Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First report of Sclerotinia rot of pigeonpea caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary in India

Abstract Sclerotinia stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary was observed for the first time on pigeonpea in Pusa, Bihar (India) during the years 2012–2014. Typical symptoms of the disease included blighting of twigs, stem lesions, and development of cottony white mycelium and numerous large sclerotia on diseased plant parts. The fungus was identified on the basis of cultural and morphological characteristics, and its pathogenicity was also established. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of pathogen was amplified with primers ITS1 and ITS4, which revealed 100% query coverage along with 99% identity with S. sclerotiorum recovered from different hosts. The highest disease incidence was recorded on cultivar ‘ICPL151’, whereas cultivars ‘MAL13’ and ‘Kudrat’ were observed to have significantly less disease under natural conditions.
Interactive Effects of Zinc, Copper and Manganese in Diets for Broilers 1

An experiment was conducted to determine the interactive effects of Zn, Cu and Mn addition to diets of 0 to 14-d old broilers on growth performance, bone breaking strength, bone ash percentage and tissue mineral concentrations. Two levels of Zn (0 or 75 ppm, as Zn sulfate), 2 levels of Mn (0 or 100 ppm, as Mn sulfate) and 2 levels of Cu (0 or 7 ppm, as Cu sulfate) were supplemented to corn-soybean meal diets in a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement. Each treatment had 6 replications with 5 chicks each and the initial and final BW were 46 and 382 g. Daily gain, daily feed intake, gain:feed, bone breaking strength and bone and pancreatic Zn concentrations were increased (p<0.05) in chicks fed diets with supplemental Zn. Bone, liver and pancreatic Mn levels were increased (p<0.01) in chicks fed diets with supplemental Mn. Bone breaking strength was increased when Zn was added to the diets with or without Cu addition, but the increase was greater in chicks fed the diets without Cu addition (Zn×Cu, p<0.05). Bone ash percentage was increased in chicks fed the diets with Zn, Mn, or Cu addition but the increase was not additive (Zn×Mn×Cu, p<0.03). Liver Cu level was increased (p<0.01) in chicks fed diets with Cu addition. Bone and liver Cu levels were decreased (p<0.05) in chicks fed diets with Zn addition. Bone and pancreas Fe levels were decreased (p<0.05) in chicks fed diets with added Zn. Bone Zn level was decreased (p<0.03) in chicks fed diets with added Cu. Liver and pancreatic Mn levels were increased (p<0.05) in chicks fed diets with added Zn. This study indicates that Zn addition is necessary for normal growth and bone strength of chicks and that Zn addition had negative effects on tissue Cu and Fe levels and a positive effect on tissue Mn levels.
The successful and selective feeding of larval fishes in the low-latitude open ocean: Is starvation an insignificant source of mortality?

Historical interest in understanding the larval stage of high-latitude fishes has provided extensive insight into feeding-related processes that can influence larval fish mortality. However, the feeding dynamics of larvae that occur in lower latitudes, especially those that primarily inhabit oceanic waters, is notably limited. From monthly sampling across the Straits of Florida (SOF) over two years, we acquired data on the feeding ecologies of 21 taxa of fish larvae in order to elucidate levels of feeding success, as well the degree to which this subset of the larval fish community relies upon specific zooplankton prey types. Larval taxa examined included billfishes, tunas, mackerels, and seven families of coral reef fishes. All but one taxon examined for gut contents (total n = 3138) had feeding incidences near 100%. Additionally, gut evacuation was rapid and occurred in ~3 hr, indicating successful and frequent prey consumption. These observations, in conjunction with the fact that larvae withstand a nightly non-feeding period (1014 hrs in low-latitudes), point to the possibility that fish larvae in these waters experience low or even negligible levels of starvation mortality, although additional efforts specifically addressing this possibility are needed. Furthermore, diets of larvae were taxon-specific and often extremely narrow, illustrating very selective feeding among a high diversity of available zooplankton prey. Two notable characteristics of the diets of these larvae were high reliance upon appendicularians by several taxa and the prevalence of piscivory, which appears to be exhibited by over 30 species of scombroid larvae that occur in the SOF.
Bank Erosion as a Desirable Attribute of Rivers

ABSTRACT Bank erosion is integral to the functioning of river ecosystems. It is a geomorphic process that promotes riparian vegetation succession and creates dynamic habitats crucial for aquatic and riparian plants and animals. River managers and policymakers, however, generally regard bank erosion as a process to be halted or minimized in order to create landscape and economic stability. Here, we recognize bank erosion as a desirable attribute of rivers. Recent advances in our understanding of bank erosion processes and of associated ecological functions, as well as of the effects and failure of channel bank infrastructure for erosion control, suggest that alternatives to current management approaches are greatly needed. In this article, we develop a conceptual framework for alternatives that address bank erosion issues. The alternatives conserve riparian linkages at appropriate temporal and spatial scales, consider integral relationships between physical bank processes and ecological functions, and avoid secondary and cumulative effects that lead to the progressive channelization of rivers. By linking geomorphologic processes with ecological functions, we address the significance of channel bank erosion in sustainable river and watershed management.
Allometry and variability of resource allocation to reproduction in a wild reindeer population

The differential allocation of energy to either reproduction or survival represents a major conflict with important implications for patterns of life history. Here, we explore how covariation between maternal body weight and fetal weight vary according to fetal sex in a wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) population during two contrasting years. Maternal weights differed during the 2 years, probably because of a difference in population density. We could not detect any change in the allocation to reproduction depending on female phenotypic distribution. Male fetuses were heavier than female fetuses, with the same relative dimorphism in both years. There was no support for a correlation between the sex of the fetus carried by a female and her weight. Our results suggest that the level of resource allocation to reproduction during the prenatal period is strongly determined by female body weight and the allometric relationship between body weight and metabolic rate. We discuss the consequences of our results for population dynamics. We call for an integration of inter- and intraspecific allometric approaches to better understand constraints and variation in life-history traits. Copyright 2005.
Experiments on Fixation for Electron Microscopy: 1. Unbuffered Osmium Tetroxide

The effect of fixation with a simple solution of osmium tetroxide in distilled water was studied by electron microscopy. Exocrine cells of the pancreas and cells of the proximal tubule of the kidney of the mouse were used as test-objects. Partially prepolymerized methacrylate was used for embedding. There did not appear to be any marked disorganization of the cell inclusions. The appearance of the inclusions in the electron micrographs was similar to what is generally seen after fixation with the buffered osmium tetroxide solution of Palade.
Prolactin gene polymorphism and its associations with milk production traits in Frieswal cow

In the present study, polymorphism of PRL gene at exon-3 and its association with milk production traits in Frieswal cattle was investigated. Prolactin ( PRL ) gene exert multiple effects on the mammary gland include mammogenesis, lactogenesis and galactopoiesis. In order to evaluate the PRL gene polymorphism, we used the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Blood samples were collected from randomly chosen 54 Frieswal lactating cows. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood by the method of John et al (1991) with slight modification and amplified by polymerase chain reaction technique. The PRL gene of the Frieswal cattle was amplified to produce a 156 bp fragment. The PCR products were electrophoresed on 2% agarose gel and stained by ethidium bromide. Then they were digested of amplicons with Rsa I, which revealed two alleles A and B. Data were analyzed using Pop Gene Popgene 32 software package and association was analyzed by simple analysis of variance model. In this population, AA, AB, and BB genotypes were identified with 0.315, 0.629 and 0.056 frequencies, respectively. Allele frequencies of A and B were 0.630 and 0.370, respectively. The significant (P<0.05) chi-square value in Frieswal cattle breeds showed that the studied population was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. It is concluded from the results of present study that the animals of BB genotype for higher lactation length and AB genotype for lactation yield and animals of AA genotype for minimum service period may be selected for future breeding.
A survey of the meiofauna of an Eastern Tropical Pacific intertidal mud flat

Resumen: Se estudio, durante trece meses (198 4-1985 ), la meiofauna de la play a fangosa (promedio: 32 %li­ mo + arcilla, 2 .1%materia organica) en el Golfo de Nicoy a (lOo N, 85 °W), Costa Rica. Se recolecto muestras con un cilindro de 5 . 3 cm' de area hasta una profundidad de 6 cm en el sedimento, las que fueron preserva­ das en una solucion al 5 %de formaldehido en agua de mar tenida con rosado de Bengala y , imalmente, lava­ das a traves de tamices de 50 0 y 6 3 micrometros de abertura del poro. Se extrajo a los organismos manual­ mente y bajo observacion con un microscopio (30 X). Se analizo 3 9 muestras (3 /fecha), las cuales contenian un total de 50 ,086 individuos, con un promedio mensual de 1,285 ± 52 6 (2 .4 i 1.0 xl0 ' individuos/m2). Los nematod�s representaron 82%del total, seguidos por los foraminiferos (6 .1%), copegodos l4.2 %) y ostraco­ dos (3.7 %). Jt temperatura y la salinidad del agua (marea baja) oscilaron entre 3 1 C y 400 C. , y entre 30 ° /00 y 3 4 /00, respectivamente. Hay asociaciones pOSitivas entre el porcentaje de limo + arcilla y las abun­ dancias de los organismos. A demas, se encontro diferencias significativas entre las abundancias mensuales. Sin embargo, no se encontro estacionalidad (estacion seca VS. estacion lluviosa) en la abundancia. Se especula que la densidad alta observada se debe tanto a aspectos metodologicos (tamano del tamiz y me­ todo de preservado de la muestra), como a la disponibilidad de alimento en el sedimento. Las variaciones espaciales y temporales de abundancia se podrian relacionar con las variaciones de ciertos parametros ambien­ tales, actividad de depredadores y a posibles interacciones de la meiofauna con la abundante macrofauna. Se sugiere que algunas caracteristicas reproductivas de la meiofauna podran influir en la aparente falta de estaciC' nalidad de la abundancia.
Effects of Protocalliphora Parasites on Nestling Food Composition in Corsican Blue Tits Parus caeruleus: Consequences for Nestling Performance

Abstract. The influence of a parasite (larvae of Protocalliphora, Diptera: Calliphoridae) on an avian host (Blue Tit) was studied in 1994–1997 as part of a long-term research project on a population of Blue Tits inhabiting nest boxes on the island of Corsica. The Blue Tit broods were heavily infested with Protocalliphora larvae. The abundance of caterpillars as a key food type for the tits was monitored. A random sample of 16 nests was experimentally subjected to an anti-parasite heat treatment, which resulted in a marked decline in the numbers of Protocalliphora larvae. Untreated nests, with high numbers of parasites, were regarded as control nests. Under the anti-parasite treatment, Blue Tit nestlings were fed less frequently than the control nestlings (8 v. 11 food items per hour per nestling). Significant changes in the diet composition occurred, with parasite-free nestlings being consistently fed with fewer caterpillars. An average parasitised nestling was supplied by its parents with 2.6 caterpillars more than an average parasite-free chick. This suggests that in the highly parasitised control nests, the parent tits made an effort to compensate for the detrimental effects caused by Protocalliphora larvae. Feeding rate and food composition were shown to influence chick condition and survival in the nest. In spite of these facts, the nestlings in parasitised nests developed less rapidly and had lower survival rates than in the anti-parasitically heat-treated nests. The parasitic Protocalliphora larvae have a double effect on their avian host: they adversely affect nestling performance, and they compel adult tits to work harder in order to at least partially compensate for that influence.
A Phylogenetic Analysis of Tribes Beslerieae and Napeantheae (Gesneriaceae) and Evolution of Fruit Types: Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood Analyses of ndhF Sequences

Abstract A cladistic analysis of tribes Beslerieae and Napeantheae revealed that both are monophyletic groups and that Napeantheae is sister to Beslerieae. These relationships are supported by parsimony and most models of maximum likelihood analysis, although with the F81 model, maximum likelihood places Napeantheae within Beslerieae making the latter tribe paraphyletic. All analyses indicate that within Beslerieae, Besleria and Gasteranthus are sister genera. In parsimony analysis these two genera are sister to the remainder of the tribe whereas in the maximum likelihood analyses, Cremosperma is sister to Besleria/Gasteranthus. Regardless of the analysis, there is a close relationship between clades comprised of dehiscent fleshy-fruited genera and those with indehiscent fleshy fruits. This is similar to Episcieae, implying that the transition from dry capsular fruits to berries may require a two-step process where a fleshy dehiscent capsule is the first stage followed by an indehiscent fleshy berry. The origin of stomata in islands, a characteristic common among Beslerieae and Napeantheae is discussed. Communicating Editor: James Manhart
Analysis of FecB, BMP15 and CAST gene mutations in Sakiz sheep

Fertility traits, such as the ovulation rate and the number of offspring at birth, are genetically regulated by fecundity genes. This study was performed to identify DNA polymorphisms in Booroola (FecB), Galway (FecXG), Inverdale (FecXI) and Calpastatin (CAST) genes in Sakiz sheep. A total of 71 ewes were genotyped for gene or allelic polymorphisms in the genes listed above using the PCR-RFLP method. The results obtained from this study indicated that all of the Sakiz ewes sampled were non-carriers for FecB, FecXG or FecXI mutations. However, genotypic frequencies in the CAST gene were 0.59, 0.36 and 0.05 for AA, AB and BB, respectively. A significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the CAST gene was not observed in the investigated breed (P>0.05). As a result, more extensive screening is required as tests for newly discovered mutations are developed. Additionally, this study is the first to report a genetic polymorphism in the CAST gene in Sakiz sheep.
EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT AND MORPHOMETRY IN THE BLUE KING CRAB PARALITHODES PLATYPUS STUDIED BY USING IMAGE AND CLUSTER ANALYSIS

Abstract In this paper the embryonic development of laboratory-reared blue king crab, Paralithodes platypus, from the Pribilof Islands in the eastern Bering Sea is described. Developing embryos were removed from a female crab at various intervals, digitally photographed under a compound microscope and analyzed using Image-Pro Plus. Nine morphometric parameters were used, including seven measurements (total area, yolk area, embryo length and width, average diameter, eye length and width) and two calculated indices (percent yolk and elongation). First cell division was not apparent until day 4, after which divisions occurred daily until the blastopore appeared at day 28. A “V”-shaped embryo became apparent on day 114, followed by rapid appendage development. The eyes became pigmented by day 192. Hatching occurred from day 381 to day 409, and required at least 33 d to complete. Embryo area declined from an initial value of 0.95 mm2 on day 1–0.83 mm2 on day 72 and then increased to 1.28 mm2 on day 388. Growth of all characters reached a plateau between days 240 and 353, and then increased rapidly until the middle of hatching (day 390). Visual examination was better at defining early changes, but cluster analysis of morphometric measurements was a better technique for defining middle and later stages. Both techniques resulted in an optimum selection of 12 developmental stages. Embryonic development has been described for few decapod crustaceans, and no standard exists for defining developmental stages. Multivariate analysis of morphometric measurements may lead to improved understanding of crustacean embryogenesis, allow standardization of staging and enable studies of environmental influence on development. The technique also has applications in the aquaculture industry.
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF PLANT TOXINS (WITH EMPHASIS ON CYSTINE KNOT TOXINS)

Plant toxins are substances produced and secreted by plants to defend themselves against predators. In a broad sense, this includes all substances that have a toxic effect on targeted organisms, whether they are microbes, other plants, insects, or higher animals. Plant toxins have a diverse range of structures, from small organic molecules through to proteins. This review gives an overview of the various classes of plant toxins but focuses on an interesting class of protein-based plant toxins containing a cystine knot motif. This structural motif confers exceptional stability on proteins containing it and is associated with a wide range of biological activities. The biological activities and structural stability offer many potential applications in the pharmaceutical and agricultural fields. One particularly exciting prospect is in the use of protein-based plant toxins as molecular scaffolds for displaying pharmaceutically important bioactivities. Future applications of plant toxins are likely to involve genetic engineering techniques and “molecular pharming” approaches.
A review of the aetiology and possible causative factors of foot pad dermatitis in growing turkeys and broilers

FPD is a common condition amongst commercially grown turkey poults. It causes the skin of the footpad to become hard and scaly, often developing horn-like pegs of abnormal keratin. The footpad can become swollen, frequently splitting. In the centre of the lesion the epidermis separates, and is often totally necrotic. Heterophils filter into the stratum germinativum. The cause of FPD is complex, but many contributing factors have been suggested, such as dietary intake, skin structure, bird weight and sex, litter moisture and litter type. Litter quality is affected by many other factors such as stocking density, air temperature and moisture, season, consistency and amount of faeces (affected by diet), and drinker design. Wet litter is the most likely factor affecting FPD, followed by biotin deficiency. Experimental evidence suggests that biotin deficiency causes FPD, and that commercial rations do not contain enough biotin to prevent these lesions. Supplementations of biotin have been shown to reduce the severity and incidence of lesions. Wet litter has also been identified as a possible causative agent. Broilers and poults reared on wet litter have an increased incidence and severity of FPD lesions, but the problem is alleviated by replacing the wet litter with dry. Biotin supplementations are able to reduce FPD to a certain extent if birds are reared on dry litter, but if on wet litter, lesions may still occur. Biotin intake and wet litter appear to be the factors most likely to influence the development of FPD. Experimental results are difficult to compare because rearing conditions differ. Further experimentation is needed to determine the optimum amount of biotin required for healthy growth and lesion free foot pads, and to ascertain the real effects of other suggested causes.
Costs and benefits of female-biased natal philopatry in the common goldeneye

Sex-biased natal dispersal in long-lived species may result in interactions between parents and mature young of the philopatric sex. To investigate the evolutionary basis of natal philopatry in a noncooperative species, the common goldeneye Bucephala clangula, we studied possible costs and benefits of simultaneous breeding of females and philopatric daughters. We did not find any fitness consequences of a daughter’s breeding on their mother’s breeding in terms of nest-site selection, body weight, clutch size, hatching date, or hatching success. Our results, therefore, did not support the assumption of the local resource competition hypothesis, that the natally philopatric sex should be more costly to a breeding parent. As possible benefits for daughters returning to their natal area, we tested inheritance of nest sites from mothers and explored whether daughters utilize the presence of their mother by parasitically sneaking into her mother’s nest. Daughters’ nest-site selection was not associated with the presence of their mothers. A comparison between daughters and control females revealed that daughters chose their nest site closer to their natal nest than expected by nest-site availability alone. Daughters could not expect to inherit a nest site from their mother, and we did not find other indications of cooperation between relatives either. The mother’s clutch size did not increase in the year breeding with the daughter, indicating daughters do not parasitize their mother’s nest. We suggest that benefits such as decreased nest predation risk associated with nesting close to the natal nest site may be important in the natal philopatric behavior of the species. Key words: Bucephala clangula, dispersal, kin competition, local resource competition, natal philopatry. [Behav Ecol 12:686–690 (2001)]
Breeding Ecology and Nesting Habitat Associations of Five Marsh Bird Species in Western New York

Abstract Nesting habitats and nest success of five species of marsh birds were studied during 1997 and 1998 at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and the adjacent Oak Orchard and Tonawanda State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) located in western New York. Nest searches located 18 American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), 117 Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), 189 Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), 23 Sora (Porzana carolina), and 72 Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) nests. Average nest densities in 1998, our best nest searching year, ranged from 0.01/ha for Soras (N = 8) to 0.28/ha for Pied-billed Grebes (N = 160). Mayfield nest success estimates for Least Bittern were 80% (N = 16) in 1997 and 46% (N = 37) in 1998. Nest success estimates were 72% (N = 55) for Pied-billed Grebe, 43% (N = 6) for Sora, and 38% (N = 20) for Virginia Rail. Nests of all five species were located in 70% emergent vegetation with a mean water depth of 24-56 cm and an average vegetation height that ranged from 69-133 cm. Logistic regression models were developed for each species using habitat variables at nest and random site locations. Each model was ranked with Akaike’s Information Criterion for small sample size (AICc). In general, our best models indicated that increased emergent vegetation and horizontal cover with shallow water depths improved the odds of encountering marsh bird nests in the wetlands of western New York. We suggest that managing wetlands as a complex, at different stages of succession, would best benefit marsh bird species.