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Abstract Background The female locust is equipped with unique digging tools, namely two pairs of valves—a dorsal and a ventral—utilized for excavating an underground hole in which she lays her eggs. This apparatus ensures that the eggs are protected from potential predators and provides optimal conditions for successful hatching. The dorsal and the ventral valves are assigned distinct roles in the digging process. Specifically, the ventral valves primarily function as anchors during propagation, while the dorsal valves displace soil and shape the underground tunnel. Results In this study, we investigated the noticeable asymmetry and distinct shapes of the valves, using a geometrical model and a finite element method. Our analysis revealed that although the two pairs of valves share morphological similarities, they exhibit different 3D characteristics in terms of absolute size and structure. We introduced a structural characteristic, the skew of the valve cross-section, to quantify the differences between the two pairs of valves. Our findings indicate that these structural variations do not significantly contribute to the valves’ load-bearing capabilities under external forces. Conclusions The evolutionary development of the form of the female locust digging valves is more aligned with fitting their respective functions rather than solely responding to biomechanical support needs. By understanding the intricate features of these locust valves, and using our geometrical model, valuable insights can be obtained for creating more efficient and specialized tools for various digging applications.

Background: The female locust is equipped with unique digging tools, namely two pairs of valves—a dorsal and a ventral—utilized for excavating an underground hole in which she lays her eggs. This apparatus ensures that the eggs are protected from potential predators and provides optimal conditions for successful hatching. The dorsal and the ventral valves are assigned distinct roles in the digging process. Specifically, the ventral valves primarily function as anchors during propagation, while the dorsal valves displace soil and shape the underground tunnel. Results: In this study, we investigated the noticeable asymmetry and distinct shapes of the valves, using a geometrical model and a finite element method. Our analysis revealed that although the two pairs of valves share morphological similarities, they exhibit different 3D characteristics in terms of absolute size and structure. We introduced a structural characteristic, the skew of the valve cross-section, to quantify the differences between the two pairs of valves. Our findings indicate that these structural variations do not significantly contribute to the valves' load-bearing capabilities under external forces. Conclusions: The evolutionary development of the form of the female locust digging valves is more aligned with fitting their respective functions rather than solely responding to biomechanical support needs. By understanding the intricate features of these locust valves, and using our geometrical model, valuable insights can be obtained for creating more efficient and specialized tools for various digging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This article summarizes an attempt at reconstructing and using T-shaped wooden spades as well as reflecting on the connection between structures and resource use around Knudmosen near Herning. However, an important limitation on this process is that very few spades are dated. The conclusion is that the spades are relatively easy to produce and well suited to digging peat.

In terrestrial ecosystems, the activities of semi‐fossorial animals such as Cape porcupines have important landscape effects that may manifest in the dry season when the availability of above‐ground forage becomes limiting. We investigated the effects of foraging activities of Cape porcupines on savanna landscapes. We measured the size (surface area and depth) of foraging holes of porcupines located at the base of trees in the dry season in two mesic savanna sites at Roodeplaat Farm and Bisley Valley Nature Reserve in South Africa. We also recorded plant and animal activities inside the foraging holes for 3 months. The depth of foraging holes beneath small trees (Vachellia nilotica) was greater than depths beneath old trees (V. robusta and D. rotundifolia). This resulted in the subsequent death of most (>50%) small impacted trees in the dry season at Bisley. The surface area of foraging holes for older trees was greater than that for small trees and even greater for old holes. This study showed that porcupines kill trees or expose them to secondary attacks. The physical impacts of semi‐fossorial herbivores in savannas can be significant, with contributions to direct and indirect landscape transformation and restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current methods for extracting DNA from scale insects typically involves killing specimens or using dead specimens for the first (lysis) step. This creates a quandary when studying species that are difficult to collect and rear in the laboratory. An example is the ongoing study into the phylogenetic relationships among Australia's native scale insects; part of an effort to identify a prey-specific biological control agent for the exotic pest giant pine scale Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius). Clarifying the phylogeny of native scales is important because it helps to determine which non-target species should be prioritised for prey-specificity testing of a prospective biological control agent. However, live insects are also needed to initiate laboratory cultures before prey-specificity testing can commence. Using specimens collected in Queensland, we tested whether it was possible to extract and sequence DNA from live specimens of Monophlebulus Cockerell by removing a single leg instead of sacrificing the whole individual. It was hoped these specimens could also be used to establish laboratory cultures. We successfully sequenced DNA from each leg that had been removed and specimens did survive at least several days post-leg removal, but no specimens survived to produce nymphs. Although this procedure could be used on other archaeococcoid scale insects such as Callipappus Guérin-Méneville, many neococcoid scale insects would unlikely survive the removal of a leg due to their smaller, sac-like bodies and reduced leg morphology. Our non-lethal DNA method for scale insects would be best used for other archaeococcoids that are difficult to collect in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granular environments, such as sand, are one of the most challenging substrates for robots to move within due to large depth‐dependent forces, unpredictable fluid/solid resistance forces, and limited sensing capabilities. An untethered robot is presented, inspired by biological diggers like sea turtles, which utilize underactuated appendages to enable propulsion and obstacle sensing in granular environments. To guide the robot's design, experiments are conducted on test appendages to identify the morphological and actuation parameters for forward thrust generation. Obstacle sensing is observed in granular media by measuring the increased force on the moving appendage caused by changes in the granular flow around it. These results are integrated into an untethered robot capable of subsurface locomotion in a controlled granular bed like natural, loosely packed sand. The robot achieves subsurface "swimming" at a speed of 1.2 mm s−1, at a depth of 127 mm, faster than any other reported untethered robot at this depth, while also detecting obstacles during locomotion via force sensors embedded in the appendages. Finally, subsurface robot locomotion in natural sand at the beach is demonstrated, a feat no other robot has accomplished, showcasing how underactuated structures enable movement and sensing in granular environments with limited limb control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granular environments, such as sand, are one of the most challenging substrates for robots to move within due to large depth‐dependent forces, unpredictable fluid/solid resistance forces, and limited sensing capabilities. An untethered robot is presented, inspired by biological diggers like sea turtles, which utilize underactuated appendages to enable propulsion and obstacle sensing in granular environments. To guide the robot's design, experiments are conducted on test appendages to identify the morphological and actuation parameters for forward thrust generation. Obstacle sensing is observed in granular media by measuring the increased force on the moving appendage caused by changes in the granular flow around it. These results are integrated into an untethered robot capable of subsurface locomotion in a controlled granular bed like natural, loosely packed sand. The robot achieves subsurface “swimming” at a speed of 1.2 mm s−1, at a depth of 127 mm, faster than any other reported untethered robot at this depth, while also detecting obstacles during locomotion via force sensors embedded in the appendages. Finally, subsurface robot locomotion in natural sand at the beach is demonstrated, a feat no other robot has accomplished, showcasing how underactuated structures enable movement and sensing in granular environments with limited limb control.

The concept and practice of 'Public Archaeology', in the broadest sense, were conceived and developed in the West and then introduced to and applied by other parts of the world. Among its various facets are excavation programmes for the public. This article focuses on and compares South Korea's and the UK's excavation systems for the public to examine cases of similar and different public archaeology practices around the world. In South Korea, excavations are strictly governmental, professional, and academic, and thus 'mock excavation' programmes were developed to enable children to experience replicated excavation sites. In the UK, excavations have been led by interest groups since the nineteenth century. Today, participants in these interest groups are commonly referred to as amateur or community archaeologists and they participate in real archaeological excavations. This study compares the two countries' approaches and systems with motivations to underpin how and why public archaeology practices can fundamentally differ according to internal circumstances and contexts. The aim is to point out how public archaeology practices inevitably become shaped by national and practical scopes and limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of the development of automatic control systems for walking dragline excavator digging process. The process enables operational productivity to be enhanced through optimizing digging process. This also prevents extreme loads on machinery and hoist cable deflection. The paper also describes mathematical models of the electric drives of the main excavator machinery which form the bucket motion and the model of cable length change. Further the study will analyse the tructure of the control system and the automatic digging algorithm. Computer modeling findings are also described to confirm the operability of the automatic digging algorithm. Computer simulation of the processes in electric drives of main machinery of a walking dragline in digging operations was performed by means of SimInTech software. The automatic control system optimizes digging trajectory with very fast penetration with permissible overregulation following digging at a constant cut depth. The integrated system of dragline operation process control is practically independent due to the following factors: the automatic digging control system in combination with automatic systems for transporting the loaded bucket to dump and the empty bucket to the face; the automatic main machinery overload protection systems; and the system of control over safe bucket movement in the dragline working space.

A large number of domestic and foreign scientists were engaged in the wear of the surfaces of the excavating parts of earthmoving machines during their interaction with the ground, as well as the problem of the adhesion of soils on the surface of the working excavating parts of machines and methods of struggle. It is known that the classical theory of digging is based on empirical dependencies obtained experimentally. They allow, basically, to reveal the essence of the process of dredging, but they differ from each other, both in their description and in the number of results. In this article, the authors propose, on the basis of probability theory, theoretical studies of the process of dredging and the interaction of the excavating part with the soil. The authors of previous studies confirm the obtained results. The developed physical model of the interaction of soil particles with the surface of the excavating part during adhesion allows us to reveal the physical cause of the process of wear of the surface of the excavating parts.

In order to improve the transmission stability of sensor networks, a sensitive data mining method based on Pan Boolean algebra is proposed. According to the output correctness, reliability and operation efficiency of wireless sensor network, this paper analyzes the characteristics of sensitive data, extracts and clusters the associated features of sensitive data, establishes the information clustering model of sensitive data in sensor network, and detects the fuzzy factor of sensitive data in sensor network with grid block clustering method, The Pan Boolean algebra analysis model is used to realize the hybrid deep learning of sensor network sensitive data detection and realize the optimization of sensor network sensitive data mining. The simulation results show that this method has high precision in mining sensitive data of WSN, and improves the reliability of WSN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that the Triassic stem-frog Triadobatrachus Kuhn, 1962 lacked the ability to jump, but nonetheless had the forelimb strength to withstand the impact of landing from a jump. We propose a hypothesis to resolve this pseudoparadox: the strengthened forelimbs are former adaptations to forelimb-based digging that later made jumping possible by exaptation. Micro-CT data from a skeleton of Batropetes palatinus Glienke, 2015 reveal thin cortical bone, confirming Batropetes Carroll & Gaskill, 1971 as terrestrial. Combining adaptations to walking and digging, confirmed by statistical analyses, Batropetes is thought to have searched for food in leaf litter or topsoil. We interpret Batropetes as having used one forelimb at a time to shove leaf litter aside. Batropetes may thus represent an analog, or possibly a homolog, of the digging stage that preceded the origin of Salientia Laurenti, 1768. We discuss the possibility of homology with the digging lifestyles of other "microsaurs" and other amphibians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extractive foraging tasks, such as digging, are broadly practiced among hunter-gatherer populations in different ecological conditions. Despite tuber-gathering tasks being widely practiced by children and adolescents, little research has focused on the physical traits associated with digging ability. Here, we assess how age and energetic expenditure affect the performance of this extractive task. Using an experimental approach, the energetic cost of digging to extract simulated tubers is evaluated in a sample of 40 urban children and adolescents of both sexes to measure the intensity of the physical effort and the influence of several anatomical variables. Digging is a moderately vigorous activity for inexperienced girls and boys from 8 to 14 years old, and it requires significant physical effort depending on strength and body size. However, extracting subterranean resources is a task that may be performed effectively without previous training. Sex-specific and age-specific differences in the net energy expenditure of digging were detected, even though both sexes exhibited similar proficiency levels when performing the task. Our results highlight that both boys and girls spend considerable energy while digging, with differences largely driven by body size and age. Other factors beyond ability and experience, such as strength and body size, may influence the proficiency of juveniles in performing certain physically intensive foraging tasks, such as gathering tubers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, is a significant urban, agricultural, and medical pest with a wide distribution in the world. Surface or mound treatment using contact insecticide is one of the main methods to control S. invicta. In the present study, cycloxaprid, a newly discovered neonicotinoid insecticide, was evaluated for S. invicta control and compared with two referent insecticides, imidacloprid and bifenthrin. RESULTS: Surfaces or sand treated with cycloxaprid, imidacloprid, or bifenthrin caused high mortality of S. invicta workers, and the action of cycloxaprid or imidacloprid was slower than bifenthrin. Like imidacloprid and bifenthrin, cycloxaprid can be horizontally transferred from corpses or live donor ants to recipient ants. In addition, cycloxaprid‐ or imidacloprid‐treated surfaces significantly induced the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and detoxification enzymes; nevertheless, they had no significant effect on the foraging behaviors of S. invicta workers. Also, sand treated with cycloxaprid or imidacloprid did not negatively affect the digging activities of ants. Interestingly, S. invicta workers excavated significantly more sand containing 0.01 mg/kg cycloxaprid than untreated sand in the no‐choice digging bioassays. In addition, extensive nesting activities (sand excavation and stacking) were observed in the flowerpots containing untreated sand or sand treated with cycloxaprid or imidacloprid. On the contrary, bifenthrin significantly reduced the foraging, digging, and nesting activities of S. invicta workers. CONCLUSION: Cycloxaprid is a slow‐acting and nonrepellent insecticide against S. invicta workers, and its contact and horizontal toxicities are slightly higher than imidacloprid. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The action of biological reworking of soils is referred to as bioturbation, and many species of mammals globally have an important role in soil disturbance, modifying ecosystem characteristics.We examined global patterns in the distribution, conservation status, and threats to the world's bioturbator mammals and illustrated the relevant roles these species play in ecosystem engineering related to soil processes and services. We searched the data available on 3932 non‐flying land‐dwelling mammals included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List.Using existing literature and online databases, we determined that 869 (22%) of the non‐flying land‐dwelling mammals accessed can be considered as bioturbators in three distinct groups: foragers (n = 123), semi‐fossorial species (n = 652), and strictly fossorial species (n = 94). Of the world's bioturbator mammal species, 16% are threatened, 2% are already Extinct, and 8% are classified as Data Deficient. Foragers have the highest percentage of threatened (35%) and Extinct (5%) species, while strictly fossorial species have the highest percentage of Data Deficient species (12%). Although the majority of bioturbator mammal species are found in Asia (32%), Oceania is the continent with the highest percentage of threatened (27%) and Extinct (11%) bioturbator species, while Central and South America have the highest percentage of species classified as Data Deficient (24%). The threats experienced by the greatest number of bioturbator mammal species are activities related to agriculture and aquaculture (29%), and biological resource use (22%).Soil bioturbation can improve ecosystem health by reducing soil compaction, increasing nutrient cycling, soil moisture, microbe diversity, plant recruitment, and carbon storage. The loss of bioturbator mammals could trigger cascading effects throughout the ecosystems they inhabit. A better understanding of their conservation status is important so that effective conservation measures can be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The turmeric and ginger crop was harvested by different types of spade, fork or bullock drawn plow. These methods are very tedious and ergonomically not suitable for the human labour and that results high labour cost and more time and energy consumption for harvesting of the turmeric and ginger. Due to shortage of labour and high charges demands the mechanization in harvesting of these two crops. So a tractor operated digger was design and developed for harvesting of the turmeric and ginger crop, which could dig the crop and separate the fresh crop from soil in field. The digging efficiency of machine was found to be 98.01 and 97.76 % with the exposed percent of 86.42 and 85.93 for ginger and turmeric crop, respectively. The per cent decrease in cost of digging by digger in comparison to manual digging was found to be 69.53 and the break-even point of the digger was 57.59 hours per year. The payback period of root crop digger was less than one year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cicadas, a group of large-bodied insects, are preyed upon at both nymphal and adult stages by diverse range of vertebrates such as birds and mammals. Although the behavior of predators toward adult cicadas is well documented, there is a lack of research on the predation on cicada nymphs. In this study, camera traps deployed in conifer plantations, in which high population densities of cicadas Lyristes bihamatus emerge, were used to evaluate the seasonal and diel patterns of predation upon cicada nymphs by three predator species, namely brown bears, red foxes, and jungle crows, from May to September in 2018 and 2019 in northern Japan. Among all three species, cicada nymph predation occurred until early August when the final instar nymphs fully emerged. Bears were observed to constantly dig for cicada nymphs until early August, whereas foxes and crows were frequently observed foraging from late July to early August, during the season of L. bihamatus emergence. In contract to the powerful digging ability of bears, which facilitates efficient predation upon subterranean cicada nymphs, it is generally difficult for foxes and crows with limited or no digging ability to gain access these nymphs until the period of emergence. Cicada nymph predation by bears and crows was observed primarily during the daytime, despite the typical crepuscular/nocturnal emergence schedules of these insects. Contrastingly, the predatory activities of foxes tended to be nocturnal during the period prior to the beginning of cicada emergence, although subsequently became diurnal during the cicada emergence period. These observations indicate that the temporal activity patterns of cicada nymph predators are determined by interspecific differences in predation abilities and cicada emergence schedules. Accordingly, the findings of this study provide evidence to indicate that the timing and duration of trophic interactions between above- and belowground communities might vary among predator species, depending on their predation abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossorial locomotion is often considered as the most energetically costly of all terrestrial locomotion. Small arctic rodents, such as lemmings, dig tunnels not only in the soil but also through the snowpack, which is present for over 8 months of the year. Lemmings typically dig in the softest snow layer called the depth hoar but with climate change, melt‐freeze and rain‐on‐snow (ROS) events are expected to increase in the Arctic, leading to a higher frequency of hardened snowpacks. We assessed the impacts of snow hardness on the locomotion of two lemming species showing different morphological adaptations for digging. We hypothesized that an increase in snow hardness would (1) decrease lemming performance and (2) increase their effort while digging, but those responses would differ between lemming species. We exposed four brown lemmings (Lemmus trimucronatus) and three collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) to snow of different hardness (soft, hard, and ROS) during 30‐min trials (n = 63 trials) in a cold room and filmed their behavior. We found that the digging speed and tunnel length of both species decreased with snow hardness and density, underlining the critical role of snow properties in affecting lemming digging performance. During the ROS trials, time spent digging by lemmings increased considerably and they also started using their incisors to help break the hard snow, validating our second hypothesis. Overall, digging performance was higher in collared lemmings, the species showing more morphological adaptations to digging, than in brown lemmings. We conclude that the digging performance of lemming is highly dependent on snowpack hardness and that the anticipated increase in ROS events may pose a critical energetic challenge for arctic rodent populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fossorial locomotion is often considered as the most energetically costly of all terrestrial locomotion. Small arctic rodents, such as lemmings, dig tunnels not only in the soil but also through the snowpack, which is present for over 8 months of the year. Lemmings typically dig in the softest snow layer called the depth hoar but with climate change, melt‐freeze and rain‐on‐snow (ROS) events are expected to increase in the Arctic, leading to a higher frequency of hardened snowpacks. We assessed the impacts of snow hardness on the locomotion of two lemming species showing different morphological adaptations for digging. We hypothesized that an increase in snow hardness would (1) decrease lemming performance and (2) increase their effort while digging, but those responses would differ between lemming species. We exposed four brown lemmings (Lemmus trimucronatus) and three collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) to snow of different hardness (soft, hard, and ROS) during 30‐min trials (n = 63 trials) in a cold room and filmed their behavior. We found that the digging speed and tunnel length of both species decreased with snow hardness and density, underlining the critical role of snow properties in affecting lemming digging performance. During the ROS trials, time spent digging by lemmings increased considerably and they also started using their incisors to help break the hard snow, validating our second hypothesis. Overall, digging performance was higher in collared lemmings, the species showing more morphological adaptations to digging, than in brown lemmings. We conclude that the digging performance of lemming is highly dependent on snowpack hardness and that the anticipated increase in ROS events may pose a critical energetic challenge for arctic rodent populations.

In the abandoned mine area with Karst landform in China, soils are few and thin but rocks are common, traditional planting hole diggers are unequal to work in rocks for vegetation restoration. A reamer bit with variable lateral drilling radius was designed based on the PDC (polycrystalline diamond compact) bit technology and metamorphic mechanism. Two lateral camber blades with PDC teeth were installed inside the bit body, a screw mechanism was employed as the actuation and a spatial double triangle mechanism was taken for the transmission. The curve of the camber blade was specially defined thus the reaming load was decentralized to 85.7% teeth on the blade. The kinematics of the lateral reamer bit was analysed, the mapping models from the actuation to the reaming radius and speed were established. Concrete samples were reamed indoors from 240mm to 407mm in diameter, the reaming cutting load and time length were measured and analysed. The lateral reamer bit was approved with the experiment results, this study provided equipment support for digging the planting hole in rocky abandoned mine areas and also expanded the PDC bit application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidating the factors affecting the foraging habitat selection of wildlife can further our understanding of the animal–habitat relationships and inform wildlife conservation and management. Canopy and understory vegetation may directly or indirectly affect the foraging habitat selection of carnivores through changes in habitat structure and prey availability, respectively; however, the relative importance of these two effects remains largely unknown. Dwarf bamboo Sasa kurilensis is a predominant understory plant that suppresses regeneration in the forests of northern Japan. The purpose of this study was to disentangle the direct and indirect effects of canopy forest type Larix kaempferi plantation versus natural mixed forest) and dwarf bamboo on foraging habitat selection of a large carnivore, the brown bear Ursus arctos. In the Shiretoko World Heritage, brown bears dig for cicada nymphs during summer. We evaluated the frequency of brown bear foraging on cicadas by investigating traces of digging for cicada nymphs. A structural equation model was used to statistically disentangle the direct and indirect effects of vegetation. Our results demonstrated that canopy and understory vegetation directly and indirectly affected foraging habitat selection of brown bears. Dwarf bamboo negatively affected cicada nymph density, which positively affected brown bear digging. This suggests that dwarf bamboo also had indirect negative effects on brown bears. Forest type had significant direct and indirect effects via change in cicada nymph density on foraging behavior in brown bears. Forestry managers in northern Japan, including the study site, try to remove dwarf bamboo for assisting natural regeneration. Removal of dwarf bamboo by scarification might not only promote natural regeneration, but also provide a beneficial foraging habitat for bears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population growth in wild boars and feral pigs Sus scrofa has negative environmental and economic implications worldwide. Accordingly, it is necessary to monitor population trends for appropriate management. Despite the potential for bias, relative abundance indices based on signs of activity have the potential to be practical, low-cost monitoring tools for data collection at a local scale and over large areas. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific signs as measures of relative wild boar abundance in comparison with reliable density estimates. In this study, we examined whether three activity signs (digging marks, rubbing marks and fecal pellet groups) could be used as relative abundance indices for wild boar. In particular, we conducted transect surveys for signs of activity as well as camera trap surveys from September 2017 to January 2018 at six sites in Hyogo Prefecture and eight sites in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. We modeled the relations between the number of activity signs and wild boar densities or abundances estimated from camera trap data in a hierarchical framework. Fecal pellet counts is a well-established method for estimating the abundance of herbivores, including wild boar; however, we found few fecal pellet groups in our study area, and the counts were not related to wild boar densities. Instead, we found that digging marks were strongly associated with estimates of wild boar density. Although fluctuations in the number of digging marks may be affected by factors other than boar density, including environmental conditions and seasonality, our results suggest that digging marks are an effective relative abundance index for evaluations of the spatial patterns of wild boar in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scent marking behavior in mammals is related with both inter and intra-specific communication. Several otter species are known to communicate via scent marking, but a couple scent marking has not been documented in the Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis). We obtained field observations of scent marking behavior in Neotropical Otters over two years using camera traps along waterways in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. Our results reveal the use of sandy substrates on islands and river margins for intra-specific communication between otters. Most records (62.5%) were from solitary adults. We document multiple independent records of adult otters digging to scent mark with urine and couple behavior of males urinating on top of female's fresh urine in newly dug shallow craters. We also demonstrate behavioral plasticity of this species evidenced by camera traps recording terrestrial activity during both day and night. Our results contribute to improve the knowledge of the behavior of this otter species in the wild and can potentially be applied to improve ex-situ welfare of captive otters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jallikattu is a sports festival with one-to-one sport, a bull and a man inside the ring at a time. This paper investigates on "Jallikattu" the bull taming sports festival which was a part of old Tamil culture and tradition in association with agricultural farming in Tamil Nadu. Digging poem was one of Seamus Heaney's poem which reflects the poet's relationship to his family and appeared first in the New Statesman magazine in 1964. Through this poem "Digging", the author explores the relationship between three generations: the speaker, his father, and the speaker's grandfather and also the rural history of his family. Seamus Heaney as a writer, he finds the same link with the nature like that of his forefathers who were farmers. Both writing and farming are a blend of culture and tradition. This paper describes the struggle to bring back the Tamil tradition of Jallikattu and also compared to theme of Digging poem to reflects its tradition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bare-nosed wombat is an iconic Australian fauna with remarkable biological characteristics and mythology. This solitary, muscular, fossorial, herbivorous marsupial from southeast Australia has continent and continental island subspeciation. Vombatiformes also contains hairy-nosed wombats ( Lasiorhinus spp.); koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus ); and extinct megafauna, Phascolonus gigas (giant wombat), Diprotodon , and Thylacoleo (marsupial lion). Culturally important to Aboriginal people, bare-nosed wombats engineer ecosystems through digging, grazing, and defecation. Olfaction and cubic fecal aggregations appear critical for communication, including identity, courtship, and mating. Though among the largest fossorial herbivores, they have a nutrient-poor diet, a home range up to an order of magnitude smaller than expected, and a metabolism among the lowest extreme for mammals >10 kg. Metabolic depression may confer advantages over resource competitors and fossorial lifestyle protection from predators, fires, and climatic extremes. Bare-nosed wombats are loved and persecuted by European colonists. Recent population increases may reflect softening attitudes toward, and greater protections of, bare-nosed wombats.

Factors affecting the ecology of a large population of Pacific cicada killers (Sphecius convallis) occupying a field of mine tailings in Ruby, AZ, were examined. Burrows were quite dense in certain areas around the periphery of the mine tailings, but were dispersed randomly within these areas. Approximately 1600 females (based on burrow counts) and 2500 males (based on mark-recapture) were recorded, yielding a total population estimate of 5000-6000 adults. Female wasps were able to dig much more rapidly in the mine tailings than their congeners S. speciosus in soils from PA, suggesting that the habitat suitability was a large factor in this robust population. Provisioning rate was comparatively slow, however, suggesting that cicada abundance in that year was not a contributor to the high population density. The presence of a sap-producing tree may have eased the energetic and thermoregulatory demands of the wasps. Although excavations revealed that the number of burrows and cells could easily maintain the population size, the lack of cicadas probably resulted instead in a population crash the following season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild chimpanzees commonly use stick tools in foraging, often to harvest honey and other insect foods. Compared to other geographical regions, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in mid-western Uganda generally have small toolkits, with one long-term study group – the Sonso community in Budongo Forest – exhibiting no foraging stick use whatsoever. Twenty-five kilometres outside Budongo, the Bulindi community inhabits small forest fragments amidst farmland and villages. Earlier studies reported indirect evidence that these chimpanzees use sticks for digging out subterranean nests of stingless bees (Meliponini) for honey. This article updates the earlier findings on stick tool use at Bulindi using opportunistic direct observations made between June 2018 and March 2020. We first established that foraging stick tool use is ‘customary’ at Bulindi, i.e., occurring in most or all adult, subadult and juvenile individuals. The chimpanzees use stick tools in various foraging contexts, for example as probes to investigate branches or logs containing insect prey or products (e.g., Apis mellifera and Xylocopa sp. bee nests, and unidentified grubs or larvae), as well as for excavating Meliponini ground nests. Next, we analysed video recordings of tool-assisted digging involving six individuals and compared their behaviour with the highly complex techniques (‘actions’) performed by chimpanzees (P. t. troglodytes) in Loango, Gabon – the only site with available data on behavioural techniques used to excavate ground bee nests. While data from Bulindi are preliminary, most actions and grip types described from Loango are present in the Bulindi repertoires. Our observations further indicate high social tolerance in the context of tool-assisted digging in Bulindi, including instances of tool transfer among individuals. Overall, our study suggests close alignment between the techniques used to accomplish this complex tool-assisted task in Bulindi chimpanzees in East Africa and Loango chimpanzees in Central Africa, separated by 2,500 km. Anthropogenic impacts including forest loss, fragmentation, and degradation might reduce behavioural and ‘cultural’ diversity in chimpanzees through loss of opportunities for social transmission of behaviours. Even so, the Bulindi example demonstrates that complex stick tool use can occur in populations occupying highly modified habitats, while being seemingly absent in nearby continuous forest (i.e., Budongo Forest).

ABSTRACT In Brazil, a large portion of peanut production is found under conventional soil preparation. Due to the fact that there is a lack in studies related to the cultivation of peanuts in conservationists soil preparation, mainly in the field of losses and mechanized harvesting. Thus, it was aimed to assess the quality of digging and gathering operation of peanut, based on losses, using statistical process control techniques in two tillages. The sowing was carried out under conventional and conservationist preparation, revolving only the sowing line. Losses were evaluated in the digging and gathering operation, being that in the gathering it was evaluated the harvest losses in three displacement speeds (4, 6 and 8 km h-1) in two tillages. The quality of the process was affected by the soil preparation based on the visible and invisible losses, respectively. Regarding the gathering, the conservationist preparation, it was unstable in all indicators, whereas in the conventional preparation it was noticed reduction of the variability for all the displacement speeds. The peanut sowing under conservationist preparation provided a better quality digging. In contrast, the gathering of pods in areas under conventional tillage showed a better quality of the operation.

Grasslands and grassy woodlands worldwide have experienced declines in extent and condition, with substantial changes to their ground-layer biodiversity. In Australia, this decline has coincided with the extinction of many digging mammals that may have once created regeneration niches for native ground layer plants. These digging mammals are widely recognised as 'ecosystem engineers', due to their influence on biopedturbation and resultant soil functions. Yet there is uncertainty as to the benefits of digging in restoring grassland diversity with current levels of modification and the presence of exotic plants. We investigated the effect of digging by the reintroduced eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) on seedling germination in a temperate grassy woodland in south-eastern Australia. We marked fresh bettong foraging pits and undisturbed control plots in dense and open grassland. We added seeds of seven native forb species and monitored germination and establishment over 2 years. We found significantly more seedlings in bettong pits than controls, particularly in dense grassland. This effect persisted beyond 1 year, suggesting that pits may have increased seedling survival in dry conditions. Surprisingly, native species displayed a stronger positive response to pits than exotic species, particularly in a wet year. There was an initial reduction in exotic species, but this was followed by their increase in 1-year-old pits, suggesting that the disturbance created by digging could eventually lead to an increase in weed abundance. Our results demonstrate that while bettong pits provide a germination niche for native forbs, reintroducing digging animals will not necessarily result in the desired restoration outcomes. Ongoing persistence of exotic species is to be expected, and seed addition may be required for species that are seed-limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clade comprising the soricid tribes Blarinellini (Blarinella) and Blarinini (Blarina and Cryptotis) is notable within the Soricidae (Eulipotyphla) for the large proportion of reportedly semifossorial species. To better define locomotor modes among species in these two tribes, we quantified purported locomotor adaptations by calculating 23 functional indices from postcranial measurements obtained from museum specimens of Blarina and Blarinella and published measurements for 16 species of Cryptotis. We then analyzed relative ambulatory–fossorial function of each species using principal component analyses and mean percentile rank (MPR) analysis of the indices. Species within the Blarinellini–Blarinini clade exhibit a graded series of morphologies with four primary functional groupings that we classified as "ambulatory," "intermediate," "semifossorial," and "fossorial." To obtain a preliminary overview of evolution of locomotor modes in this group, we mapped MPRs on a composite phylogeny and examined the resulting patterns. That analysis revealed that the most recent common ancestor of the Blarinellini–Blarinini clade most likely had an intermediate or semifossorial locomotor morphology. Individual subclades subsequently evolved either more ambulatory or more fossorial morphologies. Hence, evolution of locomotor traits within this clade is complex. Multiple shifts in locomotor mode likely occurred, and no single directional tendency is apparent either among the major modes or in levels of complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Traveling resistance and soil crushing are affected by the main working parameters. • The mechanical analysis of the traveling resistance shows the influencing factors. • The analysis of soil crushing results shows the influencing factors and relationships. • The optimal working parameters are obtained through objective function optimization. Considering the challenges posed by the elevated excavation resistance and substantial soil content of ginger blocks, a specialized digging and harvesting device was designed. The device primarily consists of a digging shovel, shaking fence, hydraulic cylinder, lifting arm and other devices. The mechanical characteristics of the digging device and the mechanism of soil crushing were analysed, and the key factors affecting excavation resistance and soil crushing were determined as follows: forward speed V m , shaking soil frequency f , shovel surface tilt angle ɑ , shaking fence tilt angle β . To determine the influence rules of key factors on excavation resistance and soil flow, a ginger virtual simulation model of EDEM was constructed. Through the utilization of a target optimization method, an improved parameter combination for evaluating the performance of the ginger harvest operation was established. The optimized parameters were as follows: forward speed of 0.35 m/s, shaking soil frequency of 4.0 Hz, shaking fence inclination at 26.0°, and digging shovel inclination at 9.0°. The field test results show that the ginger harvest effect was good, the ginger block contained fewer impurities such as soil, the harvester operation was stable, and there was no congestion and rollover phenomenon. The forward resistance of the excavation harvesting device was found to be 1368.8 N, the soil content was 4.6 %, and the relative error with the expected result was 7.30 %, thereby meeting the requirements of ginger harvesting and the use requirements of users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent cave exploration in the Yorkshire Dales glaciokarst of the north of England has mainly been achieved through the removal of sediment infill from passages and entrances. This has resulted in the linking of previously fragmented cave systems to produce the world class Three Counties Cave System. This work has resulted in a growing appreciation by cave explorers of the need to conserve the delicate underground environment. A number of new techniques and approaches have been developed in order to limit the effects of exploratory digging on the cave system along with active efforts to clean up the underground legacy of previous generations of cave explorers. These techniques and approaches pioneered here may have wider applicability to karst areas elsewhere in the world where cave exploration has reached a phase which includes the digging through sediment blockages.

Temperate grasslands and woodlands are the focus of extensive restoration efforts worldwide. Reintroduction of locally extinct soil-foraging and burrowing animals has been suggested as a means to restore soil function in these ecosystems. Yet little is known about the physical and chemical effects of digging on soil over time and how these effects differ between species of digging animal, vegetation types or ecosystems. We compared foraging pits of a native reintroduced marsupial, the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) and that of the exotic European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We simulated pits of these animals and measured pit dimensions and soil chemical properties over a period of 2 years. We showed that bettong and rabbit pits differed in their morphology and longevity, and that pits had a strong moderating effect on soil surface temperatures. Over 75% of the simulated pits were still visible after 2 years, and bettong pits infilled faster than rabbit pits. Bettong pits reduced diurnal temperature range by up to 25 °C compared to the soil surface. We did not find any effects of digging on soil chemistry that were consistent across vegetation types, between bettong and rabbit pits, and with time since digging, which is contrary to studies conducted in arid biomes. Our findings show that animal foraging pits in temperate ecosystems cause physical alteration of the soil surface and microclimatic conditions rather than nutrient changes often observed in arid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digging for underground storage organs of plants has been reported in various populations of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). However, it is unknown so far whether chimpanzees display lateral biases in manual digging as direct observations of this behavior are still lacking. It was therefore the aim of the present study to assess, for the first time, hand preferences for digging in a group of nine captive chimpanzees. We found that with only one exception, all individuals engaged in manual digging for buried food. Five individuals displayed a significant right-hand preference, two a significant left-hand preference, and one was ambidextrous. No apparent differences between males and females were found with regard to the direction or strength of hand preferences for manual digging. Only one out of four parent–offspring pairs was congruent in their preferred hand for manual digging. Three of the eight chimpanzees who dug manually also used tools in order to excavate buried food. Among those three individuals, one displayed a significant right-, one a significant left-hand preference, and one was ambidextrous. Only one of these three chimpanzees was consistent in preferring the same hand for manual and tool digging. The present findings are in line with the notion that chimpanzees display significant hand preferences at the individual level for haptic-guided behaviors, with a tendency for the right hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron is an herb plant and it is propagated by corm. After six or seven years, saffron corms should be picked up from the underground, graded and re-cultivated in the new field. Determination of appropriate lifting method, packaging and storage of saffron corms are necessary to reduce the falling of germination and maintained the corms quality. In this research, the effects of soil moisture content during lifting, packaging methods, storage temperature and storage period on saffron yield, dried leaves weight and corms proliferation were investigated. Statistical analysis was done on randomized complete block design applying the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that the increasing of soil moisture reduced functional factors, including the corm proliferation, dried leaves weight and yield by 38%, 49% and 48% respectively. Increasing of humidity increased the saffron corms waste during storage and it reduced the yield and the corm proliferation. The highest saffron yield was obtained from saffron corms which were kept in gunnysack or carton packaging, at storage temperature of 25°C during the 30-day storage period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling of Alzheimer's disease (AD), classically focused on the subject-environment interaction, foresees current social neuroscience efforts as improving the predictive validity of new strategies. Here we studied social functioning among congeners in 13-14-month-old mice with normal aging in naturalistic and experimental conditions and depicted behavioral signatures of dysfunction in age-matched 3xTg-AD mice. The most sensitive variables were vibrating tail, digging, body/face and self-grooming, that can be easily used in housing routines and the assessment of strategies. Sex-specific signatures (vibrating tail, digging, and grooming) defined female 3xTg-AD mice ethogram. All animals sleep huddled while barbering was only found in females with normal aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monophyletic group Caviomorpha constitutes the most diverse rodent clade in terms of locomotion, ecology and diet. Caviomorph species show considerable variation in cranio‐mandibular morphology that has been linked to the differences in toughness of dietary items and other behaviors, such as chisel‐tooth digging. This work assesses the structural strength of the mandible of three caviomorph species that show remarkable differences in ecology, behavior and bite force: Chinchilla lanigera (a surface‐dwelling species), Octodon degus (a semi‐fossorial species) and Ctenomys talarum (a subterranean species). Finite element (FE) models of the mandibles are used to predict the stresses they withstand during incisor biting; the results are related to in vivo bite forces and interspecific variations in the mandibular geometries. The study concludes that the mandible of C. talarum is better able to withstand strong incisor bites. Its powerful adducting musculature is consistent with the notorious lateral expansion of the angular process and the masseteric crest, and the enhanced cortical bone thickness. Although it has a relatively low bite force, the mandible of O. degus also shows a good performance for mid‐to‐strong incisor biting, in contrast to that of C. lanigera, which exhibits, from a mechanical point of view, the worst performance. The mandibles of C. talarum and O. degus appear to be better suited to withstand stronger reaction forces from incisor biting, which is consistent with their closer phylogenetic affinity and shared digging behaviors. The contrast between the low in vivo bite force of C. lanigera and the relatively high estimations that result from the models suggests that its adductor musculature could play significant roles in functions other than incisor biting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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One of the principal problems in the harvesting of potatoes is the cleaning of the lifted heap from soil and plant impurities. The low quality in the performance of this harvesting work process operation is the main cause of the withdrawal from fields of considerable amounts of fertile soil. In order to facilitate choosing the optimal parameters for the new design of the spiral potato heap cleaning unit, a mathematical model of sieving the soil impurities through its cleaning spirals has been developed. The obtained analytical expressions have been solved with the use of a PC and the results have been used for plotting the graphic relations between the parameters of the examined process of a variable-mass body's motion on the surface of a spiral, which have made it possible to select the optimal design and kinematic parameters of the spiral cleaning unit under consideration. The obtained graphic relations indicate that the rate of sieving in the spiral separator depends on many factors, including the initial mass, the design dimensions (spiral's radius, helix angle etc.), the frictional properties of the surface, the angular parameters of the position of the potato heap elements on the spiral's surface, and the angular velocity of the rotational motion of the spiral roll itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By the basic project of the energy utilization of the middle part of the river Drina (from Višegrad to Zvornik) building of five large hydroelectric power plants was planned. Hydroelectric power plant near Zvornik had the greatest advantage, and it is the first built. Hydroelectric power plant 'Zvornik' separates the river Drina, about 1 km upstream from Mali Zvornik in Serbia and Zvornik in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In order to extend the work life, by the urban development project was planned modernization of production aggregates and associated equipment, the upgrade of annexes above the aggregate siphons A1 and A2, as well as the upgrade of the annexes of the powerhouse on the right bank of the river in the function of accommodation of electrical equipment. By replacing of the vital parts of turbines with increasing diameter with an increase of efficiency, Bow and power, as well as replacing generators with new generator of higher power with excitation and all the necessary auxiliary equipment, will ensure reliable operation of the hydroelectric power plant and will extend the working life of the next 40 years, creating opportunities for retrofitting additional fifth unit.