Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chromosome numbers, karyotypes, and polyploidy evolution of Anaphalis species (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) from the Hengduan Mountains, SW China

The chromosome numbers and karyomorphology of 32 accessions are examined, representing 12 species of Anaphalis DC. (Asteraceae) from the Hengduan Mountains of south-western China, which is most likely the biologically richest temperate region in the world. A total of 11 species are newly reported, and the highest chromosome number, 2n = 84, was observed in the Helichrysum–Anaphalis–Pseudognaphalium group for the first time. Within Anaphalis, the basic number x = 14 was confirmed. Only two species (A. flavescens and A. pachylaena) are diploid with 2n = 28. Tetraploidy is observed in seven species. Diploid–polyploid complexes are found in A. aureopunctata, A. bicolor, and A. nepalensis, especially for A. nepalensis with a series of polyploidy levels from di-, tetra-, to hexaploid. In addition to the tetraploid origin of the genus, a second polyploidisation is suggested as the predominant event in the chromosome evolution of Anaphalis from the Hengduan Mountains. The karyotypes of all observed samples are 2A or 2B, except for one population of A. bicolor as 1B according to Stebbins’ asymmetry classification of karyotypes. The asymmetry index (AI) values change from 1.49 to 3.65. However, there is no evidence of association between chromosome evolution (i.e. polyploidy frequency and karyotype variation) and the altitudes in Anaphalis.
Association of Leukaemia and Blood Groups

During the past decade there has been increased interest in research on the association of ABO blood groups and diseases. Significant results have been obtained in patients with duodenal ulcer (Clarke, I96I), gastric cancer (Roberts, I957), pernicious anaemia (Brit. med. J., 1956), diabetes mellitus (Roberts, I957), pituitary adenoma (Mayr, Diamond, Levine, and Mayr, 1956), and broncho-pneumonia in children (Struthers, I95I). Several other diseases have been investigated for such associations with statistically negative results (Roberts, I957). The purpose of this report is to review what is known about the relation of ABO blood groups and leukaemia, acute and chronic, and to evaluate the data by the statistical method of Woolf (I955).
Composição do ganho e exigências de energia e proteína para ganho de peso em bovinos Nelore puros e mestiços

The objectives of this trial were to estimate gain composition and energy and protein requirements for weight gain of purebred and crossbred Nellore. Sixty young bulls averaging 10 to 11 months of age from four genetic groups: Nellore, F1 Nellore x Angus, F1 Nellore x Brown Swiss and F1 Nellore x Simental and initial average body weights of 286, 309, 333 and 310 kg, respectively, were used in this study. A completely randomized design was adopted and bulls from the four genetic groups were fed diets containing: 30, 40, 60 and 70% of concentrate. Three animals from each genetic group were slaughtered at the beginning of the trial and used as reference for initial body composition. The net protein and energy requirements for gain of 1 kg of empty body weight (EBW) were estimated by the equation Y' = a. b. X (b-1), where a and b are the parameters of the regression equations and X is the EBW of the animals. The identity test of the models indicated no significant differences among genetic groups for the net energy and protein requirements for weight gain. It was observed a decrease of 10.6% and an increase of 37.8%, respectively, in the protein and energy requirements for body weight gain between 250 and 550 kg. These changes are result of the increase in the content of fat and reduction in that of protein as EBW increased. The net requirements of protein and energy for body weight gain were estimated as 143.5 g and 4.7 Mcal, respectively, for a body weight of 450 kg.
Kill Date of Vetch, Rye, and a Vetch–Rye Mixture: I. Cover Crop and Corn Nitrogen

Spring kill date affects cover crop N content and N availability to subsequent no-till corn (Zea mays L.). This 2-yr study was conducted in 1990 and 1991 at Coastal Plain and Piedmont locations in Maryland to evaluate three cover crop kill dates, three corn planting dates, and four corn fertilizer N (FN) rates following hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) and a vetch-rye mixture. No-cover checks were included for each corn planting date. Fertilizer N rates were 0 to 202 kg ha -1 in the Piedmont and 0 to 270 kg ha -1 for the Coastal Plain. The vetch-rye mixture contained as much or more N than vetch, and more N than rye within each kill date. Cover crop biomass and N content increased for each delay in kill. In a 50-d period from late March until early May, vetch and the vetch-rye mixture accumulated about 2 kg N ha -1 d -1 , with total topgrowth N accumulation from 144 to 203 kg ha -1 over two locations and two years. Greatest rye N accumulation was 51 kg ha -1 . Corn N content ranged from 37 to 293 kg ha -1 , and was significantly affected by FN rate. Within FN rate, N content was greater following vetch or vetch-rye than following rye or no cover, particularly at low FN rates. Corn N content was greater if cover kill and corn planting were delayed until late April or mid-May. This was attributed to greater cover crop N production and mulching effects, and the timing of summer rainfall. Corn FN requirements were greatest following rye or no cover, intermediate following vetch-rye, and least following vetch. This demonstrates that cover crop species and kill date can be managed to conserve N with rye, supply N for the next crop with vetch, or provide both N conservation and N supply with vetch-rye mixture.
A Preliminary Assessment of Habitat Partitioning in a Freshwater Turtle Community at an Isolated Preserve

Understanding species–habitat relationships is important for achieving effective habitat management goals, but few studies have evaluated habitat use in co-occurring turtle species. We examined habitat partitioning among five species of freshwater turtles at an isolated preserve in northeastern Illinois. From May–September 2006, we conducted a radio-telemetry study to determine differences in macro- and microhabitat use, niche breadth, and niche overlap of 50 turtles representing rare (Emydoidea blandingii, Clemmys guttata) and common species (Chrysemys picta, Chelydra serpentina, Sternotherus odoratus). Both levels of habitat analysis showed strong partitioning between C. guttata and the common species as well as marked overlap in habitat use between E. blandingii and C. serpentina. Use of mesic dolomite prairie was greater in C. guttata compared to S. odoratus. Further, use of pond was greater in all common species compared to C. guttata and E. blandingii. Species strongly partitioned microhabitat along an axis comprised of vegetation height, understory canopy cover, water depth, and percent open water at surface, as well as in use of wetlands with organic substrates. Patterns of macro- and microhabitat use and measures of niche breadth and niche overlap suggest that E. blandingii and C. serpentina are habitat generalists whereas C. guttata is a habitat specialist. We found no evidence of agonistic interactions among species, thus habitat partitioning observed in our study is likely a result of species-specific traits and requirements. Our findings suggest that C. guttata is most vulnerable to habitat degradation and that variation in wetland habitat characteristics is necessary to support a diverse freshwater turtle community.
Intraspecific variation in body size and fecundity in insects: a general relationship

The relationship between intra-specific variation in female body size and potential fecundity was investigated using the published literature on 57 oviparous species of Coleoptera, Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Heteroptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, and Trichoptera, and 11 species of larviparous Aphidina and Diptera. Female body sizes were converted to dry body weight. Variation in body weight and fecundity was expressed as percentage deviation from the median values. The increase in fecundity with body weight was similar in most taxa, with only a few important exceptions. The common regression for oviparous and larviparous species predicts a 0.95% increase in median fecundity for each 1% increase in dry body weight. The number of ovarioles (in 10 species of Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Orthoptera) also increased with body weight. The general relationship predicted a 0.81% increase in ovariole number for each 1% increase in dry body weight. The slope of ovariole number versus weight relationship was greater in species with many ovarioles than in species with few. The common slope of the fecundity/size relationship is close to 1 and this indicates that female size is a principal constraint on insect potential fecundity.
A Guide for the Hydroponic and Soil-less Culture Grower . By J. Benton Jones Jr Portland, Oregon: Timber Press (1983), pp. 124, US$19.95 (paperback).

Agronomists, who missed out on the recent extension of their subject, mainly by agricultural economists, into fashionable Farming Systems Research, could find out what they have missed by reading this American textbook. The authors explain that the new research approach is on-farm rather than on-research station, interdisciplinary, responsive to small farmers' needs and requires small farmer participation in the research and development process. The editors follow their own injunctions because they include, among the authors, agriculturists, economists, an engineer, soil scientist, animal scientist, sociologist and political scientist and even a social psychologist. They have called upon other faculties from Cornell University and some have spent considerable time in the field working with small farmers. In Part I, the authors review past agricultural research efforts, identifying deficiencies and perpetuating in the process some myths such as the one that says that colonial authorities were only interested in non-food crops, monoculture and large-scale production; furthermore, CIMMYT discovered rotation and intercropping in Mexico and the USA invented agricultural extension! In Part II, the physical and biological bases for small farm development are discussed and, in Part HI, 'systems thinking' with the farmer and household at the centre is explored. In Part IV the focus is on the organisation of communities and the scope and function of Government agencies. In the final section the implications of this study for plant, animal and social science research and education are clearly indicated. This is a stimulating review, well worth critical reading. Ian Carruthers
Double-stranded RNA and associated virulence in South African isolates of Sphaeropsis sapinea

Sphaeropsis sapinea (Fr.) Dyko & Sutton is an opportunistic pathogen of various Pinus spp. , causing severe shoot blight and dieback. Some isolates of S. sapinea display characteristics such as reduced virulence, reduced growth rate, lack of pigmentation, altered colony morphology, and suppressed conidiation. South African isolates of S. sapinea displaying a range of growth patterns, including reduced growth rate and atypical morphology, were screened for the presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). They were also tested for relative virulence in pathogenicity tests. Double-stranded RNA was isolated by means of phenol extraction and cellulose chromatographic purification. A single species of dsRNA (± 4.3 kilobase pairs in size) was obtained from two slow-growing isolates and two isolates with more regular growth. The virulence of these dsRNA-containing isolates was tested on mature Pinus patula Schlecht. et Cham. trees. Although reduced virulence was positively correlated with slower growth in vitro, the p.
Studies on the Relationships Between Earthworms and Soil Fertility

Observations on earthworm populations in the Carse of Stirling indicate that there are definite differences according to soil type both in total population numbers and in the relative numbers of each species present. The light and medium loams appear to carry higher total populations than the heavier clay types or the more open gravelly sand or alluvial types. Within and between the respective soil-type populations, species numbers are variable, but the actual numbers present on a soil type do not necessarily indicate the relative importance of each species. In all cases Allolobophora caliginosa is the dominant species, being more numerous on the light loam than elsewhere. A. longa is subdominant and forms a substantial percentage on the medium loam and clay. On the light loam A. longa is high in number, but forms a smaller percentage of the total population because of the abundance of A. caliginosa. A. longa is also of reduced importance on the open soils—gravelly sand and alluvium. This species does not differ very much from Lumbricus rubellus and L. terrestris, as a percentage of the population on these two later soils and the light loam. The percentages of these two species are similar within populations, though much lower on the clay than on the other soils, and the total Lumbricus population number is highest on the light loam and lowest on the clay. There is a fair similarity between the two populations on the two open-textured soils, in both numbers and percentages. Areas of acid, natural pastures contain earthworm populations low in number and species variety. Some of the species typical of these areas are small active species, e.g. Dendrobaena rubida, D. octaedra and Bimastus eiseni, which are not found in well-established field populations. When agricultural treatment improves an area the acid-pasture species eventually decrease in relative number and importance as the species normally associated with good pasture land become established and build up their populations.
Chemosensory and feeding responses of the nudibranch Aeolidia papillosa to the symbiotic sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima

The aeolid nudibranchAeolidia papillosa is an important predator on the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima, a host to two kinds of endosymbiotic algae: zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae. The possible influence of the algae on the nudibranch's predatory response to this anemone was examined in a laboratory study. In chemosensory experiments, the nudibranch detected and chose anemone scent over a seawater control, but in both chemosensory and feeding experiments showed no preference for zooxanthellate or zoochlorellate anemones. Ingestive conditioning on zooxanthellate or zoochlorellate anemones had no effect on choice of these two anemone types in chemosensory experiments. Comparisons of the productivity and photosynthetic pigments of algae obtained from nudibranch feces and from anemones show that both algae survive passage through the nudibranch gut. The productivity of fecal zooxanthellae was 1.6X greater than that of zooxanthellae freshly isolated from anemones, although the chlorophyll a content of fecal zooxanthellae was reduced. The productivity and amount of pigments were the same for zoochlorellae in nudibranch feces and freshly isolated from anemones. Comparing fecal and isolated algae, there was no significant difference in the percentage of zooxanthellae in the process of cell division. However, the percentage of dividing cells was 2.6X higher in fecal than in freshly isolated zoochlorellae (18% and 6.9% respectively). Although the endosymbiotic algae do not make their host more or less attractive to the nudibranch, this predator may play an important role in maintaining the symbiotic relationship of Anthopleura elegantissima with zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae by providing viable algae in its feces as a source for the anemone host.
Description of a new endemic species of shrew (Mammalia, Soricomorpha) from PrÍncipe Island (Gulf of Guinea)

Abstract São Tomé and Príncipe are unique islands off the Gulf of Guinea on account of the high degree of endemism in these areas due to isolation. These islands are known to harbor, among others, two species of shrews of the genus Crocidura: C. thomensis, endemic to São Tomé; and C. poensis, found on Príncipe and common in central Africa. Owing to the uncertainty surrounding the taxonomic status of the population of C. poensis from Príncipe Island, we conducted morphometric and molecular analyses of newly collected specimens and compared them against São Tomé and mainland African specimens. Our results show that the shrew population from Príncipe Island is a separate species: Crocidura fingui sp. nov.
ON CONIFEROPHAGOUS SPECIES OF CHORISTONEURA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE) IN NORTH AMERICA: V. SECOND DIAPAUSE AS A SPECIES CHARACTER

Abstract The newly named C. biennis has a two-year cycle characterized by a second period of diapause at the end of the third instar. Second diapause occurs to varying degrees in C. fumiferana, C. occidentalis, C. orae, C. pinus pinus, and many of their hybrids, but has not been recorded in C. viridis. Although the incidence of second diapause can be influenced by the length of photoperiod to which larvae are exposed after completion of the second-instar diapause, second diapause occurring naturally is not primarily under environmental control. Laboratory studies have demonstrated differences in the incidence of second diapause manifested by these species and by some of their hybrids that point to the existence of genetic differences between them. This evidence supports the newly gained taxonomic status of these insects.
Parasites of cultured and wild brown-marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskal, 1775) in Lampung Bay, Indonesia

A total of 210 Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (brown-marbled grouper) was examined for parasites. During three consecutive seasons (two rainy and one dry season from 2002 to 2004), 35 specimens each taken from floating net cages of the National Sea Farming Development Centre (Balai Budidaya Laut) and from wild catches in Lampung Bay, South Sumatra, Indonesia were studied. Twenty-five (cultured grouper) and 30 (wild grouper) parasite species/taxa were identified, with an infracommunity ranging from one to nine (cultured) and three to 14 parasite species (wild), demonstrating a species-rich parasite fauna even in the cultured fish. Protozoans (1 species), microsporeans (1), myxozoans (1), digeneans (8), monogeneans (5), cestodes (3), nematodes (8), acanthocephalans (2) and crustaceans (6) were found. The most abundant parasites were the monogeneans Pseudorhabdosynochus epinepheli and Pseudorhabdosynochus lantauensis for both, cultured and wild grouper during all seasons. For the cultured fish, the prevalence of monoxenous ectoparasites (e.g. P. epinepheli, P. lantauensis, Capsalidae gen. et sp. indet., Benedenia epinepheli) was in most cases higher than that of heteroxenous endoparasites. This contrasts the wild grouper, where heteroxenous parasites such as Allopodocotyle epinepheli and Raphidascaris sp. occurred at a similar prevalence compared with the fairly abundant Pseudorhabdosynochus spp. No seasonality of infestation was observed for both cultured and wild fish. The high levels of infestation of potentially pathogenic monogeneans throughout the year could result in significant parasite outbreaks at the locality studied.
Pollen morphology of Spanish Cistaceae

Abstract Pollen grains of 36 Spanish species of Cistaceae belonging to the genera Cistus L. , Helianthemum Miller, Halimium (Dunal) Spach, Fumana (Dunal) Spach and Tuberaria (Dunal) Spach have been examined. The pollen of Cistaceae varies from prolate to spheroidal, being tricolporate with long ectoapertures and circular endoapertures. Five types of exine have been recognized: reticulate-granular, rugulose, striate, retipilate and reticulate. Within Cistus there are species with rugulose, striate, retipilate and reticulate pollen, in Halimium only striate; in Tuberaria striate and reticulate; in Helianthemum rugulose and striate; in Fumana reticulate-granular and retipilate pollen. There is generally a good correlation between the taxonomic and the palynological data.
Carotenoid-induced maternal effects interact with ectoparasite burden and brood size to shape the trade-off between growth and immunity in nestling great tits

1. Carotenoids are fat-soluble pigments that stimulate the immune system and can act as antioxidants. Carotenoids are thus expected to buffer the effects of environmental stressors on health. As carotenoids are a limited resource, the ability of an individual to use and metabolize carotenoids is assumed to influence its stress-resistance. Accordingly, it has been found that nestlings hatched from eggs with increased carotenoid concentration, show an enhanced ability to use carotenoids and a lower susceptibility of tissues to lipid peroxidation. 2. We tested the prediction that nestling great tits (Parus major), hatched from eggs laid by carotenoid-supplemented mothers, cope better with a transient stressor encountered after hatching. We supplemented half of the breeders with carotenoids during egg production (C+), used the other half as a control (C-), and cross-fostered the eggs between nests after clutch completion. Three days after hatching, we applied a stressor in two-third of the nests either by increasing brood size, or by infesting nests with hen fleas (Ceratophyllus gallinae) during five consecutive days. A third group was kept as a control. We then assessed the responses of C+ and C- nestlings to each stressor by measuring mass gain, body condition, plumage coloration, humoral immune response and fever response to a lipopolysaccharide injection. 3. In control nests, C+ and C- nestlings showed similar body condition but C+ nestlings had a higher increase in body temperature and tended to have a higher wing web swelling in response to lipopolysaccharide injection. Under stress, however, there were no differences in overall condition between C+ and C- nestlings. The two stressors led to different responses: when sibling competition was increased, C- nestlings favoured immune development, whereas C+ nestlings favoured mass gain and body condition, while under parasite exposure C+ and C- nestlings seemed to invest in immune development and body growth similarly. 4. Our results support the hypothesis that carotenoid-induced maternal effects provide developmental benefits under natural conditions without additional stressors. Additionally, we show that the response to sudden environmental changes depends on the environment during the initial phases of development, which thus shape phenotype and individual variation.
Efeitos de Ambiente e de Heterose sobre o Ganho de Peso do Nascimento ao Desmame e sobre os Escores Visuais ao Desmame de Bovinos de Corte

The objectives of this study were to obtain adjustment factors for effects of calf age, dam age and calf Julian birth date on weight gain from birth to weaning (GND) and on visual scores of conformation (C), precocity (P), and muscling (M) and to estimate effects of maternal and individual heterosis on those traits. The analyzed records were from two breeding programs named Natura and Conexao Delta G, totalizing 187,610 purebred and crossbred Nellore x Angus and Nellore x Hereford calves. Calves were born between 1989 and 1999 in herds located in different states of Brazil. The statistical models applied to analyze GND and visual scores of C, P, and M included fixed effects of contemporary group, calf age (quadratic regression), dam age (quadratic-quadratic polynomial regression with junction point at seven years), calf Julian birth date (quadratic-quadratic-quadratic polynomial regression with junctions at 165 and 260 days for GND, 150 and 240 days for C, 165 and 270 days for P, and 155 and 260 days for M), and individual and maternal heterozygosity (linear regressions). All effects included in the model showed significant influence on GND and on visual scores of C, P, and M. The estimated values of maternal and individual heterosis were, respectively, 8.9% and 9.9% for GND; 10.0% and 6.6% for C; 8.5% and 4.8% for P; and 10.9% and 5.0% for M.