Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Higher taxa as surrogates of species richness of spiders in insect‐resistant transgenic rice

Abstract Biodiversity assessments can often be time‐ and resource‐consuming. Several alternative approaches have been proposed to reduce sampling efforts, including indicator taxa and surrogates. In this study, we examine the reliability of higher taxon surrogates to predict species richness in two experimental rice fields of Fujian Province, southeastern China during 2005 and 2009. Spider samples in transgenic and nontransgenic plots were collected using a suction sampler. Both the genus and family surrogates had significant and positive linear relationships with species richness in the transgenic and nontransgenic rice fields. The rice varieties did not significantly influence the linear relationships. Our findings suggest that higher‐taxon surrogacy could be a useful alternative to complete species inventory for risk assessments of transgenic rice.
The G‐protein γ subunit gpc‐1 of the nematode C.elegans is involved in taste adaptation

Caenorhabditis elegans has two heterotrimeric G‐protein γ subunits, gpc‐1 and gpc‐2. Although GPC‐1 is specifically expressed in sensory neurons, it is not essential for the detection of odorants or salts. To test whether GPC‐1 is involved in sensory plasticity, we developed a water soluble compound adaptation assay. The behaviour of wild‐type animals in this assay confirms that prolonged exposure to salts can abolish chemo‐attraction to these compounds. This process is time and concentration dependent, partly salt specific and reversible. In contrast, gpc‐1 mutant animals show clear deficits in their ability to adapt to NaAc, NaCl and NH4Cl, but normal wild‐type adaptation to odorants. Two other loci previously implicated in odorant adaptation, adp‐1 and osm‐9, are also involved in adaptation to salts. Our finding that G proteins, OSM‐9 and ADP‐1 are involved in taste adaptation offer the first molecular insight into this process.
Body condition scoring method for the blue fox (Alopex lagopus)

Abstract Breeding for larger size in the blue fox has been successful. Today, most of the animals are large and fat at pelting time, but obesity is also more common. Extreme fatness is detrimental especially for young vixens, because fattening followed by fast and pronounced weight loss for the breeding season has a negative impact on litter size and other fertility traits. Fatness needs to be taken into account in new breeding strategies, and easy ways to record it are required. We developed a simple and quick body condition scoring (BCS) method for the evaluation of stored body fat in foxes. Correlated BCS with ultrasonic measurement of subcutaneous fat thickness, whole-carcass fat content, body weight, grading size and animal length was positive. We suggest that the BCS method can serve as a useful and practical tool for assessing the degree of fatness in the blue fox.
Gibberellins in the control of photoperiodic flower transition in Pharbitis nil

The role of gibberellins in the photoperiodic flower induction of short-day plant Pharbitis nil has been investigated. It has been found that the endogenous content of gibberellins in the cotyledons of P. nil is low before and after a 16-h-long inductive dark period. During the inductive night the content of gibberellins is high at the beginning of darkness and about the middle of the dark period. Exogenous GA 3 when applied to the cotyledons of non-induced plants does not replace the effect of the inductive night but it can stimulate the intensity of flowering in plants cultivated on suboptimal photoperiods. GA 3 could also reverse the inhibitory effect of end-of-day far-red light irradiation on P. nil flowering. 2-Chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride (CCC) applied to the cotyledons during the inductive night also inhibited flowering. GA 3 could reverse the inhibitory effect of CCC. The obtained results strongly suggest that gibberellins are involved in the phytochrome controlled transition of P. nil to flowering. Their effect could be additive to that of photoperiodic induction.
Documenting the Effect of Foundress Number in a Dioecious Fig, Ficus fistulosa, in Malaysia

We studied foundress number and its effect on seed production in a dioecious fig Ficus fistulosa in Sarawak, Malaysia. The effects of flowering time and the two‐way interaction of flowering time and tree location on foundress number were statistically significant. A multiple regression indicated seed production increased significantly with the number of foundresses. Our results indicate that phenology and local ecological factors generate a large variance in foundress number, which in turn affects the reproductive success of F. fistulosa.
Two new species of Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) from the North West region of Western Australia

Two new species of Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) from the North West region of Western Australia. Utricularia byrneana R.W. Jobson & Baleeiro and U. wannanii R.W. Jobson & Baleeiro are described as new and are considered members of Utricularia subgen. Polypompholyx section Pleiochasia. The distribution and habitat preferences of these species are discussed. Two individual taxonomic keys are provided representing the groups in which the new species are most likely to be closely related. Specifically, Utricularia byrneana is compared with species from Western Australia possessing hollow peduncles namely U. fistulosa P.Taylor and U. tubulata F. Muell. , while U. wannanii is compared to species possessing connate bracts and bracteoles namely U. dunlopii P.Taylor, U. georgei P.Tayor and U. kimberleyensis C.A. Gardener, as well as close relative U. uniflora R.Br.
Small- and Large-scale Studies in Fisheries Ecology: The Need for Cooperation among Researchers

Abstract Studies of species composition and abundance or biomass in fish communities in small lakes (i.e., non-Great Lakes) vary in environmental, temporal, and taxonomic scales. Abiotic variation, the duration of data collection, and the number of species examined limit the general “picture” of communities. A survey of 12 years of publications focusing on patterns within fish communities reveals two distinct types of studies: (1) small taxonomic and small environmental scale studies (i.e., complex interaction, population approach where fish abundance, yield, or growth rates are measured) and (2) large taxonomic and large environmental scale studies (i.e., assemblage survey, community approach where only species presence/absence is measured). Both study scales are well suited to answer important ecological questions, but neither approach is appropriate to examine the relative influence of abiotic and biotic processes on fish density and yield—information that is necessary for creating large-scale manageme.
First record of the invasive greenhouse frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) in the Mexican Caribbean

Based on morphological identification and a molecular analysis of specimens collected in the urbanzone of Playa del Carmen in the state of Quintana Roo, we report the first record of the invasive greenhouse frog(Eleutherodactylus planirostris) in the Mexican Caribbean. The presence of E. planirostris in the Yucatan Peninsulasuggests an urgent need for research to evaluate its invasion and ecological impacts.
Small motor axons in orthopteran insects. A reinvestigation of the innervation of the femoral retractor unguis muscle in a stick insect and two species of locust.

1. 1. The motor innervation of the femoral retractor unguis muscle in a stick insect and two species of locust was investigated morphologically and electrophysiologically. 2. 2. In all three insects a somewhat variable number of axons with diameters less than 2 μm, some even less than 0·5 μm, accompany much larger ones in the motor nerve supplying the muscle. 3. 3. In the stick insect Carausius probably more than six motoneurones, including at least one inhibitory, control the muscle. 4. 4. In the two species of locust two populations of muscle fibres, ‘red’, and ‘white’, can be distinguished according to their respectively high and low levels of succinate dehydrogenase and their different patterns of innervation. The ‘red’ muscle fibres in Schistocerca have, in addition to one or two ‘fast’ excitors, two inhibitors, and in Locusta ‘red’ fibres receive a further one or sometimes two ‘slow’ excitors, giving a more complex innervation pattern of the ‘red’ compared to the ‘white’ fibres. An additional neurosecretory control by at least one neurone is indicated by the presence of characteristic nerve endings throughout the muscle. 5. 5. Of the two ‘fast’ motor axons in both locusts, one innervates the ‘red’ and the other the ‘white’ muscle fibres but both axons, to a lesser extent, also synapse with muscle fibres of the other type. The synaptic responses they evoke here are, however, only of small or intermediate amplitude. 6. 6. The existence of ‘slow’ excitatory innervation in Locusta ‘red’ fibres shows that functional synaptic contacts from one motoneurone can be restricted to a small region of a muscle fibre whilst those from other motoneurones are present along almost the entire length of the same fibre. 7. 7. Some of the difficulties in comparing morphologically demonstrated numbers of axon profiles with electrophysiologically derived numbers of motoneurones are discussed.
Population structure and behaviour of crop‐raiding elephants in Kibale National Park, Uganda

We examined patterns of crop raiding by elephants across gender and age classes in relation to elephant life history and sociobiology and estimated the quantitative contribution of crops to elephant diet in Kibale National Park (KNP). Elephant dung-boli sizes were used to estimate age and sex, while the presence of crop remains in the dung of crop-raiding elephants was used as evidence of repeated raiding. To estimate the expected proportion of elephants raiding per age class, the age distribution of raiders was compared with the age distribution of all KNP elephants. Elephants raiding crops were predominantly males. They began raiding in expected proportions at 10–14 years while a higher than expected proportion raided crops at 20–24 years. These results suggest that crop raiding is initiated at an age when male elephants leave their families and a large proportion of elephants raid when they are approaching reproductive competition. Evidence from dung of crop raiders, suggests that repeated raiding increases with age. Crop raiders derived 38% of their daily forage from the short time spent raiding, consistent with expectations of foraging theory. Males may be more likely to learn crop raiding because they are socially more independent and experience intense mating competition than females.
Biomass, Metabolic Rates and Feeding of Some Common Reef Zoantharians and Octocorals

The biomass of individual polyps in most common octocorals ranged from 40 to 90 µg C, and the biomass of polyps per 1 g wet weight of colony ranged from 15 to 30 mg C. In the case of zoantharians, the corresponding values were 0.6 mg C and 3.7 mg C g-1 for Palythoa caesia and 9 mg C and 73 mg C g-1 for Zoanthus sociatus. In both octocorals and zoantharians, the percentage ratios of the biomass of zooxanthellae to the biomass of polyps were similar to those in scleractinians: 1.5-4.0%. The rate of photosynthesis ranged from 0.1 to 3.2 mg C g-1 dry weight of colony per day. The ratio of photosynthesis to respiration in most symbiotic octocorals was more than 1 (1.4-2.7); it was less than 1 only in Alcyonium molle and Lobophytum roxasi. Daily respiration in symbiotic octocorals and zoantharians represented 0.6-3.0% of the total biomass of their polyps; in asymbiotic species, it was around 2-5%. Heterotrophic predatory feeding, sedimentary feeding, and feeding on dissolved organic matter were quantified by radiocarbon labelling. The ability to prey on and use different kinds of food varied with taxonomic group. Also, zoantharians and octocorals were much poorer heterotrophic feeders than are scleractinians. By heterotrophic feeding at optimum food concentrations, most zoantharians and octocorals could satisfy 10-100% of their energy requirements (cf. 200-300% for scleractinian corals). The extent of success of zoantharians and octocorals in competition with scleractinians is discussed.
The Fine Structure of the Scopula‐Stalk Region of Vorticella convallaria

ABSTRACT. We examined by SEM and TEM the stalk‐scopular junction, the stalk, and stalk formation in Vorticella convallaria Linnaeus, 1767. The stalk sheath is anchored to the walls of the scopular lip and to the scopular cilia by thin fibrils. Experimental extraction of these fibrils weakens this junction enough to separate the stalk from the cell body. Telotrochs escape from the stalk by means of violent contractions of the cell body, accelerated beating of the trochal band cilia, and twisting of the cell body against the stalk. The edges of the scopular lip spread over the scopular cilia after escape and, in some cases, fuse to enclose the entire, aboral scopular surface in a cupola‐like structure. The sessile cells contain fewer and smaller scopular granules than telotrochs. The presence of disintegrating scopular granules in the stalk matrix of some sessile cells suggests that they contain material which is secreted over a period of time to form the stalk. Eruptive formation of the initial adhesive pad and quick elongation of the distal part of the stalk suggests a rapid exocytosis of the larger, more numerous granules of the telotroch. The stalk sheath is formed of fibrils making up complete and incomplete compartments peripherally arranged along the major stalk axis.
Odonata communities in retrodunal ponds: a comparison of sampling methods

Dragonflies are commonly used as indicators of environmental quality and different methods have been employed to monitor odonate assemblages, such as surveys of all adults, evaluations based on breeding adults, sampling of larvae and collection of exuviae. Results obtained with different sampling methods may not be interchangeable, as the different life stages (e.g. larvae, adults) differ in mobility (aquatic, aerial) and as they are subjected to different ecological constraints. Therefore generalization about habitat quality based on only one survey method might be questionable. Additionally, detectability of species might vary when different methods are used. In this study, nine retrodunal ponds in the Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli Regional Park (Tuscany, Italy) were repeatedly and contemporaneously sampled during May–September 2008 with the following methods: all adults, breeding adults, larvae and exuviae. In total, 22 species were detected and the results showed that the four methods were not interchangeable. First, some species were only found using certain methods. Second, univariate measures of diversity obtained with the four sampling methods were considerably different. Alpha diversity was maximal when computed on all adults and minimal with exuviae; breeding adults and larval collection had intermediate values. Beta diversity showed an inverse trend, with the lowest value for “all adults” surveys and higher values for all the others. Finally, congruence among the assemblages revealed by the four methods was generally low. The results show that the four survey techniques are not interchangeable and that monitoring of Odonata has to be based on a carefully chosen method, which should reflect the aim of the study.
Effect of continuous and intermittent irrigation methods on rice (cv. Koohrang) yield

This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of permanent and intermittent irrigation on the yield of rice (cv. Koohrang) in Lordegan rice-growing areas in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province (Iran). The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications during 2003 and 2004. Irrigation treatments were: I1, continuous irrigation with a 5-cm water head every day; I2, alternative irrigation with a 5-cm water head every 2 days; I3, alternative irrigation with a 5-cm water head every 4 days; and I4, alternative irrigation with a 5 cm water head every 6 days. Results showed that the paddy yield was highest under treatment I2 (5655.6 kg ha−1) and lowest under treatment I4 (3421.3 kg ha−1). The highest rate of water use was obtained in I1 with 17 687.5 m3 ha−1 and the lowest in I4 with 9325 m3 ha−1. Paddy yield, plant height, panicle length and 1000-seed weight did not show a significant difference at the 5% level among I1, I2 and I3, but differed significantly to I4. Thus irrigation treatment I3 is appropriate for paddy irrigation in the Lordegan region with 10 645 m3 ha−1 water use and 5483.7 kg ha−1 paddy yield.
Development and growth of the feather star Decametra tigrina (Crinoidea), with emphasis on the morphological differences between adults and juveniles

The development and growth of a feather star Decametra tigrina from Notojima Island, Japan, is reported. This is the first record describing the complete development, from early embryos to juveniles, in the family Colobometridae. Their larval development was observed to progress independently from the adults, and was similar to other feather star species. Embryos hatched as uniformly ciliated gastrulae, which turned into doliolaria larvae when four narrow circumferential ciliated bands were formed. Skeletal ossicles began to form inside the doliolaria larvae, which subsequently settled to the substrate, proceeding to the cystidean stage. The protrusion of the arms from the oral opening marked the beginning of the pentacrinoid stage. About 45 days after hatching, they autotomized their stalks and became juvenile comatulids with arms about 6 mm long. These early juveniles apparently differ from the adults in morphological characters, such as having no pairs of tubercles or spines on the dorsal of their cirrals, and no proximal pinnules except for the first pinnule (P1). Both features are prominent in adults and are used for the classification of D. tigrina. Morphological differences between juveniles and the adults may also occur in other feather star species. A revision of the classification of comatulids, which considers morphological changes with growth, is required.
Artificial selection with differing population structures

The effect of subdivision of a population on response to artificial directional selection for abdominal bristle number in Drosophila melanogaster was compared using large, replicated lines. Three different population structures were compared: (i) selection in an Undivided, large population with 50 pairs of parents (treatment U); (ii) selection in each of 10 sublines which were reconstituted every 6th generation by Crossing after Culling the 5 lowest sublines (treatment CC); and (iii) selection in each of 10 sublines which were reconstituted every 6th generation by Crossing after Retaining all 10 sublines (treatment CR). At the end of three cycles of selection and crossing, neither CR nor CC was superior to U; sublining did not increase response to selection. These results agree with the predictions arising from an entirely additive model and provide no evidence for the presence of epistasis. A comparison of 50-pair lines (U) with several 5-pair lines was made over 31 generations. For the 50-pair lines, there was close agreement between response predicted from the base population (using ih 2 σ p ) and observed response throughout all 31 generations of selection. Although the best of the 5-pair lines exceeded the 50-pair lines in the early generations, average response to directional selection in the 5-pair lines soon fell behind that predicted from ih 2 σ p , and soon reached a plateau.
Blood Group Distribution and Its Relationship with Bleeding Time and Clotting Time in Medical Undergraduate Students

Background: In 1901 an Austrian scientist Karl Landsteiner, discovered the ABO blood group in human. Blood group plays a vital role in the field of transfusion medicine. The previous studies found prolonged bleeding and clotting time in individuals with blood group O probably due to lower expression of von Willebrand factor, and elevated levels are risk for thrombosis. Aims and Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between bleeding time and clotting time among various blood groups and to identify gender difference between them. Materials and methods: Our study included 100 medical undergraduates, aged between 17–22 years. The blood grouping was determined with the standard antisera and bleeding time and clotting time was estimated by duke method and capillary tube method respectively. Results: Blood group O (33%) was more predominant among students followed by blood group A (32%), B (26%) and AB (9%). Bleeding time was found to be prolonged > 4 min in blood group O (21.21%), followed by blood group B (19.23%), A (18.75%) and AB (11.11%) but the difference was statistically insignificant (p = 0.867). Similarly clotting time was prolong > 6 min among blood group A (15.63%) followed by O (6.07%), B (3.84%) and AB (0%) but the difference was statistically insignificant (p = 0.192). Gender-wise bleeding time and clotting time were more prolonged in females than males. Conclusions: In our study, blood group O was most predominant. Bleeding time was prolonged in blood group O whereas clotting time was prolonged in blood group A. Gender-wise bleeding and clotting time were higher in females than males.
CYLINDROCARPON EHRENBERGI WR., AND OTHER SPECIES, AS ROOT PARASITES OF ALFALFA AND SWEET CLOVER IN ALBERTA

Cylindrocarpon Ehrenbergi appears to be one of the most important pathogenic fungi associated with early spring injury of roots of alfalfa and sweet clover in Alberta. It occurs in virgin and cultivated soils. It produces distinctive symptoms, and is highly pathogenic in the early spring, but less virulent during the growing season. It can invade unwounded roots through lenticels or the basal tissues of branch roots, or by direct penetration. It is also pathogenic on roots of Trifolium spp. This species has not been previously reported on the legume forage crops, and very little is known concerning its parasitism on other plants.On the roots of alfalfa and sweet clover C. obtusisporum is slightly to moderately pathogenic, C. radicicola is very weakly pathogenic, and C. olidum is non-pathogenic. These species occur infrequently on diseased roots, and usually in association with C. Ehrenbergi. C. radicicola has been reported as an important root parasite of other plants.Isolates of C. Ehrenbergi differ in d.
PLANKTON OF CALICUT INSHORE WATERS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH COASTAL PELAGIC FISHERIES

Studies on the inshore plankton of Calicut waters and on the related hydrological featuies have been made in earlier years, and there have been attempts, in general terms or specifically, at correlating these with the fisheries of the area. From Homell and Nayudu (1924) who suggested that the oil sardine might be coming into the inshore waters to feed on the plankton there, various workers have followed this view. Particular mention may be made, in this regard, of the observations of Chidambaram and Menon (1945) who arrived at a positive correlation between the plankton and the pelagic fisheries of this area during the post-monsoon period; of George (1953) who demarcated the inshore plankton as "edible" and "non-edible" from the point of view offish food and marked the fact that the fishery season along the coast coincided with the period of abundance of "edible plankton", suggesting close relationship between the two; of Subrahmanyan (1959) who discussed the relationship of plankton production with fluctuations of oil sardine and mackerel landings on a month-to-month basis, finding broad correlation between standing crop of the plankton and total quantity of fish landed.