Trait-Specific Indirect Effects Underlie Variation in the Response of Spiders to Cannibalistic Social Partners.

AbstractIn cannibalistic species, selection to avoid conspecifics may stem from the need to avoid being eaten or to avoid competition. Individuals may thus use conspecific cues to modulate their behavior to such threats. Yet the nature of variation for such cues remains elusive.

The sources of variation for individual prey-to-predator size ratios.

The relative body size at which predators are willing to attack prey, a key trait for predator-prey interactions, is usually considered invariant. However, this ratio can vary widely among individuals or populations. Identifying the range and origin of such variation is key to understanding the strength and constraints on selection in both predators and prey.

How to evaluate the potential occurrence of intraguild predation.

Intraguild predation is the combination of exploitative competition and predation among potential competitors that use similar resources. It has the potential to shape population dynamics and community structure. Although there is much empirical evidence for the occurrence of intraguild predation in natural ecosystems, the study of its effects is mainly limited to short-term microcosm experiments.

Common variants near ABCA1 and in PMM2 are associated with primary open-angle glaucoma.

We performed a genome-wide association study for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in 1,007 cases with high-pressure glaucoma (HPG) and 1,009 controls from southern China. We observed genome-wide significant association at multiple SNPs near ABCA1 at 9q31.1 (rs2487032; P = 1.

Anterior segment optical coherence tomography parameters in subtypes of primary angle closure.

Purpose: To compare anterior segment parameters, assessed by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT), in subjects categorized as primary angle closure suspect (PACS), primary angle closure (PAC), primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), and previous acute PAC (APAC); and to identify factors associated with APAC.

Methods: This was a prospective ASOCT study of 425 subjects with angle closure (176 PACS, 66 PAC, 125 PACG, and 58 APAC). Customized software was used to measure ASOCT parameters, including angle opening distance (AOD750), trabecular-iris space area (TISA750), anterior chamber depth, width, area and volume (ACD, ACW, ACA, ACV), iris thickness (IT750), iris area (IAREA), and lens vault (LV).

Analysis of anterior segment dynamics using anterior segment optical coherence tomography before and after laser peripheral iridotomy.

Objective: To evaluate changes in the speed of pupil constriction and in anterior segment parameters after laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in patients with angle closure using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, videos of pupil and anterior segment changes in response to illumination were captured with real-time video recording using anterior segment optical coherence tomography and were analyzed frame by frame before and after LPI. Customized software was used to measure the speed of pupil constriction and changes in anterior chamber depth and anterior chamber area, as well as iris thickness at 750 μm from the scleral spur, at the sphincter muscle region (0.

Can climate change jeopardize predator control of invasive herbivore species? A case study in avocado agro-ecosystems in Spain.

Climate change is one of the most important factors affecting the phenology, distribution, composition and diversity of organisms. In agricultural systems many pests and natural enemies are arthropods. As poikilotherm organisms, their body temperature is highly dependent on environmental conditions.