Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recruitment of the invasive ornamental, Schinus terebinthifolius, is dependent upon frugivores

Generalist avian frugivores often play an important role in the processes of naturalization and invasion for plants introduced for ornamental and landscaping purposes. We investigated the potential role of Australian birds in the current invasion of riparian habitats and coastal wetlands by the ornamental Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. Feeding trials in captivity predicted silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis Latham) as dispersal vectors for this weed. There were no differences in either total germination or germination rate between seeds voided by caged silvereyes and those from which exocarps had been removed manually. Germination of seeds incubated within entire fruits was minimal, as was emergence from intact fruits in a field experiment. Seed banks of S. terebinthifolius were relatively transient under field conditions, with no seeds surviving for 9 months. Since fewer than 5% of the seeds in sown whole fruits gave rise to seedlings (cf. 20-42% for sown bare seeds), we conclude that recruitment potential of S. terebinthifolius is highly dependent upon the consumption of its fruits by frugivores.
Field Evaluation of a Synthetic Sex Pheromone, "Litlure", as an Attractant for Males of Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

A synthetic female sex attractant pheromone ef spedoptera litura {F. ), a mixture of cis9, trans-11-tetradecadienyl acetate (component A) and cis-9, trans-12-tetradecadienyl acetate (coinponent B), for which the name "litlure" was proposed, was evaluated in the field. Attractiveness of "Iitlure:' for male moths changed with the ratio ef the components. The optimum ratio of components A and B ranged frorn 8 : 2 to 39 : 1. A trap baited with l mg "litlure" (A : B=10 : 1) was nearly equiva]ent to a trap baited with tO virgin females ef 2-day-old for two months. Neither cisnor trans-isomers of 9and 11-tetradecenyl acetates had synergtstic effect on "litlure" or its cornponents.
Three New Species of Navicula (Bacillariophyta) from Oregon and Montana and a Review of Diatom Endemism in the Northwest

Abstract Three new species of Navicula sensu stricto are described from samples deposited in the Montana Diatom Collection. Navicula galloae and N. sovereignii live in streams in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. N. flatheadensis lives in lakes in the headwaters of the Flathead River Basin in western Montana. At present, 80 species and varieties of endemic diatoms in 20 genera define the Northwest as a distinct biogeographical region, and many endemic species remain to be described. Other diatom taxa in the region indicate floristic affinities with northeast Asian, Arctic, and European alpine floras. Factors contributing to the large number of endemic taxa and to observed floristic affinities are discussed.
Impact of a killed PRRSV vaccine on sow longevity in a PRRSV infected swine herd

In porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)-infected farms, there is an increase in the female culling rate, mainly due to reproductive problems and culling of young females. This has significant economic importance, as the low female culling rate is an important management factor. In the present study, in a farrow-to-finish farm with 1100 sows, all gilts and sows were vaccinated with a PRRS killed virus (PRRS KV) vaccine (PROGRESSIS®/Merial SAS, France) for a period of 18 months. For each gilt and sow, reproductive data were collected starting from 1-year prior until 18 months after the start of vaccination. Culling rate and the causes of culling (reproductive failure, death, old age, locomotor problems and other) were recorded. Blood samples from non-vaccinated animals were collected prior and after the start of vaccination. The purpose of this field study was to evaluate the sow longevity in a PRRSV-infected farm after their long-term vaccination with a PRRSV KV vaccine. The results indicated that the vaccination leads to a significant reduction (P < 0.001) of culling rate due to reproductive failure 1.5 years after the start of vaccination and an increase of old age (P < 0.001) totally 1.5 years after the start of vaccination. Eventually, culling rates due to deaths (P = 0.066), locomotor problems (P = 0.264) and other causes (P = 0.894) did not significantly differ per semester and totally prior and after the start of vaccination. In conclusion, the long-term vaccination of breeding stock with a PRRSV KV vaccine can lead to decrease of culling rate due to reproductive failure and improvement of the sow longevity.
Strongly Interacting Species: Conservation Policy, Management, and Ethics

Abstract Obsolescence of environmental laws and regulations is unavoidable, and policies dealing with endangered species and ecosystem conservation often lag decades behind the relevant science. For example, endangered species laws and regulations and other conservation statutes typically fail to consider the interactions of strongly interacting species, probably because the importance of such interactions was not well understood when the laws were drafted. By failing to consider current knowledge, therefore, natural resource scientists and managers may be harming the species and systems they are charged with protecting. Most ecologists agree that the conservation of biodiversity is facilitated by maintaining population densities and distributions of strongly interactive species above estimable thresholds for ecological effectiveness. Assuming that conservation biologists and natural resource managers are “physicians to nature,” we therefore propose they are obligated to adhere to a doctrine of “best conservation practices based on the best science,” applying a more rigorous standard for the management of relatively interactive species than may be mandated by older statutes and effected by current practice and convention.
Lead levels in some edible vegetables in Lagos, Nigeria

This study was carried out to investigate the level of lead in six edible vegetables from two popular markets and farms in Lagos metropolis. Total acid leaching digestion method was employed and determination of the lead was done by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). All the vegetables were analyzed in the forms in which they are normally consumed. The concentration of lead obtained ranged from 0.00 mg/kg ± 0.022 at Mushin –7.5 mg/kg ± 0.080 at Yaba for Celosia argentea; 0.00 mg/kg ± 0.002 at Mushin – 4.76 mg/kg ± 0.047 at Yaba forAmaranthus hybridus; 1.16 mg/kg ± 0.039 at Oba farm – 3.96 mg/kg ± 0.151 at Yaba for Telfaria occidentalis; 0.00 mg/kg ± 0.015 at Yaba – 9.820 mg/kg ± 0.036 at Idi-Araba for Vernonia amygdalina; 0.00 mg/kg ± 0.091 at Mushin – 3.99 mg/kg ± 0.173 at Oba farm for Talinum triangulare; 1.02 mg/kg ± 0.049 at Oba farm – 9.22mg/kg ± 0.088 at Mushin for Lactuca sativa. The mean concentrations of the metal were 3.01, 1.93, 3.00, 3.61, 2.26 and 3.76 mg/kg, respectively. Lead was detected in 80% of all analyzed vegetables with an overall mean concentration of 2.78 mg/kg, which is regarded as relatively high. This may be attributed to the proximity of farms and markets to roadsides, where there are vehicular emissions. Going by the tolerable weekly intake of 25 µg/kg.bw/wk for lead (an equivalence of 1.5 mg/person/week assuming a body weight of 60 kg), it can be concluded that, some Lagos residents may be prone to lead toxicity, considering the fact that, these vegetables are regarded as highly nutritious foods and are largely consumed in Nigeria. Key words: Lead, vegetable, AAS, toxicity.
Wheat cold and light stress analysis based on the Arabidopsis homology protein-protein interaction (PPI) network

Light and cold temperature are as two pivotal factors for wheat flowering. To investigate the mechanisms of wheat equipped to reduce cold temperature and light stress, we take advantage of the developed microarray technology. Our analysis revealed that 74 wheat homology genes significantly response to the stress. These genes included; FTSH10, AtCHR12, NF-YB2, HAP3b, GLT1, VHA-A and MPK6, most of which were proved to be involved in the response to cold or light stress. In addition, we identified that DNA replication, spliceosome and mismatch repair pathways were associated with cold and light stress in wheat. Key words: Cold and light stress, wheat, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network.
Estimating past and future male loss in three Zambian lion populations

African lions (Panthera leo) are declining continent-wide, with protected area populations subject to a variety of anthropogenic effects. Zambia contains viable lion populations of considerable importance for photographic and hunting tourism, but long-term lion demographic data do not exist to guide recent management directives and population projections under different strategies. We described population size, as well as age and sex structure of lions in 3 Zambian national park populations bordering hunting areas, and found them to be male-depleted relative to other systems. We then estimated rates of adult male loss leading to male depletion in these populations and the effect of different future hunting management options on population characteristics. Predictions from matrix population models constructed within a Bayesian framework confirmed that the observed population structure was likely due to high rates of adult male loss and that instituting age limits on male harvests with quota reductions would reduce male depletion, improve tourism by providing older and more abundant males, and slightly increase population size. Reducing male mortality from wire snare poaching would also result in similar demographic impacts, and in concert with changes in hunting regulations would substantially improve the quality and quantity of adult male lions. However, model results varied depending on whether we assumed historical population stability. Predictions assuming negative historical growth rate indicated that substantially more conservative lion harvest management is warranted. We discuss the relevance of these findings for maintaining viable lion populations in and around protected areas in Zambia. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Growth, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics of Czech Pied and Holstein bulls

Live weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, slaughter characteristics and carcass composi - tion were compared in 12 Czech Pied (C) and 10 Holstein (H) bulls. e average initial weight and age of animals were 263 kg and 258 days, respectively. e target slaughter live weight was 550 kg. No significant differences between the groups were found in daily live weight gains. Average daily dry matter intakes were lower in C for the first 146 days of the test period and for the whole test period by 9 and 7%, respectively. e bulls of the C group gained more efficiently in the first 146 days of the test period and in the whole test period by 11% ( P < 0.05) and 7% (P = 0.0550), respectively. Dressing percentage and visually scored carcass conformation were higher (P < 0.001) for C. e H bulls had lower proportions of total meat (P < 0.001), grade I meat (P < 0.05) and grade II meat (P < 0.05), whereas C had a lower bone proportion in the carcass (P < 0.001). Internal fat production and separa- ble carcass fat proportion were higher for H (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the lower feed costs, higher dressing percentage and more favourable carcass characteristics observed in the Czech Pied bulls will result in considerably more efficient beef production in comparison with the Holstein bulls.
Nematode communities from the North Sea: environmental controls on species diversity and vertical distribution within the sediment

Nematode assemblages were sampled seasonally at three subtidal stations along the Belgian coast. The stations were characterized by muddy sediments (station 115), fine sand (station 702) and fine to coarse sand (station 790). The forces structuring vertical distribution were investigated by evaluating abundance, species composition, diversity and trophic composition, and relating these to sediment composition, redox state and food sources. The nematode assemblages at the two finer grained stations (115, 702) were dominated by Daptonema tenuispiculum and Sabatieria punctata. For both species, the vertical distribution in the sediment seemed not dependent on the redoxchemistry, as former believed for S. punctata, but primarily influenced by food availability. This feature could also be recognized for Ixonema sordidum and Viscosia langrunensis, the most abundant nematodes at the coarse sandy station (790). In general, nematode diversity was regulated primarily by sediment granulometry. Coarser sediments (station 790) yielded more diverse communities compared to the fine sediments (station 115, 702), however seasonal fluctuations and variations with depth into the sediment were not obvious. At the silty stations, when the sediment column was more oxidized in March, overall diversity was higher and showed a positive relationship to the mud content which varied with depth into the sediment. This positive relation is probably explained by an enhanced deposition of organic matter associated with the accumulation of fine particles near the river-mouths. Furthermore, the higher abundance, the lower diversity and the higher dominance found at the two silty stations of the eastern and the western part of the Belgian coast, pointed to a stressed, organically enriched environment. The results demonstrate that controls on nematode community structure are complex and that information at both species and community level are required to properly evaluate the effects of natural and anthropogenic impacts.
Integrating demography and fire management: an example from Florida scrub

In this work, I have used life-history and demographic data to define fire return intervals for several types of Florida scrub, a xeric shrubland where fire is the dominant ecological disturbance but where fire suppression is a major issue. The datasets combine chronosequence and longitudinal approaches at community and population levels. Resprouting shrubs, which dominate most types of Florida scrub, recover rapidly after fires (although their limits under frequent fires are not well known) and also increasingly dominate long-unburned areas. These dominant shrubs can prosper over a range of fire return intervals. Obligate-seeding scrub plants, which often have persistent seed banks, can be eliminated by frequent fire but often decline with infrequent fire. Population viability analyses of habitat specialists offer more precision in suggesting ranges of appropriate fire return intervals. For two types of Florida scrub (rosemary scrub and oak-hickory scrub), plant-population viability analyses narrow the interval and suggest more frequent fires than do previous recommendations, at intervals of 15-30 and 5-12 years, respectively. Variation in fire regimes in time and space (pyrodiversity) is recommended as a bet-hedging fire-management strategy and to allow co-existence of species with disparate life histories.
Oxidative stress mitigation and the inhibition of carbohydrate-hydrolysing, lipoxygenase (15-LOX), and acetylcholinesterase enzymes by methanolic crude extracts and partitioned fractions of Rinorea dentata (P Beauv.) O Ktze. leaf and stem

Rinorea dentata (Violaceae) is a rare medicinal plant used in treating many diseases such as malaria, neurodegenerative diseases, body inflammation, and diabetes among others. The study investigated the in vitro pharmacological activities of crude extract and partitioned fractions from the leaf and stem parts. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the ability of the crude extract and fractions to scavenge 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In vitro anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase potential of the extracts, the inhibition of α-amylase (α-AL) and α-glucosidase (α-GSD), and kinetics of enzymes inhibition were evaluated by the standard methods. The ethyl acetate fractions (EAFs) of both leaf and stem gave the highest total phenolic content and the best antioxidant potential in the FRAP assay. For the anticholinesterase activity, crude extract of both leaf and stem had the highest inhibitory activity. Leaf EAF (34.14 ± 16.69 μg/ml) had superior lipoxygenase inhibitory activity than quercetin (54.75 ± 17.07 μg/ml) and better than the stem. The dichloromethane fraction had the best α-GSD and mild α-AL inhibitions with 204.00 ± 8.12 and 500.42 ± 2.87 μg/ml IC50 values, respectively. R. dentata leaf extract going by the results of the investigation is a good source of antioxidant, anticholinesterase, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic agents for future drug development and sustainability.
Repeated vertical movements of mature anguillid eels in a lake

Reproductive migration is a critical phase in the life history of anguillid eels. Nevertheless, fine-scale behaviours of migrating eels remain unknown, primarily due to the difficulty in attaching high-resolution recording devices to, and recovering them from, these small-sized teleosts. We attached a small accelerometer with time-scheduled release system to mature Anguilla celebesensis and A. marmorata in Lake Poso, Indonesia, during the pre-migration period. The eels repeated up-and-down movements in the water column (maximum depth, 77m), with slower, less active descents at shallower pitch angles, followed by faster, more active ascents at steeper pitch angles. The asymmetric diving pattern indicates negative buoyancy of the eels, which was confirmed by the measurements of body densities. The repeated diving is unlikely to represent foraging or thermoregulation because mature eels are thought to fast and water temperature changed little with depth. We suggest that the repeated diving is a result of the eels’ internal motivation for continuous swimming in preparation for oceanic migration, and is possibly energetically more efficient than if they keep swimming at a certain depth. The swimming energetics of eels in nature might be more complicated than previously thought because of the effect of vertical movements and non-neutral buoyancy.
EFFECT OF TAXON SAMPLING, CHARACTER WEIGHTING, AND COMBINED DATA ON THE INTERPRETATION OF RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE HETEROKONT ALGAE 1

Nuclear ribosomal small subunit and chloroplast rbcL sequence data for heterokont algae and potential outgroup taxa were analyzed separately and together using maximum parsimony. A series of taxon sampling and character weighting experiments was performed. Traditional classes (e.g. diatoms, Phaeophyceae, etc.) were monophyletic in most analyses of either data set and in analyses of combined data. Relationships among classes and of heterokont algae to outgroup taxa were sensitive to taxon sampling. Bootstrap (BS) values were not always predictive of stability of nodes in taxon sampling experiments or between analyses of different data sets. Reweighting sites by the rescaled consistency index artificially inflates BS values in the analysis of rbcL data. Inclusion of the third codon position from rbcL enhanced signal despite the superficial appearance of mutational saturation. Incongruence between data sets was largely due to placement of a few problematic taxa, and so data were combined. BS values for the combined analysis were much higher than for analyses of each data set alone, although combining data did not improve support for heterokont monophyly.
Distribution, abundance and size of Lophelia pertusa coral reefs in mid-Norway in relation to seabed characteristics

This paper presents results on the distribution, abundance, and size of Lophelia pertusa coral reefs in mid-Norway (62°30&;–65°30&;N) as compiled from own investigations, earlier scientific reports, reports from fishery surveys and fishermen. Detailed bathymetrical mapping covering an area of ∼600 km2 along the Halten gas-pipeline, and two nearby areas across the shelf revealed 70 Lophelia reefs. In general, the reefs occurred close to breaks and escarpments. High densities of up to nine reefs per km2 were found in areas with a rugged seabed topography and with a slope >0·6°. These seabed features have probably positive influence on the transport and concentration of food particles and thus control the local distribution of Lophelia. The area covered by individual reefs varied between 1230 m2 and 37,310 m2 with a mean of 5628 m2. The height of the reefs was positively correlated with the area. Reefs <10,000 m2 had a circular outline, while larger reefs were elongate, aligned parallel to the depth contours. Along the pipeline the average density of Lophelia reefs was 0·09 km−2 which indicates that the total number of reefs is ∼6300, covering ∼35 km2 within the whole study area.
Temporal Phase Relation of Serotonergic and Dopaminergic OscillationsAlters Seasonal Reproduction and Adrenal Function in Jungle Bush Quailand Rain Quail

Present study investigates the role of temporal phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations in the regulation of seasonal reproduction in summer breeding Jungle bush quail, Perdicula asiatica and autumn breeding rain quail, Coturnix coturnix coromandelica. Two sets of experiments were performed in month of August, in reproductively quiescent (RQ) bush quail and reproductively active (RA) rain quail. In experiment I, both quails received the serotonin precursor, 5-HTP and the dopamine precursor, L-DOPA (5 mg/100 gm body weight/day for 13 days) at the interval of 8-hr or 12-hr. At the termination of the study (30 days post treatment), 8-hr suppressed and 12-hr increased body weight and testicular development compared to their respective controls in both the species of quail. However, in RA rain quail, testicular development in 12-hr group was similar to control. Further, in RQ bush quail, while adrenal activity of 8-hr group was more or less similar to control, 12-hr relation stimulated the activity of steroidogenic cords. On the other hand, in RA rain quail, control and 12-hr quail adrenal activity was similar while that of 8-hr showed suppression. In experiment II (quails receiving total dose of experiment I, i.e. 32.5 mg/100 gm body weight/ day for 2 days only, and sacrificed 30 days thereafter), response of the birds were similar to that of the experiment I. These findings indicate that, 8-hr and 12-hr relation of the 5-HTP and L-DOPA administration induced suppression and stimulation of the gonadal and adrenal function respectively, irrespective of the phase of the annual gonadal cycle of the two species of quail. It is concluded that specific relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillation induces reproductively quiescent or active condition out of the season as a function of their time relation. These findings also suggest that, circadian organization may regulate reproductive and metabolic seasonality irrespective of the phase of the annual gonadal cycle.
Clutch Abandonment by Parasitized Yellow Warblers: Egg Burial or Nest Desertion?

Abstract. In response to brood parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), some female Yellow Warblers (Dendroicapetechia) bury cowbird eggs and sometimes their own eggs, whereas other females desert parasitized nests and renest at new sites. We identified circumstances that elicit burial or desertion by analyzing the histories of 132 naturally parasitized nests inspected over 13 breeding seasons in Manitoba. Damaged nests and clutches reduced to zero, one, or two host eggs were deserted, whereas the clutch was buried when zero, one, or two host eggs were present the morning cowbirds laid and the probability of hatching was high. Response times for burial (2.3 ± 0.1 [SE] days) and desertion (2.5 ± 0.3 days) were similar, but the variance differed significantly (1.29 days2 for burial versus 2.58 days2 for desertion). Burial is the Yellow Warbler's more frequent method of rejection, though desertion is used about one-third of the time, and it may be elicited by factors unrelated to brood parasitism, such as interference by predators and inclement weather.