Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biosynthetic pathways of the pheromone of the Egyptian armyworm Spodoptera littoralis

Abstract Most insect pheromones comprise multicomponent blends of geometric or optical isomers, and one major question is how insects produce species‐specific ratios of components for successful reproductive isolation. Key enzymes suggested to be involved in pheromone biosynthesis are acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase and fatty acyl synthetase, chain‐shortening enzymes, desaturases, elongases, reductases, oxidases, and alcohol acetyl transferases. The female pheromone composition of the Egyptian armyworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) is highly dependent on the origin of the strain. In this review, we present a summary of the different reported pheromone compositions of the moth, including from our recent studies on this subject, as well as the biosynthetic routes to the different components and the molecular approaches involved. In addition, the key role played in the proposed biosynthetic pathways by a number of important biosynthetic enzymes, such as chain shortening enzymes, desaturases and alcohol acetyl transferases, is outlined, as well as the latest developments on the inhibition of these enzymes.
Benefits and costs of rapid growth in common murre chicks Uria aalge

While accelerated growth can be advantageous to nestling birds, there may be a tradeoff between rapid growth and resistance to food shortages. Common murres Uria aalge are colonial seabirds that benefit from reproductive synchrony. Individuals that lay eggs late should benefit if they produce chicks capable of growing quickly and fledging synchronously with their neighbors. In this study, we controlled food provisioning of captive-hatched common murre chicks from a single subcolony and examined differences in growth between early-hatched individuals and their later-hatched neighbors. We assessed potential costs of rapid growth by comparing growth of chicks fed ad libitum with their growth under food restricted conditions. Chicks that hatched later were heavier, ate more and gained body mass more quickly than chicks that hatched earlier. Late-hatched chicks grew quickly enough to reach the same mass as their early-hatched neighbors in five days. However, chicks that grew more quickly under ad libitum food conditions grew more slowly when food was restricted. We conclude that murres that lay eggs late may synchronize their reproduction with early-laying neighbors by producing rapidly growing chicks. However, the ability to compensate for late hatching by growing quickly can be costly when food becomes limited.
PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF SCOTUSSA AND LEIOTETTIX (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE)

Abstract— A cladistic analysis of the South American grasshopper generaScotussaandLeiotettixwas performed in order to test the monophyly of these genera.Eurotettix, Chlorusand theDichroplus bergispecies group were included as terminal taxa. The genusAtrachelacriswas used to root the tree. Twenty‐nine characters from external morphology, male genitalia and female ovipositor were used in the analysis. In order to test for association between the structural change that occurred in the ovipositor valves ofScotussaand the functional change of the oviposition habits, the data matrix was partitioned and two analyses were performed. Characters from the female ovipositor were excluded from the data set used in the first analysis and another analysis was performed where all the characters were included in the analysis. Information on oviposition habits was then mapped on the cladogram, to determine the transformation for performance. Both analyses yielded only one most parsimonious tree and produced congruent results, confirming the monophyly ofLeiotettixandScotussaand corroborating their close relationship. Characters from the female ovipositor valves were informative not only at the species level but also at higher levels in the cladogram. The results also support the hypothesis of association between the structural change that occurred in the ovipositor valves ofScotussawith the functional change in the oviposition habits. However, this association did not seem to be correlated with the adaptive radiation in the genus.
Integrating Soil-Applied Azadirachtin with Amblyseius cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Hypoaspis aculeifer (Acari: Laelapidae) for the Management of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Abstract We examined integration of soil application of azadirachtin with two predatory mite species to control Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) on Phaseolus vulgaris. The release of a single predatory mite species reduced thrips numbers only to the lowest degree under this set of experimental conditions. Predator combinations increased corrected thrips mortality ranging from 54 to 85%. NeemAzal-U (17% azadirachtin), a formulation developed for root uptake, caused mortalities from 70 to 98% after soil application. A combination of azadirachtin with predatory mites enhanced not only consistency in thrips control but also resulted in efficacies of up to 99%. The survival of both predatory mite species were not significantly affected by NeemAzal-U soil treatments. However, a significant reduction in population development of H. aculeifer assumed an influence of NeemAzal-U on reproduction of the soil dwelling mites.
Effects of feeding clover silages on feed intake, milk production and digestion in dairy cows

Silages were made from pure crops of perennial ryegrass, red clover and white clover over 2 years. In all but one case the silage was stored as bales. A silage additive specially adapted for bales (Kofasil UltraTM) was used for all silages and they were all of good hygienic quality. The additive contained sodium nitrite, hexamethylene, tetraamine sodium bensoate and sodium propionate. The silages were offered ad libitum, either pure or mixed [grass/clover 0·50/0·50 on a dry-matter (DM) basis] with a fixed amount (8 kg) of concentrate. Two experiments, one in each year, were performed with high-yielding multiparous dairy cows in mid-lactation, and both rumen-cannulated and intact cows were used. The experiments were carried out using an incomplete changeover design with fifteen cows and five treatments each year. The cows consumed large quantities of these silages (12·7–16·3 kg DM per cow per day). The highest intakes were obtained when the red clover and the 0·50 red clover:0·50 perennial ryegrass silage diets were offered. However, there was a difference between years. In year 1, 0·50 red clover:0·50 perennial ryegrass and 0·50 white clover:0·50 perennial ryegrass silage diets showed the highest intakes while pure perennial ryegrass and white clover silage diets gave lower intakes. In year 2 the highest intake of silage was obtained when the diet containing silage from red clover from a second cut was offered, while the silage from red clover from a first cut gave the lowest intake. The voluntary intakes of silages from white clover and perennial ryegrass were intermediate. No cases of bloat or other digestive disturbances were observed. Milk yield was significantly lower for the perennial ryegrass silage diet compared with all other diets in year 1. In year 2 milk yield was highest for the white clover silage diets and lowest for the red clover silage diets from both cuts. In year 1 there were relatively small differences in milk composition while in year 2 milk fat content was significantly lower with white clover silage diet and milk protein content was significantly higher with the perennial ryegrass diet. The overall conclusion from these experiments was that cows were able to consume large quantities of pure legume silage without serious disturbance to their metabolism. Differences in measurements of rumen metabolism were found between diets and especially between years. Milk production differences appears to be coupled to both differences in rumen physical characteristics, such as passage rate and particle size as well as differences in volatile fatty acid production in the rumen.
Controle alternativo da podridão peduncular em manga

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alternative products in mango sleeves inoculated challenged with Lasiodiplodia theobromae and its influence on the mycelial growth of the pathogen in vitro. Mangoes were treated with: potassium phosphate (50, 100 and 150), hidroxidobenzoico acid (5, 10 and 15), calcium chloride (0.13, 0.26 and 0.39) (in mmol), ultraviolet light ( 10, 20 and 30 min.), extracts of garlic, melons of the Caetano, bark of mango (25, 50 and 75%) and water (control). The design was a split plot. 106 con. /mL was inoculated immediately after each treatment (T1), twelve hours after (T2) and twenty-four hours after (T3). In T1, the best treatments were PO (50 mmol) and CC (0.13 mmol). T2 in there were CC (0.13 mmol), AH (5 mmol), EA (25%) and FP (100 mmol). In T3 there was no difference between treatments. In vitro treatments were mixed into the culture medium. After solidification it was placed in the center of each plate, structures of the phythopathogen. The model was in DIC with 6 replications. After 48 hours it was measured the diameter of the colony. The best treatments were FP (100 and 150 mmol), ECM (50 and 75%) and EA (50%).
Capillaria margolisi sp.nov. (Nematoda: Capillariidae) from a marine fish, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus (Ayres), from the west coast of Canada

A new nematode species, Capillaria margolisi sp.nov., is described from the pyloric caeca of cabezon, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus (family Cottidae), from the west coast of Canada (Vancouver Island). It can be distinguished from other congeneric species possessing a spiny spicular sheath mainly by the short spicule (0.2 mm) and by the presence of two large sublateral lobes on the male tail. This species differs from all other members of Capillaria from fishes, except C. gracile and C. rhinobati, in having a bell-shaped vulvar appendage in the female.
Community composition and regeneration of Lake Wales Ridge wiregrass flatwoods in relation to time-since-fire1

most structurally important species in the community significantly varied among postfire age groups; wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana) frequency was lowest in long-unburned stands, but average cover of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) increased with time-since-fire. Plant species presence remained relatively constant across all stands. Estimated species richness and diversity did not change significantly with time-since-fire. Species composition of the seed bank did not closely resemble the aboveground community composition. Most species present in the seed bank (63%) were not found growing in any stand. Most wiregrass flatwoods species (89%) are capable of vegetative recovery and many (54%) were found to recover only vegetatively after fires. Although few significant shifts in plant species presence were detected along a gradient in fire history that spanned thirty years, important structural changes occurred, which eventually can have substantial impacts in fire suppressed communities. Species that recover vegetatively after fires, but are not present in the seed bank, could be lost from long-unburned flatwoods.
Species richness and representation in protected areas of the Western hemisphere: discrepancies between checklists and range maps

We use data based on species checklists and geographical range maps for 3096 amphibian, 4100 bird and 1878 terrestrial mammal species to explore possible discrepancies in estimates of species richness for protected areas. We predict substantial differences between checklist and range map richness for smaller areas, where higher errors of commission from range maps are likely to occur. We also explore how discrepancies between species inventories and range maps may affect assessments of reserve prioritization and representation.
Fine Root Production Estimates and Belowground Carbon Allocation in Forest Ecosystems

We compared published estimates of the net fine root production (FRP) in forest sites to litterfall and aboveground net primary production (ANPP) to test whether annual rates of fine root and aboveground production vary together at global scales. We also compared FRP estimates to theoretical upper limits as defined by our previously published relationship between total root allocation (TRA, carbon allocated to FRP plus live—root respiration) and litterfall. Estimates of the carbon content of FRP in the total data set ranged from 25 to 820 g°m—2°yr—1 and were not correlated with annual litterfall of ANPP. Different methods used for estimating fine root production, however, showed contrasting results. Estimates derived using either sums of seasonal changes in fine root biomass ("Sequential Core" method) or differences between annual maximum and minimum fine root biomass ("Maximum — Minimum" method) were not correlated with either litterfall of ANPP. Sequential Core estimates were often high relative to predicted TRA values, whereas Maximum — Minimum estimates were generally <50% of TRA. The small number of FRP estimates derived from root—free cores ("Ingrowth Core" method) were not correlated with measures of aboveground production but were all well below predicted TRA values. In contrast to results of other methods, FRP estimates derived using ecosystem N budgets ("N Budget" method) were positively correlated with both litterfall and ANPP. Comparing FRP estimates based on N budgets with previous results of forest soil C budgets suggested that annual fine root production increases with aboveground production and that °1/3 of TRA is used for production of fine roots.
Sexual dimorphism of body size and shell shape in European tortoises

Adult body size and shape were examined in almost 1400 individuals of the tortoises Testudo graeca, T. hermanni and T. marginata from Greece. The size at maturity was greater in females than in males in all three species. Maximum and mean adult sizes were also greater in females than in males in T. graeca and T. hermanni. Males grew to a larger size than females in T. marginata ,a nd mean adult size was similar in the sexes in this species. Sexual dimorphism of shape (adjusted for size covariate) was shown in most of the characters examined, and the degree of this dimorphism differed significantly among the three species. Differences were related to their contrasting courtship behaviours: horizontal head movements and severe biting in T. marginata ,v ertical head bobs and carapace butting in T. graeca ,a nd mounting and tail thrusting in T. hermanni . T here was no difference in the frequency of observations of courtship or fighting among the three species, but courtship was about 10 times more common than combat in males. All species showed greatest courtship activity in autumn; copulation was rarely observed in T. hermanni (only 0.36% of courting males) and not seen in the other species in the field. Observations made throughout the activity season indicated that feeding was equally common in males and females in all three species. Differences in shape were more likely to be the result of sexual selection than of natural selection for fecundity. Detailed predictions are made for sexual dimorphism of other characters in these species.
Doses de basalto moído nas propriedades químicas de um Latossolo Amarelo distrófico da savana de Roraima

Basaltic rocks have chemical and mineralogical composition that allows its agricultural application due to its capability of improving soil fertility. The aim in this work was to evaluate the effect of levels of finely crushed basalt rock in soil chemical conditioning. A dystrophic Yellow Latosol from pre-weathered Boa Vista Formation was used. The rock of the Apoteri formation was collected in the mine of Nova Olinda near Boa Vista. The treatments consisted of the incorporation and incubation of eight rock powder levels (0; 0.85; 1.70; 3.35; 5.03; 10.05; 20.40 and 40.80 g kg-1). The experimental design was entirely randomly with eight treatments and three replicates. After the incorporation of the rushed rock powder for a period 180 days of soil incubation, the soil was analyzed and determined the values of Ca2+, Mg2+, pH in H2O, pH in KCl, Al3+, H+ Al, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn. The level of 20.40 g kg-1 of basalt provided the maxim reduction of the active acidity, varying from 4.8 to 5.5. Concentrations of exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ increased, but their increments in the soil solution was small. Basalt levels presented high efficiency for neutralization of the potential acidity. Amendments with crushed rock increased extractable amounts of Zn, Fe and Cu in soil, after incubation.
SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF TWO SEED‐TRANSMITTED VIRUSES ON FLOWERING, SEED PRODUCTION AND SEED VIGOUR IN NICOTIANA AND CHENOPODIUM PLANTS

SUMMARY The effects of infection by spinach latent (SLV) and arabis mosaic virus (AMV) upon flowering, seed production and seed vigour, were studied in Nicotiana and Chenopodium species. Infection frequently caused mother-plants to produce flowers earlier than healthy plants, and AMV induced C. amaranticolor Coste & Reyn. , which normally flowers only under 'short-day' conditions, to flower in 'long-days'. Infection with SLV or AMV generally caused a significant reduction in normal seed numbers and a corresponding increase in aborted seed. Mean seed weights were often lower from infected than from healthy plants, but in some infections lower seed production was correlated with a compensatory increase in the weight of individual seeds. The viability of seeds from infected plants was slightly reduced in some instances but, even when seed viability was not affected, tests of accelerated ageing indicated that seed vigour was impaired.
An Atlas of the Thoracic Ganglia in the Stick Insect, Carausius morosus

The present report describes the neuroanatomy of the three thoracic ganglia in the stick insect, Carausius morosus , the subject of numerous behavioural and neurobiological studies. The structure of the ganglia is summarized in an atlas of the major features. The results are compared with published descriptions of other insects and arthropods. Numerous similarities with locusts encourage the use of a common nomenclature even where minor differences make homology uncertain pending detailed investigation. Five out of the nine longitudinal tracts described in locusts can be readily identified in the stick insect. Three major tracts (LDT, DIT, VIT) and two smaller tracts (MDT, DMT) are compact and well defined. The VMT and MVT are also prominent but these two tracts are not clearly separated except near the rostral margin of the neuropile. An eighth tract, the VLT, is much less distinct: it is represented by scattered fibres in neuropile lateral to the DIT. The iLVT apd oLVT, the two parts of the ninth tract, are quite inconspicuous: in some, but not all, preparations they can be identified as two thin bands running along the ventral and ventrolateral margins of the ganglion. As in locusts, six dorsal commissures (DCI-DCVI) and five ventral commissures (VCI, vVCII, dVCII, SMC, PVC) connecting the left and right hemiganglia have been named although the two most dorsal commissures, DCII and DCIV, are often subdivided. The VCII is retained as a single unit with dorsal and ventral parts. Of the dorsal-ventral tracts only the transverse tract (TT) and the circle tract (CT) are well-defined. Roots of lateral nerves are left unnamed pending more detailed study but several conspicuous branches are included in the drawings as guides to orientation in the lateral neuropile. The ventral association centre (VAC) and several other neuropile divisions are described. Pro- and mesothoracic ganglia derive from single neuromeres. The metathoracic ganglion results from the fusion of the third thoracic and the first abdominal neuromeres: each part contains its own set of commissures and dorsoventral tracts. The results underline the qualitative similarities of the thoracic ganglia in insects; they provide a basis for more precise descriptions of identified neurons and functional specialization within the ganglia of the stick insect.
Evaluation of Supplemental Stocking of Largemouth Bass as a Management Tool in Small Impoundments

Abstract Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fingerlings (35-64 mm total length) were supplementally stocked into two small Oklahoma impoundments, Liberty Lake and Wiley Post Lake, in July 1980 at a density of 450/hectare to enhance year-class strength. Stocked fish constituted 76 and 72% of the 1980 year class in Liberty and Wiley Post lakes, respectively, for two growing seasons following stocking. Natural mortality at age 1 + appeared to drastically reduce the numbers of stocked fish. The stocked largemouth bass reached quality length (300 mm) toward the end of the third growing season and made up 3 and 17% of the quality-length fish in the 1983 electrofishing samples from Liberty and Wiley Post lakes, respectively. Creel data indicated that angler catches and harvest rates were unaffected by the stocking program.
Maize Kernel Moisture at Physiological Maturity as Affected by the Source–Sink Relationship during Grain Filling

A wide range of values reported in the literature has precluded the use of grain moisture (GM) as an estimate of physiological maturity (PM) in maize (Zea mays L.). The reason for this variability in GM values remains unclear. Previous evidence suggests that the source-sink ratio could affect the dynamics of kernel water relations during grain filling and thus, GM at PM. To test this possibility, treatments were applied to manipulate the reproductive sink capacity or the assimilate availability during grain filling. Kernel dry weight, water content, and the dry weight to water content (D-W) ratio, were monitored throughout grain filling. A bilinear model relating dry weight and GM was used to estimate GM at PM for each treatment. Severely restricting source capacity during grain filling increased GM at PM. When the source capacity per kernel during grain filling was increased, however, GM at PM was not affected. A single model (r 2 = 0.99, p < 0.001) described the relationship between relative dry weight and GM for all hybrids and treatments without source reduction during grain filling. The estimated value of GM at PM for this model was 34.9%. These results suggest that calculating GM late in grain filling can provide a reliable estimate of PM when the source capacity has not been severely restricted. A value of 35% moisture would be adequate in these situations. The D-W ratio of developing kernels was similar across all source-sink treatments until PM. Premature cessation of grain filling caused by defoliation increased the D-W ratio as the kernels continued to desiccate.
Biomonitoring complex microbial communities using random amplified polymorphic DNA and principal component analysis

This study demonstrates a method for describing changes in complex microbial communities without bias in ex situ cultivation. Bulk DNA was extracted and purified at regular intervals from two different model systems over a period of three weeks. Random amplified polymorphic DNA was used to generate DNA fingerprints, the polymerase chain reaction products were separated and detected by an automated sequencer and translated into data points, which were compiled into a matrix and assessed by principal component analysis. The reproducibility of the method was evaluated, and its ability to monitor overall changes in complex microbial communities was demonstrated.