Migratory Behavior of Mallard Ducks Essay Example for Free

Migratory Behavior of Mallard Ducks Essay There are four fundamental decisions that most animals make when it comes to mechanisms of adaptation: where to live, how to gather food, how to avoid predators, and what tactics to use to reproduce (Alcock, 1993). Habitat preferences in animals require satisfying their needs (ignoring or actively avoiding others, nutritional needs to perform growth, development and reproduction) at the same time experiencing higher fitness than those unable to settle in the favored habitat. There were also several hypothesis presented which correlates habitat preference and fitness. The seasonal dispersion of some animals like ducks is a costly business in terms of energetic expenses and risk to exposure to predators. On the other hand, considering dispersal cost, animals that do not respond to dispersion pay the price of deterioration due to the inability to adapt to the prevailing ecological conditions. Considering the inbreeding avoidance hypothesis (Ralls et. al, 1979), on ducks in particular, Mallard ducks may have migrated then for the purpose of expanding their genetic pool by interbreeding with Anas rubipes a close relative of the Anas playrynhos. The costly dispersal of Mallards may have been to avoid inbreeding depression primary of which is to circumvent the expression of damaging recessive alleles resulting from the mating of two closely related mates of the same species. This further correlates with the mate competition hypothesis (Moore and Ali, 1984), which states that males tend to fight against one another for mates therefore looser find it more energy efficient to seek closely related species to which they may successfully mate. When mating season is over, male disperses to avoid their daughters when these female become sexually mature. Animals engage into energetically exhaustive activity trying to complete the course of their journey to attain its fundamental goals. As the animal arrives to its destination, the issue of territoriality always comes to mind whenever a new species is introduced into a new environment and every time the visitor interacts with the native. While other animals ignore or tolerate the presence of a new species in its territory, others are extraordinarily aggressive in defending their territory from intruders. Territoriality among animals contributes to reproductive successes or failure to the contrary which further leads to interspecific competition. If suitable breeding sites really are short of supply, then one should be able to find non-territorial, non-breeding, individuals in populations of territorial animals. If this is so, the niche similarity of the visitors to the native may introduce interspecific competition with the available supplies. Territoriality may also influence the reproductive success of these visitors as it was found by Dhondt and Schillemans (1983). Territorial animals may invade the nesting sites of migratory birds which may lead to decreased viability and clutch. The ability of birds to fly and survive various environmental conditions has led to their development over time. Seasonal migration of mallard ducks (Anas platyrynchos) has been one of the intriguing aspects of its behavior. This behavior has been influenced mainly by several factors such as foraging (Heitmeyer, 2006), competition (Mc Auley, et al. , 2004), reproductive behaviors (Hill, 1984) which also includes the preservation of nesting sites, and interbreeding (Brodsky, 1989) and seasonal weather conditions (Ridgill, et al. , 1990 in D. Hill, 1992, Whyte Bolen, 1984, Poiani Johnson, 1991). Statement of the Problem From previous articles, it has been reported that Mallard ducks are reoccupying old territories throughout the United States and Canada (Talent, et. al. , 1983). From this observation, it can be inferred that various ecological changes in both habitat and inhabitants may take place. Since mallard ducks in this regard are annual visitors in these habitats, the temporary habitation of previous and new territories may significantly affect native animal species. With the combined hypothesis that Mallard ducks migrate from previously occupied territories due to overlapping conditions which may occupy new territories due to insufficiency of the previous, the study will assess the behavioral patterns of Mallard ducks towards returning to previous foraging territories and establishing new foraging regions (migratory routes) outside of their original habitats, specifically the study will address four major areas of concern. 1. What behavior of the Anas playrynchos determines the suitability of a habitat to be considered sufficient which helps it decide to inhabit previous foraging territories and new regions outside of their original habitats? 2. What behavioral mechanism will the Anas platyrynchos exhibit upon visiting a previous foraging territory and new regions outside of their original habitats if a highly territorial organisms was encountered upon landing? 3. What general behavioral model applies during the interaction of two closely related species (Anas rubipes and Anas platyrynchos) occupying the same niche in terms of: a. Reproductive tactics b. Foraging preferences c. Territoriality 4. What chances that the introduction of less territorial animal may cause significant adaptive stress (competitive stress) to a more territorial species? Hypotheses It is hypothesized that there is no significant differences in the previously reported behavioral mechanisms in Anas platyrynchos that helps it determine to decide on its habitat preferences. Alternatively, Anas platyrynchos establishes new migratory routes due to impending factors such as avoidance of predators, seasonal weather conditions, reproductive tactics and foraging preferences. Else, Anas platyrynchos establishes new migratory route or return to previous foraging areas due to certain conditions such as habitat destruction, scarcity of supplies needed to reproduce, and extreme territoriality between natives and migrants. Experimental Design In order to test these hypotheses, the study will be divided into two phases: the in vivo phase and in vitro phase. At the in vitro phase, groups of experimental populations of Mallard ducks will be placed in a study area which will allow observation of significant behavioral patterns relevant to foraging, reproductive tactics/quality such as mate preference, clutch size, egg size and viability, and interspecific competition. Two species of closely related species of ducks the Anas rubipes (native, will be allowed to acclimatize until such time that they one or two reproductive cycles have been achieved) and Anas platyrynchos (introduced species, will be introduced only after the native have been acclimatized well) will be situated in the same habitat which will be observed for close interaction. Behavioral patterns on mate preferences and competitive exclusion will be observed by on-site observation using a hidden observation platform. Foraging preferences will be looked upon by collection and analysis of droppings from both species. Geographical invasion of feeding territories will be looked upon by assigning quadrat areas which will be initially determined by the territorial preferences of both species of ducks. Territoriality will be measured by the number of times the more aggressive native will disturb the nesting sites of the migrants and the instance that the migrant will be driven away from a specific foraging site. Specific effects of such behavior will be measured by performing initial and final biometry of the two species of ducks. Decrease in biometric qualities from both adult and eggs would mean the inability to adapt into such competitive behavior. Possible effects of migrant foraging on native non-avian species will also be observed by recording the feeding activity of non-avian species living along the vicinity which might directly contribute to the promotion or disruption of the food chain brought about by the introduction of a new consumer. To observe the habitat preference of ducks with is natural behavior in its intact natural behavior, the in vivo phase will be done. Radio satellite transceivers will be wing banded on representative Anas platyrynchos through catch and tag method (including the alpha male) that are about to engage into seasonal journey to trace their possible destinations and stop-over. The result will be compared to previous annual migration data (20 years in succession or more depending on the available information) to establish a pattern supporting the behavioral mechanism that the ducks employ in selecting a habitat which sooth their preference. On site visitation of previously reported migration destinations will be surveyed to confirm habitation of previously occupied regions. Ecological evaluation and mapping of visited areas (stop-over and final destination) will be done and compared with other visited areas for specific pattern. Thorough monitoring of migration paths via remote sensing will be followed to confirm if ever there is a change in the migratory route. Conclusions will be based on the assessment of significant differences between the previously reported data and the novel information. Summary All in all, birds may move to various locations for survival. If the prevailing conditions decrease fitness, migratory ducks may move to different locations to continue to find food, reproduce and avoid predation. When the conditions increase fitness, these ducks will then return to their natal site where they will breed and raise their young. It may be that physical conditions and forces that govern the earth’s magnetic poles, hormonal changes, changing weather patterns or other various factors contribute to the birds urge to migrate to their seasonal habitats. For the purpose of this paper, the most important factor to be considered are the consequences to native animals belonging in the same niche brought about by abrupt or gradual changes in migratory routes and the resulting occupation of new or old territories. In the evolutionary perspective, animals are able to adapt into their environment mainly by employing specific behavioral mechanisms that would enable them to perfectly cope. At the event that an animal fails to establish equilibrium with its environment, serious complications arise. The study will better establish significant behavioral patterns in Mallard ducks which enable to blend in and adapt in variable habitats. Such adaptive behavior may serve as a key towards preserving animal species that are in danger of extinction simply because the adaptive behavior is not appropriate for survival. References Cited Alcock, John. 1993. Animal Behavior: an evolutionary approach, 5th ed. Sinauer Associates, USA. 279-379. Dhondt A. A. , and J. Schillemans. 1983. Reproductive success of the great tit in relation to its territorial status. Animal Behavior 31:902-912. Heitmeyer, M. E. 2006. The Importance of Winter Floods to Mallards in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Journal of Wildlife Management. Vol. 70, No. 1. pp. 101-110. Hill, David. 1992. Cold Weather Movements of Waterfowls in Western Europe. The Journal of Animal Ecology, Vol. 61, No. 1. Feb. , pp. 238-239. Hill, D. A. 1984. Population Regulation in the Mallard (Anas platyrynchos). Journal of Animal Ecology. 53. pp. 191-202. Mc Auley, D. G. , et. al. 2004. Dynamic use of wetlands by black Mallards: Evidence Against Competitive Exclusion. Wildlife Society Bulletin. Vol. 32. , No. 2. pp. 465-473. Poiani, K. A. , Johnson, W. C. 1991. Global Warming and Prairie Wetlands. BioScience, Vol. 41, No. 9. Oct. pp. 611-618. Talent, L. G. , et. al. 1983. Survival of Mallard Broods in South-Central North Dakota. The Condor, Vol. 85, No. 1. Feb. , 1983, pp. 74-78. Whyte, R. J. , and Bolen, E. G. 1984. Impact of Winter Stress on Mallards Body Composition. The Condor, Vol. 86, No. 4. pp. 477-482. Moore, J. , and R. Ali. 1984. Are dispersal and inbreeding avoidance related? Animal behavior 32:94-112. Ralls, K. , et. al. 1979. Inbreeding and juvenile mortality in small populations of ungulates. Science 206: 1101-1103.

Capital Punishment Essay -- essays research papers

Capital punishment is the execution of criminals by the state for committing crimes so wicked that it is the only acceptable punishment. The debate over the death penalty has endured for years and has become increasingly controversial. According to an article written by Richard Worsnop, entitled "Death Penalty Debate Centers on Retribution," in 1966, 42% of Americans were in favor of capital punishment while 47% were opposed to it; in 1986, support for capital punishment was 80% for and only 17% against with 3% undecided. Most of the undecided voters said they would support capital punishment, if they had to vote on it immediately. Currently, public approval of the death penalty is about 70%. While some people are opposed to capital punishment, the majority is in favor of it. Therefore, the United States government should strictly enforce capital punishment in every state. Admittedly, the act of killing someone is immoral and "Thou shall not kill" is one of God's commandments. However, if it were not for the threat of execution, the murder rate in the United States would be far greater. According to the United States Bureau of Justice bulletin on capital punishment (1989), from 1955 to 1965, there were 78,500 murders and 351 executions in the United States; but from 1966 to 1976, when the death penalty was weakened, 288,310 murders were committed and only six executions were carried out. In order for capital punishment to work as d...

Rome Was Not Built in a Day

10. Accounting from vouchers†¦ Cont. after Palak Shah†¦. CHART EXPLAINING THE INTERPRETAITION AND SHOEING THE EFFECTS OF VOUCHER†¦ CHART 1 |SR. NO. |VOUCHER |INTERPRETATION |WHERE IT IS RECORDED? | |1. Our cash memo |Cash sales |Recorded in debit side of cash book | |2 |Cash memo of other party |Purchase of goods or assets on cash |Recorded in credit side of cash book | |3 |Credit memo of other party |Credit purchase of goods and assets |Recorded in purchase book and journal | | | | |proper | |4 |Our credit memo |Credit sales of goods |Recorded in sales book | |5 |Our debit note |Purchase return of goods |Recorded I purchase return book | |6 |Our credit note |Sales return of goods |Recorded in sales return book | |7 |Debit note of other party |Sales return of goods |Recorded in sales return book | |8 |Credit note of opposite party |Purchase return of goods |Recorded in purchase return book | |9 |Receipt issued |Money received in cash or cheque by us |Recorded on debit side of cash book | |10 |Receipt of opposite party |Payment made on cash or cheque |Recorded n credit side of cash book | |11 |Pay-in slip |Cash, cheque or draft deposited in bank |Recorded on debit side of cash book | | | | |Recorded on both side of cash book | |12 |Counterfoil of the cheque |Cash withdrawn from ban for office use |Recorded on both side of cash book | | |Payment made to creditors |Recorded on credit side of cash book | |13 |Expense voucher |Expense made by cash |Recorded on credit side of cash book, cash| | | |Expense made by cheque |column | | | | |Recorded on credit side of cash book, bank| | | | |column | |14 |Income tax challan |Income tax paid by cheque or cash |Recorded on credit side of cash book on | | | | |cash/bank column | |15 |Sales tax challan |Sales tax paid by cash or cheque |Recorded on credit side of cash book n | | | | |cash/bank column | |16 |Particulars of correspondence |Regarding bank charges |Recorded on credit side of cash book | | | |Regard ing interest credited by bank |Recorded on debit side of cash book | | | |Regarding dishonor of cheque deposited | | Explanation of terms: – 1.Contra Transactions: Those transactions, which are recorded on both the sides of cash book, debit and credit, are known as contra transactions. 2. Bank charges: bank provides service to our business. Receives money on our behalf, collects payments of outstations cheques and makes payment to outstation traders on our behalf. Bank takes care of our money. Therefore, bank charges some charges as remuneration for providing such type of various services. It is known as bank charges. 3. Expenses for assets: When any asset is purchased, the expenses on purchase of assets are also debited to the asset account and it is recorded in asset account after adding such expense. CHART 2 [pic] Cash purchase | |cash sales | |payment to creditors | |Payment of bills payables | |Received collection | |Received for bills receivable | |Income received | |Expenses paid | |Cash brought in as capital | |Drawings through cash | |Loan/advances received | |Loan/advanced repaid | |Bank interest | |bank charges | |cash deposited in bank | |cash withdraw from bank | |Credit purchase of goods | |- Recorded in purchase goods | |Credit sales of book | |- Recorded in sales goods | |Purchase return of book | |- Recorded in purchase return goods | |Sales return of book | |- Recorded in sales return goods | |Bills payable accepted | |- Recorded in bills payable goods | |Bills receivables received | |- Recorded in bills receivable goods | |Other transactions | |- Recorded in journal proper etc. | CHARACTERISTICS OF VOUCHER: 1. The name of the party who is preparing the voucher is written on the top of the voucher and the name of the party to whom the voucher is given below. 2. From the voucher, the information like date on which transaction has taken place; its amount, type of transaction, terms and conditions of transactions etc are available. 3 . Voucher gives an idea about the parties between whom the transactions has taken place. 4. Voucher also gives an idea about weather the transaction is cash or credit? 5.If we have prepared the voucher, its original copy is given t the opposite party and its duplicate is kept with us. 6. If the original copy of the voucher is with us, it shows that the opposite party has prepared the voucher. 7. For transactions with bank, the printed vouchers are available from the bank in which we only need to fill the particulars. 8. In respect of amount paid, if it is not possible to obtain the voucher or receipt from the opposite party, the trader himself prepares the voucher and takes the signature of the opposite party or the authorized person of firm puts the signature sanctioning the voucher. ———————– Types of transactions Cash transactions Recorded in cash book Credit transactions Recorded in subsidiary book Rome Was Not Built in a Day There were things in the world which take a considerably long time to mature. It is the nature of a task that determines the length of time it would take to be accomplished. Some people are in the habit of getting impatient, when a task takes a little too long to complete. They do not understand or rather coyeniently forget the nature of the task and start losing heart. This idiom is used to tell the impatient people that great things are not done or accomplished overnight. Such things require long time, patience and continuous effort. Rome is the name of a city in Italy. At one time it was the capital of the Roman Empire. It was the citadel of the Roman Catholic Church. It was Roman Emperor Augusta’s who is consi ¬dered to be the real builder of Rome. Rome consisted of only a few hamlets when Augustus came to the throne. It took about 40 years for him to transform the face of Rome into a metropolis, adorned with beautiful mansions, theatres, temples, public baths and many other public buildings. It took a long time for this city to develop into a grand city of the world. In the same way every important task takes some time to be completed. There are two aspects of the matter. First, all big or important things take time to be accomplish ¬ed. Secondly, one should never grow impatient if some work takes a long time. What is required is perseverance and not haste. A close look at the maxim will make it evident that the word ‘Rome’ represents a great or noble or a monumental task. And the words ‘in a day’ indicate the span of time. The position is now very clear that monumental or great things cannot be done in haste, they require not one day but a long period of time. It is an advice to those who after having put in a little work or labor want excellent result immediately. They would be committing a mistake by doing so. It is again a lesson for those who want to do big or great things in life that they should be prepared to work hard continuously for a long time without losing patience. Patience is crucial in this process. Impatience will lead you nowhere. It will waste the labor or efforts you have already put in. Therefore, it is advisable to learn this lesson and translate it into action. One should have a firm determination and should sincerely work hard. One cannot achieve success unless one puts in the required amount of work in a specified period. The period of time is as important as the amount of labor. Therefore, the key to the accomplishment of any big task is labor, patience and perseverance. Suppose a man is not keeping good health. He wants to improve his health. Can any exercise, medicine or tonic improve his health over night ? The answer is obviously ‘no’. For improving his health the man will have to take regular exercise, and medicines for a period of time, before he can find any improvement in his health. If after a few days he feels discouraged, because he finds that exercise and medicines have done no good to him it is a fit case when he should be given this piece of advice. Similar is the case of a student who wants to obtain distinction in his annual examination and works hard for a few days, but getting on better result in the terminal examination he loses heart. Regular hard work for a considerably long period of time will ensure a distinction in the annual examination. No one is going to achieve the result without putting in required in-put of labor coupled with time. Patience is the essence of it. The Taj Mahal is a monumental architecture. It took decades for its building. Shah Jehan got this finest piece of architecture constructed with great patience and with huge expenditure over a long span of time. It is because of these factors that the Taj occupies a place of pride in India. In many cases we find men becoming impatient to pluck the fruits of their labor instantaneously or overnight. They are like that foolish farmer who sowed the seed and went the next morning with a sickle in his hand to reap the crop. Great undertakings require hard work over a long period of time. It is childish either to desire a result without sufficient work for a certain period of time or to give up the attempt after some time. A careful analysis of several important achievements will be enough to convince anybody that perseverance plays a very important role in the successful accomp ¬lishment of any task. Look at the strenuous work put in by those who achieved success in any great adventure or undertaking. They would have never succeeded without patience. Great discoverers have shown wonderful tenacity of purpose and commendable endurance in their pursuits. They never showed any sign of discouragement even after successive failures. Had they been hasty or had they show signs of disappointment, they would not have been remembered today with such great honor. We are all aware of the perseverance that enabled Tensing reach atop Everest. Milton took a quarter-century of years to complete his great epic. Tulsidas took several years of constant labor in com ¬piling his Ramcharit Manas. This maxim serves as an inspiration to hard and continuous work for achieving great tasks or for performing great adventure. It keeps disappointment away from you. It also tells you of the value of sustained effort. Thus it hands over the key to success in life.

Summary Of Nathan Jergensons The IRL Fetish - 918 Words

In the article â€Å"The IRL Fetish† by Nathan Jergenson, is a powerful essay that demonstrates the idea of this so called â€Å"Fetish† that we have with technology today. Within this essay Jergenson uses specific word choice in his essay to strengthen his argument about being connected. He uses quotes from other speakers and writers to get his points acrossed about this fetish that we have in our society right now. Finally, Jergenson also talks about the little victories that we have with technology, like â€Å"logging off†, and the irrational fear that we have about being disconnected. Jergenson uses very important vocabulary in his writing of this essay. He uses terms like fetish, digital dualism, and Myopic. The title of this essay is â€Å"The IRL†¦show more content†¦127). He digs at the fact that she has many more experiences then us normal/ middle class people. We then can infer that he was talking about how some people it’s easy for them to disconnect because they have such a lavish lifestyle to keep in touch with. I also agree with Jengenson argument because not everyone has a great life, sometimes social media is there â€Å"escape† or safe haven from the troubles and stresses of the real world. I for one have been guilty of going to the digital world when I’m having a hard time in the real world. By logging on I tend to forget about what happening in the real world and flock to things that will be the complete opposite of how things are in the real world. Jengenson also makes a point about how people are proud to be logged off. And I 100% agree with him. I for one have been guilty of being proud for not using my phone, at things like the being at dinner table, holidays, and hanging out with friends and family. For the most part I do have my phone out because sometimes funny things happen to me at dinner or with the family, so it is very hard not to be tempted to catch something and share it with my friends and family on social media. One week I went to a leadership camp in the summer and to attend we had to agree to leave all technology at home, for a full week. Now I know that sounds pathetic but it