Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptations of Lotus pedunculatus Cav. for Nitrogen Fixation in a Riverine Wetland Plant Community

Summary Lotus pedunculatus is a common legume of wet, acidic soils. Earlier laboratory studies have identified adaptations to nodule form and function that facilitate N2-fixation in flooded conditions. However, the strategies that ensure satisfactory nodulation and nitrogen fixation under flooded conditions in the field have not been studied widely. This aspect was investigated in a riverine wetland ecosystem in which L. uliginosus is the only legume present in abundance and where the acid peat soil is subject to periodic flooding. Above ground biomass and nodulation of Lotus was highest from June to August and declined significantly by mid October. Unit weight nodule acetylene reducing activity paralleled changes in plant biomass, with the exception of a decrease during flowering and low rainfall in July. More than 99.7% of the nodule biomass and 92% of the nodule number were produced on adventitious, aerial roots in the surface litter and vegetation. This strategy avoided direct contact of most nodulated roots with the anoxic, acidic soil environment and assisted aeration of the root system. Other effects of flooding on nodule morphology, that were evident in laboratory experiments, were not observed in the field.
Plant Climbing by Salamanders: Periodic Availability of Plant-Dwelling Prey

Terrestrial salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) leave the forest floor during rainy and foggy nights and climb plants where they forage on plantdwelling homopterans and hemipterans. Salamanders that climb plants at night ingest a significantly larger volume of food than do conspecifics that forage on the forest floor at night. Plants are not climbed on dry nights when desiccation of the salamanders occurs rapidly. Plant-dwelling insects may provide an important but periodic food resource for the salamanders.
Direct versus indirect facilitation (herbivore mediated) among woody plants in a semiarid Chaco forest: A spatial association approach

In arid environments, direct facilitation (microhabitat amelioration) and indirect facilitation ('associational resistance' via protection from herbivory) among plants of different species may act simultaneously. Little is known about their relative effects. One way to disentangle the effects is by evaluating spatial associations. We examined the relative importance of these two mechanisms of facilitation in the semiarid Chaco vegetation of north-central Argentina, through an eight-way observational study in which we quantified the degree of spatial association between saplings of each of two key tree species, Schinopsis lorentzii (Anacardiaceae) and Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (Apocynaceae), with shrub neighbours either possessing spines or without spines and in both an ungrazed site and a site with a long history of cattle grazing.We analysed data across 400 subparcels at each site with spatial analysis by distance indices. Saplings of both tree species showed positive spatial associations with spiny shrubs in the grazed site but not in the ungrazed site, and never with non-spiny shrubs. This result suggests that spiny shrubs may indeed provide associational resistance for saplings of key tree species in grazed habitats in these dry subtropical forests, that is, that indirect facilitation may predominate over direct facilitation. If confirmed by experimental studies, this result can have implications for the silvopastoral management of rapidly expanding ranches in the semiarid Chaco, where current practice includes the near elimination of native shrubs.
Sélection participative des variétés de sorgho à l'aide d'essais multilocaux dans deux zones cibles

Variety development for sorghum requires multi-location testing for yielding ability. In West-Africa, where adaptation to specific zones of rainfall distribution is crucial for the success of a variety, these multi-location trials need to be conducted within any specific zone of adaptation. As most West-African countries lack sufficient research station capacity for this type of yield testing, we have developed a trial design and experiments with a sharing of roles and responsibilities between farmers, NGO's and researchers that allow for effective varietal differentiation in the target environment across a wide range of production conditions within a zone. The added advantage of farmer participation in this early stage of variety evaluation is that farmers also evaluate a wide range of other traits that are essential for making a variety a success.
Entero-hepatic pathobiology: histopathology and semi-quantitative bacteriology of the duodenum

Duodenum swabs were harvested from 80 broilers in 15 flocks of 8 broiler farms and were submitted to bacteriological evaluation. Five broiler breeders were sampled to obtain comparative data. Macro and microscopic lesions in the gut and the liver were evaluated in all birds submitted to swab harvesting and also broilers of two slaughter plants. Semiquantitative bacterial examination in duodenum swabs demonstrated higher microorganism growth in blood agar than in MacConkey medium. Staphylococcus sp, Enterococcus sp and Escherichia coli were found in some broiler flocks. An increased cellularity of the muscular mucosae of duodenum villi and/or the presence of some gametocytes or schizonts of coccidia were found in the lesioned gut in addition to high bacterial growth in blood agar. In some flocks, enlarged yellowish livers with vacuolated hepatocytes and/or increased reticuloendothelial response were seen in some birds. Liver and gut samples were collected in two slaughter plants in order to establish a pattern of response in broilers after withdrawal of growth promoters. Livers with macroscopic lesions presented microscopic lesions in the parenchyma such as increased leukocyte response in the sinusoidal space, vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes or focal necrosis in the perilobular region, increased size or number of lymphoid nests in the perilobular region, the perivascular space and surrounding the biliary duct and increased extramedular granulocytopoiesis. Duodenum with hyperemic patches showed increased cellular response in the muscular mucosa of villi. These observations support the concept that semi-quantitative bacteriology and liver lesion evaluation could be used as a model to study gut bacterial imbalance in chickens.
A Serological Evidence of Minute Virus of Canines (MVC; Canine Parvovirus Type-1) in Dogs in Turkey

Serological evidence of minute virus of canines (MVC; canine parvovirus type-1) was investigated for the first time in dogs in Turkey. Dogs with various clinical symptoms including primarily gastrointestinal and respiratory system disorders were used. Immunofluorescence (IF) test was performed to determine whether anti-MVC antibodies were present in the serum samples. MVC antibodies were found in 18 out of 100 dogs (18.0%) tested, indicating that MVC is present in dogs in Turkey. The present result is additional evidence for the worldwide distribution of MVC.
First Records of the Southern Naked-Tailed Armadillo Cabassous unicinctus (Cingulata: Dasypodidae) in Paraguay

Abstract The first specimens of southern naked-tailed armadillo Cabassous unicinctus squamicaudis from Paraguay are documented, extending the known distribution of the species approximately 270 km south-southwestward in the cerrado eco-region. This is the 12th species of armadillo documented as present in Paraguay. Paraguay is the only country with three representatives of the genus Cabassous occurring within its borders.
Oligomeric tumour necrosis factor α slowly converts into inactive forms at bioactive levels

The stability of oligomeric human tumour necrasis factor alpha (TNF) at bioactive levels has been studied by two immunoenzymatic assays: one able to specifically detect oligomeric and not monomeric TNF (O-e.l.i.s.a.) and the other able to detect both forms (OM-e.l.i.s.a.). The selectivity of O-e.l. i.s. a. and OM-e.l. i.s. a. for oligomeric and monomeric TNF was demonstrated with isolated forms prepared by partial dissociation of recombinant TNF with 10% (v/v) dimethyl sulphoxide and gel-filtration h.p.l.c. Evidence for instability of oligomeric TNF were obtained in physiological buffers, as well as in serum and cell-culture supernatants, as a function of TNF concentration. In particular, only a half of the TNF antigen was recovered in the oligomeric form after 72 h incubation (37 degrees C) at 0.12 nM, whereas no apparent dissociation was detected at 4 nM. The structural changes observed at picomolar concentrations were rapidly reversed by raising the concentration of TNF to about 2 nM by ultrafiltration, suggesting that subunit dissociation and reassociation reactions occur in the picomolar and nanomolar range respectively. The cytolytic activity of L-M cells correlates with oligomeric-TNF levels after incubation at picomolar concentrations. Moreover, isolated oligomeric TNF was cytotoxic towards L-M cells, whereas monomeric TNF was virtually inactive. In conclusion, the results suggest that bioactive oligomeric TNF is unstable at picomolar levels and slowly converts into inactive monomers, supporting the hypothesis that quaternary-structure changes in TNF may contribute to the fine regulation of TNF cytotoxicity.
Distribution of free amino acids in the rice kernel and kernel fractions and the effect of water soaking on the distribution

The distribution of free amino acids within the milled-rice kernel was determined using the flours prepared consecutively by abrasive milling from the outer to the inner layers of the kernel. All free amino acids except arginine were present in the greatest quantities in the outermost layer of the 5%-milled kernel with a decreasing concentration gradient toward the center. Water soaking of the flours brought about increases in the contents of most amino acids and decreases in the glutamate and taurine contents. Taking into account the discriminative localization at the peripheral region of the milled-rice kernel and changes in contents during water soaking, glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid (Gaba), and arginine can be assumed to contribute to the taste of cooked rice
Salinity response of a freshwater charophyte, Chara vulgaris

Abstract.Chara vulgaris L. growing in an oligohaline lake was adapted to laboratory conditions and subjected to long-term salinity treatments ranging from 0 to 350 mol m 3 NaCl added to the lake water (40–680 mosmol kg 1). Osmotic potential and concentration of the main osmotically active solutes (K+, Na+, Mg2+, Cl and sucrose) in the vacuolar sap of the central internodal cells were estimated. C. vulgaris did regulate turgor but incompletely. Turgor decreased from 335 mosmol kg 1 under control conditions to 52–111 mosmol kg 1 at 350 mol m 3 NaCl. The enhancement of πi was achieved by increase in both ions and sucrose. Sterile and fertile plants differed in their response to osmotic stress. In sterile plants, the ions accounted for about 87% of the vacuolar osmotic potential. The increase of πi under osmotic stress was exclusively due to an accumulation of Na+ and Cl-. In fertile plants, sucrose accounted for about 35% of πi and ions for about 51% Under osmotic stress, sucrose content increased together with the ionic content of Na+ and Cl-.
Phylogeny and systematics of mitriform gastropods (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Neogastropoda)

With about 800 Recent species, ‘miters’ are a widely distributed group of tropical and subtropical gastropods that are most diverse in the Indo-West Pacific. They include the two families Mitridae and Costellariidae, similar in shell morphology and traditionally treated as close relatives. Some genera of deep-water Ptychatractidae and Volutomitridae are close to miters in shell morphology, and the term ‘mitriform gastropods’ has been introduced to refer to Mitridae, Costellariidae, and this assortment of convergent forms. The present study aimed at the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships of mitriform gastropods based on representative taxon sampling. Four genetic markers [cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S and 12S rRNA mitochondrial genes, and H3 (Histone 3) nuclear gene] were sequenced for over 90 species in 20 genera, and the molecular data set was supplemented by studies of radula morphology. Our analysis recovered Mitridae as a monophyletic group, whereas the genus Mitra was found to be polyphyletic. Of 42 mitrid species included in the analysis, 37 formed a well-supported ‘core Mitridae’ consisting of four major clades, three of them consistent with the subfamilies Cylindromitrinae, Imbricariinae, and Mitrinae, and Strigatella paupercula standing out by itself. Basal to the ‘core Mitridae’ are four minor lineages, with the genus Charitodoron recognized as sister group to all other Mitridae. The deep-water family Pyramimitridae shows a sister relationship to the Mitridae, with high support for a Pyramimitridae + Mitridae clade. Our results recover the monophyly of the Costellariidae, which form a well-supported clade that also includes Ptychatractidae, Columbariinae, and Volutomitridae, but not Mitridae. Most derived and diverse amongst Costellariidae are species of Vexillum, characterized by a bow-shaped, multicuspidate rachidian tooth. Several previously unrecognized deep-water costellariid lineages are revealed. Their members retain some plesiomorphies – in particular a tricuspidate rachidian tooth – that makes them morphologically intermediate between ptychatractids and Vexillum. The taxa of Ptychatractidae included in the analysis are not monophyletic, but form three well-supported, unrelated groupings, corresponding respectively to Ceratoxancus + Latiromitra, Exilia, and Exiliodea. None of them shows an affinity to Pseudolividae. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London
Substrate type affects partial prey consumption by larvae of the antlion Myrmeleon acer (Neuroptera : Myrmeleontidae)

Three types of hypotheses have been used to explain why predators often do not fully consume their prey. First, parts of the prey may be inedible. Second, physical or physiological constraints may be important. For example, gut capacity might limit the amount that can be taken in one meal, which may result in partial prey consumption. Third, individuals may choose to terminate feeding before an absolute constraint is reached. For example, some optimality models assume that partial prey consumption maximises rate of energy gain. Distinguishing between these hypotheses can be difficult because they may make qualitatively similar predictions. For example, as prey encounter rate increases, a smaller proportion of each prey item is consumed. We attempted to test between 'constraint' and 'choice' hypotheses by manipulating the expectation of capture independently of the actual capture rate for larvae of the antlion Myrmeleon acer. Ants escaped from artificial pits made in coarse sand more quickly than from pits made in fine sand, suggesting that capture success for antlions would be lower in coarse sand. Furthermore, antlions given the choice of these two substrates built their pits in fine sand. We therefore proposed that an antlion's 'expectation' of mean capture success will be lower when it is forced to build its pit in coarse sand compared with fine sand. We found that antlions in coarse sand consumed a greater proportion of their prey than did antlions in fine sand, contrary to the constraint hypotheses, but in support of choice models. Handling time did not differ between substrates, suggesting that antlion larvae may be able to modify digestion such that they can digest prey at a greater rate in poor conditions.
Photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO2 in soybean.

Previous studies on plant responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration [CO2] found the occurrence of elevated [CO2]–induced photosynthetic acclimation. Soybean cultivar Enrei was grown in pots and was subjected to either ambient [CO2] (ca. 380 μmol mol -1 ) or elevated [CO2] (ca. 580 μmol mol -1 ) regime. The half of the plants were transferred to the other [CO2] regime at flowering. Under elevated [CO2], photosynthetic rate was markedly enhanced at the early growth stage, whereas it was decreased at the later growth stage on both transferred and untransferred plants, indicating that the acclimation occurred at the later growth stage of the plants regardless of the transfer. Electron transport rate (ETR) curve of the plants under elevated [CO2] regime became plateau at about 300 μmol mol -1 intercellular [CO2] at the later growth stage (35 days after transfer (DAT)), which was less than the plateaued value under ambient [CO2] regime (320 μmol mol -1 ), indicating that the acclimation of photosynthesis occurred due to decreased intercellular [CO2] which might be restricted by the decrease in stomatal conductance, N or chlorophyll content in leaves. Moreover, the leaf N and chlorophyll content (SPAD reading) of the plants grown under elevated [CO2] regime was lower than those of the plants grown under ambient [CO2] regime at the later growth stage (80 days after sowing (DAS)/32 DAT). Thus the acclimation of photosynthesis of soybean appeared to be induced by decreases in stomatal conductance, N or chlorophyll content in leaves, although other factors such as starch accumulation in leaves at the later growth stage, which can restrict Rubisco activity in leaves, might be involved in the acclimation. Further research is needed to examine how other possible factors are involved in the acclimation of photosynthesis.
Effects of coypu (Myocastor coypus) abundances and diet selection on a wetland of the Patagonian steppe

We assessed diet selection, impact on vegetation, and explored habitat relationships with marsh birds of coypus (Myocastor coypus) in a steppe lagoon in Argentinean Patagonia. In two consecutive springs, abundance and spatial use of the coypus and nesting marsh birds were estimated by direct counts. The coypu was a selective consumer with seasonal variations in food items, and Myriophyllum sp. and Schoenoplectus californicus dominated its diet. Coypus and marsh birds showed a differential spatial use when rushes cover was high. However, when rushes cover decreased by coypu browsing, there was a similar use of space, and marsh birds were displaced to nest on the open water and other poorly protected areas of the rushes. Our results suggest that high abundances of coypu can have a detrimental effect on wetland ecosystems. Systematic monitoring and evaluation of their effects on wetlands in recently colonized areas is recommended.
Reproductive output of Crepidula fecunda females: Distribution of energy in the production of gametes and capsular walls

Abstract A study was undertaken on the distribution of energy in the reproductive output of Crepidula fecunda Gallardo 1979, a species which provides parental care of deposited eggs during their incubation period. A positive relationship was observed between the shell dimensions and dry tissue weight of the females which was not in turn related to the number of capsules incubated, nor with the size or dry weight of eggs deposited. Positive relationships were observed, however, between the female size and the capsular size and with the numbers of eggs per capsule and per spawning. No significant relationship was observed between the size of the females and the biochemical compositions of the individual eggs, but there was a positive relation between the sizes of the females and the total content of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids deposited in each capsule wall and in all of the eggs of each spawning. The energetic cost per embryo varied from 0.045 to 0.049 J/embryo in females from 0.5 to 3.5 g tissue dry weight, respectively. Of the total energy invested per spawning, between 92 and 98% was in the eggs, and 2–8% in the capsular walls. Thus, parental care was relevant to the distribution of energy in the reproductive output, favouring production of gametes rather than of protective structures such as capsular walls.
The mycorrhizal status of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of physic nut Jatropha curcas in Thailand

The dependence of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) on beneficial soil fungi for growth is not known. Therefore, the spore density and species diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) associated with physic nut was assessed by extracting spores from physic nut plantings from 10 sites across 6 provinces in northern and north-eastern Thailand. Approximately 700 AMF spores, obtained using the wet sieving and sucrose gradient centrifugation methods, were identified into morphospecies. Colonization by AMF was assessed under a compound microscope using root samples stained with trypan blue. The following 34 morphospecies of AMF were identifed: Acaulospora (16 species), Entrophospora (1 species), Gigaspora (2 species), Glomus (10 species) and Scutellospora (5 species). The diversity index ranged from 0.28 to 0.86 (average 0.64) and the species richness of AMF ranged from 3 to 11 (average 6.2). Roots of physic nut were colonized by AMF at all sites sampled and infection levels ranged from 38 to 94% of root length. The presence of mycorrhizas in soils varying in pH from acidic to calcareous, of low to moderate organic matter and of low to high available P suggests that physic nut may be highly dependent on AMF.
Epidemiology of grapevine anthracnose, caused by Elsinoe ampelina

Abstract Anthracnose, caused by Elsinoe ampelina Shear, is an important disease of grapevines in the Auckland district. Young leaves, stems, and berries are susceptible to infection. Fully expanded leaves, and stem internodes bearing them, are highly resistant or immune. Berries become highly resistant, though not immune, about ‘50 days after anthesis, when soluble solids have risen above 5-7% in the juice. Wetness periods necessary for infection range from 7-10 hr at 12°c, in spring, down to 3-4 hr at 21°c, in summer. Conidia are produced in abundance 14 days later at 12°c, and, after 5 days, at 21°c. Spore flights of up to 7 m, in wind-borne rain-splash drops, were detected. Conidia from overwintered cane lesions initiate the epidemic after budburst in September. After flowering, in late November-early December, infection spreads to young berries and bunch stalks. In Auckland from October to March there are on average three or four separate rainy spells each month, each providing E. ampelina with at lea.
Detección y caracterización del complejo de viroides de los cítricos en Uruguay

Plantas de cidro Etrog Arizona 861 (Citrus medica L.) fueron inoculadas con cortezas provenientes de árboles de campo presentando síntomas de enanismo y descortezado del portainjerto y de árboles asintomáticos. A los 3 y 4 meses expresaron reducción del crecimiento, epinastia en hojas, necrosis de nervaduras, puntuaciones en peciolo y síntomas de shock. El análisis de ácidos nucleicos mediante sPAGE, slot blot e hibridación molecular, permitió detectar la presencia de tres grupos de viroides, CVd-I, CVd-II y CVd-III comunicados por primera vez a nivel nacional, asociados al agente causal de la exocortis de los citrus (CEVd). Los viroides caracterizados fueron CVd-Ia, CV-IB, CVd-IIa, CVd-IIIa y CVd-IIIb. No se ha detectado la presencia del viroide perteneciente al grupo CVd-IV. Todas las fuentes de campo analizadas presentaron una mezcla del CEVd con viroides pertenecientes a los grupos CVd-I, CVd-II y CVd-III.