Temporal variation represents an important component in understanding the structure of ecological communities and species coexistence. We examined calling phenology of an assemblage of anurans in the Gran Chaco ecoregion of Bolivia by deploying automated recording devices to document nocturnally vocalizing amphibians nightly at seven ponds from 20 January 2011 until 31 October 2011. Using logis...

In many organisms, food availability is a proximate cue that synchronizes seasonal development of the reproductive system with optimal environmental conditions. Growth of the gonads and secondary sexual characteristics is orchestrated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. However, our understanding of the physiological mechanisms by which food availability modulates activity of the ...

In a nursery pollination mutualism, we asked whether environmental factors affected reproduction of mutualistic pollinators, non-mutualistic parasites and seed production via seasonal changes in plant traits such as inflorescence size and within-tree reproductive phenology. We examined seasonal variation in reproduction in Ficus racemosa community members that utilise enclosed inflorescences ca...

The plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus Girard, 1854) is a vocal species of batrachoidid fish that generates acoustic signals for intraspecific communication during social and reproductive activity and has become a good model for investigating the neural and endocrine mechanisms of vocal-acoustic communication. Reproductively active female plainfin midshipman fish use their auditory se...

The grey mullet fingerling were imported to Iran in 1997 from Hong Kong and in coastal fish pond of north part of Iran were successfully cultured in order to obtain broodstocks and induce artificial reproduction. Seasonal changes in serum concentrations of Testosterone, 17-β Estradiole (E2), 17-α Hydroxy Progesterone and also the level of calcium, Triglyceride and cholesterol in femal...

The reproductive cycles of lizards, including Tropidurus species, have been widely studied. However, few studies describe in detail the ultrastructure and the epithelial changes in the epididymis. Using histology and trasmission electron microscopy, we show the seasonal changes in the testis and epididymis of the lizard Tropidurus itambere, during its annual reproductive cycle. The reproductive...

Ten Chios ewe lambs and 10 Damascus she-kids born in October-November and similar numbers born in February along with eight multiparous females from each species, were used to examine pubertal events and reproductive seasonality. Reproductive activity was monitored by determining serum progesterone concentrations once a week for 12 months. The mean date of onset of ovulation (puberty) in autumn...

In the wild, the pig adapts her reproductive functions according to the seasonal changes in the environment, such as the ambient temperature and availability of food. Like in other short day seasonal breeders, breeding season is favoured in the mid winter in order to provide the offspring with the best chances to survive four months later. Seasonal changes in environment are perceived mainly by...