Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Periphyton communities in New Zealand streams impacted by acid mine drainage

Discharges from historic and current coal mines frequently generate waters low in pH (<3), high in heavy metals (e.g. Fe, Al) and cover streambeds in metal precipitates. The present study investigated periphyton communities at 52 stream sites on the West Coast, South Island, New Zealand, representing a range of impacts from acid mine drainage (AMD). Taxonomic richness was negatively related to acidity and metal oxides and biomass was negatively correlated with metal oxides, but positively related to acidity. Streams with low pH (<3.5) had low periphyton richness (14 taxa across all sites) and were dominated by Klebsormidium acidophilum, Navicula cincta and Euglena mutabilis. As pH increased, so did taxonomic richness while community dominance decreased and community composition became more variable. Canonical correspondence analyses of algal assemblages revealed patterns influenced by pH. These findings indicate that streams affected by AMD possess a predictable assemblage composition of algal species that can tolerate the extreme water chemistry and substrate conditions. The predictability of algal communities declines with decreasing stress, as other abiotic and biotic factors become increasingly more important.
The analysis of long-term changes in plant communities using large databases: The effect of stratified resampling

Abstract Question: Relevés in large phytosociological databases used for analysing long-term changes in plant communities are biased towards easily accessible places and species-rich stands. How does this bias influence trend analysis of floristic composition within a priori determined vegetation types and how can this bias be reduced by resampling methods? Location: The Netherlands. Methods: Basis for the analysis was the Dutch national phytosociological database, consisting of more than 460 000 relevés. For the Cirsio dissecti-Molinietum, Genisto anglicae-Callunetum and the Stellario-Carpinetum betuli, we analysed differences in floristic composition (species frequencies) before and after 1970, using χ2-statistics. We resampled the original dataset, using different types of stratification. The results of the trend analysis with the resampled datasets were compared with the results using the original dataset. Results: In the resampled datasets a much smaller number of plant species showed a significant trend over both periods, compared to the results form the original dataset. Differences could be related to the smaller size of datasets after resampling, but also to avoiding over-representation of certain geographical localities in the datasets. The influence of stratification was different for the three plant communities, due to the different distribution of relevés in time and space. Conclusions: Analysis of long-term changes in plant communities is strongly affected by the uneven spatiotemporal distribution of relevés in different research periods. These effects are reduced by geographical stratified resampling. The results of the trend analysis after stratified resampling are expected to give a more reliable representation of true changes, than the results after using the original data. The scale of stratification is dependent on the structure of the data.
Two new species and new records of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Far East of Russia

Two new species of caddisflies, Lype lubaretsi n . sp . (Psychomyiidae) and Molanna byssa n. sp. (Molannidae), are described and illustrated from Amurskaya Oblast, the Far East of Russia. Six species of caddisflies: Stenopsyche coreana (Kuwayama 1930) (Stenopsychidae), Psychomyiella cruciata Kumanski 1992 (Psychomyiidae), Brachypsyche schmidi Choe, Kumanski and Woo 1999 (Limnephilidae), Adicella longiramosa Yang and Morse 2000, Athripsodes ceracleoides Kumanski 1991 and Leptocerus biwae (Tsuda 1942) (Leptoceridae) are new records for the Russian caddisfly fauna. In addition, the male of A. longiramosa is reillustrated in light of the newly collected material and compared with the original description.
SEASONAL ACTIVITY AREAS OF COYOTES IN THE BEAR RIVER MOUNTAINS OF UTAH AND IDAHO

Abstract We studied the seasonal movement patterns and dispersal of coyotes (Canis latrans) in the Bear River Mountains of northern Utah and southern Idaho to determine whether coyotes in this montane region exhibit an altitudinal migration on a seasonal basis. We used 3 locational parameters to assess whether a seasonal altitudinal migration was evident, including overlap in seasonal activity areas, distance between harmonic mean centers of activity, and seasonal differences in mean elevations of locations. Winter and summer activity areas of every mature coyote overlapped, with mean distances between harmonic centers of seasonal activity of 1.5 km (range = 0.4–3.3 km). Conversely, there was no overlap between summer and winter activity areas of any subadult coyotes, with mean distances between their harmonic seasonal centers of activity of 35.8 km (range = 16.7–68.4 km). Significant changes in elevation of seasonal locations were not evident for any sex or age group. We conclude that the movement of subadult coyotes in the Bear River Range was part of typical dispersal behavior and was not motivated by seasonal change, with such wandering generally ceasing during the coyotes' second year of age. We also conclude that adult coyotes utilized similar areas in summer as in winter, with no evidence of seasonal movements between mountain and locations at lower elevations.
Production, Competition Indices, and Nutritive Values of Setaria Splendida, Centrosema Pubescens, and Clitoria Ternatea in Mixed Cropping Systems in Peatland

This research was conducted to evaluate production, different competition indices and nutritive value of Setaria splendida, Centrosema pubescens , and Clitoria ternatea in monoculture and mix cropping system on peat soil land. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with five treatments and three replications. The five treatments were: S. splendida sole cropping (SS), C. pubescens sole cropping (CP), C. ternatea sole cropping (CT), S. splendida and C. pubescens mix cropping (SS/CP) and S. splendida/C. ternatea mix cropping (SS/CT). The DM yield of S. splendida in mixed cropping with C. pubescens increased 43.4% and in mix cropping with C. ternatea increased 15.7% compared to sole S. splendida . The value of land equivalent ratio of SS/CP (LER SS/CP ) was >1. The LER SS/CT value was 1. The competition ratio (CR) values of S. splendida in both mix cropping were >1. The agressivity (A) values of S. splendida in both mix cropping were positive. The crude protein, NDF and ADF content of forage were not affected by mix cropping system. In conclusion, mix cropping in peatland do not affect productivity and nutritive value of S. splendida, C. pubescens, and C. ternatea. S. splendida is more effective in exploiting environmental resources when intercropped with C. pubescens compared to C. ternatea on peatland.
Species richness and abundance of defoliating Lepidoptera associated with Eucalyptus grandis in Brazil and their response to plant age

The present paper documents patterns of species richness and abundance in Lepidoptera associated with a Eucalyptus grandis plantation, and how these patterns relate to plant age. The large number of species collected (1385), the lack of dominant species and the absence of pest outbreaks during the survey may be related to the high level of plant diversity of the native forest reserves in the area. There was no clear pattern of seasonal variation in species richness, but there were seasonal fluctuations in abundance, with minor defoliator species prevailing in October at the start of the rainy season. Species richness and abundance of Lepidoptera were positively correlated, with both variables decreasing in older plantations. However, the greatest numbers of major outbreak species and minor eucalypt defoliators were observed in plants after the mid-point (6 years old) of their cutting cycle (7–10 years). This may be because of a larger amount of better-quality plant leaves after this mid-point or the reduction in silvicultural management interventions at this period of the Eucalyptus cutting cycle. The abundance of the main outbreak species observed in the survey, Stenalcidia grosica Schaus (Geometridae), was negatively correlated with plant age. Nonetheless, the effect was weak (r = – 0.21, P = 0.03) and we were not able to find further significant correlations between plant age and abundance of the other most frequent and constant species that were collected.
Partitioning genetic effects due to embryo, cytoplasm and maternal parent for oil content in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Analysis of genetic main effects and genotype x environment (GE) interaction effects on the oil content of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) was conducted by using a genetic model for the quantitative traits of seeds in diploid plants. The experiments were carried out over two years with 8 parents and a diallel mating design, which produced F1 and F2 generations. We found that the oil content of rape was simultaneously controlled by embryo genetic effect, cytoplasmic effects and maternal genetic effect as well as GE interaction effects, with the cytoplasmic and maternal effects playing the main role. The results indicate that selection of maternal plants for high oil content would be more efficient than selection based on single seeds. Since the GE interaction effects accounted for 73.69% of the total genetic effects and were more important than the genetic main effects it seems that selection might be influenced by environmental conditions. The estimate of narrow-sense heritability for oil content was 73.52% with the interaction heritability being larger than the general heritability, indicating that the early generations can be used for selection for high oil content. The prediction of genetic effects suggested that the parent cultivars Youcai 601 and Gaoyou 605 were better than the other cultivars for increasing oil content during the breeding of B. napus. The implications for the quantitative trait loci mapping of seed traits interfered by these three genetic systems is also discussed.
Group structure of Sotalia guianensis in the bays on the coast of Paraná State, south of Brazil

To determine the group structure of Sotalia guianensis on the coast of Paraná State, two bays, Baía de Paranaguá and Baía de Guaratuba, were surveyed between March 1999 and February 2000 and between July 2002 and June 2003 respectively. The heterogeneity of the studied areas was considered a relevant factor, therefore these areas were sectored and each sector was investigated independently. The surveys were carried out through boat line transects and all the animals were registered, even those localized between two transects. The records were taken for the quantity of groups as well as for the amount of individuals in each group and, whenever possible, the individuals were classified as calves or adults. The data were treated both separately and comparatively between the two bays and amongst the sectors of each bay. In Baía de Paranaguá, 735 individuals were registered, divided into 253 groups which varied from 2 to 37 individuals for an average of 2.9 individuals per group. Most of the groups presented a family formation (59.29%) and were observed during the morning. The individuals that were clearly identified as calves represented 24% of the total (176 individuals), adults 55% (405 individuals) and 21% (154 individuals) were impossible to determine. In Baía de Guaratuba, only 32 S. guianensis individuals were observed and distributed into 14 groups for an average of 2.13 individuals per group. These groups varied from 2 to 6 individuals mostly in family formations (50%). The same quantity of individuals and groups was observed during different periods of the day. Of the 32 sampled individuals, 25 (78%) were adults, only one was a calf (3%) and 6 (19%) were undetermined.
Design and implementation of rapid assessment approaches for water resource monitoring using benthic macroinvertebrates

Abstract Benthic macroinvertebrates are the group of organisms most widely used for assessment of water resources. Rapid assessment approaches are intended to be efficient and cost effective; savings are found in reduced sampling and more efficient data analysis. Rapid bioassessment programmes have been quickly accepted and now cover most of the United States (US) and equivalent programmes cover all of the United Kingdom (UK). Rapid bioassessment programmes are designed to screen large regions, pinpointing trouble spots worthy of more detailed attention. Fundamental to all rapid bioassessment methods is the classification of streams so that comparisons can be made between reference areas and areas of concern, or test sites with similar characteristics. Both the UK and US approaches assess habitat characteristics. These characteristics are used to predict the fauna expected at a test site in the UK approach; in the US they are used as an aid to classification and interpretation of aquatic faunal data. Habitat assessments in the US are also used to determine whether poor water quality or degraded habitat are stressing the invertebrate communities. This is a major development in approaches to water resource assessment. In the UK, a model developed using multivariate statistics uses a few environmental variables thought to be unaffected by human activities to predict the fauna expected at a test site. The US approaches analyse data using several indices (or metrics) presumed to represent ecological features of interest. These indices have a range of sensitivities to different kinds of stress and must be calibrated for the area of interest. The two approaches have been developed in isolation but may have much to offer each other. Developing programmes are advised to consider both. Future needs include: development of procedures that can be applied to large rivers and to lakes; further refinement of ecological principles underlying metric choice; the inclusion of chemical criteria and toxicity tests to establish thresholds that indicate impairment; and development of criteria indicating the necessity for implementation of quantitative assessment studies.
Field Trips as Cognitive Motivators for High Level Science Learning

Our target this morning was Silver Lake, at the end of a path through the southern woods. This early there would be plenty of waterfowl and maybe even the elusive moose. The students were in high spirits as we moved through the lodgepole pine forest. We planned to bus into the park after our walk to investigate its wildlife and habitats and compare them to those of the volcanic caldera where we were staying at Harriman State Park in Idaho. As we approached the lake, it began.
The hermit crab Sympagurus dimorphus (Anomura: Parapaguridae) at the edge of its range in the south-western Atlantic Ocean: population and morphometry features

Sympagurus dimorphus is one of the 12 hermit crab species recorded for Argentinean waters. Despite the high abundance registered in some scallop fishing grounds, its biology remains little known. In the present study, we analysed some population features of S. dimorphus living in symbiosis with Epizoanthus paguricola from a series of samples taken in the Argentine Sea, south-western Atlantic Ocean. Our results showed that S. dimorphus was commonly found from 40ºS to lower latitudes, in a patchy distribution along the shelf-break front. The overall sex ratio was 1:1. The smallest ovigerous female measured 6 mm in cephalothoracic shield length and this size was used as parameter to define the size of juveniles. The sex ratio size class pattern corresponded to Type IV or anomalous curve. S. dimorphus is a dimorphic species, as evidenced by the larger size of the males and the positive allometric growth of the right cheliped. The species also showed asymmetry, with the left uropod always larger than the right one. To the best to our knowledge, this is the first report on population features and relative growth for a member of the genus, based on long-term sampling. This species presents a patchy distribution along the shelf-break of Argentina. Its density tended to decrease over the five-year sampling period regarding the recruitment of hermits associated with colonies of zoanthids. In addition, the relatively homogeneous nature of this refuge does not seem to influence the growth of the hermit crab, which presents sexual dimorphism in relation to the sex/size conditions.
Effects of aflatoxin B1 on profiles of gonadotropic (FSH and LH), steroid (testosterone and 17β-estradiol) and prolactin hormones in adult male rat

Summary Aflatoxins (AFs) are natural contaminants of feed and feedstuffs, thus the study of the noxious effects of these agents on the male reproductive system is of outstanding importance. Our aim for this study is the evaluation of the effects of oral administration of aflatoxin B1 on the reproductive hormonal changes in adult male rat. Twenty eight Wistar strain male rats were selected for this study. The rats were divided into 4 groups, viz, control (C), test groups (T1, T2, and T3). The toxin doses were prepared in sterile distilled water at 0.8 ppm, 1.6 ppm, 3.2 ppm, and administered through oral gavages, 1 ml/animal/day to groups T1, T2, and T3, respectively for 48 days and each animal of group C was gavaged with 1 ml/day sterile distilled water. The hormonal assays were carried out using ELISA biochemical kits for serum FSH, LH, prolactin testosterone and 17β-estradiol. Results showed that, the levels of serum LH and testosterone were lower (P<0.001), but conversely the levels of FSH and prolactin were higher (P<0.001) in the test groups. The level of 17β-estradiol was affected by significantly falling (P<0.01) only in group T3. We conclude that, the oral administration of the aflatoxin B1 strictly alters the concentrations of FSH, LH, prolactin, and testosterone in male Wistar rats.
Characterization and optimization of xylanase and endoglucanase production by Trichoderma viride HG 623 using response surface methodology (RSM)

Xylanase and endoglucanase production from Trichoderma viride HG 623 and their properties were investigated in this research. By using response surface methodology, the optimal concentrations for xylanase and endoglucanase production were carbon (rice straw: corn straw=6:1), 26.91 g/L; NH4Cl, 3.77 g/L; KH2PO4, 5.31 g/L and carbon (rice straw:corn straw=6:1), 26.99 g/L; NH4Cl, 3.80 g/L, and KH2PO4, 5.23 g/L, respectively. Under these optimal conditions, the xylanase and endoglucanase activity from T. viride HG 623 reached 135.51 and 40.89 IU/g, respectively. Verification of the optimization showed that xylanase and endoglucanase activity were 139.57 and 41.46 IU/g, respectively. The optimal pH of xylanase and endoglucanase activity from T. viride HG 623 was 5.0 and the optimal temperature were 60 and 55°C, respectively. The activity of xylanase and endoglucanase were stable when incubated from 35 to 55°C for 1 h. The xylanase and endoglucanase activity of T. viride HG 623 were stable from pH 3.0 to 7.5 at 50°C. Xylanase activity showed the highest level (150.36 IU/g) when activated by 75 mM of Co 2+ , and endoglucanase activity reached the highest level (36.99 IU/g) when activated by 75 mM of Mg 2+ . The wheat bran was the optimal natural substrate for enzyme production of T. viride HG 623. The results of this study would instruct the cellulase and hemicellulase production on industrial scale.
Turf Performance of Mixtures and Blends of Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Perennial Ryegrass

Additional index words. turfgrass, mixtures, blends, botanical composition, optical point quadrat, simulated traffic, irrigation, Festuca arundinacea, Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne Abstract: Various mixtures of tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb. , Kentucky blue- grass, Poa pratensis L. , and perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L. , may be beneficial for turf culture because of genetic diversity and improved tolerance to environmental stresses compared with a single species. Turf-type tall fescue, dwarf tall fescue, Kentucky blue- grass, and perennial ryegrass were seeded as cultivar blends and in all possible combina- tions as species mixtures in two locations, irrigated and nonirrigated. Turf was mowed at 19 and 51 mm and subjected to an interval of brief, but intensive, simulated traffic. Perennial ryegrass was the dominant species in all mixtures with tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, or both. After 5 years, turf-type tall fescue comprised 62% of mixtures with Kentucky bluegrass when averaged over locations. Dwarf tall fescue comprised 48% of mixtures compared with Kentucky bluegrass at 44%. Kentucky bluegrass was more competitive with tall fescue in the irrigated vs. nonirrigated location. Mowing height effected small changes in populations year to year while simulated traffic had little effect on populations at 1 year following treatment. The advantage of mixing species compared with individual species to reduce disease occurrence was evident on several occasions. Our study supports earlier research reports that tall fescue will remain competitive in mixture with Kentucky bluegrass several years after seeding. tucky bluegrass (KB) blend, 'Baron' + 'America' + 'Merit', and perennial ryegrass (PR) blend, 'Palmer' + 'Manhattan II'+ 'Derby', were seeded as blends and in mix- tures with each of the other blends. All blends consisted of equal parts by seed weight of each component cultivar. Each TF blend was seeded at a rate of 244 kg·ha -1
PHYLOGENY OF PHAGOTROPHIC EUGLENIDS (EUGLENOZOA): A MOLECULAR APPROACH BASED ON CULTURE MATERIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES 1

Molecular studies based on small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences addressing euglenid phylogeny hitherto suffered from the lack of available data about phagotrophic species. To extend the taxon sampling, SSU rRNA genes from species of seven genera of phagotrophic euglenids were investigated. Sequence analyses revealed an increasing genetic diversity among euglenid SSU rDNA sequences compared with other well‐known eukaryotic groups, reflecting an equally broad diversity of morphological characters among euglenid phagotrophs. Phylogenetic inference using standard parsimony and likelihood approaches as well as Bayesian inference and spectral analyses revealed no clear support for euglenid monophyly. Among phagotrophs, monophyly of Petalomonas cantuscygni and Notosolenus ostium, both comprising simple ingestion apparatuses, is strongly supported. A moderately supported clade comprises phototrophic euglenids and primary osmotrophic euglenids together with phagotrophs, exhibiting a primarily flexible pellicle composed of numerous helically arranged strips and a complex ingestion apparatus with two supporting rods and four curved vanes. Comparison of molecular and morphological data is used to demonstrate the difficulties to formulate a hypothesis about how the ingestion apparatus evolved in this group.