Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae), la evolución de los polimorfismos florales y la conservación más allá de las "listas rojas"

Se realiza una revision del significado del genero Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae) para explicar los distintos modelos de evolucion de la heterostilia, aportandose datos recientes que confirman el buen ajuste que muestra este genero a los pasos propuestos en el modelo de Lloyd & Webb (1992a, 1992b). En particular, y a falta de una filogenia que establezca fielmente las condiciones ancestrales y derivadas, existen especies de Narcissus que representan casi todos los estadios del modelo: monomorfismo floral con hercogamia de aproximacion y compatibilidad genetica, dimorfismo estilar, distilia y tristilia. El sistema de incompatibilidad es variable, pero parece que no es del tipo usual en las plantas tradicionalmente consideradas heterostilas (i.e., dialelico). Ademas de estos patrones macroevolutivos (ligados a especiacion), se analizan variaciones a escala poblacional (microevolutiva) para explicar por que el dimorfismo estilar es tan frecuente en este genero y en particular por que en casi todas las especies dimorficas predomina el morfo de estilo largo. Dado que Narcissus es un genero con alta diversidad de especies, muchas de ellas endemicas, y aparece frecuentemente en las "listas rojas" de especies amenazadas y en peligro de extincion, se evaluan los criterios que se han seguido para incorporar estas especies. La mayor parte de las especies de Narcissus incluidas en las listas rojas pertenecen solo a algunos grupos taxonomicos (secciones), que ademas son los menos diversos en cuanto a polimorfismos representados en los modelos de evolucion de la heterostilia. Por otro lado, se revisa la informacion biologica contenida en algunas de las listas rojas, con objeto de poder utilizarla a su vez en la evaluacion del modelo evolutivo citado. Con pocas excepciones, esta informacion no es util por escasa o inexacta. Se sugiere que en los pasos siguientes a la elaboracion de las listas rojas se tenga en cuenta la relevancia cientifica que las especies pueden tener como sistemas de estudio de procesos ecologicos y/o evolutivos de caracter mas general. Idealmente, la informacion a obtener para las especies de las listas rojas deberia constituir una Flora Biologica al modo en que viene haciendose en las Islas Britanicas o, mas recientemente, en Europa central
MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF THE HUMERUS OF THE SOUTH AMERICAN SUBTERRANEAN RODENT CTENOMYS (RODENTIA, CTENOMYIDAE)

Abstract Humeral variation associated with digging ability in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys was analyzed through 6 functionally significant indexes. The humerus of some extinct and living species was slightly more specialized than that of fossorial octodontoids †Actenomys and Octodon, whereas it was highly specialized in some living species. The constant occurrence of greater epicondyles suggests a hierarchical pattern in the acquisition of scratch-digging specializations. A possible relationship between humeral morphological diversity and environments is preliminarily discussed.
Local air pollutants threaten Lake Tahoe's clarity

Lake Tahoe is a high-altitude (6,227 feet) lake located in the northern Sierra Nevada at the California-Nevada border. During the second half of the 20th century, the decline in Lake Tahoe's water clarity and degradation of the basin's air quality became major concerns. The loading of gaseous and particulate nitrogen, phosphorus and fine soil via direct atmospheric deposition into the lake has been implicated in its eutrophication. Previous estimates suggest that atmospheric nitrogen deposition contributes half of the total nitrogen and a quarter of the total phosphorus loading to the lake, but the sources of the atmospheric pollutants remain unclear. In order to better understand the origins of atmospheric pollutants contributing to the decline in Lake Tahoe's water clarity, we reviewed a series of studies performed by research groups from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, UC Davis and the Desert Research Institute. Overall, the studies found that the pollutants most closely connected to the decline in Lake Tahoe's water quality originated largely from within the basin.
Applied Entomology of Palestine, being a Report to the Palestine Government

In the pages which follow I record some observations which I made upon the insect pests of this extremely interesting country while I served the Palestine Government as Medical Entomologist (May 1921 to August 1923). I have divided my notes into three parts. The part which deals with Anopheles and malaria is the fullest; that which deals with some other creatures of medical and veterinary interest is incomplete, and it must not be supposed that an insect is absent or even rare because I have not found it; that which deals with the pests of crops and plants is extremely fragmentary.
Energy expenditure in European roe deer fawns during the suckling period and its relationship with maternal reproductive cost

We measured energy expenditure by means of indirect calorimetry in European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) fawns at frequent intervals from birth to 45 days of age. Mean resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body mass (BM) did not differ significantly between males (N = 9) and females (N = 14). RMR significantly increased with the fawn age following the equation RMR (kJ·d-1) = 956 + 31.4 age (days). Growth in BM was linear: BM (kg) = 1.565 + 0.135 age (days). Mass-specific RMR decreased from a peak value of ca. 500 kJ·kg-1·d-1 in the first week to 290.4 ± 10.0 kJ·kg-1·d-1 in the sixth week. Concomitant metabolic trials performed with 14 lactating females and their 19 fawns indicated that metabolic weaning began in the third week, when the fawn's energy expenditure became markedly higher than could be compensated for by the mother's milk. Comparison of the energy expenditure of singletons and twins showed that female roe deer are energetically well adapted to nurse two fawns.
Underestimated ranges and overlooked refuges from amphibian chytridiomycosis

Accurately documenting and predicting declines and shifts in species’ distributions is fundamental for implementing effective conservation strategies and directing future research; species distribution models (SDM) have become a powerful tool for such work. Nevertheless, much of the data used to create these models are opportunistic and often violate some of their basic assumptions. We use amphibian declines and extinctions linked to the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) to examine how sampling biases in data collection can affect what we know of this disease and its effect on amphibians in the wild.
The effect of the meteorological factors on the Alnus pollen season in Lublin (Poland)

Abstract Alder pollen seasons and the effect of meteorological conditions on daily average pollen counts in the air of Lublin (Poland) were analysed. Alnus pollen grains reach very high concentrations in the atmosphere of this city during the early spring period and the parameters of pollen seasons were very different in the particular years studied. The pollen season lasted on average one month. The highest variation was observed for the peak value and the Seasonal Pollen Index (SPI). The pollen seasons, which started later, had shorter duration. Peak daily average pollen counts and SPI value were higher during the shorter seasons. Similarities in the stages of pollen seasons designated by the percentage method depended on the start date of the pollen season. Season parameters were mainly correlated with thermal conditions at the beginning of the year. Regression analysis was used to predict certain characteristics of the alder pollen season. The highest level of explanation of the variation in Alnus pollen season start and peak dates was obtained in the model using mean temperature in February. The obtained regression models may predict 82% of the variation in the pollen season start date, 73% of the variation in the duration, and 62% in the peak date.
Morphological examination and phylogenetic position of two newly recorded freshwater Cryptomonas species (Cryptophyceae) from China

Two freshwater cryptomonads, Cryptomonas obovata Skuja and Cryptomonas curvata Ehrenberg, are reported for the first time in China. Identification was based on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Cryptomonas obovata was characterized by its obovoid cell shape, lobed cell subapex, and a large number of starch grains. Cryptomonas curvata was characterized by its sigmoid cell shape, rostrate cell apex, and numerous pyrenoids. Nuclear and nucleomorph small subunit rDNA phylogenetic analyses revealed Cryptomonas curvata collected from China was very similar to C. curvata strains cultivated in Germany, and the closest relative of C. obovata was found to be C. pyrenoidifera Geitler. Controversially, some quite morphologically different members of the genus Cryptomonas Ehrenberg were clustered into the same group in phylogeny analyses, which emphasized the complexity of the genus Cryptomonas.
Behavioral Responses to 'Alarm Odors' In Potentially Invasive and Non-invasive Crayfish Species from Aquaculture Ponds

Two North American crayfish species, the Eastern white river crayfish, Procambarus acutus acutus, and the red swamp crayfish, P. clarkii, were studied in the laboratory for their responses to food odors and to cues released by injured conspecifics and heterospecifics. The two species differ in that only P. clarkii is known to behave as an invasive species. All the test individuals were collected from aquaculture research ponds, in which they had had no prior contact with the other species and predation risks, excluding cannibalism, were reduced. The experimental design consisted in subjecting 20 crayfish per species to (1) a 3-min control phase after the injection of 20 ml of water and (2) a 3-min test phase after the injection of 20 ml of one of three test solutions (food odor, conspecific odor plus food odor, heterospecific odor plus food odor). We found that the two species differ on one hand for their background behavior and on the other for the intensity and quality of their responses to the three types of cues. Firstly, P. clarkii appeared more active than P. acutus acutus during the control phase and responded in a stronger fashion to the injection of the solutions. Secondly, we recorded an increased locomotion in P. acutus acutus with food and heterospecific cues (by moving crayfish maximize the chance of finding food), but not with conspecific odors (by not moving, crayfish reduce their exposure to visual predators). To the contrary, at the injection of the three test solutions P. clarkii displayed clear feeding-related activities (although less intense with conspecific odors) as opposed to the danger reactions shown in a previous study on individuals from a naturalized population of the same species. This result suggests that crayfish reared in an environment where predation risks are reduced (e. g. in aquaculture ponds) may respond differently to cues that in other, more risky habitats inform of a danger.
Spatial distribution of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense in summer in the Okhotsk Sea off Hokkaido, Japan

To investigate the mechanisms influencing the spatial distribution of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense in the Okhotsk Sea off Hokkaido, Japan, intensive field surveys were conducted at 34–37 stations in late July every year from in 2002–2007. Alexandrium tamarense occurred every year. However, the abundance of A. tamarense fluctuated year by year, with extremely low cell densities of A. tamarense in 2005. High abundances of A. tamarense were found frequently in the oceanic area of the surface low-salinity water (LSW, salinity≤32.5) and the mixed water (MW). Low abundances were found along the coastal area of the Soya Warm Current (SWC, salinity≥33.6) and in the dichothermal water (DTW, temperature≤2°C) in the layer of oceanic areas deeper than 30 m. The PO4-P concentration in each water mass was in the order DTW>MW>LSW>SWC and the lowest PO4-P concentration that occurred in the SWC is considered to be a potential limiting factor for the growth of A. tamarense. The reason for the low A. tamarense abundance in the DTW is considered to be the low water temperature and low light intensity. It is concluded that the water mass of LSW has favorable conditions for the growth of A. tamarense. The relative frequency of each water mass fluctuated every year and the results suggest that the frequency of occurrence of the LSW and MW is one of the most significant factors controlling the abundance of A. tamarense in the area.
Sexual distinction between 5th instar nymphs of six species of Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

The aim of this paper is to present the analysis of sexual morphological differences observed in 5th instar nymphs of the following species: Panstrongylus megistus; Rhodnius neglectus; Triatoma brasiliensis; T. infestans; T. matogrosensis and T. tibiamaculata. Male and female nymphs were examined and photographed with a Scanning Electron Microscope. The 9th segment dimensions of dorsal and ventral faces were determined through a Profile Projector. Results and statistical analysis showed significant differences: the 9th sternite is significantly broader in male than female nymphs, while in five species; tergites in female nymphs are broad and in male are narrow.
Morphological Variation and Fluctuating Asymmetry Among Insular Populations of the Sleepy Lizard, Trachydosaurus-Rugosus Gray (Squamata, Scincidae)

Morphological characteristics of island populations of the sleepy lizard, Trachydosaurus rugosus, were compared with those of three adjacent mainland populations in South Australia. An analysis of 21 morphological characters revealed greater divergence among the island populations than among those on the mainland. However, in contrast with the findings of an earlier study using allozyme electrophoresis, morphological relationships among populations showed little congruence with the relationships expected from their geographic proximity. Two measures of developmental stability (fluctuating asymmetry and percentage gross abnormalities) varied significantly among the populations. High levels of developmental instability were observed in three of the island populations. It is not possible to rule out environmental causes of the increased developmental instability but it appears more likely that it is caused by genetic drift and inbreeding resulting from small population size. These results suggest that developmental stability may be more useful in monitoring genetic changes in wildlife populations than the conventional method of allozyme electrophoresis.
Extraction of Contractile Protein from Myxoamoebae of Physarum polycephalum

Contractile protein (myosin B) was isolated from myxoamoebae (haploid vegetative phase) of Physarum polycephalum. Myxoamoeba myosin B showed properties similar to those of natural actomyosin (myosin B) from muscle. Myxoamoeba myosin B appeared similar to myosin B of smooth muscle and non-muscle cells than to that of skeletal muscle, on the basis of quantitative characteristics and presence of only two light chains.Myosin B isolated from myxoamoebae had almost the same properties asmyosin B from plasmodia (diploid vegetative phase of Physarum). On SDS-gel electrophoresis, identical to actin and myosin subunits of myxoamoeba werethose of the plasmodium. The apparent particle length of myxoamoeba myosin B was 0.62 to 0.55 μm, which was shorter than that of natural muscle actomyosin. Short length particles were also observed in plasmodium preparations. Some differences in ATPase activity were observed between myxoamoeba and plasmodium.
The larval development of polychaeta from the northern california coast. IV. Leitoscoloplos pugettensis and Scoloplos acmeceps (Family Orbiniidae)

Abstract The larval development of Leitoscoloplos pugettensis and Scoloplos acmeceps, two common infaunal orbiniid polychaetes of northern California is described. The larvae of L. pugettensis develop from egg cocoons deposited by females in sand-mud substrata. Development is either direct and completed within the cocoons or there is a short pelagic period prior to metamorphosis. Scoloplos acmeceps spawns its gametes into seawater with development being entirely lecithotrophic. The larvae of S. acmeceps have the longest pelagic phase (up to 20 days) of any species of orbiniid thus far studied. Comparative aspects of orbiniid larval development are discussed. It is suggested that extreme differences in the developmental mode and larval morphology of S. armiger, as described by different authors, represent sibling species.
Mungbean phyllody disease in Pakistan: symptomatology, transmission, varietal response and effects on yield characteristics

Mungbean plants showing typical symptoms of infection by a phytoplasma that causes phyllody disease (transformation of floral parts into green, leaf-like structures) were examined in field crops in both spring and summer seasons. The most common symptoms were floral virescence, phyllody, reduction in leaf size, extensive proliferation of branches and stunting of plants. Sometimes these symptoms were accompanied by longitudinal splitting of green pods followed by germination of green (physiologically mature) seeds, producing small plants. Phyllody disease pathogen was successfully transmitted from diseased to healthy mungbean plants using either grafting and the leafhopper Orosius albicinctus under laboratory conditions. Transmission via seeds and by insects that included leafhopper Amrasca devastans, pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, beetles Brumoides suturalis, Hippodamia variegata, Menochilus sexmaculatus, and the whitefly Bemisia tabaci failed to produce disease under laboratory conditions. During the spring and summer seasons of 2009, a field trial of 162 exotic and indigenous mungbean genotypes obtained from 8 different geographical regions was conducted, aiming to shed light on the causes of susceptibility to phyllody disease. Sixty-one genotypes showed infection, ranging from 1.00% to 4.35%. Significant variation in all yield and morphological characteristics due to phyllody disease on mungbean plants depending on growth stages was also recorded. Comparison between healthy and diseased plants showed significant percentage reduction at all growth stages. Maximum reduction in all the tested charcateristics was recorded when plants were infected before flowering followed by infection at the flowering and pod-setting stages. The most severely affected plant variables at all infection stages were the number of seeds per plant, the number of normal seeds per plant and yield per plant. Severely infected plants produced no seeds but some partially infected plants produced very small, sickle-shaped, upright and leathery pods with degenerate seeds.
Effects of Selective Logging on the Behavioral Ecology of West Malaysian Primates

This study documents changes within a community of one nocturnal and five diurnal primate species in response to selective logging of their tropical rain—forest habitat. Groups of two diurnal primate species, Hylobates lar and Presbytis melalophos, were observed in the wild for 14 mo before and 12 mo after the onset of logging. Both species showed alterations in activity budgets following logging, spending more time resting and less time feeding and travelling. These changes may be attributable to the reduction in the availability of their preferred, more nutritious foods. Both H. lar and P. melalophos were territorial in primary forest in the study area, and there was remarkably little change in their home ranges following logging. Changes that were apparent were generally to conform to changes in habitat topography. The extent of range overlap between P. melalophos groups appeared to increase in older logged forest, however, as food resources changed from an even to a clumped distribution. The overall response of the studied primate community to selective logging appeared to be a reaction to reduced food availability and to fragmentation or other alterations of the habitat. An ability to adjust foraging strategies to cope with variation in habitat and food supply probably accounts for the continued survival of these primate populations in logged forest.
PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY IN CLADOPHORA (CHLOROPHYTA) IN THE CLARK FORK OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER, MONTANA 1

Cellular nutrient concentrations and nutrient uptake rates of Cladophora glomerata (L.) Kuetzing were determined during summer and fall in 1989–1990 at a site on the upper Clark Fork of the Columbia River, Montana. Both physiological tests indicated that Cladophora growth is likely to be limited by nitrogen during late summer‐early fall. Maximum uptake rates of ammonia‐N and nitrate‐N were 5935–6991 and 507–984 μg · g DW−1· h−1, respectively, during July–October when dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations in the river were less than 10 μg · L−1. During November‐December, when DIN was 72–376 μg · L−1, maximum ammonia‐N uptake was 1137–1633 μg · g DW−1· h−1 and maximum nitrate‐N uptake was 0–196 μg · g DW−1· h−1. Cellular nitrogen during summer–early fall was 0.78–1.80% of Cladophora dry weight, frequently at or below 1.1%, a level suggested as a critical minimum N concentration for maximum growth. In contrast, cellular P was 0.18–0.36% of dry weight, 3–6 times the suggested critical P concentration of 0.06%. Molar ratios of cellular N:P (< 16:1) and DIN: SRP (< 4:1) during late summer‐early fall also indicated potential N limitation. Cellular N and P from Cladophora collected from a second site influenced by a municipal wastewater discharge in 1990 displayed similar seasonal trends. At both sites, seasonal fluctuations in DIN were closely tracked by changes in cellular N, Cellular P, however, increased through the growing season despite declining levels of SRP in the river.