Biology subjects

Morandini, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Morandini, M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Functional and Structural Brain Age Gaps as Complementary Predictive Markers for Cognitive Performance

Cognitive decline is characterized by substantial inter-individual variability across the lifespan, even among clinically healthy adults. However, it is unclear how structural and functional brain organization jointly relate to differences in cognitive performance within the typical populations. We considered a multimodal brain age framework by predicting for each subject its age from either structural MRI or resting-state functional MRI, after training on the 1000BRAINS cohort (901 participants, 18-85 years). Following, a structural and a functional brain age gap markers were defined as the deviations with respect to the real chronological age. We then used the markers to characterize the interplay between structure and function in shaping cognitive performances. Our findings reveal that the functional marker is as important to predict global cognitive performance as the structural marker. The most accurate prediction was found for global cognition, executive functions and episodic memory, followed by working memory, attention and language. In particular, the structural marker was contributing to all domains, except for working memory, whereas the functional marker had the highest contribution. Overall, structural and functional brain age models together provide a meaningful subject-level summary of brain information for predicting cognition, supporting a multidimensional view of typical aging.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Using a substitute species to inform translocation of an endangered territorial mammal.

Substitute species can inform management strategies without exposing endangered species unnecessarily. Further, experimental approaches may help to identify the causes of translocation failures, leading to improve the chances of success. We used a surrogate subspecies, Tamiasciurus fremonti fremonti to test different translocation techniques to inform potential management actions on the endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus fremonti grahamensis). We fitted VHF radio collars to 54 animals, and we monitored their survival and movements until individuals settled on a new territory. We considered the effect of season, translocation technique (soft or hard release), and body mass on survival, distance moved after release, and time to settlement of translocated animals. Survival probability averaged 0.48 after 60 days from the translocation event and was not affected by season or translocation technique. 54% of the mortality was caused by predation. Distance moved and number of days to settlement varied with season, where winter was characterized by shorter distances (average of 364 m in winter versus 1752 m in fall) and a smaller number of days (6 in winter versus 23 in fall). These data emphasize the potential of substitute species to provide valuable information on possible outcomes of management strategies for closely related endangered species.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2018

Red squirrel territorial vocalizations deter intrusions by conspecific rivals

In many species, territory defense is thought to be one of the primary functions of acoustic communication. North American red squirrels are a territorial species in which rattles have long been thought to be the principal signal communicating territory ownership. These vocalizations have been assumed to deter intruders, thus reducing energy costs and the risk of injury associated with direct aggressive interactions. However, this hypothesis has not been directly tested. Here we used a speaker occupation experiment to test whether red squirrel rattles function to deter conspecific rivals. We studied 29 male squirrels and removed each individual from his territory twice in a paired design. During the experimental treatment we simulated the owners presence after its removal by broadcasting the owners rattle from a loudspeaker at the center of the territory once every seven minutes. During the control treatment the territory was left in silence after the temporary removal of the owner. We found that the presence of a speaker replacement reduced the probability of intrusion by 34% and increased the latency to first intrusion by 7%, providing support for the hypothesis that rattles play an active role in reducing intrusion risk. However, intrusions were not completely averted by the speaker replacement, indicating that vocalizations alone are not sufficient without other cues of the territory owner.

animal behavior and cognition↗