Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DNA barcoding of xeniid soft corals (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea: Xeniidae) from Indonesia: species richness and phylogenetic relationships

We conducted the first ever survey of xeniid octocorals in the Indonesian Archipelago, centre of the highly biodiverse Coral Triangle region of the Indo-Pacific. Among 48 xeniid specimens collected from Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, we identified 26 morphospecies belonging to six genera based on assessment of the morphological characters traditionally used for xeniid taxonomy. Multilocus DNA barcodes obtained from 23 morphospecies clustered into 21 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) separated by average genetic distance values >0.3%. The overall concordance between morphospecies and MOTUs was 91%; just one pair and one trio of morphospecies were not distinguished by the DNA barcodes. A molecular phylogenetic reconstruction of family Xeniidae based on four loci (COI, mtMutS, ND2, 28S rDNA) supported the distinction of Anthelia and Cespitularia+Efflatounaria from all other xeniid genera. Although the remaining genera for which molecular data were available (Asterospicularia, Heteroxenia, Ovabunda, Sansibia, Sarcothelia, Sympodium, Xenia) belonged to a single, well-supported clade, the phylogenetic relationships among them were poorly resolved. Species of Xenia were distributed among three different sub-clades within which they were paraphyletic with Ovabunda (clade X1), Heteroxenia (clade X2) and Sansibia plus Sarcothelia (clade X3). No morphological characters have yet been identified that differentiate these three phylogenetically distinct clades of Xenia. Use of molecular barcodes to discriminate species will facilitate future ecological studies of Xeniidae, a group that has been shown to opportunistically monopolize disturbed reef habitat.
Evolutionary Ecology of Redband Trout

Abstract We examined genetic differences at 29 enzyme encoding loci among 10,541 rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss from 240 collections throughout the species' range, including redband trout (i.e., several rainbow trout subspecies) in pluvial lake basins of the northern Great Basin that have had largely internal drainage with no connection to the Pacific Ocean. Differences among groups accounted for 29.2% of the genetic variation. Although we observed major genetic differences between coastal and inland groups (10.7%), which are currently considered to represent the major phylogenetic division in the species, we found that the greatest evolutionary divergence (19.7%) was related to persistence of three major river systems: The upper Sacramento, Klamath, and Columbia rivers. Genetic traits of redband trout from the northern Great Basin, where we found distinct subspecies or races, indicated that over millennia these pluvial habitats were sources of evolutionary diversity associated with large river systems.
Influence of Host Plants on Insecticide Metabolism and Management of Variegated Cutworm

Midgut microsomal aldrin epoxidase of Peridroma saucia (Hubner), when fed peppermint leaves Mentha piperita L. , was up to 9 times more active than larvae that were fed leaves of other host plants, such as, alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. , bush snap beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L. , garden beets, Beta vulgaris L. , or a weed host, curly dock, Rumex crispus L. Epoxidase levels in larvae fed peppermint leaves were ca. 6 times more active than those fed a semidefined artificial diet. Larvae collected from peppermint fields had higher levels of the enzyme than laboratory-reared cutworms, and activity was much higher in instars 5-6 than in instar 4. Larvae fed peppermint leaves were more tolerant of acephate, methomyl, and malathion than larvae fed bush snap bean leaves.
AN INTRODUCED POPULATION OF THE GRAY SQUIRREL (SCIURUS CAROLINENSIS GMELIN) IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

A population of gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis leucotis Gapper) introduced into an isolated forest and park area of 1000 acres is the subject of the study. The squirrels have established themselves in the deciduous and mixed forest areas and in these areas they seem to prevail over the native chickaree (Tamiasciurus douglasii) even though the chickaree is physically dominant. The gray squirrel has not adapted itself to new food sources but has merely narrowed its choice until two species, Acer circinatum and A. macrophyllum, of a genus used on its native range dominate the annual diet. Black color phase predominated over gray (6.5 to 1), the sex ratio was 1 male to 0.645 females, the mean litter size at weaning 1.5. Under these conditions the suitable range is fully stocked and the population is stable. Males roamed over territories of at least 50 acres while females remained within areas of 5 to 15 acres. Thus with polygamy the rule, each male had a theoretical chance of mating with any female. Phys.
Towards a natural classification of Dothideomycetes 7: The genera Allosoma , Austropleospora , Dangeardiella , Griggsia and Karschia (Dothideomycetes incertae sedis )

This is the seventh of a series of papers in which we report on re-examination of herbarium types of Dothideomycetes genera, incertae sedis . By examining and re-describing the generic types which are not previously illustrated or are poorly described, we attempt to propose their familial and higher placement according to the morphology based on modern taxonomic concepts. In this paper the type specimens of Allosoma , Austropleospora , Dangeardiella, Griggsia and Karschia were re-examined and are illustrated. An overview of the history and descriptions and illustrations of these genera are provided. Based on morphological similarities, Allosoma is placed in Englerulaceae, while Austropleospora and Karschia are transferred to Pleosporaceae, and Lichenotheliaceae, respectively. Dangeardiella is classified in Pleosporales, genera incertae sedis , while Griggsia is placed in Sordariomycetes, genera incertae sedis as it is not typical of any existing family of Dothideomycetes as it has unitunicate asci. Recollection, epitypifycation and multi-gene molecular analyses are needed for all type species of these genera in order to resolve their familial status. By illustrating and redescribing the type species, we expect to stimulate interest for these fungi to be recollected, sequenced and placed in a natural taxonomic framework in the Ascomycota.
Domestic cat predation on Neotropical species in an insular Atlantic Forest remnant in southeastern Brazil

The domestic cat Felis silvestris catus is considered a potential threat to the native fauna of regions it populates, particularly when it has free access to these areas. Although this problem is known in Brazil, little is known regarding the effects of this species on natural areas. This study aimed to obtain information concerning the diet of domestic cats by identifying the main items found in fecal samples from domestic cats. In addition, the effects of seasonality on the diet were examined, as it has been hypothesized that seasonal variation of food items has little influence of the diet of the domestic cat. These semi-domiciled cats are thought to face a constant and continuous supply food offered by their owners throughout the year. Feces were collected in a remnant fragment of an Atlantic Forest located south of the municipality of Ilha Comprida — SP, Brazil. These samples provided important information regarding the dietary ecology and predation behavior of this species in endangered forest areas. The results of the scat content analyses demonstrated that domestic cats inserted in this biome presented a generalist and opportunist diet with little seasonal variation, even when receiving food from their owners. The most frequently consumed groups of prey were insects (20.8%) followed by mammals (13.9%) and birds (4.0%). Although the cat is not the only factor that impacts the species of the region, management programs need to be established in conjunction with the local community with the aim of minimizing the pressure exerted by these animals on the native fauna.
Biodegradation kinetics of cymoxanil in aquatic system

A potential method to detoxify pesticides in aquatic system is using bioremediation. In this study, four microorganisms (Pseudomonas sp (EB11), Streptomyces sp. (EB12), Aspergillus niger (EB13) and Trichoderma viride (EB14) were isolated from cucumber leaves previously treated with cymoxanil using enrichment technique. These strains were evaluated for their potential to detoxify cymoxanil in aquatic system at the concentration level of 5×10−4M. The effect of pH and temperature on the growth ability of the tested strains was also investigated by measuring the intracellular protein and mycelia dry weight for bacterial and fungal strains, respectively. Moreover, the remaining toxicity of cymoxanil after 28 days of incubation with tested strains was evaluated to confirm the complete removal of any toxic materials (cymoxanil and its metabolites). The results showed that the optimum pH for the growth of cymoxanil degrading strains (bacteria and fungi) was 7. A temperature of 30°C appears to be the optimum for the growth of either fungal or bacterial strains. Pseudomonas sp. (EB11) was the most effective strain in cymoxanil degradation followed Streptomyces sp (EB12), Trichoderma viride (EB14) and Aspergillus niger (EB13), with half-lives of 4.33, 9.5, 17.3 and 24.7 days, respectively. The degradation of cymoxanil by bacterial strains was much faster than fungal one. There is no remaining toxicity of cymoxanil detected in aqueous media previously treated with Pseudomonas sp. (EB11) for 28 days. The results suggest that bioremediation by Pseudomonas sp. (EB11) are promising for the detoxification of cymoxanil in aqueous media.
Ecología de la polinización de tres especies de Oenocarpus (Arecaceae) simpátricas en la Amazonia Colombiana

Pollination ecology of three sympatric species of Oenocarpus (Arecaceae) in the Colombian Amazon. The understanding of pollination mechanisms is vital for developing management and conservation actions of economically important species. In order to understand the pollination mechanisms of the promising palms in the genus Oenocarpus (Arecaceae), we studied floral morphology and biology, of three sympatric species in the Colombian Amazon: O. bataua, O. balickii and O. minor. During the period 2010-2012 we made direct and continuous observations of inflorescences (visitors, pollinators, and reproductive success) of the three species in every development phase. We determined the association of the palms with their floral visitors through a complex or interaction network, whereas specificity or preference of the insects for each individual palm was assessed through paired similarity analysis, similarity analysis (ANOSIM), and ordering analysis based on non- metric multidimensional scaling (NMSD). The three species flowered throughout the year; their inflorescences have long rachillae that hang close to each other from a short rachis, and they bear flowers in dyads or triads. Inflorescences are protandrous, thermogenic; anthesis takes place during daytime but pollination is nocturnal. We recorded 79 species of insects, mainly beetles, 33 of which visited O. balickii, 63 visited O. bataua, and 33 visited O. minor. Although they shared some visitors, their abundance during the pistillate phase, as well as their pollen loads showed that only a few species of Curculionidae and Nitidulidae are the principal pollinators of the three studied species. Differences in network structure between staminate and pistillate phases, as well as difference in abundance found with the ANOSIM and NMSD similarity tests, suggest a high specificity of pollinators, leading to reproductive isolation among the three species. Because all pollinating beetles were found to develop their life cycles within the inflorescences, we hypothesize the occurrence of a specialized system of mutual dependence between each of this three Oenocarpus species and their pollinators. This specialization assures a year-round availability of the pollinators. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (1): 35-55. Epub 2015 March 01.
SELF-FERTILITY IN THE SCLEROTINIACEAE

Nine species representing five genera of the Sclerotiniaceae were found to be self-fertile. These are as follows: Ciboria acericola sp. nov., C. acerina Whetz. & Buchw. , C. amentacea (Balb. ex Fr.) Fckl. , C. betulicola sp. nov., C. caucus (Rebent. ex Fr.) Fckl. , Ciborinia erythronii (Whetz.) Whetz. , Rutstroemia paludosa (Cash & Davidson) comb. nov., Septotinia podophyllina Whetz. , and Verpatinia calthicola Whetz. Two new species and one new combination are proposed and validating Latin diagnoses are provided for Ciboria acerina, the genus Septotinia, and S. podophyllina.
Phenolic compounds in peanut seeds: enhanced elicitation by chitosan and effects on growth and aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus

Abstract Effects of chitosan and Aspergillus flavus to enhance elicitation of phenolic compounds in viable peanut seeds were conducted at two water activity levels. In vitro effects of phenolic acids on A. flavus growth and aflatoxin B1 production were also studied. Chitosan enhanced elicitation of free phenolic compounds (FPC) at Aw . 85 and . 95 levels. A. flavus treatment initially decreased and subsequently increased FPC content, but bound phenolic compounds (BPC) decreased during incubation. Chitosan + A. flavus treatments caused an increase in FPC that reached a plateau between 24–48 h at Aw . 85 while BPC levels increased over the same time period at both Aw levels. The major free and bound phenolic acids detected were p‐coumaric and ferulic acids and an unknown phenol that eluted at a retention time of 22 min. Generally, chitosan treatment significantly enhanced elicitation of free ferulic and p‐coumaric acids and bound p‐coumaric acid at Aw . 95. Free unknown phenolic and bound ferulic acids at Aw . 8.
The Performance of Plants, Molluscs, and Carabid Beetles as Indicators of Hydrological Conditions in Floodplain Grasslands

Floodplain systems are among the most complex ecosystems. To assess their ecological condition, several indicator systems have been developed. However, none of them quantifies environmental factors related to the dynamics of water levels, which is a major driver for the occurrence and distribution of species in floodplains. We present a new bioindicator system for the duration of inundation per year and mean depth of groundwater during the vegetation period. The new indicator system is based on carabid beetles, molluscs, and plants. The indicator system generally proved to be precise as well as temporally and spatially transferable within the same river system, the Elbe River in Germany. The indication based on plants was clearly most precise and transferable. The results are discussed in terms of application of the indicator system. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of Follicle Size on Cumulus-Expansion, In Vitro Fertilization and Development of Porcine Follicular Oocytes

The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the effect of follicular size on oocyte cumulus-expansion, in vitro fertilization and subsequent developmental competence. After maturation culture, the rates of porcine oocytes with expanded cumulus derived from antral follicles ≥5 mm, 4-4.9 mm, 3-3.9 mm and 2-2.9 mm in diameter were 90.5%, 89.7%, 85.4% and 67.4%, respectively. After in vitro fertilization, the developmental competence of oocytes dependently increased with follicular size. Higher cleavage rates and higher proportions of 3-4-cell embryos were obtained from ≥4 mm follicles compared to 2-2.9 mm follicles (P<0.05). Although the proportions of 6-8-cell and 12-16-cell embryos obtained from ≥5 mm, 4-4.9 mm, 3-3.9 mm and 2-2.9 mm follicles showed no significant differences, embryos obtained from 2-2.9 mm follicles showed a complete failure to develop beyond the 8-cell stage, embryos obtained from 3-3.9 mm follicles failed to develop beyond the 16-cell stage and none of embryos developed beyond the early stage of morula. The percentages of expanded cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and 2-cell cleavage rates of oocytes derived from 2-2.9 mm follicles were not significantly different when the oocytes were matured for 36 h , 42 h and 48 h in vitro. The exposure to 5% or 15% porcine follicular fluid (PFF) from the large follicles during in vitro maturation (IVM) had no significant effect on the cleavage and subsequent developmental rates of porcine oocytes compared to PFF from small follicles.
Nitrogen Solubility of Cereals and Legumes Subjected to Micronization

Six cereals (wheat, barley, rye, triticale, millet, and wildrice) with moisture contents of 7−13% and six legumes (green pea, yellow pea, lentil, black bean, kidney bean, and pinto bean) with moisture contents of 8−10% were micronized to surface temperatures of 115 and 140 °C, respectively. Compared to nontreated grain/seed, micronized samples showed lower nitrogen solubilities in water at pH 6.0, 0.5 M NaCl, and 70% ethanol, indicating denaturation of albumins and globulins and, to a lesser extent, prolamins for some cereals such as barley and triticale. Results of extracting insoluble nitrogen with 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate and 0.6% 2-mercaptoethanol in borate buffer (pH 10) suggested that micronization induced hydrophobic aggregation in legume proteins and both hydrophobic and disulfide bonds in cereals. Increasing grain moisture content and micronization temperature progressively reduced nitrogen solubility in cereals and legumes. Keywords: Nitrogen solubility; protein; micronization; cereals; legumes
Syllabus of plant families. Adolf Engler's Syllabus der Pflanzenfamilien. 13th edition. Part 3. Bryophytes and seedless vascular plants

W. Frey (ed.), 2009. Syllabus of plant families. Adolf Engler’s Syllabus der Pflanzenfamilien. 13th edition. Part 3. Bryophytes and seedless vascular plants. Gebr. Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, ix z 419 pp., 72 figures (line drawings, black-and-white photographs and SEM micrographs). Hardback, approx. 24.5 6 17.3 cm. ISBN 978-3-443-01060-7 (the whole work); 978-3-443-01063-8 (the present volume). Price: J89.
Effect of Slaughtering Age in Different Commercial Chicken Genotypes Reared According to the Organic System: 2. Fatty Acid and Oxidative Status of Meat

The fatty acid profile and the oxidative status of meat of three different commercial chicken genotypes organically reared and slaughtered at two different ages (70 and 81 days) were compared. The genotypes used were Naked Neck (CN1 strain), Kabir (KR4 strain) and Ross 308 (R). All animals were raised in the facilities of a big Italian company, in field conditions. Genotype and slaughtering age affected the main fatty acids and the antioxidant profile of meat. Concerning the content of total saturated fatty acids (SFA), the highest value was observed in R chicks. The CN1 birds showed the lowest SFA values, whereas the KR4 showed intermediate values. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) showed a different trend at the two slaughter ages. At 71 days medium-growing chickens had lower values, while at 81 days CN1 birds reached the highest value. The CN1 chickens exhibited lower concentrations of linolenic acid, but higher long chain PUFA derivatives. However, the meat of these chickens showed a lower lipid stability despite a higher antioxidant content probably due to the kinetic behaviour and the resulting high oxidative metabolism. This finding is of importance since health concerns over fatty acid profile are among the main factors contributing to the decline of meat intake. Regarding the slaughtering age, the results of this trial demonstrate that at older age chickens show a better fatty acid profile under a nutritional point of view even if the oxidative status worsens.
Effectiveness of sampling methods and further sampling for accessing spider diversity: a case study in a Brazilian Atlantic rainforest fragment

The current biodiversity crisis makes the quantification of the diversity and the description of organism distribution particularly pressing. Biological inventories are among the most effective ways to improve the knowledge about local biota, but they can be very time and money‐consuming. The determination of adequate sampling effort and the selection of cost‐effective collecting methods are critical issues. In this article, a spider diversity inventory in an Atlantic semi‐deciduous forest fragment in Brazil was used to compare the efficiency of three collecting methods in two different seasons in order to propose an optimised sampling protocol. The worthiness of increasing sampling effort in the target area and similar tropical ecosystems was estimated and evaluated in terms of its cost‐effectiveness. For a better sampling of the spider community, it is suggested that a proportion of 55, 29 and 16% of total sampling hours should be dedicated to nocturnal hand collecting (NHC), pitfall traps and beating trays, respectively, in the rainy season. If only one method can be applied, the most efficient in terms of species per sampling is the NHC. A completeness of 70% of the estimated spider species richness (as predicted by the Chao1 estimator) was observed in the complete inventory and increasing sampling effort in the studied area may be highly ineffective when the costs involved are considered. Other studies in similar tropical rainforest areas also presented completeness around 70%, which might be a threshold from which the sampling effort necessary to raise the observed species richness substantially starts to be ineffective.
Exploring Prosocial Behavior through Structured Philosophical Dialogue: A Quantitative Evaluation.

The problem of bullying in schools cannot be overstated. Researchers have examined the problem of bullying in schools from a variety of perspectives and have found that bullying has serious shortand longterm effects not just for the victim but for the bully as well. A variety of interventions have been implemented, and research shows that the majority, which are monological in nature, have demonstrated minimal, if any, impact on counteracting occurrences of bullying in schools. This study uses three quantitative measures to examine the impact that an instructional method steeped in the dynamics of dialogical inquiry has on students’ attitudes and beliefs about aggression. Submit a response to this article Submit online at democracyeducationjournal.org/home Read responses to this article online http://democracyeducationjournal.org/home/vol23/iss2/TK The problem of bullying is one of the most significant problems in schools (Espelage & Swearer, 2003). Defined as unrelenting, willful and malicious physical or psychological abuse that results in physical or psychological harm to the victim, the bully, and the bystander (e.g., Batsche & Knoff, 1994; Olweus, 1993b; Rigby, 1996; Ttofi & Farrington, 2008; Twemlow, Fonagy, & Sacco, 2004), bullying always involves someone who is able to wield power over someone else, who is not capable of defending himself or herself (Roland & Idsoe, 2001). It is important to recognize the importance of not conflating the terms aggression and bullying or using them interchangeably. There is a significant, qualitative distinction between the two (Hawley, Stump, & Ratliff, 2011; Cascardi, Brown, Iannarone, & Cardona, 2014). Aggression is a negative act intended to do harm, and bullying is aggression + repeated acts + power imbalance (Olweus, 1978; Hawley, Stump, & Ratliff, 2011). Throughout this paper, I use both terms with strategic intent. For example, when refering to a potential intervention, I use bullying. When I explicate the dialogic interactions in which students participated as part of Monica Glina is a postdoctoral fellow with the Text Comprehension: Development, Instruction and Multiple Texts research group in the Department of Educational Research at the University of Oslo, Norway. Her research investigates the relationship between classroom discourse and student learning and between classroom discourse and aggression. She also teaches a number of courses, including educational psychology and philosophy of education.