Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution on cotton of Amrasca devastans and Ayyaria chaetophora in relation to pest scouting techniques for Thailand

Abstract The distributions of thrips Ayyaria chaetophora Karny and jassids Amrasca devastans (Dist.) on cotton in Thailand show aggregation and can be adequately described by the negative binomial distribution. The majority of thrips are found on the top four or five expanded leaves, while the bulk of the population of jassid nymphs can be located on four adjacent expanded leaves towards the top of the stem which correspond to the zone of ‘working’ leaves. This zone is displaced down the stem as the plant grows and develops. Jassid nymph mortality appears to be highest amongst newly hatched individuals since numbers decrease rapidly and become more evenly distributed down the plant as the nymphs age. There appears to be some movement between leaves by jassid nymphs, particularly the older ones, and the mud‐splash effect during heavy rain provides appreciable natural control. Both pests could be managed in Thailand using a sequential sampling procedure based on binomial sampling theory. Sample units would .
Skeneimorph gastropods in Neomphalina and Vetigastropoda — A preliminary

Until recently the systematics of the Skeneidae (type species Skenea serpuloides Montagu, 1808) has been solely based on shell characters, radula details and external morphology. However, methodological progress ( e.g. SEM) and preliminary anatomical data suggest that this vetigastropod group represents a polyphyletic, “skeneimorph” assemblage. Serial semithin sectioning combined with computer-aided 3D-reconstruction permits the detailed anatomical investigation of such small (1–3 mm), helicoid gastropods. The taxa for which micro-anatomical data are available include six skeneimorph species from six genera: (1) True Skeneidae, exemplifi ed by the type species, Skenea serpuloides (Montagu, 1808), doubtlessly belongs to Vetigastropoda and probably rests within the Trochoidea/Turbinoidea. Apomorphies of Skenea and related genera include a penis formed by the right propodium. (2) Bathyxylophila excelsa Marshall, 1988, Ventsia tricarinata Waren & Bouchet, 1993 and an undetermined “skeneimorph vetigastropod” have papillate cephalic and epipodial tentacles, a single monopectinate ctenidium with skeletal rods and bursicles, a papillary left and a right excretory organ, and statocysts with several statoconia. All these characters are indicative for a position of these species inside Vetigastropoda. Distinct appearance of epipodial tentacles and the lack of a combined epipodial sense organ argue against an inclusion into Trochoidea/Turbinoidea and thus Skeneidae s.s. (being defi ned by the characteristics of Skenea serpuloides ). At present, these species cannot be classifi ed in any known vetigastropod subclade. (3) Leptogyra constricta Marshall, 1988 and Leptogyropsis kalinovoae Marshall, 1988 both are characterized by smooth cephalic and epipodial tentacles, a single, left excretory organ and statocysts with one statolith. These anatomical data strongly suggest a systematic position in the likewise rhipidoglossate Neomphalina, which might be considered as an independent rhipidoglossate clade outside the Vetigastropoda. Although we are still at the very beginning in our investigation of skeneimorph anatomies, it is clear that this polyphyletic assemblage needs to receive much more attention for a complete understanding of vetigastropod and neomphalinan phylogeny.
The effects of inbreeding and artificial selection on reproductive fitness

The response of an equilibrium population of a cross-fertilized species to artificial selection for extreme expression of a chosen quantitative character is a phenomenon which is as yet only very imperfectly understood. The change in the mean of the character under selection can be predicted on the basis of a well-developed theoretical framework, from an analysis of the equilibrium phenotypic variation displayed, and the experimental work which has been devoted specifically to checking predictions of this sort has shown reasonable agreement between expectation and observation over the early generations (Kyle & Chapman, 1953; Clayton et al., 1957 a). The theory is, however, incapable of giving useful predictions of the long-term response in the mean, and the factors which are important in defining the ultimate level reached under selection are not yet well understood. Existing theory also deals with the response to be expected in characters other than that directly selected, but is limited to those whose additive genetic association with the primary character is such as to be usefully described by a linear regression equation. Critical tests involving characters showing relatively high genetic correlations have shown the predictions of short-term correlated response to be adequate (Reeve & Robertson, 1953; Falconer, 1954), though more recent work has underlined the necessity of breaking observed genetic covariances down into additive and non-additive components, if accurate predictions are to be obtained (Robertson, 1957). As a result of the disturbance of the initial genetic equilibrium, it is to be expected theoretically that the reproductive ability of the individuals comprising the selected population will be adversely affected, and changes of this sort have been a general feature of artificial-selection programmes in a number of laboratory and domestic species. However, we have no way of predicting the rate of decline in reproductive fitness for a given character under selection, nor can it be clear what part the changes in fitness will play in determining the ultimate limits to selection. There is no clear understanding of the relative importance of changes in gene frequency due to the effects of selection and those due to the effects of inbreeding in promoting changes in fitness under selection, nor is the importance of linkage in this process at all well established. The first step towards an understanding of the phenomenon must be observa-
Analysis of Scents Emitted from Flowers of Interspecific Hybrids between Carnation and Fragrant Wild Dianthus Species

Most modern carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cultivars have weak fragrances dominated by the scent of methyl benzoate. Wild Dianthus species with strong or unique scents may be useful gene resources for the improvement of carnation fragrances. We investigated the scents of interspecific hybrids between carnations and fragrant wild species by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and evaluated the usefulness of wild species for fragrant breeding in carnations. Dianthus hungaricus, which produced large amounts of various benzenoids, was crossed with a carnation with a floral scent dominated by methyl benzoate, but benzenoid diversity was not increased in the interspecific hybrid. We also analyzed some existing interspecific hybrids. Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus had high amounts of β-ocimene and β-caryophyllene. These terpenoids were acquired as principal scent compounds by some interspecific hybrids between this species and a carnation lacking terpenoids. Three unidentified wild species (Dianthus sp. 4, 5, and 6) emitted high amounts of benzenoids, including eugenol, benzyl alcohol, methyl o-anisate, and methyl salicylate. These benzenoids were also detected in interspecific hybrids between carnations and the wild species, and the amounts were increased compared to the parental carnation. The emission of these scent compounds of wild Dianthus species was inherited by most hybrids lines; the variety and amounts of scent compounds tended to increase compared to parental carnations, although there was no general hereditary pattern. As we actually sensed the fragrances of the principal compounds from some hybrid flowers, the usefulness of interspecific hybridizations for the improvement of flower fragrances was confirmed. Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus and Dianthus sp. 4, 5, and 6 seemed promising resources regarding the addition of terpenoids and the increase in benzenoid variation in the floral volatiles of carnations.
Revegetation and its Effect on the Ground‐Dwelling Beetle Fauna of Matiu‐Somes Island, New Zealand

A study of beetle (Coleoptera) communities was conducted in three revegetated sites of different ages (5, 17, and 100 years) and in a remnant coastal habitat dominated by Muehlenbeckia complexa (a liane) on Matiu‐Somes Island, Wellington Harbor, New Zealand. The 25‐ha island has had a 110‐year history as a pastoral agricultural quarantine station. Beetles were surveyed from May 1997 to April 1998 using pitfall traps. We collected a total of 3,430 adult beetles from 78 beetle species belonging to 22 families. Various environmental factors influencing the distribution of beetles in revegetated habitats were investigated. The most important factors were canopy height and canopy density (functions of vegetation age). Overall, results suggest that as habitat/vegetational heterogeneity increases at a site, beetle diversity and abundance also increase. Thus, older replanted sites contained a greater species richness and abundance of beetles than newly replanted sites. Revegetation is, thus, successfully facilitating the establishment and recolonization of the beetle fauna on Matiu‐Somes Island.
Partial cutting of woodlots in an agriculture- dominated landscape: effects on forest bird communities

We studied the short-term effects of partial cutting on the forest bird communities of mixed maple forests in an agriculture-dominated landscape in southwestern Ontario. Blocks that had been recently harvested were grouped according to provincial silvicultural guidelines (standard and heavy cuts) and compared with blocks that had been uncut for at least 24 years (old cuts). We found significant differences in forest bird community structure between standard and heavy cuts and between heavy and old cuts, but not between standard and old cuts. Heavy cuts had more species and more individuals than old cuts, the result primarily of greater numbers of early-successional species. Brown creeper (Certhia americana Bonap.) was the only species to show a significant negative response to harvesting and was the best indicator of old cuts, while indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea L.), brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater Bodd.), chestnut-sided warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica L.), American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla L.
Liquid laccase production by Phomopsis liquidambari B3 accelerated phenolic acids degradation in long-term cropping soil of peanut

The accumulation of phenolic acids in soil is one of the main problems associated with continuous cropping of peanut. Although laccases secreted by fungi can efficiently transform phenolic acids, there are few reports on the use of these enzymes to bioremediate continuous cropping soil. Food waste and wheat straw are waste products; however, they could be used productively as resources for laccase production by the endophytic fungus Phomopsis liquidambari B3. We cultured Phomopsis liquidambari B3 in medium containing food waste as the main nitrogen source and wheat straw as the main carbon source. In order to study the effects of fermentation liquid on phenolic acid degradation, rhizosphere soil microbial communities and peanut seedling growth, the fermentation product, which had high laccase activity, was added to continuously cropped soil of peanut. The concentration of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, and coumaric acid in soil had decreased by 57.4, 52.5, and 49.4%, respectively, compared with no-treatment control during 28 days. Analysis of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles showed that the bacterial and fungal community structures in rhizosphere soil were affected by changes in the phenolic acids concentration. The biomass of peanut plants and the number of root nodules were increased 68.3% and 5.9-fold, respectively. These results showed that the laccase product reduced the accumulation of phenolic acids in soil, the decrease in phenolic acids concentration and the increase in certain dominant microorganisms promoted peanut seedling growth and nodulation. This technology provides a new strategy for bioremediation of continuous cropping soil, while simultaneously reducing waste and protecting the environment.
Unavoidable limits on group size in a body size-based linear hierarchy

Competition between individual group members is a key force in shaping social group structure and size. In animal societies, within-group competition may be structured by linear dominance hierarchies, which can be stable if there are minimum differences in competitive ability between adjacently ranked individuals. This requirement constrains maximum group size because only a certain number of clearly differentiated ranks can be fit into the range of competitive abilities between the top and bottom of the hierarchy. We investigated this hypothesis in the body size-based linear dominance hierarchy of the angelfish Centropyge bicolor. Unlike in previous studies, we found that maximum group size in natural C. bicolor groups was not always strictly limited by the range of possible body sizes and the average size difference between adjacent ranks. Oversized groups displayed a compressed body size hierarchy with smaller size differences between adjacent ranks, less effective regulation of subordinate foraging rates to maintain size differences, and greater spatial segregation between adjacently ranked individuals. Our results suggest that when spatial segregation compromises the regulatory mechanisms that maintain clear size hierarchies, groups can become larger than expected by slotting more individuals into a compressed size hierarchy. However, we also found that oversized groups tended to fission into smaller groups, suggesting that they are transient entities and that ultimately the group size limits imposed by the need to maintain a well-defined hierarchy are unavoidable. Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.
Leaf tissue water relations in tree species from contrasting habitats within the upper Rio Negro forests of the Amazon region

The landscape of the upper Rio Negro basin (North Amazon) exhibits distinctive habitats that are associated with differential soil characteristics and topographical conditions as well as species composition (Herrera et al. 1978). The mixed forests thrive on well-structured oxisols on slightly more elevated areas. The valleys with sandy podzols are occupied by the ‘Amazon caatinga’ complex with three distinct zones: the bottom valley and the gentle slopes, both of which have closed forests, and the sandy domes with open forests (‘bana’ or sclerophyllous forest; Breimer 1985). From the mixed forest towards the caatinga valley-slope-dome habitats, the leaf δ15N signatures become increasingly negative, suggesting a trend in N limitation in the same direction (Sobrado 2010). Thus, negative leaf δ15N signatures depleted in 15N compared with the soil indicate a very tight N cycle in all of the habitats. Water availability follows a similar pattern from the top of the oxisol towards the flooded valley bottom of the caatinga, with extreme water-table fluctuations in the sandy domes (Klinge 1978). Thus, parallel variation in nutrient and water availabilities exist in this area that are associated with soil characteristics and topography. Under such contrasting habitats, species-specific responses would be linked to particular conditions of the habitat at a local scale (Comita & Engelbrecht 2009, Engelbrecht et al. 2007). A number of studies in these habitats have shown that this is the case for soil fertility (Coomes 1997, Medina et al. 1990, Sobrado 2010, Sobrado & Medina 1980). Similarly, the hydraulic characteristics and long-term water use are species specific and related to particular conditions of the habitat at the local scale (Sobrado 2010). In this report, it was hypothesized that the leaf tissue water relations of species thriving in different habitats may reflect the water availability at the particular sites as well. The leaf tissue water relations of species thriving in the extreme nutrient and water-supply conditions of the sandy domes from the caatinga complex have been previously studied in detail (Sobrado 2009a). However, these data are currently not available for the species that thrive in the surrounding area of the closed forests, and importantly, such information would allow for a comparison across habitats. Therefore, the present study assessed the minimum leaf water potential (midday) under field conditions as well as the leaf tissue water relations by using pressure-volume analysis of dominant tree species in the top canopy of these high-stature forests.
Sperm Quality of Pond‐Reared and Wild‐Caught Penaeus monodon in Thailand

Sperm quality, as determined by visual examination and by reaction with “egg-water” was not significantly different (P > 0.05) for sperm obtained by electro-ejaculation from ablated or non-ablated pond-reared Penaeus monodon. Nor was sperm quality different between pond-reared and wild-caught prawns. Normal sperm, determined by appearance, ranged from 17.1 to 21.0%, while reactive sperm ranged from 1.5 to 3.0%. There were, however, significant correlations (P 60% for newly inseminated females to near zero after 30 days post-insemination, indicating spermatophore depletion and/or deteriorated sperm quality during spermatophore storage in the thelycum. The findings of the present study indicate that electro-ejaculation and artificial insemination are relatively simple and practical methods for improving captive reproduction performance of closed-thelycum prawns such as P. monodon, and that pond-reared and wild-caught males produced sperm of similar quality.
Histopathology of fish parasite infections – importance for populations

There is a bewildering array of fish parasites and probably all fish species harbour one or more species. Under normal conditions hosts often show little or no signs of infection, either clinically or at the organ and tissue level. All tissues can be infected, including the blood. Coelozoic species generally do not elicit significant host responses. Any developmental stages, however, where these migrate through the host tissues may produce a cellular response if resident for sufficient time. Histozoic parasites are generally more likely to evoke a pathological response since they are invariably in more intimate contact with immunocompetent host cells such as lymphocytes and phagocytes. In some cases, particularly with protistan infections, host response can be dramatic and cause significant disease due to organ dysfunction, with subsequent mortalities. Infections of the external epithelia caused by a variety of parasites including Monogenea and Copepoda are also significant, especially when large numbers are present. Resulting tissue necrosis compromises osmoregulation and facilitates entry of prokaryote infections. Parasites have numerous strategies to evade detection within the host, but even ‘protected’ intracellular forms, e.g. microsporeans and muscle-invading myxozoans are recognized when they outgrow their accommodation or large cysts rupture, presenting parasite antigens to the host. In most instances, an evolutionary balance has been achieved between the host and the parasite and even when histopathology is evident, this is frequently localized and does not unduly impair performance of the affected organ. Examples include chronic inflammation, granuloma formation and focal fibrosis. This paper outlines the principle histopathological responses to a variety of parasite groups and provides a more detailed treatment of selected parasitic infections in marine and freshwater fish species to illustrate the relative importance of acute and chronic parasitic infections for host survival.
Methane soil-vegetation-atmosphere fluxes in tropical ecosystems

SUMMARY Recently, a surprising discovery indicated that, by an unknown process, vegetation emits methane to the atmosphere. This find ing could have serious implications in atmospheric chemistry, climate, and mitigation of global change. In order to evaluate the magnitude of the tropical vegetation source, a re-evaluation of results obtained at various Venezuelan ecosystems is made. CH4 fluxes from the soil-grass system in savanna ecosystems in dicate that grasses produce CH4 at ~10ng·m -2 ·s -1 . Furthermore, CH4 accumulation within the nocturnal mixing layer at the Guri site, which is affected by savanna and forest emissions, was used to make a rough upper limit estimation of <70ng·m -2 ·s -1 for CH4 emission from forest vegetation. These estimates are likely to be somewhat low as they do not take into account the light-induced production of CH4 by the vegetation. Global extrapolation of these fluxes indicates that, ignoring the possible stimulating ef fects of solar radiation, savanna and forest vegetation result in CH4 emissions of ~5Tg·yr -1 and <22Tg·yr -1 , respectively. These estimates are in agreement with the lower estimates based on laboratory CH4 flux measurements, reported in the literature. On the other hand, the global extrapolation of the atmosphere-soil uptake fluxes results CH 4 sinks of ~1.3Tg·yr -1 in savannas and of 3.3Tg·yr -1 in forests. In conclusion, Venezuelan field measure ments support the discovery that vegetation emits CH4. However, global extrapolation indicates that tropical vegetation would contribute modestly to global methane emission, which, additionally, is offset in part by savanna and forest CH4 soil uptake. Most likely, carbon sequestration benefits from forestation should not be significantly affected by CH 4 emissions by trees.