Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CRABS CLAW and SPATULA Genes Regulate Growth and Pattern Formation during Gynoecium Development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Development of the gynoecium of Arabidopsis is disrupted in mutants of the regulatory genes SPATULA (SPT; a basic helix‐loop‐helix family member) and CRABS CLAW (CRC; a YABBY family gene). We have defined the disruptions in detail, plotting their time course during gynoecial development, mapping disruptions to xylem lignification, and testing their effects on fertilization. In spt mutants, defects were first seen soon after the gynoecial tube started to elongate. Medial regions where carpels adjoin grew slower than in wild type and were often unfused later at the apex. Development of the septum was severely disrupted, and extracellular matrix‐secreting transmitting tract was not seen in null mutant lines. Even so, some pollination was observed. The amount of stylar and stigmatic tissue was also reduced, and vascular development in medial and stylar regions was disrupted. SPT apparently plays a role in promoting the development of all specialized tissues from carpel margins. In crc mutants, defects were very different. They were seen from the inception of gynoecial development and characterized by additional cells arising across the width of the gynoecium but fewer cells in the longitudinal dimension. In addition, cells were larger on average. All cell types arose in crc mutant gynoecia, but they seemed to differentiate earlier. Mutant gynoecia were always unfused in apical regions, and the medial vasculature was again disrupted. CRC may normally restrain lateral cell division but promote longitudinal division, ensuring the gynoecium adopts an elongated linear form. In crc spt double mutants, nonadditive disruptions were present, with the carpels even shorter, much less fused, and lacking stylar xylem elements. These interactions may be secondary, however, as the expression patterns of the two genes do not overlap. Disruptions in both spt and crc mutants match closely the time and place of expression of the wild‐type genes, indicating that each acts cell autonomously. We have integrated these findings with those of other known regulatory genes to propose a general model of growth and pattern formation in the developing gynoecium. In an initial “neogenic” phase, lateral and medial regions are defined. Meristematic genes (including SPT) are active in the medial zone, maintaining its pluripotent potential, while growth and polarity genes (including CRC) are active in the lateral zones, providing the valve initials with the “competence” to support medial tissue. Later, in a “determination and differentiation” phase, the medial zone is genetically divided into differentiating subregions, with septum and placentae developing internally and the replum developing externally. At the same time, the lateral regions mature into the tissues of the ovary wall.
Impact of genetic divergence on the ratio of variance due to specific vs. general combining ability in winter triticale.

The objective of our study was to examine the influence of genetic divergence on the ratio of the components of variance for specific (σ 2 SCA ) and general (σ 2 GCA ) combining ability using experimental data in triticale (xTriticosecale Wittm.). In total, 21 lines and their 210 crosses were evaluated for grain yield in field trials. Published molecular data were reanalyzed, indicating an optimum of two subgroups. The estimates of σ 2 SCA and σ 2 GCA were determined for the total diallel and between the two subgroups. The ratio of σ 2 SCA VS. σ 2 GCA tended to be lower for crosses between than within genetically distinct groups. Our experimental findings can be interpreted as an indicator of a more favorable ratio of σ 2 SCA vs. σ 2 GCA in situations with two genetically distinct populations than in situations with populations that are not genetically distinct.
FIRST UNEQUIVOCAL MERMITHID–LINYPHIID (ARANEAE) PARASITE–HOST ASSOCIATION

Abstract The first description of a Mermithidae–Linyphiidae parasite–host association is presented. The nematode is preserved exiting the abdomen of the host, which is a juvenile Tenuiphantes species (Araneae, Linyphiidae), collected from the Isle of Mull, UK. An updated taxonomic list of known mermithid spider hosts is provided. The ecology of known spider hosts with regard to the direct and indirect life cycles of mermithid worms suggests that both occur in spiders.
WATER BALANCE DELINEATES THE SOIL LAYER IN WHICH MOISTURE AFFECTS CANOPY CONDUCTANCE

To link variation in canopy conductance to soil moisture in the rooting zone, measurements of throughfall (PT), volumetric soil moisture (θ) to 0.7 m, transpiration from trees >10 mm in diameter (EC), and vapor pressure deficit (D) were made in a forest dominated by Pinus taeda. Total evapotranspiration (ET) was estimated from PT, changes in volumetric soil water content within a defined soil volume (ΔS), and drainage out of that volume (Q), calculated from unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity and θ. Our calculations suggest that over 145 growing-season days, Q was negligible, and most of PT, averaging ∼2 mm/d, was partitioned between soil moisture recharge (0.4 mm/d) and ET (1.6 mm/d, not including ∼0.4 mm/d of interception, I, by canopy trees), of which EC was estimated from direct measurements at nearly 1.2 mm/d. Evapotranspiration by the subcanopy component accounted for slightly over 0.4 mm/d, about a third of ET (a fourth if I is included). Most of the water used for ET (>90%) was taken from the .
Contrasting tree-ring growth to climate responses of Abies alba toward the southern limit of its distribution area

Silver fir Abies alba is an indigenous tree species present in many southern European mountain forests. Its distribution area and its adaptive capacity to climate variability, expressed in tree-ring growth series, make it a very suitable target species for studying responses to climate particularly in a complex area like the Mediterranean basin where significant changes are expected. We used a set of 52 site chronologies (784 trees) in the Italian Alps and Apennines (38.1°– 46.6°N and 6.7°– 16.3°E) and temperature and precipitation monthly data for the period 1900–1995. Principal component analyses of the tree-ring site network was applied to extract common modes of variability in annual radial growth among the chronologies. Climate/growth relationships and their stationarity and consistency over time were computed by means of correlation and moving correlation functions. Tree-ring chronologies show a clear distinction between the Alpine and the Mediterranean sites and a further separation of the Alpine region in western and eastern sectors. Accordingly, we found different transient and contrasting regional responses in time with the trends found in the Mediterranean sites marking a relaxation of some of the major climate limiting factors recorded prior to the last decades. Species’ sensitivity to global change may result in distinct spatial responses reflecting the complexity of the Mediterranean climate, with large differences between various areas of the basin. It is still unclear if these contrasting tree-ring growth to climate responses of Abies alba are due to the corresponding separation between the Alpine and Mediterranean climate modes, the atmospheric CO2 fertilization effect, the environmentally most fitted genetic pools of the southern fir ecotypes or a combination of all factors. Climate–growth analysis based on a wide site network and on long-term weather records confirmed to be excellent tools to detect spatial and temporal variability of species’ responses to climate.
Thoughts on the Ecological Significance of Spiders

the funnel-web building spider, Agelenopsis aperta (Gertsch) (Araneae: Agelenidae) in desert habitats. The versatility shown by Agelenopsis in its food relations (Riechert 1973) suggests a need for reassessment of the importance of spiders as invertebrate predators. The following is a summary of some existing information and thoughts on spider predation placed with my ideas into the context of predator-prey models. Numerous agricultural reports on pest species discuss the potential of spiders to control certain insect populations. There is no consensus as to their
Movement patterns of Atlantic cod in Gilbert Bay, Labrador: evidence for bay residency and spawning site fidelity

During three consecutive years of observation 23 Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were tagged with ultrasonic transmitters as part of two experiments to determine the movement patterns of adult cod in the genetically distinctive population inhabiting Gilbert Bay, Labrador. Individual cod were relocated for periods up to 15 months, indicating year-round residency within the bay despite unimpeded access to the open ocean. The tracking data show that individual cod have a strong homing tendency. In experiment 1 displaced cod returned (homed) to their place of capture in a small arm separated from the rest of the bay by a shallow sill while non-displaced fish remained at their capture site. In experiment 2 some cod remained within 2 km of their capture/release site, a spawning area, while others ranged widely in Gilbert Bay before returning to this site. Whether an individual ranged widely or had more restricted movements was not related to size. Cod exhibited wider ranging movements in the spring and early summer, following spawning, than in the late summer and early autumn. The return of Gilbert Bay cod to specific locations in the inner part of the bay to overwinter and spawn is evidence of one mechanism that could have led to their genetic distinctiveness.
The Andean Goblin Spiders of the New Genera Paradysderina and Semidysderina (Araneae, Oonopidae)

Abstract A new genus, Paradysderina, is established for a speciose group of Andean goblin spiders belonging to the Dysderina complex. Members of Paradysderina resemble those of Scaphidysderina Platnick and Dupérré in having the dorsal abdominal scutum of females either greatly reduced or entirely absent, but lack the highly crenulated sternum characteristic of Scaphidysderina and have instead a distinctively flattened, rugose sternal surface. Males of various species of Paradysderina show a wide range of remarkable autapomorphies, including projections at the sides of the clypeus and various kinds of excavations and projections on or between the chelicerae. Several species share the highly unusual occurrence of asymmetry between the left and right male pedipalps; in some species the asymmetry involves the size of the palpal bulb, but in those and other cases, the embolus structure also differs consistently between the two sides, to such an extent that if the left and right palps were studied in isolation, they would be considered to belong to different species. Dysderina globosa (Keyserling) from Colombia and D. montana (Keyserling) from Peru are transferred to Paradysderina, and their males are described for the first time. A total of 52 new species are described, including 26 from Peru (P. watrousi, P. consuelo, P. excavata, P. silvae, P. malkini, P. maldonado, P. asymmetrica, P. apurimac, P. convencion, P. macho, P. tambopata, P. schizo, P. wygodzinskyi, P. newtoni, P. thayerae, P. carpish, P. rothae, P. tabaconas, P. sauce, P. piura, P. tambo, P. fatima, P. bagua, P. yasua, P. loreto, and P. pithecia), 15 from Ecuador (P. zamora, P. lostayos, P. puyo, P. hermani, P. yanayacu, P. baehrae, P. righty, P. centro, P. fusiscuta, P. lefty, P. vlad, P. yasuni, P. dracula, P. pecki, and P. sucumbios), and 11 from Colombia (P. imir, P. pinzoni, P. leticia, P. pira, P. vaupes, P. huila, P. chingaza, P. boyaca, P. carrizal, P. monstrosa, and P. chinacota); P. loreto is also recorded from far western Amazonas, Brazil. A second new genus, Semidysderina, is established for species that share with Scaphidysderina and Paradysderina the absence of a dorsal scutum in females and a spinneret scutum in both sexes, but differ in having a groove connecting the posterior spiracles. Six new species of Semidysderina are described from Colombia (S. lagila, S. kochalkai, S. donachui, S. marta, S. mulleri, and S. sturmi). At least four of these species, from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, are remarkable for the retention of a distinct seam between the male palpal cymbium and bulb.
Chemistry of the Australian Gymnosperms. Part 6. Leaf Oils of the Australian Species of Genus Podocarpus

Abstract The leaf oils of the Australian members of the genus Podocarpus have been analyzed using GC and GC/MS. All species produced poor yields of oils (0.01–0.3%). The leaf oil of P. dispermus contained isopimara-9(11),15-diene (10.3%) and a C20 32(B) compound (12.7%) as principal components. Bicyclogermacrene (57%) was the principal component of P. drouynianus. Podocarpus elatus gave an oil in which α-pinene, (β-caryophyllene and bicyclogermacrene were the principal components. Bicyclogermacrene (27–44%), germacrene D (4–11%) and spathulenol (3–11%) were the principal components of the oil from P. grayae. Podocarpus lawrencei was one of only two Australian Podocarpus species to produce an oil (0.1–0.6%), which contained significant amounts of diterpenes. The main components were α-pinene (14–18%), β-caryophyllene (3–15%), spathulenol (0.8–19%), rimuene (0.2–30%), sandarocopimara-8(14), 15-diene (0.1–20%) and beyerene (7–9%). Podocarpus smithii produced a complex sesquiterpenic oil in which α-copaene (4–8%), β-caryophyllene (5%) and ω-cadinene (9–11%) were the main components. Limonene (13–16%), bicyclogermacrene (15–18%) and viridiflorol (16–18%) were the main components of P. spinulosus oil.
Seasonal activity of tick infestation in goats and buffalo of Punjab Province (District Sargodha), Pakistan.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of tick infestation in buffalo and goats of Punjab Province (District Sargodha), Pakistan. There were a total of twelve hundred buffalo and goats examined from October 2012 to September 2013 to determine the prevalence of ticks infestation. The results showed that the prevalence of tick infestation in buffalo was 84.33% (1012/1200). The ticks were collected and identified. In buffalo, the higher prevalence rate was Hyalomma aegyptium (37.91%) followed by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (22.59%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (17.15%), Hyalomma marginatum (9.45%), Hyalomma anatolicum (9.03%) and Rhipicephalus sanquineus (3.84%) respectively. The breed wise prevalence was in Chenab breed (84.59%), Ravi breed (79.10%) and Hybrid breed (91.66%) respectively. The sex wise prevalence was in male (87.71%) and in female (83.53%). The prevalence based on age showed that the rate of infestation in buffalo having age group (1-4 year) was 85.48%, (4-8 year) was 86.02% and (>8 year) was 66.66%, respectively. The prevalence based on grazing pattern showed that rate of infestation in intensive grazing 85.28%, extensive grazing 86.41% and both (intensive and extensive) was 81.94%. While in case of goats the tick infestation was 86.50% (1038/1200). In goats, the higher prevalence was Hyalomma anatolicum (31.56%), Rhipicephalus spp. (25.95%), Haemophysalis spp. (21.07%), Ixodes spp. (15.46%), and Ambylomma spp. (5.93%) respectively. The breed wise prevalence was in Desi breed (91.12%), Taidi breed (90.97%), Lail Poori breed (91.78%) and Hybrid breed (66.66%) respectively. The sex wise prevalence was in male (79.16%) and in female (88.81%). The prevalence based on age showed that the rate of infestation in goats having age group (1-4 year) was 86.17%, (4-8 year) was 91.66%, respectively. The prevalence based on grazing pattern showed that rate of infestation in intensive grazing 86.71%, extensive grazing 85.97% and both (intensive grazing and extensive grazing) was 87.12%. The present study showed that these epidemiological factors have a significant effect on the prevalence of tick infestation in buffalo and goats of Sargodha district, Pakistan. The results of this survey showed that the ticks are active throughout the year except January but highly active from June to August. It would be very helpful in devising the future strategies towards the eradication and control of ticks in other endemic areas of Pakistan.
PHARMACOLOGICAL SCREENING FOR ANTI-ARTHRITIC ACTIVITY OF MORINGA OLEIFERA

Objective: The present study was performed to investigate the anti-arthritic activity of ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera (MO)against formaldehyde-induced arthritis in laboratory rats. Methods: Arthritis was induced in albino Wistar rats by administration of 0.1 ml formaldehyde (2% v/v, sc) into subplantar region of the right hind paw. Diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was used as the standard drug. The ethanolic leaf extracts of MO at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg and aqueous leaf extract at 500 mg/kg body weight p.o were administered for 10 days. At the end of the study period, changes in paw edema volume, paw thickness, arthritis score, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were recorded along with histopathology of knee joints in all groups were studied. Results: There was a significant reduction recorded in paw edema volume, paw thickness, arthritis score, and CRP levels on treatment with diclofenac sodium, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of MO. When compared between the two extracts, aqueous extract in the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight was found to be more potent. Conclusion: The results demonstrated significant anti-arthritic activity of ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of MO at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight. Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Formaldehyde, Arthritis, C-reactive protein.
Reproductive biology of the temperate soft coral Dendronephthya suensoni (Alcyonacea: Nephtheidae)

Abstract The azooxanthellate soft coral Dendronephthya suensoni (Holem, 1895) is distributed mainly around Jejudo Island, Korea. This species was determined as gonochoric with a sex ratio of 2:1 (female:male). Both female and male colonies have one gametogenic cycle a year. The annual reproductive cycle of D. suensoni is dependent on the seawater temperature. In particular, reproduction of the male colony showed a higher positive correlation between seawater temperature and the mean diameter of the spermaries. Gametogenesis in females and males took 6 months and 12 months, respectively. The mean diameter of a mature oocyte was 249.29 ± 36.24 μm, with a maximum size of 354.45 μm. Spawning could have occurred in the fall after the seawater temperature began to decrease.
Assemblage Structure of Fish at Offshore Petroleum Platforms on the San Pedro Shelf of Southern California

Abstract Offshore petroleum platforms in California's Santa Barbara Channel have been shown to be of ecological importance for local fish populations; however, before our investigation, no data existed on the fish assemblages associated with the platforms on the San Pedro Shelf further south. Our surveys of these platforms in 2006 and 2007 indicate that there is a core group of warm–temperate nearshore reef species in the midwater depth (<30 m), including California sheephead Semicossyphus pulcher, blacksmith Chromis punctipinnis, garibaldi Hypsypops rubicundus, opaleye Girella nigricans, and kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus. Platforms located further from shore (i.e., offshore platforms [>14 km]) had a strong seasonal presence of pelagic fishes (primarily jack mackerel Trachurus symmetricus) and recruit blacksmiths. At platforms closer to shore (i.e., inshore platforms [<4.8 km]), sea basses (Serranidae) and surfperches (Embiotocidae) were predominant; only slight seasonal variations were observed, which were attributed to prespawning aggregations of barred sand bass Paralabrax nebulifer. At the offshore platforms total fish density had a negative relationship with depth but a positive relationship with water temperature; conversely, total fish biomass exhibited a positive relationship with depth but a negative relationship with temperature. In contrast, at the inshore platforms both total fish density and biomass increased with increasing water temperature. With the exception of blacksmiths, nearshore reef fishes showed significantly greater densities of adults than juveniles. Furthermore, some species were observed spawning at these structures. Therefore, the San Pedro Shelf platforms may provide suitable habitat for several species of nearshore reef fish. Removing the upper levels and superstructure of the offshore platforms to a depth of 25 m (the partial removal decommissioning option) would eliminate critical habitat for several fish species and result in a potential loss of 95% of the total fish density and 77% of the total fish biomass, thus reducing the productivity advantages of some of these structures.
The Sex Ratio in Wild Birds

(1) The principal purpose of this paper is to show that in birds a great deal of well-documented evidence exists proving the occurrence of strongly uneven sex ratios. (2) The sex ratio may be high or low, favoring the male or the female sex. (3) The evidence points to the existence of this unbalanced condition already in the primary sex ratio, although physiological and environmental factors may modify it during prenatal and postnatal life. (4) In nearly all well-studied cases unequal sex ratios have been found to be correlated with peculiarities in the life history of the birds. (5) The study of the cytology and genetics of sex determination in birds is a promising and practically untouched field.
The "Pursuit Deterrent" Function of Alarm Signals

With few exceptions (Perrins 1968; Smythe 1970) it has always been expressly or tacitly assumed that the function of "alarm" signals was to warn conspecifics of the presence of a predator. To some it has also seemed self-evident that the signaler thereby decreased its chances of survival (Brereton 1959; Maynard Smith 1965; Hirth and McCullogh 1977). It has been the evolutionary implications of that second assumption that have been responsible for most of the interest in this topic. If it could be demonstrated that such behavior was not only altruistic but that it operated among social groups that were not kin groups it would provide evidence for "group selection," the Achilles' heel of the theory of population self-regulation (Wynne-Edwards 1962). Opponents of these ideas can invoke the rule of parsimony and argue that this kind of behavior is not altruistic but self-serving (Smythe 1970; Charnov and Krebs 1975). However, we do not believe that these authors have been as parsimonious as they might have been. Our observations on the "alarm" signal of the eastern swamphen (Porphyrio prophyrio L.) indicate to us that this signal is intended for the predator, not conspecifics. Our thesis is related to that of Smythe (1970), who proposed that the display of the white rump patch in various herbivorous mammals "invited pursuit" from a predator. Our interpretation f how a predator is likely to respond to an alarm signal is, however, different. We provide evidence that alarm signals act as "pursuit deterrent" signals.
Occurrence, population composition, and habitat use of humpback whales in Samana Bay, Dominican Republic

A study of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) was conducted between 1988 and 1991 in Samana Bay, Dominican Republic. Humpbacks were observed as early as the earliest survey (3 January) and as late as the latest (16 March). Local abundance varied from 0 whales per hour to a maximum of 3.2 whales per hour (mean = 1.70, SD = 0.79), and densities calculated from track surveys ranged from 0.09 to 0.82 whales per square nautical mile (mean = 0.31). Abundance generally peaked in February, but variation was observed both within a season and between years. Almost all whales were observed in the eastern part of the bay, towards or at its mouth. In all, 397 individuals were photographically identified during the study period. Of these, 18 were observed in more than 1 year (17 in 2 years, 1 in 3 years). A total of 15.8% of identified individuals were observed on more than 1 day in a year (maximum 5 days), with mothers representing 33.3% of all resightings. Observed occupancies of resighted animals ranged from 1.