Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural and floristic typology of the forests in the forest-savanna mosaic of the Lopé National Park, Gabon

Background and aims - The Lope National Park in Gabon, recently added to the UNESCO world heritage list, presents a mosaic of forest and savanna that dynamically changes. Conserving this landscape requires an understanding of the forest dynamics. This study aims at defining a forest typology at Lope in relation with its dynamics. Methods - Floristic and structural characteristics for 265 tree species belonging to 55 families were measured in 258 sampling plots in the Lope National Park. Multivariate analysis of these data was used to partition the sampling plots into groups on the basis of their floristic or structural characteristics. Key results - Five structural forest types and six floristic forest types were identified. This typology showed that the forests in the forest-savanna mosaic of Lope organize themselves along a gradient of forest recovery, from young forests to mature forests. Typical pioneer species are associated with the youngest forest stages. The gradient on the species also corresponds to a geographical gradient on the sampling plots, associated with features like altitude, rocks, or hydrography. Conclusions - Five forest types were defined on the basis of species abundances. The snapshot of forest types characterizes a dynamic process of forest regeneration (Resume d'auteur)
Interactions for Pollination among Coflowering Shrubs

To examine competition for pollination in a natural community, I measured pollinator sharing, pollinator dependence, and limitation of fruit set for four colflowering shrub species in The Great Swamp, Rhode Island. These species included all potential competitors for pollination and have had the long, extensive associations deemed necessary for competitive coevolution. The four shrubs shared the major pollinators (bees), and three of the four species depended upon pollinators for fruit set; but pollination limitation due to competition was detected in only one species. Despite the lack of competition, the shrubs interacted negatively and stronly for bumble bees, which were major pollinators. The species differentially attracted bumble bees, and their relative attractive (competitive) abilities were predicted by an index based on average daily sucrose production per flower x local floral density as: Ilex opaca > Kalmia latifolia > Gaylussacia frondosa > Kalmia angustifolia. Bumble bees rarely visited the less attractive species during flowering overlap in 3 of 4 yr. Competitive avoidance was achieved, not by specialization and divergence as is commonly hypothesized, but by having traits that confer tolerance of rare pollinator visits (e.g., long—lived flowers or self—pollination) or by having diverse pollinator assemblages (small bees and bumble bees). K. latifolia was the only shrub specialized for pollination (by bumble bees), and this specialization increased, rather than decreased, the risk of pollination limitation because K. latifolia was a poorer competitor for bumble bees than Ilex. Pollination limitation was prevented or reduced by the extended longevity of unpolinated flowers. Flowers could remain viable > 2 wk until Ilex ceased flowering and bumble bees switched to K. latifolia K. angustifolia, the poorest competitor, was visited by many species of small bees and could also self—pollinate, so fruit set was maintained even in the absence of bumble bees, Gaylussacia lacked these traits, and it was pollination limited: flowers are short—lived and cannot self—pollinate. For this species small bees were important in maintaining fruit set when bumble bees switched to more attractive species. These traits for competitive avoidance are advantageous when pollination is uncertain for any reason, such as unfavorable weather for pollinator foraging. As a result, their presence cannot be unambiguously attributed to past competition, although they currently are important in reducing competition among these shrubs. Such traits as generalization for resource use of tolerance of sparse resources may be as important as specialization or greater competitive ability for the coexistence of species in competitive communities.
Mechanisms of long‐term variations in the thermal structure of a warm lake

Analysis of a 39‐yr record (1969–2008) of temperature profiles from Lake Kinneret, Israel, revealed that average epilimnion thickness decreased by ∼ 1.2 m (∼ 3 cm yr−1), metalimnion thickness decreased by between ∼ 1.0 m (December) and ∼ 2.0 m (April), and average temperature of the epilimnion increased by ∼ 1°C (∼ 0.028°C yr−1). Average hypolimnetic temperature remained constant (∼ 15°C), so that the thermal gradient across the metalimnion increased. The average duration of the stratification period (∼ 286 d) remained unchanged. We show that the stratification changes were the result of a decrease in lake level, a slight increase in air temperature during the spring and summer, and a reduction of inflows to the lake. These changes in time affected the stratification pattern in the same direction, i.e., an increase in the lake epilimnetic temperature and an increase in the thermal gradient across the metalimnion. Analysis of the data indicates that the effect of overpumping, which leads to a reduction in lake level, is larger than the effect of changes due to air‐temperature increase and the reduction in inflow volumes.
Honey bee guards recognise allospecific intruders via “different odours” not “harmful-intruder odours”

Summary Honey bee (Apis mellifera) guards recognise intruders primarily by odour. This study tested two competing hypotheses underlying the rejection of allospecific intruders: “different odour”, whereby intruders are recognised by guards because their odours do not match those of honey bees in general, versus the “harmful intruder odour”, whereby guards specifically recognise and reject intruders of harmful species. We presented eight species of harmless arthropod and three harmful insects (worker common wasps, Vespula vulgaris, adult wax moths, Galleria mellonella; and wood ants, Formica lugubria) to entrance guards. Guards rejected all but woodlice (Porcellio scaber) more than non-nestmate bees and at rates similar to or greater than common wasps. This is not as predicted by the harmful odour hypothesis, and thereby strengthens the different odour hypothesis. Woodlice were accepted at rates similar to non-nestmate bees, possibly because they have few cuticular hydrocarbons and may smell mainly of their environment.
Crown radius of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) depending on stem size, stand density and site productivity

Crown size is a good indicator of the growth potential of trees and is often used in forest management for outlining thinning guidelines or constructing forest growth models. The aim of this study was to analyse mean crown radius as a function of stem size, stand density and site productivity in even-aged stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.). Data included measurements of 620 trees from 53 plots in nine thinning experiments and one operational stand in Sweden, Denmark and Great Britain, representing a wide spectrum of thinning practices ranging from the strictly unthinned control to extremely heavy thinning with essentially solitary trees. Three sets of models were constructed based on different predictor variables, including indicators of individual stem size (diameter at breast height, DBH), stand density/thinning grade (quadratic mean diameter and stand basal area) and site productivity (stand top height). Preliminary results indicated a significant effect of DBH and (nominal) thinning grade on crown radius. The response pattern of the final models indicated an increasing crown radius with increasing DBH, with increasing thinning grade (decreasing stand density) and with decreasing site productivity. The models are valid for predicting the crown radius of pedunculate oak in even-aged forest stands.
Aspects of the population biology of Cephalopholis fulva from the central coast of Brazil

Summary Age and size composition samples of Cephalopholis fulva from the central coast of Brazil were collected from research surveys and from line fishery landings between 1997 and 1999. The samples suggest that the submarine banks located further offshore are characterized by having fish larger than those caught in the continental shelf area. Although the oldest specimens were caught in the continental shelf area, only 34.6% of the specimens were older than 10 years as compared to 51.4% in the submarine banks. The observed size and age differences seem to be related to the lower fishing pressure on the submarine banks, although size composition bias resulting from different sampling procedures and different catchability between sites cannot be excluded. A resampling scheme was used to overcome the influences of size composition bias and to generate a three-dimensional plot of parameters as a means to compare the growth between the submarine banks and the continental shelf area; this plot showed no overlap between growth patterns of the two sites. The natural mortality (M) estimate based on the oldest specimen observed was 0.17 year−1. Total mortality (Z) estimated from catch-curve analyses using samples from both areas varied from 0.24 to 0.34 year−1, depending on the age range used. With this level of mortality, the C. fulva stock in the central coast area of Brazil was close to or already at the level of overexploitation in the late 1990s.
Congruent Climate‐Related Genecological Responses from Molecular Markers and Quantitative Traits for Western White Pine (Pinus monticola)

Analyses of molecular and quantitative genetic data demonstrate the existence of congruent climate‐related patterns in western white pine (Pinus monticola). Two independent studies allowed comparisons of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers with quantitative variation in adaptive traits. Principal component analyses were conducted on seedling traits in common gardens collected from 58 sites; principal coordinate analyses were conducted on AFLP data from 15 sites. Collection site eigenvector means were regressed on 35 climate variables to produce a genecological prediction for each data set. Both predictions explained a large percentage (>70%) of the genetic variation from the first eigenvector from similar predictors involving the interaction growing season precipitation and temperature. Both predictions were significant ( \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \landscape $$P< 0.01$$ \end{document} ), and projected genecological maps were largely congruent. The predominant pattern from the first eigenvector was two major groups, a northern and a southern, connected by a steep cline across the crest of the southern Cascade Range of Oregon. This cline was associated with growth potential in the adaptive traits. These results suggest that divergent climatic selection has influenced phenotypic traits associated with growth. Furthermore, the congruence of AFLPs suggests a linkage between some loci and genomic regions under selection and/or climatic influences on postmating reproductive success.
Is protein content in the diet of Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bats, Epomophorus wahlbergi, important?

Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat, Epomophorus wahlbergi, feeds on a range of fruit, nectar, pollen and flowers. Frugivores may have difficulties in maintaining their protein requirements since fruit are generally high in sugar content but low in protein content. Some studies have found that fruit bats obtain most of their food protein when feeding on a variety of fruits. We investigated if E. wahlbergi prefers additional protein to sugar-only nectar solutions. They were offered equicaloric 15% glucose solutions with varying protein concentrations (2.58, 5.68, 7.23 g soy protein/kg H2O) and a solution with no protein. This was repeated using 15% sucrose instead of glucose solutions. Epomophorus wahlbergi’s volumetric intake of the respective glucose and sucrose solutions varied among individual bats, with total volumetric intake being highest for solutions with no protein. This suggests they have low protein dietary requirements, which may be a response to the low-protein fruit available in the wild. Alternatively they may supplement their diet by actively preying on insects, but this needs to be investigated.
Gravimetric determination of soluble phenolics including tannins from leaves by precipitation with trivalent ytterbium

A method for the gravimetric determination of soluble phenolics based on precipitation with trivalent ytterbium is described. Solutions of ytterbium-precipitated phenolics can be prepared in order to study u.v. absorbance, colorimetric assays for phenolics, protein precipitation and cellulase inhibition. The method was applied to mature leaves of 10 East African browse species in the diets of goats and camels. There was a large range in ytterbium-precipitated phenolics (Yb-ppt), from 50% dry matter (DM) in Acacia nilotica to less than 15% in Acacia brevispica and Cadaba farinosa. Results from u.v. absorbance and the Folin-Ciocalteu assay on solutions of ytterbium-precipitated phenolics indicated that ytterbium precipitates many types of phenolics including proanthocyanidins. The vanillin-HCl and n-butanol-HCl assays for proanthocyanidins separated the samples into two groups with high or low levels. The group with high levels of proanthocyanidins had greater protein precipitation capacity and cellulase inhibition at similar amounts of Yb-ppt. The results indicate that the method may be useful in nutritional studies involving browse and other forages. Gravimetric analysis avoids problems associated with colorimetric assays because it does not rely on the use of standards. The preparation of solutions of Yb-precipitated phenolics allows direct comparison between amount and nutritional effects such as protein precipitation and enzyme inhibition.
Greater sage-grouse nest predators in the Virginia Mountains of northwestern Nevada

Abstract Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus, hereafter sage-grouse, populations have declined across their range due to the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat. Habitat alterations can lead not only to vegetative changes but also to shifts in animal behavior and predator composition that may influence population vital rates, such as nest success. For example, common ravens Corvus corax are sage-grouse nest predators, and common raven abundance is positively associated with human-caused habitat alterations. Because nest success is a central component to sage-grouse population persistence, research that identifies factors influencing nest success will better inform conservation efforts. We used videography to unequivocally identify sage-grouse nest predators within the Virginia Mountains of northwestern Nevada, USA, from 2009 to 2011 and used maximum likelihood to calculate daily probability of nest survival. In the Virginia Mountains, fires, energy exploration, and other anthropogeni.
Ship noise-induced temporary hearing threshold shift in the Chinese sucker Myxocyprinus asiaticus (Bleeker, 1864)

The study objective was to explore the effects of noise generated by a 2000 hp containership on the reaction of Chinese sucker Myxocyprinus asiaticus. The noise was played back for various durations (1, 2, 4, 8, 24h) at 142.8dB re 1Pa. Immediately after the noise exposure, hearing abilities of the fish were tested using the auditory evoked potential (AEP) protocol and compared with the response to a control group with no noise exposure. After 1h noise exposure no significant differences were found compared to control fish; however, significant auditory threshold shifts began to occur at 800Hz after 2h of noise exposure. After 24h of noise exposure, significant auditory threshold shifts were found at all tested frequencies (100-3000 Hz) when compared to control fish. Recoveries were also measured until the auditory thresholds returned to the hearing levels of the control fish. Auditory thresholds of all Chinese suckers fully returned to control levels within 96h of recovery time. The results indicate that ship noise exposure can lead to threshold shifts in Chinese sucker and that these threshold shifts are temporary, referred to as temporary threshold shift (TTS).
Whole Plant Studies using Radioactive 13-Nitrogen IV. A COMPARTMENTAL MODEL FOR THE UPTAKE AND TRANSPORT OF AMMONIUM IONS BY ZEA MAYS

Presland, M. R. and McNaughton, G. S. 1986. Whole plant studies using radioactive 13-nitrogen. IV. A compartmental model for the uptake and transport of ammonium ions by Zea mays. —J. exp. Bot. 37: 1619-1632. Ammonium ion uptake by roots of hydroponically grown maize seedlings and the transport of ammonium-sourced nitrogen to the shoot were measured using the short-lived isotope 13-nitrogen. They are shown to be described by a five compartment model—ammonium in the root bathing solution, ammonium entering the root, nitrogen bound in the root, nitrogen outside the load region but still within the root, and nitrogen in the shoot. Once taken into the root symplasm, ammonium-sourced nitrogen was not exchanged with the external solution. Activity-time profiles for nitrogen transported both basally and apically from the load region of the root implied the existence of large well-mixed pools in the transport path, though the capacity of the pools inferred from modelling the profiles was greater than found by dissecting roots following loading with labelled ammonium. Key words—Ammonium uptake, Zea mays, compartmental model, 13-nitrogen. Correspondence to: Physics and Engineering Laboratory, DSIR, Private Bag, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
Safety of the Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9843 (=strain 299v) in an Endocarditis Animal Model

Objective: Lactobacilli are often considered to be beneficial or non-pathogenic to man, with small numbers of human infections being reported, including septicemia and infective endocarditis. To verify the safety of Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9843 (=strain 299v) administration, we used a well-known endocarditis animal model. Design: Experimental study using Sprague-Dawley rats. Setting: University Hospital, Sweden. Interventions: A catheter was passed down the right common carotid artery into the lumen of the left ventricle. The catheter was tied in place and the neck incision was closed. After 48 h, 0.5 ml of a bacterial suspension was injected through the tail vein. In the endocarditis control we inoculated Staphylococcus lugdunesis CCUG 25349T (T = type strain) and L. plantarum 299v was injected in the blood in L. plantarum group. Main outcome measures: Rats were sacrificed 96 h later and samples were taken from the heart, blood and catheter for bacterial culture and Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) evaluation. Results: L. plantarum 299v was injected in the blood but no lactobacilli were found in the heart, blood or catheter after 96 h. RAPD evaluation showed that S. lugdunesis CCUG 25349T was isolated from both blood and heart. Conclusion: The results showed that L. plantarum 299v has no role in the tested endocarditis animal model, which indicates the safety of L. plantarum 299v.
Changes in growth and nitrogen assimilation in barley seedlings under cadmium stress

Abstract Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Martin) plants grown in solution culture, were exposed to increasing cadmium (Cd) concentration (0, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 μM) for a duration of 12 days. The sequence of important biochemical steps of nitrate (NO3) assimilation were studied in roots and shoots as a function of external Cd concentration. Cadmium uptake in roots and shoots increased gradually with Cd concentration in the medium. This Cd accumulation lowered substantially root and shoot biomass. The nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1) and nitrite reductase (NiR, EC 1.6.6.4) activities declined under Cd stress. Concurrently, tissue NO3 contents and xylem sap NO3 concentration were also decreased in Cd‐treated plants. These results suggest that Cd could exert an inhibitory effect on the assimilatory NO3 reducing system (NR and NiR) through a restriction of NO3 availability in the tissues. We therefore examined, in short‐term experiments (12 h), the impact of Cd on NO3 uptake and the two reductases in nitr.
Nondestructive Measurements of Lipid Content and Fatty Acid Composition in Rapeseeds (Brassica napus L.) by Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a popular oilseed plant. There are two types of rapeseed: low erucic acid type used for food application, and high erucic acid types used for the oleochemicals (Sonntag, 1991). Erucic acid is of nutritional interest (Kramer and Sauer, 1983). The improvements of the lipid content and the alteration of the fatty acid (FA) composition in rapeseed are important in breeding projects (Shibata et al., 1981; Daun, 1998). Thus, the analysis of the lipid content and the FA composition of rapeseeds are important in breeding programs and also for checking raw materials in the oil milling process. Since the conventional analyzing procedures were very tedious, time-consuming and destructive, a simple and rapid measurement method is awaited for screening rapeseed varieties and lines for this purpose. A nondestructive analytical method using seeds is desirable because the sample seeds can be used for cultivation after measurement and selection. Furthermore, a microanalysis method is also desired because of the preciousness of the samples. We previously examined the relationship between the near infrared (NIR) refl ectance spectroscopic patterns and FA composition of the rapeseeds (Sato et al., 1998). In this study, the lipid content and the FA composition in rapeseeds were evaluated nondestructively using NIR refl ectance spectroscopy applying multiple linear regression for plural seeds and a single seed.
Reproductive strategies of the short-beaked echidna – a review with new data from a long-term study on the Tasmanian subspecies (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus)

The short-beaked echidna is the most widely distributed endemic Australian mammal, and echidnas from different geographic areas differ so much in appearance that they have been assigned to several subspecies. In this paper, we present data obtained from free-ranging echidnas in southern Tasmania, and compare this with studies from other parts of Australia. In Tasmania mating occurs between early June and mid-September, and throughout Australia the normal breeding season lies within these limits. In echidnas from the more easterly parts of Australia reproduction closely follows hibernation, with Tasmanian echidnas showing a significant overlap between hibernation and reproduction. There is intense competition between males, and female echidnas from Tasmania show multiple matings. There are significant differences between echidnas from different areas of Australia in the use of nursery burrows and maternal care. One of the most dramatic differences is in duration of lactation: echidnas from Kangaroo Island wean the young at 204–210 days, but in Tasmania weaning occurs at 139–152 days, even though the masses of the young at weaning are comparable.