Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity, conservation, and the ‘Taxonomic impediment’

1. This paper highlights the poor esteem in which taxonomy, as autonomous science, is held and the relative implications of this for conservation biology. 2. In recent times, taxonomy at the species level has tended to be neglected not just within ecological researches, but also in the identification and justification for the selection of the marine protected areas (MPA). A traditional criterion for choosing an MPA is the conservation of biodiversity, but most of the Italian MPA were chosen without initial detailed studies on their biodiversity, so that lists of species of the main invertebrate groups are not available. 3. The identification of organisms within communities to species level is one of the greatest constraints in terms of time and costs in ecological studies. Some studies have suggested that working at a taxonomic level higher than species does not result in an important loss of information (Taxonomic sufficiency). It does, however, lead to an inaccuracy of biodiversity evaluation which is, especially important when comparing different areas, and can lead to an ‘a priori’ exclusion of some entities before understanding their role in ecology. 4. Taxonomy has always been considered a marginal science even during the pioneer descriptive period of ecology, and traditionally has received little financial support. The result was the production of many misidentifications and erroneous records. During recent years, the developing experimental ecological approach has led to an improvement in scientific methods, but concurrently to a reduction in the number of expert taxonomists for many invertebrate groups. Descriptive works, historically so common in the Mediterranean area, are now considered obsolete, despite having an intrinsic value. 5. Biodiversity, particularly ‘species richness’ has long been thought to influence temporal variability and it seems that efforts to clarify the biodiversity/temporal variability relationship or to demonstrate the lack of such a relationship should continue. Such information is essential in order to maintain the ecological function despite the loss of component species, an important topic not only to ecologists but also to policy makers. Many species appear to have overlapping niches, and as such it could be argued that it is not essential for all species to be present. In contrast the crucial role of keystone species has been embraced in conservation biology as a tool to help highlight species requiring priority for protection. 6. Present knowledge of marine systems has led to the conclusion that, before developing theories and experimental design, we need an appropriate description of the system under investigation. A basic knowledge of the general biodiversity in term of species richness of a proposed MPA for example is essential, with a detailed survey providing the taxonomic lists necessary for biotope characterization and a reference data set for future comparisons. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Species traits in relation to temporal and spatial heterogeneity in streams: a test of habitat templet theory

1. The habitat templet approach depends on defining templet axes appropriate to the organism(s) of interest, predicting the traits of species associated with different parts of the templet, and testing these predictions in a range of habitats whose positions in the templet have been determined. 2. In this study of thirty-five benthic insect taxa at fifty-four tributary sites of the Taieri River on the South Island of New Zealand, we chose as the temporal axis the intensity/frequency of disturbance, defined in terms of bed movement during high discharge events. As the spatial axis, we postulated that three features would provide refugia and therefore ameliorate disturbance—percentage of the bed with low shear stress, percentage of the bed made up of large substratum particles and availability of interstitial space in the bed—from which we derived a combined multivariate refugium axis. 3. More disturbed communities contained a significantly higher percentage of individuals possessing the following traits: small size, high adult mobility, habitat generalist (each predicted to confer resilience in response to disturbance), clinger, streamlined/flattened and with two or more life stages outside the stream (each predicted to confer resistance in the face of disturbance). When analyses were performed on the percentage of taxa having particular traits, the predicted positive relationships with average bed movement were found for high adult mobility and habitat generalist traits. 4. The percentage of variance in trait scores explained by intensity of disturbance was generally higher in sites with less refugia available and lower in sites further from the headwaters. The percentage of variance explained was higher in sites recently subject to a major high discharge disturbance, suggesting that disturbances tend to strengthen the pattern of preponderance of resilience/resistance traits. 5. We mapped insect taxa onto the two-dimensional templet, following Grime et al.’s triangular terrestrial plant classification. The full variety of resistance and resilience traits were represented in insect species throughout the templet, but taxa associated with more disturbed conditions generally displayed a larger number of resilience and resistance traits, combined, than taxa associated with more stable stream beds.
Co-inoculation of nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria to promote growth, yield and nutrient uptake in chickpea

A total of 32 bacterial isolates including Mesorhizobium (N=10), Azotobacter (N=12) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (N=10) were isolated and tested for siderophore, HCN, ammonia, indole acetic acid production and phosphate solubilization in vitro . The bacterial cultures were positive for siderophore, HCN and ammonia. Among the isolates, M. ciceri RC3 and A. chrococcum A4 displayed 35 and 14 μg ml −1 of IAA, respectively, whereas Bacillus produced 19 ( Bacillus PSB1) and 17 μg ml −1 ( Bacillus PSB10) of IAA in Luria Bertani broth. The diameter of the P solubilization zone varied between 4 ( Bacillus PSB1) and 5 mm ( Bacillus PSB10) and a considerable amount of tricalcium phosphate (7 and 8 μg ml −1 by Bacillus PSB1 and Bacillus PSB10, respectively) was released in liquid medium, with a concomitant drop in pH. The effects of N 2 -fixing and PS bacteria on the growth, chlorophyll content, seed yield, grain protein and N uptake of chickpea plants in field trials varied considerably between the treatments.
Extended Aspects of Growth Hormone (GH) Action: GH Receptor (GHR) mRNA Expression in Various Bovine Tissues and Effects of a Long-Term Treatment with GH on GHR mRNA and on GH Binding in Liver

The expression of the bovine growth hormone receptor (GHR) was detected in various tissues by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction system (RT-PCR). For the quantifica-tion of the bovine 438 bp GHR cDNA fragments a HPLC-UV detection system was used. bGHR amplificates were well detectable in liver from cows, heifers and in fetal liver. bGHR expression was also demonstrated in mammary gland, kidney and in adipose tissue. Lower but significant amounts of bGHR amplificates were obtained in skeletal muscle and in rumen villi, indicating a potential new mode of action of GH via affecting the gastrointestinal tract. bGHR mRNA was detected in various female and male reproductive tissues, i.e. in uterus, oviduct, corpus luteum, and in the vesicular gland. No bGHR expression was detectable in testes from adult bulls. A long-term treatment of heifers with a slow-release preparation of bovine growth hormone had no effect on either bGHR-mRNA expression in liver or on GH binding capacity on liver membrane prepara-tions. These results demonstrate that the RT-PCR system together with a HPLC-UV detection system provides a useful strategy to study GHR expression and regulation in different tissues under various conditions.
Rapid clonal propagation of Saccharum officinarum L. Vars. CO-6907 and CO-86249 and to assess the genetic uniformity through molecular markers

Abstract An efficient protocol was developed for in vitro clonal propagation of Saccharum officinarum Vars. CO-6907 and CO-86249 through axillary meristem culture. Maximum meristem elongation was achieved on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.5 mg/L kinetin (Kn) within 15 days of culture. Multiple shoots were induced from meristems on MS basal medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BA, 0.5 mg/L Kn, 0.25 mg/L 1-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 3% (w/v) sucrose. Addition of 0.1–0.25 mg/L gibberellic acid into the multiplication medium found the better shoot elongation. Repeated subculture on multiplication medium induces higher rate of shoot multiplication. The root induction from excised microshoots was achieved on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0–2.0 mg/L NAA or indole-3-butyric acid and 6% (w/v) sucrose. While either decreasing or increasing of sucrose concentration in the rooting medium, the percentage of rooting was reduced. Maximum percentage of rooting was achieved on medium having 2.0 mg/L NAA with 6% (w/v) sucrose. About 80% of micropropagated plantlets were hardened in the greenhouse and successfully established in the soil. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA marker was used to detect the variability among the micropropagated plants developed through in vitro. The results showed that there was no polymorphism among the micropropagated plants. This study will help for propagation of quality planting material of high-yielding variety of sugarcane for commercialization.
Individual and Combined Use of Rosemary and Origanum in Soybean Oil as Natural Antioxidants

Dried rosemary and origanum were added to soybean oil, individually and in combination, to determine their effect on the oxidation stability of soybean oil. Samples were stored at two different temperatures (60°C and room temperature) and oxidation was determined by peroxide value and conjugated diene value. The treated soybean oil samples showed evidence of antioxidant activity at 60°C and at room temperature. Furthermore, it was observed that the herbs stored under room temperature had a higher activity compared to those stored at 60°C.
Connecting TNF-α Signaling Pathways to iNOS Expression in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease: Relevance for the Behavioral and Synaptic Deficits Induced by Amyloid β Protein

Increased brain deposition of amyloid β protein (Aβ) and cognitive deficits are classical signals of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that have been highly associated with inflammatory alterations. The present work was designed to determine the correlation between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-related signaling pathways and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in a mouse model of AD, by means of both in vivo and in vitro approaches. The intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ1–40 in mice resulted in marked deficits of learning and memory, according to assessment in the water maze paradigm. This cognition impairment seems to be related to synapse dysfunction and glial cell activation. The pharmacological blockage of either TNF-α or iNOS reduced the cognitive deficit evoked by Aβ1–40 in mice. Similar results were obtained in TNF-α receptor 1 and iNOS knock-out mice. Aβ1–40 administration induced an increase in TNF-α expression and oxidative alterations in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Likewise, Aβ1–40 led to activation of both JNK (c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase)/c-Jun and nuclear factor-κB, resulting in iNOS upregulation in both brain structures. The anti-TNF-α antibody reduced all of the molecular and biochemical alterations promoted by Aβ1–40. These results provide new insights in mouse models of AD, revealing TNF-α and iNOS as central mediators of Aβ action. These pathways might be targeted for AD drug development.
Identification of differentially expressed genes in rice during its early phases of interaction with Magnaporthe oryzae

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most destructive diseases causing extensive yield loss throughout the world. The present study deals with identification of stress responsive genes in susceptible rice cultivar HR 12 after challenge with M. oryzae. Transcript profiling using the Affymetrix 57 K GeneChip revealed a total of 72 differentially expressed genes whose expression level was significantly altered under diseased condition. Molecular function enrichment analysis suggested that the differentially regulated genes were mainly related to protein degradation and modification, cell signalling and stressrelated mechanisms. Our study reveals that majority of the genes of protein degradation and modification, transport, signalling and transcription factors are repressed at the initial stages of interaction. The host genes that were induced in response to pathogen infection included hormonal signalling, cell wall defense and transcription factors belonging to the WRKY super family. This study would be helpful in identification of early induced genes in pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMP)-Triggered Immunity.
Peanut Response to Crop Rotation, Drip Tube Lateral Spacing, and Irrigation Rates with Deep Subsurface Drip Irrigation

ABSTRACT Long term crop yield with various crop rotations irrigated with subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI) is not known for US southeast. A SSDI system was installed in 1998 on Tifton loamy sand soil with five crop rotations, two drip tube lateral spacings, and three irrigation levels. Crop rotations ranged from continuous peanut (Arachis hypogaea L) to four years between peanut. Laterals were installed beneath each crop row (0.91-m) and alternate row middles (1.83-m). Crops were irrigated daily at 100, 75 and 50% of estimated crop water use. Laterals spaced at 1.83 m had the same yield as laterals spaced at 0.91-m in nine out of ten years. The 50, 75, and 100% irrigation treatments averaged 3263, 3468, and 3497 kg/ha, respectively. There was no yield difference between the 75 and 100% irrigation treatments implying 25% water savings. Crop rotation affected peanut yield seven out of eight years and continuous peanut had lowest yield across all years. As time between peanut crops increased peanut yield inc.
THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE SENSORY DORSAL ORGAN OF CRUSTACEA1)

The present study compares the ultrastructure of "dorsal organs" on the anterior, dorsal carapace of the syncarid Anaspides tasmaniae and the crangonid shrimp Crangon crangon. Although the species are not closely related phylogenetically, and the elements of their dorsal organs are arranged differently, they are remarkably similar ultrastructurally. The common elements include an island of thinner epicuticle lying across the aperture of a hole through the surrounding cuticle, squarish in the case of Anaspides, and lozenge shaped in Crangon. This whole area appears to be flexible. At the centre of the thin region is a tabular invagination of cuticle ending blindly in Anaspides and with a pore at the bottom in Crangon. The tube is surrounded by a single large cell with extensive internal membranes and basal vacuoles or vesicles. This part of the organ is not innervated. Four small papillae are disposed about this central region, in quincunx formation in Anaspides, and a pair each side in a row in Crangon. The cuticle thins further over the papillae and the underside is closely associated with four sensory dendrites so that each organ is innervated by a total of sixteen neurons. The four dendrites beneath each papilla have basal bodies and cilliary microtubules typical of mechanosensors. The region close to the tips of the dendrites is surrounded by non-cellular material and the dendrites are separated from each other by a series of sheath cells. On the basis of this similarity, and because the relationship between these elements, as evidenced by studies of the external structure across a wide range of taxa, is strongly conserved, we propose that the organs described here belong to a particular class of "dorsal organs" which we call sensory dorsal organs (of Laverack). On the basis of the ultrastructure, and the conservation of the proximity of
Trophic Response of Fishes to Habitat Variability in Coastal Seagrass Systems

Shallow coastal areas of the northeast Gulf of Mexico are physically unstable in terms of short-term, seasonal, and year-to-year changes in temperature, salinity, nutrient concentration, and other water quality features. A 9-yr comparison was made of two estuaries, one polluted and one in the natural state, to determine the response of fish assemblages to habitat alteration in space and time. During the study period, extreme natural habitat changes due to storm water runoff and low winter temperatures were superimposed over water quality changes (increased color, turbidity, nutrients; reduced dissolved oxygen) associated with release of pulp mill effluents. Various grassbed fishes followed regular seasonal, age-specific feeding patterns, which did not change substantially in terms of qualitative food composition in the unpolluted estuary over a 7-yr period of observation. Such feeding behavior helped to explain temporally conservative cycles of relative abundance despite ex- treme (natural) habitat change. Anthropogenous habitat alterations, though seemingly slight, were associated with reductions in benthic macrophyte distribution, enhanced phytoplankton productivity, and changes in the relative dominance and numerical abundance of associated fish assemblages. Grassbed species were replaced by plankton-feeding fishes, and disruption of feeding habits of various species was apparent in the affected area relative to the unpolluted estuary. Those fishes dependent on specific benthic food organisms altered their feeding habits during the years of pollution in the affected estuary. Subsequent water quality improvement over time was associated with shifts in the age-specific dietary patterns of various species toward those observed in the unaffected estuary, although such recovery varied from species to species according to habitat utilization and trophic needs. From these results, it is clear that a relatively complex coastal seagrass system exposed to periodic, extreme natural disturbance is relatively resilient to such changes in terms of relative dominance and food web structure. However, apparently slight water quality changes due to pollution, which are outside the evolutionary experience of the biotic components, can cause serious disruptions of the basic habitat structure, energy flow, and community composition of the grassbed assemblages at various levels of biological organization.
Pheromone‐mediated behaviour of male lightbrown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana, correlated with adaptation of pheromone receptors

ABSTRACT. Two pheromone components are required to elicit close‐range precopulatory behaviour in male lightbrown apple moths, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera). The receptor cells which respond to the major component (I) (E)‐11‐tetradecen‐1‐yl acetate, have a fast disadaptation rate with recovery occurring within 5 s after stimulation, while the cells responding to the second component (II), (E, E)‐9, 11‐tetradecadien‐1‐yl acetate, recover after approximately 300 s.
Effect of genotype and environment on parasite and pathogen levels in one apiary—a case study

As part of the COLOSS GEI experiment, one apiary in Chalkidi, Greece was continuously monitored for various pests and pathogens including V. destructor mites, Nosema spp. spores, and quantitative titers of five viruses from late summer 2009 until March 2012. The apiary was established with 39 colonies which included ten A. m. carnica (CarV) colonies from Germany, ten A. m. ligustica (LigI) colonies from Italy, ten A. m. macedonica (MacB) colonies from Bulgaria and nine local A. m. macedonica (MacG) colonies from Greece. At the end of the monitoring period, eight colonies survived: six local MacG, one MacB and one LigI. The local MacG colonies consistently showed comparatively lower V. destructor infestation levels and, consequently, also low DWV titres. In contrast, LigI colonies had the highest Nosema spp. and BQCV titres. It is, however, difficult to attribute the low survival rate of non-local colonies to any single factor. Since all colonies were located in close proximity in a single apiary, and the local bees were in better health than non-local bees, we assume that the local bees were better adapted to the local environmental conditions, and handled environmental stressors better to avoid disease outbreak.
Parasitism and biological aspects of Tetrastichus howardi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on Erinnyis ello (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) pupae

Erinnyis ello is one of the main pests of the cassava crop, and its natural enemies including egg, caterpillar, and pupal parasitoids. The aim of this study was to evaluate parasitism and biological aspects of Tetrastichus howardi on E. ello pupae. In general, parasitism and emergence of T. howardi on E. ello pupae was 64%. Cycle duration (egg to adult) of T. howardi on E. ello pupae was of 20.12±0.15 days at 25±2°C, 70±10% relative humidity, and 14-h photophase. The progeny of T. howardi by E. ello pupae was of 466±0.44. Longevity of T. howardi females and males was of 15±0.57 and 12±0.93 days, respectively. The sex ratio was of 0.95±0.06, and the ratio of females per female was 44±0.45. T. howardi parasite and develops on E. ello pupae.
Improvement of fish-sauce odor by treatment with bacteria isolated from the fish-sauce mush (Moromi) made from frigate mackerel

ABSTRACT: A bacterium, which was isolated from fish-sauce mush (moromi) of frigate mackerel and identified as Staphylococcus xylosus, could change notes of an odor in fish sauce made in Thailand. Volatile compounds of the fish sauce after incubation at 32 °C for 24 d with the cultured bacterium were analyzed by gas chromatogra-phy. Although the contents of 2-ethylpyridine and dimethyl trisulfide were reduced during the incubation, 4 volatile compounds, including 2-methylpronal, 2-methylbutanal, 2-pentanone, and 3-(methylthio)propanal, showed no significant quantity changes. On the other hand, although 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2,6-dimethylpyrazine were markedly increased, 3-methylbutanoic acid was slightly increased. As a result of sensory evaluation, fishy, sweaty, fecal, and rancid notes of the fish sauce treated with the bacterium were all weaker than those of the nontreated fish sauce. No changes were found with respect to burnt, cheesy, meaty, and ammoniacal notes between fish sauce treated with the bacterium and that without treatment. Taken together, the odor of fish sauce was much improved by treatment with the isolated bacterium.