Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microsatellite variability in the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus: genetic diversity and population structure

The hyphomycete Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Pfr) is a geographically widespread fungus capable of infecting various insect hosts. The fungus has been used for the biological control of several important insect pests of agriculture. However knowledge of the fungus’ genetic diversity and population structure is required for its sustainable use as a biological control agent. We investigated length and sequence polymorphisms of nine microsatellite loci for 33 Pfr accessions sampled from various host species and geographical locations, and our results reveal complex mutational processes for these molecular markers. Only Pfr isolates from Bemisia tabaci were amplified successfully, indicating the existence of Pfr genotypes specifically associated with B. tabaci. Genetic relationships among the 25 Pfr isolates from B. tabaci were inferred from allelic variability data at eight microsatellite loci that were polymorphic and subsequently from sequence data from the flanking regions of three selected loci. Maximum parsimony and neighbor joining analyses partitioned Pfr genetic diversity in two major lineages. One lineage included genotypes from the B-biotype of B. tabaci distributed across the Americas and was strongly supported in both analyses. Another lineage was distributed across Asia and consisted of four distinct clusters. Allele size homoplasy was found at the three microsatellite loci. We obtained better discrimination and resolution of the relationships among isolates with sequence data, although not all isolates could be typed. Thus sequencing of microsatellite flanking regions and repeats is a promising approach for the identification of Pfr isolates that specifically infect certain B. tabaci biotypes and phylogeographic studies.
Fish biodiversity in coral reefs and lagoon at the Maratua Island, East Kalimantan

Madduppa HH, Agus SB, Farhan AR, Suhendra D, Subhan B. 2012. Fish biodiversity in coral reefs and lagoon at the Maratua Island, East Kalimantan. Biodiversitas 13: 145-150. Fishes are one of the most important biotic components in the aquatic environment. They are filling different habitats, including coral reef and lagoon. This study aims to (i) assess biodiversity in coral reef and lagoon in Maratua Island, East Kalimantan, and (ii) compare the fish community indices (Shannon-Wiener diversity, Evenness, and Dominance) between the coral reef and lagoon. A total of 159 fish species of belonging to 30 families were observed during five visual census of the study period. The number of species on coral reefs is higher (121 species) than in the lagoons (47 species). Relative abundance (%) of each species also varied and did not form a specific pattern. However, a clear cluster between the coral reef and lagoon habitats fromfish relative abundance based on multivariate analysis and dendogram Bray-Curtis Similarity was revealed. The Evenness index value (E) ranged from 0.814 to 0.874, the dominance index (C) ranged from 0.023 to 0.184, and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (ln base, H') ranged from 1.890 to 4.133. Fish biodiversity in coral reefs was higher (H'= 3.290Â±0.301) than in the lagoon (H' = 2.495Â±0.578). Key words: diversity index, Maratua Island, lagoon, fish visual census, reef fishes
Proteome analysis of the normal and Ogura (ogu) CMS anthers of Brassica napus to identify proteins associated with male sterility

In the Ogura (ogu) cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) system in Brassica napus L. , male sterility is caused by a defect in the mitochondrial gene and, under our growth conditions, stamens produced are carpelloid. We analyzed the proteome of ogu and normal anthers with the objective of identifying differentially expressed proteins and their potential roles in pollen development and male sterility. By using differential in-gel electrophoresis, we detected over 2300 spots on 2-D gels of normal and ogu anthers and of the 167 spots with 2-fold or higher expression, 120 were analyzed by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry and 94 proteins were identified searching against NCBI and Brassica EST databases. Proteins up-regulated in normal anthers included those associated with carbohydrate and energy metabolism (e.g., fructose bisphosphatase, ATP synthase, malate dehydrogenase, and cytochrome c oxidase), cell wall remodeling (e.g., β-1,3-glucanase and pectinesterase), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), photosynthesis, and fl.
The colubrid snake, Tropidodipsas annulifera, with reference to the status of Geatractus, Exelencophis, Chersodromus annulatus and Tropidodipsas malacodryas

Eighteen specimens of west Mexican Tropidodipsas are referred to Tropidodipsas annulifera. These specimens have previously been called T. annulifera, Geatractus tecpanecus, Exelencophis nelsoni, Chersodromus annulatus, Tropidodipsas malacodryas, and Tropidodipsas occidentalis. T. annulifera is distinguished from all other Tropidodipsas by having fewer than 157 ventral scutes. It shares with T. sartorii the charac-
Effects of Limited Proteolysis on Gelation and Gel Properties of Whey Protein Isolate

Whey protein isolate was hydrolyzed by three proteolytic enzymes, porcine trypsin, a Bacillus subtilis protease (Neutrase®), and a Bacillus licheniformis protease. The heat-induced gelation properties of the hydrolysates were investigated as a function of pH, whey protein concentration, and the degree of hydrolysis, which was determined by osmometry. At pH 5.2, all control solutions (not hydrolyzed) containing 3 to 12% whey protein formed gels on heating to 80°C, but, at pH 3.0 and 7.0, only the most concentrated solution gelled. After hydrolysis by the B. licheniformis protease, all whey protein solutions at pH 7.0 formed gels, and the strength of the 12% whey protein gel was 10 times higher than that of the corresponding control gel. Trypsin hydrolysis prevented gelation of the 12% whey protein solution at pH 3.0 and 7.0 and caused a pronounced weakening of the gels formed at pH 5.2. Hydrolysis by Neutrase® did not change the ability to form a gel, but the gels formed at pH 5.2 and 7.0 were weaker and, at pH 3, were slightly stronger than the control gels. Gelation properties of whey proteins, thus, can be manipulated by limited proteolysis. Of special interest is the possibility of making very strong heat-set gels in the neutral pH range.
New record of fungus Mycoleptodiscus terrestris from New Zealand

Abstract During a survey of submersed aquatic macrophytes and their associated fungi from lakes and waterways in New Zealand’s North Island, an isolate of Mycoleptodiscus terrestris (Gerd.) Ostaz. was confirmed on the basis of colony characteristics, sporodochia, and conidial morphology. This is a new record of M. terrestris in New Zealand and a new host species, the introduced aquatic macrophyte, Ceratophyllum demersum L.
Dimorphic Foraging Strategies of a Salticid Spider (Phidippus Audax)

Adult d and 9 Phidippus audax (Salticidae) have different feeding strategies reflecting major differences in their time budgets and food requirements. Males are 89wo as large as 9 9 (mea- suired by cephalothorax width), but size dimorphism is insufficient to account for differences between their rate and pattern of feeding on flies provided experimentally. The d d feed at a uniformly low rate throughout adult life. They become sated rapidly and extract less from individual prey as they approach satiation. Individual prey sufficiently large to sate a d spider are discarded before being fully utilized. Both d d and 9 9 remove -76% of the prey biomass from fuHly utilized dipteran prey. Adult 9 9 feed at a high rate until they have developed a large egg mass. They then nearly cease feeding and deposit their eggs. During their period of high feeding, 9 9 are insatiable and utilize all dipteran prey fully, regardless of prey size or the number of prey previously eaten. Difficult prey, those that require longer handling time than do similarly-sized dipteran prey such as highly sclerotized beetles (Dermestes sp.), are consumed less fully by tS c than 9 9. Females utilize difficult and easy prey (Diptera) to a similar degree. Because d d spend the same amount of time handling and feeding on items of similar size regardless of their handling difficulty, they extract less food from difficult prey than from other prey. Both d d and 9 9 reject the large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) and are unable to penetrate the cuticle of the lightning beetle (Photuris penn- sylvanicus). Males prefer small prey (6 and 19 mg) when offered a choice of 4 (6, 19, 38, and 94 mg) sizes of dipterans. Females prefer intermediate (38 mg) sized prey. Size preferences are more distinct in d d than 9 9, and 9 9 capture a more even distribution of different prey sizes than 6 d. For both sexes the largest portion of prey biomass per spider is contributed by the largest prey selected preferentially. This is true for 6 6 even though they show a stronger preference for smaller prey.
Karyotype, reproductive organs, and pattern of gametogenesis in Zorotypus hubbardi Caudell (Insecta: Zoraptera, Zorotypidae), with discussion on relationships of the order

For the first time, the karyotype is described in a representative of the order Zoraptera. Zorotypus hubbardi Caudell (Zorotypidae) have holokinetic chromosomes and male karotype of 2n = 38 (36 + neo-XY). Males possess two follicles in each testis and females have six panoistic ovarioles in each ovary. Oogenesis and, more closely, spermato genesis, including meiosis and sperm formation, have been studied. Based on the presence of panoistic ovaries and holokinetic chromosomes, Crampton's hypothesis that Zoraptera represent a group of Polyneoptera nearest to the origin of Paraneoptera is considered the most plausible.
Long‐term responses of zooplankton to invasion by a planktivorous fish in a subarctic watercourse

Summary 1. Introduced or invading predators may have strong impacts on prey populations of the recipient community mediated by direct and indirect interactions. The long-term progression of predation effects, covering the invasion and establishment phase of alien predators, however, has rarely been documented. 2. This paper documents the impact of an invasive, specialized planktivorous fish on its prey in a subarctic watercourse. Potential predation effects on the crustacean plankton, at the community, population and individual levels, were explored in a long-term study following the invasion by vendace (Coregonus albula). 3. Over the 12-year period, the density and species richness of zooplankton decreased, smaller species became more abundant and Daphnia longispina, one of the largest cladocerans, was eliminated from the zooplankton community. 4. Within the dominant cladocerans, including Daphnia spp. , Bosmina longispina and Bosmina longirostris, the body size of ovigerous females and the size at first reproduction decreased after the arrival of the new predator. The clutch sizes of Daphnia spp. and B. longirostris also increased. 5. Increased predation pressure following the vendace invasion induced many effects on the crustacean zooplankton, and we document comprehensive and strong direct and indirect long-term impacts of an introduced non-native predator on the native prey community.
Voluntary programmes for building retrofits: opportunities, performance and challenges

Around the globe governments, businesses and citizens are actively involved in voluntary programmes that seek an improved uptake of retrofits of the existing building stock. A fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is used to understand the opportunities, performance and constraints of such programmes. Building on a series of 20 voluntary programmes in Australia, the Netherlands and the United States (including a series of 101 original interviews), the analysis finds that the majority of these have not succeeded in incentivizing their participants to take meaningful action. Insights are presented into why the majority of these programmes have underperformed, and what binds together the small number of programmes that have achieved positive results.
Pisolithus indicus, a new species of ectomycorrhizal fungus associated with Dipetrocarps in India

Pisolithus is cosmopolitan in both tropical and temperate regions and forms ectomycorrhizal associations with a wide range of woody plants. Pisolithus indicus, a new species associated with Vateria indica (Dipterocarpaceae) is reported in this study from a dipterocarp native forest in the Western Ghats in India, using both morphological and molecular tools. The length of ITS1 and ITS2 regions of the present collection differed with other sequences of Pisolithus available in the databases. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that this species did not show significant homology with existing Pisolithus sequences reported previously and formed a separate branch linking with another Pisolithus isolate from dipterocarps. Molecular and morphological evidence showed that P. indicus is a new species associated with dipterocarps in India.
Isolation of cell wall mutants in Aspergillus nidulans by screening for hypersensitivity to Calcofluor White

As a first step toward identifying novel genes of wall metabolism in filamentous fungi, we have screened a collection of Aspergillus nidulans mutants for strains exhibiting hypersensitivity toward the chitin binding agent Calcofluor White (CFW). This strategy has been used previously to identify cell wall mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have identified 10 mutants representing eight loci, designated calA through calH, for Calcofluor hypersensitivity. All cal mutants are impaired for sporulation at 30 C or 42 C or both, and in eight of the 10 mutations this sporulation defect shows at least partial osmotic remediability. All cal mutants show elevated sensitivity to one or more of the following agents: Caspofungin, Nikkomycin, Tunicamycin, Congo red and SDS, which are recognized wall-compromising agents or have been shown to be inhibitory to wall integrity mutants in yeast. Seven of the 10 cal mutants show swelling at elevated temperature, which in most cases is osmotically remediable. Spore swelling also can be induced at 30 C in all but one of the cal mutants by germination in the presence of one or more of the following: Caspofungin, Nikkomycin or Tunicamycin. Analysis of wall sugars showed no major changes in mutant strains. We also report that the chitin synthase inhibitor Nikkomycin induces excessive spore swelling during germination in all tested strains that have wild type cell wall metabolism (GR5, A4, A28 and AH12) at 42 C but not at 30 C. This effect mimics that of certain temperature-sensitive swollen cell (swo) mutations.
Alfalfa Weevil Effects on Regrowth of Alfalfa 1

Earlier work indicated that large reductions in second cutting yields of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) could occur when larvae of the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica Gyllenhal) fed on the stubble following the first harvest. To study the problem further, larval populations of known size were transferred to alfalfa plots after the first harvest was removed. The larvae fed on basal buds and, at the highest population (about 10,000/m²), completely destroyed active growing points in the stubble within 2 days. Measurements taken during the 40 days following the first harvest showed increasing regrowth delays for each increment of weevil population. Herbage yield, morphological stage, height, leaf percentage, in vitro digestibility, and crude protein content were all affected. Total nonstructural carbohydrate accumulation in taproots was also delayed by weevil damage to basal buds. The maximum delay in regrowth was 6 to 10 days and up to one-third of the yield potential of the 40-day regrowth period could be lost. The regression equation to predict the percentage of the maximum loss (Y) from the insect population in larvae/m²(X) was as follows: Y = 0.0531X. The regression equation, which was forced through the origin, had an r² value of 0.868.
Algicidal bacteria in a high-latitude coral community and their effect on zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium spp.) isolated from the coral Acropora formosa

In order to investigate the potential effect of algicidal (algae-killing) bacteria on zooxanthellae, some bacterial strains having algicidal properties were isolated from a coral community in the south of Kochi Prefecture (Japan) and their effect on freshly isolated zooxanthellae from Acropora formosa and zooxanthellae in culture (CCMP 2466-Symbiodinium goreaui (Trench et Blank)) was observed. Out of twenty bacterial strains isolated, three strains (strain 4-2DW-1, strain 4-1SW-1 and strain 1B) were found to have strong algicidal activity towards zooxanthellae with considerable cell degradation in up to five different grades (transparent/bleached cells, shrunken cells, swollen cells, necrosis and degradation). In case of freshly isolated zooxanthellae, the algicidal activity of strains 1B, 4-2DW-1 and 4-1SW1 affected 64-86%, 48-67% and 56-75.4% of cells respectively. However, in case of cultured zooxanthellae CCMP 2466-Symbiodinium goreaui (Trench et Blank), only 8-11% of zooxanthellae cells were affected. The results of this study indicate the presence of algicidal bacteria in coral communities, which can influence the health condition of zooxanthellae and suggests that algicidal bacteria might be playing a role in bleaching of corals susceptible to bacterial attack.
Phaeomoniella zymoides and Phaeomoniella pinifoliorum spp. nov., new acid-tolerant epiphytic fungi isolated from pine needles in Korea

Two new epiphytes of anamorphic ascomycetes, Phaeomoniella zymoides sp. nov. and Phaeomoniella pinifoliorum sp. nov., were isolated from the needle surface of Pinus densiflora in Korea. The new taxa were characterized by acid-tolerant, slow, partially yeast-like growth and extensive production of emerging cells on convex wrinkled mycelial colonies. Phaeomoniella zymoides produced mycelium with large numbers of intercalary and lateral or terminal vesicles or swollen cells. Large conidiogenous cells had a swollen base and appeared to be phialidic, and many phialoconidia also were produced from lateral hyphal apertures. Maturing colonies of Ph. zymoides were made up of dark green to blackish areas and produced a Phoma-like synanamorph. Primary conidia became elongate mother cells giving rise to polar or lateral secondary conidia. Phaeomoniella pinifoliorum was characterized by reduced, swollen, phialide-like cells, lateral production of conidia from hyphae and terminal or subterminal, or less commonly lateral, secondary production of conidia from yeast-like primary conidia. When ITS and 28S rDNA sequences were compared and analyzed with those of best matching GenBank taxa, the Phaeomoniella group consisted of three lineages, “zymoides,” “pinifoliorum” and “chlamydospora” clades, which again showed a complete sister relationship to Moristroma quercinum ined.
Mitochondrial inheritance patterns in Didymium iridis are not influenced by stage of mating competency

To test whether the timing of transition to mating competency affected mitochondrial transmission patterns in D. iridis. Reciprocal crosses were made by combining mating compatible strains that differed in their competency to mate. The results were compared to crosses where both mating strains were competent at the time of combining and crosses where somatic fusion of plasmodia was allowed. The results show that the mating competency of the parental strains at the time of confronting a compatible mate does not affect mitochondrial transmission patterns, mating efficiency or the likelihood of biparental inheritance. However the timing of plasmodial formation is delayed when precompetent and competent strains are mated compared to when both strains are competent at the time of mixing. We also observed that somatic fusion of plasmodia did not appreciably increase the incidence of biparental inheritance compared to crosses where individual plasmodia were isolated. These results provide additional evidence of the variable nature of mitochondrial inheritance in D. iridis within crosses and between mating trials.
Development of ToxA and ToxB promoter-driven fluorescent protein expression vectors for use in filamentous ascomycetes

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) has been established as the premier in vivo reporter for investigations of gene expression, protein localization, and cell and organism dynamics. The fungal transformation vector pCT74, with sGFP under the control of the ToxA promoter from Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, effectively expresses GFP in a diverse group of filamentous ascomycetes. Due to the versatility of ToxA promoter-driven expression of GFP, we constructed an additional set of fluorescent protein expression vectors to expand the color palette of fluorescent markers for use in filamentous fungi. EYFP, ECFP and mRFP1 were successfully expressed from the ToxA promoter in its fungus of origin, P. tritici-repentis, and a distant relative, Verticillium dahliae. Additionally the ToxB promoter from P. tritici-repentis drove expression of sGFP in V. dahliae, suggesting a similar potential to the ToxA promoter for heterologous expression in ascomycetes. The suite of fungal transformation vectors presented here promise to be useful for a variety of fungal research applications.
Laboratory investigations of trichomycete prevalence, abundance and fecundity in a Smittium-simuliid model

Smittium, the most speciose genus of the “gut fungi” (Zygomycota: Trichomycetes), is found attached to the hindgut cuticle of larval aquatic Diptera. Smittium spp. colonize several host families (e.g., Smittium culisetae in Chironomidae, Culicidae and Simuliidae), but some species appear to be specific to a single host family (e.g., Smittium morbosum Sweeney in Culicidae). The specificity of Smittium spp. within a host family has been difficult to resolve. This research presents evidence that certain Smittium spp. differentially colonize particular species of black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) hosts as measured by differences in prevalence, abundance and fecundity. Reasons for this differential occurrence and fecundity in hosts are unclear but might include fungal responses to variations in host morphology, physiology, distribution or behavior. Variable fitness of Smittium spp. , within a suite of available hosts, could be a factor in the diversity of this fungal group.
Acidic Groundwater Discharge and in Situ Egg Survival in Redds of Lake-Spawning Brook Trout

Abstract Spawning of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis in lakes occurs over areas of groundwater discharge. The rate and chemistry of groundwater discharge influence brook trout egg survival and reproductive success. While most studies have reported that groundwater discharge in brook trout redds is buffered relative to the surrounding lake water, we documented brook trout spawning over an area of acidic groundwater discharge (pH as low as 4.7) in a lake with circumneutral surface waters (pH > 6.1). A follow-up experiment that assessed in situ egg survival indicated 0% survival in redds with either low-pH groundwater or adequate groundwater pH but low groundwater discharge. More than 80% of eggs survived in a reference lake with well-buffered groundwater and adequate discharge rates. These results suggest that both low pH and low groundwater flow rates may contribute to brook trout egg mortality. Low-pH groundwater may be a factor to consider in brook trout restoration efforts, especially in lakes where w.