Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SYMPATRIC GROWTH MORPHS AND SIZE BIMODALITY IN THE GREEN SEA URCHIN (STRONGYLOCENTROTUS DROEBACHIENSIS)

Green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) have been a dominant structuring force in boreal, hard-bottom communities and recently have become an important fishery. Despite these roles, relatively little is known about the age, growth, and demographics of field populations. To begin to address these issues, we systematically sampled urchins during 1997 and 1998 at two sites (Allen Island [AI] and Schoodic Peninsula [SP]) in the Gulf of Maine, USA. Basic demographic information (density and size structure) was obtained and a subset of urchins aged by counting annual bands on the interambulacral plates. Size-at-age analyses showed that the population at AI consisted of two sympatric growth morphs, fast growing (fg) and slow growing (sg), each described by its own von Bertalanffy growth parameters for mean size and size variance. The two morphs also differed in maximum observed ages (sg, 6–11 yr, vs. fg, 16–18 yr) and in maximum test diameter sizes (sg, 30–35 mm, vs. fg, 50–70 mm). At SP, a single .
Cloning and tissue distribution of Leptin mRNA in the pig

Abstract The sequence of the pig ob cDNA, which codes for the protein leptin, has been determined by screening a pig adipose cDNA library with an RT‐PCR amplified cDNA fragment of this gene. The 501 bp ob cDNA has 89% identity to the human ob cDNA, 92% identity to the bovine ob cDNA, 84% identity to the mouse ob cDNA and 84% identity to the rat ob cDNA. At the amino acid level, pig leptin which codes for a protein with a predicted molecular weight of 18,661‐dalton, has 86% identity to human leptin, 93% identity to bovine leptin, 84% identity to rat leptin and 84% identity to mouse leptin. RT‐PCR screening of RNA isolated from pig adipose, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, pancreas, stomach, kidney, spleen and jejunum detected ob mRNA only in adipose tissue; Northern blots with an ob cDNA probe identified a 4.0 kb species in adipose tissue. The conservation of sequence and expression pattern of leptin in the pig reported here indicates that as in other species, this protein likely plays an important role in.
AUSTRALIAN PSYLLIDS: A NEW GENUS OF CTENARYTAININI (HOMOPTERA: PSYLLOIDEA) ON EUCALYPTUS, WITH NINE NEW SPECIES

Blastopsylla gen. n. contains 9 new species: B. moorei (type‐species), B. brunnea and B. bivittata from eastern Australia; B. adnatariae, B. multisetulae and B. octosetulae from South Australia; B. occidentalis and B. nigricollaris from Western Australia; and B. degluptae from Papua New Guinea. These insects feed on the growing tips of Eucalyptus, and some species also on related myrtaceous hosts. B. occidentals has become established in New Zealand and California.
Redescription of Butlerius butleri Goodey, 1929 (Nematoda: Diplogastridae) from South Korea

The type species of the genus Butlerius, viz., B. butleri Goodey, 1929, is redescribed and illustrated from specimens collected in South Korea. Additional information is provided for the cuticle, stoma structure, female reproductive system and the male caudal region. The Korean population is 1336-1857 μm long, a = 33.9-43.5, b = 5.41-6.34, c = 3.38-4.20, c′ = 14.13-19.0 and V = 40-45%. Males have spicules 39-49 μm long and a gubernaculum 25-33 μm long. There are nine pairs of genital papillae, three pairs precloacal and six pairs postcloacal. The v5,6,7 clusters are widely separated, one group situated just posterior to the phasmids and the other group at level of pd. Although there are some differences in morphometrics as compared with the type population, the species is easily identified by the similarities in the structure of the stoma, pharynx, spicules and gubernaculum. Butlerius singularis and B. filicaudatus are proposed as synonyms of the type species.
Global positioning systems indicate landscape preferences of cattle in the subtropical savannas

Large paddocks, a heterogeneous landscape and widely dispersed water points provide challenges for the sustainable grazing management of northern Australian beef properties. Determining grazing animal distribution and relating this to features in the landscape, including artificial water points, can assist in the sustainable management of these environments. This case study describes the distribution and landscape association of cattle for part of a single wet season. Twelve Brahman cows were fitted with global positioning system (GPS) collars for 8 weeks in a 1530 ha paddock that contained a diversity of land-types and a single artificial water point. Grazing preferences were initially limited to a 250-ha cleared area of clay soil sown with Cenchrus ciliaris. Thereafter, animals moved on to less fertile outlying areas of Eucalyptus and Acacia agyrodendron native pasture woodland. Mean convex polygon, the smallest polygon that contained 90% of positional data, increased from 229 ± 37.6 ha to 449 ± 80.3 ha over the first 3 weeks of the study. Animals avoided areas dominated by steep terrain and the preference index (proportion of GPS locations that occurred in a land-type divided by its relative cover) was less than unity for 71% of the paddock area. Although the performance of the GPS units was disappointing, the study verifies that GPS telemetry and satellite imagery can be used to quantify cattle distribution and probable grazing preferences in the extensive, spatially heterogeneous paddocks of northern Australia.
So long as it's near water: variable roosting behaviour of the large-footed myotis (Myotis macropus)

The choice of day roosts by microbats influences energetics, social interactions and breeding success. In Australia, the large-footed myotis (Myotis macropus) is dependent on waterways for foraging. However, the extent to which the species relies upon, and selects roosts within, riparian habitat is unknown. I studied the roosting behaviour of this species around a water reservoir near Melbourne, Victoria, during the summers from October 2002 to April 2005. I radio-tracked 31 bats to 17 tree roosts; colony size averaged 6.0 ± 1.6 bats and individuals used 1.3 ± 0.1 roosts during the tracking period (average 6.2 ± 0.6 days). Two roosts were also located in crevices in an old aqueduct tunnel, housing colonies of 10.8 ± 0.6 bats. Colonies emerged earlier from tunnel crevices (25.0 ± 3.6 min after sunset, range 6–53 min), compared with conspecifics in tree roosts (45.6 ± 2.1 min after sunset, range 10–83 min). Roost trees and cavities differed from available habitat trees and cavities in terms of smaller entrance areas to used (182.2 ± 49.3 cm2) versus unused (328.0 ± 61.8 cm2) cavities. The primary force driving roost selection by M. macropus appears to be proximity of suitable waterways for foraging. Retention and maintenance of extensive riparian habitat, as well as the preservation of other structures used for roosting, are the most important conservation strategies for management of the day-roosting habitat of M. macropus.
A Comparative Study of the Reproductive Cycles of the Cockles Cerastoderma Edule and C. Glaucum

The reproductive cycles of the two cockles Cerastoderma edule (L.) and C.glaucum (Poiret) (= Cardium lamarcki Reeve) from a mixed population in the Crouch estuary, Essex, have been investigated. Reproductive maturity was estimated by assessment of gonad condition. A difference in maturity related to shore level was noted. The reproductive cycles of the two cockles were found to be essentially similar. Rapid gametogenesis occurred in both cockles in spring, C. edule then spawned in May, whereas C. glaucum did not spawn until July. The difference in time of spawning appears to be responsible for the maintenance of the two genotypes in a sympatric association, as hybridization experiments showed an absence of isolation at the gamete level. The relationship between C. edule and C. glaucum is discussed.
Induced systemic resistance to cucumber diseases and increased plant growth by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria under field conditions.

Three field trials were conducted over a 2-year period to determine the capacity of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to induce systemic resistance against cucumber diseases, which was previously observed in the greenhouse. PGPR were applied as seed treatments alone or as seed treatments plus a soil drench at transplanting. Induced systemic resistance (ISR) activity, measured by significant reductions in the severity of angular leaf spot challenge-inoculated with Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans on cucumber, occurred with three of three PGPR strains in 1992, with three of four strains in the first trial in 1993, and with four of four strains in the second trial in 1993. Most PGPR treatments also resulted in significant protection from naturally occurring anthracnose (Colletotrichum orbiculare), while ISR controls (plants previously inoculated with C. orbiculare) had a significantly greater incidence of anthracnose compared with nontreated controls. In all three trials, most PGPR strains (with the exception of one strain) significantly promoted early-season plant growth, as measured by length of the main runner and number of leaves per plant. Yield (cumulative fruit weight) was significantly increased by two of three PGPR strains in 1992, two of four strains in the first 1993 trial, and three of four strains in the second 1993 trial compared with nontreated controls. In contrast, the ISR control had no significant effect on promotion of early-season plant growth or yield compared with nontreated controls. These results demonstrated that PGPR-mediated ISR was operative under field conditions with consistent effects against challenge-inoculated angular leaf spot and naturally occurring anthracnose, along with significant effects on early-season plant growth promotion and yield enhancement.
Effect of some thermal and chemical pretreatments on smoked Oyster mushroom quality

Summary The effect of different thermal and chemical pre-treatments on quality and enzyme activities of smoked mushroom was investigated. Mushrooms were blanched (water and steam) and dipped in different concentrations of SO2, H2O2, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citric acid for 10 min before smoking. Enzyme activities, colour characteristics, microbiological and sensory examinations were carried out every 2 weeks up to 8 weeks of storage at 4 °C. Smoked mushroom pre-treated with sulphites (SO2), H2O2 and steam blanching had the best colour values, better scores for all sensory characteristics and lower non-enzymatic browning compared with the other pre-treatments. Pre-treatment against total aerobic bacteria, yeast and moulds was the most effective when using citric acid, EDTA and steam, followed by smoking of mushroom. The most effective pre-treatments on quality and safety of smoked mushrooms were those using H2O2 and steam. It can be concluded that thermal and chemical treatments followed by smoking of mushroom reduce enzyme activities and are suitable for preserving mushrooms.
Forecasting the favourableness of the Australian environment for the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Homoptera: Aphididae), and its potential impact on Australian wheat yields

The CLIMEX model for matching climates in ecology is used to forecast the favourableness of the Australian environment for Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko). Parameters used in CLIMEX for D. noxia were derived from the literature and tuned by iterative matching with the known distribution of the aphid in North America. These fitted values were then validated using the known distribution of D. noxia in southern Africa, and with the country-by-country occurrence of the aphid around the world. The results suggest that the drier inland parts of the Australian wheat belt would be very favourable for D. noxia growth and survival. A computer model of the interactions between climate, wheat growth and the biology of D. noxia was then used to simulate the likely infestation rates and potential yield reductions at selected sites in both the summer and winter rainfall regions of the Australian wheat belt. The results indicate that D. noxia has potential to cause severe losses to the wheat crop should it arrive in Australia.
Growth and mortality following partial cutting in a trembling aspen – conifer stand: results after 10 years

We present the effects, 10 years after treatment, of different cutting intensities (removal of 0%, 35%, 50%, 65%, and 100% of basal area (BA)) on the response of residual trees in a 60-year-old mixed aspen–conifer stand in Quebec, Canada. While decennial mortality reached 170 stems·ha–1 under natural conditions (control, 24 m2·ha–1 BA), the removal of mature trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) trees reduced hardwood losses to 125, 105, and 0 stems·ha–1, respectively, in the 35%, 50%, and 65% cuttings, without affecting losses of coniferous species (≤25 stems·ha–1). The growth response of conifers was generally higher than that of broad-leaved species. For hardwoods, the decennial gains in merchantable BA decreased with respect to the control (3.2 m2·ha–1), to 1.2 m2·ha–1 in the 35% cut and to 0.9 m2·ha–1 in the 50% cut, but increased under the 65% cut (2.5 m2·ha–1). For conifers, gains were proportional to removal in partial cuts (2.6–4.9 m2·ha–1) and lower in the control (1.7 m2·ha–1). As a whol.
No evidence for developmental plasticity of color patterns in response to rearing substrate in pygmy grasshoppers

Color polymorphisms in animals may result from genetic polymorphisms, developmental plasticity, or a combi- nation where some phenotypic components are under strong genetic control and other aspects are influenced by develop- mental plasticity. Understanding how color polymorphisms evolve demands knowledge of how genetic and epigenetic environmental cues influence the development and phenotypic expression of organisms. Pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae) vary in color pattern within and among populations. Color morphs differ in morphology, behavior, and life his- tory, suggesting that they represent alternative ecological strategies. Pygmy grasshoppers also show fire melanism, a rapid increase in the frequency of black and dark-colored phenotypes in populations inhabiting fire-ravaged areas. We examined the influence of plasticity on color polymorphism in the pygmy grasshopper Tetrix subulata (L., 1761) using a split-brood design. Individuals were experimentally raised in solitude on either crushed charcoal or white aquarium gravel. Our analy- ses uncovered no plasticity of either color pattern or overall darkness of coloration in response to rearing substrate. In- stead, we find a strong resemblance between maternal and offspring color patterns. We conclude that pygmy grasshopper color morphs are strongly influenced by genetic cues or maternal effects, and that there is no evidence for developmental plasticity of coloration in response to rearing conditions in these insects. Resume´ : Le polymorphisme de la coloration chez les animaux peut resulter de polymorphismes genetiques, de plasticite ´ au cours du developpement ou d'une combinaison dans laquelle certaines composantes phenotypiques sont sous un fort
Nutritional value of brown midrib corn silage for lactating dairy cows

Abstract Brown midrib-3 corn ( Zea mays L.) silage and its normal genetic counterpart were fed in complete mixed rations to lactating Holstein cows at two forage-to-concentrate ratios (75:25 and 60:40, dry matter). The brown midrib silage contained 24% less lignin than the normal. Average daily intake of dry matter and milk composition did not differ with genotype of the corn or forage-to-concentrate ratio. Milk yield, actual and fat-corrected, was 1.3 and . 9kg greater for cows fed brown midrib-3 silage than for cows fed normal silage at 75:25. Milk yield was 1.6 and 1.0kg greater, actual and fat-corrected, for cows fed brown midrib than for those fed normal silage at 60:40. Forage-to-concentrate ratio of the ration did not affect milk yield.
Cumulative effects of pulp mill and municipal effluents on epilithic biomass and nutrient limitation in a large northern river ecosystem

Large-scale patterns in epilithic biomass and nutrient status were evaluated at 33 sites located upstream and downstream of point-source anthropogenic effluents in the Athabasca and Wapiti-Smoky rivers in Alberta, Canada. Multiple regression showed that epilithic chlorophyll a was significantly (p < 0.0001) related to concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and marginally (p = 0.06) significantly related to soluble reactive phosphorus. Epilithic biomass was up to 50 times higher immediately downstream of point-source inputs compared with sites upstream and those 20-150 km downstream. Data from nutrient diffusing substrata showed that the epilithon at 18 of the 33 sites was nutrient limited, while 14 sites showed no nutrient limitation; interpretation of the remaining site was inconclusive. Of the 18 nutrient-limited sites, six were nitrogen limited, five were phosphorus limited, and seven were co-limited. Multiple discriminant function analysis showed that the combined concentration of soluble reac.
Benthic NHJ and NO5 flux following sedimentation of a spring phytoplankton bloom in Aarhus Bight, Denmark

A seasonal study of NH: and NO; fluxes and concentrations at the sediment-water interface was carried out at a 15 m deep station in Aarhus Bight, Denmark. In winter, NHZ and NO; were released from the sediment at comparable rates (0.20 to 0.40 mm01 N m-2 dC1). A phytoplankton bloom developed rapidly in early spring. Immediately after mass sedimentation of diatoms, the sediment transiently released NH: at a high rate (up to 1.5 mm01 N m-'d-') and a dramatic change to a NO; uptake was observed (flux ca -0.80 mm01 N m-2 d-l). Subsequently both the NH. ; release and NO; uptake decreased (summer fluxes ca 0.35 and -0.15 mm01 N m-' d' , respectively). From late summer, NO? was again released from the sediment (ca 0.30 mm01 N m-' d-') and a second, weaker maximum of NH: release (ca 0.70 mm01 N m-' d-l) was observed in fall. Seasonal variation of NHJ and NO: concentrations at the sediment surface (upper 2 mm) and in the bottom water agreed well with observed flux patterns. The high NH; release and NO; uptake immediately after spring bloom sedimentation indicated rapid increases of mineralization and denitrification. Sediment nitrification seemed to be inhibited, however, probably because the O2 penetration depth was reduced after sedimentation. Uptake of bottom water NO: rather than nitrification therefore seemcd to support the denitrification maximum. Even when calculated for a whole year, about 50 % of the NO< consumed during denitrification was supplied from the bottom water. Annual nitrogen budgets also indicated that denitrification accounted for 25 O/O of the total inorganic n~trogen release from the sediment.
A review of the genus Gynaecoserica Brenske, 1896 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Sericini)

The present paper gives a review of the species so far assigned to the genus Gynaecoserica Brenske, 1896. Thirty-two new species are described: Gynaecoserica alma sp. nov., G. amara sp. nov., G. arunachalensis sp. nov., G. barclayi sp. nov., G. bicolorata sp. nov., G. bocaki sp. nov., G. bomdilana sp. nov., G. compacta sp. nov., G. densipunctata sp. nov., G. digna sp. nov., G. dirangensis sp. nov., G. exilis sp. nov., G. gisionensis sp. nov., G. hirsuta sp. nov., G. ignobilis sp. nov., G. jelineki sp. nov., G. keithi sp. nov., G. lobiceps sp. nov., G. lohitensis sp. nov., G. lomsakensis sp. nov., G. lubosi sp. nov., G. luteata sp. nov., G. maekasana sp. nov., G. maymyoensis sp. nov., G. nahangensis sp. nov., G. namtamaiensis sp. nov., G. obliqua sp. nov., G. rostrata sp. nov., G. schima sp. nov., G. seinghkuensis sp. nov., G. vogleri sp. nov. and G. ziyardamensis sp. nov. The genitalia of the new species are figured and the distribution of the species is illustrated. Two new combinations are established: G. marginipes (Brenske, 1896) comb. nov. and G. felina (Arrow, 1946) comb. nov.; the lectotype of the latter is designated. In addition to the species diagnoses a key to all so far known Gynaecoserica species is provided.
Competitive ability of neotropical Drosophila predicted from larval development times

Interspecific competition is a major aspect of the ecology of insect communities exploiting ephemeral and fragmented resources. To generate testable predictions on the role of competition in such communities, information is required about the competitive abilities of the species involved. In this study we test whether larval development time, an important life-history trait, can be used to predict interspecific competitive ability in neotropical Drosophila species. Based on earlier work, we predicted a negative relationship between larval development time and competitive ability. Pairwise competition experiments were conducted with seven Drosophila species (in all possible combinations) that are known to coexist in central Panama and represent a wide range of larval development times. We used a novel approach to determine experimental densities, standardising total larval food requirements, and thereby increasing the resolution for detecting general traits involved in exploitation competition. The effects of competition were measured by comparing values for three fitness-related parameters (thorax length, larval survival, and total mass of emerged adults) against their values at two levels of intraspecific competition. The outcomes of the pairwise competition were significantly explained by the differences in larval development times: within species pairs, species with a longer development suffered more from interspecific competition than those with shorter development. It is argued that larval development time is a major determinant of competitive rank order among drosophilid species, allowing testable community-wide predictions. In addition, this relationship provides a basis for studying the role of life-history trade-offs in community-level processes. Given the generality of the Drosophila biology, development time is expected to play a similar role in other insect communities exploiting ephemeral and fragmented resources.
Change in the balance of ammonium-N and nitrate-N content in soil under grazed grass swards over 7 years

The pool of nitrate-N (NO3–-N) in the soil is more prone to losses than that of ammonium-N (NH4+-N) so any shift towards NO3–-N dominance in the soil pools, caused by management intensity, could have environmental implications. The change in the balance of soil NH4+-N and NO3–-N content with time was studied using grazed grass swards receiving different fertilizer N inputs. In addition, the effect of past management on net nitrification of 400 μg NH4+-N g–1 was investigated in a soil incubation study. Mineral N was determined at frequent intervals (at least every 2 weeks) throughout the year in the top 5 or 7·5 cm of a sandy clay-loam soil at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland at Hillsborough, County Down, for a 7-year period (1989–90 to 1995–96). The treatments were a perennial ryegrass–white clover sward receiving no fertilizer N, together with perennial ryegrass swards receiving 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 kg N ha–1 year–1 as calcium ammonium nitrate. The plots were continuously grazed by beef steers from April to October to maintain a constant sward height of 7 cm. There was little or no change in average soil NO3–-N and NH4+-N content from 1989–90 to 1995–96 on the grass–clover sward and plots receiving 100 and 200 kg N ha–1 year–1. However, with the plots receiving 300, 400 and 500 kg N ha–1 year–1 NO3–-N became progressively more dominant with time. The incubation study confirmed that this was due to an increase in net nitrification rate. There was evidence that rapid microbial assimilation of NO3–-N occurred during the soil incubations. Past management history can play an important role in determining soil NO3–-N content and hence potential losses of N to the environment.