Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The breeding behavior and patterns of movement of horseshoe crabs,Limulus polyphemus, in the vicinity of breeding beaches in Apalachee Bay, Florida

Breeding activity of the horseshoe crab,Limulus polyphemus, was quantitatively monitored in Apalachee Bay, Florida, throughout one breeding season. Breeding peaked at times of full and new moon at the hour of high tide. Breeding activity was heavier on night tides than on corresponding day tides of the same date. Males routinely outnumbered females and indications of sperm competition were present. Many horseshoe crabs buried in the intertidal zone throughout the subsequent low tide and returned to the beach to breed again on the following high tide.A tagging study of the horseshoe crab indicated that male animals return to breeding beaches more frequently than females. Most animals tagged at breeding beaches did not move away from the tagging site during a breeding season and were recovered at the point of release. No long-range movements were noted. The sex ratio of animals tagged near breeding beaches was predominately male while it was predominately female for animals collected and tagged 3–6 miles offshore. A nine percent recovery rate was achieved.Existing localized populations are potentially subject to depletion due to heavy collecting pressure on breeding beaches.
Assessment of genetic diversity among wild populations of Achillea bieberstenii Afan. using agro-morphological and germination traits.

There is substantial diversity in Achillea biebersteinii plants in Iran. It has considerable different biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, insecticidal, herbicidal and wound healing. Research improvement for medicinal plants depends on the available genetic diversity. The assessment of genetic variability could increase the information for breeding programs. To evaluate possible diversity among different populations of A. biebersteinii, agro-morphological and germination traits of the populations were investigated. To evaluate agro-morphological traits, seeds of 22 populations were sown in the field. The experiment was laid out using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. A total of six agromorphological traits including plant height, plant diameter, lateral shoot number, flower diameter, flower number and shoot yield, were collected. For evaluation of seed germination traits, seeds of 10 populations were sown in standard condition ((20±2 °C) and pre-cold treatment (7 days at 4 °C followed by standard condition). The seed germination traits were studied as hypocotyl length, radicle length, radicle to hypocotyl length ratio, seedling length, germination percentage, germination rate and vigor index. Based on the results the population 20187 (Golestan) had the highest value for all of agro-morphological traits. For germination traits the populations 10140 (Minoodasht) and 17310 (Shahrood) were the best performing populations. The result showed that pre cold treatment reduced radicle length in most cases but population 17310 (Shahrood) produced significantly longer radicle under pre-cold treatment. This population was recommended for dry cold regions. Key word: Achillea biebersteinii, Agro-morphology, Germination, Cold treatment
Lead Acetate Genotoxicity in Mice

The genotoxic effect of lead acetate in male mice was investigated as measured by sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosomal aberration analysis in both somatic (bone-marrow) and germ cells (spermatocytes) and the sperm morphology assay. Intraperitoneal treatment with the lowest tested dose (25 mg kg-1 b.wt.) had no genotoxic effects at all points of treatment and its effect was the same as the control (non-treated). Lead acetate was found to be potent inducer of SCE's at the doses 50 and 100 mg kg-1 b.wt. where the mean frequency of SCE's reached 12.09 ±0.62/cell compared with 12.52±0.52 for mitomycin C (positive control). Lead acetate at the doses 50, 100, 200, 400 mg kg-1 b.wt. (single i.p.) increased the percentage of chromosomal aberrations significantly in mice bone-marrow as well as in mice spermatocytes. The intensity of the effect is a function of lead concentration. Moreover repeated dose treatment show higher percentage of chromosomal aberrations than single dose treatment. Morphological sperm head abnormalities increased significantly after treatment with the doses 50 and 100 mg kg-1 b.wt. with a dose dependent relationship indicating a specific genotoxic effect of lead acetate on testis with the higher dose (100 mg kg-1 b.wt.). In conclusion the results suggest that lead acetate is genotoxic at relatively high doses.
Spawning coloration and sperm quality in a large lake population of Arctic charr (Salmonidae: Salvelinus alpinus L.).

The modern theories of sexual selection predict that male sexual ornaments may have evolved as reliable signals of male fertilization efficiency. However, among the studies of fishes with external fertilization, the results have yielded ambiguous evidence. In the present study, we present data on the phenotypic relationships between red spawning coloration and ejaculate quality (spermatocrit, sperm motility) from Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus. We studied two generations (F1 and F2) of males from a large lake population, reared in a standardized hatchery environment, to determine whether differential hatchery history, or duration of hatchery selection, affected the variation in ejaculate characteristics or abdominal coloration. After controlling for body length, there was no difference between the hatchery generations in these traits. However, the degree of redness increased with fish size. We found a positive correlation between sperm velocity and sperm longevity, indicating a functional integration between these sperm features across generations. Sperm velocity was also positively correlated with male redness. Therefore, the finding obtained in the present study suggests that the carotenoid-based ornamentation in Arctic charr may provide information about differences between males in their fertilization potential. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 98, 794–802.
Determination of Cyanide Levels in Sorghum halepense at Different Vegetation Stages in The Aydın Area

In this study, HCN levels in 150 Sorghum halepense samples obtained from the province of Aydin during 3 different vegetation periods were determined. The analysis was carried out using spectrophotometry. According to the results of the analysis, average HCN levels during the tiller, flowering, and postflowering stages in Sorghum halepense leaves, were 460.8, 144.8, and 44.22 ppm respectively. It was concluded that HCN levels in Sorghum halepense growing in the province of Aydin would be toxic for herbivores during the tillers and flowering stages.
Internalisation of fluorescein isothiocyanate and fluorescein isothiocyanatedextran by suspension-cultured plant cells

The uptake of pure non-conjugated fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and of the membraneimpermeant probe FITC—dextran into suspensioncultured carrot cells and protoplasts has been investigated. Commercial samples of a 70K (K=103Mr) FITC—dextran were shown to contain contaminant FITC and/or its degradation products, which were rapidly internalised into the vacuolar system of both cells and protoplasts. However, purified samples of the 70K FITC—dextran were taken up into the vacuoles of cells but not protoplasts after a lh incubation period. This apparent difference in the ability of cells and protoplasts to internalise FITC—dextrans was confirmed using samples of both commercial and purified 20K FITC—dextran as putative endocytotic probes. Both confocal and conventional fluorescence microscopy of FITC—treated cells have shown that FITC was internalised into similar intracellular compartments as was observed in cells treated with three-times purified 70K FITC—dextran. Thus, FITC was a useful fluorophore for rapidly labelling both the putative endocytotic compartments and the pleiomorphic vacuolar system of carrot cells. Kinetic studies indicated that FITC entered the cell by diffusion in the form of the neutral molecule. We have shown that treatment of cells or protoplasts with the drug Probenecid reversibly inhibited the uptake of FITC from the cytoplasm into the vacuole. In addition, the uptake of FITC into isolated vacuoles was enhanced in the presence of Mg-ATP
Net annual global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity in Chinese double rice‐cropping systems: a 3‐year field measurement in long‐term fertilizer experiments

The impact of agricultural management on global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) is not well documented. A long‐term fertilizer experiment in Chinese double rice‐cropping systems initiated in 1990 was used in this study to gain an insight into a complete greenhouse gas accounting of GWP and GHGI. The six fertilizer treatments included inorganic fertilizer [nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer (NP), nitrogen and potassium fertilizer (NK), and balanced inorganic fertilizer (NPK)], combined inorganic/organic fertilizers at full and reduced rate (FOM and ROM), and no fertilizer application as a control. Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes were measured using static chamber method from November 2006 through October 2009, and the net ecosystem carbon balance was estimated by the changes in topsoil (0–20 cm) organic carbon (SOC) density over the 10‐year period 1999–2009. Long‐term fertilizer application significantly increased grain yields, except for no difference between the NK and control plots. Annual topsoil SOC sequestration rate was estimated to be 0.96 t C ha−1 yr−1 for the control and 1.01–1.43 t C ha−1 yr−1 for the fertilizer plots. Long‐term inorganic fertilizer application tended to increase CH4 emissions during the flooded rice season and significantly increased N2O emissions from drained soils during the nonrice season. Annual mean CH4 emissions ranged from 621 kg CH4 ha−1 for the control to 1175 kg CH4 ha−1 for the FOM plots, 63–83% of which derived from the late‐rice season. Annual N2O emission averaged 1.15–4.11 kg N2O–N ha−1 in the double rice‐cropping systems. Compared with the control, inorganic fertilizer application slightly increased the net annual GWPs, while they were remarkably increased by combined inorganic/organic fertilizer application. The GHGI was lowest for the NP and NPK plots and highest for the FOM and ROM plots. The results of this study suggest that agricultural economic viability and GHGs mitigation can be simultaneously achieved by balanced fertilizer application.
Effect of dietary free lipid on anaerobic fungi and digestion in the rumen of sheep

Six 2-year-old Border Leicester Merino wethers were offered diets containing 75% mixed wheaten and lucerne hays (2:1), 10% rolled barley, and 15% unprotected and protected cottonseed kernel supplement mixed to provide 2.1, 4.0, or 5.9% free lipid in a total lipid content of 7% of the dry matter. Rumen anaerobic fungi were undetectable with 5.9% free lipid but were present at normal levels with 4 and 2.1% free lipid. In association with the absence of anaerobic fungi, protozoal numbers tended to be lower but bacterial counts increased. Lignin degradation was substantially reduced (by 45–60%) and digestion of hemicelluloses (by 7%) and cellulose (by 9%) was also reduced. As rumen digestion of hemicelluloses was reduced by 40% and of cellulose by 14%, digestion in the large intestine partially compensated for the effect of free lipid on rumen digestion. Acetate:propionate ratios decreased as free lipid content increased but the calculated reduction in methane emissions suggested that they only partly compensated for the reduction in energy digestion caused by the free lipid. It was concluded that there is a threshold level, >4% but <6%, for polyunsaturated free lipid above which rumen anaerobic fungi cannot be maintained and fibre digestion will be reduced.
Combined Effects of Temperature and Salinity Stress on Corn CV. Sunahry

Studies on the effects of salinity and temperature at germination and seedling growth stage of Corn cv. Sunahry were carried out. Water uptake by seeds was directly proportional to temperature and inversely to salinity stress. Decrease in temperature and increase in salinity, decreased and delayed the initiation of germination. Optimal temperature for germination and growth was 30EC. There was a direct relationship between growth and osmotic potential of the medium. Chloride type of salinity was more deleterious than sulphate, both at germination and growth stage. Above optimal temperature an interaction between temperature and salinity was observed.
Natural history and behaviour of Dunatothrips aneurae Mound (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), a phyllode-gluing thrips with facultative pleometrosis

Thrips of the genus Dunatothrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) construct domiciles by tying phyllodes of Australian Acacia trees together with silk-like glue. Females often co-found domiciles (pleometrosis), an apparently cooperative behaviour that potentially provides insights into social evolution. However, little is known about their basic natural history, limiting the scope for testable predictions. Here, we address this crucial prerequisite step by investigating some key outstanding questions in the most common species, D. aneurae, on its host, Acacia aneura. We detail distribution in space and time, mating, dispersal, domicile building and defence. Dunatothrips aneurae was distributed in loosely reproductively synchronized patches, and tended to prefer east-facing, terminal phyllodes on thin-phyllode A. aneura varieties. Mature domiciles contained middens, concentrated areas of waste, suggesting active maintenance of domiciles and the potential for the division of labour. We observed inbreeding and outbreeding. Dunatothrips aneurae males engaged in short, truncated matings with sisters before dispersing locally, mating with females in nearby immature domiciles; longer distance dispersal, although it must happen, is still undocumented. Males and females mated multiply. Lone females required male presence to initiate domiciles, constructed them without male help and lost wings on nesting by abscission. Silk production occurred well before egg laying. Aggression or defence appeared to be entirely absent. Taken together, these observations suggest that research into co-founding behaviour should focus on: (1) local crowding; (2) lack of aggression; and (3) potential division of labour with respect to egg production, silk production and domicile maintenance. These results should provide a springboard for questions on the potential evolution of cooperation in this species. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 109, 802-816.
Changes in Photochemical Efficiency in Response to Herbivory and Experimental Defoliation in the Dioecious Tree Ilex aquifolium

Changes in photosynthetic performance following partial defoliation may play a role in alleviating the negative effects of herbivores. We investigated effects of simulated and larval herbivory and the different spatial pattern of leaf tissue removal on the photosynthetic efficiency in the dioecious holly tree. We also addressed whether effects of herbivory on photosynthesis were sex specific. Experiments were conducted with third‐year plants growing under natural light and temperature. Photosynthesis was evaluated by chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Larval herbivory significantly increased the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II and decreased minimum fluorescence (Fo), while experimental defoliation had exactly the opposite effect. The effect of experimental defoliation on the effective quantum yield of photosystem II was significantly influenced by previous herbivory and time. The effect of larval herbivory on Fo changed significantly with time and plant gender. Our results indicate that compensatory photosynthesis can be affected by which kind of damage occurs, the light‐adaptation state of plants, the timing of data collection, and plant gender. In the literature, these effects have created misunderstandings because they have not been properly accounted for. Our study illustrates the need to rethink approaches to estimating compensatory photosynthesis and its potential ecological consequences.
Assessing the efficacy and ecology of biocontrol and biomanipulation for managing invasive pest fish

Summary Management of non-native species aims to prevent biological invasions using actions including control and containment of the potential invader. Biocontrol and biomanipulation strategies are used frequently to reduce population sizes of non-native species and reduce their ecological impacts and dispersal rates. Assessments of the efficacy of biocontrol and biomanipulation actions for managing non-native pest fish, and the ecological mechanisms involved, were studied here using lentic populations of the invasive fish Pseudorasbora parva. Biocontrol was through release of the indigenous piscivorous fish Perca fluviatilis and biomanipulation through intensive fish removals. A combined biocontrol and removal programme was completed in an invaded pond over two reproductive seasons. Almost 10 000 P. parva were removed, with cumulative removal numbers significantly related to their decreased abundance (>60 to <0·1 m−2). Ten adult P. fluviatilis were also released initially and reproduced each season. Analyses revealed P. parva contribution to P. fluviatilis diet was high initially, but decreased as P. parva abundance reduced. Individual contributions of the management actions to declined P. parva abundance were difficult to isolate. The individual effects of biocontrol and removals on P. parva populations were then tested using a field trial in replicated pond mesocosms over three reproductive seasons. Replicates started with 1500 P. parva. The control (no interventions) revealed no significant temporal changes in P. parva abundances. In the removal treatment, where over 17 000 P. parva were removed per replicate over the trial, abundance declined initially, but increased significantly after each reproductive season as remaining fish compensated through increased reproductive output. In the biocontrol, abundance declined and remained low; analyses revealed P. parva were an important dietary component of larger P. fluviatilis, with predation suppressing compensatory responses. Synthesis and applications. Biocontrol and removals can significantly reduce abundances of lentic populations of small invasive fishes. Removals provide short-term population suppression, but high effort is needed to overcome compensatory responses. Biocontrol can provide longer-term suppression but could invoke unintended ecological consequences via ‘stocking-up’ food webs. Application of these results to decision-making frameworks should enable managers to make more objective decisions on risk-commensurate methodologies for controlling small invasive fishes.
Validation of a nested error component model to estimate damage caused by corn rootworm larvae

The corn rootworm complex (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) constitutes a significant threat to maize production in the United States, and more recently, in Europe. We conducted an analysis of readily available field trial data to validate an existing damage function for corn rootworm larvae. We used a nested error component model with unbalanced panel data to describe the relationship between yield loss and root injury caused by these insects. These data were collected by personnel with the Insect Management and Insecticide Evaluation Programme (Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois) and represent 19 location‐years. To our knowledge, this is the largest data set used to estimate a damage function for corn rootworm larvae. Unlike many experiments examining the relationship between root injury and yield loss caused by corn rootworm larvae, the data set used for our analysis includes many Bt maize hybrids. Our model suggests that for each node of roots injured by corn rootworm larvae, a yield loss of approximately 15% can be expected. Statistically significant variance components included an effect of location and experimental error. We speculate that variation in weather across experimental sites was the principal factor contributing to the significant effect of location. The substantial experimental error observed for our model highlights the limitations of utilizing a multi‐year, geographically diverse damage function for predicting yield loss because of root injury on a small scale. We discuss major factors contributing to the variance components estimated by our model and suggest techniques for improving future analyses of the damage function for corn rootworm larvae.
ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITY OF DATURA METEL IN MCF-7 CELL LINE

Objective: Current clinical trends involve the usage of plants as therapeutic agent in a wide range of applications. Present investigation is focused on the anticancer activity of the methanol extract of Datura metel against MCF-7 cell line. Materials & Methods: The study was facilitated by collecting the plant sample and subjected to methanol extraction using Soxhlet apparatus. Results: The anticancer activity of the extracted sample against MCF-7 cell line was examined by MTT assay. Conclusion: The study confirms that the leaf extract of Datura metel has anticancer potential against MCF-7 cell lines. Key words: Datura Metel, MCF-7 cell line, MTT assay, anti-cancer activity
Home range size of adult Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in a coastal and estuarine system is habitat and sex-specific

This study examined sex-specific differences in home range size of adult Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins off Bunbury, Western Australia. We applied a new kernel density estimation approach that accounted for physical barriers to movements. A Bayesian mixture model was developed to estimate a sex effect in home range size with latent group partitioning constrained by association data. A post hoc analysis investigated group partitioning relating to the proportion of time spent in open vs. sheltered waters. From 2007 to 2013, photographic-identification data were collected along boat-based systematic transect lines (n = 586). Analyses focused on adult dolphins of known sex (sighted ≥ 30 times; n = 22 males and 34 females). The 95% utilization distributions of males varied between 27 and 187 km2 (inline image; 94.8 ± 48.15) and for females between 20 and 133 km2 (65.6 ± 30.9). The mixture model indicated a 99% probability that males had larger home ranges than females. Dolphins mostly sighted in open waters had larger home ranges than those in sheltered waters. Home ranges of dolphins sighted in sheltered waters overlapped with areas of highest human activity. We suggest that sex differences in home ranges are driven by male mating strategies, and home range size differences between habitats may be influenced by prey availability and predation risk.