Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reactions of Four Passerine Species To Threats of Predation and Cowbird Parasitism: Enemy Recognition or Generalized Responses?

Four host species of the parasitic brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) were exposed to taxidermic mounts of a female cowbird, fox sparrow (Passerella iliaca), and common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) at their nests during their egg-laying or nestling stage. Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), a species that accepts cowbird eggs laid in their nests, responded more aggressively to cowbird models early in their nesting cycle, indicating that they recognized the unique threat the cowbird posed. Gray catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), northern orioles (Icterus galbula), and cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) can remove cowbird eggs from their nests and for the most part they responded similarly to cowbird models and the "nonthreatening control," i.e. a fox sparrow. Cedar waxwings were nonaggressive to all the models and may rely on concealment to protect their nests from enemies. Removal of cowbird eggs by puncture ejection is more risky than grasp ejection. Despite this, orioles and waxwings (puncture ejectors) were not significantly more aggressive to cowbird models at egg laying than catbirds (grasp ejectors). Responses of the three rejector species toward the cowbird model did not change over the nesting cycle, indicating further that they do not recognize cowbirds as a unique threat. Rejector species may not recognize cowbirds because they have little experience with them. With the exception of waxwings, all of the hosts recognized the grackle as an enemy and increased their levels of defence from the laying to nestling stages. Three of the host-species did not simply respond in a generalized manner to any intruder at their nests but indeed recognized specific enemies. Considerable interspecific variability exists amongst the four species in defensive behaviours, which may reflect their different nesting habitats.
Efeito de dietas com níveis crescentes de caroço de algodão integral sobre a composição química e o perfil de ácidos graxos da carne de cordeiros Santa Inês

Esta pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da inclusao (0, 20, 30 e 40%) de caroco de algodao integral (Gossypium hirsutum) na dieta sobre a composicao quimica e o perfil de acidos graxos da carne de cordeiros Santa Ines. Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros machos nao-castrados (peso corporal inicial de 19,0 ± 0,2 kg e 4 meses de idade), todos criados em regime de confinamento em baias individuais. Os niveis de caroco de algodao integral nao afetaram a composicao centesimal e os percentuais de colesterol e fosfolipidios da carne ovina. Entretanto, houve diferenca entre os percentuais dos acidos graxos miristico, palmitico e linolenico e entre a relacao C18:0 + C18:1 / C16:0. Do ponto de vista nutricional, a utilizacao de caroco de algodao integral na dieta pode ser recomendada, durante periodos curtos, em niveis de ate 40% para ovinos em terminacao. Ressalta-se que o caroco de algodao integral e um subproduto economicamente viavel por apresentar baixo custo de producao em comparacao ao milho e a soja.
Preliminary Evidence for a Sulphur Cycle in Movile Cave, Romania

In order to investigate the food chain and energy balance of the chemolithoautotrophically-based ecosystem of the sulfur spring in Movile Cave as a model system for extraterrestrial life, a first sampling campaign was done. Microbial diversity and activity were analyzed by MPN-enumeration methods and microcalorimetry, resp. In addn. , a speciation of the inorg. sulfur compds. by HPLC and IC techniques was performed. Metabolic activities were predominantly connected with thick microbial mats floating on the water surface of the cave. These mats showed an aerobic heat evolution of about 1200 mW/g and contained about 500 mmol/g elemental sulfur. In contrast, other samples collected from cave water, sediment and rock exhibited only activities of maximal 40 to 60 mW/g and contained only up to 2.5 mmol/g elemental sulfur. As the main primary producers aerobic and facultatively anaerobic sulfur oxidizers were identified at high nos., occasionally exceeding 107 CFU/g. Methylotrophic bacteria were present in all samples at up to 106 CFU/g, indicating the important role of C1 metab. for the cave ecosystem. Although reduced sulfur species were biol. oxidized to sulfuric acid, the pH values of the samples ranged from 6.5 to 8.2 due to the high buffering capacity of the cave walls, which consisted mainly of limestone. Surprisingly, not only neutrophilic but also extremely acidophilic bacteria were detected. Sulfate reducers were present in both aerobic and anaerobic zones. The data presented suggest a close interdependence of sulfur oxidn. and redn. as well as carbon dioxide and other C1 compd. metab. in the most biol. active zone of the cave ecosystem, i.e. the floating microbial mats.
Lymphotoxin-β Receptor Activation by Activated T Cells Induces Cytokine Release from Mouse Bone Marrow-Derived Mast Cells1

Lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR) signaling is known to play a key role in embryonic lymphoid organ formation as well as maintenance of lymphoid architecture. Activation of the LTβR is induced by either the heterotrimeric lymphotoxin-α1β2 (LTα1β2) or the homotrimeric LIGHT (homologous to lymphotoxins, exhibits inducible expression, and competes with HSV gpD for herpes virus entry mediator, a receptor expressed by T lymphocyte). Both ligands are expressed on activated lymphocytes. As mast cells reside in close proximity to activated T cells in some inflammatory tissues, we examined the expression of LTβR on bone marrow-derived mast cells and asked whether the LTβR-ligand interaction would allow communication between mast cells and activated T cells. We found that mast cells express LTβR at the mRNA as well as at the protein level. To investigate LTβR-specific mast cell activation, the LTβR on BMMC from either wild-type or LTβR-deficient mice was stimulated with recombinant mouse LIGHT or agonistic mAbs in the presence of ionomycin. LTβR-specific release of the cytokines IL-4, IL-6, TNF, and the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein 2 and RANTES was detected. Moreover, coculture of mast cells with T cells expressing the LTβR ligands also entailed the release of these cytokines. Interference with a specific LTβR inhibitor resulted in significant suppression of mast cell cytokine release. These data clearly show that LTβR expressed on mast cells can transduce a costimulatory signal in T cell-dependent mast cell activation.
Interacting components of interspecific relative growth rate: constancy and change under differing conditions of light and nutrient supply

1. One thousand three hundred and twenty plants from 22 species of herbaceous angiosperms, typical of open sunny habitats, were grown from seed for 35 days under controlled conditions in four experimental environments: high (1100 μmol m–2 s–1 PAR) and low (200 μmol m–2 s–1 PAR) light, combined with high (full-strength) and low (1/6 dilution) levels of hydroponic nutrient solution. Plants of each species were harvested at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 days post-germination. 2. Relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf mass ratio (LWR) were estimated for each species in each treatment combination. 3. Both light and nutrient levels affected RGR and each of the growth components. Average NAR increased, while SLA and LWR decreased, with increasing light. Increasing nutrient levels increased all three growth components. Light and nutrient levels interacted in their effects on NAR and SLA, but not in their effects on LWR. 4. Those species having the highest RGR in the most productive environment were most severely depressed in the less productive environments. This same pattern also occurred with NAR and SLA, but not with LWR. 5. The rank order of species with respect to SLA and LWR remained similar across the treatment environments; with respect to NAR the rank order remained similar in only four of the six treatment contrasts; with respect to RGR the rank order remained similar in only two of the six treatment contrasts and the rank order actually reversed in one treatment contrast. 6. RGR did not display strong bivariate correlations with any of the growth components in any of the treatment groups. It had positive, moderately strong correlations with NAR but only in the low-nutrient treatments. It had positive, moderately strong correlations with LWR only in the high-nutrient treatments. After controlling for the other growth components, each showed strong positive relationships with RGR. Furthermore, the effects of the treatments disappeared after controlling for the components, showing that the treatment effects were completely mediated through their effects on these underlying components. 7. There were also strong negative partial correlations between each of the growth components. These compensatory relationships buffered RGR from large changes in response to changing environments.
Distribution of tree species along a gallery forest–savanna gradient: patterns, overlaps and ecological thresholds

Abstract: Savannas intermingled with gallery forests are dynamic habitats typical in Africa. This study aims to determine if differences in species traits lead to non-overlapping distribution of gallery-forest and savanna species and abrupt transition between gallery forest and savanna. Tree species densities were measured in 375 plots of 1500 m2 covering a total sample area of 56.25 ha along forty 3-km transects located at right angles to a riverbed with gallery forest into surrounding savanna. Location, vegetation type, soil physical properties, erosion and fire occurrence were recorded as site factors. Data analysis included the quantification of co-occurrence patterns, threshold indicator taxa analysis and fuzzy set ordination. The gallery forest–savanna gradient predicted floristic composition of plots with a correlation of 0.595 but its accuracy was locally modified by the occurrence of fire and the physical properties of soil that covered more than 30% of the range of residuals. The distribution of gallery-forest and savanna tree species did not overlap. Along the gallery forest–savanna gradient, savanna species gradually increased in density while gallery-forest species showed a community threshold at 120 m from the river beyond the width of gallery forest. The forest species driving this trend should play an important role in the dynamics of gallery forest–savanna boundaries.
Adverse effects in broiler chickens fed a high lycopene concentration supplemented diet

Pozzo, L. , Tarantola, M. , Biasibetti, E. , Capucchio, M. T. , Pagella, M. , Mellia, E. , Bergagna, S. , Gennero, M. S. , Strazzullo, G. and Schiavone, A. 2013. Adverse effects in broiler chickens fed a high lycopene concentration supplemented diet. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 231–241. The present investigation was designed to assess the effects of the administration of a high dietary lycopene dose to broiler chickens on growth and slaughter performances, haemato–biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzymes, histological lesions and lycopene accumulation in the tissues. Thirty-six 1-d-old male Hubbard broiler chicks were examined and divided randomly into two groups (three replicates for each dietary treatment): the Control group, which received a basal diet, and the Lycopene group, which received the basal diet supplemented with 500 mg lycopene kg−1 diet. The experimental period lasted 35 d and growth performance was recorded on a weekly basis. At the end of the experiment (day 35), blood samples (n=12) were collecte.
Comparison of heavy metals in two groups of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from the Canadian Arctic

Heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cu, and Zn) and Se and As were determined in liver, kidney, and muscle of ringed seals captured near a lead–zinc mine in the Strathcona Sound area, and in a reference group from Admiralty Inlet in the Canadian Arctic. The mean concentrations of Pb in liver and muscle and Se in muscle were higher in seals shot near the mine area than in a reference group shot 50–75 km from this area, notwithstanding large variances in metal concentrations arising from inter-metal and Hg–age and Cd–age positive correlations. Strong positive correlations were found between age of animals in the reference group and Cd in kidney and Hg in liver between Se and Hg in liver, and a negative one between age and Cu in the three tissues examined. Nearly halt of the individuals in the mine-area group were shown, by multiple linear regression, to have higher Hg, Pb, or Cd than the reference group. High Cd concentrations were found in tissues of seals from both groups.
Development of the willow sawfly, Nematus oligospilus, at different temperatures, and an estimation of voltinism throughout New Zealand

Abstract Cohorts of willow sawfly (Nematus oligospilus) were reared in the laboratory on crack willow (Salix fragilis) at seven constant temperatures between 11.3 and 28.8°C. Larvae developed through 5–7 instars. Body size (length) of adult females was influenced by temperature and was strongly correlated with fecundity (R2 = 0.8973). The developmental threshold (to), determined through linear regression, was calculated to be 8.1°C, and the thermal accumulation above to required to complete one generation was 321 degree‐days. The number of degree‐days available for seasonal development of the sawfly at 10 sites throughout New Zealand was calculated. Allowing for the period of diapause, it was estimated that N. oligospilus might potentially develop through up to seven generations per year in the North Island and three generations per year in the south of the South Island.
Stimulation of macrophage by enzymatically synthesized glycogen: the relationship between structure and biological activity

Glycogen is exclusively known as an energy and carbon reserve in animal cells and micro-organisms. We synthesized glycogens of varying molecular weight by using three enzymes, and investigated the relationship between the structure and immunostimulating activity of glycogen. These results indicated that glycogens with a molecular weight of more than 1.0×107 hardly activated RAW264.7, a murine macrophage cell line, whereas glycogens of 5.0–6.5×106 strongly stimulated RAW264.7 in the presence of interferon-γ, leading to augmented production of nitric oxide, tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Additionally, the number-average unit chain length and the exterior and interior chain lengths of the glycogens showed a minor correlation between active and less-active glycogen derivatives. On the other hand, the binding activity of glycogen toward RAW264.7 did not depend on the molecular weight of glycogen. The available evidence suggests that the macrophage-stimulating activity of glycogen is strictly related to its molecular weight rather than to fine structural properties.
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS ON SVALBARD: HETEROGENEITY, COMPLEXITY AND FRAGILITY FROM AN ARCTIC ISLAND PERSPECTIVE

Abstract:Svalbard is an archipelago at the north-western edge of the Barents Sea. Despite its extreme northerly position, the climate is relatively mild in the western part of the archipelago. This is due to the warm North Atlantic Current reaching Spitsbergen, the largest island, causing temperatures there to frequently fluctuate around freezing, even in winter. Svalbard ecosystems share some attributes typical of islands. However, in spite of the limited land area there is large heterogeneity among ecosystems on different spatial scales: three out of five Arctic bioclimatic subzones occur in the archipelago, stretching from extremely low productive polar deserts to relatively productive tundra. Plant community data presented in this paper demonstrate that plant communities in mesic (zonal) habitats are well differentiated among the different bioclimatic subzones. Within a subzone, strong community differentiation occurs between mesic and ridge habitats in the two warmest zones, but not in the coldest, the polar desert. Relative to 'mainlands', species diversity is low on Svalbard and terrestrial food webs are simple, with strong links to marine food webs. However, fully accounting for the invertebrate components of the food webs reveals a considerable complexity that may contribute to ecosystem robustness. Fragility of the terrestrial ecosystems on Svalbard is discussed in terms of island characteristics. It is concluded that these ecosystems are robust in terms of temporal variation in herbivore populations and climate, but are fragile in terms of human disturbance. Their fragility in terms of climate change is still an open question that needs more thorough evaluation.
MOLECULAR GENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE NATURALIZED HAWAIIAN POPULATION OF THE BRUSH-TAILED ROCK-WALLABY, PETROGALE PENICILLATA(MARSUPIALIA: MACROPODIDAE)

Abstract Australian brush-tailed rock-wallabies (Petrogale penicillata) became naturalized on Oahu, Hawaii, after the accidental liberation of 2 animals (of unknown wild provenance) in 1916. Subsequently, Australian P. penicillata has experienced widespread local population extinctions as part of an ongoing decline. Thus, the P. penicillata population in Hawaii could represent an important conservation resource. In addition, there have been suggestions that the rock-wallaby population in Hawaii is distinct from Australian P. penicillata. In this study a multifaceted molecular genetic analysis (chromosomes, allozymes, mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA] control region) was undertaken to compare Hawaiian Petrogale with P. pencillata from throughout the species' natural range in southeastern Australia. Hawaiian Petrogale were found to possess a 2n = 22, all acrocentric, karyotype characteristic of P. penicillata. The allozyme (41 loci) and mtDNA profiles of the Hawaiian animals indicate that they were originally derived from northern P. penicillata populations, most likely in southeast Queensland. These results confirm that the Petrogale in Hawaii represent typical P. pencillata and are not consistent with suggestions that the Hawaiian population represents a novel taxon.
Observer effect on fisher bycatch reports in the New Zealand ling (Genypterus blacodes) bottom longlining fishery

Abstract Reports by commercial fishers in New Zealand's ling (Genypterus blacodes) bottom longline fishery were analysed to identify the influence of official fishery observers on reported weights of bycatch. Observer data show that on every day ling were taken by bottom longline, both individual transferable quota (ITQ) and nonquota (non‐ITQ) bycatch were reported. However, commercial fishers reported ITQ bycatch on 82% of days fished, and non‐ITQ bycatch on only 50% of days fished. Frequencies of reported bycatch were compared for fishers’ data with and without an observer aboard for the Chatham Rise, Campbell Plateau, and Bounty Plateau areas. Significant underreporting of bycatch was indicated for some bycatch fish species in several areas in the absence of an observer. A sample selection model of reported spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) bycatch was used to model the effects of observers on whether spiny dogfish bycatch was reported at all, and the effects of observer presence and other independent variables on the quantity of spiny dogfish bycatch reported. The evidence reported here illustrates that misreporting of bycatch is common and can introduce significant errors into total catch estimation that can have serious implications for fishery sustainability.
Vertical root distributions of northern tree species in relation to successional status

Measurements of root biomass, number, diameter, and length by soil depth for northern tree species were assembled from 19 published papers, yielding a total of 123 vertical root distributions. Species were classified into three tolerance classes based on successional status. A nonlinear function, Y = 1 − βd, where Y is the cumulative root fraction from the soil surface to depth d in centimetres, was fit to the data for each excavation. The regression coefficient, β, was considered to be a measure of vertical root distribution and was used as a response variable to test whether significant differences in vertical root distributions existed among tolerance classes. Early successional or intolerant species had a significantly greater proportion of roots occurring deeper than did late successional or tolerant species. Differences in vertical root distributions are presumed to be related to the inherent genetic potential of early successional species for deep exploitation of a more homogeneous substrate, resul.
Climate, leaf litter chemistry and leaf litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems : a triangular relationship

Litter decomposition is an important component of the global carbon budget. Due to the strong climatic control of litter decomposition, climate change may significantly affect this pathway. This review quantifies the climatic influences on litter decomposition rates, both directly and indirectly through effects on litter chemistry. To this end, I analysed first-year leaf litter decomposition data from 44 locations, ranging from cool temperate sites to humid tropical sites. Actual evapotranspiration (AET) was used as an index for the climatic control on decomposition. As litter chemistry parameters I included N and P concentrations, C/N and C/P ratios, lignin concentrations, and lignin/N and lignin/P ratios. At a global scale, climate (expressed as AET) is the best predictor for the decomposition constants (k-values) of the litter, whereas litter chemistry parameters have much lower predictive values. Path analysis showed that the control of AET on litter decomposability is partly mediated through an indirect effect of AET on litter chemistry. Thus, the relation between climate, leaf litter chemistry and leaf litter decomposition is a triangular relationship. Mean AET in the humid tropical region is three times as high as in both the temperate and the Mediterranean region and this results in a more than six-fold increase in mean k-values. However, due to the large variability in k-values within each region there is a considerable overlap in k-values between the tropics and the other climatic regions. Within a particular climatic region litter chemistry parameters are the best predictors of k-values, especially in the tropics, whereas the percentage of variance in k-values explained by AET is low or absent. In general, litters from the tropical sites have higher N concentrations and lower lignin/N ratios than litters from other climatic regions. In both the tropics and in the Mediterranean region, the lignin/N ratio is the best chemical predictor of litter decomposability. In the temperate region, however, there is no good chemical predictor of litter decomposability.
Chapter 4 Global distributional dynamics of Cambrian clades as revealed by Burgess Shale-type deposits

Abstract The Cambrian geographical and temporal distributions of many clades remain poorly understood, despite their importance for elucidating the palaeobiogeographical context of the Cambrian radiation. New species and genus level occurrence databases were developed to analyse temporal and geographical distributional patterns in taxa belonging to 14 clades from over 60 globally distributed early and Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale-type lagerstätten. Analyses demonstrate that clades with confirmed Precambrian origins were, on average, more widespread and temporally persistent than clades with first fossil occurrences in the Cambrian. Despite their dominance in diversity, arthropods were less widely distributed and temporally persistent than many other groups. Finally, a significant correlation between geographical range and temporal persistence is demonstrated, supporting the hypothesis that Cambrian taxa with wider geographical ranges were less likely to go extinct than those with narrower ranges. Supplementary material: Species and genus data tables are available at: http://www.geolsoc. org.uk/SUP18665