Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates in the riverbed of an intermittent river: parallels and contrasts in community organisation

Summary Although intermittent rivers (IRs) are coupled aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, their constituent communities are generally considered separately by ecologists. Yet, both communities are disturbed by alternating flowing and dry phases. IRs are thus good systems in which to explore the parallels and contrasts in community organisation in response to disturbance, and gain understanding in the drivers of these responses. We compared the structure and composition of aquatic and terrestrial communities in the Albarine River, France. We collected aquatic and/or terrestrial invertebrates in the riverbed and adjacent riparian zone at four intermittent reaches and aquatic invertebrates in the riverbed at three perennial reaches over 1 year. A total of 175 taxa were collected at intermittent reaches, including 62 aquatic and 113 terrestrial taxa, contrasting with the low biodiversity generally associated with IRs. Aquatic and terrestrial communities were mainly subsets of those in perennial reaches and in the riparian zone, respectively, indicating that the riverbed of intermittent reaches is strongly linked to perennial reaches and the riparian zone by dispersal. Total taxonomic richness in the riverbed (i.e. γ diversity) of intermittent reaches was mainly due to among-reach variation for terrestrial invertebrates, but to within-reach variation for aquatic invertebrates. For both communities, among-reach dissimilarity was mainly due to spatial turnover rather than community nestedness. Spatial turnover was higher for terrestrial communities than for aquatic communities. Our results indicate that aquatic and terrestrial communities have different organisation patterns in this intermittent river; probably in response to the contrasting spatial arrangements of colonist sources. Heterogeneous sources of terrestrial colonists along the riparian zone compared to more homogeneous sources of aquatic colonists from perennial reaches could explain the relative contribution of nestedness versus turnover.
PHENOTYPIC STABILITY AND ADAPTABILITY OF CASTOR HYBRIDS

A set of 112 crosses of castor were studied under four artificially created environments to characterize stability for yield and its contributing components. Both linear and non-linear components of G x E interaction were found to be significant for all the traits (except days to flowering and days to maturity) revealing difficulty in prediction of performance of the characters studied in varied environments. The crosses SKP 25 x T 4, SKP 25 x EC 97700, SKP 93 x JI 77, VP 1 x Arona and SKP 25 x RC 8 showed high seed yield/plant with unit regression coefficients and non-significant deviation from regression indicating stable performance of these crosses invarying environments. Number of effective branches/plant, number of capsules/plant and 100-seed weight were the major components of seed yield varied in compensatory fashion to impart homeostasis to seed yield/plant.
Functions and location of secretory tissues in plants and their possible evolutionary trends

On the basis of the variability and location of the secretory tissues in the plant body, the following are suggested: (1) In relation to their surrounding environment, the secretory tissues fulfill two very important ecological functions--protection against herbivores and pathogens and attraction of pollinators. (2) The protective function preceded the function of attraction. (3) The protective secretory tissues are suggested to have expanded during the course of evolution from the leaf mesophyll outside, to the epidermis and its trichomes, and inside the plant body, to the primary and secondary phloem, and, in a few cases, also to the secondary xylem.
Recovery of Big Sagebrush Following Fire in Southwest Montana

Abstract Fire plays a large role in structuring sagebrush ecosystems; however, we have little knowledge of how vegetation changes with time as succession proceeds from immediate postfire to mature stands. We sampled at 38 sites in southwest Montana dominated by 3 subspecies of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.). At each site we subjectively located 1 sample plot representing the burned area and an unburned macroplot in similar, adjacent, unburned vegetation. Canopy cover of sagebrush was estimated, and plants were counted in 10 microplots. Age and height of randomly chosen sagebrush plants in each size class were determined from 5 microplots. Average postfire time to full recovery of mountain big sagebrush (ssp. vasseyana [Rydb.] Beetle) canopy cover was 32 years, shorter for basin (ssp. tridentata) and much longer for Wyoming (ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young) big sagebrush. Height recovered at similar rates. There was no difference in canopy cover or height recovery between prescribed fires and wildfires in stands of mountain big sagebrush. We found no relationship between mountain big sagebrush canopy cover recovery and annual precipitation, heat load, or soil texture. Nearly all unburned sagebrush macroplots were uneven-aged, indicating that recruitment was not limited to immediate postfire conditions in any of the subspecies. Average canopy cover of three-tip sagebrush (A. tripartita Rydb.) did not increase following fire, and many three-tip sagebrush plants established from seed instead of sprouting. Our results suggest that the majority of presettlement mountain big sagebrush stands would have been in early to midseral condition in southwest Montana assuming a mean fire interval of 25 years. Only long fire-return intervals will allow stands dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush to remain on the landscape in our study area. We speculate that effects of site-specific factors conducive to sagebrush recovery are small compared to stochastic effects such as fire.
Yields and Soil Quality under Transitional Organic High Tunnel Tomatoes

Interest in unheated plastic film-covered high tunnels to extend the growing season of high-value fruits and vegetables is growing rapidly, but sustainable soil man- agement in intensively managed high tunnels is challenging. Yields, fruit quality, and soil quality in transition organic and conventional tomato were measured over the course of three growing seasons. Nitrogen (N) was applied at the rate of 112, 168, and 224 kg total N/ha in the form of chicken manure compost to the organic treatments and a polymer- coated slow-release urea fertilizer in the conventional treatments. Marketable yield of organically grown tomatoes was lower in Year 1 but equaled conventional tomatoes in Years 2 and 3. Soil quality as measured by total carbon (C) and N and microbial activity was significantly greater in organic tomato production at the end of the study. Significant phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) applied with the composted manure resulted in high soil P and K levels in organically managed high tunnels after just 3 years of application. Although compost is the most economical organic fertilizer and results in significant benefits in soil quality during the transition phase to organic production, a maintenance fertility plan is needed once available soil P reaches adequate to high levels. Combina- tions of compost and high N, low P organic fertilizers are needed for optimum maintenance fertility strategy for organic tunnel house production.
A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF PHYLLOTINE RODENT FROM BOLIVIA

Abstract A new species (Muridae, Sigmodontinae, Phyllotini), belonging to a new genus, is described on the basis of 2 specimens from 1 locality in the mountain forests of southeastern Bolivia. Diagnostic features are posteriorly divergent edges of supraorbital region, large and hypsodont molar teeth with somewhat prismatic pattern, and anterior zygomatic process not projecting as an overhanging point. The diploid chromosome number is 56 and the fundamental number is 76. Other external, cranial, dental, and karyologic characters in the tribe and new taxon are described, illustrated, and discussed. The hypothesized phylogenetic placement of the new genus based on gene-sequence, chromosomal, and morphologic data is presented relative to evolutionary relationships of selected phyllotine taxa.
A new species of Allobates Anura, Dendrobatidae from the western flank of the Serrania de Perija, Colombia

A new species of nurse frog is described from the Serrania de Perija, Colombia. The new species is the fourth trans- Andean species in the genus Allobates. The new species is very similar to Allobates wayuu and also resembles A. melanolaemus, A. mcdiarmidi, A. niputidea, A. spumaponens and A. trilineatus, but differs in the type of posterior joiningof the dorsolateral stripe, pattern of coloration on the gular-chest region in males, ventral coloration in females, and by thepattern of the oblique lateral stripe; moreover, their similar are geographically isolate. Although Allobates is the secondlargest genus of dendrobatids (45 species), in Colombia, it has a diversity of thirteen species (including the new one described herein), nine cis-Andean and four trans-Andean. It is probable that the diversity in Colombia is underestimated.
Effect of dietary Lippia citriodora extract on reproductive and productive performance and plasma biochemical parameters in rabbit does

Two doses of natural extract from Lippia citriodora (titrated in verbascoside) were assessed in New Zealand White rabbit does evaluating selected reproductive, productive and plasma biochemical parameters. After 1 week of adaptation period, the trial on 45 rabbit does for three consecutive reproductive cycles was conducted; does were divided into three groups of 15 animals each, homogenous by age (1 year ± 2 weeks), bodyweight (4.77 ± 0.21 kg) and parity (2 ± 1). A control group (CON) did not receive the dietary supplement in the feed and the other two groups received 1 g of natural extract supplement in the feed (5 mg verbascoside/kg feed; LNE) and 2 g of natural extract (10 mg verbascoside/kg feed; HNE). The use of a dietary NE supplement improved kit bodyweight at weaning (934 vs 1104 g; P < 0.001), and average daily weight gain from birth to weaning (24.7 vs 29.7 g/day; P < 0.001), with no NE dose effect. In the LNE and HNE groups serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, bilirubin, and activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.05) and aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.01) decreased and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01) increased, according to the cycle effect. The dietary supplement also improved blood oxidative status markers in the experimental groups due to an increase in the concentrations of plasma vitamin A and E (P < 0.01) and a decrease in plasma reactive oxygen metabolites and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the dietary Lippia NE supplement improved selected productive and reproductive parameters and the animal welfare of does, expressed by a general improvement of blood profile, with no effect of the dose.
Antidiabetic Mechanism of Standardized Extract, Fraction and Subfraction of Cinnamomum Iners Leaves

Diabetes mellitus is predicted to become one of the world’s main disablers and killers within the next 25 years. One of therapeutic approach for treating diabetes is to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes such as αglucosidase and α-amylase. The objective of the present manuscript is to screen the in vivo and in vitro inhibitory effect of active methanol extract, chloroform fraction and sub-fraction 1 of Cinnamomum iners leaves together with cinnamic aldehyde, a well known antidiabetic compound presence in the samples against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes. In addition, ex vivo study for inhibition of glucose absorption from the intestine by methanol extract, chloroform fraction and sub-fraction 1 of C. iners leaves was assessed. The results indicate that sub-fraction 1 of C. iners leaves showed appreciable inhibition activity against α-glucosidase, αamylase enzymes and reduce glucose absorption by intestine. It could be speculated that the antidiabetic mechanism of C. iners is by decreasing postprandial hyperglycemia, thus it is useful in management of type 2 insulin independent diabetes mellitus. Cinnamic aldehyde was identified as the major bioactive constituent presence in the sub-fraction 1.
Stand Conditions Associated with Roundheaded Pine Beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) Infestations in Arizona and Utah

Abstract Stand conditions associated with outbreak populations of the roundheaded pine beetle, Dendroctonus adjunctus Blandford, in ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws. , forests were studied in the Pinaleno Mountains, AZ, and the Pine Valley Mountains, UT. Classification tree models to estimate the probability of infestation based on stand attributes were built for both study areas using growth rate and ponderosa pine basal area information. Cross-validation estimates of correct classification were 0.60 for the Pinaleno Mountains and 0.58 and 0.78 for the Pine Valley Mountains. Regression tree and linear regression models to estimate amount of mortality caused by the beetles were also built for both sites using growth rate, ponderosa pine basal area, and trees per hectare information. The occurrence and mortality levels caused by the roundheaded pine beetle are positively related at both the stand and tree scale with reduced growth rates caused by high stocking densities.
Water Deficit during the Reproductive Period of Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Reduced Grain Yield but Maintained Seed Size

The grain legume grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is adapted to drought-prone environments, but the extent and mechanisms of its tolerance are not well understood. In a pot experiment, water deficit was imposed on plants by withholding water from first flowering until predawn leaf water potential (LWPpd) was −3.12 MPa. Water deficit reduced dry matter, seed yield, harvest index and water use efficiency by 60 %, 87 %, 67 % and 75 %, respectively, when compared with the controls. Flower production stopped when LWPpd fell to −1.8 MPa. At LWPpd−1.5 MPa, only 25 % of flowers resulted in filled pods (compared with 95 % filled pods in the control) with the rest aborted as flowers (48 %) or pods (27 %). Filled pods had more aborted ovules than controls, resulting in 29 % less seeds per pod. Water deficit reduced pollen viability, germination and the number of pollen tubes reaching the ovary by 13 %, 25 % and 31 %, respectively. Emergence from seeds produced from water-deficient plants was 21 % less than controls, but seedling shoot dry mass was 18 % higher, in accordance with the 19 % higher seed mass. The sensitivity of flowering to drought limited pod numbers but enabled plants to retain existing pods and develop near-normal seeds with low β-N-oxalyl-l-α-β-diaminopropionic acid toxin concentrations. This trait is useful for farming systems reliant on harvested seed for the next crop and in cases where seed size influences the value of the product.
VIRUSES OF SWEET AND SOUR CHERRY IN SERBIA

SUMMARY One hundred twenty-five trees (each of a different cultivar) of sour and sweet cherry from two large varietal collections in Serbia were visually inspected for virus symptoms and tested for the presence of cherry viruses by ELISA, herbaceous host assays, graft-indexing on P. serrulata cv. Kwanzan, and RT-PCR. All samples were tested by ELISA for Prunus necrotic ring spot virus (PNRSV), Prune dwarf virus (PDV), Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), Apple mosaic virus (ApMV), and Plum pox virus (PPV). The overall detection of PDV, PNRSV, and ACLSV was 63%. Additional ELISA tests were done on 80 trees for Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV), Strawberry latent ring spot virus (SLRSV), Petunia asteroid mosaic virus (PetAMV), Raspberry ringspot virus (RpRSV), Tomato black ring virus (TBRV), Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), and Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV). In these tests, one tree tested positive for PetAMV. RT-PCR testing of 44 trees detected another five viruses: Cherry green ring mottle virus (CGRMV), Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus (CNRMV), Cherry virus A (CVA), European rusty mottle associated virus (ERMaV) and Plum bark necrosis and stem pitting-associated virus (PBNSPaV), but not Cherry mottle leaf virus (CMLV). In graft-indexing tests on Kwanzan with all 125 trees, samples from 38 trees induced symptoms of necrotic crook disease (causal agent unknown). Viruses reported for the first time in Serbia were CGRMV, CNRMV, CVA, ERMaV, PBNSPaV, and PetAMV.
Determination of LD50 and Morphometric Analysis induced by Bifenthrin in Developing Fetuses of Mice

The present study was planned to evaluate the teratogenic and embryotoxic effects of bifenthrin in mice (Mus musculus). Based on 48.00mg/kg body weight LD50 value for pregnant mice, three motherly sub-toxic doses were selected as 6.00, 12.00 and 24.00 mg/kg body weight and each sub-lethal dose was administered orally in four different ways (single, double, triple and multiple) to the pregnant mothers during day 6 to 12 of gestation. On day 18 of gestation, the fetuses were recovered for morphological and morphometric studies. The morphometric observations included significant (P<0.001) reduction in body weight, crown rump length, brain circumference, eye circumference, pinna size, snout size, fore limb, hind limb length and tail size of the fetuses as compared to controls. Morphological observations included anencephaly, bulging eye, fore limb micromelia, fore limb dysplasia, hydrocephaly, hind limb dysplasia, haemorrhage spot on head and abdomen, hind limb low arm set, kyphosis, macrocephaly, open eye lid, rough skin, snout less developed, spina bifida, short tail, underdeveloped fore and hind limb dysplasia.
Effect of gibberellic acid and growing media on vegetative and floral attributes of gladiolus

The present experiment was conducted to find out effect of GA3 and sand on growth, flowering and corm production in gladiolus cv. Nova Lux. Pre-planting soaking of corms in gibberellic acid as well as planting with or without sand dressing significantly affected the most of characters studied. In both the media, the higher levels (100 or 150 ppm) of GA3 increased the number of sprouts per corm, girth and height of plant, number and width of leaf, length and placement of florets, number of flowering spikes per mother corm, number of opened fresh florets at a time, longevity and vase-life of spike, yield of spikes, weight of daughter corm, total yield of corms and number of cormels per plant. Between two media, corms planted with sand dressing delayed corm sprouting and spike emergence, increased height and girth of plant, width and number of leaves, diameter of spike, compactness and number of fresh florets, vase-life of cut spike, weight of daughter corm and total corm yield. Planting of corms in soil only enhanced corm sprouting and spike emergence, increased the number of sprouts, flowering spikes and cormels per mother corm, placement of florets on rachis, width of full opened floret, longevity of spike and total yield of spikes per unit area.
Effect of growth regulators on pre-harvest fruit drop in plum (Prunus salicina L.) cv. Satluj Purple

Growth regulators viz., ethrel, NAA and GA were sprayed at different stages of fruit development to prevent the pre-harvest fruit drop in plum cv. Satluj Purple. Single spray of ethrel (50 and 100 ppm) was given during fourth week of March and first and second week of April. NAA (10 and 20 ppm) was sprayed twice during second and fourth week of April and GA (50 and 100 ppm) once during first week of March. Ethrel (100 ppm) applied during fourth week of March was the most effective treatment to reduce the pre-harvest drop followed by NAA (10 ppm). The fruit retention; yield, fruit weight and total soluble solids were significantly higher with ethrel (100 ppm) applied during fourth week of March. The acid content was significantly lesser with ethrel (100 ppm) applied during fourth week of March during the both experimental years. Nitrogen content in leaves and shoots was maximum with ethrel (100 ppm) applied during second week of April. The highest carbohydrate content in leaves and shoots was recorded in NAA (10 ppm).
Weed Management Practice Selection Among Midwest U.S. Organic Growers

Abstract Organic agricultural systems increase the complexity of weed management, leading organic farmers to cite weeds as one of the greatest barriers to organic production. Integrated Weed Management (IWM) systems have been developed to address the ecological implications of weeds and weed management in cropping systems, but adoption is minimal. Organic agriculture offers a favorable context for application of IWM, as both approaches are motivated by concern for environmental quality and agricultural sustainability. However, adoption of IWM on organic farms is poorly understood due to limited data on weed management practices used, absence of an IWM adoption metric, and insufficient consideration given to the unique farming contexts within which weed management decisions are made. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) characterize organic weed management systems; (2) identify motivations for, and barriers to, selection of weed management practices; and (3) generate guiding principles for effective targeting of weed management outreach. We surveyed Midwestern organic growers to determine how specified psychosocial, demographic, and farm structure factors influence selection of weed management practices. Cluster analysis of the data detected three disparate, yet scaled, approaches to organic weed management. Clusters were distinguished by perspective regarding weeds and the number of weed management practices used. Categorization of individual farms within the identified approaches was influenced by primary farm products as well as farmer education, years farming, and information-seeking behavior. The proposed conceptual model allows weed management educators to target outreach for enhanced compatibility of farming contexts and weed management technologies.
ecosystems: do engineer species sharing common features have generalized or idiosyncratic effects on species diversity?

Aim To integrate the effects of ecosystem engineers (organisms that create, maintain or destroy habitat for other species) sharing the same archetype on species diversity, and assess whether different engineer species have generalized or idiosyncratic effects across environmentally similar ecosystems. Location High-Andean habitats of Chile and Argentina, from 23� St o 41� S. Methods We measured and compared the effects of eight alpine plants with cushion growth-form on species richness, species diversity (measured as the Shannon‐Wiener index) and evenness of vascular plant assemblages across four high-Andean ecosystems of Chile and Argentina. Results The presence of cushion plants always increased the species richness, diversity (measured as the Shannon‐Wiener index) and evenness of high-Andean plant assemblages. However, while the presence of different cushion species within the same ecosystem controlled species diversity in the same way, these effects varied between cushion species from different ecosystems. Main conclusions Results consistently supported the idea that increases in habitat complexity due to the presence of ecosystem engineers, in this case cushion plants, would lead to higher community diversity. Results also indicate that effects of the presence of different cushion species within the same ecosystem could be generalized, while the effects of cushion species from different ecosystems should be considered idiosyncratic.