Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of bracken and restoration of heathland. VII. The response of bracken rhizomes to 18 years of continued bracken control or 6 years of control followed by recovery

1. The effects of six bracken control treatments applied in combination with a Calluna* seeding treatment on the rhizome system of bracken Pteridium aquilinum at Cavenham Heath in Breckland was assessed after 18 years. Bracken control included cutting once and twice yearly between 1978 and 1996; spraying the herbicide asulam at the recommended rate (4·4 kg a.i. ha−1) in two treatments (1978 and 1978 plus 1979), each followed by repeat doses in 1984 and 1990, and spraying asulam followed by cutting once yearly. After 6 years the experiment was split and bracken control was continued/reapplied on half the plots and stopped on the remainder. The effects of treatment on the numbers of active and dormant buds and the length and biomass on both frond-bearing and storage rhizomes were measured. 2. When applied continuously over the 18 years, all treatments reduced all rhizome measures, but treatments that included cutting were more effective than ones that just used asulam. The best treatment after 10–12 years was cutting twice yearly, but after 18 years this treatment had apparently reached an equilibrium and the cutting-once-yearly treatment was superior. No treatment eradicated the bracken in 18 years of continuous treatment. 3. When bracken control treatments were stopped after 6 years rhizome recovery started within 4 years and there was significant recovery thereafter. After 12 years the least effective treatment, cut once yearly, although still showing a significant reduction in rhizome biomass, had recovered to 88% of the untreated plots. The most effective treatment was cutting twice yearly for 6 years, where most measures of rhizome performance remained at approximately 50% of untreated plots 12 years after cutting stopped. 4. Regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between frond production and rhizome characteristics. Rhizome biomass, especially of the storage rhizome component, was consistently the most important variable; frond bud numbers were less important. 5. Simple models, developed making assumptions that the response of the rhizome to treatment is linear through time, have been shown to be invalid over the longer time period. This is because the impacts of the treatments reduce through time. 6. These results are discussed in relation to long-term bracken control and the assessment of bracken stocks. If bracken is to be suppressed on a long-term basis a continuous control strategy is needed. It is unlikely that complete eradication will be possible with current control technology. The long time scale found for the total recovery of the bracken from only 6 years of treatment (>12 years) means that the large areas of bracken that have been treated in the past will take some time to recover to pretreatment levels. This recovery is an unknown factor in bracken stock assessments.
Effects of Human Activity on Behavior of Breeding American Oystercatchers, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, USA

Abstract Increased human use of coastal areas threatens the United States population of American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus), a species of special concern. Biologists often attribute its low numbers and reproductive success to human disturbance, but the mechanism by which human presence reduces reproductive success is not well understood. During the 2003 and 2004 breeding seasons, 32 nesting attempts of American Oystercatchers were studied on Cumberland Island National Seashore (CINS). Behavior was examined with and without human activity in the area to determine how human activity affected behavior. The oystercatchers’ behavioral responses (proportion time) were analyzed with and without human or intraspecific disturbances using mixed models regression analysis. Proportions of time human activities were present (≤300 m from oystercatchers) during observations averaged 0.14 (N = 32, 95% CI = 0.08-0.20). During incubation, pedestrian activity near (≤137 m) oystercatchers reduced the frequency of occurrence of reproductive behavior, but pedestrian activity far (138-300 m) from oystercatchers had no effect. Vehicular and boat activities (≤300 m) had minimal effects on behavior during incubation. During brood rearing, an effect of pedestrian activity near oystercatchers was not evident; however, pedestrian activity far from oystercatchers increased the frequency of reproductive behavior. Vehicular and boat activity had no effects on behavior during brood rearing. Of 32 nesting attempts, two failed (<10%) because of human disturbance and were located in areas of greater human activity (south end). Managers on CINS should minimize pedestrian activity near nests (≤137 m) during incubation. During brood rearing, protection from pedestrian activity should be increased, when possible, to >137 m and vehicular activity should be minimized at current levels or less.
Gall Size-Dependent Survival for Asphondylia atriplicis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on Atriplex canescens

Abstract “Bottom-up” factors strongly influenced the spatial and temporal pattern of survival of Asphondylia atriplicis Townsend (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutall (Chenopodiaceae) at three locations in Phoenix, AZ. In contrast, “top-down” effects of natural enemies did not influence the pattern of A. atriplicis mortality. A. atriplicis induces a fleshy, multilocular, rounded stem-gall near the apical meristems of A. canescens. A. atriplicis survival increased as gall size increased, and as the depth of larva in the gall increased. Larval mortality from unknown factors on A. atriplicis decreased with gall size, but the overall interval parasitism rate did not change significantly with gall size. The interval parasitism rate for the eurytomid parasitoid group with the shortest ovipositor was negatively correlated with gall size, but interval parasitism by all other parasitoids was not influenced by gall size. Gall size was strongly influenced by the bottom-up forces of environmental and plant heterogeneity. Gall size varied among seasons, sites, and plants. Larval survival and gall-size covaried in each season and site and among plants.
Yolk Syncytial Layer Independent Expression of no tail (Brachyury) or goosecoid Genes in Cultured Explants from Embryos of Freshwater Fish Medaka

Abstract Formation of embryonic axis is an essential step for animal development but its mechanism is not well understood. For axial determination in the fish embryos, participation of the yolk syncytial layer (YSL; a unique multinucleated structure formed in the yolk cell) has been shown. To investigate relationship between the YSL and axial specification, we examined whether or not expressions of the mesodermal marker genes no tail (Brachyury) or goosecoid are dependent on the YSL in explants isolated from the medaka embryos. The results of whole-mount in situ hybridization showed that these genes were expressed in the explants irrespective of the YSL, indicating that activation of these genes is a separate process from YSL-dependent axis formation.
Advances in the Study of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza

The study of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhiza is expanding rapidly. Since Gerdemann's review in 1968, over a hundred papers have been pub­ lished. During previous five year periods numbers were: 14 (1930-4), 22 1935-9), 17 (1948-52), 43 (1953-7), 56 (1958-62) and 40 (1963-7). These are small numbers considering how long it has been known that VA mycorrhiza are probably the most widespread root infections of plants. With some justification they have been described as the "mal aimee des microbiolo­ gistes" (22). The increase in publications has been accompanied by a shift in subject matter. Most papers, until recently, described the anatomy and recorded the occurrence of VA mycorrhiza, and many efforts were made to culture the fungi; since 1968, 37 papers have dealt with effects of the infection on plant growth. Several factors probably account for the increased popularity of the sub­ ject. The long-standing speculation about the identity of VA endophytes (47, 56) has largely been resolved in favor of one or another species of Endogone (32,46,95). Very impure inocula consisting of infected roots or of soil con­ taining a normal population of other soil micro-organisms, have been re­ placed by Endogone spores, sporocarps, or "sterilized" soil inoculated with them in the presence of a host plant. Such inocula now regularly produce typical VA infections in experimental plants. With improved techniques, very striking effects of inoculation on plant growth and phosphate uptake have . been demonstrated beyond doubt, and this has led to studies of the uptake mechanism and the source of the extra phosphate. These results have also stimulated interest in the fungi themselves, their ecology and taxonomy. The technique of clearing roots in KOH before staining (24, 77, 120, 121) is now
Water-soluble vitamin requirements of tilapia: ascorbic acid (vitamin C) requirement of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Abstract. The quantitative dietary ascorbic acid requirements of fingerling Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. , were assessed by feeding seven diets containing graded supplements of this vitamin (0, 50, 75, 100, 125, 300 and 400mg/100g dry diet) to triplicate groups of fish for 12 weeks. Fish fed the diet devoid of ascorbic acid exhibited significantly (P < 0·01) poorer growth and higher condition factor. Food conversion and protein efficiency ratios were improved with increasing dietary ascorbic acid level up to 125mg/100g of dry diet. Protein utilization, haematocrit, haemoglobin level and tissue ascorbate concentrations were depressed in fish fed the ascorbic-acid-free diet. Tissue ascorbate concentrations, especially for liver, were highly correlated with dietary ascorbic acid level. Fish fed the ascorbic-acid-free diet exhibited deficiency signs including erratic and convulsive swimming, anorexia, lethargy, caudal fin erosion, skin haemorrhages and mortality. Based on the nutritional and pathological parameters investigated, the recommended dietary inclusion level is 125mg/100g dry diet, which is equivalent to a net requirement (after processing and storage) of 42mg/100g diet.
The exploration and diversity of red fruit (Pandanus conoideus L.) from Papua based on its physical characteristics and chemical composition

Murtiningrum, Sarungallo ZL, Mawikere NL. 2012. The exploration and diversity of red fruit ( Pandanus conoideusL.) from Papua based on its physical characteristics and chemical composition. Biodiversitas 13: 124 -129.Theaimofthis study was to determine the diversity of red fruit based on its physical characteristics and chemical composition. Exploratory survey method and laborato ry research (pure experiment) were used to assess the physical character and chemical compositio n of crude red fruit. Physical character of each accession showed a variation on fruit color (dark red and red); the fruit and single fruit ( drupa) length ranged from 21 -71 cm and 1.2-1.8 cm, respectively. The dried red fruit contains 2.03 -3.50% ash, 3.12-6.48% protein, 11.21 -30.72% fat, 43.86 -79.66% carbohydrate, 3.78 - 21.88 mg/100g vitamin C, 2.00 -3.14 mg/100g vitamin B1, 0.53 -1.11% Ca, 8.32-123.03 ppm Fe, and 0.01 -0,33% P, with total carotenoids and total tocopherol ranging from 332.65 -3309.42 ppm and 964.52-11917.81 ppm. The clustering analysis result of red fruit based on its physical characteristic and chemical composition showed that the related accessions was U Saem and Tawi Magari, having a 25% similarity. The accession U Saem and Tawi Magari had th e highest level of similarity in total carotenoids and total tocopherol. Furthermore, they also perform similar physical characteristics by having triangular cylinder shape, red flesh color, and fru it length category.
An annual variation in essential oil composition of Origanum syriacum from Southeast Anatolia of Turkey.

Seasonal variations of the essential oil of Origanum syriacum were analysed by GC/MS. Twenty five components were identified, independent of season, among which thymol was the main component with 46.70% in the summer and p-cymene was the main component with 62.18% in the early spring. From the other compounds occured in lower amounts, γ–Terpinene ranged from 0.63 19.08% and its maximum level was observed in summer, α–terpinene varied between 0.67 4.85% and the maximum level detected in summer season, carvacrol values ranged from 0.73 8.90% with the maximal value spring. To obtain favourable phenol content of the oil, O. syriacum should be harvested in summer months.
Detection and Identification of Bacterial Speck of Tomato (Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato) by Polymerase Chain Reaction

Fifty bacterial isolates of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Okabe) the causal agent of bacterial speck of tomato, were isolated and identified from diseased tomato samples collected from different tomato growing areas in Jordan. The 650 bp coronatine genes cluster was detected in all Ps. syringae pv. tomato tested isolates by using Two 17-bp oligonucleotide primers; primer 1 and primer 2 by PCR analysis. To detect variation among the tested isolates of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, the 650 bp PCR products of the six different isolates present in six different locations were digested with five restriction enzymes namely; PstI, ClaI, SmaI, CfoI and HaeIII. Fragments of identical sizes were obtained from these isolates, which prove that this gene cluster is highly conserved. Moreover, the Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato was found to be translocated systemically throughout the infected tomato shoots, since this pathogen was detected by direct isolation on KB medium followed by pathogenicity test and by PCR analysis from the sap of symptomless tomato plant shoots. Furthermore, for the detection of systemic infection, the results indicated that the detection of bacterial speck of tomato, using PCR amplification of coronatine gene is highly efficient and more rapid than direct isolation on KB medium followed by pathogenicity test.
Distribution and Abundance of Glass‐Eels Anguilla spp. in East Australian Waters

The invasion of glass-eels Anguilla species into coastal waters of Eastern Australia is described from the results of sampling as well as a review of pertinent literature. A. reinhardtii has a year-round invasion in tropical and sub-tropical waters while A. australis has a similar invasion pattern in temperate waters. The former species is most abundant in latitudes 20-34° S with the latter species most abundant in latitudes 35-44° S. A. australis glass-eels were longer and heavier than those of A. reinhardtii. The recorded distribution and abundance patterns are discussed in terms of rainfall regimes and the movements of inshore currents.
Seasonal Pattern of Return of Atlantic Salmon in the Northwest Miramichi River, New Brunswick

Rates of recapture as grilse of salmon tagged as smolts at two counting fences located 7 and 40 miles above tidehead on the Northwest Miramichi River, New Brunswick, were from 2.5–3.8%. The Northwest Miramichi has early (June–July) and late (September–October) runs of grilse and larger salmon. In this study, returns by and after August 16 are described as early and late respectively. Grilse returns from smolts produced in the headwaters (and tagged at the upper counting fence) were mainly in the early run. Smolts marked at the lower counting fence (but produced in all parts of the river above lower fence) were well represented in both the early and late runs of grilse. Of grilse ascending past the lower counting fence by August 16, a higher percentage of those tagged as smolts at the upper fence than at the lower fence reached the upper part of the river. Of the tagged grilse which ascended past the lower counting fence after August 16, none were recaptured in the upper part of the river. Times of smolt m.
Intestinal Histomorphology Changes and Serum Biochemistry Responses of Broiler Chickens Fed Herbal Plant (Euphorbia hirta) and Mix of Acidifier

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary Euphorbia hirta and an acidifier mixture supplementation on gut morphology and some blood parameters of broiler chickens.A total of 240 day old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one ofthe four dietary treatment groups including: (1) basal diet (control), (2) basal diet + 7.5 g/kg E. hirta (Eh7.5), (3) basal diet + 1.5 g/kg acidifier (OA) and (4) basal diet + 7.5 g/kg E. hirta and1.5 g/kg acidifier (EhOA). The Eh 7.5, OA and EhOA supplementation significantly improved overall feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. The addition ofEh 7.5, OA and their combination increased the villus height compare to the control birds. Crypt depth was markedly decreased by OA treatment. The highest ratio of villi to crypt was observed in OA fed broilers. Blood serum biochemical parameters did not influenced by the dietary treatments. In conclusion, the results indicated thataddition of Eh 7.5 and OA to the broiler diet enhanced maintenance and function of the small intestine and broiler performance.
The effect of herbivory on temporal and spatial dynamics of foliar nectar production in cotton and castor

Abstract The effects of feeding Spodoptera littoralis(Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae on the quantity and distribution of extrafloral nectar production by leaves of castor (Ricinus communis) and cotton (Gossypium herbaceum) were investigated. Following larval feeding, the total volume of nectar secreted by foliar nectaries increased 2.5- and 12-fold, respectively. As HPLC-analysis showed no difference in sugar composition between extrafloral nectar from insect-damaged and control plants, it can be concluded that the plants increased the secretion of carbohydrates in response to herbivory. In damaged castor leaves, the amount of sugar excreted through extrafloral nectaries represented approx. 1‰ of the leaf's daily assimilate production. Induction of nectar production was mainly restricted to the damaged leaf, although a weaker systemic response was found in adjacent younger leaves. Spatial and temporal patterns of induced nectar production could help plants to optimize indirect defence by concentrating the recruitment of predators and parasitoids on the site, and at the time, of attack.
Efficiency of Scutellista cyanea Motsch. (Hym., Pteromalidae) and Tetrastichus cetoplastae (Gir.) (Hym., Eulophidae) in population suppression of Ceroplastes rusci L (Hom., Coccidae)

Studies on the relationship between the population fluctuations of the wax scale, C. rusci L. , and its parasites on quince trees were carried out in the Mansoura district for a whole year starting April, 1993 until March, 1994. Two annual generations of C. rusci were recorded, the summer one from April to September and the winter one from September to the next April. The two hymenopterous parasites, C. cyanea Motsch. (Pteromalidae) and Tetrastichus ceroplastae (Gir.) (Eulophidae) emerged from C. rusci. The highest monthly percentages of parasitism with S. cyanea (15.6%) and T. ceroplastae (30%) were recorded in September and November, respectively. The rate of parasitism induced by the two parasites together reached its peak (33.4%) in September. The results assured the important role of these parasites as biotic mortality factors against the populations of C. rusci in Egypt.
Morphological reconstruction of Miaohephyton bifurcatum, a possible brown alga from the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation, South China

On the basis of morphological and taphonomic study of a large sample population, Miaohephyton bifurcatum Steiner, emend. from the terminal Proterozoic Doushantuo Formation (600-550 Ma), South China, is interpreted as algal fragments shed from their parent thalli for reproductive or environmental reasons. Characters such as regularly dichotomous, multicellular thalli with forked tips, apical and intercalary meristematic growth, abscission structures, and possible conceptacles collectively suggest an affinity with the brown algae, in particular the order Fucales. In conjunction with reports of xanthophyte fossils in older Neoproterozoic rocks, this reinterpretation of Miaohephyton bifurcatum indicates that photosynthetic stramenopiles (chrysophytes, synurophytes, xanthophytes, phaeophytes, and diatoms; or chromophytes sensu stricto) diversified during the Neoproterozoic Era along with the red and green algae. This, in turn, suggests that the secondary endosymbiosis that gave rise to the photosynthetic stramenopiles took place relatively soon after the evolutionary transformation of cyanobacteria to rhodophyte plastids.
Host-Parasite Interactions between Birds and Feather Mites

There is current uncertainty on whether feather mites are a cause or consequence of poor body condition in birds. We aimed at investigating the bird-mite relationships and elucidating the functional significance of feather mites on birds found on the Urra Field station, Sorbas, in Almeria province, south-east Spain. We captured birds using mist nest and assessed birds for body condition (weight, fat and pectoral muscles), mite distribution on the wings and tested for diurnal changes in mite abundance. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to test for differences in mite abundance across species, sex, age and to test for differences in mite distribution on wings across species while the Fisher`s exact test was used to test for diurnal mite abundance. There were no significant differences in mite abundance between males and females in blackcaps, house sparrows, Sardinian and Willow warblers. There were significant differences in the abundance of mites on Blackcaps, house sparrows, sardinian and willow warblers. This study was carried out just before the breeding season, thus the juveniles may have been “mite-contaminated” by adults during the winter. Also, blackcaps could potentially be carrying different mite species, collected enroute during their migration. With more observational data over different time of day and seasons, investigations could be carried out to describe mite movements depending on varying environmental factors.
Hibernation of the plum curculio and its spring migration to host trees.

Winter mortality in the plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst), varied from 23 to 9%, based on studies extending over a 6-year period (winters 1954-55 through 1962-63). In 4 years there were no survivors of a southern strain exposed to winter conditions at Geneva, N. Y. Among beetles held in outdoor hibernation cages, only 4% entered the soil to hibernate; the others hibernated between leaf cover and the soil. There was slightly more winter mortality of males than of females. Females differed greatly in the exposure to low temperature required to terminate diapause. Males emerged from hibernation earlier than females and also appeared in host trees earlier. Over a 5-year period, from 33 to 62% of total emergence from hibernation occurred on a single day. Temperature docs not appear to be the sole factor accounting for mass emergence. Several weeks pass between emergence from hibernation and appearance in host trees. Early in the season, males predominate among beetles collected in host trees. As the season progresses, the females become predominant. About 40% or the beetles captured in the course of the season were males. The low percentage of beetles which can be collected on a single day under optimum conditions suggests that the beetles do not occupy host trees continuously.