Showing papers by "University of Stirling published in 1984"
TL;DR: Gabon's large areas of undisturbed primary forest offer exceptional potential for conservation, not only of gorillas and chimpanzees, but also of the intact tropical rain forest ecosystems which they inhabit.
Abstract: A census was made of gorilla and chimpanzee populations throughout Gabon between December 1980 and February 1983. The aim of the census was to estimate the total numbers of both species and describe their distributions. The method was based on nest counts from line transects which allowed the calculation of population densities of all individuals except suckling infants. Fifteen types of habitat were recognized and defined in terms of their structural features. In the initial phase of the study we did transects in each habitat-type and computed mean densities for each species in each habitat-type. In the second phase of the study we estimated the sizes of gorilla and chimpanzee populations throughout the country by extrapolation from these population density values. We did transects in all areas of the country and conducted interviews to check the accuracy of the population totals obtained by extrapolation. Corrections were made to the extrapolated totals to take into account different levels of hunting pressure and other human activities found to modify ape population densities. Total populations of 34,764 gorillas and 64,173 chimpanzees were estimated. An error of ± 20% was associated with the estimated population totals, which allows the conclusion that Gabon contains 35,000 ± 7,000 gorillas and 64,000 ± 13,000 chimpanzees. The figure for gorillas is much larger than previous estimates. This seems to be because (1) gorillas occur in almost all types of forest and are not restricted to man-made secondary forest as had been though; and (2) the geographical distribution of gorillas in Gabon is wider than previously believed. Gabon's large areas of undisturbed primary forest offer exceptional potential for conservation, not only of gorillas and chimpanzees, but also of the intact tropical rain forest ecosystems which they inhabit.
349 citations
TL;DR: It will be seen that the securing of suitable sleeping sites can be a significant factor in the distribution and behavior of primates and that sleeping habits themselves are modified within overall adaptive patterns of activity.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses on the available information on sleep in wild monkeys and apes: like where they sleep, why certain locations might seem favorable or not, with whom the primates sleep, and what they do during the night and early morning. It will be seen that the securing of suitable sleeping sites can be a significant factor in the distribution and behavior of primates and that sleeping habits themselves are modified within overall adaptive patterns of activity. The chapter is intended to help socioecologists formulate questions about sleeping habits and to help sleep researchers, whose theoretical progress has been slowed due to availability of minimum records concerning the sleep of animals in their natural habitat. In captivity, studies of sleep have been largely restricted to physiological investigations, especially electrophysiology. In captivity schedules of food availability are controllable, permitting analysis of this variable on activity profiles including retiring and awakening times. Finally, social interaction is usually easier to monitor in captive primates than in free-ranging ones.
181 citations
TL;DR: It is revealed that melanocyte-like cells outnumber melano-macrophages in the kidney of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, and these cells increase markedly in number during starvation.
Abstract: The mode of origin of the pigments within the macrophages of the haemopoietic tissues of some fish species was studied with the electron microscope. Lipofuscin appears to be derived from damaged cellular components, such as effete mitochondria, through the peroxidation of their unsaturated lipids. Haemosiderin is almost certainly derived from the breakdown of haemoglobin from effete erythrocytes. Melanin appears to be derived from phagocytosis of melanin granules or their precursor organelles from melanin-containing cells. Both lipid peroxidation and haemoglobin breakdown produce free radicals and cations which are potentially toxic. Melanin absorbs free radicals and has strong affinity for cations and it is probable that they are neutralized by the melanin in macrophages. The electron micrographs published here illustrate the association of the lysosomal apparatus with pigment formation in fish melano-macrophages. These findings appear valid for all the species examined and may apply to all fish. It has been suggested that fish melano-macrophage centres represent primitive analogues of the germinal centres of higher animals. This study reveals that melanocyte-like cells outnumber melano-macrophages in the kidney of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. Moreover, like melano-macrophages, these cells increase markedly in number during starvation.
140 citations
TL;DR: Studying infants' responses to their reflections in mirrors shows that contingency of movement is a salient cue which is learned early, and that attempts to engage in contingent play and to imitate representations of oneself are useful measures of early self- recognition.
Abstract: The development of self-recognition has been studied mainly by examining infants' responses to their reflections in mirrors. The definitive test is whether or not the infant is capable of using the reflection to notice and respond to a mark on the face or head by touching the mark. The mark should be inconspicuous to the infant not looking in a mirror. In general, studies agree that this response appears in some infants around 15 months of age and is shown by a majority of infants by 24 months of age. There is less agreement over the existence of a "withdrawal" component in the second year, or the presence of a "social" phase analogous to the reaction of many animals confronted with a mirror. Infants as young as 3 months are differentially responsive to a self-reflection and a live peer. Various "self-conscious" reactions and self-labelling may also indicate self-recognition in the second year, but their validity is not well established. Studies using videotapes of the self and others show that contingency of movement is a salient cue which is learned early, and that attempts to engage in contingent play and to imitate representations of oneself are useful measures of early self-recognition. The validity of the response of turning to look at an object first seen in a mirror as a sign of self-recognition is questioned. The age at which self-recognition in still pictures first appears is less clear. Verbal comprehension of self-relevant labels appears earlier than active self-labelling. A few studies have addressed the question of cognitive correlates of self-recognition, but a variety of behaviors that imply self-awareness and the corresponding ability to impute mental states to others remains to be studied in relation to self-recognition. Continued research into self-recognition and associated abilities in nonhuman primates enhances the overall understanding of the development of self-awareness.
132 citations
TL;DR: Severe muscle damage occurred in trout given diets lacking supplementary DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, and Vitamin E requirement may increase as water temperature decreases; minimum dietary requirements for vitamin E measured at a constant water temperature of 15 degrees may not be valid under practical conditions where water temperatures vary over the year.
Abstract: Groups of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) of approximate mean initial weight 8 g were grown in outdoor tanks over a 14-week period at water temperatures between 12 degrees (start) and 6 degrees (end). Four diets were used. Two contained non-oxidized fish oil (120 g/kg) with or without supplementary DL-alpha tocopheryl acetate and two contained moderately oxidized fish oil again with or without DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. The measured selenium content of the diets was 0.10 mg/kg. No significant differences occurred as a consequence of the use of moderately oxidized oil compared with the corresponding treatments using non-oxidized oil. Significant differences did occur between dietary treatments that contained supplementary DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate and those that did not. These differences applied to weight gain, haematocrit, erythrocyte fragility, mortalities, liver and muscle tocopherol concentrations and lipid peroxidation of liver mitochondria in vitro. Liver glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) activity was unaffected by the dietary treatments used and the proportions of fatty acids in polar lipids of liver and muscle were little changed by the diets used. Severe muscle damage occurred in trout given diets lacking supplementary DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Previous experiments carried out on rainbow trout at a constant water temperature of 15 degrees ( Hung et al. 1981; Cowey et al. 1981, 1983), using diets lacking supplementary vitamin E, did not lead to differences in weight gain, pathological changes or mortalities. Vitamin E requirement may increase as water temperature decreases; minimum dietary requirements for vitamin E measured at a constant water temperature of 15 degrees may not be valid under practical conditions where water temperatures vary over the year.
110 citations
TL;DR: Eurytemora affinis (Poppe) was the dominant copepod in summer and winter surveys of the littoral zooplankton of the upper Forth estuary, Scotland, and salinity acclimation tests and haemolymph concentration measurements showed that copepods could adapt to changing conditions within 12 h.
104 citations
TL;DR: The role of efferent and afferent signals in weight discrimination was investigated by using the tonic vibratory reflex contraction of the biceps muscle to obtain differential thresholds, which were very much finer than the previous literature suggests.
Abstract: The role of efferent and afferent signals in weight discrimination was investigated by using the tonic vibratory reflex contraction of the biceps muscle. Differential thresholds were obtained for two lifting conditions (normal and reflex) and two static conditions (with and without muscular tonus). Normal lifting gave finer discrimination than reflex lifting (Experiment 1). Normal lifting was also superior to the two static conditions (Experiment 2).Within the static conditions, the addition of muscular tonus gave finer discrimination. The reflex lifting condition gave thresholds similar to those for static holding with muscular tonus, lying between those for normal active lifting and those for static pressure. The reflex lifting and pressure-sensing thresholds were very much finer than the previous literature suggests. The relative contributions of efference and afference to weight discrimination are discussed.
101 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that crude fibre may offer particular promise as a natural internal marker for use under practical farming conditions for the estimation of nutrient digestibility in rainbow trout fed a practical diet.
94 citations
TL;DR: A psychological factor--previous experience of pain--was found to be strongly associated with perceived levels of labour pain, and subjects who reported that they had previously experienced significant levels of pain unrelated to childbirth had low or moderate levels of Labour pain.
89 citations
TL;DR: A critical review has been made of the literature on the use of lipophilic cations, such as triphenylmethyl phosphonium (TPMP ÷ ) as membrane potential probes in prokaryotes, eukaryote organelles in vitro, and eUKaryote cells, and the problem of intracellular compartmentation of lipophile cations has often not been appreciated.
Abstract: A critical review has been made of the literature on the use of lipophilic cations, such as triphenylmethyl phosphonium (TPMP ÷ ) as membrane potential probes in prokaryotes, eukaryote organelles in vitro, and eukaryote cells. An ideal lipophilic cation should be capable of penetrating through a biological membrane and obey the Nernst equation between a membrane bound phase and its environment. Many different forms of the Nernst equation are presented, useful in the calculation equilibrium potentials oflipophilic cations across membranes. Lipophilic cations appear to behave as valid membrane potential probes in prokaryotes and eukaryote organelles in vitro and even in vivo although some technical difficulties may be involved. On the other hand invalid forms of the Nernst equation have often been used to calculate the equilibrium potential of lipophilic cations across the plasma membranes of eukaryotic cells. In particular, the problem of intracellular compartmentation of lipophilic cations has often not been appreciated. Lipophilic cations do not appear to behave as reliable plasma membrane potential probes in eukaryotic cells. Some other avenues are discussed which might be useful in the determination of the plasma membrane potentials of small eukaryotic cells, e.g. the use of lipophilic anions as membrane potential probes.
88 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors comprehensively review the literature concerning monkeys' reactions to mirrors, describing the interest shown in reflections, the reinforcing effects of mirror-image stimulation, the social responses of the monkeys, their interpretation of objects reflected in a mirror, and their performance in tests of self-recognition.
Abstract: Monkeys do not appear to recognize themselves in mirrors but display social responses to the reflection. This article comprehensively reviews the literature concerning monkeys’ reactions to mirrors, describing the interest shown in reflections, the reinforcing effects of mirror-image stimulation, the social responses of the monkeys, their interpretation of objects reflected in a mirror, and their performance in tests of self-recognition. In all cases limitations of the methods employed restrict conclusions about the monkeys’ behavior. Detailed behavioral observations coupled with comparisons of the psychological properties of mirrors with those of other stimuli promise to reveal more useful information about cognitive mechanisms and abilities of monkeys and other primates.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors measured organic matter (DOM) at 8h intervals over a 1 year period in a stream draining 51 ha of moorland with peaty soils.
Abstract: SUMMARY. 1. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) was measured at 8h intervals over a 1 year period in a stream draining 51 ha of moorland with peaty soils.
2. DOM concentrations increased with increasing stream discharge from low flow values of 0–3 mg 1−1 to maximum values of 30 mg 1−1. There were also seasonal differences of up to 13mgl−1 between August (maximum) and February, and differences of about 2.5 mg l−1 between rising and falling stage samples.
3. Seasonal variation was closely related to mean temperature.
4. Total loss over the year was 168 kg ha−1 DOM (84 kg ha−1 C), larger than previous estimates for upland sites.
TL;DR: Energy metabolism of three sympatric swallows (Hirundinidae) was investigated during the breeding season using doubly labeled water to facilitate comparisons, and expressed energy metabolism (M) as the ratio of average daily metabolic rate (ADMR), which reached values around 5 BMR for all three species.
Abstract: Energy metabolism of three sympatric swallows (Hirundinidae) was investigated during the breeding season using doubly labeled water (2H218O). Interspecific and intraspecific differences in energy metabolism were examined in relation to the habits, size and environment of the birds. To facilitate comparisons we expressed energy metabolism (M) as the ratio of average daily metabolic rate (ADMR, cm3CO2g-1h-1) to basal metabolic rate (BMR). We observed adults during incubation and when feeding nestlings. Then, both sexes of Sand Martins Riparia riparia and House Martins Delinchon urbica were either at the nest or on the wing. Incubation reduced activity levels during the day resulting in M (incubation) being 17-26% lower than during rearing. Differences in energy costs for rearing chicks depended mainly on flight behaviour, the smaller Sand Martin doing nearly twice as much flapping during flight as the House Martin, giving higher values for M. In Swallows Hirundo rustica the female incubates alone, alternating between short feeding trips and incubating in daytime. This pattern was linked with a relatively high value for M in the only individual behaving like our controls. Both sexes of Swallows feed the chicks, and they showed similar values of M. They also closely resembled House Martins, despite contrasts in the time spent flying and their behaviour during flight. Feeding conditions affected activity, and thereby M, in a species specific way. The House Martin did more gliding in poor weather, taking less mobile prey, reducing M. Swallows reduced foraging costs further by using body reserves, as in the House Martin. The smaller Sand Martin, in contrast, showed a high expenditure in poor weather. Over two breeding seasons ADMR reached values around 5 BMR for all three species.
TL;DR: Although the sleeping tree was a safe refuge from leopards, the first baboon to leave the tree in the morning was usually an adult male, and it has been hypothesized that the buildup of intestinal parasites in feces below sleeping trees influences the use of the trees by baboons; this did not occur here.
Abstract: Descriptive and quantitative observations were made of wild Guinea baboons (Papio papio) at a regularly used sleeping tree (Ceiba pentandra) in Senegal. Observations concentrated on the transition from darkness before sunrise until the baboons had left the tree. Behavior at sleeping sites is affected by a variety of social and nonsocial factors. Sleeping postures were adjusted during the night and to suit weather conditions. The baboons began to leave the tree earlier before sunrise in the dry season, especially on moonlit mornings. This might reflect increased foraging demands in the dry season. Sleeping parties were larger in the wet season, the difference being mainly due to juveniles. Huddling in the sleeping tree was little affected by weather conditions. The most common sleeping huddles consisted of adult females and young; huddles rarely contained more than one adult male. Although the sleeping tree was a safe refuge from leopards, the first baboon to leave the tree in the morning was usually an adult male. It has been hypothesized that the buildup of intestinal parasites in feces below sleeping trees influences the use of the trees by baboons; this did not occur here.
TL;DR: In this article, the results of electron-photon coincidence experiments have given a new insight into the excitation of atoms by electron impact, and the role of spin in the collision.
Abstract: The results of electron-photon coincidence experiments have given a new insight into the excitation of atoms by electron impact. This article reviews the way in which this new experimental technique has provided an exacting and fundamental test for the theory of the excitation process. The basic experimental method is first described, and a comprehensive treatment of excitation of the n1P states of helium is given. The extension of the technique to the study of excitation of the n=2 states of atomic hydrogen is then presented. Coincidence measurements also provide information on the role of spin in the collision, and this subject is treated in detail for excitation of heavy atoms by both unpolarised and spin-polarised beams of electrons. Finally, the electron-photon coincidence method permits observation of the time evolution of excited atomic states, and this review describes the attempts made to observe quantum beats in the radiative decay.
TL;DR: A detailed review of proliferative kidney disease in salmonids is presented, places the disease in a historical context and describes the various aspects of the disease from the existing literature, together with latest findings from current research.
Abstract: A detailed review of proliferative kidney disease (PKD) in salmonids is presented. The introduction places the disease in a historical context. The various aspects of the disease are described from the existing literature, together with latest findings from current research. Particular emphasis is given to epidemiology, aetiology and pathology.
TL;DR: A preliminary 150-day feeding trial was conducted with fingerling rainbow trout to ascertain the nutritive value of solvent extracted sunflower seed meal as a dietary replacement for solvent extracted soybean meal and wheat meal within a practical trout ration, finding no beneficial effect on fish growth and feed utilisation efficiency.
TL;DR: Fish from Loch Turret had significantly less A1-based pigment than fish from the other two lochs, and the light penetrating into it has more long wavelength energy, possible correlations between this environmental difference and the visual pigments of the three trout populations are discussed.
TL;DR: The feeding behavior of one group of green monkeys was observed between October 1978 and December 1979 in the Parc National du Niokolo-Koba, Senegal, and data on seasonal variation in the diet and changing patterns of resource availability are drawn together within the framework of optimal foraging theory to examine the adaptive strategies underlying the monkeys’ behavior.
Abstract: The feeding behavior of one group of green monkeys (Cercopithecus sabaeus)was observed between October 1978 and December 1979 in the Parc National du Niokolo-Koba, Senegal. Details of the vegetational composition of the habitat and seasonal variation in food availability were also recorded. The green monkeys’ diet was omnivorous and diverse, including over 65 species of plants, many invertebrates, and some eggs and meat. Preference was given to fruits and flowers, although particular species were not selected; rather, these foods were eaten in proportion to their availability. Leaves, gum, seeds, and fungi were secondarily preferred foods, their consumption depending mostly on the availability of fruit or flowers. There was little overlap in the composition of the diet from month to month, reflecting the strong seasonality of the environment, although there was a consistent intake of invertebrates each month. Differences in diet between populations of the superspecies C. aethiopsare related to the floristic composition of the vegetation. Data on seasonal variation in the diet and changing patterns of resource availability are drawn together within the framework of optimal foraging theory to examine the adaptive strategies underlying the monkeys’ behavior. Their choice of diet was optimal in that they were more selective when profitable food items were common: higher proportions of the diet were given over to fruit and flowers when food availability was high. In parallel with this strategy, a nutritive balance was maintained by consistent inclusion of invertebrates and at least some foliage in the diet, regardless of the amount of fruit or flowers available.
TL;DR: The karyotypes of these three species are compared with each other and with those of other salmonid fish from the genera Salmo, Salvelinus, and Oncorhynchus.
Abstract: Chromosome numbers and polymorphisms in rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, and brown trout are described. The karyotypes of these three species are compared with each other and with those of other salmonid fish from the genera Salmo, Salvelinus, and Oncorhynchus. Karyotype evolution from a postulated ancestral tetraploid is discussed.
TL;DR: There are some similarities in the proteolytic activities of all three trichomonad species, and that the two parasites of the urinogenital tracts of mammals possess additional features in common.
TL;DR: First-feeding stage tilapia fry were reared in 20-l capacity aquaria at six stocking densities and three feeding levels and survival and growth were improved at the higher feeding levels, but the percentage of fry surviving showed no consistent relationship to stocking density.
TL;DR: Like stereotyped movements reported for other species, SA may increase sensory input in poor environments, but this is probably not true for group-living monkeys, in which SA appears to be primarily a form of redirected social aggression.
Abstract: Three studies of stumptailed macaques examined the occurrence of self-aggression (SA) under different housing conditions. In group tests those environmental manipulations which increased social aggression decreased SA, but similar environmental conditions were found to increase SA in monkeys when tested in individual cages. SA increased in a group of monkeys in response to a temporarily impoverished environment. Like stereotyped movements reported for other species, SA may increase sensory input in poor environments, but this is probably not true for group-living monkeys, in which SA appears to be primarily a form of redirected social aggression.
TL;DR: ACTH caused fin darkening but neither ACTH nor cortisol induced body silvering, and neither hormone increased the size or abundance of gill chloride cells.
TL;DR: Gill succinic dehydrogenase and Na+-K+ ATPase activities were stimulated by salt water transfer in parr and smolt and both activities were preferentially located in the chloride cells.
Abstract: Gill succinic dehydrogenase and Na+-K+ ATPase activities were stimulated by salt water transfer in parr and smolt. Both activities were preferentially located in the chloride cells. Salt water adaptation induced proliferation and enlargement of the chloride cells. Hypertrophy of the chloride cell system occurred in parr adapted to salt water.
TL;DR: The localization of a live, and a formalized vaccine preparation of Aeromonas salmonicida within the tissues of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, was followed over a 5 day period, with the spleen and kidney localizing theaeromonas after its initial attachment to the outer surfaces of the fish.
Abstract: The localization of a live, and a formalized vaccine preparation of Aeromonas salmonicida within the tissues of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, was followed over a 5 day period. When presented by intraperitoneal injection, both the live bacteria and the vaccine localized in the spleen, liver, kidney and gut. When presented orally, the bacteria and the vaccine were confined almost exclusively to the gut region. Direct immersion resulted in low detectable levels within the tissues, with the spleen and kidney localizing the Aeromonas after its initial attachment to the outer surfaces of the fish.
TL;DR: Whether or not daily energy expenditure was lower for tropical birds than for their temperate counterparts is determined, and comparisons with similar data for temperate species are drawn.
Abstract: -Daily energy expenditure (DEE) during breeding was studied in Pacific Swallows (Hirundo tahitica) and Blue-throated Bee-eaters (Merops viridis) in Malaysia. DEE was measured directly by the doubly labelled water (D2180) technique and indirectly by TAL (time-activity-laboratory) methods during the time adults were feeding their young at the nest. DEE was 76.6 kJ/day in the Pacific Swallow and 77.4 kJ/day in the larger Blue-throated Bee-eater (D2180 results). The relatively low DEE, compared to temperate-zone insectivores that also feed in flight, was attributed to the action of proximate factors, namely a more favorable thermal environment and shorter days (which results in less daytime activity). In bee-eaters, partial use of a low-cost foraging technique also contributed to their lower DEE. The suitability of DEE as a measure of reproductive effort is discussed. Received 3 January 1983, accepted 1 September 1983. TROPICAL birds usually have small clutches and their nestlings grow slowly, suffer high losses, and are dependent on parents long after fledging (Lack 1954, 1968; Ashmole 1963; Lack and Moreau 1965; Cody 1966, 1971; Ricklefs 1969, 1976; Fogden 1972). The evolutionary basis for low reproductive rates among tropical birds is unclear: one view is that they are in various ways a consequence of an unfavorable environment (short days, intense predation and competition, scarce food) (Lack and Moreau 1965, Ashmole 1963, Cody 1966, Skutch 1966, Royama 1969, Ricklefs 1980). Another view is that low reproductive rates reflect an optimization of reproductive investment in relation to survival (Williams 1966, Gadgil and Bossert 1970, Charnov and Krebs 1974). In stable environments, where survival of adults is high (Fry 1980) and that of juveniles either poor or variable, low investment in breeding is favored (MacArthur and Wilson 1967, Murphy 1968, Goodman 1974, Stearns 1976, Southwood 1977). If this is the case, investment in breeding (i.e. reproductive effort) should be lower for tropical birds than for their temperate counterparts. Obtaining a realistic measure of reproductive effort to investigate this point has proved difficult, because all reproductive costs cannot be measured as a single currency (Tinkle 1969, Tinkle and Hadley 1975, Trivers 1972, Pianka 3Present address: Botanic Gardens, Cluny Road, Singapore. and Parker 1975, Calow and Woollhead 1977, Calow 1979, Bryant 1979). In this study we examined one parameter of reproductive effort, energy expenditure during breeding. We did this to determine whether or not daily energy expenditure was lower for tropical species. Using the doubly labelled water (D2180) technique (Lifson and McClintock 1966), we measured daily energy expenditure in two species of tropical birds, and we draw comparisons with similar data for temperate species. Using TAL (time-activity-laboratory) techniques (Mugaas & King 1981), we attempt to identify the causes of any differences by modelling daily energy expenditure. To minimize trivial differences, which arise from inevitable dissimilarities in taxa, habitats, and habits, we compared aerially feeding insectivores from open habitats during the nestling-rearing stage.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors search the Cambridge Crystallographic data files for all compounds containing CI bonds that had contact distances less than 3.55 A for O and for N, and less than 4.0 A for S. Analysis of these data from 86 crystal structures showed that the distribution of nucleophile (O, N, S) contacts to iodine is non-spherical with the highest density and the shortest contacts.
01 Jan 1984
TL;DR: The distinction commonly made between sinuous, single-channel "meandering" rivers and straighter, multichannel "braided" rivers is neither clearcut nor comprehensive but it does correspond to a practically significant difference in river behaviour as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: River channels display a continuum of patterns characterised by different degrees of channel division and channel sinuosity. The distinction commonly made between sinuous, single-channel ‘meandering’ rivers and straighter, multi-channel ‘braided’ rivers is neither clearcut nor comprehensive but it does correspond to a practically significant difference in river behaviour. Braided rivers are typically wider and shallower than meanders of similar discharge; they transport more bedload and scour and fill their beds more dramatically; and above all they erode their banks more rapidly, extensively, and unpredictably. This greater erosional activity has serious implications for floodplain landuse and must be taken into account in the design of engineering works such as bridges.