Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early events following oral administration of Newcastle disease virus strain V4

Heat-resistant strains of Newcastle disease virus, such as strain V4, are being used as vaccines to protect flocks of rural chickens in developing countries. Sometimes these vaccines are administered on food, a procedure that has yet to be optimized. Experiments were undertaken to determine the anatomical sites of initial infection with orally administered V4 virus, and the sites of initial viral replication. During the first 24 hours after introduction of V4 into the mouth of 3-weeks-old chickens, virus was isolated by egg inoculation from oesophagus, crop and trachea and less frequently from proventriculus. V4 virus was not isolated from other parts of the digestive tract, nor from blood. Evidence for viral replication was sought by egg inoculation and by immunohistochemistry 4 to 10 days after V4 strain was placed in the crop. Virus was detected most frequently and at highest titre from jejunum, ileum and caecum 6 days after infection. There were also isolations from blood, 4 days after infection. Viral antigens were detected in epithelial cells in most parts of the digestive tract and in some cells, possibly lymphocytes or macrophages, in lamina propria. It is suggested that V4 vaccine virus, given orally, attaches to cells in the upper digestive tract. Viral replication occurs mainly in cells of the lower digestive tract, probably reaching these sites as the result of a viraemia.
Nest-site selection and reproductive success of greater sage-grouse in a fire-affected habitat of northwestern Nevada

Identifying links between micro-habitat selection and wildlife reproduction is imperative to population persistence and recovery. This information is particularly important for landscape species such as greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse). Although this species has been widely studied, because environmental factors can affect sage-grouse populations, local and regional studies are crucial for developing viable conservation strategies. We studied the habitat-use patterns of 71 radio-marked sage-grouse inhabiting an area affected by wildfire in the Virginia Mountains of northwestern Nevada during 2009–2011 to determine the effect of micro-habitat attributes on reproductive success. We measured standard vegetation parameters at nest and random sites using a multi-scale approach (range = 0.01–15,527 ha). We used an information-theoretic modeling approach to identify environmental factors influencing nest-site selection and survival, and determine whether nest survival was a function of resource selection. Sage-grouse selected micro-sites with greater shrub canopy cover and less cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) cover than random sites. Total shrub canopy, including sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) and other shrub species, at small spatial scales (0.8 ha and 3.1 ha) was the single contributing selection factor to higher nest survival. These results indicate that reducing the risk of wildfire to maintain important sagebrush habitats could be emphasized in sage-grouse conservation strategies in Nevada. Managers may seek to mitigate the influx of annual grass invasion by preserving large intact sagebrush-dominated stands with a mixture of other shrub species. For this area of Nevada, the results suggest that ≥40% total shrub canopy cover in sage-grouse nesting areas could yield improved reproductive success. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Variations in sound‐producing mechanism in the pearlfish Carapini (Carapidae)

Sound production in Carapus boraborensis results from the action of different sonic muscles terminating in complex tendons, which have hooks that fit over a tubercle on the swimbladder wall. The primary sonic muscles (PSM) draw progressively the forepart of the swimbladder until the hook releases the tubercle. This allows the swimbladder to snap back to its resting position, which initiates the onset of the sound. In the present study, the morphology of the C. boraborensis sound-producing apparatus and the resulting sounds were compared with Encheliophis gracilis and Carapus homei. The main difference concerns the direct insertion of the PSM on the swimbladder in C. homei and E. gracilis and, concurrent sonic characteristics. These morphological features also allow both fish to produce an additional kind of sound with more compact pulses, each being clearly composed of two parts and each having a different frequency. The sound-producing system could be compared with a guitarist who makes a sound in releasing a guitar string and modulates it by moving his/her finger along the string. However, E. gracilis possess more filtered sounds than C. boraborensis and C. homei, probably because of the unusual shape of its swimbladder. This study highlights the diversity and plasticity of sonic mechanisms and their implication in the development of sonic repertoire in evolving species.
Observations on Fecal Sac Consumption and Near-ground Foraging Behavior in the Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)

ABSTRACT We present details on parental care and foraging behavior of Olive-sided Flycatchers (Contopus cooperi) in central Alaska. We document the first evidence of fecal sac consumption in this species. Both sexes exhibited this behavior while tending chicks less than one week old. Adults with older nestlings (1.5–2 weeks) removed fecal sacs only. The general pattern of reduced fecal sac consumption with chick age is consistent with other passerines and may supplement parental nutrition. Near-ground foraging behavior in C. cooperi is rarely reported, as birds typically sally for aerial insects near or above the canopy. Two breeding females fed multiple times from 1–3 m perches, hovering over, flying directly above or disappearing into low vegetation (<0.5 m) for up to 15 secs. Low stumps and saplings in a wood cutting area and in undisturbed forest provided access to patches of flowering vegetation that appeared to concentrate pollinator prey during cool or inclement weather. Given the conservation concerns for this species, its low productivity, dietary specialization, and hypothesized early-season reliance on insect prey, flowering vegetation presents a testable visual stimulus that may govern settlement behavior of breeding adults.
Effect of Male / Female Size Ratio on Mating Behavior of the Hermit Crab Pagurus Filholi (Anomura: Paguridae) Under Experimental Conditions

ABSTRACT We studied the mating behavior and clarified the mating sequences of the hermit crab Pagurus filholi under laboratory conditions. The mating sequences differed, depending on the male to female size ratio. Before copulation, larger males relative to potential female mates tended to perform precopulatory guarding behavior, i.e., grasping the rim of the shell of the female with their chelipeds, more frequently than smaller males. On the other hand, smaller males relative to the females appeared to insert their chelipeds and to attempt copulation by pulling the female out of the shell without performing precopulatory mate-guarding behavior. These different behaviors may be conditional strategies that depend on the male/female size ratio.
Vegetation of the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve and its relationship to the distribution of the helmeted honeyeater, bell miner and white-eared honeyeater

The structural characteristics of the habitat of the helmeted honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops cassidix, the bell miner, Manorina melanophrys, and the white-eared honeyeater, Lichenostomus leucotis, within the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve have been described elsewhere. The present study aimed to describe the floristic characteristics of the reserve, and explore the relationship between the floristic composition of the vegetation and the presence of each of the three honeyeater species. Six vegetation groups were described and mapped for the reserve. The bell miner and white-eared honeyeater were found to occupy all vegetation groups in proportion to their availability. The helmeted honeyeater was strongly associated with only one of the vegetation groups: E. camphora open forest. The helmeted honeyeater therefore appears to be the most floristically restricted of the three honeyeater species, and this dependence may lead to greater levels of competition for habitat with the more generalist bell miner and white-eared honeyeater.
Production of External Fluorescent Marks on Golden Perch Fingerlings through Osmotic Induction Marking with Alizarin Red S

Abstract Osmotic induction marking trials with alizarin red S (ARS) were conducted on golden perch Macquaria ambigua to evaluate the use of ARS as a lower-cost alternative to osmotic induction marking with calcein for producing external fluorescent marks on hatchery-produced fish. After a 10-min immersion in a 5% solution of salt, experimental groups of golden perch were rinsed for 5 s in freshwater and immersed for 10 min in either a 0.1% or 0.5% solution of ARS, whereas control groups were either left untreated or immersed in a 0.1% solution of ARS for 10 min without prior immersion in the salt solution. All fish treated in the 0.5% solution of ARS died within 5 min of immersion, but no mortalities were observed in any of the controls or fish treated with the 0.1% solution of ARS. External fluorescent marks were observed on both the osmotic induction-marked fish and the direct ARS immersion-marked fish 100 d after treatment, but the osmotic induction-marked fish possessed more intense marks. Clear marks.
Dormancy and Germination Pre-Treatments in Willamette Valley Native Plants

Abstract Seeds from 30 species of grasses and forbs native to Pacific Northwest prairies were tested for physical and physiological dormancy. The physical dormancy was determined by mechanically and chemically scarifying seeds. Physiological dormancy was evaluated with cold stratification before germination. Experiments were analyzed individually with ANOVA analysis, and by seed lots through time using multiple regression. Three of the tested species had too little germination to determine what kind of dormancy was present. Physical dormancy was found in three legumes that required a treatment to break the hard seed coat. These species, Lotus unifoliolatus, Lupinas albicaulis, and Trifolium willdenovii also had increased germination following cold stratification. This can be taken as evidence of physiological dormancy. Physiological and physical dormancy together is considered combinational dormancy. Another eight species had increased germination after cold stratification. This included both species that did not germinate without cold stratification (Aquilegia formosa, Camassia leichtlinii, C. quamash, Heracleum maximum, Lomatium nudicaule, Perideridia oregona, and Sidalcea campestris), and species with germination proportions that increased following stratification (Eriophyllum lanatum, and the legumes). Four annual forbs (Clarkia purpurea, Collomia grandiflora, Gilia capitata, and Madia gracilis) had increased germination when seeds were cold stratified, but the response was more consistent with a low temperature requirement for germination than physiological dormancy. The remaining 12 species germinated with no pretreatments. Understanding the germination requirements of these species will aid in their propagation for restoration and the provisioning of ecosystem services and may help explain the ecology of these species on the landscape.
More than herbivory: Levels of silica-based defences in grasses vary with plant species, genotype and location

Silica defences in grasses have recently been suggested to be a potential driver of vole population dynamics. However, the ability of grasses to induce silica in response to herbivory has not been tested in northern ecosystems where small rodents are important herbivores. We conducted a large-scale field experiment in subarctic tundra using three river catchments differing in herbivore densities, and examined the effects of small rodent and/or reindeer exclusion on leaf silica levels in five grass species (Avenella flexuosa, Anthoxanthum nipponicum, Calamagrostis phragmitoides, Deschampsia cespitosa and Phleum alpinum). We also conducted a greenhouse experiment using three of these species (A. flexuosa, A. nipponicum and D. cespitosa) and Festuca ovina to determine whether intraspecific genotypic variation affects baseline silica concentrations and the capacity to induce silica in response to simulated grazing. Baseline leaf silica concentrations and silica induction varied with plant species in both experiments, with catchment in the field experiment and with genotype in the greenhouse experiment. These findings show that the allocation to silica defences in grasses is highly variable, and suggest that the combined effects of grazing pressure, plant species and intraspecific genotypic differences are likely to determine the circumstances under which silica induction may be an optimal defence strategy. A better understanding of the interplay between grazing and other factors influencing silica induction is necessary to interpret the role of silica in plant–herbivore interactions.
Additional tests on the effects of pesticides on cryptic species of blue oat mite (Penthaleus spp.) and the redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor).

Earth mites (Halotydeus destructor, Penthaleus spp.) are important pests of crops and pastures in southern Australia during the winter and spring. A recent study showed that control of these mites is complicated by different responses of species to several pesticides, with one cryptic species (Penthaleus falcatus) being particularly tolerant. In this study, earth mites were tested against 4 other chemicals registered for mite control (alpha-cypermethrin, phosmet, chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin) in an attempt to identify useful pesticides to counter control failures. Furthermore, an isolated population of an undescribed cryptic Penthaleus species (P. sp. x) from northern New South Wales was tested for its response to 8 pesticides. Species responded differently to all pesticides. Halotydeus destructor was usually the least tolerant species except in the case of phosmet where P. major was the least tolerant species. For alpha-cypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, tolerance of all Penthaleusspecies was similar or higher than that of H. destructor. Penthaleus falcatus had a relatively higher tolerance to phosmet than all other species. The response of P. sp. x (New South Wales) to chlorpyrifos was inconsistent between trials and the response of this species to lambda-cyhalothrin was complex. Penthaleus sp. x (New South Wales) was generally more tolerant than H. destructor but not as tolerant as P. falcatus. The results highlight the fact that mite species need to be identified when considering control options and suggest that effective control recommendations need to be developed for each individual species.
Long-term trends in reservoir water quality and quantity in two major river basins of the southern Great Plains

Abstract Trends in water quality and quantity were assessed for 11 major reservoirs of the Brazos and Colorado river basins in the southern Great Plains (maximum period of record, 1965–2010). Water quality, major contributing-stream inflow, storage, local precipitation, and basin-wide total water withdrawals were analyzed. Inflow and storage decreased and total phosphorus increased in most reservoirs. The overall, warmest-, or coldest-monthly temperatures increased in 7 reservoirs, decreased in 1 reservoir, and did not significantly change in 3 reservoirs. The most common monotonic trend in salinity-related variables (specific conductance, chloride, sulfate) was one of no change, and when significant change occurred, it was inconsistent among reservoirs. No significant change was detected in monthly sums of local precipitation. Annual water withdrawals increased in both basins, but the increase was significant (P < 0.05) only in the Colorado River and marginally significant (P < 0.1) in the Brazos River. Salinity-related variables dominated spatial variability in water quality data due to the presence of high- and low-salinity reservoirs in both basins. These observations present a landscape in the Brazos and Colorado river basins where, in the last ∼40 years, reservoir inflow and storage generally decreased, eutrophication generally increased, and water temperature generally increased in at least 1 of 3 temperature indicators evaluated. Because local precipitation remained generally stable, observed reductions in reservoir inflow and storage during the study period may be attributable to other proximate factors, including increased water withdrawals (at least in the Colorado River basin) or decreased runoff from contributing watersheds.
EFFECTS OF GARLIC CLOVE, NEEM AND EUCALYPTUS LEAF EXTRACT ON MATING BEHAVIOUR, OVIPOSITION AND ADULT EMERGENCE OF PULSE BEETLE, Callosobruchus maculatus

Experiments were conducted in the laboratory to study the effects of garlic clove, neem and eucalyptus leaf extracts on mating behaviour, oviposition and adult emergence of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus . Intensity of seed damage and weight loss of gram seeds were also recorded. The results showed that the mating frequency, mating duration, oviposition, adult emergence of pulse beetle and weight loss of gram seeds were reduced significantly after application of the extracts. Among the extracts, neem leaf extracts showed lowest mating frequency (1), mating duration (3.66 minutes), lowest number of laid eggs (27.33), adult emergence (11.67), seed damage (6.89%) and weight loss (2.53%). On the other hand, garlic clove extract showed highest mating frequency (1.67), mating duration (4.67 minutes), highest number of laid eggs (40.33), adult emergence (18.66), seed damage (9.63%) and weight loss (3.73%). In the same way eucalyptus leaf extract showed 2nd highest mating frequency (1.5), mating duration (4.5 minutes), eggs laid (38.67), adult emergence (15.67), seed damage (9.25) and seed weight loss (3.33%). Considering efficacy of all extracts, it was found that the order of toxicity was neem leaf extract>eucalyptus leaf extract> garlic clove extract. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/pa.v18i2. 18164 Progress. Agric. 18(2): 93 - 97, 2007
Structure du peuplement ichtyologique du talus continental à l'ouest des îles Britanniques et impact de la pêche

Une premiere campagne d'estimation de l'impact de la peche sur les peuplements du talus continental a ete realisee du 26 juin au 20 juillet 1996. Cette campagne a ete menee a bord du N/O Thalassa, a l'ouest des iles Britanniques, entre 55° et 57° de latitude nord, dans un secteur ou des donnees de composition du peuplement ichtyologique profond avaient ete recueillies dans les annees 70 et 80, avant la periode d'exploitation intensive des annees 90. Dans cette zone, l'analyse de la composition specifique par trait de chalut montre seulement qu'a cette echelle l'assemblage de poissons est structure en fonction de la profondeur. Cette observation n'est pas nouvelle. En revanche, la repartition des traits entre 2 sous-zones de caracteristiques differentes en termes de pente, de regulante et de durete du fond, qui de ce fait ont probablement subi des intensites de peche differentes, n'est pas retrouvee a travers les cornpositions specifiques. Une comparaison succincte des rendements horaires avec des donnees anterieures, collectees de 1973 a 1980 montre une baisse globale. Celle-ci ne semble pas concerner toutes les especes avec la meme intensite. Les populations de requins et d'Hoplostethus atlanticus semblent avoir decline dans une proportion plus forte que celle de Coryphaenoides rupestris.
Effects of population, family, and diet on craniofacial morphology of Icelandic Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus)

We evaluated hypotheses of intralacustrine diversification and plastic responses to two diet environments in Icelandic Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). Full-sib families of progeny of wild polymorphic charr from two lakes where morphs vary in their degree of phenotypic and ecological divergence were split, with half of the offspring reared on a benthic and half on a limnetic type of diet to estimate family norms of reaction. We focused on variation in craniofacial traits because they are probably functionally related to diet and complement a previous study of body shape in these charr. A hierarchical analysis of phenotypic variation between lakes, pairs of morphs within each lake, and two families within each morph found that phenotypic variation partitioned between families relative to morphs was reduced in the more ecologically diversified population, which is consistent with adaptive diversification. The effect size of plastic responses between lake populations was similar, suggesting little difference in the degree of canalization in contrast to a previous analysis of body form plasticity. Thus, the role that plastic morphological responses play in the adaptive diversification of morphs and different lake populations of Arctic charr may depend on the trait. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London
Free-radical scavenging capacity and antimicrobial activity of wild edible mushroom from Turkey

Antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activities of Ramaria flava (Schaeff) Quel. (RF) extracts obtained with ethanol were investigated in this study. Four complementary test systems; namely DPPH free radical scavenging, -carotene/linoleic acid systems, total phenolic compounds and total flavonoid concentration have been used. Inhibition values of R. flava extracts, BHA and -tocopherol standards were found to be 94.7, 98.9 and 99.2%, respectively, at 160ƒEg/ml. When compared the inhibition levels of ethanol extract of R. flava and standards in linoleic acid system, it was observed that the higher the concentration of both RF ethanol extract and the standards the higher the inhibition effect. Total flavonoid amount was 8.27}0.28 ƒEg mg-1 quercetin equivalent while the total phenolic compound amount was 39.83}0.32 ƒEg mg-1 pyrocatechol equivalent in the ethanolic extract. The ethanol extract of R. flava inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria better than Gram-negative bacteria and yeast. The crude extract showed no antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Morganella morganii and Proteus vulgaris. The antimicrobial activity profile of R. flava against tested strains indicated that Micrococcus flavus, Micrococcus luteus and Yersinia enterocolitica was the most susceptible bacteria of all the test strains. R. flava was found to be inactive against Candida albicans.
Distribution of the Chysoperla carnea complex in southern Spain (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

Abstract Common green lacewings are major candidates for use in IPM programs because they are distributed worldwide, have a wide host plant and prey range, can be easily mass cultured, manipulated using food sprays and overwintering boxes, and pesticide tolerant populations have been identified. Although a lot of work has been carried out on Chrysopidae, but regarding the many gaps in their natural history, green lacewings are little known insects, and even their taxonomic status – at least that of the most important taxon Chysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836) – is uncertain. It is instead of a polymorphic single species, a complex of cryptic species, the Chrysoperla carnea complex or carnea-group. In present contribution composition of the natural Ch. carnea population was investigated in order to establish systematic bases for biological control studies in olive groves of Spain. Our results based on 1158 adult lacewings, represent the biggest number of Ch. carnea complex specimens ever identified in Spain. Ch. agilis predominated with its 72.1% value. It was followed by Ch. carnea s.str. (11.6%), Ch. lucasina (5%), Ch affinis (1.4%). Regarding the number of captured specimens, it seems that Ch. agilis is the dominant species whose impact on olive moth caterpillars the greatest can be. The abundance and frequency of Ch. affinis was the smallest, and the other sibling species with their 5-12% frequency can have only more modest role in biological control of P. oleae.