Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Denglongia hubeiensis gen. et sp. nov., a New Plant Attributed to Cladoxylopsida from the Upper Devonian (Frasnian) of South China

Denglongia hubeiensis gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Late Devonian Huangjiadeng Formation (Frasnian) of Hubei Province, South China. Main axes and two orders of lateral branches are recognized. The main axis is nodose and has a ridged surface, with a preserved length of up to 34 cm. Four to six first‐order branches, sterile or fertile, are inserted at nodes of the main axis in a whorled pattern. Dense aerial roots occur at basal nodes of main axes, and sparse ones occur at some nodes of first‐order branches. Some first‐order branches bear only ultimate appendages; others bear ultimate appendages proximally and then in turn bear whorls of second‐order branches distally, with an internode length of 40–60 mm. Sterile ultimate appendages are alternately or suboppositely borne on proximal portions of sterile first‐order branches. One or two pairs of umbrella‐shaped fertile structures are borne at the same position as sterile appendages but on fertile first‐order branches. Second‐order branches occur in whorls, with three or four at each node, and bear only sterile ultimate appendages. The fertile structure has an initial dichotomy that forms two sister components, each with lateral branches alternately arranged in a pinnate pattern. Each lateral branch dichotomizes several times, bearing small, fusiform sporangia in clusters of two to four on short branchlets along the inner side of the lateral branch. The plant is anisosporous. It is referred to a new genus and species, D. hubeiensis gen. et sp. nov. Its similarity to and divergence from iridopterid‐cladoxylopsids, Rhacophyton, progymnosperms, and related plants are discussed. At present, Denglongia is assigned to Cladoxylopsida sensu lato in view of an iterative architecture and whorled organotaxis.
The structure and formation of the egg-shell of Hammerschmidtiella diesingi Hammerschmidt (Nematoda: Oxyuroidea)

SUMMARY The structure and chemistry of the egg-shell of Hammerschmidtiella diesingi was examined. The shell consists of 5 layers: external uterine layer, internal uterine layer, vitelline layer, chitinous layer and lipid layer. The uterine layers contain discrete spaces which open to the exterior via pores. Freeze etching revealed particles of 8·0 nm diameter in the external uterine layer and fibres measuring 2·6–3·1 nm in the chitinous layer. The morphology of the reproductive system, the cytoplasmic inclusions of the mature oocyte and the formation of the layers of the egg-shell are described.
Redução da proteína em dietas para tilápias-do-nilo por meio da suplementação de aminoácidos com base no conceito de proteína ideal

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of reduction of protein in diets for Nile tilapia by supplementation of synthetic amino acids on performance, digestibility and diameter of muscle fiber of Nile tilapias. The amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine and arginine) were supplemented to keep the profile of amino acids in the reference diet. It was used 160 fish with initial live weight of 105.7 ± 2.5 g, distributed in 16 tanks (1 m3 each tank) fed diets containing 26.74; 25.82; 23.09 or 22.16% of digestible protein for 110 days. It was not observed any effects of protein levels in the diets on daily weight gain, hepatosomatic index, visceral fat, fillet yield, carcass humidity, crude protein and ash, fillet ash, survival rate and on the white muscle fiber diameter. A linear decrease on apparent digestibility coefficients, gross energy, crude protein, ether extract and phosphorus was observed when protein levels in the diet were reduced. There was a quadratic effect on feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency rate, nitrogen retention, nitrogen excretion, fillet humidity, carcass and fillet fat and fillet protein, in which the best-fit responses were estimated with 24.53, 24.25, 24.04, 25.15, 24.67, 24.14, 24.34 and 25.11% of digestible protein, respectively. It is possible to reduce the dietary protein level from 26.74 to 24.53% for Nile tilapia 100 to 500-g phase.
Changes in phosphorus cycling in a shallow lake due to food web manipulations

SUMMARY. 1. Food web manipulation, by removal of planktivorous or benthivorous fish, is a promising method for reducing phytoplankton concentrations in shallow lakes. The part that nutrients may play in the success of such a measure is not well documented. 2. In this study, we analysed the flow of phosphorus through the food web of the shallow, eutrophic Lake Wolderwijd/Nuldernauw. Our studies occurred in the years 1981 (when a bloom of cyanobacteria occurred) and 1987 (no bloom); a hypothetical situation was also examined in which most of the bream are assumed to be removed. 3. The analysis shows that the success of biomanipulation is probably due not only to an increased grazing pressure on the phytoplankton, but also to a decreased availability of phosphorus. The reason for this is the removal of detrital phosphorus by increased sedimentation as a result of a predicted increase in growth of macrophytes after biomanipulation.
ABUNDANCE AND POPULATION TREND (1978‐2001) OF WESTERN ARCTIC BOWHEAD WHALES SURVEYED NEAR BARROW, ALASKA

The 2001 survey of western Arctic (Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas) bowhead whales was conducted from 5 April to 7 June near Barrow, Alaska. Visual observers recorded a total of 3,295 “new” (not seen before) and 532 “conditional” (possibly seen before) whales in 1,130 h of watch effort, including 121 new calves (3.7% of the new whales). Concurrent with the visual survey, passive acoustic surveillance was conducted almost continuously from 16 April to 31 May, resulting in 27,023 locations of vocalizing bowhead whales. The estimated number of whales within 4 km of the perch (N4) was 7,025 (SE = 1,068). The estimated proportion of the whales within 4 km of the perch (P4) was 0.862 (SE = 0.044, computed by a moving blocks bootstrap). Combining these, the abundance estimate (N4/P4) for 2001 is 10,470 (SE = 1, 351) with a 95% confidence interval of 8, 100–13, 500. The estimated annual rate of increase (ROI) of the population from 1978 to 2001 is 3.4% (95% CI 1.7%-5%). Reports from hunters and results of an aerial survey in June 2001 indicate whales continued to pass Barrow after the survey had ended. In 2001 51% (572 h) of the watch was scored as occurring during “fair-excellent” visibility conditions, somewhat lower than the average for all surveys since 1978. Sea ice in the leads and fog were the principle environmental factors affecting visibility for all years. The estimated rate of increase and the fact that the number of calves counted in 2001 is the highest ever recorded suggest a steady recovery of this population. Other populations of large balaenids, notably the North Atlantic right whale, have failed to recover despite 70 yr of protection. The recovery of the howhead whale is likely attributable to low anthropogenic mortality, a relatively pristine habitat, and a well-managed subsistence hunt. Nonetheless, offshore oil development, increasing shipping traffic, changes in the Bering Sea ecosystem, sea ice retreat, and possibly killer whale predation within its range could impact this bowhead population and should be carefully monitored.
A comparison of the cushion plant communities of New Zealand and Tasmania

Abstract Communities dominated by species of cushion plants are widespread in the alpine and subalpine zones ofNew Zealand and Tasmania. In New Zealand this vegetation type contains six major associations. These are described as alpine herbmoor, cushion bog, high alpine cushion moor, alpinc cushion herbfield, and rock and river shingle cushion communities, their distributions being closely related to particular geomorphic environments. In Tasmania there are four major associations. These are described as AbrotancHa cushion heath, high mountain cushion heath, mosaic cushion heath, and Donatia cushion heath, their distributions being most closely related to altitude, precipitation, and rock type. Ofthe six New Zealand cushion associations, herbmoor and cushion bog have the highest proportion ofspecies also occurring in Tasmania. The differences between Tasmanian and New Zealand cushion associations largely result from differences in topography. Tasmania lacks the rock and river shingle environments, complet.
Caracterizações morfológica e agronômica e divergência genética em germoplasma de trevo-branco

This work aimed to evaluate morphological features of the white clover core collection obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), represented by 78 accessions, in order to characterize the existent morphological variability and to estimate the genetic divergence, using nine characters (eight morphological and one agronomic). Seventeen plants from each access were evaluated individually at the Experimental Station of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Eldorado do Sul and characterized in relation to the following characters: plant height, growth habit, flowering intensity, stolon length, node number per stolon, internode length, stolon diameter, total dry matter yield and leaf area per plant. Using the estimate of Mahalanobis' distance, the results showed that the accessions 1 (PI 195534) and 10 (PI 419325) presented the greatest distance (45.4), while the accessions 58 (PI 180491) and 68 (PI 197830) presented the smallest distance (0.19). The leaf area was the character with the largest individual relative contribution to the genetic divergence (24%), followed by plant height (20%), flowering intensity (19%) and total dry matter yield (15%). There was a positive and highly significant correlation between plant height and leaf area (0.92) and also between stolon length and internode length (0.90).
Biological control of Oligonychus perseae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on avocado: II. evaluating the efficacy of Galendromus helveolus and Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract Two species of commercially available natural enemies, Galendromus helveolus and Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were evaluated as biological control agents against Oligonychus perseae (Acari: Tetranychidae), a foliar pest of avocados in California. Densities of natural enemies and O. perseae were monitored weekly for 32 weeks on trees that were treated with either 3 consecutive releases of G. helveolus, 3 releases of N. californicus, or 3 releases of G. helveolus and N. californicus. Results were compared to trees that received 2 applications of oil and to control trees that received no treatment. Both predator species, either alone or in combination, significantly reduced numbers of O. perseae in comparison to oil-sprayed trees and control trees. Additionally, leaf damage measured as the percentage leaf area damaged by O. perseae feeding was reduced on trees treated with N. californicus alone or in combination with G. helveolus. These results demonstrated that releases of these pr.
High clonality in Acropora palmata and Acropora cervicornis populations of Guadeloupe, French Lesser Antilles

Since the 1980s, population densities of Acroporidae have dramatically declined in the Caribbean Sea. Quantitative censuses of Acroporidae provide information on the number of colonies (i.e. ramets), but not on the number of genetically distinct individuals (i.e. genets). In this context, the aim of our study was to provide an overview of the genetic status of Acropora populations in Guadeloupe by examining the genotypic richness of Acropora palmata and Acropora cervicornis. Using 14 microsatellite loci, we found extremely low genotypic richness for both species from Caye-a-Dupont reef (i.e. 0.125 for A. palmata and nearly zero for A. cervicornis). Because genetic diversity contributes to the ability of organisms to evolve and adapt to new environmental conditions, our results are alarming in the context of ongoing global warming as long periods of clonal growth without sexual recruitment may lead to the extinction of these populations.
Microgeographic Allozyme Variation in Yushan Cane (Yushania niitakayamensis; Poaceae)

Allozyme variation was analyzed in 180 individuals of Yushan cane from adjacent sun and shade microhabitats from three localities on Mt. Hohuan in Taiwan. Significant genetic differentiation according to microhabitat was found for both single and multi-locus comparisons. Moreover, sun sub-populations from different localities clustered together in a neighbor-joining tree based on isozyme genetic distances, as did shade sub-populations. These data not only imply significant local adaptation for different habitats in phenotypically plastic Yushan cane, but also suggest that diversifying selection is acting on allozyme loci or closely linked traits.
Composite trait selection to improve reproduction and ewe productivity: a review

Reproduction and ewe productivity are complex composite traits that are influenced by several component traits. Genetic improvement by selection for an individual component trait may not always be advantageous because adverse or neutral genetic relationships can exist among the component traits. Selection for an overall composite trait of ewe productivity, defined as litter weight weaned per ewe joined, can result in a balanced biological composite trait with favourable responses in component traits including fertility, number of lambs born, lamb survival, lactation and lamb growth. Selection for litter weight weaned may also overcome adverse genetic relationships among reproductive component traits. This review examines the genetic responses of selecting directly for litter weight weaned, compared with selection responses for one or more of its component traits. It is concluded that selection to improve reproductive efficiency and ewe productivity, under most production and environmental systems, would benefit from selection for a composite trait such as litter weight weaned, rather than for a single component trait.
Morphometrics of the eyes and orbits of the nocturnal Swallow-tailed Gull (Creagrus furcatus)

The Swallow-tailed Gull (Creagrus furcatus (Neboux, 1846)) is known for its nocturnal feeding habits and apparently large eyes. Despite frequent observations of its large eyes, detailed measurements of its eyes and orbits are wanting. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of the size and shape of the eye and orbits of this unique species in relation to a range of other gull species. Although the C. furcatus does have a slightly enlarged cornea and optical axis, neither the transverse orbit diameter nor the shape of its eye differs significantly from other larids. In addition, we found no significant difference between C. furcatus and other gulls in terms of its orbit dimensions and orbit orientation. We therefore conclude that C. furcatus does not possess a transversely enlarged eye, but rather a slightly larger cornea and longer eye. Our results do not, however, preclude the presence of other changes in the visual system, such as retinal morphology or neurophysiology, that could be adaptive for nocturnal .
Prediction of the life cycle of the west Japan type yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) by numerical simulations

A temporally structured model that enables simulation of the development of the west Japan type yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris (Pascoe), at different locations was developed. Life history parameter values incorporated into the model were estimated by laboratory rearing experiments. To validate the present model, the development of eggs laid monthly from June 1 through November 1 was simulated under dynamic temperature and photoperiod conditions at Ayabe City. The individuals laid on June 1 did not enter diapause but emerged in early August of the same year. On the other hand, about 2/3 of the individuals laid on July 1, and all those laid on August 1 and September 1 entered diapause (or quiescence), and started to emerge in late May of the following year. Individuals laid on October 1 and November 1 overwintered as young larvae (1st–3rd stadia) and eggs, respectively, and the majority of these emerged in late July–early August. Interestingly, the remaining individuals entered diapause in the 2nd year and emerged in June of the 3rd year. Analyses of these simulation results suggested that concentrated emergence of P. hilaris can occur twice in one year (in late May–early June and in late July–early August) at Ayabe, and this is fairly concordant with known adult prevalence at this location considering the long life-span of adults. It was also suggested that although P. hilaris at Ayabe has basically a univoltine life cycle with a facultative diapause, varying proportions of the population appear to have a bivoltine life cycle or a semivoltine life cycle depending on the meteorological conditions of that year. The life cycle of P. hilaris is suggested to be very flexible and adaptive to environmental fluctuations.
Effects of Meat-conditioning and Lactic Fermentation on Pork Muscle Protein Degradation

Fresh and conditioed pork were incubated with and without lactic acid bacteria, and the meat protein degradation during incubation was investigatd. The combination of meat-conditioning and addition of lactic acid bacteria considerably accelerated the protein degradation of meat mixtures. It was considered that the protein degradation in the lactic fermented pork was caused by proteases originated in meats, and both meat-conditioning and lactic acid fermentation acted as enhancing effectors.
Grazing exclusion alters ecosystem carbon pools in Alxa desert steppe

The Alxa desert steppe has been strongly degraded by overgrazing, contributing c. 22% of the total springtime dust originating from Asia. Previous work in this region has focused on the impacts of grazer exclusion on restoration of vegetation and soil fertility, yet carbon dynamics are not well known. The effects of 7 years of grazer exclusion on carbon dynamics were studied and related to changes in vegetation and soil properties. Removal of grazing resulted in a significantly greater plant cover and aboveground plant biomass compared with areas that had been subject to grazing, but this had no effects on belowground plant biomass. Removal of grazing resulted in significantly decreased soil bulk density in the 0–10 cm layer, increased soil water content (7% cf. 40%) and greater soil microbial biomass C (6% cf. 73%) compared with soils in the grazed area. Soil organic carbon (SOC) pools were lower and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) pools were higher in areas that were excluded from grazing. After 7 years of grazer exclusion, the total C pool in the plant–soil system was 10% greater (primarily due to 21% greater in SIC) than that in the area that had been grazed over that time period.
Non-released cryptomedusoid in the life cycle of Antennella sp. (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Halopterididae) from La Réunion, Indian Ocean

Summary Specimens of Antennella sp. were collected by scuba diving during the austral summer on the outer slope of the fringing reefs located on the western coast of La Réunion (55°30′E, 21°50′S) where the species forms microscopic colonies on red algae. A fertile colony was kept alive in a closed system in the laboratory. Like other Antennella species, it exhibits hermaproditism and sexual dimorphism: gonangia of both sexes are on the same stem, with female gonothecae being clearly bigger than male. In both sexes we observed cryptomedusoids with a subumbrellar cavity, an eccentric spadix surrounded by the gametes and a ring of refringent corpuscles on top. Male gonothecae have a compact blue-grey homogeneous mass of spermatozoa while females contain circa five white-opaque oocytes with a clearly visible darker nucleus. When the gametes were mature, one day after collection, medusoid tissues slid towards the base of the gonotheca in both sexes. Female gametes remained free inside the gonotheca while spermatozoa were liberated in the aquarium and fertilized oocytes. Several embryos at different stages of embryonic development (from morula to blastula) were incubated in a single gonotheca. The planula was not observed. This study revealed a previously undescribed pattern of sexual reproduction in the family Halopterididae involving unreleased cryptomedusoids instead of fixed sporosacs. This may be a more advanced regression stage of the medusa than free cryptomedusoids encountered in related families.
Synergism between biological control and sterile insect technique: Can commercial mass production of biocontrol agents and sterile insects be integrated within the same industrial entity?

Abstract The integration of commercial facilities for mass production of beneficial arthropods (Bio-Bee) and sterile insects (Bio-Fly) within the same industrial entity in Israel has proven successful. The synergism between the two companies has resulted in the integration of nuclear techniques and the use of biocontrol agents in area-wide integrated pest management programmes.
Características quantitativas da carcaça de novilhos jovens e superjovens de diferentes grupos genéticos

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the carcass quantitative characteristics of two categories: steers and young steers, from two genetic groups, 5/8Charolais (CH) 3/8Nelore (NE) and 5/8NE 3/8CH, and to evaluate the relation among studied variables. The animals were fedlot finished until reaching 430 kg of body weight. Steers were slaughtered averaging 22.8 months old and young steers 15.2 months old. The diet, roughage:concentrate ratio of 60:40 (dry matter basis), contained 10.25% crude protein and 3.18 Mcal of digestible energy/kg of dry matter. The experiment was analyzed as a complete randomized design with six replicates, according to a 2 x 2 (two categories x two genetic groups) factorial scheme. Significant interactions were verified for hot (HDP) and cold (CDP) dressing percentage. 5/8NE 3/8CH young steers showed higher HDP (57.51 vs. 54.10%) and CDP (54.84 vs. 52.62%) than 5/8CH 3/8NE of same category and in relation to 5/8NE 3/8CH steers (55.43 vs. 53.84%, respectively). Young steers showed carcasses with higher subcutaneous fat thickness in mm (6.29 vs. 3.22) and mm/100 kg cold carcass weight (2.71 vs. 1.39), cushion thickness (26.58 vs. 25.17 cm), sidecut percentage (13.45 vs. 11.34) and lower sawcut percentage (50.33 vs. 51.39) than steers. Between genetic groups, 5/8CH 3/8NE animals showed carcasses with higher conformation score (11.00 vs. 10.33 points), and 5/8NE 3/8CH higher leg length (72.46 vs. 69.92 cm), arm length (41.92 vs. 38.46 cm) and forequarter percentage (37.54 vs. 36.43). Carcass conformation was positively correlated with Longissimus dorsi area (r = 0.35), cushion thickness (r = 0.23) and arm perimeter (r = 0.15), and negatively with chilling loss of carcass (r = - 0.35). The correlation coefficient was of 0.55 between subcutaneous fat thickness and sidecut percentage.