Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
POLLEN FLORA OF PAKISTAN -XLIX. ZYGOPHYLLACEAE

Pollen morphology of 14 species representing 5 genera of the family Zygophyllaceae from Pakistan has been examined by light and Scanning Electron Microscope. Pollen grains are usually radially symmetrical, isopolar or apolar, 3-polycolporate or pantoporate, prolate-spheroidal to subprolate or prolate often oblate-spheroidal. Sexine thinner or thicker than nexine. Tectum generally coarsely reticulate rarely rugulate - reticulate or foveolate to reticulate often striate. On the basis of tectum types 4 distinct pollen types are recognized viz., Nitrartia retusa, Peganum harmala, Tribulus terrestris and Zygophyllum simplex. Playnological data has been useful at generic and specific level.
Temperature-dependence of enantioselectivity and desymmetrization in the acetylation of 2-mono- and 2,2-di-substituted 1,3-propanediols by a novel lipase isolated from the yeast Cryptococcus spp. S-2

The effect of temperature on enantioselectivity and desymmetrization in the acetylation of 2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol (1a), 2-benzyl-1,3-propanediol (1b), 2-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol (1c) and 2-benzyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (1d) by a novel lipase (CSL) isolated from the yeast Cryptococcus spp. S-2 was studied. Desymmetrization of 1a, 1c and 1d by CSL-catalyzed acetylation was observed in the temperature range of −20°C to 40°C, while diacetylation of 1b occurred considerably even at 0°C. The kinetic parameters of the selectivity indicated that the acetylation of 1a is an entropy controlled process whereas the reaction of 1c and 1d is mainly controlled by the enthalpy term. In the monoacetylation of the diol 1d, the preferred configuration in the enantiomeric induction by CSL was opposite to that of immobilized porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL).
Influence of temperature on the embryonic and post-embryonic development of Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), vector of grapevine Flavescence dorée

The embryonic and post-embryonic development of Scaphoideus titanus, the main vector of grapevine Flavescence dorée, was studied under laboratory conditions, at constant temperatures (T = 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 27, and 29 °C). The data obtained were fitted to the equation of Brière, and the model was validated against independent field data. The minimum cardinal temperature for eggs ranged from 18 to 20 °C, the duration of egg hatching was minimum at T = 24 °C, egg hatchability was optimum at 22 °C, and very few eggs hatched at T ≥ 27 °C. The duration of post-embryonic development clearly shortened as the temperature increased, both overall and within the same life stage, almost half-reducing itself from 18 to 29 °C. Within the same temperature tested, the early instars took less time to moult compared to the late ones. The data obtained provided a significant fit with the equation of Brière. Validation was satisfactory, particularly concerning third instar nymphs and adults, which are the key life instars for targeting integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. The model proposed could be used to predict the development of S. titanus in north-western Italy for IPM purposes.
Hymenoptera as Prey of Robber Flies (Diptera: Asilidae) with New Prey Records

The abundance of Hymenoptera in the insect fauna of the world is reflected in the Asilidae Predator-Prey Database produced by Dr. Robert Lavigne. Of the approximate 58,024 prey in the database, 25,320 are Hymenoptera. Forty seven (47) of the 90 recognized families are represented with 508 genera and 833 species. Apis mellifera L. is widely preyed upon by robber flies and represents 9,538 of the Hymenoptera prey; seven (7) of the 10 subfamilies of robber flies represented by 65 genera, prey upon A. mellifera. Potential explanations for the large number of Hymenoptera and A. mellifera taken by robber flies are provided. The numbers of Hymenoptera prey are examined based on subfamily, genera and species classifications. The most frequently preyed upon genera are referenced. Additionally, new records of Hymenoptera as prey are presented. Among all records, the largest number of genera and species taken as prey belong to the families Ichneumonidae and Sphecidae, respectively.
Phylogenetic relationships of the bumblebees Bombus moderatus, B. albocinctus, B. burjaeticus, B. florilegus and B. cryptarum based on mitochondrial DNA markers: a complex of closely related taxa with circumpolar distribution (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus).

Koniginnen von Bombus moderatus aus Alaska/USA und Alberta/Canada und von B. burjaeticus and B. patagiatus aus dem Russischen Transbaikal wurden an verschiedenen Orten im Fruhjahr gefangen, um kunstliche Kolonien zu zuchten. Zusatzlich wurden Mannchen von B. florilegus in Hokkaido/Japan gesammelt. Teilsequenzen (Lange 1005 bp) mitochondrialer Cytochrome Oxidase Untereinheit I (COI) wurde sequenziert. Zum Vergleich wurden auch Museumsproben von B. albocinctus und B. burjaeticus sequenziert. Die Divergenz der Sequenzen innerhalb der Taxa betragt 1 bis 2 Basen-Substitutionen und die Tamura-Nei Genetische Distanz 0.001–0.002. Die Divergenz der Sequenzen zwischen B. moderatus, B. albocinctus und B. burjaeticus betragt nur 1–5 Basen-Substitutionen und die Tamura-Nei Genetische Distanz 0.001–0.005, wahrend die Divergenz der Sequenzen zwischen B. lucorum, B. magnus, B. patagiatus und B. cryptarum 22-44 Basen Substitutionen betragt und die Tamura-Nei Genetische Distanz 0.027-0.042. Zusatzlich zu den Clustern fur B. lucorum, B. magnus und B. patagiatus zeigt die Topologie des Phylogramms (MrBayes Maximum Likelihood Tree) ein umfangreiches Cluster, in dem B. albocinctus, B. burjaeticus, B. moderatus und B. florilegus vereinigt sind. Da die COI Sequenzen keine Lucken aufweisen, konnen die einzelnen Nukleotide wie homologe Positionen verwendet werden. Jedes Taxon besitzt 8–20 eigene Substitutionen, die als diagnostische Positionen zur Charakterisierung des Taxons verwendet werden konnen. Die Analyse der diagnostischen Positionen der Taxa bestatigt die Topologie des Maximum Likelihood Phylogramms. Um die Lucke zwischen den ostlichsten bekannten Vorkommen von B. cryptarum im Kaukasus und im Elburz und den Vorkommen von B. burjaeticus/ B. albocinctus im Russischen Transbaikal und in Russisch Fernost zu uberbrucken, wurden 12 weitere Museumsproben aus Zentralasiatischen Gebirgen und dem Himalaja sequenziert. Durch Analyse der diagnostischen Positionen der teilweise 100 Jahre alten DNA kann gezeigt werden, dass keine dieser Proben zu B. lucorum gehoren kann, alle bilden ein Cluster mit den Taxa des cryptarum Komplexes.
Evaluation of the growth potential, carcass components and meat quality characteristics of three commercial strains of tom turkeys

SUMMARY An 18-wk experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth potential and carcass component yield of the three major strains of commercial toms grown in the U.S. turkey industry. Hybrid Converter toms grew the fastest during the brooder phase (to 6 wk of age). British United Turkeys (BUT) Big 6 toms grew the fastest during the later stages of growth. Nicholas 700 toms exhibited intermediate growth throughout the trial. There were no significant differences in body weight, feed conversion, livability or carcass component yield between strains at market weight. The final average body weight was 17.1 kg with a 0-to-18-wk feed conversion of 2.49 g:g and 82% livability. The primary cause of mortality was round heart disease. Carcass yield was 75.9% with a boneless, skinless breast yield of 28.6%. The fat content of raw pectoralis major muscle was 1.0% or less for all strains. The breast muscle of BUT toms had less fat when compared to the other strains. Based on this study, choice of strain should depend upon the marketing goals of the company.
Seed Yield Determinants of Sunflower under Drought Stressed and Well Watered Conditions

Associations among morphological and physiological sunflower characters were assessed using path analysis in 2 years. Sixteen sunflower inbred lines were planted in 2 sets of well watered and drought stressed conditions under rainout shelter. Drought stress was imposed by water withholding during flowering stage. Seeds weight and seeds number per head had the highest direct effect on seed yield in drought stressed and well watered conditions respectively. In drought stressed condition proline content followed by plant height, stems diameter, leaf area , relative water content, root length and chlorophyll content and in well watered condition stem diameter, leaf area, root length and chlorophyll content were identified as putative traits for screening of sunflower genotypes. Plant height and stem diameter identified as suitable indicators of root length.
Proximate composition and mineral profile of snail meat from different breeds of land snail in Nigeria.

2 Abstract: Four different breeds of snail, Archachatina Marginata (AM), Achatina Achatina (AA), Achatina Fulica (AF) and Limicolaria species (LM) were analyzed for proximate composition and mineral profile of the snail flesh (foot or edible potion). Proximate analysis of the snail flesh revealed that moisture was highest in LM (84.91%) and least in AM (73.67%). The crude protein contents of the breeds were significantly different from one another (p AA>AF>LM. There was no detection of lead and mercury in any of the samples. The result of the study showed that the African giant land snail, Archachatina marginata, apart from having size advantage is the favoured breed based on its nutritional superiority.
Genetics of Grain Yield in Sorghum Under Striga Stress

Grain yield under striga infestation which provides a measure of field tolerance was estimated in a seven variety F1 and F2 diallel under two fertility levels. Heritability of yield was low under low fertility and moderate under normal fertility. Study of F1 crosses Indicated presence of overdominance for this character. CSV-8R and S-1841 were the good general combiners for grain yield under striga infestation.
Female preferences for long tails constrained by species recognition in short-tailed red bishops

Sexual selection and species recognition both play important roles in mate choice. Typically, females use the relative expression of male sexual traits to select high-quality or attractive mates (sexual selection) of the same species (species recognition). However, when the variation in male trait expression of both conspecifics and heterospecifics overlaps, females potentially face a conflict between sexual selection and mate recognition. Among the highly polygynous and closely related African Euplectes species (widowbirds and bishops), females show a general and open-ended mate preference for extreme male tail length (even in relatively short-tailed species). To evaluate the relative strength and interaction of directional versus stabilizing selection pressures on tail length, we experimentally examined female mating preferences in the red bishop (Euplectes orix), a short-tailed (4 cm) species sympatric with longer tailed widowbirds (tails 7--50 cm). In standardized mate-choice experiments, females preferred naturally long-tailed males (5 cm), were indifferent to controls (4 cm), but discriminated against short-tailed (3 cm) and supernormal-tailed (8 cm) males. Although the naturally small variation in tail length (5%) is unlikely to function as a primary mate-choice cue, these results suggest a generalized female bias for longer tails (within the natural range). However, directional preferences for longer tails may be constrained by selection pressures to avoid heterospecific mating with the closely related and sympatric longer tailed widowbirds. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
IDENTIFICATION OF RAPD MAKERS LINKED TO THE MALE SEX IN DIOECIOUS GINKGO BILOBA L.

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to amplify DNA fragment ,aiming at finding markers linked to the sex determination in Ginkgo biloba L. Of the 158 RAPD bands , only a 1080 bp RAPD marker generated by aprimer (S2) of random sequence ,which was found to be associated with the male plants. which was abundant in AT and also used to design flanking 24-mer oligonucleotide SCAR primers SCS2-1 and SCS2-2. Both of these SCARs amplified a single 1080bp fragment; the same size as the cloned RAPD fragment. This SCAR marker proved to be suitable for precise and rapid identification of male plants in the early stages for breeding programs.
Testing and Improving the Accuracy of Discriminant Function Tests: A Comparison between Morphometric and Molecular Sexing in Macaroni Penguins

Abstract. Dimorphism in various morphological traits is widely used to sex birds. However, when a threshold is set and there is overlap in the distribution of traits between sexes, there will be an error rate. Macaroni Penguins show limited sexual dimorphism in size, with the distributions of most phenotypic traits overlapping between sexes, making using morphological characters for sexing difficult, although bill depth is used in one discrimination test. Two existing DNA-based PCR tests that use different primer pairs (P2/P8 and 2550/2781 ) were adapted for use with fluorescently labelled primers to enable the size of fragments to be accurately measured via genotyping protocols and sex to be determined. The two molecular tests were applied to the same samples to estimate the error rate within and between tests. Whilst both primer pairs reproducibly identified the sex of the penguins under study with no inconsistencies between tests, the P2/P8 primer pair had a higher success rate of amplification. To estimate the error rates of morphometric tests, they were compared with molecular tests, revealing areas of disagreement. Structure in the error indicated a bias near the morphometric discrimination threshold. We suggest that larger sample sizes in discriminant function analyses and calibration with molecular data can be used to estimate the likelihood of misidentification for any particular value of the trait. A description of where error lies can then be used to target the more expensive and time-consuming DNA tests to check individuals that are most likely to be mis-assigned.
The role of soil seed banks in the restoration of dry acidic dune grassland after burning of Ulex europaeus scrub

ABSTRACT Question: Can the seed bank play a significant role in the restoration of plant communities of dry acidic dune grassland where fire has destroyed Ulex europaeus scrub? Location: Northern French Atlantic coast. Methods: One year after the fire, the seed bank and vegetation were sampled in 1 m ×1 m plots along three transects from the oldest scrub vegetation towards the grassland. Differences in species richness, seed density and contribution of ecological groups in the seed bank and vegetation along the transects were analysed. Results: Seed density and species richness in the seed bank decreased significantly from the grassland towards the centre of the scrub vegetation; 50% of the seed bank consisted of core species of the target plant community, such as Carex arenaria, Aira praecox, Rumex acetosella and Agrostis capillaris. Seeds of these species were also found in the deeper soil layers beneath the oldest scrub vegetation, indicating that they can be considered to be long-term persistent. Beneath the youngest scrub vegetation, seeds of rare satellite target species also occurred. However, no target species were established on the burned site after one year, resulting in a large discrepancy between seed bank and vegetation. Conclusions: Although the seeds present in the soil indicate that restoration of the acidic grassland based on the seed bank is possible, additional management actions such as mowing and soil disturbance may be necessary to restrict resprouting of Ulex and to stimulate the germination of seeds of target species in the deeper soil layers. Nomenclature: Lambinon et al. (1998). Abbreviations; DCA = Detrended Correspondence Analysis
The influence of body size and temperature on oxygen consumption of the European eel, Anguilla anguilla

The effect of temperature and body size on oxygen uptake of European eels, Anguilla anguilla, was studied. The mass specific oxygen uptake of large eels was lower at all temperatures than that of small eels. The effect of temperature on metabolism was greater on small eels than on large eels. The relationship between oxygen consumption and body size is described by the equation M = a Wb, where M is metabolism (O2h-1), W is body weight (g), b is the slope of the function which describes the relationship between body weight change and metabolism, and a is the temperature-dependent constant of the equation. In this study it was found that increased temperature caused an increase in a and a decrease in b.
Effect of Foliar Application of Micronutrients on Leaf Composition, Fruit Yield and Quality of Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis Osbeck) Cv. Blood Red

Studies were carried out to see the effect of micronutrients sprays on leaves composition, fruit yield and quality of sweet orange cv. Blood Red. Spraying with micronutrients results in higher concentration of the respective nutrient in the leaves. Application of Zn along with other micronutrients was less effective in increasing Zn concentration of the leaves as compared to faliar application of Zn alone. The foliar application of micronutrients did not effect the level of N, P and K in the leaves. None of the treatments was able to affect fruit yield and quality significantly. The results have been discussed with the help of soil analysis values of the orchard.
Molecular Mapping of Disease Resistance Genes for Halo Blight, Common Bacterial Blight, and Bean Common Mosaic Virus in a Segregating Population of Common Bean

Diseases of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are primary constraints affecting bean production. Information on tagging and mapping of genes for disease resistance is expected to be useful to breeders. The objectives of this study were to develop a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker linkage map using 78 F9 recombinant inbred (RI) lines derived from a Middle-American common bean cross Great Northern Belneb RR-1 (resistant to common bacterial blight (CBB) and halo blight (HB)) x black A 55 (dominant I gene resistance to bean common mosaic potyvirus) and to map genes or QTL (quantitative trait loci) for resistance to CBB, HB, BCMV (bean common mosaic virus), and BCMNV (bean common mosaic necrosis virus) diseases. The RI lines were evaluated for resistance to leaf and pod reactions to Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli (Xcp) (Smith Dye) strain EK-11, leaf reactions to two Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (Psp) (Burkholder) Young et al. (1978) strains HB16 and 83-Sc2A, and BCMV strain US-5 and BCMNV strain NL-3. The linkage map spanned 755 cM, including 90 markers consisting of 87 RAPD markers, one sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR), the I gene, and a gene for hypersensitive resistance to HB 83-Sc2A. These were grouped into 11 linkage groups (LG) corresponding to the 11 linkage groups in the common bean integrated genetic map. A major gene and QTL for leaf resistance to HB were mapped for the first time. Three QTL for leaf reactions to HB16 were found on linkage groups 3, 5, and 10. Four regions on linkage groups 2, 4, 5, and 9, were significantly associated with leaf reactions to HB strain 83-Sc2A. The gene controlling the hypersensitive reaction to HB 83-Sc2A mapped to the same region as the QTL on LG 4. The I locus for resistance to BCMV and BCMNV was mapped to LG 2 at about 1.4 cM from RAPD marker A10.1750. Five and four markers were significantly associated with QTL for resistance to CBB in leaves and pods, respectively, with four of them associated with resistance in both plant organs. A marker locus was discovered on LG 10, W10.550, which could account for 44% and 41% of the phenotypic variation for CBB resistance in leaves and pods, respectively. QTL for resistance in pod to CBB, leaf resistance to HB, and the I gene were linked on LG 2.
Effects of Antimycin and its Neutralizing Agent, Potassium Permanganate, on Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Watershed

AbstractWe assessed the effects of antimycin (Fintrol) on benthic macroinvertebrates during a large Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis restoration project in the southeastern United States. Control and treatment sites were established in first- through fourth-order streams throughout the watershed and below the fish passage barrier where a neutralizing agent (potassium permanganate [KMnO4]) was administered. Hess samples were collected before and after chemical application (short term: 1 and 2 months after; long term: 9 and 12 months after). Analysis of similarity, nonmetric multidimensional scaling, and repeated-measures ANOVA were used to determine differences in assemblage metrics among control, treatment, and neutralization sites over time. Macroinvertebrate communities and their responses to antimycin were different at downstream (third- and fourth-order) sites relative to headwater (first- and second-order) sites. Overall, abundances (especially stonefly and caddisfly abundances) increased after anti.
Effect of Intra- and inter-row mixing of sorghum with two varieties of cowpea on host crop yield in a Striga hermonthica infested field

A trial was conducted in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) research farm in Kano, Nigeria during the 2002/2003 cropping season to evaluate the effect of intrarow and interrow mixing of sorghum with two varieties of cowpea on host crop yield in a Striga hermonthica infested field. Significantly (P≤0.05) highest number of Striga per sorghum plant were obtained with sorghum only, which also have the lowest yield (2370 kg/ha). A significantly (P≤0.05) higher yield (3709 kg/ha) was obtained with intra-row mixture of sorghum and densely planted cowpea variety, IT96D-452-1. This treatment also had the least number of Striga per net plot and per plant, which may be attributed to the effectiveness of the cowpea trap crop in stimulating the suicidal germination of the Striga seeds which would have otherwise attacked and reduced the productivity of the host plant. It may also be attributed to the effectiveness of the cropping method, with a ratio of sorghum : cowpea plants of 1:13, which improves the productivity of the system and at the same time suppresses the germination of Striga seeds. Keywords: Sorghum, yield, Intra-row, inter-row, cowpea, mixed-cropping