Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A taxonomic revision of the Panesthiinae of the world. I. The Panesthiinae of Australia (Dictyoptera : Blattaria : Blaberidae)

The cockroaches belonging to the subfamily Panesthiinae occur principally in the Indo-Malayan and Australian regions with a few extending into the Palaearctic. In Australia the subfamily is represented by seven genera of which the following four are not found elsewhere: Geoscaplzeus Tepper (two species and two subspecies, one of which is new), Neogeoscapheus, gen. nov. (one new species and one new combination), Parapanesthia, gen. nov. (one new combination), and Macropanesthia Saussure (four species, two of which are new); Hemipanesthia Saussure is synonymized with Macropanesthia. One new species of Ancaudellia Shaw, the only one occurring in Australia, is also found in Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea; Heteroblatta Uvarov is synonymized with Ancaudellia. One unnamed species of Salganea Stal may be restricted to Australia; Mylacrina Kirby is synonymized with Salganea. The Australian forms of Panesthia Serville (nine species, two of which are new, and two subspecies, one of which is new) are essentially endemic; Dicellonotus Butler is synonymized with Panesthia. In Australia the subfamily is largely restricted to the eastern part of the continent. Almost all of the taxa are found in Queensland and they are comparatively poorly represented in the other states.
Comparative life table statistics for the ladybeetle Scymnus syriacus reared on the green citrus aphid, Aphis spiraecola, fed on two host plants

Demographic statistics for the ladybeetle Scymnus syriacus Marseul (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were investigated when reared on the green citrus aphid, Aphis spiraecola Patch (Homoptera: Aphididae), fed on two host plants: spirea (Spirea sp.) and Thompson orange (Citrus sinensis cv. Thompson) under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity and 16 h light : 8 h dark). Mean developmental times from egg to adult were 20.32 ± 0.18 and 22.07 ± 0.15 days for spirea and Thompson orange, respectively. The survival rate from egg to adult was higher for spirea (85%) than for Thompson orange (72.5%). The oviposition periods were 41.8 ± 2.47 and 39.71 ± 2.6 days and the total number of eggs per female were 657.6 ± 29.5 and 587.9 ± 32.6 on spirea and Thompson orange, respectively. Fertility life tables were also constructed to compare the effects of host plants. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) on spirea was higher than that on Thompson orange. Jackknife estimates of rm varied from 0.149 on spirea to 0.133 on Thompson orange. The mean population generation times on these host plants were 38.16 and 40.65 days, respectively. These results indicate that spirea‐fed A. spiraecola is more suitable for S. syriacus, producing a higher survival rate and shorter developmental time.
Species composition, zonation, and biomass of marine benthic macroalgae in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard

Abstract We surveyed macroalgae at Hansneset, Blomstrand (78°39′N, 11°57′E) in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, down to 30 m depth between 1996 and 1998. In total, 62 species were identified: 16 Chlorophyta, 25 Phaeophyceae, and 21 Rhodophyta. The majority of species (53.5%) belonged to the Arctic cold-temperate group, followed in frequency by species distributed from the Arctic to the warm-temperate region (25.9%). Four endemic Arctic species (Laminaria solidungula, Acrosiphonia flagellata, A. incurva, and Urospora elongata) were found. Two species (Pogotrichum filiforme and Mikrosyphar polysiphoniae) were new to Svalbard. Chlorophyta, Phaeophyceae, and Rhodophyta extended from the eulittoral zone down to 11, 21, and >30 m depths with maximum biomasses at 1–5 m, 5–10 m, and 5–30 m depths, respectively. Annual and pseudoperennial species had highest biomasses in the upper 5 m, while perennials were distributed deeper. The highest biomass (8600 g m-2 wet weight) at 5 m depth comprised mainly L. digitata, Saccorhiza dermatodea, Alaria esculenta, and Saccharina latissima. The biogeographic composition of macroalgae at Hansneset was rather similar to that of northeastern Greenland, but different from that of northern Norway, which has a higher proportion of temperate species. Climate warming and ship traffic may extend some of the distribution ranges of macroalgae from mainland Norway to Svalbard.
Susceptibilidade de Lymnaea (pseudosuccinea) columella (Say, 1817) exposta à infecção por miracídios de Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758)

With the purpose of studying the susceptibility of Lymnaea (pseudosuccinea) columella, from Minas Gerais state in Brazil, to infection by Fasciola hepatica, four samples from different regions in the state of Minas Gerais were tested in comparison with one sample from Rio de Janeiro state and another from Rio Grande do Sul state, using a sample of F. hepatica isolated from sheep in Rio Grande do Sul and maintained in rabbits in laboratory conditions. The Lymnaea were exposed to infections with six, eight and ten miracidia by molusca and studied the occurrence of infection and the deathrate. In this conditions the conclusions were: 1- the deathrate of the Lymnaea (pseudosuccinea) columella seems do not be in relation with the occurrence of infections by Fasciola hepatica; 2- the samples of L. (Pseudosuccinea) columella from Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul had similar susceptibility to infection by F. hepatica; 3- the Minas Gerais human population and the cattle, sheep and swine herds may be considered in risk of F. hepatica infection, specially those that live in Rio Paraiba valley, by the fact that nowadays F. hepatica infection is common in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Rio Paraiba valley.
Direct and residual effect of integrated nutrient management on crop productivity and physico-chemical characteristics of allfisols in okra-pea cropping system

A fi eld experiment was conducted on direct and residual effect of integrated nutrient management on crop productivity and physicochemical characteristics of allfi sols in okra-pea cropping system in Kashmir valley. The okra was grown as main crop and pea as residual crop. The experiment was laid out in simple square lattice design having 25 treatments with two replications. The pooled data revealed that integrated nutrient management signifi cantly infl uenced the productivity of main as well as residual crop, physico-chemical properties and microbial activity of experimental soil. Among various treatments under study, treatment T24 (FYM, sheep manure, poultry manure and vermicompost (3, 2, 0.5, 0.6 tonnes ha-1, respectively) along with biofertilizers (Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria; both as seed inoculant @ 1.0 kg ha-1 and as soil inoculant @ 2.5 kg ha-1) and 50 % recommended dose (RDF) of fertilizers (N:P2O5: K2O, 60:30:30 kg ha -1, respectively) resulted signifi cantly maximum fruit yield of okra (272.71 q ha -1) and pod yield of pea (123.56 q ha-1). The physico-chemical characteristics of the soil under study showed an improvement with organics application as compared to initial, control and RFD. Soil under the treatment T24 showed lowest bulk density, particle density and pH; and highest porosity, EC, and organic carbon content. Available nutrients in soil (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphar) and microbial population (fungi and bacteria) were also recorded maximum with treatment T24.
Effects of High Calcium and Phosphorus Administrations on Secondary Sex Ratio in Pigs.

When 19, 025 sows were administered with a calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) preparation containing 2.55-fold Ca and 1.54-fold P of the respective standardized mineral contents for breeders, a significantly (P<0.01) higher litter male/female ratio (secondary) was indicated in the calcium and phosphorus (Ca/P) treatment period compared to that of pre-treatment (control) interval. During the pre-treatment period, the litter sex ratio of sows indicated a value similar to previous findings. By supplementing this Ca/P preparation in breeders for a 2-year period, the male/female ratio was significantly enhanced without any apparent influences from the breed, mating pattern, seasonal variation and parity history. Further, effects on gestation period and litter size were negligible with supplementation of high Ca/P levels. On comparing the male ratio (1.395; taking the female ratio as 1) in the post-treatment (1.066) and pre-treatment (0.992) periods, the former interval manifested a significantly higher value, indicating favorable effects of the high Ca/P supplementary diet on the male/female ratio. Further, the longer the sows were supplemented with this Ca/P preparation, the higher was the male/female ratio. Terminating supplementation of the high Ca/P preparation during the post-treatment period manifested a recovery tendency of the male/female ratio to pre-treatment values.
Ultraviolet irradiation of tilapia spermatozoa and the Hertwig effect: electron microscopic analysis

Electron microscopic analysis of U V-irradiated tilapia sperm showed that with irradiation dose of 1800 J m−2 min−1, an irradiation duration of 0.5 min caused decondensation of sperm chromatin. This phenomenon of chromatin decondensation reached a peak after l.5min of irradiation, where ∼ 15% of the sperm showed total decondensation, and was less apparent after 3 min of irradiation or more. Damage to the cytoplasmic membrane and nuclear envelope could be seen in cells that underwent total decondensation. As the duration of irradiation increased, cytoplasmic membrane and nuclear envelope defects appeared more severe, the mitochondria were affected and appeared as empty capsules, and sperm cells tended to lose their tails. Based on these results and others reported in the literature, we propose an explanation for the ‘Hertwig curve’ obtained in tilapia using UV irradiation. Sperm cells with decondensed chromatin and damaged cytoplasmic membrane and nuclear envelope, activate the ‘developmental switch’ when they penetrate the egg, but their pronuclei are subjected to cytoplasmic nuclease digestion. Consequently, the maternal pronucleus is the only functional pronucleus in the zygote, and therefore, only haploid embryos with the exclusive maternal genome are formed. If the paternal pronucleus is not digested, these embryos will die due to improper expression of the paternal genes.
Bacillus thuringiensis isolates from northeastern Brazil and their activities against Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Northeastern Brazil has been little explored in the search for Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) variants for the control of agricultural pests such as Plutella xylostella (L.) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). The aim of this study was to isolate B. thuringiensis from soil and insect samples collected from the northeastern states and to evaluate their lethal and sublethal activities against the neonate larvae of P. xylostella and S. frugiperda. One hundred and four isolates were bioassayed and visualised for the presence of crystals. Bipyramidal crystals were present in 31% of the isolates. In pathogenicity tests, 13 and 19 isolates caused >30% mortality in P. xylostella and S. frugiperda, respectively. The Laboratory of Insect-Toxic Interactions (LIIT)-4311 isolate was the most toxic for P. xylostella, with toxicity similar to B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Dipel® WP) and B. thuringiensis var. aizawai (Xentari® WDG). For S. frugiperda, the LIIT-4311, LIIT-4306 and LIIT-4406 isolates were more active than B. thuringiensis var. aizawai. The LIIT-4311 and LIIT-4306 isolates caused high rates of larval growth inhibition in both P. xylostella and S. frugiperda. These results suggest a broad distribution of B. thuringiensis variants in areas of northeastern Brazil. Because LIIT-4306 and LIIT-4311 provided the highest levels of toxicity and larval growth inhibition for both P. xylostella and S. frugiperda, these isolates can be exploited to develop new technologies for pest management.
The homologies and early evolution of the shoulder girdle in turtles

The homologies of the highly distinctive shoulder girdle of turtles are reinterpreted in the light of recent phylogenetic studies. The acromion process is an extension of the scapula blade: it is not a modified anterior coracoid, contrary to recent suggestions. In modern turtles, the acromion process articulates with the plastron (the ventral portion of the turtle shell). However, recent phylogenetic analyses indicate that the acromion arose in the common ancestor of pareiasaurs and turtles, long before the plastron evolved. In pareiasaurs and primitive turtles, the acromion projects anteriorly and forms a strong, mobile articulation between the shoulder girdle and the clavicle. In modern turtles, the acromion has changed its orientation and morphology, projecting ventrally and contacting the plastron. Nevertheless, even in modern turtles the acromion still retains its original function: it supports the shoulder girdle, and allows the shoulder girdle to pivot during locomotion, thus increasing stride length.
Effect of increased concentration of soil CO2 on intermittent flushes of seed germination in Echinochloa crus‐galli var. crus‐galli

Soil-buried seeds of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli var. crus-galli) germinated from April to June in three intermittent flushes. The later two flushes of germination occurred after heavy rainfall. Carbon dioxide concentration in soil air transiently increased to 30 dm 3 m -3 after the rainfall, probably due to the increase in soil temperature and water potential. Germination of exhumed seeds was stimulated by exposure to CO 2 at 30 dm 3 m -3 . Fluctuating temperature, light, water, ethylene, and nitrate are known to promote seed germination in many species. However, of these environmental factors, within ranges found in the field, only CO 2 was effective in enhancing the germination of barnyardgrass seeds. We conclude that soil CO 2 is responsible for causing intermittent flushes of germination. Detection of vegetation gaps may be explained by the responsiveness of buried seeds to CO 2 .
Morphological differentiation among geographically close populations of the green crab Carcinus aestuarii Nardo, 1847 (Brachyura, Carcinidae) from the Tunisian coast

In the present study, we assessed patterns of morphological variation among populations of the Mediterranean green crab Carcinus aestuarii Nardo, 1847 from the Tunisian coast. Eleven morphometric traits were measured on 464 specimens from nine sites, and the pattern of morphological variation among sites was assessed using multivariate approach. Non-parametric MANOVA (NPMANOVA) and non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) analyses revealed statistically significant differences among the studied locations for both sexes proving that natural variability of the measured traits differs clearly between locations. Canonical discriminant analysis (CDA), on the other hand, showed that over 36% of individuals could be assigned to their location of origin on the basis of their morphology. Correct assignment of individuals to their location was much higher (over 63%) when sites were combined into three regional groups and marked morphological differentiation was found in both sexes. A positive correlation was noted between the squared Mahalanobis distances (D2) and the geographic distances for both male and female green crab populations suggesting isolation by distance. The results obtained indicate that morphological divergence among populations of the green crab can occur over shorter distances than expected based on dispersal potential. Possible drivers of the observed pattern of morphological variation are discussed.
What Drives Wolves: Fear or Hunger? Humans, Diet, Climate and Wolf Activity Patterns

Activity patterns of animals depend on environmental and intrinsic factors. Studies undertaken across the current wolf (Canis lupus) range suggested a number of variables that may be correlated with activity patterns of wolves. These factors vary locally and there has been no attempt so far at defining those that ubiquitously impact wolf behaviour. I compared 11 studies (from Alaska to Israel) to assess the influence of (1) public road density, (2) human population density, (3) human-caused mortality, (4) proportion of domestic animals in wolf diet, (5) proportion of forest, (6) latitude and (7) mean annual temperature on nocturnal wolf activity and movements. Nocturnal activity was mainly correlated to the proportion of domestic animals in the diet and the density of public roads, whereas nocturnal movements were mainly correlated to latitude. The importance of latitude indicates that sun periodicity might represent an important signal (`Zeitgeber') for circadian rhythms in wolves. Environmental constraints such as high temperatures during the day and a higher hunting success in crepuscular periods probably limit the ability of wolves to avoid humans by nocturnal behaviour. I therefore suggest that in regions where wolves hunt wild prey, they experience a trade-off between predation risk by humans and increased hunting success during twilight hours.
Transition to independence by subadult beavers (Castor canadensis) in an unexploited, exponentially growing population

We conducted a 4-year study of beavers Castor canadensis to compare the movements, survival and habitat of adults established in existing colonies to juveniles dispersing to new sites in a region with high beaver densities along a suburban–rural gradient. Estimates of annual survival were high for adult and juvenile beavers. Of nine known mortalities, seven (78%) were juveniles. Mortalities occurred during spring–summer, and none during fall–winter. There was a trend toward higher-to-lower survival along the suburban–rural gradient, respectively. Human-induced mortality (e.g. trapping and shooting) was higher in rural areas, whereas nonhuman-induced mortality (e.g. disease, accidents) was higher in suburban areas. Fifteen (14 subadults and one adult) beavers moved from natal colonies to other areas. The average dispersal distance for subadults was 4.5 km (SE = 1.0) along streams or rivers, or 3.5 km (SE = 0.7) straight-line point-to-point. Most dispersal movements were made in spring (April–June). In two cases, individual subadults made return movements from their dispersal sites back to their natal colonies. Dispersal sites tended to be in smaller, shallower wetlands or streams and in areas with higher overstorey canopy closure compared with natal colonies. Woody vegetation usually preferred by beavers for food tended to be less common at dispersal sites than at natal colonies. In regions with high densities of beaver, dispersing juveniles are likely to attempt to colonize lower quality sites. High densities of beavers also lead to more human–beaver conflicts and, in Massachusetts, the pest control management options in place during the past decade have been ineffectual at controlling population levels. Alternately, in regions with no beavers or very low densities and where reintroductions are being attempted, the landscape matrix surrounding release sites should include suitable sites for dispersing young to establish colonies.
Monogenea of the subfamily Heteronchocleidinae, Price, 1968 (Dactylogyridae) from African freshwater fish

Three new species of dactylogyrid monogeneans with three anchors are described: two of them, Eutrianchoratus magnum and E. minutus, from Ophiocephalus obscurus, and Heteronchocleidus ctenopomae from the anabantid Ctenopoma kingsleyae, all from south Ghana. Analysis of the variation in the morphological patterns of the anchors and the bars in the known species of the Heteronchocleidinae suggests gradual specialization from an ancyrocephaliid type with two pairs of anchors to types with three anchors arranged in triangular symmetry. Heteronchocleidinae occur on both ophiocephaliid and anabantiid fish in Southeast Asia as well as in West Africa.
Nocturnal Bee Abundance and Seasonal Bee Activity in a Panamanian Forest

Bees were monitored weekly for 7 yr at light traps in the tropical monsoon forest of Barro Colorado Island. Fifty species and 17 genera were recorded, including nocturnal Megalopta and crepuscular Rhinetula (Halictidae) and Ptiloglossa (Colletidae). Twenty-eight native meliponines and African Apis mellifera in traps increased the known resident highly social bees to 32 species. Most of the 11,860 bees were Megalopta; these species were present throughout the year, as were Rhinetula and Ptiloglossa. Abundance of Megalopta was lowest during the dry season; this was its only consistent seasonality. Peak abundance occurred at various times during dry-to-wet-season transition and in the first half and the end of the wet season. Centris and Epicharis, large, solitary anthophorid bees, were present in the early wet season and absent in the late wet season and most of the dry season. The highly social bee Trigona aff. cupira was aseasonal but had abundance peaks during all but the mid-to-late wet season. Megalopta genalis abundance and M. ecuadoria abundance were highly positively correlated within years, and weakly correlated with abundances of other bees. Pairwise correlations between years were low for each Megalopta species and for combined bees of other genera. A singularly large catch of Megalopta genalis in 1978 corresponded to flowering of the monocarpic tree Tachigalia versicolor near light traps. Fluctuation of bee abundance at light traps probably indicates local flower availability for this species and, to a lesser extent, for the other bees. The data suggest large year-to- year variation in seasonal abundance of resources used by nocturnal bees and by bees in general, but are limited to indicating the presence or absence of most other bee species. The yearly variances in abundance of a stingless bee species and of Megalopta in Panama are comparable to those of eight temperate bumble bee species studied in England, but combined diurnal and crepuscular bee abundance is considerably less variable. The African honey bee arrived on Barro Colorado Island in mid-1982 and has produced no noticeable changes in abundance of other bees but has yet to reach its potential numbers there; light-trap studies could provide perhaps the most reliable information on its impact.
Accumulation and Translocation of Nitrogen in Spring Cereal Cultivars Differing in Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Since northern European agricultural practices are likely to go toward systems with lower inputs of N fertilizers, it is desirable to develop cultivars with increased yield potential associated with higher nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). This study determined the extent of variation in NUE-related parameters, specifying the primary traits contributing to the difference in nitrogen remobilization efficiency (NRE) on four spring cereal crops, two- and six-row barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Field experiments were conducted in Finland during 2001, 2002, and 2003 under two N regimes (0 and 90 kg N ha -1 ). Wheat had relatively high N content at maturity even though NUE was low, whereas oat and barley had higher NUE. A comparison of nitrogen harvest index (NHI) and NRE revealed that both were low for wheat, linking this with high N uptake after anthesis, suggesting that in wheat the proportion of the assimilated N used immediately in the developing grain is greater than in barley and oat. There was no strong N translocation from vegetative parts of the main shoots in wheat, which exhibited higher competition for N between vegetative and reproductive organs. Plant breeders could use these findings to their advantage in breeding spring cereal crops that not only produce high yield but also efficiently use available N in northern growing conditions.