Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forest bird diversity in Mediterranean areas affected by wildfires: a multi‐scale approach

Fire is a key mechanism creating and maintaining habitat heterogeneity in Mediterranean landscapes by turning continuous woody landscapes into mosaics of forests and shrublands. Due to the long historical role of fires in the Mediterranean, we hypothesised a moderate negative effect of this type of perturbation on forest bird distribution at a landscape level. We conducted point bird censuses in Aleppo pine forest patches surrounded by burnt shrublands and studied the relationships between three ecological groups of bird species (forest canopy species, forest understorey species, and ubiquitous species) and the features of local habitat, whole patch and surrounding landscape. We used a multi-scale approach to assess the effects of landscape variables at increasing spatial scales on point bird richness. Regarding local habitat components, canopy species were positively associated with tall pines while understorey species with the cover of shrubs and plants from holm-oak forests. Forest birds were positively related to patch size and irregular forest shapes, that is, with high perimeter/size ratios. Thus, these species did not seem to perceive edges as low quality but rather favourable microhabitats. We did not detect any negative effect of isolation or cover of woodlands in the landscape on the presence of forest species after local habitat factors had been accounted for. Finally, only local habitat factors entered the model for ubiquitous species. We suggest that mosaic-like landscapes shaped by fires in the Mediterranean basin are not strongly associated with negative effects fragmentation on forest birds other than those related with habitat loss.
Stock-Specific Migration Pathways of Juvenile Sockeye Salmon in British Columbia Waters and in the Gulf of Alaska

AbstractWe outlined the route and relative timing of juvenile Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka migration by analyzing stock composition and relative CPUE in marine sampling conducted in coastal British Columbia and the Gulf of Alaska. Variation at 14 microsatellites was analyzed for 10,500 juvenile Sockeye Salmon obtained from surveys conducted during 1996–2011. Using a 404-population baseline, we identified the sampled individuals to 47 populations or stocks of origin. Stock compositions of the mixtures increased in diversity in more northerly sampling locations, indicating a general northward movement of juveniles. The primary migration route of Columbia River and Washington stocks was northward along the west coast of Vancouver Island, with a majority of the juveniles subsequently migrating through Queen Charlotte Sound and Dixon Entrance. Fraser River stocks migrated principally through the Strait of Georgia and Johnstone Strait. Some Fraser River populations, such as the Cultus Lake population, appe.
Evaluation of phylogenetic relationship between three phenotypically different forms of Red date palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. using PCR-based RAPD technique

Abstract Red date palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. is a widespread major pest of date palm in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Three different forms (black and brown with and without spots on thoracic region) were investigated using PCR-based RAPD technique. Although weevils were collected from the same geographical region of Al-Hassa in Saudi Arabia, the banding profile acquired suggested that black and brown colored morphs are genetically closer compared to the brown with spots. Intra color variation remained minimum in black but brown and brown spotted morphs exhibited more genetic variation. This genetic variation may be either due to the generation of new mutants from the non-spotted or spotted weevil or they may belong to a different race.
Phenotypic Alterations and Crop Maturity Differences in Ultra‐Narrow Row and Conventionally Spaced Cotton

Ultra-narrow row cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production is considered a potential strategy for reducing production costs by shortening the growing season. A 2-yr field study was conducted near College Station, TX, on varying soil types to document phenotypic alterations and crop maturity differences for cotton grown in 19-, 38-, 76-, and 101-cm row spacings. In the 19-cm rows, the plant densities were 12.2, 18.8, and 40.5 plants m -2 . Densities of 11.3 and 19.5 plants m -2 were established in the 38-cm rows. In the 76- and 101-cm rows, plant densities of 11.7 and 7.4 plants m -2 , respectively, were evaluated. Plant height and node counts were reduced in the narrow (19 and 38 cm) row spacings in only 1 yr. The narrow row spacings at the higher plant densities consistently accumulated leaf area index more rapidly than the conventional (76 and 101 cm) row spacings. In 1998, when the study was conducted on a heavy clay soil, the higher plant densities in the 19- and 38-cm row spacings tended to partition more biomass to reproductive structures and yielded more than the conventional row spacings. In 1999, the test was conducted on a lighter silty day loam soil and yields were unaffected by the row-spacing treatments. In 1998, the higher plant densities in the 19- and 38-cm row spacings had a greater percentage of harvestable bolls at the first fruiting positions on lower nodes, a boll distribution pattern that contributed to earlier crop maturity. Narrow row spacings and high plant densities did not consistently alter fiber quality. No conclusive differences for crop growth and development could be ascertained between the medium and high plant densities in the 19- and 38-cm row spacings. However, ultra-narrow row cotton may be more advantageous to producers when grown on heavier soils that typically do not promote excessive vegetative growth.
High tropical net diversification drives the New World latitudinal gradient in palm (Arecaceae) species richness

Aim Species richness exhibits striking geographical variation, but the processes that drive this variation are unresolved. We investigated the relative importance of two hypothesized evolutionary causes for the variation in palm species richness across the New World: time for diversification and evolutionary (net diversification) rate. Palms have a long history in the region, with the major clades diversifying during the Tertiary (65–2 Ma).
Monoclonal antibodies detecting novel structures in the core region of Salmonella minnesota lipopolysaccharide

Following immunization of mice with Salmonella minnesota strain R595, monoclonal antibodies to R595 lipopolysaccharide were prepared. These belonged to various (sub)classes: IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3 and IgM. Ig2a clones were obtained only when acetone-killed bacteria were used for immunization. Long-course immunizations yielded more clones than short courses. The reactivity of the monoclonal antibodies towards a panel of S. minnesota rough strain lipopolysaccharides (Ra to Re chemotype) was determined. One group of the antibodies reacted with Re and Rb2 lipopolysaccharide only, a second group reacted with Rc, Rd1 and Re, and a third group reacted with Re, Rb2 and Rd1 only. Thus, these monoclonal antibodies recognized epitopes whose presence cannot be explained by our current knowledge of the covalent structure of the S. minnesota core region.
CHROMOSOME-NUMBER VARIATIONS IN THE RAINBOW TROUT (SALMO GAIRDNERII IRIDEUS (GIBBONS))

The somatic chromosomes of the rainbow trout from two localities of Hokkaido are studied by the routine air-drying method. One of six specimens studied has 58 chromosomes consisting of 23 pairs of meta- and submetacentrics, one pair of subtelocentric and 5 pairs of telocentric chromosomes. The remaining five specimens show a basic number, 2n, 60. The arm number of both groups is 104, and this seems to indicate polymorphism resulted from the Robertsonian system.
A review of the tribe Rutiliini (Diptera : Tachinidae) I. Genera other than Rutilia Robineau-Desvoidy and Formosia Gurtin-Meneville

The present paper forms the first part of a review of the large tribe Rutiliini (Tachinidae) in Australia, in which country most of its members occur. This part deals with all but the large genera Rutilia and Formosia, which are to form the subject of a second part. Forty-seven species, in seven genera are reviewed; of these, two genera and 16 species are new. Keys are given to all genera of the tribe and to species treated in this part, and the history, general systematics, bionomics, and distribution of the tribe are briefly reviewed.
The Growth of Protonema Cells and Rhizoids in Bracken

The elongation of protonema cells and rhizoids of bracken was studied by the direct measurement of shift of marks which were made on wall surface with the micromanipulator. Those cells showed a typical tip growth. The apical cell of protonema elongates chiefly in its apical dome, very slightly in the region more than 10 microns from the apical end, and not at all in the region over 30 microns from the apical end. Some of the subapical cells elongate and make the tip growth, but their elongation is less than that of the apical cell. The third cell, less often than the subapical cell, grows slightly at its apical end. The fourth cell does not elongate. There exists the polarity, from apex to base, of the possibility and ability of elongation not only in each protonema cell but also in a protonema as a whole. The nearer to the apex the given part is, the larger the possibility and ability of elongation are, and vice versa. Rhizoids elongate at the part within 1 micron or less of their tip.
Evolutionary geographic relationships among orthocladine chironomid midges from maritime Antarctic and sub‐Antarctic islands

Two species of chironomid midges are currently described in the genus Belgica Jacobs, 1900. Belgica antarctica Jacobs, 1900 is endemic to parts of the maritime Antarctic, and Belgica albipes (Seguy, 1965) is endemic to Iles Crozet, a sub-Antarctic archipelago in the southern Indian Ocean. The relationships between these species, and their closest known relative (Eretmoptera murphyi Schaeffer, 1914, endemic to sub-Antarctic South Georgia), were examined by sequencing DNA fragments for domains 1 and 3–5 of 28S ribosomal DNA and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1). The resulting molecular relationships between the three species were unclear, although their position within the subfamily Orthocladiinae of the Chironomidae, as generated by classical taxonomy, was confirmed. Our data reinforce earlier doubts, based on classical morphological approaches, that the generic placement of E. murphyi may be incorrect. Further analyses may indeed confirm that the species represents a third member of the genus Belgica. Genetic distance analysis, limited to the barcode region of cox1, indicated high differentiation between the two populations of B. albipes sampled (one obtained from the type location), suggesting the likely presence of cryptic species within this taxon, and that the taxonomic status of this species should be revised. Analysis of cox1 sequences in B. antarctica highlighted a strong genetic structure between populations obtained from 12 locations along the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands archipelago, with a number of distinctive mtDNA lineages inhabiting geographically distinct areas. In particular, we found four different haplogroups constituting geographically close but genetically distinct populations, a pattern likely to have been encouraged by the brachyptery of the members of this genus. We suggest that the different genetic patterns shown by each haplogroup have probably been determined by historical dispersal and colonization events during the Pleistocene, and are consistent with their survival in refuges in situ during successive glacial maxima over this period.
Evaluation of corn gluten meal as a protein source in diets for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) juveniles

A 12-week growth trial was conducted to evaluate corn gluten meal as an alternative protein source to fish meal in diets for gilthead sea bream juveniles. The experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic and to have 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of fish meal protein, the only protein source in the control diet, replaced by corn gluten meal. At the end of the growth trial only the group fed the diet with 80% corn gluten protein exhibited significantly reduced growth and feed efficiency compared with the fish meal-based diet. This was most likely due to a dietary amino acid deficiency in that diet. A trend was noticed for feed efficiency to improve with the replacement of fish meal protein in the diets up to 60%. There were no significant differences among groups in protein and energy retention (as percentage of intake). At the end of the trial whole body water content of the experimental groups was significantly lower and the lipid content of groups including 60% and 80% corn gluten protein was significantly higher than that in the control. No other differences were observed in whole body composition among groups. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of the diets were evaluated in a separate trial. The ADC of dry matter of the experimental diets was significantly higher than in the control diet; there were no significant differences among diets in the ADC of energy and protein, except for the ADC of protein of diet with 80% corn gluten protein, which was significantly lower than the control. The results of this study indicate that corn gluten meal can replace up to 60% fish meal protein in diets for gilthead sea bream juveniles with no negative effects on fish performance.
Efeitos da defaunação em ovinos alimentados com cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum, L.) adicionada de uréia

The defaunation effect on feed intake, nutrient apparent digestibilities, solid phase dynamics, ruminal fermentation parameters and in situ degradation in sheep fed on sugar cane plus urea was studied in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Ruminal passage rates of 3.05 and 1.97%/h were observed for the faunated and defaunated groups, respectively. Higher values for sugar cane NDF ruminal digestion rate (5.41%/h), extension (46.7%) and effective degradability (31.53%) were observed for the faunated group. The faunated group daily intake (57.7 and 32.3 g/kg0.75 for dry matter and NDF residue, respectively) was higher (P<0.06) than that for the defaunated group. Total VFA, acetate and propionate concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in the faunated group and were dependent on sampling time. Defaunated sheep showed higher (P<0.04) post prandial decrease in pH. Relative to apparent digestibility difference (P<0.05) between treatments was observed only for dry matter.
Sampling factors causing variability in milk constituents in early lactation cows

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of breed, parity, sampling day, and sampling time on somatic cell count (SCC) and milk lipid and protein profiles in intra-mammary infection-free early lactating dairy cows (Holstein, n = 5 and Swiss Brown, n = 6; 34 ± 6 DIM). SCC was assessed by flow cytometry. Milk lipid (free fatty acid, triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, cholesterol, phospholipid) and protein IgG and A, albumin, caseins (α, β, κ), α-lactalbumin, and β-lactoglobulin were determined using HPTLC and SDS-PAGE methods. Data were analysed by 4-way ANOVA and subjected to hierarchical backward elimination of insignificant interaction terms. SCC varied by parity and sampling time. Apart from sampling time, other fixed factors altered milk lipids. There was only a breed × parity interaction effect on milk lipid profiles. All proposed factors affected milk proteins. Among proteins only the IgG fraction exhibited diurnal variation. There were significant breed × parity, breed × sampling day, and parity × sampling day interactions for milk proteins. In conclusion, factors relating to the cows themselves (breed and parity), sampling day, and sampling time cause variation in parameters that are pertinent to mammary gland health and milk quality.
Improvement of pectinase production by interspecific hybrids of Aspergillus strains

Protoplast fusion induced by polyethylene glycol and Ca2+, was performed between auxotrophic mutants of pectinolytic fungi Aspergillus sp. CH‐Y‐1043 (A13) ade− and Aspergillus flavipes ATCC‐16795 (F7) lys−. Prototrophic colonies were developed on minimal medium with a fusion frequency of 1·0×10−2. The reversion frequency of the mutation in spores and protoplasts was low and ranged from 2·0 to 4·0×10−7. Four prototrophic hybrids (HH, HE, HF and HJ) exhibited enhanced production of endo‐pectinase and pectin‐lyase. The highest production was observed in HJ ; maximum activities were 150 and 160% respectively, whereas the exo‐pectinase production was similar to the wild‐type strain Aspergillus sp. CH‐Y‐1043. Hybrid HJ showed the greatest growth ; nevertheless, specific endo‐pectinase and pectin‐lyase activities were higher in all hybrids than those produced by the wild‐type strains.
Bacterivory by benthic ciliates: significance as a carbon source and impact on sediment bacteria

Protozoan bacterivory is generally recognized as an important process influencing bacterial abundance in pelagic ecosystems, and as a possible pathway for transfer of bacterial production to metazoans. The present study examines the role of ciliated protozoa as bacterivores in shallow-water benthic systems. Bacterivory would support reasonable growth rates for smaller ciliates in saltmarsh and saline pond sediments, whereas ingestion rates of larger ciliates were too low to support reasonable growth rates. Predicted ciliate bacterivory in saltmarsh, saline pond and mangrove sediments would account for less than 4 % of bacterial abundance per day or of minimum hourly bacterial production. In order for ciliate bacterivory to control bacterial abundance in sediment, ciliates must be very much more abundant or ingest bacteria at very much higher rates than measured in this study These results suggest that benthic ciliated protozoa are minor vectors for direct transfer of bacterial production to metazoan food webs
Response of a Stream Fish Assemblage to a Severe Spate in Northern Spain

Abstract I assessed the effects of a devastating spate upon the populations of brown trout Salmo trutta, Atlantic salmon S. salar, and European eel Anguilla anguilla of the Esva River basin in northern Spain. Numbers and lengths were determined for fish sampled with electrofishing techniques at nine sites along three streams before and after the spate. In addition, brown trout and Atlantic salmon that had been marked in two streams prior to the spate permitted a direct evaluation of the immediate effects. Because the spate occurred at the spawning time and destroyed reproductive habitats, I also determined its effects upon the recruitment of that year-class of brown trout. There was no evidence of negative effects of the spate upon the variables examined. The persistence of the site-specific populations after the spate was independent of site characteristics and the corresponding numbers and sizes of fish. The recruitment of brown trout was successful and similar to that of previous years. I hypothesize t.
Genetic and Life History Differentiation between Donor and Derivative Populations of Atlantic Salmon

Abstract We examined the genetic structure of two North American populations of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, those of the Connecticut and Penobscot rivers. The native population in the Connecticut River (at the southern edge of the species' natural distribution) was extirpated nearly 200 years ago. A restoration population was founded about 30 years ago with individuals from the Penobscot River, 400 km north of the Connecticut River. We investigated the current variation of both populations at enzymatic and microsatellite loci to assess the genetic changes that have occurred in the Connecticut River population with respect to the predominant (brood source) population. Significant differences between the two stocks were found at both enzyme and microsatellite loci and in the age of maturity of returning adults.
Combinations of ERK and p38 MAPK Inhibitors Ablate Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA Induction

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine whose synthesis and secretion are implicated in diverse pathologies. Hence, inhibition of TNF-α transcription or translation and neutralization of its protein product represent major pharmaceutical strategies to control inflammation. We have studied the role of ERK and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in controlling TNF-α mRNA levels in differentiated THP-1 cells and in freshly purified human monocytes. We show here that it is possible to produce virtually complete inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated TNF-α mRNA accumulation by using a combination of ERK and p38 MAP kinase inhibitors. Furthermore, substantial inhibition is achievable using combinations of 1 μm of each inhibitor, whereas inhibitors used individually are incapable of producing complete inhibition even at high concentrations. Finally, addressing mechanisms involved, we show that inhibition of p38 MAP kinase selectively destabilizes TNF-α transcripts but does not affect degradation of c-juntranscripts. These results impinge on the controversy in the literature surrounding the mode of action of MAP kinase inhibitors on TNF-α mRNA and suggest the use of combinations of MAP kinase inhibitors as an effective anti-inflammatory strategy.
Size at first sexual maturity of two species of rajoid skates, genera Atlantoraja and Dipturus (Pisces, Elasmobranchii, Rajidae), from the south-western Atlantic Ocean

Summary Total length (TL) at first sexual maturity was estimated for Atlantoraja castelnaui and Dipturus chilensis from the south-western Atlantic Ocean. Total length at which 50% of the females were captured (50% c) was less than the TL at first sexual maturity (ML) in both species. Immature females are being captured and thus will not become sexually mature to reproduce because of early fishing mortality. Females of A. castelnaui and D. chilensis reach sexual maturity at TLs of 110–114 cm and 102–106 cm, respectively. Males mature with TL between 91 and 95 cm for A. castelnaui and between 83 and 87 cm for D. chilensis.
Functional morphology of genitalia of four species of julidan millipedes (Diplopoda: Nemasomatidae; Julidae)

Abstract The functional anatomy of the genitalia of Nemasoma varicorne (Nemasomatidae), Brachyiulus lusitanus, Unciger foetidus and Cylindroiulus boleti (Julidae) was investigated by shock freezing of animals in copula followed by serial semithin sectioning of the engaged genitalia. The species show conspicuous differences in the functional mechanism of their genitalia. In N. varicorne and B. lusitanus the vulvae remain within the vulval sac during copulation while in U. foetidus and C. boleti parts of the gonopods (promerite and mesomerite) form clasper-like structures that pull out the vulvae from the vulval sacs. With the exception of C. boleti all investigated species have a ‘central funnel’ on the vulva which leads into the receptaculum seminis. The sperm-transferring part of the male gonopods (solenomerite) is introduced into this funnel during copulation. In B. lusitanus and C. boleti a projection of the posterior gonopods (end-projection, brachite) fits into a slit anterior to the openings of the receptacula. The results are discussed with regard to sexual selection theory and a hypothesis is proposed that explains the evolutionary change of millipede genitalia by a combination of female choice and sperm competition phenomena.