Flower and fruit development of Parkia pendula (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae)

Parkia pendula occurs in Brazil in Amazonia and in the northeastern Atlantic Forest. In the latter, its buds, nectar, and seedpod gum are discussed to be keystone resources for the mammalian fauna. To enhance the knowledge about these important nourishment sources, the aim of this study was to detect and describe distinct phases in the flower and pod development. The study was conducted in a 306 ha forest fragment in Igarassu, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Six morphometrical variables were measured weekly at five inflorescences of two individuals from September 2003 to January 2004. Eleven distinct developmental phases were identified in the 21 weeks lasting development from the very first inflorescences to mature pods and are described in detail. These phases are good predictors for the flowering and fruiting phenology of P. pendula, since they are easily distinguishable from the forest floor. Furthermore, highly synchronized abortions of inflorescences, buds, and pods were observed which support the previously assumed predator satiation defense strategy in Parkia.Parkia pendula ocorre no Brasil, tanto na Amazônia como na Mata Atlântica nordestina. Seus botões, néctar e goma da vagem são recursos chave para a mastofauna da Mata Atlântica nordestina. Para aumentar o conhecimento sobre estes importantes recursos alimentares, este estudo teve como objetivo detectar e descrever as diferentes fases de desenvolvimento de flores e frutos. Este trabalho foi realizado em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica de 306 ha em Igarassu, Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil. Entre setembro de 2003 e janeiro de 2004, seis variáveis morfométricas foram medidas semanalmente em cinco inflorescências de dois indivíduos. Onze fases distintas de desenvolvimento puderam ser identificadas e descritas em detalhe nas 21 semanas desde o desenvolvimento das primeiras inflorescências até as vagens maduras. Essas fases são boas preditoras da fenologia de floração e frutificação de P. pendula porque são distinguíveis facilmente do solo da floresta. Além disto, a observação de abortos sincronizados de inflorescências, botões e vagens corrobora a estratégia de defesa previamente sugerida para Parkia, de saciedade de predadores

Collaboration Matters: Honey Bee Health as a Transdisciplinary Model for Understanding Real-World Complexity

We develop a transdisciplinary deliberative model that moves beyond traditional scientific collaborations to include nonscientists in designing complexity-oriented research. We use the case of declining honey bee health as an exemplar of complex real-world problems requiring cross-disciplinary intervention. Honey bees are important pollinators of the fruits and vegetables we eat. In recent years, these insects have been dying at alarming rates. To prompt the reorientation of research toward the complex reality in which bees face multiple challenges, we came together as a group, including beekeepers, farmers, and scientists. Over a two-year period, we deliberated about how to study the problem of honey bee deaths and conducted field experiments with bee colonies. We show trust and authority to be crucial factors shaping such collaborative research, and we offer a model for structuring collaboration that brings scientists and nonscientists together with the key objects and places of their shared concerns across time

Effects of total sleep deprivation on performance in a manual spacecraft docking task

Sleep deprivation and circadian rhythm disruptions are highly prevalent in shift workers, and also among astronauts. Resulting sleepiness can reduce cognitive performance, lead to catastrophic occupational events, and jeopardize space missions. We investigated whether 24 hours of total sleep deprivation would affect performance not only in the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT), but also in a complex operational task, i.e. simulated manual spacecraft docking. Sixty-two healthy participants completed the manual docking simulation 6df and the PVT once after a night of total sleep deprivation and once after eight hours of scheduled sleep in a counterbalanced order. We assessed the impact of sleep deprivation on docking as well as PVT performance and investigated if sustained attention is an essential component of operational performance after sleep loss. The results showed that docking accuracy decreased significantly after sleep deprivation in comparison to the control condition, but only at difficult task levels. PVT performance deteriorated under sleep deprivation. Participants with larger impairments in PVT response speed after sleep deprivation also showed larger impairments in docking accuracy. In conclusion, sleep deprivation led to impaired 6df performance, which was partly explained by impairments in sustained attention. Elevated motivation levels due to the novelty and attractiveness of the task may have helped participants to compensate for the effects of sleepiness at easier task levels. Continued testing of manual docking skills could be a useful tool both to detect sleep loss-related impairments and assess astronauts’ readiness for duty during long-duration missions

Biological Earth observation with animal sensors

Space-based tracking technology using low-cost miniature tags is now delivering data on fine-scale animal movement at near-global scale. Linked with remotely sensed environmental data, this offers a biological lens on habitat integrity and connectivity for conservation and human health; a global network of animal sentinels of environmen-tal change

Reproductive ecology, seedling performance, and population structure of Parkia pendula in an Atlantic forest fragment in Northeastern Brazil

The reproductive ecology, seedling performance, and population structure of Parkia pendula (Mimosaceae) were studied in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Northeastern Brazil. The developmental phases from buds to ripe pods, capitulum and flower morphology, breeding system, floral odour, nectar production and nectar sugar and amino acid composition, as well as the mammalian flower visitors were studied in detail during this 2-years lasting investigation. Furthermore, edge effects on the population phenology, seed production, secondary seed dispersal and predation, germination, seedling establishment and population structure were investigated

Flower and fruit development of Parkia pendula (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae)

Parkia pendula occurs in Brazil in Amazonia and in the northeastern Atlantic Forest. In the latter, its buds, nectar, and seedpod gum are discussed to be keystone resources for the mammalian fauna. To enhance the knowledge about these important nourishment sources, the aim of this study was to detect and describe distinct phases in the flower and pod development. The study was conducted in a 306 ha forest fragment in Igarassu, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Six morphometrical variables were measured weekly at five inflorescences of two individuals from September 2003 to January 2004. Eleven distinct developmental phases were identified in the 21 weeks lasting development from the very first inflorescences to mature pods and are described in detail. These phases are good predictors for the flowering and fruiting phenology of P. pendula, since they are easily distinguishable from the forest floor. Furthermore, highly synchronized abortions of inflorescences, buds, and pods were observed which support the previously assumed predator satiation defense strategy in Parkia.publishe

The seedpod gum of Parkia pendula (Fabaceae) as a deadly trap for vertebrates

In the literature, it has been mentioned that the seedpod gum of Parkia pendula is used for catching birds. Here we present an observation of a Tropidurus hispidus individual that died after being glued to the substrate by the gum of P. pendula in the Atlantic Forest of Pernambuco State. This observation proves the enormous gluing performance of this gum, which can be considered as a potential danger for small vertebrates.publishe

The seedpod gum of Parkia pendula (Fabaceae) as a deadly trap for vertebrates

In the literature, it has been mentioned that the seedpod gum of Parkia pendula is used for catching birds. Here we present an observation of a Tropidurus hispidus individual that died after being glued to the substrate by the gum of P. pendula in the Atlantic Forest of Pernambuco State. This observation proves the enormous gluing performance of this gum, which can be considered as a potential danger for small vertebrates

Simulated manual spacecraft control under the influence of different gravity conditions during a parabolic flight

BACKGROUND: Microgravity can affect cognitive performance, spatial orientation, and the precision of previously trained motor responses which are based on force vectors and vestibular signals in normal gravity. It is still controversial, whether reported performance decrements are due to microgravity or unspecific stress factors associated with space flight. Experimental evidence on the influence of microgravity on complex operational tasks comprising motor and cognitive demands is especially scarce. Therefore, we investigated the influence of varying gravity levels during parabolic flights on performance in the manual control of a spacecraft, a safety-relevant operational task. METHODS: During parabolic flights, 27 trained participants (8 women and 19 men, 18-61 years old, 9 previously exposed to a parabolic flight) performed 15 manual control tasks of varying difficulty based on the docking simulation 6df. Within this simulation, a spacecraft had to be aligned continuously with a rotating space station in fixed distance by controlling six degrees of freedom with manual levers. Each task encompassed 80 seconds centered around either the incoming or outgoing hypergravity segment of a parabola and thus included to equal parts a 0g, 1g, and 1.8g phase. We compared manual control accuracy between phases of microgravity, hypergravity, and normogravity during the parabolic flight by using a linear mixed effects model. Additionally, we assessed the effects of task difficulty and previous experience with parabolic flights on performance. RESULTS: Manual control performance was significantly impaired during microgravity phases, whereas performance did not differ between normal gravity and hypergravity. Performance differed according to task difficulty, but there was no interaction of gravity phase and difficulty. Prior experience with parabolic flights did not affect manual control performance. DISCUSSION: The decrease of manual control performance in microgravity, but not during hypergravity, suggests a higher relevance of impaired spatial orientation due to confounding vestibular signals compared to the mere change in force vectors. Even during easy tasks, participants were not able to compensate for the effects of microgravity. The results were independent of prior parabolic flight experience, indicating that novelty or increased stress are unlikely sources of impairment