Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological characterisation of Italian weedy rice (Oryza sativa) populations

Fogliatto S, Vidotto F & Ferrero A (2011). Morphological characterisation of Italian weedy rice (Oryza sativa) populations. Weed Research 52, 60–69. Summary Weedy rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most widespread and problematic weeds in rice cultivation; it spans the globe and can cause high yield losses. In 2008, seeds of 149 weedy rice populations were collected from the major Italian rice cultivation area. In 2009, these populations were sown in a single field to determine their morphological characteristics, including plant height, flag leaf attitude and length, panicle attitude and length, auricle and node colour, seed weight and size, awn length and germination rates at 0, 10 and 30 days of after-ripening (DAR). Of the collected populations, c. 56% were awned, 17% mucronate and 27% awnless. The morphological characteristics among the awned populations varied widely and displayed the highest average lengths of flag leaf (27.6 cm) and seed (8 mm). Mucronate populations were mainly characterised by small seeds and low germination rates. Awnless populations showed higher germination rates at 30 DAR (20%) and wider seeds (3.7 mm). Awn length and distribution, seed length, 1000 seed weight and germination rates were the most important traits influencing the variability among populations. Awned populations are expected to adapt better to differing environmental and cropping conditions, because of their larger variability.
Elephants and water provision: what are the management links?

In a recent paper we demonstrated that elephant bull groups and mixed herds exhibited spatial and resource segregation across the Kruger National Park. It was found, inter alia, that both bull groups and mixed herds occurred more frequently closer to rivers than expected if they were randomly distributed, but that only bull groups occurred more frequently closer to the artificial waterholes. Although Chamaillé‐Jammes et al. (2007 ) accepted these results, they disagreed with our interpretation regarding the potential effect that closure of artificial waterholes might have. Here we address some of the specific concerns expressed and provide a broader context regarding water provision and elephant management. Although water provision can influence elephant density and distribution, we argue that the effectiveness of surface‐water manipulation as a management tool will depend on (1) natural surface‐water availability, (2) forage quality, (3) elephant densities, (4) position of a population on its growth trajectory, and (5) management objectives. Even though elephants are water‐dependent, the effectiveness of water provision as a management tool will therefore be area‐ and population‐specific and will depend on management objectives.
Mitigation of stunted root abnormality in onion ( Allium cepa L.) using seed priming treatments

A high proportion of onion seed lots produced in Tasmania, Australia have had an unacceptable percentage of abnormal seedlings in germination tests and have been commercially unacceptable or required grading before being saleable. This study investigated the effects of hydro and osmotic priming, hardening and gibberellic acid application on the incidence of the major abnormality, seedlings with stunted primary roots. All treatments were effective in reducing the incidence of abnormal seedlings compared with untreated seed. Hydro-priming halved the number of abnormal seedlings while reductions of 20% to 47% were obtained for the other treatments. Hydro-priming also resulted in significant improvement in other quality characteristics including germination percentage and rate and uniformity of germination. In addition to previously published uses, this study demonstrated that priming may have commercial application in salvaging onion seed lots with unacceptable percentages of abnormal seedlings.
Response of Three Runner-Type Peanut Cultivars to Flumioxazin1

Field studies were conducted in 1999 and 2000 at Marianna and Gainesville, FL, to evaluate the response of three runner-type peanut cultivars, ‘Georgia Green’, ‘C-99R’, and ‘MDR-98’, to flumioxazin applied preemergence at 0, 71, 105, and 211 g/ha in a weed-free environment. Peanut exhibited excellent tolerance to flumioxazin, regardless of flumioxazin rate or peanut cultivar, at Gainesville in 1999 and both locations in 2000. In 1999, at Marianna, flumioxazin caused early-season stunting and season-long reduction in peanut canopy width. Peanut response was independent of cultivar and did not exceed 25%, with an increase in stunting with higher flumioxazin rates. Peanut stunting was associated with cool and extremely wet growing conditions during the first 2 mo after planting in 1999 at Marianna. Peanut yield and grade parameters, in both years, were not affected by flumioxazin treatment. Nomenclature: Flumioxazin; peanut, Arachis hypogaea L. ‘Georgia Green’, ‘C-99R’, ‘MDR-98’. Additional index words: Cultivar, extra large kernels, grade analysis, other kernels, sound mature kernels, sound splits, total sound mature kernels, yield. Abbreviations: DAP, days after planting; ELK, extra large kernels; OK, other kernels; PPI, preplant incorporated; PPO, protoporphyrinogen oxidase; PRE, preemergence; SMK, sound mature kernels; SS, sound splits; TSMK, total sound mature kernels.
The skull of the Upper Cretaceous snake Dinilysia patagonica Smith-Woodward, 1901, and its phylogenetic position revisited

The cranial anatomy of Dinilysia patagonica, a terrestrial snake from the Upper Cretaceous of Argentina, is redescribed and illustrated, based on high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and better preparations made on previously known specimens, including the holotype. Previously unreported characters reinforce the intriguing mosaic nature of the skull of Dinilysia, with a suite of plesiomorphic and apomorphic characters with respect to extant snakes. Newly recognized plesiomorphies are the absence of the medial vertical flange of the nasal, lateral position of the prefrontal, lizard-like contact between vomer and palatine, floor of the recessus scalae tympani formed by the basioccipital, posterolateral corners of the basisphenoid strongly ventrolaterally projected, and absence of a medial parietal pillar separating the telencephalon and mesencephalon, amongst others. We also reinterpreted the structures forming the otic region of Dinilysia, confirming the presence of a crista circumfenestralis, which represents an important derived ophidian synapomorphy. Both plesiomorphic and apomorphic traits of Dinilysia are treated in detail and illustrated accordingly. Results of a phylogenetic analysis support a basal position of Dinilysia, as the sister-taxon to all extant snakes. The fossil taxa Yurlunggur, Haasiophis, Eupodophis, Pachyrhachis, and Wonambi appear as derived snakes nested within the extant clade Alethinophidia, as stem-taxa to the crown-clade Macrostomata. The hypothesis of a sister-group relationship between Dinilysia and Najash rionegrina, as suggested by some authors, is rejected by the results of our analysis. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164, 194–238.
Invasiveness of Campylopus introflexus in drift sands depends on nitrogen deposition and soil organic matter

Question: Does the neophyte moss Campylopus introflexus invade more often in drift sand pioneer vegetations under high nitrogen (N) deposition? Location: Fourteen inland dune reserves in The Netherlands over a gradient of atmospheric N deposition. Methods: A transect study, dispersal experiment and culture experiment were carried out. In the transect study, the establishment of C. introflexus and lichens was measured in pure mats of Polytrichum piliferum, an early succession stage. The overall presence of C. introflexus in the area was also estimated. In the dispersal experiment, fragments of C. introflexus and lichen species were sown in P. piliferum mats at two sites with high and low N deposition. In the culture experiment C. introflexus fragments were grown on soil with different carbon (C) content and N dose. Results: The Campylopus:lichen ratio was positively correlated (r2=0.61) with the atmospheric ammonia concentration. Campylopus began to dominate at an ammonia air concentration of 7 μg m−3, correlated with the overall presence of the species in the sites investigated. Survival of sown Campylopus fragments was significantly higher and the endangered lichen Cladonia strepsilis significantly lower in the site with a high ammonia concentration. Survival of Cladonia coccifera and Cladonia portentosa was high at both sites. Experimental growing of C. introflexus showed significant responses to both C content and N, although C content showed the strongest effect. Conclusions: Growth of C. introflexus is affected by soil C content and N deposition. Inland dune reserves under high N deposition risk loss of lichen-dominated vegetations because of moss encroachment.
Effect of Fermentation, Storage Sur Lie or Post-Fermentation Thermal Processing on White Riesling (Vitis vinifera L.) Glycoconjugates

Four strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were evaluated for their influence on White Riesling glycoconju- gates. Fermentation resulted in a decrease in bound glycosides, as estimated by the analysis of glycosyl glucose. The greatest reduction occurred with the Fermiblanc strain, although the maximum difference among yeasts was only 7%. The concentration of bound monoterpene alcohols, oxides, and aromatic alcohols was diminished due to fermentation, although generally similar among yeasts. Following fermentation, the concentration of free terpenes and aromatic alcohols differed slightly among yeasts, but differences were below the sensory thresholds reported for each compound. Post-fermentation thermal processing reduced the glycoconjugates by an average of 33% for all treatments, with the greatest reduction occurring with the VL1 strain. Storing wines for 45 days sur lie lessened the glycoside content uniformly among treatments by 52%.
Bottom‐up and top‐down influences on pregnancy rates and recruitment of northern Yellowstone elk

Declines in calf recruitment in some Rocky Mountain elk populations have raised concerns that recovering carnivore populations may be limiting elk population growth. To help resolve continuing questions about the influence of wolves (Canis lupus) reintroduced during 1995–1997 on elk calf production and survival, we conducted retrospective modeling of factors such as weather, elk density, and recovering carnivore populations potentially affecting northern Yellowstone elk pregnancy and calf survival using a long-term data set collected during 1985–2008. We found elk density negatively affected yearling pregnancy rate but had little effect on adult pregnancy rate. Adult pregnancy rate declined as individuals aged and increased following summers with higher precipitation but did not vary across a wide range of carnivore densities. Fall lactation rates, an indicator of early-season calf survival, increased with elk age and decreased as the ratio of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) per elk increased. Over the 23 years of this study, the index of calf recruitment decreased as the wolf/elk ratio increased, decreased following severe winters, and increased as elk density decreased. Estimates of the wolf/elk ratio effect on calf recruitment were negative and confidence intervals did not overlap 0, whereas estimates of the wolf/elk ratio effect on elk pregnancy and early calf survival were positive and confidence intervals did overlap 0. Although a myriad of factors affect each stage leading to calf recruitment, and some of these factors such as weather are out of management control, management actions aimed at reducing wolf densities may result in increasing calf survival and elk population growth rates. However, the desire to manage wolf numbers to achieve a balance with ungulate population objectives must be balanced with other social considerations such as the desire to maintain wolf populations for tourism and wildlife-watching opportunities. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Quantitative Estimation of Epiphytic Invertebrate Populations

Quantitative comparisons were made of the relative accuracy, precision, and cost of various population estimation techniques for epiphytic invertebrates. Quadrat clipping was often more accurate than the Gerking, Macan, Minto, or KUG samplers, yielding population estimates an average of sevenfold greater where differences were found. All quadrat sizes (112 cm2 to 1 m2) usually yielded equal estimates of epiphytic invertebrate populations. The spatial variance of replicate epiphytic invertebrate samples increased with population density and decreased with the size of sampler employed (R2 = 0.94; n = 497). All samplers yielded equivalent levels of sampling precision. A method providing provisional estimates of the requisite number of replicate samples for a given level of precision is presented. Greater replication is required at low invertebrate population density or when small samplers are used. The most cost effective sampler size for the phytofauna is about 500 cm2. Improved sampling design can result i.
Numbat nirvana: conservation ecology of the endangered numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) (Marsupialia : Myrmecobiidae) reintroduced to Scotia and Yookamurra Sanctuaries, Australia

Abstract. Despite a vigorous reintroduction program between 1985 and 2010, numbat populations in Western Australia are either static or declining. This study aimed to document the population ecology of numbats at two sites that are going against this trend: Scotia Sanctuary in far western New South Wales and Yookamurra Sanctuary in the riverland of South Australia. Scotia (64 659 ha) and Yookamurra (5026 ha) are conservation reserves owned and managed by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and where numbats were reintroduced in 1999 and 1993 respectively. Both sites have large conservation-fence-protected introduced-species-free areas where there are no cats (Felis catus) or red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Numbats were sourced from both wild and captive populations. From small founder populations, the Scotia numbats are now estimated to number 169 (113–225) with 44 at Yookamurra. Radio-collared individuals at Scotia were active between 13 and 31°C. Females had home ranges of 28.3 ± 6.8 ha and males 96.6 ± 18.2 ha, which leads to an estimated sustainable population or carrying capacity of 413–502 at Scotia. Captive-bred animals from Perth Zoo had a high mortality rate upon reintroduction at Scotia due to predation by raptors and starvation. The habitat preferences for mallee with a shrub understorey appear to be driven by availability of termites, and other reintroduced ecosystem engineers appear to have been facilitators by creating new refuge burrows for numbats. This study shows that numbats can be successfully reintroduced into areas of their former range if protected from introduced predators, and illustrates the difficulties in monitoring such cryptic species.
Taxonomical and functional diversity turnover in Mediterranean grasslands: interactions between grazing, habitat type and rainfall

Summary 1. Changes in livestock grazing regimes are among the most important drivers of species loss and decrease in functional diversity world-wide. However, taxonomic and functional diversities (TD and FD) can respond differently to changes in grazing regime or productivity. 2. We surveyed plant communities from 67 sites under different grazing regimes (from heavy grazing to grazing abandonment) in wet and dry habitats, in both wet and dry years. We tested the influence of grazing intensity, habitat type and rainfall on TD, FD and the relationship between them. We also partitioned diversity to examine the effects of grazing on TD and FD across scales (within communities, within grazing levels and between grazing levels). 3. The effect of grazing within and across communities was modulated by water availability, with grazing showing the strongest effects in dry habitats. The relationship between FD and TD varied between habitat types and years and revealed high functional similarity between species (i.e. redundancy) in dry habitats. TD was reduced in the driest conditions across all the observation levels, contrasting with the high temporal stability of FD, suggesting that FD was decoupled from TD, especially in dry habitats. However, despite the high temporal and spatial stability of FD, results show that under severely limited water availability, high grazing pressure can reduce FD, revealing a convergence in traits under the combined effect of grazing and drought conditions. 4. Synthesis and applications. Results highlight the dependence of functional diversity on the combined effect of water availability and grazing regime. Under severely limited water availability, grazing intensification reduced the functional diversity of these grasslands. Because of the foreseeable reduction in water availability in Mediterranean environments, we recommend the adoption of flexible grazing management schemes that take species and functional diversities into account simultaneously and adapt the level of grazing pressure to water availability.
A worldwide phylogenetic classification of the Poaceae (Gramineae)

Based on recent molecular and morphological studies we present a modern worldwide phylogenetic classification of the ± 12074 grasses and place the 771 grass genera into 12 subfamilies (Anomochlooideae, Aristidoideae, Arundinoideae, Bambusoideae, Chloridoideae, Danthonioideae, Micraioideae, Oryzoideae, Panicoideae, Pharoideae, Puelioideae, and Pooideae), 6 supertribes (Andropogonodae, Arundinarodae, Bambusodae, Panicodae, Poodae, Triticodae), 51 tribes (Ampelodesmeae, Andropogoneae, Anomochloeae, Aristideae, Arundinarieae, Arundineae, Arundinelleae, Atractocarpeae, Bambuseae, Brachyelytreae, Brachypodieae, Bromeae, Brylkinieae, Centotheceae, Centropodieae, Chasmanthieae, Cynodonteae, Cyperochloeae, Danthonieae, Diarrheneae, Ehrharteae, Eragrostideae, Eriachneae, Guaduellieae, Gynerieae, Hubbardieae, Isachneae, Littledaleeae, Lygeeae, Meliceae, Micraireae, Molinieae, Nardeae, Olyreae, Oryzeae, Paniceae, Paspaleae, Phaenospermateae, Phareae, Phyllorachideae, Poeae, Steyermarkochloeae, Stipeae, Streptochaeteae, Streptogyneae, Thysanolaeneae, Triraphideae, Tristachyideae, Triticeae, Zeugiteae, and Zoysieae), and 80 subtribes (Aeluropodinae, Agrostidinae, Airinae, Ammochloinae, Andropogoninae, Anthephorinae, Anthistiriinae, Anthoxanthinae, Arthraxoninae, Arthropogoninae, Arthrostylidiinae, Arundinariinae, Aveninae, Bambusinae, Boivinellinae, Boutelouinae, Brizinae, Buergersiochloinae, Calothecinae, Cenchrinae, Chionachninae, Chusqueinae, Coicinae, Coleanthinae, Cotteinae, Cteniinae, Cynosurinae, Dactylidinae, Dichantheliinae, Dimeriinae, Duthieinae, Eleusininae, Eragrostidinae, Farragininae, Germainiinae, Gouiniinae, Guaduinae, Gymnopogoninae, Hickeliinae, Hilariinae, Holcinae, Hordeinae, Ischaeminae, Loliinae, Melinidinae, Melocanninae, Miliinae, Monanthochloinae, Muhlenbergiinae, Neurachninae, Olyrinae, Orcuttiinae, Oryzinae, Otachyriinae, Panicinae, Pappophorinae, Parapholiinae, Parianinae, Paspalinae, Perotidinae, Phalaridinae, Poinae, Racemobambosinae, Rottboelliinae, Saccharinae, Scleropogoninae, Scolochloinae, Sesleriinae, Sorghinae, Sporobolinae, Torreyochloinae, Traginae, Trichoneurinae, Triodiinae, Tripogoninae, Tripsacinae, Triticinae, Unioliinae, Zizaniinae, and Zoysiinae). In addition, we include a radial tree illustrating the hierarchical relationships among the subtribes, tribes, and subfamilies. We use the subfamilial name, Oryzoideae, over Ehrhartoideae because the latter was initially published as a misplaced rank, and we circumscribe Molinieae to include 13 Arundinoideae genera. The subtribe Calothecinae is newly described and the tribe Littledaleeae is new at that rank.
Variation in host-symbiont compatability among Cassiopea-algal symbioses

Surprisingly few empirical studies have addressed the evolutionary ecology of mutualisms. In particular, there are few data available that address the following crucial questions: 1) what factors align the interests of symbiotic partners? 2) what is the degree of ecological and genetic variation in symbionts across multiple populations of a single host species? and, 3) what evolutionary mechanisms drive variation in host-symbiont compatibility where it exists? Although there is no general theory of mutualism, conventional wisdom suggests that mutualisms are best defined as reciprocal exploitations that provide net benefits to the partners involved. Contemporary theory regarding the evolution of virulence has identified several factors that help align host and symbiont interests. However, the extent to which natural systems conform to these theoretical
Identification of the mutation responsible for resistance to QoI fungicides and its detection in Ascochyta rabiei (teleomorph Didymella rabiei)

This study characterized a fragment of the cytochrome b gene from Ascochyta rabiei isolates collected in North Dakota, USA, that varied in sensitivity to quinone-outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides. The sequenced genomic DNA fragment contained a group I intron immediately after codon 131. The size of the cytochrome b gene was estimated to be over 4·6 kb. Multiple alignment analysis of cDNA and protein sequences revealed a mutation that changed the codon for amino acid 143 from GGT to GCT, introducing an amino acid substitution from glycine to alanine (G143A), which is frequently associated with QoI resistance. Based on this mutation, a diagnostic PCR assay was developed using an approach called mismatch amplification mutation assay. This method was successfully validated by testing a total of 70 A. rabiei isolates, of which 38 isolates were found to be QoI-resistant. This fast and accurate PCR assay provides a very useful and simple screening method for QoI resistance in A. rabiei isolates.
Management of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Ontario, Canada: Do human intervention and disease have significant impact on raccoon populations ?

Avec une grande expansion de la zone d'elevage au cours du XX e siecle, les ratons-laveurs sont devenus une des especes les plus prolifiques d'animaux a fourrure qui vivent en Amerique du Nord aujourd'hui. La population des ratons-laveurs n'est pas en danger, mais avec la chasse et les nombreux pieges, les collisions avec les vehicules, les maladies infectieuses comme la rage et la maladie de Carre du chien, et le ramassage par les agents de controle animal, les ratons-laveurs ont un taux de mortalite eleve chaque annee. Dans certaines regions les ratons laveurs sont si nombreux que leur densite est de plus de 100 au km 2 , La population des ratons-laveurs en Ontario est estimee a 1 million. Cette population elevee est responsable d'un grand nombre de conflits « homme/raton-laveur », a propos de la destruction des jardins ornementaux et des recoltes, la degradation des edifices residentiels et la transmission de maladies infectieuses. La gestion des ratons-laveurs en Ontario est accomplie selon les reglements agricoles, par enlevement et euthanasie par les agents municipaux de controle animal, les strategies de l'education publique, et la creation d'une zone tampon de ratons-laveurs immunises pour le controle des maladies infectieuses. Ni la maladie ni l'intervention humaine n'ont eu d'effet significatif sur la population des ratons-laveurs en Ontario. La maladie de Carre peut causer des mortalites elevees dans la population des ratons-laveurs mais leur densite s'est maintenue de 7 a 20 par km 2 durant ces epidemies. Avec l'enlevement des animaux nuisibles, le service du controle animal de l'Ontario a reduit la population des ratons-laveurs de 12 % a 29 %, mais il n'y a pas eu d'impact durable sur la population etudiee. Le succes et la resistance des ratons-laveurs en Ontario et dans les autres regions de l'Amerique du Nord est attribuable a leur aptitude a s'adapter a la plupart des habitats, a leurs habitudes omnivores, leur fort taux de reproduction et l'absence de predateurs naturels.