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. 2016 Nov 2;4:e2640. doi: 10.7717/peerj.2640

Figure 2. The reactive scope model for guanacos.

Figure 2

Most studies measure only one physiological mediator at a time, here the concentration of two mediators (cortisol-C /testosterone.T) is placed on the y-axis at a given time point. The mediators are correlated in terms of the functional role that each one plays in the normal reactive scope range. In other words, both mediators encompass responses for coping with predictable and unpredictable changes in the environment. The values of each mediator are presumed to exist in four general ranges. The minimun (5–10 Ng.gr for C; 1–2 Ng.gr for T) and maximun (20–35 Ng.gr for C; 3–4 Ng.gr for T) concentration of the mediator was presumed to constitute a threshold. The results show the ranges (double arrows) of predictive/reactive homeostasis (PH/RH) and homeostatic overload/failure, the stress-gonadal and feedback response (gray circles) indicates the max-min activity patterns for HPA & HPG axis during one year. The C activity patterns in guanacos shows two peak of RH (dotted lines) in the reproductive season, between Ag./O. males adopts a territory-defense strategies at the beginning of the reprod. season; during Ja./F. males changes to a female-defense strategies at the ends of the reprod. season. These results consist of the seasonal set of point ranges for the physiological mediators.