Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developmental morphological diversity in caecilian amphibians : systematic and evolutionary implications

Caecilians, or Gymnophiona, constitute one of the three extant orders of the Recent Amphibia and are the least known, major living tetrapod clade. Compared to frogs and salamanders, caecilians have an unusual skull morphology. Earlier reports of an unusually high number of individual skull ossifications in Hypogeophis rostratus are addressed and found to be erroneous. Changes in skull morphology and myology at metamorphoses are investigated in representatives of all taxa possessing free-living larvae. It is argued that caecilians are derived from gymno- or zygokrotaphic ancestors and that stegokrotaphy evolved within Recent caecilians. The influence of different life-histories on postembryonic skull development was studied in two direct-developing species. The direct-developing Boulengerula taitanus is characterized by very immature hatchlings, which is correlated with an extended period of post-hatching parental care in this species, during which juveniles feed on the modified skin of their mothers. Direct development in caecilians is characterized by ontogenetic repatterning and heterochronic shifts in certain developmental events. The ontogeny of Scolecomorphus kirkii was studied as a representative of a viviparous form. The emerging picture of available published information, together with observations presented here, suggest a previously unsuspected degree of developmental diversity among caecilians. It is further argued that caecilians are lissamphibians with temnospondyl affinities rather than closely related to lepospondyl microsaurs.
The Peridiniales of Plymouth Sound from the Region beyond the Breakwater

The following list includes all the Peridiniales identified in the plankton throughout the year from September, 1915, to September, 1916, from the water samples, details of which will be found in another paper in the same journal (p. 133). Also from the plankton in the tow nets in the same year and a portion of the summer 1915. As is shown in the abovementioned paper, the summer is the time for nearly all the Peridiniales, June being the maximum month. After October very few are seen in the water samples, although in the tow nettings the larger and stronger forms, such as Ceratium and Peridinium, are still present.
Dynamics of the boreal forest south of James Bay

Ordination models of approximate environmental and dynamic relationship between eight boreal tree species were constructed based upon principal components analysis and Kruskal's nonmetric multidimensional scaling. The assumptions inherent in these models are stated and discussed. The data consisted of 152 forest stands from the closed-crown boreal forest zone of Ontario and Quebec south of James Bay. Sequential forest succession, as demonstrated by similar techniques for a section of the Wisconsin evergreen–hardwood forest, is not common in the region of boreal forest studied. However, for those species in common between this and the Wisconsin study, similar dynamic pathways are indicated despite differences in sample size and field technique. Tree species developmental pathways, as indicated by 'succession vectors' on the ordination models are, for the most part, short and circular with the exception of Abies balsamea (balsam fir). This reflects the reestablishment of similar, relatively monospecific for.
The distribution and abundance of Pratylenchus thornei in fields of strawberry clover (Trifolium fragiferum).

Die Schwankungen in der Populationsdichte von Pratylenchus thornei in Erdbeerkleewurzeln und im Boden an acht Stellen im Umkreis von 30 km um Adelaide stehen in enger Beziehung zur Boden-textur (% Lehm). Andere Bodenfaktoren haben offensichtlich einen geringeren Einflus auf die Anzahl der Nematoden. Die Populationen von P. thornei erreichten ihr Maximum auf Lehmboden im Sommer und auf Sandboden im Winter. Die Hochstwerte waren in den Lehmboden groser als in den Sandboden.
Spatial distribution of the cockroach, Blattella germanica, in a swimming‐bath facility

A population of Blattella germanica L. was studied in a swimming‐bath facility using a sampling method. A set of traps deposited weekly, over a period of 50 weeks, allowed us to follow the variations of the temporal and spatial distributions of the population inside the building. A Factorial Correspondance Analysis, performed on the data, led us to the conclusion that the population was stable in time. The spatial distribution of the insects was contiguous. Inside an aggregate, we were able to define a circular movement from the center towards the periphery and vice versa; this movement can be superimposed up on the biological development on the individuals. After birth in the middle of the aggregate, during development, larvae explore further a field as far as the border of the aggregate; this exploratory phase, related to foraging behavior or search for new shelters when these become limiting factors, could be considered as the spreading phase of the population. Then, with the imminence of the imaginai moult, old larvae tend to gather in high density areas in the middle of the aggregate. Newly molted adults look for a sexual partner. And finally females remain in the shelters during oothecae maturation.
A history of change: causes of miombo woodland decline in a protected area in Malawi

1. Tropical dry woodlands are thought to be declining as a result of human activity. Aerial photograph analysis showed measurable conversion of closed canopy miombo* to sparse woodland in Lake Malawi National Park, Malawi, from 1982 to 1990. This multi-disciplinary study investigates the possible contributions to these impacts by local use of domestic fuelwood, construction poles and fuelwood for commercial fish smoking. 2. Domestic fuelwood use was measured in 30 households over an 11-month period. Domestic fuelwood is collected by women and is headloaded to the village. It comprises a large biomass of mainly dead wood and small branches over a wide species range. Mean total annual domestic fuelwood consumption by the total enclave population was less than half the mean annual production of fallen dead wood in the Park, estimated from three quadrats harvested monthly over an 11-month period. 3. Construction poles are mostly small, have extended durability and come from a broad species range. Fencing poles frequently take root to form live hedges. Eucalyptus trees are commonly grown for poles. Construction pole use appears sustainable and shows signs of substitution. 4. The 305 commercial fish smoking stations in the enclaves used less fuelwood annually than domestic fuelwood users. However, the men who undertake this activity target large branches and logs from a narrow species range, involving destructive felling of canopy species. 95% of men collecting fuel for fish smoking use cutting tools and three-quarters transport the wood by boat or bicycle. 5. The scale, size classes and species involved in commercial fish smoking suggest that this activity drives the observed degradation of closed canopy to sparse woodland. Traditional local fishing focused on small species sun-dried for preservation. Commercial fish smoking was introduced relatively recently by immigrants, along with gill netting that harvests larger fish requiring smoking for preservation. Demand for fish by ever-increasing urban populations underpins the continuing growth of the fish smoking industry. 6. Disaggregation of different wood use practices allows informed management policy for the Park. Currently, management targets and penalizes domestic fuelwood collectors. While seeking to reduce demand and provide alternative fuelwood sources, law enforcement and forestry extension should be reorientated to address the extraction of fuelwood for fish smoking.
Serological Survey of Bovine Leptospirosis in Kars and Ardahan Provinces

In this study, leptospiral antibodies were investigated by Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) in order to detect leptospirosis and serotypes which cause leptospira infection in cattle raised in Kars and Ardahan. Live and sonicated antigens prepared from Leptospira hardjo and Leptospira grippotyphosa serotypes were used. Blood samples were taken from 150 cattle under 2 years of age and 840 cattle 2 years of age or older (a total of 990) which were unvaccinated against leptospirosis in 30 rural settlements. Seropositivity against L. hardjo and L. gripotyphosa was detected in 333 (33.63%) and 359 (36.26%) blood samples by MAT and ELISA respectively. In the age groups, seropositivity was found to be higher in cattle 2 years of age or older. We concluded that ELISA was easier than MAT and leptospirosis was caused by L. hardjo and L. grippotyphosa in this region. Keys Words: leptospirosis,cattle, MAT and ELISA, serodiagnosis
Spirulina sp. LEB-18 culture using effluent from the anaerobic digestion

The carbon source is the most expensive nutrient for Spirulina production; effluents from anaerobic digestion contain this nutrient in the form of HCO3-. The aim of this study was to assess the growth kinetics, composition and fatty acid profile of Spirulina sp. LEB-18 grown in standard Zarrouk medium (NaHCO3 16.8 g L-1) and in Zarrouk medium replaced with 20% (v/v) effluent with reduced concentrations of NaHCO3 (5.3 and 2.8 g L-1). The use of effluent and lower concentrations of HCO3 was found to be an alternative to reduce the costs of Spirulina production, because there were no significant differences in growth parameters (µmax 0.324 - 0.354 d-1; Pmax 0.280 - 0.297 g L-1 d-1), in the different culture medium used. Lipids ranged between 4.9 and 5.0%; the media with effluent had higher levels of linoleic acid compared to the standard medium.
Communities of aquatic molluscs in floodplain water bodies of lowland river (Bug River, East Poland)

The present study aimed at de-scribing composition, species richness, dominance patterns and diversity of mollusc communities as well as frequency of individual species within se-lected water bodies of the valley of large Polish low-land river (lower Bug River). Suitability of molluscs in the ordination of the investigated habitats was evaluated. The studies were carried out in the years 2003–2004 in left-bank part of the valley between 2.5–6.5 and 90–107 km of the river course in 21 wa-ter bodies heterogenous as regards size, location and successional stage. The dredge was used.34 mollusc species were found: 23 snails and 11 bivalves. At individual sites from 2 to 15 spe-cies were noted (4 – 18 including molluscs found only as empty shells). Relatively rich malacofauna existed in larger water bodies in comparison with small stagnant and isolated ones located outside the embankment. Malacocoenoses of the inves-tigated habitats exhibited considerable species diversity (H’ = 2–3 in most habitats). Lymnaea stagnalis, Bithynia tentaculata, Pla-norbarius corneus and Viviparus contectus were the most frequent species (F≥ 50%). These spe-cies as well as moderately frequent ones consti-tuted significant components of mollusc com-munities of individual water bodies. Frequencies and dominance patterns of molluscs inhabiting younger and older water bodies distinctly dif-fered. The abundance of molluscs was mostly of the order of several to a few dozen individuals per sample (0.5–1 m
Lacomucinaea , a new monotypic genus in Thesiaceae (Santalales)

A new monotypic genus from southern Africa is described based on Thesium lineatum . Lacomucinaea lineata has a number of vegetative and floral morphological features that differ from Thesium and other members of Thesiaceae. An apparently unique feature of the plant is the presence of succulent, fusiform, terete leaves that are caducous, eventually leaving a persistent petiolar stub. The stem surface shows striations formed by cortical fibers inside raised ridges. Anatomically, this type of primary phloem fiber bundle also occurs in Osyridicarpos . A molecular phylogenetic analysis using nuclear ribosomal ITS and the chloroplast trnLF spacer for representatives of all genera in Thesiaceae showed that Lacomucinaea is sister to Osyridicarpos , further supporting this relationship suggested by stem anatomy characters. Recognizing this taxon as a distinct genus results in the genus Thesium being monophyletic. A key to all genera in Thesiaceae is provided.
Impacts of fisheries bycatch on marine turtle populations worldwide: toward conservation and research priorities

Fisheries bycatch is considered the most serious threat globally to long-lived marine megafauna (e.g., mammals, birds, turtles, elasmobranchs). However, bycatch assessments to date have not evaluated population-level bycatch impacts across fishing gears. Here, we provide the first global, multi-gear evaluation of population-level fisheries bycatch impacts for marine turtles. To compare bycatch impacts of multiple gears within and among marine turtle populations (or regional management units, RMUs), we compiled more than 1,800 records from over 230 sources of reported marine turtle bycatch in longline, net, and trawl fisheries worldwide that were published between 1990–2011. The highest bycatch rates and levels of observed effort for each gear category occurred in the East Pacific, Northwest and Southwest Atlantic, and Mediterranean regions, which were also the regions of highest data availability. Overall, available data were dominated by longline records (nearly 60% of all records), and were non-uniforml.
CULTIVATION SEED (Mystus nemurus C.V) USING BIOFILTER TAIWANESE CLAM ON AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

This study was conducted for 45 days from March to April 2013, inLaboratory Breeding Unit of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine SciencesUniversity of Riau. The aim of the study was to determine the growth and rate ofseed (Mystus nemurus CV) using a biofilter taiwanese clam (Anadonta woodianaLea) on aquaponic system. The method used in this study was experimen with 1factor and 3 treatments. The treatments were stocking density of 5, 10, and 15taiwanese clam (Anadonta woodiana Lea) of each treatment.The results showed that stocking density taiwanese clam has significantlyaffect on the water quality of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, growth rate and survivalrate of seed. The best result was achived by treatment P3 (15 tawanese clam). Total absolute growth weight was 16.63 grams, 2.20% daily growth rate andsurvival rate of 81.67%. Keywords : Aquaponik, Biofilter, Taiwanese Clam, Mystus nemurus CV
Controls on periphyton biomass in heterotrophic streams

Summary 1. Headwater streams of the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) are typically characterised by a periphyton assemblage of low biomass and diversity. However, periphyton blooms have been observed following catchment deforestation experiments and occasionally during the annual spring thaw before canopy leaf-out. 2. There is pronounced seasonal variation in both nutrient and light availability in HBEF streams. Stream water nitrogen (N) concentrations and light levels are higher before canopy leaf-out and after leaf senescence and are lower during the growing season. Periphyton accrual rates also change seasonally; they are highest in spring prior to leaf-out and significantly lower during summer and in autumn. 3. Periphyton biomass rarely responded positively to in-situ experimental enrichment with nitrogen or phosphorus. In the summer, nutrient enrichment overall had no effect on periphyton biomass, while outside the growing season N enrichment had inhibitory effects on periphyton. 4. Despite these experimental results, surveys of ambient chlorophyll a concentrations in streams across the HBEF demonstrated no relationship between streamwater dissolved inorganic N or P concentrations and benthic chlorophyll a. 5. Our results suggest that HBEF periphyton communities are not closely regulated by nutrient availability, even during periods of high light availability. The inhibitory effects of nutrient enrichment outside the growing season are interesting, but further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms driving these responses.
Presence of two host races of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) collected in Turkey

The aphid, Aphis gossypii, is a primary pest of citrus, cotton, cucurbits and greenhouse-grown vegetables in Turkey and throughout Europe. There is some previous empirical data suggesting that host-adapted genotypes of this aphid exist which may in fact be host-races. To determine if host races of A. gossypii are indeed present in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey, reciprocal host transfer experiments and life table analyses were performed with multiple asexual lineages (= clones) of the aphid collected from different hosts. The collection hosts included citrus, cucumber, eggplant, okra, sweet pepper and cotton. Aphid developmental times on the host from which the aphid was originally collected (= collection or natal host) were shorter (5.2–6.0 days) and had a higher intrinsic rate of population growth (rm = 0.25–0.44) than the 6.6–7.3 days required when the aphid was reared on a non-original collection host (= non-collection host or non-natal host) and had rm = 0.03–0.30. Total immature mortality of the cotton clone, especially in the first nymphal stage, was high (51–100%) with low rm (0–0.03) on cucumber, citrus and sweet pepper. Aphid populations transferred from citrus, eggplant and okra to cotton (rm = 0.29–0.30) did not differ significantly in their performance from that of the cotton population on cotton (rm = 0.34), whereas that from sweet pepper and cucumber populations (rm = 0.22–0.24) were significantly lower. These data have allowed us to separate A. gossypii into two distinct biological groups: (a) a ‘generalist’ population obtained from cucumber, sweet pepper, citrus, eggplant and okra which exhibited statistically better development on cotton; versus (b) a population from cotton which, by comparison on reciprocal hosts, developed poorly on non-natal hosts except on eggplant. Development of the cotton clone on cucumber and okra was not improved after four successive generations on the non-natal host. The good development of A. gossypii from eggplant and cotton on these reciprocal hosts suggests that these particular clones were similar, if not identical, host races.
Non-sex-biased Dominance in a Sexually Monomorphic Electric Fish: Fight Structure and Submissive Electric Signalling

Males and females commonly compete for limited resources. When interaction costs are similar for both sexes and there are no sexual differences in resource value estimation, a non-sex-biased dominance is expected. Moreover, only non-sex-biased assessment of contenders fighting ability (Resource Holding Potential, RHP) should influence contest decisions. To test these predictions, we evaluated non-breeding agonistic intra- and intersexual dyadic interactions in the weakly electric fish, Gymnotus omarorum. During the non-breeding season, resource value is not expected to depend on individuals’ reproductive status and should thus be equal for males and females. In addition, as G. omarorum presents no sexual differences in body size, interaction costs can be considered symmetric between sexes. We confirmed that body size differences, but not individuals’ gender, is the best predictor of dominance. We correlated RHP asymmetries with contest duration and evidenced that body size but not sex influences assessment in intrasexual and intersexual encounters. All dyads tested engaged in agonistic interactions (N = 33) in which a clear dominant emerged. The analysis of conflict phases evidenced the submissive role of electric displays. Electric organ discharge (EOD) interruptions appear early in the contest as an electric hiding attempt, whereas chirps are post-resolution signals of subordinate status. Interestingly, the decision of interrupting the EOD was also influenced by RHP asymmetries, whereas chirping activity was influenced by the intensity of the attacks received. Our results confirm that body size is the best RHP proxy in non-breeding intra- and intersexual contests of this monomorphic species and demonstrated a sequential pattern of submissive signalling by means of two different electric displays.
Production of deoxynivalenol and related compounds in liquid culture by Fusarium graminearum

A liquid culture method for the production of deoxynivalenol and related compounds by Fusarium graminearum was developed. Major factors which stimulate the biosynthesis of these compounds include reduced oxygen levels, depletion of carbohydrate in the medium, pH, and possibly a low concentration of an organic nitrogen source. Isolates of F. graminearum were tested for the yields of four trichothecene mycotoxins and zearalenone in this system. The time course of acetyl deoxynivalenol, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone in the fermentation was measured over a 21-day period against pH, glucose concentration, protein, fungal biomass, and ergosterol. A new ester of deoxynivalenol, 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, is reported from North American isolates of F. graminearum.
Yield response of long‐term mixed grassland swards and nutrient cycling under different nutrient sources and management regimes

The response of a long-term, mixed-species hayfield in Maine, USA, to commercial fertilizers and liquid dairy manure was evaluated over a 6-year period, including the effects on yield, nutrient concentration and cycling, forage species composition and soil nutrient levels. Nutrient treatments included an unamended control, N fertilizer, NPK fertilizer and liquid dairy manure (LDM). The application rates of plant-available N, P, and K were constant across treatments. Application of nutrients in any form increased forage yield, generally by 2–4 t dry matter (DM) ha−1 year−1. Yield from NPK fertilizer was 0·05–0·25 higher than from LDM, due to differences in N availability. Yield responses to P and K were minimal and there appeared to be no difference between P and K in fertilizer and manure. The forage sward became increasingly dominated by grass species as the experiment progressed; application of P and K in fertilizer or LDM allowed Agropyron repens to increase at the expense of Poa pratensis. Forage nutrient removal accounted for all applied N and K, and nearly all applied P, throughout the study period, demonstrating the important role these forages can play in whole-farm nutrient management.
GRAFT FORMATION IN CULTURED, EXPLANTED INTERNODES

Summary A novel method is described in which the two halves of an explanted internode of Lycopersicon esculentum, Datura stramonium or Nicandra physaloides may be grafted together successfully in sterile culture. An absolute requirement for the formation of a successful graft is the application of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA at 0.2 to 2.0 mg l−1) to the apical end of the internode. The addition of kinetin (0.2 mg l−1) to the culture medium stimulated graft development but gibberellic acid (GA3 at 0−5 mg l−1) was inhibitory. The development of the graft as measured by an increase in mechanical strength and the formation of vascular connections was similar to that observed in whole plant grafts; however, fewer differentiated wound vessel members (WVMs) were detected. This technique should provide a powerful tool for the further study of graft development in compatible and incompatible combinations.