Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distaplia alaskensis sp.nov. (Ascidiacea, Aplousobranchia) and other new ascidian records from south-central Alaska, with a redescription of Ascidia columbiana (Huntsman, 1912)

Alaskan ascidians are incompletely known and rarely sampled. The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center recently conducted an extensive survey of harbors and marinas for nonindigenous species at major marine traffic sites on the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound in Alaska. Collections made during summer 1998 and 1999 included 12 species of ascidians, one of which is a new species of Distaplia, D. alaskensis. We consider it indigenous, though it could be cryptogenic because it was collected only from marina floats and no neighboring natural subtidal areas have ever been sampled. All the other species are natives except Botrylloides violaceus. This aggressive invader from Japan has recently spread rapidly along both coasts of the U.S.A. and Canada as well as in many other parts of the world, and is here reported from Alaska for the first time. Ascidia columbiana (Huntsman, 1912), synonymized in 1924 by Hartmeyer under Ascidia callosa, has now been shown to be a valid species, based on differences .
Spatial variation in resistance and virulence in the host–pathogen system Salix triandra–Melampsora amygdalinae

1 Host–pathogen interactions in isolated populations may result in the adaptation of pathogens to local hosts. However, results of earlier studies of local adaptation in plant–pathogen systems have been contradictory and it has been suggested that specific, species characteristics, for example distribution, dispersal and the degree of pathogen dependence on the host, are important for the outcome of host–pathogen interactions. In addition, the scale of the study may influence whether or not local adaptation is found. 2 We argue that local adaptation of the pathogen to the host can be expected in a system where: (i) the pathogen is host‐specific with a short generation time compared with the host; (ii) populations are isolated, allowing localized evolution to occur; and (iii) the study is performed on a geographical scale exceeding the maximum dispersal range of the interacting species. 3 To test these predictions we examined the within‐ and among‐population variation in resistance and virulence of the plant–pathogen system Salix triandra–Melampsora amygdalinae. The pathogen occurs throughout the whole distribution range of the host, and the area of interest consists of highly isolated, small natural populations. 4 Resistance and virulence differed both within and between populations and all clones showed a unique resistance pattern. We conclude that M. amygdalinae is locally adapted to the host S. triandra as all pathogen populations have a higher probability of infecting sympatric than allopatric hosts. Furthermore, high resistance in the host population was accompanied by a high virulence in the pathogen population, suggesting that high resistance levels in a host population may select for more virulent pathogen populations, or vice versa. 5 The nature of host–pathogen interactions differs among systems, and the dynamics of the interaction between S. triandra and M. amygdalinae is governed by characteristics that have resulted in the evolution of local adaptation. 6 Thus, when studying local adaptation of pathogens to their hosts it is important to consider the biology, as well as the scale of dispersal and spatial distribution of both host and pathogen.
BROODING PATTERN AND LARVAL PRODUCTION IN WILD STOCKS OF THE PUELCHE OYSTER, OSTREA PUELCHANA D'ORBIGNY

Abstract Brooding pattern and fertility of the puelche oyster (Ostrea puelchana) were investigated in a native population from the San Matías Gulf (40°48′S; 65°05′W, Northern Patagonia, Argentina). Monthly samples of 100 oysters were randomly collected at the oyster ground during the period November 1999 to January 2000, and weekly in the 2000 to 2001 reproductive season. Complementary data were obtained from the literature (1976 to 1978) and samplings performed during the periods 1980 to1984 and 1987 and 1998. The date at which oysters begin larval brooding may be placed somewhere within the period November 18 to January 11. In most seasons (77%), brooding starts within the period November 18 to December 5. The number of brooders is low at the debut (7.5% in 1999, 4% in 2000), peaking at the end of spring (20%), and gradually decreasing until reaching nearly 1% by middle February. Total number of larvae brooded on each sampling date showed a high correlation with brooding percentages (r2 = 0.85). Mean fertility showed no correlation with the percentage of oysters brooding larvae (r2 = 0.12). The highest value of mean fertility (2.7 million) was recorded at the beginning of the season when 4% of the oysters were brooding larvae. Mean fertility ranged from 900,000 to 2,700,000 larvae. Brood size ranges from 447,500 to 3,790,000 larvae (mean = 1,868,212; s = 813,808; n = 121). Individual fertility showed no correlation with neither size (total height) nor with internal volume of oysters within a size range of 60–115 mm. O. puelchana shows the highest fertility recorded in Ostrea species, a feature that seems consistent with its short incubation period, small egg size, long planktonic life, and small size of pediveligers.
Reanálisis de la diversidad alfa: alternativas para interpretar y comparar información sobre comunidades ecológicas.

El indice de entropia de Shannon y otras medidas de complejidad se utilizan frecuentemente para evaluar la diversidad de especies en comunidades ecologicas, aun cuando su comprension es dificil y sus valores no son comparables. En este trabajo se muestra que los numeros efectivos de especies (medidas de diversidad verdadera) permiten obtener una interpretacion intuitiva y facilmente comparable de la diversidad de especies. Se ejemplifica su uso reanalizando los datos de 4 trabajos publicados en la Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad (realizados en distintos ecosistemas y regiones de Mexico, con distinta resolucion taxonomica y enfocados en distintos grupos biologicos). Se utilizan modelos de estimacion en los que se considera que las muestras son representaciones incompletas de las comunidades. Se explica tambien la manera en que las medidas de diversidad de distinto orden incorporan a las especies segun su abundancia en la comunidad. Los resultados obtenidos pueden resultar de especial interes cuando los valores de diversidad se utilizan para proponer medidas para el manejo de recursos y la conservacion biologica.
Floral shape mimicry and variation in sexually deceptive orchids with a shared pollinator

Mimics can have both accurate mimicry and phenotypic variation if deception operates in multiple sensory modes. Australian Tongue orchids (Cryptostylis species) attract their sole pollinator, male Lissopimpla excelsa wasps (Ichneumonidae), by accurately mimicking the scent and colour of female L. excelsa wasps. To test for shape mimicry of female wasps, both traditional and geometric morphometric comparisons were performed with allopatric Cryptostylis ovata and the often sympatric Cryptostylis erecta, Cryptostylis leptochila, and Cryptostylis subulata. Although some floral parts accurately mimicked the female wasp, the overall floral shape differed dramatically among orchid species. The function (if any) of this interspecific shape variation is unknown, although it does not cause character displacement of pollen attachment locations to reduce interspecific pollen transfer. Analyses showed that floral parts involved in pollinia transfer were similarly shaped for three of the four Cryptostylis species and all attach their pollinia to the same location on the pollinator's abdomen. Shape may interact with pollinator behaviour: in the field, pollination rates doubled when two Cryptostylis species were present, regardless of orchid abundances. Perhaps variation in shape hinders pollinator recognition and the avoidance of orchids, similar to scent and colour variation in other sexually deceptive orchid systems. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 106, 469–481.
New Genes for Phylogenetic Studies of Lichenized Fungi: Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase and Beta-Tubulin Genes

Abstract Primers for amplification and sequencing of partial glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd) gene were designed for lichenized fungi. The 5’ gpd primer is most probably fungal specific, since a BLAST search in GenBank found identical sequences only from ascomycetous taxa, whereas the 3’ gpd primer was more universal. Utility of the gpd primers and previously designed beta-tubulin primers was tested in nine lichen taxa. Both the gpd and beta-tubulin primer pairs amplified in most of the taxa examined: the gpd primers generated a c. 1100 nucleotide fragment, whereas the PCR product obtained from the beta-tubulin primers was c. 900 nucleotides long. The gpd amplification products of Cladonia arbuscula and C. rangiferina were sequenced and both were found to contain three introns, the length of which varied between 49 to 83 nucleotides. To examine the applicability of gpd sequences in resolving relationships within Ascomycota, trees were calculated from 22 fungal gpd sequences obtained from GenBank together with the two Cladonia sequences using parsimony jackknifing. The gpd tree was compared with the SSU rDNA tree of the respective species (or genera). A similar analysis of the beta-tubulin gene was not performed, because only a few beta-tublin sequences from the same taxa were available in GenBank. The gpd tree was well resolved but in conflict with the SSU rDNA tree. In contrast to the SSU rDNA tree, the gpd tree did not support the monophyly of the Ascomycota. Analysis of the combined data set produced a tree very similar to that of the SSU rDNA data. However, the relationship of Lecanorales to the other orders remained unresolved. Even though gpd and beta-tubulin are highly conserved proteins, the third codon positions and introns are variable and both genes have the potential for inferring phylogenetic relationships at the lower taxonomic levels in the lichenized fungi. The two genes may be useful even below species level, depending on the species investigated.
Productivity and Characteristics of American Elderberry in Response to Various Pruning Methods

American elderberry [Sambucus canadensis L. ; Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (L.) Bolli] is being increasingly cultivated in North America for its edible fruit and flowers, yet it remains largely undeveloped as a horticultural crop. Elderberry is a shrub that produces fruit on both new and old wood, thereby offering unique pruning management opportunities and challenges. The objective of this study was to document the response of American elderberry to various pruning methods in terms of flowering, fruit yield, phenology, plant growth, and incidence of disease and arthropod pests and to consider the impact of various pruning methods on horticultural management. Four pruning treatments (annual removal of all shoots, biannual removal of all shoots, annual selective pruning, and no pruning) were studied among three cultivars at two Missouri sites over 5 years. Although significant interactions among experimental effects made interpretation challenging, several trends were evident. Annual selective pruning was an excellent way to manage elderberries with mean yields of 1086 g/plant across all experimental parameters; however, pruning to the ground annually or biannually also resulted in satisfactory yields (855 and 1085 g/plant, respectively) with a fraction of pruning labor involved. Pruning plants to the ground consistently resulted in fewer, but larger, fruiting cymes compared with selectively pruned or unpruned plants, which may be important in terms of harvest efficiency. Pruning treatment generally affected the time of flowering and fruit ripening; plants that flowered only on new stems (after removal of all shoots) ripened fruit 14 to 21 days later than plants that fruited on old wood. Although annually pruned plants generally yielded lower, the plants remained vigorous and productive, and this pruning management technique may have numerous advantages over other pruning methods.
Analysis of S-3-(Hexan-1-ol)-Glutathione and S-3-(Hexan-1-ol)-l-Cysteine in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Koshu for Aromatic Wines

S -3-(hexan-1-ol)-Glutathione (3MH- S -glut) and S -3-(hexan-l-ol)-l-cysteine (3MH- S -cys) concentrations in grape berry from Vitis vinifera cv. Koshu grown in four vineyards by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were analyzed. Commercial yeast strains converted 3MH- S -glut and 3MH- S -cys into 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol (3MH) and 3-mercaptohexyl acetate (3MHA), suggesting that both 3MH- S -glut and 3MH- S -cys are the flavor precursors of 3MH. Experiments conducted with a fermentation model showed that 3MH-S-cys was more effective in releasing volatile thiols than 3MH- S -glut. 3MH- S -glut and 3MH- S -cys were scarcely accumulated in stem and seed, but were accumulated in leaf and berry from 11 weeks postflowering (wpf). Leaf had the highest 3MH- S -glut and 3MH- S -cys contents among the grapevine tissues tested throughout development. In Koshu grape juice, the accumulation of both compounds peaked at 16 to 18 wpf and decreased thereafter. Cultivation conditions also affected 3MH- S -glut and 3MH- S -cys concentrations in grape berry. The accumulation of 3MH- S -glut and 3MH- S -cys in grape berry was the most rapid in the Kofu vineyard, which has the lowest elevation, and the slowest in Nirasaki vineyard, which has the highest elevation. These findings are expected to contribute to improving viticultural practices with the aim of harvesting grape berries having high concentrations of flavor precursors that are responsible for enhancing varietal aroma of Koshu wine.
The tadpoles and advertisement calls of Pleurodema bibroni Tschudi and Pleurodema kriegi (Müller), with notes on their geographic distribution and conservation status (Amphibia, Anura, Leiuperidae)

Pleurodema bibroni and P. kriegi are poorly known species with a troublesome taxonomic history. They are cryptic taxa, currently considered as valid species on the grounds of biogeographic and ecological differences. The first is known from much of southern Uruguay and from the northeastern region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (from sea level to 900 m a.s.l.); the latter is restricted to high grasslands of the Sierras Grandes in central Argentina, between 800–2000 m a.s. l. Herein, we compare their tadpoles and advertisement call and provide some notes on their conservation status and natural history. The tadpoles of both species are very similar, belonging to the benthic ecomorphological guild, and are characterized by: total length about 35 mm at stages 33–36; globose body; short lateral sinister spiracle posterodorsally directed; pineal end organ visible between the eyes; medial vent tube, with its opening aligned with the ventral fin, directed to the left or to the right; vent tube enclosed in a transparent saccular structure underlying the limb buds; tail length about 60% of the total length, with bluntly rounded tip; oral disc anteroventral, laterally emarginated, with very robust jaw sheaths and marginal papillae arranged in a single or double row with a large dorsal gap; labial tooth row formula 2(2)/3(1); gap in A2 wide with the upper jaw sheath partially placed within it; P3 about half the length of the other rows. The advertisement call exhibits the same temporal and spectral structure in both species. It consists of long trills (up to about 45–70 s) that are emitted sporadically; notes are about 0.044–0.062 s, separated by gaps of 0.024–0.058 s (note repetition rate 8.9–13.2/s) and have three pulses. Dominant frequency ranges between 1729 and 2162 Hz. Reproductive season of both species differed, autumn and winter for Uruguayan populations of P. bibroni and spring and summer for P. kriegi. Defensive encounter behavior (deimatic behavior) consisting in exhibition of the eye-like lumbar glands was documented in P. bibroni and P. kriegi (along with exposure of reddish flash coloration), and also in P. borellii, P. bufoninum and P. thaul. Similar behavior previously unreported for a Pleurodema species lacking noticeable lumbar glands was observed in P. tucumanum. The analysis of the literature, material in collections and fieldwork done by the authors over the last decade in Uruguay suggests that P. bibroni is undergoing severe decline. It was a common species up to the early 1970’s, but few populations close to each other in southeastern Uruguay are the only ones currently known. The conservation status of P. bibroni is of major concern as most known remnant populations are located in coastal areas with an increasing impact of urbanization. In contrast, P. kriegi seem to have stable populations, many of them within protected areas.
Despite prolonged association in closed populations, an intertidal predator does not prefer abundant local prey to novel prey

The diets of predators should reflect interactions between their behavioural and anatomical constraints and the availability and accessibility of prey, although feeding preferences may also reflect adaptation to locally abundant prey, particularly in closed populations. On the south-east coast of Australia, the whelk Haustrum vinosum (Lamarck, 1822) and its prey communities provide a model system in which to test the effect of variation in prey availability on diet and dietary preferences. Haustrum vinosum is a direct developing species, forming effectively closed populations, with the potential for local adaptation at local and regional scales. Here we show that populations of whelks east and west of a biogeographical barrier encounter different prey assemblages, and have different feeding patterns and apparent prey preferences. We then use a prey choice experiment to test for evidence that H. vinosum from three populations west of the barrier display an inherent preference for its most frequently encountered western prey species, the mussel Brachidontes rostratus (Dunker, 1857), over a novel prey, the barnacle Tesseropora rosea (Krauss, 1848). We detected no prey preference within any population, suggesting past association with B. rostratus did not influence prey selection. Our data support the hypothesis that predators with limited dispersal and high population differentiation are able to maintain flexible generalist foraging patterns, even when they encounter novel prey. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London
Cryopreservation of Boer goat spermatozoa: Comparison of two freezing extenders based on post-thaw sperm quality and fertility rates

Boer goat have recently been popularly used for cross breeding with local goats. However, it is currently considered a breed at very limited number with relatively high prices . In this context, the cryopreservation of spermatozoa is important because it could be conserved for a very long period of time. Egg yolk extenders are most commonly used for cryopreservation of goat sperm. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of two extenders to maintain sperm viability after cryopreservation. Semen from three male Boer goat aged about 2-3 years old was collected using artificial vagina and frozen with Tris and Triladyl extender. The results showed that percentage of motility, viability and membrane integrity of spermatozoa with Tris and Triladyl extenders at every stage of cryopreservation showed not significantly difference (P>0.05), except the percentage of sperm motility post thawing of Triladyl was higher than Tris extender (52.00±4.47% vs 47.50±2.74%, P<0.05). Cryopreserved semen in Tris extender provided the same fertility rates after cervical insemination compared to Triladyl (62.50% vs 60.00%). In conclusion, the Tris extender has the same capabilities to Triladyl in cryopreservation of Boer goat spermatozoa as to maintain sperm quality and fertility rates. Key Words : Boer Goat, Spermatozoa, Cryopreservation, Fertility
Food selection and feather molt by nonbreeding American green-winged teal in Texas Playas

We examined whether intensity of feather molt influenced food selection of nonbreeding American green-winged teal (Anas crceea carolincusis) in the Southern High Plains of Texas from autumn to early winter 1994 (n = 104) and 1995 (n = 85). Invertebrates comprised 8-31% and seeds 69-92% of the foods consumed by teal. All age-sex cohorts of teal consmmed invertebrates in greater proportion than available and consumed seeds less than expected (P ≤ 0.01). Feather molt intensity (% sheathed feathers) was greater during wet (11.64 ± 0.17% in 1995: x ± SE) than dry (3.61 ± 0.14% in 1994) years (P < 0.001). Invertebrate consumption increased as feather molt intensity increased for adult males and juvenile females (P < 0.001). Because teal selected invertebrates over seeds and molt intensity was greater when invertebrates were more abundant natural foods, especially invertebrates, may be an important proximate factor related to feather molt intensity and nutrient-reserve acquisition of nonbreeding green-winged teal in the Southern High Plains. Wetland management for nonbreeding waterfowl should incorporate strategies for production of invertebrates and seeds.
Movement pattern of white seabream, Diplodus sargus (L., 1758) (Osteichthyes, Sparidae) acoustically tracked in an artificial reef area

Abstract This paper presents the results of an application of ultrasonic telemetry on white seabream, Diplodus sargus inhabiting an artificial reef (AR) in NW Sicily (western Mediterranean Sea). The objective of the study was to investigate the movement pattern of seabreams, verify their homing behaviour and site fidelity, determine their home range and describe their use of the habitat. Four seabreams were tagged and released, and their movements were recorded with automated and manual acoustic receivers. The spatial and temporal distribution of positional data suggest that the tagged seabreams hide inside the AR during the day, staying out of their shelter at night. The nocturnal movements of the tagged fishes are suggested to be a search for food in the seagrass patches surrounding the ARs. The monitored seabreams showed clear homing behaviour and strong site fidelity. Their home range extended from 0.01 to 0.17 km and included the AR and the surrounding sandy area with seagrass patches. Home range areas increased proportionally to the distance between the refuge on AR and the foraging areas on seagrass patches. The higher activity of seabreams during the night was interpreted as a result of a trade-off between predation risk and foraging needs.
Análisis y estado del arte de la técnica de clasificación mecánica por máquina de la madera aserrada estructural (Revisión)

En los ultimos cuarenta anos la tecnica de clasificacion mecanica automatizada de la madera aserrada ha sufrido un notable desarrollo en todo el mundo, especialmente en los paises anglosajones y nordicos. En este articulo se analizan los origenes y la evolucion historica de la tecnica de clasificacion automatizada de la madera aserrada de uso estructural, comparando el funcionamiento de los distintos equipos existentes actualmente en el mercado. Tambien se analizan las variables del sistema y su incidencia sobre el proceso clasificatorio. Se discute sobre los modelos matematicos que ligan las variables clasificadoras con las predictoras medidas por cada maquina, analizando los factores que afectan al metodo y la mejor forma de ser tomados en consideracion. Tambien se dan indicaciones sobre la mejor forma de deducir los reglajes de cada tipo de maquina, de acuerdo con el metodo normalizado aprobado por el Comite Europeo de Normalizacion (CEN). Se concluye sobre la aplicabilidad del metodo, su estado actual de desarrollo, precision, fiabilidad y eficiencia asi como sobre la investigacion previa requerida para su puesta en marcha con nuevas clases de maderas y la forma de integrar las variables del metodo en el proceso clasificatorio.