Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predatory behaviour of alpine (Ichthyosaura alpestris) and smooth (Lissotriton vulgaris) newts towards conspecific and heterospecific eggs and larvae

Consumption of conspecific and heterospecific eggs and larvae is common in many animal taxa, including many amphibians. Adult newts (Amphibia Urodela) often co-occur temporally and spatially with conspecific and heterospecific newt eggs and larvae, and adult individuals may benefit from their consumption, but little is known on the degree of discrimination in the newts’ predatory behaviour towards them. We performed two laboratory experiments to examine whether adult male and female alpine, Ichthyosaura alpestris (Laurenti 1768), and smooth, Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus 1758), newts discriminate between conspecific and heterospecific eggs and larvae in their predatory behaviour. In our study, eight out of 64 newts succeeded in consuming eggs, although 3 times as many attacked them. We found no differences in predatory behaviour towards conspecific and heterospecific eggs, or between males and females in either species. Similarly, we found no evidence for the occurrence of discriminative predatory behaviour towards conspecific and heterospecific larvae. In our experiments the criterion for whether a newt would consume a prey item (egg or larva) was not the prey’s identity (species), but the newts’ ability to detect, capture and/or ingest it. Our results suggest that newts of both species follow an opportunistic foraging strategy, consuming whatever prey of appropriate size they manage to capture.
Development of a Solar Powered Poultry Egg Incubator for South West Nigeria

Egg incubators with regular, effective and efficient operation have the capacities of providing enough poultry birds which can serve every household in Nigeria with sufficient amount of protein on daily basis. Although many commercial incubators in Nigeria have folded up due to epileptic and erratic electricity supply which disrupts and impairs the operation of the incubators and reduce their level of performance resulting into low production and high cost of poultry birds. In order to ensure an uninterrupted power supply and keep egg incubators in operation, a solar powered poultry egg incubator was developed. The main components of the incubator are incubating chamber, control system and solar powered system. The developed solar incubator was 610 mm × 607 mm × 1649 mm in size with a capacity for 150 eggs. The angle of turn of the egg tray was fixed at 30o. The diameter of the crank of the turning mechanism was calculated from the maximum displacement of the egg crate support. The radius of the ventilation hole was based on the time required to empty all the air in the chamber. The total heat required in the chamber was analysed and evaluated. The size of the components of the solar powered system was based on the amount of energy needed and the duration of usage. Preliminary test was conducted on the developed solar powered poultry egg incubator. The diameter of the crank of the turning mechanism was 151 mm while the radius of the ventilation hole obtained was 13.30 mm. The heat loss through the walls by conduction, air convection and ventilation hole were 59.77 W, 10.9741 W and 0.0003222 W respectively. The total heat required was 85.44W. The energy consumption needed by all the loads in the incubator for the period of 24 hours was 10.48 MJ. The sizes of the solar panels, charge controller, batteries and inverter power designed and used were 480 W, 40 A, 400 AH and 2 kW respectively. For the duration of the days of groundwork the temperature was maintained within the recommended range of 36 to 39oC which was achieved with the aid of the temperature control system. The preliminary test on the developed solar powered system poultry egg incubator indicates that the egg incubator works effectively well within the recommended temperature required for successful hatchability. Keywords— Incubator; Temperature; Relative humidity; Poultry; Solar powered system
NUTRITION AND FEEDING STRATEGY: INTERACTIONS WITH PATHOLOGY (Chapter 10)

INDEX 1 Methods to estimate the health status and to measure the risk of digestive troubles . 2 2 Troubles related with major nutrients imbalance. 2 2.1 Fibre and starch intake . 3 2.1. 1 Consequences of a reduction in the fibre intake . 3 2.1. 2 Effect of the type of cell wall constituents.5 2.2 Protein level and quality . 6 2.3 Lipids . 7 3 Feed intake strategy and digestive pathology of the growing rabbit . 8 4 Troubles associated with dietary compounds present at toxic level . 8 4.1 Minerals and vitamins. 8 4.2 Mycotoxins . 9 5 Water quality and pathology. 10
Origin of the Japanese Land Mammal Fauna

Consideration of the historical development of the mammal fauna on the major Japanese Islands allows six categories of species to be recognised, on the basis of their origins and current geographical distribution within Japan, which are modified from the original seven categories of Dobson (1994). The six categories are clearly defined, but allocation of species within them requires a full understanding of taxonomic relationships and a good fossil record and is, therefore, tentative for certain species. We here attempt to allocate the recent terrestrial non-flying mammals of Japan to the six categories. In cases where allocation is uncertain, due to a lack of appropriate evidence, we provide our reasoning for decisions made. We have, therefore, been able to highlight gaps in the knowledge of the biogeographical history of the Japanese mammal fauna.
Distribution and seasonal abundance of large cetaceans in the Durban whaling grounds off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 1972–1975

Daily charts of the aerial search effort (432 206 nautical miles) of the Union Whaling Company and 1 099 sightings of 10 497 whales were available from 628 flights off Durban between 1972 and 1975. Densities of whales were analysed by month and water depth distribution over the four-year period. Low observed densities of blue Balaenoptera musculus, right Eubalaena australis, sei B. borealis and humpback Megaptera novaeangliae whales most likely resulted from earlier whaling pressure. Seasonality of blue, sei and humpback whales was bimodal, indicative of winter migrations to the north of the Durban whaling grounds, whereas the unimodal seasonality of fin whales B. physalus and minke whales B. bonaerensis or B. acutorostrata suggest the offshore region as the northern terminus of their migrations. Sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus migrate northwards offshore of the KwaZulu-Natal coast in autumn/early winter and southwards in late winter/spring, with larger males migrating later than the smaller males and females. Killer whale Orcinus orca presence was coincident with that of offshore minke whales and the southward migrations of other baleen whales, whereas densities of animals deemed as bottlenose whale Hyperoodon planifrons suggest strong early and late summer seasonal abundance in the offshore region. Such extensive surveys offshore of the KwaZulu-Natal coast are unlikely to be repeated; hence, data-extraction of whaling records provides a valuable source of seasonal and distributional information for marine management.
Daldinia decipiens sp. nov and notes on some other European Daldinia spp. inhabiting Betulaceae

Daldinia decipiens sp. nov., associated with Betula, and the known species D. Iloydii were both collected and identified from several locations in Germany. The anamorph of D. loculata is also described. SEM studies of ascospores and further observations on Daldinia spp. associated with Betulaceae in Europe (D. fissa, D. Iloydii, D. loculata and D. petriniae) are given.
Myologie céphalique de deux poissons perroquets (Teleostei: Scaridae)

Dans cette etude de la musculature de la tete de Sparisoma cretense et Scarus hoefleri, 50 muscles ont ete identifies et decrits, dont au moins 5 pour la premiere fois. Plusieurs details de la musculature de ces Scaridae confirment les hypotheses precedentes concernant la composition de la meule pharyngienne et justifient l'autonomie de cette famille. Les differences entre ces deux especes correspondent a leurs modes d'alimentation distincts. La presence d'un sphincter oesophagi divise et l'insertion du levator externus 4 sur l'epibranchial 4 distinguent clairement ces deux especes des autres poissons pharyngognathes, ce qui amene a avoir des doutes sur les idees actuelles concernant les relations phylogenetiques entre les Scaridae et les Cichlidae, Embiotocidae, Labridae, Odacidae et Pomacentridae.
Planting Geometry of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Can Reduce Jointed Goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) Spikelet Production

A 1984–1985 and 1988–1989 field study near Pullman, WA, evaluated the effect of two winter wheat planting geometries on the growth of wheat and competition against jointed goatgrass. Treatments included paired and constant row planting geometries of wheat and locations of jointed goatgrass within each geometry. No planting geometry by weed location interactions occurred at any harvest date for plant height, shoot number, leaf area, plant dry weight, or N uptake for either wheat or jointed goatgrass. During the 1984–1985 growing season, N uptake data indicated that by heading, jointed goatgrass had taken up N that had been deep-banded between wheat rows located 25 cm from the weed. Winter wheat yields were not different in the paired-row and the constant row spacing geometry in a weed-free environment. Within years, for both planting geometries, winter wheat yield reduction from weed competition was similar for the jointed goatgrass locations. In contrast, based on jointed goatgrass spikelets produced, wheat grown in paired-rows was more competitive against jointed goatgrass compared to constant row spacing.
Evaluation of pre-slaughter losses of Italian heavy pigs

A retrospective observational study evaluated the risk factors for pre-slaughter losses (i.e. animal deaths occurring during transport and lairage) and their economic impact in Italian heavy pigs (~160 kg bodyweight). Of the 3 344 730 pigs transported, 1780 (0.053%) died before slaughter, with most losses occurring during transport (56.6%). The estimated economic impact was of 424 000 €. The percentage of batches with at least one animal lost pre-slaughter increased during summer (P < 0.001). The proportion of pre-slaughter losses was higher when journey lasted more than 90 min (P < 0.001) and was positively correlated with transport duration (P < 0.01). Losses were higher (P < 0.01) in batches transported at low stocking densities (i.e. when heavier pigs were transported). Batches with lower slaughtering order (i.e. longer lairage time) had higher proportions of losses (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of a given batch to have at least one animal lost pre-slaughter were 1.32 times higher for batches slaughtered in summer, 1.54 times higher if journey durations exceeded 90 min, 1.25 times higher for batches with low slaughtering order, and not significantly influenced by stocking density during transport.
A record of four monopisthocotylean monogeneans on gills of three fish species from the Yemeni coastal water of the Red Sea.

A total of 210 fish specimens belonging to three species from the Red Sea, Yemeni coastal waters were examined for the infection with monopisthocotylean monogeneans during the period from October 2009 till May 2010. The results showed the occurrence of four species of monogeneans. These were Pseudolamellodiscus sphyraenae from Sphyraena barracuda, Cabellaria liewi from Pomadasys argenteus and both Chauhanellus indicus and C. chauhani from Plicofollis dussumieri. The occurrence of these monogeneans represents their first record from the Yemeni fishes of the Red Sea except C. indicus which is reported here for the second time.
Estimating shrub production from plant dimensions.

Relationships between current sc8son pknt production 8nd pknt mwsurcmcnts (crown width 8nd volume) were lnvcstlg8tcd for 4 South Texas shrubs collected during July, 1978. Shrubs lnvcstlg8tcd were bkckbrush (&a& &&fu&), gtmjlllo (A. bcriimdieri), shrubby blue srgc (S&&t ballotaqffora), and kidney wood (Eysenhmdtia texunu). R~iom of production 8v8ikbk to whltc-t8lkd deer on both crown width 8nd crown volume ykldcd cocfflcitnts of dctcrmbutlon of 25~37%. Log-log 8nd qtmdrrtlc cqtmtions provided bcttcr results th8n llnur, log8rlthmlc, or cxponcntkl cqu8tlons. One piant mc8suremcnt (m8xlmum crown width 8s M independent v8rkblc) produced results comp8nbk to those from crown volume. R8ngt site (sandy lorm or gr8y sandy lorm) did not rffcct pknt productlompknt mcesurements rcktlonshlps, but mcch8nlal trertment (shrcddlng) did. Sclcctlng pknts reprcscntlng the full r8ngc of shrub sh8pcs 8nd sizes is critk8l to the proper use of this method, l d trutments which grc8tly modify piant fonn wiii probably require rcgrcssion quations scpar8tc from thoac for undisturbed vegetation.
Flowering phenology, dispersal unit and germination in eight tropical perennial grasses

Phenological variation, seed yielding components, dispersal unit, seed setting and seed germination characteristics were investigated during monsoon growth (1995 and 1996) in eight tropical perennial grasses belonging to tribe Andropogoneae. Vetiveria zizanioides flowered after about 45 days of vegetative growth during mid-August. Andropogon gayanus was last to start inflorescence exsertion during second week of November, under strong short day condition, after > 4 months vegetative growth. Dispersal units are borne in apical and axillary heads. They are shed as diads, comprising two spikelets. Caryopsis accounted 15-48% of total dispersal unit weight. Weight of husk and appendages exceeded weight of caryopsis, awn accounted >60% of dispersal unit weight in Heteropogon, pedicelled spikelet contributed about 30% in A. gayanus, S. nervosum and C. fulvus. Seed setting varied from 21-75%. Germination in spikelets ranged from 12-56%, while germination in caryopses varied between 78 and 96%, except in Heteropogon. Freshly collected spikelets exhibited 3-6 months dormancy.
Comparison between Two Genera, Species and Cultivars in Lactuceae

Karyotypes of three cultivars of Lactuca sativa (Webb's Wonderful, Lobjoit's Green Cos and Tom Thumb), Lactuca serriola collected from the field in the county of Essex, U.K. and a cultivar of Cichorium intybus (Witloof Chicory), were analysed in detail so that essential comparative information was available for use in later studies (Haque and Godward, Papers II, III and IV). Statistical data on chromosome lengths and centromere positions, together with the recognition of the nucleolar-organising chromosomes, enabled the nine chromosomes of the haploid sets to be recognised individually, and these were designated A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I, C and E being the nucleolar organising chromosomes, these being recognised in C. intybus for the first time. There were slight differences in chromosome lengths, the Lactuca sativa cultivars and L. serriola being distinguishable by their mean lengths, but only those of C. intybus were significantly smaller. Comparisons with the previously published data on Lactuca and Cichorium are made.
Spat Settlement of the Smooth Scallop Flexopecten glaber (Linnaeus, 1758) and Variegated Scallop Chlamys varia (Linnaeus, 1758) in Amvrakikos Gulf, Ionian Sea (Northwestern Greece)

ABSTRACT The seasonal variation and spat recruitment pattern of the scallops Flexopecten glaber and Chlamys varia in the protected aquatic ecosystem of the northwestern Amvrakikos Gulf (Natura, 2000) were examined by using a combination of plankton sampling and spat collection techniques during the spring and summer of 2007. The presence of the larvae was reported in all samples from the beginning of May to the end of August. Peak numbers were obtained at the beginning of June and in mid-July. The highest settlement density was recorded at a depth of 8 m below the surface, indicating the most suitable placement for the spat collectors despite the hypoxic bottom layer underneath.
Notes on the chironomid midges of the subfamilies Chironominae and Orthocladiinae collected by light traps in a rice paddy area in Tokushima (Diptera, Chironomidae)

: Collections of insects were Tokushima in order to study the species and their seasonal prevalence of chironomid midges emerging from the paddies. A total of 32,823 rnales and 41,691 females collected and identified by two light traps operated abeut intem,als from 25 April to 24 October, 1984. They were classified into 30 species of subfamily Chirenominae, 4 species of subfamily Orthocladiinae, and 7 species of subfamily Tanypodinae, and were judged as including one new species and other 5 speeies new to Japan. Morphelo.crical or taxonomical notes were presented with 19 species among them together with figures referring to 16 species.
Responses of Indigofera spinosa to simulated herbivory in a semidesert of North-West Kenya

L'interaction entre plantes et herbivores est positive si elle favorise la surcompensation de biomasse pâturee et accroit le potentiel reproducteur de la plante; elle est negative si elle reduit la survie et le succes reproducteur de la plante. Cette etude evalue l'effet de differentes coupes sur la productivite et la survie d'individus d'Indigofera spinosa (Forsk.) Mathew. Les coupes ont ete etablies selon 5 niveaux de broutage: 0%, 30%, 50%, 70% et 90%. Dans les experiences suivant la coupe, la biomasse de repousse a ete defoliee pour simuler le pâturage au cours de (1) la periode de dormance, (2) la periode de croissance et (3) l'annee entiere
Effects of Abscisic Acid Treatment on Berry Coloration and Expression of Flavonoid Biosynthesis Genes in Grape

In order to enhance berry coloration of bright-red grape cultivars, the effects of abscisic acid (ABA) treatment on the quantity and composition of anthocyanins as well as the expression of genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis in the berry were examined. Exogenous ABA treatment increased anthocyanin content, especially petunidin- and malvidin-type anthocyanins. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that ABA treatment around veraison resulted in the upregulation of genes encoding enzymes responsible for both general flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis. On the other hand, the gene expressions of enzymes involved in proanthocyanidin synthesis were drastically decreased at veraison and remained extremely low even with ABA treatment. Thus, increases in the total amount and composition ratios of petunidin- and malvidin-type anthocyanins were mainly caused by ABA-induced upregulation of uridine diphosphate glucose flavonoid glucosyl transferase, glutathione S-transferase 4, O-methyl transferase and flavonoid 3’, 5’ hydroxylase expression, resulting in the deep coloration of berry of skin.
A simple and cost-effective mass rearing technique for the tephritid fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)

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Microsatellite DNA markers discriminate between two Octopus vulgaris (Cephalopoda: Octopoda) fisheries along the northwest African coast

Two main commercial Octopus vulgaris fisheries occur on the Northwest African coast and are managed along national boundaries between Western Sahara and Mauritania, with the division at 21°N. This study aims to determine, using microsatellite DNA loci, whether octopus in the two fisheries are genetically distinct and to try to locate the origin of the samples by comparison with samples collected by research cruises from known locations. A sample from each fishery, and three samples from known positions along the Saharan Bank (north, mid and south), were screened at three highly polymorphic loci. These loci revealed high levels of variability (mean He = 0.91), and an exact test for overall heterogeneity indicated highly significant structuring among the samples (P < 0.0005); overall F ST was low but significant (F ST = 0.0095 P = 0.005). Comparison of Mauritanian and Western Saharan fisheries demonstrated highly significant differentiation between areas (heterogeneity exact test P = 0.000), although neither sample clustered very closely with any of the research cruise samples. The large genetic distance between samples and possible Wahlund effects detected, suggest a high degree of genetic structuring along this coast; links between genetic differentiation and oceanographic features are discussed.
Effect of Polyethylene Mulches, Irrigation Method, and Row Covers on Soil and Air Temperature and Yield of Muskmelon

Field studies were conducted in 1984 and 1985 to document the effects of plastic mulches and row covers on soil and air temperatures and yield of muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) in North Carolina. Treatments included bare ground, black plastic, and clear plastic, each with and without a slitted clear plastic row cover. In addition, both trickle and overhead sprinkler irrigation were evaluated. Soil temperatures were increased by plastic mulches, with clear polyethylene resulting in the highest soil temperatures. Air temperatures were increased by row covers. In 1984, total and early yields were increased over bare ground plots with the use of either clear or black polyethylene mulches. Row covers did not influence yields. In 1985, a warmer year than 1984, no total yield increases resulted from use of either row covers or mulches; however, row covers and clear plastic mulch increased early yield. Trickle irrigation used less water than did overhead irrigation, but did not increase yields.
Changes in Metabolic Enzyme Activities during Thidiazuron-induced Lateral Budbreak of Apple

The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), 6-phosphate gluconate dehydrogenase (5PGDH), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), pyruvate kinase (PK), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were studied in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) buds during dormancy and thidiazuron-induced budbreak. When buds were dormant, the activity of the glycolytic enzymes GAPDH and PK and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzyme ICDH was low compared to that in non-dormant buds. The activity of these enzymes increased during budbreak, peaked when buds were in the green tip stage just before the start of rapid expansion (at 8 days after thidiazuron treatment), and declined thereafter (.)
Seed sculpturing of selected Europaean Vicia L. species (Fabaceae) and their taxonomical evaluation

Seed sculpturing of 26 Vicia taxa, belonging to the sections Ervum, Cracca, Faba and Vicia, has been analysed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The anticlinal seed testa transections of the Vicia sativa, V. lathyroides and V. hirsuta have also been studied. The seed sculpturing of most Vicia species analysed showed a typical papillose pattern. In some species the seed ornamentation pattern is species specific, whereas many analysed species exhibited a similar pattern. The value of seed microsculpturing, as an additional taxonomic marker in the infrageneric classification of the Vicia genus, is discussed.