Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Olfactory responses to steroids in an African mouth-brooding cichlid, Haplochromis burtoni (Gunther)

Underwater electro-olfactogram (EOG) recordings involving 150 steroids and eight prostaglandins were used to determine which of these potential odorants are detected by the olfactory organ of an African cichlid, Haplochromis burtoni. In initial EOG tests at 10 -9 M, H. burtoni did not respond to unconjugated steroids or prostaglandins, but did respond to 17 conjugated steroids, 11 of which (17β-oestradiol-17β-glucuronide; 17β-oestradiol-3-sulphate; 17β-oestradiol-3,17β-disulphate; epiandrosteron-3p-sulphate; etiocholanolone-3α-glucuronide; testosterone-17β-sulphate; dehydroepiandrosterone-3β-sulphate; 5α-pregnan-3β-ol-20-one-3β-sulphate; 5β-pregnan-3α,17-diol-20-one-3α-glucuronide; 5β-pregnan-3α, 17,21-triol-11,20-dione-3α-glucuronide; pregnenolone-3p-sulphate) were selected for EOG concentration-response, cross-adaptation and binary mixture tests. The EOG detection thresholds ranged from 10 -11 to 10 -9 M in all but one instance (female threshold to pregnenolone-3p-sulphate; 10 -8 M), and males and females exhibited only minor differences in EOG threshold or response magnitude. Results of EOG cross-adaptation tests, which were supported by results of binary mixture tests, indicated that the response to the 11 steroid conjugates is mediated by five putative olfactory receptor mechanisms characterized by specificity for conjugate position and type: 3-sulphate, 17-sulphate, 3,17-disulphate, 3-glucuronide, 17-glucuronide. Although there is no evidence that H. burtoni releases, or exhibits biological response to, the steroids shown to be detected in this study, the present results are suggestive of a complex pheromone system utilizing steroid conjugates.
Using microcosms to study gene transfer in aquatic habitats

Aquatic habitats are important potential sites for gene transfer between indigenous bacteria and released genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs). Legislation governing GEM release, and other practical considerations, have resulted in microcosms, of varying complexity, being used to study gene transfer in aquatic environments. This article reviews these microcosms, with particular emphasis on the more complex designs and, where possible, compares gene transfer results obtained in them with in situ studies. We conclude that microcosms can give results that are consistent with those obtained in situ and thus can be relied upon to give realistic predictions of in situ behaviour.
Partial and complete replacement of fish meal with gambusia meal in diets for red tilapia 'Oreochromis niloticus × O. mossambicus'

A 12-week experiment was conducted to evaluate the suitability of gambusia (Gambusia affinis) fish meal (GFM) as a partial and complete substitute for the protein supplied by herring fish meal (HFM) in diets for red tilapia fingerlings (mean weight 0.42 g). Seven isonitrogenous (35% crude protein), isolipidic (9% fat) and isoenergetic (15.9 kJ DE-g )1 diets were formulated in which GFM replaced 0.0, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90 and 100% of the protein supplied by HFM. In general, GFM exhibited good potential as a substitute for HFM in red tilapia diets with no adverse effects on growth, feed efficiency, body composition, blood parameters or apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein and gross energy compared with the HFM-based control diet. Growth performance (in terms of final weight, weight gain, per cent increase in weight and growth rate) of fish fed diets containing GFM at 25 or 50% level of replacement for HFM-protein (diets 3 and 4) was statistically higher than for fish fed diets containing GFM at replacement levels >50%. Diet 4 had the best economic efficiency of fish weight gain. Partial or complete substitution of GFM for HFM did not affect feed utilization efficiency (in terms of FCR, FER, PER and APU) or digestibility coefficients of dry matter, protein and gross energy compared with those of the HFM-based diet. Apparent protein digestibility varied little between diets, ranging from 84.2 to 87.3% with no significant differences. Survival of fish fed all the experimental diets (except for fish fed GFM at 90 or 100% level of replacement for HFM-protein) was comparable with that of fish fed the control diet and ranged from 91.7 to 98.3%.
The Effect of Temperature and Nematode Species On Interactions Between the Nematophagous Fungus Verticillium Chlamydosporium and Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne Spp.)

Optimal growth and sporulation on agar of an isolate of Verticillium chlamydosporium occurred at 32°C and 22°C, respectively. Differences in the numbers of colony-forming units isolated from the root surface of tomato plants grown at different temperatures reflected the rate of hyphal growth on agar. However, the numbers of colony-forming units in soil at different temperatures was related to the effect of temperature on sporulation in vitro; the fungus was most abundant in soil at 22°C, which was the optimal temperature for sporulation. After one nematode generation the most extensive root colonisation occurred at 20°C followed by 25 and 30°C. As a result, egg-masses exposed on the root surface were most extensively colonised at 20°C followed by 25 and 30°C. Total egg and juvenile counts showed that greatest control of Meloidogyne was achieved at 25°C (c 90%), while control at 20 and 30°C was usually 60-70%. The lower level of control by V. chlamydosporium at 20°C may result from a reduced proportion of nematode egg-masses exposed on the root surface at this temperature. Eggs of M. arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica were equally susceptible to parasitism by V. chlamydosporium. Of these three species, M. arenaria induced large galls and formed large egg-masses while M. incognita and M. javanica induced small galls and formed small egg-masses at 20°C. The end result was that control with V. chlamydosporium was approximately the same for the three nematode species.
Experimental manipulation of habitat structure: a retrogression of the small mammal succession

Summary 1 The habitat accommodation model for animal succession proposed that animal species enter a succession when changes in the vegetation succession reach a threshold of habitat suitable to that species. As the vegetation succession moves on, the habitat becomes less suited to that species and it is competitively excluded by species better suited to the habitat. 2 The main species in the mammalian succession following fire for wet heath in eastern Australia are rodents, with Pseudomys gracilicaudatus (eastern chestnut mouse) being followed by Rattus lutreolus (swamp rat) which becomes dominant with increasing time since fire. The abundance of both species has been shown to correlate with vegetation density, but in markedly different ways, and asymmetric interspecific competition has been demonstrated using controlled, replicated removal experiments in the field. 3 We used this system to examine if vegetation density is causal, manipulating the habitat by clipping to remove 60–70% of the vegetative cover from the 10 m × 10 m area surrounding each of six trapping stations on each grid. There were four experimental plots clipped, each with two abutting grids, one clipped and one unclipped, and a further four control plots each with two abutting grids that remained undisturbed. 4 We monitored the effects on each species with three censuses in January 1993 (summer) before clipping in early February, and on five further censuses, three in February (late summer) to assess immediate, short-term effects, one in August (winter) and one in December 1993 (early summer). 5 The abundance of Rattus lutreolus was significantly reduced by clipping the vegetation, while the abundance of Pseudomys gracilicaudatus remained relatively unchanged by the clipping. 6 Two species that are abundant on early succession stages in dry heath succession, but occurred at very low abundance on these wet heath habitats before clipping, P. novaehollandiae (New Holland mouse) and Mus domesticus (house mouse), showed marked increases in abundance on clipped and control plots soon after clipping. 7 An abundance index based on the standardized difference between clipped and control plots, was used to assess responses to habitat manipulation. Rattus lutreolus demonstrated significant negative index values, Pseudomys gracilicaudatus had index values close to zero until the winter census, P. novaehollandiae and Mus domesticus showed positive abundance indices soon after clipping. The order of significant responses to the habitat manipulation was revealed as: Mus domesticusPseudomys novaehollandiae P. gracilicaudatus Rattus lutreolus. 8 The impact of a habitat manipulation experiment on these four species of rodents produced a retrogression of the small-mammal succession. This demonstrated a causal role for vegetation density, which provided insight into the mechanisms that operate during the succession following fire, and supported the habitat accommodation model for animal succession.
Evaluation of Three Hard Red Spring Wheat Crosses for Heterosis 1

Information on heterosis in wheat was summarized by Briggle (3). Theories on the genetic basis for heterosis and their implications also have been reviewed extensively by many workers (5) . Sinnott, Dunn, and Dobzhansky (9) state, "whether or not there is any heterosis at all in normally self-pollinated plants is an open problem. " However, the review by Briggle (3) and data reported by Briggle et al. (4) indicate that heterosis does occur in wheat.
Effect of sward height during late pregnancy on intake and performance of continuously stocked June- and August-lambing ewes

Herbage organic matter intake (OMI), grazing behaviour and ewe and lamb production were measured during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy in 2-year-old and mixed-age Border LeicesterxRomney ewes due to lamb in June (winter) or August (spring). The intake of herbage (averaged across lambing date groups) was 1.4¦0.1, 1.71¦0.1, 1.7¦0.1 and 1.9 9¦0.1 kg OM ewe-1 day-1 (mean ¦ s.e.m., P < 0.01) for ewes continuously stocked on 10-year-old ryegrass (L. perenne) and white clover (T. repens) pastures maintained at sward surface heights (SSH) of 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 cm respectively. Ewes that were in a good body condition score achieved their required daily intake of energy at a SSH of 2.0 cm. Relative to ewes on the 8.0 cm SSH treatment, those on the 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 cm SSH treatments attempted to increase intake by increasing grazing duration rather than biting rate. Ewe liveweight, condition score, midside wool growth rate and mean fibre diameter were not affected by sward surface height in either lambing group. There was no within season effect of SSH on lamb birthweight, but lambs born in June were lighter than lambs born in August (4.4k0.2 v. 5.3¦0.2 kg, P < 0.001). This trial has shown that, at the same SSH, June-lambing pregnant ewes achieve a similar daily herbage intake to that of August-lambing ewes. A target SSH of 2.0 cm during the last month of pregnancy was shown to be appropriate for both August- and June-lambing ewes in good condition. However, for August-lambing ewes in poor condition, a SSH of 2.0 cm at this stage of pregnancy would be detrimental to overall production, particularly in terms of ewe liveweight loss.
The Lophius budegassa component of monkfish catches in Scottish waters

Laurenson, C. H. , Dobby, H. , and McLay, H. A. 2008. The Lophius budegassa component of monkfish catches in Scottish waters. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1346-1349.To date, research efforts on Lophius species in waters around Scotland (ICES Divisions IVa, VIa, and VIb) have focused almost exclusively on Lophius piscatorius. Here, the characteristics and distribution of the Lophius budegassa component of the catch are described using data collected by observers during commercial fishing trips and scientific surveys on chartered commercial fishing vessels between 1998 and 2006. At Rockall Bank (VIb), L. budegassa were rare, just 0.1% of the catch of Lophius spp. , whereas west of Scotland (VIa) and around the Shetland Islands (IVa), they made up 18 and 2% of catches, respectively, with greatest prevalence towards the shelf edge. Fish length ranged from 16 to 89 cm with a modal length at 40 cm. Greater proportions of large individuals were recorded around the Shetland Islands than in other parts of the study area. Overall, the sex ratio was 1:1, and lengths at 50% maturity were estimated to be 70.4 cm for females and 49.4 cm for males.
FEEDING OF NEOMYSIS MERCEDIS (HOLMES)

The diet of the opossum shrimp, Neomysis mercedis, in the Sacramento River Estuary was studied in relation to food availability, i.e., plankton, from January through November, 1976. The composition of the diet of N. mercedis varied in relation to mysid size and prey availability. Mysids exhibited strong positive selection for the large diatom prey species while "avoiding" small diatom prey. Although diatoms were the most abundant prey identified from the guts of specimens of N. mercedis it was determined that predation on rotifers and copepods accounted for > 80% of the energy consumed by other-than-juvenile mysids (≥7 mm in length). Juvenile mysids (≤ 3 mm in length) ingested rotifers when rotifers were abundant but were not found to consume copepods. Laboratory feeding experiments indicate a density-dependent feeding by N. mercedis on copepods, i.e., as copepod density increases mysid predation on copepods also increases. Feeding observations indicate that N. mercedis is not a particularly active predat.
Vimentin-Immunoreactivity in the Developing Striatum of the Rat

Postnatal development of vimentin positive and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive elements in the striatum of the rat was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Regional and chronological differences in the transformation of vimentin-positive radial glial cells were observed in the dorsal and ventral striatum. In the dorsal striatum, unwinding of the fasciculus of vimentin-positive fine fibers from the periphery toward the more central region of the striatum was observed from postnatal day (P) 3 to P7. In the ventral striatum, however, a fragmented transformation characterized by the segmental disappearance of vimentin-positive radial glial fibers was observed from P3 to P14. On the other hand, GFAP-positive astroglial cells were observed first in the dorsocaudal part of the striatum near the corpus callosum at PO. Numbers of GFAP-positive astroglial cells increased with age, and distribution of these cells extended toward the medial region of the striatum. At P14, these GFAP-positive cells were distributed throughout the striatum, including the dorsal and ventral striatum. These findings indicate that differences in transformation of radial glial cells in the ventral and dorsal striatum may be attributed to differences in neurogenesis and formation of neuronal circuits in the dorsal and ventral striatum. These results provide new insight into the role of radial glial cells in the developing striatum.
Mass Mortality Of Fossil Decapods Within the Monte LeóN Formation (Early Miocene), Southern Argentina: Victims Of Andean Volcanism

Abstract Four exposed planar surfaces within the type area of the Monte León Formation (early Miocene) of southern Patagonia, Argentina, enclose significantly different fossil assemblages positioned in close geographic and stratigraphic proximity to one another. The exposed paleosurfaces were mapped in planar view using a quadrat grid system. Precise fossil position and orientation data, stable isotope thermometry and petrographic analyses, and petrologic and taphonomic evidence suggest an inner-shelf, shallow water habitat, above storm wave base, with a well-oxygenated benthos and weak offshore bottom currents. The rate of sedimentation was generally low, interspersed with periods of non-deposition and sporadic, higher-energy pulses of sediment input. Stable isotope analyses of foraminiferans indicate bottom water temperatures consistent with a modern mid-latitude coastal setting. Two distinctly different assemblages were observed: 1) a relatively diverse, normal marine benthic fauna consisting of bivalves, gastropods, bryozoans, echinoids, and decapods; and 2) a unique assemblage consisting solely of numerous, exceptionally preserved, fully-articulated crabs. These assemblages occur in a one meter interval within the lower-most beds of the Monte León Formation. The occurrence and preservation of large numbers of decapods within the fossil record are rare, making these deposits remarkable. The crab-rich assemblage was stratigraphically positioned below the surfaces containing the normal marine assemblage. The crabs are contained within a slightly compacted, argillaceous volcanic tuff, consisting mostly of volcanic glass shards and euhedral plagioclase grains. Biogenic fragments are noticeably absent from the deposit, unlike sediments collected from the upper surfaces. Most of the crabs were preserved with their third maxillipeds in an open, gaping posture. This is consistent with postures observed in extant crabs suffering from respiratory distress. From the above evidence it is inferred that the fossil crabs were suffocated, killed, and rapidly buried. Supradjacent layers record the re-establishment of normal marine conditions. The apparent faunal disparity observed on the four paleosurfaces within the Monte León Formation is interpreted as representing the initial decimation and eventual re-establishment of the benthic marine fauna following a catastrophic volcanic event.
REPRODUCTIVE INVESTMENT AND OPTIMUM CLUTCH SIZE OF LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES (CARETTA CARETTA)

SUMMARY (1) Data for loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta L.) nesting on the Greek island of Cephalonia were used to develop a model which predicted the optimum clutch size. (2) There was a positive linear relationship between the number of clutches into which eggs could be divided and the total time spent by a nesting turtle on the beach, and hence a negative relationship between the time invested on the beach per egg and clutch size. (3) A previous study indicated that energy expenditure for nesting turtles on land is very high, so there may be a selective pressure to maximize clutch size in order to minimize the energy expended per egg laid. As there appeared to be no counterselective pressures favouring small clutches, clutch size should be constrained by a female's egg-carrying capacity, which in turn could be expected to be related to her body size. Hence, a positive relationship between clutch size and body size was predicted, and was found in the population under study.
Differential gene expression in embryogenic and non-embryogenic clusters from cell suspension cultures ofCoffea arabica

Summary Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a very useful system for studying the differentiation process in plants and involves gene regulation at several levels. During SE induction in Coffea arabica cv. Catura Rojo two types of cell clusters, embryogenic (EC) and non-embryogenic (NEC), were observed. The goal of this work was to compare the most relevant characteristics between EC and NEC for a better understanding of the mechanism driving SE. Morphohistological observations indicated a correlation between the morphological features of clusters and their embryogenic competence. On the other hand, no variation at the DNA level, studied by AFLP, were found to explain the disparity in embryogenic competence of clusters, but gene expression, observed by RNA differential display, and SDS-PAGE showed differences that can explain that disparity. Our results lead us to propose that differential gene expression can modulate the embryogenic capacity of coffee cells and that the number of genes turned off in somatic cells to allow for the change from a somatic to an embryogenic state, is higher than those genes that are turned on.
Resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. pelargonii in geranium and diagnosis of the bacterial blight using polymerase chain reaction

Geranium bacterial blight is caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. pelargonii (Xcp). In this study, we tested the susceptibility and resistance of 17 geranium species to infection by Xcp based on both visually scored leaf blight symptoms and bacterial detections with Xcp-specific PCR. The initial symptom observation indicated that most of the tested geraniums are susceptible to Xcp infection with six exceptions of Geranium maderense, G. pratense, G. sanguineum, G. wallichianum, Pelargonium peltatum, and P. regalia. Of these, G. sanguineum showed delayed, mild symptoms and proved tolerant to Xcp infection, whereas the other five species displayed few symptoms and are resistant to the infection. Using PCR, the presence of Xcp bacterium could be detected in G. sanguineum only after the onset of symptoms but was never detected in the five resistant species. In contrast, the presence of the bacterium could be detected from the susceptible Pelargonium plants before the onset of symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the use of both symptom-based assay and PCR for screening geranium bacterial blight resistance.
Observations on the autumn migration of Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae) and other pests in East Central China

Radar, aerial netting and ground sampling were used to study the autumn migration of Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) in Jiangsu Province in east central China. Emigration of macropterous adults increased from late August until late September as the main rice crop matured and was harvested. In early and mid September, the resulting windborne migrations carried the planthoppers mainly towards the west, although the migration directions ranged (within the western sector) from south to north. By late September, however, displacements were predominantly to the south-west on the then prevailing north-east monsoon winds: migration was particularly rapid when the north-easterlies were reinforced by typhoons. Although in late September such movements to more southerly latitudes are essential for the survival of the planthoppers' progeny, we found no definite evidence for preferential emigration on winds blowing towards the south. There were, however, indications that when winds towards the north occurred, the duration of migratory flight was curtailed. Irrespective of any possible preference for migration on northerlies, a large proportion of the N. lugens population would normally be carried in an adaptive southwards direction, because the advent of the north-east monsoon occurs at a time when the number of flight-ready planthoppers approaches its peak.