scholarly journals Peer Review #1 of "From tameness to wariness: chemical recognition of snake predators by lizards in a Mediterranean island (v0.3)"

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Chemical Recognition ◽  
Mediterranean Island ◽  
Snake Predators

scholarly journals From tameness to wariness: chemical recognition of snake predators by lizards in a Mediterranean island

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e2828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Mencía ◽  
Zaida Ortega ◽  
Valentín Pérez-Mellado
Keyword(s):  
Slow Motion ◽  
Predation Pressure ◽  
Main Island ◽  
Chemical Recognition ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
Podarcis Lilfordi ◽  
Podarcis Siculus ◽  
Mediterranean Island ◽  
Snake Predators ◽  
High Degree

Antipredatory defenses are maintained when benefit exceeds cost. A weak predation pressure may lead insular lizards to tameness.Podarcis lilfordiexhibits a high degree of insular tameness, which may explain its extinction from the main island of Menorca when humans introduced predators. There are three species of lizards in Menorca: the nativeP. lilfordi, only on the surrounding islets, and two introduced lizards in the main island,Scelarcis perspicillataandPodarcis siculus. In addition, there are three species of snakes, all introduced: one non-saurophagous (Natrix maura), one potentially non-saurophagous (Rhinechis scalaris) and one saurophagous (Macroprotodon mauritanicus). We studied the reaction to snake chemical cues in five populations: (1)P. lilfordiof Colom, (2)P. lilfordiof Aire, (3)P. lilfordiof Binicodrell, (4)S. perspicillata, and (5)P. siculus, ordered by increasing level of predation pressure. The three snakes are present in the main island, while onlyR. scalarisis present in Colom islet, Aire and Binicodrell being snake-free islets. We aimed to assess the relationship between predation pressure and the degree of insular tameness regarding scent recognition. We hypothesized thatP. lilfordishould show the highest degree of tameness,S. perspicillatashould show intermediate responses, andP. siculusshould show the highest wariness. Results are clear: neitherP. lilfordinorS. perspicillatarecognize any of the snakes, whileP. siculusrecognizes the scent ofM. mauritanicusand reacts to it with typical well-defined antipredatory behaviours as tail waving and slow motion. These results rise questions about the loss of chemical recognition of predators during island tameness and its related costs and benefits for lizards of insular habitats. In addition, this highlights the necessity for strong conservation measures to avoid the introduction of alien predators.

An empirical review of gambling expansion and gambling-related harm

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 295-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debi A. LaPlante ◽  
Heather M. Gray ◽  
Pat M. Williams ◽  
Sarah E. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Expansion Method ◽  
Responsible Gambling ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Empirical Comparison ◽  
Related Harm

Abstract. Aims: To discuss and review the latest research related to gambling expansion. Method: We completed a literature review and empirical comparison of peer reviewed findings related to gambling expansion and subsequent gambling-related changes among the population. Results: Although gambling expansion is associated with changes in gambling and gambling-related problems, empirical studies suggest that these effects are mixed and the available literature is limited. For example, the peer review literature suggests that most post-expansion gambling outcomes (i. e., 22 of 34 possible expansion outcomes; 64.7 %) indicate no observable change or a decrease in gambling outcomes, and a minority (i. e., 12 of 34 possible expansion outcomes; 35.3 %) indicate an increase in gambling outcomes. Conclusions: Empirical data related to gambling expansion suggests that its effects are more complex than frequently considered; however, evidence-based intervention might help prepare jurisdictions to deal with potential consequences. Jurisdictions can develop and evaluate responsible gambling programs to try to mitigate the impacts of expanded gambling.

A retrospective analysis of peer review at Physiologia Plantarum

1994 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence M. Murphy ◽  
Jessica M. Utts
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Retrospective Analysis
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