Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does masting result in frugivore satiation? A test with Manilkara trees in French Guiana

Abstract: Species showing mast seeding synchronously produce large amounts of fruits during some scattered years. This massive crop has been hypothesized to improve dispersal effectiveness by a satiation of seed predators, but the consequences for seed dispersers have barely been studied in the tropics. We tested the hypothesis that masting resulted in satiation of frugivorous dispersers using the study case of two Manilkara species growing in an Amazonian forest in French Guiana. Seed dispersal was estimated by means of seed traps in two forest types during a 10-y monitoring. Manilkara huberi and M. bidentata showed three fruiting events in a time span of 10 y (in 2001, 2006 and 2010). Estimates of seed dispersal from 2001 and 2010 showed that satiation of frugivores only occurred in the year with the largest crop of Manilkara (2010) and in the habitat where the diversity of primate-dispersed species retrieved in seed traps was the highest (Grand Plateau, with clay soils), while fruit consumers did not seem to be satiated in other instances. Spatio-temporal variability of seed production and the community-crop context are therefore affecting satiation of frugivores during masting events.
Host Plant Resistance to

One of eight high tannin cottons had more cotton leafperforator horseshoes than the DPL -61 check, but none had fewer. Six of the high tannin stocks had significantly higher seed damage than DPL -61, while the other two did not differ significantly from DPL -61. Among 25 early and miscellaneous breeding stocks and cultivars, only "Stoneville 213" and La Okra 500C had significantly less seasonal seed damage than DPL -61.
Artifactual and natural variation of Oochoristica javaensis: Statistical evaluation of in situ fixation

Lack of knowledge of the extent of natural morphological variation can undermine proper taxonomic decisions. Confounding this problem is artifactual variation that arises from improper fixation techniques. For the morphologically based taxonomy of the cestode genus Oochoristica, little information exists on the plasticity of important taxonomic characters. In addition, paratypes of several species of Oochoristica are highly contracted and contorted. These paratypes were recovered from preserved hosts; thus, the tapeworms were killed and fixed inside the host (in situ fixation). Experiments demonstrated that in situ fixation of Oochoristica javaensis results in highly contracted specimens, and statistical comparisons between relaxed and in situ-fixed tapeworms revealed significant differences for proglottid measurements. Natural variation for the paratypes recovered from preserved hosts is likely misrepresented by the artificial variation induced by in situ fixation. Lastly, data from natural infections suggested that proglottid characters of O. javaensis are plastic and may be subject to crowding effects.
Modern methods for cultivar verification and the transgenic plant challenge

The ability to discriminate between cultivars of crops is fundamental to the operation of the modern seed trade. ISTA has a long history of interest and involvement in cultivar verification/identification and through the activities of the Variety Committee has promoted the development and use of new techniques for this purpose. This paper considers some of the modern methods that are being applied to cultivar verification, namely the use of computerised image analysis systems, the use of gel electrophoresis methods to analyse proteins and enzymes, and various DNA profiling techniques. In addition, the advent of genetically modified crops will pose novel problems for seed testers, and different approaches to this challenge are discussed.
The relationship of cleft palate to riboflavin deficiency and genotype in chickens

The incidence of cl e f t palate was observed in 1361 F-|, 1531 F^, and 2275 backcross embryos and chicks from a reciprocal cross between an inbred Leghorn line selected for high incidence (30 to 50%) of c l e f t palate and a non-cleft palate (New Hampshire; zero %) li n e . Cleft palate appeared in the F^ at frequencies less than 1%, in the F^ at approximately 1%, and in the backcrosses. at approximately 8%. When dams were fed a diet deficient in riboflavin, the incidence of cle f t palate was shown to increase for the F^ and backcross progeny to 4% and 12% respectively. The response of cl e f t palate incidence to riboflavin deficiency was shown to be in large part a genetic characteristic of the embryo i t s e l f and not the dam. The reduced hatchability of eggs during maternal riboflavin deficiency was shown to be similar to earlier reports. No evidence of any unusual response of c l e f t palate line hens to riboflavin deficiency was found for hatchability, chick body weight, nor maternal effect on cl e f t palate. The c l e f t palate condition was shown to be semi-lethal, the lethality being partially due to severe expression of the t r a i t . Genetic models were considered and i t was suggested that the model to be further tested should be that of 3 recessive l o c i , one of which involves a fault in the normal metabolism of riboflavin, and a few additive loci controlling penetrance and expressivity of the
Application of different DNA markers in studies on cryptic species of Aneura pinguis (Jungermanniopsida, Metzgeriales)

The liverwort Aneura pinguis is represented in Europe by 4 cryptic species (A, B, C and D). They differ in morphology and ecological preferences. Three molecular marker systems (RAPD, ISJ and katG) were used to identify particular cryptic species. Ten samples of 4 cryptic species of A. pinguis and 2 samples of A. maxima (as an outgroup) were analysed. The 18 primers representing 3 different DNA marker categories revealed 147 bands, and 56 of them were species-specific. Among the cryptic species of A. pinguis, the greatest number of 21 specific bands was observed in species D, compared to 8 in species C. 7 in species B, 5 in species A, and 15 in A. maxima. The value of genetic similarity between analysed populations at the intraspecific level was I=0.90. In contrast, the I value between particular studied cryptic species ranged from 0.385 to 0.690. The similarities showed that species C and D are the most distinct, whereas species A and B are the most similar. The results of DNA analysis are consistent with earlier enzymatic data and support the division of A. pinguis into 4 cryptic species.
Reproductive biology of three ray species : Gymnura micrura (Bloch & Schneider, 1801 ), Dasyatis guttata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) and Dasyatis marianae Gomes, Rosa & Gadig, 2000, caught by artisanal fisheries in Northeastern Brazil

Reproduction de trois especes de raies: Gymnura micrura (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), Dasyatis guttata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) et Dasyatis marianae Gomes, Rasa & Gadig, 2000, capturees par les pecheries artisanales du nord-est du Bresil. Deux cent quarante-huit exemplaires de Gymnura micrura, 154 Dasyatis guttata et 24 Dasyatis marianae ont ete echantillonnes. Les juveniles de G. micrura et D. Guttata representent respectivement 78 et 88% de l'echantillon. Tous les exemplaires de D. Marianae etaient des adultes, la taille estimee a la naissance est de 13-14 cm de largeur de disque (DW). La premiere maturite sexuelle des mâles et des femelles de G. micrura s'etablit respectivement a 27-30 cm DW et 34-36 cm DW, et la taille a la naissance correspond a 15-17,4 cm DW. La premiere maturite sexuelle des mâles et femelles de D. guttata est estimee a 41-46 cm DW et 50-55 cm DW respectivement, et la taille a la naissance a ete estimee a 12,3-15,3 cm DW. Gymnura micrura est caracterisee par un ovaire (gauche) et deux uterus fonctionnels, contrairement au genre Dasyatis pour lequel seulement l'uterus gauche est fonctionnel. Chez les trois especes, la vitellogenese est simultanee a la gestation. Gymnura micrura semble se reproduire toute l'annee sur le site etudie. Pour D. guttata et D. marianae, deux episodes de reproduction par an et une periode de gestation de 5-6 mois sont suggeres.
Isolasi dan karakterisasi potensi biodiesel mikroalga air tawar yang dikoleksi dari beberapa perairan umum sekitar Tangerang dan Bogor

Mikroalga berpotensi sebagai bahan baku biodiesel yang dapat menggantikan bahan bakar fosil karena memiliki kandungan lipid yang tinggi. Untuk menggali potensi mikroalga sebagai bahan baku biodiesel di Indonesia perlu dilakukan isolasi mikroalga dari perairan di Indonesia dan karakterisasi kandungan lipid mikroalga tersebut. Penelitian ini melakukan isolasi dan karakterisasi mikroalga air tawar yang dikoleksi dari beberapa perairan umum sekitar Tangerang dan Bogor. Mikroalga diisolasi dengan metode spread pada Half-strength Chu #10 Medium dan isolat kemudian diisolasi berdasarkan kenampakan morfologinya. Karakteristik pertumbuhan mikroalga diamati dengan menghitung kepadatan sel (jumlah sel/ml) dari mikroalga yang ditumbuhkan pada Half-strength Chu #10 Medium selama 30 hari. Kultur dipanen pada hari ke-10, 20, dan 30. Berat kering sel ditimbang setelah dikeringkan dalam oven selama satu malam. Untuk mengetahui kandungan lipid dalam biomassa maka sejumlah biomassa kering tersebut dipindahkan ke dalam timbel selulosa (Whatman Cellulose Extraction Thimbles, Single Thickness 25 Thimbles) dan kemudian di refluks dalam campuran heksana dan aseton (masing-masing 75 ml) pada perangkat Soxhlet. Setelah evaporasi ekstrak yang mengandung lipid, labu evaporasi ditimbang untuk mendapatkan persentase total lipid dalam sampel. Selama penelitian ditemukan 2 jenis mikroalga dari situ Ciseeng yaitu Chlorella sp. dan Ankistrodesmus sp. Berat kering Chlorella sp. pada hari ke-10, 20, dan 30 masing-masing adalah 0,07 gr/l; 0,134 gr/l; dan 0,284 gr/l, sedangkan berat kering Ankistrodesmus sp. pada hari ke-10, 20, dan 30 masing-masing adalah 0,127 gr/l; 0,141 gr/l; dan 0,192 gr/l. Total lipid Chlorella sp. pada hari ke-10, 20, dan 30 masing-masing adalah 14,09%; 21,68%; dan 27,85%, sedangkan total lipid Ankistrodesmus sp. pada hari ke-10, 20, dan 30 masing-masing adalah 13,57%; 16,82%; dan 20,22%. Secara statistika (Uji Duncan), kenaikan berat kering yang signifikan terjadi pada Chlorella sp. dan Ankistrodesmus sp. dari hari ke-20 hingga hari ke-30 dan dari hari ke-10 hingga hari ke-30. Untuk total lipid, kenaikan yang signifikan pada Chlorella sp. terjadi dari hari ke-10 hingga hari ke-20 dan dari hari ke-10 hingga hari ke-30, sedangkan pada Ankistrodesmus sp. , kenaikan yang signifikan diperoleh dari hari ke-10 hingga hari ke-30.
The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on avian immune cell subpopulations in peripheral blood, spleen, and thymus

The consumption of n-3 PUFAs is low, particularly the long chain (>18 carbon atoms) fatty acids that are most commonly found in fish oils. These dietary fatty acids have been shown to have a great effect on the health and immune status of different species including humans, rats and poultry. The current paper reviews studies on the effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on B- and T-cell subpopulations in peripheral blood, spleen, and thymus of poultry.
The first representative of Coelomactra antiquata mitochondrial genome from Liaoning (China) and phylogenetic consideration

Abstract Coelomactra antiquata is a famous delicacy and a promising new candidate for aquaculture, which belongs to the family Mactridae (Mollusca: Veneroida). The complete mitochondrial genome of C. antiquata (Liao Ning province, in China, LN) was finished, which is the first representative from this province. The results showed that the total length of LN-mtDNA sequence is 16,797 bp and the content of A + T is 65.01%. It encodes 35 genes, including 12 protein-coding genes, 21 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes. All coding genes are encoded on the heavy strand. Compared with the typical gene content of animal mitochondrial genomes, atp8 and trnSer(UCN) genes are missing in the mitochondrial genome. The complete mitochondrial genome contains 26 non-coding regions (1598 bp), one major non-coding region consists of 1046 bp in which 4.9 tandem repeat sequences (99bp per sequence) was observed. The phylogenetic tree showed that Liaoning population was clustered into one clade with Shandong (Rizhao, Jiaonan and Jimo) and Guangxi (Beihai) populations, meanwhile all of them are far from the Fujian populations (Pingtan, Zhangzhou and Changle). So, Liaoning, Shandong and Guangxi populations have a close relationship. Actually, Fujian is located between Liaoning, Shandong and Guangxi. So, the result challenges the previously assumed relevance between geographic distance and genetic distance. The genetic distance of Liaoning C. antiquata and Fujian (Changle, Zhangzhou and Pingtan) C. antiquata (0.176–0.177) is greater than the genetic distance between Mytilus galloprovincialis and Mytilus trossulus (0.160). The genetic difference of Liaoning population and Fujian populations has reached species level.
Developmental validation of a forensic profiling system for black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and extraction of nuclear DNA from historic rhinoceros horns

___________________________________________________________ i Declaration ________________________________________________________ iii Acknowledgements _________________________________________________ iv Table of contents ____________________________________________________ v Glossary of Abbreviations ____________________________________________ vi List of Tables _______________________________________________________ vii List of Figures ______________________________________________________ ix 1 Chapter 1 – General introduction ____________________________________ 1 1.1 Overexploitation of rhinoceros prior to the 21st century ___________________1 1.2 The rhinoceros horn trade ___________________________________________3 1.3 Impact of the resurgence in the rhinoceros horn trade _____________________7 1.4 Improved methods to combat the horn trade __________________________ 10 1.5 Aims ___________________________________________________________ 12 2 Chapter 2 – Validation of a forensic profiling system for black rhinoceros __ 13 2.
The vascular plant flora of shell gravel deposits on the Åland Islands, SW Finland : community structure in relation to calcium

Plants are referred to as calciphilic (calcicole) or acidophilic depending on their relation to lime. We censused the vascular plant flora on seven shell gravel deposits from the Littorina Age and in two reference areas with naturally high species richness on the Aland Islands, assuming that a higher proportion of calciphilic plants would be found on the shell gravel deposits than elsewhere. Both the total number of plants and the number of calciphiles showed a significant positive correlation with the calcium (Ca) concentrations of the soils, but the highest number of species and proportions of calciphilic species were not found on shell gravel, but at intermediate to high Ca-levels in areas affected by man and domestic animals. We did not observe a strong influence of Ca on the species distribution patterns, otherwise than possibly indirectly via a raised pH-value. On the contrary, the strongest explanatory environmental variable seemed to be phosphorus, P. This in turn raises further questions: Should we rather use the word alkaliphilic? Are plants Ca-dependent or Ca-tolerant? Could the whole story be about P and not Ca? When switching the analytical focus from sites to species, Ca-neutral species were on average found at more sites than moderately or strongly calciphilic species. In a species-based ordination, the calciphiles also clustered significantly differently from the Ca-neutral species, both when analysing all species simultaneously and when analysing a subset of the most widely distributed species. The exact meaning of this is hard to evaluate, but it may give a hint that many calciphiles could be poor generalists and that the Ca concentration not always was sufficiently high at all shell-gravel sites. It also demonstrates the functionality of dividing species into these four groups with regard to Ca dependency, especially if the Ca-neutral group solely consists of acidophilic species. This is also in support for a continuing use of calciphilic plants as indicators for rough assessments or initial screenings of plant diversity in applied conservation.
Diet and foraging site selection of the Great Cormorant in Japan

全国で増加傾向にあり,内水面漁業への食害が懸念されているカワウについて,これまで行われてきた調査や研究をもとに,日本のカワウの採食魚種,食物のサイズ構成と採食量,採食場所選択の特徴についてまとめた. カワウは多様な魚種を食物としており,採食可能な魚類の体長幅は約3～30cm,野外で一日に必要な食物量は約500gと推定された. カワウはまた,季節や生息場所の状況に応じて,淡水域,汽水域,海域の採食場所を柔軟に使い分けていた. 安定同位体比分析の結果から,カワウには地域個体群としての採食場所選択のほかに,個体ごとの採食場所選択の特徴があることが示唆された. これらの結果から,カワウの食性解析の研究は,魚食性鳥類の採餌戦略という鳥類生態学の課題としても,食害問題など野生鳥獣の保護管理における課題としても,今後さらに発展させていく必要があると考えられた.
Life cycle, biology and production of an estuarine isopod (Cyathura carinata)

The life cycle, population dynamics and production of Cyathura carinata (a keystone species in the Mondego estuary, Portugal) is described from an intertidal mudflat along a spatial gradient of eutrophication. New information is presented conceming the role of macroalgal blooms in the biology, dynamics and production of the estuarine isopod C. carinata. A previous hypothesis that large and extensive macroalgal blooms could bring about the disappearance of this species from the intertidal area was not supported. Moreover; it seemed that large biomasses of the macroalgal Enteromorpha sp. could favour the population in the Mondego estuary. Just one annual cohort was produced in June, in opposition to previous studies. Our results suggest that C. carinata is an annual species in the Mondego estuary, with univoltine life cycle. Growth production (P) of C. carinata during the algal bloom was 10.543 g.m 4 month-, and 19.623 g.m year l , and without macroalgae 7.718 g.m4 month-, and I 1.795 g.myear-I. PiB and EIS ratios were always lower during the macroalgae blooms, which is consistent with the idea that the energy flow is smaller in these periods because the standing stock is much higher. Moreover; this paper reveals that conclusions based on just one annual cycle can be incorrect Longer sampling programs are needed to have a better understanding of the real dynamics of macrobenthic species in very dynamic systems.
Studies on the Rays and Skates Belonging to the Family Rajidae , Found in Japan and Adjacent Regions:2. On the Age-determination of Japanese Black-skate Raja fusca GARMAN (Preliminary Report)

Introduction : Although many works have recently been published on the age-determination of Teleosts based on the scales, otoliths and vertebrae, but nothing has been made on Elasmo branchii. For the above reason, I have provisionally studied the method of the age-determination of Japanese black-skate, Raja fusca Garman (3) ,a) ,11) , on the basis of the histological structure of the vertebral centrums relating to the statistical investigations of the size-frequency-distribution and also from the viewpoint of measurement of the external characters, etc. The specimens on which the present investigation is based, were captured off Chosi, Tiba Prefecture in May and November of 1949. The length of a boby is indicated by measurement from the tip of snout to the end of the tail, and the length of a disc by that of the length of disc exclusive of the ventral fins. The materials of vertebral centrums were obtained from those placed between the 10th and about the 20th vertebrae, and, were fixed in alcohol (75%) and decalcified by dilute nitric acid (3-5%) or trichloro acetic acid (5-10%) for several days. For staining of the sections Myer' s haema toxylin and eosin or Mallory's solution were applied after cutting (10-30)1) by celloidinmethod. It is pleasure to record here my gratitude to professor K. Matsubara for his good supervisions during the course of my studies. I also wish to express my thanks to Mr. K. Dote, who enabled me to collect many valuable specimens. Further I must express my best thanks to Dr. Y. Hibino, Maizuru National Hospital, who has given me many helpfull suggestions and criticisms al lowing me to use medical apparatus for cutting sections. The expenses for executing the investi gations of this study was defrayed by the research fund from Ministry of Edcation. Histological structure for the vertebral centrums of verioussize of boby. The longitudinal sections which cut through the center of the vertebral centrums of the young skate, measuring about 150mm. in total length, are seen as a broad V above and as an inverted V below with in two V's being separate at their apices by the notochord (P1. Fig. E). These V's are separated into three zones of cells'), viz., inner(i. z.), median(m. z.) and outer(o. z.) zones respectively (PI. Fig. A). The inner-zone, which is o&served around the outside of the notochord, is characterized by having sparsely arranged cells stained deeply with haematoxylin (P]. Fig. A-D; i. z.). The median-zone, however, made up from the minute calcified cells crowded together into a V-shaped narrow band is distinguished from others by thicker staining
Forest fragmentation alters winter microclimates and microrefugia in human‐modified landscapes

&NA; With over half of earth's terrestrial biota living beneath forest canopies, our ability to accurately capture organism–climate relationships in forested ecosystems is imperative for predicting species' vulnerability to future climate change. Assessing the vulnerability of forest dependent species, however, hinges on quantifying microclimates that exist below the forest canopy and might be influenced by varying levels of disturbance in human‐modified landscapes. The goal of our study was to examine the multi‐scaled predictors of subcanopy microclimate variability across a heterogeneous landscape in Midwestern USA during winter, and to further evaluate whether a widely available interpolated climate model accurately captures this variability. By deploying a network of temperature sensors along a fragmentation gradient, we found that forests in more fragmented landscapes with greater amounts of forest edge and increasing distances between forest patches, experienced colder minimum and average daily temperatures throughout the winter than forests in less fragmented landscapes. We found that greater tree densities and higher elevations led to warmer microclimates while increasing distances from urban centers led to colder microclimates. The negative effect of forest edge on minimum temperatures was lessened by the effect of increasing basal area, highlighting the importance of local‐ and landscape‐scale features on microclimate heterogeneity. Temperature discrepancies between subcanopy microclimates and climate interpolations were influenced by many of the same features, and could be of a similar magnitude as those predicted by future climate change scenarios. Using a biological threshold based on metabolic and demographic constraints for winter birds, we found that the variability in microclimates along our forest fragmentation gradient (50 km) was comparable to the magnitude captured by weather stations across a latitudinal gradient spanning more than 650 km. Our results suggest that biophysical properties of landscapes can alter spatial gradients of microclimates and should be considered when assessing species' vulnerabilities to future climate change.