Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Radiation of Reproductive Characteristics in Angiosperms, I: Pollination Mechanisms

The overwhelming majority of biologists who have studied both the origin of races and species and major trends of evolution in animals have reached the conclusion, in agreement with Darwin, that these visible evolutionary changes are based upon shifts in adaptive systems, guided by natural selection (30, 31, 94, 117, 120). The evidence is convincing for all phyla of animals that have been carefully studied. In plants, however, the situation is much less clear, and a wide spectrum of opinions has been expressed during the past twenty years. With respect to the origin of races and of many species that occupy different habitats from those of their nearest relatives, the evidence for divergent adaptation guided by natural selection is as convincing for plants as it is for animals (20, 50, 127). On the other hand, botanists' opinions are still divided wtih respect to the role of natural selection in the origin of genera, families, and other higher categories. Good (42) has expressed in strong terms his belief that the diversity of floral types present in angiosperms evolved independently of adaptation and selection, and Nelson (99) has presented a similar point of view. Neither of these authors discussed the genetic mechanisms that might be involved. Both Cronquist (22, 23) and Werth (135) believe that the principal guiding force has been differential directed mutation. In Cronquist's words (23, pp. 120-21): "The influence of differential mutation is often so strong that a group appears to be predisposed to evolve in a certain direction. " A noteworthy feature of both his general interpretation (p. 118) and his references to possible adaptive characteristics of individual families that are scattered throughout his book is that he apparently equates adaptation largely with the survival value of the adult plant. One of the principal objectives of this review is to point out the fallacy of this viewpoint, since it is probably held by the majority of plant taxonomists. In angiosperms, the adaptive significance of differences between most higher categories, as well as between a large proportion of related species, is most probably associated with reproductive efficiency and successful establishment of seedlings rather than with any of the morphological characteristics of the vegetative parts. The latter point of view has been maintained by botanists who have
Morphologische und anatomische Untersuchungen der Sporophyten bei den Jubulaceae Klinggr

J. BEEVER, B. MALCOLM AND N. MALCOLM. The Moss Genus Fissidens in New Zealand. An Illustrated Key. Te Puninga Fissidens I Aotearoa. iv 1 91 pages (soft cover, coil-bound) 1 CD (pdf format). Micro-Optics Press, Box 320, Nelson, New Zealand. 2002. [ISBN 0-9582224-6-0. ] Price: NZ$60. (Price includes postage to anywhere in the world. A personal or institutional cheque in the buyer’s local currency for the equivalent amount is acceptable. Cheques should be made payable to Micro-Optics Press.)
Role of Maternal Antibodies in Protection Against Infectious Bursal Disease in Commercial Broilers

Chicks from broiler breeders with known Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) vaccination history were examined for residual maternal and experimentally induced antibodies and their role in protectio n against IBDV. Maternal antibodies in unvaccinated chickens persisted in chicks up to 21 days as determined by ELISA with complete decay by 28 and 35 days. Experimental challenge with live IBDV protected chicks up to 14 days and resulted in 10 to 20% mortality thereafter. However, a group vaccinated with Bursine-2 and challenged with IBDV exhibited mortality in the first week post hatch and followed by complete protection until 8 weeks. These studies suggest that while maternal antibodies against IBDV persist and may protect chicks during the first 14 days of age, they may also interfere with earlier vaccine-mediated protection. Depending upon the flock IBDV antibody status, a customized vaccination regimen may be crucial for complete protection.
Changes associated with pregnancy and lactation in some extra–reproductive organs of the ewe

SUMMARY The food intake, the apparent digestibilities of dry matter, and of nitrogen were measured in housed Blackface ewes during late pregnancy, lactation, and after the lambs were weaned. The ewes were slaughtered serially together with non-breeding controls, and the liver, ruminal mucosa, intestines, CNS and carcass were weighed. In association with differing reproductive status marked changes occurred in the content of dry matter and protein in the alimentary organs, but not in the CNS, and the mean weight of DNA in the CNS for all the animals was 130 ± 20 (S.D.) mg. All of the alimentary organs became hypertrophied during lactation, and regressed after weaning. Maximum values for the liver and ruminal mucosa occurred in the sixth week of lactation, and were maintained until weaning. The small intestine reached maximum weight after 4 weeks of lactation.
The Effect of Temperature on the Field Softening of Hard Seed of Stylosanthes humilis and S. hamata in a Dry Monsoonal Climate

The changes in hard-seed content in pastures of Stylosanthes humilis and S. hamata cv. Verano were studied at Katherine, N.T. Both field studies and laboratory ovens with diurnal temperature changes showed that maximum soil surface temperatures greater than 50-55¦C were required to produce substantial softening of hard seed. The rate of softening increased with higher maximum temperature. At Katherine, only the September-November period (late dry season) was likely to produce soil surface temperatures high enough for softening in naturally occurring seed populations. S. hamata did not soften to the same extent as S. humilis under both field and laboratory conditions. In established pastures only 35 % of S. hamata seed softened in one year, compared with 60-80% in S. humilis. Management practices may be required to improve seedling regeneration or establishment of new pastures in S. hamata.
Metazoários parasitos de seis espécies de peixes do Reservatório de Lajes, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

From April 2002 to July 2003, 231 freshwater fishes from Lajes Reservoir in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (22o42' - 22o50'S, 43o53' - 44o05'W) were necropsied to study their community metazoan parasites: 39 Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758), 79 A. fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819), 23 Hypostomus affinis (Steindachner, 1877), 26 Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794), 30 Loricariichthys castaneus (Castelnau, 1855) and 34 Trachelyopterus striatulus (Steindachner, 1876). The majority of specimens of H. affinis (95.6%) and H. malabaricus (84.6%) was parasitized by one or more metazoan species. In A. bimaculatus, A. fasciatus, L. castaneus and T. striatulus 41%, 39.2%, 56.7 and 14.7% of specimens were parasitized, respectively. Eight different metazoan parasites species were collected: 2 in A. bimaculatus, 3 in A. fasciatus, 3 in H. affinis, 4 in H. malabaricus, 4 in L. castaneus and 1 in T. striatulus. The parasites of the six host species showed the typical aggregated pattern of distribution. Two cases of negative correlation between host's total length and prevalence and parasite abundance were detected. The parasite community of L. castaneus showed the higher values of mean intensity, index of dispersion and higher values of diversity. The parasite communities of the studied fishes showed scarcity of significant correlations of parasitic abundance, species richness and diversity with the size of the host. The low species richness and diversity of parasite communities could be originated by the oligotrophic characteristics of the Lajes Reservoir.
Host selection by a kleptoparasitic spider

Argyrodes globosus (Keyserling, 1884) is a small kleptoparasite spider that steals prey from the web of web-building spiders. In coffee plantations in the south of Mexico it was observed to parasitize five species: Gasteracantha cancriformis (Linnaeus, 1785) and Verrucosa arenata (Walckenaer, 1841) (Araneidae), Leucauge mariana (Keyserling, 1881) and Leucauge venusta (Walckenaer, 1841) (morphologically indistinguishable species) and Leucauge argyra (White, 1841) (Tetragnathidae). G. cancriformis was more frequently parasitized than the other hosts. An analysis of web diameter for each host species indicated that for L. mariana/venusta, L. argyra and V. arenata the kleptoparasite was associated with webs of a certain size range (23-33cm diameter) although a far larger range of web sizes was available (17-50cm diameter). The average size of the web of G. cancriformis (~23cm) appeared to be close to the preferred size for the kleptoparasite and this, together with an apparent absence of host aggression, may explain the prevalence of A. globosus with this host. For the parasite, web size choice may involve a tradeoff among diverse factors including prey capture rate, ease of access to the web and aggressive behaviour by the host.
The effect of auxins: IAA, IBA and NAA on rooting of Hebe buchananii (Hook) and Hebe canterburiensis (J.B.Armstr.) Prostrata in vitro

The effect of auxins: IAA, IBA and NAA in concentrations of 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mg·dm -3 on rooting of Hebe buchananii and Hebe canterburiensis 'Prostrata' in vitro was examined. Shoots used in the experiment were excised from aseptically grown shoots on 1/2 MS media. Auxins used in the experiment were showed to have a positive effect on rooting of shoots of Hebe buchananii and Hebe canterburiensis 'Prostrata' in vitro. The biggest number of rooted microshoots and the longest roots of Hebe buchananii formed in presence of IBA. On the media supplemented with IAA in concentrations of 2.5 and 5.0 mg·dm -3 , IBA in concentration of 5 mg·dm -3 and NAA in concentration of 1 mg·dm -3 100% of rooted shoots of Hebe canterburiensis 'Prostrata' were obtained. The biggest number of roots occurred on media with 2.5 and 5.0 mg IAA·dm -3 . NAA added to the me- dia caused callusing of the shoots base.
Cryptic invasion and dispersal of an American Daphnia in East Africa

We document the cryptic invasion of a North American genotype of Daphnia pulex into Kenya. During a survey of zooplankton samples and dormant egg banks of 41 natural lakes, ponds, and man‐made reservoirs throughout central and southern Kenya, D. pulex was found at seven localities in the Rift Valley region. We used DNA sequencing (12S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene [COI]) and microsatellite analyses (10 loci) to characterize each population genetically. A single haplotype was found for both 12S and COI sequences. Comparison with DNA sequences of the D. pulex complex from Europe and America reveals that the Kenyan D. pulex is not closely related to European D. pulex but clusters tightly with the American‐Panarctic clade of D. pulex sensu stricto. Microsatellite data further reveal that all seven known Kenyan populations are genetically nearly identical and are dominated by a single clone. All populations except that in Lake Naivasha contained only one multilocus genotype, a fixed heterozygote for 3 of the 10 studied loci. Our data suggest that an obligately parthenogenetic clone of American D. pulex recently immigrated into Kenya and has subsequently dispersed over distances of several hundreds of kilometers. Most likely it was co‐introduced accidentally during one of numerous stockings of North American fish or crayfish in Kenya—s Rift Valley lakes since the mid‐1920s.
Identification of Australian canegrubs (Coleoptera : Scarabaeidae : Melolonthini)

Larvae of Melolonthini are commonly known as whitegrubs or, in the Australian sugar industry, as canegrubs. In Australia, there are 119 recognised species of Melolonthini, of which 75 are found in Queensland. Of the 75 species, this study examines 19 species that are recognised sugarcane pests. These belong to the genera Antitrogus Burmeister, Dermolepida Arrow, Lepidiota Kirby and Rhopaea Erichson. Descriptions of adults and larvae of the 19 species are provided in this paper, as well as species identification keys for both adults and larvae and a key to the tribes, as a premise for introducing more effective management strategies. Identification of canegrubs is pertinent because the various species have different ecologies, behaviours and insecticide susceptibilities, and their control requires different methods and rates of application of insecticides. We have separated larvae of the species on the basis of their raster pattern, locality and, where necessary, head width. Larvae of some species are difficult to identify and we suggest use of molecular tools for their identification.
Comparative homology modeling of human rhodopsin with several templates of bovine rhodopsin

Rhodopsin is a visual pigment, which belongs to G-coupled protein receptor (GPCR) family, present in rod cells of retina. The molecular structure of rhodopsin has been studied by cryo-electron microscopic, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and X-ray crystallographic techniques in bovine. A humble effort has been made to identify and remove the loopholes in the existing structure (1EDS) and model the 3D structure of rhodopsin to its entire length and loops. Our studies describe the molecular structure of human rhodopsin based on homology search among seven selected bovine templates (140 models created), which were then analyzed completely through model evaluation softwares to build one complete structure of human rhodopsin. This structure will prove to be helpful in studying different biological and chemical reactions occurring in visual process, as well as hold a promising future for agonist/drug development. Key words : Homology modeling, human rhodopsin, bovine templates, sequence alignment, model building, energy profiles.
The ABSCISIC ACID‐INSENSITIVE 3 (ABI3) gene is expressed during vegetative quiescence processes in Arabidopsis

The ABSCISIC ACID-INSENSITIVE 3 (ABI3) gene of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh is known to play an important role during seed maturation and dormancy. Here, we present evidence suggesting an additional role for ABI3 during vegetative quiescence processes. During growth in the dark, ABI3 is expressed in the apex of the seedlings after cell division is arrested. The 2S seed storage protein gene, a target gene of ABI3 in seeds, is also induced in the arrested apex under similar darkness conditions. In addition, β-glucuronidase expression under the control of the ABI3 promoter is abolished by treatments that provoke leaf development in the dark [sucrose and abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis inhibitors] and induced by treatments that prevent leaf development (darkness and ABA). Furthermore, ABI3 expression is absent in apices of dark-grown de-etiolated (det 1) and abi3 mutants, both known to develop leaves or leaf primordia in the dark. The fact that the expression of the ABI3 gene is only observed in a fraction of the analysed plants suggests that ABI3 is probably only one of the components of a molecular network underlying quiescence. In addition to the expression of ABI3 in apices of dark-grown seedlings, the ABI3 promoter confers expression in other vegetative organs as well, such as the stipules and the abscission zones of the siliques. In conclusion, apart from its role in seed development, ABI3 might have additional functions.
β-Carotene and α-tocopherol concentration and antioxidant status in buccal mucosal cells and plasma after oral supplementation

The uptake of a-tocopherol and b-carotene and their antioxidative effect in plasma and buccal mucosal cells after oral application in twelve subjects is demonstrated in our study. The effect on the antioxidative status was evaluated using a modified thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) method. As expected, the supplement of 134·2 mg a-tocopherol/d and 25 mg b-carotene/d for 7 d resulted in a significant increase of a-tocopherol and b-carotene concentration in plasma (P,0·05). In buccal mucosal cells, the concentration of b-carotene increased after supplementation (P, 0·05), whereas the concentration of a-tocopherol remained constant. A decrease in TBARS (P,0·05) was found in buccal mucosal cells but not in plasma. In conclusion, an uptake of the supplemented antioxidants was detected in plasma and in buccal mucosal cells. There was significant change in b-carotene concentration and oxidative stress as measured using a modified TBARS test in buccal mucosal cells, but not in the plasma. Buccal mucosal cells: Supplementation: a-Tocopherol: b-Carotene: Thiobarbituric acidreactive substances
Application of plastochron index to common bean grown in controlled environments

This study was undertaken to determine whether plastochron index (PI), a mathematical construct that quantifies shoot development, can be applied to indeterminate bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes. Length mea- surements of the middle trifoliate leaflet were the basis of the PI calculation. The expansion of each middle trifoliate leaflet at every node on each plant tested was measured over time to determine whether the growth pattern of each leaflet fits the assumptions of the PI construct. Plants from five indeterminate bean genotypes were grown in two controlled environments: A constant 29C with 12-hr of daylength, and a constant 23C with 12-hr daylength extended to 14 hr with low light intensity. Early leaflet expansion was exponential for all five genotypes in both environments. Expansion rates of successive leaflets were also similar, although a few leaflets in three of the 10 genotype-environment combinations differed in their rates of expansion. Exponential and equal rates of expansion validate the calculation of the fractional component of the PI. In both environments, all genotypes exhibited an increasing rate of leaf initiation with time, which precludes the use of a simple linear slope in estimating rate of development. In bean, photoperiod has been shown to modify the node of flower, and temperature modifies both the node of flower and the rate of node development, resulting in a complex photoper- iod × temperature interaction for time to anthesis (Wallace, 1985). A major need in studies of time to flower is separation of temperature effects on the node to first flower from the tem- perature effects on rate of node development. The latter could be quantified by determining the relationship between the num- ber of developed plastochrons and time. The plastochron tra- ditionally has been defined as the duration between initiation of successive leaf primordia on the main stem apex. The time required for successive leaves to reach a specified length is a nondestructive estimate of the plastochron. For example, Wat- son and Baptiste (1938) measured stage of development in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) by counting the number of leaves >2.5 cm long. Erickson and Michelini (1957) enhanced this technique by describing a method for estimating the number of developed plastochrons plus the fractional component of the plastochron currently undergoing development. This calculation they termed plastochron index (PI). Lamoreaux et al. (1978) reviewed use of the PI in a wide variety of investigation s. Our objective was to determine if leaf growth and initiation patterns required by the PI construct existed in bean, preliminary to a study of daylength × temperature interaction effects on rate of node development (Yourstone and Wallace, 1990).
The southwestern Atlantic reef fish fauna: composition and zoogeographic patterns

The Brazilian coast, the Caribbean and the tropical South Atlantic oceanic islands reef ichthyofauna separated into two major clusters: (1) the western Atlantic continental margin and Bermuda, further divided into (1a) the western North Atlantic, and (1b) the Brazilian coast; and (2) the South Atlantic oceanic islands, also divided in (2a) the Brazilian offshore islands, and (2b) Ascension and St Helena. Species geographic ranges suggest the recognition of only two western Atlantic zoogeographic provinces for tropical marine shore fishes. A Brazilian Province, including the offshore localities of Atol das Rocas, Fernando de Noronha, Trindade and St Paul's Rocks, and an expanded West Indian Province that includes Bermuda. Ascension and St Helena should be regarded as a separated Central Atlantic Province.
Some Factors which Affect the Liveweight Change and Wool Growth of Adult Corriedale Wethers Grazed at Various Stocking Rates on Perennial Pasture in Southern Victoria

Monthly observations were taken on a number of animal and pasture characteristics during a 24-year study with adult Corriedale wethers which were grazed at 10, 15, 20 and 25 sheep ha-1. The seasonal patterns in all the observed parameters varied with the stocking rate. The more notable were the fluctuations in digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) which increased with stocking rate in summer (10 and 25 sheep ha-1 having 426 and 818 g DOMI d-1 respectively) and decreased in winter (655 and 448 g DOMI d-1). Both liveweight and wool growth rate (WGR) declined during autumn and increased in the spring at the two high stocking rates but not at the two low stocking rates. The herbage present and its relative growth rate both influenced the amount of herbage voluntarily eaten when the pasture was green. When the dry matter of herbage was 0.05 g g-1 d-1 increased. Sixty-two per cent of the variance in DOMI was accounted for. An exponential function fitted the overall data when relative growth rates were <0.05 g g-1 d-1. DOMI asymptoted at 740 g d-1 when herbage yields exceeded 2.0 t ha-1 (R2 = 0.70). Liveweight loss was very rapid in autumn at high stocking rates despite a high DOMI (c. 650g d-1). This was found, by using multiple regression analysis, to be associated with shearing stress, poor quality feed and long grazing times. In spring, on better quality feed, a long grazing time was associated with an enhanced liveweight response. A multiple regression analysis accounted for 73 % of the variance in WGR. The expression suggested that WGR increased and had a slightly curvilinear relationship with DOMI, was positively related to digestibility and negatively related to the daily time spent grazing. Wool growth slowed concurrently with liveweight losses, the magnitude of the decrease depending upon DOMI.
Studies on protein denaturation in frozen fish. III.—The mechanism and site of denaturation at low temperatures

The proportion of protein soluble in 5% sodium chloride (‘soluble protein’) was measured in cod muscle which had been frozen at various speeds, after storage for different times at different temperatures. It was found that fish originally frozen in about 60 min. formed more insoluble protein after storage for a given time than those frozen at other speeds: the effect was very pronounced at low storage temperatures. As a result of the work, it is concluded that the cause of changes in the solubility in salt solution of fish muscle during cold-storage was inorganic salt present in liquid solution in the frozen fish. Possible mechanisms of protein denaturation under different conditions of freezing are suggested. The limitations of the decrease in soluble protein content as an index of deterioration in frozen and cold-stored fish are discussed.