The rapid expansion of Internet of Things(IoT)networks has introduced challenges in network management,primarily in maintaining energy efficiency and robust connectivity across an increasing array of devices.This pape...The rapid expansion of Internet of Things(IoT)networks has introduced challenges in network management,primarily in maintaining energy efficiency and robust connectivity across an increasing array of devices.This paper introduces the Adaptive Blended Marine Predators Algorithm(AB-MPA),a novel optimization technique designed to enhance Quality of Service(QoS)in IoT systems by dynamically optimizing network configurations for improved energy efficiency and stability.Our results represent significant improvements in network performance metrics such as energy consumption,throughput,and operational stability,indicating that AB-MPA effectively addresses the pressing needs ofmodern IoT environments.Nodes are initiated with 100 J of stored energy,and energy is consumed at 0.01 J per square meter in each node to emphasize energy-efficient networks.The algorithm also provides sufficient network lifetime extension to a resourceful 7000 cycles for up to 200 nodes with a maximum Packet Delivery Ratio(PDR)of 99% and a robust network throughput of up to 1800 kbps in more compact node configurations.This study proposes a viable solution to a critical problem and opens avenues for further research into scalable network management for diverse applications.展开更多
Nest predation is the leading cause of reproductive failure in birds and a major driving force in the evolution of anti-predation strategies.Current studies on the anti-predation strategies of birds driven by predatio...Nest predation is the leading cause of reproductive failure in birds and a major driving force in the evolution of anti-predation strategies.Current studies on the anti-predation strategies of birds driven by predation pressure have mainly focused on adults.However,the detection and behavioral responses of nestlings toward predation risk require further investigation.In this study,we examined nestling responses to predator sounds.Two species of nestlings,the Reed Parrotbill(Paradoxornis heudei)and Vinous-throated Parrotbill(Sinosuthora webbiana),were exposed to the Sparrowhawk(Accipiter nisus,less common)and Oriental Magpie(Pica serica,more common),which are predator species,the Oriental Turtle Dove(Streptopelia orientalis),which is a commonly found harmless species,and background noise.Our findings revealed that compared to pre-playback of natural begging and playback of background noise and Oriental Turtle Dove sounds,playback of the two predator types decreased the total begging time and total number of calls of the two nestlings species,with the calls of the Sparrowhawk leading to greater suppression of nestling begging behavior than those of the Oriental Magpie.Therefore,our results indicated that these nestlings were able to distinguish predators from harmless species based on auditory cues.展开更多
In blood or bone marrow,leukemia is a form of cancer.A person with leukemia has an expansion of white blood cells(WBCs).It primarily affects children and rarely affects adults.Treatment depends on the type of leukemia...In blood or bone marrow,leukemia is a form of cancer.A person with leukemia has an expansion of white blood cells(WBCs).It primarily affects children and rarely affects adults.Treatment depends on the type of leukemia and the extent to which cancer has established throughout the body.Identifying leukemia in the initial stage is vital to providing timely patient care.Medical image-analysis-related approaches grant safer,quicker,and less costly solutions while ignoring the difficulties of these invasive processes.It can be simple to generalize Computer vision(CV)-based and image-processing techniques and eradicate human error.Many researchers have implemented computer-aided diagnosticmethods andmachine learning(ML)for laboratory image analysis,hopefully overcoming the limitations of late leukemia detection and determining its subgroups.This study establishes a Marine Predators Algorithm with Deep Learning Leukemia Cancer Classification(MPADL-LCC)algorithm onMedical Images.The projectedMPADL-LCC system uses a bilateral filtering(BF)technique to pre-process medical images.The MPADL-LCC system uses Faster SqueezeNet withMarine Predators Algorithm(MPA)as a hyperparameter optimizer for feature extraction.Lastly,the denoising autoencoder(DAE)methodology can be executed to accurately detect and classify leukemia cancer.The hyperparameter tuning process using MPA helps enhance leukemia cancer classification performance.Simulation results are compared with other recent approaches concerning various measurements and the MPADL-LCC algorithm exhibits the best results over other recent approaches.展开更多
This is a correction to:Marcello Franchini,Luciano Atzeni,Sandro Lovari,Battogtokh Nasanbat,Samiya Ravchig,Francisco Ceacero Herrador,Giovanni Bombieri,Claudio Augugliaro,Spatiotemporal behavior of predators and prey ...This is a correction to:Marcello Franchini,Luciano Atzeni,Sandro Lovari,Battogtokh Nasanbat,Samiya Ravchig,Francisco Ceacero Herrador,Giovanni Bombieri,Claudio Augugliaro,Spatiotemporal behavior of predators and prey in an arid environment of Central Asia,Current Zoology,2022;,zoac093,https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoac09.展开更多
Transgenic insect-resistant cotton is being increasingly planted in Xinjiang cotton-planting regions, where geographical climate conditions and species composition of pests and natural enemies are greatly unique in Ch...Transgenic insect-resistant cotton is being increasingly planted in Xinjiang cotton-planting regions, where geographical climate conditions and species composition of pests and natural enemies are greatly unique in China. Limited studies have been conducted on the ecological impacts of transgenic insect-resistant cotton, especially for transgenic double genes （Bt＋CpTI） cotton, in this region. In this study, the potential effects of transgenic Bt＋CpTI cotton on the seasonal abundance of non-target pests and predators were assessed from 2009 to 2011 in Korla, Xinjiang. The results showed that species composition and seasonal abundance of 5 groups of pests and 5 groups of predators were not significantly different between transgenic Bt＋CpTI cotton and non-transgenic cotton every year. It suggests that transgenic Bt＋CpTI cotton per se does not affect the population dynamics of non-target pests and predators on this crop in Xinjiang.展开更多
The metaheuristic algorithms are widely used in solving the parameters of the optimization problem.The marine predators algorithm(MPA)is a novel population-based intelligent algorithm.Although MPA has shown a talented...The metaheuristic algorithms are widely used in solving the parameters of the optimization problem.The marine predators algorithm(MPA)is a novel population-based intelligent algorithm.Although MPA has shown a talented foraging strategy,it still needs a balance of exploration and exploitation.Therefore,a multi-stage improvement of marine predators algorithm(MSMPA)is proposed in this paper.The algorithm retains the advantage of multistage search and introduces a linear flight strategy in the middle stage to enhance the interaction between predators.Predators further away from the historical optimum are required to move,increasing the exploration capability of the algorithm.In the middle and late stages,the searchmechanism of particle swarmoptimization(PSO)is inserted,which enhances the exploitation capability of the algorithm.This means that the stochasticity is decreased,that is the optimal region where predators jumping out is effectively stifled.At the same time,self-adjusting weight is used to regulate the convergence speed of the algorithm,which can balance the exploration and exploitation capability of the algorithm.The algorithm is applied to different types of CEC2017 benchmark test functions and threemultidimensional nonlinear structure design optimization problems,compared with other recent algorithms.The results show that the convergence speed and accuracy of MSMPA are significantly better than that of the comparison algorithms.展开更多
Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs)play an indispensable role in the lives of human beings in the fields of environment monitoring,manufacturing,education,agriculture etc.,However,the batteries in the sensor node under dep...Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs)play an indispensable role in the lives of human beings in the fields of environment monitoring,manufacturing,education,agriculture etc.,However,the batteries in the sensor node under deployment in an unattended or remote area cannot be replaced because of their wireless existence.In this context,several researchers have contributed diversified number of cluster-based routing schemes that concentrate on the objective of extending node survival time.However,there still exists a room for improvement in Cluster Head(CH)selection based on the integration of critical parameters.The meta-heuristic methods that concentrate on guaranteeing both CH selection and data transmission for improving optimal network performance are predominant.In this paper,a hybrid Marine Predators Optimization and Improved Particle Swarm Optimizationbased Optimal Cluster Routing(MPO-IPSO-OCR)is proposed for ensuring both efficient CH selection and data transmission.The robust characteristic of MPOA is used in optimized CH selection,while improved PSO is used for determining the optimized route to ensure sink mobility.In specific,a strategy of position update is included in the improved PSO for enhancing the global searching efficiency of MPOA.The high-speed ratio,unit speed rate and low speed rate strategy inherited by MPOA facilitate better exploitation by preventing solution from being struck into local optimality point.The simulation investigation and statistical results confirm that the proposed MPOIPSO-OCR is capable of improving the energy stability by 21.28%,prolonging network lifetime by 18.62%and offering maximum throughput by 16.79%when compared to the benchmarked cluster-based routing schemes.展开更多
Certain poly-and perfluoroalkyl substances(PFASs)exhibit significant bioaccumulation/biomagnification behaviors in ecosystems.PFASs,such as perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS),perfluorooctanoic acid(PFOA),perfluorohexanes...Certain poly-and perfluoroalkyl substances(PFASs)exhibit significant bioaccumulation/biomagnification behaviors in ecosystems.PFASs,such as perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS),perfluorooctanoic acid(PFOA),perfluorohexanesulfonic acid(PFHxS)and related precursors,have elicited attention from both public and national regulatory agencies,which has resulted in worldwide restrictions on their production and use.Apex predators occupy the top trophic positions in ecosystems and are most affected by the biomagnification behavior of PFASs.Meanwhile,the long lifespans of apex predators also lead to the high body burden of PFASs.The high body burden of PFASs might be linked to adverse health effects and even pose a potential threat to their reproduction.As seen in previous reviews of PFASs,knowledge is lacking between the current stage of the PFAS body burden and related effects in apex predators.This review summarized PFAS occurrence in global apex predators,including information on the geographic distribution,levels,profiles,and tissue distribution,and discussed the trophic transfer and ecotoxicity of PFASs.In the case where legacy PFASs were restricted under international convention,the occurrence of novel PFASs,such as 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate(6:2 Cl-PFESA)and perfluoroethylcyclohexane sulfonate(PFECHS),in apex predators arose as an emerging issue.Future studies should develop an effective analytical method and focus on the toxicity and trophic transfer behavior of novel PFASs.展开更多
Jellyfish blooms have become a hot research topic in recent decades because they pose a serious threat to fisheries,coastal industries,tourism,and the marine ecosystem.The life cycle of scyphozoan jellyfish consists o...Jellyfish blooms have become a hot research topic in recent decades because they pose a serious threat to fisheries,coastal industries,tourism,and the marine ecosystem.The life cycle of scyphozoan jellyfish consists of a pelagic medusa stage and a benthic polyp stage,where asexual reproduction and strobilation of the polyps directly affect the abundance of ephyra and subsequently medusa abundance.The dynamics of polyps are affected by both environmental and biological factors,and predation by natural predators is one of the most important biological factors.Nemopilema nomurai,Aurelia coerulea,and Rhopilema esculentum are three scyphozoan species that are commonly found in Chinese coastal waters,and previous studies reported that the survivorship of polyps differs among the three species when they are exposed to the same benthic community.To identify potential natural predators of polyps of these three species in Chinese coastal waters and to determine whether the predation rates on polyps of the three species differ,we collected 39 species of macrozoobenthos from the Bohai Sea,Yellow Sea,and East China Sea from May 2014 to June 2016 and conducted predation tests and predation rate measurements.We found that the nudibranchs Pleurobranchaea novaezealandiae,Okenia plana,and Chromodoris tinctoria and the sea anemones Paracalliactis sinica,Calliactis japonica,Anthopleura incerta,and Anthopleura midori could prey on the polyps of all three scyphozoan species.The predation rates increased with the body length of the predators.The predations rates were also related to the polyp species,although the different predators showed no consistent preference for a particular species of polyp.Our results indicate that introducing predators to locations inhabited by polyps might be a way to control the benthic polyp populations and prevent subsequent jellyfish blooms.展开更多
Transgenic Bt rice has been shown to be an effective means of controlling Lepidoptera pests of rice. However, the potential roles of transgenic rice on planthoppers and their predators need to be investigated before i...Transgenic Bt rice has been shown to be an effective means of controlling Lepidoptera pests of rice. However, the potential roles of transgenic rice on planthoppers and their predators need to be investigated before its commercialization. Population density, species dominance and population dynamics are important parameters of arthropods populations in field. So the impacts of three transgenic Bt rice strains expressing crylAb/crylAc, crylC and cry2A on population density, species dominance and population dynamics of three species of planthoppers （Nilaparvata lugens, Sogatella furcifera and Laodelphax striatellus） and their three main predators （ Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, Pirata subpiraticus and Theridium octomaculatum） were evaluated at three sites in Hubei Province, China, in the current study. The results showed that among three species of planthoppers, both in transgenic and non-transgenic rice field, the predominant species ofplanthoppers within phytophagous guild was S. furcifera at any site either growing season （46-50%）. Significantly higher population density ofN. lugens was observed in T2A-1 field relative to Minghui 63 field at Wuxue in 2010. The species dominance of predator, P. subpiraticus, in TT51 field was significantly higher than that in T 1 C-19 and T2A-1 fields in 2009 at Xiaogan site. Sampling date significantly influenced six arthropods except for P. subpiraticus in 2010. The interaction between rice strain^sampling date had no significant adverse effects on the population dynamics of three species of planthoppers and their predators, except for several individual species in 2009. The interaction among rice strain^sampling date^sampling site also had no significant effect on six arthropods except for S. furcifera in 2009. The results indicated that transgenic Bt rice expressing crylAb/crylAc, cry2A and crylC had no significant adverse effects on the population dynamics of three planthoppers and their predators in most investigated data and sampling site.展开更多
Background: The Emei Shan Liocichla(Liocichla omeiensis) is a globally vulnerable babbler, endemic to southwestern China. We investigated its nest predators, nest-site selection and nest success at the Laojunshan Nati...Background: The Emei Shan Liocichla(Liocichla omeiensis) is a globally vulnerable babbler, endemic to southwestern China. We investigated its nest predators, nest-site selection and nest success at the Laojunshan National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China in order to identify the precise nesting-habitat requirements of the species, and to test whether the nest-site-selection cues, preferred by the Emei Shan Liocichla, are positively associated with nest success.Methods: We used infrared cameras to determine nest predators. We compared the microhabitat attributes between nest and random sites, as well as successful and failed nests. We used Binary Logistic Regression to determine the most important variables affecting nest-site selection of the Emei Shan Liocichla. We used the nest survival analysis in Program MARK to estimate daily nest survival rates(DSR). Nest success was calculated using the Mayfield method.Results: In total 56 nests were found. The DSR for all nests that contained at least one egg was 0.9564 ± 0.0091(95 % CI 0.9346–0.9711)(n = 40), while the total nest success was 27.5 %. We identified four categories of predators in 10 nest predation events, i.e. squirrels(n = 5), snakes(n = 3), raptors(n = 1) and wasps(n = 1). We found that:(1) nest predation was the primary reason for nest failure of the Emei Shan Liocichla,(2) tree cover, bamboo cover, liana abundance and distance to forest edge or gap were the most important variables affecting nest-site selection of this species, and(3) the nest-site-selection variables we measured appeared not to be positively associated with nest success.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the Emei Shan Liocichla tended to select nest sites near forest edges or gaps with good concealment and that nest-site selection by this species was nonrandom but not necessarily adaptive. Reducing forest-edge development and protecting bamboo stands should be effective for conservation of this species.展开更多
Interactions between disruptive colouration and the match between prey and background spot size were manipulated in two experiments that used time taken by human ＇predators＇ to find artificial prey （virtual crab mo...Interactions between disruptive colouration and the match between prey and background spot size were manipulated in two experiments that used time taken by human ＇predators＇ to find artificial prey （virtual crab morphs） against heterogeneous backgrounds as a measure of the their camouflage. Experiment 1, in which the spots and their placement imitated the arrangement on the crab Carcinus maenas, tested whether high and low contrast spots touching the body outline （disruptive ＇edge＇ morphs） made the artificial prey more difficult to detect than when the spots did not touch the outline （non-disruptive ＇inner＇ morphs） against three different backgrounds： ＇small＇, ＇middle＇ and ＇large＇ spot size. In Experiment 2, the range of spot sizes and their positions （＇edge＇ and ＇inner＇） on the crab morphs were varied to determine the most effective combination against the ＇mid- dle＇ background. Altogether, 640 volunteers participated in these computer trials, representing a high degree of independent replication. All patterned morphs were significantly harder to detect than plain morphs, indicating that possessing at least some degree of background matching can provide camouflage. Both experiments demonstrated that various morphs, though not having the same spot sizes as the background, had similar or better survivorship as those with matching spot sizes--indicating that opti- mal camouflage did not come from background matching alone. In Experiment 2, edge-disrupted morphs consistently took longer to find than their non-disruptive counterparts. The relative effects of edge disruption, contrast, and background/prey spot size are clearly context-dependent, highlighting the complexity of prey concealment [Current Zoology 61 （4）： 718-728, 2015].展开更多
Predation is thought to be one of the main structuring forces in animal communities. However, se- lective predation is often measured on isolated traits in response to a single predatory species, but only rarely are s...Predation is thought to be one of the main structuring forces in animal communities. However, se- lective predation is often measured on isolated traits in response to a single predatory species, but only rarely are selective forces on several traits quantified or even compared between different predators naturally occurring in the same system. In the present study, we therefore measured be- havioral and morphological traits in young-of-the-year Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis and com- pared their selective values in response to the 2 most common predators, adult perch and pike Esox lucius. Using mixed effects models and model averaging to analyze our data, we quantified and compared the selectivity of the 2 predators on the different morphological and behavioral traits. We found that selection on the behavioral traits was higher than on morphological traits and perch predators preyed overall more selectively than pike predators. Pike tended to positively se- lect shallow bodied and nonvigilant individuals （i.e. individuals not performing predator inspec- tion）. In contrast, perch predators selected mainly for bolder juvenile perch （i.e. individuals spend- ing more time in the open, more active）, which was most important. Our results are to the best of our knowledge the first that analyzed behavioral and morphological adaptations of juvenile perch facing 2 different predation strategies. We found that relative specific predation intensity for the di- vergent traits differed between the predators, providing some additional ideas why juvenile perch display such a high degree of phenotypic plasticity.展开更多
Some rodent-dispersed seeds have a hard seed-coat(e.g.woody endocarp).Specific scrapes or dental marks on the hard seed-coat left by rodents when they eat these seeds can be used to identify seed predators.In this stu...Some rodent-dispersed seeds have a hard seed-coat(e.g.woody endocarp).Specific scrapes or dental marks on the hard seed-coat left by rodents when they eat these seeds can be used to identify seed predators.In this study we measured the morphological traits of endocarp-remains of seeds of wild apricot Prunus armeniaca used by Chinese white-bellied rats Niviventor confucianus and Korean field mice Apodemus peninsulae.We established their Fisher's linear discriminant functions to separate endocarp-remains between the two predators.A total of 90.0% of the endocarp-remains left by Korean field mice and 88.0% of those left by Chinese white-bellied rats were correctly classified.The overall percentage of correct classification was 89.0%.One hundred and sixty endocarp-remains of unknown what species predated them were classified using the functions.The method may allow more reliable quantitative studies of the effects of Chinese white-bellied rats and Korean field mice on seed consumption and dispersal of wild apricot and this study might be used for reference in other studies of seed predators identification on hard seeds.展开更多
Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, is a major cosmopolitan insect pest causing direct and indirect damage to greenhouse-grown horticultural crops. The primary way of managing western flower thrips popu...Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, is a major cosmopolitan insect pest causing direct and indirect damage to greenhouse-grown horticultural crops. The primary way of managing western flower thrips populations is by routinely applying insecticides, which target the aboveground life stages: larvae and adult. However, insecticides are minimally effective against the pupal stages (prepupae and pupae) that reside in the growing medium or soil. Therefore, soil-dwelling biological control agents including: predatory mites [Stratiolaelaps scimitus and Hypoaspis = (Geolaelaps) aculeifer], and a rove beetle, Dalotia coriaria may be a viable option to induce mortality on the pupal stages. These predators will feed on the pupal stages of the western flower thrips and can provide mortality on a life stage that is tolerant of insecticide applications. However, these biological control agents need to be used in conjunction with other plant protection strategies, such as insecticides and/or biological control agents that target the aboveground life stages (larvae and adult) to effectively manage western flower thrips populations in greenhouse production systems.展开更多
Most studies of predator-induced plasticity have focused on documenting how prey species re- spond to predators by modifying phenotypic traits and how traits correlate with fitness. We have previously shown that Pleur...Most studies of predator-induced plasticity have focused on documenting how prey species re- spond to predators by modifying phenotypic traits and how traits correlate with fitness. We have previously shown that Pleurodema thaul tadpoles exposed to the dragonfly Rhionaeschna varie- gata responded strongly by showing morphological changes, less activity, and better survival than non-exposed tadpoles. Here, we tested whether there is a functional link between morphological plasticity and increased survival in the presence of predators. Tadpoles that experienced predation risk were smaller, less developed, and much less active than tadpoles without this experience. Burst speed did not correlate significantly with morphological changes and predator-induced deeper tails did not act as a lure to divert predator strikes away from the head. Although we have previously found that tadpoles with predator-induced morphology survive better under a direct predator threat, our results on the functional link between morphology and fitness are not conclu- sive. Our results suggest that in P. thaultadpoles （1） burst speed is not important to evade preda- tors, （2） those exposed to predators reduce their activity, and （3） morphological changes do not divert predator attacks away from areas that compromise tadpole survivalEE. Our results show that morphological changes in P. thaul tadpoles do not explain burst speed or lure attraction, al- though there was a clear reduction of activity, which itself reduces predation. We propose that changes in tadpole activity could be further analyzed from another perspective, with morphological change as an indirect product of behavior mediated by physiological mechanisms.展开更多
Begging brings benefits and costs for nestling birds:it can indicate their needs to their parents,but it can also be a cue used by predators to find the nest.The costs,like many variables related to nest predation,can...Begging brings benefits and costs for nestling birds:it can indicate their needs to their parents,but it can also be a cue used by predators to find the nest.The costs,like many variables related to nest predation,can be specific to what kinds of predators are present and their auditory capabilities.These costs and benefits could also be affected by human noise,as noise could disrupt communication to parents and eavesdropping by predators,although human-produced noise might be easily ignored if predators can hear high-frequency components of the begging.We studied nest predation on a generalist bird,the Red-whiskered Bulbul(Pycnonotus jocosus),in a tropical forest in which there are many kinds of nest predators,including birds,mammals and reptiles.In 20 natural nests in which artificial eggs were placed,and subsequently in 140 artificial nests,we broadcast recordings of begging nestlings,with and without traffic noise,at two volume levels.We hypothesized that playback would increase predation relative to a silent control,and that mixing in traffic noise with the begging would decrease predation,as the begging signal was masked.However,we hypothesized that some predators,particularly small mammals with sensitive high-frequency hearing,might ignore the traffic noise.We found that predation was lowest for the control treatment,and lower for treatments mixed with traffic noise than for those without it.Small mammals,however,showed an unexpected pattern,displaying less nest predation in the treatments with traffic noise.Our results demonstrate the human-associated noise can disturb nest predators and influence which kinds of predators use begging to locate nests.展开更多
Background:For cavity-nesting birds,the nest entrance plays an important role in preventing predators from accessing nests.Several species of nuthatches use mud to narrow the entrance of cavities.In theory,the smaller...Background:For cavity-nesting birds,the nest entrance plays an important role in preventing predators from accessing nests.Several species of nuthatches use mud to narrow the entrance of cavities.In theory,the smaller the entrance hole size,the more effective it is against predators;however,few studies have tested whether narrowing the entrance hole size can affect the estimation of threat levels from nest predators in cavity-nesting birds.Methods:Using dummy experiments,we tested whether Eurasian Nuthatches(Sitta europaea,narrow the entrance hole of cavities)and Cinereous Tits(Parus cinereus,do not narrow the entrance hole,as a control)perform different nest defence behaviours against Common Chipmunks(Tamias sibiricus,small nest predator)and Red Squirrels(Sciurus vulgaris,larger nest predator).Results:Both nuthatches and tits exhibited stronger response behaviours(high dummy response scores)against chipmunks than against squirrels.Compared with tits,nuthatches exhibited more aggressive behaviours to chipmunks,but their responses to squirrels were similar.Conclusions:Nest defence behaviours of nuthatches to chipmunks differed from tits,and the results suggested that nuthatches might estimate threat levels of nest predators according to their narrowed entrance-hole size.展开更多
It has been suggested that spatial heterogeneity is key to the coexistence at local spatial scales of subordinate and dominant predator species by allowing the former to shift to more protective habitats when the risk...It has been suggested that spatial heterogeneity is key to the coexistence at local spatial scales of subordinate and dominant predator species by allowing the former to shift to more protective habitats when the risk of intraguild predation exists. Here, we show how the smaller carnivore Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) may coexist on a local scale with its intraguild pre- dator, the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), by using places with different microhabitat character- istics. We expect that mongooses living within lynx home ranges will use denser and more protective habitats when active in order to di- minish their risk of being killed by lynx com- pared to those living in areas similar in vege- tation and prey availability but where lynx are absent. The scrubland cover of points used by mongooses outside lynx areas, and that of points located within lynx areas but not used by mongooses, were significantly lower than, or similar to, cover of points used by mongooses within lynx areas. The probability of finding mon- goose tracks was constant across levels of scrubland cover when lynx were absent, but more mongoose tracks were likely to be found in thicker scrubland within lynx areas, especially if these areas were intensively used by lynx. This result agrees with the hypothesis on shifts in microhabitat use of subordinate carnivores to prevent fatal or risky encounters with dominant ones.展开更多
Rice crops are frequently threatened by pests such as rice planthoppers(Nilaparvata lugens,Sogatella furcifera,and Laodelphax striatellus)and leafhoppers(Cicadellidae),which cause significant yield losses.Accurate ide...Rice crops are frequently threatened by pests such as rice planthoppers(Nilaparvata lugens,Sogatella furcifera,and Laodelphax striatellus)and leafhoppers(Cicadellidae),which cause significant yield losses.Accurate identification of both pest developmental stages and their natural predators is crucial for effective pest control and maintaining ecological balance.However,conventional field surveys are often subjective,inefficient,and lack traceability.To overcome these limitations,this study proposed RiceInsectID,a two-stage cascaded detection method designed to identify and count tiny rice pests and their natural predators from white flat plate images captured by head-worn AR glasses.The method recognizes 25 insect classes,including 17 instars of rice planthoppers,2 instars of leafhoppers,4 spider species(Araneae),as well as Miridae and rove beetles(Staphylinidae Latreille).At the first coarse-grained detection stage,16 visually similar classes are consolidated into 6 broader categories and detected using an enhanced YOLOv6 model.To improve small object detection and address class imbalance,the fullregion overlapping sliding slices and target pasting(FOSTP)algorithm was applied,increasing the mean average precision at a 50%IoU threshold(mAP50)by 35.46%over the baseline YOLOv6.Feature extraction and fusion were further improved by incorporating an efficient channel attention path aggregation feature pyramid network(ECA-PAFPN)and adaptive structure feature fusion(ASFF)modules,while the balanced classification mosaic(BCM)enhanced detection of minority classes.With test-time augmentation(TTA),mAP50 improved by an additional 2.06%,reaching 84.71%.At the second fine-grained classification stage,each of the six broad classes from the first stage is further classified using individual ResNet50 models.Online data augmentation and transfer learning were employed to significantly enhance generalization.Compared with the baseline YOLOv6,the two-stage cascaded method improved recall by 4.06%,precision by 3.79%,and the F1-score by 3.92%.Overall,RiceInsectID achieved 82.85%recall,80.62%precision,and an F1-score of 81.72%,demonstrating an efficient and practical solution for monitoring tiny rice pests and their natural predators in paddy fields.This study provides valuable insights for ecosystem monitoring and supporting sustainable pest management in rice agriculture.展开更多
文摘The rapid expansion of Internet of Things(IoT)networks has introduced challenges in network management,primarily in maintaining energy efficiency and robust connectivity across an increasing array of devices.This paper introduces the Adaptive Blended Marine Predators Algorithm(AB-MPA),a novel optimization technique designed to enhance Quality of Service(QoS)in IoT systems by dynamically optimizing network configurations for improved energy efficiency and stability.Our results represent significant improvements in network performance metrics such as energy consumption,throughput,and operational stability,indicating that AB-MPA effectively addresses the pressing needs ofmodern IoT environments.Nodes are initiated with 100 J of stored energy,and energy is consumed at 0.01 J per square meter in each node to emphasize energy-efficient networks.The algorithm also provides sufficient network lifetime extension to a resourceful 7000 cycles for up to 200 nodes with a maximum Packet Delivery Ratio(PDR)of 99% and a robust network throughput of up to 1800 kbps in more compact node configurations.This study proposes a viable solution to a critical problem and opens avenues for further research into scalable network management for diverse applications.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32301295 to J.W.,32101242 to L.M.and 32260253 to L.W.)High-Level Talents Research Start-Up Project of Hebei University (521100222044 to J.W.)。
文摘Nest predation is the leading cause of reproductive failure in birds and a major driving force in the evolution of anti-predation strategies.Current studies on the anti-predation strategies of birds driven by predation pressure have mainly focused on adults.However,the detection and behavioral responses of nestlings toward predation risk require further investigation.In this study,we examined nestling responses to predator sounds.Two species of nestlings,the Reed Parrotbill(Paradoxornis heudei)and Vinous-throated Parrotbill(Sinosuthora webbiana),were exposed to the Sparrowhawk(Accipiter nisus,less common)and Oriental Magpie(Pica serica,more common),which are predator species,the Oriental Turtle Dove(Streptopelia orientalis),which is a commonly found harmless species,and background noise.Our findings revealed that compared to pre-playback of natural begging and playback of background noise and Oriental Turtle Dove sounds,playback of the two predator types decreased the total begging time and total number of calls of the two nestlings species,with the calls of the Sparrowhawk leading to greater suppression of nestling begging behavior than those of the Oriental Magpie.Therefore,our results indicated that these nestlings were able to distinguish predators from harmless species based on auditory cues.
基金funded by Researchers Supporting Program at King Saud University,(RSPD2024R809).
文摘In blood or bone marrow,leukemia is a form of cancer.A person with leukemia has an expansion of white blood cells(WBCs).It primarily affects children and rarely affects adults.Treatment depends on the type of leukemia and the extent to which cancer has established throughout the body.Identifying leukemia in the initial stage is vital to providing timely patient care.Medical image-analysis-related approaches grant safer,quicker,and less costly solutions while ignoring the difficulties of these invasive processes.It can be simple to generalize Computer vision(CV)-based and image-processing techniques and eradicate human error.Many researchers have implemented computer-aided diagnosticmethods andmachine learning(ML)for laboratory image analysis,hopefully overcoming the limitations of late leukemia detection and determining its subgroups.This study establishes a Marine Predators Algorithm with Deep Learning Leukemia Cancer Classification(MPADL-LCC)algorithm onMedical Images.The projectedMPADL-LCC system uses a bilateral filtering(BF)technique to pre-process medical images.The MPADL-LCC system uses Faster SqueezeNet withMarine Predators Algorithm(MPA)as a hyperparameter optimizer for feature extraction.Lastly,the denoising autoencoder(DAE)methodology can be executed to accurately detect and classify leukemia cancer.The hyperparameter tuning process using MPA helps enhance leukemia cancer classification performance.Simulation results are compared with other recent approaches concerning various measurements and the MPADL-LCC algorithm exhibits the best results over other recent approaches.
文摘This is a correction to:Marcello Franchini,Luciano Atzeni,Sandro Lovari,Battogtokh Nasanbat,Samiya Ravchig,Francisco Ceacero Herrador,Giovanni Bombieri,Claudio Augugliaro,Spatiotemporal behavior of predators and prey in an arid environment of Central Asia,Current Zoology,2022;,zoac093,https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoac09.
基金the 973 Program (2001CB109004and 2007CB109202)the Key Projects for Breeding Genetically Modified Organisms of China (2011ZX0811-002 and 2009ZX08011-008B)
文摘Transgenic insect-resistant cotton is being increasingly planted in Xinjiang cotton-planting regions, where geographical climate conditions and species composition of pests and natural enemies are greatly unique in China. Limited studies have been conducted on the ecological impacts of transgenic insect-resistant cotton, especially for transgenic double genes （Bt＋CpTI） cotton, in this region. In this study, the potential effects of transgenic Bt＋CpTI cotton on the seasonal abundance of non-target pests and predators were assessed from 2009 to 2011 in Korla, Xinjiang. The results showed that species composition and seasonal abundance of 5 groups of pests and 5 groups of predators were not significantly different between transgenic Bt＋CpTI cotton and non-transgenic cotton every year. It suggests that transgenic Bt＋CpTI cotton per se does not affect the population dynamics of non-target pests and predators on this crop in Xinjiang.
基金supported in part byNationalNatural Science Foundation of China(No.62066001)Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Province(No.2021AAC03230)Program of Graduate Innovation Research of North Minzu University(No.YCX22111).
文摘The metaheuristic algorithms are widely used in solving the parameters of the optimization problem.The marine predators algorithm(MPA)is a novel population-based intelligent algorithm.Although MPA has shown a talented foraging strategy,it still needs a balance of exploration and exploitation.Therefore,a multi-stage improvement of marine predators algorithm(MSMPA)is proposed in this paper.The algorithm retains the advantage of multistage search and introduces a linear flight strategy in the middle stage to enhance the interaction between predators.Predators further away from the historical optimum are required to move,increasing the exploration capability of the algorithm.In the middle and late stages,the searchmechanism of particle swarmoptimization(PSO)is inserted,which enhances the exploitation capability of the algorithm.This means that the stochasticity is decreased,that is the optimal region where predators jumping out is effectively stifled.At the same time,self-adjusting weight is used to regulate the convergence speed of the algorithm,which can balance the exploration and exploitation capability of the algorithm.The algorithm is applied to different types of CEC2017 benchmark test functions and threemultidimensional nonlinear structure design optimization problems,compared with other recent algorithms.The results show that the convergence speed and accuracy of MSMPA are significantly better than that of the comparison algorithms.
文摘Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs)play an indispensable role in the lives of human beings in the fields of environment monitoring,manufacturing,education,agriculture etc.,However,the batteries in the sensor node under deployment in an unattended or remote area cannot be replaced because of their wireless existence.In this context,several researchers have contributed diversified number of cluster-based routing schemes that concentrate on the objective of extending node survival time.However,there still exists a room for improvement in Cluster Head(CH)selection based on the integration of critical parameters.The meta-heuristic methods that concentrate on guaranteeing both CH selection and data transmission for improving optimal network performance are predominant.In this paper,a hybrid Marine Predators Optimization and Improved Particle Swarm Optimizationbased Optimal Cluster Routing(MPO-IPSO-OCR)is proposed for ensuring both efficient CH selection and data transmission.The robust characteristic of MPOA is used in optimized CH selection,while improved PSO is used for determining the optimized route to ensure sink mobility.In specific,a strategy of position update is included in the improved PSO for enhancing the global searching efficiency of MPOA.The high-speed ratio,unit speed rate and low speed rate strategy inherited by MPOA facilitate better exploitation by preventing solution from being struck into local optimality point.The simulation investigation and statistical results confirm that the proposed MPOIPSO-OCR is capable of improving the energy stability by 21.28%,prolonging network lifetime by 18.62%and offering maximum throughput by 16.79%when compared to the benchmarked cluster-based routing schemes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22022611,21906096)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2020YFA0907500)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS(No.2018052).
文摘Certain poly-and perfluoroalkyl substances(PFASs)exhibit significant bioaccumulation/biomagnification behaviors in ecosystems.PFASs,such as perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS),perfluorooctanoic acid(PFOA),perfluorohexanesulfonic acid(PFHxS)and related precursors,have elicited attention from both public and national regulatory agencies,which has resulted in worldwide restrictions on their production and use.Apex predators occupy the top trophic positions in ecosystems and are most affected by the biomagnification behavior of PFASs.Meanwhile,the long lifespans of apex predators also lead to the high body burden of PFASs.The high body burden of PFASs might be linked to adverse health effects and even pose a potential threat to their reproduction.As seen in previous reviews of PFASs,knowledge is lacking between the current stage of the PFAS body burden and related effects in apex predators.This review summarized PFAS occurrence in global apex predators,including information on the geographic distribution,levels,profiles,and tissue distribution,and discussed the trophic transfer and ecotoxicity of PFASs.In the case where legacy PFASs were restricted under international convention,the occurrence of novel PFASs,such as 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate(6:2 Cl-PFESA)and perfluoroethylcyclohexane sulfonate(PFECHS),in apex predators arose as an emerging issue.Future studies should develop an effective analytical method and focus on the toxicity and trophic transfer behavior of novel PFASs.
基金Supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2017YFC1404405)the Mount Tai Scholar Climbing Plan to Song SUN,the Shandong Joint Fund for Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences(No.U1606404)the Aoshan Science and Technology Innovation Project(No.2016ASKJ02-2)。
文摘Jellyfish blooms have become a hot research topic in recent decades because they pose a serious threat to fisheries,coastal industries,tourism,and the marine ecosystem.The life cycle of scyphozoan jellyfish consists of a pelagic medusa stage and a benthic polyp stage,where asexual reproduction and strobilation of the polyps directly affect the abundance of ephyra and subsequently medusa abundance.The dynamics of polyps are affected by both environmental and biological factors,and predation by natural predators is one of the most important biological factors.Nemopilema nomurai,Aurelia coerulea,and Rhopilema esculentum are three scyphozoan species that are commonly found in Chinese coastal waters,and previous studies reported that the survivorship of polyps differs among the three species when they are exposed to the same benthic community.To identify potential natural predators of polyps of these three species in Chinese coastal waters and to determine whether the predation rates on polyps of the three species differ,we collected 39 species of macrozoobenthos from the Bohai Sea,Yellow Sea,and East China Sea from May 2014 to June 2016 and conducted predation tests and predation rate measurements.We found that the nudibranchs Pleurobranchaea novaezealandiae,Okenia plana,and Chromodoris tinctoria and the sea anemones Paracalliactis sinica,Calliactis japonica,Anthopleura incerta,and Anthopleura midori could prey on the polyps of all three scyphozoan species.The predation rates increased with the body length of the predators.The predations rates were also related to the polyp species,although the different predators showed no consistent preference for a particular species of polyp.Our results indicate that introducing predators to locations inhabited by polyps might be a way to control the benthic polyp populations and prevent subsequent jellyfish blooms.
基金supported by the National Genetically Modified Organisms Breeding Major Project:Technology of Environmental Risk Assessment on Transgenic Rice (2008ZX08011-001)Technology of Environment Risk Assessment of Transgenic Rice on Rice Planthopper Population (2009ZX08011-009B)
文摘Transgenic Bt rice has been shown to be an effective means of controlling Lepidoptera pests of rice. However, the potential roles of transgenic rice on planthoppers and their predators need to be investigated before its commercialization. Population density, species dominance and population dynamics are important parameters of arthropods populations in field. So the impacts of three transgenic Bt rice strains expressing crylAb/crylAc, crylC and cry2A on population density, species dominance and population dynamics of three species of planthoppers （Nilaparvata lugens, Sogatella furcifera and Laodelphax striatellus） and their three main predators （ Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, Pirata subpiraticus and Theridium octomaculatum） were evaluated at three sites in Hubei Province, China, in the current study. The results showed that among three species of planthoppers, both in transgenic and non-transgenic rice field, the predominant species ofplanthoppers within phytophagous guild was S. furcifera at any site either growing season （46-50%）. Significantly higher population density ofN. lugens was observed in T2A-1 field relative to Minghui 63 field at Wuxue in 2010. The species dominance of predator, P. subpiraticus, in TT51 field was significantly higher than that in T 1 C-19 and T2A-1 fields in 2009 at Xiaogan site. Sampling date significantly influenced six arthropods except for P. subpiraticus in 2010. The interaction between rice strain^sampling date had no significant adverse effects on the population dynamics of three species of planthoppers and their predators, except for several individual species in 2009. The interaction among rice strain^sampling date^sampling site also had no significant effect on six arthropods except for S. furcifera in 2009. The results indicated that transgenic Bt rice expressing crylAb/crylAc, cry2A and crylC had no significant adverse effects on the population dynamics of three planthoppers and their predators in most investigated data and sampling site.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31272330)the Scientific Research Innovation Team Projects of Leshan Normal University
文摘Background: The Emei Shan Liocichla(Liocichla omeiensis) is a globally vulnerable babbler, endemic to southwestern China. We investigated its nest predators, nest-site selection and nest success at the Laojunshan National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China in order to identify the precise nesting-habitat requirements of the species, and to test whether the nest-site-selection cues, preferred by the Emei Shan Liocichla, are positively associated with nest success.Methods: We used infrared cameras to determine nest predators. We compared the microhabitat attributes between nest and random sites, as well as successful and failed nests. We used Binary Logistic Regression to determine the most important variables affecting nest-site selection of the Emei Shan Liocichla. We used the nest survival analysis in Program MARK to estimate daily nest survival rates(DSR). Nest success was calculated using the Mayfield method.Results: In total 56 nests were found. The DSR for all nests that contained at least one egg was 0.9564 ± 0.0091(95 % CI 0.9346–0.9711)(n = 40), while the total nest success was 27.5 %. We identified four categories of predators in 10 nest predation events, i.e. squirrels(n = 5), snakes(n = 3), raptors(n = 1) and wasps(n = 1). We found that:(1) nest predation was the primary reason for nest failure of the Emei Shan Liocichla,(2) tree cover, bamboo cover, liana abundance and distance to forest edge or gap were the most important variables affecting nest-site selection of this species, and(3) the nest-site-selection variables we measured appeared not to be positively associated with nest success.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the Emei Shan Liocichla tended to select nest sites near forest edges or gaps with good concealment and that nest-site selection by this species was nonrandom but not necessarily adaptive. Reducing forest-edge development and protecting bamboo stands should be effective for conservation of this species.
文摘Interactions between disruptive colouration and the match between prey and background spot size were manipulated in two experiments that used time taken by human ＇predators＇ to find artificial prey （virtual crab morphs） against heterogeneous backgrounds as a measure of the their camouflage. Experiment 1, in which the spots and their placement imitated the arrangement on the crab Carcinus maenas, tested whether high and low contrast spots touching the body outline （disruptive ＇edge＇ morphs） made the artificial prey more difficult to detect than when the spots did not touch the outline （non-disruptive ＇inner＇ morphs） against three different backgrounds： ＇small＇, ＇middle＇ and ＇large＇ spot size. In Experiment 2, the range of spot sizes and their positions （＇edge＇ and ＇inner＇） on the crab morphs were varied to determine the most effective combination against the ＇mid- dle＇ background. Altogether, 640 volunteers participated in these computer trials, representing a high degree of independent replication. All patterned morphs were significantly harder to detect than plain morphs, indicating that possessing at least some degree of background matching can provide camouflage. Both experiments demonstrated that various morphs, though not having the same spot sizes as the background, had similar or better survivorship as those with matching spot sizes--indicating that opti- mal camouflage did not come from background matching alone. In Experiment 2, edge-disrupted morphs consistently took longer to find than their non-disruptive counterparts. The relative effects of edge disruption, contrast, and background/prey spot size are clearly context-dependent, highlighting the complexity of prey concealment [Current Zoology 61 （4）： 718-728, 2015].
文摘Predation is thought to be one of the main structuring forces in animal communities. However, se- lective predation is often measured on isolated traits in response to a single predatory species, but only rarely are selective forces on several traits quantified or even compared between different predators naturally occurring in the same system. In the present study, we therefore measured be- havioral and morphological traits in young-of-the-year Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis and com- pared their selective values in response to the 2 most common predators, adult perch and pike Esox lucius. Using mixed effects models and model averaging to analyze our data, we quantified and compared the selectivity of the 2 predators on the different morphological and behavioral traits. We found that selection on the behavioral traits was higher than on morphological traits and perch predators preyed overall more selectively than pike predators. Pike tended to positively se- lect shallow bodied and nonvigilant individuals （i.e. individuals not performing predator inspec- tion）. In contrast, perch predators selected mainly for bolder juvenile perch （i.e. individuals spend- ing more time in the open, more active）, which was most important. Our results are to the best of our knowledge the first that analyzed behavioral and morphological adaptations of juvenile perch facing 2 different predation strategies. We found that relative specific predation intensity for the di- vergent traits differed between the predators, providing some additional ideas why juvenile perch display such a high degree of phenotypic plasticity.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30800120) and the Foundation for New Teachers of Huazhong Normal University
文摘Some rodent-dispersed seeds have a hard seed-coat(e.g.woody endocarp).Specific scrapes or dental marks on the hard seed-coat left by rodents when they eat these seeds can be used to identify seed predators.In this study we measured the morphological traits of endocarp-remains of seeds of wild apricot Prunus armeniaca used by Chinese white-bellied rats Niviventor confucianus and Korean field mice Apodemus peninsulae.We established their Fisher's linear discriminant functions to separate endocarp-remains between the two predators.A total of 90.0% of the endocarp-remains left by Korean field mice and 88.0% of those left by Chinese white-bellied rats were correctly classified.The overall percentage of correct classification was 89.0%.One hundred and sixty endocarp-remains of unknown what species predated them were classified using the functions.The method may allow more reliable quantitative studies of the effects of Chinese white-bellied rats and Korean field mice on seed consumption and dispersal of wild apricot and this study might be used for reference in other studies of seed predators identification on hard seeds.
文摘Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, is a major cosmopolitan insect pest causing direct and indirect damage to greenhouse-grown horticultural crops. The primary way of managing western flower thrips populations is by routinely applying insecticides, which target the aboveground life stages: larvae and adult. However, insecticides are minimally effective against the pupal stages (prepupae and pupae) that reside in the growing medium or soil. Therefore, soil-dwelling biological control agents including: predatory mites [Stratiolaelaps scimitus and Hypoaspis = (Geolaelaps) aculeifer], and a rove beetle, Dalotia coriaria may be a viable option to induce mortality on the pupal stages. These predators will feed on the pupal stages of the western flower thrips and can provide mortality on a life stage that is tolerant of insecticide applications. However, these biological control agents need to be used in conjunction with other plant protection strategies, such as insecticides and/or biological control agents that target the aboveground life stages (larvae and adult) to effectively manage western flower thrips populations in greenhouse production systems.
文摘Most studies of predator-induced plasticity have focused on documenting how prey species re- spond to predators by modifying phenotypic traits and how traits correlate with fitness. We have previously shown that Pleurodema thaul tadpoles exposed to the dragonfly Rhionaeschna varie- gata responded strongly by showing morphological changes, less activity, and better survival than non-exposed tadpoles. Here, we tested whether there is a functional link between morphological plasticity and increased survival in the presence of predators. Tadpoles that experienced predation risk were smaller, less developed, and much less active than tadpoles without this experience. Burst speed did not correlate significantly with morphological changes and predator-induced deeper tails did not act as a lure to divert predator strikes away from the head. Although we have previously found that tadpoles with predator-induced morphology survive better under a direct predator threat, our results on the functional link between morphology and fitness are not conclu- sive. Our results suggest that in P. thaultadpoles （1） burst speed is not important to evade preda- tors, （2） those exposed to predators reduce their activity, and （3） morphological changes do not divert predator attacks away from areas that compromise tadpole survivalEE. Our results show that morphological changes in P. thaul tadpoles do not explain burst speed or lure attraction, al- though there was a clear reduction of activity, which itself reduces predation. We propose that changes in tadpole activity could be further analyzed from another perspective, with morphological change as an indirect product of behavior mediated by physiological mechanisms.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant 31870370)Guangxi 1000 Young and Middle-Aged College and University Backbone Teachers Cultivation Program(2019.5)。
文摘Begging brings benefits and costs for nestling birds:it can indicate their needs to their parents,but it can also be a cue used by predators to find the nest.The costs,like many variables related to nest predation,can be specific to what kinds of predators are present and their auditory capabilities.These costs and benefits could also be affected by human noise,as noise could disrupt communication to parents and eavesdropping by predators,although human-produced noise might be easily ignored if predators can hear high-frequency components of the begging.We studied nest predation on a generalist bird,the Red-whiskered Bulbul(Pycnonotus jocosus),in a tropical forest in which there are many kinds of nest predators,including birds,mammals and reptiles.In 20 natural nests in which artificial eggs were placed,and subsequently in 140 artificial nests,we broadcast recordings of begging nestlings,with and without traffic noise,at two volume levels.We hypothesized that playback would increase predation relative to a silent control,and that mixing in traffic noise with the begging would decrease predation,as the begging signal was masked.However,we hypothesized that some predators,particularly small mammals with sensitive high-frequency hearing,might ignore the traffic noise.We found that predation was lowest for the control treatment,and lower for treatments mixed with traffic noise than for those without it.Small mammals,however,showed an unexpected pattern,displaying less nest predation in the treatments with traffic noise.Our results demonstrate the human-associated noise can disturb nest predators and influence which kinds of predators use begging to locate nests.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31870368 to KZ,No.31770419 and No.31971402 to HW,No.32001094 to J.Yu)the Science and Technology Project Program of Jilin Provincial Department of Education(JJKH20190281KJ to J.Yu)。
文摘Background:For cavity-nesting birds,the nest entrance plays an important role in preventing predators from accessing nests.Several species of nuthatches use mud to narrow the entrance of cavities.In theory,the smaller the entrance hole size,the more effective it is against predators;however,few studies have tested whether narrowing the entrance hole size can affect the estimation of threat levels from nest predators in cavity-nesting birds.Methods:Using dummy experiments,we tested whether Eurasian Nuthatches(Sitta europaea,narrow the entrance hole of cavities)and Cinereous Tits(Parus cinereus,do not narrow the entrance hole,as a control)perform different nest defence behaviours against Common Chipmunks(Tamias sibiricus,small nest predator)and Red Squirrels(Sciurus vulgaris,larger nest predator).Results:Both nuthatches and tits exhibited stronger response behaviours(high dummy response scores)against chipmunks than against squirrels.Compared with tits,nuthatches exhibited more aggressive behaviours to chipmunks,but their responses to squirrels were similar.Conclusions:Nest defence behaviours of nuthatches to chipmunks differed from tits,and the results suggested that nuthatches might estimate threat levels of nest predators according to their narrowed entrance-hole size.
基金funded by project CGL2004-00346/BOS of Ministry of Education and Sciencesupported by a predoctoral grant of CSIC-Spanish Council for Research,“I3P”programsupported by a FPU and a post-doctoral fellowships from the Spanish Ministry of Education.
文摘It has been suggested that spatial heterogeneity is key to the coexistence at local spatial scales of subordinate and dominant predator species by allowing the former to shift to more protective habitats when the risk of intraguild predation exists. Here, we show how the smaller carnivore Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) may coexist on a local scale with its intraguild pre- dator, the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), by using places with different microhabitat character- istics. We expect that mongooses living within lynx home ranges will use denser and more protective habitats when active in order to di- minish their risk of being killed by lynx com- pared to those living in areas similar in vege- tation and prey availability but where lynx are absent. The scrubland cover of points used by mongooses outside lynx areas, and that of points located within lynx areas but not used by mongooses, were significantly lower than, or similar to, cover of points used by mongooses within lynx areas. The probability of finding mon- goose tracks was constant across levels of scrubland cover when lynx were absent, but more mongoose tracks were likely to be found in thicker scrubland within lynx areas, especially if these areas were intensively used by lynx. This result agrees with the hypothesis on shifts in microhabitat use of subordinate carnivores to prevent fatal or risky encounters with dominant ones.
基金supported by the National Key Research Program of China during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period(Grant No.2021YFD1401100)the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.LTGN24C140007)the‘San Nong Jiu Fang’Sciences and Technologies Cooperation Project of Zhejiang Province,China(Grant No.2024SNJF010)。
文摘Rice crops are frequently threatened by pests such as rice planthoppers(Nilaparvata lugens,Sogatella furcifera,and Laodelphax striatellus)and leafhoppers(Cicadellidae),which cause significant yield losses.Accurate identification of both pest developmental stages and their natural predators is crucial for effective pest control and maintaining ecological balance.However,conventional field surveys are often subjective,inefficient,and lack traceability.To overcome these limitations,this study proposed RiceInsectID,a two-stage cascaded detection method designed to identify and count tiny rice pests and their natural predators from white flat plate images captured by head-worn AR glasses.The method recognizes 25 insect classes,including 17 instars of rice planthoppers,2 instars of leafhoppers,4 spider species(Araneae),as well as Miridae and rove beetles(Staphylinidae Latreille).At the first coarse-grained detection stage,16 visually similar classes are consolidated into 6 broader categories and detected using an enhanced YOLOv6 model.To improve small object detection and address class imbalance,the fullregion overlapping sliding slices and target pasting(FOSTP)algorithm was applied,increasing the mean average precision at a 50%IoU threshold(mAP50)by 35.46%over the baseline YOLOv6.Feature extraction and fusion were further improved by incorporating an efficient channel attention path aggregation feature pyramid network(ECA-PAFPN)and adaptive structure feature fusion(ASFF)modules,while the balanced classification mosaic(BCM)enhanced detection of minority classes.With test-time augmentation(TTA),mAP50 improved by an additional 2.06%,reaching 84.71%.At the second fine-grained classification stage,each of the six broad classes from the first stage is further classified using individual ResNet50 models.Online data augmentation and transfer learning were employed to significantly enhance generalization.Compared with the baseline YOLOv6,the two-stage cascaded method improved recall by 4.06%,precision by 3.79%,and the F1-score by 3.92%.Overall,RiceInsectID achieved 82.85%recall,80.62%precision,and an F1-score of 81.72%,demonstrating an efficient and practical solution for monitoring tiny rice pests and their natural predators in paddy fields.This study provides valuable insights for ecosystem monitoring and supporting sustainable pest management in rice agriculture.
