Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrical Penetration Graph analysis reveals population differentiation of host‐plant probing behaviors within the aphid species Uroleucon ambrosiae

Uroleucon ambrosiae collected from the eastern and the southwestern United States were studied in relation to host‐plant probing. In the field, eastern aphids are highly specific on Ambrosia trifida, while southwestern aphids feed on Ambrosia trifida plus many other species in the family Asteraceae. Electrical penetration graphs of insects on the principal host, A. trifida, and an additional host of southwestern populations, Heterotheca subaxillaris, revealed regional differentiation in host‐associated aphid behaviors, specifically in the first phase of subcuticular probing, and in phloem finding activities. Eastern aphids used A. trifida more efficiently than southwestern aphids, but were demonstrably less vigorous in their probing activities on H. subaxillaris.
Components of Niche Width in a Territorial Bird Species: Habitat Utilization in Males and Females of the Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) on Islands and Mainland

Here we have discussed how interspecific competition will affect intrapopulation variation in traits (morphological and/or behavioral) involved in resource utilization. We concluded that decreased intensity of interspecific competition will lead to an increase in variation within a population. This increase in variation may be continuous or discontinuous (e.g., sexual dimorphism). For a territorial species within a given macrohabitat the increased variation is expected to take the form of sexual dimorphism. This prediction was tested by a comparison of the habitat utilization of the chaffinch, a territorial species, on small islands in a lake and the surrounding mainland. Both the number of potentially competing species and food (arthropod) abundance decreased from mainland to islands; there was a greater decrease in competitors than in food abundance. Components of niche width did show different patterns on the islands and the mainland: on the islands, but not on the mainland, there were significant differences between males and females in habitat utilization. Thus, on the islands, as compared to the mainland, the between-sex component of the population niche width was relatively large and the within-sex component relatively small. Sexual dimorphism entails an adaptive increase in variation within the population in that it reduces intrapair competition.
Slime protein profiling: a non-invasive tool for species identification in Onychophora (velvet worms)

Onychophorans (velvet worms) use an adhesive, protein-based slime secretion for prey capture and defence. The glue-like slime is ejected via a pair of modified limbs and the sticky threads entangle the victim. In this study, we analysed the protein composition of slime in twelve species of Onychophora from different parts of the world, including two species of Peripatidae from Costa Rica and Brazil and ten species of Peripatopsidae from Australia, using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Our results revealed high intraspecific conservation in protein composition of slime in each species studied. In contrast, the protein profiles differ considerably in both number and position of bands between the species. We observed the highest number of differences (in 20 of 33 considered band positions) between a peripatid and a peripatopsid species, whereas the lowest number of differences (in four band positions) occurs between two closely related egg-laying species. The reconstructed maximum parsimony cladogram based on the electrophoretic characters largely reflects the phylogenetic relationships of the species studied, suggesting that the slime protein profiles contain useful phylogenetic information. Based on our findings, we suggest that the slime protein profiling is a valuable, non-invasive method for identifying the onychophoran species. Moreover, this method might help to discover potentially new species of Onychophora, given that the ~200 described species most likely underrepresent the actual diversity of the group.
Results of an Experiment of Preparing Compost from Invasive Water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ) in Rupa Lake Area, Nepal

Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes (Jalakumbhi in Nepali) is an alien invasive species and now creating great environmental and economic problems covering major wetlands of the world. Nepal's wetlands are also greatly invaded by this obnoxious weed from which the social, economic and environmental sectors are facing serious problems for many years. In this context, Wetland Friends of Nepal (WFN) has carried out an experiment on making compost from this invasive weed in Begnas and Rupa Lake areas of Pokhara, Nepal with funding support from Toyota Environmental Activities Grant Program of Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan. This paper provides an overview of the findings of the experiment of preparing compost from Water hyacinth. Key words: Water hyacinth, compost, experiment, NepalDOI: 10.3126/jowe.v2i1. 1852 Journal of Wetlands Ecology, (2009) vol. 2, pp 17-19
A buried seed experiment using caryopses of Chionochloa macra Zotov (Danthonieae: Poaceae), South Island, New Zealand.

Abstract A buried seed experiment was conducted in the alpine zone of the Craigieburn Range, South Island, New Zealand, with caryopses of the common large tussock grass Chionochloa macra Zotov. Overwinter survival of caryopses enclosed in the palea and lemma and buried 1 cm below the soil or litter surface averaged 78% of those initially viable. Summer mortality was high, with only 5.5% of ungerminated fruits still viable by autumn. The major losses from the seed bank of this species were, in order of importance, germination, summer embryo mortality, and winter embryo mortality. There were significant differences in fruit survival, germination, and success of seedling establishment in the two most important microhabitats for seedlings, Poa colensoi turf, and litter/bryophyte mat.
Interrelationships Between Prey Body Size and Growth of Age‐0 Yellow Perch

Abstract We conducted laboratory experiments in the summers of 1986 and 1987 to examine the effects of Daphnia pulex body size and ration level on growth of age-0 yellow perch Perca flavescens. Daphnia pulex rations were set at 25 and 40% of yellow perch dry weight. Specific growth rate tended to be higher for smaller fish and decreased with fish size at both ration levels. For the 25% ration, the highest growth rates, 0.023 to 0.024 g/d, were observed when yellow perch were fed meals of D. pulex between 1.4 and 1.8 mm long; growth declined for prey sizes outside this size range. For the 40% ration, no relationship was found between body length of D. pulex and specific growth rate; the mean specific growth rate for the 40% ration was the same as the peak rate for the 25% ration. Multiple-regression analysis was used to examine the dependence of specific growth rate of yellow perch on initial fish length, prey size, and temperature. For the 25% ration, prey size and the square of prey size were the only va.
Genetic Relationships among Populations of Alaskan Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) collected from 13 Alaskan drainages were genetically characterized at 28 protein coding loci using starch–gel electrophoresis. Chinook salmon in western Alaska are generally quite similar to each other but are distinct from the more diverse southeastern Alaskan populations. Genetic compositions of southeastern Alaskan populations are generally intermediate between those of western Alaska and previously studied non-Alaskan populations to the south. Given that chinook salmon survived the Wisconsin glaciation in both the Bering and Pacific refuges, we propose that chinook salmon from both refuges participated in the post-Wisconsin colonization of southeastern Alaskan rivers.
Male Response to "Stranger" Females as a Function of Female Reproductive Value Among Chimpanzees

Reports of variable responses by male chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, to unfamiliar females have been accumulating in the literature. Some "stranger" females are incorporated into and mate within the male community. However, others are severely attacked, seriously injured, and their dependent offspring killed and partially cannibalized. We suggest that these observations are a reflection of a conditional male reproductive strategy of recruiting females of higher reproductive value and rejecting females of lower reproductive value depending upon certain behavioral, ecological, and demographic constraints.
Patterns of genetic diversity and nature of the breeding system in Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae)

Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel is harvested from natural stands and plantations for production of Australian tea-tree oil. Genetic variation was examined and outcrossing rates estimated to provide baseline information for breeding and selection programs. The overall genetic diversity (HT = 0.186) is comparable to other regionally distributed Australian tree species. There was a general trend for more isolated populations to have less genetic variation than populations from the centre of the species distribution. The level of differentiation among populations was low (12%), associated with a high outcrossing rate (93%) and high levels of gene flow. Geographic separation of Queensland and New South Wales populations corresponds with genetic distance measures.
Defoliation Effects on Sunflower Yield Reduction

Quantifying the effect of leaf area loss on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) yield caused by hail, pests, and diseases is important in the management of this crop, both from a technical and economic point of view. The effect of defoliation depends, however, on the foliar surface eliminated and on the growth stage at which this takes place. This effect has been quantified in the USA, but these data are lacking for specific conditions of Europe. The aim of this paper was to determine the response of sunflower cultivation to several levels of defoliation that took place at different growth stages under European growth conditions. Four field trials were conducted by applying four defoliation treatments (nondefoliated control, 33, 66, and 100%) at different growth stages ranging from preflowering (R2) to physiological maturity (R9). Crop yield loss increased with increasing level of defoliation. Preflowering stage R3 was the most sensitive. At this stage a 100% defoliation of the leaf surface resulted in 92% yield loss, reducing both the number of seeds per head and 1000-seed weight. A 100% defoliation at stage R7 (back of head a pale yellow) caused a 50% yield loss, while at stage R9 (physiological maturity) defoliation had no effect on yield. The yield loss caused by defoliation at different plant growth stages under European conditions differed slightly from the one designed for U.S. conditions.
Microbial phytase combined with amino acid supplementation reduces P and N excretion of growing and finishing pigs without loss of performance

Summary The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a combined low-protein (CP) low-phosphorus (P) diet, supplemented with limiting amino acids and microbial phytase, on performance, nutrient utilization and carcass assessment of grower–finisher barrows. 4 × 6 crossbreed barrows were continuously housed in metabolism cages from 25 to 100 kg live weight and were fed diets, either conventional according to recent nutrient recommendations (A) or protein reduced (B) or protein and phosphorus reduced diets (C) based on barley (59–80%), maize (15%) and soybean meal (23–2%). Diet A (positive control) contained in fresh matter 18.5%, 15.6% and 13.6% CP and 0.59%, 0.51%, 0.50% P (growth phases I: 25–50 kg, II: 50–75 kg, III: 75–100 kg weight). Diet B was low in CP (14.2%, 13.4%, 11.0%), diet C low in CP and low in P (CP: as B, P: 0.46%, 0.41%, 0.32%). Diet D served as a negative control (CP and P as C). To diet B the limiting amino acids lysine, methionine, threonine and trypthophan were added to meet the levels in diet A, to diet C the limiting amino acids and 800 FTU Aspergillus-phytase per kg were supplemented. At the end of the balance periods of about 100 (A,B,C) or 133 (D) days, the barrows were slaughtered at 100 kg live weight, the carcasses scored and loin, biceps femoris, os femoris and phalanx prima IV were analysed for their nutrient (dry matter, protein, fat) or mineral (ash, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn) composition. In contrast to the basal diet D, the CP or P reduction in diets B and C did not negatively affect growth, feed efficiency, nitrogen retention or overall carcass performances of the pigs. With the low CP diets B and C, N excretion via the urine was significantly reduced and thus N excretion per unit weight gain was decreased by about 30%. The addition of microbial phytase (C) increased apparent digestibility of P significantly between 25% (growth phase III) and 50% (growth phase II). In spite of 25% reduction of P intake (C), the absolute daily P retention did not differ between treatments. Thus phytase supplementation in diet C reduced P excretion per unit weight gain by about 35% (I, II) to 44% (III) as compared with A and B. Similarly, phytase raised apparent digestibility of Ca by about 25% and Zn by about 80%. Generally, the carcass and meat characteristics were not affected by any of the diet strategies employed in this experiment. Mineralization (bone weight, ash, Ca, P, Mg) of the os femoris and phalanx prima IV were also similar in all treatment groups. However, phytase supplementation led to significantly increased zinc concentration in bones, indicating considerably improved zinc release from the phytate complex. In contrast, Fe incorporation into the os femoris was significantly reduced in the phytase group. In general, the low CP and low P feeding regimen introduced in this experiment offers substantial benefits in maintaining a sustainable environmentally-friendly pork production.
Discriminability and the Sigmoid Functional Response: How Optimal Foragers Could Stabilize Model-Mimic Complexes

Cryptic and mimetic prey species have evolved characteristics that contravene the ability of predators to detect them and discriminate their value before initiating attack. Traditional optimal diet theory has not considered model-mimic complexes. Analyses of predation on mimicry systems have not been prescriptive of optimal behavior, have assumed perfect mimicry, and/or have not considered the presence of alternative prey. In this analysis, features of optimal signal detection theory are incorporated into traditional optimal diet theory to synthesize a more general theoretical framework that allows us to make predictions on the basis of constrained predator perceptual abilities. Predictions include frequency-dependent partial preferences for prey types defined by profitability, but not for types defined by appearance. Frequency-dependent partial preferences can create or enhance sigmoid functional responses, which can, in turn, stabilize randomly mixed model-mimic complexes.
Dynamics of Territorial Singing Between Neighboring Song Sparrows (Melospiza Melodia)

1. Countersinging song sparrows (n = 6) interact by coordinating the turnover of their song bouts, but long-term leader/follower roles generally do not occur in song switching. In contrast, varition in the sequencing of song types and in the rate of singing are not influenced by that of countersinging neighbors. 2. Singing was divided into four behavioral contexts (soloing, countersinging, pre-fight and post-fight) in which the intensity of agonistic stimulation was assumed to increase. Both bout lengths and the coordination of song switching with perch changing showed consistent relationships with stimulus intensity; however, the periods of songs (a measure of timing) showed no such relationship. 3. The relative frequencies of occurrence of song types within repertoires changed across the four behavioral contexts, although this change could be a by-product of the correlation between bout length and context. 4. In general, variations in the song sparrow's rate of switching song types are used in short-term interactions involving territorial defense, but variation in song type sequencing and song rates are not used. The benefits of song switching (which require the possession of at least two song types) cannot explain the origin of larger repertoires of song types. 5. We suggested these benefits may be the transmission of directional and motivational information. Given the large repertoires and low song sharing of this population, song switching may be better adapted for obtaining these benefits than song sequencing or song rates. 6. The tendency to coordinate song switches with perch changes was predicted by the Beau Geste hypothesis (KREBS, 1977), which assumes that singing is directed to unestablished floater seeking a territory. However, since this coordination tends to increase with increasing stimulation provided by territorial neighbors, it does not exclusively support the Beau Geste hypothesis.
INFLUENCE OF POPULATION DENSITY AND HYBRID MATURITY ON PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF FORAGE MAIZE

Nine maize hybrids, representing early, medium and late maturities (maximum 3000 corn heat units), were grown at 75 000 and 100 000 plants/ha for 2 yr at two locations in order to examine the in vitro digestible dry matter (DDM) yield and quality of whole-plant (shoot) and stover components. Early hybrids produced 90% as much DDM yield as medium or late hybrids. Comparing densities, the higher density resulted in a greater increase in DDM yield at Surrey than at Agassiz and it did not depress whole-plant dry matter (DM) content. Whole-plant DM digestibility (DMD) was 2% lower for early hybrids compared to mediums or lates. Density had no influence on whole-plant DMD at Surrey, but the higher density reduced it by 1% at Agassiz. Stover DDM yield was greater at Surrey than at Agassiz whereas whole-plant DDM yield was greater at Agassiz. Harvest index was positively, but not closely, correlated with whole-plant DMD (r = 0.28***) and was inversely correlated with stover DMD (r = − 0.45***). Thus, nutritive va.
Functional Anatomy and Evolution of Monoaminergic Systems

1. The organization of brain neuronal systems utilizing monoamines (primary techolamines and serotonin) as neurotransmitters and/or neuromodulators, has been studied in representatives of each major vertebrate class using fluorescence histochemical methods. This long-term investigation has led to the following conclusions: 2. (1) The monoaminergic neurons seem to have occurred early in phylogeny. These neurons, particularly the serotoninergic systems, are already well-developed in the brains of cyclostomes (lampreys) and primitive bony fishes. 3. (2) The monoaminergic cell bodies are especially abundant within the hypothalamus in anamniotes whereas they predominate at brainstem levels in amniotes. However, a similar pattern of distribution of monoaminergic cell bodies has been found in the brainstem of all vertebrates. 4. (3) The monoaminergic neurons may act as an important informative link between the cerebrospinal fluid and the neural tissue in all vertebrates through processes contacting the ventricular space. 5. (4) The monoamingeric neuronal systems are widespread and highly collateralized inall vertebrates. A single brainstem monoaminergic neuron may send divergent axon collaterals to various remote forebrain areas and, thus, could strongly influence vast neuronalassemblies. 6. (5) The terminal arborization of monoaminergic systems, particularly that of the serotoninergicneurons, displays patterns that are strikingly constant from one vertebrate class to the other. Such a constancy strongly suggests that these chemospecific neuronal systems are indeedphylogenetically ancient and subserve similar fundamental brain functions, such as the controlof sleep-waking cycle and of feeding and reproductive behaviors, in all vertebrates.
Influences of natural and anthropogenic factors on surface and groundwater quality in rural and urban areas

Although water constitutes 71% of the earth's surface, only 0.3% of it is available as fresh water for human use. Moreover, the quality of fresh water in ground and surface systems is of great concern, as potable water needs to have appropriate mineral content. Ground and surface water quality in rural and urban environments is affected by both natural processes and anthropogenic influences. Because of this, water is becoming scarcer as the population increases across the world. Natural processes leading to changes in water quality include weathering of rocks, evapotranspiration, depositions due to wind, leaching from soil, run-off due to hydrological factors, and biological processes in the aquatic environment. These natural processes cause changes in the pH and alkalinity of the water, and also phosphorus loading, increase in fluoride content and high concentrations of sulphates. Anthropogenic factors affecting water quality include impacts due to agriculture, use of fertilizers, manures and pesticides, animal husbandry activities, inefficient irrigation practices, deforestation of woods, aquaculture, pollution due to industrial effluents and domestic sewage, mining, and recreational activities. These anthropogenic influences cause elevated concentrations of heavy metals, mercury, coliforms and nutrient loads. This paper studies the effects of natural processes and human influences in rural and urban aquatic systems. Pollution due to environmental parameters such as heavy metal pollution, heavy metals and bacterial and pathogenic contamination of both urban and rural areas is discussed in detail.
Hybridisation in Jacobaea – characterisation of hybrids between Jacobaea aquatica and J. vulgaris in Austria

Background: Hybridisation in Senecio/Jacobaea is frequent and of significance in speciation and evolution. Moreover, these genera are model systems for studying the evolution of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Hybrids between Jacobaea aquatica and J. vulgaris have been reported from north-western Europe. Aims: Our aim was to determine whether hybrids between Jacobaea aquatica and J. vulgaris also occurred in Austria, and if these hybrids could be responsible for the presumed increase of J. aquatica-like plants in this part of Europe. Furthermore, we tested if such hybrids showed an altered PA spectrum compared with parental species. Methods: We used amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) to analyse genetic diversity and structure, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to identify PAs. Results: We were able to identify genetically one hybrid population adjacent to a large J. aquatica population. The AFLP phenotypes of hybrids demonstrated a closer relationship to J. aquatica, suggesting frequent backcrossing. All hybrid individuals contained the same set of PAs as the parental species, but in differing amounts, plus four additional PAs, one of which may be novel. Conclusions: Although hybridisation in Jacobaea is common, we were able to confirm only one hybrid population in Austria. Therefore, it seems unlikely that hybridisation plays a role in the presumed increase of J. aquatica in this area.
Occurrence of eyespot on winter wheat in the Central-Southern Region of Poland.

Eyespot is one of the most important diseases of economical significance in wheat production in the regions of Śląskie and Opolskie voivodeships where it presents a permanent problem. The aim of performed experiment was to collect data on the occurrence and characteristics of Oculimacula yallundae and O. acuformis strains in these regions in the years 2003–2008, and to perform their taxonomic characterization. The studies originated as an attempt to find the explanation of processes related to winter wheat infection by casual agents of this disease in the Śląskie and Opolskie Provinces.