Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Siderastrea siderea spawning and oocyte resorption at high latitude

Abstract At high latitudes (>25°), sexual reproduction and the maintenance of coral populations can be impaired by marginal environmental conditions. However, little is known about sexual reproduction of many coral species at high latitude on the northern-most extension of the Florida Reef Tract. This study aimed to histologically characterize the reproductive ecology of Siderastrea siderea, near Fort Lauderdale, Florida (26°N). Tissue samples of S. siderea were collected semi-monthly to multi-weekly from August to November in 2007 and 2008. Spawning was inferred from gametogenesis and oocyte resorption was observed in detail. Environmental variables including temperature and lunar cycle were examined for relationship with potential spawning times. Based on the histological evidence, we infer that spawning likely occurred primarily in October. Gametogenesis in this species is likely mediated by seasonal temperature variation, whereas lunar cycle could act as finer scale environmental cue for coordination of spawning. Our findings highlight that S. siderea spawning occurs later in the year compared to other populations of this species throughout the Caribbean and to other coral species near Fort Lauderdale. For the first time, oocyte resorption stages are described and constitute a baseline for future projects that aim to understand this process in corals.
The stage of maturity and its effect upon the chemical composition of four native range species.

Highlight: Prairie range forage plants can provide needed energy and protein for grazing ruminants, particularly in an era of grass fattened animals. Nutritive value and, therefore, animal per$ormance, are directly related to stage ofplant maturity at the time of cutting or grazing. The effect of maturity of four native species in this study was accompanied by a decline in in vitro dry matter digestibility and protein content, and by an increase in fibrous fractions and lignin. Laboratory analyses of prairie species showed seasonal chemical and digestibility changes similar to those of cultivated grasses. A significant date-by-class interaction suggests that cool-season species did not respond differently to maturity changes than did the warm-season species. The neutral sugars found in hemicellulose were xylose, arabinose, glucose, and galactose. Xylose was the predominant structural sugar in all species studied. It would appear that laboratory analysis could serve to estimate nutritive value of various prairie grasses.
Assessing accuracy of a laser rangefinder in estimating grassland bird density

The use of rangefinders in measuring perpendicular distances for density estimation has potential time-saving advantages in sampling avian populations. However, an important assumption in distance methods is accurate measurement of perpendicular distances. We compared a laser rangefinder to conventional measuring tape in measuring perpendicular distances for the purpose of estimating grassland bird density on Texas rangelands. Distances determined with a measuring tape were highly correlated with distances obtained using a laser rangefinder (r=0.98). The regression of rangefinder distances on tape-measured distances was significant [r 2 =0.963, P<0.001), and the slope of the regression (1.005, SE=0.007) line did not differ from 1 (P=0.226). Examination of standardized residuals indicated that the variance about the regression line was constant at distances ≤100 m.
Clustered bourgueticrinid crinoid holdfasts on late Maastrichtian echinoids from northeast Belgium and southeast Netherlands

In general, holdfasts (including distalmost stalk plates) of bourgueticrinid crinoids (Comatulidina, Bourgueticrinina) are comparatively rare in Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) strata in the extended type area (northeast Belgium, southeast Netherlands). Here we describe a number of examples of such holdfasts. Two of these are of note in comprising up to two dozen specimens in different size classes, with a predominance of juveniles, in close proximity to larger, ‘fully grown’ individuals. All specimens are of late Maastrichtian age and are found on tests of holasteroid echinoids of the genus Echinocorys Leske. The majority stem from the Lixhe 1 and 3 members (Gulpen Formation) at the former CPL SA quarry (Haccourt, Liege, Belgium), and at a disused quarry between Houtain-Saint-Simeon and Roclenge-sur-Geer (Liege). A single example is from the underlying Vijlen Member (Gulpen Formation) at the ENCI-Heidelberg Cement Group quarry (Maastricht). The clustering of juvenile and ‘fully grown’ holdfasts on two tests suggests at least three different spat falls. Settlement of crinoid larvae close to the tallest point of the test would have been conducive to further development, but the close proximity may also have had a detrimental effect on feeding, by interference from neighbours. Current action or probing by a predator or scavenger appears to have tumbled the echinoid tests, leading to the premature death of the recently settled crinoids by smothering.
Brachythecium funkii Schimp. and B. japygum (Głow.) Köckinger & Jan Kučera comb. nov., two Alpine species hitherto included in B. cirrosum (Schwägr.) Schimp.

Morphological and molecular studies support the recognition of three alpine species within the traditional concept of Brachythecium cirrosum, which requires the resurrection of two earlier described taxa, B. funkii and B. japygum, comb. nov., from synonymy. According to nuclear and chloroplast sequence data, the latter two taxa proved to be closely related to B. tommasinii and B. tenuicaule, whereas the affinities of B. cirrosum within Brachythecium are rather unclear. B. funkii is a coarser plant than B. cirrosum and also differs in shorter leaf acumens and much larger lamina cells. On the other hand, B. japygum (better known under the illegitimate name Eurhynchium histrio) can be distinguished from B. cirrosum in the prostrate and densely pinnate to subdendroid growth form, longer leaf acumens and wider lamina cells with lumens wider than walls. All three species also differ from each other in the morphology of the alar cell group. Despite their shared preference for calcareous rocks, the three species show marked differences in habitat requirements.
Stability Analysis of Newly Evolved Genotypes of Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema Grandiflora Tzvelev) for Cut Flower Production using Eberhart and Russel Model

Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) is a multi use flower crop, belongs to family Asteraceae. It is native to northern hemisphere chiefly Europe and Asia. It is national flower of Japan and species in the genus chrysanthemum varies from 100 to 200. It ranks second after rose (Anonymous, 2017). In India during 2016-2017 the area under chrysanthemum was 20090 hectare and production of cut flower was 14930 MT (Anonymous, 2018). Total area under chrysanthemum in Himachal Pradesh for cut flower is 67.01ha and with annual production of 5360 lakh number of cut flower respectively during the year 2018-2019 (Anonymous, 2019). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 6 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
STREPSIPTERA (INSECTA) OF MEXICO - A REVIEW

Strepsiptera are obligate endoparasites in other insects. They are cosmopolitan in distribution and parasitize 34 families of Insecta. The males are free-living and the females are totally endoparasitic (except in one family). A list of Strepsiptera from Mexico is given.
SEXUAL PHASES IN THE AMERICAN OYSTER (OSTREA VIRGINICA)

1. Examination of the developing gonads of young oysters from various localities at frequent intervals during the first two years of life shows that a primary bisexual gonad is formed in each individual within a few months after setting.2. The activities of the gonad depend upon the temperature of the water and apparently other conditions of nutrition, a much larger proportion of the animals becoming sexually mature during the first year in warmer than in cooler localities.3. The primary gonad contains the antecedent cells of both sexes, with ovocytes upon the walls of the follicles and spermatocytes intermingled and bordering the lumens.4. The protandric nature of the primary gonad frequently becomes manifest by the rapid proliferation of the spermatogonia and the formation of primary spermatocytes; the latter soon pass through the synaptic phases and lead to the production of secondary spermatocytes and spermatids at the age of a few months. But no functional spermatozoa have been observed until the fol.
Eudendrium (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from Bunaken Marine Park, Sulawesi Sea, Indonesia

(2006) Eudendrium (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) species from Bunaken Marine Park, Sulawesi Sea, Indonesia. Zoological Studies 45(4): 616-625. Three species of the genus Eudendrium were recorded from the Bunaken Marine Park (North Sulawesi, Indonesia). The new species Eudendrium garis sp. nov. is well characterized by the aggregation of microbasic euryteles in vertical stripes, in which the nematocysts are generally also vertically oriented, and by the eggs which are linked to the blastostyle by a small concave perisarcal support. The female gonophores of the Australian E. aylingae, unknown hitherto, are herein described. They are characterized by having a simple and curved spadix with the distal end free, turning away from the egg, forming a prominent nose. The 3rd recorded species is E. racemosum. Its presence in Indonesian water confirms the other Indo-Pacific records and indicates a Tethyan distribution for the species. http://zoolstud.sinica. edu.tw/Journals/45.4/616.pdf
Seasonal Changes in Song Repertoire Song without Seasonal

Seasonal variation in the size of song nuclei in the brains of male songbirds may be related to the ability to learn to sing new songs as adults. This hypothesis was tested with the rufous-sided towhee (Pipilo erythrophfhalmus), a species in which song repertoires are stable after 1 yr of life. Towhees were hand raised in the laboratory and tutored with normal towhee songs. After song repertoires were recorded at 1 yr of age, photoperiods were manipulated so that 10 male towhees experienced short days and 10 males experienced long days. Circulating hormone concentrations and anatomical attributes of song nuclei were then measured. Photoperiodrelated differences in the song nuclei of these towhees were as large as those seen in “open-ended learners” (i.e., species that continue to learn new songs as adults). Seasonal changes of the adult song system may thus occur without disrupting existing song repertoires and without the development of new songs. The synaptic plasticity provided by such seasonal variation, however, may enable song learning by adult birds. In temperate and subtropical bird species, reproduction is seasonal, with breeding generally restricted to the spring and early summer. In oscine birds, song behavior is a critical feature of reproduction. Song acts in the contexts of territorial defense and courtship and, together with other reproductive behaviors, is seasonal in occurrence. It is produced most frequently early in the breeding season, when birds establish territories and attempt to attract and stimulate mates. Song is produced much less often outside of the breeding season. In songbirds, song production is controlled by a network of discrete brain nuclei (reviewed by Nottebohm, 1987; Konishi, 1989). Of main importance in the motor control of song are the caudal nucleus of the ventral hyperstriatum (HVc) and its efferent target, the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA). RA projects to the hypoglossal nucleus (nXI1) in the hindbrain. The muscles of the syrinx, the sound-producing organ, are inner
Efecto de la bacteria Bacillus subtilis y el hongo Micorrizico Arbuscular Glomus fasciculatum en la fertilización fosfórica en el cultivo de la papa (Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena)

En Cochabamba, Bolivia, a una altitud de 3420 msnm, se establecio un ensayo con el cultivar de papa Waych’a (Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena), para evaluar el efecto de la bacteria Bacillus subtilis y el hongo micorrizico Glomus fasciculatum en relacion a una fertilizacion N-P-K con diferentes niveles de fosforo (120; 60; 30; 00). Los tratamientos fueron distribuidos bajo un diseno de parcelas divididas en franjas con tres repeticiones. Entre las diversas variables evaluadas, B. subtilis con los niveles de fertilizacion 80-60-00 y 80-30-00 mostraron mayor emergencia (72.37%) de plantas y mayor numero de tallos (4), respectivamente, en comparacion al testigo (sin bacteria y sin micorrizas). El tratamiento de B. subtilis con 80-30-00 de NPK presento el mayor rendimiento (15940 kg/ha) y fue similar al testigo con el nivel comercial 80-120-00 de NPK (15550 kg/ha). B. subtilis, supero en rendimiento (8598 kg/ha) al tratamiento con B. subtilis + G. fasciculatum, G. fasciculatum y al testigo absoluto (6306, 5508, 5585 kg/ha, respectivamente. La bacteria en presencia de incrementos de fosforo disminuyo su efectividad, por la presencia de hongos micorrizicos nativos en el suelo, G. fasciculatum, no mostro un efecto notorio sobre el rendimiento, pero a medida que se incremento el fosforo, la frecuencia de G. fasciculatum en las raices de papa disminuyo. Los tratamientos con G. fasciculatum, B. subtilis + G. fasciculatum presentaron menor dano de R. solani. Ademas se determino un mejor aprovechamiento de fosforo por las plantas con G. fasciculatum y B. subtilis en combinacion con los niveles 80-30-00 y 80-60-00 de fertilizacion NPK respectivamente, en comparacion al testigo con 80-120-00 de NPK, lo que indica que altas aplicaciones de fosforo no son requeridas, permitiendo reducir los costos de fertilizacion y los riesgos ambientales. Por el mayor beneficio neto y menor costo variable el mejor tratamiento fue a B. subtilis con el nivel de fertilizacion 80-30-00 (kg/ha de NPK), con un retorno marginal de siete Bolivianos por cada Boliviano invertido.Aceptado para publicacion: Diciembre 9, 2011
The invasion of Daphnia lumholtzi (SARS) into Lake Texoma (USA)

The first evidence of Daphnia lumholtzi in Lake Texoma was found in samples taken in the fall of 1991. Samples from 1993 indicate that seasonal variability exists in abundance, horizontal distribution, and morphology. The highest and lowest abundances occurred in the warmest and coldest months, with a corresponding change in distribution. In February 1993, D. lumholtzi was found only in the highly saline Red River inflow waters, whereas in the summer months the species was collected throughout the reservoir. A change in morphology also corresponds with the change in temperature; during cold months the helmet and tail spines were significantly shorter than in warm months. The warmest temperatures resulted in a zooplankton community crash, during which we noticed individuals with deformed helmets and tail spines. Successive experiments indicate that high temperatures can induce deformation of D. lumholtzi spines.
Genetic diversity and population structure of indigenous chicken breeds in South China

A total of 587 individuals from 12 indigenous chicken breeds from South China and two commercial breeds were genotyped for 26 microsatellites to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure. All micro- satellites were found to be polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 36, with an average of 12.10 7.00 (SE). All breeds, except White Recessive Rock, had high allelic polymorphism (>0.5). Higher genetic diversity was revealed in the indigenous chicken breeds rather than in the commercial breeds. Potential introgression from the commercial breeds into the indigenous chickens was also detected. The population structure of these indigenous chicken breeds could be explained by their geographical distribution, which suggested the presence of independent history of breed formation. Data generated in this study will provide valuable information to the conservation for indigenous chicken breeds in future.
Bentazon Spray Retention, Activity, and Foliar Washoff in Weed Species

Greenhouse studies were conducted to investigate the effects of adjuvant and rainfall on bentazon spray retention, efficacy, and foliar washoff in hemp sesbania, sicklepod, smooth pigweed, and velvetleaf. Bentazon was applied at 0.28 to 2.24 kg ai/ha with Agri-Dex, a crop oil concentrate (COC) or Kinetic, an organiosilicone-nonionic surfactant blend (OSB) when weeds were at the three- to five-leaf stage. Plants were subjected to 2.5 cm simulated rainfall for 20 min at 1 and 24 h after application of bentazon. Shoot fresh weight reduction assessed 2 wk after treatment was similar with either adjuvant on velvetleaf and smooth pigweed. OSB enhanced bentazon efficacy in hemp sesbania and sicklepod as compared to COC. Rainfall at 1 h after application generally reduced bentazon activity in all weeds. OSB maintained bentazon activity in hemp sesbania when subjected to rainfall at 1 h after application as compared to COC. Overall, bentazon spray retention on plants was 9 to 550% higher with OSB as compared to COC among the species at 1 h after application. Amount of bentazon residue washed off from the foliage by rainfall within a weed species was relatively similar for both adjuvants except in smooth pigweed and ranged from 39 to 98% among the four weed species at 1 h after application. OSB exhibited specificity for certain weed species and the potential to minimize bentazon spray reaching the soil by increasing deposition.
Phylogeography and species delimitation in convict cichlids (Cichlidae: Amatitlania): implications for taxonomy and Plio–Pleistocene evolutionary history in Central America

We investigate phylogeographic patterns and delimit species boundaries within Amatitlania, a genus of Central American cichlid fishes. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences from 318 individuals spanning the geographical ranges of all three currently recognized Amatitlania species strongly supported one major clade, with a relatively diverged subclade corresponding to A. kanna samples from eastern Costa Rica and Panama. Gene trees and networks revealed marked incongruences between phylogeographic structure and morpho-species taxonomy as a result of species-level polyphyly. Bayes factor comparisons of species delimitation models accounting for incomplete lineage sorting under the multispecies coalescent decisively supported the recognition of two distinct species within Amatitlania corresponding to Amatitlania nigrofasciata and A. kanna lineages. The only clearly genetically and morphologically diagnosable species was A. kanna. These results strongly suggest that incomplete lineage sorting provides the best explanation for the polyphyly of A. kanna, whereas the polyphyly of A. siquia is likely a result of an imperfect taxonomy. Additional insights from coalescent-dating, network, and historical demographic analyses suggested that the two species of Amatitlania diversified only since the early Pleistocene, and that A. nigrofasciata experienced population expansions from approximately 200 000 years ago in the mid-late Pleistocene onward. We discuss implications of our results for the taxonomy and evolutionary history of Amatitlania and, more broadly, of Central American freshwater fishes.
Effect of Desliming of Tailings on the Fresh and Hardened Properties of Paste Backfill Made from Alkali-Activated Slag

Cemented paste backfill (CPB) allows environmental friendly management of potentially hazardous tailings generated from milling of nonferrous metal sulphide ores by placing such tailings into the underground mined-out openings. The components of CPB are tailings, water, and binders. These components significantly affect the physicomechanical, workability, and geotechnical properties of CPB. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is the commonly used binder for CPB operations. The effects of the tailings characteristics and OPC are extensively studied in the study area. The beneficial effect of the use of alkali-activated slags (AASs) on the mechanical and durability properties of CPB of sulphide-rich tailings has been recently reported. Therefore, this study especially focused on the effect of desliming of the tailings on the workability properties of sulphide-rich tailings CPB containing AAS besides hardened properties. In this scope, the water-retention capacities of full (FT) and deslimed tailings (DT) and the workability characteristics of CPB mixtures were studied. DT was found to decrease the water-retention capacity, leading to denser CPB mixtures. In addition, DT-AASs usage produced no adverse effect on the workability of fresh CPB materials. LSS-S (slag activated with liquid sodium silicate) improved the flowability of CPB mixtures owing to its dispersant effect. Desliming also modified the tailing properties by removing fine particles and improved the main geotechnical parameters of CPB.
Squamate Phylogenetics, Molecular Branch Lengths, and Molecular Apomorphies: A Response to McMahan et al.

Morphology-based studies of squamate phylogenetics recover very different topologies from studies that use molecular or combined molecular and morphological data. This has led to some stimulating dialogue regarding the respective merits of the alternative hypotheses, with the primary point of disagreement being the placement of Iguania. Molecular phylogenetic studies place Iguania in a highly nested position as a member of the clade Toxicofera, additionally containing Anguimorpha and Serpentes, whereas morphology-only studies have traditionally placed Iguania as sister to all remaining squamates. McMahan and colleagues recently posited that the molecular phylogenetic hypothesis of the placement of Iguania is a result of incorrect root placement. These authors mapped molecular data (i.e., DNA sequence data) onto phylogenetic hypotheses and identified more molecular apomorphies on the basal branches of the morphology-based phylogeny. They concluded from this result that the molecular data support the morphological phylogenetic hypothesis of Iguania being sister to all remaining squamates. Here, we map molecular data onto additional phylogenetic hypotheses and show that the conclusions of McMahan and colleagues are flawed for three key reasons: 1) they misinterpreted a measure of branch length as a measure of branch support; 2) they considered only two phylogenetic hypotheses; and 3) their counts of molecular apomorphies are severely biased by their decision to collapse clades into large polytomies. We demonstrate that counting the molecular apomorphies along a given branch is a poor measure of support for a clade and that the molecular data do not provide support for the morphology-based squamate phylogeny as the optimal topology.
Performance, nutrient digestibility, and quantitative carcass traits of lambs fed sunflower seeds and vitamin E

The aim of this study was to evaluate performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass quantitative traits of lambs fed diets with and without sunflower seeds and vitamin E. Thirty-two uncastrated lambs at approximately 60 days of age, with 15 ± 0.2 kg, were housed in individual stalls and slaughtered at 32.0 ± 0.2 kg body weight. Treatments consisted of the following four diets: C = sugarcane + concentrate; CS = sugarcane + concentrate with sunflower seeds; CE = sugarcane + concentrate with 1,000 mg vitamin E kg-1 diet dry matter (DM); and CSE = sugarcane + concentrate with sunflower seeds and 1,000 mg vitamin E kg-1 diet DM. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (with and without sunflower seeds and with or without vitamin E, on the diet DM basis), and means were compared by Tukey’s test at 5% significance level. Consumption of vitamin E intake by the lambs provided (P 0.05) carcass morphological or quantitative measurements. Sunflower seeds and vitamin E showed to be satisfactory alternatives for inclusion in the concentrate for feedlot lambs, providing good performance and quality carcasses.