Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mite diversity on plants of different families found in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

This work reports the occurrence of mites predominantly predatory, phytophagous and with varied feeding habits on plants of the Atlantic Forest vegetation type of the State of Sao Paulo. The objective was to estimate the possible role of the Atlantic Forest vegetation as reservoir of these groups of mites which are also found on plants of agricultural importance. Samples were taken from 187 plant species belonging to 73 families in three vegetation types of the Atlantic Forest from February of 2001 to October of 2002. A total of 2,887 mites belonging to 163 morpho-species of 16 families were collected. Mite diversity was high, especially of predatory mites; these corresponded to 1,562 specimens of 92 morpho-species. Within this group, Phytoseiidae comprised 71% of the specimens and 62% of the morpho-species. Phytophagous mites comprised 836 specimens of 36 morpho-species. Within this group, Tenuipalpidae comprised the larger proportion of specimens (61%) whereas Tetranychidae corresponded to the larger proportion of morpho-species (64%). Mites with varied feeding habits corresponded to 491 specimens of 36 morpho-species. In this group, the larger proportion of specimens (52%) consisted of Ascidae and the larger proportion of morpho-species (42%) consisted of Tydeinae (family Tydeidae). High abundance and high morpho-species richness of mites of predominantly predatory, phytophagous and variable feeding habits were observed on 17, five and nine plant species, respectively. The results obtained suggest the importance of plants of the studied vegetation as reservoirs of predatory mites.
GENETIC VARIABILITY IN DRUMSTICK GENOTYPES

Drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) is one of the important perennial vegetable grown in India. Every part of plant valued for food, but it’s also enriched with more nutrition and high minerals and vitamins at cheaper inputs. Leaves, flowers and immature pods are used as a highly nutritive vegetable and for medicinal purpose. In experiment 36 genotypes were evaluated with three replications in complete randomized design during 2011-2012.The results revealed a significant difference in all the characters like pod weight (26.37-66.43 g), pod length (24.43 to 59.47 cm), pod girth (7.33 to 23.67 mm), number of leaflets/leaf (8.00 to 13.33), and leaf length (28.63 to 66.37 cm). Similarly, a wide variation was recorded for nutrients in drumstick leaves. It was 22.07 to 37.47 % for dry matter; 5.33 to 7.87 % for TSS; 0.72 to 1.43 mg/g for chlorophyll. The GCV was greater than PCV for all the characters but the differences were low. High GCV and heritability estimates coupled with greater genetic advance was recorded for pod weight and indicated that these characters had additive gene effects and therefore, they are more reliable for effective selection.
Space use analyses suggest avoidance of a ski area by mountain goats

The development of recreational activities imposes growing anthropogenic pressure on wilderness areas worldwide. Because anthropogenic disturbances may modify wildlife use of habitat, space use studies may be useful to identify wildlife response to recreational activities. Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) are highly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances and are thus likely to modify their space use in response to recreational activities. From 2011 to 2013, we studied space use of mountain goats in Jasper National Park, Canada, one of the most popular wilderness areas in North America, and assessed how it was influenced by an alpine ski area. Comparison of predicted use from habitat selection models and observed use defined by global positioning system collar data revealed ski area avoidance. The immediate surroundings of the ski area were, however, not avoided by mountain goats, but the presence of a natural salt lick <1 km from the ski area may have contributed to the observed mountain goat use of these areas. Ski activities have the potential to exclude mountain goats from habitat with otherwise high probability of use. Thus, we recommend that future ski area developments generally consider the behavior of species sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances and that construction should not occur in habitat essential for sensitive species like mountain goats. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
ISSN 2249-9717 Original Article Growth and biochemical variations in radish under zinc applications

Radish plants were raised in pots containing the soil amended with various levels of zinc (control, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg kg -1 soil). Five replicates were maintained for each level. Morphological parameters like root and shoot length, total leaf area and dry weight of root and shoot of radish plants were recorded at an interval of 15 days (15, 30 and 45 th
Morphological and Bioacoustic Characteristics of Frogs of the Genus Platymantis (Amphibia, Ranidae) in Irian Jaya, with Descriptions of Two New Species

On the basis of museum collections and field work, new discoveries were made concerning the morphology, distribution, bioacoustics and ecology of the hitherto New Guinean species Platymantis papuensis, P. punctata and P. batantae. Moreover, two species, Platymantis cryptotis and Platymantis bimaculata, are described as new. Eventual evolutionary relationships among Papuan Platymantis species are discussed. It is supposed that P. punctata is the most primitive of the Platymantis species from New Guinea and adjacent islands. Species pairs with derived characters are P. batantae and P. bimaculata as well as P. papuensis and P. cryptotis.
Involvement of mitochondrial-mediated caspase-3 activation and lysosomal labilization in acrylamide-induced liver toxicity

Acrylamide (ACR) is a chemical frequently used in both industrial and synthetic processes and may be produced during food processing. ACR at very high concentrations is postulated to exert its toxicity through the stimulation of an oxidative stress. ACR in excessive doses induces the central nervous system, reproduction, and genetic toxicity. However, ACR effects on the liver, a major organ of drug metabolism, have not been adequately explored. In addition, the role of mitochondria in an ACR-mediated hepatotoxicity is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic mechanisms attributed to ACR using isolated rat hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were isolated by the collagenase perfusion method and incubated with an EC502hr concentration of ACR for 3 hr. The EC502 hr of ACR on isolated rat hepatocytes was determined to be 1 mM. Based on our results, hepatocytes cytotoxicity of ACR (1 mM) was mediated by a reactive oxygen species formation and lipid peroxidation. Incubation of hepatocytes with ACR produced rapid hepatocyte glutathione depletion which is another marker of the cellular oxidative stress. ACR cytotoxicity was also associated with mitochondrial injury as evidenced by the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential and lysosomal membrane leakiness. Our results also showed that ACR induced caspase-3 activation, the final mediator of apoptosis signaling. These findings contribute to a better understanding underlying mechanisms involved in ACR hepatotoxicity originating from the oxidative stress and ending in mitochondrial/lysosomal damage and cell death signaling.
PREVALENCE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF BROILER CHICKENS IN GAZIPUR DISTRICT

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:. 0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} The study was conducted to determine the occurrence of infectious diseases in broiler chickens at kapasia in Gazipur district during the period from 16 th October to 16 th December 2008. Detection was made on the basis of history, clinical findings and post-mortem lesions. A total of 199 broiler chickens were examined during the study where Colibacillosis 104 (52.26%), Mycoplasmosis 25 (12.56%), Salmonellosis 02 (1.01%), Omphalitis 23 (11.56%), Coccidiosis 09 (4.52%), Gumboro 22 (11.06%), Mycotoxicosis 11 (5.53%) and mixed infection of Gumboro & Coccidiosis 03 (1.51%) were recorded. In the conclusion it has been remarked that Collibacillosis is a major problem for broiler production and hence poultry farmers can not earn their profit perfectly due to adverse effect of those diseases. Further laboratory examination is needed to confirm the identified diseases.
Herpetofaunal records from Pulau Bangkaru, Sumatra.

The fi rst report of reptile and amphibian species from Pulau Bangkaru, Sumatra is presented. 23 species were recorded, one species of Dicroglossidae, one species of Ranidae, one species of Rhacophoridae, four species of Gekkonidae, four species of Agamidae, one species of Scincidae, one species of Varanidae, three species of Colubridae, one species of Natricidae, one species of Lamprophiidae, one species of Crocodylidae, one species of Dermochelyidae, two species of Cheloniidae, and one species of Trionychidae.
Molecular Phylogenetics of Alternanthera (Gomphrenoideae, Amaranthaceae): Resolving a Complex Taxonomic History Caused by Different Interpretations of Morphological Characters in a Lineage with C4 and C3-C4 Intermediate Species

Alternanthera (Amaranthaceae) is a diverse genus (80–200 species) largely restricted to the American Tropics. With Pedersenia and Tidestromia, it makes up the ‘Alternantheroid clade’ in Gomphrenoideae. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses of nucleotide sequences of nuclear (ITS) and plastid (rpl16, trnL-F) and morphological characters identify that the capitate stigma of Alternanthera is a synapomorpy within the Alternantheroids. Within Alternanthera, two major clades were resolved, both of which were marked by otherwise homoplasious characters of the gynoecium: Clade A [99% jackknife (JK); 1.0 posterior probability (PP)] with nine species and Clade B (60% JK; 0.98 PP) with 22 species. Four subclades (B1–B4), strongly supported statistically, were identified in Clade B. Previous subgeneric classifications of Alternanthera appear artificial in light of our new molecular phylogenetic analyses. Most major lineages are congruently resolved by nuclear and plastid data but some incongruence between the nrITS and plastid phylogenetic trees suggests hybridization may have played a role in the rampant speciation in Alternanthera. Whereas C4 photosynthesis appears to have evolved in a single clade, the position of A. littoralis var. maritima (C3) in this clade may be explained by hybrid speciation rather than a reversal from C4 to C3. All C3–C4 intermediates belong to a different clade that also contains C3 species, but species limits, including the widely studied A. tenella, are unclear. The clade including A. tenella and A. halimifolia contains most of the species endemic to the Galapagos whereas A. nesiotes, also endemic to the islands, is nested among widespread American taxa. This suggests that the Galapagos radiation of Alternanthera may have arisen from at least two independent colonization events followed by a subsequent radiation in the former lineage. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 169, 493–517.
First description of Vibrio ordalii from Chile

Disease outbreaks in farmed Atlantic salmon held in three separate aquaculture facilities in Regions X and XI, Chile, were investigated during July – August 2003. A Gram-negative bacterium was isolated in pure culture from all fish examined. Using molecular and traditional techniques the bacteria was identified as Vibrio ordalii. Previously V. ordalii has only been reported from the West coast of North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. This report extends, therefore, the known range of V. ordalii into the South-Eastern Pacific area.
Experimental Assessment of the Magnitude and Sources of Lake Sturgeon Egg Mortality

Abstract Mortality during early life stages can greatly affect annual recruitment. Despite the importance to population abundance and community composition, quantitative estimates of the sources and magnitude of early life mortality in natural environments are generally lacking for many fish species. We conducted a field experiment to quantify egg mortality during incubation for Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. Fertilized Lake Sturgeon eggs were placed in replicated exclosures in the Black River, Michigan, at a known spawning location. Incubation conditions were modified using four exclosure treatments differing in mesh size that simulated different levels of access by predators and water flow regimes (0.1–0.6 m/s). Egg mortality through 80% of the incubation period was high (average 91%) and varied significantly (75–97%) across treatments. Treatments with reduced predator access and low water velocity experienced the highest levels of cumulative egg mortality. Developmental arrest was a larger source .
PATHOGENIC AND LETHAL EFFECTS OF THE ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES ON THE PEACH FRUIT FLY, BACTROCERA ZONATA (SAUNDERS) AND THE CUCURBIT FRUIT FLY, DACUS CILIATUS (LOEW) (DIPTERA : TEPHRITIDAE)

Laboratory experiments were performed to evaluate the pathogenic and lethal effects of the entomopathogenic nematodes Hb (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar) and Sc (Steinernema carpocapsae All strains) on the full grown larvae, newly formed pupae and seven days old adults of the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata and the cucurbit fly, Dacus ciliatus. Mortality rates ranged from 9.3 to 42.7%, 12.7 to 52.3 % for the full grown larvae of both B. zonata and D. ciliatus treated by Sc nematode, respectively, and from 67.3 to 100%, from 46.3 to 100% for the full grown larvae of both B. zonata and D. ciliatus treated by Hb nematode, respectively, whereas mortality rates of pupae ranged from 2.7 to 32.7% for the pupae of B. zonata treated by Sc nematode, from 1.7 to 23.3% for the pupae of D. ciliatus treated by Sc nematode , from 12.7 to 51.7 % for the pupae of B. zonata treated by Hb nematode and from 6.3 to 39.3 % for the pupae of B. zonata treated by Hb nematode. Furthermore, the mortality rates varied from 35.0 to 78.7% , 7.7 to 50.3% for 7 days old adults of both B. zonata and D. ciliatus treated by Sc nematode, respectively, 41.7 to 90.3 and 17.0 to 67.7 % for 7 days old adults both B. zonata and D. ciliatus treated by Hb nematode, respectively. LC50 and LC90 values were 325.3, 286.2, 1718.6 and 1650.0 IJs/ cm 2 for larvae of B. zonata and D. ciliatus treated with Sc nematode, 28.8, 56.7, 167.2 and 156.1 IJs/cm 2 for larvae of B. zonata and D. ciliatus treated with Hb nematode, 540.2, 447.4, 1785.4 and 2009.8 IJs/ cm 2 for pupae of B. zonata and D. ciliatus treated with Sc nematode, 235.0, 420.8, 1167.0 and 1941.5 IJs/ cm 2 for pupae of B. zonata and D. ciliatus treated with Hb nematode, 116.8, 261.6, 319.3 and 375.0 IJs/ cm 2 for adults of B. zonata and D. ciliatus treated with Sc nematode and 77.3, 196.7, 290.8 and 253.7 IJs/ cm 2 for adults of B. zonata and D. ciliatus treated with Hb nematode, respectively. From the obtained results we can conclude that the entomopathogenic nematodes: Hb Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar) and Sc (Steinernema carpocapsae All strains) were effective on the different stages of B. zonata and D. ciliatus , Hb nematode was more virulent than Sc nematode and the larvae and adults of B. zonata and D. ciliatus were more susceptible to the nematodes infection than the pupae.
Testing Weak Form of Market Efficiency in Nepal

The paper investigates the weak form of market efficiency for overall and sectorial indices. The Nepalese stock returns are found not being normally distributed during the study period. The autocorrelation of the stock returns was reduced by correcting the data with the application of the methodology suggested by Miller et al. (1994). The Nepalese stock market has suffered from the problem of thin-trading. Overall, the Nepalese market is not weak-form efficient on the basis of the analysis performed by employing observed returns series; but it is found a weak-form efficient in case of the analysis while using corrected data after adjusting infrequent trading. Hence, the study is supported to the random-walk and weak form of market efficiency.
Pasture production in cleared and uncleared grazing systems of central Queensland, Australia

Clearing land of trees and introducing exotic pastures to enhance pasture and cattle production and hence enterprise financial performance are widely practised in Queensland. The results from many previous studies on tree clearing have emphasised the gains in pasture production, but over periods of less than 10–15 years after clearing. The present study questioned the sustainability of pasture production in cleared systems over a longer time-frame (>10 years of clearing). For this, three different age groups of clearing i.e. 5 year, 11–13 year and 33 year were selected in each of 3 major types of tree communities i.e. Eucalyptus populnea, E. melanophloia and Acacia harpophylla in central Queensland. Paired comparisons of cleared and uncleared (intact) pasture systems were selected for each age group of clearing. The results suggest that the initial gains in pasture production upon clearing were compatible with published studies. However, for longer periods of time since clearing, the gains in pasture production were not sustained and were accompanied by risks of land degradation and loss of pasture plant diversity. For E. populnea and A. harpophylla, the maximum benefits from clearing were achieved at 13–15 years whereas for E. melanophloia, any benefits existed only over a short period of 5–6 years. The study emphasises that each tree community exhibits a specific response with regard to the duration of increased pasture production following clearing. To estimate the total benefits from tree clearing in pasture development, it is important to consider both monetary benefits and non-monetary losses from clearing for different types of tree communities.
Relationship between nematode community and biomass and composition of periphyton developing on artificial substrates in floodplain lake

Periphyton colonisation on artificial substrate (microscopic glass slides) was investigated from July to November 2007, in Lake Sakadas (Danube River floodplain Kopacki rit, Croatia). Two different stations were chosen due to different post – flood conditions. The aim of the study was to follow temporal changes of nematode community composition and trophic structure in relation to periphyton biomass and bacterial abundance. In bryozoan – dominated periphyton (Plumatella emarginata Allman, 1844) nematodes were represented by 86 and 87% of total associated invertebrate fauna at S1 and S2 respectively. Total nematode abundance (up to 600 ind. 10 cm-2 at one station and up to 1130 ind. 10 cm-2 at another station) correlated significantly with the abundance (meaured as CFUs – colony forming units) of copiotrophic and oligotrophic bacteria at one station (r = 0.963, 0.998, P <0.05) and with organic and inorganic content of periphyton at another station (r = 0.891, 0.899, P <0.05). Nematode trophic groups (epistrate feeders, chewers, detritus feeders and suction feeders) were equally developed at both stations except detritus feeders whose species richness and abundance were significantly higher at the S1. Epistrate feeders were the most abundant trophic group in nematode assemblages at both stations with Chromadorina bioculata being the dominant species. Change in dominance of epistrate feeders by chewers (Brevitobrilus stefanskii) and suction feeders (Crocodorylaimus sp.) coincided with the occurrence of flood pulse. Effect of flood pulse on nematode community structure was probably indirect, alterating concentration of dissolved oxygen which chromadorids are sensitive to. The structure of nematode community developed through time differs between investigated stations indicating high sensitivity to bacterial abundance, periphyton biomass and P. emarginata mats which made the habitat more diverse and patchy.
In-vitro propagation, biochemical studies and assessment of clonal fidelity through molecular markers in Bambusa balcooa.

BRAR J, SHAFI A, SOOD P, ANAND M & SOOD A. 2014. In-vitro propagation, biochemical studies and assessment of clonal fidelity through molecular markers in Bambusa balcooa. Micropropagation protocol of Bambusa balcooa has been established using nodal explants with 92.5% success after acclimatisation. The extraction of chlorophyll from the epidermis of culms using acetone, dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide as solvents and the use of auxin in shoot multiplication are also reported for the first time in this species. Due to stringent environmental conditions in the greenhouse, electrolyte leakage percentage (67.4 ± 2.4%) was found to be higher in ex-vitro raised plants whereas relative water content percentage (72.7 ± 2.3%) was higher in in-vitro grown plants. Analysis of total soluble sugars (16.5 ± 0.78 mg g-1) and starch content (6.32 ± 0.55 mg g-1) displayed in-vitro plants to be richer in carbohydrates reserves. However, lignin content (28.74 ± 1.59 mg L-1), stomatal density (56.0 ± 2.64 in 140 μm2) and leaf area index (4.66 ± 0.81 cm2) were greater under ex-vitro conditions. Molecular characterisation using 25 random amplified polymorphic DNA and 15 inter-simple sequence repeats markers exhibited 89 amplified products depicting no polymorphism between parent clump and in-vitro raised plants.
A study of the Noah's ark shell (Arca noae Linnaeus 1758) in Mali Ston bay, Adriatic sea

A study of the Noah's Arks (Arca noae) was conducted in Mali Ston Bay, between November 2001 and November 2002. Noah's Arks were collected monthly for the analysis of condition index and every two months for biometric measurements. Condition index was related to seawater temperature, salinity and chlorophyl a that were measured every two weeks. Throughout the study 39 % of the Arca noae were greater than 50 mm in size. Based on length frequency distribution, modified Von Bertalanffy growth equation was constructed Lt = 79.19 (1-e-0.34(t-t0)). Using the modal sizes estimated from the length frequency distributions the estimated population growth rates of the shell was greater than individual growth rates estimated from shell sections. Low values of condition index were recorded in December and January, and also in the period from July to October. The highest condition values were recorded from April until June.
When mutualism goes bad: density‐dependent impacts of introduced bees on plant reproduction

Summary Invasive, alien plants and pollinators have varying effects on their interaction partners, ranging from highly beneficial to strongly detrimental. To understand these contrasting impacts, we review the benefits and costs associated with plant–pollinator interactions and enquire as to how the presence of abundant invaders affects the benefit–cost balance. We provide a conceptual framework that predicts that mutualism shifts to antagonism when invaders increase disproportionally in abundance relative to their interaction partners. This outcome is illustrated by an empirical example of a crop in which flower damage and an associated reduction in fruit quality represent interaction costs of intense visitation by invasive bees. More generally, the extremely high density of invasive flower visitors, such as Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris, might have population- and community-level consequences by hampering reproduction of native plants while promoting reproduction of alien plants. Furthermore, modification of the structure of pollination networks resulting from intense visitation of native plants by superabundant alien flower visitors in highly invaded communities could predict accentuated interaction costs for many native plants. Owing to their high density and the exclusion of native pollinators, invasive bees, originally introduced for honey production and crop pollination, may negatively impact both the native biota and agriculture.