Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MOLECULAR ANALYSIS REVEALS CRYPTIC DIVERSITY IN PORPHYRA (RHODOPHYTA) 1

The small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene was amplified from 15 species of the red alga Porphyra and digested with restriction enzymes to generate data for species identification. The subset of species selected for phylogenetic analysis was P. cuneiforms (Setchell et Hus) Krishnamurthy, P. nereocystis anderson, P. schizophylla Hollenberg et Abbott, P. thuretii Setchell et Dawson and Porphyra 1674. Bangia sp. was used as an out‐group. Restriction sites were mapped and used as characters in parsimony and maximum likelihood analysis. The phylogenetic hypotheses generated were compared statistically to possible alternative phylogenies based on traditional morphological taxonomic characters. The results indicate that the current subgenera in Porphyra do not represent monophyletic groups and that traditional morphological and ecological taxonomic characters alone may not be adequate for definitive species identification and cannot be relied on as an indication of Porphyra have large insertions in the SSU gene that are apparently splicesd from the final SSU rRNA molecule. The possible character, distribution and potential significance of these putative introns are discussed.
Acoustic identification of four species of bats (Order Chiroptera) in central Chile

Echolocation calls of four species of insectivorous bats of central Chile were recorded and characterized to determine vocal signatures that allow their identification in the field. Pulses of Tadarida brasiliensis were characterized by the highest duration and the lowest values for all frequencies, which do not overlap those of the remaining species. Tadarida emits narrowband, shallow frequency-modulated search calls. All three vespertilionid species studied (Histiotus montanus, Lasiurus varius and Myotis chiloensis) showed similar echolocation design to one another, consisting of a downward frequency modulation at the beginning of the signal followed by a narrowband quasi-constant frequency component; however, their calls differ by their spectral characteristics. Discriminant function analysis of six acoustic parameters (duration, initial frequency, slope frequency modulation, peak frequency, minimal and maximal frequencies) gave an overall classification of 87.4%, suggesting species could be correctly classified based on echolocation calls. Call duration and minimal frequency were the variables most important for species identification.
Factors affecting meiofaunal community structure in the Pina Basin, an urbanized embayment on the coast of Pernambuco, Brazil

Intertidal meiofauna were collected from various locations around the Pina Basin, Recife, Brazil. The basin is a shallow restricted environment which receives large quantities of untreated sewage, and is therefore polluted, eutrophic and hypoxic. The meiofauna were identified to major taxa (nematodes, copepods, polychaetes, oligochaetes, turbellarians, gastrotrichs, rotifers, ostracods, acari, and juvenile amphipods and bivalves) and counted. Subsamples of nematodes were extracted and identified to the level of genus. The nematode community structure was typical of organically-enriched intertidal areas world-wide. Various environmental measurements were made, including sediment structure, salinity, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand in the overlying water. Of these the latter two were shown to be most closely linked to variation in meiobenthic community structure. A much closer link was shown between variation in nematode assemblage structure, biochemical oxygen demand in the overlying water and gravel content of the sediment.
Decadal Climatic Anomalies in the Northern Adriatic Sea Inferred from a New Oceanographic Data Set

In 1997, Artegiani et al. depicted for the first time the seasonal climatology of the Adriatic Sea; they used the ATOS data set, formed by 5540 oceanographic stations sampled over this continental basin from 1911 to 1980. Lately, two Italian institutes working on the Adriatic Sea for long time, IBM and IRPEM, merged their recent data sets for the northernmost part of the basin. This yielded 3600 new oceanographic stations, concentrated in an area where 809 ATOS stations were located. The new data were quality checked, and then a seasonal climatology was drawn up as a first analysis step. The new climatology differed significantly from the ATOS results; this could be explained, at least partially, by the climatic changes that have occurred on this area. For example, air temperature increased significantly over northern Italy starting from 1988. Variations of the observed air temperature and Po River runoff qualitatively agree with sea surface temperature and salinity variations. A preliminary computation of heat fluxes based on ECMWF reanalysis confirms an increased heat flux to the Northern Adriatic Sea starting from 1988.
Interannual changes of the Arabian Sea productivity

Abstract Inter-annual changes in temperature and chlorophyll a across the Arabian Sea (subdivided into 61 2-degree regions) were analysed. For each 2-degree region, from appropriate databases, remotely sensed chlorophyll a, sea surface temperature, and wind speed time series were retrieved. Spatial and temporal trend analysis showed physical–biological oscillations with dominant periods of 12 and 6 months (reflecting the seasonality of monsoonal winds) with a globally warming trend, but no overall increase in chlorophyll during the period 1997–2009. Variation coefficients of the inter-annual time series of chlorophyll a implied high variability in western regions of the sea in comparison to eastern regions. The basin-wide maps of chlorophyll distribution did not show the enlargement of the productive area over time and overall, not only did the Arabian Sea not get more productive, but several regions in its eastern basin showed a decline in chlorophyll a concentration.
The dark side of the cell wall: Molecular genetics of plant cuticle

The deposition of lipid-based polymers makes the outermost layer of the plant epidermis very special. Recent advances in the study of cuticular polymers in Arabidopsis thaliana, an established model system for genetic studies, have made it possible to understand how plants protect themselves from the damaging effects of dehydration, toxic chemicals and pathogens. Mutational analysis of relevant pathways has revealed that a surprisingly large set of diverse traits may be affected by defects in the formation of the cuticle. Alterations in cell shape and deformation of organs in some mutants, and the expression of the corresponding genes in roots, suggest that the mutated genes may actually be required for the biosynthesis of a suberin-like material, which is deposited inside epidermal cell walls. Rapid progress in genome sequencing and the availability of chemical inhibitors offer a promising means of exploring cuticle biosynthesis in many other plant species.
Biological interactions between the cereal aphids Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and Sitobion avenae (F.) (Horn., Aphididae) on wheat

Longevity and fecundity of the bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), and the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (F.), reared at various densities on caged wheat plants were observed under laboratory conditions. On heading plants, R. padi responded to intraspecific competition by having a significantly shorter life and lower fecundity. When infested with 4 R. padi + 4 S. avenae on the same plant, S. avenae had either no effect or a positive effect on longevity and fecundity of R. padi. The presence of R. padi on wheat sedlings, however, appeared to increase longevity and fecundity of S. avenae. Both species had reduced longevity and fecundity when 16 R. padi + 16 S. avenae were placed on the same plant. The bird cherry‐oat aphid preferred lower parts of the heading plant, while the English grain aphid preferred the plant head. The presence of the two species did not affect the spatial distribution of each aphid species on the plant. Only when crowded by its own species, S. avenae spread downward to avoid intraspecific competition on the wheat head.
Ecological aspects of fin whale and humpback whale distribution during summer in the Norwegian Sea

The Norwegian Sea is a migration and feeding ground for fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in summer. During the last decade, significant structural changes in the prey community, including northerly expansion and movement in the distribution of pelagic fish species, have been reported from this ecosystem. However, little information on whale feeding ecology exists in the Norwegian Sea and surrounding waters. A total of 59 fin whales and 48 humpback whales were sighted during 864 h of observation over an observation distance of about 8200 nmi (15,200 km) in the Norwegian Sea from 15 July to 6 August 2006 and 2007. The fin whale group size, as mean (±SD), varied between one and five individuals (2.1 ± 1.2 ind.) and humpback whale group size varied between one and six individuals (2.5 ± 1.7 ind.). Fin- and humpback whales were observed mainly in the northern part of the study area, and were only found correlated with the presence of macro-zooplankton in cold Arctic water. Humpback whales were not correlated with the occurrence of adult Norwegian spring-spawning herring (Clupea harengus) except for the northernmost areas. Despite changes in the whale prey communities in the Norwegian Sea, no apparent changes in fin- or humpback whale distribution pattern could be found in our study compared to their observed summer distribution 10–15 years ago.
Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): its predation upon the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its incidence in potatoes and surrounding crops

The polyphagous coccinellid Coleomegilla maculate DeGeer fed on eggs and small larvae of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Prey consumption rates were highly correlated with temperature. This predator did not prefer aphids over potato beetle larvae in choice tests, but consumption of larvae decreased as aphid densities increased. Field cage studies demonstrated that C. maculata adults can significantly reduce populations of Colorado potato beetle eggs and small larvae. The incidence of C. maculata adults was monitored in early- and late-planted potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum ) in Rhode Island and Michigan. This predator coincided with first-generation Colorado potato beetle prey in early-planted potatoes in both states and with second-generation potato beetle prey in late-planted potatoes in Rhode Island. C. maculata also was found in cole crops, snap beans, cucurbits, and sweet corn in 1986 and in alfalfa and sweet corn in 1987, and the highest densities were observed in sweet corn during pollen production. Using observed temperatures and phenological models from the literature, we determined that C. maculata has the potential to complete two or three generations per year in Rhode Island and three or four generations per year in Michigan. The actual number of generations is probably dependent on its residence and dynamics in several adjacent crops.
Stable Isotopes and Gut Analyses to Determine Feeding Relationships in Saltmarsh Macroconsumers

Abstract While some saltmarsh vegetation is exported by tides to coastal waters, most saltmarsh vegetation remains and decomposes on site. After microbial action, this plant material can be assimilated by macro-invertebrates. Diets of the amphipodsOrchestia gammarellusandCorophium volutator, the polychaeteHediste diversicolorand the pulmonateOvatella bidentatawere analysed using isotopic analysis, together with direct description of gut contents forO. gammarellus. Analysis of carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions, as well as of gut analyses, showed that the diet ofO. gammarellusconsisted of more than 50% plant detritus, although its origin was difficult to identify in gut contents. For other species studied, benthic diatoms were the most important food source, sometimes exclusively so forO. bidentataandC. volutator, and were otherwise sometimes associated with plant detritus forH. diversicolor. In this study, isotopic analyses provided a good indication of macro-invertebrate diets. The results confirm those of other studies which indicate that these four invertebrates are deposit feeders.
A COMPARATIVE-EXAMINATION OF LIFE-SPAN AND FECUNDITY IN PARASITOID HYMENOPTERA

(1) Body size and ecological differences are often assumed to be related to measures of life-span and fecundity in insects. These relationships have never been demonstrated across species while controlling for the effects of taxonomic relatedness. (2) Here I present the first tests of the hypotheses that life-span and fecundity are correlated with adult size and ecological differences across species within an insect taxon, using 474 species of parasitoid Hymenoptera. (3) No evidence is found for relationships between adult length and either adult lifespan or fecundity. Body length correlates less well with life-history variation in parasitoids than it does in vertebrate taxa. Adult length is found to correlate with other components of life-span, although the proportion of variance it explains is low. (4) None of the components of life-span are found to correlate with any of the ecological variables with which relationships are predicted. Fecundity only correlates significantly with parasite window (the period for which an individual host is vulnerable to attack by a given parasitoid species), but this relationship is not in the predicted direction. (5) Several ecological differences are correlated with components of preadult life-span when the effects of body size are controlled for: parasitoids of poorly concealed hosts have shorter incubation periods, koinobionts (species in which the host is not killed until the immature parasitoid has almost completed development) have longer pupal periods and preadult life-spans than idiobionts (species in which the host is permanently paralysed or killed by the adult parasitoid before oviposition), temperate species have longer developmental periods than tropical species, and the developmental periods of egg parasitoids are longer than those of pupal parasitoids. Parasitoids with more vulnerable juvenile stages spend less time in these stages. (6) The results are interpreted as reflecting different degrees of variation in the environments of adult and immature parasitoids: immatures may face less variable, more precisely defined environments, as the result of their close associations with their hosts. As a consequence, life-history variation can be more precisely related to environmental differences for immature parasitoids than it can for adults.
Assessing the impact of domestic goat (Capra hircus) damage upon maize yield in a Ugandan subsistence farming context

Capra hircus is a highly adaptable and globally distributed mammal species. Its voracious browsing has made feral populations the focus of extensive pest control operations. However, goats are an important component of many subsistence farming systems, and farmers frequently have to balance their role within the agricultural matrix against considerable damage to immature crops. This paper examines the impact of domestic goat damage upon maize production in northwest Uganda. Nine experimental plots of maize were grown in a farm on the southern edge of Budongo Forest Reserve; three were pruned by goats once a week, three were pruned once a month and three were left to grow without intervention. Maize cobs from goat-damaged plants were significantly shorter and lighter than control groups, demonstrating that preventing domestic animals access to valuable food crops will maximise production. However, subsistence farmers in this area do not consider livestock damage to be a significant risk to crops. I consider the reasons for this disparity, focusing on intolerance to damage by wild animals, and the role of maize leaves in providing quality fodder for domestic species. Controlled pruning of mature maize plants is proposed as a way to balance grain yield and livestock productivity within African subsistence farming systems.
Genetic parameters for somatic cell score for Polish Black-and-White cattle estimated with a random regression model

Department of Animal Breeding and Production, Cattle Breeding Division, Warsaw Agricultural University Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warszawa, Poland(Received 5 June 2006; revised version 7 May 2007; accepted 6 September 2007)ABSTRACTGenetic parameters for somatic cell score (SCS) for Polish Black-and-White cattle were estimated using 52,599 test day records from the ﬁrstsixlactationsof8,418cows,andtheBayesianmethod via Gibbs sampling. The two-trait random regression (RR) model included ﬁxedherd-year-month of test effect, ﬁxedregressionswithingeneticgroupbyageatcalvingbyseasonofcalvingsubclasses, and random regressions for additive genetic and permanent environment effects. First and subsequent lactations were treated as separate traits. Fourth-order Legendre polynomials were used for regressions. There were 200,000 samples of (co)variances for random effects generated with the ﬁrst20,000samplesastheburn-inperiod.Genetic variances were in the range of 0.37 to 0.76 throughout ﬁrstparityand0. 43to0.91throughout later parities, with averages of 0.41 and 0.48, respectively. Variances for permanent environment increased from 1.04 to 1.37 throughout the ﬁrst,andfrom1.11to2. 00throughoutsubsequent parities. Estimates of heritabilities were from 0.11 to 0.20 for ﬁrstand0. 13to0.22forsubsequent lactations, indicating stronger genetic resistance to mastitis in later parities. The highest values of heritability were observed at peripheries. Genetic correlations for SCS between ﬁrstandlater parities for different days in milk (DIM) were all less than 0.5, with the highest values in midlactation.KEY WORDS: somatic cell score (SCS), genetic parameters, random regression model, Legendre polynomialsJournal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 16, 2007, 357–369
Biogeography and bioclimatology in pollen forecasting

A comparative study of the atmospheric pollen content in two cities, located at similar latitudes, though in different continents, was undertaken. Special consideration was given to the meteorological determinants as shown by correlation analyses. In both localities, the contribution of Poaceae to the aerospora was quite distinct and varied from year to year. Analyses were carried out taking into account either years or cities separately or combined, and at two time scales: daily or weekly counts. Maximum temperature was the major meteorological determinant for daily grass pollen concentration values. Owing to its more arid climate, grass populations in Leo´n seem to react more to sunshine hours. Relative humidity and precipitation had a negative influence but at different time scales in the two localities. In Leo´n, they are related to everyday events such as convective storms, while in Montre´al, the same events are related to low-pressure systems that have the same time scale as air masses. We found that wind speed was the only factor that acted differently in Montre´al and Leo´n. In Leo´n, wind speed has the well-known dilution impact, while in Montre´al, it has a positive impact by increasing pollen shedding from the anthers. Wind speed has therefore a stronger influence at two different stages of the aerobiological pathway in both localities.
Length-weight parameters and condition factor of Bonga, Ethmalosa fimbriata in the Cross River Estuary, Nigeria: importance of large volume of data

No abstract available Length-weight parameters for bonga, Ethmalosa fimbriata in Cross River Estuary were estimated. Weight growth in Ethmalosa fimbriata was found to be isometric, with exponent b= 3.0 and a = 0.00967. This indicates that growth is proportional in all directions. The value of (a) was the same as that of the condition factor, providing a biological interpretation to the parameters of the length-weight relationship. The importance of using large volume of data in the estimation of the parameters of length-weight relationship in any fish species as well as the implication of these findings with regards to the possibility of applying conventional fish population dynamics models to the analysis of bonga population are demonstrated. Key Words: Length-weight parameters; condition factor; bonga; Cross River Estuary; large data Global Jnl Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.10(3) 2004: 379-383
DO TROPICAL FRUGIVORES COMPETE FOR FOOD

synopsis. In this paper I ask two questions: Is fruit ever limiting to vertebrate frugivores and, if so, do frugivores presently compete for food, either with closely- or distantly-related species? A brief review of the fruiting strategies of tropical plants indicates that fruit can occasionally be superabundant, but it is often produced at low rates and in low quantities. Variation in fruit abundance results from several biotic selective pressures, including varia? tion in the density, diversity, and reliability of potential dispersal agents. Tojudge from the size structure, dietary similarities, habitat preferences and foraging behaviors of taxonomically-restricted guilds of frugivorous birds and mammals, members of these guilds have competed for food in the past and must occasionally do so today. Unusual climatic conditions can occasionally "upset" phenological patterns and can create food shortages that promote competition among closely-related species of frugivores. Avian and mammalian frugivores, however, probably seldom compete with each other for food in present-day tropical ecosystems. A major reason for this is that many tropical plants have evolved fruits that are attractive to only a limited subset of frugivores (e.g., only birds or only bats). Plants apparently "perceive" qualitative differences in the dispersal services of birds and mammals and attempt to attract members of one group but not the other.
Ocimum sp. (Basil): Botany, Cultivation, Pharmaceutical Properties, and Biotechnology

ABSTRACT The present review focuses on the various Ocimum species, often referred to as the “king of the herbs. ” The botany of more than 50 species of herbs and shrubs belonging to this genus is thoroughly reported, along with traditional uses and cultivation techniques. Since basil is a rich source of natural compounds, details on the several chemical constituents of essential oil, plant parts and derived food and medical products, such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, phenylpropanoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids, as well as their effect on sensory qualities are included. Furthermore, particular emphasis is given to the application of biotechnology for the clonal micropropagation of basil lines with improved traits and the use of basil tissue culture for the derivation of valuable compounds, such as antioxidant phenolics and essential oil components.