Farmed blue foxes (<i>Vulpes lagopus</i>) are traditionally housed on mesh floors where they are unable to perform certain species-specific behaviours, such as digging, which may compromise the animals' welfare. This study describes how a possibility to use in-cage sand floor affects welfare-related variables like growth of the claws, adrenal cortex function, and fur properties in juvenile blue foxes. The foxes (<svg style="vertical-align:-0.17555pt;width:48.4375px;" id="M1" height="10.9125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 48.4375 10.9125" width="48.4375"  xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
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</svg>) were housed in male-female sibling pairs in an outdoor fur animal shed in cage systems consisting of two traditional fox cages. For the eight male-female sibling pairs of the Control group, there was a mesh floor in both cages of each cage system, whereas for the eight pairs of the Sand group there was a mesh floor in one cage and a 30&#x2013;40&#x2009;cm deep earth floor in the other cage. The results show that sand floor is beneficial for the wearing of the claws of foxes. Furthermore, an early experience of sand floor may have positive effects on the foxes' fur development. The results, however, also suggest that there might appear welfare problems observed as disturbed claw growth and increased adrenal cortex activation if foxes that are once provided with clean and unfrozen sand floor are not allowed to enjoy this floor all the time.

Leena Ahola

Tarja Koistinen

Jaakko Mononen

Sand Floor for Farmed Blue Foxes: Effects on Claws, Adrenal Cortex Function, Growth and Fur Properties

Adaptations of the mammalian eye have tailored each to its own particular ecological niche. On the one hand, it would appear that the horse is best served by a system that can keep &#8220;half an eye&#8221; on everything, while the human benefits from focussing on more specific aspects of the visual array. By adapting a range of techniques, originally used to assess human visual ability, it has been possible to compare the human visual experience with that of the horse. In general, the results of the majority of these comparative studies indicate that the visual capabilities of the horse are broadly inferior to the human equivalents in acuity, accommodation, and colour vision. However, both the horse and human abilities to judge distance and depth perception may be quite comparable while equine vision is certainly superior to that of human&#39;s under scotopic conditions. Individual variation in visual ability, which is routinely taken for granted in humans, is also likely to occur in the horse. Such variation would undoubtedly affect equine performance, particularly in terms of expectation of athletic competitive outcomes in modern equitation. In addition to such considerations as conformation and athletic ability, a detailed assessment of the visual ability might contribute to a more accurate prediction of future performance characteristics in the horse. Although further investigation is required in order to appreciate fully both the capabilities and limitations of the equine visual system, the information currently available should now be considered and applied more rigorously both in the design of the equine environment and in the implementation of contemporary equine training methods. This need is the greatest in areas of equestrian sport where the outcomes of either or both equine and human visual judgements can be critical, the cost of failure often high and occasionally results in fatal consequences for both parties of the horse-human dyad.

Jack Murphy

Carol Hall

Sean Arkins

What Horses and Humans See: A Comparative Review

Anurans may be brightly colored or completely cryptic. Generally, in the former situation, we are dealing with aposematism, and the latter is an example of camouflage. However, these are only simple views of what such colorations really mean and which defensive strategy is implied. For instance, a brightly colored frog may be part of a mimicry ring, which could be either Batesian, Müllerian, or Browerian. These are only examples of the diversity of color-usage systems as defensive strategies. Unfortunately, reports on the use of colors as defensive mechanisms are widespread in the available literature, and the possible functions are rarely mentioned. Therefore, we reviewed the literature and added new data to this subject. Then, we the use of colors (as defensive mechanism) into categories. Mimicry was divided into the subcategories camouflage, homotypy, and nondeceitful homotypy, and these groups were also subcategorized. Dissuasive coloration was divided into behavioral display of colors, polymorphism, and polyphenism. Aposematism was treated apart, but aposematic colorations may be present in other defensive strategies. Finally, we propose functions and forms of evolution for some color systems in post-metamorphic anurans and hope that this review can be the basis for future research, even on other animal groups.

Luís Felipe Toledo

Célio F. B. Haddad

Colors and Some Morphological Traits as Defensive Mechanisms
                              in Anurans

All metazoans are exposed to a wide range of microbes and have evolved complex immune defenses used to repel infectious agents. Coelomocytes play a key role in the defense reactions of most invertebrates. They are involved in important immune functions, such as phagocytosis, encapsulation, graft rejection, and inflammation, as well as the synthesis and secretion of several humoral factors especially in annelids and echinoderms. Coelomocytes in nematodes are variable in shapes from round, ovoid, cuboidal, and spindle-shaped to stellate or branched cells that are found usually at fixed positions in the pseudocoelom. Their number usually varies from 2 to 6. The model nematode, <i>C. elegans</i> lacks an adaptive immune system and the coelomocytes are capable of endocytosis, but their involvement in phagocytosis of bacteria seems unlikely. The aim of this review is to evaluate current knowledge on coelomocytes of invertebrates with special reference to nematodes. The morphology and structure of these coelomocytes are discussed along with their origin. Their relative positions and diversity in different nematode groups have also been discussed and illustrated.

Qudsia Tahseen

Coelomocytes: Biology and Possible Immune Functions in Invertebrates with Special Remarks on Nematodes

Invertebrate cardiovascular systems have historically been viewed as sluggish, poorly regulated, and &#8220;open&#8221;, where blood bathes the tissues directly as it moves through a system of ill-defined sinuses and/or lacunae without an endothelial boundary. When examining cardiovascular/circulatory morphology and physiology in a broader evolutionary context, one can question the very nature of the definition of a &#8220;closed&#8221; versus &#8220;open&#8221; circulatory system. Viewed in this context a number of invertebrates have evolved incomplete or even completely cell-lined vessels and or lacunae with a highly branched vasculature that allows for the production of significant driving pressures and flows to meet relatively high metabolic demands driven by active life styles. In light of our current understanding of invertebrate cardiovascular systems and their paralleled complexity to vertebrate systems, a number of long established paradigms must be questioned and new definitions presented to better align our understanding of the nature of &#8220;open&#8221; versus &#8220;closed&#8221; cardiovascular systems.

Carl L. Reiber

Iain J. McGaw

A Review of the &#8220;Open&#8221; and &#8220;Closed&#8221; Circulatory Systems: New Terminology for Complex Invertebrate Circulatory Systems in Light of Current Findings

Detrimental physiological effects due to stressors can contribute to the low captive success of primates. The objective of this research was to investigate the potential impact of diet composition on cortisol concentrations in feces and saliva in woolly (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.1638pt;width:44.400002px;" id="M1" height="11.125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 44.400002 11.125" width="44.400002"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.862)"><path id="x1D45B" d="M495 86q-46 -47 -87 -72.5t-63 -25.5q-43 0 -16 107l49 210q7 34 8 50.5t-3 21t-13 4.5q-35 0 -109.5 -72.5t-115.5 -140.5q-21 -75 -38 -159q-50 -10 -76 -21l-6 8l84 340q8 35 -4 35q-17 0 -67 -46l-15 26q44 44 85.5 70.5t64.5 26.5q35 0 10 -103l-24 -98h2&#xA;q42 56 97 103.5t96 71.5q46 26 74 26q9 0 16 -2.5t14 -11.5t9.5 -24.5t-1 -44t-13.5 -68.5q-30 -117 -47 -200q-4 -19 -3.5 -25t6.5 -6q21 0 70 48z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,13.305,10.862)"><path id="x3D" d="M535 323h-483v50h483v-50zM535 138h-483v50h483v-50z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,28.008,10.862)"><path id="x32" d="M412 140l28 -9q0 -2 -35 -131h-373v23q112 112 161 170q59 70 92 127t33 115q0 63 -31 98t-86 35q-75 0 -137 -93l-22 20l57 81q55 59 135 59q69 0 118.5 -46.5t49.5 -122.5q0 -62 -29.5 -114t-102.5 -130l-141 -149h186q42 0 58.5 10.5t38.5 56.5z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,36.168,10.862)"><path id="x37" d="M447 623l8 -12l-283 -613l-74 -10l-7 11q174 283 297 551h-216q-48 0 -62.5 -12t-33.5 -63h-29q10 60 18 148h382z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>) and spider monkeys (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.1638pt;width:44.400002px;" id="M2" height="11.225" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 44.400002 11.225" width="44.400002"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.963)"><use xlink:href="#x1D45B"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,13.305,10.963)"><use xlink:href="#x3D"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,28.008,10.963)"><path id="x36" d="M137 343l67 33q37 17 63 17q79 0 129.5 -53t50.5 -131q0 -92 -58 -156.5t-147 -64.5t-147 68t-58 182q0 63 17 119t43 95.5t61.5 72t69 52t67.5 31.5q62 22 128 33l6 -32q-56 -11 -108 -35q-149 -71 -184 -231zM227 337q-47 0 -95 -27q-6 -23 -6 -70q0 -93 36 -155.5&#xA;t96 -62.5q53 0 78 45.5t25 105.5q0 68 -35 116t-99 48z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,36.168,10.963)"><path id="x31" d="M384 0h-275v27q67 5 81.5 18.5t14.5 68.5v385q0 38 -7.5 47.5t-40.5 10.5l-48 2v24q85 15 178 52v-521q0 -55 14.5 -68.5t82.5 -18.5v-27z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>). The research was conducted in three studies: the first investigated spider monkeys in the United States, the second investigated spider monkeys within Europe, and the third investigated woolly monkeys within Europe. Fecal cortisol in spider monkeys in US zoos varied (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.1638pt;width:50.549999px;" id="M3" height="11.375" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 50.549999 11.375" width="50.549999"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.112)"><path id="x1D443" d="M619 482q0 -69 -40.5 -119t-96 -72.5t-118.5 -26.5h-44l-70 20l-31 -151q-14 -67 0.5 -83t89.5 -22l-5 -28h-287l8 28q65 7 81.5 22t29.5 83l79 398q12 56 0.5 70.5t-78.5 20.5l7 28h255q108 0 164 -43t56 -125zM524 478q0 141 -146 141q-25 0 -47 -8q-16 -6 -20.5 -13.5&#xA;t-10.5 -39.5l-43 -241q37 -13 83 -13q67 0 125.5 45t58.5 129z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,15.582,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x3D"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,30.286,11.112)"><path id="x2E" d="M113 -12q-24 0 -39.5 16t-15.5 42q0 24 16 40.5t40 16.5t40 -16.5t16 -40.5q0 -26 -16 -42t-41 -16z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,34.162,11.112)"><path id="x30" d="M241 635q53 0 94 -28.5t63.5 -76t33.5 -102.5t11 -116q0 -58 -11 -112.5t-34 -103.5t-63.5 -78.5t-94.5 -29.5t-95 28t-64.5 75t-34.5 102.5t-11 118.5q0 58 11.5 112.5t34.5 103t64.5 78t95.5 29.5zM238 602q-32 0 -55.5 -25t-35.5 -68t-17.5 -91t-5.5 -105&#xA;q0 -76 10 -138.5t37 -107.5t69 -45q32 0 55.5 25t35.5 68.5t17.5 91.5t5.5 105t-5.5 105.5t-18 92t-36 68t-56.5 24.5z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,42.321,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x37"/></g>

		
	
</svg>) from 30 to 66 ng/g. The zoo with the highest fecal cortisol also had the highest salivary cortisol (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.546pt;width:50.549999px;" id="M4" height="11.85" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 50.549999 11.85" width="50.549999"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x1D443"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,15.582,11.113)"><path id="x2264" d="M531 71l-474 214v50l474 215v-56l-416 -184l416 -183v-56zM531 -40h-474v50h474v-50z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,30.286,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,34.162,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,42.321,11.113)"><path id="x35" d="M153 550l-26 -186q79 31 111 31q90 0 141.5 -51t51.5 -119q0 -93 -89 -166q-85 -69 -173 -71q-32 0 -61.5 11.5t-41.5 23.5q-18 17 -17 34q2 16 22 33q14 9 26 -1q61 -50 124 -50q60 0 93 43.5t33 104.5q0 69 -41.5 110t-121.5 41q-53 0 -102 -20l38 305h286l6 -8&#xA;l-26 -65h-233z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>). For European zoos, fecal cortisol differed between zoos for both spider and woolly monkeys (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.546pt;width:50.549999px;" id="M5" height="11.85" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 50.549999 11.85" width="50.549999"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x1D443"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,15.582,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x2264"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,30.286,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,34.162,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,42.321,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x35"/></g>

		
	
</svg>). Spider monkeys had higher fecal cortisol than woolly monkeys (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.546pt;width:50.549999px;" id="M6" height="11.85" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 50.549999 11.85" width="50.549999"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x1D443"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,15.582,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x2264"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,30.286,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,34.162,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,42.321,11.113)"><use xlink:href="#x35"/></g>

		
	
</svg>). Zoos with the highest dietary carbohydrates, sugars, glucose, and fruit had the highest cortisol. Cortisol was highest for zoos that did not meet crude protein requirements and fed the lowest percentage of complete feeds and crude fiber. Differences among zoos in housing and diets may increase animal stress. The lifespan and reproductive success of captive primates could improve if stressors are reduced and dietary nutrients optimized.

Kimberly D. Ange-van Heugten

Eric van Heugten

Saskia Timmer

Guido Bosch

Abahor Elias

Scott Whisnant

Hans J. M. Swarts

Peter Ferket

Martin W. A. Verstegen

Fecal and Salivary Cortisol Concentrations in Woolly <i>(Lagothrix ssp.)</i> and Spider Monkeys <i>(Ateles spp.)</i>

In the eastern Ionian Sea, the deep-water shrimps <i>Aristaeomorpha foliacea</i> and <i>Aristeus antennatus</i> constitute a virgin fishing resource, since their maximum abundance depth exceeds commercial exploitation depths. The two sympatric species share a number of common reproductive features, such as summer reproduction. A slight temporal shift in mating activity, ovarian maturation, and spawning period was observed between species. The most notable difference was the more pronounced seasonality in reproductive activity of <i>Aristeus antennatus</i> compared to that of <i>A. foliacea</i> as evidenced by the frequency of inseminated females and functionally mature males, as well as by the shorter ovarian maturation period. Nevertheless, regarding the whole life span, both sexes of <i>Aristeus antennatus</i> exhibit a more extended reproductive activity in comparison to <i>A. foliacea</i>. No notable differentiation of both species existed in comparison to other Mediterranean regions.

K. Kapiris

M. Thessalou-Legaki

Comparative Reproduction Aspects of the Deep-water 
                        Shrimps <i>Aristaeomorpha foliacea</i> and 
                        <i>Aristeus antennatus</i> (Decapoda, Aristeidae) 
                        in the Greek Ionian Sea (Eastern Mediterranean)

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<p><em>International Journal of Zoology</em> publishes original research articles as well as review articles in all areas of zoology.</p>


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International Journal of Zoology - Table of contents 2009

International Journal of Zoology | Hindawi

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International Journal of Zoology publishes original research articles as well as review articles in all areas of zoology.

International Journal of Zoology