Using museum data of adult specimens whose sex, age, and locality are known, we studied temporal and geographical body size trends among the otter, Lutra lutra, in Norway. We found that body size of the otters increased during the last quarter of the twentieth century, and suggest that this trend is related to increased food availability from fish farming and possibly also to energy saving due to elevated sea temperatures. Birth year and death year explained 38.8 and 43.5%, respectively, of the variation in body size. Body size of otters was positively related to latitude, thus conforming to Bergmann's rule.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00442-006-0499-8 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Urbanization enhances body condition, but not innate immune defences, in a common waterbird.
R Soc Open Sci
January 2025
Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Banacha 1/3, Lodz 90-237, Poland.
There is a growing body of evidence that urbanization can affect body condition and immune function in wild birds, although these effects may be complex and taxa-specific. Here, we assessed the effects of urbanization on body condition (size-corrected body mass and haemoglobin concentration) and innate immune defences (haemolysis-haemagglutination assay, haptoglobin concentration and bacterial killing assay) in 136 Eurasian coots () from three urban and three non-urban populations across Poland. We also quantified the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio to control for the potential effect of physiological stress on immune defences.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFQuantifying animal social behaviour with ecological field methods.
R Soc Open Sci
January 2025
School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Field studies of social behaviour are challenging due to the need to record or infer interactions between multiple individuals, often under suboptimal environmental conditions or with potential disturbance by observers. Due to the limited field techniques available, we present a novel method to quantify social behaviours in the field by comparing the counts of individuals caught in traps across multiple locations sampled simultaneously. The distribution of individuals between traps gives the extent of aggregation, and phenotypic data allow for inference of non-random assortment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA lifestyle educational course as an adjunct to biologic administration in patients with severe asthma: A feasibility study.
PEC Innov
June 2025
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
Objective: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of adapting a psychoeducation course (Body Reprogramming) for severe asthma and finding suggestions for improvement.
Methods: Severe asthma patients were recruited from a single centre and enrolled in an online group-based course. Each course consisted of four sessions: introduction to BR, stress, exercise, and diet.
Cervical Retrieval of Giant Posterior Mediastinal Parathyroid Adenoma with Bizarre Morphology.
Sisli Etfal Hastan Tip Bul
December 2024
Department of Pathology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Türkiye.
Parathyroid adenoma is the most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism and rarely reaches huge sizes. As the gland enlarges it may exhibit atypical morphology and extension to the mediastinum which may complicate the excision of the tumor while preserving the capsular integrity. We present a 35-year-old male patient who was referred to our department with a complaint of severe hypercalcemia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Impact of Orthodontic Treatment on Body Weight Due to Change in Dietary Habits.
Cureus
December 2024
Orthodontics, Sardar Begum Dental College and Hospital, Gandhara University, Peshawar, PAK.
Background Orthodontic treatment, while primarily focusing on correcting dental alignment and occlusion, has been increasingly validated for its potential impact on broader aspects of oral health and general well-being: its potential influence on body weight. While the mechanical effects of orthodontic appliances are well documented in the literature, their potential behavioral impact on weight loss remains underexplored. Beyond its primary role in correcting dental alignment, our study has unveiled a lesser-known benefit: its potential to aid in weight reduction among individuals who have already struggled through conventional methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!