Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HARVESTMEN (ARACHNIDA: OPILIONES) IN SOUTHERN AFRICA - AN ANNOTATED CATALOGUE WITH NOTES ON DISTRIBUTION

Lotz, L.N. 2009. Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) in southern Africa - an annotated catalogue with notes on distribution. Navors. nas. Mus. , Bloemfontein 25(1): 1-46 This paper gives a catalogue of the harvestmen (Opiliones) in southern Africa. Of the approximately 6 400 Opiliones species known to occur worldwide, 218 occur in southern Africa, with 215 endemic to the region. These species are currently grouped in three suborders, namely: the Cyphophthalmi (one family, three genera, eight species); the Eupnoi (three families, five genera, 46 species); and the Laniatores (five families, 45 genera, 164 species). The distribution of the three suborders is briefly discussed. For the first time a complete catalogue of the southern African species, as it is presently known, is given in one publication. (Opiliones, harvestmen, southern Africa)
Phylogenetic Relationships and the Description of a New Species of Enriquebeltrania (Euphorbiaceae s.s.): An Enigmatic Genus Endemic to Mexico

Abstract Enriquebeltrania, a genus of trees and shrubs endemic to Mexico, traditionally has been included in Euphorbiaceae (tribe Adelieae, subfamily Acalyphoideae). It was previously thought to be monotypic with a disjunct distribution on the Yucatan Peninsula and along the Pacific coast in Jalisco and Sinaloa. There is some question about whether Enriquebeltrania should be treated as distinct from Adelia. Morphological and molecular characters (trnL-F spacer and rbcL DNA sequences) were utilized in phylogenetic analyses to determine if Enriquebeltrania belongs to the tribe Adelieae, to test whether it should be recognized as a genus separate from Adelia, and to determine the number of species that should be recognized. Results indicate that Enriquebeltrania does not belong to tribe Adelieae, that it should be recognized as a genus separate from Adelia, and that it consists of two species. The second species, Enriquebeltrania disjuncta, is named and described here.
Digestion, rumen fermentation and chewing behaviour of red deer fed fresh chicory and perennial ryegrass

SUMMARY Pure chicory (Cichorium intybus) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) forages were cut and fed fresh at Palmerston North, New Zealand, during March 1993 to castrated male red deer kept indoors in metabolism crates. Chicory contained lower levels of dry matter, higher levels of ash, and had a higher ratio of readily fermentable: structural carbohydrate than perennial ryegrass. Apparent digestibility of organic matter was highest for chicory (0·81 v. 0·72), but cellulose apparent digestibility was highest for perennial ryegrass (0·71 v. 0·59). Relative to perennial ryegrass, the rumen fluid of deer fed chicory contained higher concentrations of protozoa, ammonia and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) but had a lower pH at 15.00 h. Chicory-fed deer had higher rumen VFA molar proportions of n-butyrate and a higher acetate: propionate ratio. Total eating time and chews during feeding/g dry matter intake were similar for deer fed the two forages, but deer fed chicory spent much less time ruminating (33 v. 270 min/day) and had fewer rumination boluses (38 v. 305/day). It was concluded that the low rumination time may indicate rapid disintegration of chicory in the rumen to < 1 mm critical particle size, and that particle breakdown and rumen fractional outflow rate should be measured in future experiments with deer fed on chicory.
GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSE OF ONION (ALLIUM CEPA L.) GENOTYPES TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FERTILIZERS

The influence of four levels of fertilizer s viz. 0:0:0, 60:65:80, 120:130:160 and 240:260: 320 kg/ha (N:P:K) on growth, yield and yield contributing characters of six onion genotypes viz. Thaherpuri Brown, BARI Onion 1, Faridpuri Bhati, Suksagar, Nasirbala and Pusa Red exhibited distinct variation in respect of all the characters under investigation in the field condition . The fertilizers at 120:130:160 kg/ha produced the maximum bulb yield (14.9 t/ha). Genotype Pusa Red gave the maximum bulb yield (17.2 t/ha) and Faridpuri Bhati had the lowest yield (11.8 t/ha). Pusa Red along with 120:130:160 kg/ha produced maximum bulb yield (18.3 t/ha). Correlation studies revealed that bulb yield was positively related with different yield components, but it showed non-significant negative relation with bulb dry matter content (%). The regression analyses showed that the rate of change of bulb yield was dependent upon the rate of change of plant height , number of leaves and roots, and root length. Increase in number of roots per plant appears very important in increasing the yield.
PHYLOGENY OF RECENT BILLFISHES (XIPHIOIDEI)

Billfishes are genetically and morphologically distinct enough from scombroids to merit placement in a separate suborder, Xiphioidei. Two extant families are usually recognized: Xiphiidae (swordfish, Xiphias) and Istiophoridae, currently containing three genera, Istiophorus (sailfishes), Makaira (marlins), and Tetrapturus (spear fishes, white, and striped marlins). Phylogenetic analyses of molecular data from mi tochondrial and nuclear gene sequences (mitochondrial control region, ND2, 12S, and nuclear MN 32 regions) show a different picture of relationships. Makaira is not monophyletic: blue marlin cluster with sailfish and placement of black marlin is un stable. Accepting the molecular phylogeny gives two possible classifications: (1) two genera: blue marlin + sailfish (as Istiophorus) and all the rest (as Tetrapturus), or (2) five genera: blue marlin (), sailfish (), black marlin ( Istiompax), striped and white marlin (Kajikia), and four spearfishes ( Tetrapturus). We prefer the latter possibility. There is no genetic evidence to support recognition of separate species of Atlantic and Indo-Pacific sailfishes or blue marlins. Atlantic white marlin, Kajikia albida (Poey, 1860) is closely related to Indo-Pacific striped marlin, Kajikia audax (Philippi, 1887). The four spearfishes are closely related: the three Atlantic species, longbill ( Tetrapturus pfluegeri Robins and de Sylva, 1963), Mediterranean (Tetrapturus belone Rafinesque, 1810), and roundscale ( Tetrapturus georgii Lowe, 1841), and the one Indo-Pacific species, shortbill ( Tetrapturus angustirostris Tana ka, 1915). The roundscale is the most divergent of the spearfishes. A fifth putative Tetrapturus sp. , the “hatchet marlin” clusters with roundscale spearfish but these two “species” could not be differentiated in this analysis.
CHARACTERIZATION OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE FROM THE BRAIN OF THE AMAZONIAN TAMBAQUI (COLOSSOMA MACROPOMUM) AND IN VITRO EFFECT OF ORGANOPHOSPHORUS AND CARBAMATE PESTICIDES

In the present study, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from the brain of the Amazonian fish tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) was partially characterized and its activity was assayed in the presence of five organophosphates (dichlorvos, diazinon, chlorpyrifos, and tetraethyl pyrophosphate (TEPP)) and two carbamates (carbaryl and carbofuran) insecticides. Optimal pH and temperature were 7.0 to 8.0 and 458C, respectively. The enzyme retained approximately 70% of activity after incubation at 508C for 30 min. The insecticide concentration capable of inhibiting half of the enzyme activity (IC50) for dichlorvos, chlorpyrifos, and TEPP were calculated as 0.04 mmol/L, 7.6 mmol/L, and 3.7 mmol/L, respectively. Diazinon and temephos did not inhibit the enzyme. The IC50 values for carbaryl and carbofuran were estimated as 33.8 mmol/L and 0.92 mmol/L, respectively. These results suggest that AChE from the juvenile C. macropomum brain could be used as an alternative biocomponent of organophosphorus and carbamate biosensors in routine pesticide screening in the environment. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2243-2248. # 2010 SETAC
Growth and Resource Use of the Invasive Grass, Pampasgrass (Cortaderia selloana), in Response to Nitrogen and Water Availability

Abstract Exotic invasive species are nonnative species that thrive outside of their native habitat, and while it is difficult to determine which exotic plants will become invasive, successful invaders often share a wide range of traits including high growth rate and reproductive output, vegetative reproduction, high population growth rates, early reproductive age, phenotypic and physiological plasticity, and high resource use efficiency. Here we report on the response of pampasgrass, an important exotic invasive plant of the western United States, to experimental variations in soil nitrogen (N) and water availability. Given its ability to invade a wide variety of ecosystems in southern California, we hypothesized that pampasgrass would have higher water and N use efficiency under conditions of low water and N availability but rapid growth and resource use under conditions of high water and N availability. Our data support this hypothesis and indicate that pampasgrass exhibited large variations in growth, carbon allocation, morphology, and N and phosphorus (P) nutrition to variations in N availability and water table depth. Many of these traits are highly correlated with invasive performance, and the high N and P use efficiency observed under low soil N (control) and water table, coupled with the large increase in physiological performance and resource use under high N and water table, indicate that pampasgrass is highly flexible to soil resource levels that are typical for coastal sage scrub and riparian ecosystems of southern California. Such flexibility in resource use could allow pampasgrass to persist in low-resource environments and expand as resource levels increase. Nomenclature: Pampasgrass, Cortaderia selloana (Schultes) Asch. & Graebner.
The effects of inclusion of exogenous phospholipid in Tris diluent with different level of egg yolk on the viability of bull spermatozoa

This study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of inclusion of phospholipid in Tris-diluent containing different level of egg yolk on the viability of bull spermatozoa after chilling and freezing. Semen was collected by means of artificial vagina, diluted in Tris-diluent to get a final concentration 100 x 106 spermatozoa/ml. Diluted semen was cooled to 50C for 45-60 minute, equiliberated in those temperature for 4 hours and frozen by placing the straw 5 cm above surface of liquid nitrogen for 10 minutes. The experiments was factorial designed with two level of phospholipid (0 and 0.5 mm) and 4 concentration of egg yolk (0, 5, 10 and 20% v/v). The viability of spermatozoa was assessed by evaluating the percentage of motile, live and condition of apical ridge after the temperature reduced to 50C, stored at those temperature for 3 and 7 days and after thawing. Inclusion of phospholipid and level of egg yolk in Tris diluent significantly increased the viability of spermatozoa for both chilling and deepfreezing. The mean percentage of motile, live and intact apical ridge for 3 and 7 days of storage times at 50C, were significantly higher (P<0.05) in diluent containing phospholipid than without phospholipid. After thawing, the mean percentage motile, live and intact apical ridges were significantly higher (P<0.05) in a diluent containing phospholipid (49.9; 60.2 and 60.0) than those without phospholipid (39.1; 54.1 and 51.5). The effects of interaction between phospholipid and level of egg yolk on the viability of spermatozoa was not significant for both chilling and freezing. Level of egg yolk significantly (P<0.05) affected the viability of spermatozoa where the optimal level of egg yolk was 10% v/v for chilled semen and the higher level (20% v/v) was needed for frozen semen. In conclusion, Tris diluent containing 0,5 mM phosphatidyl coline with 10 or 20% egg yolk gave a best protection for chilled and frozen semen respectively. Key words : Spermatozoa, viability, phospholipid, egg yolk
Physicochemical Properties of Pacific Whiting Surimi as Affected by Various Freezing and Storage Conditions

: Effects of various freezing methods of surimi on the biochemical and physical properties, were examined. Stress values increased up to 3 mo and then decreased. Strain values significantly decreased over time, except freeze-dried surimi stored at -18 °C. Yellowness (b*) of the freeze-dried surimi stored at 22 °C increased significantly during storage. In addition, salt-extractable proteins (SEP) decreased while dimethylamine (DMA) increased. Freeze-dried surimi showed the highest SEP and the lowest DMA values after 9 mo storage. Electrophoretic patterns did not show any apparent damages to the MHC until 6 mo. At 6 and 9 mo, development of proteins with smaller molecular weights was observed, indicating proteolytic degradation during frozen storage.
Thymus leukemia antigen (TL)‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize the α1/α2 domain of TL free from antigenic peptides

The thymus leukemia antigens (TL) belong to the MHC class Ib family and can be recognized by CD8-dependent or -independent cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) showing TL, but not H-2, restriction. We previously reported that the CTL epitope is TAP independent and in the present study we further characterize the recognition mechanism of CD8-dependent TL-specific TCRab CTL. We first prepared empty TL tetramers by way of peptide-independent folding with recombinant proteins produced in an Escherichia coli expression system, and showed that TLspecific CTL recognized TL without putative TL-associated peptide and/or post-translational modifications of TL by mammalian and insect cells. We next prepared transfectants expressing various chimeric TL molecules with mouse or human MHC class I as well as chimeric TL tetramers with recombinant proteins produced by insect cells, and demonstrated that chimeric TL whose a3 domain was replaced by that of H-2K b , but not of HLA-A2, was sufficient for binding and activation of TL-specific CTL. These results indicate that TL-specific CTL recognize predominantly their a1/a2 domain as an epitope(s) and that the binding activity to the murine CD8 of the a3 domain of H-2K b is sufficient to induce their CTL activity, although it is known to be weaker than that of TL, but stronger than that of HLA. The results taken together indicate that CD8-dependent TL-specific TCRab CTL recognize an epitope(s) of the a1/a2 domain of TL free from antigenic molecules, and that CD8 plays an important role in stable interactions between TL and their corresponding TCR.
Studying Erwinia amylovora isolates from Syria for copper resistance and streptomycin sensitivity.

A total of 75 Erwinia amylovora isolates, collected primarily from fire blighted quince (Cydonia oblonga) and pear (Pyrus syriaca and P. communis) shoots, were tested for copper resistance and streptomycin sensitivity. Sixty eight isolates, representing 90.6% of the total were inhibited by 10 µg/ml streptomycin and were thus regarded as streptomycin sensitive. On the contrary, three isolates that were not inhibited by 2000 µg/ml streptomycin were considered as resistant. Fifteen isolates grew well on casitone yeast extract medium in the presence of 1.2 mM copper sulfate and none survived on the same medium containing 2.4 mM copper sulfate, indicating that most of the Syrian E. amylovora isolates are copper tolerant and could cause severe problems even in copper heavily sprayed orchards. The use of both bactericides in controlling fire blight disease in Syria is discussed.
Plant-parasitic nematodes and their associated natural enemies within banana (Musa spp.) plantings in Hawaii.

Wang, K. -H. and C. R. R. Hooks. 2009. Plant-parasitic nematodes and their associated natural enemies within banana (Musa spp.) plantings in Hawaii. Nematropica 39:57-73. A survey of banana fields was conducted on the Hawaiian islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Hawaii in 2007 and 2008 to determine the most important plant-parasitic nematodes and their natural enemies associated with banana plantings in Hawaii. Plant-parasitic nematodes were surveyed from soil and banana root tissues collected at twenty seven banana farms among the Hawaiian islands. Meloidogyne spp. , Helicotylenchus sp. , followed by Rotylenchulus reniformis were the most frequently found plant-parasitic nematodes through soil assay. However, the bacterium Pasteuria penetrans, an obligate parasite of nematodes, was found attached to the cuticle of Meloidogyne juveniles at 26% of the sites surveyed. Root assay revealed that Helicotylenchus multicinctus reached higher abundance in banana root tissues compared to Meloidogyne sp. , R. reniformis, R. similis and Pratylenchus sp. Elevated counts of Pratylenchus sp. and R. similis were only recorded from banana roots at one and two farm sites, respectively. Thus, H. multicinctus which was not considered an important plant-parasitic nematode in the past with respect to Hawaii banana fields should receive greater attention. Finally, the survey confirmed our assumption that potential natural enemies of plant-parasitic nematodes, including omnivorous and predatory nematodes, nematode-trapping fungi and P. penetrans, are commonly found. Any management practices developed to manage nematode problems in Hawaiian banana fields should be cautious of any ill effects on beneficial soil organisms.
Spatial Organisation of the Cooperatively Breeding Bell Miner Manorina melanophrys

Bell Miners Manorina melanophrys are cooperative breeders and occur in discrete colonies. A colony comprised a number of breeding pairs occupying slightly overlapping foraging ranges that they shared with non-breeding offspring and immigrants. All nests belonging to a breeding pair were built within the pair's combined foraging ranges. Males remained in the natal colony until they gained a breeding position, whereas females generally dispersed to another colony. The area of an individual's foraging range did not vary significantly with its age, sex or breeding status. Helpers regularly travelled outside their foraging ranges to provision young belonging to a range of different breeding pairs. The individuals helping one breeding pair were not a mutually exclusiveset of individuals from those helping other breeding pairs within a colony. As such the social organisation of the Bell Miner does not fit within current classifications of breeding systems, but closely resembles that of the Noisy Miner M. rnelanocephala. Bell Miners exhibited extreme interspecific territoriality that resulted in almost total exclusion of all other avian species from the colony's territory. Males performed more acts of interspecific aggression than females. The extreme degree of exclusion achieved by Bell Miners may represent a benefit only attainable through cooperative group-defence of a resource.
Reevaluation of the prevalence of blood parasites in Japanese Passerines by using PCR based molecular diagnostics

ABSTRACT Evolutionary biologists have paid much attention to studies of parasite-host interactions. The prevalence of blood parasites is highly dependent on diagnostic methods, season, and regions. Recently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based molecular diagnostic methods have been developed to detect the infection of blood parasites. In order to reevaluate the prevalence of blood parasites in Japanese passerines, I compared the prevalence of blood parasites found by microscopic examination with that found by PCR-based molecular diagnostics. 14.5% of individuals (225 of 1553) were infected with avian malaria, and 25.1% of individuals (220 of 878) were infected with avian trypanosome in Japan. The present study showed significantly higher prevalence of trypanosomes than previously reported. The trypanosome might represent a suitable agent for studying host-parasite interactions in birds, because it affects both growth and fitness. PCR-based molecular diagnostics revealed a higher prevalence of both avian malaria and trypanosome in the present study than in previous ones. The PCR-based molecular diagnostic method is more effective than microscopic examination for screening for infection of blood parasites, if the primes of a target parasite are available.
Characterization of Novel 4-n-Butylphenol- Degrading Pseudomonas Veronii Strains Isolated from Rhizosphere of Giant Duckweed, Spirodela polyrrhiza

Novel bacteria capable of utilizing 4-n-butylphenol (4-n-BP) as the sole carbon source were isolated from rhizosphere of giant duckweed, Spirode/a po/yrrhiza. These bacteria were identified as Pseudomonas veronii. One of the isolates, P. veronii designated strain nBPS, could completely degrade 4-n-BP up to 1.0 mM. The strain was capable of growing on 4-n-BP at temperature of 10-30 °c, pH of 5-8 and NaCI concentration of 1.S % or less, and the optimal temperature, pH and NaCI concentration were 2S °c, 6.0 and 0.1 %, respectively. Specific 4-n-BP-degrading activity of strain nBPS followed the Michaelis­ Menten kinetics, with the maximal degradation rate of 0.2S8 mmollmg-celllh although the activity declined at ~0.07S mM probably due to inhibitory effect of high substrate concentration. Based on the metabolites identified by GC-MS, the pathway of 4-n-BP degradation by strain nBPS was proposed: 4-n-BP is initially hydroxylated to 4-n-butylcatechol, and subsequently 4-n-butylcatechol is metabolized via the meta­ cleavage pathway. 4-n-BP-degrading enzyme of strain nBPS was very effective to 4-n-alkylphenols (4-n-APs) with short and medium alkyl chain (C2-CS) and effective to 4-n-APs with long alkyl chains (C6-C9) although the degradation ratio declined with increase of length of alkyl chain.
Are pet dogs good sentinels of human exposure to environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls?

Several studies have shown that pet dogs and cats, since they share the habitat with people, could be good sentinels for human exposure to environmental pollutants. However, some publications have suggested that dogs could efficiently metabolize and eliminate some persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are accumulated by humans throughout life. For this reason, the role of domestic dogs as sentinels could not be appropriate, at least for certain contaminants. To test this hypothesis, we designed this study in which we determined plasma levels of 56 POPs (11 organochlorine pesticides [OCPs], 18 polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] and 27 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in the plasma of 87 dogs and 100 people from the same area (the Canary Islands, Spain). We detected most of these contaminants in the plasma of both species, although the frequencies of detection, concentrations and profiles were very different from each other, especially for ∑OCPs and ∑PCBs. In light of these results, we can conclude that, although they share the environment, sources of exposure to these pollutants and/or the metabolic capabilities do not seem to be comparable between the two species, so that the dog does not seem to be a good sentinel for human exposure to these contaminants.