Search

Members of social groups face a trade-off between investing selfish effort for themselves and investing cooperative effort to produce a shared group resource. Many group resources are shared equitably: they may be intrinsically non-excludable public goods, such as vigilance against predators, or so large that there is little cost to sharing, such as cooperatively hunted big game. However, group members' personal resources, such as food hunted individually, may be monopolizable. In such cases, an individual may benefit by investing effort in taking others' personal resources, and in defending one's own resources against others. We use a game theoretic "tug-of-war" model to predict that when such competition over personal resources is possible, players will contribute more towards a group resource, and also obtain higher payoffs from doing so. We test and find support for these predictions in two laboratory economic games with humans, comparing people's investment decisions in games with and without the options to compete over personal resources or invest in a group resource. Our results help explain why people cooperatively contribute to group resources, suggest how a tragedy of the commons may be avoided, and highlight unifying features in the evolution of cooperation and competition in human and non-human societies.

The pigeon louse fly, Pseudolychia canariensis (Macquart), is a common ectoparasite of pigeons and doves. The louse flies (Hippoboscidae) are obligate blood-feeding ectoparasites of birds and mammals. Both adult males and females feed on the blood of their host. They are adapted for clinging to and moving through the plumage and pelage of their hosts. Strongly specialized claws help them cling to the hair or feathers of their particular host species. Pigeon flies retain their wings for their entire adult life. Others species are wingless (like sheep keds) or lose their wings once the newly emerged adults find a host (deer keds). This document is EENY-307, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: September 2003. EENY-307/IN584: Pigeon Louse Fly or Pigeon Fly, Pseudolychia canariensis (Macquart) (Insecta: Diptera: Hippoboscidae) (ufl.edu)

The Neotropical deer ked, Lipoptena mazamae Rondani, is a common ectoparasite of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the southeastern United States. The louse flies (Hippoboscidae) are obligate blood-feeding ectoparasites of birds and mammals. Both adult males and females feed on the blood of their host. They are adapted for clinging to and moving through the plumage and pelage of their hosts. Strongly specialized claws help them cling to the hair or feathers of their particular host species. Deer keds have wings when they emerge from their puparium, but lose their wings once they find a host (deer). This document is EENY-308, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: September 2003. EENY-308/IN585: Neotropical Deer Ked or Neotropical Deer Louse Fly, Lipoptena mazamae Rondani (Insecta: Diptera: Hippoboscidae) (ufl.edu)

The preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma, Y-linked (PRAMEY) is a cancer/testis antigen expressed predominantly in bovine spermatogenic cells, playing an important role in germ cell formation. To better understand PRAMEY’s function during spermatogenesis, we studied the dynamics of PRAMEY isoforms by Western blotting (WB) with PRAMEY-specific antibodies. The PRAMEY protein was assessed in the bovine testicular and epididymal spermatozoa, fluid and tissues, and as well as in ejaculated semen. The protein was further examined, at a subcellular level in sperm head and tail, as well as in the subcellular components, including the cytosol, nucleus, membrane, and mitochondria. RNA expression of PRAMEY was also evaluated in testis and epididymal tissues. Our WB results confirmed the previously reported four isoforms of PRAMEY (58, 30, 26, and 13 kDa) in the bovine testis and spermatozoa. We found that testicular spermatozoa expressed the 58 and 30 kDa isoforms. As spermatozoa migrated to the epididymis, they expressed two additional isoforms, 26 and 13 kDa. Similarly, the 58 and 30 kDa isoforms were detected only in the testis fluid, while all four isoforms were detected in fluid from the cauda epididymis. Tissue evaluation indicated a significantly higher expression of the 58 and 13 kDa isoforms in the cauda tissue when compared to both the testis and caput tissue (p < 0.05). These results indicated that testis samples (spermatozoa, fluid, and tissue) expressed predominantly the 58 and 30 kDa PRAMEY isoforms, suggesting their involvement in spermatogenesis. In contrast, the 26 kDa isoform was specific to epididymal sperm and the 13 kDa isoform was marked in samples derived from the cauda epididymis, suggesting their involvement in sperm maturation. Results from the sperm head and tail experiments indicated that the 13 kDa isoform increased 4-fold in sperm tails from caput to cauda, suggesting this isoform may have a significant role in tail function. Additionally, the 13 kDa isoform increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the cytosol during epididymal passage and tended to increase in other subcellular components. The expression of PRAMEY in the sperm subcellular components during epididymal maturation suggests the involvement of PRAMEY, especially the 13 kDa isoform, in sperm motility.

Animals, and mammals in particular, vary widely in their "pace of life," with some species living long lives and reproducing infrequently (slow life histories) and others living short lives and reproducing often (fast life histories). These species also vary in the importance of maternal care in offspring fitness: In some species, offspring are fully independent of their mothers following a brief period of nutritional input, while others display a long period of continued dependence on mothers well after nutritional dependence. Here, we hypothesize that these two axes of variation are causally related to each other, such that extended dependence of offspring on maternal presence leads to the evolution of longer lives at the expense of reproduction. We use a combination of deterministic modeling and stochastic agent-based modeling to explore how empirically observed links between maternal survival and offspring fitness are likely to shape the evolution of mortality and fertility. Each of our modeling approaches leads to the same conclusion: When maternal survival has a strong impact on the survival of offspring and grandoffspring, populations evolve longer lives with less frequent reproduction. Our results suggest that the slow life histories of humans and other primates as well as other long-lived, highly social animals such as hyenas, whales, and elephants are partially the result of the strong maternal care that these animals display. We have designed our models to be readily parameterized with demographic data that are routinely collected by long-term researchers, which will facilitate more thorough testing of our hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To safely solve a pest problem, growers and pesticide applicators must be aware of the potential impacts of some pest-control strategies on bees, other pollinators, and beneficial arthropods. This 14-page fact sheet written by J. D. Ellis, J. Klopchin, E. Buss, and others and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department explains the issue and provides strategies to protect honey bees and other beneficial insects from pesticides. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1027

Globally, coastal human population density is approximately three times than that of inland areas. Such development threatens the integrity of coastal ecosystems. Coastal dune systems contain unique sets of terrestrial invertebrates and native plants, and represent some of the last remaining areas of semi-natural habitats along the coasts. In our study, we monitored bee and flowering plant abundance and diversity within coastal dune systems located within protected lands and developed sites throughout South and Central Florida. Our aim was to assess the potential impacts dune degradation and development could have on these economically and ecologically important insects. A total of 5419 bees from 5 families and 56 taxa were captured using bowl traps. Halictidae accounted for 70% of all bees collected, followed by Apidae (28%), Megachilidae (2%), Andrenidae (0.1%) and Colletidae (0.07%). Both species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices were higher in protected lands when compared with developed sites. A majority of the commonly collected bee species showed higher abundances in protected lands compared with developed sites. Protected lands also supported higher abundances of ground, wood, and tunnel-nesting bees when compared with developed sites. Bee species richness and Shannon-Wiener indices were lower in sites with greater percentages of development occurring within close proximity to the dune systems, and higher in sites with greater availability of dune coverage. We observed higher abundance and flowering plant species richness within protected lands when compared with developed sites; protected lands also supported more federally endangered/threatened or state protected plant species compared with developed sites. Overall, coastal dune systems are ecologically important bee sanctuaries and should be conserved to help sustain native bee communities and the flowering plants that occur within them. Keywords: native bees, Land use, Urban development, Coastal dunes, Diversity

Several factors influence the flora throughout Florida, including annual freezes, average temperature, annual rainfall, and soil composition. Because of these variations, plants that grow well in one region may not grow well in another. Climate, plant communities, and timing of floral resources differ significantly between the three main regions in Florida: North Florida, Central Florida, and South Florida. While many plants are acceptable pollen producers for honey bees, fewer yield enough nectar to produce a surplus honey crop. As such, the tables in this document list the nectar-bearing plants that are present to some degree in each region and the plants' respective bloom times.

Climate, plant communities, and timing of floral resources differ significantly across Florida, which means that management of European honey bee colonies in Florida differs as well. This 8-page fact sheet written by James D. Ellis, Mary C. Bammer, and William H. Kern and published by Department of Entomology and Nematology outlines a management calendar created for Florida beekeepers. It is specific to region (north, central, and south Florida) and month and includes recommendations for major management considerations like when to treat for parasites or pathogens and when to feed colonies or harvest honey. This management calendar, while not exhaustive, is a valuable reference or starting point for honey bee colony management in Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in848

1. In the following pages an account of the genus Viburnum in Malaysia is presented. 2. The distribution of its species is briefly discussed and a map relating to it added. 3. The main part of the present paper consists of keys to the sections and species, followed by a systematic treatment of the 16 species admitted for the region. 4. Three new subsections are proposed, viz. Viburnum subsect. Punctata Kern, subsect. Sambucina Kern, and subsect. Lutescentia Kern. Viburnum subseries Coriacea Maxim, is reduced to the rank of a subsection. 5. Three species and two varieties are described as new, viz. Viburnum ampli- ficatum Kern, V. clemensae Kern, V. hispidulum Kern, V. coriaceum, var. longiflorutn Kern, and V. sambucinum var. subglabrum Kern. 6. The following species are reduced to the rank of varieties: Viburnum flori- bundum Merr. has become V. luzonicum var. floribundum (Merr.) Kern, and V. sinu- atum Merr. has become V. luzonicum var. sinuatum (Merr.) Kern. 7. The following reductions'to synonymy are made: Viburnum longistamineum Ridl. to V. sambucinum- var. subglabrum Kern; V. sumatranum Miq., V.villosum Ridl., and V. inopinatum Craib all to V. sambucinum var. tovientosum Hallier f.; V. forbesii Fawc. partly to V. sambucimim Bl., partly to V. coriaceum BL; and V. zippelii Miq. to V. japonicum (Thunb.) Spr. 8. Emended descriptions of Viburnum beccarii Gamble and of V. junghuhnii Miq. are given.

The theory of evolution by natural selection can help explain why people care about other species. Building upon recent insights that morality evolves to secure fitness advantages of cooperation, we propose that conservation ethics (moral beliefs, attitudes, intuitions and norms regarding other species) could be adaptations that support cooperation between humans and non-humans. We present eco-evolutionary cost–benefit models of conservation behaviours as interspecific cooperation (altruism towards members of other species). We find that an evolutionary rule identical in structure to Hamilton's rule (which explains altruistic behaviour towards related conspecifics) can explain altruistic behaviour towards members of other species. Natural selection will favour traits for selectively altering the success of members of other species (e.g. conserving them) in ways that maximize inclusive fitness return benefits. Conservation behaviours and the ethics that evolve to reinforce them will be sensitive to local ecological and socio-cultural conditions, so will assume different contours in different places. Difficulties accurately assessing costs and benefits provided by other species, time required to adapt to ecological and socio-cultural change and barriers to collective action could explain the apparent contradiction between the widespread existence of conservation ethics and patterns of biodiversity decline globally.

Ants are one of a beekeeper’s most common pests, both in the apiary and in the honey house. Florida and the Southeastern U.S. have a large and diverse ant fauna, with both native and exotic species. The vast majority of ant species have no impact on our bees or us. The few pest species can cause serious problems. We can divide the ants into two pest groups, with the understanding that some can cause both problems at times.

This supplement contains an account of a rather large number of Thailand specimens, collected by A. F. G. Kerr, Marcan, Put, and some others, kindly sent on loan to me by the Keeper of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Botany Department, Mr J. E. Dandy. A few additions from the Rijksherbaiium, Leyden, marked (L) and Copenhagen, marked (C), & c. are also added.Three species (nos 175 — 177) are new for Thailand. Among them Lipocarplia pygmaea is very remarkable, as it was so far only known from a recent collection by Van Steenis in Cambodia. Probably this dwarfish sedge was often overlooked. From the species recorded for Thailand as doubtful (Kern, I.e. 79) the record of 1. Cyperus eleusinoides Kunth has appeared to be 95. Cyperus nutans Vahl. Furthermore, the record of 7. Mariscus clarkei Turr. could be reduced to a variety of Cyperus cyperoides (L.) O. K.The numbers of the species are those used in the first paper. An index to collectors' numbers is given at the end.

This is the first paper of a series, in which preparatory to a moreomprehensive treatment for "Flora Malesiana," some noteworthy Malayian Cyperaceae will be dealt with. It is based on the material of this family in the Herbaria at Bogor (BO), Leiden (L), and Singapore (S). My sincere thanks are extended to the Directors of these institutions for giving me the opportunity to study their rich collections. In 1935—36 Kiikenthal's excellent monograph on the genus Cyperusn Engler's "Pflanzenreich" appeared. Unfortunately that author revised only a few specimens of the herbaria already mentioned, so that the basis or the distribution of the genus in Malaysia, as given in his invaluable work, compares unfavourably with that of the species of other regions. Kiikenthal's delimitation of the genus is readily accepted; in general his arrangement of the species is also followed, although I cannot agree with Kiikenthal's assertion that his system should be in close accordance withhe genetic development of the genus.On the whole only the synonymy important for the Malaysian regions given below. For a more complete account the reader is referred to Kiikenthal's monograph, in which of course the literature of merely regional interest could not always be fully considered. The accompanying plates are part of a series, drawn under my supervision by two of the draughtsmen of Herbarium Bogoriense, Sukirnoand Md. Anwar.

Subgen. Cyperus; sect. Iriae Kunth. — Annuus. Culmi erecti, tenues, triquetri, laeves, 1—7 dm alti, 1—2 mm crassi, inferne paucifoliati. Folia culmo breviora vel aequilonga, plana, flaccida, longe acuminata, in supe- riore parte scabra, 1—5 mm lata. Anthela simplex vel subcomposita, laxa. Bracteae oblique patentes, 2—4 longissimae, foliis consimiles, anthelam valde superantes. Anthelae radii 3—9, e cladoprophyllis tubulosis ore oblique truncatis postice cuspidatis vel bidentatis basi bruneis 0.5—1.5 cm longis emergentes, inaequales, oblique patentes, graciles, compressi, laeves vel apice hispiduli, ad 16 cm longi, longiores nonnunquam apice pauci- ramosi; radioli brevissimi ab ochreolo caudato suffulti. Spicae ovatae vel oblonga-ovatae, laxae vel subdensae, 1—3 cm longae, 8—25(—30) mm latae, 5—20-spiculosae, rhachi flexuosa angulis hispida. Spiculae compressae, rectangule divaricatae vel imae subreflexae, ovatae usque ad oblongo-linea- res, 3—12 mm longae, 2—2.5 mm latae, 4—18-f lorae, basi saepe a seta su- buliformi suffultae. Rhachilla obscure brunea, recta, subexalata, internodiis 0.6—1 mm longis. Glumae membranaceae,1/3—1/2 parte imbricatae, patulae, concavae, fere orbiculatae, (1.75—)2mm longae ac latae, sub apice emar- ginato mucronulatae, dorso viridi 7-nerviae, lateribus fulvae purpureo- notatae uninerviae, carina acuta arcuata superne angustissime alata, spinuloso-ciliata. Stamina 2; antherae breves, oblongae, interdum lineares; connectivum in appendicem brevem productum. Stylus fere nullus; stigmata 3, achenio multo breviora. Achenium ambitu obovatum, trique- trum, lateribus concavis, basi late stipitatum, apice mucronatum, atro- bruneum, nitidum, dense puncticulatum, 1.5 mm longum, 0.8—0.9 mm latum.

These caterpillars roll up leaves of the host plants and use the rolled leaves as larval retreats and locations for pupal cocoons. Although these leaf-eating pests do no permanent damage, they can completely defoliate fiddlewood, a Florida native that can form a large shrub or small tree. The shrub simply puts out a new flush of leaves. The larvae themselves are valuable food source for baby birds during the spring dry season in Florida. This 4-page fact sheet was written by William H. Kern, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, February 2015. (Photo:W.H. Kern, Jr., UF/IFAS/FLREC) EENY617/IN1079: Fiddlewood Leafroller, Seagrape Moth (suggested common names) Epicorsia oedipodalis (Guenée, 1854) (Lepidoptera: Ditrysia: Pyraloidea: Pyralidae: Pyraustinae) (ufl.edu)

Protecting honey bees and other pollinators from pesticide impacts is important to the sustainability of agriculture. Consequently, pesticide applicators must determine if there is a clear hazard to managed or wild populations of bees. Potential exposure of bees to pesticides can vary greatly depending on the type of pesticide, formulation, application method, label restrictions, and other factors. The goal in using a pesticide is to achieve maximum benefit (success) with minimum negative impact, and these factors should always be considered in pesticide selection. This publication is written (1) to help assure the sustainability of both bees and agriculture by informing beekeepers, pesticide users, and the general public about the often complex relationship between pollinators (specifically bees) and pesticides, (2) to offer guidance for improved communication between beekeepers and pesticide users, (3) to offer pollinator risk-reducing strategies for growers and other applicators when using pesticides, and (4) to provide clarity in laws, labeling, and associated definitions. This 14-page fact sheet was written by J. D. Ellis, J. Klopchin, E. Buss, F. M. Fishel, W. H. Kern, C. Mannion, E. McAvoy, L. S. Osborne, M. Rogers, M. Sanford, H. Smith, P. Stansly, L. Stelinski, and S. Webb, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2014. ENY-162/IN1027: Minimizing Honey Bee Exposure to Pesticides (ufl.edu)