Quantifying phenology and migratory behaviours of hummingbirds using single-site dynamics and mark-detection analyses.

Nuanced understanding of seasonal movements of partially migratory birds is paramount to species and habitat conservation. Using nascent statistical methods, we identified migratory strategies of birds outfitted with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags detected at RFID feeders in two sites in California, USA. We quantified proportions of migrants and residents and the seasonal phenology for each movement strategy in Allen's and Anna's hummingbirds; we also validated our methodology by fitting our model to obligate migratory black-chinned hummingbirds.

Genetic Mapping of a new allele, in .

Genetic screens provide a mechanism to identify genes involved with different cellular and organismal processes. Using a Flp/FRT screen in the eye we identified mutations that result in alterations and de-regulation of cell growth and division. From this screen a group of undergraduate researchers part of the Fly-CURE consortium mapped and characterized a new allele of the gene ,

Response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in a horse with hyperthyroidism associated with a functional thyroid adenoma.

A 16-year-old American Paint Horse gelding was presented for evaluation of weight loss and high serum thyroid hormone concentrations resulting from a functional thyroid adenoma. The horse showed no response to a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test. Clinical signs resolved following surgical removal of the adenoma.

Correction: Use of RFID technology to characterize feeder visitations and contact network of hummingbirds in urban habitats.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Use of RFID technology to characterize feeder visitations and contact network of hummingbirds in urban habitats.

Despite the popular use of hummingbird feeders, there are limited studies evaluating the effects of congregation, sharing food resources and increased contact when hummingbirds visit feeders in urban landscapes. To evaluate behavioral interactions occurring at feeders, we tagged 230 individuals of two species, Anna's and Allen's Hummingbirds, with passive integrated transponder tags and recorded their visits with RFID transceivers at feeders. For detecting the presence of tagged birds, we developed an RFID equipped feeding station using a commercially available antenna and RFID transceiver.

The glycosphingolipid, lactosylceramide, regulates beta1-integrin clustering and endocytosis.

Glycosphingolipids are known to play roles in integrin-mediated cell adhesion and migration; however, the mechanisms by which glycosphingolipids affect integrins are unknown. Here, we show that addition of the glycosphingolipid, C8-lactosylceramide (C8-LacCer), or free cholesterol to human fibroblasts at 10 degrees C causes the formation of glycosphingolipid-enriched plasma membrane domains as shown by visualizing a fluorescent glycosphingolipid probe, BODIPY-LacCer, incorporated into the plasma membrane of living cells. Addition of C8-LacCer or cholesterol to cells initiated the clustering of beta1-integrins within these glycosphingolipid-enriched domains and the activation of the beta1-integrins as assessed using a HUTS antibody that only binds activated integrin.

Selective stimulation of caveolar endocytosis by glycosphingolipids and cholesterol.

Internalization of some plasma membrane constituents, bacterial toxins, and viruses occurs via caveolae; however, the factors that regulate caveolar internalization are still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a brief treatment of cultured cells with natural or synthetic glycosphingolipids (GSLs) or elevation of cholesterol (either by acute treatment with mbeta-cyclodextrin/cholesterol or by alteration of growth conditions) dramatically stimulates caveolar endocytosis with little or no effect on other endocytic mechanisms. These treatments also stimulated the movement of GFP-labeled vesicles in cells transfected with caveolin-1-GFP and reduced the number of surface-connected caveolae seen by electron microscopy.