Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early Cambrian lobopodian sclerites and associated fossils from Kazakhstan

A low diversity fossil assemblage dominated by Mongolitubulus spines, from the Early Cambrian Geres Member of the Shabakhty Formation at Koksu, Malyi Karatau, Kazakhstan, enables identification of its sclerite variability within the scleritome. No other sclerotised structures could be matched with the spines, indicating that these were the only sclerotised part of the body and were periodically shed. The prominent spines of Mongolitubulus have a scale–like external ornamentation and fibrous internal structure. Possibly they armed the body of a lobopodian similar to Xenusion. The Mongolitubulus spines belong to a series of Cambrian phosphatic fossils, the other end members of which are sclerites of Microdictyon, the second most abundant component of the Koksu assemblage. The latter superficially resemble schizochroal trilobite eyes, but in life covered the dorso–lateral sides of the body segments, as is evident from complete specimens from the Chinese Chengjiang locality. A pair of sclerites of Microdictyon, representing uncompleted exuviation, from Koksu show that each hole originally contained a non–phosphatised lenticular body. This makes a compound eye nature of the Microdictyon sclerites likely, and even their homology with arthropod eyes cannot be excluded.
Response of epixylic biofilm metabolism to water level variability in a regulated floodplain river

Abstract Managed flow releases can influence biomass and productivity of littoral biofilms in regulated lowland rivers by varying the frequency and duration of inundation and desiccation. I examined the effects of inchannel water level variability on the productivity of littoral biofilms growing on woody substrata in the highly regulated Murrumbidgee River, southeastern Australia. Wooden blocks of river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) were placed at a subsurface depth and used to experimentally simulate 3 regimes of water level variability common to the Murrumbidgee River: 1) low inundation/emersion frequency (permanent inundation), 2) high inundation/emersion frequency (5 d inundated, 9 d emersed), or 3) intermediate inundation/emersion frequency (11 d inundated, 21 d emersed). Maximum net primary productivity of biofilm was achieved after 29 d of permanent inundation. After 75 d, a heterotrophic biofilm developed on blocks exposed to the high frequency of inundation and emersion, whereas an autotrophic biofilm developed on blocks exposed to the intermediate frequency of inundation and emersion. In regulated lowland rivers, water level variations from managed-flow releases of intermediate frequency and duration have the potential to provide maximum rates of biofilm productivity on woody substrata.
Environmental Changes in Lake Erie

Abstract Comparison of data compiled during the past 60 years with those from recent studies shows that major changes have occurred in the bottom and fish faunas of Lake Erie. The bottom fauna was formerly dominated by the nymphs of Hexagenia, but at present midge larvae and oligochaetes are most abundant. Blue pike (Stizostedion vitreum glaucum) and cisco (Coregonus artedii), which formerly dominated the commercial catch, are scarce, while other species are more plentiful than formerly. The concentrations of various major ions have increased as much as 10 p.p.m. The mean annual water temperatures are approximately 2° F. warmer today than during the 1918-28 period. Low levels of dissolved oxygen have been observed several times since 1930, and recently very low concentrations were found in the bottom waters covering many square miles of the central basin. Although similar conditions may have existed in the past, it appears that greater areas are involved at the present.
The recovery of a very shallow eutrophic lake, 20 years after the control of effluent derived phosphorus

Summary 1. Monitoring at fortnightly to monthly intervals of a very shallow, lowland lake over 24 years has enabled the time course of recovery from nutrient enrichment to be investigated after high external P loading of the lake (>10 g P m−2 year−1) was reduced between 1977 and 1980. 2. The lake showed a relatively rapid response during the spring and early summer, with a reduction in phytoplankton biomass occurring after 5 years when soluble reactive phosphorus concentration was <10 μg L−1. 3. However, during the later summer the response was delayed for 15 years because of sustained remobilisation of phosphorus from the sediment. The greater water clarity in spring and a gradual shift from planktonic to benthic algal growth may be related to the reduction in internal loading after 15 years. 4. Changes in the phytoplankton community composition were also observed. Centric diatoms became less dominant in the spring, and the summer cyanobacteria populations originally dominated by non-heterocystous species (Limnothrix/Planktothrix spp.) almost disappeared. Heterocystous species (Anabaena spp. and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae) were slower to decline, but after 20 years the phytoplankton community was no longer dominated by cyanobacteria. 5. There were no substantial changes in food web structure following re-oligotrophication. Total zooplankton biomass decreased but body size of Daphnia hyalina, the largest zooplankton species in the lake, remained unchanged, suggesting that the fish population remained dominated by planktivorous species. 6. Macrophyte growth was still largely absent after 20 years, although during the spring water clarity may have become sufficient for macrophytes to re-establish.
Inhibitory Effect of Carnosolic Acid on HIV-1 Protease

It is known that some natural phenolic compounds exhibit inhibitory effects on different enzymatic systems. In order to find effective HIV protease inhibitors among known natural products, three phenolic diterpenes (carnosolic acid, carnosol, and rosmanol) were isolated from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L., Lamiaceae) leaves and subsequently, rosmanol semisynthetic derivatives were prepared (7-0-methylrosmanol, 7-O-ethylrosmanol, and 1 1,12-0,0-dimethylrosmanol). The inhibitory activity of all six compounds against HIV-1 protease was tested. Surprisingly, only the carnosolic acid showed a strong inhibitory effect (IC90 = 0.08 pg/ml). Furthermore the same compound was also assayed against HIV virus replication (IC90 = 0.32pg/ml). Although the antiviral activity of carnosolic acid is significant, we found that the cytotoxic EC90 is 0.36 pg/ml (on H9 lymphocytes in culture) which is very close to the effective antiviral dose.
Cuphea Seed Yield Response to Harvest Methods Applied on Different Dates

Cuphea, Cuphea viscosissima Jacq. x C. lanceolata W.T. Aiton, is a new crop that produces seed containing oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids. Because cuphea has an indeterminate growth habit, timing of harvest is difficult to determine. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum harvest time and technique for maximizing seed yield. This research was conducted at Prosper, ND, in 2005 and 2006; Carrington, ND, in 2005; and Morris, MN, in 2005 and 2006. The experimental factors were four harvest treatments, direct-nondesiccated (DND), direct-desiccated (DD), swathed (SW), and desiccated-swathed (DSW) applied on three different dates (D1, D2, and D3). Maximum seed moisture was 544 g kg -1 , but seed moisture decreased 181 g kg -1 as the harvest date was delayed for the DND-harvest treatment. Seed moisture reduction for the SW-harvest treatment compared with the DND-harvest treatment was 216 g kg -1 for Dl. Swathing would be a better method than direct harvest or desiccation to reduce seed moisture at harvest. The harvested seed yields were not significantly different (P ≤0.05) among the DND-, DD-, and SW-harvest treatments. Harvested seed yield reduction was observed only for the DSW-harvest treatment. Swathing is also acceptable since no significant seed yield reduction was observed. Based on the returns after harvest treatments, the DND-harvest treatment may be the most cost effective method to harvest cuphea seeds; however, it is not the most practical due to clogging of harvesting equipment, which slows down harvest.
Composition floristique et structure des formations à Garcinia lucida dans la région de Bipindi-Akom II (Sud-Cameroun)

Abstract The Bipindi-Akom II region in South-Cameroon belongs to the Biafran atlantic district of the Guineo-congolian domain of dense humid evergreen forests. Inside this vegetation unit, Garcinia lucida is a remarkable understorey gregarious species, growing in low-lying ground and on slope of some hills. Four localities in which this species occurs have been sampled and 36 common species have been identified forming the floristic composition of such plant community. Representative species are, in addition to Garcinia lucida, Treculia obovoidea, Coelocaryon preussii and Raphia regalis. The analysis of the different strata showed that Garcinia lucida is the main dominant species at the shrub layer. No dominant species have been found at the tree layer. The population structure in the four localities indicates the stability of these formation but also the low occurence of emergent trees inside these Garcinia lucida facies.
Contributions to molecular systematics of water scavenger beetles (Hydrophilidae, Coleoptera)

Phylogenetic relationships within Hydrophilidae were examined by analyses of separate and combined nuclear and mitochondrial markers (28S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, COI and COII genes). The preferred (Bayesian) tree topology suggests a sister group relationship between Spercheidae and Hydrophilidae, supporting the ‘hydrophilid lineage’; Epimetopidae are placed on the base of the ‘helophorid branch’, the monophyly of Sphaeridiinae is highly supported, nested deeply within Hydrophilidae closest to Enochrus, making Hydrophilinae and Acidocerini paraphyletic; Hydrobius appears as sister taxon to (Hydrochara + Hydrophilus) without a closer relationship to Acidocerini; the hydrophiloid–histeroid sister group relationship is confirmed. The topology of several taxa remains contradictory, and requires further investigations with a larger taxon sampling and additional molecular markers.
The Link between Mating Season and Male Reproductive Anatomy in the Rattlesnakes Crotalus viridis oreganus and Crotalus viridis helleri

and species. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (series 1) 2:287-293. GREER, A. E. , AND D. G. BROADLEY. 2000. Six characters of systematic importance in the scincid lizard genus Mabuya. Hamadryad 25:1-12. GREER, A. E. , AND R. A. NUSSBAUM. 2000. New character useful in the sytematics of the scincid lizard genus Mabuya. Copeia 2000:615-618. GREER, A. E. , C. ARNOLD, AND E. N. ARNOLD. 2000. The systematic significance of the number of presacral vertebrae in the scincid lizard genus Mabuya. Amphibia-Reptilia 21:121-126. HOGE, A. R. 1946. Um novo lagarto da ilha do Queimada Grande. Mem6rias do Instituto Butantan 19:
The effects of sublethal concentrations of cadmium on haematological parameters in the dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula

Dogfish were subjected to sublethal cadmium exposure (25 mg l−1) for 24 and 96 h. The effects of this treatment on some blood parameters were analysed. Decreases of haematocrit, leucocrit and mean corpuscular volume and increases of haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were observed after 24-h exposure. Most parameters which had changed values at 24 h returned to control values at 96 h, whereas some parameters which were unchanged at 24 h showed a significant variation at 96 h (plasma glucose and lactate levels). The causes of these alterations and the patterns of recovery are discussed.
Differential Above- and Below-ground Biomass Accumulation of European Pinus sylvestris Populations in a 12-year-old Provenance Experiment

Abstract Growth and the distribution of biomass among above- and below-ground components were measured in 12-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) from 19 populations grown in a provenance experiment in central Poland (52° N). The populations originated from the northern (>55°N in Russia, Sweden and Latvia), central (54–47° N in Poland, Germany, Belgium, France, Slovakia, Hungary), and southern (<45° N in Bosnia, Montenegro and Turkey) European range of Scots pine. Height, diameter and biomass were all significantly related to latitude of origin. For populations of northern, central and southern origin, above-ground biomass averaged 3.1, 4.7 and 3.3 kg tree−1 and 25, 43 and 12 Mg ha−1. Total root biomass accounted for 22, 19 and 28% of total stand biomass for northern, central and southern populations, respectively. These differences were primarily the result of proportionally higher fine root biomass in the slower-growing northern and southern than central populations. Since the allometric regression.
Ichthyoplankton distribution and dispersal in the Tsitsikamma National Park marine reserve, South Africa

The nature of ichthyoplankton distribution within the Tsitsikamma National Park marine reserve was investigated in an attempt to evaluate the potential for export of larvae of commercially and recreationally important reef species to adjacent, exploited areas. Monthly, inshore ichthyoplankton samples were taken using Bongo nets over an 18-month period. Sampling sites were located over areas of high-profile reef and sand, Current-meter measurements of the area were used to determine current velocity, direction and reversal periodicity. Statistical analysis of the data was performed independently for larvae from four families: Blenniidae, Gobiesocidae, Sparidae and Engraulidae. Results suggested that blenniid and gobiesocid larvae practised active position retention throughout their pelagic phase, while this feature was less defined in sparid and engraulid larval distribution. Using larval distribution and current-meter information, projected dispersal distances for spa rid larvae, the family containing the.
EFFECT OF SEEDING RATE ON PLANT AND SEED CHARACTERISTICS OF NEW FLAX CULTIVARS

Five flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivars, Dufferin, McGregor, Linott, NorLin and NorMan were grown in the field in 1985, 1986 and 1987 at seeding rates of 200, 400, 600 and 800 seeds m−2. Averaged over all cultivars and years, as seeding rate increased from 200 to 800 seeds m−2, maturity was hastened 2.1 d, seed weight decreased 0.16 g 1000−1 seeds, oil content decreased 0.6%, iodine number decreased 1.3 units and volume weight was not markedly changed. Lodging increased and basal branching decreased from 1.68 to 0.18 branches per plant as seeding rate increased. Plant height increased 0.6 cm from the 200 to the 400 seeds m−2 rate then decreased 1.8 cm from the 400 to the 800 seeds m−2 rate. Seed yield increased from 110 to 124 g m−2 as seeding rate increased from 200 to 600 seeds m−2, then decreased to 121 g m−2 at 800 seeds m−2. Although yields of the five cultivars varied somewhat in their response to seeding rate and year, most yielded near optimum at the 600 seeds m−2 seeding rate.Key words: Flax.
Assessing the reliability of salinity inference models from diatom assemblages: an examination of a 219-lake data set from western North America

Des echantillons de sediments superficiels, destines a l'analyse des diatomees ainsi qu'a celle de la chimie de l'eau et a la recherche d'autres donnees limnologiques, ont ete preleves dans 113 lacs d'eau douce,et d'eau salee du Plateau interieur du sud et du Sillon des Rocheuses du Sud en Colombie-Britannique, et les donnees ont ete combinees a la serie existante de donnees de calibration couvrant 102 lacs de l'interieur du sud de la Colombie-Britannique et 11 lacs sales des Grandes Plaines boreales. Les modeles d'inference (= fonctions de transfert) de la salinite a partir des diatomees ont ete elabores a partir d'une regression et d'une calibration faisant appel a la moyenne ponderee et a la moyenne ponderee avec sous-ponderation de la tolerance. Nous avons evalue les effets du retrait des especes et de la taille de la serie de donnees sur la capacite predictive (RMSE boot ) en elaborant des modeles faisant appel a differents criteres de retrait des especes et en faisant varier le nombre de lacs dans la serie de donnees. L'etude met l'accent sur la valeur des bases d'apprentissage comptant un grand nombre de lacs et des taxons pour la formulation de fonctions de transfert comportant des estimations robustes et fiables des optima des especes et des tolerances, et pour fournir des analogues modernes plus nombreux et plus proches en vue de deduire la salinite a partir des assemblages de diatomees dans la carotte. La nouvelle fonction de transfert de la salinite generee a partir de cette grande serie de donnees (RMSE boot = 0,37, γ 2 = 0,87) constitue une amelioration par rapport a un modele anterieur elabore pour cette region.
The Development of Early Diving Behavior by Juvenile Flatback Sea Turtles (Natator depressus)

Abstract The flatback turtle is the only species of marine turtle that lacks an oceanic phase of development in its early life history. Instead, the turtles grow to maturity in shallow turbid shelf waters of tropical to subtropical Australia. We studied the development of diving behavior in neonate flatbacks to determine whether diving under those ecological conditions resulted in differences from leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at the same age when diving in clear, deep oceanic waters. Data were obtained from flatbacks that varied in both age (1–7 weeks) and mass (38–100 g). Each turtle towed a miniature time–depth tag during a single 30-minute trial in shallow (≤ 12 m) turbid shelf waters near Townsville, Queensland, Australia. In total, 192 dives were recorded from 22 turtles from 4 nests. Most dives were short (< 100 seconds) and shallow (< 4 m), but even young turtles could dive to the bottom. The most common flatback dives had V- or W-profiles, whereas, in leatherbacks, most dives were V-profiles, and, in green turtles, the dives were either V- or U-profiles. Routine flatback dives were accomplished by swimming slowly (like leatherbacks), but, when sufficiently motivated, flatbacks could swim faster (> 1 m/s) than green turtles. They could also make repeated deep dives after surfacing only briefly to replenish their oxygen supply. Changes in performance (longer, shallower dives) were correlated with increases in mass but not age. We hypothesize that, as neonates, flatback dives enable the turtles to 1) search efficiently for prey throughout the water column under conditions of limited visibility, 2) minimize surface time so that even in murky water the turtles can return to previously attractive locations, and 3) swim rapidly to evade their predators.
The Ecological Roles of Heterotrophic Dinoflagellates in Marine Planktonic Community 1

Heterotrophic dinoflagellates are ubiquitous and often abundant protists in marine environments. Recently, several novel predator‐prey relationships between heterotrophic dinoflagellates and other planktonic organisms have been discovered and shown to have diverse ecological roles. Heterotrophic dinoflagellates are predators on a wide array of prey items, including phytoplankton, copepod eggs, and early naupliar stages. They are in turn important prey for some metazoa. Some heterotrophic dinoflagellates are predators of and simultaneously prey for other dinoflagellates. These newly discovered predator‐prey relationships may influence our conventional view of energy flow and carbon cycling in the marine planktonic community.
The ecology and distribution of the genus Daphnia (Crustacea: Cladocera) in restricted areas: the pattern in Yorkshire

The old county of Yorkshire provides a diversity of habitats for freshwater crustaceans. Eight species of Daphnia (Cladocera: Anomopoda) are recorded. Taxonomic problems relating to some of these are discussed where appropriate. The ecological requirements and limitations of the various species are described and the patterns of geographical distribution to which these give rise within the area are reported. Most species are restricted to low altitudes. This is not related to altitude as such, all elevations being relatively modest, but reflects the rather sharp distinction in chemistry of upland and lowland waters in Yorkshire. Upland waters are generally acidic, markedly so on moorlands, and of low ionic content, often even in limestone areas which are frequently plastered with glacial drift: lowland waters are generally alkaline and relatively rich in inorganic ions, though small areas of lowland health are exceptions. Most species are restricted to waters of the latter type. Experiments using D. magna .
Effect of stocking density and photoperiod on growth and survival in cultured early juvenile pot-bellied seahorses Hippocampus abdominalis Lesson, 1827

The effect of stocking density and photoperiod on Hippocampus abdominalis was examined in this study. Stocking densities of 45, 30, 15 and 5 seahorses 3 L 1 were tested on newborns. Growth and survival were independent of stocking density. A second stocking-density experiment aimed to remove the effect of an early mortality experienced in experiment 1 using older juveniles at 25, 15 and 5 seahorses 3 L 1. There were no differences in the parameters measured. Also, the effect of photoperiod was investigated on seahorses cultured under 24:00, 16:08 and 08:16 (L:D) photoperiods. A single Artemia meal was delivered at 10:00 hours. Survival and body growth in 16:08 and 08:16 hours were higher than in 24:00 hours. In a second experiment, seahorses were cultured in the photoperiods and conditions described for experiment 1, except they were fed twice the amount in two meals delivered at 10:00 and 16:30 hours. The seahorses in 16:08 hours showed better growth than the other treatments, but there were no differences in survival. These results suggest that early juvenile H. abdominalis can be cultured at higher stocking densities than previously reported, without compromising growth and survival, and when feeding was not limiting, grew better in an extended photoperiod (16:08) but not in 24:00 hours.
Effects of substituting fish meal with poultry by-product meal in broiler diets on blood urea and uric acid concentrations and nitrogen content of litter

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary substitution of fish meal (FM) with poultry by-product meal (PBM) at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% using 360, 1-day-old Arian broiler chicken. The birds were randomly allocated to 30 pens (at density of 0.08 m2/bird) in an open system partially controlled house. The chicks were raised under a photo regimen of 23:1h light to darkness up to 42 days. The five dietary treatments were offered to six replicates of 12 chicks each. Data on productive performance, serum concentrations of urea and uric acid and pH, moisture and nitrogen content of litter were collected at different ages. The mean weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were significantly decreased in the birds fed on diets containing more than 50% PBM compared to the control birds during days 1–21 of age (P < 0.01). Replacement of FM at different levels with PBM significantly affected either serum urea or uric acid concentrations (P < 0.05). The serum urea and uric acid concentrations was lower in the birds that received 100%-PBM containing diets. The mean nitrogen content of litter was similar among the experimental diets while the moisture content of litter tended to be lower for the birds fed on diets containing 25% PBM compared to the other birds (P < 0.10). No differences in litter pH were pointed out for dietary treatments. Treating the litter samples by Alum significantly increased their pH values (P < 0.01). The results suggest that, substitution of FM with PBM at different levels had no considerable impact on nitrogen contents of litter.