Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ESTIMATING COMMUNITY STABILITY AND ECOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS FROM TIME‐SERIES DATA

Natural ecological communities are continuously buffeted by a varying environment, often making it difficult to measure the stability of communities using concepts requiring the existence of an equilibrium point. Instead of an equilibrium point, the equilibrial state of communities subject to environmental stochasticity is a stationary distribution, which is characterized by means, variances, and other statistical moments. Here, we derive three properties of stochastic multispecies communities that measure different characteristics associated with community stability. These properties can be estimated from multispecies time-series data using first-order multivariate autoregressive (MAR(1)) models. We demonstrate how to estimate the parameters of MAR(1) models and obtain confidence intervals for both parameters and the measures of stability. We also address the problem of estimation when there is observation (measurement) error. To illustrate these methods, we compare the stability of the planktonic commun.
A model coupling foliar monoterpene emissions to leaf photosynthetic characteristics in Mediterranean evergreen Quercus species

Summary • A model was developed and parameterized to simulate monoterpene emission rates per unit leaf area (E) dependent on foliar photosynthetic potentials and activity of monoterpene synthases in the evergreen sclerophylls Quercus coccifera L. and Q. ilex L. • Assuming that total activity of monoterpene synthases controls the pathway flux, the product of leaf dry mass per unit area E was culculated as the fraction of total electron flow used for monoterpene synthesis (ɛ), the rate of photosynthetic electron transport (J) per unit leaf dry mass and the reciprocal of the electron cost of monoterpene synthesis. In the model, light effects on E result from light responses of J, and the temperature relationship of E combines temperature dependencies of J and the specific activity of monoterpene synthase (SS). • Having determined J from leaf photosynthesis data and deriving an estimate of SS from in vitro laboratory measurements, good fits to diurnal time-courses of monoterpenoid emission rates were obtained using a single leaf-dependent coefficient, the total monoterpene synthase activity in the leaves. • Our analysis demonstrates that using J as a surrogate of E leads to a realistic description of E, especially under stress conditions where the previous models fail. However, analysis of daily time courses of E indicated that storage of monoterpenoids in nonspecific leaf compartments might alter the correspondence between monoterpenoid synthesis and emission rates, especially after rapid environmental change.
Carcass quality, meat traits and chemical composition of meat in ducks of paternal strains A44 and A55*

Analysed were 8-week-old males and females of duck paternal strains A44 and A55. The in vivo weights of meat and fat with skin were estimated based on live body weight, breast bone length and breast muscle thickness. Heritability coefficients for meat production traits and genetic and phenotypic correlations between them were calculated. Carcasses were measured and dissected. In breast and leg muscles the pH and water holding capacity as well as water, protein, fat and ash were determined. Simple correlation coefficients were calculated between carcass weight with neck and carcass components, and body measurements. A55 ducks of both sexes showed greater meat and fat weight, but lower meat and higher fat content of carcass compared to A44 ducks. Based on the correlation coefficients between body measurements and body weight and carcass components, it is suggested that in order to increase the meat weight in the carcass, both strains should be selected for body weight, and strain A44 additionally for breast bone length and breast muscle thickness. Chest depth – which is positively and significantly correlated with the weight and content of breast and leg muscles of carcass, and negatively with the weight and content of subcutaneous fat with skin – can be used in selection for increased muscling and decreased carcass fatness. Also breast bone length and shank length, as well as chest and shank circumference can be used in the selection for increased meat weight and decreased fat weight in duck carcass. It is concluded, based on the pH, water holding capacity and chemical analyses of breast and leg muscles, that the culinary value of strain A55 meat is higher than of strain A44.
Cladistic biogeography of afromontane spiders

The application of cladistic data is seen as crucial to answering questions regarding the definition, mode of origin and age of historical biogeographic patterns. From the cladograms and distributional data for four groups of afromontane spiders [Microstigmata (Microstigmatidae), the Moggridgea quercina group (Migidae), and the subfamilies Vidoleini and Phyxelidini (Amaurobiidae)] a set of nine disjunct areas of endemism is defined for African and Malagasy forests. Taxonlarea cladograms are combined through a parsimony method to produce a general area cladogram. General conclusions are: (1) Madagascar is related to eastern Africa and/or eastern South Africa rather than being the sister area to all of Africa; (2) eastern South Africa shows affinities with tropical Africa rather than with the nearby Cape region; (3) the Cape region of South Africa is highly distinctive; and (4) the area cladogram is hard to reconcile with historical scenarios involving primarily dispersal or Pleistocene vicariance events, and a Mesozoic origin for parts of the biogeographic pattern for afromontane spiders is possible.
THE INFLUENCE OF SIMAZINE ON SHOOT AND ROOT GROWTH OF APPLES AND PLUMS

Summary. In loamy soil with a low humus content (0·8% organic carbon) simazine at a concentration of 2′5 ppm reduced growth of shoots, roots and trunk diameter in 1-year-old scions of five apple varieties on M IX rootstock. The most susceptible was Cox's Orange Pippin; 5 ppm was lethal for this variety only. In experiments with vertically divided pots, where one part of the root system developed in soil with simazine (2–5 ppm and 5–0 ppm for apple and 5·0 ppm for plum) and the other part in simazine-free soil, there was less effect on shoot growth and less leaf damage than where all the soil contained simazine. Growth of that part of the root system in soil containing simazine was stimulated. Resume. Dans un sol de limon, avec un faible taux d'humus (0,8% de carbone organi-que), la simazine a la concentration de 2,5 ppm, reduisit la croissance des tiges et des racines ainsi que le diametre du tronc de scions d'un an de cinq varietes de pommes greffiees sur M IX. La plus sensible fut Cox's Orange Pippin: 5 ppm furent une dose letale pour cette seule variete. Dans des experiences avec des pots divises verticalement, une partie du systeme racinaire se developpait dans un sol contenant de la simazine (2,5 ppm et 5 ppm pour les pommiers, et 5 ppm pour les pruniers), l'autre partie dans un sol sans simazine. Dans ce cas, il y eut moins d'eflfet sur la croissance des tiges et moins de degâts sur les feuilles que lorsque tout le sol contenait de la simazine. La croissance de la partie racinaire dans le sol contenant de la simazine fut stimulee. Zusammenfassung. In Lehmboden mit geringem Humusanteil (0,8% C) verminderte Simazin in einer Konzentration von 2,5 ppm das Spross- und Wurzelwachstum sowie den Stammdurchmesser in einjahrigen Bestanden von 5 Apfelsorten auf M IX. Die empfindlichste Sorte war Cox's Orange Pippin; nur fur diese Sorte waren 5 ppm lethal. In Versuchen mit vertikal abgeteilten Topfen, in denen ein Teil des Wurzelsystems in Simazin-behandeltem Boden (2,5 ppm und 5,0 ppm bei Apfeln und 5,0 ppm bei Pflau-men) und der andere Teil in Simazin-freiem Boden wuchs, waren eine geringere Wirkung auf das Sprosswachstum und weniger Blattschaden zu beobachten, als wenn der gesammte Boden Simazin enthielt. Das Wachstum des Wurzelteils, der in Simazin-behandeltem Boden wuchs, war stimuliert.
AXIOIDEA MATERIAL COLLECTED BY THE JAPANESE R/V-S "HAKUHOU-MARU" AND "NAGASAKI-MARU" IN THE EAST CHINA SEA WITH A REVISED KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF THE SUPERFAMILY AXIOIDEA HUXLEY, 1879 (DECAPODA, CALLIANASSIDEA)

The present Axioidea-material was collected by the R/V “Hakuhou-maru”, University of Tokyo, in 2005 and the R/V “Nagasaki-maru”, University of Nagasaki, during biological surveys in the East China Sea in 2004-2005. The material collected during these cruises comprises three families, four genera including one new genus, and four species including three new species. These taxa are: Axiidae Huxley, 1879 with Acanthaxius Sakai & De Saint Laurent, 1989, A. gotoensis sp. nov., and Batyaxius gen. nov., B. sugurui sp. nov.; Calocarididae Ortmann, 1891 with Ambiaxius Sakai & De Saint Laurent, 1989, A. alcocki (McArdle, 1900); and Eiconaxiidae Sakai & Ohta, 2005 with Eiconaxius Bate, 1888, E. kumejimaensis sp. nov.
Mixing barley cultivars affects aphid host plant acceptance in field experiments

Four barley varieties with no significant difference in aphid acceptance were sown in pure stands and in pairwise combinations with varieties side by side in separate rows. Settling tests were done in situ in the field plots with apterae of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Homoptera:Aphididae) and showed that aphid acceptance was changed in some combinations of cultivars. In a laboratory test, in which plants of one cultivar were exposed to air from the other cultivars, aphid acceptance was significantly reduced in three of the four cultivars when treated with air from certain other cultivars. Two of these three cultivars showed the same reduction under field conditions. This supports the hypothesis that plant/plant communication may release responses in neighbouring plants that change aphid host plant acceptance. The results also show that this mechanism is not restricted to optimal growing conditions in the laboratory, although it may be modified under field conditions depending on plant genotype.
Dietary characteristics of Emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) in semi-arid New South Wales, Australia, and dispersal and germination of ingested seeds

Abstract The Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) eats a wide range of seeds and other plant material but little is known of the seeds eaten and dispersed in arid Australia. This study aimed to determine the species of seed and fruits eaten by Emus through the year and investigate the effect of the passage of seeds through the Emu gut on seed germination. Emu scats were opportunistically collected in all seasons of 2005 at Nanya Research Station, western New South Wales. Seeds of 29 plant species were retrieved, identified and counted from 221 scats. Seeds of perennial species, such as Belah (Casuarina pauper), Ruby Saltbush (Enchylaena tomentosa), Common Emu-bush (Eremophila glabra) and Nitre-bush (Nitraria billardierei), predominated. Seed composition of scats was more diverse in summer than in winter, autumn and spring. Seeds of Common Emu-bush, Berrigan (Eremophila longifolia) and Sweet Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) showed no germination after passage through the gut. Ruby Saltbush and Nitre-bush showed very low germination rates. The Emu is a generalist feeder, capable of ingesting and dispersing large numbers of plant species. Through high seed consumption and long gut-retention time, Emus could potentially play a significant role in long-distance dispersal of seeds and, through such dispersal, in the vegetation dynamics of arid Australia.
Flight altitude of trans‐Sahara migrants in autumn: a comparison of radar observations with predictions from meteorological conditions and water and energy balance models

Radar observations on the altitude of bird migration and altitudinal profiles of meteorological conditions over the Sahara desert are presented for the autumn migratory period. Migratory birds fly at an average altitude of 1016 m (a.s.l.) during the day and 571 m during the night. Weather data served to calculate flight range using two models: an energy model (EM) and an energy-and-water model (EWM). The EM assumes that fuel supply limits flight range whereas the EWM assumes that both fuel and water may limit flight range. Flight ranges estimated with the EM were generally longer than those with the EWM. This indicates that trans-Sahara migrants might have more problems balancing their water than their energy budget. However, if we assume fuel stores to consist of 70% instead of 100% fat (the remainder consisting of 9% protein and 21% water), predicted flight ranges of the EM and EWM largely overlap. Increased oxygen extraction, reduced flight costs, reduced exhaled air temperature, reduced cutaneous water loss and increased tolerance to water loss are potential physiological adaptations that would improve the water budget in migrants. Both the EM and EWM predict optimal flight altitudes in agreement with radar observations in autumn. Optimal flight altitudes are differently predicted by the EM and EWM for nocturnal spring migration. During spring, the EWM predicts moderately higher and the EM substantially higher flight altitudes than during autumn. EWM predictions are therefore in better agreement with radar observations on flight altitude of migrants over the Negev desert in spring than EM predictions.
The Effects of Fishing on Coral Reef Fish Abundance and Diversity

The effect of artisanal fishing on the abundance and diversity of coral reef fish assemblages was investigated in the Kisite Marine National Park and Mpunguti Marine National Reserve at Shimoni, Kenya. Fishing is prohibited within the Park whereas in the Reserve artisanal fishing using traditional methods is practised. Visual censuses of six representative reef fish families (Chaetodontidae, Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae and Serranidae in 1992 and 1994, and Labridae and Pomacentridae in 1994 only) were undertaken along 250×10 m band transects on two similar pairs of reefs subject to differing fishing pressure. The abundance of commercial species (Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae and Serranidae) was depressed in the Reserve. The unfished butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) and damselfishes (Pomacentridae) also showed a greater abundance in the Park than in the Reserve. However, neither species number nor Shannon diversity (H′) of any of these families was affected by fishing pressure. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed. The abundance of commercial species, though not of non-commercial unfished species, increased significantly in the Reserve between 1992 and 1994, suggesting that the unfished Park may be acting as a source of larvae or supply of emigrating adults for the depleted Reserve. The results are comparable with other recent studies describing the effects of fishing pressure and also with those studies detailing the effects of habitat refugia in coral reef areas.
Patterns of diversification in the high Andean Ponderacris grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae)

The Andes, the world's longest mountain chain, harbours great taxonomic and ecological diversity. Despite their young age, the tropical Andes are highly diverse due to recent geological uplift. Speciation either followed the orogeny closely or occurred after the Andean uplift, as a result of subsequent climatic changes. Different scenarios have been proposed to explain the diversification of high Andean taxa. The Melanoplinae grasshopper Ponderacris Ronderos & Cigliano is endemic to the eastern slopes of the Andes of Peru and Bolivia, mostly distributed between 1000 and 4000 m above sea level. Diversification in several montane habitats of Bolivia and Peru allows tests via cladistic analysis of distinct possible geographic modes of speciation. Eight species are recognized, with three described here as new with revised diagnostic morphological characters provided: Ponderacris carlcarbonellisp.n. ,P. chulumaniensissp.n. and P. amboroensissp.n. Cladistic analyses of 15 species (8 ingroup and 7 outgroup) and 38 morphological characters, under equal and implied weighting, confirm the monophyly of Ponderacris. Characters from the external morphology and colour pattern provided less phylogenetic information than did the male abdominal terminalia and phallic complex. Species distributed in the Peruvian Andes constituted a monophyletic group, whereas those from the Bolivian Andes formed a basal paraphyletic grade. Dispersal–vicariance analysis resulted in one ancestral distribution reconstruction indicating that the most recent common ancestor was distributed in the Lower Montane Yungas of Bolivia. Eleven dispersal and one vicariant events are postulated, with a South‐to‐North speciation pattern coincident with progressive Andean uplift. Vicariance could relate to fragmentation of montane forest during the dry intervals of the late Cenozoic. From the Bolivian area, ancestral Peruvian Ponderacris may have dispersed northward, coinciding with the rise of the Andes. Ten of 11 dispersal events occurred at terminal taxa and are likely to be recent. However, diversification of Ponderacris cannot be explained solely by the South‐to‐North speciation hypothesis, but may also include both vicariance and dispersal across barriers influenced by Pleistocene climatic cycles.
Effects of species, sex, length and locality on the mercury content of school shark Galeorhinus australis (Macleay) and gummy shark Mustelus antarcticus Guenther from south-eastern Australian waters

The mercury levels detected in the muscle tissues of sharks ranged from 0.01 to 2.7 pprn wet weight for school shark Galeorhinus australis (Macleay) and from 0.07 to 3.0 ppm for gummy shark Mustelus antarcticus Guenther. Estimates of the mean mercury levels for the 1971 Victorian landed commercial shark catch were found to be 0.90 ppm for the school shark and 0.37 ppm for the gummy shark. The analyses for total mercury determinations were carried out by five independent laboratories. Preliminary analyses carried out by one indicatcd that most of the mercury in school sharks and about two-thirds of the mercury in gummy sharks was present as methylmercury. The mercury concentrations varied exponentially with shark length. School sharks had statistically significantly higher mercury levels than gummy sharks of the same length and for both the medium- sized and large individuals of each species males had significantly higher levels than females. Levels in male gummy sharks were found to be affected by locality.
Population variation and genetic control of pheromone communication systems in moths

The nature of variation in moth pheromone communication systems and its genetic control is critical for the evolution of these systems and for their role in mate‐finding and reproductive isolation. Significant additive genetic variance has been demonstrated in female pheromone production in monomorphic populations. However, corresponding variance in male pheromone response with respect to the blend which is most active, appears to be low, as can be expected from the general asymmetry of sexual selection. Pheromone polymorphism and differences in communication systems between closely related species seem to be controlled by a small number of Mendelian genes. The critical biosynthetic steps, which are influenced by the genes controlling pheromone production, can be inferred from our present knowledge of pheromone biosynthesis. A mechanistic understanding of how male response to pheromones is controlled is further away. Failure to demonstrate genes with pleiotropic effects on critical sender and receiver traits, suggests that reciprocal selection on genetically independent sender and receiver loci is the more likely explanation for the generally observed coordination between pheromone production and response in moth populations. Further research on the evolutionary significance of Z‐linked pheromone response genes, documented in several species, should be encouraged. Investigations, in the field, of populations that vary in pheromone production and response, and theoretical and empirical studies of the survival of sender and receiver mutants in otherwise monomorphic populations are also important to advance our understanding of how pheromone communication systems evolve.
Conservation of (GA)n microsatellite loci between Quercus species

Microsatellite (simple sequence repeat, SSR) amplification was performed in eight different members of the Fagaceae family by using sets of primers developed from sessile oak, Quercus petraea. In total, 136 cases of heterologous amplification were carried out, and 66% resulted in interpretable amplification products. From these, 12 PCR amplification products were sequenced and all 12 contained a sequence homologous to the original locus from Q. petraea. Although SSR primers worked even across different genera, with increasing evolutionary distance there was a clear tendency for decreasing ability to successfully amplify loci and a decreasing proportion of polymorphism amongst those markers which could be amplified. Two of the loci, ssrQpZAG46 and ssrQpZAG110, were polymorphic in all Quercus species tested. Only at one locus, ssrQpZAG58, a specific PCR product could be amplified in all species analysed. For four loci found in two species, we observed significant interspecies differences in the size range of the amplified alleles. Sequence analysis of two alleles showed that the size differences are not only due to variations in the number of (GA) repeats but also to an insertion of approximately 80 nucleotides in the flanking region. Our findings prove the usefulness of SSR markers within and amongst closely related genera of plants.
Field experiments on the value of urea as a fertilizer for barley, sugar beet, potatoes, winter wheat and grassland in Great Britain

1. Urea containing less than 1% biuret was compared with ammonium nitrate in field experiments on barley, sugar beet, winter wheat and grassland, and with ammonium sulphate on potatoes, in various parts of Great Britain in the years 1957–61. 2. When broadcast on the seed-bed for barley at rates supplying 25–45 lb. /acre of nitrogen in twenty-five experiments, urea and ammonium nitrate gave similar mean increases in grain yield on acid soils, while on alkaline soils urea gave smaller increases than ammonium nitrate. The relative effect of the two sources was similar on light and heavy soils and in the east and west of the country. 3. When broadcast on the seed-bed for sugar beet at 50–60 lb. /acre of nitrogen in nineteen experiments, mostly on alkaline soils in eastern England, no difference was detected between the mean increases in yield of sugar and tops from urea and from ammonium nitrate. 4. In twenty-two experiments on potatoes urea gave slightly smaller mean increases in yield of tubers than those from ammonium sulphate when applied at 40–60 lb. /acre of nitrogen, with a larger difference at 80–120 lb. /acre. No influence of soil pH, soil texture, region of the country or method of application (broadcast on the flat or over the open ridges) was detected. 5. When broadcast as spring top dressings in seventeen experiments on winter wheat, mostly in western England and Scotland, at rates supplying 34–45 lb. /acre of nitrogen, urea and ammonium nitrate gave similar mean increases in yield of grain.