We describe new ESS models of density regulation driven by genic selection to explain the cyclical dynamics of a social system that exhibits a rock-paper-scissors (RPS) set of three alternative strategies. We tracked changes in morph frequency and fitness of Lacerta vivipara and found conspicuous RPS cycles. Morphs of Uta and Lacerta exhibited parallel survival-performance trade-offs. Frequency cycles in both species of lizards are driven by genic selection. In Lacerta, frequency of each allele in adult cohorts had significant impacts on juvenile recruitment, similar to mutualistic, altruistic, and antagonistic relations of RPS alleles in Uta. We constructed evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) models in which adults impact juvenile recruitment as a function of self versus nonself color recognition. ESS models suggest that the rapid 4-year RPS cycles exhibited by Lacerta are not possible unless three factors are present: behaviors evolve that discriminate self versus nonself morphs at higher rates than random, self- versus non-self-recognition contributes to density regulation, and context-dependent mate choice evolves in females, which choose sire genotypes to enhance progeny survival. We suggest genic selection coupled to density regulation is widespread and thus fundamental to theories of social system evolution as well as theories of population regulation in diverse animal taxa.

The study of adaptive radiations has played a fundamental role in understanding mechanisms of evolution. A recent resurgence in the study of adaptive radiations highlights a gap in our knowledge about determining whether a clade constitutes adaptive diversification. Specifically, no objective criteria exist to judge whether a clade constitutes an adaptive radiation. Most clades, given enough time, will diversify adaptively to some extent; therefore, we argue that the term "adaptive radiation" should be reserved for those clades that are exceptionally diverse in terms of the range of habitats occupied and attendant morphological adaptations. Making such a definition operational, however, requires a comparative analysis of many clades. Only by comparing clades can one distinguish those that are exceptionally diverse (or nondiverse) from those exhibiting a normal degree of adaptive disparity. We propose such a test, focusing on disparity in the ecological morphology of monophyletic groups within the lizard family Iguanidae. We find that two clades, the Polychrotinae and Phrynosomatinae, are exceptionally diverse and that two others, the Crotaphytinae and Oplurinae, are exceptionally nondiverse. Potential explanations for differences in diversity are discussed, as are caveats and future extensions of our approach.

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Motexafin gadolinium (Xcytrin) is an expanded porphyrin macrocyclic compound under development for the treatment of several types of cancer. Currently clinical trials and non-clinical pharmacology and toxicology studies are ongoing. The goals of this open label, four arm, non-crossover bioavailability study were to explore motexafin gadolinium pharmacokinetics, determine the i.p. bioavailability, and define a pharmacokinetic model suitable for descriptive and predictive use. Mice received one or seven daily i.v. or i.p. injections (40 mg/kg) then blood samples were collected and analyzed. Plasma concentration data were modelled using population pharmacokinetic methods and a two compartment model was the most appropriate model. The stability and predictive performance of the model were evaluated using bootstrap procedures. The accuracy of the predicted concentrations was 8.3%. Motexafin gadolinium was rapidly cleared from the plasma and although T(1/2beta) was 12.9 h there was no accumulation following seven doses. The i.p. bioavailability was 87.4% and higher plasma concentrations were sustainable for a longer period with i.p. dosing. V(c) was larger than the blood volume and the tissue compartment volume was 38% of V(c), suggesting motexafin gadolinium was not widely distributed into less well perfused tissues. The pharmacokinetic profile in this study was similar to that in oncology patients administered multiple doses of motexafin gadolinium. The unbiased model yields reliable parameter estimates and insight into the pharmacokinetics of motexafin gadolinium in mice, is suitable for both descriptive and predictive purposes, and is a valuable tool in the planning, analysis, and interpretation of pharmacology and toxicology studies in mice.

Expectations of the outcomes of our actions can directly influence response behavior. In 2 experiments, we demonstrate that the congruency between a response and its unanticipated effect (R-E congruency) can also influence task performance by moderating the magnitude of stimulus-response (S-R) compatibility effects on a subsequent trial. This is the case when response effects are physical locations that precede a location-based S-R compatibility task and when response effects are spatial words preceding a spatial word-based S-R compatibility task (Experiment 1). However, prior R-E congruency does not influence the subsequent S-R compatibility effect when the stimulus type has changed from location to word or vice versa (Experiment 2). In both experiments, the correspondence between the spatial information of the S-R task stimulus and prior effect also influences the S-R compatibility effect. We discuss how conflict control and event coding may lead to the observed results and why their influence is specific to spatial mode.

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