Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chloroplast View of the Population Genetics and Phylogeography of a Widely Distributed Shrub Species, Rhododendron dauricum (Ericaceae)

Abstract Climatic oscillations during the last glacial maximum (LGM) have played important roles in the distributions and genetic structures of extant species. Here, we investigated the population structure of a deciduous shrub species, Rhododendron dauricum L. , across its current geographic distribution in northeastern China based on six chloroplast regions (trnS-trnfM, trnL-ndhJ, rpoC1-rpoB, trnS-trnG, trnH-psbA, and trnK-matK). A total of 11 haplotypes were identified. The results showed a significant geographic distribution pattern (NST > GST p < 0.01) in northeastern China. In addition, our results showed that there were high levels of genetic diversity in R. dauricum and that more than 70% of the genetic variability was distributed among groups. Furthermore, results from the neutrality test failed to identify population expansion at the whole-species level. These findings together suggested that R. dauricum shows spatial genetic structure and that the LGM has had profound impacts on the geographic distribution and genetic variability of this species.
Parasite infection and decreased thermal tolerance: impact of proliferative kidney disease on a wild salmonid fish in the context of climate change

Summary Parasites and pathogens can have an important effect on their host's thermal resistance. The impact of parasite infection on host physiological performances has traditionally been studied in controlled laboratory conditions, and much less is known about its actual effects in wild populations. Nonetheless, such knowledge is critical when assessing the effect of climate change on the future survival of the host. Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae is a myxozoan endoparasite causing proliferative kidney disease (PKD) in salmonids. Infection and clinical symptoms of PKD are dependent on environmental temperature and PKD has become an emerging disease of primary importance for farmed and wild salmonids in the last decades. Despite important achievements in understanding PKD pathology in recent years, there are still crucial gaps in the knowledge of the disease ecology, notably in how the parasite affects host performance in the wild. We sampled juvenile (0+) brown trout (Salmo trutta) from the wild during early and late summer and assessed relative parasite load (DNA quantification with qPCR) and disease severity (kidney hyperplasia). We also measured haematocrit, leucocyte formula, aerobic scope and upper thermal tolerance in a field-physiology approach in order to better understand the relationships between PKD severity and host performance. By using wild-caught individuals and performing measurements directly on location, we aimed to gain insights into host physiology in a natural environment while avoiding biases caused by laboratory acclimation. We found that most physiopathological symptoms in the wild were strongly correlated with kidney hyperplasia, but more weakly linked to parasite load. Disease severity was positively correlated with anaemia and abundance of circulating thrombocytes, and negatively correlated with aerobic scope and thermal tolerance. Our results suggest that impaired aerobic performances and thermal tolerance in infected fish may potentially result in decreased host survival in the wild, especially in relation with predicted higher average summer temperatures and increased frequency of extreme events (summer heatwaves) in the context of global climate change. A Lay Summary is available for this article.
Efectos del disturbio antrópico sobre las poblaciones de Leprolochus birabeni (Araneae, Zodariidae) en el Chaco Seco del noroeste de Argentina

Si conoce poco Sobre la biologia de la ecologia y la de la mirmecofaga tipo Leprolochus birabeni Mello-Leitao, 1942 (Zodariidae), el unico representante de este genero en la Argentina. Esto es tipico tipo de ambientes aridos del norte del pais, y su estudio en el Chaco Seco es relevante, porque Esta Es Una gran perturbada ecorregion y es uno de los pozos de bosques secos subtropicales del Mundo. Objetivo El Trabajo es de este estudio es la demografia de la Cuenta en su tipo teniendo Variacion estacional en ambientes nativos, y si la la ganaderia y la agricultura, de las malas actividades antropogenicas comunes ? de la ecorregion Chaco Seco en la provincia de Salta (Argentina) Producen Cambios En sus Poblaciones. Si consideraron tres tipos de ambientes: nativo (NA); afectados por el ganado bovino y caprino (NP); y afectados por la agricultura (NC). Este ultimo correspondio a los parches de vegetacion nativa en medio de la matriz agricola Una. En cada tipo de ambiente se consideraron tres sitios de muestreo donde se realizaron muestreos estacionales utilizando trampas que caen durante el otono, invierno y primavera de 2006 y el verano de 2007. Si recolectaron 549 ejemplares de L. birabeni , Siendo ellos los malos abundante al llegando 64.12% de su abundancia total, seguido por los varones (26,41%) Y las mujeres (9,47%) menores de edad. El nivel de paisaje, la primavera Presento el numero alcalde de individuos, llegando al 44,99% de su abundancia completa; Que MIENTRAS el show de otono percentage El Mas bajo (7,83%). El Mismo patron a seguir en entornos NA y NC, Pero No en los NP. Estos ultima abundancia mostraron Una disminucion en la de los adultos fuera del Ano; MIENTRAS les Poblaciones NC mostraron incremento de la ONU en la abundancia de los machos durante su primavera, estafadores Una fuerte reduccion de las y los juveniles hembras durante todo el ano. La abundancia de L. birabeni en entornos NA alcalde FUE (41,06% de su abundancia total), ellos Siendo cantidades minimas registradas en Carolina del Norte (24,67%). Las malas Comunes de las actividades antropogenicas afectan al Chaco Seco de la provincia de Salta modificar un tanto ellos como lo Representacion estacionales Cambios de las diferentes etapas de Y Desarrollo De Las Poblaciones sexos nativos de L. birabeni , Siendo el factor de perjudicial Modificacion malo que de ellos ambientes nativos por su agricultura .
Population density estimates of agamid lizards in human-modified habitats of the Western Ghats, India

The agamid lizards of the Western Ghats (WG) mountain chain in India are currently threatened by destruction of forests for conversion to plantations. Accurate information on the population status of the agamid lizards in modified habitats is needed for conservation and management considerations, but detailed data on population densities are currently not available. In this study, I estimated the population densities of agamid lizards in human-modified habitats of the Valparai plateau in the southern WG using distance sampling. Nineteen line transects (0.25 km each) in five study sites including abandoned vanilla, abandoned rubber, vanilla and tea plantations and a degraded evergreen forest patch were sampled a minimum of five times each. The population density (individuals/ha) of Calotes ellioti and Draco dussumieri in the vanilla plantation was estimated to be 8.95±2.09 and 1.25±0.40 respectively. The density of Psammophilus blanfordanus, which was detected only in tea plantations, was estimated as 3.13± 1.02. Mean rate of encounters (animals/transect) for C. ellioti was highest in the vanilla plantation (1.83, SE=0.41). ForD. dussumieri, the mean encounter rates were identical in the vanilla plantation (0.80, SE=0.21) and the abandoned rubber plantations (0.80, SE=0.4). The encounter rates of C. ellioti in the vanilla plantation were higher than those in rainforest fragments in the Valparai plateau. This study helps us understand the role of modified habitats in supporting populations of endemic agamid lizards.
Population Demographics of Longnose Gar, Lepisosteus osseus, from the Tidal Rivers of Virginia

The growth and reproductive characteristics of Longnose Gar, Lepisosteus osseus, from the tidal portions of the major rivers in Virginia were analyzed using a three-dimensional population demographic model. This was the first study concerning Longnose Gar to test multiple growth models, and the biphasic double von Bertalanffy model best fit the data for both males and females. Male Longnose Gar grew to their asymptotic length significantly faster than female Longnose Gar, but after maturity the growth coefficients were not significantly different. Longnose Gar had high fecundity and spawning occurred amongst a bed of Hydrilla verticullata between May and June. Longnose Gar share a trait (large eggs) with equilibrium strategists but overall are closer to the periodic strategist side of the demographic continuum by displaying large adult size, delayed maturation, and high fecundity.
Aspectos ecológicos da ictiofauna no baixo Tocantins.

Studies of the ichtyofauna prior to the formation of man-made lakes, generally have towo main purposes: a) to get basic data which allow a monitoring of events after dw clousure, and b) to make predictions about the probable effects of impoundment on fish. As the ecological stress of impoundment will effect all the elements of the ecosystem in a complex and interactive manner, we considered, in this paper the fish community as a whole. The research was conducted in the lower Tocantins river, a tributary of the Amazon estuary. The stretch of the river under direct influence of the dam was divided in three sections with different physical characteristics. A section of rapids, at the site of the future lake, is surrounded by tow stretches of calmer waters, a small floodplain up river with numerous lakes, and a stretch of rougher water downstream in the upper part of Atlantic tidal influence. In each of these sections, fish communities were sampled by a gill net battery, Duice a year, during 3 consecutive years. A good fit of these samplings to the community structure models show that, in each of the localities, aunique and equilibrated community exists. The ecommunities are characterized by i) a great number of species probably as a result of a great long term stability of the environment, ii) a high equitability which can be related to the richness of the water in nutrients, and iii) a very high fish density. A spacial heterogencity of the communities is demonstrated and attributed to the limited geographical distribution of some esturine species and the specifie adaptations to particular biotopes.This study represents the first stage of an attempt to analyse the effects of a dam in tropical region on the whole fish community, and particularly, to establish the sequences of events and the duration of the equilibration phase. In this stage, the results suggest on and long term reduction of fish species.
Influence of pulsing and dry cool storage on cut spikes of tuberose cv. 'Double'.

A study was conducted to find out the effect of three pulsing chemicals and two durations of dry cool storage, on cut spikes of tuberose cv. ‘Double’. The pulsing and cool storage improved the postharvest life and quality of tuberose cut flowers. Among the different chemicals tried, pulsing with sucrose (10%) + Al2 (SO4)3 (250 ppm) for 12 hours and cut spikes stored for 4 days was found to be the best in respect to rachis length, delay in wilting of first, third and last opened floret pair, extension of useful life, retention of fragrance, water uptake, opening of florets, increase in diameter and length of first, third and last opened floret pair and vase life over the cut spikes which were not pulsed but dry cool stored as well as cut spikes neither pulsed nor stored. The maximum vase life of 8.90 days for 4 days storage was recorded with treatment of sucrose (10%) + aluminium sulphate (250 ppm) treatment.
Susceptibility of Peaches and Nectarines, Plant Introductions, and Other Prunus Species to Bacterial Spot

During the 1984 growing season, 156 peach and 40 nectarine cultivars, 49 plant introductions, and 33 Prunus species or species hybrids were evaluated for susceptibility to bacterial spot [Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni (Smith 1903) Dye 1978] in North Carolina and South Carolina. Fruit and leaf infection and percentage of defoliation were evaluated in North Carolina, while only leaf infection data were evaluated in South Carolina. No cultivar was immune, but susceptibility varied greatly. Based on leaf infection in the 2 locations, it was concluded that disease pressure was greater in North Carolina. Correlation of fruit infection severity with leaf infection severity and percentage of defoliation in North Carolina was r = 0.30 (P = 0.01) and r = 0.54 (P < 0.01), respectively. Correlation between leaf infection severity and percent defoliation was r = 0.51 (P < 0.01) and r = 0.00 (NS) in North and South Carolina, respectively.
Variables associated with the occurrence of Ips beetles, red turpentine beetle and wood borers in live and dead ponderosa pines with post‐fire injury

Recently, wildfires and prescribed burning have become more frequent in conifer forests of western North America. Most studies examining the impacts of insects on trees with post‐fire injury have focused on contributions to tree mortality. Few studies have examined fire‐caused injuries to estimate the probability of attack by insects. Scant data quantifying insect associations with one another, or with live and dead fire‐injured trees, are available. We examined live and dead trees with varying levels of fire injury in wildfires in Colorado, Montana, Arizona and the Black Hills aiming to determine fire injury associated with insect infestation, co‐occurrence between insects and insect association with live and dead fire‐injured trees. Bole scorch height estimated the likelihood of attack by Ips spp. Diameter at breast height, bole scorch height and crown scorch height estimated the likelihood of attack by Dendroctonus valens LeConte. Diameter at breast height and bole scorch height estimated the likelihood of attack by wood borers. Ips spp. , Dendroctonus valens and wood borers were associated with one another. Ips spp. beetles and wood borers were associated with dead fire‐injured trees, whereas D. valens was often associated with live fire‐injured trees. Focusing on certain fire‐caused injuries may identify trees targeted by Ips spp. beetles, Dendroctonus valens and wood borers.
Karyomorphology of Turkish species in Centaurea sections Centaurea and Phalolepis (Asteraceae) and implications for taxonomy

Abstract In this paper, 31 mostly endemic and locally distributed Turkish Centaurea taxa belonging to Centaurea and Phalolepis sections were examined in terms of their karyomorphology. The basic chromosome number for all of the studied species was concurringly determined as 9(x = 9) for both sections, excluding C. hierapolitana. We also determined tetraploid and hexaploid species in spite of many species having diploid chromosome numbers. Twelve chromosome counts are reported for the first time and most of the karyotyping analyses are described for the first time via the KAMERAM program. The karyotypes had a predominance of metacentric (m) chromosomes. However, in the karyotyping of six taxa, submetacentric (sm) chromosomes were dominant. Five quantitative asymmetric indices were used to evaluate karyological features of the species. A meaningful dendrogram was carried out to assess the karyotype-symmetry conditions and describe the karyotyping relationships between different taxa.
PROTEOLYTIC FUNGI FROM VIRGIN FOREST

Microbial enzymes have continued to assist diverse reactions as biocatalysts. Soil derived microbes offer a prospective resource for such enzymes. Screening and isolation of proteolytic fungi were carried out from soil sample of a Malaysian virgin forest. Four isolates showed clear zone of protein hydrolysis on skim milk agar representing proteolytic activity. Aspergillus flavus UOA/HCPF 5774 exhibited the highest proteolytic activity with a clear zone diameter of 21 mm followed by Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma harzianum both with a clear zone of 16 mm, and Penicillium simplicissimum strain LP42 with a13 mm clear zone. Crude protease activity of 0.230 – 0.277 Units / ml for each fungus was seen after 24 hours incubation. A decline of protease production was observed after 48 hours incubation except for Aspergillus flavus UOA/HCPF 5774 which showed a drop only after 72 hours incubation. The protease producing fungi were partially identified based on their morphological characteristics, macroscopic and microscopic identification. The identification was confirmed by 18S rRNA Sequence Analysis. The four fungi protease producers were Aspergillus niger, Penicillium simplicissimum strain LP42, Aspergillus flavus UOA/HCPF 5774 and Trichoderma harzianum.
What can natural edges of gallery forests teach us about woody community performance in sharp ecotones

Aims The diversity and structure of forest edges are a central issue in ecology. However, most studies have focused on anthropogenic forest edges, being natural ones least understood. We studied the communities of shrubs and trees in natural edges of gallery forests with the main goal of learning what are the main factors that shape the structure and diversity of these natural sharp ecotones. Methods We evaluated 10 gallery forest sites, allocating in each of them three 15 × 20 m plots. The plots were laid out in relatively rectilinear stretches of forest edges, respecting a minimal distance of 10 m between each plot. As they are permanent plots and meant to study eventual fluctuations in the forest–grasslands limits, we allo-cated the plots with their longest side parallel to the forest edge and covering perpendicularly 5 m of the grassland and 10 m of forest. Inside the plots we identified, mapped and measured all shrub and tree individuals with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 1 cm. Although many differences exist among the communities in terms of density and basal area, all of them were highly dense and had relatively low basal areas. In addition, both the number of individuals and the basal area increased rapidly towards the forest interior. Our results also revealed that the edge communities are composed mainly by small individuals that demand a great amount of light. Both the vertical stratification and the proportion of the functional groups are similar among the sites yet change quickly in the first 10 m of the forest edge. However, the floristic similarities were low among the communities mainly due to the species turnover within each area. Therefore, although the overall structure is constant in the studied edges, the low floristic similarity among them possibly indicates that the species within the same functional groups are sub-stituting each other across the sites. Despite older and seemingly stable, our results showed the gallery forest edges are quite similar to the anthropogenic edges or recent clearings. This points out that, independent of the age, those characteristics are possibly permanent in edges.
CHOICE ENHANCE FITNESS

Adaptive hypotheses of female choice predict that females use male courtship displays as an indicator of male quality. A test of whether female choice is adaptive measuring direct and indirect effects of mate choice on females was made using a laboratory population of a lek-mating species, the Mediterranean fruit fly. The nonrandom mating observed in this species is thought to be strongly influenced by female choice. Whether female choice acts to increase fecundity or offspring quality was assessed using two different statistical tests. Multiple regression showed that females generally do not receive direct benefits as a result of mating with males which are successful in copulating with many females. However, in one trial the relationship between male quality and female benefit was nonlinear. Females which mate with males that obtain few matings ( 6) enjoy increased fecundity. Mate choice does not, however, appear to enhance offspring quality as father/ son correlation and sibling analysis showed no heritable component to male copulatory success.
Heritability of faecal worm egg count at different times of the year in a Mediterranean environment.

The heritability of Faecal Worm Egg Counts (FWEC) at different times of the year was estimated in July born Merino lambs in a mediterranean environment, Large differences were found between the estimates calculated with a sire model, and those estimated with an animal model. A heritability estimate of 0.21 l 0.06 was found for FWEC at weaning at three months of age which decreased to approximately 0.08 l 0.04 the following month, and stayed low until after the break of the season in June the following year. It is suggested that the drop in heritability might be related to stress associated factors, such as the weaning process and/or an increased worm burden coupled to a decline in the quantity and quality of feed available. The increase in heritability in June coincided with the growth of pasture and the hatching of parasite eggs after the Brst rains. This indicates that the optimum time to measure FWEC for selection purposes in a Mediterranean environment is sometime after the break of the season from June to September. These results emphasise the importance of designing breeding programs to select for worm resistance that are appropriate to a particular region.
Studies on amino acid composition of the seeds of Euryale ferox Salisb

Diagramme des acides amines des graines delipidees de cette Nympheaceae aquatique apres utilisation des fruits comme legumes dans certaines regions de l'Inde. Les graines contiennent un peu d'amidon outre une quantite non negligeable de proteines (8,51%)
Partial bivoltinism and emergence patterns in the North African endemic damselfly Calopteryx exul: conservation implications

Calopteryx exul is an endemic endangered damselfly that suffers considerable habitat degradation and local extinctions throughout its geographic range. Although recent studies have investigated its distribution, ecology and larval systematics, the life history of the species is still unknown. In this study, a field survey was conducted to determine larval development, temporal pattern of emergence and teneral spatial distribution of the species in the Seybouse watershed, north-east Algeria. Larval growth was investigated in two populations: one at about 200 m (low-elevation population) and the second at 600 m of elevation (high-elevation population). The species showed partial bivoltine life cycle in both low- and high-elevation population. The temporal pattern of emergence of the first flight season of the year at low-elevation population was asynchronous with an emergence season lasting 46 days and half of the population emerging in 15 days. The second flight season was shorter with a most likely smaller population size. Sex ratio at emergence was slightly male biased. After ecdysis, tenerals stayed next to the water within a mean distance of 4.76 ±4.35 m (±SD) with no significant difference between sexes. Conservation measures that should be taken into account in the elaboration of future management plans for the species are discussed.