Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of Reference Data for Assessing and Restoring Headwater Ecosystems

Attributes of 25 headwater streams and their associated wetlands were quantitatively sampled in the inner coastal plain of eastern North Carolina. Data from these sites were used to construct and test one functional assessment model (biogeochemical cycling) using the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) approach. Of the 25 sites sampled, 16 unaltered sites were used to establish standards against which field indicators could be compared (indexed). Nine altered sites were used to examine the sensitivity of the model to assess the types of alterations typically inflicted upon headwater ecosystems in eastern North Carolina: channelization, logging, construction of cross‐floodplain ditches to shunt water directly from uplands to the main stream channel, and conversion of stream floodplains and buffer zones to cropland. Of 30 field indicators measured that potentially could be used to model alterations to hydrologic regime and biomass stocks, we found six were robust in assessing conditions related to biogeochemical cycling. Hydrologic indicators used in the model included: (1) presence/absence of channelization, (2) presence/absence of cross‐floodplain ditches, and (3) a measure of buffer condition (using width and quality). Biomass indicators included: (4) total basal area of trees, (5) percent litter cover, and (6) volume of coarse woody debris. Our preliminary biogeochemical cycling model using these six variables was sensitive to alterations in nine altered sites and to a suite of hypothetical restorations of the most altered site. However, in order to improve accuracy of our preliminary model, it should be validated with studies designed to measure how alterations of various types and magnitudes affect biogeochemical processes.
Crescimento em Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Grapsidae) em laboratório

The growth of the crab Goniospis cruentata (Latreille. 1803), was studied in the laboratory, through of the molt increment and intermolt period. A total of 86 crabs (48 males and 38 females) were collected in the ltacuruca's Mangrove in Mangaratiba's county. Rio de Janeiro. The crabs were maintened in the laboratory in four 1000 l tanks, with continuous water circulation during fifteen months. They were fed each two days with pieces of fish and fruits. The crabs varied in size from 19.3 to 56.0 mm in males and 23.3 to 48.8 mm in females. The males presented until four molts during the experiment and the females until six molts. The molts oceurred during ali the months. The mean percentage of molt increment was 6.1 ± 2.7%, for both sexes and it decreased with the animal growth. The relation between the molt increment and the carapace width can be expressed by the equation IM = -0.32LC + 18.26 (r = -0.82). This relation didn't show any significative difference between the sexes. The mean intermolt period was of 87.6 + 37.3 days in male crabs and 97.3 ± 27.6 days in females. The growth was contiguous, through successive molts, although the increment was reduced with animal size. The intermolt period was proportional to the animal size increase, however males with autotomy of limbs had the intermolt period reduced.
Community Structure of Lacustrine Macrobenthos: Do Taxon-based and Size-based Approaches Yield Similar Insights?

We sampled the macrobenthos of three Laurentian Shield lakes to evaluate how the taxonomic structure and the size distribution (biomass spectra) of littoral communities varied (1) seasonally over the summer, (2) among lakes, and (3) in relation to substratum. Seasonal variation was limited: although total numbers differed significantly among months, the taxonomic structure (biomass) and the biomass size spectrum for each lake–year combination were relatively constant during the summer. Taxonomic structure differed significantly among lake–year combinations; substratum variables explained 55% of this variation. Biomass spectra were conspicuously bimodal for all lake–date combinations, with a main peak at 6.4–102.4 mg dry mass and a lesser peak at 0.1–0.4 mg dry mass. These spectra differ considerably from those reported previously for marine and lacustrine macrobenthos. The shape of the biomass spectrum was relatively invariant across months and lakes, which is remarkable in view of the differences in taxo.
Karyotype Diversity in Three Cultivars of Momordica charantia L.

Two F1 hybrids namely TIA and PARROT and an open pollinated cultivar viz. TAJ-88 of Momordica charantia L. (bitter gourd) were cytogenetically investigated. The 3 cultivars were found to possess 2n 22 metacentric chromosomes. However, a plant specimen of cultivar TIA had 2n 44 chromosomes. The extreme symmetric karyotypes revealed these cultivars as primitive. Three CMA positive bands were found in TIA and PARROT whereas 4 were found in TAJ-88. On the other hand, a plant specimen of TIA had 6 CMA positive bands. The distribution, location and intensity of CMA positive bands were different among the 3 cultivars. A number of DAPI positive bands were found in TIA and PARROT. It was possible to identify some marker chromosomes with CMA and DAPI staining specific to each cultivar. Fluorescent banding indicated the occurrence of minute deletion and paracentric inversion in the genomes of these cultivars. The overall karyotypic features revealed that a plant specimen of cultivar TIA was actually an auto-tetraploid. With the help of fluorescent banding, the karyotype diversity among these 3 cultivars was determined.
QTL mapping and marker-assisted selection for Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat: A review

During the past decade, numerous studies have been published on molecular mapping of Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance in wheat. We summarize the relevant findings from 52 quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping studies, nine research articles on marker-assisted selection and seven on marker-assisted germplasm evaluation. QTL for FHB resistance were found on all wheat chromosomes except chromosome 7D. Some QTL were found in several independent mapping studies indicating that such QTL are stable and therefore useful in breeding programmes. We summarize and update current knowledge on the genetics of FHB resistance in wheat resulting from QTL mapping investigations and review and suggest FHB breeding strategies based on the available information and DNA markers.
Nutritional Properties and Biological Activities of Artemisia annua L.

- % #    ( , -% +# *+' . /01$ %& $     '  #( )*   +    *  & & &  & &  $  * && & +  &     * $"&& & &  , *     - *  & ,  *  &&  .  /     *  &$ *  & &  ,&  ,'  #  α & $*& & &  ,! 0%%$& $    0+120/0"3 & ,  &* & &&    -& * &&$* 24"456"6750+120/0"3  &  "68μ9   !  $   ,'  #*   & $ &    *:* ' %%" &. %  )  2   - ++% %  α/'( % % 344% %+
Biologia reprodutiva de etnovariedades de mandioca

O conhecimento da biologia reprodutiva da mandioca e essencial para o desenvolvimento de programas de melhoramento genetico e compreensao do processo de domesticacao. Este trabalho avalia aspectos que influenciam a reproducao sexuada, tais como morfologia floral, ecologia da polinizacao, producao e viabilidade dos graos de polen, apomixia, producao e germinacao de sementes de etnovariedades de mandioca coletadas em rocas de caboclos e indios da Regiao Amazonica e do Estado de Sao Paulo. Os aspectos da biologia reprodutiva foram estudados a partir de avaliacoes de campo e coleta de botoes florais e sementes. Os experimentos foram realizados em Piracicaba, SP. Constatou-se alteracao na morfologia floral da etnovariedade DG-55, a qual possui flores hermafroditas, e DG-65 e variedade Mantiqueira, que apresentaram menor numero de ovulos por ovario. A abelha (Apis mellifera) foi o principal polinizador da mandioca. Houve variacao significativa no numero e viabilidade de graos de polen, constatando-se que as anteras do verticilo superior da flor masculina apresentaram, significativamente, maior numero de graos de polen. Nao foi constatada apomixia. Foi detectado maior numero de frutos com duas ou tres sementes. No entanto, sementes originadas de fruto com semente unica apresentaram maior porcentagem de germinacao. As alteracoes morfologicas na estrutura floral influenciaram a producao e viabilidade das sementes. A variacao constatada nos aspectos da biologia reprodutiva, provavelmente, ocorreu devido a pressao seletiva diferenciada a que as etnovariedades foram submetidas ao longo do processo de domesticacao.
Nestling sex ratios in the polygynously breeding corn bunting, Miliaria calandra.

We used a PCR-SSCP assay to sex 288 nestling Corn Buntings Miliaria calanadra from 113 clutches studied between 1988 and 1990 in the Western Isles, Scotland. In each year the sex ratio was not statistically different from l:1. Brood sex ratios did not deviate significantly from the binomial distribution when tested by robust randomisation tests. Although the effect was not strong, the proportion of males in broods declined as the breeding season progressed in 1989, although the opposite trend was observed in 1988 and 1990. Overall, we found no effect of year, timing of breeding, levels of polygyny, brood size or female size on brood sex ratios although several terms had significant interactions with year due to the effects of the data collected in 1989. Independently of brood size, the feeding rates of males, females or both combined did not vary in relation to brood sex ratios. However, the proportion of feeds provided by fathers was highest at male-biased broods when brood size was small (1-3 young) but at female-biased broods when brood size was large (4-5 young).
Phylogenetic eigenvector maps: a framework to model and predict species traits

Phylogenetic signals are the legacy related to evolutionary processes shaping trait variation among species. Biologists can use these signals to tackle questions related to the evolutionary processes underlying trait evolution, estimate the ancestral state of a trait and predict unknown trait values from those of related species (i.e. ‘phylogenetic modelling’). Approaches to model phylogenetic signals rely on quantitative descriptors of the structures representing the consequences of evolution on trait differences among species. Here, we propose a novel framework to model phylogenetic signals: Phylogenetic Eigenvectors Maps (PEM). PEM are a set of eigenfunctions obtained from the structure of a phylogenetic graph, which can be a standard phylogenetic tree or a phylogenetic tree with added reticulations. These eigenfunctions depict a set of potential patterns of phenotype variation among species from the structure of the phylogenetic graph. A subset of eigenfunctions from a PEM is selected for the purpose of predicting the phenotypic values of traits for species that are represented in a tree, but for which trait data are otherwise lacking. This paper introduces a comprehensive view and the computational details of the PEM framework (with calculation examples), a simulation study to demonstrate the ability of PEM to predict trait values and four real data examples of the use of the framework. Simulation results show that PEM are robust in representing phylogenetic signal and in estimating trait values. The method also performed well when applied to the real‐world data: prediction coefficients were high (0·76–0·88), and no notable model biases were found. Phylogenetic modelling using PEM is shown to be a useful methodological asset to disciplines such as ecology, ecophysiology, ecotoxicology, pharmaceutical botany, among others, which can benefit from estimating trait values that are laborious and often expensive to obtain.
Evaluation of Maize Inbred Lines for Iranian maize mosaic virus (IMMV) Resistance

This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. Author AE anchored the field study, gathered the initial data and performed preliminary data analysis. Authors BH and AD designed the study and wrote the proposal. Author KI edited the initial draft of manuscript and involved in technical supports. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. ABSTRACT In present study, the putative resistance capacity of thirty five maize inbred lines against Iranian maize mosaic virus (IMMV) was studied. Reaction to IMMV was analyzed under natural field infection and controlled conditions in a greenhouse in 2010 and 2011. In the greenhouse experiments, the maize plants were inoculated at two-leaf stage using the planthopper Laodelphax striatellus. In the field trials, an early sowing cultivation was used to facilitate a higher infection rate. The responses of inbreds to IMMV were assessed by symptom development and ELISA. The rate of natural infection of IMMV in susceptible control (SC704) was about 20%. MO17 showed about 40% infection in the first year. Both field and greenhouse results confirmed that MO17 was more susceptible to IMMV than SC704 and more reliable to be used as susceptible control in future studies of IMMV. Sowing one row of SC704 as vector spreader between every 5 rows of inbred lines caused sufficient vector propagation and virus transmission. Results of both field and greenhouse experiments showed little and no IMMV infection on K1263/1 and K3547/5, respectively. Hence, they were considered as IMMV-resistant. These lines with CIMMYT origin can also be used for production of resistant hybrids. Results showed that resistance to IMMV was not associated with maize maturity because resistance and susceptibility were found in both early and late matured inbred lines. Disease incidence and ELISA values were strongly correlated. Reduced plant height, ear weight and ear diameter and length and delayed silking were observed in plants infected with IMMV.
Geographic and Annual Variation in Life-History Traits in a Temperate Zone Australian Skink

Life-history theory seeks to explain patterns of variation between species or populations of the same species. Studies of squamates in general, and lizards in particular, have assumed a prominent place in the understanding of such variation. However, to date, there have been surprisingly few studies of the Scincidae, a major squamate taxon. We investigated geographic and interannual variation in life-history traits in two populations of the Tasmanian spotted snow skink, Niveoscincus ocellatus, living at the climatic extremes of the species' distribution. Within each population, there were no interannual or intersexual differences in adult body size. However, mature individuals from a cold subalpine/alpine site were significantly larger at maturity, and had a larger maximum body size than mature individuals from a warmer coastal site. These findings are consistent with current predictions of the proximate effect of the thermal environment on lizard growth and size and age at maturity. In both populations, female fecundity was size-related. Litter size did not vary between years at either site, but, contrary to expectations, females from the cold site had the same or higher size-adjusted reproductive output as those from the warm coastal site. We suggest that resource availability is high at both sites and that a high reproductive output by females from the cold site does not confer a significantly higher survival risk than a lower reproductive commitment. Offspring were largest at the cold site, which is consistent with variation in offspring size of other widespread species and may occur because of strong selective pressures on early survival and growth at the cold site.
Ultrastructures of the Golgi Body and Cell Surface in Cyanidioschyzon merolae

The presence of a Golgi body and a cell wall in Cyanidioschyzon merolae was re-examined by electron microscopy after rapid-freeze substitution fixation to understand the minimum ultrastructural characteristics of eukaryotes. C. merolae cells contained one Golgi body which was composed of one to two cisternae, transfer vesicles and secretory vesicles. A trans-Golgi network was not seen, but association between the transfer vesicles and the nuclear membrane was often observed. The cells did not have a cell wall, but were covered by many filaments which were protruded from a thin electron-dense layer on the exterior surface of the cell membrane.
Changes in the content and distribution, in different organs, of the flavour precursors, the S‐alk(en)yl‐L‐cysteine sulphoxides, during seedling development of onions (Allium cepa) grown under light and dark regimes

Flavour precursors accumulated rapidly in onion seedlings (Allium cepa L. cv. Pukekohe Longkeeper, May and Ryan) after emergence of the cotyledon. (±)-S-1-Propyl-L-cysteine sulphoxide, found mainly in the shoots, was the predominant flavour precursor. (±) Trans-S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine sulphoxide was important during very early seedling growth when very high concentrations were reported in the root and hypocotyl. (±)-S-1-Methyl-L-cysteine sulphoxide, a minor component in seedlings grown under a normal light regime, was significant during early cotyledon development in seedlings grown in the dark. It is concluded that onion seedlings would be a suitable tissue in which to investigate the biosynthetic pathways of the S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulphoxides.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in the groundnut seed beetle, Caryedon serratus (Coleoptera, Bruchidae)

Caryedon serratus feeds on the seeds of four genera of wild Caesalpinioideae. It recently became a major pest of groundnut in Africa. To determine the extent of gene flow and isolation between wild and groundnut-feeding populations, we isolated and characterized 10 microsatellite loci in this species. Polymorphism ranged from three to 15 alleles in the 80 individuals collected in four localities in Senegal on five host plants.
Relationship between number of eggs, brood weight, and female body weight in Crustacea

Relationships between number of eggs (Ng), brood weight (Wg), and body length (L) and weight (W) of females were studied for 16 orders and suborders of Crustacea. The study was based on the authors' observations in the inland waters of the European USSR, in the coastal regions of the fareastern and northern seas and data from V. V. KUZNETSOV (preserved in archives). An extensive literature was also used. The equations describing the relationships (Ng=f(L) and Wg=f(W) are calculated for some species and high taxons. On the average for the superclass (excluding the order Notostraca) the Wg/W ratio appeared to be 0.16. This ratio is markedly different for species of Notostraca. It is supposed that this difference is due to the high metabolic rate of Notostraca.
Low seasonal variation in the diet of Rock Shags (Phalacrocorax magellanicus) at a Patagonian colony in Argentina

Abstract The characteristics of the food sources exploited by seabirds are one of the main factors determining the abundance and distribution of those birds. Determination of the diet over the year and between breeding and non-breeding seasons is important in understanding the food sources and their potential relationship with seabird population dynamics. We studied seasonality in the diet of the Rock Shag (Phalacrocorax magellanicus), a seabird endemic to southern Argentina and Chile, at a colony at Punta Loma, Chubut, by analysis of pellets (regurgitated casts) collected weekly during two consecutive non-breeding and breeding seasons in 2002 and 2003. We identified 19 prey-types in the diet. Polychaetes were the most common item, being present in 80–90% of the samples. Fish were also dominant in both non-breeding and breeding seasons (present in 60–80% of the pellets), especially species of Patagonotothen, Ribeiroclinus and Helcogrammoides. Crustaceans and cephalopods were also present in the diet, but to a lesser extent. There was a high overlap in dietary composition between non-breeding and breeding seasons, although more crustaceans and cephalopods were consumed during the non-breeding season in 2002. Results indicate that the food sources of Rock Shags are present in their feeding areas throughout the year, although many of these species are restricted in their availability, are of small size and have low energy content.
The dispersion of eggs by a bruchid beetle among Scheelea palm seeds and the effect of distance to the parent palm

Larvae of an unidentified bruchid beetle develop within and kill seeds of the palm Scheelea zonensis. Only one larva can develop per seed. Hence, a selective advantage should accrue to female bruchids that oviposit on previously unattacked (pristine) fruit. On Barro Colorado Island, Panama, I performed experiments to test the following hypotheses. (1) H(,: female bruchids do not distinguish between previously attacked and pristine fruit, and (2) Ho: female bruchids oviposit at random among Scheelea fruit. Both null hypotheses were rejected. Female bruchids oviposit more frequently on pristine fruit, and female bruchids disperse their eggs uniformly among Scheelea fruit. Such sophisticated seed predators might search large areas for pristine seeds. As a result, seed- predation rates may fall slowly with distance from the parent palm. To test this hypothesis, I exposed Scheelea fruit at distances of 1, 8, 16, and 100 m from the nearest fruiting palm. Within 16 m, bruchid attack rates were uniformly high. However, at 100 m there was a significant decline. Other studies have found declines in seed predation rates, but only over similarly large distances. This has important implications for the mechanism by which density-dependent seed predation might contribute to the coexistence of tropical trees.
Desempenho em confinamento de bovinos de corte, castrados ou não, alimentados com teores crescentes de farelo do mesocarpo de babaçu

The objective was to evaluate four levels of inclusion of babassu mesocarp meal (Orbygnya spp.) in the concentrate on cattle feedlot performance. Twenty four animals (12 steers and 12 bulls) were used with age and body weight of 33 months and 332.1±24kg, respectively. Diets were isonitrogenous, composed of 44% of Mombasa grass silage and 56% of concentrate in dry matter. Corn grain of the concentrate fraction was replaced by babassu mesocarp meal at 0, 20, 40 and 60% in dry matter. The experimental design was randomized complete block, with factorial arrangement of treatments 4x2 (four levels of babassu mesocarp meal inclusion and two sexual conditions). Dry matter intake in kg day1 and percentage of body weight was not altered by the inclusion level of bran babassu mesocarp, with average values of 9.37kg day-1 and 2.54% respectively. Inclusion levels of babassu mesocarp meal did not affect daily weight gain and feed conversion the animals, with average values of 1.157kg day-1 and 8.39kg of dry matter kg-1 weight gain. Bulls had higher daily weight gain (1.259kg day-1) than steers (1.066kg day-1), reflecting a better feed conversion (7.702 and 9.094kg dry matter kg-1 weight gain, respectively). Babassu mesocarp meal, such as alternative energy source, can be fed to feedlot to the 60% level of inclusion in the concentrate, replacing corn grain.