Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Traditional and geometric morphometrics for studying skull morphology during growth in Mastomys natalensis (Rodentia: Muridae)

Abstract Geometric morphometrics is a powerful tool for the study of morphological variation that possesses numerous advantages over the more traditional approach based on linear measurements. We analyzed skull morphology, comparing traditional with geometric morphometrics, of 3 different developmental pathways in Mastomys natalensis (Rodentia: Muridae) from a single population. During early development growth patterns were influenced by environmental factors, specifically rainfall pattern, consistent with previous reports that growth trajectories vary according to the amount and distribution of rain. Results confirmed that early growth rate is one of the main determinants of size and shape differences in the skull in the 3 developmental pathways (generation types) of M. natalensis. Other factors, such as food quality and consistency, also could play an important role. Overall, geometric morphometrics appeared more sensitive than the traditional method in detecting variation in skull morphology, but both approaches led to very comparable conclusions. Phenotypic plasticity is an alternative explanation to local adaptations for ecogeographical morphological variation.
Emergence Behaviour of the Serotine Bat (Eptesicus Serotinus) Under Predation Risk

Emergence activity of a maternity colony of Eptesicus serotinus was monitored from May to August 1997 and 1998 at Střelice, Czech Republic. We focused mainly on the impact of predation risk on emergence parameters, but the effects of reproductive and climatic factors were assessed too. Observations were made with 10-days intervals during two consecutive nights from which the first was a control and the second a treatment night. On treatment nights a stuffed specimen of Tyto alba (in 1997) or Falco tinnunculus (in 1998) was placed close to the roost exits and recorded calls of the particular species were played back towards the roost. In 1997 the bats emerged earlier during lactation than during gravidity, while in 1998 the trend was opposite. This could be explained by a different course of food availability in each year. During poor weather the number of emerged bats decreased and bats probably used an alternative roost. The predation risk did not affect the values of any emergence parameter but induced changes in relationships among emergence parameters. When bats emerged earlier and thus were exposed to increased potential predation pressure, they increased their degree of clustering to decrease the probability of being attacked. The perception of predation risk was not affected by weather conditions or reproductive period.
Nesting, distribution and conservation of the Crab Plover, Dromas ardeola, in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract We studied the nesting and distribution of the Crab Plover, Dromas ardeola, in the United Arab Emirates through regular monitoring of colonies during the breeding season and counts at other key waterbird sites throughout the country during the non-breeding season. Based on counts of active nests, we estimate 1400–1500 breeding pairs of Crab Plovers in the United Arab Emirates at the two active colonies, accounting for over 30% of the Arabian breeding population. Discovery of a newly formed colony in 2004 and abandonment of the old colony on Abu Al Abyad demonstrate the potential of expansion of colonies in other areas. With breeding confirmed at only two islands in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, from a conservation perspective this species is one of the most important breeding birds in the United Arab Emirates. Outside the breeding season, Crab Plovers congregate at few coastal sites in the country. Long-term conservation of Crab Plovers in the Emirates depends on the continued protection of the few breeding sites and urgent protection of the key sites used outside the breeding season.
Multiple α-Glucoside Transporter Genes in Brewer’s Yeast

ABSTRACT Maltose and maltotriose are the two most abundant fermentable sugars in brewer’s wort, and the rate of uptake of these sugars by brewer’s yeast can have a major impact on fermentation performance. In spite of this, no information is currently available on the genetics of maltose and maltotriose uptake in brewing strains of yeast. In this work, we studied 30 brewing strains of yeast (5 ale strains and 25 lager strains) with the aim of examining the alleles of maltose and maltotriose transporter genes contained by them. To do this, we hybridized gene probes to chromosome blots. Studies performed with laboratory strains have shown that maltose utilization is conferred by any one of five unlinked but highly homologous MAL loci (MAL1 to MAL4 and MAL6). Gene 1 at each locus encodes a maltose transporter. All of the strains of brewer’s yeast examined except two were found to containMAL11 and MAL31 sequences, and only one of these strains lacked MAL41. MAL21 was not present in the five ale strains and 12 of the lager strains. MAL61 was not found in any of the yeast strains. In three of the lager strains, there was evidence that MAL transporter gene sequences occurred on chromosomes other than those known to carry MAL loci. Sequences corresponding to the AGT1 gene, which encodes a transporter of several α-glucosides, including maltose and maltotriose, were detected in all but one of the yeast strains. Homologues of AGT1 were identified in three of the lager strains, and two of these homologues were mapped, one to chromosome II and the other to chromosome XI. AGT1 appears to be a member of a family of closely related genes, which may have arisen in brewer’s yeast in response to selective pressure.
Changes in Relative Abundance of Several Minnesota Fishes from 1970 to 2013

AbstractLarge-scale ecological stressors such as climate change, habitat degradation, and invasive species increasingly affect fisheries across watershed or political boundaries within which they are typically managed. Though broad-scale analyses of trends in fish populations and changes in aquatic communities can be useful for detecting the effects of these stressors, they are rarely possible due to a lack of long-term data sets. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has used gill nets and trap nets to monitor fish communities in lakes since 1940, and the techniques have been standardized since 1970. We applied a random-coefficient mixed-effects model to mean CPUE data to describe statewide and local population trends of eight key fish species (Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, Northern Pike Esox lucius, Smallmouth Bass M. dolomieu, Walleye Sander vitreus, White Sucker Catostomus commersonii, and Yellow Perch Perca flavescen.
A rapid change in ozone resistance of Plantago major after summers with high ozone concentrations

summary Ozone concentrations in Britain vary greatly from year to year. In the mid-1980s they were relatively low but in 1989 and 1990 the number of hours when concentrations exceeded 60 nl 1−1 was 3–4 times greater than in the preceding 2 yr. Previous experiments suggested that this might have resulted in an increase in ozone resistance of Plant ago major L. populations, so a comparison was made of seed-grown plants collected from the same three sites in Derbyshire/South Yorkshire in the 1980s and 1991. Ozone resistance was measured by exposure to charcoal-filtered air or air containing 70 nl 1−O3 (7 h d−1) and expressed as R%, the mean relative growth rate in ozone expressed as a% of that in charcoal-filtered air. Ozone resistance changed significantly in two of the populations (ISP and Totley) between the years 1985 and 1991. There was no significant change in the resistance of the Scaftworth population between 1988 and 1991 when expressed as R% but there were significant physiological differences between the collections. The changes in R% were accompanied by differences in the response of the stomata to ozone and in effects on dark respiration, but not in assimilatory capacity. This is the first report of a change in ozone resistance in populations over a short period of time. It is not known if the 1 991 plants were the descendants of the 1985/88 plants or whether there had been an invasion by new genotypes from outside the area. The role of other environmental factors in determining ozone resistance, and the implications of the data for the definition and mapping of critical levels are both discussed. It is predicted that if the reported changes were caused by ozone, the region where future changes in ozone resistance are most likely to occur is that between the Midlands and the north of England.
Status of the African bats Vesperugo grandidieri Dobson 1876 and Vesperugo flavescens Seabra 1900 (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), with description of a new subgenus

Abstract The taxonomy of some African vespertilionid bats of uncertain status is studied. Analysis of the original description of Vesperugo flavescens Seabra 1900 and subsequent examination and discussion of a syntype specimen of V. flavescens disclose discrepancies leading to the conclusion that it is a nomen dubium. V. flavescens is furthermore preoccupied by Nannugo pipistrellus var. flavescens Koch 1865. The holotype of Vesperugo grandidieri Dobson 1876 is examined, its species characters, especially of its skull and dentition, clearly established, and the taxon is removed from the synonymy of Neoromicia capensis (Smith 1829) as a well-defined species, Pipistrellus (sensu lato) grandidieri, that differs from any subgenus recently associated with that genus. Eptesicus capensis angolensis Hill 1937 is considered to be conspecific with P. grandidieri, the former representing a subspecies in south-central and west-central Africa.
IMMUNE RESPONSES IN VITRO

The effects of alloantisera against leukocyte alloantigens on plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses to sheep erythrocytes and the terpolymer of L-glutamic acid60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10 (GAT) by mouse spleen cells in vitro have been investigated. Polyspecific antibodies against both H-2 and non-H-2 alloantigens on responding spleen cells suppressed both IgM and IgG PFC responses; antisera against alloantigens coded for by the K and I regions, but not the D region, of the H-2 complex also effectively suppressed PFC responses. The suppression was not due to cytotoxicity to the spleen cells or anti-immunoglobulin activity in the sera and was directly related to the amount of antiserum added to the cultures. The suppression was specific for spleen cells against which the alloantiserum was directed. The alloantisera suppressed responses most effectively when present during the first 24 h of incubation, and although not rendering lymphoid cells incapable of developing PFC responses after removal of noncell-bound antibody, did act by interfering with successful initiation of the PFC response. The alloantisera suppressed both IgM and IgG PFC responses when directed against alloantigens only on macrophages, but selectively suppressed IgG responses when directed against alloantigens only on lymphoid cells. The alloantisera did not interfere with the ability of macrophages to bind GAT or to support the viability of the lymphoid cells, but did interfere with the ability of macrophage-associated antigen to effectively stimulate antibody responses by the lymphoid cells. Possible mechanisms for the effects of alloantisera on macrophages and the selective suppression of IgG responses when the antisera are directed against alloantigens on lymphoid cells are discussed with reference to our current understanding of genetic restrictions governing cell interactions in the development of antibody responses in mice.
The reintroduction of grey and red‐legged partridges (Perdix perdix and Alectoris rufa) in central Italy: a metapopulation approach

The grey partridge became extinct in the province of Siena (central Italy) in the late seventies, whereas the red‐legged partridge had already disappeared by the beginning of the twentieth century. Some reintroduction attempts of both species carried out in the 1980s gave encouraging but not definitive results, and failed after an initial success. This was probably due to the low number of birds released, the small size of the re‐introduction areas, their isolation, the farm‐bred origin of the partridges, and hunting. In the province of Siena, for the first time in Italy, a large‐scale reintroduction program of grey and red‐legged partridges was experimented. The project started up in 1995 with seven reintroduction areas for grey and four for red‐legged partridge, and was extended to 19 areas (22,562 ha) for grey and 7 (6858 ha) for red‐legged partridge in 2002. Population viability analyses for both species showed that if reintroduced populations were isolated they would be extinct in a few years. Therefore, a metapopulation approach was adopted (contemporary releases in reintroduction areas close to each other). In each area, 100–1000 partridges per year were released for a minimum of 3 years, from different farms in order to achieve the maximum initial genetic diversity. Releases were effected in late summer (August–September) in acclimatization pens containing 10–20 aviaries. The reintroduced population showed marked variability of some demographic parameters, such as pair density and brood production rate; instead, average brood size was relatively constant across the study areas, but with annual variations. Reintroduction success was limited to a few areas only, mainly depending on the habitat characteristics of the areas, their surface area and isolation, and on the degree of care for the birds during the acclimatization period.
A stable cytoplasmic male-sterile line of Brassica juncea carrying restructured organelle genomes from the somatic hybrid Trachystoma ballii + B. juncea

A cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) line of Brassica juncea has been developed by combining the cytoplasm originating from the somatic hybrid Trachystoma ballii + B. juncea, and the nucleus of B. juncea cv. Pusa Bold by repeated backcrossing. Male-sterile plants closely resembled the normal fertile B. juncea in general morphology, but had delayed flowering (5-7 days) when compared with fertile 'Pusa Bold' which flowered in 45 days. Stamens of the male-sterile line were transformed into petaloid structures. Pollen abortion occurred after tetrad formation. Female fertility of the male-sterile line was normal. Molecular analysis of organelle genomes indicated extensive mitochondrial DNA recombinations in the CMS line. Preliminary analysis of the chloroplast genome of the CMS line also indicated chloroplast DNA recombination.
High‐density genetic map of Miscanthus sinensis reveals inheritance of zebra stripe

Miscanthus is a perennial C4 grass that has recently become an important bioenergy crop. The efficiency of breeding improved Miscanthus biomass cultivars could be greatly increased by marker‐assisted selection. Thus, a high‐density genetic map is critical to Miscanthus improvement. In this study, a mapping population of 261 F1 progeny was developed from a cross between two diploid M. sinensis cultivars, ‘Strictus’ and ‘Kaskade’. High‐density genetic maps for the two parents were produced with 3044 newly developed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing, and 138 previously mapped GoldenGate SNPs. The female parent (‘Strictus’) map spanned 1599 cM, with 1989 SNPs on 19 linkage groups, and an average intermarker spacing of 0.8 cM. The length of the male parent (‘Kaskade’) map was 1612 cM, with 1821 SNPs, and an average intermarker spacing of 0.9 cM. The utility of the map was confirmed by locating quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the zebra‐striped trait, which was segregating in this population. Three QTL for zebra‐striped presence/absence (zb1, zb2 on LG 7, and zb3 on LG 10) and three for zebra‐striped intensity (zbi1, zbi2, zbi3 on LGs 7, 10, 3) were identified. Each allele that caused striping was recessive. Incomplete penetrance was observed for each zb QTL, but penetrance was greatest when two or more zb QTL were homozygous for the causative alleles. Similarly, the intensity of striping was greatest when two or more zbi QTL were homozygous for alleles that conferred the trait. Comparative mapping indicated putative correspondence between zb3 and/or zbi2 on LG 10 to previously sequenced genes conferring zebra stripe in maize and rice. These results demonstrate that the new map is useful for identifying marker–trait associations. The mapped markers will become a valuable community resource, facilitating comparisons among studies and the breeding of Miscanthus.
Sample Size Effects on Estimates of Population Genetic Structure: Implications for Ecological Restoration

The field of ecological restoration is growing rapidly, and the sourcing of suitable seed is a major issue. Information on the population genetic structure of a species can provide valuable information to aid in defining seed collection zones. For a practical contribution from genetics, a rapid approach to delineating seed collection zones using genetic markers (amplified fragment length polymorphisms [AFLPs]) has been developed. Here, we test the effects of sampling regime on the efficacy of this method. Genetic data were collected for an outcrossing seeder, Daviesia divaricata ssp. divaricata, an important species in urban bushland restoration in Perth, Western Australia. The effect of sample size and number of AFLP markers on estimates of genetic variation and population structure was examined in relation to implications for sourcing material for restoration. Three different sample sizes were used (n= 8, 15, and 30) from six urban bushland remnants. High levels of genetic diversity were observed in D. divaricata (87.4% polymorphic markers), with significant population differentiation detected among sampled populations (ΘB= 0.1386, p < 0.001). Although sample size does not appear to affect the spatial pattern in principle co‐ordinates analysis (PCA) plots, the number of polymorphic loci increased with sample size and estimates of population subdivision (FST and ΘB) and associated confidence intervals decreased with increasing sample size. We recommend using a minimum of 30 plants for sourcing seed for restoration projects.
APPLICATION OF NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY TO A DIVERSE RANGE OF SPECIES DEMONSTRATING WIDE DENSITY AND STIFFNESS VARIATION

The application of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to a large number of mixed species that display extremely wide variations in wood chemistry, anatomy and physical properties, is described. The mixed species samples were characterized in terms of density, longitudinal modulus of elasticity and microfibril angle. NIR spectra were obtained from the radial / longitudinal face of each sample and used to generate calibrations for the measured physical properties. The calibrations developed for density and longitudinal modulus of elasticity had the highest coefficients of determination (R2) and demonstrated that it is possible to develop general calibrations for these important wood properties across a wide range of species.The mixed species calibrations were used to estimate wood properties of two species, Eucalyptus delegatensis R.T. Baker and Pinus radiata D.Don. The results obtained for density and longitudinal modulus of elasticity indicated that mixed species calibrations can be used to rank trees. In practice the extreme variation of samples selected for this study would not be required. It is expected that refinement of calibrations, through sample selection, would provide more accurate prediction of physical properties.
Industrial and Medical Anomaly Detection Through Cycle-Consistent Adversarial Networks

In this study, a new Anomaly Detection (AD) approach for industrial and medical images is proposed. This method leverages the theoretical strengths of unsupervised learning and the data availability of both normal and abnormal classes. Indeed, the AD is often formulated as an unsupervised task, implying only normal images during training. These normal images are devoted to be reconstructed, through an autoencoder architecture for instance. However, the information contained in abnormal data, when available, is also valuable for this reconstruction. The model would be able to identify its weaknesses by better learning how to transform an abnormal (respectively normal) image into a normal (respectively abnormal) one, helping the entire model to learn better than a single normal to normal reconstruction. To address this challenge, the proposed method uses Cycle-Generative Adversarial Networks (Cycle-GAN) for (ab)normal-to-normal translation. After an input image has been reconstructed by the normal generator, an anomaly score quantifies the differences between the input and its reconstruction. Based on a threshold set to satisfy a business quality constraint, the input image is then flagged as normal or not. The proposed method is evaluated on industrial and medical datasets. The results demonstrate accurate performance with a zero false negative constraint compared to state-of-the-art methods. The code is available at https://github.com/ValDelch/CycleGANS-AnomalyDetection.
Chromosomal and cross‐mating evidence for two species within Anopheles (A.) coustani (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract Examination of the polytene chromosomes of the fourth instar larvae provides evidence for the existence of two sibling species within the taxon Anopheles (Anopheles) coustani Laveran. Crosses between the two chromosomal types produces sterile male offspring. Since no classical morphological differences can be demonstrated in the adults, the probable existence of such characters in the larvae and pupae is discussed.
DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF PINNOTHERES MACULATUS SAY IN BOGUE SOUND, NORTH CAROLINA

1. All stages of Pinnotheres maculatus were more abundant near the inlets of Bogue Sound, North Carolina.2. Distribution and abundance of adult crabs did not conform to distribution of scallops, since scallops were numerous throughout the sound.3. It is possible that crab distribution is controlled by a physical or chemical gradient such as salinity.
A TEMPERATE PALEODIVERSITY PEAK IN MESOZOIC DINOSAURS AND EVIDENCE FOR LATE CRETACEOUS GEOGRAPHICAL PARTITIONING

Aim Modern biodiversity peaks in the tropics and declines poleward, a pattern that is potentially driven by climate. Although this latitudinal biodiversity gradient (LBG) also characterizes the marine invertebrate fossil record, distributions of ancient terrestrial faunas are poorly understood. This study utilizes data on the dinosaur fossil record to examine spatial patterns in terrestrial biodiversity throughout the Mesozoic. Location We compiled data on fossil occurrences across the globe. Methods We compiled a comprehensive dataset of Mesozoic dinosaur genera (738), including birds. Following the utilization of sampling standardization techniques to mediate for the uneven sampling of the fossil record, we constructed latitudinal patterns of biodiversity from this dataset. Results The dominant group of Mesozoic terrestrial vertebrates did not conform to the modern LBG. Instead, dinosaur diversity was highest at temperate palaeolatitudes throughout the 160 million year span of dinosaurian evolutionary history. Latitudinal diversity correlates strongly with the distribution of land area. Late Cretaceous sauropods and ornithischians exhibit disparate LBGs. Main conclusions The continuity of the palaeotemperate peak in dinosaur diversity indicates a diminished role for climate on the Mesozoic LBG; instead, dinosaur diversity may have been driven by the amount of land area among latitudinal belts. There is no evidence that the tropics acted as a cradle for dinosaur diversity. Geographical partitioning among major clades of herbivorous dinosaurs in the Late Cretaceous may result from the advanced stages of continental fragmentation and/or differing responses to increasing latitudinal climatic zonation. Our results suggest that the modern-day LBG on land was only established 30 million years ago, following a significant post-Eocene recalibration, potentially related to increased seasonality.