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Ward AB, Harris PA, Argo CM, Watson CA, Burns NM, Neacsu M, Russell WR, Grove-White D, Morrison PK. Confidence does not mediate a relationship between owner experience and likelihood of using weight management approaches for native ponies. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292886. [PMID: 37824555 PMCID: PMC10569591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Native ponies are at increased risk of obesity and metabolic perturbations, such as insulin dysregulation (ID), a key risk factor for endocrinopathic laminitis. Management and feeding practices can be adapted to maintain healthy body condition and support metabolic health, but owners may inadvertently provide their ponies with inappropriate management leading to obesity and exacerbating risk of metabolic disease. Adoption of preventative weight management approaches (WMAs), including regular monitoring of body condition, providing appropriate preserved forage, promoting seasonal weight loss, and using exercise accordingly, are key in supporting native ponies' metabolic health. The factors influencing the adoption of WMAs, such as owners' experience and confidence, require exploration. The aim of the current study was to understand factors influencing owners' likelihood to undertake certain WMAs, to develop our understanding of suitable intervention targets. A total of 571 responses to an online cross-sectional questionnaire were analysed. Mediation analysis revealed that whilst long term (≥20 years) experience caring for native ponies was associated with owners increased, self-reported confidence in identifying disease and managing their native ponies, this did not translate to an increased likelihood of implementing WMAs. Conversely, respondents who managed ponies with dietary requirements related to obesity, laminitis, or equine metabolic syndrome were more likely to use WMAs related to feeding, seasonal weight management and exercise. Owner confidence was assessed and rejected as a mediator of the relationship between experience and WMA use. These results highlight the need for further work that elucidates the pathways leading owners to undertake action against obesity without the need for ponies to develop overt disease, as well as suggesting a need for long term managers of native ponies to update management practices with preventative care as the focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley B. Ward
- Scotland’s Rural College, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia A. Harris
- Equine Studies Group, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Neil M. Burns
- Department of Rural Economy, Environment and Society, Scotland’s Rural College, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Madalina Neacsu
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Wendy R. Russell
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Dai Grove-White
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Wirral, United Kingdom
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Burns NM, Hopkins CR, Bailey DM, Wright PJ. Otolith chemoscape analysis in whiting links fishing grounds to nursery areas. Commun Biol 2020; 3:690. [PMID: 33214649 PMCID: PMC7677557 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01433-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding life stage connectivity is essential to define appropriate spatial scales for fisheries management and develop effective strategies to reduce undersized bycatch. Despite many studies of population structure and connectivity in marine fish, most management units do not reflect biological populations and protection is rarely given to juvenile sources of the fished stock. Direct, quantitative estimates that link specific fishing grounds to the nursery areas, which produced the caught fish are essential to meet these objectives. Here we develop a continuous-surface otolith microchemistry approach to geolocate whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and infer life stage connectivity across the west coast of the UK. We show substantial connectivity across existing stock boundaries and identify the importance of the Firth of Clyde nursery area. This approach offers fisheries managers the ability to account for the benefits of improved fishing yields derived from spatial protection while minimising revenue loss. Neil Burns et al. use a continuous-surface otolith microchemistry approach to geolocate whiting across the west coast of the UK and show connectivity across existing stock boundaries, highlighting the importance of the Firth of Clyde nursery area. This study is important for fisheries management and will have an influence on methods used to infer connectivity from otolith microchemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil M Burns
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Charlotte R Hopkins
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
| | - David M Bailey
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Peter J Wright
- Marine Scotland Science, Ecology and Conservation Group, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB, UK
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Hopkins CR, Burns NM, Brooker E, Dolman S, Devenport E, Duncan C, Bailey DM. Evaluating whether MPA management measures meet ecological principles for effective biodiversity protection. Acta Oecologica 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2020.103625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Keeping JA, Reeve-Arnold KE, Burns NM, Catarina N, Bailey DM, McNeill DC. Computer-aided photo-identification of a rare stingray, Megatrygon microps. J Fish Biol 2020; 96:815-819. [PMID: 31856322 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A protocol for photo-identification of individual Megatrygon microps has been defined. One hundred and four identification photographs were taken between 2005 and 2019. Spot patterns on the dorsal surface were used to identify individuals. Unique scarring on eight M. microps re-observed provided an independent confirmation of pattern stability of up to 761 days. Previous studies lacked statistical testing used to validate this photo-identification approach. I3 S photo-matching software was used to successfully match images, identifying 69 individuals. A photo-matching software facilitates an open-source platform for identifying individual M. microps, allowing for better population assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Keeping
- Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- All Out Africa Marine Research Centre, Praia do Tofo, Mozambique
| | | | - Neil M Burns
- Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - David M Bailey
- Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Deborah C McNeill
- Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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McInnes MG, Burns NM, Hopkins CR, Henderson GP, McNeill DC, Bailey DM. A new model study species: high accuracy of discrimination between individual freckled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) using natural markings. J Fish Biol 2020; 96:831-834. [PMID: 31984497 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Variations between distinct natural markings of freckled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) could allow in situ identification of individuals from underwater photography. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to assess the ability of the Interactive Individual Identification System (I3 S) software to assist in discriminating between images of P. forsteri individuals. This study's results show the high discriminant ability of I3 S to differentiate between unlike individuals and identify images of the same individual. The ability to use automatic computer-aided assistance in the study of this species will enable future research to explore behaviour and movements of individuals in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G McInnes
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Neil M Burns
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Deborah C McNeill
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David M Bailey
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Bulmer LS, Murray JA, Burns NM, Garber A, Wemelsfelder F, McEwan NR, Hastie PM. High-starch diets alter equine faecal microbiota and increase behavioural reactivity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18621. [PMID: 31819069 PMCID: PMC6901590 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54039-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota have been associated with health, disease and behaviour in several species and are an important link in gut-brain axis communication. Diet plays a key role in affecting the composition of gut microbiota. In horses, high-starch diets alter the hindgut microbiota. High-starch diets are also associated with increased behavioural reactivity in horses. These changes in microbiota and behaviour may be associated. This study compares the faecal microbiota and behaviour of 10 naïve ponies. A cross-over design was used with experimental groups fed high-starch (HS) or high-fibre (HF) diets. Results showed that ponies were more reactive and less settled when being fed the HS diet compared to the HF diet. Irrespective of diet, the bacterial profile was dominated by two main phyla, Firmicutes, closely followed by Bacteroidetes. However, at lower taxonomic levels multivariate analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing data showed diet affected faecal microbial community structure. The abundance of 85 OTUs differed significantly related to diet. Correlative relationships exist between dietary induced alterations to faecal microbiota and behaviour. Results demonstrate a clear link between diet, faecal microbial community composition and behaviour. Dietary induced alterations to gut microbiota play a role in affecting the behaviour of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise S Bulmer
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Jo-Anne Murray
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Neil M Burns
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Anna Garber
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Francoise Wemelsfelder
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, SRUC, Roslin Institute Building, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Neil R McEwan
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK
| | - Peter M Hastie
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
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Burns NM, Bailey DM, Wright PJ. A method to improve fishing selectivity through age targeted fishing using life stage distribution modelling. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214459. [PMID: 30939152 PMCID: PMC6445474 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding spatial distributions of fish species is important to those seeking to manage fisheries and advise on marine developments. Distribution patterns, habitat use, and aggregative behaviour often vary throughout the life cycle and can increase the vulnerability of certain life stages to anthropogenic impacts. Here we investigate distribution changes during the life cycle of whiting (Merlangius merlangus) to the west of the UK. Density distributions for age-0, age-1 and mature fish were modelled as functions of environmental variables using generalised additive mixed effects models. The greatest densities of age-0 whiting occurred over finer sediments where temperatures were between 12 to 13°C. Age-0 whiting densities decreased with increasing depth. Higher densities of age-1 whiting were also associated with fine sediments and peaked at 60 m, but this influence was also dependent on proximity to shore. Mature fish, while showing no association with any particular sediment type, were strongly associated with depths >60 m. Geostatistical aggregation curves were used to classify space use and showed persistent aggregations of age-0 whiting occupying inshore waters while age-1 and mature fish were more dispersed and differed among years. The differences in distributions among life stages suggested a general coastal to offshore shift as cohorts developed with mature whiting mainly occupying deep offshore waters. The spatial dynamics and areas of persistent life stage aggregation identified here could enable informed targeting and avoidance of specific age-class whiting to aid bycatch reduction. Given that landing obligation legislation is counterproductive unless it encourages greater fishing selectivity, the ability to avoid this species and undersized individuals would aid conservation measures and fishermen alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil M. Burns
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - David M. Bailey
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J. Wright
- Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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Burns NM, Watson J. A study of focus metrics and their application to automated focusing of inline transmission holograms. The Imaging Science Journal 2013. [DOI: 10.1179/174313111x12966579709313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Abstract
An important function of pictures is the communication of information--a function that has been ignored in research on the development of pictorial perception and comprehension. When are young children first capable of using pictures as a source of information to guide their behavior? The six studies reported here reveal a dramatic developmental change between 24 and 30 months of age in the use of pictorial information about the location of a hidden object. When presented with a picture that showed the location of a hidden toy, 30-month-olds readily retrieved the toy, but 24-month-olds did not. The extremely poor performance of the 24-month-olds was replicated and shown to persist in spite of various modifications made in the task in an effort to improve performance. We conclude that our 24-month-old subjects did not interpret the pictures as representations of current reality. We propose that very young children's early pictorial experience may predispose them to be overly conservative in interpreting the relation between pictures and their referents.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S DeLoache
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Champaign 61820
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DeVries JW, Broge JM, Schroeder JP, Bowers RH, Larson PA, Burns NM. Headspace gas chromatographic method for determination of methyl bromide in food ingredients. J Assoc Off Anal Chem 1985; 68:1112-6. [PMID: 4086433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A headspace gas chromatographic (GC) method, which can be automated, has been developed for determination of methyl bromide. This method has been applied to wheat, flour, cocoa, and peanuts. Samples to be analyzed are placed in headspace sample vials, water is added, and the vials are sealed with Teflon-lined septa. After an appropriate equilibration time at 32 degrees C, the samples are analyzed within 10 h. A sample of the headspace is withdrawn and analyzed on a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (ECD). Methyl bromide levels were quantitated by comparison of peak area with a standard. The standard was generated by adding a known amount of methyl bromide to a portion of the matrix being analyzed and which was known to be methyl bromide free. The detection limit of the method was 0.4 ppb. The coefficient of variation (CV) was 6.5% for wheat, 8.3% for flour, 3.3% for cocoa, and 11.6% for peanuts.
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