Summary: Dormann et al. (2010)

It has been suggested that closely related species share similar climate niches. To test this hypothesis, Dormann et al. (2010) used distribution data for 140 European mammal species, together with climate, land cover and topographical data (to fit species distribution models) in order to derive an estimate of the mammals realised climate niches and to investigate their degree of overlap. They compared climate niche overlap of species pairs and found that closely related species differed in their climate niches, but display high climate niche distances. Dormann et al. (2010) interpret this finding as a strong interspecific competitive constraint on the fundamental niche. Their results imply a flexibility of realised climate niches that are independent of phylogenetic distance. Furthermore, the suggest that climate niche models may not be particularly useful for the prediction of future mammal distributions.

Summary: Hilário & Ferrari (2010)

Infanticide is a common phenomenon, usually caused by polygynous males taking over a harem with unrelated infants. Hilário & Ferrari (2010) describe rwo incidences of infanticide in a free-ranging group of
buffy-head marmosets (Callithrix flaviceps) in 2008, the first observed incidence in this species. Over a 10-day period, 4 females within the group gave birth, with the infanticides occurring on the third and sixth days. The perpetrator in the first incident was unknown, but the socially dominant breeding female is likely to have caused both as she was observed ingesting the second infant's head. The behaviour appears typical of marmosets in general. The strategy of the socially dominant breeding female attacking offspring of subordinates is likely aimed at reducing competition for caregivers.

Summary: Bartsch et al. (2010)

The hippocampus is an important structure for the processing of place learning tasks and topographical memory. Cells in the cormu ammonis 1 (CA1) sector of the hippocampus in rodents and primates have been shown to play an important part in place learning, specifically with regards to navigation and consolidation of spatial memory. However, it is unknown what role these cells play in the human hippocampus. Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a rare, self-limiting dysfunction of the hippocampus. Using a virtual Morris water maze, Bartsch et al. (2010) investigated 14 patients with TGA (selective and focal lesions in the CA1 sector of the hippocampus) to determine the role of CA1 cells in place learning. All individuals showed a profound impairment in place learning, with lesion size and TGA duration correlated with decreased performance. Bartsch et al. (2010) results indicate that, like rodents and primates, cells in this area of the hippocampus (CA1) play an important in place learning in humans.

Summary: Hourigan & Reese (1987)

The Hawaiian archipelago is an extremely isolated island group. Hourigan & Reese (1987) noted that the Hawaiian fish fauna is derived from, and has close affinities with, the Indo-west Pacific fauna. However, while it has many endemic species (30% of inshore fishes), there is low species diversity (depauperate). There is local adaptation, but no species radiation. These trends may have been caused by: (1) geographic isolation and current patterns; (2) life history characteristics, particularly dispersal ability, of the fishes; and (3) the extent of adaptive differentiation. Hourigan & Reese (1987) suggested that the isolation of Hawaii is due to its location with respect to unfavourable pacific current patterns, which in turn, determines the marine faunal source.

Summary: Skelhorn (2011)

Noxious prey may use conspicuous colour patterns to advertise their defences (chemical or physical) to predators (aposematic colouring) and predators may show unlearned biases against these warning colours. Predators may use additional signals (.e.g sounds and odours) to determine attack rate and may decreases attack rates when the risk of ingestion toxic prey is perceived to be high. If a cue reliably signals prey defense, this should incite biases by predators against warningly coloured food. Skelhorn (2011) tested whether observation of a conspecific's distaste response to a bitter-tasting solution (e.g. beak wiping, head shaking) caused chicks (Gallus gallus) to bias their foraging decisions away from warningly colour prey. Chicks that observed a distaste reaction attacked fewer red and yellow crumbs, and more green crumbs. Observing a disgust response caused observers to bias their foraging preferences away from warningly coloured food. Skelhorn (2011) suggests that a predator's social system may be important in the evolution of prey defences.

Summary: Li & Zhang (2010)

In 1964, Hamilton suggested that kin recognition might be important for mediating the evolution of altruistic behaviour. Li & Zhang (2010) investigated amicable and agonistic social behaviours in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandti) to determine the mechanism of parent-offspring recognition (prior association / familiarity vs. phenotypic matching). Familiarity involves identification of kin by prior association with them, while phenotypic matching involves identification of kin based on shared family characteristics. Li & Zhang (2010) first examined whether parents could distinguish own from alien offspring, and found that both males and females showed more agonistic behaviour to alien young, indicating discrimination of young. They then used a cross fostering paradigm to investigate the underlying recognition mechanism. They found that parents are more amicable to familiar offspring and more agonistic to unfamiliar offspring (both accounts regardless of relation). Their results suggest that the most likely recognition mechanism in Brandt's voles is familiarity.

Summary: Edvardsson & Arnqvist (2000)

To stimulate females, males may engage in courtship behaviours during and after copulation. When females impose biases on postmating paternity success, thereby varying male reproductive success, these behaviours may evolve by cryptic female choice. Edvardsson & Arnqvist (2000) maniuplated female perception of male courtship behaviour in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum by male tarsal ablation (males could still perform courtship behaviour but could not stimulate females) and quantified male copulatory behaviour to determine whether females cause positive relationships between male copulatory courtship behaviour and relative fertilization success. They found that leg manipulation did not impair male vigour or number of sperm transferred. However, they did find a positive relationship between intensity of courtship and relative fertilization success: manipulated males had lower fertilization success. Female perception of male courtship behaviour, rather than actual male behaviour, governs sperm competition, showing that females impose biases on postmating paternity success and that copulatory courtship is under sexual selection (typically concerned with precopulatory processes and variance in male mating success) by cryptic female choice.