Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Introductions of Salmonids into Barren Lakes

There are still many lakes in the Palearctic that are barren of fish because of deglaciation history. Early transplantations of fish into such lakes have been documented, and there is a continuous activity of that kind going on for example in Scandinavia and at the North American west coast. Introductions of fish into barren lakes produce noticeable responses in the invertebrate fauna. For example, in a large mountain lake in northern Sweden the fairy shrimp Polyartemia forcipata disappeared after the introduction of Arctic char, and after a period of spectacular growth the fish now tend to get stunted. Changes in the invertebrate fauna after the introduction of new species of fish have been recorded also in many lakes with more complicated species compositions, and also in very large lakes such as Lake Michigan. In the Scandinavian mountain lakes there seems to be a correlation between the composition of fish species and the crustacean plankton. Further studies of introductions into barren lakes should p.
A Comparison of Aedes vigilax Larval Population Densities and Associated Vegetation Categories in a Coastal Wetland, Northern Territory, Australia

ABSTRACT: Darwin's northern suburbs border an extensive coastal reed and upper mangrove wetland recognized as an important larval habitat for Aedes vigilax (Skuse), the northern salt marsh mosquito, an established vector for Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses and an appreciable pest species. We sought to identify the most important vegetation categories associated with Ae. vigilax breeding to maximize the efficiency of mosquito control efforts. Using a generalized linear model with negative binominal distribution and log link, this study compares larval densities, determined by focused dipping, between 13 discernable vegetation categories. The incidence rate ratios (RR) generated can be used to compare the magnitude of larval densities for each vegetation category, compared with the reference category. Aedes vigilax larval densities were almost ten times greater in artificial drainage areas (RR=9.82), followed by tide-affected reticulate (Sporobolus/Xerochloa) areas (RR=8.15), then Schoenoplectus/mangroves (RR=2.29), compared with the reference vegetation category ‘lower mangroves. ’ Furthermore, larval densities were highest in May, due to tidal inundation, for drainage areas and tide-affected reticulates (RR= 12.2, 11.7, respectively) compared with March, the reference month. Thus, to maximize the efficiency of aerial salt marsh mosquito control operations in this wetland, larval control is best accomplished by concentrating on drains, Schoenoplectus/mangroves, and tide-affected reticulate areas, commencing early after the wet season. These results should apply to other areas of salt marsh mosquito breeding across northern Australia.
Taxonomic review of the tree snail amphidromus albers, 1850 (Pulmonata: Camaenidae) in Thailand and adjacent areas : Subgenus Amphidromus

Extensive series of Amphidromus Albers, 1850 were collected from low-altitude areas (30-500 m above sea level) in Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia between 1993 and 2004. Data on shell colour, genital and spermatophore morphology, and radular structure are presented. Five species of Amphidromus (Amphidromus) are reviewed, of which four occur in Thailand. Intraspecific variation between populations of Amphidromus (Amphidromus) atricallosus (Gould, 1843) is considered; three subspecies are accepted and a new subspecies described. Subspecies of A. (A.) inversus (Muller, 1774) and A. (A.) schomburgki (Pfeiffer, 1861) are reconsidered, and a new subspecies of the latter is described. A dichotomous key to the species and subspecies of Amphidromus (Amphidromus) in Thailand is provided.
Vascular plant distribution in relation to topography, soils and micro-climate at five GLORIA sites in the Snowy Mountains, Australia

As part of the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments program, the relative contribution of abiotic variables in explaining alpine vegetation was determined for five summits on a spur of Mount Clarke in the Snowy Mountains, Australia. The composition of vascular plant species and life-forms, and topography were determined, and soil nutrients and soil temperature were measured on each aspect of each summit by standardised methods. Ordinations were performed on the composition of vascular plant species and life-forms, topography, soil nutrients and soil temperature-derived variables. Abiotic variables were tested against the biotic dissimilarity matrices to determine which were best correlated with current plant composition. Summits differed in plant composition, with a decrease in the cover of shrubs, and an increase in herbs and graminoids with increasing altitude. Altitude was the main determinant of species composition, accounting for more than 80% of the variation among summits. Soil temperature variables accounted for more than 40% of the variation in composition among summits. Soils were not significantly different among summits, although certain soil variables, principally calcium, were important in predicting plant composition. Because temperature is correlated with current vegetation on these five summits, predicted increased temperatures and decreased snow cover are likely to affect future plant composition in this mountain region.
Natural History of Terrapene carolina (Box Turtles) in an Urbanized Landscape

Abstract Urbanization and other anthropogenic factors are often implicated in turtle population declines, yet limited research on the natural history of turtles in urban areas has been conducted. To assess the effects of urbanization and to help develop proper conservation strategies for Terrapene c. carolina (Eastern Box Turtles), we conducted a mark-recapture study in the vicinity of Davidson, NC, from 1999 to 2004. We made 354 turtle captures, 42 of which were recapture events. We evaluated meristic characters, body condition, activity patterns, population structure, and growth rates, and then examined relationships among these variables and the amount of anthropogenically-modified habitat within 100 m of each turtle's collection location. Males and females had different patterns of seasonal activity and body condition indices. Growth rates decreased with turtle age and varied between developed and forested habitats. More turtles over the age of 20 were found in areas with extensive forest cover than in areas that were developed. Although box turtles may persist in urbanized landscapes and may grow more quickly there, they suffer higher mortality in these habitats compared to forested landscapes.
Estrogen and progesterone regulate α, β, and γENaC subunit mRNA levels in female rat kidney

Estrogen and progesterone regulate α, β, and γENaC subunit mRNA levels in female rat kidney. Background Estrogen and progesterone regulate α, β, and γ amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) subunit mRNA levels in female rat kidney. Renal Na + handling differs between males and females. Further, within females Na + metabolism changes during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Electrolyte homeostasis and extracellular fluid volume are maintained primarily by regulated transport of Na + via the amiloride-sensitive Na + channel. This study examines the role of the female gender steroids in the regulation of expression of ENaC. Methods We measured ENaC subunit mRNA levels in rat kidney using Northern blotting. Kidneys were taken from male and females at different ages and from adult ovariectomized rats treated with 17-β-estradiol benzoate (estrogen) and/or progesterone for 8 or 24hours. Results The abundance of α, β, and γENaC mRNA was significantly higher in female compared to male rat kidneys from 10weeks of age ( P = 0.001, P = 0.004, and P = 0.02, N = 10, respectively). These differences were abolished in ovariectomized rats. Treatment of ovariectomized rats with estrogen increased αENaC mRNA abundance in the kidney at both 8 and 24hours ( P N = 6; and P N = 7, respectively). Progesterone inhibited the effect of estrogen on αENaC mRNA at 8hours but when given alone increased γENaC mRNA ( P N = 3). Neither hormone, alone or in combination, had any significant effect on βENaC mRNA levels at 8 or 24hours. Conclusion Female gonadal steroids differentially modulate expression of ENaC subunit mRNA in the rat kidney.
Mycorrhizae induced hardening of tissue culture raised grape (Vitis vinifera L.) plantlets

To minimize large-scale mortality of tissue culture raised grape plantlets during acclimatization, different mycorrhizal fungi viz., Glomus, Gigaspora, Aculospora, Enterophosphora, Scutellospora and a mixed strain were tried as biological hardening agents. Thirty-day-old in vitro rooted grape plantlets of cv. Pusa Seedless showed maximum root colonization with Glomus mossae, while Pusa Urvashi responded best with the mixed strain. Mycorrhizal plantlets were found to be faster in growth and possessed high shoot and root fresh and dry weights. The vines of the treated plants contained higher sugars and phenols, while the leaves had higher chlorophyll. Of the different nutrients analysed, P, Mg and Zn contents in the leaf were significantly higher compared to control. Mycorrhization resulted in higher plantlet survival, i.e. over 85.0% compared to 55.0% in non-mycorrhizal control.
The Crinoid Fauna (Echinodermata: Crinoidea) of Palau

ABSTRACT Taxonomic revisions and a recent survey using scuba place the number of shallow-water (< 50 m) crinoid species known from Palau at 22. Five are new records: Clarkcomanthus littoralis, Comanthus suavia, Alloeocomatella pectinifera, Oxycomanthus comanthipinna, and O. exilis. A submersible survey (to 310 m) recovered five additional new records, four of which are the first representatives of their families from Palauan waters: Eudiocrinus venustulus (Eudiocrinidae), Glyptometra sp. (Charitometridae), Cosmiometra belsuchel Messing, n. sp. (Thalassometridae), and Porphyrocrinus verrucosus (Phrynocrinidae), the first stalked crinoid recorded from Palau. Two of the three specimens of the latter have regenerating crowns, suggesting that this species may be subject to substantial predation or an unstable environment.
Two Cryptic Species in Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Evidence from Mitochondrial DNA Analysis and Crosses between the Two Nominal Species

ABSTRACT The beetle Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a serious invasive pest of the coconut palm, Cocos nucifera I. , in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. Genetic analysis is essential to ecological and evolutionary study of such invasive species. We therefore conducted molecular analyses by using partial sequences (1044 bp) of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) genes of B. longissima collected from several locations. We found two monophyletic groups: one distributed over a limited area (Australia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Sumba Island; referred to as the Pacific group) and the other collected from a wide area of Asia and the Pacific region (referred to as the Asian group). We compared the biological and morphological traits of the two groups. We found that insects in the Pacific group had a shorter developmental time from hatching to adult emergence, produced fewer eggs, and had a larger adult body size than insects in the Asian group. Elytral color patterns did not differ between the two groups. Our interpopulation crosses produced significantly fewer progeny than intrapopulation crosses, suggesting that B. longissima represents two cryptic species.
ALTERNATIVE TROPICAL ENERGY FEED RESOURCES IN RABBIT DIETS : GROWTH PERFORMANCE, DIET'S DIGESTIBILITY AND BLOOD COMPOSITION

The grain replacement value in rabbit diets of three tropical alternativa feed resources, namely maize offal (MO), unpeeled cassava root meal (UCRM) and cassava peel meal (CPM) was investigated in a ten week feeding tria! with growing rabbits, in comparison with maize. The introduction ratas were 30.8% of the diets, and the initial age of the 24 rabbits was 5-6 week. The criteria for assessment were growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood composition at the end of the experimental period. Average daily gain and daily feed intake of the rabbits variad from 13.0 g on CPM diet to 14.2 g on MO diet, and 60. 7 g on UCRM diet to 71.4 g on CPM diet respectively. However, both MO and CPM were significantly consumad (P < 0.05) more than the other diets. Feed conversion and protein efficiency ratios were significantly inferior (P < 0.05) on CPM diet than on others. The dry matter, cruda protein, gross energy, ether extract and cruda fibra digestibilities were numerically highest in the control diet, but statistically comparable for rabbits on UCRM diet; both were however significantly higher (P < 0.05) than records for rabbits fed on MO and CPM basad diets. The analysed blood parameters showed the rabbits fed on the control diet to be superior in haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, red and white cells numbers. The mean corpuscular volumes and mean corpuscular haemoglobin were highest in the cassava root diet followed by cassava peel basad diet, while the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration values were statistically similar in all the diets. Serum total protein variad between 6. 75 g/100 mi in rabbits fed on maize offal to 5.81g/100 mi on cassava roots without any significant difference. A similar pattern was repeated for albumin and globulin fractions. Both creatinine and uric acid concentrations were respectively uniform amongst the rabbits on different treatments. However, a significantly lower (P < 0.05) level of urea-nitrogen was determinad in the serum of rabbits fed on cassava peel diet. Serum glucosa level ranged between 125 mg/100 mi in rabbits fed on the control diet to 192 mg/100 mi for their counterparts on cassava roots diet showing a significantly lower content (P < 0.05) on the control and cassava peel basad dietary treatments. Cholesterol values were statistically higher (P < 0.05) in rabbits on the control and cassava roots diets than on the 2 others which have a higher fiber content.
Prey of leopards in four mountainous areas of the south-western Cape Province.

Scat analysis was used to determine the natural prey of leopards Panthera pardus in the mountains of the southwestern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 258 scats were collected in four mountainous areas, the Cedarberg near Clanwilliam, Gamka Mountain near Oudtshoorn, Jonkershoek near Stellenbosch, and Wemmershoek near Paarl. Dassies (rock hyrax) were found to be the most frequent prey in all areas except Wemmershoek, where feral domestic pigs were most often present in the scats. Small antelope were the next most important group, occurring in between 29% and 51% of the scats from each area. Small percentages of baboons, rodents, lagomorphs, reptiles, birds and insects were also recorded. Only two scats contained remains of domestic stock, which suggests that leopards in the higher mountains are able to subsist on the natural prey available.
Description and Life History of an Unusual Fern-Feeding Tortricid Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from Brazil

Abstract Tortrimosaica polypodivora Brown & Baixeras, new genus and new species, is described and illustrated from São Paulo, Brazil. We also describe and illustrate the last instar and pupa and provide notes on the life history. Larvae of the new species are gall inducers on the stems of Microgramma squamulosa (Kauf.) Sota (Polypodiaceae), an unusual behavior and host for a tortricid. Although placed provisionally in Hilarographini, tribal and subfamilial assignment of the new genus is extremely problematic owing to a mosaic of morphological characters, suggesting placement in a variety of different higher taxa. The larvae have a bisetose L-group on the prothorax, and the pupa has multiple rows of spines near the anterior edge of the dorsum of abdominal segments 3–8; both of these characters previously have been reported in the Tortricidae only in Thaumatographa (Hilarographini). Although the gall-inducing habit of the new species is not unique within Tortricidae, it is highly unusual within nonolethreutine lineages.
Effects of stock-specific and environmental factors on the feeding migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the Baltic Sea

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) stocks in the Baltic Sea are mainly exploited during their sea migration. The offshore fishery in the feeding grounds of these salmon permitted us to analyse the migrations of certain stocks on the basis of tag recovery data. Four salmon stocks from rivers draining into Bothnian Bay (25°E, 65.5°N) were selected for study. During 1984-1991, about 135 000 2-year-old hatchery-reared smolts were tagged and released. We applied logit models, with the site of recovery as a multicategory response variable, to analyse the distribution of tag recoveries in the Baltic Sea feeding grounds. The results showed the combined influence of stock, prey abundance, and smolt size on the spatial marine distribution of the salmon. Although stock-specific sea migration patterns were apparent, annual environmental factors had a stronger influence on the sea migration route of salmon than did the stock factor. The salmon released as small smolts (total length ≤ 17.0 cm) were more frequently caught farther from the release site than were those released as larger smolts (>17 cm). The abundance of suitable prey (age 0+ herring) in the year of smolt release was found to be a key factor influencing the migration distance. The salmon released in the years of strong herring recruitment in the Gulf of Bothnia had a higher probability to stay in the Bothnian Sea for feeding and not to migrate farther south.
Flight Behaviour and Selective Degeneration of Flight Muscles in the Adult Cricket (Gryllus Bimaculatus)

BY S. SHIGA, S. KOGAWAUCHI, K. YASUYAMA AND*T. YAMAGUCHItDepartment of Biology, Faculty Science, of Okayama University, Okayama 700,JapanAccepted 14 August 1990Tethered adult crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer) assume a full flightposture: they point the antennae straight ahead, hold the fore- and midlegs closeto the body, stiffen the abdomen for steering and extend the hindlegs directlybackwards. Tomioka and Yamaguchi (1980) have reported that about 30% of theanimals displaying flight behaviour also flap their hindwings, but the remainingcrickets vibrate their wings through a narrow range instead of flapping them. Theydistinguished the latter type of behaviour from normal flight behaviour anddesignated it 'pseudo-flight behaviour'. Degeneration of flight muscles is known to occur in young adult insects ofseveral orders (Finlayson, 1975; Collatz and Wilps, 1986). It has been reportedthat in the cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus the dorsal longitudinal muscle atrophiesand becomes white in appearance in late adult life (Ready and Josephson, 1982;Ready and Najm, 1985) and in the cricket Acheta domestica the dorsal longitudinalmuscle increases in size during the first 2 days after the imaginal moult, but beginsto degenerate on the fourth day in the presence of juvenile hormones (Chudakovaand Bocharova-Messner, 1968; Srihar al.i 1975) et . The present experiments weredesigned to detect any close relationship between flight behaviour and age-relateddegeneration of flight muscles during adult life.Crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) were reared at 28°C under a 12h:12h L:Dphotoperiod. Maximal adult life span was about 20 days under these conditions.The flight behaviour of each individual was tested daily after the imaginal moult,as follows. The flight behaviour of the tethered cricket, held stationary in space
Effect of a Synthetic Liver X Receptor Agonist TO901317 on Cholesterol Concentration in Goose Primary Hepatocytes

In this study, we investigated the role of liver X receptor (LXR) in regulating cholesterol concentration in goose primary hepatocytes. Intracellular and extracellular cholesterol concentration, mRNA expression levels of genes related to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) were measured in primary goose hepatocytes. We found that the intracellular cholesterol concentration showed an uptrend manner when the TO901317 concentration was under 1 μmol/L; compared with 1 μmol/L TO901317, 10 μmol/L TO901317 had an inhibiting effect (P<0.05). The regulation mode of SREBP-2 and HMGR gene expression is similar with that of intracellular cholesterol concentration. These data suggested that LXR activation may stimulate the cholesterol biosynthesis by activating expression of SREBP-2 and HMGR. Interestingly, the mRNA levels of genes related with PI3K pathway increased in the presence of TO901317, which suggested that LXR activation could promote PI3K signalling activity.
Population dynamics of Sesarma rectum (Crustacea: Brachyura: Grapsidae) in the Ariquindá River mangrove, north-east of Brazil

This study was carried out in order to provide basic information on the population ecology of the crab Sesarma rectum in the Ariquindá River mangrove, Tamandaré, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The population was analysed with regard to the following aspects, in particular: the size-class frequency distribution of carapace width (CW), mean body size (CW) of males and females, morphological sexual maturity, sex-ratio, reproductive period, and recruitment. Samples were collected monthly from April 2008 through to March 2009; the crabs were collected manually, with a capture effort by one person for 30 minutes, during low tide. The specimens obtained were measured for CW, length of the propodus of males, and abdomen width of females; and the sex and ovigerous condition were noted. Altogether, we obtained 511 specimens (132 juvenile and 137 adult males, and 171 juvenile and 71 adult females, of which 32 were ovigerous). The median CW of males (16.15 mm) was significantly larger than that of females (13.82 mm) (P < 0.05). The size at morphological sexual maturity was 15.73 mm in males and 16.71 mm in females. The sex-ratio for the total of specimens analysed was 1.11:1 (male:female) (P > 0.05). The sex-ratio by size-class showed an anomalous pattern, with a greater abundance of males in the larger size-classes. The reproductive period was continuous and the highest frequency of ovigerous females was recorded in the spring and summer. The major pulse of recruitment occurred during autumn and winter, which is related to greater reproductive activity during the warmer months of the year.
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Bisabolol

Bisabolol is a naturally occuring unsaturated monocyclic terpene alcohol, the alpha form of which is used in a wide range of cosmetic formulations as a skin conditioning agent at low concentrations ranging from 0.001% in lipstick to 1% in underarm deodorants. Animal studies demonstrate that Bisabolol is well absorbed following dermal exposure and one study using cadaver skin demonstrated that Bisabolol can enhance the penetration of 5-fluorouracil. Bisabolol was relatively nontoxic in acute oral studies in rats, dogs, and monkeys. Short-term oral exposure using rats did produce inflammatory changes in several organs, and reduced body weight and increased liver weights relative to body weight in dogs. The no-observable-adverse-effect level in a 28-day dermal toxicity study using rats was 200 mdkg/day. No evidence of sensitization or photosensitization was found. Bisabolol was negative in bacterial and mammalian genotoxicity tests, and it did not produce reproductive or developmental toxicity in rats. The results of oral and dermal toxicity, genotoxicity, reproductive/developmental toxicity, sensitization, and photosensitization studies show little toxicity at levels expected in cosmetic formulafions. Formulators should be alert to the possibility that use of Bisabolol may increase the penetration of other components of a cosmetic formulation. Based on the available data it was concluded that Bisabolol is safe as used in cosmetic formulafions.