Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Between-species patterns of covariation in plant size, seed size and fecundity in monocarpic herbs

Abstract Covariation in plant mass, seed mass and fecundity was investigated for 15 species of monocarpic herbs (annuals and biennials) harvested at final developmental stage from recently disturbed habitats. Above-ground vegetative mass and fecundity varied by over three orders of magnitude and seed mass varied by over two orders of magnitude across species. Eighty-eight percent of the variation in fecundity across species was explained by covariation in the other two characters as predictor variables in a least squares regression model; fecundity increased significantly and proportionately with increasing above-ground vegetative mass but decreased significantly and proportionately with increasing individual seed mass. Individual seed mass and above-ground vegetative mass were positively correlated across species when fecundity was held constant under partial correlation. The results indicate that none of the relationships between these characters are size-dependent, i.e., the traditional trade-off, predicted by life history theory, between seed size and fecundity is isometric across species, as is the increase in both fecundity and total seed mass with increasing vegetative mass. Allometric (size-dependent) relationships for these characters have been reported in previous studies where developmental stage was not controlled across species; the detection of isometric relationships in the present study may therefore be a consequence of measuring whole-genet, lifetime fecundity and above-ground vegetative mass for all study species. A general hypothesis is presented for the interpretation of covariation in plant size, seed size and fecundity across species in which the principal selection mechanism involves ‘time limitation’. The amount of time available for growth (before density-independent mortality, e.g., from disturbance) selects for the level of precocity necessary to reproduce before death. This affects the level of constraint on maximum attainable plant size, i.e., smaller when shorter-lived. This, in turn, affects reproductive output, which can be greater when longer-lived, expressed as greater fecundity and/or larger seed size. However, both cannot be maximized because of the inherent trade-off between seed size and fecundity for plants of a given size.
Headwater captures and the phylogenetic structure of freshwater fish assemblages: a case study in central Brazil

Aim The astonishing diversity of Neotropical fishes results from historical and ecological processes intrinsically related to the geomorphological evolution of this region. Headwater captures are important biogeographical processes that promote dispersal or isolation of fish populations between watersheds. We investigate the effects of headwater captures on the phylogenetic structure of stream fish assemblages among watersheds in the Brazilian Shield highlands. Location Headwaters of Tocantins, Parana and Sao Francisco watersheds, Brazilian Shield, Neotropical region. Methods Based on the phylogenetic relationships of 70 native fish species, we quantified the phylogenetic diversity of each basin, as well as species richness and the phylogenetic beta diversity between basins. Results The Upper Parana basin showed higher richness and phylogenetic diversity, indicating phylogenetically distant species composition. The number of shared species and phylogenetic beta diversity values were not different from the null expectation, indicating recent exchange of species between the basins. Main conclusions Our results suggest that the fish assemblage of the Upper Parana basin is older and many species colonized recently the neighbouring Upper Tocantins and Sao Francisco basins, highlighting the impact of headwater captures on the community assembly of Neotropical fishes.
Effect of Probiotics on performance and nutrients digestibility of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fed Low Protein Diets

This study was carried out at fish laboratory of Animal Production Department, National Research Center, Dokki ,Egypt using two commercial probiotics (Premalac and Biogen) to study their effects on growth the performance of Nile Tilapia fed diets with slightly lower levels of crude protein. Premalac is a dried fermented product of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Aspergillus oryzae extract , Bifedobacterium bifedum , Streptococcus faecium , Torula yeast , skim milk , vegetable oil and CaCo3. Biogen is a dried natural product composed of Allicin , high unit hydrolytic enzymes, Bacillus subtilis and Ginseng extract. The basal diets were formulated to contain 30, 27.5 and 25.0% crude protein (CP), each was either supplemented or not with either Premalac or Biogen at 2g /kg diet. The experiment was conducted in 3x3 factorial design and included nine treatments each in three replicates (aquaria) in which 20 fingerlings mono sex Nile tilapia of the same size and weight (1 gram) were stocked in each aquarium. The actual experimental feeding trials durated for four months. Results indicated that the lowest CP level (25%) in tilapia diets without or with the tested probiotics recorded the worst values of growth performance parameters and nutrients digestibility. The use of either Premalac or Biogen at 2g/kg diet in diets with 27.5% crude protein was more efficiently than those containing 30% CP,. in addition, it gave best values of economic efficiency. However, Biogen was more superior than Premalc. In other words, these probiotics spared nearly 2.5% CP of the recommended level for tilapia. This result would be effective from the economical point of view, since protein is the most expensive feed nutrient in all live stock feeding, particularly fish. (Nature and Science. 2010;8(5):46-53). (ISSN: 1545-0740).
Silicon Effects on Growth Acclimatization and Stress Tolerance of Bioreactor Cultured Ornithogalum dubium Plants

Scaling-up in liquid medium in bioreactors provided an efficient economic micropropagation system for bulb and corm plants. Continuous aeration and circulation in bioreactors effects plant function and morphogenesis. Abnormal structure and hyperhydricity can be alleviated by temporary immersion and short period treatments of growth retardants. Abnormal plant growth may also be due to the lack of Silicon (Si) in plastic or non-silicate glass containers, as well as due to the use of double distilled water. Silicon is not considered an essential plant element, yet it is accumulated by plant roots and transported to the stems and leaves. The addition of sodium silicate to Ornithogalum dubium in liquid MS medium containing 8.9 μM BA and 0.54 μM NAA in disposable pre-sterilized 1.5-L plastic bioreactors, was studied. The addition of 50-150 mg/L, which was found to be the effective range, to a bioreactor containing 1.2 L medium, increased the plant dry weight to fresh weight ratio. It improved leaf growth, epidermal tissue structure, cell wall percent of the total cell biomass and the chlorophyll content in the treated leaves. The addition to the medium, of 100 mg/L Si, reduced shoot malformation, and increased plant firmness and mechanical strength. Abnormal plant morphology in liquid medium is known to be associated with oxidative stress. Si reduced H 2 O 2 level in the leaves of regenerated plants and lowered the activity of the enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (AP) ascorbate oxidase (AC) and glutathione reductase (GR). The possibility that in several in vitro culture systems the use of double distilled water and non-silicate containing glass or plastic containers may effect plant growth and structure due to the lack or low levels of Si, will be discussed.
Comparison between Bacteriological Isolation and Molecular Detection of E. coli from Chickens Suffering from Colibacillosis and/or Diarrhea -

In the current study, we compared the efficiency of PCR detection to culture-dependent isolation of E. coli, as a model, from the liver and intestinal contents. Further, the incidence differences of E. coli isolation from the liver and intestine. Samples were collected from birds suffering from respiratory manifestation and/or diarrhea. Ninety E. coli isolates were recovered from 60 birds (52 intestinal and 38 liver samples) by bacteriological culture on selective broth and selective agar. PCR was performed using pho-A gene as a general marker for E. coli on DNA directly purified from the samples and assigned PCR (a). Negative PCR (a) samples were cultured on broth and another PCR was done, assigned PCR (b). Bacteriological isolation was more sensitive than PCR (a) indicating that inhibitors in the samples could have reduced or totally blocked the amplification capacity of PCR (a), which limited its diagnostic usefulness. PCR (b) was more sensitive than PCR (a) and more practical than bacteriological isolation. Detection of three virulence genes; iut-A, iss and tsh, showed genotypic variations of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) isolated from the liver and the intestine. In conclusion, an enrichment step results in more sensitive PCR than culture performed one. Further, general genes rather than virulence genes should be used as an indicator for E. coli detection in infected materials.
A new ornithocheirid, Barbosania gracilirostris gen. et sp. nov. (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) from the Santana Formation (Cretaceous) of NE Brazil

An almost complete, ornithocheirid pterosaur from the Romulado Member of the Santana Formation, NE Brazil is described. The specimen lacks a rostral and dentary median sagittal crest and is sufficiently distinct from other crestless taxa to warrant the erection of a new genus and species, Barbosania gracilirostris gen. et sp. nov. It confirms the absence of a crest as a genuine con- dition rather than a consequence of ontogenetic immaturity and indicates a shift from the previously observed pattern of suture closure in pterodactyloid pterosaurs, where partial fusion of the extensor tendon process has occurred at a relatively small size. Several specimens showing mor- phology similar to Brasileodactylus may instead be more closely allied to B. gracilirostris.
Revalidation of Tursiops gephyreus Lahille, 1908 (Cetartiodactyla: Delphinidae) from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean

Historically, the taxonomic status of the bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops, has been confusing. Over 20 nominal species have been described in, or transferred to, the genus, but most them have been synonymized under T. truncatus, the type species of the genus. Here, we review the taxonomic status of Tursiops gephyreus Lahille, 1908, from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWA), a taxon long considered as either synonym or subspecies of T. truncatus. We examined a total of 280 bottlenose dolphin skulls, including the lectotype of T. gephyreus. We examined all specimens for morphological (14 characters) and morphometric (29 measurements) differences. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to test differences between groups. Based on qualitative and quantitative analyses of skulls as well as the vertebrae number of Tursiops specimens from SWA, we recognized 2 distinct morphological forms of bottlenose dolphins in the region, consistent with treatment of 2 species under the “diagnosable version of the Phylogenetic Species Concept. ” Six qualitative characters are reliable for the identification of both species in the SWA, but the shape of the nasal process of the right premaxilla alone is sufficient to separate the species. Furthermore, the total number of vertebrae is higher in T. truncatus (62–64) than in T. gephyreus (57–59). Based on these results, we propose the revalidation of T. gephyreus. Since T. gephyreus was recognized as inhabiting the estuaries and the surf zone alongside the Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina coasts, the conservation efforts must take into account that this region presents similar threats to the species.
Changes in erythrocyte and thrombocyte aggregation after ultraviolet irradiation

: Lipid peroxidation which occurs in blood serum under ultraviolet irradiation was studied. The products of these reaction suppress ADP-induced aggregation of native platelets. The rouleaux-forming capacity increased after UV-irradiation of plasma and serum albumin. Under UV-irradiation the aggregates of albumin molecules are supposed to form the aggregates of albumin molecules which bind the erythrocytes in rouleaux.
USE OF SOIL ANIMALS AS BIOINDICATORS OF VARIOUS KINDS OF SOIL MANAGEMENT IN NORTHERN JAPAN

As the soil invertebrate fauna is expected to modify several properties of upland soils in agriculture, the effect of the soil fauna on the soil properties and soybean growth under several kinds of soil management depending on the soil type, nitrogen source, tillage, insecticide and herbicide was investigated. Number of hand-sorted earthworms was positively correlated with the amount of soil aggregates (>diam. 2 mm) (r=0.85, p<0.01), and that of oribatid mites (Acari: Cryptostigmata) extracted by using modified Tullgren funnels was positively correlated with the nitrate nitrogen concentration in the soil (r=0.89, p<0.01). Number of oribatid mites was positively correlated with the content of total nitrogen and the content of total soil carbon in a Gray Lowland soil (both: r=0.99, p<0.01) and a Brown Forest soil (not significant), but negatively in an Andosol. The stem length of soybean cultivated on those soils showed a positive correlation with the number of earthworms (r=0.54, p<0.05) and oribatid mites (r=0.62, p<0.05), while the stem weight of soybean with the number of macrofauna organisms (r=0.61, p<0.05) and earthworms (r =0.8, p<0.01), respectively. The correlations between the number of soil invertebrates and yield or quality of soybean were not significant in this survey. Discipline: Soils, fertilizers and plant nutrition Additional key words: soil invertebrates, earthworms, oribatid mites
Alleviation of seeding chlorosis by plant growth regulators in drip-irrigated rice

ABSTRACT Drip irrigation can produce high rice yields with significant water savings; therefore, it extends rapidly in water-scarce northern China. However, drip-irrigated rice seedlings often exhibit Fe chlorosis. The objective of this field experiment was thus to determine the ability of plant growth regulators to alleviate chlorosis in drip-irrigated rice seedlings. The study compared three plant growth regulators (1-naphthylacetic acid, NAA; sodium nitrophenolate, CSN; and diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate, DA-6) applied in two ways (seed-soaking and drip-application). The results showed that CSN increased root oxidation activity by 37% in the seed-soaking treatment and by 45% in the soil-application treatment. Seed soaking with NAA, CSN, and DA-6 increased the active Fe content in leaves by 8.8%, 17.5%, and 11.4%, respectively, compared with untreated seedlings. Iron absorption and SPAD values were both greater in the soil-application plots than in the seed-soaking plots. Among the plant growth regulators, CSN resulted in the highest yield (2.2% greater than untreated rice in the seed-soaking treatment and 12.8% greater than untreated rice in the soil-application treatment). In conclusion, CSN significantly improved root Fe uptake at the seedling stage and reduced chlorosis in drip-irrigated rice. Therefore, CSN drip application can be recommended for alleviating rice chlorosis in practical use.
Penny and penny laid up will be many: large Yellow anacondas do not disregard small prey

The study of diet may help to predict the consequences of ontogeny and sexual size dimorphism in resource use. Although diet changes are expected in dimorphic species, ontogeny can be a factor in determining the degree of diet variation within a species. We studied large sexually dimorphic predator, the Yellow anaconda Eunectes notaeus, to learn how influences of sex and size on diet might lead to intersexual niche divergence, therefore avoiding intraspecific competition. We tested the consequences of sexual size dimorphism via two foraging metrics: prey size and feeding frequency. To test the consequences of ontogeny on trophic niche metrics, we related changes in feeding frequency and maximum prey size to increase in anaconda body size. Finally, we tested whether diet composition changed between sexes to the point where it could lead to reduced competition. While females (the larger sex) did eat larger prey compared to males, this effect disappeared when we removed the effect of body size. Females ate more frequently than males, even with body size effect was removed. Predator-prey size ratios were positively affected by maximum prey size, and as expected from foraging theory, did not increase minimum prey size. Feeding frequency did not display any ontogenetic effects. While diet composition varied between sexes, overlap is high. This indicates that variations in resource use as a product of sex-based differences in size are negligible in Yellow anacondas. Although females feed more frequently, this may be an effect of the greater energetic costs of reproduction. Ontogeny has a positive effect on maximum prey size, though this is a general trend, and has already been demonstrated for several other species. Finally, understanding of sex-based changes in resource use will be improved if it can be determined whether such phenomena are consequences rather than causes for sexual size dimorphism.
Genetic linkage map of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) using SNP markers

Genetic linkage maps provide a genomic framework for quantitative trait loci identification applied in marker assisted selection breeding in crops with limited resources. It serves as a powerful tool to breeders for analysing the mode of inheritance of genes of interest and monitoring of the transmission of target genes from parents to progeny. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers have a great influence on mapping research studies: for faster development of new varieties of crops due to its abundance and high number of polymorphism. Thus, this research work aimed at constructing genetic linkage map of cowpea using SNP markers. This will facilitate development of new varieties of cowpea. Single seed descent method of breeding was used to generate mapping population between IT-95K-193-12 and Ife-Brown. Fresh leaves from both parental lines and F1 hybrids were genotyped with 135 SNP markers. Data from125 polymorphic SNP markers were used to construct linkage map. Results revealed 12 linkage maps with an average of 10 markers to a chromosome and average marker distance of 3.02 cM between the markers. Constructed map provides basic information that could assist in genetic improvement of cowpea, most especially in developing brown blotch resistant cowpea varieties through detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for brown blotch resistance in cowpea when utilizing marker assisted selection method. Key words: Cowpea, genetic linkage map, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, brown blotch resistance.
The Transport of Sugar, Water, and Ions into Developing Potato Tubers

Diurnal variations in the pattern of movement of sugars, water, and ions into developing tubers of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were investigated. It was demonstrated using a recording balance that large increases in the fresh weight of tubers occur during a dark period of reduced transpiration. Movement of assimilated 14C did not reflect similar large changes and much of the weight change observed is considered to be fluctuations in tuber water content. This water was shown to be moving predominantly through the xylem of the stolon by introducing labelled ions, 32P and 89Sr into the plants. 32P, which moves in both xylem and phloem, was transported to the tuber at a constant rate whereas 89Sr, which behaves like calcium and is relatively immobile in the phloem, only moved into the tuber during the dark period. As well as the over-all long-term diurnal fluctuations several smaller rapid changes were recorded in the rate of water movement. Switching from darkness to light caused a transient increase followed by a rapid decrease in tuber weight. Switching from light to darkness caused a rapid increase in tuber weight. In some experiments small oscillations in tuber weight were recorded. The possibility of these oscillations being directly related to cyclic changes in transpiration is considered. The results are discussed in relation to solute movement within plants.
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SUBSTRATES ON FISH PRODUCTION AND WATER QUALITY IN PERIPHYTON BASED POLYCULTURE OF MAJOR CARPS

The study was designed to assess the effects of periphyton grown on different substrates on water quality and production of major carps cultured in zero water exchange system. Three experimental treatments included; T1 (Control): without substrate, T2: using PVC pipes substrates, T3, using Bamboo poles substrates. Fish seed of Labeo rohita: Cirrhinus mrigala and Gibelion catla were stocked in cemented tanks in 1:1:1 ratio at stocking density of 3 fishm-2 for 60 days period. Survival rate of L. rohita, C. mrigala and G. catla was significantly higher (p<0.05) in substrates based treatments. In T1, T2 & T3, it was found to be 34.09%, 81.82% & 90.91% for L. rohita; 22.73%, 100.0% & 100.0% for C. mrigala and 36.36%, 90.91% & 100.0% for G. catla respectively. Total fish biomass of L. rohita, C. mrigala and G. catla harvested at the end of trial was 2.24, 4.32 and 1.42 times higher in treatment with bamboo poles as substrates and 1.18, 3.64 and 0.75 time higher in PVC pipes based treatment than that of control. Concentration of ammonia and nitrite was found to be significantly low in treatments with periphyton than control. High fish survival in periphyton based systems can be attributed to bioremediation through bioprocesses of their ubiquitous microbial biofilms.
Effects of rainfall on bird reproduction in a semi-arid Neotropical region

In semi-arid ecosystems, birds commonly use rainfall as a reliable environmental cue to adjust the timing and strength of their reproductive activity. Here we evaluate this hypothesis for a community of birds in the Caatinga (the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil), using brood patch information and nest abundance. Sampling occurred every 14 days between September 2012 and August 2013 (brood patch), and every three or four days during the reproductive period (nests). Abundance of brood patches and nests were correlated, and all brood patches were recorded between March and July (4.5 to 5.0 months). We recorded three peaks of brood patch abundance: the first 28 days after the first rains, the second 14 days after the second rainfall peak, and the third synchronously with the third rainy period. These results indicate that intra-annual variation in local rainfall has the potential to account for variations in the timing and intensity of reproduction in the studied birds.
The Growth and Development of Mice in Three Climatic Environments

Pregnant mice were placed in rooms at three different environmental temperatures: hot, temperate and cold. The hot and cold environments were less favourable than the temperate as judged by incidence of both prenatal and postnatal mortality of the young. The growth and development of the young was studied during the first 4 weeks of life. Body weight was expressed on the logarithmic scale throughout, and since males were found to be significantly heavier than females the two sexes were considered separately. The inverse relation between body weight and number of mice in a litter, reflecting competition between litter mates, was particularly marked in the cold and was still increasing 4 weeks after birth. In the hot and temperate environments the effect reached a maximum at 2-3 weeks of age. When allowance had been made for the effect of litter size on body weight, no significant differences in rate of growth or development were found between the mice in the hot and temperate environments. Both growth and development were markedly retarded in the cold.