Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is host‐specificity of weed biological control agents likely to evolve rapidly following establishment?

Over 352 herbivore species have now been intentionally introduced into new regions as weed biological control agents. Recent evidence shows that rapid and significant evolution in host-specificity can occur. The risk of non-target use by biological control agents increasing to unacceptable levels through rapid evolution therefore needs to be considered. In addition, weed biological control offers many as yet largely unexploited opportunities for improving our basic understanding of host-specificity and its evolution. We therefore evaluate the evidence that rapid evolution (1) alters the use of existing hosts, and (2) alters the fundamental host-range. Most cited examples of so-called host shifts from weed biological control were not the result of genetic change. There was only limited evidence of genetically altered performance on a non-target host and no evidence of altered fundamental host-range. We conclude, from both theory and the available data, that only altered use of existing hosts (through quantitative genetic changes) needs be considered when evaluating the risk of rapid evolution. Host-specificity testing methodologies can be improved and adapted to better assess the risk of occurrence of post-release evolution.
The origin of introduced rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Santa Cruz River, Patagonia, Argentina, as inferred from mitochondrial DNA

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was first introduced into Argentinean Patagonia, the southernmost region of South America, from the United States in 1904 and at present constitutes the most conspicuous freshwater fish in lakes and rivers of the region. The Santa Cruz River in Southern Patagonia is the only river in the world where a self-sustained population of introduced rainbow trout is known to have developed an anadromous run. In this study, we examined mtDNA sequence variation to identify the source of Santa Cruz River rainbow trout, providing a histori- cal framework to interpret the processes underlying phenotypic variation and structure of Patagonian populations. The Santa Cruz River may harbor distinct North American stocks of rainbow trout, widely distributed around the world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but today threatened after decades of habitat loss, species introduction, and introgression from alien stocks. The mtDNA sequence data revealed that the most likely origin for wild anadro- mous and nonanadromous fish was the McCloud River in California. Meanwhile, a local hatchery stock, representative of rainbow trout introduced from Denmark after 1950 and widely stocked ever since throughout Patagonia, most proba- bly originated from multiple lineages from western North America, including non-Californian populations. Resume : La truite arc-en-ciel (Oncorhynchus mykiss) a ete introduite en Patagonie argentine, la region la plus australe de l'Amerique du Sud, depuis les Etats-Unis en 1904 et elle est actuellement le poisson d'eau douce le plus en evi- dence dans les lacs et rivieres de la region. La riviere Santa Crux en Patagonie du Sud est la seule riviere au monde dans laquelle une population autosuffisante de truites arc-en-ciel introduites ait developpe une migration anadrome. Notre etude examine la variation des sequences de l'ADN mitochondrial (ADNmt) afin d'identifier l'origine des truites arc-en-ciel de la riviere Santa Crux et elle procure ainsi un cadre historique pour l'interpretation des processus sous- jacents a la variation phenotypique et a la structure des populations de Patagonie. La riviere Santa Crux peut contenir des stocks differents de truites arc-en-ciel nord-americains qui ont ete largement repandus a travers le globe a la fin du 19 e siecle et au debut du 20 e siecle, mais qui sont aujourd'hui menaces apres des decennies de pertes d'habitats, d'introductions d'especes et d'introgressions avec les stocks etrangers. D'apres les donnees de sequences d'ADNmt, l'origine la plus probable des poissons sauvages anadromes et non anadromes est la riviere McCloud de Californie. De plus, un stock local de pisciculture, typique des truites arc-en-ciel introduites du Danemark apres 1950 et ensemencees depuis lors partout en Patagonie, provient tres probablement de multiples lignees de l'ouest de l'Amerique du Nord, y compris de populations d'ailleurs que la Californie. (Traduit par la Redaction) Riva Rossi et al. 1101
Soybean Tolerance to Water‐Saturated Soil and Role of Resistance to Phytophthora sojae

There are differences among soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] genotypes for tolerance to water-saturated soil conditions. Phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora sojae (M.J. Kaufmann and J.W. Gerdemann) is problematic for soybean when the soil is excessively wet. Our objectives were (i) to determine if genotype- by-environment (G x E) interactions existed for yield between water-saturated (irrigated) vs. control (nonirrigated)environments using 37 soybean genotypes; and (ii) to determine whether resistance and/or partial resistance to P. sojae was associated with tolerance to water-saturated soil conditions. The G x E was significant between the water-saturated treatment and control, Some genotypes that yielded well under control conditions did not yield well under saturated conditions. Based on yield, we identified eight genotypes that were tolerant and eight genotypes that lacked tolerance to water-saturated soil conditions. These 16 genotypes were evaluated for resistance and partial resistance to Phytophthora using three virulence phenotypes. Those genotypes that were tolerant to water-saturated soil conditions possessed either a major gene or good partial resistance to P. sojae. We concluded that resistance to P. sojae was an important factor that increased tolerance to water-saturated soil, but that unknown other genetic factors were also important.
The potential of periphyton-based culture of the native major carp calbaush, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton)

The project evaluated the effect of installing scrap bamboo ('kanchi') as a substrate for periphyton on growth and production of the indigenous major carp calbaush, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton). The impacts of fish grazing on the periphyton community were also assessed. Six ponds were used, three of which were provided with kanchi poles (700 per pond, spaced 30 cm apart). Ponds were limed and fertilized and stocked with L. calbasu fingerlings (mean total length = 5.16 cm; mean weight = 2.10 g) at a rate of 10000 fingerlings ha(-1) (75 fish per pond). There were no statistically significant differences in water quality between treatments, although differences in phytoplankton community composition were observed. Zooplankton numbers were the same in both treatments. While there was clear evidence that periphyton was being exploited by the fish, Chlorophycae being most affected, grazing was insufficient to cause significant reductions in total periphyton densities. Fish survival and specific growth rates (SGRs) were significantly higher in ponds with substrates, production in treatments with and without scrap bamboo substrate being 712.90 and 399.11 kg ha(-1), respectively, over the 120-day period. However, production in both treatments was low in comparison with other studies, water temperatures (23.6-32.7 degrees C) being less than optimum for growth. It was concluded that kanchi and other locally available materials might be used to increase the production of some species of fish, although further evaluation of production economics is required.
Epiphytic angiosperms in a mountain forest in southern Bahia, Brazil

The Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia State, Brazil, has high levels of diversity and vascular plant endemism. There have been few floristic surveys of the mountain forests there, however, especially those focusing on herbs and canopy plants, with studies of Atlantic Forest epiphytes having been limited to the southern and southeastern region of that country. The present study therefore surveyed the epiphytic angiosperms in the Serra das Lontras National Park (SLNP), the distribution of their species among genera and families, and their biogeographical patterns. Fieldwork was performed between February 2011 and March 2012. Collections were made along roads and trails and phorophytes were occasionally climbed and fallen trees and branches examined in order to sample canopy species. The study site demonstrated high epiphyte richness (256 spp.), one of the highest recorded in the Atlantic Forest. The richest families are Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Araceae, reaffirming the patterns reported in previous major reviews on epiphytes. The species exhibit high degrees of endemism (45%) to the Atlantic Forest, especially among the Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae. One new occurrence to Brazil, four to the Atlantic Forest and 30 to Bahia state are registered. The SLNP shares more species with areas of southern and southeastern Brazil than with other northeastern states.
Feral cat (Felis catus) prey size and selectivity in north‐eastern Australia: implications for mammal conservation

The domestic cat Felis catus is distributed worldwide and has had a long historical relationship with humans. In some regions, such as Australia, it has become feral and a significant predator of native wildlife. A key component of quantifying and managing the conservation threat of introduced predators is an understanding of exactly what size and taxa of prey species are consumed, and whether there is a high degree of selectivity in the diet. A total of 169 cat stomachs were collected from north-eastern Australia, and their contents examined in relation to prey size, the body size of cats and selectivity using Jacob’s index. I found that F. catus contains a large amount of prey per cat (~200 g), mammals are the dominant prey item by mass, and feral cats predation was selective of small mammals (<10 g, 50‐100 g), and reptiles and birds in the 10‐50 g and 50‐100 g size ranges, respectively. Reptiles form a large component of the diet compared with other regions in the world. Many mammals in northern Australia that are declining are within the size range that is highly selected by feral cats; the relationship between smaller cat size in the tropics and smaller prey size has correspondence to the fact that the declining mammals in this region are smaller than those that went extinct in southern Australia. There is an urgent need to find a conservation solution to reducing feral cat predation on wildlife, and this should include landscape scale reduction in fire extent and frequency, and removal of cattle in key sites, in order to maintain ground cover, thus reducing the predation success of feral cats.
Phylogeography of an introduced insect pest and consequences of an insect introduction

Title of Dissertation: PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF AN INTRODUCED INSECT PEST AND CONSEQUENCES OF AN INSECT INTRODUCTION Robert G. Ahern, Doctor of Philosophy, 2007 Directed By: Professor Michael J. Raupp Department of Entomology Adelges cooleyi (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), a host-alternating gall-making insect pest native to the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest and introduced into the eastern United States during the mid-19 century, was studied to address questions about phylogeography, to determine effects of introduction on genotypic and phenotypic variation, and to compare genetic variation associated with host use in native and introduced ranges. In Chapter One, sequence data from two mitochondrial (mtDNA) genes and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) were used to quantify the structure of genetic variation in the insect’s native range. Several wellsupported, divergent mtDNA lineages were identified. The structure of genetic variation among sampled locations is consistent with patterns shaped by glaciations. Samples from the southern edge of the insect’s distribution are genetically isolated from the rest of the species, and hybridization of divergent mtDNA lineages via secondary contact was inferred from AFLP data. Changes in genetic and phenotypic variation associated with introduction were quantified in Chapter Two. Introduced populations had decreased genetic variation relative to native populations. Variation in an ecologically important trait, host preference, was also significantly lower in introduced populations than in native populations. An association between mtDNA haplotypes and host preference was identified. Adelges cooleyi in the eastern US have low genetic and phenotypic variation but appear to be sufficiently adapted for persistence. My results call into question the utility of neutral genetic variation to assess the probability of persistence in new environments by introduced species. Host-plants that A. cooleyi requires to complete its lifecycle are not native to the eastern US and occur together in patches that are often widely separated. In Chapter Three, analyses of mtDNA and AFLP genetic variation were conducted to determine the distribution of genetic variation within and among host plants in the native range and identify discrepancies that may be consistent with an incomplete lifecycle in the introduced range. Distribution of genetic variation within and among host-plants in the introduced range was not significantly different than that in the native range, as indicated by fixation indices, and I found no evidence for asexual populations in the introduced range. PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF AN INTRODUCED INSECT PEST AND CONSEQUENCES OF AN INSECT INTRODUCTION
Multiple scale patterns of shell and anatomy variability in land snails: the case of the Sicilian Marmorana (Gastropoda: Pulmonata, Helicidae)

Certain major aspects of phenotypic diversity are still largely unexplained. When phenotypic patterns do not relate to habitat variables, fine analysis of morphological patterns and their distribution sheds light on the origin of diversity. Among invertebrates, snails are an ideal model for studying the roles of the neutral processes and selection involved in creating diversity. To understand patterns and processes of variability on different scales (regional: areas; local: sites), morphological variability of two sets of characters (shell and genitalia) was quantified in a group of rock-dwelling land snails of the genus Marmorana (Pulmonata, Helicidae). To analyse shell variability, partitioning of the overall variation into size and shape components was analysed by a principal component-based approach. Shell shape and size variability is not significantly influenced by any environmental pressure. Variability at site scale is mainly attributed to shell size, which is a trait demonstrated to have a high degree of phenotypic plasticity. No sharp changes were observed for genitalia. Moreover, allometries between shell size and genitalia measurements involve a few populations. The observed multiple scale patterns are in line with the hypothesis that genital variance may be selectively controlled to maintain function.
Ruminal fermentation response and nitrogen retention from sheep fed rumen undegradable protein

The utilization of rumen undegradable protein, could increase supply of amino acids in small intestine to meet host protein requirement. To increase the utilization of feed protein, feed protein source which is highly degradable should be protected from degradation in the rumen. The objective of the study was to increase nitrogen retention through substitution of fish meal protein with soy bean meal protected by banana stem juice observed from rumen fermentation activities. The study used 18 late pregnant Sumatera Composite breed ewes. Rations consisted of fresh chopped elephant grass, supplemented with a commercial concentrate and mineral block in the form of Comin plus and different types of protein supplement as treatment diets. The type of protein supplements were: soya bean meal (RK), soy bean meal protected with banana stem juice (RKT) and fish meal (RTI). Treatment diets were offered during late pregnancy (from two months before to two months after partus), two weeks adaptation period was carried out before data recording. Design of the study used randomized complete block design. Results of the study show that rumen ammonia concentration in sheep fed on RKT was not significantly different either from RTI or from RK, however, the nitrogen retention was significantly (P 0.05), however, proportion of C2 and nC4 was significantly different between diet treatment. Methane emission was higher (70.3 mM or 37.2% higher from total energy VFA) in diet RKT which is indicated that fermentation system was not efficient. It can be concluded the higher rumen ammonia concentration and lower nitrogen retention in protected soy bean meal supplement indicated that soy bean meal protected by banana stem juice in the ration was not able to substitute fish meal protein which is resistance from degradation in the rumen. Key W ords : Sheep, Rumen Fermentation, Rumen Undegradable Protein
Female gametogenesis and female gamete germination in the anisogamous green alga Codium fragile subsp. novae‐zelandiae (Bryopsidophyceae, Chlorophyta)

Female gametogenesis was studied in the dioecious siphonous green alga Codium fragile subsp. novae‐zelandiae (J. Agardh) P. C. Silva using light and electron microscopy. Early during gametogenesis the protoplasm was uniform; then it separated in portions, while fusiform chloroplasts and nuclei increased in numbers. Some features of the nuclear divisions were similar to those of other Bryopsidophyceae. They were acentric and semi‐open. Pairs of parallel electron‐dense lines resembling synaptonemic complexes were observed in several prophase nuclei indicating meioses. In metaphase the nuclear envelope showed polar fenestrae from which the spindle emerged. No spindle microtubule nucleating material was visible and chromosome kinetochores were evident. Mature female gametes were pyriform with a hyaline anterior end from which the two flagella emerged. Mature gametes had a spherical nucleus surrounded by a mitochondrion and numerous discoid chloroplasts. Female gametes germinated parthenogenetically in culture and also inside gametangia, involving loss of flagella, rounding and lengthening of cells, multiplication of chloroplasts with well developed thylakoid systems, vacuolization and synthesis of a fibrillar cell wall.
Comparison of trophic niche and digestive enzymes of four species of catfishes of the Punarbhaba River in India

The feeding ecology and digestive enzyme profile of four species of catfishes namely, Eutropiichthys vacha Hamilton, 1822; Ailia coila Hamilton, 1822; Neotropius atherinoides Bloch, 1794 and Pangasius pangasius Hamilton, 1822, belonging to the order Siluriformes were collected from Punarbhaba River. Stomach content of the fishes were analyzed to determine trophic diversity, niche breadth of each fish species as well as to calculate relative abundance in natural habitat and index of relative importance (IRI) of different prey items in fish diet. Digestive enzyme profile has also been studied by characterization of amylase, invertase, cellulase, pepsin, alkaline protease and non-specific esterase from fish liver, stomach and intestine. Among the four fishes, E. vacha is found to be a generalist in terms of trophic behaviour whereas A. coila and N. atherinoides are specialists having higher IRI value for plankter and P. pangasius showing malacovory. The food niche segregation is found to be incomplete. The digestive enzyme profile was also found to vary from species to species in order to support feeding habit.
A new species of Hydromys (Muridae) from Western New Guinea (Irian Jaya)

A new species of the murid Hydromys is named and described, based on skins, skulls and denti tions. The sample comes from the Wissel Lakes region in the Indonesian half of New Guinea (Irian Jaya). In many features, the new species is a miniature version of Hydromys chrysogaster and may be more closely related to that large water rat than to H. habbema. Nothing is known about habits or habitat of the new rat, and it has not yet been collected elsewhere in Irian Jaya or in the eastern half of New Guinea (Papua).
Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Degradation of Silk Protein to Amino Acids

Microwave irradiation was applied to enhance the hydrothermal degradation rate of silk protein to amino acids. Results showed a significant increase in the yield of amino acids compared to the conventional heating method. Under microwave irradiation, the yield was favorable in NaOH compared to the commonly used HCl for protein hydrolysis. Moreover, this technique has also demonstrated its advantages in enhancing the recovery of tyrosine (Tyr), a known precursor of several neurotransmitters, from silk protein.
Susceptibility of the Australian Plague Locust, Chortoicetes terminifera, and the Wingless Grasshopper, Phaulacridium vittatum, to the Fungi Metarhizium spp.

Abstract Chortoicetes terminifera (fourth instar) and Phaulacridium vittatum (fourth and fifth instar) nymphs were inoculated topically with 7500 conidia/insect in 0.2 μl of raw peanut oil with each of five isolates of Metarhizium spp. Three isolates of M. flavoviride from acridids were more virulent than two isolates of M. anisopliae isolated from either termite nest material in Australia or from soil in Burma. Similar differences between isolates were obtained when the screening was repeated against fifth-instar C. terminifera nymphs at a lower dose of 750 conidia/insect. At the higher dose, FI985 (ARSEF 324) from an Australian acridid gave a MLT (median lethal time) of 4.3 days for C. terminifera at 29°C and 5.4 days for P. vittatum at 26°C. The other two isolates of M. flavoviride tested were similar in their pathogenicity. The susceptibility of the two acridids for FI985 was further tested in a bioassay using five doses. Based on the resultant LD 50 values, C. terminifera [LD 50 = 417 (220-721) conidia/insect], was three times more susceptible than P. vittatum [LD 50 = 1,212 (689-1900) conidia/insect], though this difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Molting within 24 h of inoculation had no effect on subsequent mortality. The high susceptibility of the two most important acridid pests in Australia to a locally derived isolate encourages the development of M. flavoviride as a more environmentally benign alternative to fenitrothion spraying.