Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predator cues alter habitat use by the amphipod Hyalella azteca (Saussure)

Abstract. The abundance and distribution of aquatic mesograzers may be regulated by both top-down (i.e., predator-mediated) and bottom-up (i.e., producer-mediated) effects. Under predation by fish, these herbivores may experience differential survivorship among different types of resource patches. Prey may attempt to maximize fitness by integrating information on predation risk and patch quality into foraging decisions. The freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca occupies mats of the toxic cyanobacterium Lyngbya wollei and the green alga Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum in lotic water bodies throughout the southeastern USA. We tested the hypotheses that Lyngbya is an effective refuge from Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) predation and that predator cues modify habitat selection by amphipods. In no-choice assays, amphipods exposed to fish predation showed higher survivorship on Lyngbya than on Rhizoclonium. In choice assays, we observed greater proportions of amphipods on Lyngbya in tanks containing either predators or waterborne predator cues compared to control tanks containing only freshwater. These results suggest that Lyngbya is an effective refuge from predation for amphipods. Furthermore, predatory fish may indirectly influence the relative abundance of algae and cyanobacteria by reducing amphipod abundance on highly palatable species and restricting these mesograzers to less palatable species.
Effect of different combinations of inorganic nutrients and farmyard manure on the sustainability of a rice-wheat-mungbean cropping system

A field study conducted for two years (1995-96 and 1996-97) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi on a sandy clay loam soil showed that the application of NP increased the total grain production of a rice-wheat-mungbean cropping system by 0.5-0.6 t ha -1 , NK by 0.3-0.5 t ha -1 and NPK by 0.8-0.9 t ha -1 compared to N alone, indicating that the balanced use of primary nutrients was more advantageous than their imbalanced application. The application of farmyard manure (FYM) along with NPK further increased the total productivity of the rice-wheat-mungbean cropping system by 0.3-0.6 t ha -1 , the organic C by 0.13%, the available N by 10.7 kg ha -1 , the available P by 4.7 kg ha -1 and the available K by 15 kg ha -1 compared to NPK after two crop cycles of the system. The results of the present study thus indicate that integrated nutrient management involving FYM and NPK fertilizers is a must for the sustainability of a cropping system.
Evaluating Potential Sources of Mortality for Larval Bloater (Coregonus hoyi): Starvation and Vulnerability to Predation

We evaluated the relative importance of starvation and predation as potential sources of mortality for larval bloater (Coregonus hoyi) in the laboratory. Fifty percent of starved bloater larvae survived 25 d after hatching; some individuals survived 35–40 d. Bloater larvae did not exhibit a point of no return, but length and weight after 30 d were inversely related to the delay in first feeding. Bloaters were swimming about half of the time within 1 h after hatching and almost continuously after 6 h. Twenty-one days after hatching, starved larvae were still swimming continuously at 0.9 cm∙s−1; fed larvae swam more than four times faster. Bloater larvae up to 30 d old were captured with about 80% success by 95- and 135-mm bloaters and 100-mm alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus). Susceptibility to predators generally decreased with increasing size, and starved larvae were more susceptible than similar sized fed larvae. Because of their swimming ability and resistance to starvation, it seems unlikely that bloater.
Adsorption of boron from landfill leachate by peat and the effect of environmental factors

The effect of different environmental factors including drying, shaking, soil-to-solution ratio, competing ions, solution composition, time, pH, and temperature on adsorption of boron from landfill leachate by peat was investigated. The statistical comparison of experimental results showed that shaking of adsorption samples, soil-to-solution ratio, long-term adsorption, and competing ions did not have any significant effect on boron adsorption. However, solution composition, drying of peat prior to adsorption tests, pH, and temperature had a significant effect on the adsorption of boron by peat. Diluting leachate samples with distilled water had a negative effect on the adsorption capacity. Drying peat significantly reduced its boron adsorption capacity. Boron adsorption reached maximum level at a pH range of 9–9.5. Temperature had a negative effect on the adsorption of boron. The results of two-level factorial design experiments showed that pH had the strongest effect on the adsorption of boron by peat.
Winning by a Neck: Sexual Selection in the Evolution of Giraffe

A classic example of extreme morphological adaptation to the environment is the neck of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), a trait that most biologists since Darwin have attributed to competition with other mammalian browsers. However, in searching for present-day evidence for the maintenance of the long neck, we find that during the dry season (when feeding competition should be most intense) giraffe generally feed from low shrubs, not tall trees; females spend over 50% of their time feeding with their necks horizontal; both sexes feed faster and most often with their necks bent; and other sympatric browsers show little foraging height partitioning. Each result suggests that long necks did not evolve specifically for feeding at higher levels. Isometric scaling of neck-to-leg ratios from the okapi Okapia johnstoni indicates that giraffe neck length has increased proportionately more than leg length-an unexpected and physiologically costly method of gaining height. We thus find little critical support for the Darwinian feeding competition idea. We suggest a novel alternative: increased neck length has a sexually selected origin. Males fight for dominance and access to females in a unique way: by clubbing opponents with well-armored heads on long necks. Injury and death during intrasexual combat is not uncommon, and larger-necked males are dominant and gain the greatest access to estrous females. Males' necks and skulls are not only larger and more armored than those of females' (which do not fight), but they also continue growing with age. Larger males also exhibit positive allometry, a prediction of sexually selected characters, investing relatively more in massive necks than smaller males. Despite being larger, males also incur higher predation costs than females. We conclude that sexual selection has been overlooked as a possible explanation for the giraffe's long neck, and on present evidence it provides a better explanation than one of natural selection via feeding competition.
Effect of phosphorus and potassium fertiliser on tree growth and dry timber production of Pinus patula on gabbro-derived soils in Swaziland

A trial designed to determine the optimum timing and rate of application of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertiliser, to mitigate a growth decline observed in P. patula stands located on the gabbro-derived soils (underlying 13% of the plantation area) of the Usutu Forest, was sampled at rotation age (15 years). The P and K fertiliser was applied in three quantities, namely 20/20, 40/40 and 80/80 kg P/K ha−1. The 40/40 and 80/80 quantities were applied (1) all at planting, (2) all after pruning at the age of five years, and (3) as a split application where 20 kg P and K per hectare was applied at planting as a spot application and the remaining fertiliser applied after pruning (at age five years) as a broadcast application. Tree survival was not affected by either the quantity or time of application of the fertiliser. The quantity of fertiliser applied had a greater effect on the increase in tree growth and dry timber production than the timing of the application. There were indications that the early fertiliser application produced more timber than the late fertiliser application. The application of 80/80 kg P/K ha−1 significantly increased the quadratic mean diameter at breast height (DBH) from 20.0 cm to 23.0 cm; mean tree height from 19.6 m to 20.4 m; and volume production by 83 m3 ha−1 (29%). These results support the current fertiliser prescription on previously unfertilised stands. Furthermore, the application of fertiliser resulted in a more uniform DBH distribution. Compared to the control, the application of 80/80 kg P/K ha−1 fertiliser decreased basic wood density by 3% (from 0.3718 to 0.3610 g cm−1). The positive volume growth response to the application of fertiliser outweighed the disadvantage of a slight decrease in basic wood density as 28 t ha−1 (26%) more dry timber was produced as a result of fertilisation. In order to maximise dry wood production per unit area, the application of PK fertiliser to previously unfertilised gabbro-derived soils at the current recommended rate should continue. The applicability of the findings from this study to other P. patula stands on soils originating from basic geologies (dolerite, diabase, basalts and other igneous rocks, having similar low P and K contents) in southern Africa should be investigated.
Modelos para estimativa da área foliar de Curcuma alismatifolia e Vurcuma zedoaria

LEAF AREA PREDICTION MODELS FOR CURCUMA ALISMATIFOLIA AND CURCUMA ZEDOARIA The present work establishes regression models to estimate leaf area of Curcuma alismatifolia and Curcuma zedoaria. To use these of species as ornamental plants is necessary to establish adequate cultivation techniques. Thus, the determination of leaf area is very important, once it is used to evaluate plant response to environmental factors and crop techniques. The use of prediction models to estimate leaf area is a simple, accurate and nondestructive method. At the stage of flowering, a hundred leaves of C. alismatifolia (‘Pink’ and ‘White’) and C. zedoaria were collected for each species and cultivar. Maximum length (L), maximum width (W) and real leaf area (RLA) were measured with a leaf area meter (LI-3100). The relation between RLA and the L, W and the product of length by width (LW), was studied through linear regression models. The models RLA = 0.59048 LW (C. alismatifolia ‘Pink’), RLA = 6.08410 + 0.52161 LW (C. alismatifolia ‘White’) and RLA = 0.70233 LW (C. zedoaria) are adequate to estimate leaf area.
Risk factors and presence of antibodies to Brucella canis and smooth Brucella in dogs from the municipality of Araguaína, Tocantins, Brazil

The aim of this survey was to verify the occurrence of anti- Leptospira spp. antibodies in captive animals in the Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara, Joao Pessoa, Paraiba State, Northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 49 animals: 26 mammals of the species Sapajus libidinosus , Cebus flavius, Saimiri sciureu, Coendu sp. , Pseudalopex vetulus, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus tigrinus, Galactitis vitata, Eira barbara, Nasua nasua, Tayassu tajacu and Ratus norvegicus ; 10 birds of the species Penelope jacucaca, Pavo cristatus, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, Ara chlorothpterus, Pionites leucogaster, Polyborus plancus, Geranoaetus melanoleucus and Urubitinga urubitinga ; and 13 reptiles of the species Caiman latirostris , Paleosuchus trigonatus, Caiman crocodilus, Tupinabis merinae, Tupinambis teguixin, Boa constrictor, Corallus hortulanus, Python molurus, Bufocephala vanderhaegei, Geochelone denticulata and Geochelone carboraria . Sera were examined by the microscopic agglutination teste (MAT) using 24 serovars as antigens and cut-off point of 1:100. One ocelot ( Leopardo pardalis ) presented positive reaction for the Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar with titer of 100, however, it did not show any clinical sign of the infection. Sinantropic rodents are the main reservoirs of this serovar, which suggests the need of maintenance and continuous evaluation of rodent control programs.
Small‐mammal recolonization of open‐forest following sand mining

Changes during regeneration after sand mining for heavy minerals were studied on an area that previously supported open-forest on the Holocene high dune system in Myall Lakes National Park. Sixteen study areas, on which topsoil was replaced 0.5–10 yr ago, provided information on changes to be expected on any one site over that time period. A number of environmental variables was used in a linear multiple regression analysis to determine which of them is important in accounting for the variance and patterns observed in the biomass of two rodent species colonizing the regenerating areas. The first small-mammal colonist is the introduced house mouse (Mus musculus), an opportunistic species present on all sites. Its population density increases rapidly to a maximum at 3 yr after which it declines. Three environmental variables: percentage of bare sand, hardness of the soil in the first 30 cm, and a vegetation structure variable, account for 73% of the variance in M. musculus biomass. The native New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) first appears between 4 yr and 5 yr after topsoil replacement and peaks between 8 yr and 9 yr, after which it also declines. A highly significant multiple regression accounts for 69% of the variance in P. novaehollandiae biomass using five significant variables: the proportion of heath plants present, two vegetation structure variables, the amount of dead plant cover, and the topsoil depth. The species replacement observed confirms the succession indicated by previous work and suggests competitive interaction between these species. This study confirms the seral positions of rodent species in successions following both mining or fire. There is a stretched time axis for the mining succession following the more complete disruption of the substrate so regeneration more closely approximates primary rather than secondary succession. The non-linearity of the parameters makes it impossible to predict a recovery time and verifies our previous prediction that recovery estimates from heathland should not be extrapolated to forest.
Competition and coexistence of small mammals in an East Tennessee pine plantation

Microhabitat use and niche characteristics of Peromyscus leucopus, Ochrotomys nuttalli and Blarina brevicauda were examined in a pine plantation on the Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park. Although general microhabitat use was the same, niche parameters (such as niche breadth) for each species varied between two study grids, apparently in response to differing understory density. Microhabitat specialization is thus proposed to be a function of local microhabitat structure. Removal of the generalist species, P. leucopus, from one grid while maintaining the other grid as a control elicited a significant microhabitat shift and increase in niche breadth by O. nuttalli. Blarina brevicauda displayed a slight microhabitat shift and increased niche breadth. These results are inconsistent with the hypothesis that generalist species are poor competitors. Microhabitat heterogeneity created by plant succession and extrinsic disturbances such as tree blow-down are suggested to allow coexistence of these species by altering competitive abilities or microhabitat selection.
Systematics of Sphagnum section Sphagnum in New Zealand: A microsatellite‐based analysis

Abstract The systematics of Sphagnum section Sphagnum in New Zealand has been controversial. Two species are currently recognised in the New Zealand flora, S. cristatum and S. perichaetiale, but the presence of the widespread S. magellanicum has been debated. An analysis of 16 microsatellite loci shows that the gametophytes of Sphagnum perichaetiale appear to have one monoploid set of chromosomes (i.e., are haploid). Fixed heterozygosity at 10 loci indicates that S. cristatum is an alloploid. A red morphotype of S. cristatum, similar in macroappearance to S. magellanicum, is not genetically differentiated from the more common brown‐green morphotypes of S. cristatum. Although analysis of the microsatellite data for S. cristatum showed most of the genetic variation to be within populations, significant variation did occur among populations within regions and also between regions.
Evolution of morphological disparity in pterosaurs

Pterosaurs were important flying vertebrates for most of the Mesozoic, from the Late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous (225–65 Ma). They varied enormously through time in overall size (with wing spans from about 250 mm to about 12 m), and in features of their cranial and postcranial skeletons. Comparisons of disparity based on discrete cladistic characters show that the basal paraphyletic rhamphorhynchoids (Triassic–Early Cretaceous) occupied a distinct, and relatively small, region of morphospace compared to the derived pterodactyloids (Late Jurassic–Late Cretaceous). This separation is unexpected, especially in view of common constraints on anatomy caused by the requirements of flight. Pterodactyloid disparity shifted through time, with different, small portions of morphospace occupied in the Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous, and a much larger portion in the Early Cretaceous. This explosion in disparity after 100 Ma of evolution is matched by the highest diversity of the clade: evidently, pterosaurs express a rather ‘top heavy’ clade shape, and this is reflected in delayed morphological evolution, again an unexpected finding. The expansion of disparity among pterodactyloids was comparable across subclades: pairwise comparisons among the four pterodactyloid superfamilies show that, for the most part, these clades display significant morphological separation, except in the case of Dsungaripteroidea and Azhdarchoidea. Finally, there is no evidence that rhamphorhynchoids as a whole were outcompeted by pterodactyloids, or that pterosaurs were driven to extinction by the rise of birds.
Polynomial regressions reveal that levels of chlorophyll a, carotenoids, soluble phenolics and aldehydes modify mathematically sugarcane shoot multiplication rate in temporary immersion bioreactors under salt stress

Polynomial regression analysis is a powerful statistical tool used to describe non-linear relationships. The goodness-of-fit of this model is assessed by evaluating the coefficient of determination (R 2 ). An R 2 value closer to 1 is indicative of a strong correlation between the two under consideration. While polynomial regression analysis has been widely used in studies of plant stress responses to stress, to the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report on the application of this method to study the response of sugarcane plants to salt stress in Temporary Immersion Bioreactors (TIBs). In this context, sugarcane plants were exposed to salt stress while undergoing multiplication in TIBs. At the end of the multiplication cycle, the levels of biochemical metabolites (i.e. chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolics and aldehydes) were evaluated. Polynomial regression analysis was subsequently used to elucidate the relationships between shoots multiplied under high salt stress conditions and consequent metabolite levels. The results indicated that the levels of chlorophyll a had a strong positive relationship (in mathematical terms) with shoot multiplication rate (R 2 = 0.7063) with a corresponding high determination coefficient. In contrast, shoot multiplication rate was decreased in response to increased levels of carotenoids, soluble phenolics in shoots, and other aldehydes. Changes in levels of chlorophyll b, cell wall-linked phenolics, soluble phenolics excreted to the culture medium and malondialdehyde did not seem to (mathematically) influence sugarcane shoot multiplication in TIBs under salinity stress. The results from the present investigation provides evidence for the application of polynomial regression analysis as a tool to elucidate relationships between plant metabolites as markers for stress and shoot multiplication (as an indicator of growth) in in vitro systems. It is recommended that this statistical tool would be useful in an overall in vitro screening approach to investigate the stress response of other plant species in similar systems.
Estimation of genetic diversity over time in an in-situ marker assisted conservation scheme of local chicken breeds

Abstract The aim of this research was to study the genetic variability of two local chicken breeds (Ermellinata di Rovigo and Robusta Maculata) involved in a conservation programme, over a period of three years. Samples were collected in 2002 and in 2005 and analysed using 15 microsatellite markers. Obtained results evidenced that Robusta Maculata was genetically less variable than Ermellinata di Rovigo even after three years of conservation activities. During the studied period the observed heterozigosity was maintained and the excess of homozygous animals found in both breeds in 2002 was strongly reduced in 2005. These findings suggested that the conservation activities helped to overcome the probable presence of population substructures and to limit inbreeding. Moreover, this study evidenced the usefulness of microsatellite markers to monitor genetic diversity in conservation programmes for animal breeds.
The effects of three different silage additives on the extent of silage fermentation and the performance of dairy cows

A 3‐year study was carried out to assess the effects of different extents of silage fermentation on the performance of dairy cows in early lactation. Three levels of silage fermentation were obtained by using a bacterial inoculant (B), Foraform at approximately 4 L t−1(F) and Maxgrass at approximately 6Lt−1 (M) as silage additives. In all 3 years treatment B produced approximately twice as much fermentation products in the silage as treatment M, and treatment F was intermediate. Treatment M successfully preserved water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in the silage only with the high DM crop in experiment 2 (272 g kg−1). As means over the 3 years, treatment M with restricted fermentation increased silage DM intake by 1.1 kg, milk fat content by 1.9 g kg−1 and milk protein content by 0.6 g kg−1 compared with the extensively fermented silage (B). In experiment 2, when WSC were successfully preserved with treatment M, milk protein content increased by 1.2 g kg−1 compared with treatment B. It is concluded from the.
A New Fuzzless Seed Locus in an Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Mutant

Various fiber mutants of cotton have been reported since 1920. Two of the best characterized mutants are the naked seed loci, N1N1 and n2n2. Recently, a naked-tufted mutant called 9023 was developed from the cultivar SC 9023 th rough chemical mutagenesis. The mutant was tested to determine if it was allelic to either N1, or n2 or was a unique mutant in a new uncharacterized locus. In 1999, one M3 plant from SC 9023 with tufted partially naked seed coat (fuzzless) was identified. In 2004, 2006, and 2007 (Lubbock, TX), 2007 (College Station, TX), and 2011 (Stoneville, MS), the homozygous naked seed mutant was evaluated with the non-mutated wild type parent (SC 9023) in replicated trials for agronomic and fiber traits. Crosses between the mutant and the wild type was made at Stoneville, MS in 2009. The F2 of this cross segregated in a 3 fuzzy: 1 fuzzless ratio indicating that the fuzzless trait in the mutant is controlled by a recessive locus. Allelism tests with N1N1, n2n2 and n3n3, lint percent, and fiber trait data indicated that the new locus in the mutant differs from the previously characterized fuzzless seed alleles in that it does not appear to decrease lint percent. We have putatively designated this gene . t 4 n