Animal-plant interactions in Neotropical forests are complex processes. Within these processes, mid- to large-sized mammals consume fruits and seeds from several species; however, because of their size these mammals are overhunted, resulting in defaunated forests. Our objective was to evaluate and compare seed removal and survivorship in a forest with no hunting, a forest with moderate or reduc...

introduction: the fetus needs a considerable amount of cholesterol for the development of tissues and organs.  studies have suggested that genetic and environmental factors influence the composition of cord blood lipoproteins.  in this study, we aim to assess the effect of gestational age, sex and birth weight on the cord blood lipoproteins. methods: we collected umbilical cord blood samples fr...

Despite the importance of fire and herbivory in structuring savanna systems, few replicated experiments have examined the interactive effects of herbivory and fire on plant dynamics. In addition, the effects of fire on associated ant-tree mutualisms have been largely unexplored. We carried out small controlled burns in each of 18 herbivore treatment plots of the Kenya Long-term Exclosure Experi...

Global conversion of patches natural vegetation into agricultural land is reducing the ecosystem services provided by dwelling species to farmers. For sub-Saharan African subsistence farmers, such a reduction in pest control birds may be significant disadvantage. Here we explored what extent provide staple crop maize (Zea mays) on small farms Mambilla Plateau Taraba State, Nigeria. We used excl...

objective(s): there is controversial evidence about the effect of methamphetamine (meth) on spatial memory. we tested the time- dependent effects of meth on spatial short-term (working) and long-term (reference) memory in meth –sensitized and withdrawn rats in the morris water maze. materials and methods: rats were sensitized to meth (2 mg/kg, daily/5 days, sc). rats were trained in water maze ...

Indirect interactions driven by livestock and wild herbivores are increasingly recognized as important aspects of community dynamics in savannas and rangelands. Large ungulate herbivores can both directly and indirectly impact the reproductive structures of plants, which in turn can affect the pollinators of those plants. We examined how wild herbivores and cattle each indirectly affect the abu...

We examined whether arctic ground squirrel (Spermophilus parryii plesius) populations in northern boreal forest in the Yukon Territory, Canada, were limited by food, predators, or a combination of both, during the decline and low phases of a snowshoe hare cycle. From 1990 to 1995, populations were monitored in large-scale (1 km2) experimental manipulations. Squirrels were studied on eight 9-ha ...