We conjecture that, for each tree T , there exists a natural number kT such that the following holds: If G is a kT -edge-connected graph such that |E(T )| divides |E(G)|, then the edges of G can be divided into parts, each of which is isomorphic to T . We prove that for T = K1,3 (the claw), this holds if and only if there exists a (smallest) natural number kt such that every kt-edge-connected g...

Three deep-sea tardigrade species were identified from the sediment samples collected during four German–Russian joint cruises that conducted in North-Western Pacific: Coronarctus sonne sp. nov., Moebjergarctus okhotensis and Angursa cf. bicuspis. Specimens of those at depths between 1700 5410 m. The new nov. belongs to Cor. tenellus group on basis morphological traits such as short cephalic ap...

Currently only 32 species of limno-terrestrial tardigrades have been reported in the literature for Colombia. Our study focused on both heterotardigrades and eutardigrades, which were extracted from eight samples of bryophytes and lichens collected in a sub-Andean forest transect in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Fourteen species were found, six of which are new records for Colombi...

Male fiddler crabs, genus Uca, have one greatly enlarged claw with which they court females and threaten and fight other males. Longer claws are more effective signals but are thought to be less effective weapons because the relative closing force at the tip of the claw decreases with claw length. We studied claw morphology and fighting in Uca terpsichores and Uca beebei and found a mechanism t...

Two new species, Mixibius parvus sp. nov. and Diphascon (Diphascon) ziliense sp. nov. are described from Sicily. Mixibius parvus sp. nov. has three macroplacoids and a microplacoid and differs from M. tibetanus, the only other known species of the genus with those characteristics, in having a wrinkled cuticle without true small tubercles, a shorter microplacoid, smaller claw pt index values, an...

Stable isotopes derived from the claws of birds could be used to determine the migratory origins of birds if the time periods represented in excised sections of claws were known. We investigated new keratin growth in the claws of adult female Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) by estimating the equilibration rates of stable isotopes (δ (13)C, δ (15)N, and δ (2)H) from the breeding grounds into 1 mm ...

The climbing crab Sesarma leptosoma colonizes the mangrove roots and canopy of East African mangrove swamps, an intricate three-dimensional habitat in which it orients itself visually. To ascertain if vision helps this tree crab to detect dangers such as predators, we used dummy objects: (1) a preserved specimen of its predator, the crab Epixanthus dentatus in its typical ambush posture; (2) a ...

In the United States and Canada, the most recent documented cases of rabies have been attributed to bat rabies viruses (RABV). We undertook this systematic review in an effort to summarize and enhance understanding of the risk of infection for individuals who have been potentially exposed to a suspect or confirmed rabid bat. United States rabies surveillance summaries documented a total of 41 h...

Exploring the relationship between phenotype and performance in an ecological and evolutionary context is crucial to understanding the adaptive nature of phenotypic traits. Despite their ubiquity in vertebrates, few studies have examined the functional and ecological significance of claw morphologies. Here we examine the adhesive toepad and claw system of Anolis lizards. Claw characters are sig...

The aim of the presented study was to estimate the influence of the traits of hoof measurement in dairy cows on claw disorders, lameness, and locomotion scores were determined. Data on claw health and measurement trait of claws were collected from 68 primiparous cows housed in tie stalls and from 76 primiparous cows housed in free stalls. Data were collected during professional claw trimming. T...