Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systematic revision of the fruit fly genus Carpophthoromyia Austen (Diptera, Tephritidae)

The Afrotropical fruit fly genus Carpophthoromyia Austen is revised. In total, 17 species are recognized of which 7 are new to science: C. debeckeri sp.n. , C. dividua sp.n. , C. flavofasciata sp.n. , C. interrupta sp.n. , C. radulata sp.n. , C. schoutedeni sp.n. and C. virgata sp.n. Carpophthoromyia amoena Enderlein is considered a junior synonym of C. vittata (Fabricius). C. angusticeps Bezzi is considered not to belong to Carpophthoromyia but to the gastrozonine genus Clinotaenia Bezzi: Clinotaenia angusticeps (Bezzi) comb.nov. A lectotype is designated for each of C. litterata, C. pseudotritea, and C. tessmanni. All species are described or re-described, with illustrations of wing patterns and male and female terminalia where deemed necessary for unambiguous identification. An identification key to species is provided.
Microscale nest-site selection by the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) in the pampas of Argentina

ABSTRACT Habitat modifications have led many bird species to occupy areas with different characteristics, including human-altered landscapes. In this study, we analyzed how land use influences the nest-site selection at the microscale level by Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) breeding in vegetated sand dunes, periurban areas, and agroecosystems in the Pampas of Argentina. We compared the characteristics of the nest site (percentage of open space) and the nest patch (distance to conspecific nests, tall vegetation and perches and number of perches) within and among the three land-cover types. In addition, we evaluated the breeding performance (nesting success and productivity) of owls nesting in these land-cover types. We found that nest microsite variables did not vary between owl-occupied and owl-unoccupied sites within nest patches, but they differed among land-cover types. Although nest patches differed in their availability of perches at each land-cover type, distance from the nest to the nearest perch did not vary between them. Distances to tall vegetation and to conspecific nests were highly variable and did not differ among land-cover types. Our results indicate that Burrowing Owls that inhabit the Pampas used a variety of land-cover types for nesting and showed little selectivity of nest sites and nest patches, thus reinforcing the idea that they are habitat generalists.
Evaluation of the Susceptibility Status of Spiny Bollworm Earias biplaga (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Bt Cotton in South Africa

The bollworm complex of cotton in South Africa consists of the African bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), red bollworm, Diparopsis castanea (Hamps.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and the spiny bollworms, Earias biplaga (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Earias insulana (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (Green et al. 2003). Larvae of these species are regarded as major pests of cotton since they tunnel into the growing tips, flowering buds and cotton bolls, resulting in damage and subsequent yield losses (Bennett 2015). Genetically modified (GM) transgenic Bt cotton plants that express Cry proteins have been cultivated in SouthAfrica since 1998 to control these lepidopteran pests (Thirtleet al. 2003). Bollgard®, expressing the Cry1Ac protein, was first commercially produced in South Africa in 1998 and discontinued after the 2010 growing season (ICAC 2007). Bollgard ll®, also registered for control of lepidopteran pests on cotton, is a stacked transgenic cotton which expresses two Bt proteins, namely Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 (Taverniers et al. 2008; Showalter et al. 2009).
First record of two potentially toxic dinoflagellates in tide pools along the Sardinian coast

Abstract Nowadays harmful algal blooms (HABs) represent a serious problem for the conservation of the biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless the knowledge on the presence of potentially toxic benthic microalgae in particular habitats, such as tide pools, is still scarce. In order to detect HAB-producing benthic microalgae in tide pools of the rocky intertidal zone, a pilot study was conducted in Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area (MPA) during the late spring of 2016. Three different pools were sampled in two study sites (six pools were sampled in total) and the cell density of toxic species was estimated in each. In all the collected samples, the two potentially toxic dinoflagellates, Prorocentrum lima (Ehrenberg) F. Stein and Coolia monotis Meunier, were recorded and significant differences in their density were observed, in relation to both sites and pools.
Control failure of Sri Lankan whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) is due to high resistance development against recommended insecticides

Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Genn. is a major pest of vegetables. Control of the whitefly has become a major problem in agriculture pest control programmes despite the use of several recommended insecticides. No studies have been carried out previously in Sri Lanka to evaluate the insecticide resistance status of B. tabaci . The present study focused on identifying the resistance status of B. tabaci from three main climatic zones of Sri Lanka. Field collected or laboratory reared (up to 5th generation) adults from Gannoruwa (n = 3612), Kahatagasdigiliya (n = 3385) and Bandarawela (n = 4146) were exposed to different concentrations of recommended insecticides, i.e. two neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam and acetamiprid), an organophosphate (profenofos), a carbamate (carbosulfan) and a pyrethroid (etofenprox), using leaf-dip method. Log-probit mortality curves were obtained for each insecticide, and compared with published data available for susceptible populations and the dosages recommended by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) of Sri Lanka. Resistance factors (RF) ranged from 2.74 ‒ 789.48 and the highest resistance was observed for etofenprox. Moderate to high resistance to neonicotinoids and moderate resistance to carbosalfan was evident. All three populations were largely susceptible for profenofos. The populations exhibited significant heterogeneous responses at least for one insecticide except for carbosulfan. A 6 to 800 fold increase of the DOA recommended dosages are needed to gain 90 % mortality of the populations except for profenofos. An integrated approach to manage insecticide resistance guided with a regular resistance monitoring programmes is urgently required for effective control of the whitefly in horticultural crops in Sri Lanka.
Assessment of human health risk from heavy metals levels in water and tissues of two trout species (Oncorhynchus mykiss and Salmo coruhensis) from the Fırtına and Güneysu Rivers in Turkey

Abstract Human health risks were evaluated from consumption of heavy metal contaminated fish from the Fırtına and Güneysu Rivers in Rize. The study was aimed to assess heavy metal load in water and two fish species. The potential human health risk due to consumption of Oncorhynchus mykiss and Salmo coruhensis was assessed by estimating average daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) of metals. Our results showed that the levels of heavy metals in both water and two fish species are lower than the acceptable limit recommended by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO).
Effects of Light Quality on Growth and Morphogenesis of 'Muscat Bailey A' Grapevine in vitro

Two-node microcuttings were used in this study to evaluate the effect of different qualities of LED lights on growth and morphogenesis of 'Muscat Bailey A' grapevines cultured in vitro. Among red-blue mix light treatments, plants in the treatments of 9R, 8R1B, 6R3B and 2R7B had higher percentages of shoot regeneration but there was no significant difference in the percentage of rooting among treatments. The fresh weight and dry weight of leaf, leaf number, leaf area and average primary root length in the 8R1B treatment were the highest. Plants in the treatment of 9R had the highest shoot length, internode length and primary root number. The fresh weight and dry weight of root and secondary root number in 6R3B treatment were the highest. Among red-blue ratio with infrared light treatments, the highest percentage of shoot regeneration was 100% for the treatments of 5R3B1IR, 3R5B1IR and 4R3B2IR, and the lowest one was obtained in the treatment of 3R4B2IR which was only 53.3%. The highest percentage of rooting, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, leaf number, node number, shoot length and internode length were obtained in the treatment of 7R1B1IR. In summary, growth and development of grapevine plantlets were better under higher ratio of red to blue light. Therefore, higher ratio of red to blue light should be used during the early stage of in vitro microcutting of grapevines.
Genetic diversity of the cyprinid fish Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843) populations from Euphrates and Tigris rivers in Turkey based on mtDNA COI sequences

In this study, genetic diversity of Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843) populations from Euphrates and Tigris rivers in Turkey was evaluated based on gene sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtDNA COI) locus. Six polymorphic sites and seven haplotypes were detected in 47 samples collected from four populations viz . , Adiyaman, Birecik, Bismil and Batman. The mean haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) were calculated as h = 0,6420 and π = 0,00138 respectively. Pairwise F ST statistics of different populations were found to be negative, low and were insignificant, indicating gene flow. AMOVA analysis showed Fst = 0.09865 and p = 0.00489, indicating that the populations were isolated. The results of Neutrality tests showed an increase in Adiyaman, Birecik and Bismil populations and a decline in Batman population, all values being statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Three haplotypes determined for mtDNA COI locus in the present study form important data set for genetic diversity of this species.
Evaluation of a model for predicting Avena fatua and Descurainia sophia seed emergence in winter rapeseed

Avena fatua and Descurainia sophia are two important annual weeds throughout winter rapeseed ( Brassica napus L.) production systems in the semiarid region of Iran. Timely and more accurate control of both species may be developed if there is a better understanding of its emergence patterns. Non-linear regression techniques are usually unable to accurately predict field emergence under such environmental conditions. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the emergence patterns of A . fatua and D . sophia and determine if emergence could be predicted using cumulative soil thermal time in degree days (CTT). In the present work, cumulative seedling emergence from a winter rapeseed field during 3 years data set was fitted to cumulative soil CTT using Weibull and Gompertz functions. The Weibull model provided a better fit, based on coefficient of determination ( R 2 sqr ), root mean square of error (RMSE) and Akaike index (AIC d ), compared to the Gompertz model between 2013 and 2016 seasons for both species. Maximum emergence of A. fatua occured 70-119 days after sowing or after equals 329-426 °Cd, while in D. sophia it occurred 119-134 days after sowing rapeseed equals 373-470 °Cd. Both models can aid in the future study of A . fatua and D . sophia emergence and assist growers and agricultural professionals with planning timely and more accurate A . fatua and D . sophia control.
Multicontinental community phylogenetics of avian mixed‐species flocks reveal the role of the stability of associations and of kleptoparasitism

If understood as a way to forage socially without incurring intra-specific competition for mates or other resources, mixed-species foraging flocks are predicted to be composed of functionally similar species. In the most intensively studied mixed-species foraging system, understory forest birds, relevant functional traits are however extremely difficult to measure and best replaced by phylogenetic relatedness. A multicontinental analysis of flock phylogenetic structure revealed departures from the expected phylogenetic clustering. Long-lasting associations (> one day) were phylogenetically overdispersed, indicating that these associations are affected by competitive exclusion or by mutualistic interactions. However, where kleptoparasites occurred, this effect disappeared completely, as expected if the dilution of kleptoparasitism risk compensated competition between related species. Mixed-species flocks should not be analyzed as a homogeneous phenomenon. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The fate of nitrogen inputs in a warmer alpine treeline ecosystem: a 15N labelling study

Global warming may accelerate nitrogen (N) transformations in the soil, with potentially large effects in N‐poor high‐elevation ecosystems. To gain insight into the partitioning of inorganic and organic N inputs within the plant–soil system and how warming influences these patterns, we applied a 15N label (15NH4Cl or 15N‐glycine) shortly after snowmelt during the sixth year of experimental soil warming (+4 °C) at treeline in the Swiss Alps. Seven weeks after labelling, approximately 60% of the applied label remained in the soil organic layer to 10 cm depth, whereas label recovery summed over all measured plant pools was <10% of the added label. Soil warming led to a weaker Δ15N signal in plants and no change in the amount of added label recovered in plants. This 15N dilution resulted from a greater N pool size of some plant species in warmed plots as well as enhanced availability of (unlabelled) N under warming. Temporal dynamics of foliar Δ15N in dominant dwarf shrub species suggested that these plants primarily take up N early in the season. In a subset of plots labelled with 13C‐enriched glycine (U‐13C2‐15N‐glycine), the labelled glycine was mineralized rapidly, with approximately 50% of the applied 13C respired as CO2 during the first 99 h, suggesting that effects of warmer soils on N dynamics in this treeline system are only slightly modulated by the preferences of different plant species for inorganic and organic N forms. Synthesis. Plants growing in warmer soils acquired more unlabelled, soil‐derived N in the sixth year of treatment, implying a sustained increase in N mineralization and availability in alpine treeline ecosystems with higher soil temperatures predicted for the future. Wide variation in the ability of plant species and functional groups to compete for early‐summer N inputs means that there is a feedback between plant community shifts and N dynamics under environmental change at the treeline.
Unsupervised Discretization of Continuous Variables in a Chicken Egg Quality Traits Dataset

Discretization is a data pre-processing task transforming continuous variables into discrete ones in order to apply some data mining algorithms such as association rules extraction and classification trees. In this study we empirically compared the performances of equal width intervals (EWI), equal frequency intervals (EFI) and K-means clustering (KMC) methods to discretize 14 continuous variables in a chicken egg quality traits dataset. We revealed that these unsupervised discretization methods can decrease the training error rates and increase the test accuracies of the classification tree models. By comparing the training errors and test accuracies of the model applied with C5.0 classification tree algorithm we also found that EWI, EFI and KMC methods produced the more or less similar results. Among the rules used for estimating the number of intervals, the Rice rule gave the best result with EWI but not with EFI. It was also found that Freedman-Diaconis rule with EFI and Doane rule with EFI and EWI slightly performed better than the other rules.
Geographic variation in winter adaptations of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus)

Understanding adaptations of nonhibernating northern endotherms to cope with extreme cold is important because climate-induced changes in winter temperatures and snow cover are predicted to impact these species the most. We compared winter pelage characteristics and heat production of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) on the southern edge of their range, in Pennsylvania (USA), to a northern population, in the Yukon (Canada), to investigate how hares might respond to changing environmental conditions. We also investigated how hares in Pennsylvania altered movement rates and resting spot selection to cope with variable winter temperatures. Hares from Pennsylvania had shorter, less dense, and less white winter coats than their northern counterparts, suggesting lower coat insulation. Hares in the southern population had lower pelage temperatures, indicating that they produced less heat than those in the northern population. In addition, hares in Pennsylvania did not select for resting spots tha.
Role of Mycobacterium avium sub species paratuberculosis in persistant diarrhoea in Egyptian buffaloes

Paratuberculosis or johne’s disease (JD) is a chronic and incurable granulomatous enteric disease affecting cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and the other ruminants caused by M.avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) . In this study, A total of 300 buffaloes (240 clinically diseased animals and 60 apparently healthy animals) were examined for the presence of clinical signs of johne's disease including incurable chronic diarrhoea, interment firstly then intense and continuous which is not responding to treatment, emaciation and progressive weakness. Fecal and serum samples (each of 300) were collected from the examined buffaloes housed in 3 Egyptian Governorates (Sharkia, Kalyoubia and Damietta). Fecal samples were collected then examined according to the pooling procedure and decontaminated by Hexa decylpyridinium chloride solution (HPC 0.9%) prior to culturing on Herrold's Egg Yolk Medium (HEYM). MAP was isolated from 34 of the 60 pooled fecal samples tested (57%). Fecal smears were examined using Ziehl – Neelsen stain (ZN) for the presence of acid fast bacilli revealing 29 fecal smears (48%) of 60 fecal smears were positive. ELISA was conducted on serum samples to detect antibodies against MAP, 212 (71%) of serum samples were positive for antibodies against MAP. Molecular confirmation by PCR IS900 assay was carried out using specific primers directly on fecal sample, Out of the 60 pooled fecal samples, 45 pools (75%) were positive. This study aimed to through a light on paratuberculosis in Egyptian buffaloes as there is lack of data about this disease in Egypt
A new species of frogfish of the genus Histiophryne (Teleostei: Lophiiformes: Antennariidae) from Queensland, Australia

Histiophryne maggiewalker, a new species of frogfish of the teleost order Lophiiformes, family Antennariidae, is described from six specimens collected in shallow waters off Queensland, Australia. The new taxon differs from its congeners in having a relatively long illicium and esca, the latter expanded distally, more or less rectangular; and genetic divergence in the nuclear recombination activation gene-2 (RAG2) and cytochrome oxidase-I (COI) genes. Members of the new species are black with a reticulate patterning discernible only with aid of a dissecting scope; or white with light brown spots. The new species is described and compared with its congeners.
Alteration in biochemical indices following administration of seafood (Thais coronata) extract

Seafood consumption has been a way of life to most people especially those that leave in riverine areas, because seafoods are known to contain many nutrients that are essential for healthy living. Consequently, this research therefore seeks to investigate the effect of these nutritive components of Thais coronata on biochemical indices of albino Wistar rats. Fourty five male albino Wister rats weighing between 180-220 g were assigned into 3 groups of fifteen rats each in metabolic cages and were given rat feed and drinking water ad libitum . Two test doses (low dose 7.0 mg protein/ml and high dose 52 mg protein/ml) were selected and administered to two groups of rats orally and daily for six weeks, while a third group of rats served as the control, n = 15. At the expiration of the feeding period, blood samples were obtained from all the rats via cardiac puncture for the analysis of the various biochemical indices. Both the low and high doses of the extract produced significant increases in HDLc (P<0.001) compared with control. k (P<0.001), HCO 3 - (P<0.01) and Ca 2+ (P<0.001) were also significantly increased in the extract treated groups. The extract groups had significant reductions in ALT (P<0.001), ALP (P<0.001), Na + (P<0.001) and Cl - (P<0.001) compared with control. Also Tc (P<0.001), TG (P<0.001), LDL (P<0.001) and VLDLc (P<0.001) were significantly decreased in the extract treated group. In conclusion seafood consumption is of immense benefit to health because it serves to regulate the lipid profile, electrolytes and enzyme concentrations in blood.
Beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas late summer habitat use and support for foraging areas in the Canadian Beaufort Sea

: The eastern Beaufort Sea beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas population aggre-gates in the Mackenzie Estuary every summer, and moves toward the continental shelf and offshore waters in the late summer. From 2007 to 2009, systematic aerial surveys recorded beluga whale locations beyond the estuary, over the Mackenzie Shelf and offshore waters, where distributions were observed to occur widely. It is thought that beluga use of the offshore is primarily driven by feeding opportunities, and historical abundance trends suggest that the offshore may have become more attractive to beluga in response to prey availability. To determine drivers of beluga late summer habitat use, a resource selection function (RSF) model was used to measure se lection of 4 key environmental variables: (1) chlorophyll a , (2) sea surface temperature, (3) bathymetry and (4) distance from shore. Results revealed that all 4 variables contributed significantly to the individual 2007, 2008 and 2009 best-fit habitat models. Beluga preferred warmer sea surface temperatures (>2°C) and mid-to-high chlorophyll a concentrations (0.01−10 mg m −3 ), conditions that are indicative of enhanced local productivity and/or upwelling. Beluga distri butions varied slightly between years, although high-use areas were identified in nearshore waters (0−50 m) offshore of the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, and along the continental shelf-slope (100−500 m), a region known to support a principal prey species, Arctic cod Boreogadus saida . This study improved knowledge of beluga habitat use in the offshore and revealed that selection of late summer oceanographic variables may provide support for foraging habitats, as these dynamic conditions are important to structuring forage fish ecosystems.