscle, and pneumatic circuit models. The robot design is verified by the robot swimming experiments and the dynamic model is verified through the experiments and simulations of the pneumatic system. The simulation results are compared to analyze the functions of the source pressure, internal volume of the muscle, and circuit flow rate which is proved the main factor that limits the response of muscle pressure. The proposed research provides the application of the pneumatic muscles in the frog inspired robot and the pneumatic model to study muscle controller.展开更多
基金funded by 2 grants awarded to KPB(Animal Behavior Society,Student Research Grant and Sigma Xi,Grants-in-Aid of Research)funding from John Carroll University.
文摘Aposematism is an antipredator strategy in which conspicuous coloration acts as a warning of chemical defenses to potential predators.Evidence suggests that aposematism largely functions under positive frequency-dependent selection,which is thought to maintain uniformity of aposematic signals.Many studies of aposematic organisms have found evidence that color signals and defenses are positively correlated,indicating a quantitatively honest aposematic signal.Dendrobatid poison frogs represent a well-studied group of aposematic organisms that in addition to exhibiting a diversity of color signals also display unique defensive behaviors.Few studies have examined if both behavior and coloration act as quantitative honest signals of alkaloid defenses in poison frogs.We aimed to determine if coloration and behavior are quantitatively honest signals in the green and black poison frog(Dendrobates auratus)among 6 populations from Costa Rica.We(1)evaluated antipredator displays by using behavioral assays in the field,(2)assessed frog conspicuousness and pattern using digital images,and(3)quantified alkaloid profiles from frog skin secretions.We found that Pacific populations are less conspicuous in coloration,had greater quantities of alkaloids,and more frequently performed body-raising defensive behaviors when compared with Caribbean populations.Our results do not support the hypothesis that aposematic traits in D.auratus are quantitatively honest.Rather,our results suggest that phenotypic differences among populations may represent different phenotypic optima for advertising unprofitability to predators based on local environmental conditions,leading to the diversification of aposematic signals in this species.
基金the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province (C9726).
文摘The Random Amplified Polymorphism DNA (RAPD) markers were used to stu dy the intra-specific diversity and regional differentiation of the Chinese fore st frogs (Rana chensinensis), which were sampled from the fields of 8 regions in Heilongjiang Province. Totally 78 polymorphic DNA loci were amplified by 10 RAP D primers. By genetic distance analysis and phylogenetic tree reconstruction wit h the Neighbor-Joining (NJ) method the results showed that the populations of Ch inese forest frogs distributed in 8 regions existed great differentiation (Avera ge Fst=0.347, SD=0.235) while there was the paradox between geographic distances and genetic distances. Based on geographic and geological data, a hypothesis wa s posed that it is very possible that the hilly lands in the downstream of the S onghua River and the Heilong River were the center of the origin of the Chinese forest frogs in Heilongjiang Province. And mainly through the Songhua River syst em, the Chinese forest frogs dispersed into the Songneng Plain from the Sanjiang Plain whereas the Fangzheng region became a sub-center for the western dispersi on.
文摘The genetic diversity and population structure of the Dybowski＇s frog（Rana dybowskii） were investigated by using 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci.Total 75 individuals were sampled from six populations in Lesser Khingan Mountains and Changbai Mountains,China.Results showed that allele number of the 11 microsatellite loci was in the range of 2-10 in all populations,with the mean of 5.6.The average expected heterozygosity（HE） was 0.572,indicating a moderate polymorphism.The results of genetic differentiation coefficient（FST） showed that population genetic differentiation was significant between Changbai and Lesser Khingan Mountains（p〈0.001）.This result was verified further by Nei＇s genetic distance（DA） based on UPGMA phy-logenetic trees and by AMOVA analysis.In conclusion,the populations distributed in Lesser Khingan Mountains and Changbai Mountain are proposed to be two distinct management units（MUs） for their protection and management.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(6113900261171132)+4 种基金the Funding of Jiangsu Innovation Program for Graduate Education(CXZZ11 0219)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Education Department(12KJB520013)the Applying Study Foundation of Nantong(BK2011062)the Open Project Program of State Key Laboratory for Novel Software Technology,Nanjing University(KFKT2012B28)the Natural Science Pre-Research Foundation of Nantong University(12ZY016)
文摘Attribute reduction in the rough set theory is an important feature selection method, but finding a minimum attribute reduction has been proven to be a non-deterministic polynomial （NP）-hard problem. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate some fast and effective approximate algorithms. A novel and enhanced quantum-inspired shuffled frog leaping based minimum attribute reduction algorithm （QSFLAR） is proposed. Evolutionary frogs are represented by multi-state quantum bits, and both quantum rotation gate and quantum mutation operators are used to exploit the mechanisms of frog population diversity and convergence to the global optimum. The decomposed attribute subsets are co-evolved by the elitist frogs with a quantum-inspired shuffled frog leaping algorithm. The experimental results validate the better feasibility and effectiveness of QSFLAR, comparing with some representa- tive algorithms. Therefore, QSFLAR can be considered as a more competitive algorithm on the efficiency and accuracy for minimum attribute reduction.
基金Acknowledgements We thank Feng XU and Yanping WANG for helping a part of field works and Richard Duncan for comments on the manuscript. This work was supported by a grant from National Science foundation （No. 30870312） and by a grant from the ＂973＂ program （No. 2007CB411600）.
文摘Native species may decline quickly when confronted with an exotic species to which they are not adapted. The extent of decline may depend on the abundance of an invader and the length of time since it first arrived in the community （residence time）, and the interaction between these two variables. We tested these effects using data on the effects of American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus invasion on native frog communities in 65 permanent lentic waters on islands in the Zhoushan Archipel- ago, China. We examined variation in native frog abundance and species richness in relation to features of the American bullfrog invasion, habitat disturbance, characteristics of the water body and fish communities and the presence of red swamp crayfish. Bullfrog invaded sites had lower native frog density and species richness, higher submerged vegetation cover and greater fre- quency of repairs to the water body than did non-invaded sites. The minimum adequate general linear mixed models showed that both native frog density and species richness were negatively related to post-metamorphosis bullfrog density, and that native frog species richness was also positively related to the vegetation cover. There was no effect on either native frog density or species richness of residence time or its interaction with bullfrog density, or of the abundance of bullfrog tadpoles. The results suggested that post-metamorphosis bullfrogs had impacts on native frog communities in the islands, and that the extents of these impacts are proportional to post-metamorphosis bullfrog density
文摘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County is a novel first published in 1865.It tells us a story taking place in the ancient mining camp of Angel's.By using analysis,the implication hidden behind the novel is explored here.That is,the abnormal social phenomena exist in the reality,the intrigue among people to gain profits and also the immoral measures people took for panning gold at the Gold Rush Era.
基金supported by the 21st Century Program,committee of Education of Japan at the Kyushu Institute of Technology
文摘Objective Many studies have reported that animals will display collision avoidance behavior when the size of retinal image of an object reaches a threshold.The present study aimed to investigate the neural correlates underlying the frog collision avoidance behavior.Methods Different types of visual stimuli simulating the retinal image of an approaching or a recessing object were generated by a computer and presented to the right eye of frog.A multielectrode array was used to examine the activity of collision-sensitive neurons,and single electrode recordings were employed to quantify visual parameter （s）of the frog collision-sensitive neurons.Results The multielectrode array revealed that 40 neurons in the optic tectum showed selective responsiveness to objects approaching on a direct collision course.The response profiles of these collision-sensitive neurons were similar to those of lobula giantmovement detector（LGMD）in the locust or to those ofηneurons in the pigeon.However,the receptive field（RF）size of the frog neurons[（18.5±3.8）°,n=33）]was smaller than those of collision-sensitive neurons of the locust and the pigeon.Multielectrode recordings also showed that the collision-sensitive neurons were activated only when the focus of expansion of a looming retinal image was located within the center of its RF.There was a linear relationship between the parameter l/v（l denotes half-size of the object,v denotes approaching velocity） and time-to-collision（time difference between the peak of the neuronal activity and the predictive collision）in 16 collisionsensitive neurons.Theoretical consideration showed that the peak firing rate always occurred at a fixed delay of（60.1±39.5）ms （n=16）after the object had reached a constant angular size of（14.8±3.4）°（n=16）on the retina.Conclusion The results may help clarify the mechanisms underlying the collision avoidance behavior in bullfrog.
基金the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (No.2006AA04Z245)Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (PCSIRT) (IRT0423)
文摘This paper presents a mechanical model of jumping robot based on the biological mechanism analysis of frog. By biological observation and kinematic analysis the frog jump is divided into take-offphase, aerial phase and landing phase. We find the similar trajectories of hindlimb joints during jump, the important effect of foot during take-off and the role of forelimb in supporting the body. Based on the observation, the frog jump is simplified and a mechanical model is put forward. The robot leg is represented by a 4-bar spring/linkage mechanism model, which has three Degrees of Freedom （DOF） at hip joint and one DOF （passive） at tarsometatarsal joint on the foot. The shoulder and elbow joints each has one DOF for the balancing function of arm. The ground reaction force of the model is analyzed and compared with that of frog during take-off. The results show that the model has the same advantages of low likelihood of premature lift-off and high efficiency as the frog. Analysis results and the model can be employed to develop and control a robot capable of mimicking the jumping behavior of frog.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China(No.31172116 and No.31472015)the Major Science and Technology Specific Projects of Zhejiang Province of China(No.2010C12008)+2 种基金the project of the Science Technology Commission of Zhejiang Province of China(No.2011C22006)the Found for the science and technology innovation team of Zhejiang Province of China(No.2012R10026-07)the Key Program of the Twelfth Five Year New Aquatic Varieties Breeding Cooperation of Zhejiang Province of China(2012C12907-9)
文摘The giant spiny frog （Quasipaa spinosa） is an endangered species with a relatively small distribution limited to southern China and Northern Vietnam. This species is becoming increasingly threatened because of over-exploitation and habitat degradation. This study provides data on the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of the giant spiny frog to facilitate the further development of effective conservation recommendations for this economically important but threatened species. We examined 10 species-specific microsatellite loci and Cyt b genes （562 bp） collected from 13 wild populations across the entire range of this species. Results of 10 microsatellite loci analysis showed a generally high level of genetic diversity. Moreover, the genetic differentiation among all 12 populations was moderate to large （overall Fs7= 0.1057）. A total of 51 haplotypes were identified for Cyt b, which suggests high haplotype nucleotide diversities. Phylogeographic and population structure analyses using both DNA markers suggested that the wild giant spiny frog can be divided into four distinct major clades, i.e., Northern Vietnam, Western China, Central China, and Eastern China. The clades with significant genetic divergence are reproductively isolated, as evidenced by a high number of private alleles and strong incidence of failed amplification in microsatellite loci. Our research, coupled with other studies, suggests that Q. spinosa might be a species complex within which no detectable morphological variation has been revealed. The four phylogenetic clades and some subclades with distinct geographical distribution should be regarded as independent management units for conservation purposes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30900141)the Chinese Academy of Sciences(KSCX2-EW-J-22,09C302,Y0B3011)the Chinese Academy of Sciences(KSCX2-YW-R-077)
文摘Generally, the function of vocalizations made by male anurans are to attract females or defend resources. Typically, males vocalize in choruses during one or more periods in a twenty-four-hour cycle, which varies, however, among species. Nevertheless, the causal factors influencing circadian variations of calling patterns in anuran species are not clear. In this study, male chorus vocalizations were monitored in the Emei music frog(Babina daunchina) for 17 consecutive days during the breeding season, while its habitat air temperature and relative humidity in the course of experiments were measured as well. The results revealed that the circadian calling patterns were characterized by two periods of peak vocalization, which were observed from 0500 h to 0700 h and from 1300 h to 2000 h, while the lowest activity period was found from 2100 h to 2200 h. Both calls/h and notes/h were positively correlated with air temperature and negatively with relative humidity. Overall, our data indicate that the Emei music frogs(B. daunchina) could regulate their vocal activities based on the changes of physical micro-environment(e. g., temperature or humidity) to maximize reproductive success.
基金supported by the Project of Tackling Key Problems of Science and Technology of Heilongjiang Province, China (GB06B205-3)Program of Wildlife Conservation and Breeding of State Forestry Administration of China (2008)Special Fund for Postgraduate Dissertation of Northeast Forestry University (2009)
文摘Commercial farming of anuran species that are declining in the wild raises a need to discriminate wild from farmed frogs.We hypothesized wild frogs might have extended hindlimbs due to greater frequency or intensity of jumping relative to farmed frogs,highlighting a morphometric approach to discrimination of wild from farmed frogs using hindlimb length.In the present study,Dybowski＇s frog（Rana dybowskii） was used to test this hypothesis.We measured body mass（Mb） and hindlimb length（Lh） of 2-year old farmed frogs and wild frogs aged 2 to 5 years.Dybowski＇s frog demonstrated significant dimorphism in Mb and Lh.Mb was significantly greater among farmed 2-year old frogs in both sexes（p=0.000）,while only among females was Lh significantly greater for wild frogs（p=0.000）.Lh/Mb was used as an index for origin discrimination to eliminate the influence of Mb due to variation of husbandry conditions among farms.Mean Lh/Mb for farmed frogs was significantly lower than for wild frogs（p=0.000） in the 2-year old age class.Discrimination correctly classified 84.4% of farmed and 96.3% of wild male frogs.Among females,92.9% of farmed frogs and 90.1% wild frogs were correctly classified.The overall correctness of classification was 92.1% and 90.8% for males and females,respectively.However,Lh/Mb revealed variation with age,resulting in reduced discriminative power for frogs ≥3 years old.We introduced a coefficient Ce to adjust the Lh/Mb of frogs ≥3 years to the level equivalent to 2-year frogs.The adjustment achieved 89.5% for overall correctness of origin for wild males and 92.4% for wild females ≥3 years old.These results show that Lh/Mb is an effective index to discriminate wild from farmed Dybowski＇s frog.Since the physical demands of jumping are common among anurans,this index is also potentially applicable to other anuran species.
基金supported by the 21st Century program,Committee of Education of Japan at the Kyushu Institute of Technology,and the Health Bureau of Shangdong Province,China
文摘Objective Electrophysiological examination of the ipsilateral pretectotectal projection has proved that pretectal cells elicit strong suppressive responses to the ipsilateral tectum.However,the neural mechanisms underlying the contralateral pretectotectal prejection are still obscure.The present study aimed to examine the synaptic nature of pretectal nuclei and contralateral tectal cells,and to demonstrate the spatiotemporal pattern of neuronal activity in the 2 main brain structures. Methods Intracellular recording and current source density（CSD）analysis were used to test the complexity of neuronal mechanism of pretectotectal information transfer.Results The pretectal stimulation elicited only one type of response on the contralateral tectum,the inhibitory postsynaptic potential（IPSP）.The majority of contra-induced IPSPs were assumed to be polysynaptically driven.In the CSD analysis,only one sink with short latency was observed in each profile.The ipsilateral projection produced a prominent monosynaptic sink in layer 8 of tectum.Recipient neurons were located in layers 6 and 7 of tectum.The result confirmed former findings from ipsilateral intracellular recordings.Conclusion These results suggest the following neuronal circuit：afferents from the pretectal nuclei broadly inhibit both tectal neuron,and since no second sink occurs in tectal layers,the pretectotectal excitatory afferents probably do not extend over the whole tectum,but are within limited state.The results of intracellular recording and CSD analysis further provide evidence of how pretectal afferent activity flows within the tectal laminae.
基金supported by Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Bio-Macromolecular Evolution(No.2006B001)Foundation for outstanding academic team of Zoological Biology in Anhui Normal UniversitySpecial Foundation for Provincial Key Laboratories of Biotic Environment and Ecological Safety and Key Laboratory for Conservation and Use of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province
文摘Changes in distribution density,morphology and secretory content of endocrine cells in the gastro-entero-pancreatic system of black-spotted frogs Rana nigromaculata before and after fasting were investigated using immunohistochemistry and antisera to six gut hormones.Six types of endocrine cells were detected in the digestive tract of Rana nigromaculata,including 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),gastrin(GAS),somatostatin(SOM),glucagon(GLU),pancreatic polypeptide(PP)and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide(VIP)cells.After fasting,the density of 5-HT cells in the esophagus,cardia and fundus,GAS cells in the fundus and pylorus,PP cells in the fundus decreased significantly(P<0.01),while SOM cells in the cardia,GLU cells in the rectum increased significantly(P<0.01).The cytoplasmic processes of 5-HT cells became shorter or not detectable.The secretory content of GAS cells reduced in the cardia.The positive immunostaining reaction in the perinuclear region of SOM cells in the cardia,fundus and pylorus became weaker,while the staining intensity in the periphery of these cells became stronger.VIP cells were not detectable in the whole digestive tract after fasting.Five types of endocrine cells were found in the pancreas of Rana nigromaculata,including 5-HT,GAS,SOM,GLU and PP cells.After fasting,the density of 5-HT cells decreased slightly(P>0.05),while SOM,GAS,GLU and PP cells increased significantly(P<0.01).Furthermore,the secretory content of GLU cells increased significantly.Considering their functionalities,our results indicate that the changes of GEP endocrine cells in Rana nigromaculata responded adaptively to starvation-induced stress.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51675124)
文摘Pneumatic muscles with similar characteristics to biological muscles have been widely used in robots, and thus are promising drivers for frog inspired robots. How- ever, the application and nonlinearity of the pneumatic system limit the advance. On the basis of the swimming mechanism of the frog, a frog-inspired robot based on pneumatic muscles is developed. To realize the indepen- dent tasks by the robot, a pneumatic system with internal chambers, micro air pump, and valves is implemented. The micro pump is used to maintain the pressure difference between the source and exhaust chambers. The pneumatic muscles are controlled by high-speed switch valves which can reduce the robot cost, volume, and mass. A dynamic model of the pneumatic system is established for the sim- ulation to estimate the system, including the chamber, muscle, and pneumatic circuit models. The robot design is verified by the robot swimming experiments and the dynamic model is verified through the experiments and simulations of the pneumatic system. The simulation results are compared to analyze the functions of the source pressure, internal volume of the muscle, and circuit flow rate which is proved the main factor that limits the response of muscle pressure. The proposed research provides the application of the pneumatic muscles in the frog inspired robot and the pneumatic model to study muscle controller.
