Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sexual Selection and the Mismeasure of Color

Many long-standing evolutionary hypotheses make predictions about trends in color patterns. Examples of these include crypsis, mimicry and warning coloration, fruit coloration, flower coloration, the handicap principle of honest advertisement, Fisher's runaway process, the parasite theory of sexual selection, and sensory drive theories of signaling. The majority of tests of these hypotheses, particularly with regard to sexual selection, have been conducted on objects that birds perceive visually, with human vision used to assess color. This assumes that birds see color patterns as humans do, an assumption that is seriously flawed. First, birds see very well parts of the spectrum that humans cannot. Second, birds have at least four dimensions to their color vision, compared to only three in humans. Third, birds have a complex system of oil droplets in their retinas, which may alter the number of hues they perceive. Thus, an object will not appear to have the same hues for a human and a bird, and maybe not even the same relative brightness or saturation. Despite this, human vision is routinely, and almost without exception, the method used for assessment of color patterns seen by birds. We argue that the error in this assumption may well be a major reason that support for various evolutionary hypotheses involving color is an area of controversy. We also suggest methods for overcoming the shortcomings of existing studies and suggest which previous approaches are likely to have been most erroneous. As part of this, it is apparent that a research program in color cognition is necessary, for if we wish to understand evolutionary hypotheses involving color we need to understand how animals perceive color. Color is not an inherent property of the object; it is a product of the brain of the animal perceiving the object. Humans can see hues seen by birds as much as knowledge of x and y coordinates can predict the position of a point in three-dimensional space.
Aberrant Ovules and Megagametophytes in Rhododendron nuttallii (Ericaceae)

During study of megagametophyte development in Rhododendron nuttallii at daily intervals from anthesis through pollination 2 d later to 21 d after pollination using clearing techniques, 14 different deviations from the normal pattern of development were encountered. These are grouped into three general categories: aberrant ovule development, aberrant megagametophytes, and disintegrated(ing) megagametophytes. A fourth category, "overripe" megagametophytes, is also recognized. Abnormal ovules included nonanatropous ones, those showing asymmetric integument development with the nucellus not enclosed and "double" ovules. Unusual gametophyte development was seen in the functioning of a spore other than the chalazal one, functioning of more than one spore of the same tetrad, an extremely long nucellus with gametophytic tissue partly or wholly disintegrated, nuclei clustered in the center, nuclei of different sizes, small vacuolate cellular gametophyte, egg apparatus turned 90⚬-180⚬, and pollen tube overgrown within the gametophyte. Disintegration occurred at different developmental stages: near the tetrad stage, during gametophyte development from the functional spore but before enlargement, and, in pollinated ovaries, of mature gametophytes in ovules not entered by a pollen tube (rarely fertilized ones). Overripe gametophytes include some early stages, with extra large nuclei, that persist until late stages are prevalent, and mature gametophytes in unpollinated pistils at a time when fertilization would normally have occurred. A total of 33,688 ovules were tallied as to stage of development; through the 25 collection dates (including four unpollinated controls) an average of almost 8.7% (2,927) of these were classed as aberrant (overripe gametophytes not included). If prefertilization aberrancies alone are considered (eliminating disintegrating mature gametophytes), an average of just over 5.6% (1,900) were abnormal. Some aberrancies were more consistent in appearance or commoner than others: early disintegrating gametophytes occurred in all collections, and disintegration at maturity was rather common in the late pollinated collections. Since part of the study was directed toward determining if there was any effect of placental position on the stage of gametophyte development, such information was also available for aberrant ovules. Of the deviant types, five occurred too infrequently (only one to three ovules) to consider, three appeared to be randomly distributed, but five were, and one tended to be, associated with particular portions of the placenta, e.g., the gametophyte disintegrating at maturity. The scarcity of information about aberrant ovules and gametophytes and the relation of these to the commonly occurring low ratio of number of seeds set to number of ovules produced is discussed.
HDL-LDL Ratio: A Significant Predisposition to the Onset of Atherosclerosis

The significance of high-density lipoprotein/low density lipoprotein (HDL-LDL) ratio as a predisposing factor to the onset of atherogenesis has been studied. Standard enzymatic method using Cholesterol kit to extract cholesterol was used. HDL was analysed using standard HDL Kit and LDL concentration was derived by a standard mathematical formula. There is a significant difference between HDL and LDL concentration within the hypertensive group, whereas this is not the case with the normotensive group. HDL is responsible for reverse cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues and LDL does the opposite. It is thus clear why the overwhelming concentration of LDL in Hypertensive could be atherogenic. Key Words: Hypertension, atherosclerosis, cholesterol, lipoprotein Nig. J. Health and Biomed. Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 78-82
HISTORY OF A SMALL CROWN FIRE

An 80-foot-square plot in a red pine plantation was burned at extreme fire danger as part of a study of fire behaviour and effect. When the wind reversed its direction, the original slow-moving back-fire changed within a few minutes to a fast-spreading crown fire. The transition from surface to crowns is described in terms of rate of spread, fuel weight consumed and energy output.
Litter moisture content as a determinant of litter arthropod distribution and abundance during the dry season on Barro Colorado Island, Panama

Animals generally are patchy in time and space. The causes of this pattern have been explored in only a few cases. We here present data on the relative amounts of migration and activity by litter arthropods during the dry season in artificially watered vs unmanipulated patches of litter on the forest floor of Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Watering significantly changed the physical environment of the litter. Litter moisture content increased by 37-70 percent (absolute increase 8-16%) and soil moisture content by 16-24 percent (absolute increase 4-8%). More and smaller arthropods were found in wetter patches. This effect was weak or variable in watered patches that had unmanipulated arthropod populations and strong in patches from which we had removed arthropods at the beginning of the experiment. Ant colonies were much more likely to migrate into wetter, "empty" areas, and more individuals were collected in these plots. Overall, more species of ants and more groups of arthropods were found in watered, "empty" plots. We thus demonstrate that at least part of the variance in plot-to-plot abundance of litter arthropods is related to litter moisture content. This may have strong effects on the community structure of litter arthropods. PATCHY SPECIES DISTRIBUTIONS are a common subject of biological investigations (review in Wiens 1976). Many species or groups are patchily distributed, often with no obvious biological explanation (Hairston and Byers 1954, Lloyd 1967). Litter and soil arthropods have been used as examples of this phenomenon (e.g., Macfadyen 1952, Lloyd 1963, Usher 1975). Soil or litter moisture content, insolation, or other abiotic factors frequently are suggested to be important in the formation of uneven distributions among sites (Usher 1970, 1975), but there have been only scattered experimental approaches to this question (Lloyd 1963, Gill 1969, Lussenhop 1976, Vandermeer et al. 1980, Whitford et al. 1981). We here present experimental data on arthropod abundance in leaf litter under a tropical semideciduous forest. Using 30 months of data, we previously suggested that the length of the rainy season and the distribution of rain showers in the dry season strongly affect litter arthropods (Levings and Windsor 1982). More litter arthropods were collected (1) when there was a short wet season with low late-wet-season rainfall and (2) when the dry season was punctuated with frequent, small rainshowers. Litter moisture content is more variable in the dry season than the wet season (Levings and Windsor 1982); wetter areas of litter are common on the forest floor during the dry season (pers. obs.). Small areas of moist litter may provide refuges from locally dry conditions for desiccation-intolerant species, permit continued reproduction or foraging activity, or be necessary for successful aesti-
Two-Toned Echolocation Calls from Molossus molossus in Cuba

Molossus molossus from Cuba uses narrowband search signals that typically are emitted in a series of pairs with a signal of lower frequency (mean peak frequency = 34.1 kHz) followed by a signal of higher frequency (39.7 kHz). Both frequencies fall into the most sensitive region of a previously published audiogram of M. molossus . Because there is no overlap in frequency between the two signals of one pair, pairing may allow the bat to process echoes of one call while emitting the second call. This would extend the duty cycle of temporal scanning by using two separate frequency channels in its auditory system to analyze calls.
Effects of dietary administration of probiotic Halomonas sp. B12 on the intestinal microflora, immunological parameters, and midgut histological structure of shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis.

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of oral administration of probiotic Halomonas sp. B12 (previously isolated from the intestine of Fenneropenaeus chinensis) on the intestinal microflora, immunological parameters, and midgut histological structure of F. chinensis. Shrimp (initial weight: 4.00 ± 0.10 g) were fed diets containing Halomonas sp. B12 at 0 (control), 3.68 × 107 (T1), and 7.18 × 1010 (T2) colony-forming units per gram for 6 wk, respectively. The results showed that the total bacterial counts significantly increased (P 0.05). PO activity in plasma was higher in T2 than that in T1. Cumulative shrimp mortality after 10-d white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge test significantly decreased with increasing dietary probiotic B12 (P 0.05). The oral administration of probiotic B12 to F. chinensis was beneficial to protect the integrity of shrimp intestinal mucosal layer. In summary, even though the low dose (T1) had some effects on bacterial counts and immunological parameters, only the high dose (T2) significantly increased the resistance of the shrimp to WSSV.
Steeper biomass spectra of demersal fish communities after trawler exclusion in Sicily

Sweeting, C. J., Badalamenti, F. , D'Anna, G. , Pipitone, C. , and Polunin, N. V. C. 2009. Steeper biomass spectra of demersal fish communities after trawler exclusion in Sicily. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 195-202.The effects of trawling on Mediterranean demersal fish communities were assessed by comparing them with the normalized biomass spectra among three gulfs on the north Sicilian coast, one of which had been subject to 15 years of trawler exclusion. Comparisons were conducted across seasons and among depth strata. Biomass-spectra slopes were significantly steeper in the gulf that was closed to trawling than in the unprotected gulfs. This was attributed to the exclusion of trawlers, which lacked catch-size selectivity, and to the continued fishing by artisanal gears that are more size selective. The biomass of all size classes was higher in the protected gulf than in unprotected areas, and increases were greatest in smaller size classes. Community mean individual fish mass was similar among all areas with a wider range of body masses present in the trawl exclusion area, compensating for the greater abundance of small fish. Size-spectra slopes were generally shallower and midpoint heights lower with increasing depth and were greater in autumn than spring; the effect of these seasonal and depth factors was as great as that of protection. Depth patterns are explainable by bathymetric trends in within- and among-species fish size. Seasonal differences were attributed to variation in spawning behaviour and fishery recruitment, with seasonal differences being greater in unprotected locations as a result of recruitment overfishing.
Feeding behaviour in two scleroglossan lizards: Lacerta viridis (Lacertidae) and Zonosaurus laticaudatus (Cordylidae)

This paper deals with a description of feeding phases in the scleroglossan lizard Zonosaurus laticaudatus by using high-speed cinematography. Capture modes are compared with Lacerta viridis. Z. laticaudatus uses the tongue for capturing small prey while both species use jaw prehension for large prey. L. viridis always uses jaw prehension for small prey.
An Ultrastructural Study of Pollen Grains Consumed by Larvae of Osmia Bees (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae)

Abstract Pollen samples from provisions and faeces found in the nests of four Osmia species were analyzed by SEM and TEM. The pollen grains studied were Cistus, Sonchus type oleraceus. Primus type dulcis, and Quercus type ilex. The apertures of Cistus and Sonchus pollen stored in the provisions were slightly expanded, and the cytoplasm protruded through them. Conversely, Prunus and Quercus pollen grains showed hardly any signs of such apertural protrusions. Further, the cytoplasm of Cistus and Sonchus pollen (which have thin intines) was almost entirely lacking in the pollen grains recovered from faeces, while in the faecal pollen grains of Prunus and Quercus (with thick intines) the cytoplasm was much less modified. These preliminary results indicate that both the protrusion of the cytoplasm in the provisions and the thickness of the intine may play an important role in the digestion of pollen grains by Osmia bee larvae.
Impacts of micro-basin water harvesting structures in improving vegetative cover in degraded hillslope areas of north-east Ethiopia.

Water is one of the most important entry points to improve rural livelihoods in drought affected areas of the north-eastern Amhara region in Ethiopia. Various attempts have been made to overcome this problem by making use of different water harvesting structures. However, the choice of structures has been difficult because of a lack of empirical evidence on the relative effectiveness of the different structures. An experiment was conducted from 2002 to 2004 to compare and evaluate three different water harvesting structures (eye-brow basin, half-moon and trench) against the normal seedling plantation practice by farmers (normal pit) as a control. Data on root collar diameter (RCD), diameter at breast height (DBH), height and survival rate of Acacia saligna tree seedlings was collected at 3-month intervals after planting and annual grass biomass production was also measured. Trench and eye-brow basin structures produced 68, 95, 52 and 44% increases in RCD, DBH, height and survival rate, respectively, 15 months after planting compared with the normal pit. Trench structures increased grass biomass by 41.1% compared with normal pits. Eye-brow basins are recommended on hillsides where stone is available while trenchs could be used where stone is scarce. The results indicated that well designed water harvesting micro-basin structures can mitigate the effect of dry spell shocks on tree seedling performance and land cover rehabilitation. They were also very effective in increasing grass biomass production indicating the potential for improving livestock feed on the available barren hillsides.
Male-biased parasitism by common helminths is not explained by sex differences in body size or spleen mass of breeding cormorants Phalacrocorax auritus

In vertebrates, males are often more parasitised than conspecific females. This bias in parasitism might result from sex differences in parasite exposure and/or susceptibility to infection. Such information is important for testing hypotheses about allocation of resources to life histories of males and females and for testing hypotheses about factors thought to influence parasite fitness and parasite dynamics. We tested whether double-crested cormorants Phalacrocorax auritus exhibit male-biased parasitism by gut helminths. The prevalence of nematode Contracaecum spp. and trematode Drepanocaphalus spathans infections was ∼90% and 39%, respectively. Cestode, primarily Paradilepis caballeroi and acanthocephalan Andracantha gravida infections were less common (<10%). Male and female cormorants did not differ in prevalence of infection by any helminth species. However, males had twice the abundance and intensity of Contracaecum spp. infections and twice the intensity of D. spathans infections than found in females. For common parasites showing male-biased parasitism, degree of parasitism was also unrelated to body size or mass in either sex. Males and females did not differ in spleen mass and spleen mass was unrelated to abundance of common parasites. Furthermore, abundance of trematodes and nematodes was not correlated. At present, male biases in parasitism by nematodes and trematodes in cormorants are independent patterns that remain unexplained, but are most likely attributable to sex differences in exposure and/or immunological differences not yet assessed.
Response within Herd to Sire Selection

Abstract Effective sire selection should result in predictable differences among progeny groups within herds. National data from cows with lactations in 1979 gave within-herd regressions for Holstein yield on Predicted Difference of sire of 1.00 for milk and 1.01 for fat. First-lactation data gave regressions of 1.20 for milk and 1.13 for fat. Holstein herds were stratified into 10 classes by average milk yield of herd. Within-herd regressions of first-lactation yield on Predicted Difference of sire ranged from . 71 for the lowest yield class to 1.49 for the highest yield class. Yield response to Predicted Differences of sires was related positively to herd yield, which suggests that sire selection for increased yield gives a greater return for herds with high yield than for herds with low yield. These results were supported by data from other breeds. Phenotypic variation within herds increased with herd yield, but coefficient of variation decreased. Heritabilities for yield from paternal half-sisters increased markedly across six classes of increasing herd yield for Holsteins.
Genetic improvement in short season soybeans: I. Dry matter accumulation, partitioning, and leaf area duration

Genetic improvement of short-season soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] cultivars has resulted in a 0.5% annual gain in yield. Although yield is the product of dry matter (DM) accumulation and partitioning, the relative contributions of these two components of yield to genetic improvement has not been documented. Furthermore, the mechanism by which higher DM accumulation or harvest index (HI) is accomplished in the newer cultivars is unclear. The objective of the current study was to characterize DM accumulation and partitioning in cultivars which differ in yield potential, and determine the role of these traits in yield improvement. Two older (low yield potential) and two newer (higher yield potential) soybean cultivars of similar maturity were grown in side-by-side trials in 1996 and 1997. Plant samples were taken during each growing season and separated into leaves, stems + petioles, roots, and seeds. Dry matter accumulation and leaf area indices were measured. Seed yield of the new cultivars was 30% greater than their older counterparts. Increased DM accumulation contributed 78% and increased HI contributed 22% towards the genetic gain in yield. Total plant dry weight increased to a maximum around R4/R5 and subsequently declined during the seed-filling period (SFP) as pod development increased and leaf senescence began. This decline in dry weight during the SFP was greater for the old than for the new cultivars. The newer cultivars maintained leaf area further into the SFP than the old cultivars enabling continued dry matter accumulation. The results of this experiment indicate that genetic yield improvement in the short-season soybean cultivars examined was mainly associated with longer leaf area duration and the subsequently greater DM accumulation.
Transmissible salt tolerance traits identified through reciprocal grafts between sensitive Carrizo and tolerant Cleopatra citrus genotypes

Summary In this work, reciprocal grafts between the chloride-tolerant Cleopatra mandarin ( Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan.) and the chloride-sensitive Carrizo citrange ( Citrus sinensis [L.] Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata [L.] Raf.) rootstocks were grown under saline conditions to identify major transmissible salt tolerance traits in citrus. The data indicate that lower chloride levels in leaves, attenuated shoot growth and smaller vessel size in xylem were the most important transmissible salt tolerance traits. Other tolerance attributes such as larger leaf area and lower transpiration rates were non-transmissible charac teristics. Leaf cation levels and gas interchange parameters were unrelated to salt tolerance. In com parison with sensitive Carrizo, tolerant Cleopatra plants showed reduced capabilities for water uptake as well as lower leaf Cl-concentrations. Carrizo on Cleopatra grafts also possessed these two attributes although they were slightly less tolerant than Cleopatra plants, which had higher shoot to root ratios than the grafted plants. Cleopatra on Carrizo plants showed high sensitivity to salt because they had higher ability for water uptake and accumulated higher Cl-concentrations in leaves.
The relationship of lamb growth from birth to weaning and the milk production of their primiparous crossbred dams.

The growth rate of 667 single cross lambs from birth to 4 weeks (Period 1) and 4 weeks to weaning at 12 weeks (Period 2) was measured, along with the milk production of their 520 primiparous crossbred ewe dams over 3 years. The lambs were the progeny of Poll Dorset rams and first cross ewes lambing for the first time at 12 and 19 months of age. The first cross ewes were the progeny of Merino ewes mated to 30 individual sires from several maternal sire breeds, including Border Leicester, East Friesian, Finnsheep and Coopworth. Milk production of the ewes was measured at ~3, 4 and 12 weeks of lactation using a 4-h milk test. The effect of ewe milk production on lamb growth rate in Period 1 included a significant interaction with lamb birth and rearing type (P < 0.001). These regressions were 52 ± 18 g/day per kg/day for single born and reared, 24 ± 17 g/day per kg/day for multiple born and single reared and 18 ± 17 g/day per kg/day multiple born and reared lambs. The regression of ewe milk production in Period 2 on lamb growth rate in Period 2 was also significant (P < 0.001), although milk production in Period 1 accounted for more variation in lamb growth. There were significant interactions of ewe weight gain (from mid pregnancy to lamb weaning) with season in Period 1 (P < 0.01) and year in Period 2 (P < 0.001). There was also a significant interaction (P < 0.001) of year with ewe mid-pregnancy weight for lamb growth in Period 2. Lamb birthweight had a significant effect on lamb growth rate in Period 2 (regression coefficient 6.68 ± 2.57 g/day.kg, P < 0.01).