Reproductive Behaviors and Pairing Modes of Odontotermes fomosanus(Shiraki)Alates

[ Objectives ] To study the reproductive behaviors and the effect of different pairing modes on the developmental status of incipient colonies＇of Odontote- rmes fomosanus （Shiraki）. [ Methods ] We observed the reproductive behaviors of male alates, female Mates and mated alates respectively. Male and female Mates had 9 pairing modes and founded 170 incipient colonies under laboratory conditions. The effect of pairing mode on incipient colonies＇ developmental status was ana- lyzed. [ Results ] Two peaking hours of mating activity within the daily circadian rhythm of Mate activity appeared from 09：00 to 10：00, and from 21：00 to 22：00, respectively. Courtship behavior before mating consisted of touching with antennae, connecting into a ring （head-to-end）, and licking. The reproductive behavior （ calling, pairing, tandem, mating and oviposition） of nestmate pairs was different to that of non-nestmate pairs. The pairing time of non-nestmate pairs was signifi- candy longer than that of alates paired with siblings （P 〈 0.05 ）. The non-swarming alates could mate with swarming or non-swarming Mates and lay fertile eggs which hatched successfully. However, the survival rate of colonies founded by non-swarming alates was very low. The death rate of incipient colonies was in the range of 0.61% -0. 99% after three months, while the death rate of the colonies founded by swarming alates was in the range of 0.22% -0.58%. Females that had been experimentally prevented from mating could lay eggs, but the eggs did not hatch. [ Conclusion] There are two distinct hourly peaks of mating activity within each 24 hour period. Incipient colonies founded by outbreeding have the highest probability of survival.

Predictors of antenatal health service utilization among left-behind wives of male outmigrants:Evidence from Patna District,India

Objective:To analyze the sociological support system available for left-behind wives of male outmigrants and develop a model that predicts the antenatal care(ANC)services utilization.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in rural regions of the Patna district,India.The sample size(n=328)was estimated using Cochran’s formula.Five parameters of the social support system were identified(autonomy,spousal support,family support,social circle support,and government support).The score for each was calculated as a composite score using multiple variables;these served as independent variables.The respondents were categorized as efficient and non-efficient users of ANC service based on established criteria.Results:The regression results showed that four out of five social parameters had a significant effect on ANC behavior.Spousal support was the strongest predictor(standardized regression coefficient β=0.57,OR 1.16,95%CI 1.08-1.79,P=0.007).Government support was found to be the second strongest predictor(β=0.40,OR 1.49,95%CI 1.04-2.14,P=0.027),followed by family support(β=0.31,OR 1.36,95%CI 1.23-2.57,P=0.034)and autonomy(β=0.11,OR 1.32,95%CI 1.11-2.26,P=0.030).The social circle support was found to be non-significant in predicting ANC behavior(P>0.05).Conclusions:The policymakers could focus on the identified predictors to strengthen and modify the existing policies for leftbehind wives of male outmigrants.The need of the hour is a strategic intervention for behavioral modification of not only the left-behind wives but also their family members along with reinforcement of the existing social-security net.One strategy we suggest is to launch an awareness campaign focusing on husbands(male outmigrants)and family members.

An Ethogram of the Toad-headed Lizard Phrynocephalus vlangalii during the Breeding Season

In this study, we intended to construct an ethogram of the toad-headed lizard Phrynocephalus vlangalii by classifying and describing its behaviors using the Posture-act-environment （PAE） method. Through direct field observation and video recording, we obtained eight postures, sixty-two acts and ten environments, and thus we formed an ethogram consisting of eighty-three behaviors encoded with PAE. A complete ethogram for a species could provide systematic behavioral information which helps to understand the connections among related behaviors and provides background information for specific behavioral study, hence the present ethogram will be greatly useful for future behavioral studies on P. vlangalii as well as other Phrynocephalus species.

The Difficulties in Raising Fertility Rates-The Deficiencies and Improvements of the Maternity Protection System for Women of Childbearing Age

Fertility policies consist of not only the legal definition of"procreation",but also the"maternity"protection system,the complete set of selfconsistent social relations and policy systems formed around"fertility".Gender,labor and intergenerational relations are the cornerstones of a fertility policy system.In this framework,we focus on women of childbearing age as the main actors of reproductive behaviors,to research how drastic social changes have altered women,the above-mentioned relations,and policy support and analyze the structural factors that restrict women’s reproductive intentions.The traditional male breadwinner model,which can no longer prevail and the relatively slow development of maternity protection policies and service systems leave women of childbearing age in a dilemma between working hours and birth timing.Therefore,maternity protection policies should focus on improved decommodification of maternity insurance and the construction of women and children’s social welfare systems including childcare social service systems.