Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Male killing in three species of the tripunctata radiation of Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

An excess of females in progenies is commonly referred to as sex-ratio (SR). In this report, we describe three new occurrences of SR in species of the tripunctata radiation, Drosophila neocardini, Drosophila ornatifrons and Drosophila paraguayensis. Repeated backcrosses with males from normal strains were used to maintain the SR strains in the laboratory, always with all-female broods. The egg–larva viability of the SR strains was approximately half that of a normal strain, and antibiotic treatment restored the production of males in SR strains. PCR screening with Spiroplasma-specific primers showed that only SR strains tested positive for Spiroplasma. The results showed that in the three species, SR was maternally inherited and involved early male-killing bacteria, most likely spiroplasmas. These new occurrences increase the number of cytoplasmic male killers described in Drosophila from 11 to 14. In this particular collection of flies, one quarter (3 out of 12) of the species from the tripunctata radiation of Drosophila was infected with a male killer, suggesting that this group may be a hot spot for the presence of male-killing organisms. Resumen El termino ‘sex-ratio’ se refiere a un exceso de hembras en camadas. En este estudio, describimos tres nuevas ocurrencias de ‘sex-ratio’ en especies de la radiacion tripunctata, Drosophila neocardini, D. ornatifrons y D. paraguayensis. Cruzas repetidas con machos de linajes normales fueron usadas para mantener los linajes con ‘sex-ratio’ en laboratorio, siempre con crias compuestas solo por hembras. La viabiladad de los huevos y larvas de los linajes con ‘sex-ratio’ fue aproximadamente mitad de la de los linajes normales, y tratamientos con antibioticos restablecieron la produccion de machos en los linajes con ‘sex-ratio’. En una investigacion con PCR usando primers especificos para Spiroplasma, apenas linajes con ‘sex-ratio’ presentaron resultados positivos. Los resultados mostraron que en las tres especies el ‘sex-ratio’ fue heredado de las madres y involucra bacterias que matan a los machos en el principio del desenvolvimiento, probablemente del genero Spiroplasma. Estas nuevas ocurrencias aumentan el numero de matadores de machos citoplasmaticos descritos en Drosophila de 11 para 14. En este caso especifico, un quarto (3 en 12) de las especies de la radiacion tripunctata de Drosophila fue infectado con un matador de machos, lo que sugiere que este grupo es un ‘hot spot’ para la presencia de organismos androcidas.
Effects of trichomes on the behavior and distribution of Platyprepia virginalis caterpillars

Trichomes are an important physical resistance mechanism of plants, as they reduce insect herbivore movement, feeding, and digestion. However, we know little about how trichomes influence herbivore distributions and populations. We conducted laboratory and field experiments to evaluate the preferences of Platyprepia virginalis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) caterpillars to natural and manipulated densities of trichomes on their primary food, Lupinus arboreus Sims (Fabaceae). We then conducted field surveys to determine whether variation in trichome density among lupine bushes affected caterpillar spatial distribution on the landscape. Platyprepia virginalis caterpillars preferred lupine leaves with fewer trichomes in choice and no‐choice experiments. In the field, caterpillar feeding damage was found more often on leaves with fewer trichomes. These preferences scaled up to the level of bushes in the landscape such that more caterpillars were found on bushes with lower trichome densities than on bushes with higher trichome densities. This is one of few studies to show the potential for trichome density to influence herbivore population size and distribution in a natural system at a landscape level. The results are consistent with trichomes functioning as a resistance mechanism with consequences for herbivore choice, performance, and distribution.
Grassland diversity related to the Late Iron Age human population density

1 Species‐rich semi‐natural grasslands in Europe developed during prehistoric times and have endured due to human activity. At the same time, intensive grassland management or changes in land use may result in species extinction. As a consequence, plant diversity in semi‐natural calcareous grasslands may be related to both historical and current human population density. 2 We hypothesize that current vascular plant diversity in semi‐natural calcareous grasslands is positively correlated with the Late Iron Age (c. 800–1000 years ago) density of human settlements (indicated by Late Iron Age fortresses and villages) due to enhancement of grassland extent and species dispersal, and negatively correlated with current human population density due to habitat loss and deterioration. 3 We described the size of the community vascular plant species pool, species richness per 1 m2 and the relative richness (richness divided by the size of the species pool) in 45 thin soil, calcareous (alvar) grasslands in Estonia. In addition to historical and current human population density we considered simultaneously the effects of grassland area, connectivity to other alvar grasslands, elevation above sea level (indicating grassland age), soil pH, soil N, soil P, soil depth, soil depth heterogeneity, geographical east–west gradient, precipitation and spatial autocorrelation. 4 Both the size of the community species pool and the species richness are significantly correlated with the Late Iron Age human population density. In addition, species richness was unimodally related to the current human population density. The relative richness (species ‘packing density’) was highest in the intermediate current human population densities, indicative of moderate land‐use intensity. 5 Community species pool size decreased non‐linearly with increasing soil N, and was highest at intermediate elevation. Small‐scale richness was greater when sites were well connected and when the elevation was intermediate. Spatial autocorrelation was also significant for both species pool size and small‐scale richness. 6 In summary, human land‐use legacy from prehistoric times is an important aspect in plant ecology, which could be an important contributor to the current variation in biodiversity.
Variation in Chemical Composition of Gracilaria tikvahiae McLachlan (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire

Collections of Gracilaria tikvahiae McLachlan were obtained monthly for 1.5 years from the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire, U. S. A. , and the tissue chemistry of separated vegetative, cystocarpic, tetrasporic and spermatangial samples was determined. Distinct annual cycles with summer minima and winter maxima were evident for agar, carbohydrate, carbon, nitrogen, phycoerythrin and dry weight, with these cycles being inversely related to the plants' growth. In contrast, ash content showed an annual cycle with summer maxima and winter minima, similar to growth. Only limited annual variations in protein, phosphorus and Chlorophyll contents were recorded. No signiflcant differences were detected between cystocarpic and tetrasporic plants for any tissue components. In addition, there were no consistent differences in composition between vegetative and reproductive plants.
THÉORIE ET CALCUL DES INDEX DE SÉLECTION

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. THÉORIE ET CALCUL DES INDEX DE SÉLECTION J. P. Boyer
Bioactivity of some natural products against the cowpea storage weevil Callosobruchus Maculatus L.

This work was carried out to evaluate the insecticidal activity of extracts from 14 plant species of Ghanaian origin against Callosobruchus maculatus adults under laboratory conditions. Phytochemical screenings of the 14 plant species were performed using standard laboratory methods to determine the types of secondary natural products present in the plant species. Aqueous, petroleum ether and ethanolic extracts of the 14 plant species were screened for their bioactivity against Artemia selina in a brine shrimp lethality test. The pesticidal activities of the plant products against Callosobruchus maculatus were investigated in laboratory experiments. Contact toxicity (filter paper impregnation method), grain treatment with plant products for insect population and mortality assays, and also effect of the plant products on grain damage were obtained and compared with Actellic Super EC (synthetic insecticide) during a three-month observation period. Cymbopogan winterianus oil caused the highest mortality, least damage to grains and the highest antireproductive effect. All grain-protective properties of the natural products were concentration and time dependent. Extracts of Cassia alata showed good potential in protecting cowpea and gave better protection than the powder, whilst Griffornia simplicifolia did not significantly protect the grains. Phytochemical investigations of the plants revealed the presence of terpenes, saponins, tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, anthraquinones and flavonoids. The presence of some of these compounds may be responsible for the pesticidal action of the plants. Keywords: Phytochemical screening, Extracts, Insecticidal, Brine shrimp lethality test, Cowpea.
Niche differentiation and spatial partitioning in the evolution of two Australian monsoon tropical tree species

Geographical and climatic barriers to organismal dispersal and distribution play a major role in speciation. We use a sister‐pair of widespread savanna trees (Melaleuca argentea and M. fluviatilis) to test the influence of putative barriers on divergence within and between species across an otherwise continuous landscape.
An assessment of a light-attraction fishery in southern Lake Malawi

This study provides the first quantitative assessment of the light-attraction component of a small-scale purse seine, locally known as a chilimira net, fishery in two areas of southern Lake Malawi. For monitoring purposes the shoreline of Lake Malawi is divided into a number of statistical strata. Two strata ('2.1' in the southeast arm and '3.1' in the southwest arm of the lake) were selected for this study. Catch per unit effort in stratum 2.1 was generally lower than that recorded in stratum 3.1 but nets in stratum 2.1 fished more frequently, leading to similar annual catches in the two strata. Annual catch was estimated as 19.4 (CI = 15.9–23.5) tons net–1 year–1 in stratum 2.1 and 23.5 (CI = 19.5–28.1) tons net–1 year–1 in stratum 3.1 respectively. A total of 62 species from 28 cichlid genera, and 13 species from nine non-cichlid genera, were identified from the samples. Of the 37 genera identified, only five; Copadichromis, Dimidiochromis, Engraulicypris, Oreochromis and Rhamphochromis, contributed more than 5% to the total annual catch in either stratum. Their combined contribution to the annual catch was in excess of 85% in both strata. Comparisons showed that catch-composition was dependent on area. Length-frequency distributions of major target species in the catch showed that the fishery targeted juveniles in stratum 2.1, while in stratum 3.1 most individuals were harvested after reaching their length-at-maturity. The dependence of catch-composition and size-selection on area indicates that management interventions for this fishery need to be area-specific. Since the fishery targets a diverse species assemblage, effort limitation or area closure may be the only viable management options, until such time as additional biological and fisheries data are available for the application of stock assessment models.
Saline and alkaline stress genotypic tolerance in sweet sorghum is linked to sodium distribution

Salt and alkali stress limit crop growth and reduce agricultural productivity worldwide, which have led to increased interest in enhancing salt tolerance in crop plants. Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (Linn.) Moench) is a monocotyledonous crop species that shows greater tolerance to salt–alkali stress than most other crops, although the underlying mechanisms behind this tolerance remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of salt and alkali stresses on two sweet sorghum varieties M-81E, which is stress tolerant, and 314B, which is stress sensitive. Namely, we surveyed plant growth parameters, measured Na+ and K+ distributions at the level of the whole plant as well as in three specific tissues, and then determined the activities of H+-ATPase, H+-PPase and Na+/H+ exchange in root vacuole membranes under stress conditions. Following treatment of the seedlings for 3 days with salt or alkali solutions, the plant growth was inhibited and Na+ levels in the whole plant, leaves, sheath, and roots were increased in both genotypes. Under alkali stress, K+ levels in the whole plant, leaves, sheath, and roots were decreased in both genotypes. M-81E roots accumulated significantly higher levels of Na+ than leaves, whereas the opposite was true for 314B. Under salt stress, both the hydrolytic and proton-transporting activities of V-H+-ATPase were enhanced and Na+/H+ exchange activity was dramatically upregulated, whereas V-H+-PPase activity was decreased. M-81E showed a greater capacity to compartmentalize Na+ within root cell vacuoles and maintain higher levels of K+ uptake compared with 314B, resulting in higher K+/Na+ transport selectivity in this genotype. These results also demonstrated that H+-ATPase activity and ionic homeostasis (Na+/K+) were likely important contributors to the tolerance of saline-alkali stress and crucially important for understanding alkaline stress in both crops and wild plants.
Preparation, biotransformation, and antifungal activity of methyl benzyldithiocarbamates

The biotransformation of three methyl benzyldithiocarbamates by the blackleg fungus (Leptosphaeriamaculans (Desm.) Ces. et de Not. , asexual stage Phomalingam (Tode ex Fr.) Desm) was investigated. The main biotransformation products were isolated and their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Similarly to our previous studies with the phytoalexin brassinin, these results suggest that virulent blackleg isolates are significantly more effective in metabolizing benzyldithiocarbamates than the related avirulent isolates. Keywords: benzyldithiocarbamates, brassinin, Leptosphaeriamaculans, Phomalingam, phytoalexins.
Increase in HIV Receptors/Co-receptors/α-defensins in Inflamed Human Gingiva

Transmission of HIV-1 through the oral cavity is considered to be a rare event. To identify factors in resistance/susceptibility to oral HIV-1 infection, we analyzed expression in human gingiva of HIV-1 receptors Langerin, DC-SIGN, MR, and GalCer, HIV-1 co-receptors CCCR5, CXCR4, and anti-microbial protein α-defensin-1. Our results show that healthy gingiva is infiltrated with cells expressing all HIV-1 receptors tested; however, there are very few CCR5+ cells and a complete absence of CXCR4+ cells in the lamina propria. In chronic periodontitis (CP), DC-SIGN, MR, CXCR4, and CCR5 increase, but this was accompanied by a ten-fold increase in α-defensin-1 mRNA. The CCR5+ cells were revealed to be T-cells, macrophages, and dermal dendritic cells. Moreover, epithelial expression of GalCer and CXCR4 together was not apical and showed no trend with underlying inflammation. Thus, low expression of HIV-1 co-receptors in health and high expression of α-defensin during CP may comprise endogenous factors that provide protection from oral HIV-1 infection.
Powdery mildew resistance genes in barley varieties grown in Australia

Abstract. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a major crop in Australia and powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei) is one of its most common diseases. Genes for resistance to powdery mildew were postulated for 86 Australian barley varieties and nine advanced breeding lines using 40 reference isolates of the pathogen. Fifty isolates collected in Australia in 2011 were used for additional tests of some varieties. In total, 22 known resistance genes [mlo, Mla1, MlaAl2, Mla3, Mla6, Mla7, Mla8, Mla9, Mla12, Mla13, Mlat, Mlg, MlGa, Mlk1, MlLa, Mlra, Ml(Ab), Ml(Ch), Ml(Dr2), Ml(He2), Ml(Lo) and Ml(St)] were detected. The most frequent genes were Mla8 and Mlg present in 43 and 34 varieties, respectively, while MlGa was found in 12 varieties. Each of the specific resistance genes Mla1, Mla3, Mla6, Mla9, Mla13, Ml(St) and the non-specific recessive gene mlo was found in one variety only. The varieties Maritime and Stirling appear to carry no specific resistance genes. Fifteen unknown resistances were detected. It is recommended that Australian barley breeding programs exploit European varieties possessing mlo to improve the resistance to powdery mildew in new varieties.
Edward Robson's list of the rarer plants of County Durham

ABSTRACT Davis and Graham (1981) described the botanical activities of the Darlington Quakers, Stephen Robson (1741–1779) and his nephew, Edward Robson (1763–1813), and attributed to the latter a list of rarer Durham plants, Plantae rariores agro Dunelmensi indigenae, which was privately printed in 1798. Further evidence has now been found which confirms that Edward Robson was the compiler of this list, which was circulated widely to contemporary botanists. Some preliminary comments are made on the significance of the list, and Edward's importance as a field botanist of his times is further emphasised.
Biomass, virus concentration, and symptomatology of cucurbits infected by mild and severe strains of Papaya ringspot virus

Pre-immunization with mild strains of Papaya ringspot virus - type W (PRWV-W) has allowed the mosaic disease to be controlled in different cucurbit species, with increases in marketable fruit yield. The objective of this study was to compare virus concentration, biomass and symptomatology of 'Caserta' zucchini squash, 'Menina Brasileira' long-neck squash and 'Crimson Sweet' watermelon plants infected by three mild strains and one severe strain of PRSV-W. Plants were inoculated at the cotyledonary stage, under greenhouse conditions, sampled at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after inoculation (DAI), and analyzed by PTA-ELISA. The severity of the symptoms was scored according to a scale from 1 to 5, and the fresh and dry biomass of the aerial part of the plants were evaluated at 40 DAI. Concentrations of the mild strains, based on absorbance values of the PTA-ELISA, were lower than the concentration of the severe strain for all species. The mild strains did not cause mosaic in infected plants of all species. Plants of zucchini squash and watermelon infected by the severe strain exhibited severe mosaic symptoms, but the same was not noticed for infected long-neck squash plants. Biomass values from zucchini squash and watermelon plants infected by the mild strains were 1.7 % to 12.4 % lower as compared to healthy plants. Biomass values of zucchini squash and watermelon plants infected by the severe strain presented greater reduction, varying from 29 % to 74 %. However, biomass values of long-neck squash plants infected by the mild and severe strains were similar for all treatments.
Life history and population dynamics of invasive common carp, Cyprinus carpio, within a large turbid African impoundment

As one of the most widely established freshwater fishes globally, the invasive success of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, is beyond dispute. Although detailed knowledge on its biology would assist in its management, relatively few life history studies have investigated C. carpio outside of its natural range. The present study analyses the life history and population structure of exotic C. carpio in a 364 km2 African impoundment. We used whole astericus otoliths to show that C. carpio attained ages of up to 7 years and grew more rapidly than has been recorded for any population from Europe or Australia. Macroscopic staging of gonads indicated protracted spawning, with highest reproductive activity observed during late spring and early summer. Total mortality, natural mortality and fishing mortality rates were estimated at 0.72, 0.60 and 0.12 year–1 respectively. Life history comparisons across the species’ global distribution showed large variations in growth and longevity, whereas early maturation (2–3 years) appeared to be a rather conservative trait. The combination of early maturity, fast growth and relatively high natural mortality rates suggests a rapid population growth potential associated with high resilience to management interventions once C. carpio has been introduced.
Revision of the hirsuticornis‐like species of Macrothrix Baird, 1843 (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Macrothricidae) from Subantarctic and temperate regions of the southern hemisphere

The aim of this paper is to revise populations of Macrothrix cf. hirsuticornis (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Macrothricidae) from different regions of the southern hemisphere. It is demonstrated that M. hirsuticornis Norman and Brady, 1867 s. str. is absent there, and five related species occupy different Subantarctic islands and the southernmost portions of South America, and Africa. Macrothrix boergeni Studer, 1878 from the Kerguelen Archipelago is redescribed and a neotype is selected. All populations in the southernmost portion of continental South America, Tierra del Fuego, Falklands, South Georgia, South Orkney Islands, and on the Antarctic Peninsula belong to M. oviformis Ekman, 1900. All the taxa described from this region—M. ciliata Vávra, 1900, M. odontocephala Daday, 1902, M. propinqua Sars, 1909, and, probably, M. inflata Daday, 1902—are junior synonyms of M. oviformis. Two new species are established: M. sarsi sp. nov. from the Cape region of South Africa and M. ruehei sp. nov. from Crozet, Marion islands, and Île Amsterdam. Macrothrix cf. flagellata Smirnov and Timms, 1983, previously known only from Tasmania, is found on Macquarie Island too. Differences between species from the southern hemisphere and Palaearctic M. hirsuticornis are summarized. It is demonstrated that characters of the general body shape (i.e. presence of a hood or a tooth on posterior head border) have a limited value for the systematics of Macrothrix. In contrast, some fine details, mostly missed by previous authors, are valuable for species discrimination. The present study increases the number of species recorded from the Antarctic‐Subantarctic region. Probably, the current pattern of Macrothrix distribution results from a disruption of a pan‐continental (early Mesozoic? ) species complex.
The effect of ABA analogs on callus viability and gene expression in Craterostigma plantagineum

We have used callus tissue of the desiccation-tolerant plant, Craterostigma plantagineum Hochst to probe the stereochemical requirements of ABA in the desiccation tolerance response, using ABA analogs. Callus was treated with (S)-(+)-ABA and (R)-(-)-ABA and two pure isomer derivatives of each, and viability after a drying treatment and the expression of four desiccation-induced late embryogenesis abundant (LEA)-type transcripts and sucrose synthase from Craterostigma were measured. Both stereoisomers alone caused transcript expression and highest viability. The two derivatives of (R)-(-)-ABA gave poor or no transcript expression and no viability, suggesting that alteration of a ring double bond to a single bond in this series of compounds is significant in ABA perception for both responses. One (S)-(+)-ABA derivative was effective in inducing all transcripts and causing callus viability. The other analog derivative induced all protein transcripts without concomitant tissue viability after drying. This suggests that some other ABA-inducible factor(s) are vital for desiccation tolerance of callus.