Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Silver fir stand productivity is enhanced when mixed with Norway spruce: evidence based on large‐scale inventory data and a generic modelling approach

Questions: How to evaluate the mixture effect on basal area increment in two-species forest stands? Is a mixed Norway spruce–silver fir stand more productive than pure adjacent stands of either species? How to develop generic modelling approaches to assess mixture effects in forest stands? Location: In addition to a case study on Norway spruce–silver fir stands in French mountain forests, the generic approach used goes beyond local applications. Methods: We took advantage of National Forest Inventory data to develop a unique stand basal-area-increment model for pure and mixed stands of Norway spruce and silver fir that responds to ecological site conditions. The database was made up of 284 pure Norway spruce stands, 196 pure silver fir stands, and 323 mixed stands of these species. Results: Pure silver fir basal area increment is strongly influenced by spring climatic conditions, whereas pure Norway spruce is more influenced by soil conditions. The mixture of these species has a positive effect on silver fir, which decreases as the proportion of fir increases. In contrast, the mixture has no noticeable effect on Norway spruce. Conclusion: We developed a stand basal-area-increment model evidencing an advantage of the mixture on silver fir basal area increment, but not on Norway spruce. The mathematical formulation of the model developed is generic and can be used in all two-species mixture situations. It also makes it possible to compare different mixture situations with each other.
Coordination of Photosynthetic and Alkaloidal Responses to Damage in Uninducible and Inducible Nicotiana Sylvestris

Defense and regrowth after herbivore attack are not mutually exclusive alternatives for most plants, yet few studies have examined the coordination of the processes responsible for these two plant functions. To this end, we studied the coordination of alkaloidal and photosynthetic responses to simulated herbivory in the context of changes in leaf nitrogen in plants grown under a range of nitrate supply rates in two experiments. In the first experiment, damage-induced changes in leaf nicotine, total nitrogen, nitrate, and photosynthetic rate (PR) were monitored in same-aged undamaged leaves of young iVicotiana si'lvestris plants grown in pots. In the second, the alkaloidal response to damage was uncoupled from damage by growing plants in pots for > 150 d, causing them not to respond to leaf damage with increased nicotine concentrations ("uninducible"). We propose that the changes in PR and nicotine content induced by damage reflect the allocation of resources to regrowth and defense, respectively, and examine the predictions of the optimal defense (OD) theory regarding these responses. We have previously estab- lished that neither constitutive nor induced nicotine production is a passive consequence of a nitrogen imbalance in excess of growth requirements as is predicted by the carbon/ nutrient (C/N) theory. If PR reflects the fitness value of the leaf and damage reflects a high probability of future damage, we interpret the OD theory to predict that PR and nicotine content should be correlated, and that damage should increase the amount of nicotine allocated for a given PR. Nicotine, nitrogen, and PR increased in a coordinated fashion in response to leaf damage in the inducible plants. In both experiments, PR and nitrogen were highly correlated, but damage did not affect the PR-nitrogen relationship. In the first experiment with inducible plants, nicotine and nitrogen were also highly correlated. However, damage significantly increased the slope of the nicotine-nitrogen relationship 1.6-fold. Similarly, nicotine and PR were significantly correlated and the slope of the nicotine-PR relationship increased significantly (1.9-fold) in response to damage. These results are consistent with the pre- dictions of the OD theory. Despite this coordination, alkaloidal and photosynthetic responses can be uncoupled. Regardless of nitrate supply rate, damaged "uninducible" plants exhibited no significant increase in nicotine content, but significantly increased their PR in response to damage with a correlated increase in leaf nitrogen content. Nicotine and PR were not significantly correlated in undamaged plants, but were significantly correlated in damaged plants. Unless other defenses are activated in uninducible plants, these results may reflect a priority of growth over defense in uninducible plants with slow growth rates or reduced rooting volume.
Predicting the impact of Turtle Excluder Devices on loggerhead sea turtle populations

In this paper, we modified and updated a stage—based population model for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and used the model to project potential population—level effects of the use of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in trawl fisheries of the southeastern US. We reduced the seven—stage model of Crouse et al. (1987) to a five—stage model and performed sensitivity analyses on the matrix. The most sensitive matrix parameters were those dealing with survival while remaining in a stage, rather than growth from one stage to the next or reproductive output. Population growth rate was most sensitive to survival in the large juvenile stage, followed by small juvenile survival. Large juveniles are the most common size class among stranded dead turtles found on beaches; 70—80% of strandings are thought to be related to trawl fisheries. Simulations of our loggerhead model based on estimated effects of TED regulations on stage—specific survivorship suggested that southeastern US loggerhead populations should increase, but rather slowly. If TEDs were required during the shrimping season in offshore areas only (as they were from 1990 to 1992), 70 yr or more would be required for the simulated population to increase by an order of magnitude. Recent estimates of TED effects from South Carolina strandings data suggest a similar recovery rate. Good compliance with regulations requiring TEDs year—round in all waters could allow the population to increase nearly twice as fast as that expected under the "seasonal offshore" regulations. We also used a Leslie matrix version of the model to illustrate the expected transient response in the numbers of females expected on nesting beaches (due to shifting age—size structures with TED use). Rather than a monotonic increase, we expect an initial increase in the number of nesting females, followed by a leveling off or slight decline (perhaps 10—15 yr from now), followed by another increase. The magnitude of the projected population increase will depend upon the actual increases in stage—specific survivorship due to TED regulations. New, or compensatory, sources of mortality could slow or reverse this projected recovery.
Caracterización de las comunidades de acridios (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) del partido de Benito Juárez, sudeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

The structure of grasshopper communities was studied at different sites in Benito Juarez county, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, over a six-year period (1997-2002). The sites were classified into five categories of disturbance: native grasslands, halophilous communities, pastures, moderately and highly disturbed pastures. A total of 23 grasshopper species was collected. Melanoplinae was the most abundant subfamily in all sites, except for halophilous communities that were characterized by the presence of one Acridinae species, Covasacris pallidinota (Bruner). Average species richness per site and per year, ranged from 2.10 ± 0.60 species in moderately disturbed pastures to 6.20 ± 0.58 species in halophilous communities. Cumulative species richness was: 17 in native grasslands, 14 in halophilous communities, 19 in undisturbed pastures, 18 in moderately disturbed pastures and 14 in highly disturbed pastures. Mean density was significantly higher in 2001 and 2002 than in the remaining years. The most abundant species were Dichroplus pratensis Bruner and Dichroplus elongatus Giglio-Tos in native grasslands and highly disturbed pastures; C. pallidinota in halophilous communities and D. elongatus - Scotussa lemniscata (Stal) in undisturbed and moderately disturbed pastures. Along the study, the taxonomic structure of the grasshopper assemblages was significantly constant in native grasslands, halophilous communities and undisturbed pastures. The pattern of species distribution showed few species widely or intermediately distributed, whereas numerous species were rare. Among the 23 species collected, D. elongatus was the most broadly distributed of all. Historically, Dichroplus maculipennis (Blanch.) has been known as the most conspicuous species in the studied area. However, our results suggest that nowadays D. elongatus is the most common species. Among other factors, climate changes, insecticidal treatments against grasshoppers or other pests, and changes in the land use might be involved in such change in dominance
Assessing site suitability for Scots pine using airborne and terrestrial gamma-ray measurements in Finnish Lapland

Low-altitude airborne gamma-ray (AGR) data, obtained with the aircraft-mounted 25-l NaJ(Tl) gamma spectrometer and interpolated into a 50 × 50 m pixel size, over 1200 km2 of glaciated terrain in Finnish Lapland, were applied to classify and interpret site suitability for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The selection of the training and validation sets for the classification of AGR data was based on the forest management history and soil moisture content (θv) determined by dielectric (e) measurements. The ground calibration measurements showed a significant negative correlation between the soil e (i.e., θv) and terrestrial gamma-ray flux (TGR-γ) from potassium (γK) and thorium decay series (γTh), suggesting that the attenuation of gamma flux is due to soil θv. Both ground and airborne surveys indicated that γK was significantly higher in drift of Scots pine stands than in drift of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ) stands. Out of four tested combinations of the AGR channels, i.e., (i) potassium (K),.
IN VITRO DIGESTION OF WHEAT STRAW BY DIFFERENT RUMEN ANAEROBIC FUNGI

Two types of anaerobic fungi were isolated from the rumen of a sheep fed wheat straw. The fungus producing a mycelium in culture digested significantly more organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and cellulose from straw than the type producing a sporangium from "spherical bodies. " Key words: Rumen, fungi, straw, fiber digestion
Angler Opinion of Potential Bluegill Regulations on Illinois Lakes: Effects of Angler Demographics and Bluegill Population Size Structure

Abstract Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus are an important sport as well as food fish, but harvest regulations do not currently exist on most lakes throughout the United States. A self-administered survey was used to provide insight into angler attitude toward potential new bluegill harvest regulations (including catch-and-release-only fishing, no-fishing zones, daily bag limits, and minimum size limits) designed to increase the number of bluegills 150 mm or larger. Angler surveys were conducted at six lakes in Illinois, three of which contained bluegill populations that were categorized as stunted (few fish greater than 150 mm) and three as quality (fish greater than 180 mm were abundant). Anglers showed greatest support for catch-and-release fishing (during the spawning season), a 6-in minimum size limit, and use of a daily bag limit of 10. Anglers showed a less positive response to 7- and 8-in minimum size limits, a 25-fish daily bag limit, catch-and-release fishing for the entire year, and no-fishing zon.
Aglutininas anti-leptospíricas em cães na área de influência do centro de controle de zoonoses, Pelotas, RS, Brasil, no ano de 1995

During the year of 1995 we examined 425 serum samples from dogs in the area of influence of the Center for Zoonosis Control, performing the microscopic agglutination test for diagnosis of leptospirosis. Of these, 148 (34.8%) gave positive reactions with titers equal or higher than 1:100, for the following serovars: L. canicola (58.1%), L. icterohaemorrhagiae (20.9%), L. copenhageni (11.4%), L. grippotiphosa and L. castellonis (2.7%) L. andamana and L. autumnalis and L. pyrogenes with (1.4%). The prevalence of infection was higher in March, August, September, October and November, which coincided, with the higher temperatures and pluvial precipitation observed the month before the outbreaks. This observation stress the importance of these two factors for the survival of leptospira in the environment.
Declines of freshwater turtles associated with climatic drying in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin

Context While much attention has been paid to the effects of global temperature increases on the geographical ranges and phenologies of plants and animals, less is known about the impacts of climatically driven alteration of water regimes. Aims To assess how three species of freshwater turtle in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin have responded to long-term decline in river flow and floodplain inundation due to climatic drying and water diversions. Methods Turtle populations were sampled in a section of the Murray River and its floodplain in 1976–82 following a wet period and in 2009–11 at the end of the most severe drought on record. Catch per unit effort, proportional abundance in different habitat types and population structure were assessed in both periods. Key results Catch per unit effort in baited hoop nets declined by 91% for the eastern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis) and 69% for the Murray turtle (Emydura macquarii), but did not change significantly for the broad-shelled turtle (Chelodina expansa). In addition, total catches from a range of sampling methods revealed a significantly reduced proportion of juvenile C. longicollis and E. macquarii in 2009–11, suggesting a fall in recruitment. Key conclusions The decline of C. longicollis was likely due mainly to drought-induced loss of critical floodplain habitat in the form of temporary water bodies, and that of E. macquarii to combined effects of drought and predation on recruitment. C. expansa seems to have fared better than the other two species because it is less vulnerable to nest predation than E. macquarii and better able than C. longicollis to find adequate nutrition in the permanent waters that remain during extended drought. Implications Declining water availability may be a widespread threat to freshwater turtles given predicted global impacts of climate change and water withdrawals on river flows. Understanding how each species uses particular habitats and how climatic and non-climatic threats interact would facilitate identification of vulnerable populations and planning of conservation actions.
Relação peso-comprimento e fator de condição para Cichla cf. ocellaris e Cichla monoculus (Perciformes, Cichlidae) no reservatório de Volta Grande, rio Grande - MG/SP - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v25i1.2119

The aim of this paper was to analyze the length-weight relationship and the condition factor of two species of cichlids ( Cichla cf. ocellaris and Cichla monoculus ) (Perciformes, Cichlidae) that were inducted in Volta Grande Reservoir, Rio Grande . There was no difference in the length-weight relationship between the sexes for Cichla cf. ocellaris and Cichla monoculus . The allometric condition factor showed a fall in the spring and another smaller one in the winter. It happens when these fishes change their feeding activity. In the spring all the reproductive behavior are developed and, in the winter, there is a shortage of prey. The variation of the relative condition factor followed the variation of the allometric condition factor due to the low contribution of the gonads weight and the small amount of accumulated fat in the total weight. The length distribution, length-weight relationship and condition factor of these fishes vary in accordance with the time of introduction into the reservoir, the characteristics of the ecosystem as well as the interactions among the species at these sites
Under pressure: morphological and ecological correlates of bite force in the rock‐dwelling lizards Ouroborus cataphractus and Karusasaurus polyzonus (Squamata: Cordylidae)

Rock-dwelling lizards are hypothesized to be highly constrained in the evolution of head morphology and, consequently, bite force. Because the ability to generate a high bite force might be advantageous for a species' dietary ecology, morphological changes in head configuration that allow individuals to maintain or improve their bite force under the constraint of crevice-dwelling behaviour are to be expected. The present study addressed this issue by examining head morphology, bite force, and a number of dietary traits in the rock-dwelling cordylid lizards Ouroborus cataphractus and Karusasaurus polyzonus. The results obtained show that O. cataphractus has a larger head and higher bite force than K. polyzonus. In K. polyzonus, head width, lower jaw length, and jaw closing-in lever are the best predictors of bite force, whereas head height is the main determinant of bite force in O. cataphractus. Although the observed difference in bite force between the species does not appear to be related to dietary patterns or prey handling, the prey spectrum available for intake was greater in O. cataphractus compared to K. polyzonus. We discuss the influence of interspecific differences in anti-predator morphology on head morphology and bite force in these rock-dwelling species. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 111, 823–833.
OPTIMIZED McCLEARY METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF TOTAL β‐AMYLASE IN BARLEY AND ITS APPLICABILITY

The McCleary method for determination of β-amylase in malt has been modified in order to allow determination of total β-amylase in barley as well as malt. A ruggedness test, performed on the modified method, demonstrated that the method is quite robust and highly reproducible. When the variables α-amylase, β-amylase and diastatic power were measured in 90 malt samples, only β-amylase was significantly correlated to diastatic power (r 2 = 0.85 and p < 0.0001). The same high correlation was found between total β-amylase in 20 barley samples and diastatic power in the corresponding malts. The validity of this relationship was tested by predicting diastatic power in malt from total β-amylase in barley. Predicted values correlated highly to measured values (r 2 = 0.95). In breeding material a positive relationship was found between total β-amylase in barley and protein content. This relationship must be considered when evaluating new barley lines.
Trends in genetic and genome analyses in wheat: a review

The size and structure of the wheat genome makes it one of the most complex crop species for genetic analysis. The development of molecular techniques for genetic analysis, in particular the use of molecular markers to monitor DNA sequence variation between varieties, landraces, and wild relatives of wheat and related grass species, has led to a dramatic expansion in our understanding of wheat genetics and the structure and behaviour of the wheat genome. This review provides an overview of these developments, examines some of the special issues that have arisen in applying molecular techniques to genetic studies in wheat, and looks at the applications of these technologies to wheat breeding and to improving our understanding of the genetic basis of traits such as disease resistance and processing quality. The review also attempts to foreshadow some of the key molecular issues and developments that may occur in wheat genetics and breeding over the next few years.
A revision of the ant-like salticid genera Enoplomischus Giltay, 1931, Kima Peckham & Peckham, 1902 and Leptorchestes Thorell, 1870 (Araneae: Salticidae)

Three ant-like salticid genera, Enoplomischus Giltay, Kima Peckham & Peckham and Leptorchestes Thorell are revised. Kima is removed from the synonymy of Leptorchestes and revalidated. Three new species are described: Kima montana, Leptorchestes algerinus and L. separatus. Two specific names are synonymised: Enoplomischus chattoni Berland & Millot = E. ghesquieri Giltay and Leptorchestes halogena Metzner = L. mutilloides (Lucas). One new combination is proposed (K. reimoseri ex L. reimoseri). A lectotype for L. peresi is designated. L. semirufus Simon is regarded as nomen dubium. Identification keys are provided. A comparison of morphological features of the three genera indicates that Kima and Leptorchestes are more closely related to each other than either of them is to Enoplomischus. However, it seems still justified to place all three genera in the subfamily Leptorchestinae (sensu Simon 1901).
The changes and relationship of structure and functional properties of rabbit myosin during heat-induced gelation

The objective of this study was to track the changes and the relationship between structure and functional properties of rabbit myosin during heat-induced gelation, and to provide more insight into the gelation properties of rabbit myosin. Storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G′′) during the heat-induced gelation process were measured by a rheometer, and the water holding capacity (WHC) and hardness of the heat-induced gel were measured by centrifugation method and texture analyzer, respectively. The quantitative analysis of secondary structural content was performed by circular dichroism (CD). The CD data were fitted to three secondary structures, which were α-helix, β-sheet, and random coil. The results showed that the WHC, hardness, G′, G′′, β-sheet, and random coil increased with the increase of temperature, while the α-helix decreased. The changes of structural properties of myosin determined the functional properties during the heat-induced gelation process, and they had a very strong correlation.
Pre- and post-mating reproductive barriers drive divergence of five sympatric species of Naryciinae moths (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)

The biological species concept suggests that species can be separated on the basis of reproductive isolation. However, because natural interbreeding capabilities are often unknown, differences in morphology are generally used to separate species. Alternatively, genetic dissimilarity is used to separate morphologically similar species. Many genetic markers, including the maternally inherited mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I sequence, cannot show interbreeding and therefore species status of groups may remain unresolved. In species of the genera Dahlica and Siederia (Lepidoptera: Psychidae: Naryciinae) the lack of morphological distinction and unknown interbreeding has led to unclear and unresolved taxonomic status. Mitochondrial DNA sequences suggest five sexual species to occur in Finland. However, their species status remains unconfirmed, due to a lack of knowledge on interbreeding, unclear morphological distinction and the limited variation in mitochondrial DNA. We combine three methods, a cross-mating experiment, an analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, and a detailed male genital morphological examination, to establish the species status of the five suspected species. All suspected species exhibit intraspecies mating preference, although several interspecies pairs readily produce offspring. The genetic analysis, however, fails to show hybrids or introgression, suggesting that both pre- and post-copulation mechanisms isolate the species reproductively. Morphological analysis of the male genitalia confirms that the species have diverged. Our results highlight the need of combining behavioural, morphological and genetic methods to determine species status in challenging taxonomic groups. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 112, 584–605.