Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new species of Largocephalosaurus (Diapsida: Saurosphargidae), with implications for the morphological diversity and phylogeny of the group

Abstract Largocephalosaurus polycarpon Cheng et al. 2012a was erected after the study of the skull and some parts of a skeleton and considered to be an eosauropterygian. Here we describe a new species of the genus, Largocephalosaurus qianensis, based on three specimens. The new species provides many anatomical details which were described only briefly or not at all in the type species, and clearly indicates that Largocephalosaurus is a saurosphargid. It differs from the type species mainly in having three premaxillary teeth, a very short retroarticular process, a large pineal foramen, two sacral vertebrae, and elongated small granular osteoderms mixed with some large ones along the lateral most side of the body. With additional information from the new species, we revise the diagnosis and the phylogenetic relationships of Largocephalosaurus and clarify a set of diagnostic features for the Saurosphargidae Li et al. 2011. Largocephalosaurus is characterized primarily by an oval supratemporal fenestra, an elongate dorsal ‘rib-basket’, a narrow and elongate transverse process of the dorsal vertebrae, and the lack of a complete dorsal carapace of osteoderms. The Saurosphargidae is distinct mainly in having a retracted external naris, a jugal–squamosal contact, a large supratemporal extensively contacting the quadrate shaft, a leaf-like tooth crown with convex labial surface and concave lingual surface, a closed dorsal ‘rib-basket’, many dorsal osteoderms, a large boomerang-like or atypical T-shaped interclavicle. Current evidence suggests that the Saurosphargidae is the sister-group of the Sauropterygia and that Largocephalosaurus is the sister-group of the Saurosphargis–Sinosaurosphargis clade within the family.
Morfoanatomia comparada dos frutos em desenvolvimento de Vernonia brevifolia Less. e V. herbacea (Vell.) Rusby (Asteraceae)

In this work, the morphology, anatomy and ontogeny of the pericarp and pappus of Vernonia herbacea and V. brevifolia were described. Both species are very similar, possessing inferior, bicarpellate, syncarpous and unilocular ovary. In the pericarp formation, none region is multiplicative. The exocarp is uniseriate and recovered by thin cuticle. Long, multicellular and bisseriate non-glandular trichomes were observed, which persisted until maturity; capitate glandular trichomes are caducous. The outer mesocarp is composed of two or three fiber layers in V. herbacea, and only one in V. brevifolia, in both it accumulates prismatic crystals. In both species, the inner mesocarp is parenchymatous. Collateral vascular bundles occur immersed between outer and inner mesocarp. The endocarp is uniseriate, presenting two or three layers in the carpel fusing regions only. In the pericarp apical portion, there is a protuberance at the double pappus insertion, composed by lignified cells, some of them projected peripherally. At the fruit base, there is a carpopodium; in V. herbacea it is bigger and has druses and styloids; in V. brevifolia it is reduced and there is no crystals. At maturity, the pericarp of both species is dehydrated in such way that the cell layers are collapsed, and it is possible to distinguish only some exocarp cells and non-glandular trichomes, the outer mesocarpic fibers and crystals, and the xylem of vascular bundles.
Anatomia ecológica de Sebastiania commersoniana (Baillon) Smith & Downs (Euphorbiaceae) submetida ao alagamento

In the woods along the Tibagi River hydrographical basin, in areas subject to periodical flooding, the incidence of S. commersoniana is usual, it often becoming the prevailing species. Plants of this species were kept in well drained and flooded soils for two months, in order to explain some aspects of tolerance to waterlogging. After this period, some plants were returned to the well drained soil in order to check the species behaviour in the re-aeration period. In the roots, flooding induced, an increase of intercellular spaces as well as a thickening of the cortex, and a reduction in the thickeness of the central cylinder. Flooded plants grew less than the control ones, and developed hypertrophic lenticels and some adventitious roots. The re-aired plants recovered in growth. It can be suggested that the morphoanatomical modifications observed are important to explain the tolerance of this species to flooding, if we take into consideration the obtained results, together with those obtained in the literature about floristic and phytosociology, as well as in that dealing with biochemistry.
Protein biomarkers to distinguish oat and lucerne races of the stem nematode, Ditylenchus dipsaci, with quarantine significance for Western Australia

The stem and bulb nematode, Ditylenchus dipsaci, is a serious pest of forage, horticultural and other crops. The two races of D. dipsaci that occur in Australia are the oat and lucerne races. These two races have the 'normal' morphology compared to the 'giant' type that attacks Vicia faba. The oat and lucerne races have been found in eastern Australia but not in Western Australia. There are no morphological or specific molecular tests to differentiate races within closely related 'normal' types of D. dipsaci. The aim of this work was to find protein biomarkers that would differentiate oat and lucerne races of D. dipsaci using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS), 2-D PAGE and associated proteomics techniques. Three protein biomarkers at m/z 4313 ± 0.1%, 6300 ± 0.1% and 7460 ± 0.1% were found that discriminate the oat and lucerne races of D. dipsaci using MALDI-TOFMS. The biomarker at m/z 4313 ± 0.1% was the prominent race-specific marker for the lucerne race and is almost absent in the oat race. In addition, proteomic maps were obtained by 2-D PAGE of proteins extracted from oat and lucerne races of D. dipsaci. This analysis allowed a comparison of acetone soluble proteins of oat and lucerne races of D. dipsaci. A prominent protein spot was identified with an isoelectric point (pI) of about 5 and molecular mass ca 4.5 kDa for the lucerne race, which was absent in the oat race. This particular protein was trypsin-digested and analysed by MALDI-TOFMS and MALDI-TOF-TOFMS. The resultant spectra of peptide mass fingerprints (PMF) showed two major peptides at m/z 845 ± 0.1%, 916 ± 0.1% and a less intense peptide at m/z 1258 ± 0.1%. De novo sequencing and MS/MS interpreted amino acid sequences are presented.
Systematic studies of the Costa Rican moss salamanders, genus Nototriton, with descriptions of three new species

Study of allozyme variation, external morphology, and osteology reveals that there are more species of moss salamanders (genus Nototriton) in Costa Rica than the two currently recognized. The three species for which names are available are valid, and new diagnoses are presented for them; three additional species are described. The phylogenetic relationships and biogeography of the six species are investigated. The radiation of Nototriton in present-day Costa Rica has involved miniaturization accompanied by both morphological and ecological specialization. Costa Rican species inhabit moss-mats and leaf-litter; most of the remaining species in the genus are bromeliad-dwellers. The revised genus Nototriton includes two Mexican, one Guatemalan (another, detected in the present study, remains undescribed), two Honduran, and six Costa Rican species. The six Costa Rican species appear to form a monophyletic group, but the phylogenetic relationships of the two northern species groups to each other and to the southern group remain uncertain.
Suitability of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) as single host plant for the leaf‐footed bug Leptoglossus zonatus Dallas (Het., Coreidae)

The leaf‐footed bug Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Het., Coreidae) was reared in Nicaragua on a diet consisting of unripe physic nut (Jatropha curcas L., Euphorbiaceae) fruit only. The suitability of this host plant is described by the mortalities in the developmental stages from egg to adult, which are presented in a life table, and the durations of the different stages. Pre‐oviposition time, number of ovipositions and total number of eggs per female are given. Biometric measurements of all instars were made. Protein, oil and water content of fresh physic nut fruit were measured throughout a whole year. The results show that physic nut is a highly suitable host plant, which can maintain populations of this insect pest throughout the whole year as fruit are constantly present with only little fluctuation in their nutritional quality.
Disturbance Effects on Small Mammal Species in a Managed Appalachian Forest

ABSTRACT Forestry practices result in a range of levels of disturbance to forest ecosystems, from clearcutting and deferment (high disturbance) to single-tree selection cutting and unharvested forests (low disturbance). We investigated the effects of timber harvest and disturbance on small mammal species in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. In 2003 and 2004, mammals were captured using Sherman box traps, individually marked, and released. We collected habitat data in 2004 to characterize macrohabitat at the stand level and microhabitat surrounding each trap. Trap success was significantly higher in disturbed habitats than undisturbed habitats for red-backed vole Myodes (Clethrionomys) gapperi (P = 0.0012) and woodland jumping mouse Napaeozapus insignis (P = 0.0221). Abundance estimated using the Jolly-Seber method was significantly higher in disturbed habitats for red-backed voles (P = 0.0001). Adult northern short-tailed shrews Blarina brevicauda (P = 0.0001) and white-footed and deer mice Peromyscus spp. (P = 0.0254) weighed more in disturbed habitats. Small mammal distribution was strongly influenced by microhabitat factors, which differed substantially within stands. Leaf litter depth was a significant microhabitat factor for four of the five species analyzed, with red-backed voles (P = 0.0001), woodland jumping mice (P = 0.0001), Peromyscus spp. (P = 0.0055), and eastern chipmunks Tamias striatus (P = 0.0007) all preferring shallow leaf litter. These small mammal species responded neutrally or favorably to disturbance, and identified favorable microhabitat features regardless of stand type.
Body Characteristics of White Leghorn Pullets Housed in Cages and Floor Pens

Abstract COMPARISONS of cage and floor pen housing for laying pullets have been made by Temperton and Dudley (1948), Gowe (1956), Froning and Funk (1958), Bailey et al. (1959), Kurnick et al. (1958), Francis et al. (1961) and Johnson and Len (1961). The results of these studies have included feed conversion, mortality, production, and various egg quality factors. The effects of the housing methods upon body characteristics were reported by Jeffrey and Britt (1941) and Temperton and Dudley (1948). Jeffrey and Britt observed a marked atrophy of the heart, liver and gizzard in S.C. White Leghorn pullets housing in cages in contrast to similar birds housed in floor pens for laying season. These workers did not weigh the organs separately or relate the weight of the organs to body weight. They also observed the cage birds to be much fatter and to have larger combs. Temperton and Dudley (1948) are in …
BIOGEOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE JAVAN LEOPARD PANTHERA PARDUS BASED ON A CRANIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Abstract The leopard, Panthera pardus, occurs on Java, Indonesia, but is absent from Sumatra and Borneo, the islands that lie between Java and the rest of the leopard's geographic range. Recent molecular research has suggested that Javan leopards are a distinct taxon that split off from other Asian leopards hundreds of thousands of years ago, which raises the question of how the species arrived on Java but apparently bypassed Borneo and Sumatra. I have further investigated this issue by linking the results of a morphometric analysis of 121 leopard skulls to my palaeoenvironmental reconstructions for the region. The results suggest that the Javan leopard is craniometrically distinct from leopards from the rest of Asia. I hypothesize that in the Middle Pleistocene (about 800 × 103 years ago) leopards migrated to Java from South Asia across a land bridge that bypassed Sumatra and Borneo. During the last glacial maximum, when Java, Borneo, and Sumatra were connected, leopards could not survive on either Borneo or Sumatra because of the islands' relatively low ungulate biomass and competition from other large carnivores that were better adapted to tropical evergreen forest habitat.
Taxonomie bekannter und neuer Ceratocystis-Arten an Eiche (Quercus robur L.) Institut für Pflanzenschutz im Forst der Biologischen Bundesanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft Braunschweig

Taxonomy of known and new species of Ceratocystis from oak (Quercus robur L.) A description is given of six species of the ascomycetous genus Ceratocystis isolated from Quercus robur L. in Poland. Two of these — Ceratocystis grandicarpa sp. nov. and C. prolifera sp. nov. — are described as new species based on the characteristics of their ascospores, ascocarps and conidial states in culture; Ceratocystis introcitrina Olchow. & Reid, C. moniliformis (Hedge.) C. Moreau, C. piceae (Munch) Bakshi and C. stenoceras (Robak) C. Moreau were isolated more or less frequently from oak xylem. Zusammenfassung Es wird die Beschreibung von sechs Ceratocystis-hrten gegeben, die in Polen aus dem Holz stehender Stieleichen isoliert worden sind. Neben den bekannten Formen von Ceratocystis introcitrina Olchow. & Reid, C. moniliformis (Hedge.) C. Moreau, C. piceae (Munch) Bakshi und C. stenoceras (Robak) C. Moreau werden Ceratocystis grandicarpa sp. nov. und C. prolifera sp. nov. als neue Arten vorgestellt.
Variable Spawning Activity and Annual Fecundity of Weakfish in Chesapeake Bay

Abstract In all, 1,403 weakfish Cynoscion regalis were collected in 1991 and 1992 from commercial fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay region. Female gonads were examined macroscopically and histologically. Weakfish showed a strong diel periodicity in spawning activity, with almost all fish spawning at dusk. Although fish spawned from May through August, spawning activity varied within season and between years. Spawning activity decreased in late June and early July in both 1991 and 1992, but increased again in late July only in 1991. Spawning activity within and between years showed a temporal pattern similar to that of body condition, as measured by Fulton's condition factor. Batch fecundities ranged from 75,289 to 517,845 eggs/female and significantly increased with both total length and somatic weight. Spawning frequency was higher in 1991 (once every 2–3 d) than in 1992 (once every 12–13 d), leading to an average annual fecundity of 7.4 million eggs/female in 1991 and 1.8 million eggs/female in 1992.
Microproagation of Fluted pumkin by Enhanced Axilary shoot formation

In a bid to develop protocols for micropropagation of fluted pumkin (Telfairia occidentalis), single node cuttings of two genotypes, Telfairia occidentalis white and Telfairia occidentalis orange (ToW-1 and ToR-1 respectively) were cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium but with four different combinations of kinetin and naphthalene acetic acid concentrations. The highest number of nodes per plantlet was obtained in the medium containing l=litre2.0mg/1 kinetin which indicates suitability for micropropagation purposes. There was however, lack of root formation. Premature senescence was also significantly predminant in ToR-1 relative to ToW1. Optimum medium for Telfairia micropropagation appears to be genotype dependent. Key Words: Telfairia, micropropagation.
Effects of aphids Myzus persicae on the changes of Ca2+ and H2O2 flux and enzyme activities in tobacco

In order to understand the continuous defense reactions of host plants against insect attack, a tobacco variety G140 was infested by tobacco aphid Myzus persicae for 2 h to 5 d. The changes of transmembrane ionic fluxes (Ca2+) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were detected by the technique of noninvasive micro-test and their relationship was further studied. It was found that H2O2 accumulation depended on Ca2+ influx. Ca2+ flux exhibited a strong influx at all infestation periods by aphids, while H2O2 showed an efflux behavior. The slight variation tendency of Ca2+ influx and H2O2 efflux was consistent. The activities of the corresponding defense proteins, peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme, were enhanced to respond to the insect attacks, much higher than those tobacco in control. The Ca2+ influx and H2O2 efflux, as well as the activities of POD and CAT enzymes, were increased in a long period of aphid feeding. It indicated that a continuous physiological response of tobacco to aphid infestation could be initiated and lasted for a long time.
The Effects of Dietary Yeast Culture or Short‐chain Fructo‐oligosaccharides on the Intestinal Autochthonous Bacterial Communities in Juvenile Hybrid Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus♀×Oreochromis aureus♂

The effects of dietary yeast culture (YC) or short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on intestinal autochthonous bacterial communities in juvenile hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus♀×Oreochromis aureus♂ were studied by 16S rDNA denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Ninety Tilapias in tanks (10 fish per tank) were randomly and equally divided into three groups. At the end of an 8-wk feeding period of CK (the control treatment), YC (3 g/kg), or FOS (1 g/kg), autochthonous gut bacteria were analyzed in intestinal samples of all fish in each tank of a recirculating aquaculture system. The clear differences in the banding patterns indicated the obvious effects of dietary prebiotics on intestinal communities in hybrid tilapia. Higher variation was detected within the dietary YC group. This difference might be due to the effects of certain immune-stimulating agents in YC on the immunity response of hybrid tilapia. It was concluded that dietary prebiotics, YC, and FOS obviously affected the intestinal bacterial community in hybrid tilapia with different patterns for different kinds.
Survival time of unfed, first-instar western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and the effects of soil type, moisture, and compaction on their mobility in soil.

If soil factors at the time of hatch significantly influence the survival time of newly eclosed rootworm larvae or their ability to move through the soil to host roots, monitoring significant factors may provide an opportunity to improve predictions of economic damage. Survival time of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte was reduced at less than 100% RH and as temperature increased. Larvae moved farthest in loam soil with 24 and 30% moisture (−0.38 and −0.13 bars). Movement was restricted in wet soil (36%, or −0.05 bar) and in soil with 18% moisture or less. Larvae moved more than three times farther through silty clay or loam than through loamy sand. Movement through loam soil at a matric potential −0.38 bar was unaffected by bulk densities of 1.2 to 1.8 g/cc, and at least 5% of larvae moved to the farthest section of the test chamber at all bulk densities within 6 h under these conditions. Larvae survived for sufficient time in the soil to reach roots under most soil conditions. When soil is very wet or dry, increased mortality or decreased movement can reduce larval establishment.
On a saddled snake eel Pisodonophis semicinctus (Osteichthyes: Ophichthidae) trawled in the Strait of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea)

The occurrence in the Strait of Sicily of the saddled snake eel, Pisodonophis semicinctus (Osteichthyes: Ophichthidae), a rare finding for the Mediterranean Sea, is confirmed on the basis of one specimen caught off the northern coast of Tunisia in 1991. The specimen, 800 mm in total length and 457 g in body weight (preserved condition), was captured during a commercial bottom trawl hauled at 30 m next to Cape Bon (north of Tunisia). This represents the second and fourth documented record of this Atlantic intruder within the Strait of Sicily and the Mediterranean Sea, respectively.
Quantitative determination of trans- 10-Hydroxy-2-Decenoic Acid (10-HDA) in Brazilian royal jelly and commercial products containing royal jelly

Summary We report the analysis of Brazilian commercial bee products using high performance liquid chromatography, and a faster method, to detect trans-10-Hydroxy-2-Decenoic Acid or 10-Hydroxy-2-E-decenoic acid (10-HDA) in royal jelly. Determination was carried out using aqueous phosphoric acid 0.1% (pH 2.5)/methanol (50/50) as the mobile phase, and a LiChrospher® RP-18 column with detection at 215 nm. A good linearity was shown between the concentration of 10-HDA and peak area in the concentration range of 5.0–50.0 mg/L (r 0.99, n = 5). The within-day and between-day relative standard deviation (RSD) were1 % and 3 %, respectively.
Growth and Yield Response of Phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.) to Various Pruning Intensities and Dates

The effect of different pruning intensities as factor-A and various pruning dates as factor-B on the production of phalsa was checked. Pruning levels significantly affected the days taken to sprouting, flowering, fruit setting, number of branches/plant, length of branches, number of fruit clusters/plant and weight of clusters. Among different pruning intensities, 100 cm gave maximum number of clusters/plant (1771) and also the highest yield/plant (18.41 kg). Various pruning dates significantly affected the days taken to sprouting, number of leaves/branch and number of branches/plant. Pruning at 22 Dec. produced maximum number of fruit clusters/plant (1660) and the highest yield/plant
Indicadores de Calidad de la Materia Orgánica del Suelo en un Andisol Cultivado

A B S T R A C T Agricultural practices influence the dynamics of soil organic matter (MOS) and its fractions. In this study, the following labile fractions of soil organic matter were determined: free light fraction (FLL), intraaggregate light fraction (FLI), microbial biomass and mineralized C-CO2, on volcanic soil with different rotations, and later their use was evaluated as biological indicators of the impact of agricultural practices on the soil. The study was carried out in an eight year field experiment, with different productive systems (rotations) in a randomized complete block design. The FLL was determined by density fractionation with NaI (1.8 g cm –3 ), and FLI was obtained by sonication (1,500 J s -1 ). Microbial biomass was quantified using the chloroform fumigation-incubation (FI) technique, and the basal soil respiration (C-CO2 evolution) was determined by incubation for a 10-day period. Increased soil use intensity decreased (P ≤ 0.05) C and N FLL contents, from 1.69 g C-FLL kg -1 soil (5-year rotation with alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.), to 0.49 g C-FLL kg -1 (annual crop rotation). However, these contents in FLI did not show a clear and consistent tendency (P ≤ 0.05). Soil biomass C and N decreased (P ≤ 0.05) with higher soil use intensity, from 551 to 264 ∝g C-CO2 g soil -1 and from 106 to 35 ∝g N-(NO3 - + NH4 + ) g soil -1 , respectively. The three studied indices were appropriate indicators to determine changes in soil organic matter quality as a result of agricultural practices.
A molecular phylogeny of the Cephalaspidea sensu lato (Gastropoda: Euthyneura): Architectibranchia redefined and Runcinacea reinstated

The monophyly and phylogenetic relationships of the Cephalaspidea sensu lato (sensu Burn and Thompson 1998 ) have been investigated by means of Bayesian, parsimony and distance analyses of nuclear (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) genes.