Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intra‐population genetic variation in diapause incidence of adult‐diapausing Tetranychus pueraricola (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Diapause is an important seasonal adaptation for arthropods in temperate regions. Recent global warming has had a profound effect on the timing of diapause induction, but the potential for evolutionary changes in diapause attributes remains largely unknown because of a scarcity of information about genetic architecture in these traits. Genetic variation in diapause incidence within a population and the genetic correlation with different environmental conditions are both important for predicting evolutionary responses to climatic changes. The main aim of this study was to determine these parameters at temperatures representative of the winter season (stationary 18–20 °C) by using 12 isofemale lines established from females of a single population of the adult‐diapausing spider mite Tetranychus pueraricola (Acari: Tetranychidae). To compare the response between field and laboratory, their ancestral phenotypes were randomly chosen from diapausing (eight) or non‐diapausing (four) females. Diapause incidence was investigated at 18, 19, and 20 °C under LD 10:14 h conditions with two to five replicates for each strain. At 18 °C, more than 90% of the females entered diapause, and the genetic variation among strains (intraclass correlation coefficient; ICC) was relatively small (44%), whereas highly variable diapause incidences were observed for the warmer conditions (both 87% ICC). The correlation between temperatures was as high as 0.79 between 19 and 20 °C, whereas the correlation estimates between 18 and either 19 or 20 °C were still positive, but not significant. In addition, the analyses demonstrated the existence of variation in the entire response curves (significant genotype × environment interaction). These results demonstrate that significant genetic variation in response curves is maintained in this population, and accordingly this population has a capacity to respond to climatic changes. Crossing reaction curves across temperatures may prevent the fixation of a single optimal response curve, and maintain genetic variation at each temperature.
Belowground carbon allocation of Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir

Carbon allocation to fine roots and mycorrhizae constitute one of the largest carbon fluxes in forest ecosystems, but these fluxes are also among the most difficult to measure. We measured belowground carbon fluxes in two Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. glauca stands. We used a carbon balance approach to estimate total belowground carbon allocation (TBCA) and carbon allocation to fine-root and mycorrhizal production (NPPfr). The stands differed in belowground biomass because of fertilization treatment 8 years prior. Annual soil flux was 856 and 849 g C·m2·year1 for the two stands. Annual root respiration equaled 269 and 333 g C·m2·year1 in the low- and high-biomass stand, respectively. TBCA equaled 733 and 710 g C·m2·year1 in the low- and high-biomass stand, respectively. Calculated NPPfr equaled 431 g C·m2·year1 in the low-biomass stand and 334 g C·m2·year1 in the high-biomass stand; equivalent to 59 and 47% of TBCA, respectively. Fine-root and mycorrhizal turnover equaled 1.8 and 0.8.
Environmental stability of yield and hollow stem in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica)

Adaptability and stability of yield, harvest date and incidence of hollow stem were assessed by regression analysis for six broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica) cultivars. Significant cultivar variation for yield and harvest date was found within each year. All characters exhibited significant differences among the years. Cultivar × environment interaction was significant for yield and hollow stem. Most of the cultivars exhibited only average or below average stability and only one, Green Valiant (b = 0.77) was stable and better adapted to unfavorable environments. Similarly, all cultivars but Green Comet (b = 0.10) exhibited average or below-average stability for hollow stem performance.Key words: Broccoli, stability, genotype × environment interaction, yield, hollow stem
Some reproductive characteristics of honeybee drones in relation to their ages

The number of spermatozoa, length of testis, length of mucus gland and weights of drones were estimated in caged and free honeybee drones in relation to their ages. For this purpose, three Carniolan colonies were used as sources of drones and two were used as nursery colonies. The drones were held either in cages or freely in the queenless part of the nursery colonies. Measurements were carried out on samples of drones taken at 3‐day intervals from 1–3, 4–6, 7–9, 10–12 and 13–15 days old. While the number of spermatozoa in drone testes decreased in both caged and free drones as the drone age increased, it increased gradually in the seminal vesicles. The results also showed that weight of drones and length of testes decreased, but the length of the mucus gland did not significantly differ with age. Further, the drones' weight, length of mucus gland and total number of spermatozoa tend to be slightly larger in the caged than in free drones. The total number of spermatozoa in all parts of the reproductive organs was lower in the older than younger drones; thus, the number of spermatozoa in the newly emerged drones does not help to predict the real number reaching the queen during mating.
Genetic Variation in a North African Rodent Pest, Meriones shawi: Microsatellite Polymorphism

Meriones shawi is an ubiquitous and endemic rodent in northern African. This species is considered as an economically important pest because it often damages crops. Moreover, the gerbillines are known to function as reservoirs for a variety of serious human epidemic diseases. Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified using 454 GS-FLX Titanium pyrosequencing and a multiplex PCR assay was developed. The utility of these markers was evaluated in 30 individuals from three different Moroccan populations. Number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 7, with observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.033 to 0.967 and from 0.033 to 0.729, respectively. Departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed at two loci. These markers will be useful resources for future population genetics studies for this rodent and pest-borne disease management.
Whole hatchery waste meal as alternative protein and calcium sources in broiler diets

A study was conducted in which processed whole hatchery waste meal (WHWM) replaced fish meal (FM), protein for protein, in broiler diets at 0, 10, 20 and 30% levels. There were 45 birds per treatment and 15 birds per replicate. The feeding trial which lasted for 42 days, was carried out at the Poultry Unit, Agricultural Research Council, Glen. Chemical analysis of the two test ingredients indicated that WHWM had higher contents of ash (18.12%) and ether extract (23.94%). However, crude protein content of FM was 73.18% while that of WHWM was 42.26%. Calcium-phosphorus ratio was 16.6:1 for WHWM as against 1.5:1 in the FM. Broilers fed with diet 2 had highest values for feed intake (118.25 g/bird/day) and weight gain (50.16 g/bird/day) while those fed with diet 3 were superior in efficiency of feed utilization (2.31). Results obtained for carcass traits decreased with increase in the levels of WHWM in the diets. Broilers fed with control diet had highest mean values for eviscerated weight (2.20 kg) and dres- sing percentage (77.86%). Values recorded for abdominal fat and internal organs (liver, lungs, heart and gizzard) did not show any particular trend. Similarly there were slight variations in the results obtained for blood parameters. Cost of feed intake/bird decreased with increase in the levels of WHWM in the diets. It can be concluded from the results of this study that 10% of FM can be replaced with WHWM in broiler diets without adverse effects on growth and carcass traits. This approach of turning waste into a valuable product will provide alternative protein and calcium sources in broiler diets and solve the problem of hatching waste disposal in the hatchery industry.
Ichthyofauna of Rio Jurubatuba, Santos, São Paulo: a high diversity refuge in impacted lands

Levantamentos ictiofaunisticos na Mata Atlântica tem sido publicados em relativamente poucos trabalhos, apesar da grande importância biologica deste bioma que, mais vasto no passado, vem rapidamente desaparecendo por causa do crescimento desordenado das populacoes humanas e super exploracao dos recursos naturais. O presente estudo objetivou acessar a fauna de peixes de uma bacia relativamente bem conservada entre as cidades de Santos e Cubatao (SP), uma area muito alterada pela atividade humana e carente de levantamentos ictiofaunisticos recentes. Coletas foram realizadas durante tres campanhas no Rio Jurubatuba, um rio costeiro de medio porte, e no Riacho Sabao, um de seus afluentes. Foram amostrados 2773 individuos pertencentes a 25 especies de 14 familias. Seis especies sao primariamente marinhas e utilizam a porcao mais alta do Rio Jurubatuba. Doze das 19 especies de agua doce sao endemicas da Mata Atlântica e quatro estao relacionadas em listas regionais de especies ameacadas. Apenas cinco especies ocorreram no Rio Jurubatuba e Riacho Sabao concomitantemente. A familia mais diversa foi Characidae, seguida de Poeciliidae, Rivulidae e Heptapteridae. Phalloceros caudimaculatus foi a especie mais abundante, seguida de Poecilia vivipara e Geophagus brasiliensis. A area de estudo e considerada bem preservada e por causa de sua localizacao critica, necessita de politicas conservacionistas para proteger sua diversidade de peixes.
Tools for Evaluating Native Grasses as Low Maintenance Turf

Visual ratings are the standard for evaluating turfgrass quality. However, to provide more objective evaluations and to address statistical concerns, other methods have been developed to measure turfgrass quality, including digital image analysis and measurements of chlorophyll content. These have been largely applied to traditionally used turfgrass species, but here we used these methods to evaluate turfgrass quality of nontraditional species and mixtures that are native or adapted to the intermountain west region of North America. Two fertilizer treatments (1.0 or 2.0 lb/1000 ft2 nitrogen) were applied to 21 different species and species mixtures in North Logan, UT. These plots were irrigated to replace 60% of the local evapotranspiration rate and were mowed at 4 inches. Turfgrass quality ratings were most effective in measuring quality among the diverse species used in this study. Because of the wider variation in acceptable visual characteristics and lower quality expectations for low-maintenance native turf, the objective evaluation methods proved less useful. Generally, chlorophyll meter data, digital image analysis of cover, and digital image analysis of color data were not well correlated with human visual quality ratings in this study. Measurements were well correlated in some species, but not in others. These methods can supplement, but cannot replace, human visual turfgrass quality ratings for comparison of dissimilar grasses.
Evidence of diadromy in the French Polynesian Kuhlia malo (Teleostei: Percoidei) inferred from otolith microchemistry analysis

Strontium ⁄ Calcium (Sr ⁄ Ca) and Barium ⁄ Calcium (Ba ⁄ Ca) ratios were measured in 60 otoliths of the French Polynesian flagtail Kuhlia malo. Both elemental ratios were needed to correctly distinguish residence in marine, brackish and fresh water. High Sr ⁄ Ca and low Ba ⁄ Ca around the nucleus of all otoliths provided evidence of marine residency during the early life of all individuals. At about 0.5 mm from the core, Ba ⁄ Ca increased rapidly and remained high in all otoliths. High and unstable Sr ⁄ Ca ratios were attributed to estuarine residency, whereas low and stable Sr ⁄ Ca ratios were attributed to freshwater residency. These chemical signatures inferred that following recruitment to rivers, some fish remained in the estuary, while others moved upstream. Some individuals shared their time between fresh and brackish waters later in life. The findings of this study have important implications for the protection of nearshore, brackish and freshwater environments for the conservation of this French Polynesian diadromous species.
Within‐lake variability in carbon and nitrogen stable isotope signatures

SUMMARY 1. We assessed spatial and temporal variation in carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures in different compartments of a single lake ecosystem. Stable isotope analyses were made on samples of particulate organic matter (POM), zooplankton, periphyton, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates and fish collected from several locations throughout the ice-free period. 2. No spatial variation in d 13 Co rd 15 N values was found for pelagic samples of POM and zooplankton. However, pelagic d 15 N signatures increased steadily through the summer resulting in an almost 6& average increase in POM and zooplankton. A concurrent decrease in epilimnetic nitrate concentrations suggested that the increase in d 15 N of POM and zooplankton could have resulted from a progressive 15 N-enrichment of the available inorganic nitrogen pool as the size of this pool was reduced. 3. Significant spatial variation in isotopic ratios was observed within littoral and profundal communities. Some spatial differences were likely related to lake-specific characteristics, such as a major inlet and a small harbour area and some were interconnected with temporal events. 4. Marked differences between spring and autumn d 15 N and d 13 C values of fish at one site probably reflected a spring spawning immigration from a larger downstream lake and also indicated limited dispersal of these immigrants. 5. Our results indicate that restricted sampling of ecosystem components from lakes may provide misleading single values for the isotope end members needed for quantitative uses of stable isotopes in mixing models and for estimating trophic position. Hence we strongly advise that studies of individual lakes, or multiple lake comparisons, that utilise stable isotope analyses should pay more attention to potential within lake spatial and temporal variability of isotope ratios.
A new species of Metaprotella (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Caprellidae) from east Africa, with key to the genera of Protellidae and discussion of generic characters

A new species of the genus Metaprotella (Protellidae: Caprellidea) is described from Zanzibar Is. in the western Indian ocean. Full description is given for the adult male and female. Diagnostic features are: peduncle of antenna 2 with one ventral spine at basis; gnathopod 2 basis as long as pereonite 2, the inferior margin of propodus with several conspicuous rows of dense setae on each side (males only), dactylus decreasing 50% in width medially on the male, about 20% on the female. The systematic position of the genus and other genera in the Protellidae is discussed. The genus Protellina is transferred to the family and a key to the genera in the family is given.
Foraging site choice and diet selection of Meadow Pipits Anthus pratensis breeding on grazed salt marshes

Capsule Breeding Meadow Pipits foraged for caterpillars and large spiders in vegetation that was less heterogeneous than vegetation at random locations. Aims To gain a better understanding of the foraging ecology of breeding Meadow Pipits on grazed coastal salt marshes, we tested three hypotheses: (1) there is a positive relation between vegetation height and prey abundance, (2) adult birds preferentially forage at locations with great heterogeneity in vegetation height, thereby maximizing both food abundance and accessibility, and (3) adult birds forage selectively for specific prey items. Methods We measured food availability in relation to vegetation structure, habitat use and nestling diet for six individual nests. Nestling diet was determined by microscopic analysis of faeces while food availability over different vegetation heights was estimated by suction sampling. Information on habitat use was gathered by direct observation. Foraging locations were compared to random locations at the same distance from the nest. Results Nestling diet mainly consisted of larger spiders (> 5 mm) (38% of prey individuals), caterpillars (c. 2 cm) (38%), other insect larvae (12%) and flies and wasps (7%). There was a positive relationship between vegetation height and prey availability. Contrary to predictions, vegetation at Pipit foraging locations was less heterogeneous than at random locations, yet we found no evidence for a preference for short or tall vegetation. We found strong evidence for selective foraging for larger prey, since the relative abundance of especially large spiders and caterpillars was much higher in the faecal samples than in the field. This diet differed considerably from Meadow Pipit diet reported from other habitats. Conclusion These findings suggest that the creation of heterogeneity in vegetation height by grazing or otherwise may not be invariably beneficial to breeding Meadow Pipits.
Genetic variation within the dasyurid marsupial genus Planigale

Genetic variation within the genus Planigale was examined through analyses of 12S rRNA gene sequences and allozymes. The level of genetic divergence between the five currently recognised Planigale species was compared and the magnitude of divergence among populations assessed. This examination of molecular variation within the genus revealed that Planigale contains far more taxonomic diversity than is currently recognised. Specifically, the Pilbara region of Western Australia probably contains two currently unrecognised Planigale species and there is substantial genetic heterogeneity within the widespread species P. maculata. Ambiguity over the status of several genetic and/or morphological forms within the genus indicates that further taxonomic changes are likely to be warranted in the future. This study also demonstrates that the currently accepted geographic ranges of many planigale species require careful re-evaluation and that many specimens in collections are apparently misidentified. This is especially true of P. ingrami, which appears to have a much greater range than is currently recognised, being present in South Australia.
Plant reproductive phenology in a temperate forest of the Monarch Butterfly biosphere reserve, Mexico

Para documentar la fenologia reproductiva de las especies mas importantes (11 hierbas anuales, 72 hierbas perennes, 21 arbustos y 8 arboles) del bosque templado en la zona nucleo Cerro Altamirano, Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca, Mexico, se realizaron observaciones mensuales durante 2004. La sincronia intraespecifica de floracion y fructificacion se estimo en ocho especies lenosas por medio de la observacion de 20 individuos por especie. La floracion y fructificacion ocurrio principalmente durante la estacion de lluvias e inicios de la estacion seca (jul-dic), con baja estacionalidad. Las formas de crecimiento mostraron diferencias temporales en su actividad reproductiva: i) las hierbas anuales y perennes florecieron principalmente durante la estacion de lluvias e inicios de la seca, mientras que la mayoria de especies con frutos fue observada en la estacion seca; ii) los arbustos presentaron flores y frutos a lo largo del ano, sin maximo en alguna epoca particular, y iii) la mayoria de los arboles concentraron su actividad reproductiva en la epoca de menor precipitacion. El numero de especies en floracion a nivel comunitario y de hierbas perennes se correlaciono positivamente con la precipitacion, y el numero de especies arbustivas y arboreas en fructificacion mostro una correlacion negativa con la precipitacion. Se determino una alta sincronia reproductiva (>60% de los individuos en una fase fenologica especifica) en cinco de las especies arboreas. Los patrones fenologicos reproductivos en el area, un bosque templado de elevada altitud en una zona tropical, fueron similares a los documentados para bosques tropicales estacionales de bajas altitudes, y explicados principalmente por la precipitacion total anual y la forma de crecimiento de las especies.
The evolution of CAM in the subfamily Pitcairnioideae (Bromeliaceae)

A molecular phylogeny for the subfamily Pitcairnioideae was inferred to examine the distribution of crassulacean acid metabolism in the subfamily. For this purpose, a neighbour-joining tree with p-distances was built using a MatK chloroplast gene data set. The phylogenetic results of our analysis confirmed the monophyletic condition of most genera examined: Brocchinia, Dyckia, Encholirium, Fosterella, Hechtia and Puya. A paraphyletic basal sequence showed Hechtia branching off from the basal node, followed by Brocchinia, Cottendorfia + Navia phelpsiae, and Puya. The remaining taxa were divided into two groups: (a) Deuterocohnia meziana, Dyckia, Encholirium; Fosterella; Deuterocohnia spp. + Pitcairnia heterophyla; (b) Pepinia, Pitcairnia spp. and Navia igneosicola. The basal placement of the CAM genera Hecthia indicates that CAM may be a ‘primitive condition’ in Pitcairnioideae and that C3 species may have lost the ability to induce CAM. In this molecular tree, CAM metabolism appeared scattered throughout the tree. Current knowledge, however, does not exclude the possibility that CAM arose only once and it has been switching on and off in various lineages. Further detailed studies on photosynthetic metabolisms and the phylogenetic distribution of characters will provide a better basis on which to evaluate photosynthetic origins. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 80, 261–268.
PENGARUH STRATEGI ARCS (ATTENTION, RELEVANCE, CONFIDENCE AND SATISFACTION) TERHADAP MOTIVASI BELAJAR TIK SISWA DI SMP 4 NEGARA

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan perbedaan motivasi belajar antara siswa yang belajar melalui strategi pembelajaran ARCS dengan siswa yang belajar melalui model pembelajaran langsung, Penelitian ini merupakan eksperimen semu dengan desain pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas VIII SMPN 4 Negara Tahun Ajaran 2013/2014 yang terdiri dari 8 kelas sebanyak 259 siswa dengan sampel sebanyak 110 siswa yang terdiri dari 2 kelas kelompok eksperimen dan 2 kelas kelompok kontrol. Sampel kelas diambil dengan cara random sampling. Data yang dikumpulkan dalam penelitian ini adalah data motivasi belajar siswa yang dikumpulkan dengan angket motivasi belajar, Kuesioner motivasi belajar berupa pernyataan sebanyak 32 pernyataan dengan 5 pilihan jawaban Data dianalisis menggunakan statistik deskriptif dan mancova. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan motivasi belajar antara siswa yang belajar melalui strategi pembelajaran ARCS dengan siswa yang belajar melalui model pembelajaran langsung (F hitung = 248,549; p<0,05), Disimpulkan bahwa strategi ARCS dapat digunakan untuk meningkatkan motivasi belajar TIK siswa SMP. Kata Kunci: strategi ARCS, motivasi belajar, TIK